People v. Delgado CA6 ( 2021 )

Filed 11/4/21 P. v. Delgado CA6
NOT TO BE PUBLISHED IN OFFICIAL REPORTS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 This opinion has not been certified for publication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
SIXTH APPELLATE DISTRICT
THE PEOPLE, H047799, H048217
(Monterey County
Plaintiff and Respondent, Super. Ct. No. 19CR004405)
v.
MARIA LUISA DELGADO,
Defendant and Appellant.
Appellant Maria Luisa Delgado was convicted of first degree burglary for entering
an apartment with the intent to intimidate a witness or to commit the crime of criminal
threats, and the jury found that she committed the burglary while another person was
inside the apartment. The jury also convicted Delgado of dissuading a victim by force or
threat and two counts of criminal threats. The trial court sentenced Delgado to a prison
term of two years.
On appeal, Delgado contends the “ ‘person present’ ” violent felony allegation
attached to the burglary must be stricken because it doubly punishes her for the same
conduct as the burglary. Alternatively, Delgado argues the trial court abused its
discretion by refusing to strike the violent felony allegation under Penal Code section
1385.1 In addition, Delgado asserts there is insufficient evidence for her dissuasion
conviction and, alternatively, the concurrent sentence imposed for her criminal threat
conviction involving the same victim must be stayed under section 654.
For the reasons explained below, we affirm the judgment.
I. FACTS AND PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND
A. Procedural Background
In December 2019, the Monterey County District Attorney filed an amended
information (hereafter information), which was further amended orally at trial, charging
Delgado with first degree burglary of an inhabited dwelling occupied by Brenda C.
(§ 459; count 1), dissuading a witness from reporting victimization of Rafael C. by force
or threat (§ 136.1, subd. (c)(1); count 2), and two counts of criminal threats against
Rafael C. and Brenda C., respectively (§ 422, subd. (a); counts 3 & 4).2 The information
further alleged that the burglary charged in count 1 is a violent felony within the meaning
of section 667.5, subdivision (c), in that another person other than an accomplice was
present in the residence during the commission of the burglary (hereafter violent felony
allegation). That same month, a jury convicted Delgado on all counts as charged.
In January 2020, the trial court sentenced Delgado to a lower term of two years in
prison for the burglary conviction (count 1) with concurrent lower terms of two years for
the dissuasion conviction (count 2) and one year four months for each of the criminal
threats convictions (counts 3 & 4). The trial court did not stay the punishment on any
counts pursuant to section 654. In addition, the court calculated the award of “conduct
work credits” at 15 percent, based on the violent felony allegation in count 1.3
1
Unspecified statutory references are to the Penal Code.
2
To protect the privacy of the two victims, we refer to them by their first names
and the first initial of their last name. (Cal. Rules of Court, rule 8.90(b)(4).)
3
In this opinion we refer, collectively, to presentence “conduct credit” (which
includes worktime credit and good behavior credit) and postsentence “worktime credit”
as “conduct credit.” (See In re Pope (2010) 50 Cal.4th 777, 781–782 (Pope); People v.
Dieck (2009) 46 Cal.4th 934, 939, fn. 3.)
2
Delgado timely appealed the judgment of conviction. This court assigned the
appeal case No. H047799.
In April 2020, under section 1170, subdivision (d)(1), Delgado requested that the
trial court: (1) recall her sentence because of a sentencing error under section 654; and
(2) pursuant to section 1385, strike the violent felony allegation, which, in combination
with section 2933.1, limits her conduct credits to 15 percent.
The district attorney opposed Delgado’s request to strike the violent felony
allegation, and argued that the concurrent sentences imposed on counts 2 and 3 did not
violate section 654. The district attorney agreed that the sentence on count 4 should be
stayed under section 654.
In May 2020, the trial court recalled Delgado’s sentence.
In June 2020, the trial court held a resentencing hearing. The court declined to
strike the violent felony allegation. The court resentenced Delgado to the same prison
term previously imposed but modified the sentence pursuant to section 654 by staying the
concurrent term imposed for the conviction on count 4 (criminal threats against Brenda
C.). The court did not stay under section 654 the sentences imposed on count 2 (the
dissuasion count involving Rafael C.) and count 3 (criminal threats against Rafael C.).
The court again calculated Delgado’s conduct credits at 15 percent.
Delgado timely appealed from her resentencing. This court assigned the appeal
case No. H048217.
This court subsequently ordered that Delgado’s two appeals be considered
together.
3
B. Evidence Presented at Trial
1. Prosecution Evidence
In January 2019, Rafael C. worked as an on-site maintenance supervisor at an
apartment complex in Salinas.4 He lived in a ground-floor apartment with his wife,
Brenda C., and their children and spoke English and Spanish.
Around 5:30 p.m. on January 26, Rafael C. and Brenda C. were home preparing
dinner and bathing their children. Six children were in the apartment, including two-
year-old triplets. Rafael C. heard laughter and yelling coming from the complex’s
swimming pool, which was about 50 feet from his apartment. He looked out through a
sliding door and saw people inside the pool area. The pool, however, was closed for the
winter. A gate to the pool area was locked, and a closure notice had been posted and
distributed to the residents.
Rafael C. told Brenda C. that he was going to tell the people to get out of the pool.
Rafael C. went outside and told a man that he and the teenagers with him had to leave the
pool because it was closed for the season. The man protested and questioned Rafael C.’s
authority. Rafael C. explained that he was responsible for the complex. The man replied,
“ ‘I’m going to fuck you up.’ ” Rafael C. felt threatened and told the man he was going
to call the police. After phoning the apartment complex manager, Miguel Diaz, Rafael C.
called 911 and reported that there were people in the closed pool. The group then left the
pool.
While Rafael C. was speaking to the 911 dispatcher near the patio of his
apartment, some of the teenagers returned with appellant Delgado. Delgado told Rafael
C. that she lived at the apartment complex and asked why he had ordered the teenagers
out of the pool. Rafael C. told Delgado he was talking to the police. Delgado said to
Rafael C., in Spanish, “ ‘Oh, well, we’re Norteños, then. We’re going to fuck you.’ ”
4
Unless otherwise indicated, all dates were in 2019.
4
Delgado also said she was going to kill Rafael C.’s entire family and asked where he
lived. Rafael C. feared for his life and his family because he knew the Norteño street
gang was very dangerous and Delgado was very upset. Delgado told Rafael C. he should
stop calling the police, stating “ ‘If you mess up, I’m going to fuck you up.’ ”
The 911 recording captured Delgado saying, “You don’t fuckin’ know us. Call
the fuckin’ cops. They ain’t gonna do shit for you.” Delgado also said, “I live here. I
pay rent here. [¶] . . . [¶] I been here two years. [¶] . . . [¶] Let the cops come.
