Jim Mitchell Trial: 1992

During the late 1980s, the two brothers drifted apart, as Jim, the older brother, rehabilitated himself from drug addiction, and Artie became more abusive of girlfriends and family and sank deeper into alcoholism. Artie's threats to others became increasingly violent, claimed Jim.

Although there were no witnesses to the shooting on the night of February 27, 1991, several gunshots were recorded during a 911 emergency call from Artie Mitchell's home in Corte Madera, California. The call was made by Artie's girlfriend, a beautiful exotic dancer named Julie Bajo, who later testified that she made the call while hiding in a closet, fearful of her life during the burst of gunfire from an unseen intruder. Responding to the call, police found Jim Mitchell outside Artie's home, holding a. 22 rifle and with a loaded pistol strapped in a holster. His car was parked on a nearby street. Physical evidence at the scene was confusing. Altogether seven shots had been fired from the rifle, one of which was in Artie's body. A 9mm bullet, fired from Artie's gun, had penetrated a glass table. Artie had three wounds, including the fatal wound to the head. Furniture, venetian blinds, doorframes, and wall plasterboard, were all marked with bullet holes.