| For Immediate Release Case # 13CF1062 April 3, 2013 |
Susan Kang Schroeder Chief of Staff Office: 714-347-8408 Cell: 714-292-2718 Farrah Emami
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MAN CHARGED WITH SHOOTING-MURDER OF FRIEND, WHOM HE BELIEVED HAD BURGLARIZED HIS HOME
SANTA ANA – A man has been charged with the shooting-murder of his friend, whom he believed had burglarized his home. James Gregory Price, 56, Brea, is charged with one felony count of murder with a sentencing enhancement for the personal discharge of a firearm causing death. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of 50 years to life in state prison. Price is being held on $1 million bail and is expected to be arraigned tomorrow, Thursday, April 4, 2013, at 10:00 a.m. in Department CJ-1, Central Justice Center, Santa Ana.
At the time of the crime, Price is accused of living in the Brea home of his recently-deceased mother with his adult son. The defendant and his son are accused of believing that one day prior to the murder, 24-year-old friend Justin Soto had burglarized their home and ransacked the deceased mother’s bedroom, which had remained closed to all of the home occupants and guests since her death.
On March 16, 2013, the defendant’s son is accused of inviting Soto to the home. Price is accused of getting into a verbal altercation with the victim and then shooting him in the leg. Soto fell to the ground but managed to get up and attempted to escape through a rear sliding door. As the victim tried to run for his life, Price is accused of murdering Soto by shooting him two times in the back.
This case was investigated by the Brea Police Department and the investigation is ongoing.
Senior Deputy District Attorney Susan Price of the Homicide Unit is prosecuting this case.
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