People v. Grant CA2/8

FACTS

The Murder and Investigation Matthew Sims (the murder victim) and Grant were both members of the 7-4 clique of the Hoovers criminal street gang. On April 9, 2014, at some time around 3:45 or 4:45 in the afternoon, Sims went to Erick Washington’s house to talk about an incident between Sims and Grant. At the time, Washington also was a member of the 7-4 Hoovers clique.2 Sims seemed “antsy.” He said that he and Grant “got into it” in the backyard at Grant’s house, and that they had “squared off” to fight. Sims said that as he and Grant did so, several “little homies” surrounded Sims. Sims put his hand on a screwdriver in his pocket and told Grant to meet him at the “donut,” an area on 80th Street between Hoover Street and Figueroa Street known for fighting. Sims said he had walked to the donut, but Grant did not show up. Sims had then walked directly to Washington’s house on 81st Street. After describing the incident with Grant, Sims asked Washington if he would talk to Grant. Washington said that he would, but he had a prior family obligation first. After talking to Washington, Sims left.

1 All further undesignated section references are to the Penal Code. 2 By the time of…