A San Miguel man who was convicted last year of shooting his girlfriend in the neck was sentenced Wednesday to 14 years plus 25 years to life in prison.
In November 2018, a jury convicted Jim Pinedo of attempted murder, assault with a firearm, inflicting corporal injury to an intimate partner, and threatening and dissuading a witness.
The victim was shot in October 2017. While undergoing treatment at the hospital, prosecutors say she identified Pinedo as the shooter.
According to the San Luis Obispo County District Attorney’s Office, Pinedo and the victim had been dating for about 18 months and had a history of domestic violence.
However, just before the trial, the victim changed her statement and refused to testify.
The prosecution called an expert witness at trial to testify about the “cycle of domestic violence” and its effects on victims, and the victim’s prior statements were admitted as evidence.
The DA’s office says Pinedo’s sentence is the maximum allowed under the law.
