People v. Carter ( 2019 )

Filed 4/29/19
CERTIFIED FOR PARTIAL PUBLICATION*
COURT OF APPEAL, FOURTH APPELLATE DISTRICT
DIVISION ONE
STATE OF CALIFORNIA
THE PEOPLE, D073865
Plaintiff and Respondent, (Super. Ct. No. FWV1202970)
v.
STEVEN DAVID JAMES CARTER et al.,
Defendants and Appellants.
APPEAL from a judgment of the Superior Court of San Bernardino County,
Shahla S. Sabet, Judge. (Retired Judge of the San Bernardino Sup. Ct. assigned by the
Chief Justice pursuant to art. VI, § 6 of the Cal. Const.) Affirmed as modified.
Melissa Hill, under appointment by the Court of Appeal, for Defendant and
Appellant Steven David James Carter.
James R. Bostwick, Jr., under appointment by the Court of Appeal, for Defendant
and Appellant Michael Andre Hall.
* Pursuant to California Rules of Court, rule 8.1110, this opinion is certified for
publication with the exception of parts II and III.
Xavier Becerra, Attorney General, Gerald A. Engler, Chief Assistant Attorney
General, Julie L. Garland, Assistant Attorney General, Arlene A. Sevidal, Lynne G.
McGinnis, Meredith S. White, and Michael Pulos, Deputy Attorneys General, for
Plaintiff and Respondent.
This case involves a crime that started as an attempted robbery, and ended in the
death of three individuals: the victim of the attempted robbery and two of the defendants'
cohorts involved in that crime. A jury convicted defendant Steven David James Carter of
one count of first degree murder and one count of attempted robbery. Defendant Michael
Andre Hall pled no contest to voluntary manslaughter, robbery, and an enhancement.
The defendants raise separate sentencing challenges on appeal.
Carter argues the court violated Penal Code section 654 when it sentenced him to
consecutive terms for attempted robbery and first degree murder of the robbery victim.1
Hall contends the court abused its discretion in imposing a 12-year sentence under the
terms of his plea agreement. He also challenges alleged errors made during his
subsequent resentencing. We agree the trial court erred in Hall's subsequent
resentencing, but disagree with Carter's and Hall's remaining sentencing challenges.
After the appeal was fully briefed, we granted the parties' request to file
supplemental briefing on the impact of legislative changes to the felony-murder rule
under Senate Bill No. 1437 (2017-2018 Reg. Sess.). Senate Bill No. 1437 amended the
murder statutes, sections 188 and 189, and enacted a new statute, section 1170.95
1 Further statutory references are to the Penal Code unless otherwise indicated.
2
(Stats. 2018, ch. 1015, §§ 2-4), establishing procedures for eligible defendants to seek
resentencing. We conclude Carter and Hall cannot raise their claims in this appeal; they
must first petition the superior court for relief under section 1170.95.
The judgment as to Carter is affirmed.
The judgment as to Hall is affirmed as modified.
FACTUAL AND PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND
Factual Background
Carter and Hall both admitted they agreed to help Carter's cousin, Aaron A., and
another person named Albert T., break into the home of Brandon P. to steal marijuana
plants, although they both claimed they only agreed to serve as lookouts. The attempted
robbery failed, and Aaron, Albert, and Brandon all died at the scene from gunshot
wounds.
Brandon lived in a "grandfather quarters" in the back of another residence.
Brandon's and Albert's bodies were found inside the back residence. Aaron's body was
located lying in the driveway of the front residence. Blood was smeared inside the
residence, starting from the area where a stun gun was found and leading out the front
door. Aaron was a major contributor for the DNA collected from the stun gun.
Multiple witnesses, including neighbors and a woman who resided in the front
residence, testified they heard two separate and distinct series of gunshots, although there
were inconsistencies in their testimony regarding the amount of time that elapsed
between the series of shots.
3
The People argued that the second set of gunshots came from Carter when he shot
Brandon after discovering his cousin Aaron had been shot and killed.2 One witness
(Beth B.) testified Carter directed her to drop him off near Brandon's residence, and then
she heard three pops in quick succession.3 Brandon suffered three gunshot wounds, one
fatal.
In his police interview, Carter admitted hearing shots, trying to drag Aaron's
lifeless body from the residence, and disposing of his clothing after leaving the scene.
The murder weapon was not recovered, although there was evidence Carter disposed of a
handgun before leaving the scene. The phone call log from Carter's phone was erased.
A firearms expert determined two different types of firearms were used, a .380
semiautomatic and a revolver (either a .38 special or .357 magnum). Brandon was shot
with either a .38-caliber or a .357-caliber revolver. Five bullets were recovered from the
crime scene which were suitable for examination. Two bullets were fired using the
semiautomatic firearm recovered from the scene. Bullets recovered during a search of
Carter's residence matched the other type of firearm that was used in the crime (a
revolver).
2 The victim, Brandon, was described as being an "excellent marksman" and had
weapons in his home.
3 Hall testified that he saw Carter after hearing both sets of gunshots, and Carter
directed Beth to drop him off near Brandon's residence after that point. Hall then saw
Carter go to the driveway and around the back of the residence; by the time Carter
returned, Beth had left.
4
Carter called a friend, Benito D., to pick him and Hall up following the failed
robbery (after Beth left). Carter was distraught about his cousin's death on the ride home.
Carter eventually told Benito that Carter "got the guy" who killed his cousin. Benito
informed the police that Carter told him he found Aaron dead, then heard the victim
(Brandon) in the vicinity and shot and killed him. Benito's girlfriend separately told the
police that Benito told her the same thing—i.e., that Carter said he was the one who shot
Brandon.
When police detectives interviewed him, Carter provided inconsistent statements
regarding his involvement. Audio recordings of his interviews were played for the jury.
Carter eventually admitted to serving as a lookout for $300, but denied any involvement
in the actual shootings. At one point, he stated two masked and armed individuals who
were unknown to him were involved; they told him what to do, then they told him to get
rid of his clothes when they drove him home.
As part of Hall's cross-examination, the jury learned he could face a range of
85-100 years in prison for the charged crimes and firearm enhancements, but he entered
into a plea agreement that allowed him to receive an eight-year sentence if he testified
truthfully.
Procedural Background
The San Bernardino County District Attorney's Office charged Carter and Hall by
information with three counts of murder (§ 187, subd. (a)) for the homicides of Brandon
(count 1), Albert (count 2), and Aaron (count 3), and first degree robbery (§ 211,
count 5). There were various gang and firearm allegations attached to each count,
5
including the allegation in count 1 that Carter and Hall "personally and intentionally
discharged a firearm, a handgun, which caused great bodily injury and death to Brandon
[P.] within the meaning of Penal Code Section 12022.53(d)."
Hall withdrew his not guilty pleas pursuant to a plea agreement. He entered a plea
of no contest to voluntary manslaughter of Brandon (§ 192, subd. (a)), a lesser included
offense to murder, and to second degree robbery (§ 211). He also admitted the street
gang enhancement (§ 186.22, subd. (b)(1)(C)) and a newly added enhancement for
possessing a firearm in a street gang crime (§ 12021.5, subd. (a)).4 In a confidential
addendum, the People agreed to (1) strike the 10-year gang enhancement, reducing the
maximum sentence to 15 years, and (2) join the defense in recommending an eight-year
term if Hall cooperated and provided truthful testimony at Carter's trial. The parties
further agreed that "the trial court retain[ed] its discretion to sentence the defendant
within the aforementioned sentencing range of . . . three to . . . fifteen years regardless of
said recommendation."
An amended information charged Carter with first degree murder as to Brandon,
Albert, and Aaron (§ 187, subd. (a), counts 1, 2, and 3), and attempted first degree
robbery (§§ 211, 664, count 4). The amended pleading retained the firearm enhancement
attached to count 1 that Carter "personally and intentionally discharged a firearm,"
causing great bodily injury and death to Brandon (§ 12022.53, subd. (d)).
4 The People amended the information to add the enhancement under
section 12021.5, subdivision (a) when Hall submitted his change of plea. Defense
counsel stated for the record: "we're picking that charge because that gives us the number
[of years] we're looking for."
6
Carter's case proceeded to jury trial the following month. The People presented
two theories of first degree murder for Brandon's homicide—felony murder based on the
underlying target felony of attempted robbery, and a theory of premeditation and
deliberation. The jury was instructed on both theories. The trial court explained that the
jury did not have to agree on a specific theory to find Carter guilty of first degree murder:
"In Count 1, the defendant is being prosecuted for murder, as I
indicated before, under two separate theories: Willful, deliberate
and premeditated or felony murder.
"Each theory of murder, as I explained, has different requirements.
You may not find the defendant guilty of murder unless all of you
agree that the People have proved that the defendant committed
murder under at least one of these theories. You do not all have to
agree on the same theory, but you must unanimously agree whether
the murder is in the first or the second degree."
