People v. Andrino CA4/2 ( 2015 )


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  • Filed 8/14/15 P. v. Andrino CA4/2
    NOT TO BE PUBLISHED IN OFFICIAL REPORTS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 This opinion has not been certified for publication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
    FOURTH APPELLATE DISTRICT
    DIVISION TWO
    THE PEOPLE,
    Plaintiff and Respondent,                                       E060793
    v.                                                                       (Super.Ct.No. SWF10002531)
    ADRIAN ANDRINO,                                                          OPINION
    Defendant and Appellant.
    APPEAL from the Superior Court of Riverside County. Timothy F. Freer, Judge.
    Reversed and remanded.
    Joanna Rehm, under appointment by the Court of Appeal, for Defendant and
    Appellant.
    Kamala D. Harris, Attorney General, Gerald A. Engler, Chief Assistant Attorney
    General, Julie L. Garland, Senior Assistant Attorney General, and Barry Carlton and
    Adrianne S. Denault, Deputy Attorneys General, for Plaintiff and Respondent.
    1
    Following his conviction for unlawful oral copulation with a person under the age
    of 18 (Pen. Code,1 § 288a, subd. (b)(1)) and lewd act upon a child under the age of 14
    without force (§ 288, subd. (a)), defendant Adrian Andrino was sentenced to state prison
    for a total term of six years eight months. He appealed, and we agreed with his claim that
    the trial court erred in finding him ineligible for probation. (People v. Andrino (Sept. 17,
    2013, E055371) [nonpub. opn.].) As a result of that error, we reversed defendant’s
    sentence and remanded the matter to the trial court for further proceedings. On remand,
    the trial judge was no longer sitting in Riverside Superior Court, so the matter was heard
    before Judge Timothy F. Freer. Judge Freer denied probation and sentenced defendant to
    state prison for the same term imposed by the trial judge (six years eight months). On
    appeal, defendant contends Judge Freer’s sentencing choices and reasons were based on
    bias and/or improper aggravating factors. We agree.
    I. FACTS AND PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND2
    In April 2010, 12-year-old Jane Doe,3 her mother, and her sisters were visiting
    Doe’s aunt. Defendant, Doe’s 20-year-old cousin, lived at the house. Defendant and Doe
    began texting each other and the messages became sexual, with defendant asking Doe
    1   All further statutory references are to the Penal Code unless otherwise indicated.
    2 We use an abbreviated version of the statement of facts set forth in our prior
    appellate opinion. (People v. Andrino (Sept. 17, 2013, E055371) [nonpub. opn.],
    hereafter, E055371.)
    3
    Jane Doe testified that in April 2010, she was 12, and at the time of trial,
    September 12, 2011, she was 14.
    2
    asked about her sexual experiences. Doe felt “[a] little uncomfortable” about some of
    defendant’s texts, but she would just laugh off the sexual comments.
    On April 9, 2010, the family had a party at Doe’s aunt’s house. During the party,
    defendant texted Doe about “what he wanted to do to [her] and whatnot.” Doe texted
    defendant back, telling him they were cousins and were “not supposed to be doing this.”
    At some point during the party, Doe went into a bedroom and began using a computer.
    About five to 10 minutes later, defendant came into the room, closed the door, and began
    rubbing Doe’s leg. Defendant began touching Doe’s breasts, first over her clothing, then
    under her bra. Defendant then touched Doe under her underwear, rubbing the top part of
    her vagina, and penetrating her vagina with his finger. Defendant stood, pulled down his
    pants, grabbed the back of Doe’s head, and pushed her head down, placing his penis into
    her mouth for approximately five minutes. When someone came into the room,
    defendant sat down on the bed and covered himself with a shirt. When the person left,
    defendant began touching Doe’s breasts, but he did not put his penis in her mouth. When
    more people returned to the bedroom, Doe was able to leave. She went downstairs and
    sang karaoke.
    Later that night, defendant sent a text to Doe while she was sleeping. Her mother
    saw the message that stated, “I want more, I want more. I couldn’t get enough.” Doe’s
    mother was “puzzled and distraught,” and answered the text on her daughter’s cell phone,
    “Go to sleep. I’m only 12.”
    3
    Doe told a friend about the incident with defendant; however, she did not tell any
    adults. After the incident she felt confused. She indicated she did not want defendant to
    get in trouble and believed it was “just a mistake.”
