People v. Goldberg CA2/2

BACKGROUND

A. Factual Background 1. Prosecution Evidence Around midnight on December 14, 2012, defendant who was accompanied by Joe Luis Carranza, pulled his vehicle up beside three men who were standing outside an apartment complex in Studio City. Carranza, wearing a cap and gloves got out of the vehicle, pointed a semiautomatic handgun at the three men and demanded their wallets. Two of the victims turned over credit cards, cash, a watch, and a cell phone, while the third victim had his wallet with him but refused to give it to Carranza. Carranza got back into the vehicle on the passenger side and appellant drove away. One of the victims recorded the vehicle’s license plate number and the police issued a warrant for the vehicle. Approximately one month later police stopped a vehicle being driven by defendant’s mother that matched the description in the warrant. Defendant was located at the family home and a search of defendant’s bedroom uncovered the watch taken from one of the robbery victims. Defendant was arrested, informed of his Miranda2 rights, and agreed to talk to police investigators. The audio recording of defendant’s statement was admitted into evidence and…