An Aliso Viejo man was convicted of first-degree murder on Wednesday after shooting and killing a former close friend. The defendant, Carlos Alexander Gonzalez, believed that his longtime girlfriend had been sexually assaulted by the victim, Bryan Steubing Jr. Gonzalez was also found guilty of shooting into an occupied vehicle and the use of a handgun in the May 19, 2018 incident.
During the trial, both the prosecution and defense agreed that Gonzalez was responsible for Steubing’s death. The key issue for the jury was whether the killing was premeditated murder or a crime of passion, determining the appropriate charge of manslaughter. Gonzalez and Steubing were part of the same social circle but had a falling out months prior to the shooting. Gonzalez accused Steubing of raping his girlfriend, although it remains unclear if a sexual assault actually occurred. Steubing claimed the sexual activity was consensual, and their friends did not believe the allegations.
In the weeks leading up to the shooting, Gonzalez had attacked and stabbed Steubing. On social media, he expressed anger towards Steubing, stating that he didn’t deserve to live and that he would seek revenge. The fatal incident took place in the early hours of the morning when Gonzalez shot Steubing while he was sitting in his parked car at an industrial strip mall.
According to a witness, Gonzalez’s girlfriend texted her on the day of the shooting, requesting a pick-up at an apartment complex near the crime scene. However, when the witness arrived, it was Gonzalez who entered the car wearing a dark hoodie and carrying a handgun. Gonzalez revealed that he had shot the person who had harmed his girlfriend.
Gonzalez will be sentenced on January 19 in Santa Ana. He could potentially face a sentence of up to 50 years to life in prison.
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