Citation 46 Cal. 4th 1255, 210 P.3d 1119, 96 Cal. Rptr. 3d 512
People v. Lewis
Filed 7/16/09
IN THE SUPREME COURT OF CALIFORNIA
THE PEOPLE,
Plaintiff and Respondent,
S069959
v.
MICHAEL BERNARD LEWIS,
Riverside County
Defendant and Appellant.
Super. Ct. No. CR 45541
A jury convicted Michael Bernard Lewis of the first degree murder of
Patricia Miller (Pen. Code, §§ 187, subd. (a), 189), and found true the special
circumstance that the murder was committed while defendant was engaged in the
commission of a rape (Pen. Code, §§ 190.2, subdivision (a)(17)(iii), 261).1 The
jury also found true the allegations that defendant personally used a deadly and
dangerous weapon (§§ 1192.7, subd. (c)(23), 12002, subd. (b)) and that defendant
previously had been convicted of a serious felony (§ 667). Following the penalty
phase of the trial, the jury returned a verdict of death. Defendant moved for a new
trial (§ 1181), and for modification of the penalty to life imprisonment without the
possibility of parole (§ 190.4, subd. (e)). The trial court denied the motions and
sentenced defendant to death. The court also sentenced defendant to an additional
1
All further statutory references are to the Penal Code unless otherwise
indicated.
1
year in prison, consecutive to the death sentence, for the deadly weapon
enhancement (§ 12022, subd. (b)(1)), added a five-year sentence, to be served
concurrently, for the prior felony conviction (§ 667, subd. (a)), and ordered
restitution in the amount of $10,000 (§ 1202.4, subd. (b)). This appeal is
automatic. (§ 1239, subd. (b).)
I.
FACTS
A. Guilt phase evidence
1. The prosecution case
a. Summary
In the morning of August 2, 1991, Patricia Miller was found dead on her
living room floor, with her pants pulled off, her shirt pushed up, and her throat
slashed. Defendant had flirted with Miller early the previous evening, had visited
her apartment later that evening, and was the last person seen with her. He gave
numerous conflicting accounts of his activities on the evening of August 1,
initially denying that he had been in Miller‟s apartment, and eventually admitting
that he had sex with Miller in her apartment that evening. He was unable to
provide police detectives with a credible account of his activities and whereabouts
during the four-hour period following his last admitted contact with Miller, and his
description of the events conflicted with the accounts provided by other
individuals. Four years earlier, defendant had assaulted and raped an acquaintance
when he visited her at her apartment late in the evening. Details of the prior
assault and rape were similar to the murder and rape of Miller.
b. Defendant’s activities on August 1 and 2, 1991
Patricia Miller resided in a two-story apartment building on Republic Street
in Moreno Valley with her daughter Danyelle, 13 years of age, and her son
2
Demetreus, five years of age. Directly to the east was a similar apartment building
where Brian Jones resided. Directly east of Jones‟s building was a third apartment
building, where Dwayne Mitchell resided. Along the rear of the apartment
buildings was an alley running parallel to Republic Street to the north and
Alessandro Boulevard to the south. Between the apartment buildings were
walkways from Republic Street to the alley. Across the alley from Jones‟s and
Mitchell‟s buildings, between the alley and Alessandro Boulevard, was a liquor
store.
Jones testified that in August 1991, it was his custom to socialize with
friends in the carport area behind his apartment building. He testified that
frequently persons walked through the walkways and the alley, especially on the
first and 15th of any month, because residents of the neighborhood went to the
liquor store to cash their checks. In addition, according to Jones, some individuals
took these routes to purchase illegal drugs from dealers who frequented the area
around the liquor store.
Jones related that sometime after 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, August 1, 1991,
his friend, David Hargrove, accompanied by defendant, arrived to visit with Jones
in the carport area.2 Defendant was wearing a white T-shirt, white shorts, white
socks, and white sneakers. Jones testified that defendant told him he was leaving
California that night or the next morning. According to Jones, defendant was
“putting the moves on everything that moved.” He testified that as women walked
through the alleyway, defendant made comments such as, “I am going to fuck me
2
Jones testified that Hargrove and defendant arrived “right after four,” but
that when he spoke to an investigator, “I guess I told him [that Hargrove and
defendant arrived that evening at] seven or eight [o‟clock].” Hargrove testified
that he and defendant arrived at approximately 6:00 p.m.
3
something tonight, before I go,” “I kind of like to fuck that bitch,” and “I like to
get with that hoe.” Defendant sometimes yelled comments or whistled at women
as they passed.3
According to Jones, at approximately 8:00 that evening, the victim, Patricia
Miller, walked through the alley, from the liquor store to her apartment. Miller
was acquainted with Jones, and she stopped to socialize briefly with the group in
the carport. Jones testified that defendant called Miller aside, whispered in her
ear, and conversed with her for approximately 10 minutes. Jones also testified that
he and Hargrove “laughed off” defendant‟s advances toward Miller, because
defendant was “wasting his time.” According to Jones, defendant commented
after his conversation with Miller that he “wouldn‟t mind getting some of that.”4
Hargrove testified that at approximately 8:30 or 9:00 p.m., before it became
dark, he gave defendant a ride to visit a friend of defendant‟s who resided in a
nearby neighborhood. Jones testified that 30 or 40 minutes after Hargrove and
defendant left the carport, Jones saw defendant walking down the alley. Jones
testified that he noticed defendant was exhibiting symptoms consistent with a
person who had used rock cocaine, and he described defendant as “all jacked up.”5
3
Hargrove testified that he did not hear defendant make any disrespectful
comments to or about women.
4
Hargrove testified that defendant‟s conversation with Miller was short in
length — approximately 30 seconds — and that defendant did not say anything
“offensive” about Miller, nor anything “to disrespect her.”
5
Dwayne Mitchell smoked crack cocaine with defendant that evening.
Mitchell testified that on that same day, August 1, he had moved into an apartment
building next to the one in which Jones resided. While it still was light outside,
defendant, who was acquainted with Mitchell, brought some rock cocaine to
Mitchell‟s new apartment and they smoked it together. According to Mitchell,
during that visit or perhaps during an earlier conversation, defendant asked
Mitchell whether he could stay at Mitchell‟s apartment that night, and Mitchell
(footnote continued on next page)
4
The testimony of Miller‟s daughter, Danyelle, established that, after
returning to the alley, defendant visited Miller at her apartment. Danyelle testified
that her mother called her inside between 9:00 and 9:30 p.m., by which time
Danyelle‟s brother already was asleep in their mother‟s bed. Danyelle testified
that she came inside and went to sleep, but was awakened approximately 30
minutes later by a knock at the door of the apartment. She explained that her
bedroom window was above the door to their apartment and overlooked the
walkway between their building and the apartment building directly to the west.
She testified that, through her window, she inquired who was there, and the person
at the door responded, “Mike.”6 Danyelle testified that she told her mother, who
was in the upstairs bathroom, that “Mike” was at the front door, and her mother
responded, “Tell him to hold on.” Danyelle relayed the message to the visitor
through her window. She testified that before she fell asleep again, she heard her
mother and the visitor talking, and saw her mother through her bedroom window,
walking outside with the visitor toward the laundry room in the back of the
apartment building. Danyelle also testified that some time later, she was
awakened again when her mother heard gunshots and called upstairs to Danyelle
to close her bedroom window.
(footnote continued from previous page)
agreed. Mitchell testified that after they smoked together, defendant left the
apartment.
6
Danyelle testified that her mother did not have a boyfriend, was not in the
habit of bringing men into the apartment during the nighttime hours, and did not
have men spend the night at the apartment. She was unaware of anyone coming to
the apartment the evening of August 1 other than the person who identified
himself as Mike.
5
Dwayne Mitchell also heard the gunshots in the alley that evening,
estimating the time at between 10:00 and 10:30 p.m. Mitchell testified he was
walking to a telephone booth at the east end of the alley when he heard the shots
and encountered defendant in the alley, walking back from the telephone booth in
the direction of Mitchell‟s apartment building. Defendant was alone at that time.
Mitchell testified he next saw defendant at approximately 11:00 that evening,
when defendant and Miller walked past Mitchell‟s bedroom window, along the
walkway between Mitchell‟s and Jones‟s buildings, in the direction of Republic
Street, where cocaine sometimes was sold.7 Mitchell did not see defendant again
until approximately 3:00 a.m. on August 2, when defendant returned to Mitchell‟s
apartment to spend the night.
Virginia Turner testified she was employed at a taxicab dispatch office in a
commercial building situated on the east side of the liquor store. She was at the
dispatch office from 8:00 p.m. on August 1 until 8:00 a.m. the next morning, and
from her window, which she faced while she worked, she had a clear view of the
alley and the rear of the apartment buildings. According to Turner, sometime
between 11:00 p.m. and midnight, she received a telephone call from defendant,
who asked whether she knew where he could obtain some cocaine. She responded
that she could not obtain any for him at that time. Approximately five minutes
later, Turner testified, she saw defendant come out of the walkway by Miller‟s
building and walk down the alley, in the opposite direction from Turner‟s office.
After another five minutes elapsed, she saw defendant return up the alley and into
7
Mitchell testified he knew Miller because he had been inside her apartment
once with a friend who was using the apartment as a location to “cut up” cocaine
for sale. In exchange for the use of the apartment, they had given Miller some
cocaine. Mitchell testified he was unaware of Miller‟s ever having performed
sexual favors in exchange for cocaine.
6
the walkway by Miller‟s building. She explained it was easy to see defendant
because he was dressed in white clothing.8
Turner testified that the next time she saw defendant was when he emerged
from the walkway by Miller‟s apartment at approximately 2:00 a.m. and turned
into the alley. She related that he walked quickly to Turner‟s office and told her
he needed a taxicab immediately. Turner responded that her sole driver was “out
on a run,” and that defendant would have to wait 10 or 15 minutes. According to
Turner, defendant said that he could not wait, and that he would go to Mitchell‟s
house to see whether Mitchell was awake. Turner testified that during the time
defendant was at the taxicab office, she observed that he exhibited symptoms of
having smoked cocaine; he was jittery, nervous, and sweating. She stated that he
was wearing white clothing, and that she did not notice any blood or other marks
on him.
Mitchell testified that defendant knocked on his door between 2:00 and
2:30 a.m. Mitchell was certain defendant did not appear at his apartment earlier,
because the family of Mitchell‟s girlfriend had visited the apartment from 11:00 or
11:30 p.m. until approximately 2:30 a.m., and defendant was not present at any
time while the relatives were at the apartment. Mitchell testified that when he
admitted defendant to the apartment, defendant was wearing the same clothes as
earlier, and he “crawled over on the floor and went to sleep.” Mitchell stated that
8
Turner confirmed that the alley, which was known as “rock alley” due to
the availability of rock cocaine, was relatively busy on August 1. She estimated
that approximately a dozen individuals traveled from Republic Street to the alley
through the walkway by Miller‟s apartment building, and another dozen traveled
from Republic through the walkway by Mitchell‟s apartment building.
Approximately the same number traveled in the reverse direction. She clarified
that some of the trips were made by the same persons walking back and forth.
7
he and defendant awoke on August 2 between 8:00 and 9:00 a.m., and left
Mitchell‟s apartment approximately 30 minutes later. The two men walked
together toward the neighborhood where Mitchell previously had resided.
According to Mitchell, defendant seemed concerned only about meeting his
brother and departing from California on their trip.
Defendant‟s brother, Kenya McAllister, testified that he met defendant
between 9:00 and 10:00 a.m. near their parents‟ prior residence, and departed on
their trip. According to McAllister, defendant‟s attitude was normal and he did
not appear to be upset. McAllister also testified that defendant did not mention
being with a woman or having sex the previous evening.
c. Discovery and investigation of the crime scene
Danyelle awakened at 6:00 a.m. on August 2, when she heard her mother‟s
alarm clock. She walked to her mother‟s bedroom, but only her brother,
Demetreus, was in her mother‟s bed. She proceeded downstairs to look for her
mother, and found her lying on the living room floor with her pants down, her
shirt up, and blood surrounding her. Danyelle shook her mother to waken her, but
her mother did not move. Danyelle ran to a neighbor‟s home and reported that
there was something wrong with her mother. When Danyelle exited from the front
door, she observed that the lock within the doorknob, which could be engaged by a
person exiting from the apartment before the door was closed, was locked, but the
deadbolt lock, which could not be locked unless the door was closed (and
therefore required a key to be locked from the outside), was not locked. The
neighbor returned with Danyelle and, after attempting to feel a pulse in her
mother‟s body, informed Danyelle that her mother was dead.
Law enforcement officers arrived at Miller‟s apartment at approximately
7:00 a.m. on August 2. After the officers searched the apartment for suspects and
8
cordoned off the crime scene, Deputy John Monarrez of the Riverside County
Sheriff‟s Department interviewed Danyelle concerning the events of the prior
evening. Monarrez testified that Danyelle informed him that she knew the visitor
only as “Mike,” and she disclosed that she had seen Mike speak to her mother and
visit their apartment on other occasions. She also told Monarrez that Mike was
wearing a white T-shirt and tan pants. Monarrez asked Danyelle to compare the
color of Mike‟s pants to pants worn by people milling in the crowd, and she
identified a color that Monarrez described in his report as “beige,” which he
believed to be lighter than “tan.”9 Monarrez also asked Danyelle to compare Mike
to other persons in the area and, based upon those comparisons, Monarrez
determined that Mike was an African-American man, approximately 30 years of
age, six feet in height, and weighing 175 pounds.
Marc Bender, an investigator with the Riverside County Sheriff‟s
Department, inspected the crime scene. He testified that he found no blood trail
leading away from Miller‟s body, and no blood on the doors, walls, or floor, other
than underneath the body and within a few inches of it. He also testified that there
was a large wound that cut into some of the major arteries in the victim‟s neck, but
the blood was confined to a small area around the victim. Bender explained that
the absence of splatter or spray of blood indicated to him that the “automatic
thrashing reaction” that, according to Bender, almost always results from such an
injury, had not occurred, nor had the victim aspirated blood and exhaled a spray of
blood. Photographs of the crime scene reflected that the victim‟s arms extended
upward on the floor, her forearms were bent inward, and her hands lay in close
proximity to each other at the top of her head, with the fingers on her right hand
9
At trial, Danyelle testified that Mike was wearing long beige slacks.
9
touching her left wrist. Bender noted that there was little blood on the victim‟s
hands, indicating to him that she had not reacted by grabbing at the wound as, he
explained, victims of such wounds often do in response to pain or to stop the flow
of blood. He also noted that the edge of the bloodstain on the floor was almost
straight and ended where the victim‟s back came in contact with the carpet,
indicating to him that any movements on her part after her throat was cut were
minimal.
Bender noted, and photographs of the crime scene reflected, that the
victim‟s pants had been pulled off, except the bottoms of the pants legs, which
apparently caught around the victim‟s ankles. The pants extended away from her
feet, and were inside out. Her left leg was straight, but her right knee was bent
sharply, causing her right foot to rest at a point even with her left thigh and knee.
Her right foot was some distance from her left leg, and her right knee leaned
inward toward her left thigh. Bender noted, and photographs from the crime scene
reflected, a smear of blood on her right hip, and Bender surmised that someone
had wiped blood from his or her hands onto the victim‟s hip, leaving a pattern that
looked like fingers. He testified that on her arms were similar smears of blood that
appeared to have been made by a hand. Finally, he testified that there were smears
of blood on the carpet, and that one of the smears was pointed and appeared
possibly to have come from the tip of a knife.
Bender testified there was no sign of a struggle having occurred in the
apartment. The downstairs window had bars, and a sliding door to a patio area
behind the building had a deadbolt lock in place, indicating to Bender that the
perpetrator left through the front door. He testified that no murder weapon was
found. Bender testified that he suspected the perpetrator had washed his hands
before leaving, but no evidence of blood was found in any of the apartment‟s
sinks. He also testified that fingerprints found on objects in the apartment‟s living
10
room and kitchen, and the laundry room, either matched the victim‟s or lacked a
sufficient number of points of reference to compare to other known prints.
Bender testified that he asked persons in the area about “Mike,” and was
directed to Brian Jones, who described defendant the same way he described him
later at trial — “all jacked up,” “very excited,” “hitting on everything that moved,”
and “bound and determined to get between somebody‟s legs that night.” Bender
learned defendant‟s last name from a former neighbor of defendant‟s, who also
disclosed that defendant had moved out of the house one day earlier. Bender
conducted a search for defendant‟s name in a law enforcement computer system,
and determined that defendant was on parole. Bender contacted defendant‟s
parole officer and learned that defendant recently had requested permission to
leave California and move to North Carolina.
Paul Sham, a criminalist, also examined the crime scene on August 2. He
testified that he detected no bloodstains on the front door, the tile floors, the
interior walls, the ceiling, or on any objects; blood was found only on the body
and immediately surrounding the upper portion of the body. He explained that
blood “smears” result from contact with a bloody object, in contrast to blood
“splatter,” which is caused by the deposit of airborne blood droplets. Sham
testified that he observed blood smears on the victim‟s right calf, right buttocks,
right hip, abdomen, upper arms, both hands, forehead, both cheeks, and around the
eyebrows. He also testified that he observed blood splatter on the front of the
victim‟s blouse, which appeared to have originated from the area of her throat.
Sham also noted blood splatters on her abdomen, extending down to her pubic
area. Sham stated that he examined the downstairs bathroom sink and the kitchen
sink, and found no evidence of blood. He also stated the windows facing the front
of the apartment were barred, the sliding glass door was locked, and the front door
11
was locked from the inside. Sham testified that he found no obvious signs of a
forced entry or a struggle.
d. Defendant’s conduct and statements after leaving California
Hargrove testified that approximately two days after the commission of the
crimes, defendant contacted him by telephone at Hargrove‟s home. According to
Hargrove, defendant told him that he was in El Paso, Texas, and Hargrove told
defendant that “he needed to come back to California because word had it that he
was involved in a murder.” Hargrove testified that defendant responded that he
did not know “what was going on,” but that he would return to California.
Hargrove also testified that defendant contacted him a second time to let him
know he had reached Chicago, but the two did not discuss the homicide.
Defendant‟s brother, Kenya McAllister, testified that during the trip to Chicago,
defendant did not mention to Kenya that he had spoken to anyone in Moreno
Valley, that he was a witness to or a suspect in a murder, or that it would be
necessary for him to return to Moreno Valley.
Bender, the investigator, testified that he attempted to locate defendant
through the parole system and subsequently was contacted by defendant‟s father,
who informed Bender that defendant would return to California. Bender arranged
to interview defendant on September 3, 1991, at a detention center in Riverside.
Bender and a second detective, Dan Wilson, were present during this interview,
which was recorded, except for several minutes when the first side of the tape
ended and the cassette was not turned over promptly. Bender testified that in
March 1992, he noticed that Wilson‟s report concerning the interview did not
include all portions of it. At that time, Bender prepared a supplemental report
describing the omitted portions of the interview, but he did not learn until January
1998 that a portion of the interview had not been recorded. Transcripts of the
12
recorded portion were provided to the jury, and the recording was played at trial.
Bender testified concerning the unrecorded portion of the interview.
The transcript of the Riverside interview reflects that Detective Wilson
began by informing defendant of his rights under Miranda v. Arizona (1966) 384
U.S. 436 (Miranda). Defendant confirmed he understood these rights, and that he
was willing to speak with the detectives and provide a sample of his blood. The
recording was paused while a nurse took a blood sample. When the recording
resumed, Detective Wilson asked, “you were saying something about you talked
to somebody?” Defendant responded that he had spoken to a friend, who said
defendant was “a witness,” and that the friend stated he had “tried to catch me the
day I left. You know, going to Charlotte, North Carolina.” Defendant told the
detectives that his parole officer had directed him to return to California, and that
when he returned, the parole officer informed him that the detectives wished to
speak with him. Wilson asked defendant whether he knew “what this is in
reference to,” and defendant responded, “I understand a 187,” presumably
referring to section 187 of the Penal Code, which defines murder. When asked
whether he knew who the victim was, defendant responded, “I know a, Patricia.
They called Pat . . . .”
Defendant told the detectives that he had spoken to Miller at approximately
8:00 p.m. or 8:30 p.m., asking her, “ „how you doin‟?‟ She told me she . . . was
just gettin‟ off a motorcycle with some guy which I do not know, who was sittin‟
there drinking a beer. [A]bout five minutes later he told me, „Man let her go, get
home.‟ I let her go.”10 When asked whether he had been at Miller‟s house that
10
Subsequently, during the same interview, defendant described the
motorcycle as being some distance away, and attributed the motorcyclist‟s
comments instead to David Hargrove. At this subsequent point in the interview,
(footnote continued on next page)
13
evening, defendant stated he “passed by” her house and asked her whether her son
had told her that “I asked about you that Saturday.” Defendant said Miller told
him that her son had not delivered this information, and defendant then “went on.”
He added that he saw Miller later in the evening and spoke to her again. When
asked when he last had seen Miller that evening, defendant stated he saw her as
she was going to the laundry room, at approximately 10:30 p.m. When Detective
Wilson began to ask him about “when [he] was over at Pat‟s house about 10:00,
10:30,” defendant interrupted to say that he “wasn‟t at her house.” Defendant
added, “I stopped there, goin‟ through that way.” He stated he helped her carry
her clothes, and they conversed at the laundry room. As he was preparing to leave
that room, he and Miller heard gunfire, and they both “ducked down.” Defendant
claimed he then went to Mitchell‟s home, staying until approximately 2:00 a.m., at
which time he went to the taxicab office. When he was unable to arrange for a cab
ride, he returned to Mitchell‟s home, where he stayed until 8:00 a.m. on August 2,
when he left to meet his brother to drive to North Carolina.
The transcript reflects that defendant then changed his narrative. He stated
that after he left Miller, he went to a service station and purchased some cigarettes,
and then spent some time in the alley with a man named Reese. When he left
Reese, he went to the taxicab office and then to Mitchell‟s apartment. When
Wilson asked defendant whether Reese could vouch for defendant‟s time that
evening, defendant stated he was with Reese “maybe ten or fifteen minutes.
