SANTA ANA, CA - William Deshawn Cartlidge, and Neil Deontrai Duffey face trial oday for shooting a liquor store owner and a customer in the head, callously stepping over their bodies to steal the cash register and escape. The attempted murders were caught on video surveillance tape. Cartlidge, 23, and Duffey, 22, both of Long Beach, are each charged with two felony counts of attempted murder, two felony counts second degree robbery, and a sentencing enhancement for the use of a firearm. Duffey is charged with one additional felony count of aggravated mayhem and sentencing enhancements for the personal discharge of a firearm, personal discharge of a firearm causing great bodily injury, and causing great bodily injury.
If convicted on all counts, Cartlidge and Duffey each face sentences up to life in state prison. Opening statements are expected to begin today.
At approximately 11:30 a.m. on Aug. 8, 2006, Cartlidge and Duffey are accused of being armed with firearms and entering Sunshine Liquor on Western Avenue in Buena Park. Immediately after entering the store, Duffey is accused of pulling out a firearm and shooting Mote Malhas in the head. Malhas owned Sunshine Liquor and was working as the clerk. After the victim had been shot, Cartlidge is accused of walking behind the counter, taking the keys off Malhas, and attempting to open the cash register as the victim suffered on the ground.
While Cartlidge attempted to open the cash register, Duffey is accused of shooting customer Cesar Castillo in the face and the back of the head as the unsuspecting victim entered the store. After being unable to open the cash register, the defendants are accused of removing the entire register and taking it out to their car. As they left the store, Cartlidge is accused of bending over and stealing Castillo's wallet as he lay bleeding on the floor. The defendants are accused of then fleeing the scene.
The attempted murders were captured on store video surveillance. The video surveillance was aired on local news stations in an effort to indentify the defendants, who are accused of turning themselves in on Aug. 22, 2006, in Los Angeles County.
Both victims survived the attempted murders but Castillo continues to suffer from permanent blindness in one eye.
Senior Deputy District Attorney Jana Hoffman of the Felony Panel is prosecuting this case.
No comments:
Post a Comment