From KTLA5 per the LA Times

Driver in Chase Faces a 3rd Strike

The man whom deputies pursued in a chase that ended with a barrage of gunfire in a Compton neighborhood is charged with a felony.

By Caitlin Liu
Times Staff Writer

May 21, 2005

The man suspected of leading sheriff's deputies on a car chase — which ended in the officers' firing 120 rounds into a residential neighborhood in Compton — was charged Friday with felony evading and driving under the influence of drugs.

Winston Eugene Hayes, 44, faces up to 25 years to life in prison if found guilty because it could be his third "strike" or felony conviction and could result in an enhanced sentence, prosecutors said.

Hayes was injured by the gunfire and treated and released from a hospital. He is beingheld in jail in lieu of $1.04 million bail.

On May 9, deputies tried to question Hayes because they said his white Chevrolet Tahoe matched the description of a similar vehicle involved in a nearby shooting. But Hayes took off and several patrol cars followed him, according to authorities.

Patrol cars surrounded Hayes' vehicle. As three deputies walked toward him, Hayes, who was unarmed, backed up.

Deputies opened fire, unleashing a barrage. They sprayed bullets wildly into homes, narrowly missing some residents and injuring one of their own.

The shooting outraged homeowners and civil rights advocates. Sheriff Lee Baca has publicly questioned the deputies' tactics, and nine of the 10 officers, including the one who was wounded, have since apologized through a lawyer.

Hayes was convicted in 1983 of attempted arson, and in 1993 of felony assault on a peace officer.

He also has six misdemeanor convictions.

You'd think by now he'ld know it would be easier just to stop and turn down the radio.

cue the Chris Rock clip...OBEY the LAW!  

Everyone knows, if the police have to chase ya, they're bringing an Ass Whooping with 'em.  

Quoted: Hayes was convicted in 1983 of attempted arson, and in 1993 of felony assault on a peace officer. He also has six misdemeanor convictions.

Novice. By the time most criminals hit their 3rd felony conviction, their misdemeanor conviction total is in the double digits.Maybe he is on the fast track.

Never happen.    

LA County has the worst prosecution enforcement of the third strike law in this state.   They actually LOOK for reasons not to give someone a third strike.   If there is no reason, they make one up.   In this case they will feel sorry for all the victims of the "spray and pray" method of LASO and not give it to the criminal who probably deserves it.  

Mark my words, "IT WILL NEVER HAPPEN"