In re Alexander C. CA5

INTRODUCTION

The People allege that in January 2020, Alexander C. (appellant), then 16 years of age, went to a park with fellow gang members and targeted a young couple they believed were associated with a rival gang. According to the People, appellant and another gang member approached the couple and fired multiple shots, killing one victim, and injuring the other. Based on these allegations, the Kern County District Attorney’s Office filed a juvenile wardship petition alleging first degree murder (Pen. Code, §§ 187, subd (a), 189; count 1) with gang-murder special circumstances (Pen. Code, § 190.2, subd. (a)(22)), willful, deliberate, and premeditated attempted murder (Pen. Code, §§ 187, subd. (a), 664, subd. (a); count 2), and two counts of assault with a semiautomatic firearm (Pen. Code, § 245, subd. (b); counts 3–4). The People also alleged enhancements for acting for the benefit of a criminal street gang (Pen. Code, § 186.22, subd. (b)(1)), use of a firearm (Pen. Code, §§ 12022.53, subds. (d), (e)(1), 12022.5, subd. (a)) and personal infliction of great bodily injury (Pen. Code, § 12022.7, subd. (a)). In September 2023, the juvenile court granted the People’s motion to…