Court Opinion

ID: 2743828
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2014-10-20 19:02:47.016967+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T09:21:25.536703
License: Public Domain

Filed 10/20/14 P. v. Gale CA2/2
                  NOT TO BE PUBLISHED IN THE OFFICIAL REPORTS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 This opinion has not been certified for publication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 TWO

THE PEOPLE,                                                          B253069

         Plaintiff and Respondent,                                   (Los Angeles County
                                                                     Super. Ct. No. BA412840)
         v.

BENJAMIN A. GALE,

         Defendant and Appellant.

THE COURT:*
         Defendant Benjamin A. Gale appeals from the judgment entered following a jury
trial that resulted in his conviction of one count of felony corporal injury to a spouse or
cohabitant in violation of Penal Code section 273.5, subdivision (a). The trial court
suspended imposition of sentence and placed defendant on probation for a period of
60 months under terms and conditions of probation.
         We appointed counsel to represent defendant on this appeal. After examination of
the record, counsel filed an “Opening Brief” containing an acknowledgment that he had

*
         BOREN, P. J., CHAVEZ, J., FERNS, J.†

†     Judge of the Los Angeles Superior Court, assigned by the Chief Justice
pursuant to article VI, section 6 of the California Constitution.
been unable to find any arguable issues. On June 9, 2014, we advised defendant he had
30 days within which to personally submit any contentions or issues he wished us to
consider. No response has been received to date.
       Brenda Samayoa testified at defendant’s trial that she had lived with defendant for
seven years, they had two children together, and they were expecting a third. Defendant
alone supported the family. She testified that on the day of the incident, defendant had
just started to drink a beer when he asked her to go to the store, and she refused. They
began arguing with each other. She denied telling police that defendant said, “You have
to do whatever I say because I’m your husband.” When asked if defendant punched her,
Samayoa testified that she slipped and hit her face on the floor while they were tugging
and pulling at each other. She denied telling police that defendant punched her with a
closed fist. The jury was shown photographs of the injuries to Samayoa’s face. Samayoa
acknowledged she had taken a photograph of her face and sent it to defendant’s sister,
Zoyla Vargas. At trial, she stated she sent the photo because Vargas sometimes did not
answer her phone, and Samayoa wanted Vargas to pick up her son. She thought Vargas
would come more quickly if she saw the photograph. She denied she sent the photograph
and told Vargas that defendant was hitting her. Vargas came quickly and called the
police only because Samayoa did not come outside right away. Samayoa denied she told
Vargas that defendant would not let her go out.
       Vargas testified that she called 911 when she arrived at Samayoa and defendant’s
home because Samayoa did not answer the telephone. She denied speaking to Samayoa
and telling the 911 operator that Samayoa told her defendant was still hitting her. She
denied telling the 911 operator, “I think he’s going to kill her or something.” A recording
of the 911 call was played for the jury. Vargas then stated she told the operator, “My
brother is hitting her” because “that’s the first thing that comes to one’s mind.”
       Officer Ramon Lomeli responded to a domestic violence radio call to Samayoa
and defendant’s residence. Defendant answered the door and was detained. Officer
Lomeli was startled when he saw Samayoa because her face was covered in blood. Her
left eye was swollen shut and bruised and she had a laceration above her left eye. She

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was nervous and shaking. She said defendant had been drinking. When Samayoa
refused to go to the store with defendant to buy more beer, they argued. Defendant
became enraged and punched her numerous times on her face with a clenched fist.
Officer Lomeli was of the opinion that Samayoa’s circular injuries were consistent with
being punched. Officer Edward Palacios, who detained defendant, testified that
defendant appeared to be under the influence of alcohol and showed no signs of injury.
       Defendant testified that he and Samayoa began arguing and pushing each other.
When he stepped back, she came running toward him. He moved to the side, and she fell
and landed on her face. He denied punching her. Samayoa went into the bathroom and
sent the photograph so that Vargas would come and pick up their son while defendant
and Samayoa went to the hospital.
       We have examined the entire record, and we are satisfied that defendant’s attorney
has fully complied with his responsibilities and that no arguable issues exist. (People v.
Wende (1979) 25 Cal. 3d 436, 441.)
       The judgment is affirmed.
       NOT TO BE PUBLISHED IN THE OFFICIAL REPORTS.

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