    On September 8, 2010, Detective Wilfredo Collazo of the Riverside County
    Sheriff’s Department interviewed defendant at his house. Defendant denied that anything
    had occurred between him and his cousin, stating, “I didn’t do anything man, for real,”
    and that Doe was making stories up. Detective Collazo told defendant he knew that Doe
    “sucked [his] dick” but wanted to make sure defendant did not force her to do so.
    Defendant admitted to consensual oral sex only, denying that the incident was “forced.”
    In defense, several family members who attended the party testified that defendant
    and Doe were not in the bedroom alone during the party. Defendant testified he came to
    the United States from the Philippines when he was 10 years old, and English was his
    second language. He denied being sexually attracted to Doe, fondling or rubbing her
    chest, touching her vagina, and putting his penis in her mouth. Defendant admitted
    texting Doe; however, he claimed that the texts were about Doe’s boyfriend, about whom
    Doe was afraid to tell her mom. Defendant denied suggesting to Doe that he wanted to
    have sex with her. Rather, his text, “I want more” meant “I want to know more” in the
    sense that he wanted to know more about Doe and her boyfriend. Doe asked him not to
    tell her mother about her boyfriend, but when he became aware of Doe’s allegations, he
    knew that Doe’s mother had found out.
    4
    II. DISCUSSION
    Pursuant to section 1203.066, subdivision (d)(1), “[i]f a person is convicted of a
    violation of Section 288 or 288.5, and the factors listed in subdivision (a) are not pled or
    proven, probation may be granted” if certain terms and conditions are met. (§ 1203.066,
    subd. (d)(1).) Initially, the trial court determined defendant was ineligible for probation
    because his section 288, subdivision (a), conviction involved “substantial sexual
    conduct,” i.e., oral copulation. However, the failure to allege such substantial sexual
    conduct in the accusatory pleading, along with the lack of an admission by the defendant
    or true finding by the trier of fact, opened the door to consider probation for defendant.
    (§ 1203.066, subd. (d)(1).) In defendant’s first appeal, we reversed his sentence denying
    probation and remanded for resentencing.
    On remand, defendant was again denied probation, receiving the same sentence
    imposed by the trial judge. Defendant challenges the denial of probation and imposition
    of the same sentence. He contends Judge Freer was biased in exercising his sentencing
    discretion, cited factors in support of his decision to deny probation that were either
    constitutionally infirm, inherent in the crime, or unsupported by the evidence, and
    improperly gave no weight to factors in favor of probation.
    A. Further Background Facts
    On remand for resentencing, defendant submitted a memorandum and statement in
    mitigation, which noted that section 1203.066, subdivision (d)(1), allows the trial court to
    grant probation if certain conditions are met. Defendant argued that he met the
    requirements of section 1203.066, subdivision (d)(1). Focusing on the April 16, 2011,
    5
    evaluation by Maurizio F. Assandri, Ph.D., who addressed the section 1203.066,
    subdivisions (d)(1)(A)-(E) factors, defendant highlighted the doctor’s opinion that
    defendant’s incarceration has no direct impact on the victim, the defendant presents no
    risk to the victim, and the potential risk to other children is low. Dr. Assandri’s
    assessment was substantiated by defendant’s accomplishments following his conviction.
    In response, the prosecution filed a sentencing memorandum asking Judge Freer to deny
    probation under the criteria of California Rules of Court, rule 4.414,4 and impose the
    prior sentence based on the criteria of rule 4.421.
    At the sentencing hearing, prior to stating his opinion, Judge Freer observed, “I
    cannot conceive . . . of something that would be more onerous than coming in and for a
    12-year-old girl to testify in open court about molestation . . . and sexual acts . . . under
    significant pressure from a family that probably did not want imprisonment or any type of
    punishment or incarceration for an individual.” Judge Freer referenced the pressure from
    the family as being either “direct or indirect.” Regarding the victim having to testify, he
    further observed that “courts of appeal who . . . sit in judgment of trial courts and sit in
    judgment sometimes have to be reminded of what that might have been like, but—they
    were not the trial court.” Acknowledging that defendant was eligible for probation,
    Judge Freer found he was “not a suitable candidate,” citing the criteria stated in rule
    4.414, and denied probation.
    4 All further rule references are to the California Rules of Court unless otherwise
    indicated.
    6
    B. Standard of Review
    “All defendants are eligible for probation, in the discretion of the sentencing court
    [citation], unless a statute provides otherwise.” (People v. Aubrey (1998) 
    65 Cal. App. 4th 279
    , 282.) “The grant or denial of probation is within the trial court’s discretion and the
    defendant bears a heavy burden when attempting to show an abuse of that discretion.
