P. v. Ryan CA4/1 ( 2013 )

Filed 7/18/13 P. v. Ryan CA4/1
NOT TO BE PUBLISHED IN OFFICIAL REPORTS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
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or ordered published for purposes of rule 8.1115.
COURT OF APPEAL, FOURTH APPELLATE DISTRICT
DIVISION ONE
STATE OF CALIFORNIA
THE PEOPLE, D062266
Plaintiff and Respondent,
v. (Super. Ct. No. FSB055511)
RALPH MONTECINO RYAN,
Defendant and Appellant.
APPEAL from a judgment of the Superior Court of San Bernardino County,
Arthur Harrison, Judge. Affirmed.
Rodger P. Curnow, under appointment by the Court of Appeal, for Defendant and
Appellant.
Kamala D. Harris, Attorney General, Dane R. Gillette, Chief Assistant Attorney
General, Julie L. Garland, Assistant Attorney General, Melissa Mandel and Eric A.
Swenson, Deputy Attorneys General, for Plaintiff and Respondent.
A jury convicted Ralph Montecino Ryan of murdering James Ramirez and found
true several enhancements. This court reversed the judgment and remanded the matter to
allow Ryan's newly retained or appointed counsel a reasonable opportunity to fully
investigate and present a new trial motion. (People v. Ryan (May 27, 2009, D054601)
[nonpub. opn.] (Prior Opinion).) After the trial court denied Ryan's new trial motion,
Ryan sought relief in a petition for writ of habeas corpus, asserting he received
ineffective assistance because his counsel filed the motion without reviewing the trial
transcripts. (People v. Ryan (June 20, 2011, D057179) [nonpub. opn.].) We granted
relief and directed the trial court to appoint new counsel and allow counsel to present a
new trial motion. (Ibid.) Ryan subsequently requested release of personal juror
identifying information and moved for a new trial. The trial court denied both motions.
Ryan appeals, contending (1) the trial court abused its discretion in denying his
request for juror information and in failing to order an evidentiary hearing, (2) the trial
court erred in denying his new trial motion because there was a reasonable probability of
a different outcome based upon newly discovered evidence, (3) the trial court erred in
excluding evidence of the victim's methamphetamine impairment, and (4) there was
insufficient evidence to support his murder conviction. We reject these contentions and
affirm the judgment.
FACTUAL AND PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND
We adapt this introductory factual statement from our Prior Opinion:
"The witnesses gave varying testimony and some recanted their earlier statements
to police when they testified at trial; however, viewed in the light most favorable to the
judgment, the evidence was as follows.
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"West Side Verdugo is a large Hispanic criminal street gang in San Bernardino
with a number of cliques, including the Lil Counts gang, which has a long-standing
rivalry with the Florencia 13 gang. [Ryan and Henry Ruiz (together defendants)] are
West Side Verdugo and Lil Counts gang members and victim Ramirez had an affiliation
with Florencia 13.
"Ramirez lived in an apartment complex located on Fairfax Drive, an area
controlled by the Lil Counts gang. At about 2:00 or 3:00 a.m. on April 20, 2005,
Ramirez was sitting in a chair inside the downstairs apartment of Araseli Ochoa with
Mario Chan, sisters Tabitha and Samantha Ferguson, a Lil Counts gang member known
as Joker and several other people. They were all either, drinking or smoking marijuana
and methamphetamine. When Ochoa was younger, she considered herself to be a
member of the West Side Verdugo gang.
"Chan left the apartment and then walked back inside, followed by the two
defendants. Each defendant had a Bud Light beer bottle in one hand and a gun in the
other hand. Ruiz slapped Ramirez and told him that outsiders did not belong; defendants
then fired at Ramirez, killing him, and ran outside.
"Defendants were charged with first degree murder, personally discharging a
firearm causing great bodily injury or death and personally and intentionally using and
discharging a firearm resulting in death during the commission of a crime. It was also
alleged that they committed the crime for the benefit of a gang and that Ruiz had suffered
a prior felony conviction.
