P.

BACKGROUND

While defendant drove home with his girlfriend (victim), the two began arguing. The argument escalated, and defendant stopped the car. The victim attempted to

1 People v. Superior Court (Romero) (1996) 13 Cal.4th 497 (motion to dismiss prior convictions) (Romero). telephone 911, but defendant grabbed the phone and threw it out of reach. The argument continued when the two reached the inside of their home. At some point, the couple went outside and defendant pushed the victim into the car and drove away. Defendant then punched the victim in the legs and abdomen. He stopped the car and threatened suicide. The victim attempted to flee, but defendant grabbed her by the hair and forced her back into the car. Defendant then got out of the car and threatened suicide again. The victim exited the car and telephoned 911, but she could not convey a coherent message. Defendant pushed her back into the car, drove away, and began punching her again. At some point, defendant apologized and made the victim change her shirt to conceal that there had been a fight and promise to tell others that they had been robbed and beaten. When they returned home, the victim’s daughter recognized…