People v. Estrada

In a bench trial, defendant David Estrada (Estrada) was found guilty of first-degree murder on a theory of accountability and was sentenced to 20 years’ imprisonment. He appeals his conviction principally on the following theories: (1) that the trial court misconstrued the law of accountability, (2) that Estrada was not found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, and (3) that the trial court improperly considered the statement of a codefendant whose trial had been severed from Estrada’s trial. We note that Estrada has been free on bond pending this appeal.

The facts are as follows.

In February 1991…