People v. Sierra CA2/1
Opinion
Opinion
BACKGROUND
A. Uncharged 1997 Robbery In November 1997, Sierra, Jose Morales, and Luis Rodriguez, went to the rear house at 1126 Stockton Street in Compton intending to rob the residents, Veronica Lopez and Antonio Angola Escobar. They forced the residents at gunpoint to lie down on the floor and demanded money. The evidence varied as to how much they stole: One of the victims told police the robbers took $300 and a cowboy hat; Morales testified they stole $3,000; and at trial the victims testified the robbers took $600 and some jewelry.
B. 1998 Murders On February 2, 1998, Sierra, Morales, and Rodriguez went back to 1226 Stockton Street with Sandro Perez, who told them they could “make some quick money.” They saw two residents of the front house, Guadalupe Gurrola and his 15-year-old son Andres, drive away in a van. They followed, and when the van stopped, Sierra, Rodriguez and Perez pointed guns at Guadalupe and Andres and got into the van with them. They demanded money and drove to a bank, where they withdrew $300 with Guadalupe’s ATM card. They then drove to an underpass, where Sierra shot Guadalupe in the head and Rodriguiez shot Andres. Both victims were killed.