People v. Ruiz CA2/5

I. INTRODUCTION

Following trial, a jury convicted defendant Ramon Villalobos Ruiz of three counts of oral copulation or sexual penetration with a child 10 years of age or younger (Pen. Code1, § 288.7, subd. (b)), three counts of lewd acts upon a child (§ 288, subd. (a)), and two counts of sexual intercourse or sodomy with a child 10 years of age or younger (§ 288.7, subd. (a)). On appeal, defendant contends the trial court erred by permitting defendant’s niece to testify about uncharged sex offenses. He also contends the court erred when it excluded the testimony of two witnesses who would have testified about the victim’s school disciplinary records. Finally, defendant asserts it was error to overrule his objection to the prosecutor’s statement during closing argument on the grounds that it was improper vouching. We affirm.

II. BACKGROUND

A. Procedural History

On August 8, 2022, the Los Angeles County District Attorney (District Attorney) filed an amended information charging defendant with eight counts of sexually abusing defendant’s granddaughter, L.V. On October 21, 2022, a jury found defendant guilty of all eight counts. On February 17, 2023, the trial court…