Opinion ID: 1179776
Heading Depth: 5
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Assault and Robbery of Joe โ May 23, 1987.

Text: On the evening of the Beacon robbery and murder, defendant and James Valdez later went to a house on 20th Avenue to negotiate a $20 purchase of heroin. Among the persons present, according to Valdez, were this lady and this guy named Joe. Valdez indicated he had only $15 and asked for partial credit. The lady refused. Instead, she handed Valdez a bag containing $10 worth of heroin. Valdez immediately injected this entire amount, telling defendant, Well, I tried to help you, home boy, but I can't. All I got is a dime [i.e., $10]. Defendant became angry and ran toward the lady, brandishing a knife. Joe got up to meet him. The two men fell to the floor, and a struggle ensued. Joe was cut on the hand while defending himself from defendant's knife. When the lady screamed for Valdez to do something, Valdez replied, See, I told you [you] should have gave us the dope. The lady handed Valdez another bag of narcotics. Valdez then approached defendant, who was still struggling with Joe, and said, Hey, Pete, Pete, I got the dope. Defendant stopped fighting, jumped up, snatched all the dope and money, and ran out to the car.