People v. Pasa CA2/3

BACKGROUND

I. Evidence at preliminary hearing

On April 14, 2023, the victim Hanh Dinh was at a liquor store. Pasa was also at the store. He followed Dinh, and they had a verbal altercation. Pasa punched Dinh in the face, knocking her to the ground. When Dinh tried to get up, Pasa dragged her to the back of the store and slammed her face into a glass display case, causing the display case to shatter. Dinh suffered lacerations to her leg and wrist, and a puncture wound to her elbow. The laceration to her wrist severed an artery, nerves, and tendons. The injuries affected Dinh’s ability to continue her work as a nail technician and left her with a permanent scar. After Pasa was arrested, he told a police officer that he did not remember being at the liquor store, but he identified himself from video surveillance of the incident. Pasa said he had two 32- ounce beers and a cocktail before the incident, adding he did not feel like himself that day.

1 All further undesignated statutory references are to the Penal Code.

2

II. Motion for mental health diversion

An information charged Pasa with mayhem (§ 203; count 1), battery with serious bodily injury (§ 243, subd. (d); count…