People v. Key CA2/3

BACKGROUND

I. Prosecution evidence

In May 2020, an eyewitness driving through Skid Row observed Key punching a woman in the head. As the eyewitness began taking a cell-phone video, the victim rose from the ground while Key yelled at her to get away from his house. The eyewitness ceased recording, parked his car, and called 911. The crying, bleeding, and frantic victim approached him while Key continued screaming at her. Key returned to an encampment across the street where he resided. After police arrived, the victim identified Key by name and pointed across the street to the encampment. Police found Key

1 All further statutory references are to the Penal Code unless otherwise indicated.

2 and detained him without incident. The victim retrieved her belongings from Key’s tent. She had swelling and a laceration on her head. After an EMT recommended hospitalization for stitches and a head exam, the victim was transported to the hospital. Hospital records showed she had a scalp laceration and a fractured jaw. She received a CT scan and sutures or staples for the laceration.

II. Defense evidence

The victim informed a medical caseworker that she was renting a room in Pomona,…