P. v. Vasquez CA2/3 ( 2013 )

Filed 4/11/13 P. v. Vasquez CA2/3
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IN THE COURT OF APPEAL OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA
SECOND APPELLATE DISTRICT
DIVISION THREE
THE PEOPLE, B238989
Plaintiff and Respondent, (Los Angeles County
Super. Ct. No. BA361251)
v.
FRANCISCO VASQUEZ et al.,
Defendants and Appellants.
APPEAL from a judgment of the Superior Court of Los Angeles County, Robert J.
Perry, Judge. Modified and, as so modified, affirmed.
Sally Patrone Brajevich, under appointment by the Court of Appeal, for
Defendant and Appellant Francisco Vasquez.
Lynda A. Romero, under appointment by the Court of Appeal, for Defendant
and Appellant Ali Fateh.
Linn Davis, under appointment by the Court of Appeal, for Defendant and
Appellant Anthony Gonzales.
Kamala D. Harris, Attorney General, Dane R. Gillette, Chief Assistant Attorney
General, Lance E. Winters, Assistant Attorney General, Mary Sanchez and Jonathan M.
Krauss, Deputy Attorneys General, for Plaintiff and Respondent.
Defendants and appellants Anthony Gonzales and Francisco Vasquez appeal their
convictions for two counts of attempted premeditated murder. Defendant and appellant
Ali Fateh appeals his convictions for second degree murder, two counts of attempted
premeditated murder, and evading an officer, causing death. Gonzales and Vasquez were
sentenced to 58 years to life in prison; Fateh was sentenced to 65 years to life.
Appellants contend the evidence was insufficient to support their attempted murder
convictions, and the trial court committed instructional error. Appellant Fateh further
asserts that his abstract of judgment contains a clerical error which must be corrected.
We correct the abstract as Fateh requests. In all other respects, we affirm.
FACTUAL AND PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND
1. Facts.
a. People’s evidence.
Appellants Vasquez, Gonzales, and Fateh, and victim Gomez, were all members
of the Canoga Park Alabama criminal street gang (CPA), a predominantly Hispanic gang.
The CPA claimed as its territory an area of Canoga Park roughly bordered by Topanga
Canyon, Nordhoff, Van Owen, and Corbin streets. The gang‘s primary activities
included narcotics sales, assaults, hate crimes, robberies, burglaries, and murder. The
CPA gang hated African-Americans, as evidenced by the gang‘s graffiti and their acts of
violence perpetrated against African-Americans.
(i) The shooting.
At approximately 11:30 p.m. on May 23, 2010, Terrence Blackman and his
brother, Gregory Wilborn, who were both African-American, were standing in front of
Wilborn‘s apartment complex located on Canby Avenue in Reseda, smoking cigarettes
and chatting about sports. They were not gang members, were not armed, and were not
selling marijuana. The apartment was located outside the CPA gang‘s territory, and was
controlled by one or more gangs which were CPA rivals.
2
Two Hispanic men, later identified as appellants Gonzales and Vasquez,1 walked
down Canby toward Blackman and Wilborn, side by side. When Gonzales and Vasquez
were five to seven feet from Blackman and Wilborn, Vasquez said ―fuck you, nigger‖ or
similar words and pointed a gun at the brothers. Blackman and Wilborn heard a clicking
sound. Blackman realized Vasquez was attempting to fire the gun, but it had jammed.
Blackman told Wilborn to run. Gonzales, who also had a gun, ran into the street as if to
get a better angle and fired two shots at the brothers as they fled up a driveway towards
the apartments. One shot hit Wilborn in the thigh.
Armaondo Ramirez, whose apartment was located on Canby Avenue, heard the
gunshots and looked out his window. He saw a black or dark-colored car, with its
headlights off, double parked and blocking a driveway across the street on Canby. A
Hispanic man jumped into the front passenger seat. The car then drove off at high speed.
A surveillance tape obtained from a camera mounted on a nearby building showed the car
pulling up and stopping at the curb at 11:31 p.m., and departing at 11:33 p.m.
(ii) The high-speed chase and collision.
Alerted to the shooting via a 911 call, Los Angeles Police Department (L.A.P.D.)
officers responded to the scene and searched for the assailants. Officer James Leone,
who was in an unmarked car, spotted appellants‘ black Toyota driving northbound away
from the area of the shooting. Fateh was driving, Vasquez was seated in the front
passenger seat, Gomez was in the rear passenger side seat, and Gonzales was in the rear
driver‘s side seat. Leone followed the car, which sped up to between 55 and 60 miles per
hour. Leone called for backup. Officer Edward Maranian and his partner pulled up
behind the Toyota at a red light. When the light turned green, Fateh accelerated to
50 miles per hour and drove westbound on Roscoe, with the officers following, their
police cruiser‘s lights and siren on. Fateh led the officers on a high-speed chase, during
which he drove at speeds of at least 50 miles per hour, drove through a ―dip‖ in the road
1 We consider appellant Vasquez‘s contention that the evidence was insufficient to
prove his identity as one of the assailants post.
3
fast enough to send up sparks, ran at least five stop signs and one red light without
slowing, cut through an alley and then a Food 4 Less parking lot, narrowly missing a
pedestrian, and made a U-turn on a red light in the middle of an intersection. When the
Toyota reentered Saticoy after exiting the grocery parking lot, Fateh accelerated to speeds
of 80 miles per hour. The car was ―straddling, swaying from side to side, zigzagging, . . .
displaying clearly evasive maneuvers trying to get away‖ from the pursuing officers. An
L.A.P.D. helicopter began following the Toyota from the air, and Officer Maranian
terminated his pursuit because it had become too dangerous. The Toyota continued at
speeds of up to 80 miles per hour down Saticoy.
At the intersection of Saticoy and Mason streets, the Toyota––which still had its
headlights off––ran another red light. Two other vehicles were approaching the
intersection, one from the north and one from the south. The Toyota drove between the
two vehicles, narrowly missing them as all three vehicles crossed the intersection. The
Toyota‘s right rear taillight lightly tapped the right front bumper of one of the other
vehicles, a truck being driven by Melissa Messer. The Toyota careened down Saticoy,
―completely out of control,‖ and slammed into several parked cars. The impact crushed
the back half of the Toyota.
Fateh exited the Toyota, talking on a cellular telephone. Vasquez attempted to
start the car and reached under the front seat before he was pulled from the mangled
wreckage by officers. Gonzales, who was in the back seat unconscious and badly
injured, was transported to a hospital. Gomez, who had suffered major trauma, was dead.
(iii) The investigation.
An officer found two .32-caliber shell casings on Canby Avenue, near where the
shooting occurred. A .32-caliber semiautomatic Beretta handgun was found in the
Toyota, in a pool of blood underneath Gomez‘s body, which was slumped over onto the
left rear passenger seat. Forensic testing determined that the bullet casings found at the
scene were fired from the gun found in the Toyota. Gunshot residue tests were
performed on Vasquez, Gonzales, and Gomez‘s body; no gunshot residue was detected.
A second gun was never found.
4
Wilborn and Blackman consistently stated that the assailant who fired the shots
wore a gray ―hoodie‖ sweatshirt. When pulled from the wrecked Toyota, Gonzales was
wearing a gray hooded sweatshirt. At trial, both Blackman and Wilborn testified that the
first assailant, who made the racial slur and whose gun jammed, wore a dark or blue
sports jersey with a white T-shirt underneath. When apprehended at the crash site,
Vasquez was wearing a blue New Jersey Nets jersey with a white T-shirt underneath. In
September 2010, Blackman and Wilborn were separately shown a photographic ―clothing
lineup‖ of the attire worn by the four men in the Toyota. Both identified Gonzales‘s gray
hooded sweatshirt, and Vasquez‘s blue jersey and white T-shirt, as the clothing, or very
similar to the clothing, worn by the assailants. Neither recognized the clothing worn by
Fateh or Gomez. Although the record is not entirely clear, it appears that Blackman may
have also identified a photograph of Gonzales as the shooter in a pretrial photographic
lineup. Prior to trial Blackman gave police a variety of descriptions of the clothing worn
by the first assailant. His description of the first assailant‘s height and weight was
inconsistent with Vasquez‘s actual height and weight.
