People v. Wallace CA3

I. BACKGROUND

Defendant’s parents, Sandra and Leonard, lived in Placerville. Defendant’s brother, Matthew, lived approximately 30 minutes away with his partner and the mother of his children, Brook. Defendant lived with Sandra and Leonard. Leonard died in 2015. Following Leonard’s death, Sandra resolved to leave the family home entirely to Matthew. Matthew’s name was added to the title of the property. According to one view of the evidence, this plan did not sit well with defendant. A. Murders at the Family Home Sandra and Matthew spoke by phone every day. Matthew called Sandra as usual on the evening of November 10, 2015. Defendant answered the phone. Defendant told Matthew that Sandra was sleeping. This was unusual, as defendant never answered the phone, and it was out of character for Sandra to be asleep at that hour (around 7:00 p.m.). Matthew decided to check on Sandra the next day. Matthew left for Sandra’s house the next morning. He told Brook he would be home by noon. Noon came and went, and Matthew did not return. Brook texted Matthew at 1:00 p.m., 2:00 p.m., and 3:00 p.m. Matthew did not respond. This was unusual for him. Brook called Matthew’s cell phone. He…