[¶] . . . [¶] Go ahead and call ‘em. [¶] . . . [¶] Shit, I’m gonna be here.” Further,
Delgado said “find out what the apartment is. [¶] . . . [¶] That’s really fucked up.
[¶] . . . [¶] . . . Who’s your family? Who the fuck is your family?” During the 911 call,
Rafael C. told the dispatcher, “the lady, . . . she wanna tell me she wanna kill me,” after
which Delgado said, “Think[s] he can scare us. He’ll fucking scare us,” and “Watcha
you gonna fucking do?”
When Delgado asked Rafael C. where he lived, he did not respond. From inside
the apartment, Brenda C. heard Delgado say, “ ‘Mother fucker, is that where you live?’ ”
In addition, a neighbor heard, “ ‘Oh, you live here, mother fucker? I am going to kill
you.’ ” After Delgado noticed that the sliding door to Rafael C.’s and Brenda C.’s
apartment was ajar, she opened it further and entered. Rafael C. stayed outside, but he
could see and hear Delgado inside the apartment. Delgado said to Brenda C., “ ‘Tell your
husband to stop calling the police because you don’t know who I am. I’m a Norteño[],
and I’m going to kill you and your family.’ ” Brenda C. was very worried, scared, and
intimidated; she knew about the Norteños gang. Rafael C.’s and Brenda C.’s teenage
children had moved the younger children into a bedroom out of fear, but Delgado saw a
stroller and said to Brenda C., “ ‘Oh, so you’re a mom. You have kids. Well, I’m going
to make sure I kill you and your family.’ ”
Delgado exited the apartment. She took Rafael C.’s cell phone from his hand
while he was still talking to the 911 dispatcher and ran away with it. Rafael C. told
5
Brenda C. to call 911. Brenda C. reported to the 911 dispatcher that Delgado had entered
their apartment, threatened to kill them, and told Brenda C. to stop Rafael C. from calling
the police.
While using Rafael C.’s phone, Delgado told the 911 dispatcher that her “kids are
allowed to be in the . . . pool before 10:00” and “[t]his is some nonsense.” Delgado said
she had taken Rafael C.’s phone because he “doesn’t need to be doin’ this because we
already went through some stuff, and this is not . . . This is . . . actually traumatizing my
children, him calling the cops. And it’s traumatizing me. So, it’s gonna cause a big
deal.” Delgado also said, “I told that bitch, ‘Tell your husband to calm down.’ ”
Delgado gave the dispatcher her name and phone number but not her apartment number
because she had “so [many] problems going on,” had gone to court, and just obtained
“full custody” of her children, who had “been through . . . a trauma.” Delgado further
said she did not understand why Rafael C. called the police because “[t]here’s no
disturbance here.” Delgado suggested Rafael C. “has a problem with” African
Americans given that “[w]e have a . . . gentleman that’s an African American, and he’s
Hispanic.” When the dispatcher asked Delgado to give the phone back to Rafael C.,
Delgado responded, “Of course.”
Delgado placed Rafael C.’s phone on a table inside his apartment. Delgado also
said to Rafael C., “ ‘Here, talk to the police,’ ” and “You’ll see, we’re going to fuck
you.’ ” Rafael C. got back on the phone and reported to the 911 dispatcher that Delgado
“came to my house . . . [¶] . . . [¶] . . .challenges everyone, and . . . she say [sic] I’m
gonna kill everyone. All my family.”
The manager of the apartment complex, Diaz, testified that after Rafael C. called
him, Diaz went to the complex. Diaz spoke briefly with Delgado there that night and
explained that the pool was closed. Delgado was resistant and insubordinate, saying that
Diaz “d[id]n’t know who [he was] dealing with.” Delgado told Diaz that she has
6
“homeboys” from a Norteño gang in Salinas. Diaz “was a bit unnerved” by Delgado’s
statements.
Fearing they might be shot by gang members, Rafael C., Brenda C., and their
children went to a relative’s home after the incident with Delgado. They returned to their
apartment the next day but moved into another unit in the complex the following day
because they were afraid that gang members would attack them at home.
2. Defense Evidence
Delgado testified in her own defense. Prior to these events, she had lived at the
apartment complex for two years and had three children, who were 11, 13, and 15 years
old. Earlier in the day on January 26 (the date of the incident), Delgado’s 15-year-old
daughter, Deisjah Y., had celebrated her birthday with a party at a park.5 Delgado drank
some wine but was not intoxicated. After the party, Deisjah, her siblings, and her friends
went to the pool at the apartment complex while Delgado unloaded her car.
Later, Deisjah told Delgado that a man had kicked the group out of the pool and
was talking to the police. This upset Delgado because she had regained custody of her
children eight months earlier and did not want to lose custody of them. Delgado went to
the pool and asked the man (Rafael C.) why he was calling the police and what her kids
had done. The man did not respond to her.
Delgado got “very loud” and “angry” because she “felt that [she] was going to put
[her] kids in jeopardy” and she “d[id]n’t know what [the man] had already said to the
police.” Delgado used vulgar language because she was very upset and defending her
kids. Delgado denied that she went into Rafael C. and Brenda C.’s apartment. Delgado
explained that she spoke calmly when talking to the 911 dispatcher because she “didn’t
want the police to think anything of [her] because of [her] prior situation” with her
children. Delgado testified that she did not recall making any threats involving gang
5
Because Delgado’s daughter is a minor, we refer to her initially by her first name
and last initial and then by her first name only. (Cal. Rules of Court, rule 8.90(b)(10).)
7
association to either Rafael C. or Brenda C. and denied saying anything about gang
association to Diaz.
On cross-examination, Delgado denied that she ever spoke to Brenda C. and stated
that she did not recall saying, “ ‘I told that bitch tell your husband to calm down.’ ”
Delgado also denied threatening to kill Rafael C. or his children.
Delgado’s daughter Deisjah testified that while she, her siblings, and her friends
were at the pool, a man yelled at and threatened them, saying “he was going to kick
[their] butts and call the police so they could take [the group] to jail.” After this, Deisjah
went to get Delgado and told her what had happened. Delgado was a “little bit” upset
when talking to the man. Deisjah could only remember Delgado saying in an “angry
tone,” “ ‘Why are you yelling at my kids?’ ” Deisjah did not see Delgado go into any
apartment; the entire incident happened outside.
On cross-examination, Deisjah acknowledged she had first reported that the man
at the pool threatened her and her friends when she talked to a defense investigator
shortly before trial.
3. Prosecution Rebuttal
Salinas Police Officer Guadalupe Rodriguez testified that she talked with Delgado
for about 25 to 30 minutes on January 29 (three days after the incident). During that
conversation, Delgado did not mention anything about being concerned the police would
take her children away. Delgado also denied she had yelled profanities at Rafael C. or
entered his apartment.
