CASE OF INTEREST

Date: September 10, 2004

Case: People v. Edrick Brown & Anthony Martinez

Contact: Hilary Bagley, Gang Unit, (916) 874-8685

District Attorney Jan Scully announced today the return of jury verdicts in the case of Edrick Brown and Anthony Martinez. The jury found both defendants guilty of shooting at an inhabited vehicle, a separate home invasion robbery as well as various gang and firearm use enhancements.

On February 2, 2003, both defendants shot at a vehicle occupied by rival Sureno gang members. Approximately two months later both defendants committed a home invasion style robbery at gunpoint of a small time marijuana dealer. Under California’s tough gang enhancement sentencing scheme, both defendants face a sentence of life in prison.

Deputy District Attorney Hilary Bagley who prosecuted the case stated, “Fortunately no one was injured in either of these defendants’ crimes and although these defendants have minimal if any criminal histories, their conduct evidenced a hardcore gang mentality. Individuals who engage in violent gang behavior need to know that even if their bullets miss their intended targets they face severe consequences like life behind bars.”