People v. Daniels CA4/1 ( 2015 )

Filed 9/29/15 P. v. Daniels CA4/1
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COURT OF APPEAL, FOURTH APPELLATE DISTRICT
DIVISION ONE
STATE OF CALIFORNIA
THE PEOPLE, D068056
Plaintiff and Respondent,
v. (Super. Ct. No. SWF024245)
KENNETH DANIELS, JR.,
Defendant and Appellant.
APPEAL from a judgment of the Superior Court of Riverside County, Angel M.
Bermudez, Judge. Affirmed as modified but remanded for resentencing.
Kimberly J. Grove, under appointment by the Court of Appeal, for Defendant and
Appellant.
Kamala D. Harris, Attorney General, Gerald A. Engler, Chief Assistant Attorney
General, Julie L. Garland, Assistant Attorney General, Barry Carlton and Sharon L.
Rhodes, Deputy Attorneys General, for Plaintiff and Respondent.
A jury convicted Kenneth Daniels, Jr. of three counts of residential burglary (Pen.
Code,1 § 459; counts 1, 4, 8); two counts of rape (§ 261, subd. (a)(2); counts 2, 5); two
counts of forcible oral copulation (§ 288a, subd. (c)(2); counts 3, 6); two counts of
attempted residential burglary (§§ 664/459; counts 7, 12); one count of first degree murder
(§ 187, subd. (a); count 9); one count of attempted rape (§§ 664/261, subd. (a)(2); count
10); and one count of elder abuse (§ 368, subd. (b)(1); count 11).
In regard to the first degree murder offense, the jury found true that Daniels
committed the murder during an attempted rape and residential burglary (§§ 190.2, subds.
(a)(17)(C), (G), 664/261, subd. (a)(2), 459). The jury further found Daniels committed the
rapes and forcible oral copulations during a burglary (§ 667.61, subd. (e)(2)), and had
entered an inhabited dwelling with the intent to commit a violent sex offense (§ 667.61,
subds. (c), (d)(4)). As to counts 2 and 3, the jury found Daniels personally inflicted great
bodily injury during the commission of the offenses (former § 667.61, subd. (e)(3); 2
§§ 12022.7, 12022.8). In regard to count 11, the jury found Daniels proximately caused
the death of a person 70 years of age or older.
1 Statutory references are to the Penal Code unless otherwise specified.
2 At the time Daniels committed his crimes in 2007, the great bodily injury
circumstance of the One Strike law was found in subdivision (e)(3). (Former § 667.61,
(e)(3); Stats. 2006, ch. 337 (S.B. 1128), eff. Sept. 20, 2006; Initiative Measure (Prop 83);
§ 12, approved Nov. 7, 2006, eff. Nov. 8, 2006.) In 2010, the Legislature amended the One
Strike law, moving the great bodily injury circumstance to subdivision (d) as paragraph (6).
(Historical and Statutory Notes, 49 West's Ann. Pen. Code (2010 ed.) foll. § 667.61,
pp. 399-400; Stats. 2010, ch. 219 (A.B. 1844), § 16, eff. Sept. 9, 2010.)
2
The court sentenced Daniels to prison for an aggregate term of life without the
possibility of parole, plus four consecutive terms of 25 years to life, and a determinate term
of eight years four months.
Daniels appeals, contending (1) the trial court committed prejudicial error in
refusing to instruct the jury on voluntary intoxication with respect to the murder offense
and accompanying special circumstance allegations; (2) the portions of Daniels's sentence
related to the burglary offenses should have been stayed under section 654; (3) the trial
court did not properly exercise its discretion under section 667.61 prior to sentencing
Daniels; and (4) the parole revocation fine should be stricken. We agree with Daniels that
the portion of his sentence related to the burglary offenses should have been stayed under
section 654. However, we conclude the rest of Daniels's claims are without merit. As
such, we affirm the judgment as modified.
FACTUAL BACKGROUND
Because Daniels neither challenges the sufficiency of the evidence nor questions the
admissibility of certain evidence, we avoid a thorough discussion of the unpleasant facts of
this case. Instead, we present an abbreviated summary of the salient facts to provide
context to the issues Daniels raises here.
