People v. Randolph CA4/3

FACTS

Appellant met his wife Jiraporn in Thailand in 1998. Their son was born the following year, and in 2003, they moved to Orange County. The family was living at an apartment complex in Laguna Hills when this case arose in 2006. By all accounts, appellant and Jiraporn had an argumentative relationship. As was often the case, neighbors heard yelling coming from their apartment on the night of March 23, 2006. At one point, appellant shouted, “That’s it, bitch. It’s over.” He walked out onto their second-story balcony, where Jiraporn was standing, and wrapped his arms around her, “bear hug” style. Then in one swift motion, he flipped her over the edge of the balcony. Although Jiraporn hit the ground hard, appellant showed little concern for her. When a neighbor asked him what he had done to Jiraporn, he replied, “Don’t worry. We argue all the time.” But there was plenty of cause for concern. Jiraporn’s contorted body lay twitching on the ground, with blood coming out of both her ears. Neighbors were tending to her by the time appellant came down to the scene with their son. Appellant tried to assure everyone that Jiraporn was fine, but knowing otherwise, they had already called…