Following up on an earlier blog regarding a man who was arrested for allegedly shooting a woman in the eye with a BB gun at a Stevenson Ranch, CA Wal-Mart parking lot, the man is now facing felony charges in conjunction with the attack.
The incident occurred on May 17, 2014. According to the prosecution, the defendant shot a woman in the eye with a BB gun and she suffered permanent eye damage, following an altercation in a Wal-Mart parking lot. The prosecuting attorney has alleged that the woman and her boyfriend tried to confront the defendant after he almost struck their vehicle with his vehicle, and the defendant then shot the woman in the eye with a BB gun. He was later arrested at his home, at which point he kicked out the rear passenger window of a Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department patrol car.
On May 21, the Valencia man was charged with one count each of mayhem and vandalism over $400, and two counts of assault with a deadly weapon, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office. The felony complaint alleges that the man used the BB gun as a deadly weapon and also includes one count of injuring a spouse in an unrelated May 5 incident that also involved a BB gun.
According to case PA0808684, the man has a 2005 felony conviction on his record for carjacking, robbery and assault with a deadly weapon. With the new charges and earlier felony conviction, the man faces multiple life terms in state prison if tried and convicted.
Bail was set at $1,270,000 at the May 21 hearing, and arraignment proceedings are set to continue on June 10.
How Previous Convictions Impact Current Criminal Charges
This case serves as a reminder of the impact that previous criminal convictions can have on current charges. With California's three strikes law, a person who has been convicted of a serious or violent felony may receive a "strike" on his or her record. A second strike may result in double the penalties, and a third strike may result in up to life in prison without the possibility of parole. This law is meant to deter repeat offenders by implementing increased penalties for certain second or third felony convictions.
If you have been accused of committing a crime, you need to act quickly to involve an attorney. With or without previous convictions on your record, you may be in danger of facing imprisonment and other serious penalties. Your entire life may be affected by a criminal conviction. At Lessem & Newstat, we fight for defendants in Los Angeles and throughout Southern California. Find out what our criminal defense lawyers can do to help you by calling our offices for a confidential consultation. Our experience and knowledge will work to your favor as we offer insight regarding your case.
