People v. Deloge CA3

BACKGROUND

Defendant and D.A.C. were in an on-again, off-again relationship for 13 years and shared three children. D.A.C. testified reluctantly against defendant because she had been with defendant for 13 years, they had children together, and she felt bad about what had happened. Beginning in 2007, defendant became physically abusive, committing violence on D.A.C. probably more than 20 times. Toward the end of their relationship, defendant threatened 10 or more times to kill D.A.C. By August 2015, they were no longer living together. On August 18, 2015, D.A.C. and her children were in Yreka in a car with Norman P., who was driving. Defendant approached and demanded that D.A.C. and the children get out of the car. He tried to reach in and grab the car keys from Norman, and he told Norman to stay away from D.A.C. Defendant said several times that he knew where Norman lived and that he was going to burn down Norman’s house and kill Norman. Norman drove away, and defendant continued yelling and threw a rock, striking the car. Norman did not take the threats seriously at first. At trial, he said: “I thought he was joking . . . , just to make me worried . . . .” However, Norman said…