San Jacinto, California – A man has been found guilty of first-degree murder and additional charges after fatally shooting a 39-year-old man in San Jacinto. Melvin Mario James Landry, 42, was convicted by a Riverside jury for the murder of Gilbert Wah in 2020, along with the use of a firearm and causing great bodily injury.
During the trial, it was revealed that on the night of July 23, 2020, Wah, his wife, Octavia Wah, and Landry were together at Wah’s residence consuming alcohol and marijuana. Tensions rose throughout the night, leading to a fatal confrontation after Wah allegedly slapped Landry following derogatory remarks.
After being slapped, Landry retrieved a handgun from his vehicle and shot Wah in the heart, resulting in his immediate death. Despite efforts by Wah’s wife to prevent Landry from leaving the scene, he managed to flee but ultimately surrendered to law enforcement shortly after.
Landry, a convicted felon with a previous DUI charge in Riverside County, now faces sentencing scheduled for July 19 at the Riverside Hall of Justice. His defense cited ongoing personal struggles, including a divorce and the recent passing of his mother, as contributing factors to the tragic events that unfolded on that fateful night.
Wah, who also had a criminal record including assault on a law enforcement officer in another state, was not able to survive the altercation with Landry. The prosecution argued that derogatory remarks made by Wah towards Landry’s personal life may have fueled the confrontation that led to his untimely demise.
As the case moves towards sentencing, the community awaits the final judgment on Landry’s actions and the impact of this violent altercation on all parties involved. Landry remains in custody without bail at the Robert Presley Jail, awaiting the conclusion of this legal process.