As Paramount homicide criminal defense attorneys, we were interested to see that prosecutors have withdrawn a plea deal in a high-profile stabbing case. The rare move comes in the case of Abdullah Wahihi, 22, who is accused of stabbing Andre Murillo, 22, a basketball player for Concordia University. The Orange County Register reported April 16 that prosecutors changed their minds on the plea bargain after Murillo discovered that Wahidi would spend only six months in jail after pleading guilty to assault with a deadly weapon. The deal would have dropped a charge of attempted murder. A spokesperson for the district attorney's office said the original deal was offered based on the facts and the office's understanding of Murillo's position, but when it found out he did not support the deal, the office decided for prosecution instead.
Wahidi, of West Hills, is a member of the Afghanistan National Basketball Team. He is accused of stabbing Murillo, now 19, outside of a party last April 26. Murillo suffered a 3.5-inch knife wound that deflated one lung and nicked his heart. The would required four surgeries and was complicated by pneumonia and a 40-pound weight loss, but Murillo is now back with Concordia's basketball team. Wahidi was charged with attempted murder and assault with a deadly weapon, plus sentence enhancements for use of a deadly weapon and causing great bodily harm. Under the plea deal, however, he would only have been sentenced for the assault charge. When explaining its decision, the district attorney's office cited Marsy's Law, a victims' rights law that gives crime victims the right to confer with prosecutors about pretrial disposition of the case, among other things.
Our Lake Forest murder criminal defense lawyers were drawn to this story because it's unusual for prosecutors to cancel a plea bargain. Marsy's Law does not give crime victims the power to revoke prosecutions, just the right to stay informed and voice their opinions. We don't know the circumstances behind the charges, so we can't say whether the plea bargain was fair. However, we do know that an attempted second-degree murder charge, which is what Wahidi most likely faces, carries a sentence of five, seven or nine years in prison. Felony assault with a deadly weapon carries two to four years. These are without the sentence enhancements, which add time in prison. That means the discarded plea deal would likely have been much better for Wahidi. It might also have been better for the California justice system, which is already so overwhelmed that nonviolent prisoners are being released early.
Howard Law, P.C. defends people accused of all types of crimes in California, including serious homicide, murder and manslaughter crimes. In cases with a plea bargain offer, like this one, we analyze the offer carefully to see whether it's truly better for our clients than going to trial. Then, we bring the results to our clients, who always have the final decision. However, our Chino Hills manslaughter criminal defense attorneys also can and will mount a strong defense when the facts support it, using physical evidence, witness testimony and expert analysis of things like DNA and firearms signatures. Homicide is among the most serious crimes in California, with a maximum sentence of life or the death penalty in the gravest cases. No one should face those charges without an experienced lawyer by their side.
If you're charged with manslaughter, murder or homicide in California, don't wait before calling Howard Law, P.C. for help. For a free, confidential evaluation of your case, call us toll-free at 1-800-872-5925 or contact us through the Internet.
