Santa Ana Gang Member Convicted of Murder

This week, Santa Ana resident Inocente Secundino Jr. was convicted of special circumstances gang murder of Steven Christopher Arreguin, that may result in a sentence of life without the possibility of parole. Secundino and Arreguin were rival Santa Ana gang members and their gangs had gotten into a fight on that day in July of 2006. As Arreguin was turning to run away, Secundino shot him in the back of the head, killing him. Secundino then left the state and was placed on the Santa Ana’s most wanted list. In 2008, officers found Secundino living in Oregon with family members, using a new identity. He was arrested on suspicion of murder, charged and convicted. His sentencing hearing will likely take place next month.

Since Secundino killed a rival gang member, he received a special circumstance enhancement which could qualify him for life in prison without the possibility of parole. Any crime done in furtherance of a gang automatically adds time to your sentence. Whether you live in Garden Grove, Westminster or Fullerton, if you are charged with murder or gang crimes, call an experienced criminal defense attorney right away. Possible defenses to a gang crime include not being a member of a gang or not doing the crime for the benefit of the gang. A possible defense to murder includes the lack of intent to kill or self defense. In this case, since Secundino shot Arreguin in the back of the head, the defense attorney cannot use the defense of self defense.

If you want to know more about murder, gang crimes, or your own charges, call Orange County criminal defense attorney William Weinberg @ 949.474.8008 in his Irvine office.