The preliminary hearing for a man charged with shooting two strangers at a bus stop in Chula Vista was delayed until May 18.
Andre Christopher Vega, 25, hired Kerry Armstrong, a longtime criminal defense attorney, last week and Armstrong wanted more time to prepare. The hearing had been set for April 6.
Two young men were shot in their legs at 6:25 a.m. on March 19 in the 1600 block of Broadway in Chula Vista. Shots missed a third man. Vega is charged with two counts of pre-meditated attempted murder, two counts of mayhem, and assault with a deadly weapon on the third man.
On Tuesday, Deputy District Attorney James Fontaine explained that mayhem was charged because the bullets were shot “through and through” their legs. Mayhem usually is charged if someone loses an eye or the ability to use a limb, but Fontaine said it can be charged with these types of wounds. Police recovered shell casings at the scene.
“It’s an odd, interesting case,” said Fontaine, who added he was not at liberty to say any more about the incident.
Vega is also charged with two counts of making a criminal threat and two counts of assault with a deadly weapon from an incident four hours earlier at an apartment complex in Chula Vista. Around 2 a.m. March 19, Vega pointed a gun at several people, took their cell phones, and then gave them back.
Vega apparently did not know the people at the apartment complex either and they were not injured. Vega, of Imperial Beach, has pleaded not guilty to all counts.
Court records show he was on three years probation for misdemeanor public intoxication stemming from an incident at the Ye Old Plank Inn at 24 Palm Ave. He was sentenced Dec. 28, 2015 and was ordered to abstain from alcohol for the next three years, according to court records. He was released from jail after serving nine days and fined $135.
Vega could face life in prison if convicted. He remains in jail on $1 million bail.
