People v. Starkes CA1/2

BACKGROUND

In March 1995, Starkes entered the car of an 88-year-old man who had just dropped his wife off at the mall, pressed a .45 caliber pistol against the man’s ribs, and demanded the man’s billfold and keys. After taking cash from the man’s wallet, Starkes placed his gun in the man’s ear, pushed him out of the car, and drove away. In early April 1995, Starkes opened the driver’s side door of the car of a woman who had just finished shopping, told her to “ ‘scoot over,’ ” and gave her a shove. The woman did not move because she was wearing her seatbelt and argued with Starkes until he pressed a hard metal object against her ribs, which she believed to be a gun. The woman then “ ‘panicked’ ” and ran back to the store; Starkes left with her car and purse. A few days later, Starkes grabbed the shoulder of a woman who was walking in the parking lot, said he had a gun, and pressed a metal object against her ribs. While holding the woman’s arm, Starkes told the woman to go to her car and unlock it for him. When she did so, Starkes pushed her into the driver’s seat and told her to drive or give him her purse. The woman threw her purse at Starkes and quickly left the car. In…