Actually, it turns out that that wasn't true, at least not under the relevant law. The defendant was a gang member and a participant in an armed robbery, and w

Actually, it turns out that that wasn't true, at least not under the relevant law. The defendant was a gang member and a participant in an armed robbery, and when things got ugly (the victims fought back) one of the gang members shot one of the victims. It was not proved to us that the defendant was the shooter, but -- as I was shocked to learn -- California law put him on the hook for the murder. Possibly whoever actually shot the victim is still at large. The shooting took place at night, outdoors, the eyewitnesses were all drunk, and their testimony made it clear that, under the circumstances, they could barely tell one black man from another.