People v. DeLaTorre CA5 ( 2015 )

Filed 1/8/15 P. v. DeLaTorre 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NOT TO BE PUBLISHED IN THE OFFICIAL REPORTS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 This opinion has not been certified for publication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,
F065566
Plaintiff and Respondent,
(Super. Ct. No. BF137436A)
v.
ALBERT DELATORRE, OPINION
Defendant and Appellant.
APPEAL from a judgment of the Superior Court of Kern County. Cory J.
Woodward, Judge.
Diane E. Berley, under appointment by the Court of Appeal, for Defendant and
Appellant.
Kamala D. Harris, Attorney General, Michael P. Farrell, Assistant Attorney
General, Eric L. Christoffersen and Julie A. Hokans, Deputy Attorneys General, for
Plaintiff and Respondent.
-ooOoo-
INTRODUCTION
Following a jury trial, defendant Albert DeLaTorre was convicted of attempted
oral copulation by force or violence on N.M. (count 1) (Pen. Code, § 664 & former
§ 288a, subd. (c)(2))1 2 and convicted of a lewd and lascivious act upon N.M., who was
15 at the time and at least 10 years younger than defendant (count 2) (§ 288, subd. (c)).
Prior to the jury being sworn, defendant admitted he had suffered a prior strike conviction
(§§ 667, subds. (c)-(j), 1170.12, subds. (a)-(e)). Defendant filed a motion to strike the
prior strike conviction (§ 1385), which the court denied. Defendant was sentenced on
count 1 to eight years and on count 2 to one year four months for a total term of nine
years four months.
During the trial, N.M. testified a family meeting occurred around Christmas in
2010. Present at the meeting were N.M., defendant, N.M.’s mother (Lynn), N.M.’s
stepbrother (Joshua) and his girlfriend. N.M. testified she informed these individuals
about defendant’s molestation of her.
The following day after N.M. gave this testimony, defense counsel sought leave
from the trial court to cross-examine her regarding the true topic of the family meeting,
i.e., that N.M. was having a sexual relationship with her stepbrother. The trial court
denied defendant’s request finding such evidence more prejudicial than probative. In the
alternative, defense counsel asked to elicit testimony from three witnesses impeaching
1 Regarding count 1, the abstract of judgment shows conviction under Penal Code
sections “664/288A(C),” which tracked the allegation as set forth in the information.
Both the abstract of judgment and information appear to contain a scrivener’s error. The
jury instruction given on count 1 tracked the statutory language of former Penal Code
section 288a, subdivision (c)(2). (Pen. Code, § 288a, subd. (c)(2), was renumbered as
§ 288a, subd. (c)(2)(A), effective September 9, 2010, without substantive change.) As
discussed in section II of the Discussion, post, we order the trial court to correct the
abstract of judgment on our own motion. (People v. Mitchell (2001) 26 Cal.4th 181, 186-
187.)
2 All statutory references are to the Penal Code unless otherwise noted.
2.
N.M.’s testimony regarding the true topic of the family meeting. The trial court denied
that request and defense counsel never filed a motion under Evidence Code section 782.
On appeal, defendant contends the trial court denied him due process and the right
to confront N.M. when it prevented the defense from cross-examining her or calling its
own witnesses regarding the actual topic discussed at the family meeting. Defendant
argues the trial court prejudicially erred, requiring reversal. We find defendant’s
argument unpersuasive and affirm.
FACTS AND PROCEDURAL HISTORY
Defendant does not challenge the sufficiency of the evidence supporting the jury’s
convictions in counts 1 and 2. As such, set forth below are those facts relevant to
defendant’s contention on appeal and an understanding of the case.
I. The Motion in Limine.
Prior to trial, the prosecution filed an in limine motion to exclude evidence of
N.M.’s prior sexual conduct to prove or disprove the truthfulness of her testimony
pursuant to Evidence Code section 352 as it would be “highly prejudicial and not
relevant.” The prosecutor further asked that, if defendant intended to present any
evidence regarding N.M.’s prior sexual conduct, defendant comply with Evidence Code
section 782.
At the hearing, the trial court indicated the parties had discussed this issue in
chambers. Defendant’s trial counsel indicated he was aware of some evidence but did
not intend to present it. The trial court granted the in limine motion because “that type of
evidence is not being presented.”
II. Prosecution Evidence.
The parties stipulated defendant was born in 1965.
