Court Opinion

ID: 2820208
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2015-07-24 20:03:52.856305+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T12:23:08.229704
License: Public Domain

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                  NOT TO BE PUBLISHED IN THE OFFICIAL REPORTS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 This opinion has not been certified for publication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,                                                          B259617

         Plaintiff and Respondent,                                   (Los Angeles County
                                                                     Super. Ct. No. MA054769)
         v.

LEMONTE JONES,

         Defendant and Appellant.

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       In March 2013, appellant’s probation was revoked after he was involved with an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

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