People v. Mendoza CA3
Opinion
Opinion
BACKGROUND
Mendoza was charged with, among other offenses, first degree murder (§ 187) and personal and intentional discharge of a firearm causing great bodily injury or death (§ 12022.53, subd. (d)).2 The facts of the case are set forth in the appellate opinion from Mendoza’s prior appeal. (See People v. Mendoza (Dec. 3, 2018, C078817) [nonpub. opn.].)3 Briefly summarized, Mendoza shot her husband with a handgun in March 2011, and he died as a result in August 2011. The two started dating in 2000 and had an on-again, off-again relationship for years and they married in 2011. In the weeks prior to the fatal shooting, Mendoza exhibited anger at her husband for staying out all night and based upon her suspicion he was cheating on her. During a February 2011 altercation, she drove her car into her husband’s truck twice. After the second collision, she told her husband, “ ‘[G]ive me some money, fucker, so I can buy a gun and shoot your punk ass . . . .’ ” (People v. Mendoza, supra, C078817.) That same month, Mendoza purchased a gun and told others she would shoot her husband if he ever hurt her or pissed her off.