People v. Singh CA3

FACTS

Guilt phase The information charged defendant with murder (Pen. Code, § 187, subd. (a))2, and alleged he used a knife to commit the murder (former § 12022, subd. (b)(1)). Defendant started working at the San Jose airport’s weather station in 2004. Initially, he worked five days a week, eight hours a day. In 2008, he began working four days a week, 10 hours a day. In October 2009, he reduced his weekly hours to 37. In November 2009, he reduced his hours to 30 hours, spread over three 10-hour shifts. Defendant’s supervisor, Thomas Chance, said defendant was “the picture of stability” and “an ideal employee.” On December 11, 2009, defendant asked Chance for the company doctor because his back was hurting him. His back would stiffen on the long drive from his home in Lathrop to work. Chance told defendant there was no company doctor, but the company’s insurance would cover him. Chance also told him if his back was bad, he should see a doctor.

Further undesignated section references are to the Penal Code.

2 On December 14, 2009, defendant called in sick for work. Later that day, Chance called defendant and gave him the company’s insurance policy number. Defendant,…