II. DISCUSSION
Delgado raises four claims of error in this appeal. She contends the violent felony
allegation attached to the burglary (premised on the presence of Brenda C. and the six
children inside the apartment) must be stricken because it doubly punishes her for the
8
same conduct underlying the first degree burglary conviction.6 In the alternative,
Delgado asserts that the trial court abused its discretion by refusing to strike the violent
felony allegation under section 1385. Additionally, with respect to her crimes against
Rafael C., Delgado contends there is insufficient evidence for her dissuasion conviction
on count 2 and, alternatively, the concurrent sentence imposed for her criminal threat
conviction on count 3 must be stayed under section 654. We address Delgado’s claims in
turn.
A. Violent Felony Allegation and Restriction on Earning Conduct Credit
1. Additional Background
Count 1 of the information alleged that Delgado entered an inhabited dwelling
house that was occupied by Brenda C. with the intent to commit a felony. The
information also alleged that the burglary was a violent felony under section 667.5,
subdivision (c)(21) (section 667.5(c)(21)), because a person who was not an accomplice
was present in the apartment during the offense. At trial, the trial court instructed the jury
that the district attorney had to prove “[w]hen [Delgado] entered a building, she intended
to commit either the crime of intimidating a witness or the crime of criminal threats.”
The court did not give the jury any specific instruction on the violent felony allegation
itself.7 The district attorney argued to the jury that Delgado entered the apartment while
it was occupied by Brenda C. and the six children, and the jury returned a verdict finding
Delgado guilty of “first degree burglary, person present,” in violation of sections 459 and
460, subdivision (a).
6
Delgado uses both “allegation” and “enhancement” when stating her claims
regarding the “ ‘person present’ ” violent felony allegation under section 667.5,
subdivision (c)(21), and the resulting limitation on her conduct credits. For simplicity,
we principally use “violent felony allegation” to describe either usage by Delgado.
7
Delgado does not challenge in this appeal the trial court’s instructions to the jury
on count 1.
9
At Delgado’s initial sentencing hearing, the trial court explained that Delgado was
presumptively ineligible for probation under section 462, subdivision (a), and denied
probation because of the seriousness of her crimes and the harm suffered by her victims.
The court noted that Delgado “actually entered the home of the victims with the express
purpose of threatening to kill the victims and their children. The threats were conveyed
inside the home within earshot of the children that were inside the residence.” The court
imposed two years in state prison for Delgado’s first degree burglary conviction, with
additional concurrent terms for the remaining counts. The court also ruled, in accordance
with sections 667.5(c)(21) and 2933.1, that Delgado’s conduct credit should be limited to
15 percent.
At her resentencing hearing, Delgado asked the trial court to exercise its discretion
to strike the violent felony allegation, which in turn would render the conduct credit
limitation of section 2933.1 inapplicable. Delgado argued, inter alia, that “there is an
apparent unfairness” in using the facts that make her nonforcible entry into the apartment
a first degree burglary to also find that she committed “an occupied burglary under
section 667.5(c)(21), which adds further and most serious penal consequences to her
conviction.”
The trial court, “after considerably weighing the competing factors asserted by the
parties” and noting that its decision was not an “easy” one, denied Delgado’s request to
strike the violent felony allegation. The court explained that “[t]here is no ‘apparent
unfairness’ in using the [burglary’s] facts to support the 667.5(c)(21) enhancement.” The
court further stated it “has certainly been impacted by the concerns raised by defense
counsel,” but it also “takes into consideration the impact that [Delgado’s] actions have
had on the victims in this case, their family, their children that were impacted by []
egregious circumstances that really crossed the line here.” In resentencing Delgado, the
court again denied probation, limited Delgado’s conduct credits to 15 percent, and
10
imposed the same prison term as it had previously, except for staying the concurrent term
on count 4 (i.e., the criminal threats to Brenda C.) pursuant to section 654.
On appeal, Delgado contends “the violent felony enhancement and credit
restriction [under section 2933.1] was improperly charged, found true, and applied
against [her] because the Electorate intended the ‘person present’ violent felony
enhancement be applied in ‘hot prowl’ circumstances,” not “to a crime of residential
burglary which involves entry with intent to commit a verbal-act crime – here, a criminal
threat in violation of section 422 – against an occupant of the residence.” Delgado
describes a “typical hot prowl burglary” as one that “involves a forcible entry into a
dwelling with the intent to commit theft, where the presence of a non-accomplice in the
residence aggravates the nature of the crime in terms of the risk of harm.”
Delgado maintains that applying section 667.5(c)(21) under the circumstances in
her case “would plainly violate rules precluding ‘double punishment’ . . . by making a
single entry, with a single felonious intent, into both a first degree burglary and a ‘person
present’ violent felony burglary.”
Delgado asserts that this result is (1) “inconsistent with the principle that the same
fact cannot be used twice to increase punishment,” (2) “contrary to the parallel authority
of section 654,” and (3) “contrary to the further principle that a punishing enhancement
can only be properly applied when it serves the purpose of narrowing the category of
offender.” Delgado further claims the “error here is violative of both state law and due
process, because the resulting sentence and credits limitation are unauthorized by state
law and unsupported by substantial evidence, denying [her] fundamental fairness in
sentencing.” Regarding the remedy for this alleged error, Delgado requests that we direct
the trial court to strike the violent felony allegation and order that Delgado’s conduct
credits not be restricted pursuant to section 2933.1.
11
2. Legal Principles
A person who enters any house or apartment “with intent to commit grand or petit
larceny or any felony is guilty of burglary.” (§ 459.) A burglary is of the first degree
where it is “burglary of an inhabited dwelling house.” (§ 460, subd. (a).) “ ‘[I]nhabited’
means currently being used for dwelling purposes, whether occupied or not.” (§ 459; see
also People v. Rodriguez (2004) 122 Cal.App.4th 121, 132.)
First degree burglary is a “ ‘serious felony’ ” (§ 1192.7, subd. (c)(18)) but not a
“ ‘violent felony,’ ” except where “it is charged and proved that another person, other
than an accomplice, was present in the residence during the commission of the burglary.”
(§ 667.5(c)(21).) “Subdivision (c)(21) was added to section 667.5 by Proposition 21 (the
Gang Violence and Juvenile Crime Prevention Act of 1998), effective March 8, 2000.”
(People v. Garcia (2004) 121 Cal.App.4th 271, 275, fn. 2 (Garcia).)