    [Citation.]” (Ibid.) “‘In reviewing [a trial court’s determination whether to grant or deny
    probation,] it is not our function to substitute our judgment for that of the trial court. Our
    function is to determine whether the trial court’s order granting [or denying] probation is
    arbitrary or capricious or exceeds the bounds of reason considering all the facts and
    circumstances.’ [Citation.]” (People v. Weaver (2007) 
    149 Cal. App. 4th 1301
    , 1311,
    overruled on other grounds as stated in People v. Cook (2015) 
    60 Cal. 4th 922
    , 927, 939.)
    Rule 4.414 sets forth the criteria the trial court should consider in deciding
    whether to grant probation. Rule 4.408(a) provides that a court may consider factors not
    listed in rule 4.414, provided those factors are “reasonably related” to that decision.
    (People v. 
    Weaver, supra
    , 149 Cal.App.4th at p. 1313.) The circumstances utilized by
    the trial court to support its sentencing choice need only be established by a
    preponderance of the evidence. (Ibid.) In determining whether a trial court abused its
    discretion by denying probation, we consider, in part, whether there is substantial
    evidence to support the court’s finding that a particular factor was applicable. (Ibid.)
    C. Unconstitutional Considerations
    Here, in denying probation for defendant Judge Freer began by opining that there
    is nothing “more onerous than coming in and for a 12-year-old girl to testify in open
    7
    court about molestation . . . and sexual acts . . . under significant pressure from a family
    that probably did not want imprisonment or any type of punishment or incarceration for
    an individual.” Defendant argues that Judge Freer’s opinion shows that he punished
    defendant for exercising his right to a jury trial because, given the absence of any
    physical evidence or witnesses to support Doe’s charges, the prosecution necessarily had
    to call Doe to testify.5 (People v. Morales (1967) 
    252 Cal. App. 2d 537
    , 542-546
    (Morales).) We agree.
    In Morales, the trial court explained it was imposing a consecutive sentence “not
    necessarily because of the aggravated nature of the offense because it wasn’t particularly
    aggravated in terms of what can happen at the prison. But what I am very much disturbed
    about is what Mr. Morales put everyone through . . . I have no objection, in fact I feel all
    the inmates should be free to come in and present any defense that they may have to any
    charge that is brought against them in the Criminal Court. They have the same rights as
    anyone else in that regard, but I don't think it’s fair for an inmate, or anyone else, to come
    to Court and demand a jury trial, demand the services of the public defender, obtain what
    I thought was a first class and able defense, when there really isn’t any defense to this
    case, and there was no effort to put on a defense because there couldn’t be, and I don’t
    think this is right. I don’t think Mr. Morales in and of himself is the kind of man that has
    to have a consecutive sentence, but I think somewhere along the line the Court has to face
    up to the situation. I’d like the word to go back to San Quentin that if this kind of defense
    5This was a case of “he said, she said,” involving a defendant whose primary
    language was not English.
    8
    is brought in here again they will get a consecutive sentence. I think they should because
    I think there is a point at which the Court should not permit an inmate at San Quentin or
    anyone else to just plain play games.” 
    (Morales, supra
    , 252 Cal.App.2d at p. 542, fn. 4,
    italics added.) The court of appeal reversed Morales’s sentence finding that that these
    comments demonstrated that defendant was being punished for exercising his right to
    trial. (Id. at pp. 546-547.)
    Here, while Judge Freer’s comments were not as egregious as those of the Morales
    court, they nevertheless depart from established legal principles, specifically, defendant’s
    right to contest the charges against him in a jury trial, to an extent prejudicial to
    defendant’s substantial rights. We acknowledge that “under appropriate circumstances a
    defendant may receive a more severe sentence following trial than he would have
    received had he pleaded guilty; the trial itself may reveal more adverse information about
    him than was previously known. A court may not, however, impose a sentence that
    conflicts with a defendant’s exercise of his constitutional right to a jury trial. [Citation.]”
    (In re Lewallen (1979) 
    23 Cal. 3d 274
    , 281.) Judge Freer’s comments reveal that that is
    what occurred.6 “[A] determination made outside the perimeters drawn by individualized
    6  Later, Judge Freer considered defendant’s silence and/or refusal to admit to the
    allegations, along with his lack of remorse, (rule 4.414(b)(3), (7)) as factors supporting a
    denial of probation. However, defense counsel informed Judge Freer that defendant’s
    denial was based on legal advice not to discuss this issue until all appellate rights were
    exhausted regarding his guilt. Consideration of defendant’s silence and/or refusal to
    admit to the allegations, especially in light of the advice of his counsel, amounts to
    punishing defendant for exercising his right to remain silent and seek a jury trial.