Daniels's crimes took place over five months at the Oak Terrace Apartments, a
senior citizen apartment complex in Hemet. The apartments were in a gated complex
surrounded by an eight-foot high fence as well as a cinder block wall topped with a railing
on one side of the complex.
3
On August 21, 2007, Daniels's entered the apartment of Jane Doe No. 1 through the
sliding glass door located on the balcony. Jane Doe No. 1 saw Daniels crouching on the
floor of the kitchen in her apartment, and she attempted to flee. However, Daniels grabbed
her, knocked her to the ground, and repeatedly punched her in the face while straddling
her. Daniels eventually stopped punching Jane Doe No. 1, and then he raped her and made
her orally copulate him. Jane Doe No. 1 did not smell any alcohol on Daniels's breath.
On October 19, 2007, Daniels once again entered Jane Doe No. 1's apartment while
Jane Doe No. 1 slept. Daniels forced Jane Doe No. 1 to orally copulate him then
repeatedly raped her. Jane Doe No. 1 did not smell any alcohol on Daniels's breath.
On December 11, 2007, Daniels entered the apartment of Jane Doe No. 2 at the Oak
Terrace Apartments. Daniels beat Jane Doe No. 2 to death. Jane Doe No. 2 was 74 years
old, four feet eight inches tall, and weighed 73 pounds. She used a wheelchair.
On December 28, 2007, Daniels attempted to break into Jane Doe No. 3's apartment
at the Oak Terrace Apartments. When Jane Doe No. 3 heard a person (who turned out to
be Daniels) outside her apartment window, she called the police. Daniels ran from the
apartment complex, but was captured by the police.
The Oak Terrace Apartments had video surveillance cameras covering the main
entrance and exit gates for vehicles and pedestrians, the management office, and the pool.
During the time that Daniels was committing his crimes at the complex, additional video
surveillance cameras were added, included one directed toward Jane Doe No. 1's
apartment.
4
DISCUSSION
I
CALCRIM NO. 625
Daniels contends the trial court erred in refusing to provide a voluntary intoxication
jury instruction (CALCRIM No. 625) with respect to the murder offense and the special
circumstances allegations related to that offense. We disagree.
A. Standard of Review and the Law
We review a claim of instructional error de novo. (People v. Posey (2004) 32
Cal. 4th 193, 218.) "Review of the adequacy of instructions is based on whether the trial
court 'fully and fairly instructed on the applicable law.' " (People v. Ramos (2008) 163
Cal. App. 4th 1082, 1088.) In determining whether error has been committed in giving jury
instructions, we consider the instructions as a whole and assume jurors are intelligent
persons, capable of understanding and correlating all jury instructions which are given.
(Ibid.) " 'Instructions should be interpreted, if possible, so as to support the judgment
rather than defeat it if they are reasonably susceptible to such interpretation.' " (Ibid.)
"The crucial assumption underlying our constitutional system of trial by jury is that jurors
generally understand and faithfully follow instructions." (People v. Mickey (1991) 54
Cal. 3d 612, 689, fn. 17.)
Generally, the trial court is required to instruct the jury on the general principles of
law that are closely and openly connected with the evidence and that are necessary to the
jury's understanding of the case. (People v. Barker (2001) 91 Cal. App. 4th 1166, 1172.) It
also has a duty to refrain from giving incorrect instructions or instructions on principles of
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law that are irrelevant and that would have the effect of confusing the jury or relieving it
from making findings on the relevant issues. (Ibid.; see People v. Smithey (1999) 20
Cal. 4th 936, 976-977, fn. 7.)
"[A]n instruction on voluntary intoxication, explaining how evidence of a
defendant's voluntary intoxication affects the determination of whether defendant had the
mental states required for the offenses charged, is a form of pinpoint instruction that the
trial court is not required to give in absence of a request." (People v. Bolden (2002) 29
Ca1.4th 515, 559.) A trial court is required to give a requested pinpoint instruction "only if
it is supported by substantial evidence." (People v. Ward (2005) 36 Ca1.4th 186, 214.)