(iv) Gang evidence.
In addition to the evidence regarding criminal street gangs discussed ante, an
expert testified in response to a hypothetical based on the facts of the case that in his
opinion, the shooting was committed for the benefit of, at the direction of, or in
association with, a criminal street gang. The People presented additional evidence
relevant to proof of the street gang enhancements.2
b. Defense evidence.
Gonzales testified in his own behalf. His mother was African-American, and his
father was Hispanic. He denied being a CPA member, and did not use the moniker
―Ickie.‖ On the night of the shooting, Gomez called Gonzales and asked if he wanted to
purchase marijuana with him. Gonzales agreed and the two met at a car wash on
2 Because appellants do not challenge the sufficiency of the evidence to prove the
gang enhancements, we do not further detail that evidence here.
5
Sherman Way, where Gomez explained that Fateh would pick them up. En route to the
transaction site, Gomez spotted his friend, Vasquez, who appeared to be intoxicated and
ill. Fateh agreed to give Vasquez a ride home and the trio picked Vasquez up. Gonzales
had not previously met Fateh or Vasquez. When the group arrived on Canby, Gomez
exited the car and asked Gonzales to accompany him. Gonzales complied. Gomez told
Gonzales to wait 50 to 60 feet from the meeting point, because drug dealers ―don‘t like
doing business with people that they don‘t know.‖ Gomez talked to two men. Gonzales
had his back toward them but overheard ―words being exchanged.‖ Someone said, ―go
home you fuckin‘ wetback‖ and someone else said ―[f]uck you, niggers.‖ Gonzales
heard two to three shots and saw Gomez running. Frightened, Gonzales ran to the car as
well. He was ―shocked‖ and ―just wanted to get out of there.‖ When they heard sirens,
Fateh stated that he was going to pull over, but Gomez said, ―No, no. Go, go. Just go.‖
Vasquez was asleep during the shooting and the chase. Gonzales denied he had ever
possessed, owned, or fired a gun, and had not known Gomez had a gun.3
c. People’s rebuttal.
In rebuttal, the People presented evidence that Gonzales had admitted his CPA
gang membership to a detective and to an L.A.P.D. officer in November 2007, and had
scratched his moniker on a Styrofoam cup during a police interview. A search of a
residence where Gonzales was present, conducted in September 2008, turned up
paperwork containing Gonzales‘s moniker, references to the CPA gang, and a notation
indicating a rivalry with the Original Valley Gangsters, an African-American gang.
2. Procedure.
Trial was by jury. Fateh was convicted of the second degree murder of Gomez
(Pen. Code, § 187, subd. (a))4 and evading an officer, causing Gomez‘s death (Veh.
3 Fateh presented the testimony of his mother and an ex-girlfriend. As that
testimony is not relevant to the issues presented on appeal, we do not include it here.
Vasquez presented no evidence.
4 All further undesignated statutory references are to the Penal Code.
6
Code, § 2800.3, subd. (b)). All three appellants were convicted of the willful, deliberate,
and premeditated attempted murders of Blackman and Wilborn (§§ 664, 187, subd. (a)).
The jury further found the attempted murders and the evading an officer crimes were
committed for the benefit of a criminal street gang (§ 186.22, subd. (b)(1)(C)); in the
commission of the attempted murders, a principal personally and intentionally discharged
a firearm, proximately causing great bodily injury to Wilborn (§ 12022.53, subds. (c), (d),
(e)(1)); and, as to Gonzales and Vasquez, the attempted murders were hate crimes
(§ 422.75, subd. (b)). The jury found the hate crime allegations not true as to appellant
Fateh. The trial court sentenced Fateh to a term of 65 years to life in prison. It sentenced
Vasquez and Gonzales to terms of 58 years to life in prison. As to all appellants, the
court imposed restitution fines, suspended parole restitution fines, court security fees, and
criminal conviction assessments, and ordered appellants to pay victim restitution. Fateh,
Gonzales, and Vasquez appeal.
DISCUSSION
1. Sufficiency of the evidence.
Appellants challenge the sufficiency of the evidence to prove their convictions for
attempted murder on several different grounds. None have merit.
a. Applicable legal principles.
When determining whether the evidence was sufficient to sustain a criminal
conviction, ―we review the whole record in the light most favorable to the judgment
below to determine whether it discloses substantial evidence––that is, evidence that is
reasonable, credible and of solid value––from which a reasonable trier of fact could find
the defendant guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. [Citations.]‖ (People v. Snow (2003)
30 Cal.4th 43, 66; People v. Houston (2012) 54 Cal.4th 1186, 1215; People v. Elliott
(2012) 53 Cal.4th 535, 585.) We presume in support of the judgment the existence of
every fact the trier of fact could reasonably deduce from the evidence. (People v. Medina
(2009) 46 Cal.4th 913, 919.) Reversal is not warranted unless it appears ― ‗that upon no
hypothesis whatever is there sufficient substantial evidence to support [the conviction].‘
[Citation.]‖ (People v. Bolin (1998) 18 Cal.4th 297, 331; People v. Zamudio (2008) 43
7
Cal.4th 327, 357.) The same standard of review applies to cases in which the prosecution
relies primarily on circumstantial evidence. (Houston, at p. 1215.)
b. The evidence was sufficient to prove intent to kill.
Appellants argue that there was insufficient evidence they had the intent to kill,
and therefore their convictions for the attempted murders of Blackman and Wilborn must
be reversed. We disagree.
― ‗Attempted murder requires the specific intent to kill and the commission of a
direct but ineffectual act toward accomplishing the intended killing. [Citation.]
Attempted murder requires express malice, that is, the assailant either desires the victim‘s
death, or knows to a substantial certainty that the victim‘s death will occur.‘ [Citation.]‖
(People v. Houston, supra, 54 Cal.4th at p. 1217; People v. Smith (2005) 37 Cal.4th 733,
739.) Intent to kill may be inferred from the defendant‘s acts and the circumstances of
the crime. (Smith, at p. 741.) ―The act of shooting a firearm toward a victim at close
range in a manner that could have inflicted a mortal wound had the shot been on target is
sufficient to support an inference of an intent to kill.‖ (Houston, at p. 1218; Smith, at
p. 741.) The circumstance that the bullet misses its mark or fails to prove lethal is not
dispositive. (Smith, at pp. 741-742.)
Viewing the evidence in the light most favorable to the verdict (People v.
Gonzalez (2012) 54 Cal.4th 643, 653), the evidence was sufficient. When Gonzales and
Vasquez were between five to seven feet away from Blackman and Wilborn, Vasquez
attempted to fire shots at them, but his gun jammed. Gonzales, who had been side-by-
side with Vasquez, ran into the street, apparently to obtain a better angle, and fired two
shots as Blackman and Wilborn ran down a driveway toward Wilborn‘s apartment
building. One of those shots hit Wilborn in the thigh. Blackman heard bullets ―wheezing
[sic] past [his] body.‖ From this evidence alone, the jury could readily have inferred that
appellants intended to kill the victims. (People v. Smith, supra, 37 Cal. 4th at pp. 741-
742; People v. Houston, supra, 54 Cal.4th at p. 1217.)
