Accused Killer Seeks Plea Bargain
The man accused of killing Santa Paula restaurant owner Isabel Guzman has told prosecutors he is willing to negotiate a plea bargain for second-degree murder, his attorney said Friday.
Prosecutors postponed the murder trial of Felix Magana--set to begin this week--for two weeks to consider the offer.
“Our position is that it is second degree, that is Mr. Magana’s offer to the district attorney,” Deputy Public Defender William Rutan said Friday. “There just isn’t any evidence of planning or premeditation.”
Magana, 50, is accused of fatally shooting Guzman, 30, on Nov. 2 in the alley outside La Playita Seafood restaurant, which she owned with her husband.
If convicted of first-degree murder, Magana would face at least 25 years to life in prison. But Rutan said his client was too intoxicated to commit first-degree murder, which requires proof of premeditation.
Rutan said his client had a blood-alcohol level of 0.30%, nearly four times the legal limit to drive. He said he has been negotiating a possible plea bargain with prosecutors for about two weeks. A second-degree conviction could bring 15 years to life in prison.
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