A Jurupa Valley man who killed his estranged wife with his nephew’s help to prevent her from taking his home in a divorce — then blamed another man, who was wrongfully convicted of the crime — was bound for California’s Death Row today, while his relative was headed to state prison to serve a life term.
Googie Rene Harris Sr., 68, and Joaquin L. Leal, 59, were convicted last summer of first-degree murder and a special circumstance allegation of lying in wait for the 1998 slaying of 33-year-old Terry Cheek.
The panel also found true a special circumstance allegation against Harris of committing murder for financial gain.
Jurors recommended capital punishment for him and life in prison without the possibility of parole for Leal…