Gonzales argues that the evidence was insufficient to prove the shots were fired at
close range. He points out that the victims were halfway down the apartment driveway
8
when the shots were fired, and there was no evidence regarding the length of the
driveway. He contrasts this showing with that in People v. Smith, supra, 37 Cal.4th at
pages 742 to 743, in which the defendant fired a shot at a mother and her baby from
approximately a car length away.
These arguments are not persuasive. The jury could have concluded the shooting
was conducted at close range. When Vasquez first attempted to shoot, he was within
seven feet of the victims, a distance which indisputably qualifies as ―close range.‖ The
jury could readily have inferred Vasquez intended to shoot to kill. When Vasquez‘s gun
jammed, Gonzales immediately got into a position in the street and fired two shots
directly at the victims. From this the jury could have deduced that the attack on the men
was coordinated, and Gonzales shared Vasquez‘s homicidal intent.
Moreover, while the precise distance was not measured at trial, the victims were
certainly not far from Gonzales when the shots were fired. Contrary to Gonzales‘s
argument that no evidence was presented regarding the driveway‘s length, in fact a
photograph showing the driveway was admitted into evidence. Jurors could no doubt
have determined the relevant distances from that exhibit. More importantly, we do not
read Smith as demarcating some arbitrary point beyond which a shooting cannot be
considered to have been at close range. Smith holds that the act of firing a weapon in a
manner that could have inflicted a mortal wound, had the bullet been on target, suffices to
establish intent to kill. (People v. Smith, supra, 37 Cal.4th at pp. 741-742.) Wilborn was
actually hit in the thigh; certainly if the bullet had been on target, it would have inflicted a
mortal wound. That appellants abandoned their efforts after firing two shots, and that the
victims escaped death due to Gonzales‘s ―poor marksmanship,‖ did not compel the jury
to conclude they lacked the intent to kill.5 (People v. Houston, supra, 54 Cal.4th at p.
1218; Smith, at p. 741.)
5 Gonzales argues that purported contradictions in the evidence regarding whether
there were one or two shooters, and whether there were one or two guns, ―seriously
undermined‖ the value of the evidence. Gonzales‘s arguments amount to a request that
we reweigh the evidence, which is not our function. (People v. Smith, supra, 37 Cal.4th
9People v. Ramos (2011) 193 Cal.App.4th 43, is instructive. There, the victim was
outside his residence, escorting guests, when the defendant fired shots from across the
street. The victim heard the shots ― ‗whistling‘ past him‖ and fled down the street.
Ramos contended there was insufficient evidence of his intent to kill ―because the
evidence established that he fired gunshots from a distance during [the] nighttime.‖ (Id.
at p. 47.) Ramos rejected this contention, explaining, ―Although [the defendant] may
have been a distance away, the gunshots ‗whistled‘ past [the victim] and could have
inflicted a mortal wound had [the defendant‘s] marksmanship been better. The trier of
fact reasonably drew the inference of intent to kill from the evidence.‖ (Id. at p. 48.) The
same is true here.
c. The evidence was sufficient to prove the attempted murders were premeditated
and deliberate.
Appellants next argue the evidence was insufficient to establish the attempted
murders were premeditated and deliberate.6 Premeditation and deliberation requires
more than a showing of intent to kill. (People v. Concha (2010) 182 Cal.App.4th 1072,
1083-1084.) An intentional killing is premeditated and deliberate if it occurred as the
result of preexisting thought and reflection, rather than as the product of an unconsidered
or rash impulse. (People v. Burney (2009) 47 Cal.4th 203, 235; People v. Jurado (2006)
at p. 739.) Gonzales similarly argues that the gang expert‘s testimony was insufficient to
establish appellants‘ gang-related motive for the shooting, because the testimony was
contradictory and unbelievable. As we discuss post, this argument is likewise untenable
on appeal. In any event, evidence of motive is not an element of attempted murder,
although it may be probative of intent to kill. (Smith, at pp. 740-741.) The evidence of
the manner of the shooting was sufficient to prove intent even absent any evidence of
motive.
6 The crime of attempted murder is not divided into degrees, but a defendant‘s
sentence may be enhanced if the attempt to kill was committed with premeditation and
deliberation. (People v. Gonzalez, supra, 54 Cal.4th at p. 654; People v. Smith, supra,37 Cal.4th at p. 740.) Attempted murder is generally punishable by imprisonment for
between five and nine years, but this term is increased to life imprisonment with the
possibility of parole if the attempt was premeditated and deliberate. (§ 664, subd. (a);
Gonzalez, at p. 654.)
10
38 Cal.4th 72, 118.) A reviewing court normally considers three types of evidence when
determining whether a finding of premeditation and deliberation is adequately supported:
planning activity by the defendants; motive; and the manner of killing. (People v.
Gonzalez, supra, 54 Cal.4th at pp. 663-664; Burney, at p. 235; People v. Romero (2008)
44 Cal.4th 386, 401; People v. Anderson (1968) 70 Cal.2d 15, 26-27.) These so-called
―Anderson‖ factors are not the exclusive means to establish premeditation and
deliberation, and need not be present in any particular combination, or at all, to establish
the evidence was sufficient. (Gonzalez, at p. 663; Burney, at p. 235; People v. Tafoya
(2007) 42 Cal.4th 147, 172; People v. Lenart (2004) 32 Cal.4th 1107, 1127.)
The evidence here satisfied all three Anderson factors. First, the jury could have
inferred there was evidence of planning. Gomez, Gonzales, Vasquez, and Fateh
travelled, as a group, to rival gang territory. They brought at least one loaded weapon to
the site, demonstrating their preconceived plan to use deadly force. (See People v.
Gonzalez, supra, 54 Cal.4th at p. 664 [fact defendant brought a loaded rifle to ambush
site supported an inference of planning]; People v. Lee (2011) 51 Cal.4th 620, 636 [fact
defendant brought a loaded handgun indicated he had considered the possibility of a
violent encounter].) Vasquez and Gonzales then calmly shot at the victims for no
apparent reason, and fled in the waiting car. (See Lee, at p. 637 [calm and exacting
manner of killing supported conclusion it was the result of preexisting thought, not an
unconsidered rash impulse].) These coordinated actions, involving the use of weapons
brought to the scene and an unprovoked attack on strangers, strongly suggested
appellants were carrying out a prearranged plan.
Second, the evidence supported a finding that appellants had a motive to kill.
There was evidence all three appellants, as well as Gomez, were CPA gang members.
Their gang harbored animosity toward African-Americans, and one of the gang‘s primary
activities was committing hate crimes. Both victims were African-American and appear
to have been chosen at random as targets because of their race. Just before attempting to
shoot, Vasquez hurled a racial epithet at the victims. Based on the gang expert‘s
11
testimony, commission of the instant crimes would have bolstered the CPA gang‘s image,
as well as built ―respect,‖ as that term is understood in the gang culture, for appellants.
Finally, the manner of killing suggested a preplanned attack. Vasquez and
Gonzales attempted to shoot the victims from relatively close range, without provocation.
When Vasquez‘s gun jammed, Gonzales continued the attack by firing shots as the men
ran away. This method of attempted killing is analogous to an execution-style murder,
and suggested a preconceived design to kill. (See generally People v. Gonzales and Soliz
(2011) 52 Cal.4th 254, 295 [close-range shooting without any provocation or evidence of
a struggle supported an inference of premeditation and deliberation]; People v. Tafoya,
supra, 42 Cal.4th at p. 172; People v. Lenart, supra, 32 Cal.4th at p. 1127.)
