New Times / News

Shumey found guilty of murder

BY MATT FOUNTAIN

EDITOR'S NOTE: This story has been updated to correct a misspelling of the defendant's last name.

Following more than a week of testimony, a San Luis Obispo man was found guilty on Feb. 5 of murdering his mother with a shotgun.

Though the jury rejected a charge of first-degree murder for Christopher Shumey, 36, they found him guilty of the lesser charge of second-degree murder, as well as assault on a peace officer for firing a shot at first responders.

The jury also agreed with prosecutors on a number of criminal enhancements, each of which involves the use of a firearm during the crime. Those enhancements could increase the gravity of an eventual sentence.

The verdict ends the first—or guilt—phase of Shumey’s trial. The jury will now hear from multiple witnesses for the defense who are expected to testify for the defense on Shumey’s mental state the January 2011 day he shot Karen Shumey twice with a 12-guage shotgun on the 400 block of Buchon near downtown San Luis Obispo.

Unlike the guilt phase, the burden of proof is now upon defense attorney Pierre Bhlanik to prove that Shumey was legally insane and not in control of his actions during the shooting.

Testimony is scheduled to resume Feb. 7 before Judge Michael Duffy in San Luis Obispo Superior Court.