Man Acquitted of Kidnapping and Beating Girlfriend

The woman said that the defendant began pummeling the right side of her head and struck her right hand numerous times as she tried to protect herself.

K.F. testified that she attempted to slide out of her seatbelt and exit her Chevrolet Impala, getting her legs out of the car before Hernandez jumped on top of her, pinning her in her seat. She said Hernandez threw the Impala into gear and drove around the corner, scraping her legs on the roadway before stopping and pushing her into the backseat.

As Hernandez raced north on Interstate 215, allegedly threatening to kill her and himself, the sedan ran low on fuel and he stopped at a 7-Eleven to fill up, according to the alleged victim. She said she jumped behind the wheel and sped away as he was preparing to purchase gas.

The woman was treated for a partially torn right ear and deep lacerations to her head and right hand, all of which required dozens of stitches, according to the prosecution.

Hernandez testified that he was trying to stop K.F. from harming herself on the night of the alleged abduction.

According to the defendant, they went out to eat at a Chili's Bar & Grill, and she accused of him of flirting with another woman.

Hernandez said on the drive back to his house, he told her that she was behaving irrationally and he was ending their relationship. The defendant testified that K.F. was incensed and twice attempted to leap out of the Impala while she was driving.

''She said something like, 'Maybe everybody would be better off without me,''' Hernandez testified.

According to the defendant, he grabbed K.F.'s sweatshirt, and as he tried to pull her back into the car and guide the vehicle to a safe stop in front of his home on Vista De Loma Drive, the open driver's side door swung back, slamming into her head, causing her to bleed profusely.

Hernandez said the woman adamantly refused to go to the nearest hospital in Hemet because she feared her family would learn about her ''secret'' dates with the defendant, whom they didn't like. Hernandez said he headed north to find an alternate hospital.

Defense Rests in Trial of Man Accused of Trying to Kill Girlfriend

RIVERSIDE- The defense rested today in the trial of a Hemet man accused of abducting and severely beating his girlfriend during a domestic dispute, which according to the defendant involved a suicide attempt that he prevented.

Closing statements are scheduled Thursday morning in the trial of Angel Isaiah Hernandez, who could face life in prison if convicted of torture, kidnapping, mayhem and domestic violence for the alleged attack last March 7 on his then-girlfriend.

The 26-year-old defendant testified Monday that he never harmed the woman, identified only as K.F., but instead tried to stop her from hurting herself on the night of the alleged kidnapping.

According to Hernandez, they had struggled through their seven-month-long relationship. He alleged she was temperamental and could be aggressive after drinking alcohol.

Hernandez testified that on March 7, they went out to eat, and she accused of him of flirting with another woman. According to Hernandez, on the drive back to his house, he told the victim that she was behaving irrationally and he wanted to stop seeing her, at which point she allegedly screamed that ''you're not going to (expletive) leave me'' and flung open her driver's side door, preparing to jump out.

The defendant said he grabbed her, and she seemed to calm down, but then tried to hurl herself out of the Chevrolet Impala again as they neared his family home on Vista De Loma Drive.

''She said something like, 'Maybe everybody would be better off without me,''' Hernandez testified.

According to the defendant, he grabbed K.F.'s sweatshirt, and as he tried to pull her back into the car and guide the vehicle to a safe stop, the open driver's side door swung back, slamming into the woman's head, causing her to bleed profusely.

Hernandez said the woman adamantly refused to go to the nearest hospital in Hemet because she feared her family would learn about her ''secret'' dates with the defendant, whom they didn't like. Hernandez said he headed north to find an alternate hospital.

The alleged victim testified last week that Hernandez attacked her after she drove him home on the night of March 7 and refused to spend the night with him.

The 26-year-old mother of two acknowledged carrying on a regular dating relationship with Hernandez, even after she had thrown him out of her apartment because of alleged acts of domestic abuse.

The woman said that on the night of March 7, the defendant began pummeling the right side of her head after she repeatedly rebuffed his sexual advances. She said he struck her right hand numerous times as she tried to protect herself.

K.F. said she attempted to slide out of her seatbelt and exit her vehicle, getting her legs out of the car before Hernandez jumped on top of her, pinning her in her seat. According to the woman, Hernandez threw the Impala into gear and drove around the corner, scraping her legs on the roadway before stopping and pushing her into the backseat.

