Filed 7/24/15 P. v. Jones CA2/5

NOT TO BE PUBLISHED IN THE OFFICIAL REPORTS

California Rules of Court, rule 8.1115(a), prohibits courts and parties from citing or relying on opinions not certified for 

publication or ordered published, except as specified by rule 8.1115(b). This opinion has not been certified for publication 

or ordered published for purposes of rule 8.1115.

IN THE COURT OF APPEAL OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA

SECOND APPELLATE DISTRICT

DIVISION FIVE

THE PEOPLE,

Plaintiff and Respondent,

v.

LEMONTE JONES,

Defendant and Appellant.

 B259617

 (Los Angeles County

 Super. Ct. No. MA054769)

APPEAL from a judgment of the Superior Court of Los Angeles County.

Bernie C. LaForteza, Judge. Affirmed.

Michelle T. Livecchi-Raufi, under appointment by the Court of Appeal, for 

Defendant and Appellant.

No appearance for Plaintiff and Respondent.
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Appellant Lemonte Jones pled no contest to one felony count of causing corporal 

injury to a spouse or cohabitant in violation of Penal Code section 273.5, subdivision (a). 

On June 13, 2012, the trial court placed appellant on formal probation for four years on 

the conditions that he serve 365 days in county jail and participate in a year of domestic 

violence counseling.

In March 2013, appellant’s probation was revoked after he was involved with an 

altercation with his girlfriend at the time, Shante F. Probation was reinstated on the 

conditions that appellant complete an alcohol treatment program and stay away from 

Shante. 

In July 2014, appellant pled guilty to one count of misdemeanor driving on a 

suspended license. The court found this offense was a violation of appellant’s probation

in this case, but revoked and reinstated probation.

On August 20, 2014, the court preliminarily revoked appellant’s probation due to 

an altercation between appellant and his girlfriend, Constance S. (Constance). On 

September 30, 2014, following a contested hearing, the trial court found appellant in 

violation of his probation. The court sentenced appellant to the high term of four years in 

state prison.

Appellant appeals from the trial court’s judgement finding that appellant violated 

his probation. Finding no error, we affirm.

Facts

On June 13, 2014, Joanne S. (Joanne) received a telephone call from her daughter 

Constance. Constance said that she could not take appellant’s beatings anymore. 

Constance said that she and appellant had “wrestled” over a watch she had purchased 

online. Appellant had the watch and she “wrestled” it from him. He then flipped her 

over his back and “stomped” the back of her head. 

Joanne called police, then drove to the residence Constance shared with appellant 

on 6th Street East. The police did not come to Constance’s house, so Joanne drove 

Constance to Joanne’s house at Twinberry Lane. Police and an ambulance eventually 
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came to that location. Joanne confirmed that Constance and appellant continued their 

relationship after the incident.

Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Deputy Yesenia De La Cruz responded to the call 

on Twinberry Lane in Lancaster. Deputy De La Cruz saw Constance in the back of an 

ambulance. Constance had visible facial injuries. Constance told the deputy that she had 

been in an argument earlier in the day with appellant at a residence on 6th Street East. 

He grabbed her watch, she jumped on his back and he threw her over his shoulder onto 

the ground. He kicked and “stomped” her in the back of her head. A friend pulled 

appellant off Constance.

At the probation violation hearing, Constance gave a different account of the 

events of June 13. She testified that her injuries were sustained when she was jumped by 

two girls over a watch. The incident occurred in a park. Constance stated she called 

Joanne from the park, and Joanne came and picked her up. They went to Joanne’s house, 

where Joanne called police and an ambulance. Constance said that she had no memory of 

speaking with Deputy De La Cruz. Constance denied having an argument with appellant.

She denied telling Joanne that she was afraid appellant was going to hit her and that she 

put her arms up to protect her head. 

Discussion

Appellant filed a timely notice of appeal, and we appointed counsel to represent 

him on appeal. Appellant’s counsel filed an opening brief pursuant to People v. Wende

(1979) 25 Cal.3d 436, and requested this court to independently review the record on 

appeal to determine whether any arguable issues exist. 

On April 7, 2015, we sent a notice to appellant, advising him he had 30 days in 

which to personally submit any contentions or issues which he wished us to consider. No 

response has been received from appellant to date.

We have examined the entire record and are satisfied appellant's attorney has fully 

complied with her responsibilities and no arguable issues exist. (People v. Wende, supra, 

25 Cal.3d at p. 441.)
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Disposition

The trial court’s judgment is affirmed.

NOT TO BE PUBLISHED IN THE OFFICIAL REPORTS

KIRSCHNER, J.

We concur:

TURNER, P.J.

KRIEGLER, J.

 



Judge of the Los Angeles Superior Court, assigned by the Chief Justice pursuant to 

article VI, section 6 of the California Constitution.