Vista sisters fighting ends in arrest

“Christine said, ‘I’m going to stab your pretty little face,’” according to a deputy who testified in San Diego Superior Court yesterday, June 26.

Sheriff’s deputy Adrian Moses arrived at a home in the 1600 block of San Luis Rey Avenue in Vista, the afternoon of January 9, 2017. The deputy responded to a call from Camerina Mendoza, the sister of alleged attacker Christine Mendoza, about 3 p.m.

Camerina had loaded her children into her car and was waiting for the deputy to arrive, at the end of the long driveway to her rented home. Deputy Moses observed that Camerina had “scratches and abrasions” and appeared “shaken,” as if she had been in a fight, he said.

Camerina told the deputy that her sister’s boyfriend had dropped Christine off at the home where Camerina lived, and the boyfriend told Camerina that he was afraid of Christine because she “almost killed him.” But Camerina did not welcome her sister, who was requesting a ride somewhere else, instead she told Christine to leave.

“Christine refused to leave,” the deputy testified in court today, relating what Camerina told him. “She said she tried to push her out of the house.” This developed into a brawl between the women, a fight in which Camerina at first seemed to have the upper hand.

Christine Aracellie Mendoza, 30, is described in jail records as 5 feet 4 inches tall and 150 pounds. But Christine did not choose to leave when she was unable to overpower her sister, according to the deputy. “And that’s when she pulled out a knife,” he said. “Christine said, “I’m going to stab your pretty little face,” her sister Camerina told the deputy.

The scrappier sister abandoned the fight, ran out of the house, and phoned authorities.

When deputy Moses talked Christine into coming out of the house, she explained, “My sister attacked me, I defended myself.” The deputy recovered a folding pocket knife allegedly used by Christine Mendoza.

Camerina said her sister has a criminal history and suffers from mental health problems. Court records show that Christine Mendoza has another, current criminal case in which she is accused of DUI and hit-and-run, this other case will be heard in a downtown San Diego courtroom.

When backup officers arrived, Christine Mendoza allegedly approached one patrol car and spit at one officer who was still seated inside. That officer responded with mace. Christine responded with curses.

Christine Aracellie Mendoza pleads not-guilty to felony assault with a deadly weapon and misdemeanor battery on a peace officer. She is next due in the Vista courthouse on July 24, when a date for jury trial will be selected.