FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) — 18-year-old Cassandra Michael has been found guilty of first-degree murder in the death of Caleb Quick, according to the Fresno County District Attorney’s Office.<\/p>\n
The ruling came in Fresno County Superior Court, where Judge Brian Alvarez said the evidence supported the charge against Michael.<\/p>\n
“To the court’s way of thinking, the evidence does support beyond a reasonable doubt that she did aid and abet in the commission in the murder of Caleb Quick,” Alvarez said.<\/p>\n
Prosecutors say that Michael drove a white Tesla on the night of Quick’s murder in April 2025 and helped the suspected shooter, identified as her boyfriend, run from the scene.<\/p>\n
Alvarez said Michael also played a role before the killing.<\/p>\n
“She was involved in the pre-planning aspect of picking him up after the killing,” Alvarez said.<\/p>\n
Juvenile court handled Michael’s case. In May, a judge ruled that she would not be tried as an adult.<\/p>\n
ABC30 legal analyst Tony Capozzi said a person does not have to be the shooter to be found guilty of a crime.<\/p>\n
“One doesn’t have to be the shooter to be found guilty of a crime. In this case, if the facts are true, you can be just as involved. Even if you’re not the shooter, but if you’re helping the person commit the crime, helping them plan the crime, and helping them escape from the crime,” Capozzi said.<\/p>\n
With Michael now convicted, the next step in the case is a disposition hearing, which will serve as her sentencing. The court must determine how long she will remain in the juvenile justice system.<\/p>\n
Under the juvenile system, offenders who commit serious crimes can remain under its supervision until age 25. Capozzi said the court’s focus will now be on rehabilitation.<\/p>\n
“The question now is, when can she be rehabilitated? Can she be rehabilitated when she’s 20? When she’s 22? 24? 25? That’s the issue,” Capozzi said.<\/p>\n
Attention is also turning to the case against the person accused of shooting Quick.<\/p>\n
“I don’t think what happened in determining whether or not this next case will be in juvenile court or adult court, as to what happened with this defendant, will make any difference with the young man coming in. It’s going to be dependent on the seriousness of the crime,” Capozzi said.<\/p>\n
Capozzi added that evidence presented during Michael’s trial could also be brought back in the young man’s case.<\/p>\n
A transfer hearing for the alleged gunman is scheduled to begin Sept. 1. Michael’s disposition hearing is also set for next month.<\/p>\n
For news updates, follow Ana Torrea on Facebook<\/a>, X<\/a> and Instagram<\/a>.<\/p>\n Copyright \u00a9 2026 KFSN-TV. All Rights Reserved.<\/p>\n