People v. Delarosarauda ( 2014 )

Filed 6/20/14
CERTIFIED FOR PARTIAL PUBLICATION*
IN THE COURT OF APPEAL OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA
SECOND APPELLATE DISTRICT
DIVISION FOUR
THE PEOPLE, B248615
Plaintiff and Respondent, (Los Angeles County
Super. Ct. No. MA056655)
v.
CARLOS REGINALDO
DELAROSARAUDA,
Defendant and Appellant.
APPEAL from a judgment of the Superior Court of Los Angeles County,
Daviann L. Mitchell, Judge. Affirmed and remanded with directions.
Carol S. Boyk, under appointment by the Court of Appeal, for Defendant
and Appellant.
Kamala D. Harris, Attorney General, Dane R. Gillette, Chief Assistant
Attorney General, Lance E. Winters, Assistant Attorney General, Margaret A.
*Pursuant to California Rules of Court, rules 8.1100 and 8.1110, this opinion is
certified for publication with the exception of the Factual Background and parts A,
B, C and E of the Discussion.
Maxwell, Stephanie C. Santoro, and Brendan Sullivan, Deputy Attorneys General,
for Plaintiff and Respondent.
INTRODUCTION
Carlos Reginaldo Delarosarauda appeals from a judgment and sentence,
following his convictions for corporal injury to a co-habitant, assault, and
misdemeanor vandalism. He contends his convictions should be reversed, as
(1) the trial court committed misconduct during voir dire; (2) the court admitted
testimonial hearsay in violation of his right to confront the witness under the Sixth
Amendment of the federal constitution; and (3) there was insufficient evidence to
support the vandalism conviction. He further contends the court lacked authority
to issue a protective order forbidding him to contact his son and stepdaughter for
the next 10 years, except through counsel. The People request that this court
amend the abstract of judgment to correct appellant’s presentence custody credits
and otherwise affirm the judgment.
In the unpublished portion of our decision, we affirm the convictions and
remand the matter with directions to the superior court to modify the abstract of
judgment to correct the amount of presentence custody credits. In the published
portion of our decision, we conclude the court lacked authority to issue that portion
of the protective order barring appellant from having contact with his son and
stepdaughter, as they were not “victims” within the meaning of Penal Code
1
sections 136.2, subdivision (i)(1) and 273.5, subdivision (j). Nor was the
postconviction protective order authorized under section 136.2, subdivision (a)(6).
Accordingly, on remand, the court is directed to vacate the protective order with
respect to them.
1
All further statutory citations are to the Penal Code, unless otherwise stated.
2
PROCEDURAL HISTORY
An information charged appellant with corporal injury to a spouse or
cohabitant, Mirian Jackeline Baquedano (§ 273.5, subd. (a); count 1), assault by
means likely to produce great bodily injury (§ 245, subd. (a)(4); count 2), assault
with a deadly weapon (§ 245, subd. (a)(1); count 3), and misdemeanor vandalism
(§ 594, subd. (a); count 4). As to count 1, it further alleged that appellant
personally used a deadly and dangerous weapon, a rope (§ 12022, subd. (b)(1)).
Appellant pled not guilty and denied the allegation.
Trial was by jury. During voir dire, the trial court made certain remarks to
the jury in response to comments by some prospective jurors. The court asked the
jurors if they were comfortable with the concept that some victims of violence may
be reluctant to assist in prosecuting the person who committed the violent acts, that
victims may be reluctant to testify for or against the accused perpetrator, and that
they may still have feelings of love and loyalty for the accused. During a recess,
defense counsel objected to the court’s remarks, and moved for a mistrial. The
court denied the motion.
The jury found appellant guilty as charged, and found true the deadly
weapon allegation as to count 1. The trial court sentenced appellant to a total of
five years in prison and one year in county jail. As to count 1, the court imposed
the upper term of four years, plus one year for the deadly weapon enhancement
(§ 12022, subd. (b)(1)). As to counts 2 and 3, the court imposed the upper term of
four years on each count, but stayed the sentences pursuant to section 654. As to
count 4, the court sentenced appellant to one year in county jail, consecutive to the
prison sentence. Appellant was awarded 652 days of presentence custody credit,
consisting of 326 days of actual custody and 326 days of conduct credit. The court
also imposed various fines and assessments.
3
Finally, the court issued a criminal protective order as to Baquedano and her
two children for the duration of 10 years. Among other provisions, appellant was
ordered not to contact the protected parties, except through defense counsel.
Appellant timely filed a notice of appeal.
