Man Sentenced to 190 Years for Murder of Jacqueline Avant

On Tuesday, Aariel Maynor was sentenced to 190 years for the murder of 81-year-old Jacqueline Avant, wife of music executive Clarence Avant.

Five months after the tragic 2021 murder of Jacqueline Avant, suspect Aariel Maynor has been sentenced. On Tuesday, Maynor received a sentencing of 190 years in a California prison, per Billboard. Avant, the wife of legendary music executive Clarence Avant, was 81-years-old.

Prior to the sentencing, Deputy District Attorney Victor Avila revealed in court documents that Maynor bragged about the murder to a woman on a jail phone call.

“You think my mama’s seen that?” Avila asked.

“I don’t know, but that’s not funny,” the unidentified woman responded. “Why are you laughin’? That’s somebody’s life. That’s somebody’s family member.”

Previously on parole for a second robbery conviction, Maynor also gloated during a jail phone call about expecting a shorter sentencing because prosecutors were not seeking life without parole.

“I’m gonna get out of jail. I’ll probably do like 20 … 25, get out, you feel me?” he said.

Despite Maynor's hopes, the office of District Attorney George Gascón did not seek a special circumstance allegation, since the murder was committed following the act of burglary, leading to a possible sentence of life without parole. Under the Three Strikes law, prosecutors sought an amplified sentencing for Maynor, where a third offense or violent felony can lead to a life sentence.

In March, Maynor pleaded guilty to murder and additional charges in Los Angeles Superior Court, admitting to used an AR-15 style semi-automatic rifle to shoot Avant, also shooting at her security guard on December 1st. During the home invasion, Maynor shot Avant in the back during a burgulary attempt where Maynor attempted to steal $50,000, as revealed by prosecutors. Once fleeing the scene of Avant's home in the Hollywood Hills, Maynor accidentally shot himself in the foot.