A. N.M.’s testimony.
N.M. first met defendant when she was 15 years old. She began living with her
mother and defendant in January of 2008. Defendant touched her inappropriately starting
3.
when she was 15 years old and continuing until she was 18. N.M. would wake up with a
wet earlobe and defendant would be licking, or her face would be wet and defendant
would be walking out of her room. At other times defendant touched her buttocks and
vagina over her clothes. Defendant exposed his penis to show her his “jail pearl beads”
he had obtained in prison.3 On a different occasion he showed her pictures of his erect
penis on his cellular telephone.
When she was 18 years old, defendant pulled her down on top of him, kissed her,
put his tongue in her mouth, pulled down her dress and licked her breasts. He tried to lift
up her dress and said, “let me go down there” and she kept saying “no.” N.M.’s mother
came home and defendant stopped. N.M. believed defendant wanted to perform oral sex
on her because he “kept scooting down” on her and trying to lift up her dress.
N.M. estimated defendant touched her inappropriately more than 50 times while
she lived with him. She did not tell her mother about any of defendant’s actions. She
eventually told defendant’s son Joshua what was happening.
N.M. testified a family meeting occurred about three days before Christmas in
2010 at which N.M., defendant, Lynn, Joshua, and his girlfriend attended. N.M.
informed everyone about defendant’s actions. Defendant said he would get counseling.
For approximately one week after the meeting, Lynn stood by the bathroom door when
N.M. showered.
N.M.’s sister, Monica, lived in New Orleans at that time and visited for a week
starting on Christmas Day. N.M. testified she told Monica about defendant’s actions
during that visit. The next January, N.M. visited Monica for almost a month in New
Orleans. N.M. testified Monica did not want her to return home, but N.M. decided to
3 N.M. testified defendant explained to her he punctured the skin of his penis with a
sharpened toothbrush and pushed pearls inside the hole for greater pleasure during
intercourse.
4.
return to Bakersfield because her friends and “stuff” were there, she thought her mother
“would have taken care of it[,]” and she put faith in defendant that he was going to get
counseling “like we all talked about.” Upon returning, N.M. realized nothing had
changed.
In March of 2011 she moved in with her older sister Shannon and Shannon’s
husband, Adam. N.M. told them what happened with defendant. N.M. also told her
biological father about defendant’s actions shortly after she moved in with Shannon and
Adam. No one contacted law enforcement.
At some point, Adam’s mother contacted law enforcement. On March 9, 2011,
detective Jamie Montellano made contact with N.M., who said nothing had happened
between her and defendant. On April 18, 2011, N.M. contacted Montellano and gave a
statement indicating defendant molested her. N.M. did not initially want to talk to
Montellano but she decided to speak with law enforcement after she tried to tell her
mother about defendant’s actions, and her mother refused to believe her.
Montellano arranged for N.M. to make a pretext telephone call to defendant,
which occurred and was recorded.4 During the pretext call, defendant acknowledged he
had touched N.M.’s vagina and breasts, licked her nipples, grabbed her buttocks and
groped her. N.M. said she was 15 when this happened and defendant agreed. Defendant
told N.M. he had problems, was molested himself, and promised to get counseling.
Defendant said she was “an attractive little girl” and an “attractive woman” and he had
stolen her innocence and betrayed her trust.
On cross-examination, N.M. testified she did not say anything to Monica about
defendant’s actions because she had seen defendant touch Monica before. N.M. felt she
did not have to say anything to Monica because Monica “already knew.” N.M. also
4 The audio recording of the pretext phone call was played for the jury.
5.
testified she had been led to believe defendant never touched K.I.,5 the victim from
defendant’s previous conviction.
B. K.I.’s testimony.
K.I. began living with defendant, who was her mother’s boyfriend, when she was
in third grade. Starting then, and lasting for six years, defendant touched her
inappropriately; including caressing her breasts, buttocks and genitals over her clothing,
oral copulation of her vagina, and digital penetration of her vagina.
III. Defense Counsel Revisits the Prosecutor’s in limine Motion.
The day after N.M. testified about the family meeting, defendant’s trial counsel
asked to revisit the prosecutor’s in limine motion excluding evidence of N.M.’s prior
sexual conduct under Evidence Code section 782. Defense counsel reminded the court he
had advised both the court and prosecutor he was aware N.M. was having a sexual
relationship with Joshua when these events occurred. Defense counsel stated N.M.’s
relationship with Joshua was now relevant because N.M. testified a family meeting
occurred in which the topic was defendant’s molestation of her. Defense counsel
indicated he had three witnesses who were prepared to testify the topic of the family
meeting was N.M.’s sexual relationship with Joshua and not defendant’s molestation.