FACTUAL BACKGROUND
A. The Prosecution Case
1. The Victim
Baquedano testified at trial. She stated that she initially had refused to
testify against appellant because as an undocumented immigrant, she was afraid
she would be deported. In June 2012, Baquedano was in a relationship with
appellant. They had lived together for five years, and had a three-year-old son
(Jeffrey). Baquedano had another child not fathered by appellant, six-year-old
Kiarah. Baquedano and appellant had been having arguments about Kiarah.
During the arguments, appellant used foul language, called Baquedano a “whore,”
said he was going to take her child away, and broke her cell phone.
On June 25, 2012, Baquedano and appellant agreed to separate because she
was not comfortable in the relationship. Although appellant had said he would
change, he was becoming more aggressive. In addition, when appellant was in jail
a second time, Baquedano had met another person.
The following morning, Baquedano was in bed when appellant came into the
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bedroom with what appeared to be a shoelace. Appellant got on top of Baquedano
and placed her hands at her sides. He placed the cord on her neck and said, “I’m
going to kill you because you can’t leave me.” Appellant pulled on the cord.
Baquedano told him, “Let me go,” and tried pushing him away. She put her hand
2
Baquedano variously described the item as a shoelace or a rope. According
to appellant, it was “a braided nylon cord about one-eighth inch in diameter.”
4
on her neck to try to pull the cord away because she could not breathe. Appellant
held the cord around her neck for two minutes. Baquedano thought appellant was
going to kill her and was scared. She finally pushed appellant off. He let go of the
cord and apologized.
The children were in the living room, and Baquedano did not see Kiarah
come into the bedroom during the incident. Baquedano told appellant she was
going to go see the children. He lay down on the bed “like nothing had happened.”
Baquedano left the room, went upstairs, and called the police. Her 911 call was
played for the jury. During the call, Baquedano stated she needed assistance
because her husband had just hit and tried to choke her.
Baquedano testified she whispered on the 911 call because she was worried
that appellant might hear her and hit her again. She was only a little worried about
her children because appellant had “never touched them.” Baquedano confirmed
that appellant hit her two times on her left cheek during the incident. The strikes
did not leave a bruise.
In contrast, the cord left marks on her neck, and photographs showing the
marks were published to the jury. After the incident, Baquedano had difficulty
breathing and frequently had nightmares about appellant wanting to choke her.
On cross-examination, Baquedano stated that she agreed to testify against
appellant after learning that she could qualify for immigration relief if she was a
victim of domestic abuse and helped in the prosecution of the abuser.
2. The Law Enforcement Investigation
Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department Detective John Amis, along with two
other police units, responded within minutes to Baquedano’s 911 call. After
appellant was detained and placed in a patrol car, Detective Amis, Deputy Kris
Mason and Detective Thomas Kim (who acted as an interpreter) interviewed
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Baquedano and Kiarah separately at the house. According to Detective Kim,
Baquedano appeared upset and scared, and was teary-eyed. She did not readily
volunteer information, seemed “like a typical victim that’s been through a
traumatic incident,” and appeared ashamed and fearful. Detective Kim opined that
it was normal to see minor inaccuracies in a witness or victim’s statement.
Kiarah was interviewed about 30 minutes after Deputy Amis arrived. The
interview began in the living room and moved to the bedroom. Kiarah looked
upset, nervous and shaken. It appeared she had been crying. Detective Kim asked
Kiarah if she knew where the cord used against her mother was located. Kiarah
said yes, and she took the detectives to a nearby closet, retrieved a cord, and gave it
to Detective Amis. Detective Kim asked her why the cord was in the closet. Kiarah
said that she had put it in the closet because she was scared appellant was going to
use it again on her mom. Kiarah said that when she heard her mother scream, she
went to the bedroom. She saw appellant on top of her mother with the cord near
her throat. She was unable to explain what appellant did with the cord. At some
point, she saw appellant punch her mom. When appellant discarded the cord,
3
Kiarah picked it up and hid it in the closet.
After the interview, Detectives Kim and Amis received information that
appellant was hitting his head on the window of the patrol car. They went outside
and saw appellant banging his head against the driver’s side rear window, causing
3
The prosecution did not produce Kiarah as a witness. At sidebar, defense
counsel objected to allowing Detective Kim to testify about what Kiarah had said
during her interview. The trial court permitted the testimony, finding Kiarah’s
statements admissible under Evidence Code section 1240 as spontaneous
statements. The court stated it did not find the statements testimonial, as the
officers were still trying to assess the situation. Finally, the court indicated that
Kiarah’s statements could be admitted for the purpose of showing her state of mind
and explaining the presence of the cord in the closet.
