Woman Convicted Of Murder In 2010 Killing Of Hawaiian Gardens Casino Winner
SANTA ANA (CBSLA.com) — A woman has been convicted of murder in the killing of a man prosecutors say was followed after winning $10,000 at a Hawaiian Gardens casino.
The Orange County District Attorney's office says Barbara Ann Hamel of Long Beach was found guilty of the murder of Chi Bui, 55, during a robbery, as well as other counts.
Prosecutors said Hamel with one other person followed Bui as he stopped alongside the curb in front of his friend's home in Santa Ana.
During a confrontation, prosecutors said Hamel blocked-in Bui's car and drove over his head after he was knocked to the ground by a co-defendant.
Bui died instantly.
Prosecutors say Hamel withdrew a 2013 guilty plea after requesting to have the evidence in the case further analyzed.
She faces a sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole during a May 29 hearing.
Prosecutors said two other co-defendants in the case entered guilty pleas in 2013 for their involvement and have since been sentenced.