BAKERSFIELD, Calif. — A significant conviction was made today in an attempted murder case that occurred in November 2016.
According to the Kern County District Attorney, a Kern County jury found Jose Lara guilty of all charges, which included First Degree Attempted Murder, robbery and assault with a deadly weapon.
In 2016, the Kern County Sheriff's department responded to a Casa Loma area residence to find a victim suffering from a gunshot wound to the abdomen. The victim was able to tell Deputies the first name of his assailant.
The investigation determined that the night prior to the shooting, there had been a dispute between Lara and the victim. Lara left the victim's residence and returned hours later to shoot the victim while he was in bed.
Following the shooting, Lara took the victim's cell phone, leaving the victim powerless to call for help.
Sentencing is scheduled for May 20 where Lara faces a potential sentence in excess of 40 years to life.
