People v. Park CA4/2

I. INTRODUCTION

Defendant and appellant, Norman Andrew Park, owned certain residential

property in Lake Elsinore. The property was the subject of structure abatement

proceedings by the City of Lake Elsinore (City). After a confrontation between

defendant and several code enforcement officers in September 2012, defendant was

charged with brandishing a firearm in a rude, angry, or threatening manner (count 2; Pen.

Code, § 417, subd. (a)(2)),1 and resisting arrest (count 3; § 148, subd. (a)(1)).

Three months later, defendant met with William Belvin, a City building

department official, who told him the property would be demolished. Defendant became

upset and told Belvin that when they come to demolish the property, they should bring a

body bag or body bags. He was charged with threatening a public employee. (Count 1;

§ 71.)

After the jury began deliberating, the trial court removed two jurors—Nos. 2 and

12—and replaced them with alternate jurors. Juror No. 2 was removed because of

derogatory comments she allegedly made about City employees at the beginning of

deliberations and her evasive answers to the court’s questions.

The reconstituted jury found defendant guilty…