IN THE SUPREME COURT OF CALIFORNIA
THE PEOPLE,
Plaintiff and Respondent,
S050583
v.
DEMETRIUS CHARLES HOWARD,
San Bernardino County
Defendant and Appellant.
Super. Ct. No. FSB03736
Demetrius Charles Howard was convicted of first degree murder and
attempted second degree robbery.1 The jury found as a special circumstance that
the murder was committed while defendant was engaged in the attempted
robbery.2 It returned a verdict of death. We affirm the judgment.
I. FACTS
The facts are summarized here for background purposes. Further factual
and procedural details are provided in the discussion of defendant‘s claims on
appeal.
1
Penal Code sections 187, 211, and 664. Further statutory references are to
the Penal Code.
2
Section 190.2, subdivision (a)(17).
A. Guilt Phase
1. Prosecution
Cedric Torrence had known defendant for about four years at the time of
trial. They lived in the same area of San Bernardino, and Torrence had fathered a
child with defendant‘s sister. Torrence testified that on December 6, 1992, he
picked up defendant to play football. Before the game, defendant hid a black .357
handgun under a mattress at Torrence‘s house. After the game defendant retrieved
the gun and put it in his belt. He wore black pants and a large white pullover
sweater.
It was then evening. Torrence and defendant went across the street to a
friend‘s house, where a number of people were drinking, talking, and smoking
marijuana in the garage. Among those present was Mitchell Funches, who was
wearing black clothing. Torrence heard defendant talking with Funches about
doing a ―jacking,‖ meaning a robbery. Torrence thought they were asking him to
go along, and said he didn‘t want anything to do with it. Defendant told Torrence
they weren‘t talking to him. When Torrence warned that they might be caught,
defendant said he wouldn‘t be, and if he were he would go out shooting. Funches
also had a gun, a chrome .380 automatic.
Torrence left the gathering and went to dinner. As he waited in a restaurant
for his meal, a number of police cars drove by with sirens on. Torrence returned
home and received a phone call from defendant, who said he was stranded in some
apartments near an El Pollo Loco franchise, and needed a ride. Defendant
sounded a little nervous, and said he had his strap on, meaning he was carrying the
gun. Torrence drove to the location, where he saw many police cars and yellow
emergency tape. He left, not wanting to get involved. Two days later, defendant
2
called again. He asked Torrence, if the police were to speak with him, to say he
had dropped defendant off at the El Pollo Loco around 9:00 p.m.
The murder victim was Sherry Collins, a 29-year-old mother who lived in
the Acacia Park Apartments in San Bernardino. Collins had driven home with her
five-year-old daughter, Randy, and parked in the garage. Randy was eight years
old when she testified at trial. She remembered that it was dark in the garage, but
the light in the car had gone on when her mother opened the door. Her mother
was ―fighting‖ with a man on the driver‘s side of the car, as Randy crouched in
front of the passenger seat. Something broke the window on the passenger side,
and her mother died. Randy climbed over her mother‘s body and ran to an
apartment, where she told a lady what had happened.
Sergeant Dale Blackwell of the San Bernardino Police Department spoke
with Randy at her grandmother‘s house four days after the murder. She was able
to show that she knew the difference between a lie and the truth, and understood
she should tell the truth. On the witness stand, Blackwell read portions of his
report of the interview, which had been taped. Randy had told him that two ―bad
men‖ came up to the car as her mother opened the door. One with a white shirt
walked up on the driver‘s side, and one with a black coat walked up on the
passenger side. Her mother was kicking at the man on the driver‘s side and
yelling ―get out.‖ The man on the passenger side broke the window with
something he had in his hand. Randy did not see a gun at that point, but she heard
it. Afterward, she noticed the man on her mother‘s side of the car holding a gun
by his stomach.
Around 6:45 on the evening of the murder, Virginia Garduno had just
arrived at her Acacia Park apartment when she heard a loud bang. She thought
someone had crashed into the garage. A little girl soon knocked on her door,
3
crying and saying, ―my mommy got shot and she‘s bleeding from her nose.‖
Garduno, frightened, turned off the lights and let the girl in. She was covered with
flakes of glass, and told Garduno that her mother was dead and something about
two Black men. Garduno called 911, and eventually brought Randy out to the
police as they were investigating the crime scene.
Although she was very upset and sobbing, Randy was able to tell a
policeman that two men had shot her mother, one in dark clothing and the other in
a white shirt and dark pants. Randy could not tell the officer the race of the men.
Garduno, however, reported that Randy had said the men were Black. A
description of the suspects was broadcast.
The police found Sherry Collins lying across the front seats of her car, with
her head hanging from the passenger seat. Her left foot was wedged between the
driver‘s seat and the doorpost, and her right foot extended from the open driver‘s
door. She had two gunshot wounds on the left side of her head. The passenger
window was shattered. There was an expended casing on the garage floor.
Steven Larsen, whose house was near the scene, was working in his garage
that evening and listening to a police scanner. He heard a dispatch about a
shooting at the apartments, with a description of two Black men heading through
an open area behind his house. He looked over the wall at the back of his yard and
saw two men meeting the description. They were walking toward him, eight to 10
feet away. One wore all dark clothing, and the other was wearing ―something
white‖ with dark pants. Larsen yelled ―stop,‖ and the men looked at him. He
ducked behind the wall, and heard them running. By the time he looked again,
they were gone. Larsen ran to the front of his house. The men were in the street
about 50 feet away. Larsen yelled at them to stop again, and they ―took off
running.‖
4
The University Village apartment complex was next to Larsen‘s
neighborhood. On the evening of the murder, Theresa Brown heard helicopters
above the complex and looked out her apartment window. She saw a Black man
in dark clothing knocking on the door of another apartment. A few minutes later,
the helicopters were still there and Brown looked out again. This time, the man
was backed up against a wall as if trying to stay out of view. Brown called the
police and described the man. At the dispatcher‘s direction she looked out another
window, and saw a second individual walking into the complex wearing a white
pullover and dark pants. Brown described this person to the dispatcher as well.
When the dispatcher told her the suspects were armed, Brown hid in her bathroom.
Shortly thereafter, she heard gunfire, screams, and voices speaking through
megaphones.
Brown‘s downstairs neighbors, Michael and Laurie Manzella, heard
helicopters and a knock on their door. When they opened the door, they saw a
Black man wearing a white pullover and dark pants talking to the tenant across the
hall. They closed the door, and a little later heard gunfire. Mrs. Manzella took
note of the pullover, because she had been looking for one like it. She was able to
identify defendant in a photographic lineup as the man in the hallway.
Another University Village resident, James Chism, was leaving his
apartment the same evening when he encountered defendant sitting on the stairs.
Defendant asked for a ride home. When Chism declined, defendant asked to use
the telephone to call for a ride. Defendant explained that he had been dropped off
at the apartments to visit a girl, who wasn‘t home. Chism let defendant use his
phone, and took the phone to give directions to the person on the other end of the
line. He used the nearby El Pollo Loco as a reference point. Defendant did not
seem to want to leave after the phone call, and appeared nervous. Chism got his
5
jacket and told defendant he was leaving. Defendant asked if he could ―hang out‖
outside the apartment. Chism said he could do as he liked, at which point Chism‘s
roommates approached and said a police officer had been shot at the El Pollo
Loco. Defendant walked out of the apartment complex with Chism and his
roommates. Although Chism had given him directions to the El Pollo Loco,
defendant went in the opposite direction.
The wounded officer was Edward Block, a California State University
policeman. The shooter was defendant‘s companion, Funches. Block was on duty
that night, and heard a broadcast description of the suspects in the Collins
shooting. As he drove through a minimall, Block saw Funches and stopped him.
During the encounter, Funches fired three shots, one of which struck Block in the
abdomen below his bulletproof vest. Funches was soon apprehended by other
officers in the area. He had discarded his gun, but it was recovered.
Another California State University policeman, Manuel Castro, was also
patrolling in the area. He saw defendant using a public telephone at a 7-Eleven.
Defendant matched the description of one of the suspects, and Castro arrested him.
Defendant did not have a weapon. He gave Castro a false name. Six days later, a
child playing outside the University Village apartments found a loaded .357
revolver, black with a brown handle, hidden in ivy. The gun was turned over to
the police. No fingerprints were found on it. At trial, Torrence identified the gun
as the one defendant had been carrying.
Funches‘s fingerprint was found on the passenger side door of Collins‘s
car. The bullet that killed Collins was fired from his gun. The bullet had
fragmented as it passed through the car window glass, with the core entering
Collins‘s temple and the jacket lodging in her scalp. Fibers found on the soles of
Collins‘s shoes matched fibers from defendant‘s clothing. They were deposited on
6
the shoes in a manner indicating that Collins‘s feet never touched another surface
after coming into contact with the clothing.
2. Defense
Defendant testified that in December 1992, he was living with his cousins
Patricia and Segonia Washington. He knew Cedric Torrence, but they were not
close. He and Torrence had first met after defendant was released from prison in
June 1992.3 On December 6, 1992, defendant‘s girlfriend Roxanne called and said
she was coming to see him. Roxanne was delayed, however, and defendant went
with Torrence to the football game. He did not have a gun with him, nor had he
ever seen the .357 that was found outside the University Village apartments.
Defendant did not play football himself, because he was planning to go out
with Roxanne and did not want to get dirty. After the game, he went to Torrence‘s
house, then to a neighbor‘s where he stood on the sidewalk with some others.
Funches was not there; defendant said he had never met Funches. Defendant did
not go into the garage. The men talked about women and cars, and someone got
some beer. After an hour or so, defendant asked Torrence if he could use his
telephone. The phone was unavailable, so defendant walked alone to a nearby
market. He called home, and learned that Roxanne had arrived. She came to the
market and picked him up. By this time it was dark. Their plan was to go to
Compton, but defendant said he needed to visit his aunt and uncle first. Defendant
had never been to their apartment before, but he had the address.
As they were driving, defendant and Roxanne argued, first about her having
to wait for him at his house and then about another woman who was pregnant.
3
Defendant admitted pleading guilty to charges of felony assault with a
deadly weapon, once in May 1984 and again in January 1990.
7
The argument escalated as they neared his aunt‘s apartment. Roxanne ordered
him out of the car and drove off, leaving him near a 7-Eleven. Defendant walked
into an apartment complex, looking for his aunt‘s unit. He sat on some steps,
feeling upset. Chism came out of an apartment, and defendant asked him for a
ride. When Chism said that was not possible, defendant asked to use the phone.
He called Torrence, who agreed to come get him at the El Pollo Loco across the
street.
Defendant left the apartment complex with Chism and two of his friends.
When he saw police around the El Pollo Loco, he walked the other way. Because
he was in violation of his parole, defendant wanted no contact with the police. He
walked back to the 7-Eleven, where he called his cousin for a ride. She could not
give him one, so he called his sister. As he was talking to her, police officers
arrested him.
The girlfriend, Roxanne Winn, testified that she came to get defendant in
San Bernardino on the day in question, arriving around 3:00 in the afternoon.
After about an hour, defendant called and she picked him up at a market. They
were going to Compton; defendant said nothing about his aunt and uncle. While
Roxanne was waiting at the house for defendant, Segonia had told her that she was
sleeping with defendant, and was pregnant. Roxanne and defendant had a heated
argument about this, and Roxanne told him to get out of her car. She left him near
a 7-Eleven.
George Rivera was one of the football players, and it was his house where
the group gathered after the game. He did not see defendant with a gun, or hear a
conversation about ―jacking.‖ Funches was at Rivera‘s house, drinking with
Rivera, Torrence, and defendant. Eventually, Torrence left to go to work. Rivera
saw defendant and Funches walk away down the street together.
8
The parties stipulated that defendant‘s uncle, Willy Kelly, would testify that
on the day defendant was arrested, Kelly was at a family function. He had offered
defendant some cash to help him get started after his release from prison.
