People v. Froste CA3

FACTS AND HISTORY OF THE PROCEEDINGS

After defendant and his compatriots were robbed of their marijuana, defendant wanted revenge and murdered the two victims. The first victim, Enrique Rios, was 16 when he was killed, the second victim, Elijah Moore, was 17. During the first murder, defendant was aided by two accomplices. The older accomplice was 19, the younger accomplice was 16; defendant was then 25. During the second murder, defendant was aided by the original accomplices, as well as a third accomplice, defendant’s brother. After the murders, the younger accomplice told others about his involvement in the robbery and murders. At trial, many of them would testify to the young accomplice’s statements. Also, at trial, defendant’s brother testified to the robbery and both killings.

1. Defendant’s brother’s testimony

Defendant’s brother, who was 19 at the time of the murders, testified that on October 17, 2016, defendant called him in the middle of the night. Defendant said he had been robbed at gunpoint, and three ounces of marijuana was taken. He explained that he had been contacted about selling marijuana, and he and the older accomplice had walked with the buyer (the…