Opinion ID: 2646881
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Defense Mitigation Case

Text: Abel Zaragoza testified that he had worked as a correctional group supervising counselor at the Riverside County Sherriff’s Department in 1998. Zaragoza testified that defendant had voluntarily joined and participated in an anger management program while in prison. Daniel Johnson, a teacher who offered general education and other courses to inmates on an independent study 9 basis, testified that defendant had earned his GED and a certificate for anger management class completion. Defendant’s 17-year-old daughter, Fantasia Williams, testified that she wanted her father’s life to be spared. Defendant’s close friend, Victoria Windom, testified that defendant had been like a son to her and had acted like a big brother to Windom’s children. She said that defendant had always been respectful to her and had influenced her children to stay in school. Donna Josey similarly testified that she had known defendant since he was 13 years old and that he had been like a son to her and had made friends with everyone. Defendant had been unable to establish a bond with his father, however, because his father used marijuana and crack cocaine. Josey further testified that defendant had worked at Burger King while he was young and had been a good worker. Pearl Lee testified that she had known defendant since he was young from the “projects” and that defendant had been like a big brother to Lee’s daughters and had encouraged them to stay in school.