Defendant was to come over around 7:00 p.m., but Kelly was delayed. When he
returned to his apartment, he saw police in the area. Kelly would admit to a
robbery conviction, a parole violation, a conviction of assault with a deadly
weapon, and two petty thefts for which he was currently serving a prison term.
Patricia Washington testified that defendant, the son of her cousin, was
living with her in December of 1992. Her daughter Segonia was living there as
well. Patricia never saw defendant with a gun. She remembered Roxanne coming
to the house, looking for defendant. Segonia testified that she remembered
defendant leaving to play football, and telling her that Roxanne would be coming.
Roxanne arrived while defendant was gone. Defendant called and spoke to
Roxanne, who left to pick him up. Later that night defendant called and said he
was stranded after Roxanne kicked him out of the car. Segonia did not remember
telling Roxanne that defendant was sleeping with anyone else.
B. Penalty Phase
The prosecution introduced evidence of defendant‘s two prior felony
convictions for assault with a deadly weapon.
James Pearsall testified that in September 1989, he was attending a
bachelor party in Fontana. He and a group of friends were standing around a
parked vehicle, drinking beer. A young African-American rode up on a bicycle
and began yelling and cursing at the group. Pearsall tried speaking to the man. As
he did so, another African-American walked up. When Pearsall turned to look at
this second individual, he was knocked unconscious. He was hospitalized and
9
suffered permanent neurological damage. Defendant was convicted of assaulting
Pearsall with brass knuckles.
Laura Carroll testified that in December 1983, she was working at a
recreation center in San Diego. Defendant approached her and reported that a girl
had been hurt on the playground. As Carroll and her boss were on their way to
investigate, the boss‘s phone rang and he went back to answer it. Carroll went on
with defendant. When they couldn‘t find an injured girl on the playground,
Carroll went into a bathroom to look for her. Before she could turn on the light,
defendant grabbed her from behind and forced her to the back of the bathroom.
Carroll struggled, punching him in the face at one point. As defendant turned to
leave, Carroll felt something hot on her neck. When he held up a bloody knife in
the doorway, she realized she had been stabbed. Carroll screamed, and defendant
said, ―shut up, bitch.‖ She suffered a deep neck wound, a painful recovery, and
psychological trauma that continued to the time of her testimony.
The parties stipulated that Randy Collins, the daughter of the murder
victim, would testify that she thought of her mother sometimes, missed her, and
was sad about what happened to her.
The defense presented no evidence at the penalty phase. Counsel argued
that defendant did not deserve the death penalty, because he was not the person
who shot Sherry Collins.
10
II. DISCUSSION
A. Pretrial Issues
1. Constitutionality of the Jury Selection Process in Capital Cases
In a supplemental brief, defendant argues that the process used in California
for ―death qualification‖ of jurors is unconstitutional.4 The Attorney General
notes, correctly, that defendant waived this claim by failing to raise it in the trial
court. (People v. Jennings (2010) 50 Cal.4th 616, 687-688 (Jennings).) Had the
arguments been preserved, they would fail. We have rejected them in previous
cases, and do so again here. Thus:
The death qualification process is not rendered unconstitutional by
empirical studies concluding that, because it removes jurors who would
automatically vote for death or for life, it results in juries biased against the
defense. (People v. Taylor (2010) 48 Cal.4th 574, 602 (Taylor), citing cases;
People v. Mills (2010) 48 Cal.4th 158, 171 (Mills), citing cases.)
Lockhart v. McCree (1986) 476 U.S. 162 (Lockhart), which approved the
death qualification process, remains good law despite some criticism in law review
articles. (Taylor, supra, 48 Cal.4th at pp. 602-603; Mills, supra, 48 Cal.4th at p.
172.) ―We may not depart from the high court ruling as to the United States
Constitution, and defendant presents no good reason to reconsider our ruling[s] as
to the California Constitution.‖ (People v. Steele (2002) 27 Cal.4th 1230, 1243.)
The impacts of the death qualification process on the race, gender, and
religion of the jurors do not affect its constitutionality. (Taylor, supra, 48 Cal.4th
4
Defendant relies on the Sixth, Eighth, and Fourteenth Amendments to the
United States Constitution, and on article I, sections 7, 15, 16, and 17 of the
California Constitution.
11
at p. 603; see also Lockhart, supra, 476 U.S. at pp. 174-176.) Nor does the
process violate a defendant‘s constitutional rights, including the Eighth
Amendment right not to be subjected to cruel and unusual punishment, by
affording the prosecutor an opportunity to increase the chances of getting a
conviction. (Taylor, at p. 603; Mills, supra, 48 Cal.4th at p. 172.) Defendant
claims the voir dire process itself produces a biased jury. We have held otherwise.
(People v. Catlin (2001) 26 Cal.4th 81, 112.)
Death qualification does not violate the Sixth Amendment by undermining
the functions of a jury as a cross-section of the community participating in the
administration of justice. (Lockhart, supra, 476 U.S. at pp. 174-176; Jennings,
supra, 50 Cal.4th at p. 688; Taylor, supra, 48 Cal.4th at p. 603.) Finally,
defendant‘s constitutional rights were not violated by the prosecutor‘s use of
peremptory challenges to exclude jurors with reservations about capital
punishment. (Taylor, at p. 603, citing cases.)
2. Requirement That Defendant Wear a Stun Belt
At a pretrial hearing, defense counsel made the following statement in
response to a question from the bench regarding matters to be decided before the
jury entered: ―The only thing, your Honor, is we discussed shackling before. I do
still object to my client being shackled in the court room for the reason he never
caused any outbursts. I understand the court intends to put on him a[n] electronic
device that can be pressed and give him 50,000 volts if he does anything
somebody doesn‘t like or runs or something like that.
―I would object to that for the same reason. He‘s never . . . acted out in any
manner whatsoever. He‘s never been disrespectful to the court or anybody else. I
would object on those grounds.‖
12
The court responded: ―Well, it‘s a prophylactic measure, and given the
nature of the case, I believe it would — and given the nature of Mr. Howard‘s past
— . . . it can‘t be seen which is a nice thing about it — it [as]sures everyone that
nothing unfortunate is going to happen. And it can‘t be seen by jurors. So it
doesn‘t reflect poorly upon Mr. Howard in their eyes. But your objections are
noted.‖
Defendant contends that by requiring him to wear a stun belt, the court
violated his constitutional rights and contravened this court‘s ruling in People v.
Mar (2002) 28 Cal.4th 1201 (Mar).5 The Attorney General argues that the record
does not show defendant actually wore a stun belt during trial, as the only other
reference to the matter is a notation in the clerk‘s transcript of the hearing that
included the discussion quoted above. The Attorney General asserts that
defendant‘s failure to make an adequate record of any restraints imposed on him
below results in a waiver of the issue on appeal. If the objection by defense
counsel to the prospect of using a stun belt is deemed sufficient, the Attorney
General claims the record does not support defendant‘s claim that he was
prejudiced.
It is true that the record does not show whether the trial court followed
through on its stated intent to require a stun belt as a ―prophylactic measure.‖ On
the other hand, defense counsel did place an objection on the record. In any event,
assuming defendant was required to wear a stun belt during trial, we agree with
5
Defendant claims he was deprived of the rights to due process, equal
protection, a fair and impartial trial, to testify in his own defense, and to be free
from cruel and unusual punishment under the Fifth, Sixth, Eighth, and Fourteenth
Amendments to the federal Constitution. He also relies on article I, sections 7, 15,
and 17 of the state Constitution.
13
the Attorney General that the record affirmatively dispels any notion that he was
prejudiced.
In Mar, we considered the procedures governing use of a stun belt that
could be concealed beneath a defendant‘s clothing and would administer an eight-
second, 50,000-volt electric shock if activated by remote control. (Mar, supra, 28
Cal.4th at pp. 1214-1215.) The Mar court held that the requirements set out in
People v. Duran (1976) 16 Cal.3d 282, for determining when a defendant may be
shackled in the courtroom, also govern the decision to compel a defendant to wear
a stun belt during trial. Thus: (1) there must be a showing of manifest need for
the stun belt; (2) the defendant‘s threatening or violent conduct must be
established as a matter of record; and (3) it is the function of the court to initiate
whatever procedures it deems necessary to make a determination on the record
that the stun belt is necessary. The court must make an independent determination
based on facts, not rumor or innuendo, and must not merely rely on the judgment
of jail or court security personnel. (Mar, at pp. 1217-1218; see Duran, at pp. 290-
293; People v. Lomax (2010) 49 Cal.4th 530, 559.)
The trial court in Mar had failed to make a record demonstrating manifest
need for a stun belt. (Mar, supra, 28 Cal.4th at pp. 1222-1223.) The Mar court
decided the error was prejudicial. ―[D]efendant . . . clearly stated that the device
made it difficult for him to think clearly and that it added significantly to his
anxiety, and the trial transcript confirms that defendant was nervous while
testifying at trial. It is, of course, not unusual for a defendant, or any witness, to
be nervous while testifying, but in view of the nature of a stun belt and the
debilitating and humiliating consequences that such a belt can inflict, it is
reasonable to believe that many if not most persons would experience an increase
in anxiety if compelled to wear such a belt while testifying . . . . Moreover,
14
defense counsel specifically noted that defendant was ‗afraid that somebody's
going to push the button,‘ and in light of the circumstances that defendant was on
trial for having caused an injury to a law enforcement officer and that the
activation of the stun belt was to be controlled by another law enforcement officer,
defendant‘s expressed anxiety in this regard, even if not justified, is plausible.‖
(Id. at pp. 1224-1225.)
In Mar, given ―the relative closeness of the evidence, the crucial nature of
defendant‘s demeanor while testifying, and the likelihood that the stun belt had at
least some effect on defendant‘s demeanor while testifying,‖ the court concluded
that ―even if the prejudicial effect of the trial court‘s error is evaluated under the
Watson standard applicable to ordinary state law error (see People v. Watson
(1956) 46 Cal.2d 818, 836-837. . .), there is a reasonable probability that the error
affected the outcome of defendant‘s trial.‖ (Mar, supra, 28 Cal.4th at p. 1225, fn.
omitted.)
Here, the trial court erroneously failed to make the finding of manifest need
required by Mar. Defendant attempts to appropriate the Mar court‘s prejudice
analysis for his own use, but his case is quite different. Unlike Mar, defendant
expressed no discomfort with a stun belt. Nor did defense counsel alert the court
to any apprehension on his client‘s part. Defendant was not on trial for injuring a
law enforcement officer, and there was no other indication of a plausible reason
why he might be particularly nervous about a stun belt being activated. Most
significantly, at sentencing defendant made an extended statement to the court
regarding his mental state during trial. He made no reference to a stun belt or its
effects on his demeanor while testifying. Instead, defendant claimed his testimony
had been affected by antipsychotic medication. (We address defendant‘s
arguments on this point in pt. II.D.2., post.)
15
Defendant told the court, ―my facial expressions, or lack thereof, emotional
responses, or lack of mannerism, made an impression on the jury on taking the
stand. My demeanor could‘ve had a significant bearing on my credibility,
persuasiveness, and on the degree to which I could have invoked sympathy. My
demeanor is also relevant to my confrontation rights . . . . The side effects of
antipsychotic drugs may alter demeanor in a way that will prejudice all facets of
the defense. The defendant must be able to provide needed information to his
lawyer and to participate in the making of decisions on his own behalf.‖ Defense
counsel declined to comment on defendant‘s claims. The prosecutor noted that
defendant had smiled occasionally during his testimony, responded properly, and
seemed ―very coherent.‖ Defendant protested that the effects of the medication
may not have been apparent, even though the medication ―causes drowsiness.‖
The court commented, ―my perception of Mr. Howard throughout these
proceedings has been that he was coherent and responsive, and in no way appeared
to be impaired by virtue of any medication or anything else.‖
On this record, any error in compelling defendant to wear a stun belt was
not prejudicial, even under the federal constitutional standard of review requiring
reversal unless the error is harmless beyond a reasonable doubt. (Chapman v.
