People v. Tafolla CA2/8

FACTS

1. The Underlying Case: the Velasquez Shooting On November 1, 2010, Robert Velasquez was shot to death in Pico Rivera. The suspects in the case were Michael Barrios, Enrique Medina, and Thomas Arellanes, members of the Brown Authority gang. Tina Perez gave detectives information about the Velasquez shooting. She identified the three suspects in photographs and told detectives she saw the three of them at her house prior to the shooting. The three suspects were charged with first degree murder. Perez was subpoenaed to testify at their preliminary hearing and trial. She testified at both. 2. Appellant’s Communications with Perez Regarding the Velasquez Case Perez has known appellant and his family since 2003. They lived in the same neighborhood, and she knew appellant very well. Appellant knew Perez’s son and would visit her home often. She knew appellant was a member of Brown Authority. Other members of Brown Authority would also frequent her home. Appellant visited her home unannounced on December 3, 2011, 11 days before the preliminary hearing in the Velasquez case. Perez was very nervous about testifying, and she asked appellant what she should do. She knew Barrios,…