People v. Bonilla CA2/2

FACTS

Prosecution Case The Murder On May 8, 2012, between 12:45 a.m. and 1:00 a.m., the body of Rene Miranda (the victim) was found by a driver lying on the street at the corner of Normandie Avenue and 20th Street in Los Angeles. Autopsy reports revealed the cause of death was multiple gunshot wounds. The victim was shot in the right jaw, right upper back, and right hand.

1 All further statutory references are to the Penal Code unless otherwise indicated. 2 Two of the three gunshot wounds were fatal.

2 A large caliber bullet was recovered from his body.3 The victim had marijuana and cocaine in his system, but the drugs did not contribute to his death. Background Events Appellant was a drug dealer for the Harpys gang and the victim had a drug habit. During the month of January 2012, calls on appellant’s phones were wiretapped pursuant to a court order. Portions of recorded calls were played for the jury. In the first recording, the victim told appellant he would pay extra money on his drug debt. Appellant demanded that he be paid immediately because he had not told “the homie,” who thought the victim had already paid for the drugs. In the second recording, the victim told…