People v. Castellanos CA4/3

I.

FACTS AND PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND

In May 2022, Leora lived in Apple Valley, down the street from Castellanos, who was also known as “Green Eyes.” Leora testified Castellanos regularly carried a gun. Leora had known Castellanos for about 2 six months and would speak to him several times a week by phone. Castellanos had introduced Torres to Leora about five months earlier. Leora said Torres and Castellanos had an “on and off” romantic relationship, which involved verbal and physical arguments about 80 percent of the time. Sometime prior to her death, Torres told Leora: “That Green Eyes was out to get her.” At trial, Leora testified that she saw four incidents of domestic violence committed by Castellanos against Torres. About five months before the shooting, Castellanos grabbed his gun, went to the backseat of Leora’s car where Torres was sitting, and grabbed her by the arm. Two to three months before the shooting, Torres went to Leora’s apartment appearing scared and distraught; Castellanos later showed up with his gun in his hand looking for Torres. One to two months before the shooting, Torres and Castellano were arguing in Leora’s kitchen when Castellano cornered Torres by…