Defense counsel stated he did not plan “to get into details as to what exactly was going
on” but he needed to cross-examine N.M. about the topic of the meeting and present
evidence regarding its true topic.
The prosecutor argued the court should not reverse its decision and pointed out the
defense knew about the evidence of the family meeting and had not complied with the
written motion and affidavit requirements of Evidence Code section 782. Defense
counsel countered it was the middle of trial and it was the prosecutor’s decision to
5 K.I. was the victim in defendant’s prior strike conviction in 1999 under section
288, subdivision (a), a lewd and lascivious act with a child under the age of 14.
6.
present evidence of the family meeting, which was not necessarily relevant to the case.
Defense counsel argued the procedural requirements were subject to defendant’s due
process rights and the defense did not intend to get into specific sexual acts but to explore
the true topic of the family meeting. Defense counsel noted, “If [N.M.] says no, that
wasn’t the topic of the meeting. It was about me having a relationship with [Joshua]. I
think I should go into that on that limited basis.”
The trial court noted defense counsel had “last night” to prepare a motion for that
morning but stated “I realize sometimes these things arise at trial that may prevent that
from taking place.” After further discussion, the trial court ruled the defense was barred
from questioning any witness about the topic of the family meeting “as it pertains to the
sexual conduct of [N.M.] and [Joshua] . . . .” The court stated this was evidence that had
been available to both parties and noted the probative value was less significant than the
overall prejudice that would incur from the allegation and insinuation N.M. had a
relationship with Joshua.
Defense counsel asked if, without cross-examining N.M., he was permitted to ask
his own witnesses on direct if there was another topic at the family meeting. The trial
court stated: “Not at this time. Prior to compliance with [Evidence Code section] 782,
then we have, of course, have to have a hearing to determine again whether the probative
value of that is going to outweigh--whether the probative value is going to be permitted.”
Defense counsel never filed a motion under Evidence Code section 782.
IV. Defense Evidence.
A. Defendant’s testimony.
Defendant testified in his own defense and denied all of N.M.’s allegations. He
admitted he had a prior conviction in 1999 for a lewd and lascivious act with a child
under 14 in violation of section 288, subdivision (a).
Regarding the pretext phone call with N.M., he believed there was a chance law
enforcement was recording the conversation, but he did not deny, and in some cases
7.
admitted, N.M.’s allegations. He did so because Lynn was sitting next to him during the
phone call, crying and begging him to say whatever was needed to get N.M. out of their
house and into counseling.
Early in his testimony, defendant mentioned N.M. had “an affair” with Joshua.
The trial court admonished the jury to disregard defendant’s testimony in that regard.
B. Lynn’s testimony.
Lynn DeLaTorre explained she learned about defendant’s prior conviction before
they were married but she continued their relationship because she knew defendant was
“not a hurtful person.” She doubted defendant committed the prior crime and found it
“hard to believe[.]” Defendant began to reside with her and her family in January of
2008 after he completed parole.
She testified N.M. never came to her with concerns about defendant and she never
noticed N.M. attempting to avoid being alone with defendant.
She denied a family meeting occurred where everyone discussed defendant
molesting N.M. She denied she or defendant promised N.M. that defendant would get
therapy. She also denied promising N.M. that she would be careful to make sure
defendant never did anything again to N.M. She testified she first learned about N.M.’s
allegations of molestation when she listened to the pretext phone call.
Lynn sat next to defendant during the pretext phone call and heard the entire
conversation because defendant held the phone between them. She had trouble hearing
some of the conversation, but she heard N.M. make specific allegations of defendant’s
sexual conduct.
Lynn prompted defendant at various times to agree with whatever N.M. was
saying in order to get N.M. out of the house and into therapy. She knew N.M. was hurt
by all of the problems in the family “and some other issues that were going on with other
people in the house.” She testified her “other daughter” was a bad drug addict. She
believed her daughter Shannon “or somebody” had N.M. make up the allegations. Lynn
8.
also believed N.M. was upset because their extended family rejected them after she
continued her relationship with defendant, a registered sex offender.
