People v. Perkins CA2/5

I. BACKGROUND

A. The Murder and Ensuing Criminal Proceedings In June 2016, defendant and Laquan Parker (Parker) drove to an apartment complex to pick up Parker’s girlfriend, Dezerae Lyons (Lyons). When Lyons walked to the front of the complex to meet them, she was accompanied by Phillip Niles (Niles) and another woman. Defendant and Parker began arguing with Niles, and Parker ultimately drew a firearm and shot Niles multiple times. Niles was still able to flee some distance, but defendant and Parker gave chase in an automobile. During the chase, defendant fired his own gun at Niles too. Niles was later found dead, and defendant and Parker were apprehended.

1 Undesignated statutory references that follow are to the Penal Code.

2 The criminal information filed against defendant and Parker alleged they each personally and intentionally used and discharged a handgun causing great bodily injury and death. They were also charged with possession of a firearm by a felon and carrying a stolen loaded firearm. Defendant alone was charged with being an accessory to a felony after the fact. At trial, Parker admitted shooting Niles but claimed he shot him in self-defense.

1. Jury…