Citation 43 Cal. 4th 36, 178 P.3d 1100, 73 Cal. Rptr. 3d 605

People v. French

Petition for review after the Court of Appeal affirmed a judgment of conviction of criminal offenses. French, Hernandez, Mvuemba, Pardo, and Sandoval present the following issues in different factual contexts: (1) Did the trial court violate defendant's Sixth Amendment right to a jury trial, as interpreted in Cunningham v. California (Jan. 22, 2007, No. 05-6551) 549 U.S. __ [2007 WL 135687], by imposing an upper term sentence based on aggravating factors not found true by the jury? (2) If so, what is the proper remedy?

Filed 4/23/08 (reposted 4/23/08 to clerically correct placement direction for first added fn.)
IN THE SUPREME COURT OF CALIFORNIA

THE PEOPLE,
Plaintiff and Respondent,
S148845
v.
) Ct.App.
3
C050785
WESLEY DAVID FRENCH,
) Sacramento
County
Defendant and Appellant.
Super. Ct. No. 02F07203

MODIFICATION OF OPINION

THE COURT:

The opinion in this matter, filed March 27, 2008, is modified as follows:
On page 9, at the end of the carryover paragraph, add a footnote reading:
“To the extent that People v. Bobbit (2006) 138 Cal.App.4th 445, is
inconsistent with this opinion, we disapprove it.”
On page 12, first full paragraph, at the end of the fifth sentence, add a footnote
reading:
“To the extent that People v. Hill (2005) 131 Cal.App.4th 1089, 1103, is
inconsistent with this opinion, we disapprove it.”
The existing footnotes in the opinion are renumbered accordingly.
This modification does not effect a change in the judgment.

