Trial Begins in La Jolla Double Shooting

If convicted, Petersen faces up to 96 years in prison.

The trial began Wednesday for a former San Diego biotech executive accused of a double shooting in La Jolla.

Hans Petersen is charged with shooting his estranged wife's brother and his former business partner in September 2013.

The wife of the first victim, UCSD researcher Steven Dowdy, took the stand Wednesday, describing how Petersen - her former neighbor - turned hostile after he was fired from her husband's company.

"In the email he made mention of always having a crush on me," she said. "It was a very disturbing email."

Petersen was arrested at the home of Ronald Fletcher, a second shooting victim, about a mile from the first crime scene in the Bird Rock area of La Jolla.

La Jolla Shooting Case in Images

Fletcher said in early testimony he was in his bathroom getting ready when he heard a man demand that he open the door and his safe at the count of three.

β€œBefore he said three, bullets were coming through. I could see them. He shot through my door and they ricocheted in the bathroom,” he said.

Fletcher was struck in the stomach by a bullet. He testified that he managed to grab the gun from Petersen and waited for police to arrive.

Dowdy, who was home with his wife and two children, was shot through his bedroom window by a man wearing a hooded sweatshirt standing outside his home. He testified he thought the noise was a brick strapped to an M80 at first but his wife confirmed the noises they were hearing were bullets.

β€œI yelled β€˜I’m hit, I’m hit’ and then there was a third shot,” Dowdy testified. β€œAt that point I realized the person was not there to rob our house but in fact was there to kill me.”

The bullet went through his pelvis traveling about an inch from his spine. He was hospitalized for more than a week.

Petersen is charged with three counts of premeditated attempted murder. He faces up to 96 years in prison, if convicted.

The trial is ongoing.

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