Opinion ID: 2584893
Heading Depth: 5
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Killing of Defendant's Brother

Text: Lena Swindle testified that in 1972, she was with defendant and their two children at defendant's mother's home in Los Angeles. Also present were defendant's mother and his three brothers, Rickie, Larry and Dejawhn. Defendant and his mother were arguing in the kitchen, and she asked Rickie to intervene. Defendant and Rickie exchanged heated words, and defendant then left the kitchen momentarily, returning with a handgun. Defendant pointed the gun at Rickie and told him he should not say anything more or else defendant would kill him. Rickie, who was unarmed, told defendant he better do it or [Rickie] would kill him. Defendant then shot Rickie in the chest. After the shooting, defendant did not rush to aid his fallen brother but instead told Swindle to collect their children and get in their car. They left his mother's home and drove first to San Francisco and then to Florida. Defendant told Vicci L. that the killing was an accident. Defendant said he was cleaning a gun and it accidentally went off. [7]