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it to shatter. After they told appellant to stop, he began hitting his head on the
metal cage separating the front and back seat. The cost of replacing the broken
window was less than $400.
Mary Reina, a registered nurse who had seen over 100 cases of
strangulation, conducted a domestic violence examination of Baquedano. During
the examination, Baquedano reported difficulty breathing, a headache, swelling,
neck pain, scratch marks, and bruising. She complained of tenderness in her neck,
and said that she almost passed out during the struggle. Reina observed a linear
abrasion across the surface of Baquedano’s neck, consistent with strangulation by a
shoestring-type cord or ligature. There also were several small marks below the
linear abrasion that represented bruising, redness, and tenderness in that area. The
back and side of the neck evidenced that a ligature had been wrapped around that
area. Reina further observed petechiae (small broken blood vessels) on
Baquedano’s neck. On cross-examination, Reina stated that during the
examination, Baquedano indicated that appellant had bitten her lip. Baquedano
never told Reina that she had nightmares about appellant wanting to choke her.
Finally, Reina could not say with certainty whether the injuries were self-inflicted,
or caused by someone other than appellant.
3. Prior Incidents of Physical Abuse
Baquedano testified that appellant was violent and had physically injured her
on two prior occasions. The first incident occurred on December 28, 2010.
Baquedano and appellant had an argument about bringing Kiarah with them when
they were taking Jeffrey to a clinic. When they came back from the clinic,
appellant said that he preferred his son, Jeffrey, over Baquedano’s daughter,
Kiarah. Baquedano said she loved them both because they were her children.
Appellant grabbed a wooden or plastic spoon and hit Baquedano’s legs and arms
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repeatedly, leaving bruise marks. Baquedano’s brother called the police, and
appellant was arrested. Baquedano spoke with the officers, but did not go to court
because she was scared of appellant.
The second incident occurred on November 23, 2011. Appellant became
angry when he learned Baquedano had not paid the rent. He pulled her hair and
punched her in the face. He then hit her in the face with a shoe, leaving a bruise or
abrasion on her right cheek. He also struck her with a cell phone charger, which
left a mark on her elbow. Despite these two incidents, Baquedano chose to stay
with appellant because she wanted Jeffrey to know his father.
B. The Defense Case
Appellant did not testify. Deputy Mason testified he spoke to Baquedano
and Kiarah, and prepared the police report of the incident. Baquedano did not tell
him that appellant bit her lip. Kiarah did not say that she saw appellant hold the
string around Baquedano’s neck. Kiarah stated that she saw appellant with the
string, but he was not “actively choking” Baquedano with it. Kiarah stated that she
hid the string because she knew appellant had done “something bad” with it.
DISCUSSION
Appellant contends (1) the trial court committed misconduct when it made
remarks during voir dire that tainted the jury pool; (2) he was denied his
fundamental right to confront adverse an witness when the court permitted the
prosecutor to present the hearsay statements of Kiarah; and (3) there was
insufficient evidence of appellant’s malicious intent to support the vandalism
conviction. Appellant further contends the court lacked authority to issue a
protective order prohibiting him from having contact with his son Jeffrey and his
stepdaughter Kiarah for the next 10 years, except through counsel. The People
8
contend there was no reversible error, but request that this court amend the abstract
of judgment to correct appellant’s presentence custody credits.
A. Judicial Misconduct
1. Relevant Proceedings
During voir dire, prospective Juror No. 15 stated that his daughter had been
a victim of domestic violence at the hands of her husband. Following the
husband’s arrest, his daughter reconciled with her husband and was not entirely
cooperative with law enforcement because she wanted someone to provide for the
house. The trial court then told the jury panel:
“This is a very real issue. Is everybody comfortable with concept -- the
concept, and that this doesn’t just have to be domestic violence, it can be
violence on other levels with people they know and care about, that the
victims may be reluctant to cooperate or prosecute or initiate contact with
law enforcement for feelings of love, loyalty, financial, that it’s a very real
concern for her, that she’s got a family she needs to take care of and a home
to provide for, and that is a factor that would affect why she may be
reluctant to cooperate, and [prospective Juror No.] 15 is just highlighted as
one of the many issues that go on in a social dynamic relationship.
“And this can be amongst other family members, it’s not just domestic
violence, it’s a variety of areas. Does everybody understand that there may
be times where someone can be hurt at the hands of someone they love, and
they may not want to pursue any criminal involvement? Is everybody
comfortable with that concept?”
Later, a prospective juror asked about “press[ing] charges” in that situation.
