A Pinal County Jury convicted Robert Echols, 19, of Casa Grande of two counts of shooting at an occupied structure and ten counts of aggravated assault.
The case involved the firing of shots at two Casa Grande homes on September 19th, 2006.
In a first for Pinal County, the jury found that Echols, in committing the crime, intended to promote a criminal street gang, thus making him subject to an enhanced sentence on each count.
Sentencing is scheduled for Aug. 4th, 2008 before the Honorable Boyd T. Johnson Judge of Pinal County Superior court.
"Unfortunately, gang activity is a reality in parts of Pinal County,” said James P. Walsh, Pinal County Attorney. “This tool (ARS 13-604 T) allows us to make such activity subject to enhanced punishment, in our effort to protect our Pinal County families.”
The statute, ARS 13-604 (T), reads as follows:
“(T)A person who is convicted of committing any felony offense with the intent to promote, further or assist any criminal conduct by a criminal street gang shall not be eligible for suspension of sentence, probation, pardon or release from confinement on any basis except as authorized by section 31-233, subsection A or B until the sentence imposed by the court has been served, the person is eligible for release pursuant to section 41-1604.07 or the sentence is commuted. The presumptive, minimum and maximum sentence for the offense shall be increased by three years. The additional sentence imposed pursuant to this subsection is in addition to any enhanced sentence that may be applicable.”