People v. Rivas CA3

I. BACKGROUND

A. Defendant’s Relationship with the Victim Defendant and the victim began dating in May 2018. She moved in with him in August 2018. A few weeks later, defendant’s pregnant sister and three children moved in with defendant and the victim. The sister gave birth to twins in September 2018. After the sister moved in, defendant angered more easily.

1 Undesignated statutory references are to the Penal Code.

2 Defendant was “really particular” about the house and “[e]verything had to be in its place when he got home.” The victim was responsible for cleaning and tidying the home, and defendant got mad if there was any kind of mess. For example, soon after defendant’s sister moved in, the victim splattered grease while cooking, and defendant grew so enraged that he slapped her. Defendant also got mad if anyone tracked in dirt or water from outside. Defendant was violent with the victim other times. In August 2018, right after she moved in, the two of them started arguing while they were coming home from dinner. Defendant suddenly punched her between the eyes, and the victim felt everything go “black.” The victim tried to get out of the car, but defendant grabbed her…