Gonzales argues that the gang expert‘s testimony did not ―reasonably inspire[ ]
confidence,‖ in that it was purportedly ―rife‖ with ―inconsistencies, surmise and
conjecture.‖ He urges that the evidence the CPA gang committed hate crimes was
outdated; the gang expert had been assigned to the gang for only 11 months; in contrast to
all other known hate crimes committed by the CPA, the shooting was committed outside
CPA territory; and Gonzales, who was half African-American and half Hispanic, would
not have been allowed to join the CPA gang. Further, he argues that Wilborn was shot in
the thigh, not a vital area, but appellants did not pursue him and fire additional shots; and
appellants might have brought the gun as protection if they were involved in a drug deal.
Gonzales urges that the defense theory––that the shooting was the result of a drug deal
gone bad––was more plausible than the People‘s evidence. He points out that Blackman
had suffered a 2003 conviction for selling marijuana, and expresses skepticism that the
victims were simply talking in front of the apartment, as opposed to selling drugs.
As is readily apparent, Gonzales‘s arguments are nothing more than a request that
this court reweigh the evidence. ― ‗[I]t is not a proper appellate function to reassess the
credibility of the witnesses.‘ [Citation.]‖ (People v. Friend (2009) 47 Cal.4th 1, 41;
People v. Cortes (1999) 71 Cal.App.4th 62, 81 [where an appellant ―merely reargues the
evidence in a way more appropriate for trial than for appeal,‖ we are bound by the trier of
fact‘s determination].) We resolve neither credibility issues nor evidentiary conflicts.
12
(People v. Maury (2003) 30 Cal.4th 342, 403; People v. Mejia (2007) 155 Cal.App.4th
86, 98.) The fact the evidence might have been reconciled with a contrary finding does
not warrant a reversal. (People v. Livingston (2012) 53 Cal.4th 1145, 1170; People v.
Martinez (2008) 158 Cal.App.4th 1324, 1331.)
d. The evidence was sufficient to establish that Vasquez was one of the two
gunmen.
Next, Vasquez urges that the evidence was insufficient to establish that he––rather
than the decedent, Gomez––was one of the two gunmen. He is incorrect.
Viewed in the light most favorable to the judgment, the evidence showed the
following. When the Toyota crashed, Fateh, Gonzales, Vasquez, and Gomez were inside.
A gun found in the car was determined to be the gun used in the shooting. Thus, there
was ample evidence to prove two of the four men in the car were the assailants. At the
crash scene, Gonzales was wearing a gray hooded sweatshirt; Vasquez was wearing a
blue New Jersey Nets jersey, with a white T-shirt underneath; Fateh was wearing brown
shorts, a blue shirt, and a white undershirt; and Gomez was wearing a dark blue shirt and
a cap. When shown a photographic lineup of the clothing worn by all four men, both
Blackman and Wilborn identified Gonzales‘s gray hooded sweatshirt as the attire worn
by the shooter, and Vasquez‘s blue New Jersey Nets jersey and white T-shirt as the
clothing worn by the assailant who uttered the racial slur and attempted to shoot with the
jammed gun. Neither Wilborn nor Blackman recognized the clothing worn by Fateh or
Gomez. At trial, both Blackman and Wilborn testified that the first assailant wore a black
or blue jersey with a white T-shirt underneath, and the shooter wore a gray hooded
sweatshirt. Blackman was sure the first assailant‘s shirt was a jersey, because he had a
collection of jerseys and knew ―what a sports jersey look[s] like.‖ From this evidence,
the jury could reasonably have concluded Vasquez was the first assailant who uttered the
racial slur, and Gonzales was the assailant who fired shots.
To be sure, the evidence regarding the description of the first assailant was not
entirely consistent. On the date of the shooting, Blackman told an L.A.P.D. officer that
the shooter had worn a white T-shirt with a baseball cap or bandanna, while the other
13
assailant wore a gray hooded sweatshirt. On June 2, 2010, Blackman told FBI Special
Agent Efren Delgado there had been one shooter, who had worn a baggy white T-shirt,
black pants, and a bandanna or beanie. On August 10, 2010, Blackman told Agent
Delgado he was unsure whether there had been one or two guns. He described the
gunman‘s attire as a white sports jersey with black or white lettering, worn beneath a
black open sweatshirt. At trial, Blackman testified that the assailant who made the racial
slur was approximately 5 feet 4 inches to 5 feet 6 inches tall, and was short and stocky.
Vasquez was six feet tall and weighed 225 pounds. Gomez was 5 feet 6 inches tall, and
was somewhat overweight at 178 pounds. Ramirez told police the man he saw enter the
car on Canby was ―skinny,‖ approximately 5 feet 7 inches tall, wearing a dark or black
―hoodie‖ sweatshirt.
Vasquez additionally points out that the area where the shooting occurred was not
well lit; the incident happened fast; Wilborn had poor vision, and was not wearing his
glasses; Wilborn and Blackman never identified his face; the clothing identified at the
scene ―could have been switched‖; gunshot residue was not detected on Vasquez,
Gonzales, or Gomez; Vasquez‘s fingerprints were not found on the gun; Gonzales
testified that he and Gomez, not Vasquez, were the ones who exited the car; Vasquez‘s
blood alcohol level was ―above high normal,‖ supporting Gonzales‘s testimony that
Vasquez was asleep during the incident; Ramirez‘s description of the man who entered
the car matched Gomez, not Vasquez; the gun was found under Gomez‘s body; and both
Wilborn and Blackman were convicted felons, undercutting their credibility. He urges
that ―in light of the significant contradictions in the evidence presented at trial,‖ his
convictions for attempted murder must be reversed.
Many of the points made by Vasquez do not involve genuine evidentiary conflicts,
or do not support his conclusion that Gomez was one of the assailants. For example, the
gun was apparently not tested for fingerprints; it is unlikely fingerprints could have been
obtained from it, given that it was found in a pool of blood. The jury could have
concluded the purported discrepancies regarding whether there were one or two shooters
were explainable as a matter of semantics, given that there were two men with guns but
14
only one successfully fired shots. Because Vasquez‘s gun jammed, one would not
necessarily expect to find gunshot residue on his hands. The functional gun was found
where Gonzales––the shooter—had been seated, not in the seat that had been occupied by
Gomez.7 The street, while not brightly lit, was nonetheless illuminated by a streetlight.
There was no evidence the men in the Toyota changed clothes during the car chase, and
no reason to suspect that they would have done so. Ramirez‘s description of the man at
the scene did not clearly match Gomez; Gomez was not ―skinny,‖ as Ramirez described,
but was overweight. Moreover, Gomez was wearing a blue shirt when extricated from
the crashed car, not a black hooded sweatshirt.
Given the evidence as a whole, the discrepancies in the descriptions of the first
assailant did not make the clothing lineup identifications impossible to believe or
inherently improbable. ― ‗Apropos the question of identity, to entitle a reviewing court to
set aside a jury‘s finding of guilt the evidence of identity must be so weak as to constitute
practically no evidence at all.‘ [Citations.]‖ (People v. Mohamed (2011) 201
Cal.App.4th 515, 521.) That was not the case here. Blackman may have been confused
at times about exactly what the first assailant was wearing, but he repeatedly stated the
first assailant wore a white T-shirt and/or a jersey, both of which matched Vasquez‘s
clothing. Discrepancies or omissions in descriptions of a defendant do not necessitate the
jury‘s rejection of an identification. (Mohamed, at p. 522.) That neither victim identified
Vasquez‘s face does ―not preclude the existence of sufficient support for the jury‘s
verdict. ‗[I]t is not necessary that any of the witnesses called to identify the accused
should have seen his face. . . . Identification based on other peculiarities may be
reasonably sure. Consequently, the identity of a defendant may be established‖ by a
variety of facts, including clothing. (Ibid.)
