Max Wade guilty of attempted murder, car theft



less In this photo taken Tuesday Oct. 9, 2012, Max Wade appears in court in San Rafael, Calif. Prosecutors have called for more charges against a California teen accused of stealing celebrity chef Guy Fieri's Lamborghini and shooting at a couple. Marin County prosecutor Yvette Martinez-Shaw said Thursday, Oct. 11, 2012 during Max Wade's preliminary hearing that she will also ask a judge to hold Wade for trial on charges of deterring officers through threats or violence and possessing a loaded, concealed weapon he did not own. In this photo taken Tuesday Oct. 9, 2012, Max Wade appears in court in San Rafael, Calif. Prosecutors have called for more charges against a California teen accused of stealing celebrity chef Guy Fieri's ... more Photo: Frankie Frost, Associated Press Photo: Frankie Frost, Associated Press Image 1 of / 9 Caption Close Max Wade guilty of attempted murder, car theft 1 / 9 Back to Gallery

Max Wade, who became an Internet sensation after he was accused of a Hollywood-style Lamborghini heist and a notorious Marin County shooting, was convicted Wednesday of one count of attempted murder and of auto theft, but the jury acquitted him of trying to kill the object of his affection.

The jury of nine men and three women found Wade guilty of trying to kill his apparent rival, Landon Wahlstrom, and not guilty of the attempted murder of Wahlstrom's girlfriend, Eva Dedier, on April 13, 2012. He was also found guilty of shooting into an occupied vehicle and the enhancements of using a firearm and premeditation.

Wade, 19, of San Rafael remained composed when the verdict was read, as he had throughout the nearly monthlong trial in Marin County Superior Court.

Cleared of burglary

The jury found Wade not guilty of burglarizing British Motors in San Francisco and driving away with celebrity chef Guy Fieri's yellow Lamborghini Gallardo Spyder on March 8, 2011. They nevertheless convicted him of auto theft and possession of a stolen vehicle.

Judge Kelly Vieira Simmons ordered Wade to return to court Dec. 17 for sentencing. He could face 20 years to life in prison, with parole, according to legal experts.

"We're not happy with the verdict," said Dedier's mother, Cindy. "He's guilty of trying to kill my daughter."

Wade's mother, Leylla Wade, called out, "I love you, baby," and rushed out of the courtroom after hearing the verdict.

Wade's lawyer, Charles Dresow, said he does not believe Wade deserves to be thrown in prison like an older felon for something he did when he was a teenager.

"I don't feel the same sort of sentencing guidelines should be used for a 35-year-old or a 25-year-old as you would someone who was 17 when he committed the crime," said Dresow. "I'm sure it's a very emotional time for him. He's 19, and it's a very difficult thing to hear."

Prosecutor Yvette Martinez said she would save her comments about the verdict until sentencing.

Wade was accused of firing five shots at Wahlstrom, 19, and Eva Dedier, 18, of San Rafael in front of Wahlstrom's home on Evergreen Avenue in Mill Valley. The bullets missed the couple when they ducked, and they could not identify the shooter, who was wearing all black and had a helmet visor over his face.

Sheriff's detectives linked Wade to the purchase of a motorcycle three days earlier and of black motorcycle gear at a Cycle Sport store in San Francisco the day before the shooting. Dedier was able to identify Wade, from whom she had previously bought fake IDs, when she looked at surveillance video of the purchase at Cycle Sport.

Police tracked Wade to a storage locker in Richmond, where they found the motorcycle, gun, helmet and black motorcycle clothing said to be worn during the shooting. They also found Fieri's Lamborghini.

Dresow pointed out ballistics evidence during the trial that he said showed all five bullets were aimed away from Dedier, who the gunman stared at for 10 seconds, as if he were surprised to see her, before he opened fire. This may have been the main reason the jury believed he hadn't tried to kill her.

Infatuated with girl

The prosecution said Wade was infatuated with Dedier - an allegation bolstered by Wade's texts saying he wanted to have sex with her - and planned the shooting after he found out she was dating Wahlstrom.

Dresow also pointed out that a British Motors janitor was inside the dealership shortly before the $220,000 Lamborghini was stolen, possibly instilling doubt in the jurors whether Wade acted alone. The janitor could not be found after the burglary, according to testimony from investigators.

Wade may have nevertheless sealed his own conviction for theft when he texted pictures of the stolen car and at one point texted to a friend, "doesn't get any better than boosting a lambo and picking up chicks at 17."

"It's a shame he didn't put all that effort into something more positive," said Cindy Dedier, who said her daughter is now a college student in Santa Barbara and is still dating Wahlstrom. "We're relieved that it is over. It's sad for everyone."

This article has been updated since it appeared in print editions.