Under section 2933.1, a defendant convicted of a violent felony as defined by
section 667.5, subdivision (c), has his or her presentence and postconviction conduct
credits restricted to 15 percent—rather than the one-for-one credit a defendant might
otherwise be eligible to receive.8 (Compare § 2933.1 with § 2930 et seq. & § 4019; see
also Pope, supra, 50 Cal.4th at pp. 781–782.) By enacting section 2933.1, “[t]he
Legislature wished to protect the public by delaying the release of prisoners convicted of
violent offenses.” (In re Reeves (2005) 35 Cal.4th 765, 771; see also People v. Baker
(2002) 144 Cal.App.4th 1320, 1327 [“The language of section 2933.1, subdivision (c)
8
Section 2933.1 provides in relevant part: “(a) Notwithstanding any other law,
any person who is convicted of a felony offense listed in subdivision (c) of Section 667.5
shall accrue no more than 15 percent of worktime credit, as defined in Section 2933. [¶]
. . . [¶] (c) Notwithstanding Section 4019 or any other provision of law, the maximum
credit that may be earned against a period of confinement in, or commitment to, a county
jail, industrial farm, or road camp, or a city jail, industrial farm, or road camp, following
arrest and prior to placement in the custody of the Director of Corrections, shall not
exceed 15 percent of the actual period of confinement for any person specified in
subdivision (a).” (§ 2933.1, subds. (a), (c). )
12
evidences an intent to limit the presentence credits that can be received by ‘specified
felons.’ ”].)
Regarding multiple punishment, section 654, subdivision (a), currently provides in
pertinent part, “An 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.” (§654, subd. (a).) The purpose underlying section 654
“is to ensure that a defendant’s punishment will be commensurate with his culpability.”
(People v. Correa (2012) 54 Cal.4th 331, 341 (Correa).) To that end, the statute
prohibits courts from imposing multiple punishments for the same act or omission. (See
People v. Corpening (2016) 2 Cal.5th 307, 311–312 (Corpening).)
“The California Supreme Court addressed the application of section 654 to
sentence enhancements in People v. Ahmed (2011) 53 Cal.4th 156 (Ahmed). As [the
Third District Court of Appeal] has previously explained, ‘The Ahmed court concluded
that section 654 may apply to sentence enhancements arising from the circumstances of
the crime and not imposed based on the status of the offender. [Citation.] As our
Supreme Court noted, sometimes separate enhancements apply to different aspects of the
same substantive offense. [Citation.] Nonetheless, the high court noted that
considerations of whether section 654 requires an enhancement to be stayed will
generally be unnecessary because the sentence enhancement statutes themselves will
more often indicate whether multiple punishments may be imposed. Thus, “[o]nly if the
specific statutes do not provide the answer should the court turn to section 654.” ’ ”
(People v. Buchanan (2016) 248 Cal.App.4th 603, 615 (Buchanan).) In light of Ahmed,
“[s]ection 654 applies when the aspect of a sentence enhancement punishes the exact
criminal conduct for which a defendant has been separately convicted and sentenced.”
(Id. at p. 616; see also Ahmed, at pp. 163–164.)
13
“We interpret statutes added or amended by voter initiative . . . in the same manner
we interpret those enacted by the Legislature.” (People v. Jessup (2020) 50 Cal.App.5th
83, 87.) Our “ ‘ “ ‘ “fundamental task” ’ ” ’ ” is to ascertain the intent of the Legislature
or the electorate to effectuate a law’s purpose. (See ibid.; Smith v. LoanMe, Inc. (2021)
11 Cal.5th 183, 190 (Smith).) “ ‘ “ ‘ “We first examine the statutory language, giving it a
plain and commonsense meaning. We do not examine that language in isolation, but in
the context of the statutory framework as a whole in order to determine its scope and
purpose and to harmonize the various parts of the enactment. If the language is clear,
courts must generally follow its plain meaning unless a literal interpretation would result
in absurd consequences the Legislature [or electorate] did not intend. If the statutory
language permits more than one reasonable interpretation, courts may consider other aids,
such as the statute’s purpose, legislative history, and public policy.” [Citation.]
“Furthermore, we consider portions of a statute in the context of the entire statute and the
statutory scheme of which it is a part, giving significance to every word, phrase, sentence,
and part of an act in pursuance of the legislative purpose.” ’ ” ’ ” (Smith, at p. 190; see
also People v. Superior Court (Pearson) (2010) 48 Cal.4th 564, 571.)
When, as here, the facts are undisputed, the application of section 654 is a
question of law subject to de novo review. (Corpening, supra, 2 Cal.5th at p. 312.)
Further, “[t]he proper interpretation of a statute is a question of law subject to de novo
review. [Citation.] When the trial court applies its factual findings under a statute, we
review the factual findings for substantial evidence; but the interpretation and application
of the statute to those factual findings is a question of law subject to de novo review.”
(People v. Harring (2021) 69 Cal.App.5th 483, 495.)
3. Analysis
a. Whether Conduct Credit Limitations Are “Punishment”
We begin our analysis of Delgado’s claim by examining a threshold dispute
between the parties. That is, whether the application of section 2933.1’s conduct credit
14
limitation—which follows from Delgado’s conviction of a violent felony as defined by
section 667.5, subdivision (c)—constitutes “punishment” and therefore potentially falls
under section 654 and other prohibitions against double punishment.
Delgado asserts that “a reduction in the ability to earn conduct credits increases
punishment.” She also states that her arguments are directed at the section 667.5(c)(21)
enhancement itself—not just to the conduct credit restriction provision of section 2933.1.
In response, the Attorney General maintains that section 2933.1 does not increase
punishment but is instead a sentencing allegation that limits some defendants’ ability to
shorten their sentences through work or good conduct.
We first examine the relevant statutes. Section 667.5 is an enhancement statute
that, in part, increases punishments for those convicted of violent felonies who have
served a prior prison term for a violent felony. (Doe v. Saenz (2006) 140 Cal.App.4th
960, 974 (Doe).) However, under the facts here, section 667.5 does not operate on its
own to enhance Delgado’s sentence because there was no allegation Delgado had served
a prior prison term for a violent felony. Rather, the violent felony allegation under
section 667.5(c)(21) here serves a definitional purpose. Section 2933.1 relies on the
violent felony offense defined by section 667.5(c)(21) to establish the applicability of its
15 percent conduct credit limitation.
Although section 667.5(c)(21) does not independently result in any punishment to
Delgado, the California Supreme Court has suggested that the conduct credit limitation in
section 2933.1 can be considered punishment. In People v. Lara (2012) 54 Cal.4th 896,
the defendant argued “that to limit a prisoner’s opportunity to earn conduct credits is to
increase punishment.” (Id. at p. 905.) In response, our high court stated, “We need not
take issue with the proposition that a person who is released a day early is punished a day
less. The very purpose of conduct credits is to foster constructive behavior in prison by
15
reducing punishment.” (Id. at pp. 905–906.)9 Consistent with the approach of the
California Supreme Court in Lara, we assume without deciding, for purposes of this
appeal, that section 2933.1 constitutes punishment. As that assumption triggers the
limitations set out in section 654, we turn to that statute’s application in this case.
b. Application of Section 654 and Other Alleged Double-Punishment
Prohibitions to Count 1 and Its Enhancement
Section 654 prohibits the imposition of multiple punishments for the same act or
omission. (See Corpening, supra, 2 Cal.5th at pp. 311–312.) Section 654, however, is a
general statute, from which courts presume legislative intent about punishment. (See
Ahmed, supra, 53 Cal.4th at p. 163.) A more specific statute (from which we may infer
legislative intent as that provision) can override the general prohibition against multiple
punishment stated in section 654. (See id. at pp. 159–160.)
