California Man Found Guilty of Killing 6-Year-Old Boy During Road Rage

A tragic chapter unfolded in Southern California as Marcus Anthony Eriz, 26, was found guilty of second-degree murder in the 2021 road rage shooting that claimed the life of 6-year-old Aiden Leos, according to CNN.

The Orange County District Attorney's Office confirmed the verdict, which also included charges of shooting into an occupied vehicle and discharging a firearm causing great bodily injury and death.

The California boy, Aiden Leos, seated in a booster seat in his mother's car on the way to school, became the victim of the road rage incident on May 21, 2021.

The California man, Marcus Anthony Eriz and his girlfriend, Wynne Lee, 26, were apprehended weeks later in connection with the tragic incident.

Dispute Escalates Into a Deadly Shooting

The unfortunate chain of events began with a dispute between Lee and the victim's mother, Joanna Cloonan, CBS News reports.

Lee's abrupt maneuver led to Cloonan braking suddenly to avoid a collision.

A series of gestures and provocations followed, culminating in Eriz firing shots at the rear of Cloonan's car.

The bullet penetrated the vehicle, passing through the trunk, backseat, and Leos' car seat before fatally striking the young child.

The California boy succumbed to his injuries at a nearby hospital.

During the trial, video footage showed the California man's stoic reaction to the jury's verdict.

The prosecution, led by Senior Deputy District Attorney Dan Feldman, pressed for a second-degree murder conviction, emphasizing the alleged "implied malice" in Eriz's actions.

Feldman argued that Eriz, by grabbing a firearm and firing at Cloonan's car, exhibited premeditation and disregard for human life.

Eriz's defense, represented by Randall Bethune of the Orange County Public Defender's Office, contended for a voluntary manslaughter conviction, citing provocation by Cloonan's gestures.

The key legal question revolved around whether Eriz had the requisite time to reflect on his actions.

Following the verdict, Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer condemned Eriz's "reckless and cold-hearted behavior."

Meanwhile, Lee faces a separate trial for her involvement in the incident.

Aftermath of the Tragedy

A two-week manhunt ensued after the incident, leading to the arrest of Eriz and Lee.

Lee, accused of driving the car during the shooting, faces charges of being an accessory after the fact and having a concealed firearm in a vehicle.

She awaits a separate trial with a pretrial hearing scheduled for February 9, ABC 7 noted.

Eriz, now 26, and Lee had both pleaded not guilty to the charges. The jury's deliberation centered on Eriz's intent and state of mind during the fatal shooting.

While Eriz admitted to firing the weapon, his defense argued it was a spontaneous act with no intention to kill Leos.

In his closing statement, Bethune stressed Eriz's willingness to accept responsibility for a lesser charge, characterizing the incident as voluntary manslaughter.

Prosecutors, however, contended that the California man, Eriz, regardless of intent, displayed implied malice resulting to California boy's tragic death.

Joanna Cloonan, recounting the aftermath during her testimony, described the confusion and shock on the freeway after the shooting.

The trial underscored the devastating consequences of California road rage, leaving a community in mourning for the young life lost in the senseless act.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Bert Hoover

WATCH: Marcus Eriz found guilty in road rage murder of Aiden Leos - From KTLA 5