In response, the trial court explained: “[W]hat it means is would you be willing to
testify, and in these types of circumstances, and it can be brother versus brother. I
mean, . . . two brothers are fighting, the mother may not want to testify, the brother
may not want to testify because it’s a family dynamic that the People may call
upon or the defense may call upon witnesses who may not feel comfortable
9
testifying, whether you’re testifying for the prosecution or you’re testifying for the
defense.”
Another prospective juror, Juror No. 22, stated that he grew up as a child in
a family with domestic violence. It did not surprise him that someone could love
his or her abuser. The trial court stated: “Okay. Is there anybody who cannot
understand the concept that even if someone is abused[,] the victim of that
situation can still love their abuser, and it can be across different ways, it can be
child abuse, it can be domestic violence, it can be sexual abuse, the person who is
alleged to have been the victim can still have feelings of love and loyalty for that
person who abused them. Is there anybody who is not comfortable with that
concept?”
During a break in voir dire, defense counsel objected to the court’s remarks
and moved for a mistrial. Counsel argued that the court had acted as a “domestic
violence expert” when it made comments to the jury explaining that a domestic
violence victim could love the abuser and not want to testify against him/her in
court. Counsel stated she was concerned that the jury was likely to believe that the
victim did not want to testify because she loved her abuser and did not want him
prosecuted, instead of believing, for example, that the victim failed to testify out of
fear that she would perjure herself if she continued to lie.
In response, the trial court stated that most of the comments were made by
the jurors (Nos. 15 and 22), and the court had merely “fleshed . . . out” the
comments. The court noted that its comments were not limited to domestic
violence relationships, but also referenced child abuse and sexual assault. The
court reasoned that it was common knowledge among lay persons that people may
not want to testify against a loved one. Finally, the trial court stated that counsel
could argue to the jury the reasons counsel thought that the victim, on prior
10
occasions, had decided not to testify. The trial court denied the motion for a
mistrial. Prospective Jurors Nos. 15 and 22 ultimately were excused.
2. Analysis
Appellant contends a mistrial should have been declared, as the court’s
comments tainted the jury pool by “obliquely supporting Baquedano’s eventual
credibility.” We disagree.
“‘[J]udges . . . should be exceedingly discreet in what they say and do in the
presence of a jury lest they seem to lean toward or lend their influence to one side
or the other.’” (People v. Burnett (1993) 12 Cal. App. 4th 469, 475, quoting People
v. Zammora (1944) 66 Cal. App. 2d 166, 210.) “A court commits misconduct if it
creates the impression that it is denigrating the defense or otherwise allying itself
with the prosecution.” (People v. Houston (2012) 54 Cal. 4th 1186, 1219.)
Similarly, “it is judicial misconduct for a judge to display bias against the defense
case or in favor of the prosecution during voir dire.” (People v. Fatone (1985)
165 Cal. App. 3d 1164, 1169.) “We determine the propriety of judicial comment on
a case-by-case basis in light of its content and the circumstances in which it
occurs.” (People v. Cash (2002) 28 Cal. 4th 703, 730.) “The role of a reviewing
court ‘is not to determine whether the trial judge’s conduct left something to be
desired, or even whether some comments would have been better left unsaid.
Rather, we must determine whether the judge’s behavior was so prejudicial that it
denied [the defendant] a fair, as opposed to a perfect, trial.’” (People v. Harris
(2005) 37 Cal. 4th 310, 347, quoting People v. Snow (2003) 30 Cal. 4th 43, 78.)
Here, the trial court’s comments were not so prejudicial as to deny appellant
a fair trial. The comments elaborated on statements made by the prospective
jurors. There was no discernible bias toward the defense or the prosecution. That
a victim might still love an abuser and be uncomfortable testifying against the
11
abuser is commonly known and understood by lay persons. The court’s remarks
did not suggest that all victims -- or the victim in this case -- loved their abusers
and were uncomfortable testifying because of those feelings. Nor did the remarks
foreclose the possibility that an alleged victim might be uncomfortable testifying
against an accused because she had lied about the incident and did not want to
perjure herself. In short, we find no reversible error.
B. Kiarah’s Statements to Peace Officers
Appellant next contends his convictions should be reversed, as he was
denied his constitutional right to confront an adverse witness, viz., Kiarah, under
the Sixth Amendment of the federal constitution. Appellant concedes that it was
permissible for Detective Kim to testify that in response to his question about the
location of the cord used against Baquedano, Kiarah indicated she knew where it
was located, led the officers to the closet, and showed them the cord. However,
appellant contends the subsequent testimony relating Kiarah’s observations of the
incident was testimonial hearsay inadmissible under Crawford v. Washington
(2004) 541 U.S. 36 (Crawford) and its progeny.