California (1967) 386 U.S. 18, 24; see Mar, supra, 28 Cal.4th at p. 1225, fn. 7.)
Defendant made a concerted effort to convince the trial court that his defense had
been hampered by problems with his demeanor on the stand. If wearing a stun
belt had affected him, he certainly would have informed the court of that
circumstance. Instead, he asserted only that medication had influenced him during
his testimony. Neither the court, the prosecutor, nor defense counsel noted any
problems with his demeanor, however. The court observed that defendant ―in no
16
way appeared to be impaired.‖ Thus, if defendant was wearing a stun belt, it had
no appreciable effect on him, even by his own account. 6
6
In a supplemental brief, defendant expands upon an argument made in
passing in his reply brief, to the effect that an erroneous order requiring a
defendant to wear a stun belt must be deemed structural error, reversible per se.
He draws an analogy to Riggins v. Nevada (1992) 504 U.S 107 (Riggins), where
the court reversed a conviction because the defendant was improperly given
antipsychotic medication during trial. Defendant acknowledges that the Riggins
court did not find the error to be structural, but he relies on language in Riggins
regarding the impossibility of determining from the trial record whether the
outcome would have been different had the defendant not been forcibly medicated.
(Id. at p. 137.)
We are not persuaded. Riggins was considered by the Mar court, which
observed: ―There are, of course, obvious distinctions between the compelled use
of a stun belt and the involuntary administration of antipsychotic drugs at issue in
Riggins. Unlike the administration of antipsychotic drugs, the use of a stun belt is
not claimed to be medically appropriate or medically therapeutic for the defendant.
At the same time, the medical or psychological risks posed by the involuntary use
of a stun belt are not as well established or well documented as those associated
with the use of antipsychotic drugs. Nonetheless, the two situations do raise some
of the same concerns — concerns that arise from the circumstance that the state‘s
intervention may result in the impairment, mental or psychological, of a criminal
defendant‘s ability to conduct a defense at trial.‖ (Mar, supra, 28 Cal.4th at p.
1228.)
A stun belt does not have the same kind of direct and consistent effect on a
defendant‘s mental state as an antipsychotic drug. As discussed above, the
concern that defendant may have been psychologically affected by a stun belt in
this case was put to rest by his own statements to the court about his mental state
during trial. Indeed, this case is a good example of why it would be wrong to treat
an improper stun belt requirement as structural error. Because the record may
reflect the absence of prejudice, review to determine whether the error was
harmless is appropriate.
17
B. Guilt Phase Issues
1. Admission of the Handgun
Defense counsel objected to the admission of the .357 revolver found in a
patch of ivy outside the University Village apartments, where numerous witnesses
placed defendant on the night of the murder. Counsel claimed there was no
foundation for this evidence, because there was ―nothing to tie it to Mr. Howard.‖
The court held a hearing under Evidence Code section 402, at which Cedric
Torrence testified that he saw defendant with a black .357 on the night in question.
He identified the weapon recovered from the ivy as the one defendant was
carrying. Defense counsel cross-examined Torrence, who maintained his
assurance that ―that‘s the gun.‖ Counsel argued that Torrence had been hesitant
when first shown the gun, and made a positive identification ―only after he was
pushed.‖7 The court ruled that the foundation for admission was sufficient.
Defendant contends the court abused its discretion. He disputes Torrence‘s
credibility, notes that six days elapsed before the gun was discovered, and asserts
that the evidence was irrelevant and prejudicial.8 These claims lack merit.
7
When the gun was removed from the evidence envelope, Torrence said
―yes.‖ The following exchange with the prosecutor then occurred:
―Q. You are nodding your head.
―A. All I know is it was a black .357. I really didn‘t —
―Q. Are you able to say whether or not that‘s the actual gun?
―A. Yes, that‘s — yes.
―Q. That looks like the one you saw that night?
―A. Yes.‖
8
Defendant claims violation of his rights to due process and a reliable
penalty determination, under the Fifth, Eighth, and Fourteenth Amendments to the
federal Constitution, and article I, section 28, subdivision (d) of the state
Constitution.
18
―Only relevant evidence is admissible (Evid. Code, §§ 210, 350), and all
relevant evidence is admissible unless excluded under the federal or state
Constitution or by statute. (Evid. Code, § 351; see also Cal. Const., art. I, § 28,
subd. (d); People v. Heard (2003) 31 Cal.4th 946, 972–973.)‖ (People v.
Benavides (2005) 35 Cal.4th 69, 90.) Evidence is relevant if it ―ha[s] any
tendency in reason to prove or disprove any disputed fact.‖ (Evid. Code, § 210;
see People v. Garceau (1993) 6 Cal.4th 140, 177.) The trial court has broad
latitude in determining relevance. We review such a ruling for abuse of
discretion. (Benavides, supra, at p. 90.)
The gun in this case was plainly relevant to establish defendant‘s
participation in the attempted armed robbery. It was found, concealed in
shrubbery, near the crime scene and the apartments where defendant was seen on
the night of the murder. It was within the trial court‘s discretion to find that
Torrence‘s testimony identifying the weapon was sufficiently credible to present
to the jury. (See People v. Hinton (2006) 37 Cal.4th 839, 890-891.) Defendant
complains that the court failed to weigh the prejudicial effect of the evidence
against its probative value under Evidence Code section 352. However, defense
counsel‘s argument on this point was limited to relevance and lack of foundation.
Counsel stated that he was making ―a 352 objection, in that without the first two,
the relevancy and foundation, it would be prejudicial to allow it into
evidence . . . .‖ Once the court determined that a sufficient foundation had been
laid linking defendant to the gun found in the ivy, the premise of defendant‘s
argument under Evidence Code section 352 was defeated.
Indeed, after Torrence identified the gun as the one defendant carried on the
night of the murder, there was no ―prejudicial effect‖ for the court properly to
consider in connection with defendant‘s motion to exclude the evidence. ― ‗The
19
prejudice that section 352 ― ‗is designed to avoid is not the prejudice or damage to
a defense that naturally flows from relevant, highly probative evidence.‘
[Citations.] ‗Rather, the statute uses the word in its etymological sense of
―prejudging‖ a person or cause on the basis of extraneous factors. [Citation.]‘
[Citation.]‖ (People v. Zapien (1993) 4 Cal.4th 929, 958.) In other words,
evidence should be excluded as unduly prejudicial when it is of such nature as to
inflame the emotions of the jury, motivating them to use the information, not to
logically evaluate the point upon which it is relevant, but to reward or punish one
side because of the jurors‘ emotional reaction. In such a circumstance, the
evidence is unduly prejudicial because of the substantial likelihood the jury will
use it for an illegitimate purpose.‘ (Vorse v. Sarasy (1997) 53 Cal.App.4th 998,
1008–1009.)‖ (People v. Doolin (2009) 45 Cal.4th 390, 439.)
The gun was relevant and highly probative evidence in this case, and not
likely to provoke an emotional reaction from the jury. Defense counsel did not
argue that it was unduly inflammatory, as he did in connection with the autopsy
photograph we discuss next. The court properly admitted the gun into evidence.
2. Admission of an Autopsy Photograph
As noted, defense counsel objected to the admission of an autopsy
photograph. The eight-by-12 inch picture shows Sherry Collins‘s head in profile,
with two bullet wounds in the temple area. Counsel argued that the pathologist
could describe and diagram the wounds without recourse to the picture. The court
commented, ―it‘s not an especially gruesome photograph is it?‖ Counsel replied,
―I‘ve seen worse. Yes, I agree, but it is certainly — as I look at it, it certainly
raises passions in me. That‘s what I‘m trying to avoid in this case.‖
The court overruled the objection, noting that the photograph, while
unpleasant, was ―not extremely inflammatory or gruesome,‖ and not likely to
20
offend a juror so as to unduly prejudice defendant. Defendant claims this ruling
was an abuse of discretion.9 We disagree.
― ‗The admission of photographs of a victim lies within the broad discretion
of the trial court when a claim is made that they are unduly gruesome or
inflammatory. [Citations.] The court‘s exercise of that discretion will not be
disturbed on appeal unless the probative value of the photographs clearly is
outweighed by their prejudicial effect. [Citations.]‘ (People v. Crittenden, supra,
9 Cal.4th at pp. 133–134.)‖ (Heard, supra, 31 Cal.4th at pp. 975-976; see also
People v. Ramirez (2009) 39 Cal.4th 398, 453-454.) We have reviewed the
photograph in question and, unlike those properly admitted in Heard and Ramirez,
it is not particularly gruesome. (See Heard, at pp. 974-975 [photographs showing
torture of sexual assault victim]; Ramirez, at p. 455 [photograph showing victim
with her eyes cut out].) Autopsy photographs are routinely admitted to establish
the nature and placement of the victim‘s wounds and to clarify the testimony of
prosecution witnesses regarding the crime scene and the autopsy, even if other
evidence may serve the same purposes. (Heard, at pp. 973-978, discussing cases.)
The court did not err by admitting the photograph in this case.
3. Sufficiency of the Evidence of Felony Murder
In a supplemental brief, defendant contends the evidence was insufficient to
establish an attempted robbery, which was a predicate for both the felony-murder
theory underlying the first degree murder charge and the felony-murder special
9
Defendant contends he was deprived of the rights to due process, a fair
trial, and a reliable penalty determination under the Fifth, Sixth, Eighth, and
Fourteenth Amendments to the federal Constitution, and ―parallel provisions of
the state Constitution.‖
21
circumstance. He also argues that the evidence failed to establish that he was one
of Sherry Collins‘s assailants. These claims fail.
―The standard of appellate review for determining the sufficiency of the
evidence is settled. ‗ ―On appeal we review the whole record in the light most
favorable to the judgment to determine whether it discloses substantial evidence
— that is, evidence that is reasonable, credible, and of solid value — from which a
reasonable trier of fact could find the defendant guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
(People v. Johnson (1980) 26 Cal.3d 557, 578; see also Jackson v. Virginia (1979)
443 U.S. 307, 317–320.)‖ ‘ (People v. Abilez [(2007)] 41 Cal.4th [472,] 504.)
‗. . . We review the sufficiency of the evidence to support an enhancement using
the same standard we apply to a conviction. (People v. Olguin (1994) 31
Cal.App.4th 1355, 1382.) Thus, we presume every fact in support of the judgment
the trier of fact could have reasonably deduced from the evidence.‘ (People v.
Carrasco (2006) 137 Cal.App.4th 1050, 1058.)‖ (People v. Wilson (2008) 44
Cal.4th 758, 806.)10
Here, the prosecution presented evidence that defendant and Funches, both
armed, left Torrence‘s neighbor‘s house together after planning to commit a
robbery. Not long thereafter, two men confronted Sherry Collins as she began to
get out of her car. She resisted, kicking at the man on the driver‘s side, and
Funches fired through the passenger window, killing her. Collins‘s daughter
10
Defendant suggests there is a higher standard of appellate review for
sufficiency of the evidence claims in capital cases. However, he cites only cases
discussing factfinding procedures in the trial court. (E.g., Ford v. Wainwright
(1986) 477 U.S. 399, 411-412; Beck v. Alabama (1980) 447 U.S. 625, 638.)
Whatever the import of these authorities may be, they have no application to our
review of defendant‘s claim.
22
provided a description of the assailant on the driver‘s side that was consistent with
defendant‘s attire on the night of the murder. A number of other eyewitnesses
testified that defendant, or a person matching his description, was in the area
shortly after the shooting. He was unsuccessful in his attempts to find someone to
give him a ride, and was arrested not far from the scene of the crime. His gun was
recovered nearby. Fibers matching his clothing were found on the soles of
Collins‘s shoes. This evidence, and the facts that may reasonably be deduced
from it, amply supports the jury‘s finding that defendant participated in an
attempted robbery during which Collins was murdered.