(footnote continued from previous page)
defendant stated, “I‟m like maybe 30, 40 feet away. I‟m half drunk. I wasn‟t
payin‟ no attention. I know I seen her, I looked, then when I seen her again, she
was walkin‟ toward the liquor store. When she come back through I called her. I
said, „What‟s up, Pat?‟ You know. David said, „Man, let that girl go ahead on.‟ I
let her go. That was that.”
14
Maybe less than that.” Wilson then observed “there‟s about a four hour period of
time . . . from the time you last saw [Miller] to the time you was with — ”
Defendant interjected, “I went back to [Mitchell‟s] house, when I left [Miller‟s], I
left [Miller] right after the shootin‟ and shit, I left [Miller]. I went back to
[Mitchell‟s] house. Then I left again. I left again. Then, I messed around, like I
said, I went to the gas station. Four hour period? Where does the four hour period
come in?” Wilson explained that defendant last saw Miller at approximately
10:00 or 10:30 p.m., and appeared at the taxicab office at approximately 2:00 or
2:30 a.m. Defendant responded, “I was probably gettin‟ high or somethin‟.”
When Wilson asked whether defendant had seen anyone else at or around
Miller‟s apartment that night, he responded that there were “some guys standin‟
out front that I don‟t know.” Wilson inquired whether defendant had gone to
Miller‟s apartment immediately before helping her on her way to the laundry
room, and had walked back to her apartment from the laundry room. Defendant
responded, “When I was comin‟ through, she was comin‟ out.” Wilson asked
whether defendant knocked on Miller‟s door and asked to see her. Defendant
responded that he had knocked “earlier that evening,” and Miller‟s son had
answered the door. Defendant also stated he did not know where Miller went after
he left her at the laundry room.
Wilson asked defendant whether he ever had been inside Miller‟s
apartment. Defendant responded he had been there approximately one month
before her murder, when he went there to see whether she cared to come outside to
drink beer. According to defendant, she had declined, but he had visited inside her
apartment for 10 or 15 minutes. When Wilson returned to the subject of the time
defendant had spent with Reese, defendant stated that Reese had been looking for
drugs, but that defendant had not, adding, “I don‟t mess with cocaine.” When
Wilson inquired whether defendant had “ask[ed] anyone about anything,”
15
defendant stated, “I asked one guy for my friend Mike.” (It is not clear who
“Mike” was.) Defendant also stated he did not know how his name came up in
this matter, because he did not like Black women.
When defendant asked the detectives how Miller was killed, they declined
to respond. Returning to the subject of the four-hour period, defendant stated he
had smoked some marijuana, spent some time with Reese, and went to Mitchell‟s
apartment at 11:00 p.m. Then, “I left, went to the cab company. I then went and
got me some cigarettes. I went to the cab company.” He urged the detectives to
“[a]sk Jenny [Turner]. „Jenny, I ain‟t got no money. I need a ride out JFK and
Kitching.‟ I said „I‟m gonna see can I spend the night at my partner‟s house
first.‟ ” Defendant then stated that Mitchell agreed to allow defendant to stay at
his apartment, and defendant stayed there until 8:00 a.m. the next day.
Defendant told the detectives that when he called David Hargrove while
traveling to Chicago, he asked Hargrove what crime defendant was suspected of
committing, and Hargrove informed him that Miller had been killed. Defendant
stated he was cooperating to clear his name, and “[b]ecause I‟m tryin‟ to get off
this parole.” When Bender commented that defendant had “been through the drill
a couple of times,” defendant disagreed, stating: “Last time when I caught this
rape case, I took a deal for somethin‟ I didn‟t do because my lousy friend wouldn‟t
come to court to testify for me.” Bender stated that “one problem is that when I
talked to [Mitchell] — ” and defendant interjected, “I already found out. I heard.
That he said I didn‟t spend the night at his house.” Defendant claimed Mitchell
was lying, because Mitchell had been “jumped on” the day that Miller‟s body was
16
discovered, “just ‟cause I knew him.”11 Returning to his telephone conversation
with Hargrove, defendant told the detectives that he asked Hargrove what time
Miller had been killed, and Hargrove stated, “Sometime that night.” According to
defendant, he responded to Hargrove, “That night? I‟m at [Mitchell‟s] house.”
Defendant then told the detectives, “11:00, I‟m at [Mitchell‟s] house, for a while.
And after while I get some cigarettes ‟cause uh, he was in there basing cocaine.”
Defendant asserted that “a person on cocaine will say anything to save his ass,
keep his name out of it.” At this point in the interview, the first side of the
recording tape ended.
After the jury heard the first side of the recording, Bender testified
concerning the unrecorded portion. He testified that he falsely told defendant his
fingerprints had been found inside Miller‟s apartment, and defendant attributed the
fingerprints to his visit to the apartment one month prior to the crimes. Bender
testified that he then falsely asserted that fingerprints would not survive for that
period of time. According to Bender, defendant then told him that when he had
knocked on Miller‟s door earlier on August 1 and had spoken to her son, he had
gone into the kitchen to get a glass of water, but that was the only time he had
been in the apartment. Bender further testified that later in the unrecorded portion
of the interview, defendant stated he also had been inside the apartment at
approximately 8:30 that evening and drank a beer with Miller.
Although genetic testing had not yet been performed, Bender told
defendant, during the unrecorded portion of the interview, that defendant‟s sperm
had been found in Miller‟s vagina. Bender testified that defendant “looked down
11
After Miller was killed, Mitchell was beaten by a man whom Mitchell had
accompanied to Miller‟s apartment to “cut up” drugs. The man was assisted by
two others, and Mitchell required hospitalization.
17
at the floor for what seemed like a long gap at the time, probably, 10 or 15
seconds, and then he looked up at me, and then he started to tell me another story.”
Bender testified that defendant stated he had not disclosed some facts to Bender
earlier, because he did not want to be found in violation of his parole. Bender
testified that defendant “then admitted he had gone into the apartment, that he had
smoked rock cocaine with the victim, and that he and the victim had had sex.”
According to defendant, Miller became aroused, took her clothes off, pulled
defendant‟s pants down, got on top of him, violently copulated with him, got off
him as soon as he ejaculated, put her clothes back on, and left to do laundry.
Defendant told Bender that he remained slouched on the couch and passive
throughout their encounter, which occurred at approximately 8:30 p.m., soon after
Miller had returned from the liquor store. At this point in the interview, it was
discovered that the cassette had reached the end and no longer was recording.
The transcript reflects that when the recording resumed, Wilson stated that
“you were sayin‟ a while ago that . . . somebody in the area told you that . . . her
throat had been cut?” Defendant responded, “Yeah.” Wilson inquired, in light of
defendant‟s statement, why defendant had asked how Miller was killed.
Defendant responded, “That‟s what I‟m tryin‟ to find out, was it really true. Like
you say, you didn‟t wanna give me no answers, I didn‟t wanna know, I didn‟t
wanna know if it was true or not. ‟Cause like I say, at first when the first thing
jumped up, I‟m a witness.” Bender responded, “Yeah.” Defendant added, “Me
and [Hargrove]. So I figure the mother-fucker was lying.” Bender responded,
“Yeah.” Defendant continued, “You said her throat was cut. See what I‟m
sayin‟? [J]ust like, [Hargrove] didn‟t know what was really goin‟ on.” Bender
responded, “Uh-huh.” Defendant completed his explanation, stating, “You know
what I‟m sayin‟? He was tellin‟ me man, yeah, uh, then [Mitchell] come in and
18
kept sayin‟ about how your name got twisted all up into this here. It‟s [Jones].”
Bender responded, “Yeah.”
The interview returned to the subject of defendant‟s sexual encounter with
Miller, and defendant reiterated that the sex occurred prior to the conversation in
the laundry room. Bender expressed the view that the sexual encounter occurred
after they met in the laundry room, and defendant asked, “what did I tell you?”
Bender responded, “You told me that it was . . . definitely before —” Defendant
interjected, “Was it before? It was before then.” Bender stated, “No, it‟s after,”
and defendant responded, “It was after.” Bender then explained that it did not
make sense that the sexual encounter occurred earlier, when Miller‟s children were
awake. Defendant then stated that “I made love right, what, around 9:00, 10:00,”
and that the gunshots occurred later, “[a] little after 10:00.” Defendant estimated
that approximately 20 minutes elapsed between the time he left after having sex
with Miller, and when he returned and went to the laundry room with her. He
stated that when the shooting began, he left her; he met Reese and spent 10 to 15
minutes with Reese; he arrived at Mitchell‟s home “way before 10:30 [p.m.]” and
stayed at Mitchell‟s home “for a few hours,” and then left. When Bender inquired
whether Mitchell or anyone else knew that defendant and Miller had sex,
defendant responded that his sex life was nobody‟s business. Defendant added, “I
understand what you‟re sayin‟, but what was you tryin‟ to get at? No. I did not
rape [Miller].”
Defendant then volunteered that Miller‟s daughter had not seen him, but her
son had come downstairs complaining that his stomach hurt, and defendant had
gone to an automobile service station to buy the boy a soda. Bender asked
defendant when it was that he had gone to the service station, and defendant
stated, “right after we had sex. That‟s when I left, matter of fact, that‟s when I
left.” Bender asked defendant again to estimate when he went to Mitchell‟s home,
19
and defendant stated he had arrived at Mitchell‟s “about ten somethin‟.
Something, 11:00. I ain‟t quite sure.” Bender then asked defendant why, when
Bender asked whether defendant had made love to Miller, defendant “came up
with this rape thing.” Defendant stated that Hargrove had told him that Miller‟s
throat had been cut and she had been raped. Bender responded that “I spent all
day in that apartment and I didn‟t know she was raped.” At the conclusion of the
interview, Detective Wilson explained to defendant that he would not be held, and
that defendant‟s parole officer would determine whether he would be allowed to
return to Charlotte, North Carolina.
Eight months later, on May 1, 1992, Bender interviewed defendant a
second time, at the office of his parole officer in North Carolina. Bender
explained in court that the interview was recorded, but the recorder was in a
drawer while the first side of the tape recorded, and that part of the recording was
unintelligible. Therefore, Bender testified concerning the contents of the
unintelligible portion of the interview. He testified that defendant was not under
arrest at the time of the interview. He also testified that he informed defendant of
his rights under Miranda, supra, 384 U.S. 436, and that defendant said he
understood those rights and would speak to Bender.
Bender testified he informed defendant that Mitchell and Mitchell‟s
girlfriend were certain defendant had not arrived at their home until approximately
3:00 a.m. on August 2. Bender related that defendant initially was adamant that he
had been at their home at 11:00 p.m. on August 1, but after Bender explained that
Mitchell and his girlfriend had had company that evening and were certain
defendant had not been present when the company visited, defendant stated he
may have been out wandering in the neighborhood between 11:00 p.m. and
3:00 a.m. Bender also testified that during this second interview, defendant said it
was “closer to about 11 o‟clock in the evening,” after the laundry was completed
20
and gunshots were heard in the alley, that he and Miller had returned to her
apartment, smoked cocaine, and had sex.
Bender testified that when he confronted defendant with inconsistencies in
his statements, defendant “got kind of agitated and said that I was trying to screw
him up, that I was trying to trip him up . . . .” Bender testified that “[a]bout that
time, [defendant] remembered or brought up something that he hadn‟t talked to me
about before.” Defendant told Bender that just as he was leaving Miller‟s
apartment at approximately 11:00 p.m., another man entered the apartment.
Bender testified that defendant said the other man resembled Bender but was
taller, thinner, and African-American.12 The intelligible portion of the recording
began when defendant was describing the other man. The recording was played
for the jury. The transcript reflects that defendant told Bender that Miller seemed
to know the man, but that she did not state his name. Defendant also said that the
man stumbled into Miller‟s apartment, was “all drunk,” and sat on the bottom step
of the interior staircase. Part of defendant‟s description was unintelligible, but
Bender testified that defendant stated the intoxicated individual could not stand
without leaning against the banister or the wall, and had difficulty sitting up. The
transcript reflects that defendant also told Bender he previously had seen the man
in the neighborhood, but the man always was by himself, and defendant did not
know anyone with whom the man associated.
The transcript reflects that defendant agreed with Bender that it would have
been logical to mention this other person when defendant first was questioned
about Miller‟s death, and defendant stated that he thought he had mentioned the
12
Bender testified that in his experience, when a suspect falsely claims
another person was present, the suspect usually describes the person as being
similar to the interviewer or the suspect.
21
other person to Bender during the first interview. At trial, Bender was certain
defendant had not mentioned the other person earlier. Bender also noted at trial
that in the earlier interview, defendant had denied that anyone else was at the
apartment, and when Detective Wilson had commented in the earlier interview,
“apparently somebody else after you saw her alive,” defendant had responded, “I
guess.” Defendant also stated in the earlier interview, “I don‟t know whoever,
whatever, whoever was there when I left, I don‟t know what happened.” Bender
testified that he did not investigate the existence of the intoxicated individual,
because he was certain defendant was not being truthful. At the conclusion of the
interview, Bender arrested defendant for the rape and murder of Miller.
e. The autopsy
Robert DiTraglia, a medical doctor and forensic pathologist, performed the
autopsy. He testified that Miller was five feet, two and one-half inches in height
and weighed 111 pounds. He described the cut to her throat as “a very large
wound that covered pretty much the entire front portion of her neck.” He testified
that when he first viewed the wound, it had “this huge gaping appearance that
measured, approximately, 10 centimeters from one end to the other.” He stated
that the wound appeared to have been inflicted by two cuts, one on each side of
the neck, with one overlapping the other. One cut was 7.4 centimeters in length,
and the other was 6 centimeters in length. He added that, alternatively, the wound
may have been caused by a single cutting motion across the throat, in which the
knife was raised and pivoted midway through the cut. DiTraglia explained that the
cut severed the right external jugular vein, and injured muscle, cartilage, bone, and
the airway in the victim‟s neck. He testified that Miller‟s heart was beating when
the wound was inflicted, which caused hemorrhaging into the tissues, and that this
wound was fatal. He explained that because the major blood vessel that was
22
severed was a vein rather than an artery, the blood would not spray out of the cut,
but blood might spray from the airway if the victim was breathing strongly.
Dr. DiTraglia testified that he also found evidence of strangulation,
including hemorrhaging on the superior portion of the thyroid gland and fractures
of the laryngeal cartilages. He noted that petechial hemorrhages on Miller‟s eyes
and eyelids were further evidence of strangulation. He testified that “severe
compressive force” is required to cause such fractures, and agreed that such
injuries could be caused by strangling a victim with fingers behind the neck and
thumbs in the front on the center of the neck. He stated that a victim of
strangulation will lose consciousness within six to 15 seconds if the vascular
structures are occluded. He opined that a victim will suffer irreversible brain
damage after 60 seconds of vascular occlusion, but noted that the heart may
continue beating and the lungs may continue functioning. DiTraglia viewed
Miller‟s injuries from strangulation as fatal and believed the strangulation
rendered her unconscious, but he could not determine whether her breathing
continued after the strangulation. He testified the circumstances — namely, the
absence of large quantities of blood in her lungs and stomach, the absence of
defensive wounds, and the absence of blood on her hands — tended to establish
that Miller was not breathing vigorously when her throat was cut. The only
wound that may have been defensive was a superficial cut on Miller‟s right index
finger.13
13
DiTraglia also identified an abrasion to the upper left side of Miller‟s
forehead that resulted from blunt-force trauma rather than from a sharp object.
The abrasion measured 1.5 centimeters by 0.8 centimeters and appeared to have
been inflicted at or about the time of death, because it was not red and did not
show any sign of healing.
23
During the autopsy, DiTraglia collected vaginal, rectal, and oral swabs, as
well as blood from the victim‟s heart. He testified that the blood-alcohol level was
0.04 percent, and that the blood also contained 3.440 nanograms per million (or
3.4 micrograms per million) of cocaine and 1,320 nanograms per million (or 1.3
micrograms per million) of benzoylecgonine, a byproduct of cocaine.14 These
results were consistent with the use of cocaine near the time of death, but were not
related to the cause of death.
DiTraglia testified that he examined the victim‟s genitalia by direct
observation with a bright light, and found no signs of trauma, such as bruises,
abrasions, lacerations, and tears. He explained that he did not have available a
colposcope — a microscope used by clinical gynecologists to examine living rape
victims — and therefore would not have been able to observe more subtle injuries
that could be detected with such an instrument. He also testified that a study of
451 rape victims revealed that only 18 percent exhibited signs of physical trauma.
DiTraglia further testified that a person could inflict the wounds found on
the victim‟s body without blood transferring to the attacker: “If Patricia Miller is
unconscious, she‟s already been strangled, she‟s unconscious, she‟s lying supine
on the ground, her neck is exposed, she‟s not moving, she‟s breathing shallowly,
and someone would come up to her and stand over the body, or kneel over the
body, and take a knife, your hand is now however long the blade is away from
that. One slash, two slashes. You may or may not get blood on the knife; but in
that scenario, you stand up, you walk away, you don‟t have any blood on you.”
14
DiTraglia described a study reporting that after death, the level of cocaine
increases in the blood found in the heart.
24
f. Blood and DNA evidence
Criminalist Marianne Stam testified that she detected a small amount of
sperm on both the vaginal and rectal swabs collected during the autopsy, but found
no evidence of the presence of an ABO blood type or PGM subtype that was
different from the victim‟s blood type and subtype. Therefore, she explained, she
could not determine the source of the semen, and could not exclude defendant as
the semen donor. Stam also testified that a tissue found in the victim‟s kitchen
trash can was spotted with blood consistent with the victim‟s blood type. She
stated that the spots of blood appeared to have been caused by the tissue coming in
contact with a wound or a bloody nose, and were not similar to marks that would
be left if someone had wiped his or her hands or a knife on the tissue. She also
testified that four cigarette butts found in the apartment tested positive for the
presence of an enzyme found in saliva, but only two exhibited an ABO blood type,
and that type was consistent with the victim‟s type.
DNA testing was performed by criminalists Daniel Gregonis and Martin
Buoncristiani. Gregonis testified that he extracted sperm cells from the vaginal
swab and performed restriction fragment-length polymorphism (RFLP) testing,
but was unable to determine DNA fragment lengths. He attributed the failure to
the small amount of DNA and to degradation that may take place due to the
unchecked growth of bacteria in a body after death. Buoncristiani testified that he
conducted polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing on samples of sperm from the
vaginal and rectal swabs, by which he examined the HLADQL locus, or region, of
the DNA, which varies among individuals. He testified that the testing yielded
results consistent with defendant‟s DNA. He also testified that the particular
genotype identified through the PCR testing appears in approximately 7.9 percent
of African-Americans, and in approximately 1 to 8 percent of the population
comprised of African-Americans, Caucasians, and Hispanics. He confirmed that
25
if a second individual had engaged in sexual relations with the victim, and had left
an equal amount of sperm or not much less sperm, the PCR testing also would
have reflected a different genotype, unless the two donors had the same genotype
for the particular locus.
g. Defendant’s previous rape of Christa B.
Christa B. testified that defendant raped her four years prior to the charged
crimes. She testified that she was introduced to defendant by her boyfriend in
1987, and defendant had visited her at her apartment once before the night that he
raped her. She related that shortly after midnight on September 2, 1987,
approximately two weeks after his first visit, defendant rang the bell to her
apartment and spoke to her through her building‟s security system. He identified
himself, asked whether he could come in, and said he “just want[ed] to chitchat.”
She let him in and they spoke for approximately one hour in the living room, while
they watched television, drank beer, and smoked marijuana. Christa testified that
defendant asked her, “What would you do if I came on to you?” She told him she
would not like it, because she was in love with her boyfriend.
Christa testified that after conversing with her for an hour or longer,
defendant walked into her bedroom, looked out a large window, and asked Christa
to come into the bedroom because he wanted to show her something. When she
entered the bedroom, he pushed her onto her back on the bed, got on top of her,
and held her hands tightly above her head. Christa testified that her knees were up
to her chest. She stated that defendant told her he had a knife, and that if she did
not cooperate, he would slice her throat. She stated that she initially refused to
disrobe, but complied after he again threatened to slice her throat. He freed one of
her hands to allow her to disrobe, and he removed his pants. Christa testified that
defendant was able to hold both of her hands with one of his hands. She noted that
26
she was five feet four inches in height and weighed 105 pounds at the time of the
rape. She testified that “he‟s very strong,” and “I feel I was over-powered, and I
was very scared and intimidated that he was going to kill me.” She stated that
while defendant continued to hold her hands above her head, he removed his
pants, forced her legs apart with his knee, and raped her, but he did not ejaculate.
Christa testified that defendant then allowed her to get up and walk to the
living room, where she put on some clothing. He asked her where she was going,
and she responded, “nowhere.” He asked her what she would tell her boyfriend,
and she said “nothing.” She testified that she was shocked by what he had done,
because she thought he was her friend. She was scared and crying, and asked
defendant to leave. He told her that if she reported the incident to law
enforcement or to her boyfriend, he would kill her, and claimed he previously had
been paid $10,000 to kill someone. She continued to carry on a conversation with
him as she walked to the door of the apartment, but as she turned the door handle,
he blocked her exit. She testified that he then placed her in a chokehold, dragged
her to the bedroom, got on top of her, and strangled her by placing his thumbs
against the front of her throat and his hands around the back. She testified that he
squeezed very hard and said, “You didn‟t think I was going to hurt you. You
didn‟t think I was going to kill you. Well, you‟re wrong.” Christa stated that she
struggled against him, but was overpowered and lost consciousness.
Christa testified that when she regained consciousness, she saw a different
man in her living room, holding her television. When the man saw her as she
attempted to rise, he dropped the television, came into the bedroom, and began to
strangle her. Christa stated that as she fought back, the man lost his grip on her
throat. She testified that he punched her repeatedly in the face. She then kicked
the large window by the bed, breaking it and causing “a lot of noise,” causing the
man to flee from the apartment. Christa testified that she called her boyfriend,
27
who brought her to his apartment, and that later that morning she contacted the
police, who interviewed her at the hospital. She stated that after leaving the
hospital, she and her boyfriend located defendant and identified him to police
officers. Christa stated that when she identified defendant, he said, “I‟m going to
get you, bitch.” Christa stated that she testified at the preliminary hearing, but told
the prosecutor that she did not want to go through a trial. She further related that
the prosecutor informed her that the state would agree to a plea agreement, with
defendant pleading guilty to rape and receiving a prison term of six years, and the
state dropping the attempted murder charge. Christa agreed with that resolution of
the matter.