    
    (Morales, supra
    , 252 Cal.App.2d at pp. 542-546.) Moreover, “lack of remorse is not a
    valid reason to aggravate a sentence because [the defendant] denies committing the
    [footnote continued on next page]
    9
    consideration of the offense, the offender, and the public interest ‘exceeds the bounds of
    reason.’ [Citations.]” (People v. Superior Court (Alvarez) (1997) 
    14 Cal. 4th 968
    , 978.)
    Thus, the question becomes whether reversal is required when unconstitutional
    considerations have entered into the sentencing process. 
    (Morales, supra
    , 252
    Cal.App.2d at pp. 546-547.) We believe that it is.
    D. Section 1203.066, Subdivision (d)(1) Conditions and Rule 4.414(a) and (b)
    Criteria
    In addition to injecting improper factors into the analysis, the record suggests
    Judge Freer failed to consider the required factors enumerated in section 1203.066,
    subdivision (d)(1).7 The evidence suggests that many or all of these factors weigh in
    [footnote continued from previous page]
    crimes. . . . Where a defendant acknowledges guilt, but shows no remorse, he may be
    expected to repeat the criminal conduct under similar circumstances. [Citations.] In such
    a case, lack of remorse may be applied to aggravate as an additional relevant factor
    pursuant to [former] rule 408. However, here the evidence . . . consists primarily of the
    sharply conflicting testimony of [defendant] and the prosecuting witness. The evidence
    of guilt is not overwhelming and [defendant] steadfastly denies the [offenses]. Under
    these circumstances, [defendant’s] lack of sorrow does not indicate he is likely to engage
    in future [similar offenses].” (People v. Key (1984) 
    153 Cal. App. 3d 888
    , 900-901; see
    also, People v. Walker (1988) 
    47 Cal. 3d 605
    , 650 [defendant’s lack of remorse bears only
    on “‘the inapplicability of [that] mitigating factor’” and cannot be used as an aggravating
    circumstance.)
    7Section 1203.066, subdivision (d)(1), provides in relevant part: “If a person is
    convicted of a violation of Section 288 . . . probation may be granted only if the
    following terms and conditions are met:
    “(A) If the defendant is a member of the victim’s household, the court finds that
    probation is in the best interest of the child victim.
    “(B) The court finds that rehabilitation of the defendant is feasible and that the
    defendant is amenable to undergoing treatment, and the defendant is placed in a
    [footnote continued on next page]
    10
    favor of a grant of probation. At least arguably, a grant of probation would be in Doe’s
    best interests because neither she nor her parents wanted defendant in prison;
    Dr. Assandri opined that defendant was not a risk to the victim or other children, he was
    an excellent candidate for, and amenable to, rehabilitation, he had been cooperating with
    authority, and his incarceration had no direct impact on the victim; defendant would not
    be living close to the victim, nor would they have contact, during his probation; and he
    has no previous offenses, substance abuse problems, or major disorders.
    Moreover, it appears that Judge Freer either failed to consider, or improperly
    considered, the criteria set forth in rule 4.414(a) and (b).8 Although the judge
    [footnote continued from previous page]
    recognized treatment program designed to deal with child molestation immediately after
    the grant of probation or the suspension of execution or imposition of sentence.
    “(C) If the defendant is a member of the victim’s household, probation shall not be
    granted unless the defendant is removed from the household of the victim until the court
    determines that the best interests of the victim would be served by his or her return. . . .
    “(D) If the defendant is not a member of the victim’s household, the court shall
    prohibit the defendant from being placed or residing within one-half mile of the child
    victim’s residence for the duration of the probation term unless the court, on the record,
    states its reasons for finding that this residency restriction would not serve the best
    interests of the victim.
    “(E) The court finds that there is no threat of physical harm to the victim if
    probation is granted.” (§ 1203.066, subds. (d)(1)(A)-(E).)
    8Rule 4.414 provides: “Criteria affecting the decision to grant or deny probation
    include facts relating to the crime and facts relating to the defendant.
