People v. Wangerin CA4/2

BACKGROUND

The jury heard the victim’s testimony, which was emotional. Minor testified that

she met defendant when she was seven years old and living in Murrieta; she grew to

regard him “like a father figure.” When they were alone and playing video games in her

room at her aunt’s house, defendant over the years placed his hand “so many times” on or

between her upper or inner thighs and on her nipples on her chest, both under and over

her clothing. Defendant would stop touching her like that when someone walked in. The

abuse was not limited to during video games, but included when they were “[t]alking or

maybe coloring.” The touching confused Minor; it was strange and made her feel bad

about defendant, but she did not know it was wrong and “thought it was a normal thing”

for a father-figure to do. The abuse continued through ages seven, eight, and nine.

3 When Minor was approximately 10 years old, in fifth or sixth grade, she and her

mother, J.S. (Mother), moved in with defendant. The abuse continued, including

defendant touching her legs when they were in the car or her legs and chest when

watching a movie. When she began to develop breasts, he moved his hands around…