People v. Mejia CA4/3

FACTS

Sarina D. One evening in August 2009, Mejia picked up Sarina D., who was working as a prostitute. After Sarina got into his backseat, Mejia repeatedly hit her face with a crowbar while he pulled off her underpants. Sarina tried to escape, but Mejia hit her on the head with the crowbar and dragged her back into the car’s backseat. Mejia told her, “You’re going to die tonight, bitch.” Blood rolled down Sarina’s face as Mejia forced her to orally copulate him. When Mejia saw a truck’s headlights, he ran away. Sarina waited for police to arrive, and paramedics took her to the hospital where a detective obtained her DNA. A detective obtained Mejia’s DNA the following day, but he was not arrested. Forensic testing revealed Mejia attacked Sarina. Sarina identified Mejia as her attacker from a photographic lineup. Amber M. In February 2010, Mejia picked up Amber M., who was working as a prostitute. After Amber got into his car, she told him where to drive, but he ignored her and drove to another location and parked. Amber got into the backseat, and Mejia got out of the car and got into the backseat. Mejia pulled out his penis, put on a condom, and told Amber to “suck it.” Amber…