Here, section 2933.1 is a specific statute whose text takes it outside the general
terms of section 654. The conduct credit limitations provided for in subdivisions (a) and
(c) of section 2933.1 are mandatory in that they “shall” apply “[n]otwithstanding any
other law” or “any other provision of law,” so long as the defendant has been convicted
of a qualifying violent felony. (§ 2933.1, subds. (a), (c).) The “[n]otwithstanding any
other law” language in section 2933.1 “creates an exception to section 654.” (Pope,
supra, 50 Cal.4th at p. 785; see also People v. Duff (2010) 50 Cal.4th 787, 797, 800–801;
People v. Palacios (2007) 41 Cal.4th 720, 729 [“ ‘[n]otwithstanding any other provision
of law’ ” in section 12022.53 (for firearm enhancements)]; id. at p. 728 [demonstrates a
legislative intent to “create a sentencing scheme unfettered by section 654”].) Thus,
based on the plain language of section 2933.1, we conclude that section 654,
9
By contrast, prior to Lara, some Courts of Appeal concluded that section
2933.1’s conduct credit limitation is not punishment because it does not increase a
sentence. Those courts interpreted section 2933.1 to merely restrict how much a sentence
can be reduced by a defendant’s conduct while in custody. (See Garcia, supra, 121
Cal.App.4th at p. 277; In re Pacheco (2007) 155 Cal.App.4th 1439, 1445.)
16
subdivision (a), does not bar the application of section 2933.1’s conduct credit limitation,
regardless whether its punishment results from an act or omission that is punished
otherwise.
Delgado asserts that this language in section 2933.1 does not undermine her
double-punishment argument because she also challenges the propriety of her “dual
convictions” “of both first degree burglary and the ‘person present’ enhancement under
section 667.5(c)(21),” rather than solely the conduct credit restriction of section 2933.1.
We are not persuaded that, even if section 654 applied, it would bar Delgado’s
punishment for both first degree burglary (§ 460, subd. (a)) and the person present
provision of section 667.5(c)(21).
As noted previously regarding sentence enhancements, section 654 “applies when
the aspect of a sentence enhancement punishes the exact criminal conduct for which a
defendant has been separately convicted and sentenced.” (Buchanan, supra, 248
Cal.App.4th at p. 616.) By contrast, the elements of first degree burglary and the violent
felony allegation are satisfied by different aspects of criminal conduct. On its face,
section 667.5(c)(21) applies (and elevates a first degree burglary to a violent felony)
when “another person . . . was present in the residence during the commission of the
burglary.” (§ 667.5(c)(21).) The person present aspect of section 667.5(c)(21) is not
always present when a burglar commits first degree burglary, and that aspect of the
criminal act reasonably warrants additional punishment. (See Ahmed, supra, 53 Cal.4th
at pp. 163–164.) Additionally, as a factual matter in this case, the violent felony aspect of
the burglary arises not only from the evidence of Delgado’s criminal acts toward Brenda
C. It also arises because six children were present in the apartment during the
commission of the burglary, further satisfying the violent felony allegation. (See People
v. Munguia (2016) 7 Cal.App.5th 103, 110, citing Doe, supra, 140 Cal.App.4th at
p. 987.) Because section 654 only “bars multiple punishment for the same aspect of a
17
criminal act” (Ahmed, at p. 164), we conclude the joint application of section 460,
subdivision (a), and section 667.5(c)(21) here does not implicate section 654.
Furthermore, we discern no “latent ambiguity” in section 667.5(c)(21) as applied
to a non-theft burglary. Referencing such an ambiguity, Delgado urges us to reject the
application of section 667.5(c)(21)—and, in turn, section 2933.1’s conduct credit
limitation—because doing so on these facts would frustrate the purpose of the
enhancement itself or produce absurd results.
We do not agree that the application of section 667.5(c)(21) to a situation like the
one in this case produces an unintended absurd consequence. “Unquestionably, occupied
burglary is a crime involving a potential for violence, justifying an enhanced sentence
under Penal Code section 667.5.” (Doe, supra, 140 Cal.App.4th at p. 972.) The inherent
dangerousness that results when an occupant is present during a burglary certainly exists
when, as in this case, the burglar enters an inhabited residence intending to commit a
felony involving a particular occupant and discovers many other occupants present
(particularly the occupant’s six children). Applying the plain meaning of section
667.5(c)(21) to a situation like the one here—which is at least as dangerous as a “typical
hot prowl burglary” where the intended crime is larceny— rationally gives effect to both
the language of the statute and its purpose to designate a burglary committed in the
presence of others as more serious than a standard first degree burglary. (See Smith,
supra, 11 Cal.5th at p. 190.)
In summary, the text of section 2933.1 makes clear that the conduct credit
limitation applies notwithstanding section 654, so long as the defendant is convicted of a
violent felony as defined by section 667.5, subdivision (c). Further, under the
circumstances of this case, section 654 does not prohibit a finding on or the application of
the violent felony allegation under section 667.5(c)(21) as a matter of double punishment
or “latent ambiguity.” Therefore, we conclude that section 654 does not prohibit the 15
percent limitation on Delgado’s conduct credits under section 2933.1.
18
Additionally, we reject Delgado’s argument (based on case law interpreting
section 186.22, which criminalizes participation in a criminal street gang) that punishing
her twice under the facts here constitutes impermissible “ ‘bootstrapping.’ ” Specifically,
Delgado relies on People v. Arroyas (2002) 96 Cal.App.4th 1439, People v. Briceno
(2004) 34 Cal.4th 451, and Lopez v. Superior Court (2008) 160 Cal.App.4th 824, as
support for her no-“bootstrapping” argument. Those cases are inapposite because the
statutory provisions at issue there are materially distinguishable from sections 2933.1 and
667.5(c)(21). As we have explained, section 2933.1 evinces an intent to apply
notwithstanding any other punishment meted out for the underlying conviction, and
section 667.5(c)(21) targets a separate and potentially more dangerous aspect of burglary
of an inhabited residence. In contrast, the cases Delgado cites interpret unrelated
provisions regarding participation in a criminal street gang, which do not include
analogous language and intent. These cases thus supply an inadequate basis to alter our
conclusion regarding the application of sections 2933.1 and 667.5(c)(21).
