Filed 12/9/05

CERTIFIED FOR PARTIAL PUBLICATION^*

 

IN THE COURT OF APPEAL OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA

 

FIRST APPELLATE DISTRICT

 

DIVISION THREE

 

 

THE PEOPLE, Plaintiff and Respondent, v. ERIC JERMAINE COLES, Defendant and Appellant.	A103183   (San Mateo County Super. Ct. No. SC53482)
In re ERIC JERMAINE COLES, On Habeas Corpus.	A106613

 

INTRODUCTION

A jury found Eric Coles guilty of arson and attempted arson. He raises a number of challenges to his conviction and sentence on appeal and in a related habeas corpus petition. We deny the petition and affirm the judgment.

BACKGROUND

In December 2002 Priscilla Rosales lived with various family members including her mother, Rene Jones, and her sister, Kristina. Defendant was Priscilla's boyfriend and lived in an abandoned car parked in the garage.

On the evening of December 3, 2002 Kristina had an altercation with the driver of an SUV. After the driver knocked Kristina to the ground, Priscilla urged defendant to â€