Defendant reargues the evidence, but fails to overcome the presumption
favoring the jury‘s findings of fact. Some of the evidence was circumstantial, but
it was nevertheless substantial. ― ‗Although it is the duty of the jury to acquit a
defendant if it finds that circumstantial evidence is susceptible of two
interpretations, one of which suggests guilt and the other innocence [citations], it
is the jury, not the appellate court which must be convinced of the defendant's
guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. . . .‘ [Citation.] ‗ ―Circumstantial evidence may
be sufficient to connect a defendant with the crime and to prove his guilt beyond a
reasonable doubt.‖ ‘ ‖ (People v. Stanley (1995) 10 Cal.4th 764, 792–793, quoting
People v. Bean (1988) 46 Cal.3d 919, 932–933; see also People v. Abilez, supra,
41 Cal.4th at p. 504; CALCRIM No. 223 [circumstantial evidence may be as
reliable as direct evidence].)
23
4. Jury Instructions
(a) Felony-murder Instruction
Defendant contends it was error to instruct the jury on first degree felony
murder, when the indictment charged him only with second degree malice
murder.11 The argument is a familiar one. It posits that section 187 defines
second degree murder and section 189 defines first degree murder, so that an
indictment charging murder under section 187 permits a trial only on liability for
second degree murder. Defendant recognizes that we have rejected this claim
many times, but asks us to reconsider it. We decline to do so. (See, e.g., People v.
Bramit (2009) 46 Cal.4th 1221, 1237-1238, citing cases; People v. Hawthorne
(2009) 46 Cal.4th 67, 89, citing cases.)
(b) CALJIC Nos. 2.03, 2.71, and 2.72
Over defense counsel‘s objection, the trial court instructed the jury with
CALJIC Nos. 2.03, 2.71, and 2.72. Defendant claims this was error. 12
CALJIC No. 2.03 told the jury: ―If you find that before this trial the
defendant made a willfully false or deliberately misleading statement concerning
the crimes for which he is now being tried, you may consider such statements as a
circumstance tending to prove a consciousness of guilt. However, such conduct is
not sufficient by itself to prove guilt, and its weight and significance, if any, are
matters for your determination.‖
11
Defendant asserts violations of the Sixth, Eighth, and Fourteenth
Amendments to the federal Constitution, and of article I, sections 7, 15, 16, and 17
of the state Constitution.
12
Again defendant cites the Sixth, Eighth, and Fourteenth Amendments to the
federal Constitution, and article I, sections 7, 15, 16, and 17 of the state
Constitution.
24
Defendant notes that the sole justification mentioned by the court for this
instruction was the fact that he gave a false name to the police when arrested. He
does not, however, argue that the instruction was unsupported by the evidence.
Rather, he makes a series of attacks on CALJIC No. 2.03 that we have consistently
rejected. The instruction is not argumentative (e.g., Taylor, supra, 48 Cal.4th at p.
630; People v. Page (2008) 44 Cal.4th 1, 50-51), does not enable an improper
permissive inference of guilt (e.g., Taylor, supra, at p. 639; People v. Mungia
(2008) 44 Cal.4th 1101, 1135-1136), and is not merely cumulative to instructions
on circumstantial evidence (Page, supra, at p. 50).13 We decline defendant‘s
invitation to reconsider our views on these points.
CALJIC No. 2.71 told the jury: ―An admission is a statement made by the
defendant other than at trial which does not by itself acknowledge his guilt of the
crimes for which the defendant is on trial, but which statement tends to prove his
guilt when considered with the rest of the testimony.[14] You are the exclusive
judges as to whether the defendant makes an admission and, if so, whether such
statement is true in whole or in part. If you should find that the defendant did not
make the statement you should reject it. If you find that it is true in whole or in
13
Defendant also argues that CALJIC No. 2.03 was unnecessary in view of
the general instructions on witness credibility given at his trial (CALJIC Nos.
2.23, 2.24). He refers us to a Montana case, State v. Nelson (Mont. 2002) 48 P.3d
739, 745. The instructions on witness credibility, however, make no mention of
consciousness of guilt, and thus do not cover the same ground as CALJIC No.
2.03.
14
Defendant notes that the written instructions provided to the jury referred to
―the rest of the evidence,‖ rather than to ―the rest of the testimony.‖ He makes no
claim of error in this regard.
25
part, you may consider that part which you find to be true. Evidence of an oral
admission of the defendant should be viewed with caution.‖
Defendant contends the trial court erroneously gave this instruction based
on the false name he gave to the police. However, as the Attorney General points
out, the instruction plainly applied to the critical testimony by Torrence that
defendant and Funches spoke about committing a robbery. It was also proper in
light of Torrence‘s testimony that defendant had asked him to lie to the police
about dropping defendant off near the scene of the crime. It was to defendant‘s
benefit that the jury was told to view such evidence with caution. (See People v.
Frye (1998) 18 Cal.4th 894, 959.)15 Defendant‘s assertion that the instruction is
argumentative and one-sided is groundless. The jury was advised to make its own
judgment on whether an admission was made, and if so was invited but not
directed to consider it along with the rest of the evidence.
Defendant complains that CALJIC No. 2.72 was also prejudicially unfair
because it told the jury that identity may be established by an admission,
permitting him to be identified as one of the assailants merely because he provided
a false name. This instruction, which explains the corpus delicti rule, stated: ―No
person may be convicted of a criminal offense unless there is some proof of each
element of the crime independent of any admission made by him outside of this
trial. The identity of the person who is alleged to have committed the crime is not
an element of the crime nor is it a degree of the crime. Such identity or degree of
the crime may be established by an admission.‖
15
Because several of defendant‘s statements supported giving CALJIC No.
2.71, we need not decide whether his giving a false name to the police would have
alone been sufficient.
26
The principles set out in CALJIC No. 2.72 are long-established ones.
(People v. Ledesma (2006) 39 Cal.4th 641, 721.) Defendant was not prejudiced
by the explanation that identity, unlike the elements of the charged crimes, may be
established by an admission.
C. Penalty Phase Issues
1. Failure to Reinstruct
The court gave CALJIC No. 8.84.1, informing the jury, in part: ―You will
now be instructed as to all of the law that applies to the penalty phase of this trial.
You must determine what the facts are from the evidence received during the
entire trial unless you are instructed otherwise. You must accept and follow the
law that I shall state to you. Disregard all other instructions given to you in other
phases of this trial.‖
Defendant claims the court erred by failing to reinstruct the jury on various
points regarding evaluation of the evidence, most significantly the definition of
reasonable doubt.16 We have held that when the court gives CALJIC No. 8.84.1, it
should reinstruct the jury with all applicable instructions governing the evidence
presented at the penalty phase. (People v. Lewis (2008) 43 Cal.4th 415, 535.)
However, defendant fails to show that any instructional omission at the penalty
phase was prejudicial.
16
He invokes the Fifth, Sixth, Eighth, and Fourteenth Amendments to the
federal Constitution, and article I, sections 7, 15, and 17 of the state Constitution.
The Attorney General correctly notes that defendant failed to request the
evidentiary instructions he now claims were required. We consider the claim
insofar as the failure to instruct may have affected defendant‘s fundamental rights.
(§ 1259; People v. Benavides, supra, 35 Cal.4th at p. 111.)
27
Defendant‘s principal argument is that the jury had no guidance on the
meaning of proof beyond a reasonable doubt and the presumption of innocence,
which applied to the prior crimes evidence presented by the prosecution.
However, defendant conceded that he was convicted of and committed both prior
crimes presented to the jury. There was no contrary evidence. Thus, the only
issues governed by the reasonable doubt standard at the penalty phase were
conclusively resolved, and there was no occasion for the jury to reevaluate them.
(See People v. Cruz (2008) 44 Cal.4th 636, 681; People v. Harris (2008) 43
Cal.4th 1269, 1322.)
Defendant mentions a number of other instructions that he claims the court
should have given on its own motion. These include CALJIC Nos. 1.01
(instructions to be considered as a whole), 1.03 (admonition against independent
investigation and discussion outside deliberations), 1.05 (use of notes), 2.01
(circumstantial evidence), 2.20 (credibility of witnesses), and 17.30 (jury not to
take cue from judge).17 However, nothing suggests the jury may have deliberated
improperly in the absence of these instructions.
―Unlike defendant, ‗we see no reason to assume‘ [citation] that the jurors
would have felt free to evaluate the penalty phase evidence in a vacuum, rather
than carefully and deliberately, as they apparently had evaluated the guilt phase
17
Defendant also refers in passing to instructions proposed by the defense and
rejected by the court, but he marshals no argument or authority to establish the
propriety of these instructions. He does make a separate argument with respect to
one proposed instruction, on lingering doubt, which is noted in the next part of our
opinion.
28
evidence. Nothing in the closing arguments of the parties suggested that the jurors
were free to make a standardless assessment of the evidence. Nor did the jurors
ask any questions or request clarification as to how to assess any of the penalty
phase evidence. (Ibid.) In the absence of some specific indication of prejudice
arising from the record, defendant ‗does no more than speculate‘ (ibid.) that the
absence of the instructions prejudiced him.‖ (People v. Lewis, supra, 43 Cal.4th at
p. 535, quoting People v. Carter (2003) 30 Cal.4th 1166, 1221.) Here, as in
Lewis, there is no reasonable possibility that the court‘s failure to reinstruct
affected the penalty verdict. As we have noted, this state law standard for penalty
phase error is ―essentially the same as the harmless beyond a reasonable doubt
standard of Chapman v. California [, supra,] 386 U.S. 18, 24.‖ (People v.
Lancaster (2007) 41 Cal.4th 50, 94.) Any error was harmless under the federal
standard as well.
2. Other Instructional Claims
Defendant raises a number of well-worn claims of penalty phase
instructional error. He fails to persuade us to abandon our settled views on these
issues.
The court was not required to give an instruction on lingering doubt.
(E.g., People v. Hartsch (2010) 49 Cal.4th 472, 511-513; People v. Rodrigues
(1994) 8 Cal.4th 1060, 1186-1187.)
CALJIC No. 8.85 properly instructed the jury on its consideration of
aggravating and mitigating factors. (E.g., People v. Butler (2009) 46 Cal.4th 847,
875 (Butler); People v. Wilson (2005) 36 Cal.4th 309, 360.) The trial court was
not required to give supplemental pinpoint instructions on mitigation. (E.g.,
Butler, supra, at p. 875; People v. Musselwhite (1998) 17 Cal.4th 1216, 1266–
1269.)
29
CALJIC No. 8.88 provides constitutionally sufficient guidance to the jury
on the weighing of aggravating and mitigating factors. (E.g., Butler, supra, 46
Cal.4th at pp. 873-875; People v. Geier (2007) 41 Cal.4th 555, 618–619.)
The standard instructions given in this case were not defective for failing to
require proof beyond a reasonable doubt of the existence of aggravating factors, a
preponderance of aggravating factors, or the propriety of the death penalty. Nor
are the instructions unconstitutional for failing to prescribe any burden of proof,
require juror unanimity, or set out a ―presumption of life.‖ (E.g., Jennings, supra,
50 Cal.4th at p. 689; People v. Lomax, supra, 49 Cal.4th at pp. 594-595.)
3. Challenges to the Death Penalty Law
―Defendant presents familiar challenges to California‘s death penalty
statute, without providing persuasive justifications for us to reconsider our settled
views. Written findings on the jury‘s sentencing choice are not required by the
federal Constitution. (E.g., People v. Parson [(2008)] 44 Cal.4th [332,] 370;
People v. Harris, supra, 43 Cal.4th at p. 1322.) The death penalty does not violate
the Eighth Amendment, international law, including article VII of the International
Covenant of Civil and Political Rights, or ‗evolving standards of decency.‘ (E.g.,
People v. Lindberg [(2008)] 45 Cal.4th [1,] 54; Harris, at p. 1323.) Nor is review
for intercase proportionality constitutionally compelled. (E.g., Lindberg, at p. 54;
Harris, at pp. 1322–1323.)‖ (Butler, supra, 46 Cal.4th at p. 885.)
