People v. Vang CA5 ( 2015 )

Filed 10/29/15 P. v. Vang CA5
NOT TO BE PUBLISHED IN THE OFFICIAL REPORTS
California Rules of Court, rule 8.1115(a), prohibits courts and parties from citing or relying on opinions not certified for
publication or ordered published, except as specified by rule 8.1115(b). This opinion has not been certified for publication
or ordered published for purposes of rule 8.1115.
IN THE COURT OF APPEAL OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA
FIFTH APPELLATE DISTRICT
THE PEOPLE,
F069322
Plaintiff and Respondent,
(Super. Ct. No. F11906520)
v.
LUCKY VANG, OPINION
Defendant and Appellant.
THE COURT*
APPEAL from a judgment of the Superior Court of Fresno County. Houry A.
Sanderson, Judge.
Deborah L. Hawkins, under appointment by the Court of Appeal, for Defendant
and Appellant.
Kamala D. Harris, Attorney General, Gerald A. Engler, Chief Assistant Attorney
General, Michael P. Farrell, Assistant Attorney General, Louis M. Vasquez, Amanda D.
Cary and Lewis A. Martinez, Deputy Attorneys General, for Plaintiff and Respondent.
-ooOoo-
* Before Levy, Acting P.J., Franson, J. and Peña, J.
INTRODUCTION
Appellant Lucky Vang was convicted of rape of a child under the age of 14 years,
two counts of committing a lewd act on a child, and two counts of continuous sexual
abuse of a child. In addition, it was found true that the multiple victim circumstances in
Penal Code section 667.61, subdivision (e)(4) applied. He contends defense counsel
rendered ineffective assistance of counsel by failing to exercise due diligence to exclude
evidence of uncharged sexual acts committed by Vang when Vang was under 14 years of
age. We conclude Vang was not prejudiced by the admission of the evidence and we
affirm.
FACTUAL AND PROCEDURAL SUMMARY
On November 11, 2011, J.V. and her sister, K.V., ran away from home, where
they lived with their parents, their brother Vang, and numerous other brothers and sisters.
J.V. was 11 years old at the time; K.V. was 9 years old. Vang was 18 years old. While
the girls were missing, investigators obtained information from their siblings about sexual
abuse of the girls.
Before running away, J.V. told one of her older sisters, N.V., that Vang touched
her in the shower. J.V. also told another sister, M.V., that Vang was having sexual
intercourse with her. Three weeks before running away, J.V. told yet another sister, C.V.,
that Vang was “fucking” her in the shower and that this had been happening for a while.
C.V. took this to mean rape or forced sex.
On November 12, 2011, the girls were found approximately two miles from their
residence. The girls were returned to their home, where Detective Thaoseng Xiong of the
Fresno Police Department interviewed J.V.; the interview was recorded. J.V. told Xiong
she ran away because Vang was raping her, which to J.V. meant “putting his penis inside
my pussy.” Vang last had sexual intercourse with her a few days before she ran away.
J.V. stated when she was in preschool, Vang began putting his hands inside her
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underpants and touching her “pussy.” Vang began having sexual intercourse with her
when she was in first or second grade.
J.V. said Vang began assaulting her sister, M. (not M.V.), when M. was in first
grade. Starting when J.V. was in fourth grade and M. was in third grade, Vang would
sometimes have intercourse with both of them in the bathroom. J.V. saw Vang have
intercourse with M. more than 10 times. Sometimes she saw Vang ejaculate. Vang
sometimes told them to stroke his penis.
On November 16, 2011, Detective Kristine Hawk of the Madera County Sheriff’s
office interviewed M. and recorded the interview. Hawk had extensive training in
investigating sexual assault crimes. During the interview, M. stated that Vang would hit
her and her sisters if they did not do something right. Sometimes the sisters would be in
a circle and Vang would force them to take turns hitting each other.
M. stated Vang started touching her when she was in second or fourth grade. The
last occasion was a few days before J.V. and K.V. ran away. On that occasion, they were
in the bathroom and Vang took off her clothes, touched her vagina, and then penetrated
her. M. told Hawk that one time, Vang penetrated her while they were on a bed.