Lynn wanted N.M. to get help, did not realize law enforcement was recording the
conversation, and did not think defendant had committed the acts N.M. alleged during the
pretext call. She thought N.M. would be happy if defendant agreed with the allegations
as it would show they were “trying to work together.” She felt responsible for the
allegations against defendant because she told him to agree with N.M.’s allegations
during the pretext phone call. She would not have remained with defendant had she
thought the allegations were true. She did not believe N.M.’s allegations because they
came when N.M. was living with Shannon and her husband, whom she described as liars,
drug addicts, and noted N.M. was never close to Shannon.
When asked about defendant’s “jail pearls” she described them as “pearls that
have been put into the skin of [defendant’s] penis.” She believed N.M. knew about them
from overhearing a conversation defendant had with his son.
C. Monica’s testimony.
Monica lived with her mother and defendant “off and on” since 2008. Starting in
2009 she moved in with them and shared a bedroom with N.M. She testified defendant
never molested her and expressed dismay upon hearing N.M. had testified defendant
touched her. Monica never saw defendant behave inappropriately with N.M. She
testified N.M. never told her about defendant’s actions.
DISCUSSION
I. The Trial Court Did Not Violate Defendant’s Constitutional Rights or Abuse
Its Discretion Under California Law.
Defendant argues the court erred when it invoked Evidence Code section 782 and
prevented cross-examination of N.M. regarding the true topic of the family meeting. He
further maintains the court erred in preventing him from eliciting testimony from his
three witnesses regarding the true topic of that meeting. Defendant contends his rights to
9.
due process and confrontation “outweighed” the notice and hearing requirements of
Evidence Code section 782 and the trial court prejudicially erred when it denied
admission of this evidence.
A. Standard of review.
“Evidence of the sexual conduct of a complaining witness is admissible in a
prosecution for a sex-related offense only under very strict conditions.” (People v.
Fontana (2010) 49 Cal.4th 351, 362.) The admissibility of such evidence is governed by
two statutes, Evidence Code sections 782 and 1103, which together provide a narrow
exception to the general rule of exclusion. (Fontana, supra, at pp. 362-363; People v.
Chandler (1997) 56 Cal.App.4th 703, 707 (Chandler).) Evidence Code section 1103 bars
the admission of “opinion evidence, reputation evidence, and evidence of specific
instances of the complaining witness’ sexual conduct,” but allows the use of “evidence
offered to attack the credibility of the complaining witness as provided in Section 782.”
(Evid. Code, § 1103, subd. (c)(1) & (5).)
Evidence Code section 782 allows evidence of prior sexual behavior to be used for
purposes of impeachment if the information is relevant to the credibility of the alleged
victim. (Evid. Code, § 782, subd. (a).) Because the victim’s credibility is frequently at
issue in the prosecution of a sex crime, the statute contains several procedural hurdles.
(Chandler, supra, 56 Cal.App.4th at pp. 707-708). Defendants who wish to invoke the
Evidence Code section 782 exception are required to submit a written motion “stating
that the defense has an offer of proof of the relevancy of evidence of the sexual conduct
of the complaining witness proposed to be presented and its relevancy in attacking the
credibility of the complaining witness.” (Evid. Code, § 782, subd. (a)(1).) The motion
must be accompanied by an affidavit, filed under seal, containing the offer of proof. (Id.,
subd. (a)(2).) “If the court finds that the offer of proof is sufficient, the court shall order a
hearing out of the presence of the jury, if any, and at the hearing allow the questioning of
the complaining witness regarding the offer of proof made by the defendant.” (Id., subd.
10.
(a)(3).) The trial court is not required to conduct a hearing if it does not accept the offer
of proof as true, or finds the evidence irrelevant, or determines the offered evidence,
although relevant, is inadmissible in light of Evidence Code section 352. (People v.
Blackburn (1976) 56 Cal.App.3d 685, 691-692; see Evid. Code, § 782, subd. (a)(2).)
If a hearing occurs, the defendant must convince the court the evidence is relevant
under Evidence Code section 780 and is not inadmissible under Evidence Code section
352. If the requisite showing is made, the court will issue an order specifying what
evidence may be introduced and the nature of the questions to be permitted. (Evid. Code,
§ 782, subd. (a)(4).)
