People v. Hovanessian CA2/5

I. BACKGROUND

A. The Offense Conduct, as Established by the Evidence at Trial In December 2020, defendant parked in front of a liquor store in Burbank, exited his car, and approached a homeless man, Gregory Woody (Woody), who was sitting outside the store. Defendant pulled out a security badge, falsely identified himself as a police officer, and instructed Woody to turn around and place his hands on his head. Woody responded, “F [you],” and defendant punched him in the face. Woody then threw a punch at defendant and fled. Defendant pursued Woody and punched him several more times. Sergio Montoya (Montoya), a Domino’s employee, was leaving a nearby Domino’s to make a delivery when he heard screaming coming from the liquor store across the street. Montoya pulled up to defendant and Woody, exited his vehicle, and saw defendant punching Woody several times. Montoya told defendant, “Hey, stop. Leave him alone. I’m gonna call the cops.” Defendant replied, “Call the cops” as if he “didn’t care.” Montoya then saw defendant reach into his jacket and struggle to pull something out. Woody ran into the street but his pants fell to his ankles, tripping him. Montoya saw defendant take out a…