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Teen Charged in 2021 East Bakersfield Murder
10 Feb
Summary
- Trial date set for Sonny Veleta in 2021 murder case.
- Veleta was 16 at the time of the shooting death.
- He faces murder charges after transfer to adult court.
A trial date has been set for March 23 for Sonny Veleta, who was 16 years old at the time of his arrest in connection with a fatal shooting that occurred over four years ago. Veleta is charged with murder, attempted robbery, and other offenses in the death of 19-year-old Cesar Joseph Malta.
His case was transferred to adult court, where he faces a potential life sentence upon conviction. The incident took place on the night of August 12, 2021. Malta and a passenger had gone to East Bakersfield to deliver marijuana to someone named "Sonny." Upon arrival, the passenger observed a Hispanic male wearing a hoodie, who then produced a gun and fired a single shot as Malta attempted to drive away.
The passenger assisted Malta, who was losing consciousness, and they stopped at Baker and Oregon streets where emergency services were called. Veleta was identified through communications on a Snapchat account and subsequently in a photo lineup by the passenger.