Yvonne Vigil, a detective with the Los Angeles Police Department,
testified concerning her interview of Christa at Santa Monica Hospital on
September 2, 1987. She stated that Christa was distraught and in pain, and had
injuries to her head and neck. According to Vigil, Christa had difficulty speaking,
but was responsive and did not appear to be evasive. Vigil‟s testimony concerning
her interview of Christa demonstrated that the description of the events given by
Christa at defendant‟s trial was substantially similar to the description Christa
provided to Vigil on the day after the event. Vigil testified that Christa told her
that the assailant came to her apartment at 12:30 a.m.; that she had known the
assailant for four or five months; that his name was Michael and his last name
could be “Thomas”; that she voluntarily had admitted him to her apartment when
he came by to visit; that they sat in the living room on the couch and consumed
two beers; that at approximately 3:00 a.m., he beckoned her into her bedroom,
assertedly to show her something; that he pushed her onto the bed, and she landed
on her back with her knees up to her chest; that when she refused to put her legs
down or take off her top, he told her he had a knife in his back pocket and was
going to slice her throat; that he held both of her wrists with one of his hands, and
28
removed his pants and underwear; that he placed his knee between her knees and
forced her legs open; that he engaged in intercourse for approximately three
minutes, but did not ejaculate; that she walked into the living room to get dressed;
that he came out of the bedroom and told her that “he better not see the police
question him about this, . . . [and] he better not see her boyfriend . . . question him
about it,” or he would hurt her; that he claimed he had been paid $10,000 to kill
someone; that she told him to “[g]et out of here or you‟ll be in trouble,” but then
claimed she was “just kidding”; that he shut the apartment door when she
attempted to leave, and pushed her back into the bedroom; that she landed on her
bed, where he got on top of her, placed his hands over her neck and strangled her;
that she lost consciousness, and when she regained consciousness, another person
was in her living room, and that person punched her repeatedly on the right side of
her head and attempted to strangle her; and when she broke a large window in her
apartment, the person fled. According to the report Vigil prepared after the
interview, Christa stated that she told defendant, “I thought you were my friend
and now you‟ve just raped me.” According to the report, Christa stated that
defendant responded, “I did not rape you. It‟s your word against mine. I could
tell them that you were drunk, that you took your clothes off and wanted me to
seduce you.”
2. The defense case
Defendant presented three witnesses. Dr. Mona Matheus was a resident
physician in the emergency room of Santa Monica Hospital who examined
Christa B. after defendant raped her. Matheus testified that the record of the
examination she prepared reflected that Christa had injuries to her face, temples,
neck, and legs, but the record did not reflect injuries to her vaginal area.
29
Deborah Hill, a certified nurse examiner in cases of sexual assault, testified
that the genitals are the primary site of injury from a sexual assault. She described
the phases of normal human sexual response that allow the vaginal area to
accommodate penile penetration without suffering trauma. She testified that when
sex is nonconsensual, these phases do not occur, and the victim suffers injuries
such as redness, swelling, lacerations, tearing, abrasions, and bruising. She agreed
on cross-examination that inspecting a victim with the naked eye and a bright light
would reveal genital trauma in only 10 to 30 percent of cases of nonconsensual
sex.
Dr. Terrence McGee testified concerning the levels of cocaine and its
byproduct, benzoylecgonine, in Miller‟s body, and the symptoms that may be
caused by the ingestion of cocaine. He characterized the 3,440 nanograms per
milliliter of cocaine in Miller‟s heart as “a real high dose,” even taking into
account the circumstance that the concentration of cocaine in the heart increases
after death. He testified that he could not estimate the amount of cocaine
consumed by the victim because, he explained, the rate at which cocaine degrades
is not predictable. He also stated that he could not say how a person with that
level of cocaine would behave, but that the drug is a central nervous system
stimulant that may increase aggression, libido, and a tendency toward violence,
and compromise the user‟s judgment. According to McGee, some individuals are
affected significantly by small amounts of cocaine, and others develop a tolerance
to cocaine through use and require more cocaine to achieve the same effects. He
testified that, when consuming cocaine, a person generally will not be attentive to
the time of day. He also stated that the drug may affect an individual‟s perception
of an event, but he or she will be capable “of giving . . . a rudimentary account of
what transpired.” McGee concluded that “cocaine numbers don‟t mean much in
and of themselves no matter where [in the body] you draw [the blood] from.”
30
B. Penalty phase evidence
1. The prosecution case in aggravation
The victim‟s daughter, Danyelle, described the several foster care homes in
which she and her brother, Demetreus, resided after their mother died. She
explained that the children had resided with only their mother until she died, and
that it was difficult to live with strangers. She also testified that she felt sad and
angry that none of her relatives could take them in. According to Danyelle, after
their mother‟s death Demetreus became quiet, frequently cried, and felt anger and
rage. Danyelle described her mother as a hard-working, loving, caring person who
would do anything for her children. She testified that her mother had done well in
school, and regularly helped and encouraged her children with their school work.
Danyelle identified her mother, Demetreus, and herself in various photographs,
and noted some of the enjoyable activities they had shared. She described a
nightmare in which she was in a classroom, and her mother‟s body was sitting
behind her, and her mother‟s head was on the desk in front of her, calling
Danyelle‟s name. Danyelle stated that her mental picture of her mother as she
found her in the living room will haunt her the rest of her life.
Demetreus was 12 years of age and in the seventh grade at the time of the
trial. He testified that he missed his mother very much. He remembered having to
reside in strangers‟ homes, and being fearful and sad. He testified that he loved
his mother and missed how much fun she was. He particularly missed her on
Christmas and on his birthday. He stated he was happy residing with Claudia
Glover, who had adopted him.
Claudia Glover became the children‟s third foster parent in July 1993.
Glover testified that when she assumed this role, the children were very upset and
required therapy. According to Glover, Demetreus frequently cried and Danyelle
was withdrawn. By the time Glover adopted Demetreus, Danyelle was an adult.
31
Glover stated that at the time of trial, Danyelle was a single mother, with a child
16 months of age, and was attending college.
Debra G. testified that she met defendant when she visited relatives in
Arkansas in 1985. She testified that she became pregnant with his child, who was
born in June 1986. She revealed that once during the four months she spent in
Arkansas, defendant lifted her up and slammed her against a wall during an
argument. Debra stated she moved back to Venice, California, and defendant
moved there to be near her. According to Debra, they resumed dating, but
defendant again became violent toward her. She testified that he threw her on the
ground and took their baby away for three days, and that he drove a vehicle at her,
causing her to run to avoid being struck. She stated that on several occasions, he
forced her to have sexual relations with him, once in a vehicle. She testified that
he was able to hold both of her hands with one hand, and that when he raped her in
a bed or on the ground, he held her hands above her head. She stated that she
resisted him, but that he would not accept “no” as an answer and forced himself on
her. She stated that when he smoked rock cocaine and there was nothing left to
smoke, he sometimes would become angry. She recalled that each time he
sexually assaulted her, he had been smoking rock cocaine. She testified she was
afraid of defendant and feared for her life.
On cross-examination, defense counsel impeached Debra‟s claims of
physical violence with contrary statements she made to a defense investigator.
Counsel suggested that defendant‟s anger at Debra was the result of her neglect of
their child, and that Debra turned against defendant when defendant‟s father
obtained custody of their child due to Debra‟s cocaine addiction, homelessness,
and mental health problems.
32
2. The defense case in mitigation
Defendant‟s mother, Betty Jo DeFrance, testified that defendant was born
in 1963, in Texarkana, Arkansas, when DeFrance was 17 years of age. She stated
that defendant‟s father was absent during much of defendant‟s early childhood
because he served in the military, and he and DeFrance separated in 1968. She
described defendant as a loving, happy child who liked to hug his mother and
make her laugh. She stated that, other than a habit of rocking back and forth,
defendant had no behavioral problems as a child. He was involved in 4-H, Cub
Scouts, Boy Scouts, basketball, boxing, and baseball, and had a newspaper route.
She testified that his school attendance became poor during his sophomore year of
high school, and he left home to reside with an uncle in another town in Arkansas,
because DeFrance would not tolerate his truancy. She stated that defendant‟s
younger brother, Sheldon, was born after defendant left home, but defendant
returned in 1980, when Sheldon, then two years of age, was close to death from
cancer. According to DeFrance, defendant became quiet and withdrawn after
Sheldon‟s death. She testified that in 1982, DeFrance‟s brother, Don, who was
three years older than defendant and had been close to defendant, drowned. She
stated that defendant was devastated by Don‟s death.
Jean Walker, whose husband was defendant‟s paternal uncle, testified that
she met defendant in approximately 1970, when she visited her husband‟s relatives
in Texarkana. Walker testified that defendant‟s mother never was present when
Walker visited, and that defendant spent a significant amount of time at his
grandmother‟s house while Walker was in Texarkana. When defendant was 18
years of age, he moved to San Diego and resided with Walker and her husband.
According to Walker, defendant was employed by a cabinetmaker, and also
worked at a toy store. She stated that when he injured his back at work, he
received a workers‟ compensation award of several thousand dollars, which he and
33
his older cousin spent on drugs. She testified that during one conversation with
defendant concerning his use of cocaine, he stated he was troubled by the deaths
of his brother and his uncle. She stated that at some point, her husband ordered
defendant to leave their home, due to defendant‟s use of cocaine. She also
testified that defendant wanted custody of his daughter, and that he bought his
daughter clothes. Walker described defendant as loving and helpful, and testified
he never was a bitter or violent person. The Michael Lewis she knew was a
“[v]ery loving, honest child.”
II.
DISCUSSION
A. Guilt phase
1. Admission of postmortem photographs of the victim
Defendant contends the trial court abused its discretion by admitting into
evidence multiple photographs of the victim taken at the crime scene and at the
autopsy. He claims the photographs were cumulative, irrelevant, and highly
prejudicial, and their admission violated his right to a reliable guilt phase verdict, a
fair trial, and due process of law under the Fifth, Sixth, Eighth, and Fourteenth
Amendments to the United States Constitution, and article I, section 7 of the
California Constitution.
Defendant moved in limine to exclude the People‟s photographic evidence
on the ground that the probative value of the photographs was outweighed by their
prejudicial effect. (Evid. Code, § 352.) After reviewing this evidence, the trial
court concluded it was relevant and was neither unduly prejudicial nor cumulative.
“This court is often asked to rule on the propriety of the admission of
allegedly gruesome photographs. [Citations.] At base, the applicable rule is
simply one of relevance, and the trial court has broad discretion in determining
34
such relevance. [Citation.] „ “[M]urder is seldom pretty, and pictures, testimony
and physical evidence in such a case are always unpleasant” ‟ [citation], and we
rely on our trial courts to ensure that relevant, otherwise admissible evidence is not
more prejudicial than probative (Evid. Code, § 352). A trial court‟s decision to
admit photographs under Evidence Code section 352 will be upheld on appeal
unless the prejudicial effect of such photographs clearly outweighs their probative
value. [Citation.] Finally, prosecutors, it must be remembered, are not obliged to
prove their case with evidence solely from live witnesses; the jury is entitled to see
details of the victims‟ bodies to determine if the evidence supports the
prosecution‟s theory of the case. [Citations.]” (People v. Gurule (2002) 28
Cal.4th 557, 624.)
“To determine whether there was an abuse of discretion, we address two
factors: (1) whether the photographs were relevant, and (2) whether the trial court
abused its discretion in finding that the probative value of each photograph
outweighed its prejudicial effect.” (People v. Whisenhunt (2008) 44 Cal.4th 174,
211-212.) Having examined all of the photographs, we find that each is relevant,
and that “they are not of such a nature as to overcome the jury‟s rationality.” (Id.
at p. 212.)
Exhibit 1, a photograph depicting the victim as she was found in her
apartment, provides evidence demonstrating that the victim was sexually
assaulted, and that the manner of the assault was similar to defendant‟s assault
upon Christa B. This photograph also corroborates the testimony of Detective
Bender and criminalist Paul Sham concerning the location of blood on and around
the victim‟s body.
35
Exhibit 2 includes nine photographs depicting the interior of the victim‟s
apartment.15 These photographs corroborate Bender‟s testimony that there was no
sign of a struggle and no blood splatter, and constitute evidence tending to
establish that the attacker may have suffered no visible injuries and left the scene
with no blood on his clothing. Each photograph depicts a different aspect of the
apartment, and therefore none is cumulative. The circumstance that the victim‟s
body, covered by a blue blanket, appears in three of the photographs (2B, 2D, and
2H) does not render these photographs cumulative or unduly prejudicial.
Exhibit 5 includes seven photographs of the victim‟s body on the medical
examiner‟s table. Exhibits 5A and 5B are full-length photographs of the victim,
taken from either side. They reflect the victim‟s thin build and the absence of
injuries, and are relevant to establish that defendant could have overpowered the
victim, and did overpower her, with little struggle. Exhibit 5C is a photograph of
the victim, from the chest up, taken before her bloody top was removed and her
body was cleaned. It reflects where blood flowed and also shows the abrasion
identified by Dr. DiTraglia on the upper left side of her forehead. Exhibits 5D and
5E are close-up photographs of the victim‟s neck, taken after the wound was
cleaned. The view in 5D is the front of the victim‟s neck, and in 5E the right side
of the victim‟s neck. Together, these photographs document the breadth and depth
of the wound. They reflect the viciousness and strength of the assault, which is
15
The nine photographs were displayed on a poster board and were labeled
2A through 2I. Two additional photographs were part of exhibit 2, but were not
displayed on the poster board: A photograph of the victim‟s body, rolled onto its
left side and thereby exposing the pattern of blood beneath the body, is labeled 2J.
A photograph of the walkway between the victim‟s apartment building and the
apartment building to the west is labeled 2K. Defendant addresses only the nine
photographs on the poster board.
36
relevant to prove that defendant acted with malice and sought to ensure the victim
was dead. They also raise doubt with respect to defendant‟s claim that an alleged
intoxicated third party who barely could stand or sit up in the victim‟s apartment
could have inflicted such a wound. (See People v. Wright (1990) 52 Cal.3d 367,
434 [photographs “were relevant to show the extent of the victim‟s injuries and the
amount of force used in the commission of the murder”].) Finally, exhibits 5F and
5G are photographs of the victim‟s right lower eyelid and right upper eyelid,
which have been pulled down and up, respectively, to expose petechial
hemorrhages. These photographs demonstrate that the victim was strangled.16
Each of these photographs was probative with respect to significant issues,
and none was cumulative. In addition, in light of Dr. DiTraglia‟s detailed
description of the damage inflicted upon the victim‟s neck, “the photographs were
not so gruesome as to have impermissibly swayed the jury.” (See People v.
Smithey (1999) 20 Cal.4th 936, 974 [“In light of the testimony . . . detailing all the
circumstances of the crime scene and the condition of the victim, the photographs
were not so gruesome as to have impermissibly swayed the jury”].) We find no
abuse of discretion in the trial court‟s ruling. With respect to defendant‟s claims
of constitutional error, we note that “[t]he „routine application of state evidentiary
16
The seven photographs labeled 5A through 5G were displayed on a poster
board. Exhibit 5 also included a third close-up photograph of the laceration of the
victim‟s neck. This photograph, labeled 5H, was not displayed on the poster
board, and is not addressed by defendant on appeal. Dr. DiTraglia explained that,
after examining the wound as he found it, he “reconstructed it, that is, pulled the
edges back to their normal anatomic positions.” As reconstructed, the two cuts
described by Dr. DiTraglia become apparent, as reflected in exhibit 5H.
Exhibit 5 also included a photograph of the victim‟s hand, showing a small
cut on one of her fingers (exhibit 5L), and five medical diagrams and drawings
used by Dr. DiTraglia during his testimony (exhibits 5I, 5J, 5K, 5M, and 5N).
37
law does not implicate [a] defendant‟s constitutional rights.‟ [Citation.]” (People
v. Hovarter (2008) 44 Cal.4th 983, 1010 (Hovarter).)
2. Admission of evidence of defendant’s prior rape
Defendant claims the admission of evidence concerning his rape of
Christa B. was unduly prejudicial under the standards set forth in People v.
Falsetta (1999) 21 Cal.4th 903 (Falsetta), and violated his rights to due process of
law and a fair trial under the Fifth, Sixth, and Fourteenth Amendments to the
United States Constitution.
The People moved in limine to admit Christa B.‟s testimony concerning
defendant‟s rape of Christa, and documentary evidence concerning his conviction
of that offense. This evidence was offered to prove motive, intent, a common
design, and lack of consent by the victim (Evid. Code, § 1101, subd. (b)) and to
demonstrate defendant‟s propensity to commit sexual assaults (Evid. Code,
§ 1108), thereby establishing that he raped and murdered the victim. Defendant
moved in limine to exclude evidence of the prior offense, arguing that the earlier
incident and the charged conduct lacked sufficient similarity to establish identity
or a common plan or scheme (Evid. Code, § 1101), and that the probative value of
this evidence was substantially outweighed by its prejudicial effect (Evid. Code,
§ 352). Defendant also moved for a new trial, based in part upon the assertedly
erroneous admission of evidence concerning his rape of Christa B. The trial court
ruled the evidence was admissible under both sections 1101 and 1108 of the
Evidence Code, and subsequently denied the motion for a new trial.17
17
At the hearing on the motions in limine, the trial court‟s ruling concerning
the purposes for which the evidence was admitted was somewhat ambiguous, but
the court directed the parties to prepare a limiting instruction. The parties agreed
to “Special Instruction No. 1,” which stated that the evidence could be considered
if it tended to show:
(footnote continued on next page)
38
Defendant contends the trial court erred in two respects. First, he asserts
the court failed to exercise its discretion, because it assertedly did not consider the
factors relevant to an evaluation of whether the prejudicial effect of evidence of a
prior sexual offense outweighs the probative value of such evidence. Second, he
claims the trial court abused its discretion by concluding that the probative value
of the evidence outweighed its prejudicial effect.
With respect to his first contention, defendant faults the trial court for
focusing upon the similarity of the prior and the charged offenses — a “relatively
irrelevant factor,” in his view — and for failing to discuss other factors identified
in Falsetta, supra, 21 Cal.4th at page 917.18 The similarity of the offenses,
(footnote continued from previous page)
“1. A characteristic method, plan or scheme in the commission of criminal
acts similar to the method, plan or scheme used in the commission of the offense
in this case which would further tend to show the existence of the intent which is
the necessary element of the crime charged;
“2. A motive for the commission of the crime charged; and
“3. That the defendant did not reasonably and actually believe that the
person with whom he engaged or attempted to engage in a sexual act consented to
his conduct.
“Furthermore, if you find that the defendant committed a prior sexual
offense, you may, but are not required to, infer that the defendant had a disposition
to commit the same or similar type of sexual offenses. . . .” (See post, fn. 29.)
18
In the course of analyzing Evidence Code section 1108, Falsetta explained:
“Rather than admit or exclude every sex offense a defendant commits, trial judges
must consider such factors as its nature, relevance, and possible remoteness, the
degree of certainty of its commission and the likelihood of confusing, misleading,
or distracting the jurors from their main inquiry, its similarity to the charged
offense, its likely prejudicial impact on the jurors, the burden on the defendant in
defending against the uncharged offense, and the availability of less prejudicial
alternatives to its outright admission, such as admitting some but not all of the
defendant‟s other sex offenses, or excluding irrelevant though inflammatory
details surrounding the offense. [Citations.]” (Falsetta, supra, 21 Cal.4th at
p. 917.)
39
however, was central to the court‟s evaluation of whether the evidence tended to
prove motive, intent, a common design, defendant‟s identity as the perpetrator, or
the victim‟s lack of consent, under Evidence Code section 1101. (People v. Kelly
(2008) 42 Cal.4th 763, 782-784 (Kelly II); People v. Balcom (1994) 7 Cal.4th 414,
423-424 (Balcom); People v. Ewoldt (1994) 7 Cal.4th 380, 393-406 (Ewoldt).) In
addition, the degree of similarity is relevant to the evaluation of whether the
probative value of the evidence outweighs its prejudicial effect under Evidence
Code section 1108. (Falsetta, supra, 21 Cal.4th at p. 917.) Finally, defendant‟s
memorandum of points and authorities in opposition to the admission of the
evidence focused principally upon the asserted absence of sufficient similarity.
Thus, it is no surprise that the trial court‟s comments were directed to that issue.
With respect to relevant factors not mentioned by the trial court, we note that “a
court need not expressly weigh prejudice against probative value or even expressly
state that it has done so, if the record as a whole shows the court was aware of and
performed its balancing function under Evidence Code section 352.” (People v.
Taylor (2001) 26 Cal.4th 1155, 1169.) The record reflects that the court
performed its duty to balance the probative value of this evidence against its
prejudicial effect.19
19
At the hearing on the motions, the trial court stated it had reviewed both
parties‟ points and authorities. After the prosecutor addressed various factors
relevant to the issue of whether the evidence should be admitted, he offered to
submit the matter unless the court indicated any additional area it wished
addressed. The court stated, “I think it‟s been covered adequately in your
statements and also in your Points and Authorities. You‟ve answered some of the
notes I had written down here.” Defense counsel argued that the evidence was
more prejudicial than probative. The trial court responded to the defense‟s
particular contentions, explained that it found no undue prejudice, and stated that
“[t]he prejudicial effect here is that this is very probative evidence. . . . [¶] So
under all of the various factors that this Court needs to consider, admissibility is
(footnote continued on next page)
40
Defendant‟s second contention — that the trial court abused its discretion
in concluding the probative value outweighed the prejudicial effect — also fails.
“Under the abuse of discretion standard, „a trial court‟s ruling will not be
disturbed, and reversal is not required, unless the trial court exercised its discretion
in an arbitrary, capricious, or patently absurd manner that resulted in a manifest
miscarriage of justice.‟ [Citation.]” (Hovarter, supra, 44 Cal.4th at p. 1004; see
also People v. Rogers (2006) 39 Cal.4th 826, 862 [abuse of discretion standard
applies to admission of evidence under Evid. Code § 1101] (Rogers); People v.
Wesson (2006) 138 Cal.App.4th 959, 969 [abuse of discretion standard applies to
admission of evidence under Evid. Code § 1108].)