" ' "Substantial evidence is evidence sufficient to 'deserve consideration by the jury,' that is,
evidence that a reasonable jury could find persuasive." ' " (People v. Cole (2004) 33
Ca1.4th 1158, 1215.) If the evidence is " 'minimal and insubstantial,' " the court need not
give the requested instruction. (People v. Barton (1995) 12 Ca1.4th 186, 201.)
B. Analysis
Daniels's trial counsel requested that the trial court instruct the jury on the defense
of voluntary intoxication with respect to the murder offense (count 9) and the special
circumstance allegations related to that offense. To this end, Daniels's trial counsel asked
for CALCRIM No. 625 to be given to the jury. That instruction states:
"You may consider evidence, if any, of the defendant's voluntary
intoxication only in a limited way. You may consider that evidence
only in deciding whether the defendant acted with an intent to kill[,]
[or] [the defendant acted with deliberation and premeditation[,]] [[or]
the defendant was unconscious when (he/she) acted[,]] [or the
defendant .] [¶] A person is voluntarily intoxicated if
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he or she becomes intoxicated by willingly using any intoxicating
drug, drink, or other substance knowing that it could produce an
intoxicating effect, or willingly assuming the risk of that effect. [¶]
You may not consider evidence of voluntary intoxication for any other
purpose."
The court declined to give CALCRIM No. 625 to the jury in regard to the murder
offense and the special circumstance allegations, finding that the instruction was not
supported by the evidence. Daniels argues that the trial court prejudicially erred in refusing
to give the instruction.3 He emphasizes that video footage of him on December 11 showed
his lack of balance and coordination, which could have led the jury to believe he was
intoxicated on the night of the murder.
Daniels also points out that his trial counsel offered evidence regarding his habitual
drinking. For example, trial counsel presented testimony from several of Daniels's friends
that during the period of July through December 2007, Daniels attended parties and drank
heavily. In addition, Daniels's blood alcohol level after his arrest on December 28 was .10
percent as of 3:55 a.m. and would have been .14 percent at 1:30 a.m. Daniels contends that
without CALCRIM No. 625, the jurors were left without guidance as how to evaluate this
3 In his opening brief, Daniels mentions that his trial counsel argued that evidence of
Daniels's intoxication in connection with count 12 (attempted residential burglary) could be
used to infer intoxication on the date of the murder, some three weeks earlier. To this end,
Daniels's trial counsel analogized the inference of intoxication with the prosecution's use of
other crimes evidence to prove intent to rape for its felony murder theory. Here, Daniels
fails to provide any authority for this position or explain why voluntary intoxication is akin
to other crimes evidence. The appellant has the burden of proving error. (Denham v.
Superior Court (1970) 2 Cal. 3d 557, 564.) Further, the appellant must support an
argument with citations to legal authorities or his argument may be deemed waived.
(McComber v. Wells (1999) 72 Cal. App. 4th 512, 522.) Because Daniels has not satisfied
either burden with respect to his inference of intoxication argument, we deem such
contention waived.
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evidence with respect to the murder charge and the special circumstances allegations. We
disagree.
There was not sufficient evidence to establish a pattern of drinking in connection
with the offenses committed. The murder occurred around 5:00 a.m. on December 11,
2007, almost three weeks before Daniels's arrest. There is no evidence that Daniels was
intoxicated when he sexually assaulted Jane Doe No. 1 on Tuesday, August 21, 2007, or on
Friday, October 19, 2007. Jane Doe No. 1 did not smell alcohol on Daniels's breath during
either attack. Instead, Daniels smelled as if he had freshly showered and put on cologne.
Moreover, Daniels also failed to establish sufficient evidence of habitual drinking in
general to warrant an intoxication defense. Although Daniels's friends testified that they
played drinking games at parties during the weekends, and sometimes Thursday nights,
December 11, 2007, was a Tuesday. None of Daniels's friends testified that they regularly
partied and played drinking games on Monday nights into Tuesday mornings. Rather, they
testified that Daniels did not drink all the time. Further, the amounts they would drink at
the parties, and how long the parties would last, varied, depending on how many drinking
games they played. Daniels simply did not produce enough evidence to establish his
becoming intoxicated was a habit or a custom.
