SANDRA H.

SANDRA H.

Tuesday, September 6, 2011

DIRECT of SANDRA H.

SH is a single mom and a student.  Sandra H. knows D through the “salsa scene”.  She met him at Palm Terrace Salsa Club in Los Angeles on Fairfax Avenue.  They met seven years ago when D first started managing the Palm Terrace Club (2004-2005).  There was a free class before the social dancing, a courtesy class.  D danced with all the females.  D danced with Sandra H. a few minutes during class and then later once during the social hour.  This was her first time dancing salsa.  Following the weekend, Sandra H. and D danced again.  Sandra H.’s skill were “rusty” as she was a beginner.  She describes D’s dancing style as “very passionate, really great experience dancing with him.”  He “makes you feel music even if you have little experience.”

On that second night, Sandra H. and D exchanged phone numbers.  Sandra H. mentioned to D that she was in the mortgage business.  D asked about refinancing a property of his.  Sandra H. felt D had personal and financial intentions for interacting with her.  They went to his residence within a few months following that second encounter.  This was his brother’s apartment in West Hollywood.  They drove separately and discussed meeting over the telephone.  D was waiting in the parking lot for Sandra H. when she arrived.  There was no discussion as to what they were going to do.  They were going to meet for private dancing lessons.  Sandra H. and D danced in his living room and were alone.  They shared a very long kiss.  All physical contact was mutual.  This was followed by further physical contact.  D led Sandra H. to the master bedroom and they sat there and kissed some more.  The residence was a small apartment, 2 bedroom on the second level.  It was a one floor apartment.  D got “a little too heated” for Sandra H..  D began caressing her kneck and feeling her boobs.  Sandra H. said, “Not ready.”  Sandra H. also physically communicated by removing D’s hand from her breast and said, “Don’t touch me.”  D insisted, “Let’s make out.”  But Sandra H. stopped then she said, “Let’s take it back to the living room.”  They kissed on the couch and D took out family photos.  They were of his last trip to Disneyland with his nephew and girlfriend Alien and photographs of his mother. This was late at night around 10:00PM. 

Sandra H. met D on one more occasion at a different property: vacant rental property in the evening.  She met D there.  They watched TV show on the couch and started kissing.  It got more intense and passionate.  Sandra H. reciprocated and went to the bathroom.  They had sexual intercourse.  It was consensual.  Previously when Sandra H. had said no, D never attacked her nor did he act in an aggressive manner. 

Sandra H. and D maintained contact.  D wished her on her birthday.  There were no other occasions where they met.  D never raped nor assaulted Sandra H..  He always respsected her wishes. 

CROSS-EX of SANDRA H

The first time Sandra H. met D was sometime between 2004 to 2005.  The second time was within the late summer of 2004-2005.  Sandra H. did not know D had a live-in girlfriend.  Sandra H. mentions that D stated “The situation with his dance partner Alien was complicated.”  Prosecution asks Sandra H. if she was “ok with that” (D cheating on Alien with her.)

RE-DIRECT of SANDRA H

Alien lived with D in a platonic fashion too.  She had just arrived from another country and Sandra H. thought it genuine of D to let her stay there.  Sandra H. was new to the salsa scene so was not familiar with all salseros, she didn’t know if they were boyfriend and girlfriend but that they were dance partners.  Her best friend took dance lessons from Alien and D.