Defendant‟s challenge is narrow. He urges that the trial court abused its
discretion in admitting the evidence under Evidence Code section 1108, because
its probative value assertedly was outweighed by its prejudicial effect.20 In a case
(footnote continued from previous page)
favored.” The trial court also reviewed the similarities between the two offenses,
and concluded the evidence was “more probative than prejudicial, subject to a
limiting instruction.”
20
Although stating that he does not concede the evidence was admissible
under Evidence Code section 1101, defendant “declines to specifically argue its
inadmissibility” under that statute. He explains his decision to address only
Evidence Code section 1108, as follows: “Evidence Code section 1108 is far less
restrictive than [Evidence Code section] 1101, so if evidence is more prejudicial
than probative under section 1108, it would likewise be inadmissible under 1101.
Therefore, [Evidence Code section] 1101 does not provide an alternative
independent basis for admissibility here.” Defendant states that he “is prepared to
respond to any suggestion to the contrary in the Reply Brief if so presented in
Respondent‟s Brief.” He directs the court to the pages of the clerk‟s transcript
containing his arguments in support of his motion in limine and his motion for a
new trial, in which he argued the evidence was not admissible under Evidence
Code section 1101. The respondent‟s brief includes a section addressing the
relevance of this evidence under Evidence Code section 1101, but defendant‟s
reply brief does not respond. Because defendant does not address the question
(footnote continued on next page)
41
in which a defendant is accused of a sexual offense, Evidence Code section 1108
authorizes the admission of evidence of a prior sexual offense to establish the
defendant‟s propensity to commit a sexual offense, subject to exclusion under
Evidence Code section 352. (Evid. Code, § 1108, subd. (a); Falsetta, supra, 21
Cal.4th at p. 911.) We find nothing arbitrary, capricious, or patently absurd in the
trial court‟s ruling that evidence of defendant‟s prior offense was admissible to
prove his propensity to commit the charged sexual offense.
The probative value of the evidence was strong. First, the two sexual
assaults shared many similarities. Defendant was acquainted with both victims
before the assaults, and therefore may have chosen them because they would be
more inclined to grant him access to their homes, where the assaults occurred.
Both attacks occurred late in the evening after defendant socialized and ingested
drugs with the victims, suggesting they were induced to let down their guard.
Both victims were physically small in stature and therefore less able to resist a
physical assault. The hands of both victims were pinned above their heads. Both
victims were strangled. Defendant threatened to slice Christa B.‟s throat, and
Miller‟s throat was cut. Second, the prior offense occurred only four years earlier,
and defendant had been incarcerated for much of the intervening time. Finally, the
independent sources of the evidence, particularly the police detective‟s testimony
that Christa contemporaneously reported the same details of the prior offense that
(footnote continued from previous page)
whether the probative value of the evidence under Evidence Code section 1101 —
to prove a common scheme, a motive, or that defendant did not believe the sexual
act was consensual — was outweighed by its prejudicial effect, defendant has
forfeited any contention that the trial court abused its discretion in admitting this
evidence under Evidence Code section 1101.
42
were set forth in her testimony at defendant‟s trial, increased the probative value
of the evidence. (See Falsetta, supra, 21 Cal.4th at p. 917.)
The risk of undue prejudice was minimal. Because defendant was
convicted of the prior rape and sentenced to prison, “the jury would not be
tempted to convict [him] simply to punish him for the other offenses, and . . . the
jury‟s attention would not be diverted by having to make a separate determination
whether defendant committed the other offenses.”21 (Falsetta, supra, 21 Cal.4th
at p. 917.) There also was little likelihood the jury would be distracted from its
principal inquiry — whether defendant raped and murdered Miller. Nor do we
find it likely the jury would be confused by the different standards of proof
pertaining to the issue of whether defendant committed the prior acts
(preponderance of the evidence) and whether he committed the current offenses
(beyond a reasonable doubt); all juries in criminal proceedings in which evidence
of uncharged conduct is admitted under Evidence Code section 1108 are called
upon to apply these two different standards. Contrary to defendant‟s contention,
we perceive no reason why the required analysis would have been particularly
confusing in this case because of the circumstance that the victim of the prior rape
testified, whereas the charged rape was proved through circumstantial evidence.
Although evidence of the prior offense would elicit a negative emotional response
from the jurors in this case, it was less inflammatory than the charge that
21
Defendant contends the trial court erroneously refused to consider that he
may have been innocent of the earlier charges, and that he accepted a three-year
prison sentence, prior to the enactment of Evidence Code section 1108 (but well
after the enactment of Evidence Code section 1101), in order to avoid a potential
sentence of 27 years to life. The trial court had no authority, however, to reject
evidence of a valid prior conviction on the ground that defendant‟s guilty plea to
that matter was entered in order to avoid a lengthy sentence or that the plea was
otherwise ill-advised.
43
defendant raped, strangled, and cut the throat of Patricia Miller while her children
slept upstairs. (See People v. Demetrulias (2006) 39 Cal.4th 1, 19 [the court
noted, in evaluating any undue prejudice from evidence admitted under Evid.
Code, § 1101, that the prior offense involved a serious assault, but the charged
offense was murder].) Finally, in any case in which evidence of other acts
committed by a defendant is admitted, the defendant will face the decision
whether to testify concerning the prior acts or to remain silent. Contrary to
defendant‟s contention, this circumstance does not render such evidence unduly
prejudicial. A defendant is faced with this choice whenever evidence is admitted
that he or she personally could rebut.
In the course of addressing the asserted undue prejudice, defendant
contends it was improper to admit evidence establishing that he choked Christa B.,
because choking is not a “sexual offense” within the meaning of Evidence Code
section 1108. It is irrelevant whether all of the evidence concerning defendant‟s
assault upon Christa B. was admissible under Evidence Code section 1108,
because defendant fails to establish that the trial court abused its discretion by
admitting the evidence under Evidence Code section 1101. Similarly, he asserts it
was improper to admit evidence of a prior sexual offense to prove that he
committed the nonsexual offense of murder. Again, defendant fails to establish
that the evidence of the sexual assault was not admissible under Evidence Code
section 1101 to prove the commission of a murder. Moreover, this evidence was
relevant to the offense of felony murder, with rape as the underlying offense.
(People v. Story (2009) 45 Cal.4th 1282, 1285 [a murder committed during the
course of a rape is a “sexual offense” within the meaning of Evid. Code, § 1108].)
Finally, contrary to defendant‟s contention, it is irrelevant that the elements of the
offense of rape are distinct from the elements of murder. The issue under
Evidence Code section 1101 was whether the evidence tended to prove that
44
defendant committed the crimes with which he was charged; it was not necessary
that the evidence establish identical criminal offenses.
In sum, we find no abuse of discretion in the trial court‟s conclusion that
the probative value of this evidence outweighed its prejudicial effect in
establishing defendant‟s propensity to commit the charged sexual offense. (Evid.
Code, § 1108.) Because defendant has declined to engage in an analysis focused
on whether the evidence of his prior crimes was admissible under Evidence Code
section 1101 to prove a common scheme, a motive, or that defendant did not
believe the sexual act was consensual, we have no occasion to address whether the
evidence of his prior crimes was sufficiently similar to the charged offenses to
authorize its admission for these purposes, or whether the prejudicial effect of this
evidence outweighed each purpose for which it was offered. (See Ewoldt, supra, 7
Cal.4th at pp. 402-407.) We decline defendant‟s invitation to reconsider our
decision in Falsetta, supra, 21 Cal.4th 903, and to hold that the admission of
evidence under Evidence Code section 1108 to establish a defendant‟s propensity
to commit a sexual offense violates his or her due process rights. Not only has
defendant failed to convince us that section 352 is not an adequate safeguard
against the admission of unduly prejudicial evidence, but he also has not
established that the evidence admitted in the present case was not independently
admissible under section 1101. (Balcom, supra, 7 Cal.4th at pp. 423-424; Ewoldt,
supra, 7 Cal.4th at pp. 393-406.) Finally, with respect to defendant‟s claims of
constitutional error, we note that “[t]he „routine application of state evidentiary
law does not implicate [a] defendant‟s constitutional rights.‟ [Citation.]”
(Hovarter, supra, 44 Cal.4th 983, 1010.)
45
3. Sufficiency of the evidence to prove rape and murder
Defendant contends the trial court erred in denying his motion for a new
trial or to modify the verdict. He claims the evidence presented at trial was
insufficient to support his conviction, in violation of his right to due process of law
under the Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution and article I,
section 15 of the California Constitution. (See In re Winship (1970) 397 U.S. 358,
364 [“the Due Process Clause protects the accused against conviction except upon
proof beyond a reasonable doubt of every fact necessary to constitute the crime
with which he is charged”].)22
“When reviewing a challenge to the sufficiency of the evidence to support a
conviction, we review the entire record in the light most favorable to the judgment
to determine whether it contains 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. Lindberg
(2008) 45 Cal.4th 1, 27.) “[T]he relevant question is whether, after viewing the
22
In the trial court, defendant‟s motion for a new trial or to modify the verdict
was based principally upon three contentions — (1) evidence of other crimes
should have been excluded, (2) jury instructions concerning evidence of other
crimes were confusing and contradictory, and (3) the evidence was insufficient to
sustain the conviction. His motion also asserted summarily that “the evidence in
aggravation did not substantially outweigh evidence in mitigation,” and requested
modification of the verdict, “given the lingering doubt and mitigation in this case.”
On appeal, defendant challenges the denial of his motion for a new trial or
to modify the verdict based upon only the asserted insufficiency of the evidence
presented at trial. He adds that, “to the extent this argument shows that had the
prior rape evidence been excluded, the rest of the evidence would have been
insufficient as a matter of law, [defendant] submits this as proof of the prejudicial
impact the prior rape evidence had on [defendant‟s] case.” As explained above,
the evidence of the prior rape was properly admitted. Therefore, our analysis of
his challenge to the denial of his motion for a new trial or to modify the verdict
addresses only the sufficiency of the evidence.
46
evidence in the light most favorable to the prosecution, any rational trier of fact
could have found the essential elements of the crime beyond a reasonable doubt.”
(Jackson v. Virginia (1979) 443 U.S. 307, 318-319; see People v. Staten (2000) 24
Cal.4th 434, 460 [“An identical standard applies under the California
Constitution”]; People v. Cain (1995) 10 Cal.4th 1, 39 [the same standard applies
to the sufficiency of the evidence to sustain a special circumstance finding].)23
“[I]t is the jury, not the appellate court which must be convinced of the
defendant‟s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.” (People v. Bean (1988) 46 Cal.3d
919, 933.) “In a case, such as the present one, based upon circumstantial
evidence, we must decide whether the circumstances reasonably justify the
findings of the trier of fact, but our opinion that the circumstances also might
reasonably be reconciled with a contrary finding would not warrant reversal of the
judgment. [Citation.]” (People v. Proctor (1992) 4 Cal.4th 499, 528-529.)
We begin our review of the sufficiency of the evidence with the evidence
establishing that Miller was raped. “Forcible rape is an act of sexual intercourse
accomplished with a person not the spouse of the perpetrator against the person‟s
will by means of force or violence.” (People v. Guerra (2006) 37 Cal.4th 1067,
1130; see § 261, subd. (a)(2).) When Miller was found, she was lying on the floor,
her shirt was pushed up, her pants were pulled off, except at the bottom where
23
Defendant, claiming a requirement of heightened reliability in capital cases,
asserts that evidence of guilt must be stronger in a capital case than in a noncapital
case. The cases he cites do not support his assertion. (See Beck v. Alabama
(1980) 447 U.S. 625, 637-638 [procedural rule barring instruction on a lesser
included offense diminished the reliability of the guilt determination with respect
to the capital offense and thereby diminished the reliability of the capital
sentencing determination]; People v. Marshall (1997) 15 Cal.4th 1, 34-35 [the
court applied the substantial evidence standard established in Jackson v. Virginia,
supra, 443 U.S. at pp. 318-319].)
47
they apparently caught on her feet, and her hands lay above her head, apparently
having been pinned down to prevent her from resisting her attacker. The evidence
also established that she had been strangled before her throat was cut, indicating
that force was used to disable her sometime before she was killed. Finally, sperm
was detected in the vaginal and rectal swabs. From these circumstances, a juror
reasonably could conclude that Miller was forced to have sexual intercourse
against her will.24
The evidence also established that defendant was the person who raped her.
During the early evening, defendant was “putting the moves on everything that
moved,” and making comments such as, “I am going to fuck me something
tonight, before I go.” Defendant flirted with the victim at approximately 8:00
p.m., and then commented that he “wouldn‟t mind getting some of that.”
Defendant admitted engaging in sexual intercourse with Miller, and no sperm
inconsistent with defendant‟s was detected in the swabs. The absence of any
indication of forced entry, the placement of Miller‟s arms and hands, the injuries
sustained from strangulation, and the cutting of her throat — an act with which
defendant had threatened Christa B. — demonstrated that Miller was attacked in a
manner similar to defendant‟s attack upon Christa B. The circumstance that
24
Defendant cites People v. Anderson (1968) 70 Cal.2d 15 (Anderson),
People v. Granados (1957) 49 Cal.2d 490, and People v. Craig (1957) 49 Cal.2d
313, in support of his contention that the evidence is insufficient to establish that
the victim was raped. “The cited decisions, as a group, may be read to establish
„that the victim‟s lack of clothing . . . is insufficient to establish specific sexual
intent.‟ [Citation.]” (People v. Holloway (2004) 33 Cal.4th 96, 139; see also
People v. Johnson (1993) 6 Cal.4th 1, 39 [“the only evidence of his rape or
attempted rape of [the victim] was her partly unclothed body”], overruled on
another ground in Rogers, supra, 39 Cal.4th at p. 879.) As in Holloway, “the
finding [] in the present case rests on substantially more than the [victim‟s]
nudity.” (Holloway, at p. 139.)
48
defendant was the last person seen with Miller and was unable to provide a
credible explanation of his whereabouts during the four hours after he claimed he
saw her for the last time, also supported the inference that he raped Miller.25 (See
Hovarter, supra, 44 Cal.4th at p. 1016 [in addition to a witness‟s statement that the
defendant said he raped the victim, the court noted that he could not be excluded
as the donor of the semen, had the opportunity to commit the crime, and had
committed similar crimes a few months earlier].) Further evidence that defendant
was the perpetrator included his subsequent statements, which were contradictory
and also inconsistent with the accounts of others.26 In addition, he knew how
Miller had been killed, and he denied raping her, before being informed by the
police that she had been raped and before being accused of raping her. (See
People v. Maury (2003) 30 Cal.4th 342, 398-399 (Maury) [the defendant‟s
25
Although defendant claimed he last had seen the victim at approximately
10:30 p.m., he was seen walking with her at approximately 11:00 p.m. Between
11:00 p.m. and midnight, after contacting Turner about obtaining cocaine, he left
the walkway by the victim‟s apartment, walked down the alley, and then walked
back and turned into the walkway by the victim‟s apartment. He next was seen
exiting from the victim‟s walkway at approximately 2:00 a.m., anxious for a
taxicab. Defendant repeatedly changed his description of his activities during the
evening, and never was able to explain his whereabouts between 10:30 p.m. and
2:00 a.m.
26
For example, defendant‟s assertion that he had been at Mitchell‟s home
from 10:30 p.m. until 2:00 a.m. conflicted with the testimony of Mitchell and
Turner. His description of his visit to Miller‟s apartment conflicted with
Danyelle‟s testimony. In addition, he changed his description of events and
contradicted himself in response to evidence that Bender claimed to possess, and
when he eventually admitted being in the apartment and having had sex with the
victim, he identified a time and described details that were inconsistent with the
testimony of others. Similarly, he initially denied that anyone else had been at the
apartment, and then described a drunken man who entered the victim‟s apartment,
but the person as he described him would have been too incapacitated to commit
the crimes.
49
knowledge of details of the crimes, his inconsistent statements, and his statements
conflicting with the testimony of impartial witnesses supported the guilty
verdict].) Thus, substantial evidence supports the jury‟s finding, beyond a
reasonable doubt, that defendant raped Miller.
Finally, the evidence established that defendant murdered Miller in the
commission of the rape. Based upon the undisturbed state of the blood under
Miller‟s body, it appears she was murdered in the same condition and position as
she was raped — on the floor, with her clothes torn off and her hands pinned
above her head. In addition, in light of the similarities between defendant‟s
conduct and threats toward Christa B. and his conduct toward Miller, the jury
could conclude that defendant strangled Miller and cut her throat, and that his
motive was to avoid detection. Finally, the evidence summarized above, which
supports the conclusion that he was the perpetrator of the rape, also supports the
conclusion that he murdered Miller — he was the last person seen with her and
was unable to provide a credible explanation of his whereabouts, his statements
were contradictory and inconsistent with the testimony of others, and he knew
how she had been killed before being informed of the facts. Therefore, substantial
evidence supports defendant‟s conviction, beyond a reasonable doubt, of first
degree murder, based upon his commission of a homicide perpetrated in the course
of a rape (§ 189), and substantial evidence also supports the special circumstance
finding, beyond a reasonable doubt, that the murder was committed while
defendant was engaged in the commission of, or attempted commission of, a rape
(§ 190.2, subd. (a)(17)(C)).
Although unnecessary, in light of the establishment of a felony murder, we
note that the evidence also supported a finding that the murder was willful,
50
deliberate, and premeditated.27 (§ 189.) In Anderson, supra, 70 Cal.2d at
page 27, this court “identified three categories of evidence pertinent to the
determination of premeditation and deliberation: (1) planning activity, (2) motive,
and (3) manner of killing.” (People v. Perez (1992) 2 Cal.4th 1117, 1125.) From
the evidence presented, the jury could conclude that defendant decided early in the
evening to obtain sex from someone in the neighborhood, by coercion if
necessary, and that he chose Miller as his target. Also, as noted above, the jury
could conclude that his motive in killing Miller was to avoid detection. The
manner in which she was killed supported a finding of deliberation and
premeditation, because Miller had been strangled to the point of unconsciousness
and was not breathing vigorously before her throat was cut, and the wound to her
throat required either two independent cuts or a single cut in which the knife was
raised and pivoted midway through the cutting action. Moreover, even if the
initial strangulation was spontaneous, the additional act of slashing her throat “is
indicative of a reasoned decision to kill.” (See id. at p. 1129.) Thus, a rational
trier of fact could have been persuaded beyond a reasonable doubt that the killing
27
The jury was instructed that “ „willful‟ . . . means intentional,” and that
“ „deliberate‟ means formed or arrived at or determined upon as a result of careful
thought and weighing of considerations for and against the proposed course of
action. The word „premeditated‟ means considered beforehand.” The jury was
further instructed: “If you find that the killing was preceded and accompanied by a
clear, deliberate intent on the part of the defendant to kill, which was the result of
deliberation and premeditation, so that it must have been formed upon pre-existing
reflection and not under a sudden heat of passion or other condition precluding the
idea of deliberation, it is murder of the first degree.” The court further explained
that the time necessary to deliberate and premeditate will vary. “A cold,
calculated judgment and decision may be arrived at in a short period of time, but a
mere unconsidered and rash impulse, even though it includes an intent to kill, is
not deliberation and premeditation as will fix an unlawful killing as murder of the
first degree.”
51
was willful, deliberate, and premeditated. (See id. at p. 1127 [all that is required is
that “any rational trier of fact could have been persuaded beyond a reasonable
doubt that the defendant premeditated the murder”].)
Contrary to defendant‟s suggestion, the absence of forensic evidence such
as defendant‟s fingerprints in the victim‟s apartment, trauma to the victim‟s genital
area, injuries to defendant, blood splatter on defendant, or discovery of the murder
weapon, does not negate the sufficiency of the evidence to prove that defendant
raped and murdered Miller. Moreover, the absence of the particular forensic
evidence highlighted by defendant was not surprising or suspicious under the
circumstances of the present case. Defendant admitted being in the victim‟s
apartment and having sex with her; either he did not touch surfaces that would
reflect his prints, or the fingerprints were wiped off. Even defendant‟s expert
agreed that examination of a rape victim with the naked eye and a bright light
would reveal genital trauma in only 10 to 30 percent of cases of nonconsensual
sex. Because defendant was acquainted with the victim, was allowed into her
apartment by her, shared cocaine with her, and was larger than she, it is reasonable
to conclude he could subdue her without suffering visible injuries himself. In
addition, Dr. DiTraglia‟s testimony established that the victim would have lost
consciousness from strangulation within six to 15 seconds, and that a person could
inflict the wounds without blood being transferred to the attacker. Nor is it
surprising that defendant did not conceal his sexual intentions and allowed himself
to be seen in the victim‟s company; a juror reasonably could conclude that
defendant was functioning under the influence of marijuana and cocaine, and
lacked the discipline or awareness necessary to conceal his intentions and actions,
or the judgment to abort his plan when he realized the victim‟s children were
home. In any event, defendant‟s failure to conceal all evidence of the crime does
not compel the conclusion that he did not commit the crime. Similarly,
52
defendant‟s friendly behavior toward the victim — conversing with her in the
alley, helping her with her laundry, and smoking cocaine with her — did not
render speculative the evidence of his motive. Defendant also was very friendly to
Christa B. before he raped and strangled her. Finally, defendant‟s alternative
version of his activities that evening does not render insufficient the evidence
supporting the verdict.
In summary, a reasonable juror could find beyond a reasonable doubt that
Miller was raped, that defendant was the person who raped her, that defendant also
was the person who killed her, that he killed her during the commission of the rape
or during his immediate flight after committing the rape — and that the homicide
was willful, deliberate, and premeditated. Therefore, the evidence presented at
trial was sufficient to support defendant‟s conviction of first degree murder and
the finding of the special circumstance that the murder was committed during the
commission of (or flight from) a rape.
