Jury finds San Miguel woman guilty of assault with a baseball bat causing great bodily injury

Author: District Attorney
Date: 12/19/2024 3:46 PM

District Attorney Dan Dow announced today that Janine Laurice Cesena (DOB 12/15/1991) was convicted by a San Luis Obispo County jury of assault with a deadly weapon and causing great bodily injury to her victim when she used a baseball bat during the 2023 attack in San Miguel.

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During the trial, the jury heard evidence that on October 12, 2023, at about 9:54 pm, defendant Janine Cesena hit the male victim with a baseball bat in the chest and on his head in the parking lot of San Miguel’s Dollar General store. 

The assault caused the victim to experience a brain bleed, including hearing and vision loss, as well as an inability to concentrate. The attack was unprovoked and the Dollar General’s video surveillance evidence indicated that the defendant was lying in wait in the parking lot to surprise the victim with her vicious attack.

Evidence revealed that the motive for the attack was that the defendant was under the mistaken belief that the victim had cheated with the defendant’s girlfriend.  The law enforcement investigation and the evidence presented during the trial disproved that claim. 

After the assault, Cesena fled and stayed with a friend until her arrest on October 15, 2023.

In addition to the assault charge, the jury also found true several aggravating factors in the attack.  The factors include that Cesena personally inflicted great bodily injury to the victim; the crimes involved great violence, threat of great bodily harm, or other acts disclosing a high degree of cruelty or viciousness; and the victim was particularly vulnerable.

“We appreciate the jury’s time and service as they carefully considered all evidence before holding the defendant accountable for her actions,” said District Attorney Dan Dow.   “This unprovoked violent crime was shocking, and our hearts go out to the victim who sustained serious injuries and whose testimony was heard loud and clear by the jury.”

Cesena is scheduled to be sentenced January 15, 2025, at 8:30 a.m. in Department 9 of the San Luis Obispo County Superior Court, the Honorable Crystal T. Seiler presiding.  Cesena faces a possible maximum sentence of seven years in state prison.

This case was investigated by the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office and the District Attorney’s Bureau of Investigation and was prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Kalina Laleva.  Victim support services were provided by Victim Advocate Divina Diaz.

Here is a copy of the defendant's booking photo.  Here is a copy of the charging document.

Please contact Assistant District Attorney Eric Dobroth (805) 781-5819 with any questions.
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