People v. Morrison CA3

BACKGROUND FACTS AND PROCEDURE

In accordance with the applicable standard of review, we summarize the relevant facts in the light most favorable to the verdict. (People v. Vu (2006) 143 Cal.App.4th 1009, 1013.) On the night of January 11, 2020, defendant, her boyfriend Brandon, Brandon’s friend “CJ,” and two of CJ’s friends (Donnie and Sean), went out for drinks at bars in Folsom, California. Brandon drove in his car. The group had been drinking before going out and continued to consume alcohol at the bars. At one of the bars, defendant and Brandon got into an argument that stemmed from defendant seeking to purchase cocaine using her debit card. Brandon became irritated and snatched the debit card from defendant’s hand. Defendant “flipped out” and became physical with Brandon. In response, Brandon threw her debit card over a railing and left the bar. Around 1:30 a.m., Brandon returned with his car to give the group a ride home. As they loaded into Brandon’s car, defendant sat in the front passenger seat, while CJ, Donnie, and Sean sat in the back. By that time, everyone in the group was “buzzed” or drunk. Sean testified at trial that he was “pretty drunk,” although he remembered…