Consistent with the jury instructions, the verdict forms required the jury to agree
on the degree of murder (first degree or second degree) if they returned a guilty verdict,
but they were not required to agree on or specify the theory supporting their conviction.
If the jury found Carter guilty of Brandon's murder, it had to decide whether the
People had proven the allegation that he personally discharged a firearm causing
Brandon's death. To find the allegation true, the People had to establish: "1. The
defendant personally discharged a firearm during the commission or attempted
commission of that crime; [¶] 2. The defendant intended to discharge the firearm; [¶]
AND [¶] 3. The defendant's act caused the death of a person who was not an
accomplice to the crime."
7
The jury convicted Carter of first degree murder and attempted first degree
robbery. The jury found the allegation that Carter personally and intentionally
discharged a firearm to be "not true." The court declared a mistrial on counts 2 and 3
after the jury failed to reach a verdict and subsequently granted the prosecution's request
to dismiss those charges.
At sentencing, the trial court found Carter had multiple objectives in engaging in
the attempted robbery and in the victim's murder. In reaching this conclusion, the court
found the evidence did not support Carter's claim that he merely served as a lookout for
the attempted robbery. The court explained:
"[A]lthough the defendant asserts that he was just a lookout and he
had no participation, personal participation, in the killing of the
victim, there are some disturbing evidence that points otherwise.
And I cannot resolve that statement of defendant with the evidence
that I heard—getting rid of the bloody clothing; what happened to
the weapon; and this story that was made up [by defendant] about
two individuals—none of those matches the description of a simple
person that did the lookout for other people and had no idea."
Although the court acknowledged "it appears that the jury did proceed—probably
proceeded with the [f]elony [m]urder [r]ule, because they found not true as to the
personal use of a firearm," the court further noted the jury's determination on the firearm
use enhancement was not necessarily inconsistent with the People's theory that the
murder was premeditated and deliberated. The court stated: "On the other hand, there is
no way for me to read the jurors' minds, because they could clearly go with the murder
rule of he personally used a weapon and killed someone; however, they had enough
doubt as to—reasonable doubt as to what weapon, whose weapon, what happened to the
8
weapon and, therefore, found it not true. It's not inconsistent, and I cannot get into the
minds of the jurors."
Based on its review of the evidence presented at trial, the court ultimately
concluded the "crimes and their objectives were predominantly independent of each
other." The court therefore imposed a term of 25 years to life for Brandon's murder on
count 1 and a three-year consecutive upper term for first degree attempted robbery on
count 4, and declined to stay the punishment for attempted robbery pursuant to
section 654.
Hall was sentenced after Carter. During Hall's sentencing hearing, the People
moved to strike the 10-year gang enhancement in accordance with the plea agreement.
Representing that Hall had testified truthfully at Carter's trial, the People joined defense
counsel in recommending an eight-year sentence. The court found that Hall had testified
truthfully and was therefore entitled to the benefit of his bargain. It declined, however, to
accept the recommended eight-year prison term, instead imposing a 12-year sentence
consisting of 11 years for voluntary manslaughter (§ 192, subd. (a)), a concurrent two-
year term for second degree robbery (§ 211), and a consecutive one-year term for the
street-gang firearm enhancement (§ 12021.5, subd. (a)).
DISCUSSION
Carter raises a section 654 challenge to his consecutive sentences for attempted
robbery and first degree murder. Hall challenges the court's imposition of a 12-year term
at the original sentencing hearing and contends the court erred during resentencing. We
9
address these contentions in turn before addressing the parties' arguments in supplemental
briefing regarding the impact of Senate Bill No. 1437.
I
Carter's Section 654 Challenge
Carter claims his consecutive sentences for attempted robbery and first degree
murder violate section 654. He argues that "[t]he jury's finding that it was 'not
true' . . . that Carter personally used a firearm to kill [Brandon] is completely inconsistent
with a conviction of first degree murder on the theory of first degree, premeditated
murder . . . ." He further argues "[b]ecause the jury found that Carter did not personally
discharge a firearm at [Brandon], it follows, ipso facto, the jury also found Carter did not
shoot [Brandon] with an independent criminal objective, such as vengeance." Based on
these purported jury findings, Carter contends the jury necessarily determined Carter was
guilty of first degree murder based solely on a felony-murder theory.5
We disagree with Carter's central premise that "the jury explicitly found that
Carter did not shoot [Brandon]." Although the jury may have harbored reasonable doubt
as to whether Carter personally used a firearm, the jury's "not true" finding was not an
affirmative determination that Carter was not the shooter who murdered Brandon. Just as
trial courts may rely on facts underlying verdicts of acquittal in making sentencing
choices, the trial court here could rely on facts arguably rejected by the jury in returning a
5 Indeed, Carter contends it is "nearly certain" the jurors did not even reach the issue
of premeditation and deliberation, opting instead to address felony murder first and rely
only on Carter's confession to aiding and abetting the attempted robbery.
10
"not true" finding on a firearm use enhancement. Thus, the trial court could conclude that
Carter was the shooter and was culpable for more than the single act of serving as a
lookout for the attempted robbery. The jury's determination on the firearm use
enhancement does not constrain the trial court's sentencing authority under section 654 in
this case, particularly where the jury did not have to agree on any particular theory to
support its first degree murder conviction.
A. Section 654
Section 654, subdivision (a), provides that "[a]n act or omission that is punishable
in different ways by different provisions of law shall be punished under the provision that
provides for the longest potential term of imprisonment, but in no case shall the act or
omission be punished under more than one provision." " '[T]he purpose of section 654
"is to insure that a defendant's punishment will be commensurate with his culpability." ' "
(People v. Capistrano (2014) 59 Cal. 4th 830, 886 (Capistrano), overruled on other
grounds by People v. Hardy (2018) 5 Cal.5th 56, 104.)
In addition to precluding multiple punishments for a single act, section 654 also
precludes multiple punishments for an indivisible course of conduct. (People v. Hester
(2000) 22 Cal. 4th 290, 294 (Hester); People v. Tarris (2009) 180 Cal. App. 4th 612, 626.)
" ' "Whether a course of criminal conduct is divisible and therefore gives rise to more
than one act within the meaning of section 654 depends on the intent and objective of the
actor. If all of the offenses were incident to one objective, the defendant may be
punished for any one of such offenses but not for more than one." ' " (Capistrano, supra,
59 Cal.4th at p. 885.)
11
Whether a defendant had multiple intents or objectives is a question of fact for the
sentencing court (People v. Coleman (1989) 48 Cal. 3d 112, 162), and its findings will be
upheld on appeal if supported by substantial evidence. (People v. McGuire (1993)
14 Cal. App. 4th 687, 698.) "We review the trial court's determination in the light most
favorable to the [People] and presume the existence of every fact the trial court could
reasonably deduce from the evidence." (People v. Jones (2002) 103 Cal. App. 4th 1139,
1143.)
B. The Trial Court Did Not Violate Section 654
Where a defendant is prosecuted solely on a theory of first degree felony murder,
section 654 precludes punishment for both murder and the underlying felony. (See, e.g.,
People v. Hensley (2014) 59 Cal. 4th 788, 828 [sentence for felony underlying first degree
felony murder conviction must be stayed under section 654].) However, if the
prosecution presents alternative theories—such as premeditation and felony murder—and
there is evidence supporting a finding that the murder was premeditated, then the trial
court may properly impose a sentence for both the murder and the felony. (People v.
Osband (1996) 13 Cal. 4th 622, 730-731 [affirming decision not to stay sentence for rape
and robbery under section 654, where trial court made implicit finding that crimes
involved more than one objective, even though it was unclear whether murder conviction
was based on felony-murder or premeditation theory].)
Here, Carter's conviction for first degree murder was not based solely on the
theory of felony murder. The jury was instructed on separate theories of first degree
murder—premeditated and deliberated murder and felony murder—and it was further
12
instructed on theories of both direct liability and vicarious liability (aiding and abetting
the commission of a murder and conspiracy). There was substantial evidence supporting
the trial court's finding that the murder was premeditated because Carter shot Brandon
three times to avenge his cousin's death—including Carter's own statement that night that
he "got the guy" who killed Aaron. The court reasonably could have concluded Carter's
objective in attempting to rob the victim was independent of his objective in killing the
victim, thereby justifying multiple punishments under section 654.
The jury did not have to make an affirmative factual finding that Carter shot
Brandon to return a guilty verdict on first degree murder, and the trial court did not need
such an affirmative finding by the jury to exercise its sentencing discretion under
section 654. Generally, "in the absence of some circumstance 'foreclosing' its sentencing
discretion . . . , a trial court may base its decision under section 654 on any of the facts
that are in evidence at trial, without regard to the verdicts." (People v. McCoy (2012)
208 Cal. App. 4th 1333, 1340 (McCoy).) Indeed, the trial court "may even rely on facts
underlying verdicts of acquittal in making sentencing choices." (Ibid.)
