CASE OF INTEREST

Date:       October 7, 2004

Case:       People v. Pancho Betancourt

Contact:  Anthony Ortiz, Gang Unit, Telephone: 874-8686

District Attorney Jan Scully announced today the return of a jury verdict finding defendant Pancho Betancourt guilty of attempted murder with firearm use and gang enhancements.  On December 3, 2003, defendant Pancho Betancourt shot at a group of Valley High students as they were walking home from school.  Some of the students had exchanged insults with the defendant, who was riding as a passenger in a vehicle driven by a previously convicted juvenile accomplice.  After the verbal exchange, the driver made a u-turn and the defendant fired a handgun, striking a 15 year-old female student in the abdomen, causing serious injury.

Deputy District Attorney Anthony Ortiz, who prosecuted the case, indicated that the defendant faces a sentence of 44 years to life for the conviction.  In addition, the defendant has a strike prior conviction for a separate offense involving a firearm, and that prior conviction will be adjudicated on the date of sentencing.  That matter will be heard in front of the Honorable Gary Mullen in Department 41 of the Superior Court on November 5th.  Ortiz stated, “The jury’s verdict signals that our community will not stand for senseless violence.  These violent criminals can expect to spend a lifetime in prison when they are prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”