Murder & Manslaughter Defense Lawyer

MURDER CASES

Los Angeles , CA
MURDER

Client is a live-in girlfriend accused of shooting her companion pointblank, twice through the heart with a .38 revolver. D.A. charged 1st degree murder plus gun enhancement, total 50 years to life. Bernstein defended in jury trial as suicide, resulting in a hung jury. D.A., not wanting to face Bernstein in trial again, offered client voluntary manslaughter, 3 years.

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Husband shot wife through head with 9-mm hand gun, Disfiguring face and blinding one eye. Felony, Attempted Murder, Great Bodily Injury, and Handgun Enhancement. Jury Trial Verdict: NOT GUILTY.

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Involved Hispanic gang and shooting young man in back of head as he walked away, killing him; four eye-witnesses testified at jury trial client charged with 1st degree murder with handgun enhancement. Jury Trial, verdict: No verdict-hung jury.

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Inglewood, CA- MURDER:
Client was suspected of being a Mexican gang member involved in a fight with reputed black gang members which resulted in the death of one of the members. Client was arrested and charged with murder.
Result: When the DA was advised that Barry Bernstein represented him for the initial hearing, the DA reassessed the case and felt the charges were not strong enough to go to trial against Mr. Bernstein and they refused to file the charges. The client was released from jail to his mother.

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Los Angeles , CA MURDER APPEAL:
Federal 9th. Circuit Court of Appeals,
Client charged and convicted of shooting his wife at point blank range, killing her. Bernstein retained to appeal the jury verdict of murder plus handgun enhancements. Client had received a Die in Prison sentence. Bernstein filed a writ of habeas corpus based upon judicial error regarding juror conduct at trial. Result: Bernstein’s writ was granted by the Magistrate Judge of the Federal 9th Circuit Court of Appeals. The client was ordered to be released forthwith or granted a new trial with 120 days. The Prosecution is expected to appeal.

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L.A.; MURDER
Rap Group member from Oakland, in L.A. making a music video, is accused of shooting a Latin gang-member during an argument. During preparation for trial, Bernstein discovered critical scenes of the event had been captured by security cameras at Hollywood-Roosevelt Hotel. After processing and reviewing over 20,000 individual images, the scene that backed up the clients' version of events was found, D.A. dismissed case on eve of trial.

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The murderer's name was written in the victims' own blood as he lay dying. Client was facing the Death Penalty in an execution style murder during a dope deal robbery. He spent five months in custody until family retained Attorney Bernstein. The District Attorney dismissed the case. Bernstein walked his client out of the Courthouse.

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Police Academy Cadet alleged to offer murder-for-hire to fellow cadet with divorce problems, facing special circumstance, Murder Charges. Negotiations result: No Charges Filed.

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Client was facing a Murder Charge after attending a "rave" dance party that ended with the victim shot three times by two suspects of rival gang. Attorney Bernstein personally cross-examined the witness who had identified the client as one of the shooters. Under cross-examination the witness revealed information that the client was innocent. The District Attorney dismissed the case when it was obvious it was not strong enough to go trial. Our client was released to his grateful family.

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Client facing the Death Penalty in a gang-related Double Homicide. The overwhelming evidence included brain matter of the victim on client's clothes. Attorney Bernstein won the dismissal with a Motion to Dismiss based on the 3-day Preliminary Hearing. Attorney Bernstein walked his client out of the courthouse.

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Client facing six Life Terms plus 115 years in Special Allegations in Asian gang-related murder, videotaped by four security cameras in pool hall. Death Penalty, Double Murder, Kidnapping and 5 counts of attempted murder. Result: Case Dismissed.

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Riverside, CA- ATTEMPTED MURDER:

Client accused of being in a gang fight where the victim received a near fatal 3-inch knife wound. Because of prior strikes, the client was facing life in prison.

Result: The family hired Barry Bernstein who was successful in coordinating a plea to simple assault and no strike for an admission of a parole violation wherein client was returned to prison to complete the next of his prison sentences. Total time to be served - 3 years.

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Los Angeles , CA - ATTEMPTED MURDER
Client accused of attempted murder against the LAPD. Crip gang member allegedly in car allegedly involved in drive-by shooting of rival gang members is car-chased by LAPD. LAPD allegedly shot at by gang members. Client apprehended allegedly fleeing the scene. Client facing life in prison. D.A. couldn't put all of the ''alledgedly's' together against Bernstein's defense case. Client agreed to 3 year plea bargain.

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Riverside , CA - ATTEMPTED MURDER
Client involved in gang fight with unarmed rival gang members over girl. Rival gang member stabbed plus a 4 inch torso slash. Client had one strike and was facing life in prison. Barry Bernstein asserted self defense and D.A. agreed to compromise as simple assault with a deadly weapon. Client agreed to 3 year plea bargain.

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Client charged with murder and attempted Murder with Gun Enhancements facing 60 years-life. Client admitted to shooting one unarmed deceased victim and attempting to shoot other victim. Both gang members. Deal Time: 9 years.

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