People v. Vazquez CA2/6

FACTS AND PROCEDURAL HISTORY2

Appellant married Monica Donahoo in June of 1997. They had dated each other when they were teenagers, but had broken up because their parents did not approve of the relationship. In the intervening years, Donahoo married a professional gambler several years her senior, who died of cancer in 1996. She inherited his house, a large sum of cash, and his interest in the Players Club card room, a poker parlor. After her first husband’s death, but before her marriage to appellant, Donahoo became enamored with Felipe Arambula, the victim in this case. Arambula was married and had three children. He was the part owner in a Mexican restaurant, and employees of the restaurant reported that Donahoo often visited

2The relevant facts are recited from our prior opinion affirming the judgment against appellant on direct appeal. (People v. Vazquez (Apr. 24, 2001, B135076) [nonpub. opn.].) We previously granted appellant’s request for judicial notice of this opinion and the trial transcripts in the prior appeal.

2 and brought Arambula gifts. Arambula instructed his employees not to tell Donahoo that he was married. In March of 1997, Donahoo gave Arambula two…