Verdict Awaited on First-Degree Murder, Stalking Charges in Stange Trial

Verdict Awaited on First-Degree Murder, Stalking Charges in Stange Trial

BISHOP, Calif. — Brian Russell Stange is facing first-degree murder, a special circumstance allegation of lying in wait, three firearm enhancement allegations, and a separate felony stalking charge in connection with the 2024 shooting death of Bishop resident David Miller.

Miller, 57, was found with a gunshot wound near his residence on the 100 block of Shepard Lane in Bishop at approximately 3:09 p.m. on February 12, 2024. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Stange, also of Bishop, was arrested 10 days later on February 22, 2024, following an investigation involving the Inyo County Sheriff’s Office, Inyo County District Attorney’s Office, Bishop Police Department and other law enforcement agencies.

The charges in the case include:

• First-degree murder, with special circumstance of lying in wait and three firearm enhancements
• Felony stalking

Lying in wait is a special circumstance under California Penal Code Section 190.2, which specifically includes intentionally killing a victim by means of lying in wait. Lying in wait is also a condition for murder of the first degree under California Penal Code Section 189.

Firearm enhancements correspond to provisions in California Penal Code Section 12022.53 allowing an additional 10 years for personally using a firearm, 20 years for personally and intentionally discharging a firearm, and 25 years to life for personally and intentionally discharging a firearm and causing great bodily injury or death. Under the section, if more than one enhancement is found true, the longest applicable term is used.

The charges are consistent with the amended complaint described following Stange’s April 2024 preliminary hearing, when a judge ordered him to stand trial on first-degree murder with the lying in wait special circumstance and three firearm enhancements, along with a separate felony stalking count.

Jurors began deliberating in Stange’s murder trial following closing arguments last week. As of the most recent publicly available report, no verdict has been announced.