People v. Love CA4/1

I. FACTUAL AND PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND

In 1983, Love and codefendants Steven Ragland and Roy Patton (who was still at large) were charged with a single count of murder. A. Preliminary Hearing In January 1983, a joint preliminary hearing was held as to Love and Ragland, and both were held to answer. Certain testimony was admitted as to Ragland but excluded as to Love on hearsay grounds. To provide full context, we summarize both the evidence admitted and excluded as to Love. However, in considering the sufficiency of the evidence supporting the trial court’s ruling, we will consider only the evidence properly admitted as to Love. 1. Testimony Admitted as to Love In 1982, Claude County lived in an apartment in Ocean Beach. On the afternoon of Thanksgiving Day, November 25, 1982, County’s friend George went looking for County because he had not shown up for his usual morning coffee for several days and did not show up for a planned Thanksgiving dinner. George found County dead on the floor of County’s apartment, with his hands tied behind his back, his feet bound, and a towel over his head. County’s television, stereo, and two long-necked wine bottles were missing. George called the…