“[T]he credibility exception has been utilized sparingly, most often in cases where
the victim’s prior sexual history is one of prostitution.” (Chandler, supra, 56
Cal.App.4th at p. 708.) Earlier decisions found a victim’s prior sexual experiences had
no probative value in situations involving incest and child molestation. (E.g., People v.
Fritts (1977) 72 Cal.App.3d 319, 327.) Evidence Code section 782 was amended in 1987
to expressly apply to sexual crimes against children (People v. Harlan (1990) 222
Cal.App.3d 439, 447), but the exception is still extremely limited in that context. (See
People v. Daggett (1990) 225 Cal.App.3d 751, 757 [in a child molestation case involving
oral copulation and sodomy, evidence of the victim’s exploitation by other perpetrators is
relevant to the credibility of the victim’s testimony describing the charged offenses “in
order to cast doubt upon the conclusion that the child must have learned of these acts
through the defendant.”].)
The appellate court reviews a trial court’s ruling on the admissibility of evidence
under an abuse of discretion standard. (People v. Rowland (1992) 4 Cal.4th 238, 264.)
The trial court’s ruling will be upheld unless there is a clear showing of an abuse of
discretion. (People v. Harris (2005) 37 Cal.4th 310, 337; People v. Coffman and Marlow
(2004) 34 Cal.4th 1, 75.)
11.
B. Analysis.
1. The court properly excluded cross-examination of N.M.
Regarding cross-examination of N.M., the trial court ruled on the merits and did
not prevent defendant’s right to cross-examine due to a procedural defect or failure to file
a motion under Evidence Code section 782. Although the court noted defense counsel
failed to comply with Evidence Code section 782, the court reached the merits and ruled
cross-examination of N.M. about her sexual relationship with Joshua was more
prejudicial than probative. In so doing, the court accepted the offer of proof as true but
determined such evidence was inadmissible for policy reasons under Evidence Code
section 352. (People v. Blackburn, supra, 56 Cal.App.3d at pp. 691-692; see Evid. Code,
§ 782, subd. (a)(2).) Evidence Code section 782 expressly “reaffirms the role of
Evidence Code section 352 in authorizing the trial court to exclude relevant evidence
which is more prejudicial than probative. [Citation.]” (People v. Casas (1986) 181
Cal.App.3d 889, 896.) As such, contrary to defendant’s argument, the trial court engaged
in the required balancing of interests even though it did not conduct a hearing, which is
not required. (People v. Mestas (2013) 217 Cal.App.4th 1509, 1517; see Evid. Code,
§ 782, subd. (a)(2).)
Further, the trial court did not abuse its discretion in making its ruling. Cross-
examination of N.M. regarding her sexual conduct with Joshua would violate the purpose
of Evidence Code section 782, which seeks to limit credibility attacks on a sexual abuse
victim based on her past willingness to engage in sexual activity. (See Chandler, supra,
56 Cal.App.4th at p. 708; People v. Franklin (1994) 25 Cal.App.4th 328, 334; People v.
Casas, supra, 181 Cal.App.3d at p. 895.) The Supreme Court has noted the Legislature’s
purpose in creating these limitations “represents a valid determination that victims of sex-
related offenses deserve heightened protection against surprise, harassment, and
unnecessary invasions of privacy. [Citations.]” (Fontana, supra, 49 Cal.4th at p. 362.)
12.
It was not alleged N.M. engaged in prostitution or other conduct involving moral
turpitude. As such, despite defendant’s arguments, a limiting instruction would not have
been sufficient to protect N.M.’s privacy interests. (Fontana, supra, 49 Cal.4th at p.
362.) Further, contrary to defendant’s argument, it is immaterial that defense counsel
was not going to “belabor the issue of [N.M.’s] relationship with [Joshua].” This was not
a situation where defendant hoped to introduce evidence of N.M.’s exploitation by other
perpetrators to attack her credibility and cast doubt upon the conclusion N.M. must have
learned of sexual acts through defendant. (People v. Daggett, supra, 225 Cal.App.3d at
p. 757.) As the court correctly noted, even the allegation or insinuation N.M. had a
sexual relationship with Joshua would be more prejudicial than probative. (Evid. Code,
§ 352; Fontana, supra, 49 Cal.4th at p. 370 [evidence of prior sexual activity “suggests a
receptivity to the activity or is proof that the victim got what she deserved—neither of
which is a rational or permissible inference.”].)
