People v. Williams CA2/8

INTRODUCTION

Appellant Arnold Bernard Williams challenges his second degree murder conviction on the grounds his trial attorney rendered ineffective assistance of counsel by arguing an untenable defense and by failing to move to suppress appellant’s statements to police. We reject his contention, and affirm.

FACTS AND PROCEDURE

1. Prosecution Evidence On August 15, 2010, Christopher Murphy died of bleeding caused by a single gunshot wound to the back. Murphy was a known member of the Athens Park Blood gang, and was shot after entering the territory of a rival gang, the Raymond Avenue Crips. Murphy and a friend, appellant, had entered Raymond Avenue Crips territory armed with handguns. After Murphy shouted out, “What’s up with y’all . . . Shotgun Crips,” he and appellant fired at a group of individuals in the territory. Murphy was shot accidentally by appellant as appellant aimed at the rival gang members. a. The Shooting Incident On August 15, 2010, around 12:45 p.m., C.J. and his wife and two daughters, G.J. and S.J., were driving on Berendo Avenue to their home. Berendo Avenue sloped upward from north to south. C.J. saw a group of four or five individuals standing in front of…