AndreaW,
Your naivete is delightful.
I haven't been in "most courtrooms", but probably you haven't either. This is a civil matter, and there really isn't any "accuser" (except that DanCrouch would like to make it that way).
As to burden of proof, I don't know which part of "rental loss for the same period that LESSEE proves could be reasonably avoided." you don't understand. This is the exact statement of California law, which states that LESSEE must prove what part of the rent for the balance of the term could have been reasonably avoided.
By the way, for Dan Crouch, this award can be made by the Court before the end of the term of the lease (in California).
I'll be away until after jan1, if this important matter requires any more discussion.
For HG, landlord purgatory is some place that the tenants think that they have rights. (They do, of course, but try to get them to understand what they are, and what are their limits, and how they interact with the landlord's complementary rights and responsibilities).
Happy Holidays