People v. Bodiford CA3

BACKGROUND

On August 24, 2023, the People filed an information charging defendant with assault by means likely to cause great bodily injury (Pen. Code,1 § 245, subd. (a)(4); count one) with a personal infliction of great bodily injury enhancement (§ 12022.7, subd. (a)) and battery with serious bodily injury (§ 243, subd. (d); count two). The

1 Subsequent undesignated statutory references are to the Penal Code.

1 information further alleged several circumstances in aggravation for purposes of sentencing. On October 4, 2023, the trial court granted defendant’s request to represent himself. A week later, defendant filed a motion to have his public defender reinstated, but changed his mind and requested to continue representing himself. At trial, the People presented evidence establishing that Stephen S. had been playing horseshoes and drinking beer with his friends, Steve N. and Wayne L. at a park on July 22, 2023. They decided to stop around sunset and were getting ready to leave when defendant arrived wanting to play horseshoes. Defendant was unhappy they did not want to play, and name-calling between Stephen S. and defendant ensued. Steve N. calmed the situation down until…