The People v. Ellis CA2/5
Opinion
Opinion
INTRODUCTION
A jury convicted defendant and appellant Robert Lee Ellis of false imprisonment by violence (Pen. Code, § 2361), criminal threats (§ 422, subd. (a)), assault by means likely to produce great bodily injury (§ 245, subd. (a)(4)), and dissuading a witness from prosecuting a crime (§ 136.1, subd. (b)(2)). The jury found true the allegations that defendant personally inflicted great bodily injury in the commission of the false imprisonment, criminal threats, and assault. (§ 12022.7, subd. (a).) The trial court found true the allegations that defendant suffered a prior conviction within the meaning of sections 667, subdivisions (a)(1) and (b) through (i), and 1170.12, subdivisions (a) through (d). The trial court sentenced defendant to 21 years, four months in state prison. On appeal, defendant contends that the trial court violated his constitutional right of self- representation when it denied his Faretta2 motion. We affirm.
FACTS3
Defendant was charged with physical abuse and criminal threats directed at his girlfriend. After he was arrested he called her and told her to testify that someone else had inflicted the injuries.