People v. Zamora CA6

BACKGROUND

Defendant had an acrimonious, violent relationship with Deleyne Padilla that Padilla ended in August 2007. But on September 16, 2007, defendant‟s mother drove defendant to Padilla‟s home on Larkin Valley Road in Watsonville so he could attempt reconciliation. She exited the vehicle, entered the home, and explained to Padilla that defendant wished to speak with her. Padilla agreed to speak with defendant and went with the mother to the vehicle. She sat in the front passenger seat and the mother sat in the driver‟s seat. Defendant was sitting in the back seat. After conversing with Padilla for several minutes, defendant began to argue with Padilla. Padilla exited the vehicle and began walking away. Defendant then got out, pursued Padilla, grabbed Padilla, and threw her onto the back seat of the vehicle. Padilla “flew across and hit the other . . . passenger door.” Defendant got into the back seat and instructed his mother to drive away. The mother drove away, and the two in the back seat began arguing. After concluding that Padilla had been avoiding him, defendant hit Padilla at least three times in the face while the vehicle was on Airport Road crossing a bridge…