People v. Houston CA3

FACTS AND HISTORY OF THE PROCEEDINGS

In June 2015, defendant stole a pickup truck, abandoned it, and then stole a second SUV, which he used to twice hit a motorcyclist, injuring his arm, and then later used it to hit three bicyclists, seriously injuring all of them including one who was left with critical brain injuries. (See People v. Houston (Apr. 16, 2018, C083840) [nonpub. opn.].) Minutes later, defendant punched a drug store cashier in her face with his fist. (Ibid.) Police eventually apprehended defendant after he led them on a high-speed chase where he ran red lights, drove against traffic, and drove the wrong way on a one-way street. (Ibid.) Following his arrest, defendant exhibited symptoms common with using methamphetamine and admitted long-term methamphetamine use, but he tested negative for alcohol, amphetamines, antidepressants, anesthetics, benzodiazepine, and cannabinoids. (Ibid.) At trial, a defense expert who treated defendant with antipsychotic medication after the crime spree opined that defendant suffered from delusions and had a primary psychiatric disorder such as schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder that was exacerbated by his ingestion of controlled…