People v. Bragas CA3

FACTS

J.S. had had a long-term relationship with defendant who moved into her house and lived with her for about 22 years. Their relationship deteriorated over time due to defendant’s controlling behavior and his verbal and physical abuse of her. He insulted J.S. on a daily basis. Defendant threatened to burn her clothes if she did not remove them from the master bedroom. J.S. moved out of the master bedroom and shared a room with her adult daughter (K.B.). Defendant’s physical abuse included pushing and punching J.S. repeatedly and pointing guns at her. Defendant frequently threatened J.S.; he told her he would burn her in her bed, burn her family’s homes down with them inside, and beat her. She did not report the incidents to the police because she was afraid of the potential consequences if nothing happened to defendant and he returned. In 2010, defendant threatened a process server with a gun. Defendant told J.S. to call 911 and falsely report that an intruder was trying to break into her house. She did so, fearing the consequences if she did not obey. J.S. entertained a couple of people in the evening on July 24, 2012. They were drinking and loud, waking defendant who became…