Detectives with the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station’s special COBRA unit are conducting an investigation into an alleged attempted murder. According to reports, the incident began after a fight broke out at a 7-11 convenience store in Canyon Country when the victim engaged the two suspects, a male and a female, in an argument.

During the argument, the victim was physically assaulted by the suspects and, at some point, one of the suspects pulled out a gun and shot the victim in the torso. The suspects fled the scene in a gray vehicle, and the victim was taken to the hospital and treated for non-life-threatening injuries. He is expected to fully recover from his injury.

During the investigation, officers located the vehicle they believe the suspects to have escaped in at a motel in Sylmar. After a short surveillance period, search and arrest warrants were served at the motel and the two suspects, Laura Maria Sabedra, 21, of Canyon Country, and Guillermo Martinez, 20, of Newhall, were arrested and booked at the SCV Sheriff Station.

Attempted murder is covered under California Penal Codes 664/187 PC and is defined as intending to kill someone and taking a direct step toward killing that person, but the person doesn’t die.

In order to be charged with the crime, both of the above criteria must be present. The first is the intention to kill someone. If you intend to severely injure or physically maim another person, but not kill them, then you can’t be found guilty of attempted murder. Proving the intent to kill someone is typically the most difficult to prove of the two criteria.

The second criteria is that you took an actionable step toward committing the crime of murder. This means going a step further than planning, preparing, or arranging for a murder. A step must be taken to put said plan into action. This is easier for a prosecutor to prove because the defendant’s actions that can be proven.

If found guilty of attempted first-degree murder, the suspects face the potential penalty of life in prison with the possibility of parole. However, if convicted of second-degree murder (which is any murder that is not willful, deliberate, and premeditated), the defendants face a 5, 7, or 9-year prison sentence.

Robin Sandoval

Robin Sandoval

Robin Sandoval is a California Licensed Bail Bondsman and owner of SCV Bail Bonds. Robin writes blogs and articles to help increase community awareness of the bail industry. If you have questions or want to suggest a topic, email robin@scvbailbonds.com, visit www.scvbailbonds.com or call 661-299-2245.
Robin Sandoval
Robin Sandoval
Robin Sandoval

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