1

Opinion Information
Date: Citation: Docket Number: Category: Status: Cross Referenced Cases:
Wed, 04/23/2008 43 Cal. 4th 36, 178 P.3d 1100, 73 Cal. Rptr. 3d 605 S148845N Review - Criminal Appeal closed; remittitur issued PEOPLE v. TILLEY (S159328)
PEOPLE v. MARBLE (S159324)
PEOPLE v. MCMILLON (S159136)
PEOPLE v. ALLISON (S158278)
PEOPLE v. YATES (S157935)
PEOPLE v. LACERDA (S157590)
PEOPLE v. AYALA (S157148)
PEOPLE v. VASQUEZ (S156297)
PEOPLE v. SOTO (S154293)
PEOPLE v. SELITSCH (S153575)
PEOPLE v. RODRIGUEZ (S153436)
PEOPLE v. MAYZES (S153247)
PEOPLE v. HEIMS (S152922)
PEOPLE v. BAUGHMAN (S152470)
PEOPLE v. JONES (S151379)
PEOPLE v. COSTA (S151236)
PEOPLE v. BERRY (S149842)
PEOPLE v. BESWETHERICK (S149804)
PEOPLE v. MYERS (S149657)
PEOPLE v. PLASCENCIA (S149251)
PEOPLE v. MVUEMBA (S149247)
PEOPLE v. HERNANDEZ (S148974)
PEOPLE v. SANDOVAL (S148917)
PEOPLE v. PARDO (S148914)
Parties
1 District Attorney Of San Diego County (Opinion Modification Requestor)
Represented by Charles Edward Nickel
Office of the District Attorney
P.O. Box 121011
330 W. Broadway, Suite 920
San Diego, CA
2 French, Wesley David (Defendant and Appellant)
Represented by William Joseph Iii Arzbaecher
Central California Appellate Program
2407 "J" Street, Suite 301
Sacramento, CA
3 French, Wesley David (Defendant and Appellant)
Represented by Central California Appellate Program
2407 "J" Street, Suite 301
2407 "J" Street, Suite 301
Sacramento, CA
4 French, Wesley David (Defendant and Appellant)
Represented by Gregory R. Marshall
Attorney at Law
P.O. Box 996
Palo Cedro, CA
5 The People (Plaintiff and Respondent)
Represented by Jeffrey Michael K. Laurence
Office of the Attorney General
455 Golden Gate Avenue, Suite 11000
San Francisco, CA
6 The People (Plaintiff and Respondent)
Represented by David A. Rhodes
Office of the Attorney General
P.O. Box 944255
Sacramento, CA
Disposition
Mar 27 2008 Opinion: Reversed
Dockets
Dec 15 2006 Received untimely petition for review
Wesley David French, Defendant and Appellant. Gregory Marshall, CA-appointed
Dec 18 2006 Application for relief from default filed
By counsel for appellant
Dec 20 2006 Petition for review filed with permission
Dec 20 2006 Record requested
Dec 21 2006 Received Court of Appeal record
one doghouse
Feb 7 2007 Petition for review granted (criminal case)
To facilitate expedited consideration and resolution of the issues presented, the court establishes the following briefing schedule: The opening brief on the merits shall be served and filed in the San Francisco office of the Supreme Court on or before February 28, 2007. Within 21 days after the opening brief on the merits is filed, the answer brief on the merits shall be served and filed in the San Francisco office of the Supreme Court. Within 7 days after the answer brief on the merits is filed, a reply brief may be served and filed in the San Francisco office of the Supreme Court. Any person or entity wishing to file an amicus curiae brief must file an application for permission to file such brief, accompanied by the proposed brief, by March 21, 2007. Any amicus curiae brief accepted for filing will be considered by the court in reviewing each of the cases presenting issues related to the effect of the decision in Cunningham v. California (Jan. 22, 2007, No. 05-6551) 549 U.S. __ [2007 WL 135687] and multiple copies of amicus briefs need not and should not be submitted in each case. Because it is important for the administration of justice that the trial courts of California be provided timely guidance, the court notes that its action in this case is not intended to dissuade the Legislature from promptly revising the existing California sentencing statutes in light of the United States Supreme Court's decision in Cunningham v. California, supra. Votes: George, C. J., Kennard, Baxter, Werdegar, Chin, Moreno and Corrigan, JJ.
Feb 14 2007 Counsel appointment order filed
Upon request of appellant for appointment of counsel, the Central California Appellate Program is hereby appointed to represent appellant on the appeal now pending in this court. Appellant's brief on the merits must be served and filed on or before Febraury 28, 2007.
Feb 28 2007 Opening brief on the merits filed
Wesley David French, Appellant by William J. Arzbaecher, counsel
Feb 28 2007 Request for judicial notice filed (granted case)
Wesley David French, Appellant by William J. Arzbaecher, counsel
Mar 21 2007 Received:
Oversized Answer Brief on the Merits The People, Respondent by Jeffrey M. Laurence, counsel
Mar 21 2007 Application to file over-length brief filed
The People, Respondent by Jeffrey M. Laurence, counsel
Mar 21 2007 Answer brief on the merits filed
with permission.
Apr 2 2007 Received:
ovwesize reply brief on the merits, Wesley French, defendant and appellant William Arzbaecher, counsel
Apr 3 2007 Reply brief filed (case fully briefed)
Filed with permission
Dec 4 2007 Case ordered on calendar
Tuesday, January 8, 2008, at 9:00 a.m., in San Francisco
Dec 19 2007 Filed:
Letter from counsel for appellant dated December 17, 2007, regarding additional authorities for oral argument.
Jan 8 2008 Cause argued and submitted
Mar 26 2008 Notice of forthcoming opinion posted
Mar 27 2008 Opinion filed: Judgment reversed
and remanded to the Court of Appeal with directions. Majority Opinion by George, C.J. --------------------joined by Kennard, Baxter, Werdegar, Chin, Moreno, Corrigan, JJ.
Apr 9 2008 Request for modification of opinion filed
District Attorney of San Diego County, non-party Bonnie Dumanis, Deputy D.A.
Apr 23 2008 Opinion modified - no change in judgment
Apr 23 2008 Order filed
The request for modification of the opinion is granted. George, C.J., was absent and did not participate.
Jun 10 2008 Remittitur issued (criminal case)
Sep 17 2008 Compensation awarded counsel
Atty Arzbaecher - Central California Appellate Program
Briefs
Feb 28 2007 Opening brief on the merits filed
Mar 21 2007 Answer brief on the merits filed
Apr 3 2007 Reply brief filed (case fully briefed)

If you'd like to submit a brief document to be included for this opinion, please submit an e-mail to the SCOCAL website.

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