As interpreted by the United States Supreme Court in Crawford, supra,
541 U.S. at page 59, the Sixth Amendment’s Confrontation Clause prohibits
testimonial hearsay unless the declarant is unavailable for trial and the defendant
had a prior opportunity to cross-examine him or her. Although the court has not
settled upon a definition of “‘testimonial’” (see People v. Holmes (2012)
212 Cal. App. 4th 431, 437), it has provided the following guidance:
“Statements are nontestimonial when made in the course of police
interrogation under circumstances objectively indicating that the primary
purpose of the interrogation is to enable police assistance to meet an ongoing
emergency. They are testimonial when the circumstances objectively
indicate that there is no such ongoing emergency, and that the primary
purpose of the interrogation is to establish or prove past events potentially
12
relevant to later criminal prosecution.” (Davis v. Washington (2006) 547
U.S. 813, 822, fn. omitted.)
Thus, “statements elicited by law enforcement officials are not testimonial if the
primary purpose in giving and receiving them is to deal with a contemporaneous
emergency, rather than to produce evidence about past events for possible use at a
criminal trial.” (People v. Cage (2007) 40 Cal. 4th 965, 984 (Cage).) “[T]he
primary purpose for which a statement was given and taken is to be determined
‘objectively,’ considering all the circumstances that might reasonably bear on the
intent of the participants in the conversation.” (Ibid.)
Applying these principles to the instant case, we conclude that Kiarah’s
statements about what she observed constituted testimonial hearsay. Kiarah was
interviewed by the officers after appellant had been detained and placed in a patrol
car and after her mother -- who had placed the 911 call -- had been interviewed.
After Kiarah retrieved the cord and handed it to Detective Amis, she was asked
why the cord was in the closet. By that time, there was no ongoing emergency.
The officers were responding to a domestic violence call and had control of the
situation, as appellant and the weapon (the cord) were in police custody.
Moreover, having questioned Baquedano about what had happened and learned
from Kiarah the location of the weapon, the primary purpose of further questioning
of Kiarah was not to assist the officers in dealing with an ongoing emergency, but
to establish past events potentially relevant to a later criminal prosecution.
The California Supreme Court’s decision in Cage is instructive. There, the
defendant had slashed her son’s face with a shard of broken glass. At the hospital,
he made two statements identifying his mother as his attacker -- one to a sheriff’s
deputy in the emergency room waiting room and another to the doctor treating his
wound. (Cage, supra, 40 Cal.4th at pp. 971-972.) The court held that the
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statement to the doctor was elicited for the purpose of properly treating him (an
ongoing emergency) and was therefore nontestimonial. The statement to the
deputy, however, was testimonial, because the deputy’s interview was not intended
to elicit testimony to facilitate medical treatment, but rather to obtain an account of
past events involving the defendant. (Id. at p. 991.) The court also noted that there
was no longer a contemporaneous emergency that required law enforcement, as the
victim had been safely separated from his attacker and was in no further danger
from her. (Ibid.) It rejected the characterization of the deputy’s interview as an
effort to assess the situation to “determine whether further immediate police action
might be necessary to apprehend the perpetrator, to ensure the safety of the
apprehending officers, and to safeguard the other minors in defendant’s home.”
(Id. at p. 985, fn. 15.) Here, as in Cage, there was no longer a contemporaneous
emergency requiring police intervention: appellant had been separated from
Baquedano and the weapon had been seized. As the police had the suspect and
weapon in custody, Detective Kim’s further questioning cannot be characterized as
an attempt to assess the situation.
People v. Gann (2011) 193 Cal. App. 4th 994, relied upon by the People, is
distinguishable. There, a brother and sister plotted to kill their stepfather, but make
it appear to be a home invasion robbery. After the staged robbery and the murder
of the stepfather, the brother fled the crime scene. In a joint trial with separate
juries, the brother’s jury was permitted to hear statements made by his sister.
While sitting in an ambulance at the scene, the sister told the police that a masked
man surprised her stepfather in the house, bound his hands, demanded the
combination to the safe, engaged in a struggle with the stepfather, and shot the
stepfather. (Id. at pp. 999-1002.) The brother claimed his sister’s statements to the
police were inadmissible as testimonial hearsay. The appellate court rejected this
14
claim, finding the sister’s statements nontestimonial, as the police were primarily
concerned with determining what had happened and whether the sister had any
information that could help them find the suspect. (Id. at pp. 1007-1009.) In
contrast, here, the officers already had Baquedano’s statements about what had
happened, and the police already had apprehended the suspect and secured the
weapon. Questioning Kiarah about what had happened between appellant and her
mother was not necessary for the officers to deal with an ongoing emergency. In
short, Kiarah’s statements describing the incident were inadmissible testimonial
hearsay.