Similarly, we are not persuaded by Delgado’s reliance on case law regarding the
Eighth Amendment’s narrowing principle (see People v. Estrada (1995) 11 Cal.4th 568,
575–576) or the due process protection against unconstitutionally vague statutes (see
People v. Johnson (2016) 62 Cal.4th 600, 635, fn. 4). The Eighth Amendment’s
narrowing requirement does not apply to a case like Delgado’s that does not include a
special circumstance murder. (Cf. Estrada, at p. 575; Tuilaepa v. California (1994) 512
U.S. 967, 971–972; Harmelin v. Michigan (1991) 501 U.S. 957, 995.) Furthermore, we
discern no vagueness in section 2933.1 or section 667.5(c)(21), either facially or as
applied to Delgado. Together, the statutes provide adequate notice to potential offenders
about the type of burglary that is considered a violent felony and further that conviction
for such an offense will result in a limitation on earning conduct credits. (See §§ 2933.1
& 667.5(c)(21); see also In re Sheena K. (2007) 40 Cal.4th 875, 890; Kolender v. Lawson
(1983) 461 U.S. 352, 357.)
19
For these reasons, we reject Delgado’s claim that the violent felony allegation
under section 667.5(c)(21) is legally precluded in light of her conviction of first degree
burglary, such that the enhancement must be stricken and her conduct credits must be
unrestricted.
B. Trial Court’s Refusal to Strike the Violent Felony Allegation Under Section
1385
In the alternative to her claim that the violent felony allegation and resulting
conduct credit limitation are legally precluded, Delgado contends the trial court abused
its discretion by refusing to strike the violent felony allegation under section 1385. She
asserts that “the present situation is closely analogous” to People v. Vargas (2014) 59
Cal.4th 635 (Vargas), a decision which concluded that “two prior convictions arising out
of a single act against a single victim” cannot constitute two strikes under the Three
Strikes law. (Id. at p. 637.)
In response, the Attorney General argues that the conduct credit limitation under
section 2933.1 is mandatory and, thus, the trial court could not “invoke section 1385 to
ignore undisputed facts that require the limitation of conduct credit.” Additionally, the
Attorney General asserts that, even if the trial court could have “expand[ed] the
availability” of conduct credit for Delgado, it did not abuse its discretion by rejecting
Delgado’s request to strike under section 1385.
As discussed ante, in declining to strike the violent felony allegation, the trial
court noted the factual circumstances of Delgado’s crime and mentioned its
“considerabl[e] weighing” of competing factors relevant to Delgado’s sentencing,
including Delgado’s concerns as “a single mother [about] not being in a position where
she can care for her children while she’s serving time in custody” and “the impact that
[Delgado’s] actions have had on the victims in this case, their family, their children . . . .”
Section 1385, subdivision (a), provides in part that a court “may, either of his or
her own motion or upon the application of the prosecuting attorney, and in furtherance of
20
justice, order an action to be dismissed.” (§ 1385, subd. (a).) Subdivision (b) of section
1385 states further: “(1) If the court has the authority pursuant to subdivision (a) to strike
or dismiss an enhancement, the court may instead strike the additional punishment for
that enhancement in the furtherance of justice in compliance with subdivision (a). [¶] (2)
This subdivision does not authorize the court to strike the additional punishment for any
enhancement that cannot be stricken or dismissed pursuant to subdivision (a).” (§ 1385,
subd. (b)(1), (2); see also In re Pacheco (2007) 155 Cal.App.4th 1439, 1444–1445
[discussing the striking of a section 667.5 enhancement allegation or its additional
punishment].)
“The standard for appellate review of a decision to dismiss charges or allegations
in the furtherance of justice is whether the trial court abused its discretion in making that
decision.” (People v. S.M. (2017) 9 Cal.App.5th 210, 218.) “This standard is deferential.
[Citations.] But it is not empty. Although variously phrased in various decisions
[citation], it asks in substance whether the ruling in question ‘falls outside the bounds of
reason’ under the applicable law and the relevant facts.” (People v. Williams (1998) 17
Cal.4th 148, 162 (Williams).)
We need not resolve whether the trial court lacked authority under section 1385 to
strike the violent felony allegation and thereby relieve Delgado of section 2933.1’s
conduct credit limitation. Even assuming the trial court here had authority to strike the
violent felony allegation, it did not abuse its discretion in declining to do so.
At Delgado’s resentencing, the trial court provided, in detail, the reasons for its
sentencing decisions. The court stated that it had reviewed the probation report and
material submitted by the defense in support of its request for imposition of probation.10
The court said it “spent a considerable amount of time evaluating the resentencing
10
The probation report used at Delgado’s resentencing was the same one that had
been filed previously for her original sentencing and recommended that Delgado be
placed on probation for three years with conditions.
21
requests that were made by the attorneys and also reconsidered the recommendation that
was made by probation.” In concluding that probation was not appropriate, the court
noted that Delgado’s criminal conduct “was extremely aggressive and threatening” and
had included entering Rafael C.’s and Brenda C.’s apartment and making threats to kill
their entire family. In the court’s view, Delgado also “attempted to misinform the 911
dispatcher about the circumstances surrounding the offense by portraying herself in a
light that was contrary to her actions.” Regarding the impact of Delgado’s crimes on the
victims, the court noted the “emotional injury” and “long-lasting fear” they had of gang-
related retaliation. Furthermore, in selecting the low term for each of Delgado’s
convictions, the court considered that Delgado had “an insignificant record of criminal
conduct” and her prior performance on probation had been “satisfactory.”
When specifically addressing Delgado’s request to strike the violent felony
allegation, the court referenced its reasons for declining to grant probation and further
highlighted Delgado’s entry into the apartment, her concerns about the care of her
children while incarcerated, and the “egregious circumstances” of her crimes. Based on
the record of Delgado’s sentencing hearing and the trial evidence, we conclude there is
ample support for the trial court’s refusal to strike the violent felony allegation.
In addition, we are not persuaded by Delgado that, under Vargas, supra, 59
Cal.4th 635, the trial court “was obligated to strike the ‘person present’ violent felony
allegation.” Setting aside the fact that Delgado did not mention Vargas when she made
her request to strike in the trial court, Vargas does not bolster Delgado’s assertion that
“no reasonable trial judge could have declined to exercise the court’s section 1385
discretion to vacate this enhancement provision on the facts of the present case.”
In Vargas, the California Supreme Court examined “whether the trial court should
have dismissed one of defendant’s two prior felony convictions, alleged as strikes under
the Three Strikes law, where both convictions were based on the same act.” (Vargas,
supra, 59 Cal.4th 635 at p. 640.) The court noted that the defendant had been convicted
22
“of two different crimes (robbery and carjacking) that were based on her commission of
the same act (forcibly taking the victim’s car).” (Id. at p. 645.) Further, the court
explained that the Three Strikes law intended that “no one can be called for two strikes on
just one swing.” (Id. at p. 646.) Our high court concluded that “the trial court was
required to dismiss one of defendant’s two prior strike convictions,” because a failure to
do so under the circumstances “was inconsistent with the intent underlying both the
legislative and initiative versions of the Three Strikes law.” (Id. at p. 645.) Vargas did
not address section 2933.1 or section 667.5(c)(21).