In addition, Daniels insists video footage showed that he lacked balance and
coordination on December 11, which would allow the jury to infer that he was intoxicated
at the time of the murder. Nevertheless, Daniels fails to identify any exhibit in the record
consisting of such video footage. Instead, he merely cites to his trial counsel's argument
about the video footage: "And it's our position that the video evidence from December
8
11th shows Mr. Daniels with impaired balance and coordination." An attorney's argument,
however, is not evidence.
Presumably, Daniels is referring to some portion of one of the seven CDs of video
surveillance footage of the Oak Terrace Apartments that depicted him in that area.
Although he does not point us to any specific exhibit by number, in an abundance of
caution, we reviewed the relevant exhibits. We agree with the trial court regarding its
interpretation of the pertinent portion of the video footage:
"I disagree with the defense. I think it's a matter of argument or
interpretation in terms of fluidity of the motions because the quality of
the video is not necessarily outstanding in any way. It is a little bit
jumpy at times. So one can't clearly conclude what is going on. But
what you can see is the thought process of the individual as they are
going about their duties. Whether it's A, time to scale a wall; whether
it's B, a time to land. By the way[,] the stumble that was portrayed by
the defense, one can clearly see that there is an avoidance of a bush on
what would be the left—the right-hand side of the landing to the
person that is making the landing, or the left-hand side to the person
that is watching the video, and that is why there is kind of a backwards
jump or gymnastics jump, if you will, as cited by the prosecutor. [¶]
There is the visual observation as well of the car lights, which I have
pointed out, which show that the person is not confused or disoriented
in terms of the environment. So I think that the total argument as to
what happened on December 11th, with regards to his state of
sobriety, would be an invitation to the jury to speculate. That would
be the only way that the instruction should be given. And I don't think
that that is an appropriate reason to give the instruction. I will not
give the voluntary intoxication instruction for that reason."
Simply put, we see nothing in the video footage that would allow the jury to infer
that Daniels was intoxicated at the time of the murder on December 11. Further, because
we determine that substantial evidence does not exist to support the giving of CALCRIM
No. 625 in regard to the murder offense and related special circumstances, we conclude the
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trial court did not err. (See People v. Ward, supra, 36 Ca1.4th at p. 214; People v. Barton,
supra, 12 Ca1.4th at p. 201.)
II
DANIELS'S SENTENCES FOR THE BURGLARY OFFENSES
Daniels asserts, and the People concede, that the trial court erred by imposing
sentences on the two burglary counts involving Jane Doe No. 1. Under subdivision (a) of
section 667.61 (also known as the One Strike law), a defendant shall be sentenced to 25
years to life if he is convicted of an enumerated sex offense, including rape or forcible oral
copulation, "under one or more of the circumstances specified in subdivision (d) or under
two or more of the circumstances specified in subdivision (e)." Section 667.61,
subdivision (f) provides, in part:
"If only the minimum number of circumstances specified in
subdivision (d) or (e) that are required for the punishment provided in
subdivision (a) . . . to apply have been pled and proved, that
circumstance or those circumstances shall be used as the basis for
imposing the term provided in subdivision (a) . . . , rather than being
used to impose the punishment authorized under any other provision
of law, unless another provision of law provides for a greater
penalty. . . ."
With regard to the August 21, 2007 attack, the jury found Daniels guilty of
residential burglary (count 1), rape (count 2), and forcible oral copulation (count 3). With
regard to the October 19, 2007 attack, the jury also found Daniels guilty of residential
burglary (count 4), rape (count 5), and forcible oral copulation (count 6). In addition, the
jury found Daniels committed the sex offenses during a first degree burglary with the intent
to commit a violent sex offense (§ 667.61, subd. (d)(4)), and during the commission of a
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burglary (§ 667.61, subd. (e)(2)). As to counts 2 and 3 (the first incident), the jury also
found Daniels inflicted great bodily injury in committing the crimes (former § 667.61,
subd. (e)(3)). Although the great bodily injury circumstance is now found in subdivision
(d)(6), at the time Daniels committed his offenses in 2007, it was found in subdivision
(e)(3). (See Historical and Statutory Notes, 49 West's Ann. Pen. Code (2010 ed.) foll.