Carter argues that we are presented with a situation outside the scope of the
general rule, such that the trial court cannot look to all the evidence introduced at trial.
"[W]here there is a basis for identifying the specific factual basis for a verdict, a trial
court cannot find otherwise in applying section 654." (McCoy, supra, 208 Cal.App.4th at
p. 1339, italics added.) But this rule has been applied where the prosecution proceeded
on a single factual basis at trial, as reflected in the charging documents, jury instructions,
prosecutor's arguments, or verdict forms. (See People v. Siko (1988) 45 Cal. 3d 820, 826
13
[where both the charging document and verdicts specified the lewd conduct as consisting
of two specific sex offenses, and neither the jury instructions nor the closing argument
suggested any other basis for the molestation counts, the People could not advance an
alternative factual basis for those convictions based on the evidence at trial]; People v.
Jones (2012) 54 Cal. 4th 350, 359 [amended information and prosecutor's argument
established defendant's convictions were based on single act for which defendant could
only be punished once]; People v. Bradley (2003) 111 Cal. App. 4th 765, 770 [where the
prosecutor made an election to tender a single theory of guilt under which the defendant
entertained a single objective, trial court could not "countermand the jury" and make a
contrary finding].) Here, there was no language in the charging document or verdict
forms that narrowed the court's discretion—both referred generally to a charge of first
degree murder. While the prosecutor at times emphasized a felony-murder theory,
evidence was presented to support both theories; the prosecutor argued both theories to
the jury; the defendant likewise addressed both theories during closing arguments; and
the jury was instructed on both theories. Based on this record, the court could properly
consider all of the evidence presented at trial to make its sentencing decision under
section 654. (See People v. Centers (1999) 73 Cal. App. 4th 84, 100-101 [for purposes of
applying section 654, trial court could properly make factual finding that there were
multiple victims where neither the information nor the verdicts specified a particular
victim of the burglary].)
The jury's "not true" finding is not a circumstance which prevents the trial court
from considering "any of the facts that are in evidence at trial, without regard to the
14
verdicts." (McCoy, supra, 208 Cal.App.4th at p. 1340.) Carter contends we can discern
the factual basis underlying the jury's verdict of first degree murder here because of how
the jury addressed the firearm use enhancement. The dissenting opinion agrees, post,
noting that "the weapon use finding . . . establishes the basis for the jury's first degree
murder verdict." Because the jury returned a "not true" finding, Carter reasons, the jury
necessarily convicted Carter of first degree murder based solely on a felony-murder
theory—thereby foreclosing a sentence for both murder and attempted robbery. But the
jury did not have to agree on any theory at all—it only had to agree whether the crime
was first degree or second degree murder. We also believe Carter's proposed approach
attempts to read too much into the jury's determination and thought processes. The jury's
finding on the gun enhancement might have been no more than the product of
compromise, mistake, or lenity. (See People v. Lewis (2001) 25 Cal. 4th 610, 656 ["An
inconsistency may show no more than jury lenity, compromise, or mistake, none of
which undermines the validity of a verdict."]; People v. Miranda (2011) 192 Cal. App. 4th
398, 405 (Miranda) ["[U]nder the inconsistent verdict doctrine, the 'not true' finding on
the personal use enhancements does not inexorably lead to a finding that defendant was
not the direct perpetrator of the substantive offenses."].)
Although these descriptions of a jury's actions arise in different contexts, such as
where a jury returns inconsistent verdicts and we review the sufficiency of the evidence,
the same logic applies when a trial court considers whether to stay a sentence pursuant to
section 654. Just as "inconsistent verdicts are allowed to stand if the verdicts are
otherwise supported by substantial evidence" (Miranda, supra, 192 Cal.App.4th at
15
p. 405), the trial court's sentencing determination should be allowed to stand based on the
record before us irrespective of the jury's "not true" finding on the firearm use
enhancement.
But even if we interpret the jury's verdicts as reflecting a conclusion that
reasonable doubt precluded Carter's conviction of first degree murder on a theory of
premeditation and deliberation, the trial court was still free to make its own determination
under section 654 based on the evidence presented at trial. As the People correctly note,
the applicability of section 654 is a factual question for the judge, not the jury.
Section 654 is a "statute[] that mitigate[s] punishment." (McCoy, supra, 208 Cal.App.4th
at p. 1339, fn. 6.) The judge is not "mak[ing] factual findings that conflict with the jury's
conclusion" where, as here, the jury has been properly presented with multiple theories of
first degree murder, the jury has convicted the defendant on a general charge of first
degree murder, and the judge then applies a preponderance of the evidence standard to
determine what specific role the defendant played in that murder. (See People v. Towne
(2008) 44 Cal. 4th 63, 87 (Towne) ["the trial court's consideration of conduct underlying
counts of which the defendant has been acquitted is not inconsistent with the jury's
verdict of acquittal, because a lower standard of proof applies at sentencing"]; People v.
Lewis (1991) 229 Cal. App. 3d 259, 264 [because "[c]ircumstances on which a trial court
relies in making a sentencing choice must be established by a preponderance of the
evidence," trial court could find defendant used weapon in commission of rape even
though jury found that weapon use allegation not true].)
16
Even if the jury was not merely exercising lenity or striking a compromise here, at
most the "not true" finding shows it harbored reasonable doubt about Carter's role—it
does not show he was not the shooter. (People v. Santamaria (1994) 8 Cal. 4th 903, 922
["[T]he jury's not true finding on the enhancement allegation does not mean defendant
did not use the knife, only that there was a reasonable doubt that he did."]; People v.
Thompson (2010) 49 Cal. 4th 79, 119-120 [jury's not true finding on a personal firearm
use enhancement allegation did not necessarily mean jury based its murder verdict on a
finding that defendant was an aider and abettor rather than the shooter; the jury may have
been uncertain as to the exact role he played].)6
The trial court is not making an inconsistent finding here—the trial court is taking
the jury's conviction on the first degree murder count and determining for sentencing
purposes, under the lower standard of preponderance of the evidence, whether Carter
harbored multiple criminal intents and objectives in attempting to rob and then murder
the victim. There is no dispute that there was sufficient evidence to establish Carter shot
the victim. We merely have a difference of opinion on whether the "not true" finding on
the firearm use enhancement should be treated as an affirmative determination by the jury
that forecloses the trial court's ability to impose multiple punishments under section 654.
6 A jury's finding on a special circumstance allegation is distinguishable. (See
People v. Berryman (1993) 6 Cal. 4th 1048, 1086 [involving special circumstance
allegation of felony murder in the course of a rape; "jury's first degree murder and rape
verdicts and its felony-murder-rape special-circumstance finding . . . under the
instructions actually given, necessarily entail a unanimous determination of felony-
murder-rape beyond a reasonable doubt"], overruled on other grounds by People v. Hill
(1998) 17 Cal. 4th 800, 823.)
17
We disagree with the dissenting opinion that the trial court's determination under
section 654 violates the constitutional guarantees of either the Fifth or Sixth Amendments
under the circumstances here. As to the Fifth Amendment, "the United States Supreme
Court has held that the double jeopardy clause does not preclude a trial judge from
considering, at sentencing, conduct underlying a charge of which the defendant was
acquitted. [Citation.] The high court reasoned that an acquittal merely establishes the
existence of a reasonable doubt as to guilt. Unless specific findings are made, 'the jury
cannot be said to have "necessarily rejected" any facts when it returns a general
verdict . . . .' [Citation.] Facts relevant to sentencing need be proved only by a
preponderance of the evidence, and ' "an acquittal in a criminal case does not preclude the
Government from relitigating an issue when it is presented in a subsequent action
governed by a lower standard of proof." ' " (Towne, supra, 44 Cal.4th at p. 86; accord, In
re Coley (2012) 55 Cal. 4th 524, 557.) The same reasoning applies here, where the jury
has made a "not true" finding that was essentially an acquittal of the firearm enhancement
based on the instructions given to the jury. The dissenting opinion characterizes the trial
court's sentencing determination as "inconsistent" with the jury's verdict, but we disagree
with that characterization. A jury's finding that the prosecution has not proved a given
fact beyond a reasonable doubt is not inconsistent with the trial court's finding that the
prosecution did prove the same fact by a preponderance of the evidence. (See Coley, at
p. 557; Towne, at p. 86.)
Similarly, it is well-settled that the Sixth Amendment right to a jury trial does not
apply to trial court findings under section 654. (See, e.g., People v. Deegan (2016)
18
247 Cal. App. 4th 532, 547-550 (Deegan); People v. Solis (2001) 90 Cal. App. 4th 1002,
1021-1022 (Solis).) The Sixth Amendment requires a jury to find beyond a reasonable
doubt "all facts legally essential to [a defendant's] punishment" (Blakely v. Washington
(2004) 542 U.S. 296, 313), and that is precisely what occurred here. The jury found
beyond a reasonable doubt that Carter had committed first degree murder and attempted
first degree robbery. These findings exposed Carter to a maximum sentence of 25 years
to life in prison for his murder conviction (§ 190, subd. (a)) and three years in prison for
his attempted robbery conviction (§§ 213, subd, (a)(1)(B), 664, subd. (a)). The trial court
could therefore impose that sentence without running afoul of the Sixth Amendment.
