BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — A man who was 16 when he was arrested in a deadly shooting in East Bakersfield is appealing a ruling that sent his case to adult court.
Sonny Veleta, who turned 18 last year, is accused of shooting Cesar Joseph Malta the night of Aug. 12, 2021.
Earlier this year, Judge Wendy Avila ruled in favor of a motion brought by the District Attorney’s Office to move his case to adult court, where charges of first-degree murder, attempted robbery, shooting at an occupied motor vehicle and two counts of assault with a gun were filed.
The case has been halted, however, while the ruling is appealed.
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If convicted as a juvenile, Veleta would be released by his 25th birthday. A murder conviction in adult court could result in lifetime imprisonment.
In determining whether suspects who are 16 or 17 will be sent to adult court, a judge conducts a transfer hearing, and takes into account factors including criminal sophistication, prior criminal history and the seriousness of the offense.