People v. Bontemps CA3

BACKGROUND

In July 2008, Charlene and defendant, her then husband, got into an argument about her son, Anthony. Over the next few hours, Charlene and defendant both drank alcohol and continued to argue. After Charlene fell asleep, defendant woke her by grabbing her by the hair, pulling her into a sitting position, and saying, “Bitch, make me some dinner.” Charlene fought back and defendant swung her down toward the ground and punched her in the back and in the nose. Blood gushed out of her nose covering her hands and face and spreading to her clothing, the sheets, the bedroom and bathroom floors, furniture, and the walls. While her nose was still bleeding, defendant told her several times he would kill her. He also said if she called the police, she would be “done before they hit the corner.” He told her if she called her son, he would kill her son as well. These threats frightened Charlene because of defendant’s “violent criminal past.” Accordingly, she did not immediately call the police or her son. Defendant made Charlene clean the blood off herself, the floors, and the sheets. After she cleaned up her blood, defendant told her to lie down, which she did because she remained…