People v. Mendez CA4/2

BACKGROUND

The events underlying Mendez’s convictions took place in October 2022. Roy

and Kira were in a romantic relationship and had been living together for one and one-

half years. Mendez is the former boyfriend of Roy’s sister. Mendez and Roy’s sister had

not been a couple for several months, but he and Roy continued to see each other.

Mendez and Roy would “hang out,” play video games online, or drink together. But Kira

did not trust Mendez and did not like being around him. Mendez and Roy were involved

in some sort of “drug activity” together.

Mendez arrived at Roy and Kira’s apartment after midnight one night. Kira was in

the bedroom and could see Roy and Mendez in the living room; the bedroom had no

door. The two men were having a casual conversation and preparing some marijuana to

smoke. Roy brought a marijuana cigar to Kira in the bedroom, and she smoked some and

took it back to Roy in the living room. Roy and Mendez “were having a business

conversation.” Kira tried to stay out of Roy’s “business,” and Roy tried to keep her away

from it, so she did not overhear any details. At some point, Mendez came into the

bedroom and asked Kira “what happened to the…