People v. De Los Santos CA2/6

FACTS AND PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND

The People's Case Phillip Amaro worked as a "D.J." at Maikobe, a restaurant/bar in Pasadena. On the night he was attacked, Amaro met Ian Chandler, a coworker, and his girlfriend Vickie Chevalier at Maikobe. After having drinks there, they went to Wokcano, a nearby restaurant/bar where Alexander Andre worked as a D.J. and Edward Damas and Eric Ruiz were security guards. De Los Santos, a former Wokcano security guard, was a patron. When Amaro and his companions arrived at Wokcano, Andre approached Amaro and challenged him to a "D.J. battle" – a competition between the D.J.s to show off their skills. When Amaro took his turn, he shouted insults at Andre which led to an "exchange of words" and a fistfight. Chandler jumped into the fray and restrained Andre. De Los Santos grabbed Amaro from behind, placed him in a headlock/chokehold and lifted him off the ground. As Amaro struggled to free himself, De Los Santos struck him hard on the right side of his face and Amaro felt blood spilling into his mouth. Amaro "saw stars" and then passed out. Chevalier was close to the fight and saw De Los Santos hit Amaro very hard three times on his face. She said…