| For Immediate Release Case # 09CF2303 September 17, 2009 |
Susan Kang Schroeder Public Affairs Counsel Office: 714-347-8408 Cell: 714-292-2718 Farrah Emami |
SENIOR CITIZEN ARRESTED AND CHARGED FOR MURDERING ANOTHER MAN STANDING OUTSIDE OF DEFENDANT’S PROPERTY
SANTA ANA – A 77-year-old man was arrested and charged today for shooting and murdering another man standing near the defendant’s property. Mike Montez Villa, Santa Ana, 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. The defendant is being held on $1 million bail and the arraignment date and time are to be determined.
At approximately 8:00 p.m. on May 1, 2009, 47-year-old homeless Manuel Lopez was standing in an alley behind the defendant’s home. Villa is accused of shooting and murdering the victim who was standing at a fence that runs along the backside of defendant’s home using his .22 caliber rifle.
The Santa Ana Police Department investigated this case. Senior Deputy District Attorney Mike Murray of the Homicide Unit is prosecuting this case.
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