Regarding his intercase proportionality claim, defendant contends his death
sentence is manifestly disproportionate because Funches, who shot and killed
Sherry Collins and wounded Officer Block, was sentenced to life without the
possibility of parole in a separate trial, after the jury was unable to reach a verdict
30
on the special circumstance.18 However, we have explained that ―the disposition
of codefendants‘ cases ‗is not relevant to the decision at the penalty phase, which
is based on the character and record of the individual defendant and the
circumstances of the offense.‘ (People v. Mincey [(1992)] 2 Cal. 4th [408,] 476,
original italics.) Moreover, intercase proportionality review is not required, ‗and
we have consistently declined to undertake it.‘ (Ibid.)‖ (People v. Riel (2000) 22
Cal.4th 1153, 1223; see also People v. Taylor (2009) 47 Cal.4th 850, 900; People
v. Arias (1996) 13 Cal.4th 92, 193; People v. Marshall (1990) 50 Cal.3d 907, 938-
939; Pulley v. Harris (1984) 465 U.S. 37, 50-51 [intercase proportionality review
is not constitutionally required].)19 ―[T]he sentence an accomplice receives has
18
Funches was originally a codefendant in this case, but the court granted a
severance based on the inconsistent defenses contemplated by the two defendants.
As defendant notes in his argument challenging the court‘s denial of his motion
for a new trial, Torrence did not testify at Funches‘s trial, which took place after
defendant‘s. (See pt. II.D.1., post.)
19
―Although we do not provide intercase proportionality review, we ‗do
undertake intracase proportionality review to determine whether the penalty is
disproportionate to defendant‘s personal culpability.‘ (People v. Steele, supra, 27
Cal.4th at p. 1269.)‖ (People v. Kelly (2007) 42 Cal.4th 763, 800.) Defendant
does not request intracase proportionality review, nor does he challenge the trial
court‘s decision on the automatic motion to modify the verdict of death (§ 190.4,
subd. (e)), at which the court considered and rejected his arguments that the
penalty was disproportionate.
In any event, the following facts were established at trial: Defendant was a
major participant in a very dangerous felony. He personally confronted the victim
in her garage, in the presence of her young child, with his weapon drawn. He had
a prior record of serious assaults causing grave injuries to the victims. Despite his
convictions for those offenses, and while on parole, he planned and undertook to
commit an armed robbery that resulted in the violent death of a young mother. He
and his accomplice fled the scene, leaving a five-year-old child to climb over her
mother‘s body to seek help. We could not say the jury‘s assessment of the death
penalty in this case is disproportionate. We note that the jury was well aware of
the fact that Funches was the shooter.
31
little bearing on the individualized consideration of a capital defendant‘s penalty.
(People v. McDermott (2002) 28 Cal.4th 946, 1005; People v. Bemore (2000) 22
Cal.4th 809, 857.)‖ (People v. Gamache (2010) 48 Cal.4th 347, 407.)
Although defendant asserts that a comparison of his sentence with
Funches‘s demonstrates how California‘s statutory scheme produces arbitrary
results, he makes no attempt to compare Funches‘s prior criminal record to his.
Moreover, a significant difference between the two proceedings was that Torrence
did not testify at Funches‘s trial, for reasons that are not reflected on the record
before us. Due to factors such as these, we have long held that ―[t]he sentence
received by an accomplice is not constitutionally or statutorily relevant as a factor
in mitigation. Such information does not bear on the circumstances of the capital
crime or on the defendant‘s own character and record. ‗[T]he fact that a different
jury under different evidence, found that a different defendant should not be put to
death is no more relevant than a finding that such a defendant should be sentenced
to death.‘ ‖ (People v. Bemore, supra, 22 Cal.4th at p. 857, quoting People v.
Dyer (1988) 45 Cal. 3d 26, 70.)
D. Posttrial Issues
1. Denial of Motion for New Trial
On November 15, 1995, after the jury had returned its penalty verdict but
before sentencing, defendant filed a motion for a new trial. The motion was based
on declarations by defendant, two fellow inmates, and Funches. Defendant‘s
declaration, dated October 31, 1995, stated that he was riding a jail transport bus
to court on May 10, 1995, the day the jury returned its guilt verdict. He was
surprised to see Torrence, who said he had been taken into custody for driving
with a suspended license. Torrence was seated directly behind defendant.
Defendant asked him why he had lied about defendant‘s possession of a gun and
32
his involvement in the crime. Torrence said the police told him witnesses had
seen the two of them together, and he ―was facing 25 to life.‖ Defendant kept
pressing Torrence about his lies. Torrence said he was scared, both by the ―cops‖
and by ―homies.‖ He told defendant, ―I didn‘t mean to do this to you, but I didn‘t
want to be involved, didn‘t want life; didn‘t want to say about the others.‖
David James, in a declaration dated October 31, 1995, said he had been
shackled to and seated next to defendant in the bus on May 10. James said that
when defendant addressed Torrence (or ―Cedric,‖ as James heard defendant call
him), his tone was not loud, angry, or threatening. Cedric had responded that he
was being pressured by some people, possibly gang members, and indicated that
―he was being pressured by someone who had been at the scene.‖ James thought
it was clear that Cedric was admitting he had lied. Cedric said, however, that
―they‘re ‗still out there and would kill‘ him.‖ James, a White man, did not want to
become involved in this situation between two Black men. Nevertheless,
defendant had asked him to remember the conversation because he intended to tell
his attorney about it, and James was willing to testify if called to do so.
Brandon Michael Nunez was also on the bus. In a declaration dated
November 7, 1995, he said he had overheard a conversation between defendant
and another person, and that defendant had asked him to remember what was said.
Nunez did not recall many details, but said that defendant had asked the other
person why he had lied, ―and specifically about having a gun in his possession.‖
The other person had given excuses ―about threats or something like that.‖
Funches supplied a declaration in which he said he had smoked PCP on the
day of the murder. Defendant was not with him during the incident, and Funches
did not remember ever meeting him before they were arrested. Instead, Funches
claimed he was with a friend named Kevin ―Kimo‖ Allen. Funches did not
33
remember how they arrived at the scene, but he said he had barely escaped being
hit by a car. ―Kimo‖ had then begun fighting with the driver, and there was a
gunshot. Funches thought he himself had shot the driver, but was not sure.
The prosecution attached James‘s and Nunez‘s criminal records to its
opposition. James had a string of arrests and convictions for weapons, theft, and
assault offenses. Nunez had been convicted of making terrorist threats, based on
an incident in February 1995 that involved substance abuse and a degree of mental
disturbance. He had been evaluated by a psychiatrist in April 1995, and was found
competent at that time. The prosecution argued that the new evidence presented
by defendant was merely impeaching and lacked credibility. It noted that
Torrence had been confronted by defendant in a custodial setting that may well
have induced him to claim he had been forced to testify as he did.
At the hearing on the motion, the court noted that it had presided over
Funches‘s trial, during which Funches had feigned insanity and ―[said] whatever is
convenient at the time.‖ The court believed ―there would be serious, serious
problems in anybody believing what Mr. Funches had to say about this matter.‖
The criminal backgrounds of James and Nunez also presented credibility
problems. Furthermore, the court said it was ―receptive to the argument that
[Torrence‘s] comments on the bus were what you would expect from one in that
situation.‖ The court recounted the evidence corroborating Torrence‘s trial
testimony, including the gun found at the apartments matching his description of
defendant‘s gun, the multiple witnesses who saw a person matching defendant‘s
description near the crime scene, and the witnesses, including defense witnesses,
placing defendant and Funches together shortly before the murder. The court
found ―most damning‖ the testimony of defense witness George Rivera that he had
seen defendant and Funches leaving the gathering in the garage together. Finally,
34
the court noted the clothing fibers found on the victim‘s shoes, which matched
defendant‘s clothing.
Given the strength of this evidence, the court concluded that a different
result was not reasonably probable if the evidence proffered by the defense, which
the court acknowledged was newly discovered, were presented to another jury.
Defendant contends the court abused its discretion.20
― ‗ ―The determination of a motion for a new trial rests so completely
within the court‘s discretion that its action will not be disturbed unless a manifest
and unmistakable abuse of discretion clearly appears.‖ ‘ [Citations.] ‗ ―[I]n
determining whether there has been a proper exercise of discretion on such
motion, each case must be judged from its own factual background.‖ ‘ [Citation.]
―In ruling on a motion for new trial based on newly discovered evidence,
the trial court considers the following factors: ‗ ―1. That the evidence, and not
merely its materiality, be newly discovered; 2. That the evidence be not
cumulative merely; 3. That it be such as to render a different result probable on a
retrial of the cause; 4. That the party could not with reasonable diligence have
discovered and produced it at the trial; and 5. That these facts be shown by the
best evidence of which the case admits.‖ ‘ [Citations.]‖ (People v. Delgado
(1993) 5 Cal.4th 312, 328.) ―In addition, ‗the trial court may consider the
credibility as well as materiality of the evidence in its determination [of] whether
introduction of the evidence in a new trial would render a different result
reasonably probable.‘ [Citation.]‖ (Id. at p. 329.)
20
He claims violations of the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments to the federal
Constitution, and article I, sections 7, 15, and 17 of the state Constitution.
35
Here, we cannot say the court abused its broad discretion by denying a new
trial. The court, which was very familiar with Funches, found his declaration
utterly lacking in credibility. Funches‘s faulty memory was on display in the
declaration itself, and his claim never to have met defendant before the murder
was contradicted by multiple witnesses. No affidavit from ―Kimo‖ was provided
confirming his participation in the crime, nor was there any evidence
corroborating this person‘s existence. As for the declarations regarding
Torrence‘s statements on the jail transport bus, the court properly took into
account the circumstances in which Torrence found himself, surrounded by
inmates and confronted by a defendant against whom he had testified. The court
carefully reviewed the trial evidence confirming Torrence‘s testimony. We note,
as well, that defendant‘s attempt to account for his presence in the area of the
crime was riddled with inconsistencies. We will not disturb the court‘s conclusion
that the evidence of Torrence‘s admissions on the jail bus would not have made a
different result probable on a retrial. 21
21
Defendant contends the best indication that he could obtain a more
favorable outcome is the result of Funches‘s trial, which had concluded by the
time of defendant‘s new trial motion. Defendant asks us to take judicial notice of
the clerk‘s transcript of the Funches proceedings, to show that Torrence did not
testify and the jury was unable to reach a verdict on the special circumstance
allegation that the murder was committed in the course of a robbery. We grant the
request. Although the transcript was not presented below, the trial court was fully
acquainted with the result of the Funches trial. (See People v. Hardy (1992) 2
Cal.4th 86, 134.) Defendant‘s argument, however, is unpersuasive. His counsel
did not make it below. The new trial motion was based on newly discovered
evidence that impeached Torrence‘s testimony. Therefore, the results of a trial
that did not include Torrence‘s testimony at all sheds little light on the question
before the court. The court properly weighed the credibility of the proffered new
(footnote continued on next page)
36
Defendant faults the court for not obtaining live testimony from the
declarants. However, defense counsel made no attempt to produce those
witnesses, and submitted his motion on the declarations alone. In People v.
Hairgrove (1971) 18 Cal.App.3d 606, the only authority cited by defendant on this
point, the affiant was present in court at the hearing on the new trial motion, and
the court not only refused to hear from him but advised him against testifying. (Id.
at pp. 609-611.) This is not such a case.
2. Failure to Hold Competency Hearing Before Sentencing
Immediately after the new trial motion was denied, the court granted
defendant‘s request to be heard before sentencing began. Defendant told the court
that during trial, he had been taking antipsychotic medication prescribed by a jail
psychiatrist. He admitted he had not brought this to the court‘s attention, but
claimed he had told his attorney. The psychiatrist had been on vacation during
trial. Defendant said he did not want to be on the medication, which may have
altered his demeanor in a way that affected the jury‘s impression of him and his
ability to cooperate with counsel. He cited several United States Supreme Court
cases, and said he ―wanted to get this on the record so that the court may be aware
of this.‖
Defense counsel told the court, ―I don‘t have anything to say about this
motion, at all, at this time.‖ The court asked if there was any objection to looking
into the matter before proceeding to sentencing. The prosecutor objected, noting
that defendant had displayed no signs of impairment during trial. He had smiled
(footnote continued from previous page)
evidence, and found it insufficient to support a finding that a different result would
be likely upon retrial.