As Hernandez raced north on Interstate 215, allegedly threatening to kill her and himself, the Impala ran low on fuel and he stopped at a 7-Eleven to fill up, according to the victim. She said she jumped behind the wheel and sped away as he was preparing to purchase gas.

The victim was treated for a partially torn right ear and deep lacerations to her head and right hand, all of which required dozens of stitches, according to the prosecution.

Hernandez is being held at the Southwest Detention Center in Murrieta in lieu of $1 million bail.

Defendant: Victim Attacked Me, Hurt Herself

Riverside - A Hemet man accused of abducting and severely beating his girlfriend testified today that she attacked him, then attempted to hurl herself out of a moving car, causing injuries that she blamed on him.

''When I told her, 'I'm tired of this; it's over,' she says, 'You're not (expletive) leaving me.' Then she just starts socking me,'' Angel Isaiah Hernandez testified.

According to the defendant, his then-girlfriend, identified only as K.F., was often verbally and physically aggressive, and her behavior was exacerbated by alcohol.

Hernandez, 26, denied that on the evening of March 7 he beat and kidnapped K.F., as the prosecution alleges, insisting instead that he tried to save her life. The defendant said he wanted their seven-month relationship to continue but that the turning point for him was K.F.'s reaction to his saying hello to another woman he encountered while dining out with her.

''She asked me who the 'bitch' was and starts saying other stuff,'' Hernandez testified. ''I'm like, 'Whatever. I have female friends.'''

According to the defendant, the argument escalated, and he told her as they were leaving the restaurant that he intended to walk home, but K.F. insisted that she drive him, and he relented.

Hernandez said that as they drove, he informed her that he was ready to end their relationship, enraging the victim, who began punching him in the left shoulder. Hernandez said he swung back once in self-defense, leaving K.F. ''stunned,'' at which point she flung open the driver's side door of her Chevy Impala and attempted to jump out.

The defendant said he grabbed her and that she seemed to calm down but that she then tried to fling herself out of the Impala again as they neared his family home on Vista De Loma Drive.

''She said something like, 'Maybe everybody would be better off without me,''' Hernandez testified.

According to the defendant, he grabbed K.F.'s sweatshirt, and as he tried to pull her back into the car and guide the vehicle to a safe stop, the open driver's side door swung back, slamming into K.F.'s head.

''She started bleeding. It was flowing,'' the defendant said. ''I panicked. I told her we need to go to the hospital.''

Hernandez said the woman adamantly refused to go to the nearest hospital in Hemet because she feared her family would learn about her ''secret'' dates with the defendant, who they allegedly didn't like. Hernandez said he headed north to find an alternate hospital.

K.F. testified last week that Hernandez attacked her after she drove him home on the night of March 7 and refused to stay the night with him.

The 26-year-old mother of two acknowledged carrying on a regular dating relationship with Hernandez even after she had thrown him out of her apartment last November because of alleged acts of domestic abuse. She became pregnant by the defendant but elected to have an abortion, according to her testimony.

The woman said that on the night of the alleged attack, the defendant began pummeling the right side of her head after she repeatedly rebuffed his sexual advances. She said he struck her right hand numerous times as she tried to protect herself.

K.F. said she attempted to slide out of her seatbelt and exit her vehicle, getting her legs out of the car before Hernandez jumped on top of her, effectively pinning the upper half of her body against the seat with his back.

According to the woman, Hernandez threw the Impala into gear and drove around the corner, scraping her legs on the roadway. Moments later, he stopped, unbelted her and pushed her into the rear passenger compartment.

As Hernandez raced north on Interstate 215, allegedly threatening to kill her and himself, the Impala ran low on fuel and he stopped at a 7/11 to fill up, according to the woman. She said she leapt into the front seat as he was outside the vehicle, trying to get her debit cards to work, locked the doors, started the Impala and stepped on the gas.

She drove to Hemet Valley Medical Center and was treated for a partially torn right ear and deep lacerations to her head and right hand, all of which required dozens of stitches, according to the prosecution.

The defendant, who is being held in lieu of $1 million bail at the Southwest Detention Center, could face life in prison if convicted of torture, kidnapping and other charges.

Witness: 'I Thought He Was Going to Kill Me'

Riverside - A Hemet man accused of abducting and severely beating his girlfriend also threatened to kill her and then take his own life, the victim testified today.

''I was scared. I didn't know what he was going to do,'' said the woman, identified as Jane Doe. ''I told him, 'Please don't do this.'''

