Man Convicted After Killing Girlfriend And Leaving Kids To Die
July 30, 2024
Mandiko Kwadzo faces 53 years to life in prison after killing Carliena Clayton and standing by as her four children almost drowned in a car
A California jury convicted a man who killed his girlfriend and after committing the crime, stood by as the children he had with her almost drowned as he made no attempt to save the children at the scene.
According to a press release from the Sacramento District Attorney’s Office, 31-year-old Mandiko Kwadzo was found guilty by a jury of first-degree murder on July 24. They also convicted him of being a felon in possession of a firearm. He was convicted after being accused of killing his girlfriend, Carliena Clayton. The killer is facing a maximum sentence of 53 years to life in prison when he is sentenced. That is scheduled to take place on September 6, 2024.
The killing happened nearly four years ago on July 27, 2020. Police officers from West Sacramento were summoned to a residence after reports of gunfire inside the residence. Eyewitnesses stated that the couple was arguing in the driveway and as Clayton took her four children in a car, Kwadzo got into the passenger seat of the vehicle. Police officers arrived at the residence and realized that a shooting had taken place inside.
Meanwhile, a man was at Cliff’s Marina when he heard a gunshot and then a car crashing into the Sacramento River. After calling a friend, the two went to the scene of the crash and saw the car the couple were traveling in in the river. They noticed Kwadzo standing near the vehicle but not doing anything to help the victim or the children who were discovered in the car. They saw Clayton in the driver’s seat unresponsive and the four children in the backseat.
The oldest child, who was 6 years old, had unfastened his seat belt but the youngest, who was 2 was still in the car seat. The two men were able to rescue the children.
Police officers arrived at the scene and found Clayton, who didn’t have a pulse and was bleeding from her head. Initially, the officers suspected the car was in an accident but the oldest child explained to them that Kwadzo shot Clayton. The officers then took him into custody.
The weapon was never found and police officers later found out that she was shot twice in the head.
