People v. Howard CA2/3

FACTS

Defendant lived with Matthews for just under six months. He had moved into her apartment when he was released from prison, on parole, for a prior robbery conviction. Defendant was approximately 20 years younger than Matthews. By all accounts, the relationship was tumultuous. Defendant had other women over to Matthews’s apartment while Matthews was at work. Defendant was unfaithful. Defendant and Matthews frequently argued; the arguments would get physical. Defendant killed Matthews some time after she came home from work on February 2, 2012. He slashed her throat with a knife; the autopsy revealed a single wound to Matthews’s neck from one side to the other. After the killing, defendant did not seek help for Matthews, although she may have struggled for breath for some time. Instead, defendant left Matthews’s body on her bed, in the apartment, while he sold and pawned her possessions for money to buy marijuana. He stayed with friends and went to at least one party. Matthews’s decomposing body was ultimately discovered eight days later, when her concerned friends and family asked the police to check on her welfare. Defendant testified that he killed Matthews in the heat of…