The 26-year-old victim alleged that she was attacked by Angel Isaiah Hernandez on the evening of March 7. Hernandez, 26, is charged with torture, kidnapping, aggravated mayhem and domestic abuse, with sentence-enhancing great bodily injury allegations. He could face life in prison if convicted.

According to the victim, she and Hernandez had been romantically involved for nearly a year before the attack.

The mother of two said she had gotten pregnant by the defendant in the fall of 2012 but elected to have an abortion because she ''didn't want to bring a child into the situation,'' explaining that she and the defendant ceased living together in November of that year after he became abusive.

They continued to see one another on a regular basis, according to the woman. She said on March 7, Hernandez invited her to dinner, during which he drank at least five beers.

When it came time to pay tab, however, the victim said Hernandez claimed he couldn't find his wallet, leaving her stuck with the bill.

She said she drove him back to his residence in the 700 block of Vista De Loma Drive and told him that she had no intention of staying the night.

''He said 'Please stay here,' and he kissed my cheek and said 'I love you,' '' Jane Doe testified. ''He kept saying please stay. It went on like that for probably 20 minutes. I kept telling him no and that I had to go.''

Without warning, the victim testified, Hernandez punched her in the right ear, dazing her. She alleged that the defendant then got to his knees and began pummeling her in the face and head with both fists.

''There were a lot of hits,'' the victim said. ''I tried to block them with my right hand.''

She said she attempted to slide out of her seatbelt and exit her vehicle, getting her legs out of the car before Hernandez jumped on top of her, effectively pinning the upper half of her body against the seat with his back.

According to the woman, Hernandez threw the Chevrolet Impala into gear and drove around the corner, scraping her legs on the roadway. Moments later, he stopped, unbelted her and pushed her into the rear passenger compartment, at which point the victim said she noticed she was bleeding profusely from the head and hands.

''I begged him to stop and leave me somewhere,'' the victim said. ''I thought he was going to kill me. He said he was going to kill me and then himself. I asked him if I could call my kids and say goodbye. He said no. I said I was dying, and he said, 'How would you know -- you've never died before?' ''

The Impala ran low on fuel as the defendant sped north into Menifee, and Hernandez stopped at a 7/11 to fill up, according to the victim. As he was outside the vehicle, trying to get her debit cards to work, the woman said she leaped into the front seat, locked the doors, started the Impala and stepped on the gas.

The witness said the defendant immediately pounced on the hood of the car and grabbed hold but slipped off when she whipped the sedan around to drive back toward Interstate 215.

The woman headed back south, to Hemet Valley Medical Center, where she was treated for a partially torn right ear and deep lacerations to her head and right hand, all of which required dozens of stitches, according to the prosecution.

The victim said her right hand was permanently disfigured and had little or no feeling for two months. The rest of her wounds healed completely, with minor scarring.

Hernandez was arrested two days later by Hemet police. The defendant, who is being held in lieu of $1 million bail at the Southwest Detention Center in Murrieta, is slated to take the stand in his own defense next week.

Opening Statements Set in Trial of Accused Abductor

Riverside - Testimony is slated to get underway today in the trial of a 26-year-old Hemet man accused of abducting his girlfriend, severely beating her and dragging her alongside a car.

Angel Isaiah Hernandez, who is being held in lieu of $1 million bail at the Southwest Detention Center in Murrieta, could face life in prison if convicted of the March 7 attack on a young mother identified in court documents as Jane Doe. He is charged with torture, kidnapping, aggravated mayhem and spousal abuse, with sentence-enhancing great bodily injury allegations.

Riverside County Superior Court Elisabeth Sichel seated a jury Wednesday for a trial expected to last about four days.

The 25-year-old woman allegedly abducted and beaten by the defendant testified during a June preliminary hearing that she was dropping him at his house in the 700 block of Vista De Loma Drive when he pressed her about staying the night. The victim said she repeatedly told Hernandez she didn't want to, causing him to become agitated.

Deputy District Attorney Tim Cross alleged the defendant began pummeling the woman, who slid halfway out of her seatbelt to escape but was grabbed by Hernandez.

According to Cross, the lower half of the victim's body was hanging out of the four-door Chevrolet sedan when the defendant, still hitting her, climbed on top of her and threw the car into gear, driving around the corner and dragging her legs on the roadway.

The woman testified that Hernandez stopped the car and forced her into the backseat, from which she couldn't exit because the car was equipped with child safety locks that could only be disengaged from the front seat.

