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Man pleads to murdering Palmdale woman in decades-old case

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Leslie Long (Photo courtesy Crimestoppers)
Leslie Long (Photo courtesy Crimestoppers)

LANCASTER — One of two men charged with kidnapping and killing a Palmdale gas station attendant more than 35 years ago has pleaded guilty to her murder, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office announced.

Terry Moses, 60, pleaded guilty last week to the 1978 murder of Leslie Long, according to Deputy District Attorney Tannaz Mokayef. As part of his Jan. 7 plea, Moses admitted the special circumstance allegations of murder during a robbery, murder during a kidnapping and murder during a rape.

Moses also pleaded guilty to the murders of Carlton Goodwin and Michael Fuqua on Aug. 22, 1976; and to the attempted murder of Kenney Guevara on Dec. 7, 1996, according to the District Attorney’s Office.

Moses will be sentenced to three terms of life in prison without the possibility of parole after his co-defendant in the Long murder goes to trial, Mokayef said.

Co-defendant Neal Antoine Matthews, 58, of Lancaster, was in the Antelope Valley branch court Wednesday for arraignment, but it was continued to Feb. 17. He is charged with one count of murder with the special circumstance allegations of murder during a robbery, murder during a kidnapping and murder during a rape. Prosecutors will decide later whether to seek the death penalty against Matthews.

Leslie Long was working the night shift at a Chevron gas station on the corner of Palmdale Boulevard and Division Street on Dec. 3, 1978. The 20-year-old married mother of three was robbed and kidnapped.

Long’s body was found three days later at the base of a small hill just off the Antelope Valley (14) Freeway at Soledad Canyon Road in Acton, eight miles from the gas station. She had been sexually assaulted and shot, authorities said.

DNA evidence ties both men to Long’s murder, Mokayef said.

Previous related stories:

Pair charged with decades-old murder of woman in Palmdale

Reward over murdered Palmdale woman cold case extended

Palmdale murder to be featured on Crime Stoppers Sunday

$26,000 reward over murdered Palmdale woman cold-case

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6 comments for "Man pleads to murdering Palmdale woman in decades-old case"

  1. As cousins, we grew up to ether when all of us girls were young. This was just an awful thing to happen. These 2 “pigs should die as awful of a death my cousin did. I hope they suffer as did Leslie.

  3. I love ur family .. I’m so sorry that this happened .. no one should ever go though this .. and u still go everyday with a smile . This is the safest thing I’ve ever seen or heard ..

  4. This isnt justice they killed my aunt and now they get to rottttt in prison (he gets to live) but my aunt is died in the ground this is bs he should be put to death

    • Christopher – I was Leslie’s best friend when this happened. I can’t tell how it affectex me, yet you all went through worse. I feel they should BOTH receive the death penalty. Please give my live to those 3 children and Leslie’s mom if she is still here.

  5. I am glad these sadistic heathens will finally see justice. On a side note I am waiting for Mr. Scott and his conspiracy/ anti law enforcement post.