People v. Costella

Opinion

RAMIREZ, P. .1.

I. INTRODUCTION

Defendant and appellant, Keith Julian Costella, shot his victim, dumped his body in an undeveloped area next to a highway, and set fire to it. A jury convicted him of second degree murder (Pen. Code, § 187, subd. (a)) 1 and arson of forest land (§451, subd. (c)). The jury also found defendant personally discharged a firearm and caused the death of his victim. (§ 12022.53, subd. (d).) The court sentenced defendant to 40 years to life for murder and the firearm enhancement and a concurrent term of two years for arson of forest land.

Defendant primarily…