People v. Zavalza Ruiz CA6

I. FACTUAL AND PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND

A. Procedure On February 17, 2022, the Santa Cruz County District Attorney filed a first amended information (information) charging Zavalza Ruiz with one felony count of inflicting corporal injury upon D.G., a person with whom Zavalza Ruiz had a dating relationship, while having a specified prior conviction within seven years (§ 273.5, subd. (f)(1); count 1); one felony count of reckless driving causing a specified injury (Veh. Code, § 23105, subd. (a); count 2); and one misdemeanor count of driving without a valid license (Veh. Code, § 12500, subd. (a); count 3). As to count 1, the information further alleged that Zavalza Ruiz personally inflicted great bodily injury and injury causing D.G. to become comatose due to brain injury and/or suffer paralysis (§ 12022.7, subds. (a), (b) & (e)). The information also alleged the following aggravating circumstances: 1) The crimes involved great violence and great bodily harm (rule 4.421(a)(1)); 2) the victim was particularly vulnerable (rule 4.421(a)(3)); 3) Zavalza Ruiz took advantage of a position of trust or confidence to commit the offense (rule 4.421(a)(11)); 4) Zavalza Ruiz’s violent conduct…