People v. Ortiz CA2/8

INTRODUCTION

Jason Ortiz appeals from his judgment of conviction of one count of petty theft (Pen. Code,1 § 484, subd. (a)). On appeal, Ortiz argues: (1) the trial court erred in allowing two police officers to identify Ortiz as the perpetrator in surveillance video of the theft; (2) the trial court erred in excluding evidence of misconduct by the investigating officer in a prior unrelated case; and (3) there was cumulative error. We conclude the trial court did not err in admitting the officers’ identification testimony because it reasonably could find that such testimony was based on the officers’ personal knowledge and helpful to the jury. We also conclude the trial court did not err in excluding the proffered impeachment evidence because it reasonably could find that the probative value of such evidence was substantially outweighed by the possible prejudicial effects. Because Ortiz has failed to show error in the trial court’s rulings, we affirm.

FACTUAL AND PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND

1. Evidence at trial On February 19, 2023, Jia Li parked her car on the street in front of her business in Alhambra, California. She did not lock her car because she believed the auto-lock…