People v. Geason CA2/5

FACTS AND PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND

I. Facts

According to the evidence presented at trial, Dong and defendant met in 2018 and dated for five to six months during 2020. At some point, Dong “tried to break up with [defendant] because he hid[] . . . his background” from her. Approximately

All further statutory references are to the Penal Code unless other indicated.

2 three or four months after they began their relationship, defendant became aggressive with Dong, including, on one occasion, punching her in the face while she was driving. Defendant also began showing up to Dong’s home unannounced in the early hours of the morning. After her car’s right side-view mirror was stolen three times, Dong confronted defendant about the thefts. One of Dong’s text messages to defendant read, “[in] all honesty, I feel so miserable waking up knowing I still have to keep in contact with you so you don’t keep damaging [my property] and calling my work place. I really hope you’ll find someone else and fall in love with another girl soon.” Dong complained in another text message that the cost of replacing the repeatedly removed car mirror had risen from $200 to $550. Defendant responded, “It…