This section contains the nature of the case and procedural background.

Perez (D) killed Victoria Mesa. There were 38 knife wounds. The only connection between D and Victoria was that they attended the same high school 10 years earlier and D had played sports with her husband, Michael. D lived 2.25 miles away and would drive by the house about twice a week and wave to Michael. The forensic evidence was overwhelming against D. The prosecution argued that whoever killed Victoria killed her in rage. D did not testify and made no statements regarding his motives. D was convicted of first-degree murder. The Court of Appeals reduced that conviction to second-degree murder. The People appealed.

The legal issues presented in this case will be displayed here.

The court's holding and decision will be displayed here.

Legal analysis from Dean's Law Dictionary will be displayed here.