We are not convinced that Vargas’s conclusion regarding the intent of the Three
Strikes law dictates a particular outcome in Delgado’s case. By contrast to the present
case (and as discussed ante), the plain meaning of section 2933.1 suggests a purpose to
incarcerate persons convicted of a violent offense in a single prosecution for a longer
period regardless whether their criminal conduct overlaps to satisfy the elements of the
underlying crime of conviction and the violent felony allegation. Additionally, unlike the
single-victim situation at issue in Vargas, the violent felony allegation in the present case
extended not only to Brenda C. but also to the six children inside the apartment. Thus,
Vargas is inapposite to Delgado’s sentencing.
Under the circumstances of this case, the trial court acted within “ ‘the bounds of
reason’ under the applicable law and the relevant facts” (Williams, supra, 17 Cal.4th at
p. 162) when it refused to strike the violent felony allegation under section 1385.
Accordingly, we conclude the trial court did not abuse its discretion.
C. Sufficiency of the Evidence for Dissuasion Conviction on Count 2
At trial, Delgado was found guilty on count 2 for dissuading Rafael C., in
violation of section 136.1, subdivision (c)(1). On appeal, Delgado contends there is
insufficient evidence for that conviction.
23
1. Legal Principles
“ ‘When considering a challenge to the sufficiency of the evidence to support a
conviction, we review the entire record in the light most favorable to the judgment to
determine whether it contains substantial evidence—that is, evidence that is reasonable,
credible, and of solid value—from which a reasonable trier of fact could find the
defendant guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.’ ” (People v. Powell (2018) 5 Cal.5th 921,
944; see also Jackson v. Virginia (1979) 443 U.S. 307, 318–319; People v. Jimenez
(2019) 35 Cal.App.5th 373, 392.) “In applying this test, we . . . presume in support of the
judgment the existence of every fact the jury could reasonably have deduced from the
evidence.” (People v. Zamudio (2008) 43 Cal.4th 327, 357.) “We ‘must accept logical
inferences that the jury might have drawn from the circumstantial evidence.’ ” (Ibid.)
“ ‘We resolve neither credibility issues nor evidentiary conflicts; we look for substantial
evidence. [Citation.]’ A reversal for insufficient evidence ‘is unwarranted unless it
appears “that upon no hypothesis whatever is there sufficient substantial evidence to
support” ’ the jury’s verdict.” (Ibid.)
Section 136.1, subdivision (c)(1) provides that every person who knowingly and
maliciously commits an act described in subdivision (a) or (b), where the act is
accompanied by force or by an express or implied threat of force or violence, is guilty of
a felony.11 Based on the information and jury instructions for count 2, the relevant act
under section 136.1, subdivision (c)(1) in this case is that described by subdivision (b)(1).
Section 136.1, subdivision (b)(1) provides, in pertinent part: “[E]very person who
attempts to prevent or dissuade another person who has been the victim of a crime or who
11
Section 136.1, subdivision (c) states, in relevant part: “Every person doing any
of the acts described in subdivision (a) or (b) knowingly and maliciously under any one
or more of the following circumstances, is guilty of a felony punishable by imprisonment
in the state prison for two, three, or four years under any of the following circumstances:
[¶] (1) Where the act is accompanied by force or by an express or implied threat of force
or violence, upon a witness or victim or any third person or the property of any victim,
witness, or any third person.” (§ 136.1, subd. (c).)
24
is witness to a crime from doing any of the following is guilty of a public offense . . .:
[¶] (1) Making any report of that victimization to any peace officer or state or local law
enforcement officer or probation or parole or correctional officer or prosecuting agency
or to any judge.” (§ 136.1, subd. (b)(1); see also People v. Navarro (2013) 212
Cal.App.4th 1336, 1347.)
Further, the jury instructions here stated “the People must prove that: [¶] 1. The
defendant maliciously tried to prevent or discourage Rafael [C.] from making a report
that he was a victim of a crime to local law enforcement; [¶] 2. Rafael [C.] was a crime
victim; [¶] AND [¶] 3. The defendant knew she was trying to prevent or discourage
Rafael [C.] from making a report that he was a victim of a crime to local law enforcement
and intended to do so.” As for who is a victim, the instruction read: “A person is a
victim if there is reason to believe that a federal or state crime is being or has been
committed or attempted against him or her.” (See CALCRIM No. 2622; § 136.1, subd.
(c).)
2. Analysis
Delgado contends “there simply is no evidence that what [Rafael C.] was doing
[when speaking to law enforcement] was ‘making a report that he was a victim of a
crime. . . .’ The nature of his report to law enforcement was that there were kids who
were improperly in the pool area . . . [and] their presence in the pool area was not a
crime.” More specifically, Delgado asserts that people who were in the pool area had not
committed criminal trespass under section 602, and there is no evidence “that the threats
by [Delgado] were directed at dissuading [Rafael C.] from reporting anything other than
the youths’ entry into the pool area – which was why he called 9-1-1, as he plainly and
repeatedly explained to the dispatcher.”
For reasons we explain, Delgado’s claim fails because, regardless whether the
people in the pool area were trespassing in violation of the Penal Code, there is sufficient
evidence supporting a finding that Delgado knowingly and maliciously tried to prevent or
25
discourage Rafael C. from reporting a crime Delgado committed against him. Rafael C.
testified that he called the police after a man confronted him and said, “ ‘I’m going to
fuck you up.’ ” Rafael C. initially told the 911 dispatcher that he wanted to report people
in the closed pool. A short time later, Delgado arrived, and Rafael C. told her he was
talking to the police—confirming what Delgado had already learned from her daughter.
Delgado then threatened Rafael C. by saying, “ ‘Oh, well, we’re Norteños, then. We’re
going to fuck you.’ ”
As Rafael C. continued speaking to the 911 dispatcher, Delgado threatened to kill
Rafael C.’s entire family and told him that he should stop calling the police. Rafael C.
also heard Delgado say to Brenda C. that if she did not tell Rafael C. to stop calling the
police, Delgado would kill her and the children. Additionally, Rafael C. reported to the
dispatcher that Delgado said she wanted to kill him and immediately provided his address
to the dispatcher. Delgado responded by saying, “Think’s [sic] he can scare us. He’ll
fucking scare us.” Soon after, Delgado took Rafael C.’s cell phone from him, telling the
dispatcher that she did so because he “doesn’t need to be doin’ this.” When she returned
the phone, Delgado told Rafael C. to talk to the police and said, “ ‘You’ll see, I’m going
to fuck you.’ ”
The jurors could reasonably infer from this evidence that Delgado not only tried to
stop Rafael C. from talking to the 911 dispatcher about what had occurred before she
arrived at the pool area, but also that she tried to stop Rafael C. from reporting the threats
she had made toward him. (See People v. McElroy (2005) 126 Cal.App.4th 874, 881–
883.) Viewing the trial evidence in the light most favorable to the guilty verdict on count
2, we conclude there is sufficient evidence from which a reasonable juror could find
beyond a reasonable doubt that Delgado knowingly and maliciously, using force or
threats of force or violence, tried to prevent or dissuade Rafael C. from reporting his
victimization.