(See People v. Cleveland (2001) 87 Cal. App. 4th 263, 270-271; see also Ring v. Arizona
(2002) 536 U.S. 584, 602; People v. Black (2007) 41 Cal. 4th 799, 813.)
Although the trial court was called upon to make additional factual findings to
determine whether to apply section 654, these additional findings do not violate the Sixth
Amendment. " 'The question of whether section 654 operates to "stay" a particular
sentence does not involve the determination of any fact that could increase the penalty for
a crime beyond the prescribed statutory maximum for the underlying crime. . . .'
[Citation.] . . . '[S]ection 654 is not a sentencing "enhancement." On the contrary, it is a
sentencing "reduction" statute. Section 654 is not a mandate of constitutional law.
Instead, it is a discretionary benefit provided by the Legislature to apply in those limited
situations where one's culpability is less than the statutory penalty for one's crimes. Thus,
when section 654 is found to apply, it effectively "reduces" the total sentence otherwise
authorized by the jury's verdict. The [Sixth Amendment prohibition on judicial
19
factfinding], however, only applies where the nonjury factual determination increases the
maximum penalty beyond the statutory range authorized by the jury's verdict.' " (Solis,
supra, 90 Cal.App.4th at pp. 1021-1022; see Deegan, supra, 247 Cal.App.4th at p. 547;
see also In re Varnell (2003) 30 Cal. 4th 1132, 1142 [citing Solis with approval].) As the
United States Supreme Court explained, in an analogous context, " '[J]udges in this
country have long exercised discretion of this nature in imposing sentence within
[established] limits in the individual case,' and the exercise of such discretion does not
contravene the Sixth Amendment even if it is informed by judge-found facts." (Dillon v.
U.S. (2010) 560 U.S. 817, 828-829; accord, Alleyne v. U.S. (2013) 570 U.S. 99, 116-117.)
In summary, we conclude the jury's "not true" finding as to the firearm use
enhancement is not an affirmative finding that Carter was not the shooter, and it does not
foreclose the trial court's discretion under section 654 to find that Carter did in fact shoot
Brandon for purposes of sentencing. Based on the circumstances of this case—where
multiple theories were presented to support a first degree murder conviction, the jury was
not required to unanimously agree on any particular theory, and substantial evidence
supports the court's sentencing determination that Carter shot Brandon with
premeditation and deliberation—the trial court could properly find that Carter harbored
multiple criminal intents and objectives in attempting to rob and then murder the victim.
The trial court therefore did not err when it imposed a consecutive three-year sentence for
Carter's attempted robbery conviction.
20
II
Hall's Challenge to the Length of the Sentence Imposed
Hall argues the trial court abused its discretion by sentencing him to 12 years in
prison when the plea agreement specified eight years. Hall misconstrues the plea
agreement, which gave the court discretion to sentence him within a range of three to
15 years. We therefore conclude the trial court did not abuse its sentencing discretion.
The addendum to the plea agreement stated that if Hall provided truthful testimony
at Carter's trial, "the prosecution [would] join the defense in the recommendation that the
defendant receive a sentence of . . . eight years in state prison." It further explained:
"The parties understand and agree, however, that the trial court retains its discretion to
sentence the defendant within the aforementioned sentencing range of . . . three
to . . . fifteen years regardless of said recommendation." Defense counsel understood the
terms of the agreement. At a hearing before Carter's trial, the court expressed concern
with the terms of Hall's plea, which had been accepted by a different judge. Hall's
attorney stated the parties were "in agreement" that if the court found Hall's testimony at
Carter's trial truthful, "he's in that window of three to fifteen; and there would be
recommendations from both parties for the sum of eight."
Consistent with that understanding, at sentencing, the prosecutor stated the court
had discretion "to sentence Mr. Hall between 3 and 15 years" even though it joined
defense counsel in recommending eight years. The court found Hall had testified
truthfully at trial, if not completely, and that he was therefore entitled to the benefit of his
bargain. It sentenced Hall to a total of 12 years.
21
"A negotiated plea agreement is a form of contract, and it is interpreted according
to general contract principles." (People v. Shelton (2006) 37 Cal. 4th 759, 767.) "If
contractual language is clear and explicit, it governs." (Ibid.) " '[A] judge who has
accepted a plea bargain is bound to impose a sentence within the limits of that bargain.' "
(People v. Segura (2008) 44 Cal. 4th 921, 931; see People v. Superior Court (Sanchez)
(2014) 223 Cal. App. 4th 567, 573 [court erroneously "imposed a sentence outside the
limits of the bargain"].)
Notwithstanding the parties' recommendation for an eight-year term, there is no
ambiguity that the plea agreement allowed the court to sentence Hall to a term of up to
15 years. The 12-year sentence imposed fell within the limits of the parties' bargain.
Hall does not explain how the court purportedly abused its discretion in selecting
12 years. He appears to argue that the court failed to cite a fact or circumstance that
allowed it to impose 12 years instead of eight. To the contrary, the court noted that
although Hall's role was minimal, three people died in a violent manner. Because the
22
court imposed a sentence within the limits of the plea agreement, we reject Hall's
challenge to imposition of a 12-year term.7
A different analysis applies to Hall's resentencing. After briefing on his appeal
was complete, counsel notified us that Hall was resentenced in August 2017 and that
there were possible errors relating to his resentencing. Granting Hall's request to
augment the record with the corresponding minute order, reporter's transcript, and
amended abstract of judgment, we allowed the parties to file supplemental briefs
addressing potential errors at resentencing. We agree with the parties that at least two
errors occurred.
At Hall's original sentencing hearing in March 2017, the court imposed an 11-year
upper term for voluntary manslaughter (count 1), a two-year term for attempted robbery
(count 5), and a one-year term for the street-gang firearm enhancement attached to
count 5. It ran the robbery sentence concurrent to the principal term but ran the attached
enhancement consecutively to arrive at a total commitment of 12 years. As the parties
7 In his second motion for supplemental briefing addressing Senate Bill No. 1437,
Hall argued for the first time that resentencing was required because the trial court failed
to consider the sentencing goals of "rehabilitation and restorative justice" articulated in
section 1170, subdivision (a)(1). This language was added to section 1170 effective
January 1, 2017, before Hall was sentenced and well before the opening briefs on appeal.
This argument was not made in Hall's opening or reply briefs and is beyond the scope of
the Senate Bill No. 1437 issue on which we permitted a second round of supplemental
briefing. (See People v. Price (2017) 8 Cal.App.5th 409, 450, fn. 21 (Price) [finding
forfeiture on this basis].) Even if the argument had been timely made, these broad
sentencing objectives do not provide a basis to challenge the court's sentence. As the
People note, a sentencing court " 'is presumed to have considered all relevant factors
unless the record affirmatively shows the contrary.' " (People v. Sperling (2017)
12 Cal.App.5th 1094, 1102.)
23
agree, this was technically error. The firearm enhancement attached to the underlying
offense, so the concurrent term for robbery required a concurrent term for the
enhancement. (People v. Bui (2011) 192 Cal. App. 4th 1002, 1016; People v. Mustafaa
(1994) 22 Cal. App. 4th 1305, 1310-1311.)
This error did not require correction: Hall was sentenced pursuant to a plea
agreement that did not require the imposed term to be achieved in any particular way.
(Hester, supra, 22 Cal.4th at p. 295 [where "defendants have pleaded guilty in return for
a specified sentence, appellate courts will not find error even though the trial court acted
in excess of jurisdiction in reaching that figure, so long as the trial court did not lack
fundamental jurisdiction"]; People v. Jones (1989) 210 Cal. App. 3d 124, 136 [although
the technically unauthorized sentence exceeded the court's jurisdiction, the parties waived
their rights to complain given the plea agreement].) Nevertheless, the court was not
barred from attempting to fix the error. A trial court generally lacks jurisdiction to
resentence a defendant after the execution of a sentence has begun, but "an unauthorized
sentence may be corrected at any time." (People v. Turrin (2009) 176 Cal. App. 4th 1200,
1204-1205 (Turrin).) The court was also statutorily authorized to recall Hall's original
sentence and impose a new sentence "no greater than the initial sentence" at any time
upon the recommendation of the secretary or Board of Parole Hearings. (§ 1170,
subd. (d)(1).)8
8 At resentencing the court indicated that the Department of Corrections had sent a
letter, but we do not have a copy of the letter or otherwise know what the issues raised
were.