M. did not see Vang doing anything sexual to any of her sisters. J.V. told M. that
Vang had raped her, too, but did not tell M. how or where it happened. M. said she did
not tell anyone what was happening because Vang told her several times, “I’m gonna kill
all you guys,” if she told anyone.
Vang was interviewed at police headquarters on November 12, 2011. After
receiving warnings pursuant to Miranda v. Arizona (1966) 384 U.S. 436, Vang spoke
with officers and admitted having sexual intercourse twice with J.V. One time occurred
in the shower; he could not remember the circumstances of the other incident. Vang also
admitted to intercourse with M. a maximum of two times, both in the shower.
Vang stated he knew it was illegal to have sex with children; he did it because he
could not control himself. Vang stated he did not want to go home because he might do
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it again. During the interview, Vang wrote a letter to M. and J.V. apologizing for his
actions. In the letter, Vang states he is “not good” and “very sorry.” He asked them to
forgive him because he was “stupid” and “evil.” Vang states that he is “crying inside
because of how sick and evil I am,” but “sometimes I just can’t control myself.”
An information filed November 29, 2012, charged Vang with two counts of
committing a lewd act on a child (counts 1 and 4), one count of rape of a child under 14
years of age (count 2), and two counts of continuous sexual abuse of a child (counts 3 and
5). Multiple victim circumstances within the meaning of Penal Code section 667.61,
subdivision (e)(4) were alleged as to all counts.
The trial court heard motions in limine on January 27, 2014. Defense counsel
objected to introduction of evidence of uncharged acts that occurred several years prior,
when Vang was “much younger than 18.” Defense counsel articulated concerns
regarding admission of Evidence Code1 section 1108 evidence. The trial court asked if
defense counsel had “any case law that says if the 1108 evidence is when the person was
a juvenile that it could not come in as 1108 in his adult case?” Defense counsel
responded, “Not aware of any, Your Honor.”
The trial court went on to state, if a “separate witness was a minor under the age of
14, and defendant at the time was also a minor, there is no barring of that evidence;
correct, if 352 analysis is completed and the probative value outweighs any prejudice to
the defendant?” Defense counsel responded, “I can’t say. I’m not disagreeing with the
Court.” The trial court ruled that the testimony given by J.V. to the officer in the
interview would be admissible.
Trial by jury commenced on January 29, 2014. At the trial, J.V. testified she had
intercourse with Vang twice a week throughout 2011, up to the week before she ran
away. On the last occasion, J.V. tried to push Vang away and asked him to stop, but he
1 References to code sections are to the Evidence Code unless otherwise specified.
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pressed her against a wall and continued until he ejaculated. J.V. testified that on several
occasions, Vang touched M. on her breasts and vagina, and took turns having intercourse
with M. and J.V., when both were in the shower with him.
J.V. testified Vang threatened to kill her if she told anyone what he was doing to
her. She was angry with Vang, in part because he hit her quite a bit. Sometimes Vang
and the sisters would form a circle and Vang would hit the person in the middle of the
circle.
M. testified at trial that Vang had intercourse with her in the bathroom once or
twice a week for more than three months. Sometimes J.V. also was in the bathroom and
Vang would penetrate J.V. as well. M. testified she did not try to stop Vang because she
was scared. M. testified that Vang hit her several times; sometimes the siblings were in a
circle and took turns hitting each other.
N.V. testified that at least twice during 2011 she saw Vang wake J.V. up and say,
“Let’s go” at a time when everyone was supposed to be asleep. After J.V. left the
bedroom, N.V. would hear the water go on in the shower. N.V. testified that Vang never
hit her and she never saw him hit J.V.
M.V. testified she saw Vang and J.V. come out of the bathroom together one time.
On one occasion, she saw Vang go into the bathroom with M. On two occasions, Vang
hit M.V. for “discipline.” M.V. did not remember seeing Vang hit either J.V. or M.
Another sister, C.V., testified Vang hit her sisters, but could not remember which sisters
he hit.
