San Andreas Judicial Branch
Superior Court of San Andreas
"EQUAL JUSTICE UNDER LAW"
ISSUANCE OF VERDICT
IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF SAN ANDREAS
State of San Andreas v. Anthon Chapel (Vespucci)
#24-CM-0068
A decision was reached in the above case on the 1st day of December, 2024.
Proven Facts
Tommy Bean was seen in a 4 stacked vehicle with other individuals fleeing police. After a crash, Mr. Bean jumped cars into another vehicle with an unidentified individual. The two proceed to evade from police officers with Mr. Bean being seen shooting at officers. Officers traced the phone of Mr. Bean and found him in a vehicle that was dumped near Mission Row. Officers then took finger prints from the steering wheel of the vehicle that traced back to the defendant. The defendant was then picked up at the impound lot on the same day in question.
The court also notes that the defendant is the registered owner of the vehicle the fingerprints were obtained.
Verdict
The court finds the main method of identification, namely the only method of identification appears to be the prints on the vehicle. While this does help the court to determine identification, it should also be considered with other elements of the case to sufficiently prove the defendant committed said crimes. For example, clothing, affiliation, voice, build, height, etc. are all difference forms of circumstantial evidence that can aid in proper identification or reasonable identification of the suspect.
The court understands the argument of the prosecution being that these were clear prints. However, the evidence provided by the arresting department leaves a reasonable amount of doubt. The court maintains that prints alone, especially from the owner of the vehicle, do not meet the standard for the burden of proof. As such we cannot reasonably determine the identification of the driver of the second evading vehicle.
It is with the above considerations that I issue the following verdict:
- On the count of GM14 - Obstruction of Justice, I find the defendant, Anthon Chapel, not guilty.
- On the count of VF01 - Evading an Officer, I find the defendant, Anthon Chapel, not guilty.
- On the count of Accessory to WF02 - Shooting from a Vehicle (Drive-By) of a Gov. Employee, I find the defendant, Anthon Chapel, not guilty.
- On the count of GF16 - Tampering with Evidence, I find the defendant, Anthon Chapel, not guilty.
- On the count of WM02 - Possession of a Class 1 Firearm, I find the defendant, Anthon Chapel, not guilty.
The defendant is hereby requested to make their way to City Hall to get compensation of
$41,500 for fines and time served. At the same time a designated official will remove the charges from your record.
So ordered,
Superior Court Justice
Branch Administrator
San Andreas Judicial Branch
505-9925 —
[email protected]
