People v. Major CA4/2

I. FACTS

On March 4, 2000, Major, Jason Carlisle, and Brian Shumway met up with the

intention of robbing a drug dealer, Cheryl Haas. Major set up a drug deal, and the men

tried to meet Haas at a fast food restaurant. At first they weren’t able to find Haas at the

restaurant. Nevertheless, all three confirmed they were still committed to the plan.

The men eventually successfully contacted and met up with Haas. Major got in

Haas’s vehicle and the other two men followed in a different vehicle. They drove to a dirt

field in Victorville. Major and Haas got out of her vehicle, and Major asked Shumway to

get him a tire iron. Major then began to beat Haas with a metal tool—Carlisle testified it

was a crowbar, though it seems likely it could’ve been the tire iron Haas requested. Major

apparently had some pre-existing animosity toward Haas over something that happened

to a friend for which he held Haas responsible. As he was beating Haas, Major yelled that

“this was payback for what happened to his homeboy.” Haas fell to her knees.

Once Haas was on the ground, Shumway got into her vehicle and ran her over.

Shumway then turned around and ran her over a second time. These events…