People v. Jones CA2/1

BACKGROUND

1. The charged offenses Defendant had been the girlfriend of, and caregiver for, Kirk Livingston. Before Livingston died, he asked his brother, Darryl Israel, to help defendant and look out for her. Israel honored his brother’s request by supporting defendant financially October 2011 through April 2012 and lending her his car for about two months. When defendant lost her home, Israel financed her move into a rehabilitation facility and helped her get a storage facility for her possessions. Israel, who was married and had a girlfriend, also had a “one night stand” with defendant. On Friday, April 27, 2012, defendant phoned Israel and asked him for $80.1 Israel arranged to meet defendant in a drugstore parking lot and drove there with his coworker, Terrence Hite. Hite stayed in the truck while Israel spoke to defendant. Israel gave defendant $40 and showed her he had only $3 left. Defendant became angry. Israel, who had given defendant $80 the day before, asked her why she needed money all the time and whether she was using crack. Defendant moved toward Israel in a threatening manner and, close to his face, replied that it was her own business. Israel said he was not…