§ 667.61, pp. 399-400; Stats. 2006, ch. 337 (S.B. 1128), eff. Sept. 20, 2006; Initiative
Measure (Prop. 83), § 12, approved Nov. 7, 2006, eff. Nov. 8, 2006; Stats. 2010, ch. 219
(A.B. 1844), § 16, eff. Sept. 9, 2010.) Therefore, the jury found one subdivision (d)
circumstance true as to counts 5 and 6, and found one subdivision (d) circumstance true
and two subdivision (e) circumstances true as to counts 2 and 3, mandating terms of 25
years to life for all four counts.
As mandated, the trial court sentenced Daniels to prison for 25-year-to-life terms on
the four sex offense counts. The trial court also sentenced Daniels to determinate terms on
the two burglary counts. Since the burglaries were used to impose the terms pursuant to
the One Strike Law under both subdivisions (d) and (e), and only the minimum number of
circumstances were found true, under section 667.61, subdivision (f), the trial court could
not sentence Daniels separately for the burglaries. (See People v. Mancebo (2002) 27
Ca1.4th 735, 738.) Therefore, the trial court should have stayed Daniels's prison terms as
to counts 1 and 4.4
4 The trial court selected count 1 as the "primary charge for a determinate sentence."
Because we conclude that the sentence to count 1 should be stayed, the People urge us to
select either counts 7 or 12 as the "primary charge." In addition, the People contend that
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III
SENTENCING DANIELS UNDER THE ONE STRIKE LAW
Daniels next contends the trial court erred in sentencing him to four consecutive
sentences of 25 years to life under the One Strike law in connection with the two incidents
involving Jane Doe No. 1, specifically counts 2 and 5 (rape), counts 3 and 6 (oral
copulation). Daniels asserts that the trial court did not understand that it had discretion to
sentence him consecutively and that such sentences were not mandatory. We disagree.
The One Strike law required that the trial court impose 25-year-to-life sentences for
each count of rape and forcible oral copulation. (§ 667.61, subd. (a).) The One Strike law
requires a sentencing court to impose those sentences consecutively if the crimes "involve
the same victim on separate occasions as defined in subdivision (d) of Section 667.6."
(§ 667.61, subd. (i).) To determine whether a defendant committed the crimes on separate
occasions, "the court shall consider whether, between the commission of one sex crime and
another, the defendant had a reasonable opportunity to reflect upon his . . . actions and
nevertheless resumed sexually assaultive behavior. Neither the duration of time between
crimes, nor whether or not the defendant lost or abandoned his . . . opportunity to attack,
shall be, in and of itself, determinative on the issue of whether the crimes in question
occurred on separate occasions." (§ 667.6, subd. (d).)
this court would be "justified" in imposing the upper term as to counts 7 or 12, although the
trial court selected one-third of the middle term for both counts. We decline to resentence
Daniels, but will remand the case to the superior court for resentencing consistent with this
opinion.
12
If the imposition of consecutive terms is not mandatory, the decision to impose
consecutive or concurrent terms is left to the sentencing court's discretion under section
669. (People v. Rodriguez (2005) 130 Cal. App. 4th 1257, 1262-1263 (Rodriguez); see
People v. Valdez (2011) 193 Cal. App. 4th 1515, 1524.) "In exercising its discretion
whether to impose concurrent or consecutive terms, a trial court should consider the factors
set forth in California Rules of Court, rule 4.425." (Rodriguez, supra, 130 Cal.App.4th at
p. 1262.) The criteria for imposing consecutive rather than concurrent terms include
whether: "(1) The crimes and their objectives were predominately independent of each
other; [¶] (2) The crimes involved separate acts of violence or threats of violence; or
[¶] (3) The crimes were committed at different times or separate places, rather than being
committed so closely in time and place as to indicate a single period of aberrant behavior."
