People v. Levens CA2/5

Facts Appellant and Philip Levens (Philip) married and had their first child, A., in 2007. That same year, Philip bought a house in Marina Del Rey for $1.85 million and took out a life insurance policy for $2 million.2 Appellant and Philip had a second child, L., in 2008. The couple had a dispute about L.’s name. Thereafter, the marriage was not a happy one. Sirenia Esteves worked as a babysitter and housecleaner for the Levens family in 2010. Sometime between September and November 2010, appellant told Esteves she

1 All further statutory references are to the Penal Code unless otherwise specified. 2 Appellant contributed money toward the purchase of the house, but only Philip’s name was on the escrow documents. Philip named appellant as the beneficiary of the life insurance policy. She was also the beneficiary of Philip’s Writers Guild pension and life insurance policy. 2 wanted 100 percent custody of the children if she divorced Philip. She also wanted Philip to support her financially. Appellant offered Esteves money if she would testify that appellant was a victim of domestic violence, that Philip hit her, did not give her money and would not allow her to work. None of these…