Jaspal
People v. Jaspal
Opinion
Opinion
Martin, J.
Jamail Singh Jaspal was charged with murder in violation of Penal Code section 187. It was also alleged that appellant personally used a firearm in the commission of the offense within the meaning of section 12022.5.
A jury trial commenced on August 8, 1989. On August 24, 1989, the jury found appellant guilty of first degree murder and determined that the gun use allegation was true. Thereafter, the court heard and denied appellant’s motion for new trial.
The trial court denied probation and sentenced appellant to state prison for an aggregate term of 27 years to life: 25 years to life for the violation of section 187 and a consecutive 2-year term for the firearm use enhancement. Appellant filed a timely notice of appeal.
Facts
In February of 1985 appellant lived with four other men in an apartment located at 1514 Gage Street in Bakersfield, California. The roommates included the victim, Gurmit Singh Sekon, as well as Amrik Singh Malli, Jagjit Singh Samra, and Jasbir Singh Sarai. These men were all Sikhs from the Punjab region of India.
Sarai’s sister had been married to appellant for six years. Appellant acted like a big brother to Sarai and gave him advice.