24
At resentencing, the court expressed its intention to "make some readjustments" to
correct the issues and reach the same 12-year aggregate term. It kept the 11-year upper
term for count 1, imposed a one-year consecutive term for count 5 (calculated as one-
third the three-year middle term), and imposed a two-year concurrent middle term for the
street-gang firearm enhancement. In pronouncing the judgment, the court noted "his total
prison [term] is twelve years, the same as what it was before."
The court made two errors in reaching this result. The first error is clerical.
(Turrin, supra, 176 Cal.App.4th at p. 1205 ["[a] clerical error is one that is made in
recording the judgment"].) The amended abstract of judgment, dated October 18, 2017,
shows an eight-month consecutive sentence for the enhancement (calculated as one-third
the middle two-year term), resulting in a total term of 12 years, eight months.9 As the
parties agree, the additional eight-month term does not comport with the oral
pronouncement of the judgment or the minute order. Where there is "an evident
discrepancy between the abstract of judgment and the judgment that the reporter's
transcript and the trial court's minute order reflect, the appellate court itself should order
the trial court to correct the abstract of judgment." (People v. Mitchell (2001) 26 Cal. 4th
181, 188.) But as the parties further note, correcting the clerical error highlights the
underlying sentencing error: the sentence for the street-gang firearm enhancement had to
run consecutively to the substantive robbery term to which it attached. (§ 1170.1,
subd. (d) ["the court shall also impose, in addition and consecutive to the offense of
9 The amended abstract of judgment mistakenly designates the 11-year upper term
on count 1 by "M" instead of "U."
25
which the person has been convicted, the additional terms provided for any applicable
enhancements"].)
We may at any time correct obvious legal errors made at sentencing that may be
corrected without referring to factual findings in the record or remanding for further
findings. (Turrin, supra, 176 Cal.App.4th at p. 1205.) Such errors present pure questions
of law which are correctable independent of any factual issues presented in the record.
(Ibid.) The record is clear that the trial court intended to impose an aggregate term of
12 years and did not intend for the enhancement to extend that total. Accordingly, we
agree with the parties that the proper resolution is to strike the eight-month term of
punishment for the street-gang firearm enhancement so that Hall serves the 12-year term
previously imposed. (See § 1260 [permitting modification of judgment on appeal].) We
do so under section 1385, subdivision (b)(1), leaving the conviction for the enhancement
in place.
III
Legislative Amendments to Felony Murder (Senate Bill No. 1437)
Before this case could be argued, Senate Bill No. 1437 was signed into law to
effectuate certain changes to felony murder and murder under the natural and probable
consequences theory. Hall and Carter requested the opportunity to file supplemental
briefs addressing the impact of these reforms to their appeals. We address their
contentions in turn.
Effective January 1, 2019, Senate Bill No. 1437 amended sections 188 and 189
and added a new procedure for qualified individuals to seek resentencing. (Sen. Bill
26
No. 1437 (2017-2018 Reg. Sess.), §§ 2-4.) Under amended section 188,
subdivision (a)(3), "[m]alice shall not be imputed to a person based solely on his or her
participation in a crime." Amended section 189 limits first degree murder liability based
on a felony-murder theory to a person who: (1) was the actual killer; (2) although not the
actual killer, intended to kill and assisted the actual killer in the commission of first
degree murder; or (3) was a major participant in the underlying felony who acted with
reckless indifference to human life.
Newly enacted section 1170.95 creates a mechanism for eligible defendants to
seek resentencing if they believe they could not be convicted of first or second degree
murder under the amended versions of sections 188 and 189. Under subdivision (a) of
section 1170.95, "[a] person convicted of felony murder or murder under a natural and
probable consequences theory" may petition the trial court to vacate a murder conviction
and be resentenced on any remaining counts if the following three conditions apply:
"(1) A complaint, information, or indictment was filed against the
petitioner that allowed the prosecution to proceed under a theory of
felony murder or murder under the natural and probable
consequences doctrine.
"(2) The petitioner was convicted of first degree or second degree
murder following a trial or accepted a plea offer in lieu of a trial at
which the petitioner could be convicted for first degree or second
degree murder.
"(3) The petitioner could not be convicted of first or second degree
murder because of changes to [Penal Code] Section[s] 188 or 189
made effective January 1, 2019."
To seek resentencing under this new procedure, a defendant must file a petition
with the sentencing court and include a declaration that he or she meets the above criteria
27
and any request for counsel. (§ 1170.95, subd. (b)(1)(A).) If the court determines that
the petitioner has made a prima facie showing of eligibility, it must issue an order to
show cause and hold a hearing to determine whether to vacate the murder conviction and
recall the sentence. (§ 1170.95, subds. (c), (d)(1).) At that hearing, the prosecutor bears
the burden of proving beyond a reasonable doubt that the petitioner is ineligible for
resentencing. (§ 1170.95, subd. (d)(3).) "The prosecutor and the petitioner may rely on
the record of conviction or offer new or additional evidence to meet their respective
burdens." (Ibid.)
Carter argues we should either stay the appeal and issue a limited remand or
expedite the appeal to allow the trial court to expeditiously address his entitlement to
resentencing. Alternatively, he urges us to find him eligible for resentencing on direct
appeal. The People do not oppose a stay of appellate proceedings but maintain that
Carter may not bypass the procedure in section 1170.95 and have his claim decided by
direct appeal.
We agree with the latter contention that Carter may not raise his claim by direct
appeal.10 (See People v. Anthony (2019) 32 Cal.App.5th 1102, 1147; People v. Martinez
(2019) 31 Cal.App.5th 719, 727-728.) Senate Bill No. 1437 provides retroactive benefits
for defendants convicted of first degree murder under a felony-murder theory or a natural
and probable consequences theory. But it sets forth a detailed procedure for eligible
10 Because we believe judicial economy would not be served by a stay of appellate
proceedings and have addressed the Senate Bill No. 1437 arguments raised by both
defendants, we deny Carter's requests to stay or expedite the appeal.
28
defendants to seek relief. In People v. Conley (2016) 63 Cal. 4th 646 (Conley) and People
v. DeHoyos (2018) 4 Cal.5th 594 (DeHoyos), the Supreme Court addressed whether
defendants whose judgments were not yet final when Propositions 36 and 47
(respectively) took effect were entitled to automatic resentencing by direct appeal, or if
they instead had to seek resentencing before the trial court using the statutory petitioning
procedures. In both contexts, the court concluded the statutory procedures provided the
exclusive means for a defendant to seek relief. (Conley, at p. 652; DeHoyos, at p. 597.)
To hold otherwise would improperly exempt such defendants from safeguards designed
to ensure judicial evaluation of the impacts of resentencing on public safety. (Conley, at
p. 659; DeHoyos, at p. 603.)
Carter attempts to distinguish Conley and DeHoyos by arguing that
section 1170.95, unlike Propositions 36 and 47, does not mandate a separate inquiry of a
defendant's dangerousness or any other substantive requirement for retroactive relief. To
the contrary, as the People point out, section 1170.95 vests the trial court with a fact-
finding role to determine whether the prosecution has proven beyond a reasonable doubt
that a defendant is ineligible for resentencing. (§ 1170.95, subd. (d)(3).) At the hearing,
the parties may, for example, offer evidence as to whether Carter was a "major
participant" in the underlying robbery, or whether he "acted with reckless indifference to
human life." (§ 189, subd. (e)(3).) Significantly, the prosecutor and petitioner are
permitted to "offer new or additional evidence to meet their respective burdens."
(§ 1170.95, subd. (d)(3).)
29
Here, as in Conley and DeHoyos, the nature of the petition process created by
Senate Bill No. 1437 "call[s] into question the central premise underlying the Estrada
presumption" that when the legislature lessens the punishment for a crime, it is
reasonable to infer that imposing the lighter penalty in all cases will sufficiently serve the
public interest. (Conley, supra, 63 Cal.4th at p. 658; DeHoyos, supra, 4 Cal.5th at
p. 602.) We follow the reasoning in Conley and DeHoyos to conclude that the petitioning
procedure in section 1170.95 provides the exclusive means for a defendant to seek relief
under Senate Bill No. 1437. For this reason, we also deny Carter's request to bypass the
initial procedural step by "find[ing] that, based on the record on appeal, Carter has made
a prima facie showing that he 'falls within the provisions of [section 1170.95].' "
Hall's conviction raises additional issues. There may be tension in the statutory
text as to whether resentencing is available to a person who pleads guilty or no contest to
a less serious form of homicide—i.e., manslaughter—to avoid trial on a felony-murder
theory. Language in subdivision (a)(2) of section 1170.95 could be read to support that
view—an eligible defendant must be someone who either "was convicted of first or
second degree murder following a trial or accepted a plea offer in lieu of a trial at which
[he or she] could be convicted for first degree or second degree murder." (Italics added.)
