BOSTON -- A Latin King gang member who killed his gay lover, both out of jealousy and to cover up their relationship, was convicted Friday of first-degree murder.

Christian "King Joker" Almonte, 26, of North Andover, was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Prosecutors said Almonte stabbed Willie Escobar, 41, of Methuen, 20 times in the victim's apartment in February 2008. Prosecutors said that Almonte killed Escobar because the victim was seeing other men and because he was afraid that their relationship would be discovered.