State v. Melendez

OPINION

WALTERS, Judge.

Defendant, charged with murder and conspiracy to commit murder, was convicted by the jury of voluntary manslaughter. New evidence was discovered shortly after trial, but defendant’s prompt motion for a new trial was denied.

Johnny Sambrano died of a gunshot wound. He was a known member of the Tegada-Sambrano-Herrera-Madrid group, and all of them were recognized locally as frequent “cruisers” in Tegada’s one-of-a-kind black Chevrolet vehicle. Defendant claimed that he and his companions were fired on twice by someone in the Tegada car early on the evening Sambrano was…