People v. Woods CA2/4

BACKGROUND

As relevant to this appeal, the evidence at trial showed that around 6:00 a.m. on November 26, 2013, while in a room at the Bronco Motel in Los Angeles, having sex with a prostitute, Myesha C., defendant tried to remove his condom. When Myesha protested, defendant tried (in Myesha’s words) to “force himself” on her. She called for help and ran to the door. Two pimps, Hub and KR, along with a woman, Norma P. (nicknamed China), entered the room and began to “rough up” defendant, but stopped when defendant said he would pay Hub (who was Myesha’s pimp) more money for the trouble. Hub left with defendant to go to an ATM, but returned alone, telling Myesha that defendant was taking too long. Hub was holding defendant’s cell phone. About 20 minutes later, defendant returned in his car and demanded his cell phone. Hub refused to give it back until defendant paid. Hub and KR put defendant in a choke hold, pushed him into his car, and told him to leave. Defendant drove away. A few hours later, defendant returned to the motel, accompanied by two other men. He came to Myesha’s second-floor room, repeatedly banged on the

3 window, and asked for his phone. Myesha told defendant…