Howard was convicted of exhibiting a firearm in the presence of an occupant of a motor vehicle, in violation of Penal Code section 417.3. That statute requires that the victim be an occupant of a motor vehicle “proceeding on a public street or highway.” Here, the victims vehicle was fully stopped, inoperative, and incapable of moving in any manner. Therefore, the appellate court here vacated the conviction and directed the trial court to enter a new judgment for violation of section 417, brandishing a weapon in the presence of another person.
Case Summaries