    “(a) Facts relating to the crime
    “Facts relating to the crime include:
    “(1) The nature, seriousness, and circumstances of the crime as compared to other
    instances of the same crime;
    “(2) Whether the defendant was armed with or used a weapon;
    “(3) The vulnerability of the victim;
    “(4) Whether the defendant inflicted physical or emotional injury;
    [footnote continued on next page]
    11
    acknowledged the factors that weighed in favor of probation,9 we note that his reliance
    on certain factors as aggravating factors was misplaced. 10 For example, in finding the
    [footnote continued from previous page]
    “(5) The degree of monetary loss to the victim;
    “(6) Whether the defendant was an active or a passive participant;
    “(7) Whether the crime was committed because of an unusual circumstance, such
    as great provocation, which is unlikely to recur;
    “(8) Whether the manner in which the crime was carried out demonstrated
    criminal sophistication or professionalism on the part of the defendant; and
    “(9) Whether the defendant took advantage of a position of trust or confidence to
    commit the crime.”
    “(b) Facts relating to the defendant
    “Facts relating to the defendant include:
    “(1) Prior record of criminal conduct . . . ;
    “(2) Prior performance on probation or parole . . . ;
    “(3) Willingness to comply with the terms of probation;
    “(4) Ability to comply with reasonable terms of probation as indicated by the
    defendant’s age, education, health, mental faculties, history of alcohol or other substance
    abuse, family background and ties, employment and military service history, and other
    relevant factors;
    “(5) The likely effect of imprisonment on the defendant and his or her dependents;
    “(6) The adverse collateral consequences on the defendant’s life resulting from the
    felony conviction;
    “(7) Whether the defendant is remorseful; and
    “(8) The likelihood that if not imprisoned the defendant will be a danger to
    others.” (Rule 4.414(a), (b), original bolding.)
    9 The factors supporting probation include the absence of a weapon (rule
    4.414(a)(2)); the victim did not want significant punishment for the defendant (rule
    4.414(a)(4)); the absence of any monetary loss to the victim (rule 4.414(a)(5));
    defendant’s lack of a prior criminal record (rule 4.414(b)(1)); his performance in prison
    (rule 4.414(b)(2)); he has the ability to comply with the terms of probation (rule
    4.414(b)(4)); the likely effect of imprisonment on the defendant and his or her dependents
    (rule 4.414(b)(5)); the adverse collateral consequences on defendant’s life (rule
    4.414(b)(6)); and defendant does not present a danger to others (rule 4.414(b)(8)).
    10In the original sentencing hearing, the trial judge expressed concern with only
    two aggravating factors, namely, the age difference between defendant and the victim,
    and the fact that defendant was the victim’s cousin, which made her “a little bit more
    [footnote continued on next page]
    12
    offense to be “more severe and more significant” (rule 4.414(a)(1)) Judge Freer confused
    the conduct that formed the basis for defendant’s section 288, subdivision (a), conviction
    with the conduct underlying defendant’s section 288a, subdivision (b)(1) conviction. The
    conduct underlying the section 288, subdivision (a), conviction was the touching. While
    Judge Freer interpreted the touching to be digital penetration, defendant was never
    charged with such specific conduct, nor was the jury asked to adjudicate whether digital
    penetration had occurred. Moreover, the evidence of digital penetration was
    contradictory, and the prosecutor did not rely on it in closing argument.11 Despite no
    [footnote continued from previous page]
    vulnerable.” However, because a section 288 offense by its nature presumes a vulnerable
    victim, i.e., under the age of 14 years, and rule 4.414(a)(3) merely lists “vulnerability of
    the victim” as a factor, it must contemplate something more than the victim’s age.
    (People v. Flores (1981) 
    115 Cal. App. 3d 924
    , 927 [minority could not be used as a basis
    for finding that a victim of a section 288a, subdivision (b)(2), offense was “particularly
    vulnerable,” where minority status was, itself, an element of the charged offense].)
    While there undoubtedly may be situations in which a 12-year-old (almost 13-year-old)
    minor could appropriately be determined vulnerable, no such considerations were present
    here. Doe was not defenseless, unguarded, unprotected, forced, or threatened with force.
    (People v. Smith (1979) 
    94 Cal. App. 3d 433
    , 436 [describing vulnerability in the context
    of rule 4.421(a)(3)].)
    Likewise, while defendant was Doe’s older cousin, he did not occupy a position of
    trust. (Rule 4.414(a)(9).) Clearly certain family members occupy a position of trust by
    virtue of their position of authority; however, those family members possess a position of
    “authority in which it is presumed that submission to [his or her] authority is
    commonplace, resulting in a potential for undue influence over the victim.” (People v.
