People v. Dominguez CA3

BACKGROUND FACTS AND PROCEDURE

Defendant’s brother, Leonardo Chavez (Chavez), a gang member, got into a fight at a liquor store with three men, at least one of whom was believed to be a member of a rival gang. After receiving a call from Chavez’s girlfriend, a group of people drove to the liquor store and joined the fight. Defendant followed shortly thereafter on foot. The arriving group attacked the men who “jumped” Chavez and, after singling one out, viciously beat and stabbed him multiple times. Near the end of the fight, witnesses saw defendant deliver five or six quick blows to the back of the victim’s head and neck. The victim later died from multiple stab wounds. Defendant was charged with first degree murder for his role in the killing. At defendant’s trial, numerous witnesses appeared and testified. We describe the pertinent testimony below, focusing on the evidence most germane to the issues raised on appeal. A. Witness Testimony 1. The Victim’s Friends On May 1, 2009, Brian Logan (Logan), Nathaniel Renteria (Renteria), and Samuel Sanchez (the victim), went to a liquor store to rent a U-Haul truck. Logan was wearing a red and black shirt and red and black shoes,…