People v. Bogdanoff CA3

BACKGROUND

A second amended information charged Bogdanoff with two counts of assault with a deadly weapon (§ 245, subd. (a)) and two counts of misdemeanor hit and run (Veh. Code, § 20002, subd. (a)). It further alleged that he had suffered prior strikes (§§ 667, subds. (b)-(i), 1170.12, subds. (a)-(d)) and had prior serious or violent felony convictions (§ 667, subd. (a)(1)). At a bench trial, witnesses testified about two instances in October 2021 in which Bogdanoff rammed his Jeep into another car. The first victim, A.A., was driving 15 to 20 miles per hour near a park where children were playing when a red Jeep hit her car from behind three to four times in quick succession. A.A.’s head and neck were thrown forward each time the Jeep hit her car. A.A. pulled over to let the Jeep pass. She felt dizzy for an hour. The rear bumper of her car was scratched. A.A. followed the Jeep and took a picture of its license plate at an intersection. She eventually lost sight of the Jeep and drove home. She told her husband about the incident, and he called 911. A.A. had difficulty talking to the 911 operator because she was upset and crying. The second victim, M.M., was merging off…