People v. Sanchez

Opinion

BAXTER, J.

Defendant Julio Cesar Sanchez and his codefendant, Ramon Gonzalez, were each charged with first degree murder in connection with the shooting death of Reynaldo Estrada. Defendant, a gang member, was the passenger in a car that drove by a house outside of which Gonzalez, a rival gang member, and a friend were standing. Both defendants had armed themselves for the confrontation. As defendant’s car made its third pass by the house in the course of several minutes, shots were exchanged and Mr. Estrada, an innocent bystander, was hit and killed by a single stray bullet.

The…