People v. Williams CA4/3

FACTS

The underlying facts of the crimes are both undisputed and not germane to the issues on appeal, and, therefore, we provide only a general overview. In October 2009 two employees of a Stater Bros. grocery store in Rialto, California observed defendant stuff various products from the health and beauty aisle into his pockets and walk out without paying. They detained defendant in the breezeway and found he was in possession of $40.72 worth of unpaid merchandise. In December 2009, defendant was charged with a single count of petty theft with a prior. (§ 666, subd. (a).) The people alleged seven prior prison terms and one prior strike. Defendant failed to appear for arraignment and a bench warrant issued for his arrest. On November 10, 2010, two employees of a different Stater Bros. store in Bloomington, California witnessed almost the same set of events. They detained defendant after he left the store without paying for any merchandise and found he had taken approximately $50 worth of merchandise. On the morning of November 15, 2010, defendant appeared in court and was arraigned on the December 2009 complaint. At that time, he moved to represent

3 himself. He signed a Faretta…