37
from time to time, responded properly, and testified coherently. The court asked
defendant who his doctor was. Defendant said it was a ―Dr. Tan.‖ The court
asked defense counsel for his view on whether to proceed. Counsel again said he
had nothing to say about the matter. Defendant contended that even if he did not
appear to be ―drooping over‖ or incoherent, ―mentally, I can be because the
medication is an antipsychotic medication which causes drowsiness, this is the
argument in Riggins vs. Nevada.‖ He claimed his rights were ―infringed upon
because of this medication,‖ and asked for a hearing to address the issue.
The court said it was familiar with the authority cited by defendant because
the same issue had been raised by Funches, who was in fact on antipsychotic
medication during his trial. There had been ―extensive discussions‖ and testimony
on the matter in Funches‘s case. The court noted that defendant had appeared to
be ―coherent and responsive, and in no way . . . impaired by virtue of any
medication or anything else.‖ The court stated its belief that defense counsel
would have raised the issue if it were in his client‘s interest. It decided that while
defendant might seek to pursue the matter later in a habeas corpus petition, ―this is
an issue that is raised, at this point, in bad faith by [defendant] as a way of creating
another issue for appellate review . . . . I find that there are just too many
coincidences with what [defendant] has related this morning to what Mr. Funches
and his counsel had to say, and I am not willing to proceed with that issue further.‖
Defendant claims the court erred by failing to suspend proceedings and
hold a competency hearing before proceeding with sentencing.22 We disagree.
22
He asserts violations of due process under the Fourteenth Amendment to
the federal Constitution, and article I, section 15 of the state Constitution.
38
―Both federal due process and state law require a trial judge to suspend trial
proceedings and conduct a competency hearing whenever the court is presented
with substantial evidence of incompetence, that is, evidence that raises a
reasonable or bona fide doubt concerning the defendant‘s competence to stand
trial.‖ (People v. Rogers (2006) 39 Cal.4th 826, 847, italics added; see also, e.g.,
People v. Lewis, supra, 43 Cal.4th at p. 524.) When the court entertains no doubt
about the defendant‘s competence, it is not required to hold a competency hearing.
(Lewis, at p. 525; People v. Rodrigues, supra, 8 Cal.4th 1060, 1111–1112.) Here,
the court found that defendant‘s assertions were made in bad faith. ―A trial court‘s
decision whether or not to hold a competence hearing is entitled to deference,
because the court has the opportunity to observe the defendant during trial.‖
(Rogers, at p. 847; see also Lewis, at p. 525.)
We have upheld trial courts‘ refusal to hold hearings even when defense
counsel insisted their clients were unable to assist them. (People v. Lewis, supra,
43 Cal.4th at p. 525; People v. Rodrigues, supra, 8 Cal.4th at pp. 1111-1112; see
also People v. Howard (1992) 1 Cal.4th 1132, 1163-1164.) In this case, defense
counsel twice declined to join in defendant‘s attempt to suspend proceedings.
Moreover, the trial court properly relied on its own observations that defendant
had been coherent and unimpaired during trial, and that his claims were
suspiciously similar to those made by Funches. The court did not err when it
refused to hold a competency hearing.
E. Cumulative Error
Defendant contends the cumulative effect of the errors at his trial requires
reversal. However, our review has disclosed no prejudice stemming from any
error or errors.
39
III. DISPOSITION
We affirm the judgment.
CORRIGAN, J.
WE CONCUR:
GEORGE, C. J.
KENNARD, J.
BAXTER, J.
WERDEGAR, J.
CHIN, J.
MORENO, J.
40
See next page for addresses and telephone numbers for counsel who argued in Supreme Court. Name of Opinion People v. Howard
__________________________________________________________________________________
Unpublished Opinion
Original Appeal XXX
Original Proceeding
Review Granted
Rehearing Granted
__________________________________________________________________________________
Opinion No.
S050583Date Filed: December 16, 2010
__________________________________________________________________________________
Court:
SuperiorCounty: San Bernardino
Judge: Stanley William Hodge
__________________________________________________________________________________
Counsel:
Michael J. Hersek, State Public Defender, under appointment by the Supreme Court, Kate Johnston andAlison Pease, Deputy State Public Defenders, for Defendant and Appellant.
Edmund G. Brown, Jr., Attorney General, Robert R. Anderson and Dane R. Gillette, Chief Assistant
Attorneys General, Gary W. Schons, Assistant Attorney General, Holly D. Wilkens, Adrianne S. Denault
and Christine Levingston Bergman, Deputy Attorneys General, for Plaintiff and Respondent.
Counsel who argued in Supreme Court (not intended for publication with opinion):
Alison PeaseDeputy State Public Defender
801 K Street, 11th Floor
Sacramento, CA 95814
(916) 322-2676
Christine Levingston Bergman
Deputy Attorney General
110 West A Street, Suite 1100
San Diego, CA 92101
(619) 645-2287
Automatic appeal from a judgment of death.
Date: | Docket Number: | Category: | Status: |
Thu, 12/16/2010 | S050583 | Automatic Appeal | opinion issued |
1 | The People (Respondent) Represented by Attorney General - San Diego Office Christine Levingston Bergman, Deputy Attorney General P.O. Box 85266 San Diego, CA |
2 | The People (Respondent) Represented by Attorney General - San Diego Office Adrianne S. Denault, Deputy Attorney General P.O. Box 85266 San Diego, CA |
3 | Howard, Demetrius Charles (Appellant) San Quentin State Prison Represented by Michael G. Millman California Appellate Project 101 Second Street, Suite 600 San Francisco, CA |
4 | Howard, Demetrius Charles (Appellant) San Quentin State Prison Represented by Habeas Corpus Resource Center Michael Laurence, Executive Director 303 Second Street, Suite 400 South San Francisco, CA Contact Name: Michael Laurence, Executive Director |
5 | Howard, Demetrius Charles (Appellant) San Quentin State Prison Represented by Office of the State Public Defender-Sac Alison Pease, Senior Deputy State Public Defender 801 "K" Street, Suite 1100 Sacramento, CA |
Disposition | |
Dec 16 2010 | Opinion: Affirmed |
Dockets | |
Dec 7 1995 | Judgment of death |
Dec 13 1995 | Filed certified copy of Judgment of Death Rendered 12-7-95. |
Dec 27 1999 | Order appointing State Public Defender filed For the direct Appeal |
Jan 5 2000 | Received: Copy of Ltr from Superior Court; dated 12/28/99; Advising Record Was mailed to Applt Counsel on 12/28/99 |
Mar 31 2000 | Application for Extension of Time filed By Applt to request Corr. of the Record. |
Apr 7 2000 | Extension of Time application Granted To 6/2/2000 To Applt To Requst Corr. of the Record |
May 23 2000 | Application for Extension of Time filed By Applt to request Corr. of the Record. |
May 26 2000 | Extension of Time application Granted To 8/1/2000 To Applt To request Corr. of the Record. |
Jul 25 2000 | Application for Extension of Time filed by applt to request correction of the record. (3rd request) |
Jul 25 2000 | Counsel's status report received (confidential) from State Public Defender. |
Aug 3 2000 | Extension of Time application Granted to applt to 10-2-2000 to request correction of the record. No further extensions of time are contemplated. |
Sep 22 2000 | Application for Extension of Time filed By applt to request corr. of the record. (4th request) |
Sep 25 2000 | Counsel's status report received (confidential) from State P.D. |
Sep 29 2000 | Extension of Time application Granted To 12/1/2000 to applt to request corr. of the record. No further ext. of time will be granted. |
Nov 21 2000 | Counsel's status report received (confidential) from State P.D. |
Jan 10 2001 | Received copy of appellant's record correction motion applt's request for correction and completion of record. (42 pp.) |
Mar 20 2001 | Counsel's status report received (confidential) from State P.D. |
May 15 2001 | Counsel's status report received (confidential) from State P.D. |
Jul 13 2001 | Counsel's status report received (confidential) from State P.D. |
Sep 7 2001 | Counsel appointment order filed Robert C. Chandler is appointed to represent applt for habeas corpus/executive clemency proceedings related to the automatic appeal. |
Sep 13 2001 | Counsel's status report received (confidential) from State P.D. |
Nov 13 2001 | Counsel's status report received (confidential) from State P.D. |
Nov 16 2001 | Counsel's status report received (confidential) from atty Chandler. |
Jan 25 2002 | Counsel's status report received (confidential) from atty Chandler. |
Feb 22 2002 | Compensation awarded counsel Atty Chandler |
Mar 15 2002 | Counsel's status report received (confidential) from State P.D. |
May 1 2002 | Compensation awarded counsel Atty Chandler |
May 14 2002 | Counsel's status report received (confidential) from State P.D. |
Jun 12 2002 | Counsel's status report received (confidential) from atty Chandler. |
Jul 1 2002 | Counsel's status report received (confidential) from atty Chandler. |
Jul 12 2002 | Counsel's status report received (confidential) from State P.D. |
Jul 19 2002 | Compensation awarded counsel Atty Chandler |
Aug 29 2002 | Counsel's status report received (confidential) from atty Chandler. |
Sep 10 2002 | Counsel's status report received (confidential) from State P.D. |
Oct 28 2002 | Counsel's status report received (confidential) from atty Chandler. |
Nov 12 2002 | Counsel's status report received (confidential) from State P.D. |
Nov 13 2002 | Compensation awarded counsel Atty Chandler |
Dec 23 2002 | Counsel's status report received (confidential) from atty Chandler. |
Jan 13 2003 | Counsel's status report received (confidential) from State P.D. |
Mar 3 2003 | Counsel's status report received (confidential) from atty Chandler. |
Mar 14 2003 | Counsel's status report received (confidential) from State P.D. |
Apr 28 2003 | Counsel's status report received (confidential) from atty Chandler. |
May 6 2003 | Compensation awarded counsel Atty Chandler |
May 12 2003 | Counsel's status report received (confidential) (supplemental) from atty Chandler. |
May 13 2003 | Counsel's status report received (confidential) from State P.D. |
Jun 13 2003 | Compensation awarded counsel Atty Chandler |
Jun 27 2003 | Counsel's status report received (confidential) from atty Chandler. |
Jul 14 2003 | Counsel's status report received (confidential) from State P.D. |
Aug 28 2003 | Counsel's status report received (confidential) from atty Chandler. |
Sep 15 2003 | Counsel's status report received (confidential) from State P.D. |
Sep 15 2003 | Record on appeal filed Clerk's transcript 32 volumes (7398 pp.) and reporter's transcript 21 volumes (3194 pp.) including material under seal. Clerk's transcript includes 5400 pp. of juror questionnaires. |
Sep 15 2003 | Appellant's opening brief letter sent, due: October 27, 2003. |
Oct 20 2003 | Request for extension of time filed to file appellant's opening brief. (1st request) |
Oct 21 2003 | Extension of time granted to 12/26/2003 to file appellant's opening brief. |
Oct 29 2003 | Counsel's status report received (confidential) from atty Chandler. |
Nov 10 2003 | Compensation awarded counsel Atty Chandler |
Nov 13 2003 | Counsel's status report received (confidential) from State P.D. |
Nov 25 2003 | Compensation awarded counsel Atty Chandler |
Dec 22 2003 | Request for extension of time filed to file appellant's opening brief. (2nd request) |
Dec 24 2003 | Extension of time granted to 2/24/2004 to file appellant's opening brief. |
Dec 26 2003 | Counsel's status report received (confidential) from atty Chandler. |
Jan 13 2004 | Counsel's status report received (confidential) from State P.D. |
Feb 18 2004 | Request for extension of time filed to file appellant's opening brief. (3rd request) |
Feb 23 2004 | Extension of time granted to 4-26-2004 to file AOB. The court anticipates that after that date, only three further extensions totaling 180 additional days will be granted. Counsel is ordered to inform his or her assisting attorney or entity, if any, and any assisting attorney or entity of any separate counsel of record, of this schedule, and to take all steps necessary to meet it. |
Mar 1 2004 | Counsel's status report received (confidential) from atty Chandler. |
