An Oceanside man has pleaded guilty in Santa Barbara County Superior Court to voluntary manslaughter for the fatal shooting of his stepbrother last year in Lompoc.
Daniel Michael Birdsell, 21, changed his plea Thursday in Judge Von Deroian’s courtroom in Lompoc, where he also admitted a special allegation for use of a firearm, Supervising Deputy District Attorney Lara Clinton said.
Birdsell was arrested in connection with the Nov. 29 shooting death of his stepbrother, Jordan Daniel Savard, 34, of Lompoc.
At 2:20 p.m. Nov. 29, Lompoc police officers were dispatched to the 200 block of South Third Street, where a male victim of the shooting was located.
Officers and medics administered aid to the victim and attempted to transport him to a local hospital, but the man died en route, police said.
Birdsell was taken into custody Nov. 30 in San Diego County with the assistance of the Oceanside Police Department, authorities said.
In addition to murder, Birdsell originally faced a special allegation, or sentencing enhancement, for use of a firearm causing great bodily injury, according to the criminal complaint.
Birdsell, who was represesented by attorney Erica Sutherland, is scheduled to return to court May 19, when he is expected to be sentenced to 15 years in state prison, Clinton said.
He has remained in the custody of the Santa Barbara County Jail since Dec. 2 with bail set at $2 million.
— Noozhawk North County editor Janene Scully can be reached at jscully@noozhawk.com. Follow Noozhawk on Twitter: @noozhawk, @NoozhawkNews and @NoozhawkBiz. Connect with Noozhawk on Facebook.