4. Jury instructions related to defendant’s prior rape of Christa B.
Defendant asserts that the trial court‟s instructions permitted the jury to find
by a preponderance of the evidence that he committed the prior offenses against
Christa B., and to infer from such a finding that he committed the charged
offenses. Thus, he claims, the instructions violated his right to a jury verdict based
upon a finding of guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, thereby violating his right to
due process of law, a fair trial, and an impartial jury, in violation of the Fifth,
Sixth, and Fourteenth Amendments to the United States Constitution and parallel
provisions of the California Constitution.28
28
The People assert defendant forfeited this claim because he agreed to the
jury instruction about which he now complains. Because his claim of error would
(footnote continued on next page)
53
After Christa B. testified, and again at the conclusion of the guilt phase, the
court gave an instruction, designated “Special Instruction No. 1,” to guide the jury
in its consideration of Christa‟s testimony. The instruction, a modified version of
CALJIC Nos. 2.50 and 2.50.01, was drafted by the prosecutor and approved by
defense counsel. It explained the purposes for which the evidence concerning the
uncharged offenses could be considered, but did not address the burden of proof.29
(footnote continued from previous page)
affect defendant‟s substantial rights, we address it nonetheless. (Pen. Code,
§§ 1259, 1469.)
29
Special Instruction No. 1 stated:
“Evidence has been introduced for the purpose of showing that the
defendant committed a crime other than that for which he is on trial.
“This evidence, if believed, may be considered by you only for the limited
purpose described in this instruction. This evidence may be considered for the
limited purpose of determining if it tends to show:
“1. A characteristic method, plan or scheme in the commission of criminal
acts similar to the method, plan or scheme used in the commission of the offense
in this case which would further tend to show the existence of the intent which is
the necessary element of the crime charged;
“2. A motive for the commission of the crime charged; and
“3. That the defendant did not reasonably and actually believe that the
person with whom he engaged or attempted to engage in a sexual act consented to
his conduct.
“Furthermore, if you find that the defendant committed a prior sexual
offense, you may, but are not required to, infer that the defendant had a disposition
to commit the same or similar type of sexual offenses. If you find that the
defendant had this disposition, you may, but are not required to, infer that he was
likely to commit and did commit the crime of which he is accused.
“For the limited purpose for which you may consider this evidence, you
must weigh it in the same manner as you do all other evidence in the case.”
The instruction then defined “sexual offense” as “[a]ny conduct made
criminal by Penal Code section 261, subdivision (2),” and continued:
“In weighing evidence of a prior offense, you must make several decisions.
You must decide whether a prior offense has been proved. If you determine that
the prior offense has not been proved, you must disregard that evidence. If you
decide that a character trait of the defendant has been proved, you must decide
(footnote continued on next page)
54
Immediately after giving Special Instruction No. 1 at the conclusion of the guilt
phase, the court read CALJIC No. 2.50.1: “Within the meaning of the preceding
instruction, the prosecution has the burden of proving by a preponderance of the
evidence that a defendant committed a crime or sexual offense other than that for
which he is charged. [¶] You must not consider this evidence for any purpose
unless you find by a preponderance of the evidence that a defendant committed the
other crime or sexual offense.” The trial court also instructed the jury that “[a]
defendant in a criminal action is presumed to be innocent until the contrary is
proved, and in case of a reasonable doubt whether his guilt is satisfactorily shown,
he is entitled to a verdict of not guilty. This presumption places upon the People
the burden of proving him guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.” (CALJIC No.
2.90.) In addition, the court‟s instruction concerning the sufficiency of
circumstantial evidence explained that “each fact which is essential . . . to establish
the defendant‟s guilt must be proved beyond a reasonable doubt” (CALJIC No.
(footnote continued from previous page)
whether the proved character trait is relevant to whether he committed the charged
offense. If you find the proved character trait is not relevant to whether the
defendant committed the charged offense, you must disregard the evidence of
character. If you find that a character trait of the defendant has been proved and
the proved character trait is relevant to whether he committed the charged offense,
then you may consider this evidence together with other evidence to decide
whether he committed the charged offense. You may not convict him merely
because you believe he committed another offense or because you believe he has a
character trait that tends to predispose him to committing the charged offense.
The question before you is whether the defendant is guilty of the crime charged in
this case, not whether he is guilty of any other offense. For the limited purposes
for which you may consider such evidence you must weigh it as I have described
in this instruction. You are not permitted to consider such evidence for any other
purposes.”
55
2.01),30 and its instruction concerning a defendant‟s decision not to testify referred
to the prosecution‟s burden to prove beyond a reasonable doubt every essential
element of the charges (CALJIC No. 2.61).31
The portion of Special Instruction No. 1 about which defendant complains
states that “if you find that the defendant committed a prior sexual offense, you
may . . . infer that the defendant had a disposition to commit the same or similar
type of sexual offenses. If you find that the defendant had this disposition, you
may . . . infer that he . . . did commit the crime of which he is accused.”
Defendant contends that this instruction, together with the instruction that the
prosecution had the burden to prove the uncharged offenses by a preponderance of
the evidence, informed the jury that it could find defendant guilty of the charged
crimes if it found by a preponderance of the evidence that he committed the
uncharged offenses, in violation of his right to a jury verdict based upon evidence
establishing guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
30
CALJIC No. 2.01 explained that a finding of guilt could not be based upon
circumstantial evidence unless the evidence not only was consistent with
defendant‟s guilt, but could not “be reconciled with any other rational conclusion.”
As relevant here, the instruction further provided that “each fact which is essential
to complete a set of circumstances necessary to establish the defendant‟s guilt
must be proved beyond a reasonable doubt. In other words, before an inference
essential to establish guilt may be found to have been proved beyond a reasonable
doubt, each fact or circumstance on which the inference necessarily rests must be
proved beyond a reasonable doubt.”
31
CALJIC No. 2.61 states: “In deciding whether or not to testify, the
defendant may choose to rely on the state of the evidence and upon the failure, if
any, of the People to prove beyond a reasonable doubt every essential element of
the charge against him. No lack of testimony on defendant‟s part will make up for
a failure of proof by the People so as to support a finding against him on any
essential element.”
56
Special Instruction No. 1 also informed the jurors, however, that “[y]ou
may not convict [defendant] merely because you believe he committed another
offense or because you believe he has a character trait that tends to predispose him
to committing the charged offense.” (See ante, fn. 29.) This clarification
anticipated a 1999 revision to CALJIC No. 2.50.01, which added the following
paragraph: “However, if you find [by a preponderance of the evidence] that the
defendant committed [a] prior sexual offense[s], that is not sufficient by itself to
prove [beyond a reasonable doubt] that [he] [she] committed the charged crime[s].
The weight and significance of the evidence, if any, are for you to decide.”
(CALJIC No. 2.50.01 (1999 rev.).)
In People v. Reliford (2003) 29 Cal.4th 1007 (Reliford), we reviewed
CALJIC No. 2.50.01, as revised in 1999. The defendant in Reliford “complain[ed]
that, having found the uncharged offense true by a preponderance of the evidence,
jurors would rely on „this alone‟ to convict him of the charged offenses.” We
responded: “The problem with defendant‟s argument is that the instruction
nowhere tells the jury it may rest a conviction solely on evidence of prior offenses.
Indeed, the instruction‟s next sentence says quite the opposite: „if you find by a
preponderance of the evidence that the defendant committed a prior sexual
offense . . . , that is not sufficient by itself to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that
he committed the charged crime.‟ The jury, of course, was instructed to consider
the instructions „as a whole‟ (CALJIC No. 1.01), just as we must view a
challenged portion „in the context of the instructions as a whole and the trial
record‟ to determine „ “whether there is a reasonable likelihood that the jury has
applied the challenged instruction in a way” that violates the Constitution.‟
[Citations.] Viewed in this way, the instructions could not have been interpreted
to authorize a guilty verdict based solely on proof of uncharged conduct.
(Falsetta, supra, 21 Cal.4th at p. 923 [CALJIC No. 2.50.01 „incorporates‟ the
57
admonition „not to convict defendant solely in reliance on the evidence that he
committed prior sex offenses‟].)” (Reliford, supra, 29 Cal.4th at p. 1013.) The
court added that “[n]o reasonable juror would believe that [the requirements for
finding the defendant guilty of the charged offenses] could be satisfied solely by
proof of uncharged offenses. Even the Court of Appeal deemed the fact „that
defendant committed the previous crime is not enough, by itself, to prove that he
committed the charged offense‟ a „truism.‟ [Citation.] Or, as other courts have
stated, a conviction based solely on the uncharged conduct is „a logical
impossibility.‟ [Citation.]” (Id. at pp. 1013-1014.)
Reliford, supra, 29 Cal.4th 1007, also addressed the contention that
CALJIC No. 2.50.01, as revised in 1999, could be interpreted as authorizing
conviction of the charged offense based upon only a preponderance of the
evidence. “We do not find it reasonably likely a jury could interpret the
instructions to authorize conviction of the charged offenses based on a lowered
standard of proof. Nothing in the instructions authorized the jury to use the
preponderance-of-the-evidence standard for anything other than the preliminary
determination whether defendant committed a prior sexual offense . . . . The
instructions instead explained that, in all other respects, the People had the burden
of proving defendant guilty „beyond a reasonable doubt.‟ (CALJIC Nos. 2.61,
2.90; see CALJIC No. 10.65.) Any other reading would have rendered the
reference to reasonable doubt a nullity. In addition, the jury was told that
circumstantial evidence could support a finding of guilt of the charged offenses
only if the proved circumstances could not be reconciled with any other rational
conclusion (CALJIC No. 2.02) — which is merely another way of restating the
reasonable-doubt standard. [Citation.] The jury thus would have understood that
a conviction that relied on inferences to be drawn from defendant‟s prior offense
58
would have to be proved beyond a reasonable doubt.” (Reliford, supra, 29 Cal.4th
at p. 1016.)
As was the case in Reliford, supra, 29 Cal.4th 1007, Special Instruction
No. 1 informed the jury it could “not convict [defendant] merely because you
believe he committed another offense or because you believe he has a character
trait that tends to predispose him to committing the charged offense,” and other
instructions informed the jury that the prosecution had the burden of proving the
charged offenses beyond a reasonable doubt. In addition, as noted above, this
burden imposed upon the prosecution was referenced in instructions concerning
the sufficiency of circumstantial evidence and the defendant‟s decision not to
testify. Defendant notes, however, that in contrast to the version of CALJIC No.
2.50.01 reviewed in Reliford, Special Instruction No. 1 did not include language
regarding proof beyond a reasonable doubt. This difference is of no consequence,
because the conclusion we reached in Reliford was not based upon the reference in
CALJIC No. 2.50.01 to proof beyond a reasonable doubt. Thus, as in Reliford, we
conclude there is no reasonable likelihood that the jury interpreted the instructions
as a whole to authorize a conviction based upon proof by a preponderance of the
evidence that defendant committed the uncharged offenses. (See Estelle v.
McGuire (1991) 502 U.S. 62, 72-73 [the standard for evaluating an ambiguous
jury instruction is whether, in light of the instructions as a whole and the trial
record, the instruction gave rise to “ „a reasonable likelihood that the jury has
applied the challenged instruction in a way‟ that violates the Constitution”].)
Finally, contrary to defendant‟s contention, Special Instruction No. 1 does
not suffer from the same flaws as an instruction we reviewed in Falsetta, supra, 21
Cal.4th 903. The defective instruction considered in that case stated that the
evidence of the defendant‟s uncharged sex offenses could be used only to establish
his propensity to commit similar crimes; in fact, however, the evidence also
59
properly could be considered for purposes such as establishing motive, intent, or
identity. “Moreover, the proposed instruction improperly advised [jurors] to
approach the other crimes evidence with caution, told them not to give the
evidence undue weight, and gave them a detailed procedure on how to approach
and weigh the evidence. „[I]nstructions bearing on the weight to be attached to a
particular piece of evidence are properly refused.‟ [Citation.] Furthermore, the
instruction was both lengthy and confusing in various respects.” (Id. at pp. 922-
923.) Special Instruction No. 1 does not suffer from any of the flaws affecting the
validity of the instruction reviewed in Falsetta. Although the instruction before us
included detailed guidance concerning the steps involved in determining the
relevance of uncharged sexual offenses, its explanation was brief and reasonably
clear.
5. The prosecutor’s arguments related to felony murder based upon
rape, and to the special circumstance allegation of rape
Asserting that the People relied upon the theory that defendant killed the
victim in order to have sexual intercourse with her corpse, defendant contends the
trial court erred in declining to instruct the jury that the prosecution was required
to prove that he harbored the intent to rape her while she was alive. Defendant
claims the alleged error violated his rights to trial by jury and to a fair trial under
the Sixth and Fourteenth Amendments to the United States Constitution, and
article I, sections 15 and 16 of the California Constitution.
During his closing argument, the prosecutor stated that the special
circumstance allegation required a finding that the murder was committed to
further the rape, and he described three possible scenarios related to this
allegation: First, defendant killed the victim “to carry out or advance the
commission of the crime of rape. He killed Pat Miller so he could accomplish a
sexual act on her body. . . . Killed her to have sex with the body, to advance the
60
commission of the crime of rape, to carry it out.” Second, he killed her to
facilitate his escape.32 Third, his primary purpose was murder, and he raped her as
an afterthought. The prosecutor explained that the special circumstance allegation
would not be established in the third scenario, and argued that defendant went to
the victim‟s apartment for sexual gratification, and killed her either to obtain what
he wanted or to escape detection. In response, defense counsel requested an
instruction to the jury that the prosecutor‟s third theory — that defendant killed
Miller before raping her — would not support the special circumstance allegation
that the victim was killed in the course of the rape. The trial court declined to give
the requested instruction.
“Rape requires a live victim,” because the crime must be accomplished
against a person‟s will. (People v. Kelly (1992) 1 Cal.4th 495, 524 (Kelly I).)
“This does not, however, mean that intercourse after death negates the felony-
murder rule, [or] the rape special circumstance . . . . Felony murder includes a
killing „committed in the perpetration of, or attempt to perpetrate, . . . rape . . . .‟
(§ 189, italics added.) . . . . [T]he rape special circumstance applies to a murder
„committed while the defendant was engaged in or was an accomplice in the
commission of, [or] attempted commission of‟ rape. (§ 190.2, subd. (a)(17)(iii),
italics added.)” (Ibid.)33 As we explained in People v. Rundle (2008) 43 Cal.4th
32
The prosecutor reiterated the first two theories in his rebuttal argument:
“She was killed and raped here on the living room floor. . . . [¶] . . . She died
there, on the floor, unconscious from being strangled, her throat slit so [defendant]
could get away with his rape.”
33
As examples, Kelly I, supra, 1 Cal.4th 495, cited People v. Quicke (1964)
61 Cal.2d 155 and People v. Goodridge (1969) 70 Cal.2d 824. In Quicke, the
defendant strangled his victim when she resisted his attempt to rape her, drove her
body to an isolated area six miles away, and had sexual intercourse with her body.
We found the evidence supported the conclusion that the murder was committed in
(footnote continued on next page)
61
76, disapproved on another ground in People v. Doolin (2009) 45 Cal.4th 390,
421, footnote 22 (Doolin), the felony-murder special circumstance finding must be
“based upon proof that the defendant intended to commit the underlying felony
separately from forming an intent to kill the victim; that is, the felony was not
merely an afterthought to the murder, as when, for example, the defendant intends
to murder the victim and after doing so takes his or her wallet for the purpose of
making identification of the body more difficult. [Citation.]” (Rundle, at p. 156.)
“Therefore, although intentionally killing the victim during an attempted rape
ultimately might thwart, in the legal sense, the perpetrator‟s goal of committing a
rape, this circumstances does not mean the murder was not „committed while the
defendant was engaged in . . . the . . . attempted commission of . . . [¶] . . . [¶]
. . . Rape,‟ which is what [section 190.2, subdivision (a)(17)(C)] requires.” (Ibid.)
Under these principles, the prosecutor‟s statement that defendant may have killed
his victim to have sexual intercourse with her body was not inconsistent with the
felony-murder theory and the special circumstance allegation.
Contrary to defendant‟s contention, the prosecutor did not argue that
defendant‟s intent at all times was to have intercourse with a dead body. In
addition to the prosecutor‟s statement, quoted above, that defendant killed Miller
(footnote continued from previous page)
the perpetration of rape. In particular, the evidence supported “the inference that
upon preconceived reflection he deliberately formed a plan to coerce the victim
into engaging in intercourse with him while she was alive, or if that failed, to kill
her to satisfy his desires with her corpse.” (Quicke, supra, 61 Cal.2d at p. 159.) In
Goodridge, the defendant strangled and beat the victim, and when she seemed to
revive, repeatedly stabbed her, before having intercourse with her. The court
concluded that “[w]here a defendant attempts to coerce his victim into intercourse
with him, fails to accomplish his purpose while she is alive, and kills her to satisfy
his desires with her corpse, the killing is first degree murder.” (Goodridge, supra,
70 Cal.2d at p. 838.)
62
to have sex with her body, the prosecutor asserted that “[defendant] didn‟t care if
the victim was alive or dead. He wanted to have sex.” The prosecutor argued that
defendant‟s attitude regarding sex established the special circumstance allegation:
“I‟ll just take it, and I‟ll kill you if I have to. I‟ll kill you so you can‟t tell anyone
about it. That‟s when the special circumstance is proven true, and that‟s what this
case [involves], because that‟s what his intent was. All of his behavior, all of his
statements, all of his prior conduct tell us that [defendant] had a one-track mind
that night. He wanted it, and he was going to take it, and you couldn‟t tell him
no.” In discussing the relevance of the rape of Christa B., the prosecutor reiterated
this theory: “And he was going to get what he wanted, and you couldn‟t tell him
no. And if he had to use deadly force, he would. He showed that from before.”
Finally, in his rebuttal, the prosecutor stated that the victim “couldn‟t say no to
[defendant] that night and live because [defendant] wanted something that night.”
Because there was no evidence or argument that defendant‟s intent was
only to have sexual relations with a corpse, the trial court did not err in declining
to instruct the jury that defendant must have harbored the intent to rape the victim
while she was alive in order to find that the killing was committed during the
commission or attempted commission of the crime of rape, and to find the special
circumstance allegation true. The court‟s instructions adequately conveyed that
the offense of rape requires an intent to engage in nonconsensual sexual relations
with a live person. As in People v. Carpenter (1997) 15 Cal.4th 312, “[t]he court
instructed that rape requires intercourse „against the will‟ of the victim
„accomplished by means of fear of immediate and unlawful bodily injury to such
person.‟ It is not reasonably likely the jury would misconstrue these instructions
as allowing rape of a dead body. [Citation.] A dead body can neither have a „will‟
nor „fear . . . bodily injury.‟ ” (Id. at p. 391; see People v. San Nicolas (2004) 34
63
Cal.4th 614, 675 [“a judge need not include a legally correct jury instruction when
it is duplicative of other instructions provided to the jury”].)
6. The prosecutor’s closing argument concerning the evidence
Defendant asserts that certain comments during the prosecutor‟s closing
argument improperly drew attention to defendant‟s decision not to testify,
indicated that defendant had the burden to present an affirmative defense and to
prove his innocence, and disparaged defense counsel. Therefore, he claims, the
comments violated his right to a fair trial and due process of law under the Fifth,
Sixth, Eighth, and Fourteenth Amendments to the United States Constitution, and
article I, section 7 of the California Constitution.
During his closing argument, the prosecutor read portions of defense
counsel‟s cross-examination of taxicab dispatcher Virginia Turner. These excerpts
included defense counsel‟s question, whether it was true that when defendant
came to the taxicab office at 2:00 a.m. on the night of the crimes, he had to knock
on the door “extensively” to wake Turner up, and Turner‟s response, “No.” The
prosecutor also noted defense counsel‟s question, whether Turner saw a man
named Reese that night, and Turner‟s response, “Not that I recall, no.” Next, the
prosecutor observed that when defense counsel asked whether Turner recalled
speaking with a defense investigator in 1993, she responded, “Yes, I did.”
Defense counsel then inquired, “Do you recall telling him that a gentleman named
Reese was out in the parking lot at the carports along with David Hargrove, Brian
Jones, [and defendant]?” Turner answered, “I don‟t recall.” Finally, defense
counsel asked Turner, “Do you also recall telling him that approximately 10:00 in
the evening, you saw Michael and Reese walking through the alley?” Turner
responded, “I don‟t recall.”
64
After reading these portions of the cross-examination of Turner, the
prosecutor urged the jury to “[l]ook at the question. What‟s the insinuation? The
insinuation is that she did say those things previously, and it puts in your mind the
thought that [defendant] is with Reese walking around the alley and is seen by
people there. But there‟s no evidence of that, only the defendant‟s statement when
he‟s trying to use this person, Reese, as an alibi for this missing time gap that he
has. Had Virginia Turner actually said these things to a defense investigator, don‟t
you think they would have produced the defense investigator to say, „Yeah. I
interviewed her. Here‟s what she said.‟ [¶] You can conclude from the fact that
the defense investigator wasn‟t presented to you that these insinuations are false,
and all they can do possibly is mislead you as to what the evidence is in this case.”
After the prosecutor concluded the first portion of his closing argument,
and outside the presence of the jury, defense counsel stated that the defense team
had been unable to locate the investigator who conducted interviews of witnesses
in 1993, before these attorneys represented defendant. He stated: “There are
reasons why we could not find him that we could not present to the jury. There
are reasons between [cocounsel] and myself why we decided that that
impeachment was not necessary. Questions were asked of witnesses in regard to
reports and statements that they gave to that investigator and asked if they recalled
those statements.” He asserted the prosecutor‟s argument constituted
impermissible commentary upon defense counsel‟s decision to call or not call
witnesses, and requested the court to instruct the jury again pursuant to CALJIC
No. 2.11: “Neither side is required to call as witnesses all persons who may have
been present at any of the events disclosed by the evidence or who may appear to
have some knowledge of these events. Neither side is required to produce all
objects or documents mentioned or suggested by the evidence.”
65
The trial court stated it had not previously heard of any problem in locating
an investigator, and expressed the view that “[t]he problem here is that if you
didn‟t talk to the witnesses or interview the witnesses or they wouldn‟t talk to you,
which is oftentimes the case, . . . to see what their response would be without
having the witness available to back it up, it‟s a risk. And if the person, as in this
case, testifies they don‟t remember saying that, then you‟re left with an empty
sack, so to speak, because you have no way of bringing it forward. But it doesn‟t
prevent the prosecution from commenting as was done in this particular case.”
The court concluded it was not necessary to reinstruct the jury with CALJIC
No. 2.11.