Dr. Randall Robinson, a clinical psychologist, testified regarding child sexual
abuse accommodation syndrome. Robinson stated preteen victims tended to not resist or
report abuse, or to disclose details gradually.
Vang testified in his own defense. He stated that on one occasion, he had J.V.
assist him in the shower because he was intoxicated. When he vomited on her pants, she
left and returned wearing just her shirt. Vang held on to her shoulders and later kissed
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her, but he did not touch her breasts or vagina. At some point while kissing her, he
realized what he was doing was wrong and stopped.
Vang testified another time when it was dark, he came home and went to use the
shower; M. was by the bathroom door. He did not recall being with her or what he did
with her. It was possible he had sex with M. while he was drunk. Vang testified he
definitely never had sex with both of the girls together.
According to Vang, he disciplined all the children at home. He would hit M. or
J.V. if they lied or went out. He did not recall any occasion when the children formed a
circle and the child in the middle was hit.
Vang explained his statement to officers by saying his references to sex meant sex
with other girls, and his reference to inappropriate sexual contact in the shower meant
kissing and hugging. Vang agreed that sex meant when a man penetrated a woman’s
vagina with his penis, but asserted it meant other things as well.
The letter Vang wrote was “according to [what] the officers wanted me to write.”
When he asked M. and J.V. to forgive him, he meant for times when he was drunk, would
yell at them, and hit the other children.
On February 5, 2014, the jury found Vang guilty of all charges and found the
allegations to be true. On April 28, 2014, the trial court imposed sentence. A term of 25
years to life was imposed for the count 3 conviction; consecutive terms of 25 years to life
were imposed for each of the count 2, 4, and 5 convictions; and a concurrent term of 25
years to life was imposed for the count 1 conviction. The total term was 100 years to life,
with credit for 1,033 days in custody. Various fines and fees also were imposed.
Vang filed a timely notice of appeal on April 29, 2014.
DISCUSSION
Vang contends he received prejudicial ineffective assistance of counsel because
defense counsel failed to cite the trial court to People v. Cottone (2013) 57 Cal. 4th 269
6.
(Cottone) to prevent admission of section 1108 evidence that occurred when Vang was a
juvenile. We conclude any ineffective assistance was not prejudicial.
In reviewing the record, we noted that the abstract of judgment fails to specify the
term imposed for the count 3 offense. We will direct the preparation of a corrected
abstract of judgment.
I. Section 1108 Evidence
Vang contends he received prejudicial ineffective assistance of counsel because
defense counsel failed to cite the trial court to Cottone, supra, 57 Cal. 4th 269 to prevent
admission of section 1108 evidence that occurred when Vang was a juvenile. Vang,
however, was not prejudiced by admission of this evidence.
Vang was born in 1993; J.V. was born in 2000. J.V. told Detective Xiong that
Vang began molesting her when she was in preschool. This information was testified to
at trial by Xiong, who stated that J.V. informed him the molestation began when she was
in preschool. Vang contends this information was not admissible because he would have
been under 14 years of age at the time.
We agree with Vang that the section 1108 evidence of uncharged acts he
committed while under the age of 14 years is subject to special scrutiny before it may be
admitted. The trial court is obligated to evaluate whether “a defendant had the capacity
to understand the wrongfulness of his or her conduct, under Penal Code section 26[,
paragraph One], as a threshold question to admitting an unadjudicated sexual offense”
committed by a defendant when he or she was under 14 years of age. (Cottone, supra, 57
Cal.4th at p. 282.) The trial court failed to address this threshold question and make the
necessary determination, either during the hearing on the motions in limine or at any
other time prior to its admission at trial. The trial court had a duty to make the
determination on whether the evidence was legally admissible in light of Penal Code
section 26, paragraph One (Penal Code section 26(One)). (Cottone, supra, at p. 285.)
7.
Moreover, the People, as the party proffering the evidence, had the burden of
proving by clear and convincing evidence that Vang understood the wrongfulness of the
unadjudicated offense(s) pursuant to Penal Code section 26(One). (Cottone, supra, 57
Cal.4th at p. 286.) Penal Code section 26(One) creates a rebuttable presumption that a
child under the age of 14 years is incapable of committing a crime. (Cottone, supra, at p.