The preamble to Senate Bill No. 1437 likewise suggests at least some category of plea
bargaining defendants are eligible to seek relief:
"This bill would provide a means of vacating the conviction and
resentencing a defendant when a complaint, information, or
indictment was filed against the defendant that allowed the
prosecution to proceed under a theory of first degree felony murder
or murder under the natural and probable consequences doctrine, the
30
defendant was sentenced for first degree or 2nd degree murder or
accepted a plea offer in lieu of a trial at which the defendant could
be convicted for first degree or 2nd degree murder, and the
defendant could not be charged with murder after the enactment of
this bill." (Italics added.)
On the other hand, introductory language in section 1170.95, subdivision (a) suggests that
only "[a] person convicted of felony murder or murder under a natural and probable
consequences theory may file a petition . . . ."
In his proposed supplemental brief, Hall argued he was ineligible for resentencing
under Senate Bill No. 1437 based on the introductory language in section 1170.95,
subdivision (a) because he was neither "convicted of felony murder or murder under a
natural and probable consequences theory." He pointed out that a potential disparity with
Carter in light of Senate Bill No. 1437 underscored his need for resentencing. We issued
an order accepting Hall's supplemental brief and inviting further briefing as to the
potential tension in the statute as to Hall's eligibility for resentencing under Senate Bill
No. 1437.
In their responsive supplemental brief, the People argued that as with Carter, Hall's
sole avenue for relief was to file a petition to recall his sentence before the trial court
pursuant to section 1170.95. To the extent we reached his claim, the People argued that
Hall, as someone who pled guilty to voluntary manslaughter, was ineligible for
resentencing. They pointed to various parts of Senate Bill No. 1437 and selected
legislative history (of which they seek judicial notice) that reference the need to limit
murder liability without mentioning those convicted of manslaughter. In addition, the
People pointed to substantive differences between first degree felony murder and
31
voluntary manslaughter to argue that Senate Bill No. 1437 was unconcerned with the
latter.11
On reply, Hall reconsidered his position. He pointed to statutory language and
policy rationales to argue that Senate Bill No. 1437 does cover defendants who plead
guilty or no contest to manslaughter in lieu of trial on a felony-murder theory. Hall noted
that denying relief to defendants like him could lead to absurd results, "a potential
outcome in this very case" given Carter's entitlement to seek relief. He further argued
that "[t]he record belies any factual basis for Hall's conviction on any theory of voluntary
manslaughter" because "[t]he killings were not as a result of a heat of passion,
unreasonable self-defense, or vehicular manslaughter." (§ 192.) Hall suggested the plea
bargain "was one of convenience or necessity for the prosecution who wanted Hall's
11 "Felony murder differs from both malice murder and voluntary manslaughter in
significant ways. It entails commission of an inherently dangerous felony, requires no
proof of intent or conscious disregard of life, and renders irrelevant defenses that mitigate
malice such as provocation or self-defense. [Citations.] Voluntary manslaughter thus is
not a lesser included offense of felony murder." (Price, supra, 8 Cal.App.5th at pp. 429-
430.)
32
testimony against Carter and one of salvation for Hall who grabbed a lifeline to avoid a
potential life sentence."12
We recognize there may be a potential incongruity in the statute's application in
this case, but we agree with the People that we need not resolve the issues of statutory
interpretation.13 Assuming Hall seeks resentencing under Senate Bill No. 1437, he must
follow the same procedure as Carter. It will be up to the trial court to determine whether
he has made a prima facie showing that he falls within the scope of section 1170.95. At
that stage, Hall may attempt to establish he is entitled to relief—on the basis that the
statute refers to petitioners who "accepted a plea offer" in lieu of trial for murder, without
specifying what crime an eligible defendant must have pled to. We decline to provide an
12 Section 1192.5 requires a trial court to "cause an inquiry to be made of the
defendant to satisfy itself that the plea [of guilty or no contest] is freely and voluntarily
made, and that there is a factual basis for the plea." A primary reason for requiring a
factual basis inquiry is to address the situation in which an innocent defendant might
plead guilty or no contest based on the disparity in punishment between conviction by
plea and by trial. (People v. Hoffard (1995) 10 Cal. 4th 1170, 1182.) Here, the parties
stipulated that the police reports and preliminary hearing transcript provided a factual
basis for Hall's plea, and the court accepted the plea on that basis. In any event, absent a
certificate of probable cause we cannot entertain any challenge to the factual basis for
Hall's plea. (People v. Marlin (2004) 124 Cal. App. 4th 559, 571.) Indeed, there is a split
of authority on whether such a claim may be brought on appeal even with a certificate.
(People v. Voit (2011) 200 Cal. App. 4th 1353, 1365; People v. Palmer (2013) 58 Cal. 4th
110, 115 ["We need not decide whether Marlin or Voit states the better view"].)
13 For a defendant like Carter convicted of murder, if the prosecution cannot prove
beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant would still be guilty of murder even after
the amendments to sections 188 and 189, the murder conviction will be vacated.
(§ 1170.95, subd. (d)(3).) There is no provision allowing retrial for some lesser form of
homicide. The defendant is merely resentenced on any remaining charges. (§ 1170.95,
subd. (d)(3).) Yet if the section 1170.95 procedure does not apply to defendants like Hall
who pled to manslaughter in the face of a murder charge, they would actually be worse
off than if they had pled guilty to murder.
33
advisory opinion definitively resolving Hall's entitlement to relief. (People v. Chadd
(1981) 28 Cal. 3d 739, 746 ["We will not, of course, adjudicate hypothetical claims or
render purely advisory opinions."]; People v. Slayton (2001) 26 Cal. 4th 1076, 1083-1084
[avoiding advisory opinion on hypothetical facts].) We instead leave the question of
Hall's eligibility to the trial court in the first instance.14
DISPOSITION
The judgment as to Carter is affirmed.
14 Because we express no opinion as to Hall's eligibility for resentencing, we deny
the People's request for judicial notice as to legislative history materials regarding Senate
Bill No. 1437. (People v. Blount (2009) 175 Cal. App. 4th 992, 995, fn. 2 [denying
judicial notice as to matters irrelevant to appeal].)
34
The judgment as to Hall is modified to strike the term imposed on the street-gang
firearm enhancement (Pen. Code, § 12021.5, subd. (a)). As modified, the judgment is
affirmed. The clerk of the superior court is directed to prepare an amended abstract of
judgment as to Hall that (1) strikes the eight-month term for the street-gang firearm
enhancement, and (2) indicates that the 11-year term for voluntary manslaughter
(count 1) reflects the upper term. A certified copy of the amended abstract of judgment
shall be forwarded to the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.
GUERRERO, J.
I CONCUR:
IRION, Acting P. J.
35
DATO, J., Concurring and Dissenting.
I fully concur in the majority opinion except for the discussion concerning Penal
Code section 6541 and its application to defendant Carter's convictions for first degree
felony murder and attempted robbery. In that regard, it is well-settled that where a
defendant is convicted of first degree murder based on a felony-murder theory,
section 654 prohibits separate punishment for both the murder and the underlying felony
because both convictions are based on the same indivisible course of conduct. As it is
clear in this case that the jury based its murder verdict on a felony-murder theory,
rejecting the prosecution's alternative theory of premeditated first degree murder, the
sentencing judge was not at liberty to make a factual finding inconsistent with what the
jury had already determined was a failure of proof by the People. Indeed, permitting the
trial court to find by a mere preponderance of the evidence that Carter committed a
premeditated first degree murder would alter the basis for the conviction as determined
by the jury, raising significant Fifth and Sixth Amendment concerns.
A
Section 654 is an integral part of California's scheme of criminal punishment. In
it, the Legislature has declared that where a single act or indivisible course of conduct
violates multiple statutes, the defendant "may be punished for any one of such offenses
but not for more than one." (Neal v. State of California (1960) 55 Cal. 2d 11, 19.) If
1 All further statutory references are to the Penal Code.
section 654 applies, "the trial court must stay execution of the sentence on the convictions
for which multiple punishment is prohibited." (People v. Correa (2012) 54 Cal. 4th 331,
337.) Here, the trial court concluded that section 654 did not apply because "[t]he crimes
and their objectives were predominantly independent of each other." The court's
comments, while somewhat confusing,2 express disagreement with the notion that Carter
"had no . . . personal participation, in the killing of the victim."
Pursuant to section 654, it has long been the rule that where a murder conviction is
based on a felony-murder theory, the defendant cannot be sentenced separately for both
the murder and the predicate felony involving a single victim. This is because both the
murder and the underlying felony are incident to one objective and thus arise out of a
single act or course of conduct. Courts routinely stay the sentence for the predicate
felony under section 654 in these circumstances. (See, e.g., People v. Montes (2014)
58 Cal. 4th 809, 898; People v. Hensley (2014) 59 Cal. 4th 788, 828; People v. Neely
(2009) 176 Cal. App. 4th 787, 800.)
