Tuesday, November 21, 2023

People v. Banks (Cal. Ct. App. - Nov. 20, 2023)

"Doe was born in 2003. She lived with her mother in Oakland. Doe’s mother was abusive toward her and when Doe was 10 years old, her mother “kicked her out of the house.” When Doe was 11 years old, she became a prostitute. The Sacramento Sheriff’s Department arrested Doe and returned her to her mother. She was not welcome there and Doe returned to a life on the streets.

Doe continued to work as a prostitute. She worked for her first pimp at the age of 12. She left him when he became violent. She worked for a second pimp but left him after he too, became violent.

In September 2018, Doe met appellant. At that time, she had been working by herself as a “renegade,” that is, a prostitute who works without a pimp. Doe was 14 years old. Appellant was 35 years old. Doe trusted appellant and gave him her telephone number. Later that same day, appellant picked Doe up in his Jaguar and took her shopping for boots. As they were driving, Doe received a telephone call from a police officer. Appellant immediately changed Doe’s phone number without her consent. 

Doe began working as a prostitute for appellant that same day. Appellant set the rules that Doe was required to follow. He expected her to hold a door open for him. When she did not, appellant got mad and raised his hand like he was going to hit her. He also had rules regarding how Doe was to dress and wear her hair. He told Doe to wear different colored wigs every night, as well as revealing clothing, and high heel shoes. He told her to call him “Daddy.” He controlled what she could and could not do, who she could speak to, when she worked, when she slept, and when she ate. He physically battered her on three occasions."

An 11-year old prostitute. Just: Wow.