People v. Dehoop CA3

BACKGROUND

During the relevant time period in the summer of 2019, defendant’s father owned many rental properties. About a week before the murder, defendant, McFadden, and others began work on one of the father’s houses. McFadden was installing wood floors

1 and defendant served as the job foreman. Defendant was much larger than McFadden, did not get along with him, and indicated that he wanted McFadden fired. One day, after defendant instructed everyone to go home, McFadden indicated he would simply return later. As they left the property, defendant told another worker that he wished “that little bastard” (McFadden) would go away or disappear. There was conflicting testimony about whether McFadden had been fired the day before he was killed. On the day of the murder, McFadden showed up at the worksite. Coworkers heard defendant and McFadden arguing. One of the coworkers testified she did not hear McFadden threaten defendant, but she heard defendant say he had something for McFadden. The next thing she heard was a gunshot. She went outside and saw defendant on the phone calling 911 and McFadden on the ground. McFadden died from a gunshot to the head. Evidence indicated the…