People v. Viramontes

Defendant was convicted, after jury trial, of 1^st degree murder of his wife; he brutally beat her after learning of her affair with a former coworker. Defense counsel’s cross-examination of expert witnesses as to type of injuries victim suffered and possible effects of cocaine in exacerbating injuries show that defense counsel engaged in reasonable investigation of case and possible defenses. On cross-examination, Defendant denied that he and wife had exchanged “sexy pictures” text messages, which opened the door to questioning by State on cross-examination and was relevant to Defendant’s truthfulness, as evidence showed that Defendant and his wife had done so in immediate days before their fight. (NEVILLE and MASON, concurring.)