Curtis

Defendant David Scott Curtis (defendant) had an affair with a married woman, Abigail Camacho Medina (Abby). This brought him into conflict—sometimes violent conflict—with Abby’s husband, brother, and other members of her family.

Defendant’s relationship with Abby herself was not free from conflict. They broke up and got back together many times. Abby gave birth to a child, Nicole. At one point, she told defendant he was Nicole’s father; later, however, she denied this. Defendant filed suit for visitation rights.

One day, defendant stole Abby’s car. According to him, he hoped that in exchange for the return of her car, she would help him to prove that it was her husband who had committed a previous theft of his truck. At defendant’s request, Abby came to his apartment; her brother and her uncle came with her, but they waited outside. Abby also brought a tape recorder, concealed in her purse, in case defendant confessed to stealing her car.

They argued at length. Abby’s brother became concerned because she was taking so long; he knocked on defendant’s door. Moments later, defendant shot Abby and killed her. Both the argument and the shooting were…