280.) This determination is a foundational question that must be established for
admissibility under section 1108 and the People have the burden of producing evidence
on this point. (Cottone, supra, at pp. 281, 285-286.)
In order to prevail on a claim of ineffective assistance of counsel, Vang must show
that: (1) defense counsel’s representation fell below an objective standard of
reasonableness, and (2) he was prejudiced by defense counsel’s deficient representation.
(Strickland v. Washington (1984) 466 U.S. 668, 687; People v. Cain (1995) 10 Cal. 4th 1,
28.)
Regardless of whether we assess the issue as one of trial court error or ineffective
assistance of counsel for failing to more forcefully object to admission of the challenged
section 1108 evidence, the standard for assessing prejudice is the same: whether it is
reasonably probable a result more favorable to Vang would have been reached absent the
error. (Strickland v. Washington, supra, 466 U.S. at p. 694; People v. Callahan (1999)
74 Cal. App. 4th 356, 363.)
Vang contends admission of this one piece of evidence was prejudicial because “it
cannot be determined whether the jury convicted [Vang] of count three based on
admissible evidence or inadmissible prior acts evidence when he was less than fourteen”
and because it was impossible to tell what “spillover effect the inadmissible evidence had
on count five, the continuous abuse of M.V.” This argument ignores the instructions to
the jury.
The prosecutor argued that “all the charges in this case relate to when he’s an
adult.” The jury was specifically instructed that the continuous sexual abuse counts
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related to acts occurring on or after February 27, 2011, which would have been Vang’s
18th birthday. Absent evidence to the contrary, and here there is no such evidence, we
presume the jury followed the instructions. (People v. Prince (2007) 40 Cal. 4th 1179,
1295.)
Moreover, the evidence that Vang committed the charged acts was overwhelming.
Vang admitted when interviewed by police that he knew it was wrong to have sex with
children; admitted having sexual intercourse with J.V. twice; and admitted having
intercourse with M. twice. J.V. and M. both testified at trial. M. testified that Vang had
intercourse with her once or twice a week for more than three months; the last occasion
was a few days before her sisters ran away. J.V. testified that Vang had intercourse with
her twice a week throughout 2011, up to the week before she ran away. M. and J.V. both
consistently stated that Vang threatened them if they told anyone about his conduct.
Other witnesses provided corroborating testimony. J.V.’s sisters M.V., N.V., and
C.V. all verified that J.V. had told them of the sexual abuse by Vang. Both M.V. and
N.V. testified to observing Vang behave in a manner that supported J.V.’s testimony:
Vang would wake J.V. up when everyone was asleep and then the water would go on in
the shower; Vang was seen coming out of a bedroom with J.V. and going into the
bathroom with her. J.V. saw Vang sexually molest M.
In light of Vang’s admissions and the testimony of the victims and other
witnesses, it is not reasonably probable the outcome would have been any different if the
challenged section 1108 evidence had been excluded. Consequently, there is no
prejudice. (Strickland v. Washington, supra, 466 U.S. at p. 694; People v. Callahan,
supra, 74 Cal.App.4th at p. 363.)
II. Abstract of Judgment
The abstract of judgment correctly notes that Vang was convicted on all five
counts and sets forth the term imposed for counts 1, 2, 4, and 5. The term imposed by the
trial court for count 3, 25 years to life, is not specified on the abstract of judgment.
9.
Appellate courts may order the correction of abstracts of judgment that do not
properly reflect the oral pronouncement of judgment. (People v. Mitchell (2001) 26
Cal. 4th 181, 185.) When there is a clerical error in the abstract of judgment, “the
appellate court itself should order the trial court to correct the abstract of judgement.”
(Id. at p. 188.)
The abstract does not reflect the term imposed by the trial court for the count 3
offense, therefore we will direct that a corrected abstract be prepared.
DISPOSITION
The judgment is affirmed. The trial court is directed to prepare a corrected
abstract of judgment to reflect the term imposed for the count 3 offense and to
disseminate the corrected abstract to the appropriate authorities.
10.