Mar 15 2004 | Counsel's status report received (confidential) from State P.D. |
Apr 20 2004 | Request for extension of time filed to file appellant's opening brief. (4th request) |
Apr 23 2004 | Extension of time granted to 6/25/2004 to file appellant's opening brief. The court anticipates that after that date, only four further extensions totaling about 240 additional days will be granted. Counsel is ordered to inform his or her supervising attorney, if any, of this schedule, and to take all steps necessary to meet it. |
Apr 28 2004 | Counsel's status report received (confidential) from atty Chandler. |
May 6 2004 | Compensation awarded counsel Atty Chandler |
May 12 2004 | Counsel's status report received (confidential) from State P.D. |
Jun 4 2004 | Counsel's status report received (confidential) (supplemental) from atty Chandler. |
Jun 9 2004 | Compensation awarded counsel Atty Chandler |
Jun 22 2004 | Request for extension of time filed to file appellant's opening brief. (5th request) |
Jun 25 2004 | Extension of time granted to 8-24-2004 to file AOB. The court anticipates that after that date, only three further extensions totaling about 180 additional days will be granted. Counsel is ordered to inform his or her supervising attorney, if any, of this schedule, and to take all steps necessary to meet it. |
Jul 13 2004 | Counsel's status report received (confidential) from State P.D. |
Aug 18 2004 | Request for extension of time filed to file appellant's opening brief. (6th request) |
Aug 24 2004 | Extension of time granted to 10/22/2004 to file appellant's opening brief. After that date, only four further extensions totaling about 240 additional days will be granted. Extension is granted based upon Deputy State Public Defender Kate Johnston's representation that she anticipates filing that brief by 6/2005. |
Sep 13 2004 | Counsel's status report received (confidential) from State P.D. |
Oct 18 2004 | Request for extension of time filed to file appellant's opening brief. (7th request) |
Oct 25 2004 | Extension of time granted to 12/21/2004 to file appellant's opening brief. After that date, only six further extensions totaling about 180 additional days will be granted. Extension is granted based upon Deputy State Public Defender Kate Johnston's representation that she anticipates filing that brief by 6/2005. |
Nov 10 2004 | Counsel's status report received (confidential) from State P.D. |
Dec 3 2004 | Counsel's status report received (confidential) from atty Chandler. |
Dec 15 2004 | Request for extension of time filed to file appellant's opening brief. (8th request) |
Dec 16 2004 | Order filed Due to clerical error, the order filed in the above matter on October 25, 2004, is amended to read as follows: "Good cause appearing, and based upon Deputy State Public Defender Kate Johnston's representation that she anticipates filing the appellant's opening brief by June 2005, counsel's request for an extension of time in which to file that brief is granted to December 21, 2004. After that date, only three further extensions totaling about 180 additional days will be granted." |
Dec 20 2004 | Extension of time granted to 2/18/2005 to file appellant's opening brief. The court anticipates that after that date, only two further extensions totaling about 120 additional days will be granted. Counsel is ordered to inform his or her supervising attorney, if any, of this schedule, and to take all steps necessary to meet it. |
Jan 10 2005 | Counsel's status report received (confidential) from State P.D. |
Feb 14 2005 | Request for extension of time filed to file appellant's opening brief. (9th request) |
Feb 18 2005 | Extension of time granted to 4/19/2005 to file appellant's opening brief. After that date, only two further extensions totaling about 90 additional days will be granted. Extension is granted based upon Deputy State Public Defender Kate Johnston's representation that she anticipates filing that brief by 7/2005. |
Mar 9 2005 | Counsel's status report received (confidential) from State P.D. |
Apr 13 2005 | Request for extension of time filed to file appellant's opening brief. (10th request) |
Apr 15 2005 | Extension of time granted to 6/17/2005 to file appellant's opening brief. After that date, only one further extension totaling about 30 additional days will be granted. Extension is granted Deputy State Public Defender Kate Johnston's representation that she anticipates filing that brief by 7/2005. |
May 4 2005 | Counsel's status report received (confidential) from State P.D. |
May 4 2005 | Counsel's status report received (confidential) from atty Chandler. |
May 18 2005 | Compensation awarded counsel Atty Chandler |
Jun 13 2005 | Request for extension of time filed to file appellant's opening brief. (11th request) |
Jun 16 2005 | Extension of time granted to 7/18/2005 to file appellant's opening brief. Extension is granted based upon Deputy State Public Defender Kate Johnston's representation that she anticipates filing that brief by 7/18/2005. After that date, no further extension will be granted. |
Jul 6 2005 | Counsel's status report received (confidential) from State P.D. |
Jul 11 2005 | Counsel's status report received (confidential) from atty Chandler. |
Jul 15 2005 | Appellant's opening brief filed (59,639 words; 216 pp.) |
Jul 15 2005 | Request for judicial notice filed (AA) appellant's request. |
Jul 22 2005 | Counsel's status report received (confidential) (supplemental) from atty Chandler. |
Jul 27 2005 | Request for extension of time filed to file respondent's brief. (1st request) |
Jul 27 2005 | Extension of time granted to 10/13/2005 to file respondent's brief. |
Sep 8 2005 | Counsel's status report received (confidential) from atty Chandler. |
Oct 6 2005 | Request for extension of time filed to file respondent's brief. (2nd request) |
Oct 14 2005 | Extension of time granted to 12/12/2005 to file respondent's brief. After that date, only one further extension totaling about 60 additional days is contemplated. Extension is granted based upon Deputy Attorney General Adrianne S. Denault's representation that she anticipates filing that breif by 2/10/2006. |
Dec 6 2005 | Request for extension of time filed to file respondent's brief. (3rd request) |
Dec 14 2005 | Extension of time granted to 2/10/2006 to file the respondent's brief. After that date, only one further extension totaling about 60 additional days is contemplated. Extension is granted based upon Deputy Attorney General Adrianne S. Denault's representation that she anticipates filing that brief by 2/10/2006. |
Dec 14 2005 | Compensation awarded counsel Atty Chandler |
Feb 8 2006 | Respondent's brief filed (28,452 words; 90 pp.) |
Feb 23 2006 | Request for extension of time filed to file appellant's reply brief. (1st request) |
Mar 1 2006 | Extension of time granted to April 28, 2006 to file appellant's reply brief. |
Mar 16 2006 | Counsel's status report received (confidential) from atty Chandler. |
Apr 21 2006 | Request for extension of time filed to file appellant's reply brief. (2nd request) |
May 1 2006 | Extension of time granted to June 27, 2006 to file appellant's reply brief. |
Jun 22 2006 | Request for extension of time filed to file appellant's reply brief. (3rd request) |
Jun 27 2006 | Extension of time granted to August 25, 2006 to file the appellant's reply brief. After that date, only two further extensions totaling about 120 additional days are contemplated. Extension is granted based upon Deputy State Public Defender Kate Johnston's representation that she anticipates filing that brief by December 2006. |
Jul 18 2006 | Motion to withdraw as counsel filed by attorney Robert C. Chandler, to withdraw as habeas corpus counsel. |
Jul 28 2006 | Filed: Supplemental Declaration of Robert C. Chandler in support of (Motion to Withdraw as Counsel). |
Jul 28 2006 | Filed: Amended proof of service in support of counsel Robert C. Chandler's motion to withdraw as counsel. |
Jul 28 2006 | Counsel's status report received (confidential) from atty Chandler. |
Aug 16 2006 | Withdrawal of counsel allowed by order Good cause appearing, the application of appointed counsel for permission to withdraw as habeas corpus/executive clemency attorney of record for appellant Demetrius Charles Howard, filed July 18, 2006, is granted. The order appointing Robert C. Chandler as habeas corpus/executive clemency counsel of record for appellant Demetrius Charles Howard in the above automatic appeal now pending in this court, filed September 7, 2001, is hereby vacated. Michael G. Millman, as Executive Director of the California Appellate Project in San Francisco, is hereby appointed to serve as interim habeas corpus/executive clemency counsel of record for appellant Demetrius Charles Howard. Chandler is hereby directed to deliver to Executive Director Millman, within 30 days from the filing of this order, all case transcripts, case files, habeas corpus investigation work product, trial files, investigation reports, and related materials that he has obtained from appellant or his trial counsel, paralegals, experts and investigators, or from any other source. |
Aug 16 2006 | Order filed In conjunction with the order filed this day permitting Robert C. Chandler to withdraw as habeas corpus/executive clemency counsel of record for appellant Demetrius Charles Howard, with regard to the above automatic appeal now pending in this court, Chandler is hereby ordered to reimburse the court the sum of $25,000, subject to his ability to demonstrate to the court that he should be credited, as appropriate, for habeas corpus "work performed that is determined by the court to be of value to the court." (See "Payment Guidelines for Appointed Counsel Representing Indigent Criminal Appellants in the California Supreme Court," guideline V ["Court Action Upon Nonperformance of Work, and Reimbursement of Fees Upon Authorized Withdrawal of Appointed Counsel"], subpt. B.) |
Aug 21 2006 | Request for extension of time filed to file appellant's reply brief. (4th request) |
Aug 24 2006 | Extension of time granted to October 24, 2006 to file the appellant's reply brief. After that date, only one further extension totaling about 60 additional days are contemplated. Extension is granted based upon Deputy State Public Defender Kate Johnston's representation that she anticipates filing that brief by December 2006. |
Oct 11 2006 | Substitution of counsel ordered The order appointing Michael G. Millman, as Executive Director of the California Appellate Project in San Francisco, to serve as interim habeas corpus/executive clemency counsel of record for appellant Demetrius Charles Howard, filed August 16, 2006, is hereby vacated. Judd C. Iversen is hereby appointed to represent appellant Demetrius Charles Howard for habeas corpus/executive clemency proceedings related to the above automatic appeal now pending in this court. |
Oct 11 2006 | Compensation awarded counsel Atty Iversen |
Oct 12 2006 | Order filed The order filed in the above case on October 11, 2006, is amended to read as follows: "The order appointing Michael G. Millman, as Executive Director of the California Appellate Project in San Francisco, to serve as interim habeas corpus/executive clemency counsel of record for appellant Demetrius Charles Howard, filed August 16, 2006, is hereby vacated. "Judd C. Iversen is hereby appointed to represent appellant Demetrius Charles Howard for habeas corpus/executive clemency proceedings related to the above automatic appeal now pending in this court. "Any "petition for writ of habeas corpus will be presumed to be filed without substantial delay if it is filed . . . within 36 months" of this date (Supreme Ct. Policies Regarding Cases Arising From Judgments of Death, policy 3, timeliness std. 1-1.1), and it will be presumed that any successive petition filed within that period is justified or excused (see In re Clark (1993) 5 Cal.4th 750, 774-782), in light of prior habeas corpus/executive clemency counsel Robert C. Chandler's declaration, in support of his motion to withdraw, to the effect that he was unable to discharge his duty to investigate and, if appropriate, present a habeas corpus petition on behalf of appellant Demetrius Charles Howard." |
Oct 18 2006 | Request for extension of time filed to file appellant's reply brief. (5th request) |