We conclude, however, that the admission of the statements was harmless
beyond a reasonable doubt. (Cage, supra, 40 Cal.4th at pp. 991-992 [evidentiary
error under Crawford subject to harmless error standard set forth in Chapman v.
California (1967) 386 U.S. 18, 24].) Kiarah’s statements were consistent with
Baquedano’s. While they tended to corroborate Baquedano’s version of events,
other physical evidence did so far more forcefully, rendering the statements
cumulative. The jury heard the recording of Baquedano’s 911 call, saw the photos
depicting her visible injuries -- including ligature marks and bruising -- and heard
the testimony of the hospital nurse, Reina, that Baquedano’s injuries were
consistent with attempted strangulation. Any probative effect of Kiarah’s
statements was further blunted by the fact that she did not claim to have seen
appellant choke Baquedano.
Appellant contends the testimony was calculated to prejudice the jury, as
Detective Kim “carefully described a little girl who was frightened, emotional,
scared, shaking, [and] crying.” However, there was nothing impermissible about
that testimony; a detective may testify to his observation of a victim’s or witness’s
demeanor. Similarly, as appellant himself concedes, Detective Kim’s testimony
15
that when asked about the cord, Kiarah led officers to the closet, retrieved it and
handed it to them was admissible. Under these circumstances, omission of
Kiarah’s statements about the incident would not have altered the outcome of the
trial. In sum, even under the stringent standard applicable here, we conclude that
admission of Kiarah’s statements, though error, was harmless beyond a reasonable
doubt.
C. Sufficiency of the Evidence on the Vandalism Conviction
Appellant contends there was insufficient evidence of his intent to
maliciously damage the window of the patrol vehicle. “In determining whether the
evidence is sufficient to support a conviction or an enhancement, ‘the relevant
question is whether, after viewing the evidence in the light most favorable to the
prosecution, any rational trier of fact could have found the essential elements of the
crime beyond a reasonable doubt.’ [Citations.]” (People v. Vy (2004)
122 Cal. App. 4th 1209, 1224, italics omitted.) Intent is “rarely susceptible of direct
proof and must therefore be proven circumstantially.” (People v. Thomas (2011)
52 Cal. 4th 336, 355.) Malicious intent may be inferred from the “commission of
any wrongful act that caused damage.” (People v. Kurtenbach (2012)
204 Cal. App. 4th 1264, 1282, italics omitted.) For example, in the case of arson,
“malice will be presumed or implied from the deliberate and intentional ignition or
act of setting a fire without a legal justification, excuse, or claim of right.” (In re
V.V. (2011) 51 Cal. 4th 1020, 1028.) Here, appellant repeatedly banged his head
against the window of the patrol car without any legal justification, excuse, or
claim of right. A reasonable jury could infer from appellant’s conduct that he
acted with malicious intent. In short, there was sufficient evidence to support
appellant’s conviction for vandalism.
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D. Criminal Protective Order
1. Relevant Proceedings
At sentencing, the trial court issued a criminal protective order as to
Baquedano, Kiarah, and Jeffrey for the duration of 10 years. Among other
provisions, appellant was ordered not to contact the protected parties, except
through defense counsel.
After the appellate record was filed, counsel filed a written ex parte motion
with the trial court to correct the criminal protective order. At the hearing on the
motion, appellant argued that the court was not authorized under either
section 136.2 or section 273.5 to issue the protective order as to Kiarah and Jeffrey
because they were not domestic violence victims. The court indicated that its
tentative ruling was to allow Kiarah and Jeffrey to remain on the protective order
pursuant to section 136.2, subdivision (a)(6). The court found that as to Kiarah,
although she was not a direct victim of domestic violence, she was a “collateral”
victim because she witnessed the incident. Additionally, as an “immediate family
member[],” the court believed she qualified under section 136.2, subdivision
(a)(6). As to Jeffrey, the court ruled that it might be inclined to lift the protective
order as to him if appellant obtained a family court order allowing him contact
with Jeffrey. The court denied the motion, but ordered that the protective order be
modified to include a reference to section 136.2.
2. Analysis
The parties agree that the court lacked authority to issue a protective order as
to Kiarah and Jeffrey under section 136.2, subdivision (a)(6), as that statutory
provision does not authorize postconviction protective orders. (See People v.
