People v. Vargas CA3

BACKGROUND

In July 2023, Vargas and a codefendant were jointly charged with attempted premeditated murder (§§ 664, 187, subd. (a); count I), assault by a life prisoner (§ 4500; count II), assault with a deadly weapon while confined in a state prison (§ 4501, subd. (a); count III), and custodial possession of a weapon (§ 4502, subd. (a); count IV). The first amended complaint alleged that Vargas personally inflicted great bodily injury in connection with counts I and II (§ 12022.7, subd. (a)), and that he had suffered two prior strike convictions (§ 667, subds. (b)-(i)). In January 2024, Vargas pled no contest to the assault with a deadly weapon charge (count III) and admitted one prior strike allegation in exchange for a stipulated term of eight years in prison (the midterm of four years, doubled for the prior strike) and dismissal of the remaining counts and allegations. In the written plea agreement, Vargas acknowledged that the trial court would order him to pay a $300 restitution fine. The trial court sentenced Vargas to eight years in prison in accordance with the plea agreement, to be served consecutively to the life term he was already serving. During the sentencing…