Marcus Domingo Cardenas was a 23-year-old Latino man who was shot and killed in Paramount, California, on August 20, 2006, according to the Los Angeles County coroner’s records. The death arose from an episode of gang-related violence linked to the Dog Patch street gang.

Events began on the night of August 19, 2006, at a Dog Patch birthday party where current members threatened former member John Maestaz and demanded he kill his cousin, Daniel Melendez, who had been a jailhouse informant. The next night Maestaz and Melendez were confronted by three Dog Patch members, including Cardenas, and a physical fight broke out. Two assailants fled; Cardenas continued the confrontation. After the fight between Melendez and Cardenas ended, Cardenas reportedly lunged at Maestaz, who shot Cardenas twice. Maestaz was prosecuted for murder and convicted of voluntary manslaughter, receiving a 21-year state prison sentence.

Were there witnesses in the neighborhood or additional evidence about the moments before the shooting that could clarify whether Maestaz’s actions were defensive?