Selga (2008) 162 Cal. App. 4th 113, 118-119.) The People argue, however, that the
court had authority to issue the protective order under section 136.2, subdivision
17
(i)(1) or section 273.5, subdivision (j). Appellant disagrees, arguing that those
statutory provisions apply only to “victims,” and Kiarah and Jeffrey were not
victims of the charged offenses.
“Issues of statutory interpretation are questions of law subject to our
independent or de novo review. [Citations.] ‘The fundamental purpose of
statutory construction is to ascertain the intent of the lawmakers so as to effectuate
the purpose of the law. [Citatons.] In order to determine this intent, we begin by
examining the language of the statute. [Citations.] But “[i]t is a settled principle
of statutory interpretation that language of a statute should not be given a literal
meaning if doing so would result in absurd consequences which the Legislature did
not intend.” [Citations.] Thus, “[t]he intent prevails over the letter, and the letter
will, if possible, be so read as to conform to the spirit of the act.” [Citation.]
Finally, we do not construe statutes in isolation, but rather read every statute “with
reference to the entire scheme of law of which it is part so that the whole may be
harmonized and retain effectiveness.”’ [Citation.]” (Babalola v. Superior Court
(2011) 192 Cal. App. 4th 948, 956 [interpreting section 136.2].)
a. Protective Order under Section 136.2, Subdivision (i)(1)
Section 136.2, subdivision (i)(1) provides in pertinent part:
“In all cases in which a criminal defendant has been convicted of a crime of
domestic violence . . . , the court, at the time of sentencing, shall consider
issuing an order restraining the defendant from any contact with the victim.
The order may be valid for up to 10 years, as determined by the court. . . . It
is the intent of the Legislature in enacting this subdivision that the duration
of any restraining order issued by the court be based upon the seriousness of
the facts before the court, the probability of future violations, and the safety
of the victim and his or her immediate family.”
As used in the chapter containing section 136.2, subdivision (i)(1), “‘[v]ictim’
means any natural person with respect to whom there is reason to believe that any
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crime as defined under the laws of this state . . . is being or has been perpetrated or
attempted to be perpetrated.” (§ 136.)
Under the plain language of section 136.2, subdivision (i)(1), a
postconviction protective order is limited to restraining the defendant from contact
with a “victim,” that is, a “natural person with respect to whom there is reason to
believe that any crime . . . is being or has been perpetrated or attempted to be
perpetrated.” Appellant was convicted of assaulting Baquedano. On the record
before the trial court, there was no reason to believe that any crime was being or
had been perpetrated or attempted to be perpetrated against Jeffrey or Kiarah.
Baquedano testified that appellant “never touched” the children, and no evidence
suggests that appellant ever attempted to harm them. Baquedano thought the
children were in another room at the time of the incident, and she never saw Kiarah
in the bedroom. Thus, section 136.2, subdivision (i)(1) does not provide statutory
authorization for the issuance of a protective order forbidding appellant any contact
with Jeffrey or Kiarah.
Relying on People v. Clayburg (2012) 211 Cal. App. 4th 86 (Clayburg), the
People contend that Jeffrey and Kiarah were “victims,” as they were members of
Baquedano’s immediate family and were harmed by appellant’s actions. The
People’s reliance on Clayburg is misplaced for several reasons. First, Clayburg
involved a different statute, section 646.9, subdivision (k), although the language
in that statute is substantially similar to the language in section 136.2,
subdivision (i)(1).
More important, we must disagree with the Clayburg majority’s
interpretation of the language in section 646.9, subdivision (k). That statute
provides: “‘The . . . court . . . shall consider issuing an order restraining the
defendant from any contact with the victim, that may be valid for up to 10 years, as
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determined by the court. [(First sentence.)] It is the intent of the Legislature that
the length of any restraining order be based upon the seriousness of the facts before
the court, the probability of future violations, and the safety of the victim and his or
her immediate family. [(Second sentence.)]’” (Clayburg, supra, 211 Cal.App.4th
at pp. 88-89.) The Clayburg majority held that the second sentence modified the
first sentence, and expanded the meaning of “victim” in the first sentence to
include “a member of the immediate family of the stalking victim . . . who suffers
emotional harm.” (Id. at p. 88.) We read the second sentence to mean what it
says: the court should consider, among other factors, the “safety of the victim and
his or her immediate family” in determining the length of the restraining order
authorized in the first sentence. Nothing suggests the second sentence also
modifies the scope of the restraining order. As noted by Justice Perren in the
Clayburg dissent, if the term “victim” in the first sentence included a child of the
family, the second sentence would have no need to refer to “the victim and his or
her immediate family.” (Id. at pp. 94-95 (dis. opn. of Perren, J.).)