Oct 20 2006 | Extension of time granted to December 26, 2006 to file appellant's reply brief. After that date, no further extension is contemplated. Extension is granted based upon Deputy State Public Defender Kate Johnston's representation that she anticipates filing that brief by December 26, 2006. |
Dec 22 2006 | Appellant's reply brief filed (13,165 words; 49 pp.) |
Jan 11 2007 | Received: letter from appellant, dated January 10, 2007, advising that a case appellant relied upon in his reply brief has subsequently been depublished. |
Jan 18 2007 | Counsel's status report received (confidential) from atty Iversen. |
Mar 29 2007 | Counsel's status report received (confidential) from atty Iverson. |
Jun 19 2007 | Counsel's status report received (confidential) from atty Iverson. |
Sep 14 2007 | Filed: notice of change of attorney of record to Alison Pease, Deputy State Public Defender due to the separation from service at OSPD. |
Oct 3 2007 | Counsel's status report received (confidential) from atty Iverson. |
Nov 9 2007 | Filed: Confidential declaration of atty Iverson. |
Nov 28 2007 | Compensation awarded counsel Atty Iversen |
Dec 28 2007 | Counsel's status report received (confidential) from atty Iverson. |
Feb 7 2008 | Motion filed (AA) by appellant for permission to file supplemental opening brief. |
Feb 20 2008 | Motion filed (AA) by appellant "Application and declaration for leave to file appellant's supplemental opening brief exceeding 2,800 words." |
Feb 22 2008 | Order filed Appellant's "Motion for Permission to File Supplemental Opening Brief" and "Application and Declaration for Leave to File Supplemental Opening Brief Exceeding 2,800 Words" are granted. The supplemental respondent's brief must be served and filed on or before April 22, 2008. Appellant's supplemental reply brief will be due within 30 days of the filing of the supplemental respondent's brief. |
Feb 22 2008 | Supplemental brief filed appellant's supplemental opening brief. (7,727 words; 29 pp.) |
Apr 25 2008 | Application to file over-length brief filed by respondent "Application For Leave To File Respondent's Supplemental Brief That Exceed The Word Limit". |
Apr 28 2008 | Order filed Respondent's "Application For Leave To File Respondent's Supplemental Brief That Exceeds The Word Limit" is granted. |
Apr 28 2008 | Supplemental brief filed (3051words; 12 pp.) |
May 12 2008 | Motion to withdraw as counsel filed attorney Judd Iversen's motion to withdraw as habeas corpus counsel. |
May 12 2008 | Motion to file document under seal filed (AA) application to file declaration of Dr. Ryan under seal. |
May 12 2008 | Filed: Proof of Service for motion to withdraw and application to file declaration under seal. |
May 12 2008 | Lodged: declaration of Dr. Ryan conditionally under seal. (Confidential) |
May 23 2008 | Application to file over-length brief filed by appellant "application and declaration for leave to file appellant's supplemental reply brief in excess of the word count". |
Jun 4 2008 | Supplemental reply brief filed (AA) by appellant. (2,928 words; 11 pp.) |
Jun 4 2008 | Order filed Appellant's "Application and Declaration For Leave To File Appellant's Supplemental Reply Brief That Exceeds The Word Limit" is granted. |
Jun 11 2008 | Motion to file document under seal granted Good cause appearing, appointed habeas corpus/executive clemency counsel Judd C. Iversen's "Application to File Declaration of Dr. Colman Ryan Under Seal Pursuant to California Rules of Court, Rule 8.160," filed May 12, 2008, is granted. The court expressly finds that the factors enumerated in California Rules of Court, rule 2.550(d), support granting the application to file under seal. |
Jun 11 2008 | Filed: UNDER SEAL, declaration of Dr. Colman Ryan. (received May 12, 2008) |
Jun 11 2008 | Withdrawal of counsel allowed by order Good cause appearing, appointed habeas corpus/executive clemency counsel's "Motion to Withdraw as Habeas Corpus Counsel" on behalf of appellant Demetrius Charles Howard, filed May 12, 2008, is granted. The order appointing Judd C. Iversen as counsel of record for appellant Demetrius Charles Howard, filed October 11, 2006 (as amended Oct. 12, 2006), is hereby vacated. Michael G. Millman, as Executive Director of the California Appellate Project in San Francisco, is hereby appointed to serve as interim habeas corpus/executive clemency counsel of record for appellant Demetrius Charles Howard. Iversen is hereby directed to deliver to Executive Director Millman, within 60 days from the filing of this order, all case transcripts, case files, habeas corpus investigation work product, trial files, investigation reports, 60-day status reports, and all related materials that he has obtained from appellant or from his appellate, trial or prior habeas corpus counsel, paralegals, experts and investigators, or from any other source. |
Nov 10 2008 | Motion filed (AA) by appellant, "motion for permission to file a second supplemental opening brief". |
Nov 10 2008 | Application to file over-length brief filed by appellant, "application and declaration for leave to file appellant's second supplemental opening brief exceeding 2,800 words". |
Nov 24 2008 | Supplemental brief filed by appellant (4,687 words; 18 pp.) |
Nov 24 2008 | Order filed Appellant's "Motion for Permission to File a Second Supplemental Opening Brief" and "Application for Leave to File Appellant's Second Supplemental Opening Brief Exceeding 2,800 Words" is granted. |
Dec 9 2008 | Received: letter from Deputy Attorney General Adrianne S. Denault, dated December 8, 2008, regarding second supplemental respondent's brief due date. |
Dec 15 2008 | Order filed Good cause appearing and based upon Deputy Attorney General Adrianne S. Denault's request, the supplemental respondent's brief must be served and filed on or before February 10, 2008. Appellant's supplemental reply brief will be due within 30 days of the filing of the supplemental respondent's brief. |
Jan 16 2009 | Order filed Due to clerical error, the order filed in the above matter on December 15, 2008, is amended to read as follows: "Good cause appearing and based upon Deputy Attorney General Adrianne S. Denault's request, the supplemental respondent's brief must be served and filed on or before February 10, 2009. Appellant's supplemental reply brief will be due within 30 days of the filing of the supplemental respondent's brief." |
Feb 9 2009 | Application to file over-length brief filed by respondent, "application for leave to file respondent's supplemental brief that exceeds the word limit". |
Feb 23 2009 | Order filed Respondent's "Application for Leave to File Respondent's Supplemental Brief That Exceeds the Word Limit" is granted. |
Feb 23 2009 | Supplemental brief filed by respondent, "second supplemental respondent's brief". (3,994 words; 14 pp.) |
Mar 16 2009 | Request for extension of time filed (AA) to file second supplemental reply brief. (1st request) |
Mar 20 2009 | Extension of time granted Good cause appearing, and based upon Senior Deputy State Public Defender Alison Pease's representation that she anticipates filing the second supplemental reply brief by April 24, 2009, counsel's request for an extension of time in which to file that brief is granted to April 24, 2009. After that date, no further extension is contemplated. |
Apr 22 2009 | Supplemental brief filed Appellant: Howard, Demetrius CharlesAttorney: Office of the State Public Defender-Sac Appellant's Second Supplemental Reply Brief. (2,241 words; 9 pp.) |
Apr 29 2009 | Order appointing Habeas Corpus Resource Center filed Appellant: Howard, Demetrius Charles The order appointing Michael G. Millman, as Executive Director of the California Appellate Project in San Francisco, to serve as interim habeas corpus/executive clemency counsel of record for appellant Demetrius Charles Howard, filed June 11, 2008, is hereby vacated. On the court's own motion, the Habeas Corpus Resource Center is hereby appointed to represent appellant Demetrius Charles Howard for habeas corpus/executive clemency proceedings related to the above automatic appeal now pending in this court. Any "petition for writ of habeas corpus will be presumed to be filed without substantial delay if it is filed . . . within 36 months" of this date (Supreme Ct. Policies Regarding Cases Arising From Judgments of Death, policy 3, timeliness std. 1-1.1), and it will be presumed that any successive petition filed within that period is justified or excused (see In re Clark (1993) 5 Cal.4th 750, 774-782), in light of prior habeas corpus/executive clemency counsel Judd C. Iversen's declaration, in support of his motion to withdraw, to the effect that he was unable to discharge his duty to investigate and, if appropriate, present a habeas corpus petition on behalf of appellant Demetrius Charles Howard, and this court's delay in appointing replacement habeas corpus/executive clemency counsel. |
Jul 2 2009 | Counsel's status report received (confidential) Appellant: Howard, Demetrius CharlesAttorney: Habeas Corpus Resource Center |
Aug 28 2009 | Counsel's status report received (confidential) Appellant: Howard, Demetrius CharlesAttorney: Habeas Corpus Resource Center |
Nov 10 2009 | Counsel's status report received (confidential) Appellant: Howard, Demetrius CharlesAttorney: Habeas Corpus Resource Center |
Jan 6 2010 | Counsel's status report received (confidential) Appellant: Howard, Demetrius CharlesAttorney: Habeas Corpus Resource Center |
Mar 5 2010 | Counsel's status report received (confidential) Appellant: Howard, Demetrius CharlesAttorney: Habeas Corpus Resource Center |
May 10 2010 | Counsel's status report received (confidential) Appellant: Howard, Demetrius CharlesAttorney: Habeas Corpus Resource Center |
May 11 2010 | Exhibit(s) lodged People's exhibit 59 from superior court. |
Jul 7 2010 | Counsel's status report received (confidential) Appellant: Howard, Demetrius CharlesAttorney: Habeas Corpus Resource Center |
Aug 5 2010 | Oral argument letter sent advising counsel that the court could schedule this case for argument as early as the October calendar, to be held the week of October 4, 2010. The advisement of "focus issues," notification that two counsel are required, and any request for oral argument time in excess of 30 minutes must be submitted to the court within 10 days of the order setting the case for argument. |
Sep 3 2010 | Counsel's status report received (confidential) Appellant: Howard, Demetrius CharlesAttorney: Habeas Corpus Resource Center |
Sep 7 2010 | Case ordered on calendar to be argued Wednesday, October 6, 2010, at 9:00 a.m., in Fresno (at Court of Appeal, Fifth Appellate District, 2424 Ventura Street) |
Sep 13 2010 | Filed: Respondent's focus issue letter, dated September 10, 2010. |
Sep 16 2010 | Filed: Appellant's focus issue letter, dated September 14, 2010. |
Sep 16 2010 | Received: appearance sheet from Deputy State Public Defender Alison Pease, indicating 45 minutes for oral argument for appellant. |
Sep 16 2010 | Received: appearance sheet from Deputy Attorney General Christine Leingston Bergman, indicating 30 minutes for oral argument for respondent. |
Sep 24 2010 | Received: respondent's additional authorities letter, dated September 23, 2010 |
Sep 24 2010 | Received: Amicus Letter, dated September 23, 2010 from Gilbert Gaynor, Attorney at Law |
Sep 24 2010 | Note: Amicus Letter received on September 24, 2010 returned to Gilbert Gaynor, Attorney at Law. |
Sep 27 2010 | Received: Application for Permission to File Amicus Curiae Brief in Support of Appellant Howard submitted by attorney Gilbert Gayner. |
Sep 27 2010 | Order filed The "Application for Permission to File Amicus Curiae Brief in Support of Appellant Howard," submitted by attorney Gilbert Gaynor, on behalf of condemned inmate Jonathan K. Jackson, is denied. |
Sep 28 2010 | Received: appellant's additional authorities letter, dated September 27, 2010. |
Sep 29 2010 | Request for judicial notice granted Appellant's request for judicial notice is granted. |
Oct 6 2010 | Cause argued and submitted |
Nov 1 2010 | Counsel's status report received (confidential) Appellant: Howard, Demetrius CharlesAttorney: Habeas Corpus Resource Center |
Dec 15 2010 | Notice of forthcoming opinion posted To be filed Thursday, December 16, 2010 @ 10 a.m. |
Dec 16 2010 | Opinion filed: Judgment affirmed in full opinion by Corrigan, J. -----joined by George, C.J., Kennard, Baxter, Werdegar, Chin, and Moreno, JJ |
Briefs | |
Jul 15 2005 | Appellant's opening brief filed |
Feb 8 2006 | Respondent's brief filed |
Dec 22 2006 | Appellant's reply brief filed |