P. v. Chau
Minh Choung Chau, a 44-year-old man with no criminal history, shot Anthony Le seven times following an argument and fight over a dog. Le survived and identified Chau as the shooter. The information charged Chau with attempted murder (count 1), assault with a semi-automatic firearm (count 2), and burglary (count 3). As to count 1, it alleged that Chau personally used and discharged a firearm causing great bodily injury. As to all counts, the information alleged that Chau personally used a firearm in the commission of the offense and personally inflicted great bodily injury.
Chau rejected the district attorney's offer of a five year stipulated sentence and proceeded to trial. The jury convicted him on all counts and found true the special allegations. The trial court imposed the mandatory sentence of life with the possibility of parole plus an indeterminate term of 25 years to life. (Pen. Code, 187 subd. (a), 189, 664, subd. (a), 12022.53, subd. (d); undesignated statutory references are to this code.)
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