In applying section 654, we examine the basis for the two convictions to determine
whether both arise out of the same act or course of conduct. Thus in People v. Siko
2 Commenting that "I cannot get into the minds of the jurors," the court expressed
the view that the jury could have found the weapon use allegation not true if it concluded
that Carter "personally used a weapon and killed someone" but had a "reasonable doubt
as to what weapon, whose weapon, what happened to the weapon." To the contrary,
however, the jury was instructed that to find the allegation true, the People only had to
establish three things: "1. The defendant personally discharged a firearm during the
commission or attempted commission of [the] crime; [¶] 2. The defendant intended to
discharge the firearm; [¶] AND [¶] 3. The defendant's act caused [Brandon's]
death . . . ."
2
(1988) 45 Cal. 3d 820 (Siko), a defendant was convicted of rape, sodomy, and lewd acts
on a nine-year-old victim; the lewd acts conviction was explicitly based on the rape and
the sodomy. (Id. at p. 826.) The trial court imposed full sentences on all three counts,
and the Supreme Court concluded this violated section 654. (Siko, at pp. 823, 826.) The
People were not able to avoid this result by claiming the lewd acts conviction could rest
on the defendant's separate acts of removing the victim's underwear or tying a
handkerchief around her mouth. Although that evidence was adduced at trial, the Siko
court focused on the basis for the conviction, concluding there was "no showing that the
lewd-conduct count was understood in this fashion" given the instructions and closing
arguments. (Id. at p. 826.) Thus, the sentencing court could not make findings for
purposes of section 654 that were at odds with the plain import of the jury's verdict.
A similar result was reached in People v. Jones (2012) 54 Cal. 4th 350. There, a
defendant was convicted under three statutes that barred a felon from carrying a loaded
and concealed firearm. Because the record showed that the jury based all three
convictions on a single act, section 654 prohibited punishment for more than one of those
crimes. (Jones, at p. 352.) The People were not permitted to construct an alternative
factual basis for one of the convictions from the trial evidence, since the "record
establishe[d] that the jury convicted defendant of each crime due to his being caught with
the gun in the car . . . , not due to any antecedent possession." (Id. at p. 359.) And it was
not within the sentencing court's power to make findings inconsistent with the jury's
verdict.
3
The People contend this case is different and that section 654 does not apply
because here the jury was presented with two alternative theories of first degree murder,
both of which were supported by the evidence. They contend that where there is
sufficient evidence to support each of two alternative murder theories,3 only one of
which would run afoul of section 654, California law generally permits a sentencing court
to determine that separate punishment of both the murder and the underlying felony is
appropriate based on a finding that the defendant entertained multiple intents and
objectives. (See People v. Osband (1996) 13 Cal. 4th 622, 731 (Osband).) Had the jury
simply been instructed on alternative theories of first degree murder—premeditation and
felony murder—and returned an undifferentiated verdict of guilty, we would have no way
of knowing which theory the jury relied on, or indeed whether some jurors relied on one
and others relied on the second. Under those circumstances, case precedent would
ordinarily allow the sentencing court to find by a preponderance of the evidence that
Brandon's murder was premeditated and deliberate because such a finding would not be
inconsistent with the demonstrated basis for the conviction as reflected in the jury's
verdict. (See People v. McCoy (2012) 208 Cal. App. 4th 1333, 1339-1340 (McCoy).)
3 In People v. Chapman (1968) 261 Cal. App. 2d 149, as in this case, the jury was
instructed on both premeditated and deliberate murder and felony murder. But in
Chapman, the only theory supported by the evidence was felony murder. (Id. at pp. 179-
180.) As a result, section 654 prevented the court from sentencing the defendant for both
robbery and first degree murder. (Chapman, at pp. 179-180) The only functional
difference between this case and Chapman is that here, while there may have been
substantial evidence to support an alternative theory of premeditated first degree murder,
the jury ultimately concluded that the People failed to meet their burden of proof. In both
cases the basis for the murder conviction was felony murder.
4
But there is a further limit to when the trial court may find which of two
alternative theories of murder the defendant committed, a limit that has its roots in
fundamental constitutional precepts. As Osband instructs, the trial court is permitted to
make independent findings for purposes of section 654 only when "it is unknown whether
[the defendant] was found guilty of first degree murder on a theory of felony murder or
premeditation and deliberation." (Osband, supra, 13 Cal.4th at p. 730, italics added.) On
the other hand, a sentencing court addressing a section 654 issue "cannot countermand
the jury" and make a factual finding contrary to the jury's verdict. (People v. Bradley
(2003) 111 Cal. App. 4th 765, 770 (Bradley).) Distilling Siko, Bradley, and a handful of
other Court of Appeal decisions, McCoy concisely articulated the general rule: "[I]n the
absence of some circumstance 'foreclosing' its sentencing discretion . . . , a trial court may
base its decision under section 654 on any of the facts that are in evidence at trial, without
regard to the verdicts." (McCoy, supra, 208 Cal.App.4th at p. 1340.) But "where there is
a basis for identifying the specific factual basis for a verdict, a trial court cannot find
otherwise in applying section 654." (Id. at p. 1339, italics added.)
In this case, we know the specific factual basis for the verdict. The jurors were
instructed on and the prosecution argued two theories of first degree murder based on
two—and only two—factual scenarios: (1) the premeditated and deliberate murder of
Brandon by use of a firearm, and (2) felony murder as a result of Carter's admitted
5
participation in the attempted robbery.4 During closing arguments, the prosecutor
premised her premeditated murder theory on Carter being the actual shooter. There was
evidence at trial from which the jury could find that Carter personally shot and killed
Brandon after entering the house and finding his cousin dead. But the prosecutor's
primary theory was that Carter was guilty of first degree felony murder based on his
conceded role in serving as a lookout for the underlying robbery attempt. Noting that the
facts on the felony-murder theory were "uncontroverted," she told jurors they should
"sign verdict form 1-A, guilty of first degree murder" and be "done."
A weapon use allegation was attached to the murder charge in count 1. Once the
jury found Carter guilty of Brandon's murder, it had to decide whether Carter "personally
and intentionally discharged a firearm, a handgun, causing great bodily injury or death."
The jury was told that the People bore the burden of proving the firearm use allegation
beyond a reasonable doubt. (CALCRIM No. 3149.)
4 For the first time at oral argument on appeal, the People sought to identify a third
theory of first degree murder unaffected by the firearm use finding: that Carter might
have directed or encouraged Aaron or Albert to shoot Brandon. This theory is not
supported by the evidence. If the jury believed Carter went inside the house before
Brandon was murdered, the only evidence as to what he did there was his own alleged
statement that he "got the guy" who killed his cousin. Although aiding and abetting was
included among the general instructions on liability principles (CALCRIM No. 401), the
prosecutor only mentioned this concept to discuss Carter's role in the robbery, not as a
separate theory of premeditated and deliberate murder. The prosecutor's sole theory of
premeditated murder was that Carter entered the residence after Aaron and Albert were
killed; he then shot and killed Brandon. Because there is "no showing that the [murder]
count was understood" at trial in the manner the People now suggest on appeal, we must
disregard this post hoc theory. (Siko, supra, 45 Cal.3d at p. 826.)
6
Ultimately, the jury convicted Carter of first degree murder, but unanimously
concluded that the prosecution failed to prove he "personally and intentionally discharged
a firearm." By finding the firearm use allegation attached to the murder count "not true,"
the jurors necessarily harbored at least a reasonable doubt as to whether Carter was the
actual shooter. To be sure, the "not true" finding does not reflect an affirmative finding
by the jury that Carter was not the actual shooter. It merely reflects the jury's
determination that there was insufficient evidence to find he was the actual shooter
beyond a reasonable doubt. (People v. Santamaria (1994) 8 Cal. 4th 903, 922
(Santamaria).) But in the particular context of this case, the weapon use finding attached
to the murder count carries significant implications for section 654 because it establishes
the basis for the jury's first degree murder verdict. The sole theory of premeditated
murder offered by the prosecution relied on Carter being the actual shooter. So the jury's
weapon use finding means it necessarily based its first degree murder conviction on the
felony-murder theory. (See Santamaria, at p. 931 (conc. & dis. opn. of Mosk, J.)
["Obviously, no juror can determine that a defendant is guilty of a crime beyond a
reasonable doubt on a theory dependent on a necessary fact as to which each and every
juror has a reasonable doubt."].)
The "not true" verdict on firearm use has the same effect here as a special jury
finding that the murder conviction is based on the felony-murder theory. The majority
opinion acknowledges that binding section 654 precedent requires we look to objective
indicators to determine the basis for the conviction—prosecutorial arguments, charging
documents, instructions, and verdict forms. If we are to look to these indirect indicators
7
to determine what the jury did, why would we not look to and rely upon a specific finding
made by the jury pertaining to the very conviction—first degree murder—we are
attempting to evaluate?