7 The gun was found beneath Gomez‘s body because the force of the crash pushed
him against the left rear passenger door and caused him to slump into the left rear
passenger seat.
15
In sum, ― ‗[t]he strength or weakness of the identification [and] the incompatibility
of and discrepancies in the testimony‖ go to the weight of the evidence and the credibility
of the witnesses, and are questions for the jury. (People v. Mohamed, supra, 201
Cal.App.4th at p. 522.) ―Conflicts and even testimony which is subject to justifiable
suspicion do not justify the reversal of a judgment,‖ for it is the exclusive province of the
jury to determine the truth or falsity of the facts upon which a determination depends.
(People v. Maury, supra, 30 Cal.4th at p. 403; People v. Elliott, supra, 53 Cal.4th at
p. 585.)
Tomlin v. Myers (9th Cir. 1994) 30 F.3d 1235, cited by Vasquez, does not assist
him. The issue in Tomlin was not the sufficiency of the evidence to support an
identification; instead it was whether counsel was ineffective for failing to challenge an
in-court identification that was tainted by an illegal lineup. In the context of discussing
whether counsel‘s deficient performance was prejudicial, a divided court considered
various weaknesses in the witness‘s identification significant. (Id. at pp. 1241-1243.)
Tomlin does not support a finding the evidence was insufficient here.
e. The evidence was sufficient to establish Fateh aided and abetted the attempted
murders.
Fateh urges the evidence was insufficient to establish he acted as an aider and
abettor in the attempted murders. A person who aids and abets the commission of a
crime is a principal in the crime. (People v. McCoy (2001) 25 Cal.4th 1111, 1116-1117;
People v. Mejia (2012) 211 Cal.App.4th 586, 605-606; § 31.) ―[T]o be guilty of
attempted murder as an aider and abettor, a person must give aid or encouragement with
knowledge of the direct perpetrator‘s intent to kill and with the purpose of facilitating the
direct perpetrator‘s accomplishment of the intended killing—which means that the person
guilty of attempted murder as an aider and abettor must intend to kill.‖8 (People v. Lee
8 Although the People were required to prove Fateh intended that the victims be
killed, they were not required to prove that he personally premeditated and deliberated.
(People v. Lee, supra, 31 Cal.4th at p. 627 [―section 664(a) properly must be interpreted
to require only that the murder attempted was willful, deliberate, and premeditated, but
16
(2003) 31 Cal.4th 613, 624; People v. Gonzalez, supra, 54 Cal.4th at p. 654, fn. 8; Mejia,
at p. 606.)
Among the factors that may be taken into account when determining whether a
defendant was an aider and abettor are presence at the crime scene, companionship, and
conduct before and after the offense, including flight. (In re Juan G. (2003) 112
Cal.App.4th 1, 5; People v. Medina, supra, 46 Cal.4th at p. 924; People v. Battle (2011)
198 Cal.App.4th 50, 84-85.) Mere presence at the scene of a crime, knowledge of the
perpetrator‘s criminal purpose, or the failure to prevent the crime do not amount to aiding
and abetting, although these factors may be taken into account in determining criminal
responsibility. (People v. Garcia (2008) 168 Cal.App.4th 261, 272-273; People v.
Nguyen (1993) 21 Cal.App.4th 518, 529-530.) ― ‗Whether defendant aided and abetted
the crime is a question of fact, and on appeal all conflicts in the evidence and reasonable
inferences must be resolved in favor of the judgment.‘ [Citation.]‖ (People v. Campbell
(1994) 25 Cal.App.4th 402, 409; In re Juan G., at p. 5.)
Fateh was the getaway car driver; he did not exit the Toyota during the shooting.
There is no dispute his act of driving the getaway car to and from the shooting scene
constituted sufficient evidence of an act that aided and promoted the crime. There was
also sufficient circumstantial evidence from which the jury reasonably could have found
Fateh knew the assailants were armed and intended to commit murder, and that he shared
their intent. (See People v. Thomas (2011) 52 Cal.4th 336, 355 [mental state and intent
are rarely susceptible of direct proof and must therefore be proven circumstantially].)
The gang expert opined that Fateh and the other three occupants of the Toyota were all
members of the CPA gang. The expert‘s opinion was based in part on the facts Gomez
not to require that an attempted murderer personally acted with willfulness, deliberation,
and premeditation, even if he or she is guilty as an aider and abettor‖]; People v. Favor
(2012) 54 Cal.4th 868, 879 [―an aider and abettor need not share the heightened mental
state of the direct perpetrator for the applicability of section 664(a)‘s penalty provision‖
for premeditated murder].)
17
and Vasquez sported CPA gang tattoos; Gomez and Gonzales had admitted their gang
membership to officers; an officer had observed Gonzales throwing gang signs; and
officers had observed Fateh and Vasquez in the company of other gang members. The
gang expert also testified that committing shootings would have enhanced the gang‘s and
the perpetrators‘ reputations.
Fateh drove the Toyota to an area within the territory of a rival gang. Fateh
double-parked the Toyota at a spot where the two victims were loitering on the street, and
turned off the vehicle‘s lights. Vasquez and Gonzales exited, shot at the victims––who
were complete strangers to all four men in the Toyota––and immediately reentered the
car. The gunshots were loud enough that eyewitness Ramirez, who was inside an
apartment across the street, heard them; therefore the jury could infer Fateh heard them as
well. Fateh sped off, leading police on a high-speed chase during which he drove with
extreme recklessness. The most reasonable interpretation of this evidence was that Fateh
knew exactly what was to transpire and was positioned to allow his fellow gang members
to commit the shooting and then make a quick getaway. The jury was not obliged to
accept the defense theory that the shooting was the result of a drug deal gone sour. The
victims testified they were not selling drugs, and the jury was entitled to credit this
testimony. Moreover, the jury could reasonably have concluded the facts were
inconsistent with such a scenario: the car was only parked for two minutes, not much
time for a drug deal to commence, turn contentious, and end in a shooting.
Fateh points out that, as to him, the jury found not true the allegation that the
attempted murders were hate crimes. As to codefendants Vasquez and Gonzales, the jury
found the hate-crime allegations true. From this circumstance, Fateh reasons that the jury
must have concluded he lacked knowledge of his passengers‘ intent, given that the
prosecution theory was that the motive for shooting the victims was racial animosity. But
the evidence showed only Gonzales and Vasquez confronted the victims, and only
Vasquez uttered a racial slur. While we cannot be sure of the jury‘s reasoning, it could
have concluded Fateh knew of and intended to aid the shooting of persons who might be
rival gang members, but declined to find true the hate-crime allegation given that Fateh
18
did not personally utter a racial epithet and was in the car when Vasquez did so. The
jury‘s finding on the hate-crime allegation does not compel a finding the evidence of
aiding and abetting was insufficient.
2. Instructional error.
Fateh argues that the trial court committed instructional error in two respects:
first, by failing to adequately instruct on causation; and second, by instructing with a
version of CALCRIM No. 400 which incorrectly stated that an aider and abettor is
―equally guilty‖ of crimes committed by a principal.
a. The trial court did not err by failing to instruct on causation.
(i) Additional facts.
The trial court instructed the jury with CALCRIM No. 520, regarding second
degree murder. That instruction stated in pertinent part: ―Defendant Fateh is charged in
count 1 with second degree murder in violation of Penal Code section 187 on an implied
malice theory. [¶] To prove that the defendant is guilty of this crime, the People must
prove that: [¶] 1. The defendant committed an act that caused the death of Joel Gomez;
[¶] AND [¶] 2. When the defendant acted, he had a state of mind called malice
aforethought. [¶] There are two kinds of malice aforethought, express malice and
implied malice. Proof of either is sufficient to establish the state of mind required for
murder. [¶] The defendant acted with express malice if he unlawfully intended to kill.