(Cal. Rules of Court, rule 4.425(a).)5 Other criteria include "[a]ny circumstances in
aggravation or mitigation," except a fact used to impose an upper term or an enhancement,
or a fact that is an element of an offense. (Rule 4.425(b).)
A court is "presumed to have been aware of and followed the applicable law" when
imposing a sentence. (People v. Mosley (1997) 53 Cal. App. 4th 489, 496.) Therefore, the
burden is on Daniels to demonstrate that the court misunderstood its sentencing discretion.
(People v. White Eagle (1996) 48 Cal. App. 4th 1511, 1523.)
5 All further rule references are to the California Rules of Court unless otherwise
indicated.
13
Here, Daniels maintains the trial court did not make any of the necessary findings or
otherwise determine that his sentences under the One Strike law should run consecutively.
However, we do not find support in the record for Daniels's argument.
As a threshold matter, Daniels's trial counsel first raised the issue of consecutive
sentences during the sentencing hearing: "I know the probation officer suggests or
recommends consecutive sentences for the other counts, but given the sentence that the
Court intends, I'm sure, to impose on Count 9, which is the sentence required by law,
which is life without the possibility of parole, it would seem to me to be sort of useless to
make any sentence consecutive to a sentence which will leave Mr. Daniels in the state
prison for the rest of his life."
Later during the sentencing hearing, the prosecutor specifically requested four
consecutive 25-year-to-life sentences on counts 2, 3, 5, and 6. The court gave Daniels's
counsel an opportunity to address the prosecutor's request for consecutive sentences, but
Daniels's counsel declined.
In determining the appropriate sentence for Daniels, the trial court found the crimes
involved great violence, great bodily harm, the threat of great bodily harm, and a high
degree of cruelty, viciousness, or callousness; the victims were particularly vulnerable;
Daniels dissuaded a witness from coming forward and reporting the offense; the crimes
involved planning, sophistication, and professionalism, and Daniels had engaged in violent
conduct that indicated a serious danger to society. (Rules 4.421(a)(1), (3), (6), (8), (b)(1),
4.425(b).) The court also found there was no suggestion that the crimes were committed
during a single period of aberrant behavior, as the crimes were spread out over time,
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location, and victims. (Rule 4.425(a)(3).) Additionally, the sex crimes against Jane Doe
No. 1 involved four separate acts of violence: rape and forcible oral copulation on
August 21, 2007 (counts 2 and 3), and rape and forcible oral copulation on October 19,
2007 (counts 5 and 6). (§ 667.5, subd. (c)(3), (5); rule 4.425(a)(2).)
In sum, the trial court pronounced ample aggravating factors to justify imposing
consecutive terms as to counts 3 and 5.
To the extent Daniels contends the trial court failed to state adequate reasons for
imposing consecutive terms, he forfeited his claim by failing to object below. (People v.
Scott (1994) 9 Ca1.4th 331, 352-353.) The court specifically asked Daniels's trial counsel
if he wanted to respond to the prosecutor's argument that Daniels's sentences should run
consecutively. Daniels's counsel declined to do so. Moreover, after the court described the
crimes and explained Daniels's sentence, Daniels's counsel did not object. Here, the trial
court provided multiple aggravating factors for imposing consecutive sentences as to
Daniels's crimes. This was sufficient. (Cf. People v. Osband (1996) 13 Ca1.4th 622, 728-
729; People v. Bravot (1986) 183 Cal. App. 3d 93, 98 ["Articulation of one criterion for the
imposition of a consecutive sentence is sufficient."].) Having not objected during the
sentencing hearing, Daniels cannot now claim the court did not adequately state the reasons
for Daniels's sentence. (People v. Scott, supra, 9 Ca1.4th at pp. 352-353.)
IV
PAROLE REVOCATION FINE
Lastly, Daniels claims the $3,360 stayed parole revocation fine must be stricken
because he "was sentenced to a term of life without the possibility of parole." To this end,
15
Daniels relies on People v. Battle (2011) 198 Cal. App. 4th 50 (Battle); People v. Oganesyan
(1999) 70 Cal. App. 4th 1178 (Oganesyan); People v. McWhorter (2009) 47 Cal. 4th 318
(McWhorter); and People v. Brasure (2008) 42 Cal. 4th 1037 (Brasure).
