Kerley

*520 After a lengthy trial, a jury found defendant Lonnie James Kerley (Kerley) guilty of second degree murder in connection with the death of his former girlfriend, Danna Dever (Dever). The trial court sentenced Kerley to 15 years to life in state prison. On appeal, Kerley asserts that numerous evidentiary, instructional, and constitutional errors require reversal of his conviction. For the reasons that follow, we will affirm.

*521 FACTUAL BACKGROUND 1

Dever began dating Kerley in the early 1980's, and their daughter, Mandee Kerley, was born in 1986. Kerley, Dever, and Mandee lived together on Oakbrook Circle in Cordelia, California (the Oakbrook residence). Kerley worked for the Napa School District, driving a garbage truck and later working in the plumbing department.

1. Dever and Kerley's Relationship

At trial, the prosecution presented extensive testimony from Dever's family, neighbors, and friends that her relationship with Kerley was abusive and physically violent.

For example, Denae D., Dever's sister, testified that, when Dever was eight or nine months pregnant with Mandee, she witnessed Kerley, who was wearing steel-toed boots, punching and kicking Dever in the…