[¶] The defendant acted with implied malice if: [¶] 1. He intentionally committed an
act; [¶] 2. The natural consequences of the act were dangerous to human life; [¶] 3. At
the time he acted, he knew his act was dangerous to human life; [¶] AND [¶] 4. He
deliberately acted with conscious disregard for human life.‖ (Italics added.)
The trial court omitted the following portion of CALCRIM No. 520: ―An act
causes death if the death is the direct, natural, and probable consequence of the act and
the death would not have happened without the act. A natural and probable consequence
is one that a reasonable person would know is likely to happen if nothing unusual
intervenes. In deciding whether a consequence is natural and probable, consider all of the
circumstances established by the evidence. [¶] There may be more than one cause of
19
death. An act causes death only if it is a substantial factor in causing the death. A
substantial factor is more than a trivial or remote factor. However, it does not need to be
the only factor that causes the death.‖ (CALCRIM No. 520, brackets omitted.) Defense
counsel did not request that the omitted portions of CALCRIM No. 520 be provided to
the jury, and did not object to their omission. The trial court did not give, and the defense
did not request, CALCRIM No. 240, which is similar to the omitted portion of
CALCRIM No 520.9 Fateh contends omission of these instructions was error.
(ii) Discussion.
A trial court must instruct the jury, sua sponte, on the general principles of law
that are closely and openly connected to the facts and that are necessary for the jury‘s
understanding of the case. (People v. Moye (2009) 47 Cal.4th 537, 548; People v. Abilez
(2007) 41 Cal.4th 472, 517; People v. McCloud (2012) 211 Cal.App.4th 788, 796.) A
court is not obliged to instruct on theories that lack substantial evidentiary support.
(People v. Burney, supra, 47 Cal.4th at p. 246; People v. Johnson (2009) 180 Cal.App.4th
702, 707.) Substantial evidence is evidence that a reasonable jury could find persuasive.
(People v. Benavides (2005) 35 Cal.4th 69, 102; People v. Ross (2007) 155 Cal.App.4th
1033, 1049-1050.) Thus, a court has a sua sponte duty to instruct on proximate cause if
causation is at issue. (People v. Bland (2002) 28 Cal.4th 313, 333-336.)
Proximate cause in a criminal case is defined as ― ‗a cause which, in natural and
continuous sequence, produces the death, and without which the death would not have
9 CALCRIM No. 240 provides: ―An act [or omission] causes [injury or death] if the
[injury or death] is the direct, natural, and probable consequence of the act [or omission]
and the [injury or death] would not have happened without the act [or omission]. A
natural and probable consequence is one that a reasonable person would know is likely to
happen if nothing unusual intervenes. In deciding whether a consequence is natural and
probable, consider all the circumstances established by the evidence. [¶] [There may be
more than one cause of [injury or death]. An act [or omission] causes [injury or death],
only if it is a substantial factor in causing the [injury or death]. A substantial factor is
more than a trivial or remote factor. However, it does not have to be the only factor that
causes the [injury or death].]‖
20
occurred.‘ [Citations.]‖ (People v. Armitage (1987) 194 Cal.App.3d 405, 420.)
Proximate cause is ― ‗clearly established where the act is directly connected with the
resulting injury, with no intervening force operating.‘ [Citation.]‖ (Id. at p. 420; People
v. Schmies (1996) 44 Cal.App.4th 38, 48-49.) An ― ‗ ―independent‖ intervening cause‘ ‖
absolves a defendant of liability only when it is ― ‗ ―unforeseeable . . . an extraordinary
and abnormal occurrence, which rises to the level of an exonerating, superseding cause.‖
[Citation.] On the other hand, a ―dependent‖ intervening cause will not relieve the
defendant of criminal liability. ―A defendant may be criminally liable for a result directly
caused by his act even if there is another contributing cause. If an intervening cause is a
normal and reasonably foreseeable result of defendant‘s original act the intervening act is
‗dependent‘ and not a superseding cause, and will not relieve defendant of liability.
[Citation.] ‗[] The consequence need not have been a strong probability; a possible
consequence which might reasonably have been contemplated is enough. [] The precise
consequence need not have been foreseen; it is enough that the defendant should have
foreseen the possibility of some harm of the kind which might result from his act.‘
[Citation.]‖ [Citation.]‘ ‖ (People v. Cervantes (2001) 26 Cal.4th 860, 871; People v.
Mejia, supra, 211 Cal.App.4th at p. 609; People v. Schmies, supra, 44 Cal.App.4th at
p. 49.)
Applying these principles here, it is readily apparent no further instruction was
required. Preliminarily, we agree with the People that Fateh has forfeited this contention
because he failed to request further instruction or object below. In general, a party may
not complain on appeal that an instruction correct in law and responsive to the evidence
was too general or incomplete unless the party has requested appropriate clarifying or
amplifying language. (People v. Samaniego (2009) 172 Cal.App.4th 1148, 1163.)
Although we may review any instruction given, even in the absence of an objection, ―if
the substantial rights of the defendant were affected thereby‖ (§ 1259; People v. Smithey
(1999) 20 Cal.4th 936, 976-977, fn. 7), as we explain post¸ the purported error did not
affect Fateh‘s substantial rights. Therefore the claim has been forfeited.
21
CALCRIM No. 520 informed the jury that to prove second degree murder, the
People were required to establish Fateh intentionally committed an act that caused
Gomez‘s death. Thus, the issue of causation was squarely before the jury. The causation
principles at play when multiple acts might have contributed to the death were not
relevant. (See People v. McCloud, supra, 211 Cal.App.4th at p. 796 [trial court has duty
to refrain from instruction on principles of law that are irrelevant and might confuse the
jury].) There was no evidence of an independent intervening cause for the crash and
Gomez‘s death. The evidence was clear that the only cause of Gomez‘s death was
Fateh‘s exceptionally reckless driving.
Fateh urges that the jury might have considered the fact his car collided with
Messer‘s truck in the intersection just before the crash to be an intervening cause. He
argues: ―the evidence was undisputed that Melissa Messer hit appellant‘s vehicle sending
it out of control into some parked vehicles. . . . Thus, appellant was entitled to have the
jury determine whether Messer‘s hit was an intervening cause of the accident.‖
Fateh‘s argument is not only untenable, but mischaracterizes the record. The
implication that Messer was responsible for hitting Fateh‘s vehicle is misleading: Messer
had the green light and was lawfully proceeding through the intersection when Fateh ran
the red light, with his vehicle‘s lights off, at a speed approaching 80 miles per hour.
Thus, any impact with Messer‘s vehicle in the intersection was Fateh‘s fault and could
not have amounted to an independent intervening cause. (See People v. Cervantes,
supra, 26 Cal.4th at p. 871.) Moreover, an intervening cause absolves a defendant of
liability only when it is an unforeseeable, extraordinary, abnormal occurrence. The
undisputed evidence showed Fateh led a police vehicle on a high speed chase, with his
car‘s lights off, at night, at speeds up to 80 miles per hour, running numerous stop signs
and traffic lights in the process. The possibility he would collide with another vehicle in
an intersection and lose control of his Toyota was neither unforeseeable nor unlikely. To
the contrary, the only surprising thing about the incident was that Fateh did not hit
additional vehicles or pedestrians.
