A Fresno man was sentenced to nearly three decades in prison recently for shooting at a group of thieves running away from his medical marijuana garden last year, the Fresno Bee reports.
Murder is the most serious crime in the criminal justice system and thus requires a zealous Fresno murder defense lawyer who can fight all aspects of the state's case. The penalty for murder in California can be anywhere from 15 years to life or even the death penalty, depending on the circumstances of the case and other factors.
In the case in Fresno, the pot farmer allegedly shot vehicle passenger in the head as he sat in the passenger seat of a pickup used by a large group of people who had stolen several marijuana plants the man was growing legally as medicine. The defendant testified in his defense at trial in January that he was scared for his life of the large group of people and that the victim had pointed a gun at him, ABC News reported during the trial.
As we reported law September on our Fresno Criminal Lawyer Blog, he was accused of shooting a fleeing suspect, where a homeowner's rights are less clear.
The sentencing judge told the defendant the people posed no threat to him or his family, but only his marijuana plants. The man was found guilty of manslaughter, assault with a firearm and shooting into an occupied vehicle.
While California law allows for self-defense of one's home, it doesn't apply to one's yard. The law states someone can use force if they have a reasonable fear of imminent death within the residence. In the case of the Fresno man, it doesn't appear any of the thieves tried to intrude on his house.
The idea of self-defense is a confusing area of law that many states have grappled with. Because of the complexity of these types of issues, the evidence that may be applicable and the time and work needed to preserve one's rights, choose an experienced Fresno attorney who is willing to go the extra mile in your case.
If you need to speak with a murder defense attorney in Fresno, contact the Law Offices of Michael E. Mitchell at 559-222-2424 for a free consultation.
