Jurors Deliberate Case Of Man Accused Of Shooting Two Brothers
Jurors today began deliberating the fate of a felon who allegedly shot two brothers in Coachella, killing one of them.
Leonard Ysiano, 38, is charged with murder, attempted murder and being a felon in possession of a gun in the March 28, 2007, shooting near Genoa Street and Hill Drive in Coachella that killed Francisco Ochoa and wounded his brother, Felipe.
Ysiano allegedly attacked the brothers because Francisco Ochoa spoke to authorities in 1990, providing information that brought about a voluntary manslaughter charge against Ysiano.
Ysiano, who has a history of gang involvement, was convicted in that case and sentenced to six years in prison, according to court records. He has remained out of custody in the current case since posting $1.6 million bail in June 2008.
Defense attorney John Patrick Dolan told jurors that Ysiano was incorrectly identified as the shooter.
“They have the wrong guy,” Dolan said.
The surviving brother was arrested in February and jailed on a bench warrant issued because he had refused to testify in the trial of his sibling’s alleged killer, according to court documents.
Felipe Ochoa ended up taking the stand at the trial, but testified that he couldn’t remember much while on the stand. He is being held in custody until the proceedings are complete.
The case was moved from the Larson Justice Center to the Palm Springs courthouse at the request of Dolan, who sought a different judge than the one assigned to the trial in Indio.
