People v. Maldonado CA2/4

BACKGROUND

I. Evidence at Trial

Because Maldonado does not challenge the sufficiency of the evidence to support the convictions, we discuss the evidence adduced at trial only as necessary to contested issues in this appeal. We review the record in the light most favorable to the judgment, and “presume in support of the judgment the existence of every fact the trier [of fact] could reasonably deduce from the evidence. [Citation.]” (People v. Lewis (1990) 50 Cal.3d 262, 277.)

A. Relationship between Maldonado and the Two Victims Maldonado and F.G. had a 23-year relationship during which they lived together and had children together. They never married. F.G. described Maldonado as jealous and aggressive. They broke up in March 2011 when Maldonado left to be with another woman. 1 Maldonado and Lucas came from the same town in Mexico and were lifelong friends. Maldonado had introduced F.G. to Lucas 17 years earlier. For a year before the charged offenses took place, the three of them worked together as a cleaning crew at a medical facility. They all continued to work together after Maldonado and F.G. broke up, until an incident at work (discussed further below) two weeks before…