People v. Drayton
Annotate this CaseM.G. and her son were standing on a train platform. Drayton, whom she had formerly dated, approached M.G. from behind and grabbed her “like a bear hug.” The train was approaching; she tried to get free, but he grasped her more forcefully, leaning her forward toward the tracks. M.G. testified Drayton lifted her “over the train tracks” and said, “do you want to see your mom die[?]” M.G. screamed. Drayton released her as the train passed. Witnesses heard the scream and saw different stages of the struggle. Drayton denied touching or being aggressive towards M.G. Drayton was convicted of assault by means of force likely to cause great bodily injury, Penal Code 245(a)(4). “An assault is an unlawful attempt, coupled with a present ability, to commit a violent injury on the person of another.” “Great bodily injury” is “significant or substantial, not insignificant, trivial or moderate.” The court sentenced Drayton to five years' imprisonment: the low term of two years doubled due to a prior strike, plus a one-year enhancement. The court of appeal affirmed. Substantial evidence indicated that a serious injury was “likely” within the meaning of the statute. The court remanded to strike the one-year prior prison term enhancement under recently enacted legislation and for correction of errors in the judgment.
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