The defendant drove out of the area, racing north on Interstate 215, with the victim in the backseat, bleeding heavily from lacerations on her right hand and the top of her head, according to Cross, who said the upper half of her right ear had also been torn off.

Hernandez stopped for gas on Scott Road in Menifee, at which point Jane Doe jumped into the front seat, locked the car doors and drove away, with the defendant initially attempting to hang onto the front hood until he lost his grip and rolled off, Cross said.

The woman drove to Menifee Valley Medical Center, where her ear was surgically re-attached.

Hernandez was arrested two days later by Hemet police.

Jury Seated for Trial of Accused Abductor

Riverside - A jury was seated today for the trial of a Hemet man accused of severely beating his girlfriend and dragging her alongside a car during an alleged abduction.

Angel Isaiah Hernandez, 26, could face life in prison if convicted of the March 7 attack on a young mother identified in court documents as Jane Doe. Hernandez is charged with torture, kidnapping, aggravated mayhem and spousal abuse, with sentence-enhancing great bodily injury allegations.

Riverside County Superior Court Elisabeth Sichel scheduled opening statements in the case to begin at 9 a.m. Thursday. The trial is expected to last about four days.

Hernandez is being held in lieu of $1 million bail at the Southwest Detention Center in Murrieta.

The 25-year-old victim had driven Hernandez to his house in the 700 block of Vista De Loma Drive when he pressed her to stay the night and became enraged when she refused, she testified at his preliminary hearing in June.

Deputy District Attorney Tim Cross alleged the defendant began pummeling the woman, who tried to escape but was grabbed by Hernandez.

According to Cross, the lower half of the victim's body was hanging out of the four-door Chevrolet sedan when the defendant, still hitting her, climbed on top of her and threw the car into gear, driving around the corner and dragging her legs on the roadway.

The woman testified that Hernandez stopped the car and forced her into the backseat, from where she could not get away because the car was equipped with child-safety locks that could only be disengaged from the front seat.

The defendant drove out of the area, racing north on Interstate 215, with the victim in the backseat, bleeding from lacerations on her right hand and the top of her head, according to Cross, who said the upper half of her right ear had also been torn off.

Hernandez stopped for gas on Scott Road in Menifee, at which point Jane Doe jumped into the front seat, locked the car doors and drove away, with the defendant initially attempting to hang onto the front hood until he lost his grip and rolled off, Cross said.

The woman drove to Menifee Valley Medical Center, where her ear was surgically re-attached.

Hernandez was arrested two days later by Hemet police.

Jury Selection Begins for Trial of Accused Kidnapper-Assailant

Riverside - Jury selection got under way today in the trial of a Hemet man accused of severely beating his girlfriend and dragging her alongside a car during an alleged abduction from which she managed to escape.

Angel Isaiah Hernandez, 26, could face life in prison if convicted of the March 7 attack on a young mother identified in court documents as Jane Doe. Hernandez is charged with torture, kidnapping, aggravated mayhem and spousal abuse, with sentence-enhancing great bodily injury allegations.

Riverside County Superior Court Elisabeth Sichel summoned more than 75 prospective jurors to the Riverside Hall of Justice for screening as to their availability and qualifications. Jury selection is expected to conclude Wednesday afternoon. Opening statements could begin the same day or Thursday morning.

Hernandez is being held in lieu of $1 million bail at the Southwest Detention Center in Murrieta.

The 25-year-old woman allegedly beaten and abducted by the defendant testified during a June preliminary hearing that she was dropping him at his house in the 700 block of Vista De Loma Drive when he pressed her about staying the night. The victim said she repeatedly told Hernandez she didn't want to, causing him to become agitated.

''Without warning, he began to punch her,'' Deputy District Attorney Tim Cross said, recalling the woman's testimony. ''She raised her right hand to protect herself and tried to slide out of her seatbelt to get out of the car.''

According to Cross, the woman was able to get the lower half of her body out of the four-door Chevrolet sedan when the defendant, still hitting her, climbed on top of her and threw the car into gear, driving around the corner with the victim hanging out of the vehicle.

The woman testified that Hernandez stopped the car and forced her into the backseat, from which she couldn't exit because the car was equipped with child safety locks that could only be disengaged from the front seat.

The defendant drove out of the area, racing north on Interstate 215, with the victim in the backseat, bleeding heavily from lacerations on her right hand and the top of her head, according to Cross, who said the upper half of her right ear had also been torn off.

