People v. Roberson CA3

I. BACKGROUND

Doe testified that she met defendant in late July or early August of 2022. On their first date, defendant had sex with Doe and told her that she should sell her “product.” He also showed her his gun. For their second date, defendant took Doe to see prostitutes walking “the Blade” or “the hoe stroll” on Stockton Boulevard. Defendant said he would teach Doe to do it better. Doe testified that defendant started threatening her when he called to pick her up again and she said she was not “that type of girl.” Doe ultimately did what defendant said because of his threats and because she felt “trapped.” Doe said she worked as a prostitute for defendant every day from sometime in August until right before October when she learned she was pregnant. Doe explained that defendant always drove her to “the Blade,” and he would take her car keys so that she could not get around during the day or during the night. She testified that he physically assaulted her between 30 and 40 times. Defendant testified in his own defense. He said he met Doe in September 2022, it was her idea to work as a prostitute, and she was willingly a prostitute for him. He said this arrangement lasted 14…