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Thread: Erran Lane West - California Death Row

  1. #1

    Erran Lane West - California Death Row


    Erran Lane West


    Summary of Offense:

    West was convicted of first-degree murder with special circumstances in the September 2010 gang-related shooting deaths of Levon Vines and Ernestine Denise Trejo.

    West was sentenced to death in Kern County on July 18, 2014.

  2. #2
    Administrator Moh's Avatar
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    Defendant who murdered two people sentenced to death

    Erran Lane West murdered two people over Labor Day weekend 2010. Making a separate stop for each victim, he fired multiple rounds into their faces.

    As punishment for the execution-style killings, a Kern County jury last month recommended West should also be executed. Judge Michael E. Dellostritto sentenced the 43-year-old to death Friday morning.

    Defense attorney Michael C. Lukehart, who along with attorney Richard Terry represented West, said the defendant remained calm and attentive during sentencing. Lukehart said West has always maintained he did not commit the murders, and the real killer is still free.

    The attorney said he and Terry believed there were "huge" credibility issues with the prosecution's main witness. Still, he said, Dellostritto handled everything fairly.

    There's no telling when, or even if, West will be executed. A federal judge Wednesday ruled California's death penalty unconstitutional, writing "inordinate and unpredictable delay has resulted in a death penalty system in which very few of the hundreds of individuals sentenced to death have been, or even will be, executed by the State."

    Prosecutor Jim Simson said recent federal ruling aside, recommending the death penalty is the strongest condemnation society can make against horrific offenses.

    "These 12 people said what happened was intolerable," Simson said of the jury's recommendation.

    The jury convicted West on May 27 of two counts of first-degree murder, kidnapping, possession of a gun by a felon, possession of marijuana for sale and threatening a witness.

    It's unclear exactly why the victims were killed. Simson said there were indications they owed West a debt.

    Police said West forced a woman to drive him, Ernestine Denise Trejo, 43, and her boyfriend, Levon Vines, 58, to southeast Bakersfield. He made Vines get out of the vehicle, then shot him three times in the face and another three times in the chest.

    West got back inside, and the three remaining occupants traveled to Edison Highway near South Vineland Road. This time he forced Trejo out of the vehicle.

    He shot her in the head and face.

    Vines' body was found late Sept. 4 in a field in the 800 block of Collins Way. Trejo's body was discovered the next morning.

    Divers found the gun used in the killings in the California Aqueduct about 30 miles from Bakersfield. A search of West's residence following his arrest turned up a loaded shotgun and marijuana.

    West admitted selling drugs to both victims, neither of whom had gang ties.

    http://www.bakersfieldcalifornian.co...enced-to-death

  3. #3
    Administrator Moh's Avatar
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    On June 28, 2017, counsel was appointed to represent West on direct appeal before the California Supreme Court.

    http://appellatecases.courtinfo.ca.g...NSQCAgCg%3D%3D

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    Senior Member CnCP Legend JLR's Avatar
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    Opening brief on direct appeal filed on the 18th of August 2020.

    https://appellatecases.courtinfo.ca....NSQCAgCg%3D%3D

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    Senior Member CnCP Legend JLR's Avatar
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    The prosecution filed their response on the 10th of May 2021.

    https://appellatecases.courtinfo.ca....NSQCAgCg%3D%3D

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    Administrator Moh's Avatar
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    West's direct appeal has been fully briefed before the California Supreme Court since October 24, 2022.

    https://appellatecases.courtinfo.ca....NSQCAgCg%3D%3D

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