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"The matter proceeded to trial and a jury heard testimony that about two weeks
before the shooting, Ochoa had an altercation with Ruiz because Ruiz did not want
Ramirez in her house. The jury also learned that Chan had heard defendants engage in
rival gang conversation with Ramirez and that Ruiz and Ramirez had threatened each
other.
"Marco Granado, a gang expert for the San Bernardino Police Department,
testified that a person openly identifying himself as a Florencia 13 member living in a
Lil Counts neighborhood such as Fairfax would need to be addressed by Ruiz as the
"shot-caller" for the Lil Counts gang. He also testified that people are often afraid to
testify against members of West Side Verdugo or Lil Counts because of possible
retaliation against themselves or their family, including death. When asked why some
witnesses appeared reluctant to identify Ryan, Granado explained that when gang assaults
occur in front of witnesses who are also gang members, the witnesses might implicate the
person who actually committed the assault, but try to protect any other gang members
with that person.
"An autopsy revealed that Ramirez suffered a scalp abrasion and had been struck
by three bullets, one of which penetrated his heart and lungs. Inside Ochoa's apartment,
police recovered several .380 caliber cartridge casings, which a ballistics expert
determined had been fired from a single weapon. Police also recovered a loaded nine
millimeter cartridge that appeared to have come from a different weapon. Police found a
carton containing Bud Light bottles behind a nearby carport and two similar bottles inside
Ochoa's apartment. One of the bottles inside the carton contained Ryan's fingerprints.
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The police also found more Bud Light bottles when they searched Ruiz's living room and
bedroom.
"Ruiz testified in his own defense. He claimed that on the evening of April 19, he
went to a club with Ryan, his wife and other friends and that he got home at about 2:00
the following morning. He then went to another friend's house after his wife fell asleep.
Ruiz admitted knowing Ramirez, but claimed he had no "problems" with him and did not
know who killed him or why. He denied being a "shot-caller" or an active gang member.
He claimed that he had been drinking with Ryan in the early morning hours of April 20
and that was why Ryan's fingerprints were found on a bottle. He admitted that after the
murder he left his apartment, never went back and avoided law enforcement until police
found him a couple months later.
"[A] jury found defendants guilty as charged and found all enhancement
allegations to be true, except the allegations that Ryan had personally and intentionally
discharged a firearm resulting in death. The trial court sentenced Ryan to state prison for
a total term of 50-years-to-life and imposed certain restitution fines."
DISCUSSION
I. Request for Release of Juror Information
A. Background
Ryan moved to disclose personal juror information. He supported his motion with
a declaration from his counsel. In that declaration, counsel stated that "[w]hile
investigating the case, reviewing the transcripts and speaking to all those with direct
knowledge of what occurred during the jury trial, it was brought to [his] attention that
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[Ryan] has claimed one of the jurors fell asleep during his trial. This suggests juror
partiality and concealment of such partiality during voir dire and during the trial." Ryan
offered a "proposed letter from judge to jurors" which asked the jurors to respond as to
whether they were willing to discuss their jury service with Ryan's attorney.
The trial court denied Ryan's request for juror information, stating it was "going to
exercise [its] discretion because of the nature of the case, the conduct that was part of the
case, conduct in front of a number of other witnesses, [and] the possibility of intimidation
towards jurors." The court also noted that it was "confident jurors were not sleeping to
any great extent" and Ryan's request amounted to a "fishing expedition."
B. Analysis
Ryan argues the trial court abused its discretion in denying his request for juror
information and failing to order an evidentiary hearing. We reject this argument.
A criminal defendant may petition for access to personal juror identifying
information—their names, addresses and telephone numbers—when the sealed
information is "necessary for the defendant to communicate with jurors for the purpose of
developing a motion for new trial or any other lawful purpose." (Code Civ. Proc., § 206,
subd. (g).) The petition must be supported by a declaration that includes facts sufficient
to establish good cause for the release of the information. (Code Civ. Proc., § 237, subd.
(b).) If the court determines the petition and supporting declaration establish a prima
facie showing of good cause for release of the juror information, the court must set a
hearing, unless the record establishes a compelling interest against disclosure. (Ibid.)
