Defendant: Chris Succaw (a.k.a “Wicked”); age 26, Tulare resident.

On September 29th 2004, victim was contacted by his crack dealer who he knew as “Wicked”.  Defendant demanded a past payment of twenty-five dollars owed for crack cocaine.  The victim explained to defendant that he did not have the money.  “Wicked” told the victim that he would take him to get the money.  Victim agreed and got into defendant’s vehicle.

Upon arrival at victim’s apartment victim attempted to locate money to pay off the debt.  Victim was unable to procure the money so in turn offered the defendant a television. Defendant did not accept this offer.  Instead defendant pulled out a high caliber 9mm handgun and aimed the barrel at victim’s forehead.  Defendant squeezed the trigger a total of ten times at point blank range.

Victim amazingly escaped death by moving his head just enough to avoid the fatal shot. However, that first bullet grazed down victim’s right temple and blew off half of his ear.  Another shot entered victim’s right cheek and lodged in his neck.  The victim was also shot in his arm and his abdomen.  To this day several bullets remain lodged in victim’s body.

Defendant made incriminating statements to a local Tulare woman. When confronted  about the shooting, defendant stated that the victim had disrespected him.  Defendant stated he “did what he had to do” and that victim was “hurt bad”. 

Defendant fled the scene and evaded police for over a month.        

On October 20, 2004 the defendant was located at a  house in Tulare.  The SWAT team entered the house and located defendant in a bathroom attempting to flush 22 bindles of crack cocaine down the toilet.  Further, defendant dropped a fully loaded .40 caliber handgun to the floor when ordered to raise his hands in the air.

Defendant proceeded to a jury trial.  On April 15, 2005, the jury convicted the defendant on all counts and special allegations.  Among the several counts, defendant was convicted of Attempted Murder with personal discharge of a firearm causing great bodily injury and Possession of Crack Cocaine for Sale while armed with a firearm.

On May 19, 2005, the defendant was sentenced by the Honorable Judge Patrick O’Hara of the Tulare County Superior Court.  Defendant was sentenced to 57 years to life in state prison.

Defendant’s sentence was enhanced pursuant to the State’s Three Strikes law due to the fact defendant had suffered a prior strike offense of assault with a firearm.  Further defendant had served a prior prison term.

The case was investigated by Detective Brian Haney and other officers of the Tulare Police Department.  The case was prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Nicholas Schuller, of the Tulare County District Attorney’s Office Major Crimes Unit. 

Contact Person: Assistant District Attorney Don H. Gallian