There is no merit in defendant‟s contention that the trial court should have
reinstructed the jury that neither side was required to call all potential witnesses,
because defendant has not established that the prosecutor argued that a party was
required to call all potential witnesses.34 Defendant‟s additional contentions fail
because — defendant having failed to raise them below — they are forfeited on
appeal, and because they lack merit in any event.
Although the exchange described above reflects that defense counsel
complained only that the prosecutor‟s argument constituted impermissible
comment upon defense counsel‟s decision to call or not call witnesses, defendant
now claims he “objected that the prosecutor‟s comments were an improper back-
door comment on defendant‟s silence . . . .” In support of this assertion, he relies
34
The People contend that this objection was forfeited because defendant did
not interrupt the prosecutor‟s closing argument to object, and instead waited until
the prosecutor had finished the first part of his closing arguments, only then
complaining about the comments and requesting that CALJIC No. 2.11 be read
again. Because defendant sought only a re-reading of a jury instruction, he did not
forfeit his claim by delaying until the prosecutor had finished.
66
upon an objection made by his counsel earlier during the prosecutor‟s closing
argument. Our review of the record, however, reflects that the earlier objection
related to the prosecutor‟s stated intention to highlight representations made in the
defense opening statement that were not proved; the earlier objection did not
address the prosecutor‟s stated intention to highlight insinuations made through
the cross-examination of witnesses.35 Therefore, defendant forfeited the claim that
the prosecutor‟s statements concerning insinuations made through cross-
examination constituted an improper comment upon defendant‟s silence. (People
v. Bradford (1997) 15 Cal.4th 1229, 1333 (Bradford).) Similarly, defendant has
not cited anything in the record establishing that he claimed below that the
prosecutor‟s comments concerning the cross-examination of Turner shifted the
burden of proof to defendant to prove his whereabouts on the evening of the
crimes, or that these comments disparaged defense counsel. He has therefore
forfeited these claims. (Ibid.)
35
At an earlier point in his closing argument, the prosecutor stated he would
highlight “a few things that were brought out in defense opening statement that
never materialized into evidence and in questions, insinuations that were made
during cross-examination of various witnesses that never materialized into
evidence.” Defense counsel argued to the trial court that “[b]y commenting on
[defense counsel’s] opening statement[,] which is not evidence[,] and commenting
on the fact that he did not produce what he said he would produce in the opening
statement, he is commenting on that as evidence and through the back door
commenting on the defendant‟s silence and his not testifying, which is
impermissible . . . .” (Italics added.) Although the prosecutor stated at this earlier
point in the proceedings that he would identify “insinuations . . . that never
materialized into evidence,” defendant‟s objection to the prosecutor‟s statement
addressed only the prosecutor‟s intention to comment upon the defense‟s failure to
substantiate representations made in its opening statement. Both the prosecutor‟s
response to the objection and the ensuing ruling by the trial court also focused
solely upon the propriety of the prosecutor‟s comment upon the absence of
evidence supporting the representations made during the defense‟s opening
statement.
67
In any event, had defendant preserved these claims, they would fail. First,
with respect to defendant‟s right not to testify, “[i]t is now well established that
although Griffin [v. California (1965) 380 U.S. 609] prohibits reference to a
defendant‟s failure to take the stand in his own defense, that rule „does not extend
to comments on the state of the evidence or on the failure of the defense to
introduce material evidence or to call logical witnesses. [Citations.]‟ [Citations.]”
(People v. Vargas (1973) 9 Cal.3d 470, 475.) The prosecutor‟s comments merely
drew attention to the absence of the investigator as a witness for the defense,
rather than to defendant‟s absence from the witness stand.36 Had defendant
testified, he might have contradicted Turner‟s recollection, but this possibility does
not transform the prosecutor‟s observations into a veiled comment upon
defendant‟s decision not to testify. (See People v. Johnson (1992) 3 Cal.4th 1183,
1229 [a prosecutor may not claim that evidence is uncontradicted if the defendant
is the only person who could refute the evidence, but if others could have
contradicted the evidence the prosecutor may comment upon the state of the
evidence].)
Second, with respect to the burden of proof, the prosecutor‟s comments
merely established that, contrary to insinuations made during cross-examination,
Turner‟s testimony was unimpeached. There is no reasonable likelihood the jury
would have understood the prosecutor‟s remarks to suggest that defendant had the
burden to establish his own whereabouts that evening. (People v. Clair (1992) 2
Cal.4th 629, 662-663 [in evaluating claims concerning prosecutorial remarks, the
36
Defendant contends it was improper to comment on the absence of a
witness who was “unavailable,” but the defense did not establish that the
investigator was unavailable. (See Evid. Code, § 240 [describing circumstances
establishing that a witness is unavailable].)
68
test is “whether there is a reasonable likelihood that the jury misconstrued or
misapplied the words”].)37
Third, with respect to comments that assertedly disparaged defense counsel,
defendant complains of only the following statement: “You can conclude from the
fact that the defense investigator wasn‟t presented to you that these insinuations
are false, and all they can do possibly is mislead you as to what the evidence is in
this case.” This statement challenges the insinuations — not the character — of
defense counsel. (See People v. Thompson (1988) 45 Cal.3d 86, 112 [“A
prosecutor may vigorously argue his case, marshalling the facts and arguing
inferences to be drawn therefrom”].) In contrast, the case law upon which
defendant relies involves direct attacks upon defense counsel and the jury.
(People v. Haskett (1982) 30 Cal.3d 841, 866 [prosecutor suggested during penalty
phase closing arguments that jurors who had voted to acquit on certain counts
37
Defendant relies upon People v. Gaines (1997) 54 Cal.App.4th 821 in
support of his contention that the prosecutor‟s arguments indicated defendant had
a duty to call certain witnesses, and shifted the burden of proof to defendant. In
Gaines, the prosecutor commented not only upon the absence of a particular
witness to corroborate the defendant‟s version of events, but further asserted that
the witness‟s testimony would have conflicted with the defendant‟s testimony, that
the defense had “ „got [the witness] out of here,‟ ” and that the prosecution had
tried to call the witness when it became clear the defense would not do so. “The
prosecutor was in plain effect presenting a condensed version of what he was
telling the jury would have been [the absent witness‟s] testimony. When this
tactic is achieved in the guise of closing argument, the defendant is denied Sixth
Amendment rights to confrontation and cross-examination. [Citations.]” (Id. at p.
825.) Defendant also relies upon People v. Klor (1948) 32 Cal.2d 658 (in light of
the law providing that a spouse was not a competent witness against his or her
spouse, the prosecutor‟s comments concerning the failure of the defendant‟s wife
to testify were improper), and People v. Benc (1900) 130 Cal. 159 (prosecutor
noted that defendant had not called certain witnesses; trial court properly directed
jurors to disregard the comments). These cases do not support the conclusion that
the prosecutor‟s observations in the present case were improper.
69
acted in disregard of the law]; People v. Pitts (1990) 223 Cal.App.3d 606, 705
[prosecutor accused defense counsel of contributing to the ruination of a witness‟s
life and of knowingly presenting perjured testimony].) Nothing in the prosecutor‟s
arguments in the present case may be characterized as a deceptive or reprehensible
means to persuade the jury. (See People v. Price (1991) 1 Cal.4th 324, 447 [“In
general, a prosecutor commits misconduct by the use of deceptive or reprehensible
methods to persuade either the court or the jury”].) Nor did the prosecutor‟s
arguments render “[defendant‟s] trial so fundamentally unfair as to deny him due
process.” (Donnelly v. DeChristoforo (1974) 416 U.S. 637, 645; People v. Harris
(1989) 47 Cal.3d 1047, 1084 [“prosecutorial misconduct implicates the
defendant‟s federal constitutional rights only if it is so egregious that it infects the
trial with such unfairness as to make the conviction a denial of due process”].)
7. Juror No. 9’s discussions with her husband
Defendant contends that Juror No. 9 should have been dismissed for
misconduct, based upon a conversation she had with her husband during guilt
phase deliberations. Defendant asserts that the trial court‟s failure to dismiss this
juror violated defendant‟s right to an impartial jury and his right to a reliable
verdict under the Sixth, Eighth, and Fourteenth Amendments to the United States
Constitution.
The jury first met to deliberate at 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 24, 1998.
None of the jurors volunteered to serve as the foreperson. They therefore drew
numbers, and the juror whose number was selected agreed to serve as foreperson.
The foreperson then conducted a poll concerning the jurors‟ views on the issue of
guilt, but declined to reveal the results of the poll to the other jurors, who left for
the day. At home that evening, Juror No. 9 expressed frustration to her husband
that the foreperson would not reveal the results of the secret poll. Her husband
70
asked why the foreperson would not disclose this information, and the juror
responded that the foreperson had said he was not allowed to share the results with
the other jurors. She did not discuss any substantive matters involving the case
with her husband.
Juror No. 9‟s husband was a former police officer and Riverside County
Sheriff‟s Deputy, and recently had been hired as a senior investigator by the
Riverside County District Attorney‟s Office, which was prosecuting this case.
The next day, Juror No. 9‟s husband informed Lodric Clark, the investigator from
the Riverside District Attorney‟s Office who was assisting in the prosecution of
the case, of the information Juror No. 9 had revealed to him. Clark communicated
this information to the prosecutor in this case. When the husband of the juror
returned home that evening, he told her he had spoken to Clark about the matter,
and the juror became very upset with her husband for having done so. Her
husband then called Clark to report that his wife was very upset. At 10:00 that
evening, Clark contacted the prosecutor concerning Juror No. 9‟s response.
The prosecutor contacted the court and requested a hearing to address the
matter. At the hearing, he described these events to the court, and explained that
the initial information he received “contained no substance of jury deliberations,
just administerial function of selecting a foreperson. I‟m not sure that this
amounts to jury misconduct. What concerned me is that juror nine was now upset
and that that might somehow affect her deliberations, so I think it‟s something that
the court needs to make inquiry into or any other such remedy as might be
appropriate.” One of defendant‟s attorneys agreed with the district attorney, and
expressed the view that “possibly the wisest thing to do before we make any
decision is to talk to her, get her feelings about things, and then once we‟ve had a
chance to listen to what she has to say, then we can make a decision based on the
information that‟s in front of us.” Defendant‟s other attorney expressed
71
“concern . . . that we‟re singling out a juror, and we haven‟t heard . . . about
anything substantive in regard to the case itself. And I think it might be better if
the court just admonished the jury an additional time that they‟re not to talk about
the case with anyone outside. [¶] Now, I do understand [the district attorney‟s]
concern about the anger the juror might have with her husband, and so I suppose
we might need to make an inquiry in regard to that, whether that would affect her
deliberations or not.”
The trial court proposed to have Juror No. 9 come into court, and to
“simply ask her if she has any problems or feels that she can be fair to both sides
to continue in the case.” One of defendant‟s counsel asked, “Has any problems
with us or with her husband?” The trial court responded, “With her husband.
Well, I‟m going to say any problem with the situation.” The prosecutor suggested
that the court ask Juror No. 9 whether she spoke to her husband “about any of the
substantive deliberations, about the facts.” He added that “if she hasn‟t, I don‟t
think anybody wants his input into the deliberations through her. That‟s the whole
idea why people aren‟t supposed to discuss it with anyone. So just make that
verification, I think we can put this matter to rest.” Defense counsel responded, “I
agree.” Following a brief discussion in which defendant waived his presence at
the hearing, the trial court stated, “I think probably what I‟m going to do is simply
state that I understand that she may have had some discussions with her husband
about the case and ask her what it was that she discussed, without pinpointing it.”
Defense counsel responded, “That‟s fine.”
In accordance with these discussions, Juror No. 9 was brought into the
courtroom and was asked whether she discussed the case with her husband and, if
so, “what did you talk to him about?” Juror No. 9 explained that the foreperson
took a poll on the first day of deliberations and would not disclose the results to
the other jurors. “And I was very frustrated, so I went home and I burst in the
72
door and I [said], „I‟m so frustrated.‟ ” She recounted telling her husband how the
foreperson had been picked, and that when the foreperson agreed to serve, he and
the other jurors said they would help each other. “And so I was so frustrated, . . .
he won‟t even tell us where we stand.” She testified that her husband asked her
why the foreperson would not tell her, and she responded that the foreperson
claimed the judge said he could not reveal the results. She added that when she
returned to court the next day, she read through the jury instructions “to see if
there was anything in there, and there wasn‟t. Then I got to thinking well, it‟s not
going to change the outcome any. It‟s just my frustration. But that‟s all I said, I
swear.” The trial court then asked, “You didn‟t talk to your husband about
anything else other than that?” Juror No. 9 responded, “No, just I was so
frustrated and venting.”
The court explained that if she believed the foreperson or anyone else was
not following the rules during deliberations, she should bring the matter to the
court‟s attention. It then acknowledged that “you feel somewhat like you‟ve been
singled out and brought in here. Do you feel this is going to affect you in any way
in your deliberations or your continued deliberations in this case?” Juror No. 9
responded, “No.” Before concluding its questioning, the court confirmed Juror
No. 9‟s responses. First, “all we wanted to do was inquire as to whether you had
discussed the substantive matters about the case, and you‟re indicating that you
did not; that all you talked about was your frustration with the foreperson when
you asked him what the breakdown of the vote was.” Juror No. 9 responded,
“Right.” Second, “the other thing we wanted to find out is whether or not any of
these experiences, including having us talk to you individually, is going to affect
your ability to be fair and impartial to both sides in this case, and will it?” She
responded, “No,” and added, “I want to make sure that I give every benefit of the
doubt. I don‟t want anything in my life to have affected my decision. . . . I truly
73
strongly feel that way.” The court concluded by asking, “Counsel have anything?”
The district attorney and both defense counsel responded in the negative. Juror
No. 9 then interjected, “But I do want to say that if you have any question, any
question, I don‟t want you to wonder, truly I don‟t.” Defense counsel responded,
“I have no questions. I think you said it quite well.” Juror No. 9 then apologized,
and defense counsel and the trial court both told her that she had not done
anything wrong.
As revealed by our summary of the trial court‟s inquiry, defense counsel
agreed that if the trial court verified that Juror No. 9 had not discussed with her
husband any substantive deliberations of the jury, “we can put this matter to rest.”
Defense counsel also agreed with the court‟s intended inquiry, and stated at the
conclusion of the inquiry that he had no questions. At no time did defense counsel
object to Juror No. 9‟s continued service, or request a mistrial on the ground of
juror misconduct. Therefore, defendant has forfeited this claim. (People v.
Stanley (2006) 39 Cal.4th 913, 950.)
Defendant contends, however, that his failure to object or to move for a
mistrial is not fatal, because the reasons why the juror should have been
discharged were obvious, and further objection was unnecessary. Contrary to
defendant‟s assertion, his theory on appeal — that Juror No. 9‟s conversation with
her husband “strongly suggests a lack of impartiality on her part” — was not
apparent in the trial court, and required explanation in the circumstances of this
case. Because defendant failed to request that Juror No. 9 be discharged or that a
mistrial be declared, the trial court had no occasion to consider these issues.
Even if the claim had not been forfeited, it would fail. “It is misconduct for
a juror during the course of trial to discuss the case with a nonjuror. [Citation.]”
(People v. Danks (2004) 32 Cal.4th 269, 304 (Danks).) “In a criminal case, any
private communication, contact, or tampering, directly or indirectly, with a juror
74
during a trial about the matter pending before the jury is, for obvious reasons,
deemed presumptively prejudicial . . . . The presumption is not conclusive, but the
burden rests heavily upon the Government to establish . . . that such contact with
the juror was harmless to the defendant. [Citations.]” (Remmer v. United States
(1954) 347 U.S. 227, 229.) The presumption of prejudice “ „may be rebutted . . .
by a reviewing court‟s determination, upon examining the entire record, that there
is no substantial likelihood that the complaining party suffered actual harm.‟
[Citations.]” (People v. Leonard (2007) 40 Cal.4th 1370, 1425 [a review of the
record established that there was no substantial likelihood that the defendant was
prejudiced by jurors‟ violation of the trial court‟s admonition not to discuss the
defendant‟s failure to testify]; see also Danks, supra, 32 Cal.4th at p. 303 [the
effect of a juror‟s receipt of extraneous material “ „is judged by a review of the
entire record . . . . The verdict will be set aside only if there appears a substantial
likelihood of juror bias‟ ”].) “Whether prejudice arose from juror misconduct . . .
is a mixed question of law and fact subject to an appellate court‟s independent
determination. [Citations.]” (People v. Nesler (1997) 16 Cal.4th 561, 582.)
The information obtained through the inquiry of Juror No. 9 rebutted the
presumption of prejudice. The juror confirmed she had revealed only the manner
in which the jury picked the foreperson and the foreperson‟s refusal to reveal the
results of the first jury poll, and that her conversation with her husband involved
nothing substantive. She also confirmed that the incident and the trial court‟s
inquiry would not affect her ability to be fair and impartial.38 The trial court‟s
38
Contrary to defendant‟s contentions, the trial court‟s inquiries were
reasonably calculated to elicit from Juror No. 9 all relevant information, and the
trial court was not required to confirm in greater detail exactly what Juror No. 9
did not discuss with her husband.
75
questions and Juror No. 9‟s responses established that the juror‟s conversation
with her husband “is not, judged objectively, „inherently and substantially likely to
have influenced the juror.‟ [Citation.] Nor does it objectively demonstrate a
substantial likelihood, or even a reasonable possibility, of actual bias.
[Citations.]” (People v. Loker (2008) 44 Cal.4th 691, 754-755.)39
8. Asserted cumulative error
Defendant contends the claimed errors, considered together, establish a
violation of his constitutional rights and require reversal under Chapman v.
California (1967) 386 U.S. 18, 24 (Chapman). We have found no error at the
guilt phase, and thus there is no error to consider cumulatively.
B. Penalty phase
1. Trial court’s denial of a continuance
On the day the jury reached a verdict on defendant‟s guilt, the trial court
declined to grant defendant a continuance of one day, and ordered the penalty
phase to begin the next day. Defendant contends the trial court abused its
discretion, and that the denial of a continuance violated his rights to due process of
law, to effective assistance of counsel, to present a defense, and to a fair and
reliable determination of penalty, in violation of the Fifth, Sixth, Eighth, and
Fourteenth Amendments to the United States Constitution, and under article I,
section 15 of the California Constitution.
39
Defendant cites no authority requiring different or additional analysis in
connection with his contention that the failure to dismiss Juror No. 9 violated his
right to a reliable verdict under the Eighth Amendment. (See People v. Williams
(1997) 16 Cal.4th 635, 666 [“the due process clause of the Fourteenth Amendment
. . . requires the sentencing jury to be impartial to the same extent that the Sixth
Amendment requires jury impartiality at the guilt phase of the trial”].)
76
“The decision whether to grant a continuance of a hearing to permit counsel
to secure the presence of a witness rests in the sound discretion of the trial court.”
(People v. Roybal (1998) 19 Cal.4th 481, 504.) We find no abuse of discretion in
the circumstances of this case. Because the guilt phase of the trial exceeded the
expected time, the trial court was concerned that jurors would have commitments
that would cause them to rush their penalty phase deliberations. The trial court
undertook to balance that concern against defendant‟s asserted need for an
additional day to arrange for his witnesses to be transported to the trial. Although
the court ordered that the People‟s case would begin the next day, it acknowledged
the difficulties in arranging transportation and stated that “we‟ll work with
whatever schedules we have to work with.” On the first day of the penalty phase,
defense counsel informed the court that all of defendant‟s witnesses would be
available to testify at 1:30 p.m. the next day. When two of defendant‟s witnesses
did not arrive in time to testify on the second day of the penalty phase, the trial
court scheduled time for further testimony on the following day. The defense did
not produce these two witnesses on the third day of the penalty phase; instead,
defense counsel informed the court that the defense would not call any additional
witnesses. The defense did not indicate that this development was attributable to
an inability to arrange for the witnesses‟ presence. Thus, although the trial court
declined to delay the People’s presentation of evidence, it did not compel
defendant to proceed with his case in the absence of his witnesses.
Defendant contends the denial of a continuance deprived his counsel of a
reasonable opportunity to prepare defense witnesses to testify. Defense counsel
repeatedly stated that a continuance was required to arrange transportation, and
never indicated that additional time was required to prepare witnesses. It was the
trial court that noted that defense counsel would “probably want to sit down and
talk to your witnesses.” When defense counsel responded by proposing that the
77
next day‟s session begin at 11:00 a.m., the trial court agreed. Under these
circumstances, defendant cannot be heard to complain that the trial court denied
him adequate time to prepare his witnesses.
Because the trial court did not compel defendant to proceed in the absence
of his witnesses, and accommodated defense counsel‟s request that the court
session be delayed to allow time to prepare his witnesses, defendant was not
deprived of his right to due process of law, his right to the effective assistance of
counsel, his right to present a defense, or his right to a fair and reliable
determination of penalty.
2. Jury instructions related to defendant’s prior conviction
Defendant contends the trial court‟s instruction concerning consideration of
evidence of defendant‟s conviction of the forcible rape of Christa B. failed to
inform the jury that it could not consider evidence of any other criminal activity as
an aggravating factor under section 190.3, factor (c) — which concerns only
convictions — and thereby violated his rights under the Eighth and Fourteenth
Amendments to the United States Constitution.
Evidence was presented that defendant committed various criminal acts
against Christa B. (the acquaintance whom he assaulted) and Debra G.