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To demonstrate good cause, a defendant must make a sufficient showing " 'to
support a reasonable belief that jury misconduct occurred.' " (People v. Jones (1998) 17
Cal.4th 279, 317.) The alleged misconduct must be " 'of such a character as is likely to
have influenced the verdict improperly.' " (People v. Jefflo (1998) 63 Cal.App.4th 1314,
1322.) Good cause does not exist where the allegations of jury misconduct are
speculative, conclusory, vague, or unsupported. (People v. Wilson (1996) 43 Cal.App.4th
839, 852.) We review an order denying a request for personal juror identifying
information for abuse of discretion. (People v. Jones, at p. 317.)
Here, Ryan contends he made a prima facie showing of good cause based on the
declaration from his counsel. However, counsel's declaration consisted solely of a vague,
conclusory and unsupported statement that Ryan had claimed at some point that a juror
fell asleep during his trial. Ryan did not provide any details to support a reasonable
belief that misconduct occurred, such as at which point during the proceedings the juror
allegedly fell asleep, for how long or who observed the behavior. Further, Ryan's counsel
failed to indicate how he learned that a juror fell asleep. Instead, he merely stated, "[I]t
was brought to [his] attention." Notably, Ryan did not provide a supporting declaration
regarding his claim. Under these circumstances, we conclude the trial court acted well
within its discretion in denying Ryan's request for juror information because Ryan did not
establish a prima facie showing of good cause. Absent a prima facie showing of good
cause, the trial court was not required to hold a hearing.
Lastly, we reject Ryan's claim that the trial court applied an improper standard or
failed to make a finding on whether Ryan established "good cause." The trial court stated
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Ryan's request amounted to a "fishing expedition" and set forth compelling reasons for
nondisclosure, including jurors' concerns for their safety and possible intimidation.
Based on our review of the record, we find no indication that the trial court utilized an
incorrect standard in considering Ryan's request.
II. Newly Discovered Evidence
A. Background
During trial, Ruiz's counsel sought to introduce evidence that Justin Kirk, a
West Side Verdugo gang member facing capital charges in Riverside County, had
confessed to Ramirez's murder and was willing to testify. The court held an Evidence
Code section 402 hearing with Kirk, but Kirk asserted his rights under the Fifth
Amendment and refused to testify. Defense counsel later sought to introduce a written
summary of Kirk's interview with detectives and written summaries of telephone calls
that Kirk made from jail.
In our Prior Opinion, we set forth the substance of Kirk's interview with detectives
and the telephone calls. (Prior Opinion, at pp. 5–7.) In sum, Kirk suggested in the calls
that he wanted to obtain details about Ramirez's murder and that he was going to confess
to the crime. During a police interview, Kirk stated he committed the murder but
provided little details or specifics about it. The trial court excluded the evidence,
concluding it was inadmissible because it lacked sufficient indicia of reliability. On
appeal, we concluded the trial court did not abuse its discretion in excluding the evidence.
(Prior Opinion, at p. 9.)
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In conjunction with his new trial motion, Ryan called Kirk as a witness. Kirk
again asserted his rights under the Fifth Amendment and refused to testify. Thereafter,
Ryan presented testimony from his defense investigator, Richard Lonsford. Lonsford
testified he interviewed Kirk in prison in 2012. During that interview, Kirk stated Ryan
was not present during Ramirez's murder; instead Kirk was with Ruiz during the crime.
Contrary to Kirk's 2005 police interview wherein he stated he shot Ramirez, Kirk now
told Lonsford that Ruiz was the shooter.
The trial court ruled Kirk's statements to Lonsford did not constitute new evidence
to support a new trial, lacked reliability, and would not be admissible as declarations
against penal interest.
B. Analysis
Ryan argues the trial court erred in denying his new trial motion because there was
a reasonable probability of a different outcome based upon Lonsford's testimony
concerning Kirk's statements, which constituted newly discovered evidence.
Specifically, Ryan claims Kirk's statements contradict the prosecution's theory that Ryan
was present with Ruiz during the crime. We reject Ryan's contentions.