Section 1202.45, subdivision (a), provides: "In every case where a person is
convicted of a crime and his or her sentence includes a period of parole, the court shall, at
the time of imposing the restitution fine . . . assess an additional parole revocation
restitution fine. . . ." This additional parole revocation restitution fine shall be suspended
unless the person's parole is revoked.
Daniels's reliance on Oganesyan and Battle is misplaced. In Oganesyan, supra, 70
Cal. App. 4th 1178, the court concluded that the parole revocation fine was improper
because the defendant had only been sentenced to life without the possibility of parole. (Id.
at p. 1183.) There was no discussion about any other determinate sentence. Likewise,
Battle, supra, 198 Cal. App. 4th 50, only concerned an indeterminate sentence. As such, in
that case, the Attorney General conceded a parole revocation restitution fine was improper.
(Id. at p. 63.)
In contrast to both Oganesyan, supra, 70 Cal. App. 4th 1178 and Battle, supra, 198
Cal. App. 4th 50, Daniels received determinate sentences on counts 1, 4, 7, and 12. The
court also sentenced him to determinate terms for counts 8, 10, and 11, but suspended those
sentences. So, unlike Oganesyan and Battle, Daniels's total prison time included
determinate sentences. As such, we determine the instant matter is governed by Brasure,
supra, 42 Cal. 4th 1037.
16
In Brasure, our high court interpreted section 1202.45 as applying to defendants
sentenced to any term that includes the possibility of parole. The court distinguished
Oganesyan, supra, 70 Cal. App. 4th 1178, "as involving no determinate term of
imprisonment imposed under section 1170, but rather a sentence of life without the
possibility of parole for first degree special circumstance murder and an indeterminate life
sentence for second degree murder." (Brasure, supra, 42 Cal.4th at p. 1075.) Though the
defendant in Brasure was sentenced to death, he was also sentenced to determinate terms
(§ 1170) which, by law, the court reasoned, included the possibility of parole and a
suspended parole revocation fine (§ 3000, subd. (a)(1), 1202.45; Brasure, supra, at
p. 1075).
Like the defendant in Brasure, Daniels's sentence includes determinate terms and
these carry with them the possibility of parole (§ 3000, subd. (a)(1)), and a suspended
parole revocation fine (§ 1202.45; Brasure, supra, 42 Cal.4th at p. 1075). And, like the
defendant in Brasure, Daniels "is in no way prejudiced by assessment of the [suspended
parole revocation] fine, which will become payable only if he actually does begin serving a
period of parole and his parole is revoked." (Ibid.)
Further, the holding of McWhorter, supra, 47 Cal. 4th 318, where the Supreme Court
struck a parole revocation fine where the defendant was sentenced to the death penalty as
well as a determinate sentence for first degree burglary does not alter our conclusion. (Id.
at p. 380.) The court did not articulate the basis for treating the section 1202.45 parole
revocation fine before it differently from the section 1202.45 parole revocation fine it
upheld in Brasure, supra, 42 Cal. 4th 1037. The only apparent distinction is that the parole
17
revocation fine upheld in Brasure was appended to an unstayed determinate sentence,
while the parole revocation fine stricken in McWhorter was appended to the sentence for
the robbery conviction necessarily stayed under section 654, once the death penalty was
imposed for the robbery special circumstance. Here, we conclude this case is more like
Brasure because at least one of Daniels's determinate sentences was not stayed.
DISPOSITION
The judgment is modified to stay Daniels's sentences for counts 1 and 4 under
section 654. The judgment is otherwise affirmed. We remand this matter back to the
superior court, however, for resentencing consistent with this opinion. After resentencing
Daniels, the trial court is directed to prepare an amended abstract of judgment and minute
order to reflect Daniels's new sentence and forward a certified copy to the Department of
Corrections and Rehabilitation.
HUFFMAN, J.
WE CONCUR:
McCONNELL, P. J.
BENKE, J.
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