People v. Neal CA4/1

I.

BACKGROUND

A. Facts One night in October 2020, D.G. was working at a convenience store when Neal’s girlfriend, Ruby Castillo, entered and asked for beer. D.G. told Castillo no beer was available for sale, and Castillo started screaming. Neal heard the screaming, entered the store, and joined Castillo in demanding beer. After he walked to the back of the store and realized there was no beer for sale, he grabbed some candy and headed for the exit. D.G. pepper- sprayed Neal as he was exiting, and he stumbled outside the store. He heard D.G. and Castillo “tussling” and reentered the store to intervene. Neal kicked D.G. in the face six times and then pulled Castillo off D.G. He and Castillo then fled the scene. When they returned to retrieve their vehicle, police detained them. D.G. was taken to a hospital where she underwent surgery to repair multiple fractures to the bones around her left eyeball and related soft tissue injuries. D.G. also suffered a fracture to her cheekbone, which required an implant; a fracture to her nose, which left her with a crooked nose and impaired breathing; and permanent damage to her vision and brain.

2 B. Charges and Trial The People charged…