(defendant‟s former girlfriend whom he assaulted), and that defendant was
convicted of the forcible rape of Christa B. (See § 190.3, factors (b), (c) [in
determining the penalty, the trier of fact shall take into account any criminal
activity that involved the use of force or violence, and any prior felony
conviction].) With respect to the conviction of forcible rape, which was relevant
to factor (c) of section 190.3, the trial court gave a modified version of CALJIC
No. 8.86: “Evidence has been introduced for the purpose of showing that the
defendant has been convicted of the crime of forcible rape, 261 of the Penal Code,
78
prior to the offense of murder of the first degree of which he has been found guilty
in this case. [¶] Before you may consider such alleged crime as an aggravating
circumstance in this case, you must first be satisfied beyond a reasonable doubt
that the defendant was in fact convicted of such prior crime.” The trial court did
not read the final sentence of the standard version of CALJIC No. 8.86: “You
may not consider any evidence of any other crime as an aggravating
circumstance.”40
Next, the trial court instructed the jury concerning evidence of other
criminal acts allegedly committed by defendant against Christa B. and Debra G.,
which were relevant to factor (b) of section 190.3. The trial court read a modified
version of CALJIC No. 8.87, which identified the various alleged criminal acts,
and instructed that “[b]efore a juror may consider any criminal acts or activity as
an aggravating circumstance in this case, a juror must first be satisfied beyond a
reasonable doubt that the defendant . . . did in fact commit the criminal acts or
activity. A juror may not consider any evidence of any other criminal acts as an
aggravating circumstance. [¶] . . . If any juror is convinced beyond a reasonable
doubt that the criminal activity occurred, that juror may consider that activity as a
40
When the proposed jury instructions were discussed, the trial court
expressed to counsel the view that the final sentence of CALJIC 8.86 did not apply
in the present case. Defendant proposed instead that the final sentence state:
“You may not consider any evidence of any other crime as an aggravating
circumstance under factor (c),” which addresses convictions. The trial court
responded that the proposed instruction would be confusing, because the jurors
also would be instructed that they could consider evidence of other offenses of
which defendant had not been convicted.
79
fact in aggravation. If a juror is not so convinced, that juror must not consider that
evidence for any purpose.”41
“In assessing the instruction to determine whether the jury was adequately
guided under the Eighth or Fourteenth Amendment, we look to whether it is
reasonably likely the jury understood the instruction and correctly applied it.”
(Maury, supra, 30 Cal.4th at p. 443.) The two instructions informed the jurors that
(1) before a juror could consider evidence that defendant was convicted of forcible
rape, the juror had to be satisfied beyond a reasonable doubt that defendant was in
fact convicted of forcible rape, (2) before a juror could consider evidence that
defendant had committed various violent criminal acts against Christa B. and
Debra G., the juror had to be satisfied beyond a reasonable doubt that defendant
did in fact commit the criminal acts or activity, and (3) a juror could not consider
any evidence of any other criminal acts as an aggravating circumstance.
41
The trial court‟s instruction pursuant to CALJIC No. 8.87 stated in full:
“Evidence has been introduced for the purpose of showing that the defendant,
MICHAEL BERNARD LEWIS, has committed the following criminal acts or
activity which involved the express or implied use of force or violence or the
threat of force or violence: Pertaining to CHRISTA [B.] — Forcible Rape in
violation of Penal Code section 261, subdivision (a), subsection (2), Attempted
Murder in violation of Penal Code section 664/187, and/or Battery with Serious
Bodily Injury in violation of Penal Code section 243, subdivision (d). Pertaining
to Debra [G.] — Forcible Rape in violation of Penal Code section 261, subdivision
(a), subsection (2), and/or Battery in violation of Penal Code section 242. Before
a juror may consider any criminal acts or activity as an aggravating circumstance
in this case, a juror must first be satisfied beyond a reasonable doubt that the
defendant, MICHAEL BERNARD LEWIS, did in fact commit the criminal acts or
activity. A juror may not consider any evidence of any other criminal acts as an
aggravating circumstance. [¶] It is not necessary for all jurors to agree. If any
juror is convinced beyond a reasonable doubt that the criminal activity occurred,
that juror may consider that activity as a fact in aggravation. If a juror is not so
convinced, that juror must not consider that evidence for any purpose.”
80
Defendant asserts that the instructions failed to inform the jury that under
factor (c) of section 190.3, the jury could consider only defendant‟s prior
conviction for forcible rape against Christa B., and could not consider any
evidence of other crimes or criminal activity, such as his criminal actions with
respect to Christa B. and Debra G., for which he was not convicted of any crime.
We do not discern how a juror could conclude from these instructions that
evidence of such other criminal activity could be viewed as aggravating evidence
under factor (c). The instruction that related to factor (c) — modified CALJIC No.
8.86 — referred only to evidence of a conviction of forcible rape. As the trial
court observed, in light of the circumstance that it would be instructing the jury
concerning evidence of other criminal activity as an aggravating circumstance, it
would have been confusing to instruct the jury, in connection with its instruction
concerning evidence of convictions, that it could “not consider evidence of any
other crime as an aggravating circumstance.” Moreover, the only evidence
presented at trial of a prior conviction was the conviction for the forcible rape of
Christa B. No reasonable juror could have concluded that the evidence of other
criminal activity committed against Christa B. and Debra G. could establish
beyond a reasonable doubt that defendant was convicted of the alleged criminal
acts, and therefore constituted aggravating evidence of a prior conviction under
factor (c). Therefore, we conclude it is not reasonably likely that the jury
misunderstood the instructions concerning other criminal acts or incorrectly
applied them. (Maury, supra, 30 Cal.4th at p. 443.)
3. Failure to instruct on lingering doubt as to guilt
Defendant contends the trial court‟s refusal to instruct the jury that it could
consider lingering doubt concerning defendant‟s guilt, in determining the
appropriate penalty, violated his rights to due process of law, a fair trial, and a fair
81
and reliable determination of penalty under the Fifth, Eighth, and Fourteenth
Amendments to the United States Constitution, and his parallel rights under the
California Constitution.
Defendant requested the following instruction: “1. The adjudication of
guilt is not infallible and any lingering doubts you entertain on the question of
guilt may be considered by you in determining the appropriate penalty, including
the possibility that at some time in the future, facts may come to light which have
not yet been discovered. [¶] 2. It may be considered as a factor in mitigation if
you have a lingering doubt as to the guilt of the defendant.” The trial court
refused to give this instruction, stating that the topic was addressed by factor (k)
and CALJIC No. 8.85, and observing that the language of the proposed instruction
called upon the jury to speculate concerning facts that might be discovered in the
future. The trial court allowed defense counsel to argue to the jury that it should
consider lingering doubt, but instructed counsel not to invite the jury to speculate
concerning the discovery of facts in the future.
Although a defendant may assert his or her possible innocence in
mitigation, and the jury may consider lingering doubt in determining the
appropriate penalty, there is no requirement that the court specifically instruct the
jury to consider lingering doubt. (People v. Page (2008) 44 Cal.4th 1, 55 (Page);
see also § 190.3, factors (a) [the trier of fact shall take into account the
circumstances of the crime and any special circumstance found to be true], (k) [the
trier of fact shall take into account any other circumstance in mitigation].) In the
present case, the trial court permitted defendant to assert his innocence, and the
defense articulated to the jury why it believed the jurors should have lingering
doubt concerning their verdict.
Defendant claims, however, that the prosecutor argued to the jury that the
jurors could not consider lingering doubt, and contends that this circumstance
82
mandated the giving of an instruction that lingering doubt was a mitigating factor.
Defendant did not object to the prosecutor‟s closing argument or request any
further instruction in response to the closing argument. (See Bradford, supra, 15
Cal.4th at p. 1333 [the defense must make a timely objection to preserve a claim
of prosecutorial misconduct, and such a claim is reviewable only if an admonition
would not have cured the harm].) Moreover, the record reflects that, although the
prosecutor argued the jury should have no doubt concerning its verdict, he did not
tell the jurors they could not consider lingering doubt as a mitigating factor.42
Defendant also claims the circumstance that an instruction specifically
addressing lingering doubt may be given in some capital cases, and rejected in
others, reflects improper inconsistency in application of the death penalty. The
sole authority he cites in support of this proposition is Eddings v. Oklahoma
42
The prosecutor challenged the view that circumstantial evidence and
testimony from individuals “of questionable background and integrity” were
insufficient to support a verdict of death. He reminded the jurors that they had
found defendant guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, and asserted that defendant‟s
false statements “scream out to you, „I‟m the one who did this. . . .‟ ” The
prosecution then argued there was no lingering doubt: “There is certainty to the
evidence, ladies and gentlemen, there is no lingering doubt: Your verdict was the
correct one based upon the evidence and you know that. This is not the time, this
is not the place to relitigate the case or your determination of the special
circumstances. [¶] The Defense wants to argue that, perhaps, you have some
leftover doubt. I would suggest to you that this whole concept of lingering doubt
is nothing but a distraction. Analyze it for what you want, it is that gray area
between beyond all reasonable doubt and all possible or imaginary doubt that they
wish to distract you to analyze, and it is not required, it is not necessary. [¶] The
standard „beyond a reasonable doubt‟ can‟t get much higher, ladies and gentlemen,
it cannot get much higher. When we come down to a criminal trial as independent
jurors — if you are witnesses, perhaps, then you had no possible doubt, a hundred
percent sure — but in any criminal case you have to rely on what people show
you, tell you and what circumstantial evidence proves to you. That is in every
criminal case. You couldn‟t be witnesses and be jurors at the same time.”
83
(1982) 455 U.S. 104, which holds that the sentencer in a capital case must be
allowed to consider any relevant mitigating factor. (Id. at p. 112 [“a consistency
produced by ignoring individual differences is a false consistency”].) The jury in
the present case was instructed to “take into account and be guided by” various
factors, including “[a]ny other circumstance that extenuates the gravity of the
crime. . . .” (CALJIC No. 8.85; see § 190.3, factor (k).) Thus, the instructions in
the present case comply with the holding of Eddings v. Oklahoma. There is no
requirement that identical instructions concerning mitigating circumstances be
given to every capital jury.
4. Instruction concerning the jury’s discretion and deliberative process
Defendant contends that CALJIC No. 8.88 (1989 rev.), which instructed the
jury concerning the weighing of aggravating and mitigating factors, violated his
rights under the Fifth, Sixth, Eighth, and Fourteenth Amendments to the United
States Constitution. As defendant acknowledges, we previously have considered
and rejected these contentions.43
First, defendant claims the instruction did not convey the requirement that
the jury impose a sentence of life imprisonment without the possibility of parole if
the mitigating circumstances outweigh the aggravating circumstances. (See
§ 190.3.) CALJIC No. 8.88 explains, however, that “[t]o return a judgment of
death, each of you must be persuaded that the aggravating circumstances are so
substantial in comparison with the mitigating circumstances that it warrants death
instead of life without parole.” This statement adequately explains the
43
The Attorney General asserts defendant forfeited his claims by failing to
object to CALJIC No. 8.88 in the trial court. Because defendant‟s contentions
raise issues concerning his substantial rights, we address them despite his failure
to object below. (§ 1259.)
84
circumstances in which the jury may return a verdict of death. (Page, supra, 44
Cal.4th 1, 57; People v. Moon (2005) 37 Cal.4th 1, 42-44 (Moon).) In particular, it
“highlights the significant burden that must be satisfied before a verdict of death
may be returned, and thereby conveys that life in prison without the possibility of
parole is the appropriate punishment if this burden is not met.” (Page, supra, 44
Cal.4th at p. 57.)
Next, defendant claims CALJIC No. 8.88 “improperly suggested that a
quantitative comparison of the „totality‟ of mitigating factors was required,” and
failed to convey the principle that one mitigating factor may outweigh all
aggravating factors. The instruction explained that “[t]he weighing of aggravating
and mitigating circumstances does not mean a mere mechanical counting of
factors on each side of an imaginary scale, or the arbitrary assignment of weights
to any of them. You are free to assign whatever moral or sympathetic value you
deem appropriate to each and all of the various factors you are permitted to
consider.” Thus, “CALJIC No. 8.88 properly describes the weighing process as
„ “merely a metaphor for the juror‟s personal determination that death is the
appropriate penalty under all of the circumstances.” ‟ [Citation.]” (People v.
Gutierrez (2002) 28 Cal.4th 1083, 1161.) “As we have repeatedly explained, the
standard jury instructions . . . „are adequate to inform the jurors of their sentencing
responsibilities in compliance with federal and state constitutional standards.‟
[Citations.]” (Kelly II, supra, 42 Cal.4th at p. 799 [trial court need not instruct that
“a single mitigating factor could outweigh a number of aggravating factors”].)
Finally, defendant contends the instruction‟s description of “mitigation”
improperly focused upon “the crime in question,” misled the jury to believe it
could consider only the circumstances of the crimes, and failed to inform the jury
of the full range of evidence it could consider in mitigation. In support of his
contention, defendant cites empirical research concerning jurors‟ understanding of
85
penalty phase jury instructions. As we previously have held, “[t]he definition of
mitigation included in CALJIC No. 8.88 . . . [does] not fail to explain that concept
adequately. [Citation.] We are not persuaded otherwise by defendant‟s citation to
certain empirical research, not part of the record and not subject to cross-
examination, suggesting that substantial numbers of persons, given the standard
instruction, misunderstand mitigation as limited to the circumstances of the capital
crime.” (People v. Boyer (2006) 38 Cal.4th 412, 486, fn. omitted (Boyer);44
People v. Welch (1999) 20 Cal.4th 701, 772-772; see also People v. Brasure
(2008) 42 Cal.4th 1037, 1066 [trial court did not err by omitting definitions of
“aggravating” and “mitigating,” because “such a definitional instruction is not
required for these commonly understood terms”].)
5. Impartiality and parity of instructions (CALJIC Nos. 8.85, 8.87)
Defendant contends the trial court failed to ensure impartiality and parity in
the jury instructions, in violation of his right to a fair and reliable penalty
determination under the Eighth and Fourteenth Amendments to the United States
Constitution.45
Defendant notes that CALJIC No. 8.87 instructed the jurors that it was
unnecessary for all of them to agree whether defendant engaged in unadjudicated
criminal activity with respect to Christa B. and Debra G., but that CALJIC No.
44
In both Boyer, supra, 38 Cal.4th at page 486, footnote 56, and the present
case, the jury was instructed that “[a] mitigating circumstance is any fact,
condition or event which as such, does not constitute a justification or excuse for
the crime in question, but may be considered as an extenuating circumstance in
determining the appropriateness of the death penalty.”
45
The Attorney General asserts defendant forfeited these claims by failing to
object in the trial court to the asserted lack of parity concerning the instructions.
Because defendant‟s contentions raise issues concerning his substantial rights, we
address them despite his failure to object below. (§ 1259.)
86
8.85, which described the factors to be considered in determining the appropriate
penalty, did not instruct that it was unnecessary for all jurors to agree with respect
to mitigating circumstances. He acknowledges that a defendant is not entitled to
an instruction that the jury need not reach a unanimous conclusion with respect to
mitigating factors (People v. Breaux (1991) 1 Cal.4th 281, 314-315), but contends
that inclusion of such an instruction with respect to unadjudicated criminal activity
mandates its inclusion with respect to mitigating factors.
We rejected this theory in People v. Holt (1997) 15 Cal.4th 619, in which
we explained that additional instructions “adequately informed the jury that
resolution of penalty phase factual questions as well as deciding the appropriate
penalty was an individual responsibility.” (Id. at p. 686.) As in Holt, the court in
the present case instructed the jurors that “[t]he People and the defendant are
entitled to the individual opinion of each juror. [¶] Each of you must consider the
evidence for the purpose of reaching a verdict if you can do so. Each of you must
decide the case for yourself, but you should do so only after discussing the
evidence and instructions with the other jurors.” (Italics added.) As in Holt, we
conclude that the jury would not have inferred from the instructions that unanimity
was required with respect to the mitigating evidence.
6. Failure to instruct concerning the presumption of a life sentence
Defendant contends the absence of an instruction that there is a
presumption that life imprisonment without the possibility of parole is the
appropriate sentence violated his rights to due process of law, to equal protection
of the laws, to a reliable determination of the penalty, and to be free of cruel and
87
unusual punishment, under the Fifth, Eighth, and Fourteenth Amendments to the
United States Constitution.46
Defendant acknowledges that we previously have rejected this contention
(People v. Kennedy (2005) 36 Cal.4th 595, 641; People v. Arias (1996) 13 Cal.4th
92, 191), but asserts these decisions were wrongly decided. He provides no
persuasive reason for us to reconsider these decisions.
7. Asserted cumulative error
Defendant asserts that errors committed at the guilt phase and the penalty
phase, considered cumulatively, require reversal under Chapman, supra, 386 U.S.
at page 24. Because we have found no error at either phase, there is no error to
consider cumulatively.
8. General challenges to California’s death penalty scheme
Defendant raises numerous challenges to the constitutionality of
California‟s death penalty scheme, based upon the Fifth, Sixth, Eighth, and
Fourteenth Amendments to the United States Constitution. We have considered
and rejected these contentions in prior cases, and discern no reason in the present
case to reconsider the conclusions previously reached.
“California‟s death penalty statute does not fail to narrow the class of
offenders who are eligible for the death penalty, as is required by the Eighth
Amendment . . . .” (People v. Salcido (2008) 44 Cal.4th 93, 166 (Salcido); see
also People v. Prince (2007) 40 Cal.4th 1179, 1298; People v. Lewis and Oliver
(2006) 39 Cal.4th 970, 1068.)
46
The Attorney General asserts defendant forfeited his claims by failing to
request an instruction concerning the presumption of life imprisonment. Because
defendant‟s contentions raise issues concerning his substantial rights, we address
them despite his failure to object below. (§ 1259.)
88
“Section 190.3, factor (a), which allows the jury to consider „[t]he
circumstances of the crime of which the defendant was convicted in the present
proceeding and the existence of any special circumstances found to be true
pursuant to Section 190.1,‟ does not violate the Fifth, Sixth, Eighth, or Fourteenth
Amendment to the United States Constitution by allowing arbitrary imposition of
the death penalty. (Tuilaepa v. California (1994) 512 U.S. 967, 975-976; People
v. Stevens [(2007)] 41 Cal.4th [182,] 211.)” (People v. Loker (2008) 44 Cal.4th
691, 755 (Loker); see also People v. Williams (2008) 43 Cal.4th 584, 648; People
v. Alfaro (2007) 41 Cal.4th 1277, 1330 (Alfaro).) “As the United States Supreme
Court noted in upholding factor (a) against an Eighth Amendment challenge, „our
capital jurisprudence has established that the sentencer should consider the
circumstances of the crime in deciding whether to impose the death penalty.
[Citation.]‟ [Citation.]” (Page, supra, 44 Cal.4th at p. 60.)
There is no requirement in the federal or the state Constitution that the jury
reach a unanimous agreement with respect to the factors in aggravation, that jurors
find the factors in aggravation to be true beyond a reasonable doubt, that the jury
find beyond a reasonable doubt that the circumstances in aggravation outweigh
those in mitigation before imposing the death penalty, or that the jury find beyond
a reasonable doubt that death is the appropriate punishment. (People v. Wallace
(2008) 44 Cal.4th 1032, 1097 (Wallace).) Nor is there a requirement that the jury
make written findings. (Salcido, supra, 44 Cal.4th at p. 166; Page, supra, 44
Cal.4th at p. 60.) “We have repeatedly held that the high court‟s recent decisions
[in Apprendi v. New Jersey (2000) 530 U.S. 466, Ring v. Arizona (2000) 536 U.S.
584, and Blakeley v. Washington (2004) 542 U.S. 296] do not compel a different
answer. [Citations.]” (People v. Mendoza (2007) 42 Cal.4th 686, 707; see also
Page, supra, 44 Cal.4th at p. 60; People v. Lewis (2008) 43 Cal.4th 415, 421.)
89
“It is settled . . . that California‟s death penalty law is not unconstitutional
in failing to impose a burden of proof — whether beyond a reasonable doubt or by
a preponderance of the evidence — as to the existence of aggravating
circumstances, the comparative weight of aggravating and mitigating
circumstances, or the appropriateness of a sentence of death. [Citations.]”
(Alfaro, supra, 41 Cal.4th at p. 1331.) We also have rejected the contention that
the jury must be instructed that no party bears the burden of proof on the matter of
punishment. (People v. Dunkle (2005) 36 Cal.4th 861, 939, disapproved on
another ground in Doolin, supra, 45 Cal.4th at p. 421, fn. 22.)
“This court‟s refusal to conduct intercase proportionality review of a death
sentence does not violate the federal Constitution. [Citation.]” (Wallace, supra,
44 Cal.4th at pp. 1098-1099.)
“Contrary to defendant‟s claim, the use of unadjudicated criminal activity
during the penalty phase is permissible, and does not violate the Fifth, Sixth,
Eighth, and Fourteenth Amendments. [Citations.]” (People v. Loker, supra, 44
Cal.4th at p. 756.)
“The use of restrictive adjectives, such as „extreme‟ and „substantial,‟ in the
sentencing statute and instructions[,] do not render either unconstitutional.
[Citation.]” (People v. Watson (2008) 43 Cal.4th 652, 704.)
We have rejected the claim that “the phrase „whether or not‟ in section
190.3, factors (d) through (h) and (j) allows the absence of a mitigating factor to
be considered as an aggravating circumstance” (Page, supra, 44 Cal.4th at p. 61),
and the claim that “the failure to instruct that statutory mitigating factors may be
considered solely as mitigating precludes a reliable, individualized sentencing
determination as required by the Eighth and Fourteenth Amendments. [Citation.]”
(Ibid.)
90
Because “capital defendants are not similarly situated to noncapital
defendants, the death penalty law does not violate equal protection by denying
capital defendants certain procedural rights given to noncapital defendants.
[Citations.]” (People v. Cruz (2008) 44 Cal.4th 636, 681.)
“ „International law does not compel the elimination of capital punishment
in California.‟ (People v. Snow (2003) 30 Cal.4th 43, 127.) Moreover, California
does not impose capital punishment as „ “regular punishment for substantial
numbers of crimes.” ‟ (People v. Demetrulias (2006) 39 Cal.4th 1, 43.) „The
death penalty is available only for the crime of first degree murder, and only when
a special circumstance is found true; furthermore, administration of the penalty is
governed by constitutional and statutory provisions different from those applying
to “regular punishment” for felonies. (E.g., Cal. Const., art. VI, § 11; §§ 190.1-
190.9, 1239, subd. (b).)‟ (Id. at p. 44.)” (Doolin, supra, 45 Cal.4th at pp. 456-
457.) “California‟s status as being in the minority of jurisdictions worldwide that
impose capital punishment, especially in contrast with the nations of Western
Europe, does not violate the Eighth Amendment. (See, e.g., [Moon, supra, 37
Cal.4th at pp.] 47-48.)” (People v. Mungia (2008) 44 Cal.4th 1101, 1143.)
9. Challenge to the order of restitution
Defendant contends the trial court abused its discretion in determining
defendant‟s ability to pay a restitution fine of $10,000 under section 1202.4.