We are also unpersuaded by defendant’s reliance on Davis v. Alaska (1974) 415
U.S. 308 (Davis) and LaJoie v. Thompson (9th Cir. 2000) 217 F.3d. 663 (LaJoie).6 In
LaJoie, the defendant was charged with raping and sodomizing his girlfriend’s niece.
(LaJoie, supra, at p. 665.) He sought to admit evidence the victim had been raped
previously by another man to support his theory the victim’s injuries could have been
caused by someone else and she could have obtained her sexual knowledge from another
source. (Id. at pp. 665-666.) The trial court precluded such evidence on grounds the
defendant failed to provide the State with adequate notice under the relevant “rape shield
law,” (id. at p. 665) and the defendant subsequently was convicted of rape and sodomy.
(LaJoie, supra, at p. at 667.)
6 We note LaJoie, a lower federal court decision, is not binding on this court.
(People v. Avena (1996) 13 Cal.4th 394, 431.)
13.
The Ninth Circuit found the exclusion of evidence under the notice provision was
an unreasonable application of clearly established law. The LaJoie court found the
exclusion had a “substantial and injurious” effect on the verdict where the evidence
arguably supported the defendant’s theory the victim’s injuries and sexual knowledge
could have been attributed to another person. The court noted the victim told a doctor the
defendant never penetrated her, and two teachers testified the victim was not credible.
(LaJoie, supra, 217 F.3d at pp. 672-673.)
Here, unlike in LaJoie, the trial court did not rely on the notice provision of
Evidence Code section 782 to prohibit cross-examination of N.M. and, instead, ruled on
the merits. Unlike in LaJoie, the trial court balanced the interests regarding whether
cross-examination was more prejudicial than probative. Moreover, the trial court did not
preclude defendant from eliciting testimony from his own witnesses based on a failure to
comply with Evidence Code section 782. Instead, defendant was invited to file such a
motion. LaJoie is distinguishable and does not support defendant’s efforts to reverse his
convictions.
Likewise, defendant’s reliance on Davis, supra, 415 U.S. 308, is misplaced. In
Davis, the defendant was charged with a burglary involving the theft of a safe. (Id. at pp.
309-311.) The key prosecution witness was a juvenile, who testified he saw the
defendant near where the abandoned safe was found. (Id. at pp. 309-310.) Although the
juvenile was on probation for burglary, the trial court barred the defendant from cross-
examining him regarding whether his probation had motivated him to make an ill-
founded identification of defendant, either because he hoped to shift suspicion away from
himself, or because the police had applied undue pressure to him. (Id. at p. 311.) The
United States Supreme Court held that the ruling contravened the defendant’s
confrontation rights, as it prevented him from raising a significant inference of witness
bias. (Id. at pp. 316-321.)
14.
Here, unlike in Davis, N.M. was not facing pending criminal charges which might
establish a motive to fabricate testimony in order to obtain prosecutorial favor or
leniency. Davis did not deal with admissibility of prior sexual conduct or the court’s
discretion to weigh such evidence in the interests of protecting the victim’s rights.
Despite defendant’s arguments to the contrary, there is a practical difference between the
error in Davis and the trial court’s exercise of its discretion here. Davis is distinguishable
and does not support defendant’s argument the trial court violated his right to confront
N.M.
2. Defendant forfeited his claim on appeal regarding his witnesses.
After the trial court determined cross-examination of N.M. regarding her affair
with Joshua was more prejudicial than probative, defense counsel asked if he was
permitted to ask his own witnesses on direct if there was another topic at the family
meeting. The trial court stated: “Not at this time. Prior to compliance with [Evidence
Code section] 782, then we have, of course, have to have a hearing to determine again
whether the probative value of that is going to outweigh--whether the probative value is
going to be permitted.”
Defense counsel never filed a written motion under Evidence Code section 782.
By not filing the motion, defendant has forfeited this issue on appeal. (People v. Sims
(1976) 64 Cal.App.3d 544, 554.)
3. Defense counsel did not provide ineffective assistance.
Defendant argues his counsel was constitutionally ineffective for not filing the
motion under Evidence Code section 782. To prevail on a claim of ineffective assistance
of counsel, a defendant must establish two criteria: (1) that counsel’s performance fell
below an objective standard of reasonable competence and (2) that he was thereby
prejudiced. (Strickland v. Washington (1984) 466 U.S. 668, 687-688; People v. Mayfield
(1997) 14 Cal.4th 668, 783-784.) The defendant has the burden of showing both
deficient performance and resulting prejudice. (People v. Lucas (1995) 12 Cal.4th 415,
15.