22
Fateh‘s contention fails as a factual matter as well. Messer testified that Fateh‘s
Toyota barely tapped her right front bumper. The contact was ―[s]uper soft . . . we barely
touched each other. Just a slight tap is all I felt. No change in my motion at all.‖
According to the helicopter pilot who was chasing Fateh‘s vehicle, when Fateh entered
the intersection, Messer‘s vehicle was travelling northbound on Mason and another
vehicle was travelling southbound. As Fateh entered the intersection, against the red
light, he attempted to make a corrective move. To the helicopter pilot, it did not appear
that Fateh hit the vehicles in the intersection, but instead ―thread[ed] the needle, two
vehicles traveling toward each other and he went right between them in a flash and lost
control as he continued eastbound through the intersection of Mason . . . .‖ The only
reasonable interpretation of this evidence was that Fateh‘s own reckless driving, not the
―super soft‖ tap on Messer‘s bumper, was the cause of the accident and of Gomez‘s
death. As there was no evidence of multiple causes for the crash, the trial court properly
omitted additional instruction on causation.
For the same reasons, even if the trial court had committed instructional error––a
conclusion we do not adopt––it was harmless under any standard because the additional
instructions at issue ―could not have aided defendant.‖ (People v. Bland, supra, 28
Cal.4th at p. 318.) No reasonable juror could have concluded the contact with Messer‘s
vehicle in the intersection was an independent intervening cause, for the reasons we have
set forth. (See People v. Cervantes, supra, 26 Cal.4th at pp. 866, 871.)
b. Instruction with former CALCRIM No. 400.
Without objection, the trial court instructed with former CALCRIM No. 400, the
instruction in effect at the time, as follows: ―A person may be guilty of a crime in two
ways. One, he may have directly committed the crime. I will call that person the
perpetrator. Two, he may have aided and abetted a perpetrator, who directly committed
the crime. A person is equally guilty of the crime whether he committed it personally or
23
aided and abetted the perpetrator who committed it.‖10 During argument the prosecutor
stated: ―[A] person is equally guilty of the crime whether he committed it personally or
aided and abetted the perpetrator who committed it. In for a penny, in for a pound. If
you‘re all in, you‘re all in. That‘s how it works basically.‖
Fateh contends instructing the jury with the ―equally guilty‖ language was error.
We agree, but conclude the error was not prejudicial.
In People v. McCoy, supra, 25 Cal.4th 1111, the California Supreme Court held
that an aider and abettor may be found guilty of greater homicide-related offenses than
those committed by the actual perpetrator. (Id. at p. 1122.) The court explained that an
aider and abettor‘s guilt is ―based on a combination of the direct perpetrator‘s acts and
the aider and abettor‘s own acts and own mental state‖ (id. at p. 1117), which could under
some circumstances be more culpable than the actual perpetrator‘s. (Id. at p. 1120.)
In People v. Samaniego, supra, 172 Cal.App.4th 1148, the jury was given the
same version of CALCRIM No. 400 challenged here. (Id. at pp. 1162-1163.) The court
concluded the instruction was erroneous, because it did not inform the jury that an aider
and abettor could be guilty of a lesser crime than the perpetrator. (Id. at pp. 1164-1165.)
Samaniego explained: ―Though McCoy concluded that an aider and abettor could be
guilty of a greater offense than the direct perpetrator, its reasoning leads inexorably to the
further conclusion that an aider and abettor‘s guilt may also be less than the perpetrator‘s,
if the aider and abettor has a less culpable mental state. [Citation.] Consequently,
CALCRIM No. 400‘s direction that ‗[a] person is equally guilty of the crime [of which
the perpetrator is guilty] whether he or she committed it personally or aided and abetted
the perpetrator who committed it‘ . . . , while generally correct in all but the most
exceptional circumstances, is misleading here and should have been modified.‖
10 CALCRIM No. 400 has since been amended to remove the word ―equally‖ before
the word ―guilty.‖ It now reads: ― ‗A person is guilty of a crime whether he or she
committed it personally or aided and abetted the perpetrator.‘ ‖ (People v. Loza (2012)
207 Cal.App.4th 332, 348, fn. 8.)
24
(Samaniego, at pp. 1164–1165.) Samaniego nonetheless concluded use of the instruction
was harmless. (Id. at pp. 1165-1166.)
In People v. Nero (2010) 181 Cal.App.4th 504, we concluded use of an instruction
containing similar ―equally guilty‖ language was prejudicial error. In Nero, the
defendants, a brother and sister, were convicted of second degree murder after the brother
stabbed a man to death during an altercation. The People‘s theory was that the sister
aided and abetted the crime by handing her brother the knife during the fight. The
brother testified that his sister did not hand him the knife; instead he obtained it from the
victim during the fight. (Id. at p. 510.) It was undisputed that at the beginning of the
altercation, the sister attempted to stop the fight; according to the brother‘s testimony, she
continued urging the men to stop throughout the incident. (Id. at pp. 509, 519.) The
evidence included a surveillance video which showed that the sister might, or might not,
have handed an object that might, or might not, have been a knife, to the brother. (Id. at
p. 519.)
The trial court instructed the jury with CALJIC No. 3.00, as follows: ― ‗Persons
who are involved in committing or attempting to commit a crime are referred to as
principals in that crime. Each principal, regardless of the extent or manner of
participation, is equally guilty. Principals include those who directly and actively
commit or attempt to commit the acts constituting the crime, or, two, those who aid and
abet the commission or attempted commission of a crime.‘ ‖ (People v. Nero, supra, 181
Cal.App.4th at p. 510.) The prosecutor referenced the instruction during argument,
stating that ― ‗[t]hey‘re equally liable.‘ ‖ (Ibid.) During deliberations, the jury asked if it
could find the sister guilty of a lesser homicide-related offense than the brother. (Id. at
pp. 509, 512.) In response, the court reread CALJIC No. 3.00, including the ―equally
guilty‖ language. The jury found both defendants guilty of second degree murder. (Id. at
pp. 512- 513.)
We concluded use of the instruction was error. (People v. Nero, supra, 181
Cal.App.4th at p. 513.) Relying on McCoy and Samaniego, we reasoned that an aider and
abettor could be found guilty of a lesser homicide-related offense than that committed by
25
the actual perpetrator. (Nero, at pp. 507, 513.) We explained that an ―aider and abettor‘s
mens rea is personal, [and] . . . may be different than the direct perpetrator‘s.‖ (Id. at
p. 514.) Thus, we held that ―even in unexceptional circumstances CALJIC No. 3.00 and
CALCRIM No. 400 can be misleading.‖ (Id. at p. 518.)
On the facts of Nero, we concluded the instructional error was prejudicial.
(People v. Nero, supra, 181 Cal.App.4th at p. 518.) There was evidence the sister might
have acted on a sudden quarrel or in the heat of passion. (Id. at p. 519.) Moreover, the
jury‘s questions clearly indicated it had been considering whether to impose a lesser
degree or offense on the sister. We reasoned: ―Notwithstanding that other instructions
might have given them that option, there is a reasonable possibility that the trial court‘s
response to their questions improperly foreclosed it.‖ (Id. at pp. 519-520.) Accordingly,
we reversed. (Id. at p. 520; see also People v. Loza, supra, 207 Cal.App.4th at pp. 351-
352.)
The People argue that Fateh has forfeited this contention because he failed to
object or request modification of the instruction below. (See People v. Mejia, supra, 211
Cal.App.4th at p. 624; People v. Samaniego, supra, 172 Cal.App.4th at p. 1163 [finding
challenge to CALCRIM No. 400 forfeited in the absence of an objection]; People v.
Loza, supra, 207 Cal App.4th at p. 350 [because it is generally true that aiders and
abettors are equally guilty as direct perpetrators, the defendant‘s failure to request a
modification forfeited the claim]; People v. Lopez (2011) 198 Cal.App.4th 1106, 1118-
1119.) However, where an ―instruction given was wrong, the rule of forfeiture does not
apply.‖ (People v. Hudson (2006) 38 Cal.4th 1002, 1012.) In light of our conclusion in
Nero that the ―equally guilty‖ language could be confusing even under unexceptional
circumstances, we consider the merits of Fateh‘s contention. (See § 1259.)
