People v. Lo CA1/5

BACKGROUND

Stanley Lo, the son of appellant and the victim Wen Ying Lo, was 20 years old when he testified at trial.2 When Stanley was growing up, his parents owned a restaurant. Appellant worked long hours at the restaurant; Wen Ying worked there part time and also cared for the children. Appellant and Wen Ying argued a few times a month, with some of the arguments lasting several days. Stanley’s understanding was that his mother was angry with his father for gambling and buying things, and his father was angry that his mother would not let him spend money the way he wanted. During these arguments, Wen Ying loudly shouted at appellant and sometimes threw things at him, including a television remote and cups. Appellant typically did not shout at Wen Ying, and Stanley never saw him throw anything at her; instead, appellant’s response was to retreat. When Stanley was in middle school, Wen Ying got angry with Stanley and swung a sword at him, striking him on the arm. On another occasion, she threatened a neighbor with a meat cleaver when the neighbor complained about the noise from her chopping meat. In 2015, appellant and Wen Ying separated. Appellant stayed in the family home,…