People v. Anderson CA2/6 ( 2013 )

Filed 12/2/13 P. v. Anderson CA2/6
NOT TO BE PUBLISHED IN THE OFFICIAL REPORTS
California Rules of Court, rule 8.1115(a), prohibits courts and parties from citing or relying on opinions not certified for
publication or ordered published, except as specified by rule 8.1115(b). This opinion has not been certified for publication
or ordered published for purposes of rule 8.1115.
IN THE COURT OF APPEAL OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA
SECOND APPELLATE DISTRICT
DIVISION SIX
THE PEOPLE, 2d Crim. No. B246479
(Super. Ct. No. SA050266)
Plaintiff and Respondent, (Los Angeles County)
v.
BENJAMIN ANDERSON,
Defendant and Appellant.
In 2004, Benjamin Anderson was convicted of robbery (Pen. Code,
§ 211),1 which is defined as a “serious felony” under section 1192.7, subdivision (c)(19).
Because Anderson had two prior serious felony convictions, he was sentenced to an
indeterminate life term under the Three Strikes law. (§§ 667, 1170.12.)
Following passage of the Three Strikes Reform Act of 2012 (Reform Act),
added by Proposition 36, Anderson moved for an order recalling his sentence and
resentencing him to a determinate term sentence. (§ 1170.126.) Section 1170.126,
subdivision (b), permits a person serving an indeterminate term of life imprisonment
under the Three Strikes law for a conviction based on “a felony or felonies that are not
defined as serious and/or violent felonies” to seek recall of the sentence. (Italics added.)
The trial court determined that Anderson was ineligible to seek relief under this statute
1 All statutory references are to the Penal Code.
because his conviction for robbery was based on a serious felony. Anderson appeals the
order denying his motion.2
We appointed counsel to represent Anderson in this appeal. After
examining the record, counsel filed an opening brief raising no issues and requesting that
we independently examine the record pursuant to People v. Wende (1979) 25 Cal. 3d 436.
We advised Anderson that he had 30 days within which to personally
submit any contentions or issues he wished to raise on appeal. Anderson filed a 10-page
supplemental brief with attachments on July 1, 2013. With our permission, he filed a 14-
page amended supplemental brief with attachments on November 13, 2013. For the most
part, the briefs reiterate the arguments Anderson raised in the trial court. They do not
establish his eligibility to seek recall of his sentence under 1170.126, subdivision (b), on
the basis that his commitment offense was not a serious or violent felony.3
Having examined the entire record, we are satisfied that appointed counsel
has fully complied with his responsibilities and that no arguable issues exist. (People v.
2 Courts of appeal are split on the issue of whether a trial court’s order on a
motion to recall the sentence under the Reform Act is appealable. After the opening brief
was filed, the Supreme Court granted review in two cases that reached opposite
conclusions on the issue. (See Teal v. Superior Court (2013) 217 Cal. App. 4th 808,
review granted July 31, 2013, S211708 [order is nonappealable]; People v. Hurtado
(2013) 216 Cal. App. 4th 941, review granted with hold pending consideration of Teal,
July 31, 2013, S212017 [order is appealable].) Subsequently, People v. Leggett (2013)
219 Cal. App. 4th 846, 854, concluded that a trial court's order “denying relief under [the
Reform Act] is not appealable if it denies a [motion] that was erroneously filed by an
individual whose indeterminate three strikes sentence is based on a conviction for any
serious or violent felony.” A few weeks later, People v. Wortham (Oct. 24, 2013) 220
Cal. App. 4th 1018 [163 Cal. Rptr. 3d 654, 657] rejected Leggett’s reasoning, and held that
the trial court’s initial eligibility determination implicates a defendant’s “substantial
rights” and thus is appealable. Based on that authority, we will review Anderson’s
appeal.
3 We deny appellant’s request to take judicial notice of a minute order issued by
the San Bernardino Superior Court in a case involving another defendant. That order is
irrelevant to the issues in this appeal.
2
Kelly (2006) 40 Cal. 4th 106, 123-124; People v. Wende, supra, 25 Cal.3d at p. 441.)
The judgment is affirmed.
NOT TO BE PUBLISHED.
PERREN, J.
We concur:
GILBERT, P. J.
YEGAN, J.
3
William C. Ryan, Judge
Superior Court County of Los Angeles
______________________________
Richard B. Lennon, under appointment by the Court of Appeal; Benjamin
Anderson, in pro. per., for Defendant and Appellant.
No appearance for Plaintiff and Respondent.
4