Both the version of section 1202.4 in effect at the time defendant was
sentenced in 1998, and the current version, provide that “[i]nability to pay may be
considered . . . in increasing the amount of the restitution fine in excess of the two
hundred-dollar . . . minimum” (§ 1202.4, subd. (c), and that “[i]n setting the
amount of the fine . . . in excess of the two hundred-dollar . . . minimum, the court
shall consider any relevant factors, including, but not limited to, the defendant‟s
91
inability to pay, the seriousness and gravity of the offense and the circumstances
of its commission, any economic gain derived by the defendant as a result of the
crime, the extent to which any other person suffered any losses as a result of the
crime, and the number of victims involved in the crime. Those losses may include
pecuniary losses to the victim or his or her dependents as well as intangible losses,
such as psychological harm caused by the crime. Consideration of a defendant‟s
inability to pay may include his or her future earning capacity. A defendant shall
bear the burden of demonstrating his or her inability to pay. Express findings by
the court as to the factors bearing on the amount of the fine shall not be required.”
(§ 1202.4, subd. (d).)
Defendant‟s argument in the trial court — that the imposition of a large
restitution fine, which would be deducted from a portion of any funds given to
defendant by his family to purchase personal items such as toothpaste, would be
“an additional indignity” — did not establish that imposing the maximum fine of
$10,000 would be inappropriate under section 1202.4. On the contrary, his
argument contemplated that defendant would have funds in the future from which
restitution could be paid, and thus contradicted the view that defendant would be
unable to pay the fine. Defendant‟s theory on appeal — that the trial court
disregarded his inability to pay the fine — also fails. The court clearly considered
that possibility as a factor, but defendant‟s assertion that he was unable to pay the
fine did not compel the court to impose a lesser fine. In light of the offenses
committed by defendant and the harm he caused to the victim and her children, we
find no abuse of discretion in the trial court‟s determination that a fine in the
amount of $10,000 was appropriate.
92
III.
CONCLUSION
For the foregoing reasons, we affirm the judgment in its entirety.
GEORGE, C. J.
WE CONCUR:
KENNARD, J.
BAXTER, J.
WERDEGAR, J.
CHIN, J.
MORENO, J.
CORRIGAN, J.
93
See next page for addresses and telephone numbers for counsel who argued in Supreme Court.
Name of Opinion People v. Lewis
__________________________________________________________________________________
Unpublished Opinion
Original Appeal XXX
Original Proceeding
Review Granted
Rehearing Granted
__________________________________________________________________________________
Opinion No. S069959
Date Filed: July 16, 2009
__________________________________________________________________________________
Court: Superior
County: Riverside
Judge: Ronald R. Heumann
__________________________________________________________________________________
Attorneys for Appellant:
Tara K. Hoveland, under appointment by the Supreme Court, for Defendant and Appellant.
__________________________________________________________________________________
Attorneys for Respondent:
Biil Lockyer and Edmund G. Brown, Jr., Attorneys General, Robert R. Anderson and Mary Jo Graves,
Chief Assistant Attorneys General, Gary W. Schons, Assistant Attorney General, William M. Wood, Holly
D. Wilkens and Peter Quon, Jr., Deputy Attorneys General, for Plaintiff and Respondent.
Counsel who argued in Supreme Court (not intended for publication with opinion):
Tara K. Hoveland
1034 Emerald Bay Road, #235
South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150
(800) 317-1682
Peter Quon, Jr.
Deputy Attorney General
110 West A Street, Suite 1100
San Diego, CA 92101
(619) 645-2038
Automatic appeal from a judgment of death.
Opinion Information
| Date: | Citation: | Docket Number: | Category: | Status: |
| Thu, 07/16/2009 | 46 Cal. 4th 1255, 210 P.3d 1119, 96 Cal. Rptr. 3d 512 | S069959 | Automatic Appeal | opinion issued |
Parties
| 1 | The People (Respondent) Represented by Attorney General - San Diego Office Peter Quon, Jr., Deputy Attorney General P.O. Box 85266 San Diego, CA |
| 2 | Lewis, Michael Bernard (Appellant) San Quentin State Prison Represented by Tara Kristine Hoveland Attorney at Law 1034 Emerald Bay Road, Suite 235 South Lake Tahoe, CA |
| Disposition | |
| Jul 16 2009 | Opinion: Affirmed |
| Dockets | |
| May 1 1998 | Judgment of death |
| May 4 1998 | Filed certified copy of Judgment of Death Rendered 5-1-98. |
| May 4 1998 | Penal Code sections 190.6 et seq. apply to this case |
| Jul 9 1998 | Record certified for completeness |
| Apr 15 2002 | Counsel appointment order filed appointing Tara K. Allen to represent applt for the direct appeal. |
| Apr 24 2002 | Date trial court delivered record to appellant's counsel 7,998 pp. record |
| May 1 2002 | Appellant's opening brief letter sent, due: 11-25-2002. |
| Jun 24 2002 | Counsel's status report received (confidential) from atty Allen. |
| Jul 19 2002 | Compensation awarded counsel Atty Allen |
| Jul 29 2002 | Change of Address filed for: Counsel for applt., Tara K. Allen. |
| Aug 13 2002 | Counsel's status report received (confidential) from atty Allen. |
| Aug 28 2002 | Compensation awarded counsel Atty Allen |
| Oct 16 2002 | Counsel's status report received (confidential) from attorney Allen. |
| Nov 15 2002 | Request for extension of time filed To file appellant's opening brief. (1st request) |
| Nov 19 2002 | Extension of time granted to 1-24-2003 to file AOB. The court anticipates that after that date, only 5 further extensions totaling 300 aditional 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. |
| Nov 27 2002 | Received copy of appellant's record correction motion Request to Complete and Correct the Record on Appeal. (11 pp.) |
| Dec 16 2002 | Counsel's status report received (confidential) from atty Allen. |
| Jan 15 2003 | Compensation awarded counsel Atty Allen |
| Jan 16 2003 | Request for extension of time filed to file appellant's opening brief. (2nd request) |
| Jan 22 2003 | Extension of time granted to 3/25/2003 to file appellant's opening brief. The court anticipates that after that date, only four further extensions totaling 240 additional days will be granted. Counsel is ordered to in form 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. |
| Jan 22 2003 | Compensation awarded counsel Atty Allen |
| Feb 11 2003 | Counsel's status report received (confidential) from atty Allen. |
| Feb 13 2003 | Compensation awarded counsel Atty Allen |
| Mar 13 2003 | Request for extension of time filed to file appellant's opening brief. (3rd request) |
| Mar 17 2003 | Extension of time granted to 5/27/2003 to file appellant's opening brief. The court anticipates that after that date, ony 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 19 2003 | Compensation awarded counsel Atty Allen |
| Apr 3 2003 | Record certified for accuracy |
| Apr 4 2003 | Compensation awarded counsel Atty Allen |
| Apr 23 2003 | Compensation awarded counsel Atty Allen |
| Apr 25 2003 | Counsel's status report received (confidential) from atty Allen. |
| May 7 2003 | Record on appeal filed 22 vols. of clerk's transcript (5,372 pp.); 23 vols. of reporter's transcript (2,948 pp.); and ascii disks. Includes material under seal and 3,578 pp. of juror questionnaires |
| May 7 2003 | Letter sent to: counsel advising that record was filed this date. |
| May 15 2003 | Request for extension of time filed to fle appellant's opening brief. (4th request) |
| May 16 2003 | Extension of time granted to 7/28/2003 to file appellant's opening brief. The court anticiaptes that after that date, only two further extensions totaling 120 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 seprate counsel of record, of this schedule, and to take all steps necessary to meet it. |
| May 23 2003 | Filed: additional record from superior court: 1 vol. supplemental clerk's transcript (53 pp.) and 1 vol. reporter's transcript (proceedings of 11-25-02; 2-21-03; and 3-28-03) (53 pp.) |
| Jun 11 2003 | Counsel's status report received (confidential) from atty Allen. |
| Jul 14 2003 | Request for extension of time filed to file AOB. (5th request) |
| Jul 17 2003 | Extension of time granted to 9-26-2003 to file AOB. After that date, only two further extensions totaling about 120 additional days are contemplated. Extension granted based upon counsel Tara Allen's representation that she anticipates filing the brief by 1-20-2004. |
| Aug 11 2003 | Counsel's status report received (confidential) from atty Allen. |
| Aug 11 2003 | Motion to augment AA record filed by appellant. |
| Aug 13 2003 | Compensation awarded counsel Atty Allen |
| Sep 12 2003 | Filed: duplicate vol. of reporter's transcript (copy fax'ed by attorney Tara Allen) for proceedings of 11-25-2003; 2-21-2003; and 3-28-2003. (29 pp.) |
| Sep 18 2003 | Request for extension of time filed to file appellant's opening brief. (6th request) |
| Sep 23 2003 | Extension of time granted to 11/25/2003 to file appellant's opening brief. After that date, only two further extensions totaling about 120 additional days will be granted. Extension is granted based upon counsel Tara K. Allen's representation that she anticipates filing that brief by 3/20/2004. |
| Sep 24 2003 | Record augmentation granted Appellant's "Motion to Augment the Record on Appeal," filed on August 11, 2003, is granted. The superior court is directed to (1) conduct proceedings to determine whether any of the documents identified below was filed or lodged in the municipal or superior court files in this case, and, if so, to (2) cause the document or documents to be copied, to cause the document or documents so copied to become part of an augmented clerk's transcript, and to cause such transcript to be prepared, certified, and transmitted as specified in rules 35(e) and 39.50 of the California Rules of Court: 1. Order dated January 8, 1993, holding appellant to answer on a charge of murder. (See Motion, p. 2.) 2. Memorandum to Clerk from L. Valadez [sic], dated November 8, 1994. (See Motion, p. 2.) 3. Memorandum from Dennis M. Finn, Criminal Defense Panel, dated May 16, 1995. (Motion, p. 2.) 4. "Motion for Reduction of Sentence," pages 1 through 6. (Motion, p. 2.) The superior court is further directed to comply with the foregoing directions on or before October 31, 2003. |
| Oct 10 2003 | Counsel's status report received (confidential) from attorney Allen. |
| Oct 15 2003 | Compensation awarded counsel Atty Allen |
| Oct 29 2003 | Compensation awarded counsel Atty Allen |
| Nov 18 2003 | Letter sent to: Judge Ronald Heumann regarding compliance with court's 9-24-2003, order. |
| Nov 20 2003 | Request for extension of time filed to file appellant's opening brief. (7th request) |
| Nov 20 2003 | Filed: additional record on appeal, prepared and certified by the superior court in response to this court's order of 9/24/2003 (1 volume of clerk's transcript 10 pp.) |
| Nov 20 2003 | Letter sent to: counsel advising that additional record on appeal filed this date. |
| Nov 25 2003 | Extension of time granted to 1/26/2004 to file appellant's opening brief. The court anticipates that after that date, only two further extensions totaling 120 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. |
| Jan 6 2004 | Compensation awarded counsel Atty Allen |
| Jan 14 2004 | Compensation awarded counsel Atty Allen |
| Feb 2 2004 | Request for extension of time filed to file appellant's opening brief. (8th request) |
| Feb 5 2004 | Extension of time granted to 3/26/2004 to file appellant's opening brief. The court anticipates that after that date, only one further extension totaling 60 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. |
| Feb 13 2004 | Counsel's status report received (confidential) from atty Allen. |
| Mar 22 2004 | Request for extension of time filed to file appellant's opening brief. (9th request) |
| Mar 25 2004 | Extension of time granted to 5/25/2004 to file appellant's opening brief. After that date, only two further extensions totaling about 110 additional days will be granted. Extension is granted based upon counsel Tara K. Allen's representation that she anticipates filing that brief by 9/16/2004. |
| Apr 28 2004 | Compensation awarded counsel Atty Allen |
| Apr 30 2004 | Counsel's status report received (confidential) from atty Allen. |
| May 12 2004 | Compensation awarded counsel Atty Allen |
| May 24 2004 | Request for extension of time filed to file appellant's opening brief. (10th request) |
| May 26 2004 | Extension of time granted to 7/26/2004 to file appellant's opening brief. After that date, only one further extension totaling about 50 additional days will be granted. Extension is granted based upon counsel Tara K. Allen's representation that she anticipates filing that brief by 9/16/2004. |
| Jun 10 2004 | Counsel's status report received (confidential) from atty Allen. |
| Jul 22 2004 | Request for extension of time filed to file appellant's opening brief. (11th request) |
| Jul 26 2004 | Extension of time granted to 9/22/2004 to file appellant's opening brief. After that date, only one further extension totaling about 30 additional days will be granted. Extension is granted based upon counsel Tara K. Allen's representation that she anticipates filing that brief by 10/22/2004. |
| Aug 2 2004 | Compensation awarded counsel Atty Allen |
| Aug 13 2004 | Counsel's status report received (confidential) from atty Allen. |
| Aug 18 2004 | Compensation awarded counsel Atty Allen |
| Sep 22 2004 | Request for extension of time filed to file appellant's opening brief. (12th request) |
| Sep 23 2004 | Extension of time granted to 11-22-2004 to file AOB. After that date, no further extension will be granted. Extension granted based upon counsel Tara Allen's representation that she anticipates filing the brief by 11-21-2004. |
| Oct 12 2004 | Counsel's status report received (confidential) from atty Allen. |
| Nov 3 2004 | Compensation awarded counsel Atty Allen |
| Nov 17 2004 | Compensation awarded counsel Atty Allen |
| Nov 19 2004 | Request for extension of time filed to file appellant's opening brief. (13th request) |
| Nov 29 2004 | Extension of time granted to 12/21/2004 to file appellant's opening brief. Extension is granted based upon counsel Tara K. Allen's representation that she anticipates filing that brief by 12/21/2004. After that date, no furhter extension will be granted. |
| Dec 6 2004 | Counsel's status report received (confidential) from atty Allen. |
| Dec 21 2004 | Appellant's opening brief filed (72,898 words; 240 pp.) |
| Dec 21 2004 | Respondent's brief letter sent; due: April 20, 2005. |
| Dec 22 2004 | Compensation awarded counsel Atty Allen |
| Jan 12 2005 | Compensation awarded counsel Atty Allen |
| Apr 20 2005 | Request for extension of time filed to file respondent's brief. (1st request) |
| Apr 21 2005 | Extension of time granted to 6/20/2005 to file respondent's brief. |
| May 2 2005 | Counsel's status report received (confidential) from atty Allen. |
| May 11 2005 | Compensation awarded counsel Atty Allen |
| Jun 16 2005 | Request for extension of time filed to file respondent's brief. (2nd request) |
| Jun 23 2005 | Extension of time granted to 8/17/2005 to file respondent's brief. After that date, only one further extension totaling about 14 additional days is contemplated. Extension is granted based upon Supervising Deputy Attorney General Peter Quon, Jr.'s representation that he anticipates filing that brief by 8/31/2005. |
| Jul 14 2005 | Counsel's status report received (confidential) from atty Allen. |
| Aug 11 2005 | Request for extension of time filed to file respondent's brief. (3rd request) |
| Aug 18 2005 | Extension of time granted to 9/30/2005 to file respondent's brief. Extension is granted based upon Supervising Deputy Attorney General Peter Quon, Jr.'s representation that he anticipates filing that brief by 9/30/2005. After that date, no further extension will be granted. |
| Sep 19 2005 | Request for extension of time filed to file respondent's brief. (4th request) |
| Sep 22 2005 | Extension of time granted to 10/31/2005 to file respondent's brief. based upon Supervising Deputy Attorney General Peter Quon, Jr.'s representation that he anticipates filing that brief by 10/31/2005. After that date, no further extension will be granted. |
| Nov 2 2005 | Request for extension of time filed to file respondent's brief. (5th request) |
| Nov 7 2005 | Counsel's status report received (confidential) from atty Allen. |
| Nov 14 2005 | Extension of time granted to 11/21/05 to file respondent's brief. After that date, no further extension will be granted. Extenision is granted based upon Supervising Deputy Attorney General Peter Quon, Jr.'s representation that he anticipates filing that brief by November 21, 2005. |
| Nov 16 2005 | Request for extension of time filed to file respondent's brief. (6th request) |
| Nov 30 2005 | Respondent's brief filed (68,794 words; 210 pp.) |
| Dec 1 2005 | Extension of time granted to 11/30/2005 to file the respondent's brief. After that date, no further extension will be granted. Extension is granted based upon Supervising Deputy Attorney General Peter Quon, Jr.'s representation that he anticipates filing that brief by November 30, 2005. |
| Jan 18 2006 | Compensation awarded counsel Atty Allen |
| Jan 20 2006 | Request for extension of time filed to file appellant's reply brief. (1st request) |
| Jan 23 2006 | Extension of time granted to 3/28/2006 to file appellant's reply brief. |
| Mar 17 2006 | Request for extension of time filed to file appellant's reply brief. (2nd request) |
| Mar 22 2006 | Filed: Amended application for extension of time to file appellant's reply brief. |
| Mar 24 2006 | Extension of time granted to May 30, 2006 to file appellant's reply brief. After that date, only two further extensions totaling about 90 additional days are contemplated. Extension is granted based upon counsel Tara K. Allen's representation that she anticipates filing that brief by August 30, 2006. |
| Apr 26 2006 | Compensation awarded counsel Atty Allen |
| May 24 2006 | Request for extension of time filed to file appellant's reply brief. (3rd request) |
| May 30 2006 | Extension of time granted to July 31, 2006 to file the appellant's reply brief. After that date, only one further extension totaling about 30 additional days are contemplated. Extension is granted based upon counsle Tara K. Allen's representation that she anticipates filing that brief by August 30, 2006. |
| Aug 4 2006 | Request for extension of time filed to file appellant's reply brief. (4th request) |
| Aug 10 2006 | Extension of time granted to September 30, 2006 to file the reply brief. After that date, no further extension will be granted. Extension is granted based upon counsel Tara K. Allen's representation that she anticipates filing that brief by October 2, 2006. |
| Sep 7 2006 | Compensation awarded counsel Atty Allen |
| Sep 27 2006 | Compensation awarded counsel Atty Allen |
| Oct 3 2006 | Appellant's reply brief filed (16,840 words; 52 pp.) Note: Purusant to Rule 40.1, (b) (3), subdivision (B) |
| Oct 5 2006 | Filed: Appellant's motion for leave to file supplemental brief (received under seperate cover - 1,891 words; 6 pp.) |
| Oct 5 2006 | Filed: Errata to appellant's reply brief with new Table of Contents and Table of Authorities. |
| Oct 13 2006 | Order filed Appellant's "Application for Leave to File Supplemental Brief" is granted. |
| Oct 13 2006 | Supplemental brief filed by appellant. (1,891 words; 6 pp.) |
| Oct 18 2006 | Compensation awarded counsel Atty Allen |
| Nov 28 2006 | Request for extension of time filed to file response to supplemental brief. (1st request) |
| Dec 12 2006 | Extension of time granted to January 16, 2007 to file a response to appellant's supplemental brief. |
| Jan 23 2007 | Application for relief from default filed "Respondent's Request for Permission to File Late Respondent's Supplemental Brief to Appellant's October 5, 2006, Supplemental Brief." (2,218 word - 9 pp. brief received under separate cover) |
| Jan 26 2007 | Order filed Respondent's request for "Permission to File Late Respondent's Supplemental Brief to Appellant's October 5, 2006 Supplemental Brief" is granted. Any supplemental appellant's reply brief is to be filed on or before February 14, 2007. |
| Feb 15 2007 | Supplemental brief filed appellant's supplemental reply brief. (1433 words; 4 pp.) |
| Sep 12 2008 | Exhibit(s) lodged People's exhibits: photos-1, 2-B,C,E,F,G,H,I,J,K, 5-A,B,C,D,E,F,G,H,L, 11, 13-A,B,C,D,E,F,G, 17-A,B,C,D,E,F; diagram/chart: 5-I,J,K,M,N,; posterboard: 6,10; posterboard w/photos: 2-A,B,C,D,E, F,G,H,I, 3-A,B,C,D,E,F,G,H,I, 4-A,B,C, 5-A,B,C,D,E,F,G, 7-A,B,C,D,E. |
| Feb 24 2009 | Oral argument letter sent advising counsel that the court could schedule this case for argument as early as the April calendar, to be held the week of April 6, 2009, in Los Angeles. 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. |
| Apr 1 2009 | Case ordered on calendar to be argued Wednesday, May 6, 2009, at 1:30 p.m., in San Francisco |
| Apr 14 2009 | Received: appearance sheet from attorney Tara Hoveland, indicating 45 minutes for oral argument for appellant. |
| Apr 14 2009 | Received: appearance sheet from Deputy Attorney General Peter Quon, Jr., indicating 30 minutes for oral argument for respondent. |
| Apr 14 2009 | Filed: respondent's focus issues letter, dated April 14, 2009. |
| Apr 15 2009 | Filed: appellant's focus issues letter, dated April 13, 2009. |
| Apr 15 2009 | Filed: by respondent, "Amended Declaration of Service". |
| Apr 27 2009 | Received: appellant's additional authorities letter, dated April 22, 2009. |
| Apr 27 2009 | Received: respondent's additional authorities letter, dated April 27, 2009. |
| May 6 2009 | Cause argued and submitted |
| May 14 2009 | Compensation awarded counsel Atty Hoveland |
| Jun 10 2009 | Compensation awarded counsel Atty Hoveland |
| Jul 15 2009 | Notice of forthcoming opinion posted |
| Jul 16 2009 | Opinion filed: Judgment affirmed in full opinion by George, C.J. -----joined by Kennard, Baxter, Werdegar, Chin, Moreno and Corrigan, JJ |
| Jul 30 2009 | Rehearing petition filed (2,024 words; 9 pp.) |
| Jul 31 2009 | Time extended to consider modification or rehearing The time for granting or denying rehearing in the above-entitled case is hereby extended to and including October 14, 2009, or the date upon which rehearing is either granted or denied, whichever occurs first. |
| Briefs | |
| Dec 21 2004 | Appellant's opening brief filed (72,898 words; 240 pp.) |
| Nov 30 2005 | Respondent's brief filed (68,794 words; 210 pp.) |
| Oct 3 2006 | Appellant's reply brief filed (16,840 words; 52 pp.) Note: Purusant to Rule 40.1, (b) (3), subdivision (B) |
