People v. Virto CA2/8

FACTS

1. The Crimes This case involves two separate incidents, one a stabbing and the other a shooting, in which various defendants, all alleged to be members of the Compton Varrio Segundo (CVS) gang, attacked two different victims, each believed to be associated with other gangs. Defendants Virto and Sandoval were involved in the shooting, and defendants Zamora and Sierra were involved in both incidents.2 a. The June 5, 2011 stabbing of Andres Perez On June 5, 2011, Andres Perez was walking with a friend to a liquor store near his home in Paramount when a black Hyundai pulled over. Mr. Perez had been living in the area for only a month or two, and had seen the black Hyundai before, just after he moved to Paramount. There were four people in the car. Someone in the car asked “where I was from or ‘What does your tattoos say?’ ” (Mr. Perez had visible tattoos on his arms saying “Krooks” and “Town.” He later testified he used to be part of the Krookstown tagging crew from Compton.) Mr. Perez felt “nervous and scared,” but “just kept on ignoring them,” because “I’m not into that no more.” It took him about 15 minutes to walk home. He went inside for about five minutes to get…