On this record, there is a basis to identify the specific factual predicate for the
jury's first degree murder verdict. (McCoy, supra, 208 Cal.App.4th at p. 1339.) Because
we know the jury unanimously found guilt based on felony murder—and unanimously
rejected guilt based on a premeditated shooting with a firearm—the trial court could not
make the contrary finding by a preponderance of the evidence that Carter harbored a
premeditated intent to kill separate and apart from his intent to assist in the underlying
attempted robbery. To allow such a finding would be to permit the trial judge to change
the basis of the defendant's conviction as determined by the jury.5
5 This case is distinguishable from Santamaria, supra, 8 Cal. 4th 903 (a case that in
any event did not involve section 654). Defendant Santamaria was charged with robbery
and murder. There were a total of four factual theories of murder: two based on
premeditation and deliberation (either as the direct stabber or aider and abettor of the
stabber) and two based on felony murder (either from his role as a direct perpetrator or
aider and abettor in the robbery). The jury convicted Santamaria of first degree murder
but found the knife use allegation "not true." The weapon finding did not foreclose the
possibility that jurors were convinced beyond a reasonable doubt that he either used a
knife or helped someone who did, but could not say beyond a reasonable doubt which of
those events occurred. (Santamaria, at p. 919 ["individual jurors themselves need not
choose among the theories, so long as each is convinced of guilt"].) The jury here was
not urged to find premeditation under an aiding and abetting theory. (Fn. 4, ante.) Nor
are we presented with a scenario in which jurors could have been convinced of Carter's
guilt of first degree murder but unsure whether it was by premeditation and deliberation
or felony murder. Carter admitted serving as a lookout in the robbery attempt resulting in
Brandon's death. The verdicts thus reflect unanimity beyond a reasonable doubt on both
premeditated murder (no) and felony murder (yes).
8
This result is not changed by the rule allowing inconsistent verdicts. (See
Santamaria, supra, 8 Cal.4th at p. 911; People v. Avila (2006) 38 Cal. 4th 491, 600.) That
rule, often invoked on sufficiency-of-the-evidence review, draws its logic from the fact
that a defendant who receives the benefit of acquittal on one count may fairly be made to
accept the burden of an inconsistent conviction. (Avila, at p. 600, citing United States v.
Powell (1984) 469 U.S. 57, 69; see § 954.) To apply that concept here would not allow
inconsistent jury verdicts; there is nothing inconsistent about what this jury did. It would
rather create an inconsistency between the verdict and the sentence by permitting the
court to change the basis for the defendant's conviction as found by the jury.
B
I think it reasonably clear that in deciding whether to apply section 654, California
precedent does not permit sentencing courts to make factual findings by a preponderance
of the evidence that are inconsistent with determinations already made by the jury using a
reasonable doubt standard. Relying largely on cases that do not involve section 654, the
majority reach a different conclusion. (See People v. Towne (2008) 44 Cal. 4th 63, 85
(Towne) [court may consider evidence underlying acquitted counts in selecting sentence
within a range]; People v. Lewis (1991) 229 Cal. App. 3d 259, 264 ["not true" finding on
weapon use allegation does not preclude court from considering weapon use to impose
full consecutive sentence].) Even if there is uncertainty in the case law, I submit there are
additional important reasons why section 654 should apply to preclude multiple
punishments in this narrow context, and thus avoid opening a proverbial can of worms.
9
The Sixth Amendment right to trial by jury, as interpreted by the United States
Supreme Court in Apprendi v. New Jersey (2000) 530 U.S. 466 (Apprendi), generally
requires that "any fact that increases the penalty for a crime beyond the prescribed
statutory maximum must be submitted to a jury, and proved beyond a reasonable doubt."
(Id. at p. 490.) California courts have consistently held that Apprendi does not apply to
factual findings under section 654 because the statute envisions a sentence reduction, not
an enhancement. (See, e.g., People v. Deegan (2016) 247 Cal. App. 4th 532, 547
(Deegan); People v. Cleveland (2001) 87 Cal. App. 4th 263, 267.) That said, none of
those cases have involved situations in which the sentencing judge attempted to make
factual findings inconsistent with the jury's determination.6 Moreover, in Blakely v.
Washington (2004) 542 U.S. 296, the Supreme Court clarified that "the 'statutory
maximum' for Apprendi purposes is the maximum sentence a judge may impose solely on
the basis of the facts reflected in the jury verdict . . . . [Citations] . . . When a judge
6 I recognize that in People v. Black (2005) 35 Cal. 4th 1238, 1262 (Black I), the
Supreme Court held there was no jury trial right as to factors used to impose consecutive
sentencing. Citing Cleveland, the court expressed in dicta that there was also no jury trial
right to the "analogous" determination under section 654. (Black I, at p. 1264.) After
Cunningham v. California (2007) 549 U.S. 270 overruled Black I on another ground, our
high court reiterated the holding with regard to consecutive sentences but omitted the
dicta concerning section 654. (People v. Black (2007) 41 Cal. 4th 799, 820-823; see
Oregon v. Ice (2009) 555 U.S. 160, 168 [consecutive sentencing does not implicate
Apprendi].) Deegan concluded, "Black I states the law of California with respect to the
Sixth Amendment and findings of fact for purposes of applying section 654." (Deegan,
supra, 247 Cal.App.4th at p. 549.) But even if Deegan correctly interprets the law after
Cunningham, the question here is not whether there is a general right to a jury trial on
factual issues necessary to apply section 654, but rather whether the Sixth Amendment
permits a sentencing judge to find by a preponderance of the evidence that the basis for a
defendant's conviction was something other than what was found by the jury.
10
inflicts punishment that the jury's verdict alone does not allow, the jury has not found all
the facts 'which the law makes essential to the punishment,' [citation] and the judge
exceeds his proper authority." (Id. at pp. 303-304; see id. at p. 306 ["Apprendi . . .
ensur[es] that the judge's authority to sentence derives wholly from the jury's verdict."].)
Whatever may be said of a sentencing court's gap-filling ability to make findings
with regard to factual issues left unresolved by the jury, it is a far different matter where
the trial judge utilizes a lesser standard of proof to make factual findings that conflict
with the jury's conclusion. Here, the basis for Carter's first degree murder conviction is
clear. The verdict of "not true" on the firearm use enhancement reflects a unanimous
finding by the jury that the prosecution did not prove beyond a reasonable doubt that
Carter committed a premeditated first degree murder by shooting the victim. Thus, when
the jury nonetheless convicted Carter of first degree murder, it necessarily relied on a
felony-murder theory. A murder conviction based on a felony-murder theory arises out
of the same act or course of conduct as the underlying felony for section 654 purposes,
precluding multiple punishments. To allow a sentencing judge to impose multiple
punishments by finding facts on a preponderance-of-the-evidence standard that are
11
inconsistent with the "facts reflected in the jury verdict" would raise serious Sixth
Amendment concerns.7
This second round of inconsistent factual findings by the sentencing judge may
also raise double jeopardy issues. It is certainly true that where a defendant has been
convicted on some counts and acquitted on others, double jeopardy principles do not
prevent a sentencing court from using facts underlying an acquitted count in deciding
what sentence to impose on a convicted count. (See United States v. Watts (1997)
519 U.S. 148, 154; Towne, supra, 44 Cal.4th at p. 87.) But the inconsistent finding by
the trial court here does not merely assist in selecting the length of the sentence to be
imposed for a crime (first degree murder) of which defendant was properly convicted by
a jury. (Watts, at p. 155, citing Witte v. U.S. (1995) 515 U.S. 389, 401.) Instead it
changes the factual basis for the murder conviction from a theory the jury accepted
(felony murder) to one it implicitly but necessarily rejected (premeditated murder).
Where the jury has already determined that the prosecution did not prove a premeditated
first degree murder beyond a reasonable doubt, on what basis can the defendant be
exposed to a second hearing at which a different trier of fact applying a lesser standard
will decide the same question?
7 For example, an Apprendi issue was avoided in Towne, supra, 44 Cal. 4th 63
because the defendant had no right to a jury trial on his record of prior convictions,
rendering the defendant eligible for the upper term based on that aggravating
circumstance alone. (Id. at pp. 83, 86; see generally Almendarez-Torres v. U.S. (1998)
523 U.S. 224.) It was in this context that the court could further consider evidence the
jury had implicitly found not true through its acquittals on other counts. (Towne, at
pp. 83, 87-88.) No such exception to the Apprendi rule is cited here.
12
C
In my view, California case law has traced a reasonably clear line defining a
sentencing court's ability to make factual findings necessary to the application of
section 654. Where the jury's verdict does not resolve a factual issue, the trial court may
make findings not inconsistent with the verdict. But at the same time, the court may not
find facts by a lesser standard of proof that have the effect of "countermand[ing]" the
verdict by changing the basis for the defendant's conviction as determined by the jury.
(Bradley, supra, 111 Cal.App.4th at p. 770.) The trial court's conclusion here—that
Carter committed a deliberate and premeditated murder—had precisely that effect, and
therefore exceeded the court's power. I would, accordingly, modify the judgment as to
Carter, staying the punishment on count 4 for attempted robbery.
DATO, J.
13