A Los Angeles jury has convicted ex-Bank of America executive Anthony Duwayne Turner of raping and murdering another BofA executive, Michelle Avan, his former girlfriend — prompting social media cheers from the victim’s supporters.
Turner, 56, whom the prosecution described as violent and controlling, was found guilty Tuesday of murder, forcible rape and burglary in connection with Avan's slaying in her Reseda home on Aug. 3, 2021.
The California Superior Court jury, which started deliberating Monday afternoon, also agreed with two “special allegation” charges — murder while committing a rape and murder while committing a burglary — that could result in life in prison without parole.
He is set to be sentenced Oct. 10, a spokesperson for the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office told ThinkAdvisor by email.
After the verdict was announced, the Justice for Michelle Avan group posted a celebratory message on Facebook.
"Guilty on ALL counts.🙌🙌🙌🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾! Special shout out to our prosecution team and the detective. We extend our sincerest gratitude for their diligent efforts. Their thoroughness was exemplary. Four years later. Life without the possibility of parole. Thank you Jesus!" it reads.
Avan had been promoted to Bank of America senior vice president, head of global women's and under-represented talent strategy global human resources, some two months before she was killed. Earlier, she had been a Merrill Lynch managing director for nearly 23 years, according to her LinkedIn profile.
About a year before the murder, Turner became BofA's global commercial banking market executive for the greater Los Angeles and Inland Empire markets, overseeing a 17-banker team; he joined BofA in 2015 and earlier had been with Wells Fargo and CIT/OneWest Bank, according to the Inland Empire Business Journal.
Turner earned an MBA from the University of Southern California and a BA in quantitative economics from the University of California, San Diego, and was involved with several community and professional groups, the business publication reported.
Details of the Crimes
Prosecutors accused Turner of murdering 48-year-old Avan — beating and strangling her — and leaving her home the following day. Her son reportedly found her body two days after the murder.
Turner's defense attorney had contended that the case was akin to putting the former banker's sexual interests — Bondage, Discipline, Sadism and Masochism — on trial, while a prosecutor argued that Turner's polished appearance masks a violent and controlling personality, the Los Angeles Daily News reported last week.
The prosecutor argued that Avan had planned a trip with friends, which Turner considered disrespectful, and described him generally as someone who became violent when feeling disrespected, the paper reported.
Citing Avan’s journal, the prosecutor told jurors the victim wanted to be with Turner but was terrified of him, and wrote that he had beaten her, the newspaper also reported, noting that the two had dated off and on since 2016.
Turner testified during the trial, saying that he had gone to the Bofa executive's home after a party to break up for good and that Avan was alive when he left early the following morning, according to the news outlet — which also reported that Turner told the court he and Avan were in a dominant-submissive relationship, although not at work.
The prosecutor, however, argued that Turner lied about the reason for his visit to Avan's home and that the dominant-submissive testimony was a cover up for domestic abuse, according to the Daily News.
Prosecutors also used video and security system data from Avan’s home, the paper said.
ABC 7 reported Tuesday that Turner's defense attorney suggested the battered victim could have inflicted harm on herself by banging her head on a counter.
'A Powerful Message'
“Today’s guilty verdict has sent a powerful message that our community will hold those who commit brutal acts of domestic violence fully accountable for their actions,” Nathan J. Hochman, Los Angeles County's district attorney, said in a statement sent to ThinkAdvisor.
“First and foremost, I want to honor the memory of Michelle Annette Avan, whose life was senselessly taken by Anthony Duwayne Turner in August 2021. I applaud the jury’s swift and decisive verdict, as they found Turner guilty of the first-degree murder and rape of Ms. Avan," Hochman said.
"Turner committed these vicious crimes that took the life of someone who was a devoted and loving mother, an accomplished banking executive and an integral member of our community," he added.
Hochman also thanked two deputy district attorneys and two Los Angeles Police Department homicide detectives who worked on the case.
Avan’s supporters posted comments cheering the verdict on the Justice for Michelle Avan group page on Facebook.
“It was a looong wait but what a RELIEF today was. I’m so glad for all of us who loved her that the jury did the right thing. She mattered—- a LOT, to so many people who loved her,” one wrote under the Facebook post.
“My forever Mentor, my sister, my friend!! How I miss you and I am grateful to God for this justice!!” another wrote. “I will always love you!!”
Another added: “Finally!! Rest in peace, Michelle! 💔”
(Shown in photo: Michelle Avan)
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