Hernandez stopped for gas on Scott Road in Menifee, at which point Jane Doe jumped into the front seat, locked the car doors and drove away, with the defendant initially attempting to hang onto the front hood until he lost his grip and rolled off, Cross said.

The woman drove to Menifee Valley Medical Center, where her ear was surgically re-attached.

Hernandez was arrested two days later by Hemet police.

UPDATE: Man Accused of Beating, Abducting Girlfriend to Stand Trial

MURRIETA - A Hemet man accused of severely beating his girlfriend and dragging her alongside a car in the process of abducting her must stand trial on torture and other charges, a judge ruled today. Angel Isaiah Hernandez, 26, could face life in prison if convicted of the March 7 attack on a young mother identified in court documents as Jane Doe. Following an hourlong preliminary hearing at the Southwest Justice Center, Riverside County Superior Court Judge Timothy Freer determined there was sufficient evidence to bound Hernandez over for trial on charges of torture, kidnapping, aggravated mayhem and spousal abuse, with a sentence- enhancing great bodily injury allegation.

Freer scheduled a post-preliminary hearing arraignment for June 20 and left the defendant's bail set at $1 million. Hernandez is being held at the Southwest Detention Center in Murrieta. The 25-year-old woman allegedly beaten and abducted by the defendant testified that she was dropping him off at his home in the 700 block of Vista De Loma Drive when he pressed her about staying the night with him. She said she repeatedly told Hernandez she didn't want to, causing him to become agitated.

''Without warning, he began to punch her,'' Deputy District Attorney Tim Cross alleged. ''She raised her right hand to protect herself and tried to slide out of her seatbelt to get out of the car.''

According to Cross, the woman was able to get the lower half of her body out of the four-door Chevrolet sedan when the defendant, allegedly still striking her, climbed on top of her and threw the car into gear, driving around the corner with the victim hanging out of the vehicle.

The woman testified that Hernandez stopped the car and forced her into the backseat, from which she couldn't escape because the car was equipped with child safety locks that could only be disengaged from the driver's seat. The defendant drove out of the area, heading north on Interstate 215.

''While he was driving, he told her that he intended to kill her and kill himself,'' Cross alleged. According to the prosecutor, the woman suffered deep lacerations on her right hand, her right ear was ripped apart and the top of her head was lacerated during the alleged beating. Police photographs presented during the hearing showed a large quantity of dried blood in the vehicle's front and back seats.

According to Cross, the car ran low on gas as Hernandez reached Menifee, and the defendant stopped to fill up at a station along Scott Road.

''When he started pumping gas, she was able to jump into the front seat and lock the car doors,'' the prosecutor said.

''He banged on the windows and then jumped on the hood as she started driving away.'' As the victim picked up speed, Hernandez slipped off the vehicle, according to Cross. The woman drove to Menifee Valley Medical Center for treatment, at which point Hemet police officers were summoned.

''She gave very emotional testimony,'' Cross told City News Service.

''It was very difficult for her to come into court and testify about the extreme violence inflicted on her.'' He said her ear was surgically re-attached, and her other injuries have left her with permanent noticeable scars. According to Hemet police, Hernandez attempted to hide from investigators for several days after the attack, but he was eventually located and surrendered without incident.

According to court records, the defendant has multiple traffic-related convictions, including driving on a suspended license.

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HEMET - A Hemet man suspected of severely beating his girlfriend and speeding down a roadway with her hanging halfway outside of his vehicle surrendered to authorities today.

Angel Isaiah Hernandez, 26, was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder, mayhem and domestic violence for an alleged attack Friday that began outside his house, according to Hemet police Lt. Duane Wisehart. Hernandez and his girlfriend, whose name was not released, got into an argument as they sat parked in his car, Wisehart said. Hernandez ''violently'' assaulted the woman and threw the car into gear, ''driving the vehicle with the victim partially hanging out of it,'' Wisehart said.

''The suspect stopped and put the victim in the vehicle and drove out of the city, repeatedly threatening to kill her,'' Wisehart said. When Hernandez stopped to put gas in his car, the victim jumped behind the driver's seat and sped away, going to the nearest hospital for treatment, according to Wisehart. The woman is continuing to receive treatment for ''serious injuries'' from which it may take months for her to recover, Wisehart said. Police officers attempted to locate Hernandez several times without success over the weekend, and today he surrendered to detectives without incident, Wisehart said. Hernandez was booked into the Southwest Detention Center in Murrieta, where he's being held in lieu of $500,000 bail, Wisehart said.