A Skilled Defense Attorney Can Prevent a Defendant from Facing the Death Penalty or Life without Parole
The man who invoked fear and uneasiness throughout the USC campus and surrounding community has been found guilty of second degree murder by a Los Angeles court, according to the latimes.com website. The convicted man is 25 years old, and lived down the street from the USC campus, sometimes working as an usher during USC football games at the Los Angeles Coliseum. He now faces 16 years to life in prison, and will be sentenced in October. The convicted man was charged with stabbing a twenty-three year old USC film student and former West Point Cadet to death.
The 25 year old man avoided a first-degree murder charge because the defense proved that the prosecution failed to show the required evidence proving that the murder was premeditated.
The victim was returning home after a late night of drinking when he began arguing with the defendant in front of an apartment complex. The argument escalated into a fight. Prosecutors contend that the defendant ran inside the apartment and picked up a kitchen knife, which he used to stab the film student in the heart. The USC campus was shaken by the incident, as it was the latest in a string of violent offenses that had occurred in the surrounding areas.
Violent crime charges carry the most severe penalties in California, and those accused of violent offenses simply cannot afford to face such charges on their own. For example, convictions of first degree murder include prison time of 25 years to life or even the death penalty.
If you or someone you know is facing charges centering-around a violent crime in Los Angeles, you should contact the experienced and skillful Los Angeles violent crime defense lawyers at Wallin & Klarich, a criminal defense firm that has successfully defended its clients for over 30 years. Our attorneys know the elements of violent crime offenses from their extensive experience handling these types of cases. We work diligently to defend your rights under the law, helping to ensure the best possible result for your case. If you or someone you love has been charged with a violent crime in California, contact Wallin & Klairch today at 1-888-280-6839 for a case evaluation. Also, visit us online at www.wklaw.com to learn more about your case and what can be done.
Source article: http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2009/08/los-angeles-man-found-guilty-of-second-degree-murder-in-death-of-usc-film-student.html