    Lucero (1984) 
    154 Cal. App. 3d 245
    , 249-250.) Here, Doe did not live with defendant, she
    was not entrusted to his care, and she did not trust his actions towards her as being
    normal as evidence by her telling him that they were cousins and that what they were
    doing was wrong.
    11 “Count No. 2: Touching, even over clothes. Any touching that was done to
    gratify the lusts, passions, or sexual desires of the defendant or the victim. . . . Touching
    [footnote continued on next page]
    13
    finding of digital penetration by the trier of fact or the trial judge, Judge Freer determined
    there was digital penetration and found defendant’s offense was “more severe and more
    significant” compared to other instances of the same crime. Such a determination
    “‘exceeds the bounds of reason considering all the facts and circumstances.’ [Citation.]”
    (People v. 
    Weaver, supra
    , 149 Cal.App.4th at p. 1311.)
    Regarding defendant being an active participant (rule 4.414(a)(6)), Judge Freer
    stated, “I don’t believe it can be attested by anybody that the defendant was not an active
    participant.” However, the fact that he was the perpetrator is inherent in the commission
    of the offense; something more is required. Prior to its 1991 revision, rule 4.414(a)(6)
    (former rule 414(c)(5)) read: “Whether the defendant planned the commission of the
    crime, whether he instigated it or was solicited by others to participate, and whether he
    was an active or passive participant.” (Former rule 414(c)(5).) This language suggests
    that the factor is describing actions of the defendant which go beyond the commission of
    the elements of the crime.
    Concerning the presence of great provocation or an unusual circumstance (rule
    4.414(a)(7)), Judge Freer found that because “there is nothing unusual about the
    [footnote continued from previous page]
    even over clothes? There was touching over clothes, under clothes. There was a lot of
    touching. . . . [¶] Now, one of the things the judge has instructed you about already is
    that you have to agree as to—there is multiple acts that are touching. You have to agree
    as to which act that it was. There was the touching on the breasts; there was the touching
    that was in her pants; there was touching on the leg. Right? Because it can be even over
    clothes. Any one of those can be sufficient for this charge. And you just have to agree
    that any one of those occurred. And so—and if you agree all of them occurred, then you
    know that your verdict is guilty.”
    14
    particular factors and circumstances[, that] work[s] against the defendant.” However, an
    unusual case may be indicated if the “fact or circumstance giving rise to the limitation on
    probation is, in this case, substantially less serious than the circumstances typically
    present in other cases involving the same probation limitation, and the defendant has no
    recent record of committing similar crimes or crimes of violence.” (Rule
    4.413(c)(1)(A).) This factor is used throughout the criminal code as a mitigating factor;
    however, instead of finding the lack of unusual circumstances as only bearing on whether
    this fact in mitigation existed, Judge Freer used it as an aggravating fact in favor of
    denying probation. The suggestion that absence of a mitigating factor may be deemed an
    aggravating factor was held improper in People v. Davenport (1985) 
    41 Cal. 3d 247
    , 289,
    290 [“Several of the statutory mitigating factors are particularly unlikely to be present in
    a given case. . . . To permit consideration of the absence of these factors as aggravating
    circumstances would make these aggravating circumstances automatically applicable to
    most [crimes].”].
    Finally, Judge Freer found that defendant exhibited criminal sophistication and
    professionalism (rule 4.414(a)(8)), despite Dr.Assandri’s opinion that defendant “appears
    to be a rather sexually naïve and inexperienced man,” and other evidence to the contrary.
    The doctor observed that “based on the dynamic of the crime, it is possible to describe a
    scenario where the crime was impulsive and not predatory and where a chronologically
    mature (he was twenty), but sexually naïve and immature man was ‘experiencing’ with
    someone he was familiar with.” In other words, this is not a situation where there is
    15
    evidence of grooming and planning, or other characteristics involving a “criminally
    sophisticated” serial predator.
    To summarize, we conclude that Judge Freer’s comments demonstrate that
    unconstitutional considerations entered into the sentencing process; factors under section
    1203.066, subdivision (d)(1), were not considered, and appropriate factors under rule
    4.414(a) and (b) were applied in a manner inconsistent with the trial record and/or the
    law.
    III. DISPOSITION
    Defendant’s sentence is reversed and the matter is remanded for resentencing.
    NOT TO BE PUBLISHED IN OFFICIAL REPORTS
    HOLLENHORST
    J.
    We concur:
    RAMIREZ
    P. J.
    MILLER
    J.
    16
    

Document Info

Docket Number: E060793

Filed Date: 8/14/2015

Precedential Status: Non-Precedential

Modified Date: 4/18/2021