26
D. Section 654 and the Sentence on Count 3
In the alternative to her claim that the evidence of dissuasion on count 2 is
insufficient, Delgado contends the concurrent sentence imposed on count 3 for her
criminal threats against Rafael C. must be stayed under section 654.
1. Legal Principles
“Section 654 precludes multiple punishments for a single act or indivisible course
of conduct.” (People v. Assad (2010) 189 Cal.App.4th 187, 200 (Assad).) Even
concurrent sentences on convictions subject to section 654 are prohibited; the sentence on
one of the two applicable convictions must be imposed and then stayed. (People v.
Deloza (1998) 18 Cal.4th 585, 591–592.)
Application of section 654 “requires a two-step inquiry, because the statutory
reference to an ‘act or omission’ may include not only a discrete physical act but also a
course of conduct encompassing several acts pursued with a single objective.”
(Corpening, supra, 2 Cal.5th at p. 311.) Only if the case involves more than one act does
a court consider whether the case involves a course of conduct. (Ibid.) “At step one,
courts examine the facts of the case to determine whether multiple convictions are based
upon a single physical act.” (Id. at p. 312.) “Whether a defendant will be found to have
committed a single physical act for purposes of section 654 depends on whether some
action the defendant is charged with having taken separately completes the actus reus for
each of the relevant criminal offenses.” (Id. at p. 313.) If the convictions involve more
than one act, the court reaches “step two of the section 654 analysis: whether the [course
of conduct] involved multiple intents and objectives.” (Id. at p. 316.)
At step two, whether crimes arise from an indivisible course of conduct turns on
the perpetrator’s intent and objective. (People v. Harrison (1989) 48 Cal.3d 321, 335.)
“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.” (Neal v. State of California (1960)
55 Cal.2d 11, 19, overruled in part on another ground in Correa, supra, 54 Cal.4th at
27
p. 341.) “Moreover, where a course of conduct is divisible in time it may give rise to
multiple punishment even if the acts are directive to one objective.” (People v. Louie
(2012) 203 Cal.App.4th 388, 399 (Louie).) “This is particularly so where the offenses are
temporally separated in such a way as to afford the defendant opportunity to reflect and
to renew his or her intent before committing the next one.” (People v. Gaio (2000) 81
Cal.App.4th 919, 935.) Whether a defendant harbored a single intent—and thus a single
objective—is a factual question; the applicability of section 654 to settled facts is a
question of law. (Harrison, at p. 335.) We review the record for substantial evidence to
support implied findings sufficient to uphold the sentence under section 654. (See People
v. Osband (1996) 13 Cal.4th 622, 730–731.)
2. Analysis
Delgado maintains that “the witness dissuasion and criminal threats uttered” by
her with respect to Rafael C. “were part and parcel of a single continuous act and course
of conduct, and cannot be twice punished.”12
We are not persuaded that the convictions on counts 2 and 3 are based on a single
physical act or that they comprise an indivisible course of conduct that Delgado
committed with a single intent and objective. The evidence here demonstrates that
Delgado tried to dissuade Rafael C. not only by repeatedly threatening violence on him
and his family, but by grabbing his cell phone out of his hand and running away with it.
Delgado thus committed a forceful physical act in trying to prevent or discourage Rafael
C. from making a report to law enforcement that was distinct from her verbal threats to
kill Rafael C. and his family.
12
Although Delgado did not object under section 654 at her resentencing, the
“failure . . . to object on this basis in the trial court does not forfeit the issue.” (People v.
McCoy (2012) 208 Cal.App.4th 1333, 1338.) Further, if a trial court erroneously fails to
stay the execution of a sentence pursuant to section 654, the trial court has acted in excess
of its jurisdiction, and a reviewing court must correct the error on appeal. (People v.
Scott (1994) 9 Cal.4th 331, 354, fn. 17.)
28
Furthermore, there is substantial evidence supporting a finding that Delgado
harbored more than one purpose when she orally threatened Rafael C. and did so in a
temporally separated manner over the course of the incident. Delgado initially threatened
Rafael C. after witnessing him talking to a 911 dispatcher about the group’s use of the
pool. Subsequently, Delgado uttered murderous threats about Rafael C.’s entire family
and made statements urging him to stop talking to law enforcement. Additionally,
Delgado spent time inside the apartment threatening Brenda C. and talking calmly to the
911 dispatcher, before she ultimately gave Rafael C. his phone back and said, “ ‘You’ll
see, I’m going to fuck you.’ ” This evidence supports that Delgado’s criminal threats and
dissuasion of Rafael C. occurred under circumstances that allowed her to reflect on and
renew her intent and involved more than one objective because her threats and dissuasion
happened successively and under changing circumstances as the incident progressed.
Delgado’s reliance on People v. Mendoza (1997) 59 Cal.App.4th 1333 and Louie,
supra, 203 Cal.App.4th 388 as support for her claim of section 654 error is misplaced. In
both those cases there was a single criminal threat involving an objective of dissuading a
witness. (See Mendoza, at pp. 1345–1346; Louie, at p. 399.) Here, there were multiple
threats over the course of the incident.
Additionally, we are not persuaded by Delgado that, because section 136.1 was
charged as a single crime and has been construed as falling within the “continuous
conduct exception” for which “no election or unanimity instruction was required”
(People v. Salvato (1991) 234 Cal.App.3d 872, 883), it is “untenable” to examine
Delgado’s actions throughout the incident to determine if she harbored more than one
purpose under section 654. “The flaw in this argument is that the application of section
654 does not depend on the allegations of the charging instrument, but on what was
proven at trial.” (Assad, supra, 189 Cal.App.4th at p. 200.) In this case, the trial court
instructed the jurors that to find Delgado guilty on counts 2 and 3, they had to
unanimously agree on an act that proved she committed the offense. Further, the court
29
instructed the jurors that each count is a separate crime that must be considered separately
and result in separate verdicts. Under the circumstances of this case, the jurors could
have convicted Delgado on counts 2 and 3 based on different acts. Moreover, the goal of
section 654 is to ensure that the punishment is commensurate with the defendant’s
culpability. (Correa, supra, 54 Cal.4th at p. 341.) In this context, the multiple acts
committed with opportunity for reflection and for different purposes render Delgado
more culpable and permit multiple punishment.
For these reasons, we conclude that the trial court properly imposed unstayed
concurrent sentences under section 654 on counts 2 and 3.
III. DISPOSITION
The judgment is affirmed.
30
______________________________________
Danner, J.
WE CONCUR:
____________________________________
Greenwood, P.J.
____________________________________
Wilson, J.
H047799, H048217
People v. Delgado