Opinion ID: 2631133
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Guilt Phase Evidence Presented by Defendant and Codefendant

Text: In May 1993, defendant was employed at the Valencia Nursery in Anaheim, in Orange County. Defendant's mother and stepfather owned the nursery, which bought mature palm trees and resold them to contractors and new home developers. Defendant testified at the guilt phase of the trial. He admitted killing the victims but claimed self-defense. On the morning of May 4, 1993, defendant, his wife, and their three children drove with codefendant Wynglarz to Anaheim in defendant's red dual-wheel pickup truck. Defendant took with him a 10-millimeter Colt pistol because he expected to carry a lot of cash that day. He put the gun under the driver's seat. Defendant dropped off one child at school, his wife at the hospital where she worked, and the other two children at his mother's house. When defendant stopped to have his truck washed, Wynglarz telephoned murder victim Skillman regarding some weapons and speakers he had left with Skillman. Wynglarz told defendant he wanted to pick up those items from Skillman's house, and that Skillman had agreed to give him back money for drugs Wynglarz had bought from Skillman that were no good. Wynglarz described Skillman as a very dangerous person, adding that if defendant ever bumped into him, defendant would be killed. Around 11:45 a.m., defendant and Wynglarz drove toward Skillman's house. Before they reached the house, Wynglarz said that Skillman was suspicious of strangers and that he wanted to drive defendant's truck alone to the house. Defendant agreed and waited at a nearby liquor store while Wynglarz drove off in defendant's truck. About 10 minutes later, Wynglarz returned saying he needed more time with Skillman because Skillman was busy. Defendant took his gun from under the driver's seat and tucked it in his waistband under his shirt. Wynglarz left again in defendant's truck for Skillman's house. Concerned about being late in picking up his children, defendant started walking in the direction in which codefendant Wynglarz had left in defendant's red truck. When defendant saw the truck parked in front of a house, he headed towards it. Upon reaching the house, defendant saw Wynglarz and murder victim Rita on the front porch, arguing about being burned [ ] with some dope. Defendant went up to the front porch and stood by Wynglarz. Rita and Skillman then attacked defendant from inside the front door. Inside the house, Skillman grabbed defendant's shirt, exposing defendant's gun. Defendant and Skillman both reached for the gun. One shot was fired, hitting Skillman, who went down on his left knee but kept his grip on defendant's shirt. Defendant fired a second shot at Skillman, who hit the floor. Defendant continued to struggle with Rita, shooting him twice, and watching him fall to the floor. Defendant dropped the gun, but Wynglarz said, Don't leave the gun there. Wynglarz then put the gun in a small black bag full of papers and magazines, and he took it with him when he and defendant left in defendant's truck. Later that day, when defendant stopped at a McDonald's restaurant near his house and bought some hamburgers, he had three $100 bills, which he had since that morning, and a $20 bill, which his mother had given him. Defendant exchanged one of his $100 bills for $5 bills and gave $50 to Wynglarz. After defendant returned to his house, he threw the bag with the gun in a trash bin.
Wynglarz testified that he and murder victim Skillman used methamphetamine, which they also bought and sold along with other drugs. On the day of the murders, Wynglarz arranged a meeting at Skillman's house to discuss paying off a debt Wynglarz owed to a pawnshop. Wynglarz had no plan to steal from Skillman and was unaware that defendant had such a plan. When defendant shot Skillman and Rita, Wynglarz ran upstairs, fearing for his life. Defendant followed, telling him, Let's get out of here. Defendant ordered Wynglarz to grab a duffel bag, which Wynglarz later learned contained papers. Wynglarz took the bag, and they left in defendant's truck.