Aleman
People v. Aleman
Opinion
Lead Opinion
Boren, J.
*665 Michael Angel Aleman and Andy Medrano were convicted of first degree murder and other criminal offenses. We find no reversible error and affirm.
FACTS
The February 2008 Shooting of Victor Iriarte
On February 23, 2008, Victor Iriarte went to El Rodeo nightclub in Pico Rivera with his brother and two friends, including Jose Macias. Defendant Aleman and his friend, defendant Medrano, were also at the nightclub. Iriarte recognized defendants. A woman who briefly dated Aleman told police that Aleman and his friends got into fights at El Rodeo with friends of prominent "big shot" Macias.
Iriarte was tipsy when he arrived at El Rodeo, and proceeded to drink eight or nine glasses of liquor while there. He departed at closing time in a friend's Camaro. Three to five gunshots were fired at the Camaro, one of which struck Iriarte. He was hospitalized for a grazing bullet wound to his chest, inches from his heart. Iriarte told detectives that a white SUV was driving near the driver's side of the Camaro when the shooting began. At trial, Iriarte claimed little memory about the incident, and was reluctant to testify.