For similar reasons, we conclude in the instant case that the statutory
language in section 136.2, subdivision (i)(1) providing that “the duration of any
restraining order issued by the court be based upon . . . the safety of the victim and
his or her immediate family” does not modify the term “victim” in the first
sentence. Thus, any restraining order issued under this provision must be limited
to prohibiting contact with the victim.
Finally, Clayburg is factually distinguishable. There, the evidence
established that the defendant stalked the named victim and the victim’s child,
causing both to suffer emotional harm. On those facts, a protective order could
have been issued covering the child under section 136.2, subdivision (i)(1), as the
child was a “natural person with respect to whom there is reason to believe that any
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crime as defined under the laws of this state . . . is being or has been perpetrated or
attempted to be perpetrated.” (§ 136.) In contrast, here, no evidence suggests
Jeffery and Kiarah were similarly targeted or harmed.
In sum, absent evidence from which the trial court could reasonably
conclude that appellant had harmed or attempted to harm Jeffrey or Kiarah, the
court lacked authority to issue the no-contact protective order as to the children
under section 136.2, subdivision (i)(1).
b. Protective Order under Section 273.5, Subdivision (j)
Section 273.5, subdivision (j) contains language similar to section 136.2,
subdivision (i)(1). It provides: “Upon conviction under subdivision (a) [for willful
infliction of a corporal injury upon a victim], the sentencing court shall also
consider issuing an order restraining the defendant from any contact with the
victim, which may be valid for up to 10 years, as determined by the court. It is the
intent of the Legislature that the length of any restraining order be based upon the
seriousness of the facts before the court, the probability of future violations, and
the safety of the victim and his or her immediate family.” (§ 273.5, subd. (j).)
Section 273.5, subdivision (b) provides that subdivision (a) applies if the victim is
or was one or more of the following: (1) the offender’s spouse or former spouse,
(2) the offender’s cohabitant or former cohabitant, (3) the offender’s fiancée, or
(4) the mother or father of the offender’s child. (§ 273.5, subd. (b).)
Under the plain language of section 273.5, the court lacked authority to issue
a protective order as to Jeffrey and Kiarah. First, Jeffrey and Kiarah are not
victims under section 273.5, subdivision (j). Baquedano confirmed that appellant
never used physical force against them (see People v. Johnson (2007)
150 Cal. App. 4th 1467, 1477 [a violation of section 273.5 occurs only where a
direct application of force on the victim results in corporal injury]). Second, for
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the reasons stated above, the second sentence of subsection 273.5, subdivision (j) --
addressing the length of the restraining order -- does not modify the term “victim”
in the first sentence or expand it to include the children. Our interpretation is
bolstered by the fact that the children do not fall within one or more of the
categories of victims listed in section 273.5, subdivision (b). That statutory section
limits the applicability of section 273.5, subdivision (a) to certain victims (spouses,
cohabitants, fiancées, and parent of the offender’s child), and correspondingly
limits the scope of the restraining order authorized by section 273.5, subdivision
(j). Thus, section 273.5, subdivision (j) does not authorize the court to issue a
protective order as to Jeffrey and Kiarah.
In short, neither section 136.2, subdivision (i)(1), nor section 273.5,
subdivision (j) provides legal authority for the issuance of a protective order
forbidding appellant from any contact with Jeffrey or Kiarah. Accordingly, the
protective order must be modified to remove their names.
E. Presentence Custody Credits
Finally, the People argue that the abstract of judgment does not reflect
appellant’s correct presentence custody credits, as appellant was entitled to only
266 days of actual custody credit and 266 days of conduct credit (instead of 326
days each). The People request this court exercise its inherent authority to correct
the clerical error. (People v. Mitchell (2001) 26 Cal. 4th 181, 185.) Appellant
provided no response to the People’s argument. After reviewing the record, we
conclude the People are correct. Accordingly, we will remand with directions to
modify the abstract of judgment to reflect 532 days of presentence custody credit,
consisting of 266 days of actual custody and 266 days of conduct credit.
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DISPOSITION
The convictions are affirmed, and the matter is remanded with directions to
the superior court to modify the abstract of judgment to correct the amount of
presentence custody credits, and to modify the protective order to remove Jeffrey
and Kiarah. As modified, the judgment is affirmed.
CERTIFIED FOR PARTIAL PUBLICATION.
MANELLA, J.
We concur:
EPSTEIN, P. J.
WILLHITE, J.
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