436.) Regarding the second criteria, a defendant must establish a reasonable probability
that, but for counsel’s unprofessional error, the result would have been different.
(Strickland v. Washington, supra, at p. 694; People v. Samayoa (1997) 15 Cal.4th 795,
845.) A reasonable probability is “a probability sufficient to undermine confidence in the
outcome.” (Strickland v. Washington, supra, at p. 694.) Where a claim of
ineffectiveness may be rejected due to lack of prejudice, that course should be followed.
(In re Scott (2003) 29 Cal.4th 783, 825; In re Cox (2003) 30 Cal.4th 974, 1019-1020.)
Here, defense counsel may have made a reasonable tactical decision to not file a
written motion under Evidence Code section 782. The evidence of N.M.’s sexual
relationship with Joshua, or the evidence another topic was discussed at the family
meeting, was only marginally relevant to defendant’s theory N.M. wrongfully accused
him. As defendant points out in his opening brief, after the pretrial ruling, defense
counsel could reasonably have anticipated the trial court would deny any written motion
under Evidence Code section 352. “Counsel is not required to proffer futile objections.”
(People v. Anderson (2001) 25 Cal.4th 543, 587.)
Further, defendant cannot show it was reasonably probable a different result would
have occurred had he been allowed to ask his three witnesses if a different topic was
discussed at the family meeting or explore whether N.M. had a sexual relationship with
Joshua. First, Lynn testified no family meeting occurred where everybody discussed
defendant’s molestation of N.M. She further denied she or defendant promised N.M. that
defendant would get therapy. She also denied promising N.M. that she would be careful
to make sure defendant never did anything again to N.M.
Second, N.M. testified she saw defendant touch Monica and felt she did not have
to say anything to Monica because Monica “already knew.” Monica, however, denied
N.M. ever told her anything, denied knowing defendant ever touched N.M. and denied
defendant ever touched her.
16.
Third, defense counsel argued against N.M.’s credibility to the jury, pointing out
N.M. initially lied to Montellano when N.M. indicated nothing happened between her and
defendant. Defense counsel argued, “Question for you . . . was she lying then and telling
the truth now or was she telling the truth then and lying now? It can’t possibly be both.”
Defense counsel also argued against N.M.’s credibility in pointing out both N.M.’s
mother and sister did not believe her allegations.
Finally, despite defendant’s assertion to the contrary, the prosecutor did not
capitalize on exclusion of the true topic at the family meeting during closing arguments.
The prosecutor never mentioned the family meeting in summation and, in fact, told the
jury the only reason the allegations came to light was because the family of N.M.’s older
sister reported it.
The issue of the family meeting was not pivotal to the prosecution’s case as
defendant argues. Exclusion of this evidence did not deprive defendant of a right to
prove the falsity of N.M.’s claim. In light of the contradictory evidence outlined above,
and defendant’s admissions during the pretext phone call, it is not reasonably probable a
different result would have occurred had the jury heard evidence the family meeting
involved a different topic or N.M. had a sexual relationship with Joshua. Defense
counsel’s failure to follow up with a written motion under Evidence Code section 782
does not undermine confidence in the outcome of this trial. (Strickland v. Washington,
supra, 466 U.S. at p. 694.) Because defendant cannot establish either professional
misconduct or prejudice, his claim of ineffective assistance of counsel is rejected. (In re
Scott, supra, 29 Cal.4th at p. 825; In re Cox, supra, 30 Cal.4th at pp. 1019-1020.)
4. Defendant cannot establish constitutional violations.
Defendant claims the trial court’s alleged errors violated his federal constitutional
rights requiring reversal under the standard set forth in Chapman v. California (1967) 386
U.S. 18. Acknowledging his trial counsel failed to file a motion under Evidence Code
section 782, defendant contends he did not forfeit his constitutional right of due process
17.
and the right of confrontation. Respondent does not offer any argument regarding
whether defendant waived the constitutional issues or not.
We need not determine whether defendant forfeited or preserved his constitutional
claims because, even when it is presumed defendant has constitutional claims on appeal,
defendant’s arguments are unpersuasive on the merits.
