People v. Prince CA3

BACKGROUND

A felony complaint deemed information charged defendant with assault with a deadly weapon. (Pen. Code, § 245, subd. (a)(1).) Defendant executed a Faretta1 waiver and the trial court granted defendant’s request to represent himself. The Prosecution Case2 Carolyn R. lived in Berry Creek in Butte County. Thomas, Carolyn’s friend, lived on the property in a converted loft apartment over the garage. He helped Carolyn around the property in a handyman capacity. Carolyn knew defendant for about three years before he moved away to Modesto. When defendant moved back to the area, he was “completely different.” When he was younger, he was very thoughtful; when he returned from Modesto, he was sullen, argumentative, and “not very nice.” On June 23, 2019, defendant came to Carolyn’s door. He was “very upset over nothing.” He swore at and threatened Carolyn. She asked him to leave, but he would not. Meanwhile, Thomas, who had been in the garage nearby with a friend, followed defendant to Carolyn’s house. Thomas could hear defendant cursing at Carolyn. Thomas attempted to escort defendant off the property, though he did not touch defendant physically. Thomas and his friend escorted…