BAKERSFIELD, Calif. — A man has been found guilty of second-degree murder and multiple charges stemming from a violent incident that claimed his father’s life in 2017, according to statements from the Kern County District Attorney’s Office. Edward James Pull was convicted by a Kern County jury on May 23, 2025, following a trial that detailed a harrowing familial confrontation involving firearms.
The jury’s decision came after prosecutors presented evidence linking Pull to a series of heinous acts against both his father and mother on December 11, 2017. In addition to the murder charge, Pull was found guilty of assault with an AR-15 style rifle, inflicting great bodily injury, and various counts of elder abuse and false imprisonment. The jury also upheld enhancements related to firearm use and serious bodily injuries.
During the trial, it was revealed that on the early morning of the crime, Bakersfield police responded to reports of a possible robbery. Upon arrival, officers discovered two victims suffering from gunshot wounds, both relating to a violent confrontation that transpired within the family home.
Initial accounts given to law enforcement suggested an intruder was responsible for the chaos. However, Pull’s mother later contradicted this claim, identifying her son as the assailant. Surveillance footage reviewed by investigators depicted Pull emerging from his bedroom armed and masked, leading to chilling moments of aggression against his father as well as a brutal attack on his mother.
As the evidence unfolded, it became clear that Pull’s actions were premeditated. He attacked his mother with the firearm, inflicting severe injuries, while his father attempted to intervene in defense of her. Tragically, Edward William Pull was shot twice during the encounter, sustaining grave injuries that ultimately led to his death a week later despite extensive medical treatment.
Prosecutors stated that Pull’s determination to evade responsibility became evident when he allegedly coerced his mother into helping conceal the crime by cleaning the scene and fabricating a narrative for the police. The District Attorney labeled the incident a “calculated act of violence,” emphasizing that innocent victims could not have anticipated the tragic events that unfolded.
Pull’s criminal history includes prior felony convictions for lewd acts with minors, further complicating his defense and contributing to the jury’s determination of aggravating factors during the trial.
He is scheduled for sentencing on July 15, 2025, and will face multiple life sentences with no chance of parole. The case has raised concerns within the community about domestic violence and the profound effects of familial turmoil.