People v. Washington CA2/7

INTRODUCTION

William Washington broke into the lockers of individuals exercising at multiple locations of 24 Hour Fitness gyms, and he stole cell phones, keys, credit cards, and other personal items. He then used the credit cards to make and attempt to make purchases at grocery stores and other retailers. A jury convicted Washington of multiple counts of second degree burglary and theft of identifying information, and one count each of grand theft and possession of a controlled substance. The jury also found true, among other findings, the special allegations that Washington had suffered a prior conviction for first degree burglary and served a prior prison term for that conviction. The trial court sentenced Washington to an aggregate prison term of 24 years, 8 months. Washington challenges his convictions and sentence on three grounds. First, he argues that the trial court erred by refusing his request for a continuance to give him and his attorney additional time to prepare his defense. Second, Washington contends that the trial court erred by sentencing him to consecutive sentences for each incident of identifying information theft that occurred shortly after the burglary of a…