As we concluded in Nero, the ―equally guilty‖ language is potentially confusing
even in unexceptional circumstances, and should not have been given. (People v. Nero,
supra, 181 Cal.App.4th at p. 518.) Therefore we must consider whether the instructional
error was harmless. ― ‗An instruction that omits or misdescribes an element of a charged
offense violates the right to jury trial‘ ‖ and is evaluated under ― ‗the harmless error test
26
of Chapman v. California (1967) 386 U.S. 18, 24.‘ ‖ (Nero, at pp. 518-519; People v.
Samaniego, supra, 172 Cal.App.4th at p. 1165.)
We conclude the error in the instant case was harmless. As in Samaniego, the jury
was instructed with CALCRIM No. 401, which stated that to establish guilt as an aider
and abettor, the prosecution was required to prove ―1. The perpetrator committed the
crime; [¶] 2. The defendant knew that the perpetrator intended to commit the crime; [¶]
3. Before or during the commission of the crime, the defendant intended to aid and abet
the perpetrator in committing the crime; [¶] AND [¶] 4. The defendant‘s words or
conduct did in fact aid and abet the perpetrator‘s commission of the crime.‖ Applying
this instruction, the jury could not have found Fateh guilty unless it concluded he both
knew of the planned killing, and intended to assist in its commission. (See People v.
Samaniego, supra, 172 Cal.App.4th at pp. 1165-1166.)
Unlike in Nero and People v. Loza, supra, 207 Cal.App.4th 332––which also
concluded the ―equally guilty‖ language was prejudicial error––there was no indication in
the instant case that the jury was actually confused about the elements of aiding and
abetting liability. In Nero, the jury expressly asked whether it could find the sister guilty
of a lesser offense than the direct perpetrator, indicating it did not understand the aiding
and abetting instructions given. The jury was then mislead by the trial court‘s reread of
the ―equally guilty‖ instruction. (People v. Nero, supra, 181 Cal.App.4th at pp. 519-
520.) Similarly in Loza, the jury expressly asked whether the aider and abettor‘s state of
mind should be considered, indicating it failed to grasp instructions stating it had to
determine the aider and abettor‘s own intent as to each offense. (Loza, at pp. 349, 354-
355.) The Loza trial court responded to the jury‘s questions by stating it should apply the
evidence to the law as it had been instructed, an inadequate and misleading response
under the circumstances. (Id. at p. 349.) In contrast, the record here reveals no basis to
conclude Fateh‘s jury was confused about the instructions or the necessity to prove his
personal mens rea. (See People v. Mejia, supra, 211 Cal.App.4th at p. 625; People v.
Samaniego, supra, 172 Cal.App.4th at pp. 1165-1166; People v. Lopez, supra, 198
Cal.App.4th at p. 1119.)
27
Further, unlike in Nero and Loza, the evidence here did not readily allow for the
possibility Fateh might have been guilty as an aider and abettor, but only of a lesser
offense than the actual perpetrators. In Nero, there was evidence from which the jury
could have found the sister acted upon a sudden quarrel, or in the heat of passion. In
Loza, the jury had expressed concern that the aider and abettor might have acted because
she was worried about an attack. (People v. Nero, supra, 181 Cal.App.4th at p. 519;
People v. Loza, supra, 207 Cal.App.4th at pp. 349, 356-357.) Here, in contrast, there was
no similar evidence suggesting Fateh might have been guilty of a lesser offense or
degree. Fateh drove the car to the crime scene, double parked, waited while Gonzales
and Vasquez exited and confronted the victims, waited for them to return to the car, and
drove off. The entire incident took only two minutes. The jury clearly rejected the ―drug
deal gone bad‖ theory offered by the defense, and in any event Gonzales‘s testimony was
silent on whether Fateh was purportedly expecting a drug deal to transpire. There was no
evidentiary basis from which the jury could have concluded Fateh, alone among the
group, misguidedly thought they were simply off to purchase marijuana.
Fateh argues that the fact the jury found the hate-crime allegation not true as to
him, but true as to the actual perpetrators, demonstrates it completely rejected the
People‘s theory of guilt as to him. Therefore, he argues, the only explanation for the
guilty verdicts on the attempted murder counts is that the jury relied upon the incorrect
instruction to assume he was ―equally guilty‖ as his codefendants because he drove the
getaway car. In our view, however, the fact the jury found the hate-crime allegations not
true as to Fateh, but true as to Gonzales and Vasquez, indicates just the opposite: the jury
clearly understood that it had to evaluate Fateh‘s mental state and intent independently,
and understood that Fateh could have a less culpable mental state than the actual
assailants.
Nor do we believe the jury was mislead by the prosecutor‘s arguments. Just
before the portion of the argument challenged by Fateh, the prosecutor went over the
requirements of aiding and abetting, including that the aider and abettor have knowledge
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and intent.11 The prosecutor‘s argument highlighted that the jury was required to
consider Fateh‘s own mental state. In sum, it is clear beyond a reasonable doubt that
Fateh would not have obtained a more favorable verdict had the phrase ―equally guilty‖
been omitted from the instruction.
3. Correction of the abstract of judgment.
At Fateh‘s sentencing, the trial court stated it was ―imposing restitution in the
amount of $2,208.81 to the victim compensation and Government Claims Board. This
order of restitution is joint and several with his co-defendants who have previously been
sentenced.‖ The court imposed the same ―joint and several‖ restitution order on
appellants Vasquez and Gonzales. Fateh‘s abstract of judgment states that restitution was
imposed ―with co-defendants,‖ but does not contain the language ―joint and several.‖
Fateh contends that the abstract of judgment must be corrected to accurately reflect that
the restitution order is joint and several, and the People agree. Where an abstract of
judgment differs from the court‘s oral pronouncements, the abstract does not control.
Any discrepancy is deemed to be the result of clerical error, which may be corrected on
appeal. (People v. Mitchell (2001) 26 Cal.4th 181, 185; People v. Walz (2008) 160
Cal.App.4th 1364, 1367, fn. 3.) We order the abstract of judgment corrected accordingly.
11 The prosecutor argued: ―Here‘s basically the elements of the legal concept of
aiding and abetting. And remember from jury selection we talked about the bank robber
pulling up, the guy outside knows there‘s a robbery, the guy goes inside, that basic
concept of aiding and abetting is spelled out right here. First of all, you have a
perpetrator that committed the crime. The defendant knew the perpetrator was going to
commit the crime. Before or during the crime the defendant intended to aid and abet the
perpetrator in committing the crime, and the defendant‘s words or conduct did, in fact,
aid and abet the perpetrator in committing the crime. Someone aids and abets a crime if
he or she knows of the perpetrator‘s unlawful purpose and he or she specifically intends
to and does, in fact, aid, facilitate, promote, encourage or instigate the perpetrator‘s
commission of that crime. That applies to Mr. Fateh as the get-away driver, it applies to
Mr. Vasquez as the person who issues the racial slur. He‘s promoting and encouraging
and instigating.‖ The challenged portion of the prosecutor‘s argument, set forth ante,
immediately followed these statements.
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DISPOSITION
The clerk of the superior court is ordered to correct the abstract of judgment for
appellant Ali Fateh to show that Fateh is jointly and severally liable for payment of
$2,208.81 to the Victim Restitution and Government Claims Board, and to forward a
corrected copy of the abstract to the Department of Corrections. In all other respects, the
judgment is affirmed.
NOT TO BE PUBLISHED IN THE OFFICIAL REPORTS
ALDRICH, J.
We concur:
KLEIN, P. J.
KITCHING, J.
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