An evidentiary error under state law does not violate due process unless it makes
the trial “fundamentally unfair.” (People v. Partida (2005) 37 Cal.4th 428, 436.)
Otherwise, without fundamental unfairness, a state law error is subject to the traditional
test under People v. Watson (1956) 46 Cal.2d 818, 836 (Watson). (People v. Partida,
supra, at p. 437.) Likewise, despite the confrontation clause, a trial court may limit
cross-examination of an adverse witness on the grounds set forth in Evidence Code
section 352. (People v. Quartermain (1997) 16 Cal.4th 600, 623-624.) The trial court’s
exercise of its discretion does not violate the Sixth Amendment unless the defendant can
establish the excluded cross-examination would have produced “‘a significantly different
impression’” of that particular witness’s credibility. (People v. Pearson (2013) 56
Cal.4th 393, 455, quoting People v. Brown (2003) 31 Cal.4th 518, 545-546.) Similarly, a
trial court’s application of the ordinary rules of evidence “‘does not impermissibly
infringe on a defendant’s right to present a defense.’ [Citations.]” (People v. Fudge
(1994) 7 Cal.4th 1075, 1102-1103.) “[T]he exclusion of defense evidence on a minor or
subsidiary point does not interfere with that constitutional right.” (People v. Cunningham
(2001) 25 Cal.4th 926, 999.)
Here, defendant has not shown a level of fundamental unfairness sufficient to
demonstrate a violation of his federal due process rights. Further, defendant’s right to
confront was not violated because he cannot establish the excluded cross-examination of
N.M. would have produced “‘a significantly different impression’” of her credibility.
(People v. Pearson, supra, 56 Cal.4th at p. 455.) When the entire record is considered,
the point at issue is properly characterized as “minor or subsidiary.” (People v.
18.
Cunningham, supra, 25 Cal.4th at p. 999.) Therefore, assuming any error occurred, we
apply the harmless error standard under Watson—whether it is reasonably probable a
result more favorable to defendant would have been reached in the absence of the error.
(Watson, supra, 46 Cal.2d at p. 836.) As analyzed above, defendant cannot make such a
showing. Thus, defendant cannot establish any constitutional violations. (People v.
Partida, supra, 37 Cal.4th at p. 437; People v. Quartermain, supra, 16 Cal.4th at pp. 623-
624.) Defendant’s convictions will not be reversed.
II. The Abstract of Judgment Contains a Clerical Error.
Regarding count 1, the jury convicted defendant of attempted oral copulation by
force or violence under sections “664 and 288a(c).” The abstract of judgment shows the
conviction of count 1 under sections “664/288A(C).” The abstract of judgment tracks the
allegation in count 1 as it was set forth in the information under sections “664/288A(C).”
Both the abstract of judgment and information appear to contain a scrivener’s error. The
acts alleged in count 1 occurred “on or about and between July 1, 2010 to July 31,
2010 ....” The trial court’s jury instruction given for count 1 tracked the statutory
language of former section 288a, subdivision (c)(2).7
On its own motion, an appellate court with jurisdiction of a case may order
correction of clerical errors contained in the abstract of judgment. (People v. Mitchell
(2001) 26 Cal.4th 181, 186-187.) “An abstract of judgment is not the judgment of
conviction; it does not control if different from the trial court’s oral judgment and may
not add to or modify the judgment it purports to digest or summarize.” (Id. at p. 185.)
7 This section stated: “Any person who commits an act of oral copulation when the
act is accomplished against the victim’s will by means of force, violence, duress, menace,
or fear of immediate and unlawful bodily injury on the victim or another person shall be
punished by imprisonment in the state prison for three, six, or eight years.” (Former
§ 288a, subd. (c)(2).)
19.
Because the abstract of judgment does not match the jury instruction for count 1,
this matter is remanded to the trial court to correct the abstract of judgment to reflect
conviction on count 1 under section 664 and former section 288a, subdivision (c)(2).
DISPOSITION
This matter is remanded to the trial court to correct the abstract of judgment to
reflect conviction on count 1 under section 664 and former section 288a, subdivision
(c)(2), in effect as of the dates alleged in the information. The trial court shall then
forward the amended abstract of judgment to the appropriate authorities. The judgment is
otherwise affirmed.
_____________________
LEVY, Acting P.J.
WE CONCUR:
_____________________
KANE, J.
_____________________
FRANSON, J.
20.