A 28-year-old Anaheim man and a 24-year-old Westminster man face murder charges following the fatal shooting of another man in an Anaheim park. According to a news report in the Orange County Register, the men are schedule to appear in court on January 23, 2015. Officials believe the Westminster man drove the Anaheim man to the park where the passenger got out and shot the victim in the head. They then drove away before being apprehended later that night. The alleged shooter faces a maximum of 50 years to life in prison and the driver, who allegedly also had a gun, faces 26 years to life. They are being held on $1 million bail.
First-degree murder is punishable in Orange County by 25 years to life imprisonment in California state prison. When a murder is related to a hate crime or the death of a peace officer, a conviction can result in a life term without parole. In some cases, first-degree murder can be changed to capital murder with the potential of the death penalty.
Anyone facing murder charges needs immediate legal guidance. There are a number of different defense strategies that can result in reduced penalties or even a case dismissal. For example, first-degree murder in California requires premeditation. Without premeditation, the charges may be reduced to manslaughter from murder.
It is possible to have the murder charges reduced to second-degree murder, manslaughter or even voluntary manslaughter. In other cases, there are opportunities to dispute evidence or to prove that the defendant was not responsible for the crime. An Orange County criminal defense attorney can help review the facts and assist the accused in building the strongest possible defense.
If you, or a loved one, are under investigation or currently facing murder charges in Orange County, call the Law Offices of David A. Stein at 949-445-0040. David Stein is skilled criminal defense attorney with a track record of obtaining very successful outcomes for his clients. You can reach our offices online here.