People v. Slaughter CA5

FACTS

The Robberies and Homicide On August 18, 2012, Patrice Oliver was at FoodMaxx on Ming Avenue near Stine Road, Bakersfield, with her daughter.3 She was in the parking lot, approaching the trunk of her vehicle with her groceries, when she saw someone moving toward her at a rapid pace. He was African-American, slightly stocky, an inch or two shorter than her height of five feet nine inches, and had short hair and very distinctive eyes. She watched him the whole time he was coming toward her, then he walked past her so closely that he could have touched her. A few seconds later, she was grabbed by the back of the neck. The person grabbed her jewelry, shirt, bra, and hair. He jerked her and she hit the pavement, injuring her hip and suffering cuts and scrapes as he dragged her about six feet while he tried to get her gold. Although one of her necklaces remained intact, another one broke and she lost about 18 inches of gold chain. Oliver did not report the robbery that day. She was in shock and worried it would not be a top priority if she called the police, while in the meantime, she had a car full of groceries that could spoil because it was a hot day. Also, she still had the…