A trial court "may, upon [a defendant's] application, grant a new trial" when "new
evidence is discovered material to the defendant, and which he could not, with reasonable
diligence, have discovered and produced at the trial." (Pen. Code, § 1181, subd. 8.) For
a court to grant a new trial on this ground, the newly discovered evidence must not
"simply corroborate[] the defendant's story" (People v. Cooper (1979) 95 Cal.App.3d
844, 852) or "contradict a witness of the opposing party" (People v. Hall (2010) 187
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Cal.App.4th 282, 299). Nor is a new trial warranted if the new evidence is "merely
cumulative" (People v. Fong Ah Sing (1886) 70 Cal. 8, 10; People v. Butts (1965) 236
Cal.App.2d 817, 827) or "merely impeaching in character" (People v. Snyder (1940) 36
Cal.App.2d 528, 535). Rather, to justify a new trial, the " 'newly discovered evidence . . .
must make a different result probable on retrial.' " (People v. Verdugo (2010) 50 Cal.4th
263, 308.) To determine whether a different result is likely on retrial, " 'the trial court
may consider the credibility as well as materiality of the evidence.' " (People v. Delgado
(1993) 5 Cal.4th 312, 329 (Delgado).)
On appeal from an order denying a motion for new trial, we apply the deferential
abuse of discretion standard. (Delgado, supra, 5 Cal.4th at p. 328.) " '[W]e accept the
trial court's credibility determinations and findings on questions of historical fact if
supported by substantial evidence.' " (People v. Verdugo, supra, 50 Cal.4th at p. 308.) In
addition, "we justifiably accord considerable deference to the trial judge 'because of "his
observation of the witnesses, [and] his superior opportunity to get 'the feel of the case.' " ' "
(People v. Hayes (1985) 172 Cal.App.3d 517, 524–525.)
Here, Ryan's proffered evidence was not "newly discovered." To the contrary,
similar evidence regarding Kirk's alleged confession was considered and excluded by the
trial court during Ryan's trial. Although Kirk's statements to Lonsford vary somewhat
from his 2005 police interview, the essence of the statements was the same. Kirk
previously claimed that he was responsible for the shooting and merely changed his story
to indicate Ruiz was the shooter.
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In any event, even assuming the evidence was newly discovered, it is unlikely that
the evidence would have rendered a different result at trial. Although "[n]umerous cases
hold that a motion for a new trial should be granted when the newly discovered evidence
contradicts the strongest evidence introduced against the defendant" (People v. Martinez
(1984) 36 Cal.3d 816, 823), Kirk's statements to Lonsford were simply a variation of
Kirk's earlier confession and, like his earlier statements, were inadmissible because they
were not trustworthy. (Prior Opinion, at pp. 8–9.) Moreover, " 'the trial court may
consider the credibility as well as materiality of the evidence in its determination [of]
whether introduction of the evidence in a new trial could render a different result
reasonably probable.' " (Delgado, supra, 5 Cal.4th at p. 329.) Kirk's statements to
Lonsford contradicted his earlier police interview and were devoid of facts regarding the
murder. Further, in 2005, Kirk attempted to obtain details about the murder, suggesting
he was going to take responsibility for a crime he did not commit. Accordingly, the trial
court was well within its discretion in finding that the proffered evidence lacked
credibility, and implicitly finding that it was not probable it would have rendered a
different result on retrial.
III. Exclusion of Evidence
Ryan argues the trial court erred in denying his new trial motion because it
erroneously excluded evidence that the victim was under the influence of
methamphetamine at the time of the murder. He contends the evidentiary ruling deprived
him of his right to fully present a defense based on heat of passion or imperfect self
defense. We disagree.
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An unlawful killing with malice aforethought, premeditation, and deliberation
constitutes first degree murder, whereas the absence of premeditation and deliberation
reduces the crime to second degree murder. (People v. Bohana (2000) 84 Cal.App.4th
360, 368.) Premeditation and deliberation may be negated by such factors as heat of
passion or intoxication so as to reduce the crime to second degree murder. (People v.
Wickersham (1982) 32 Cal.3d 307, 329–330.) A killing may further be reduced to
voluntary manslaughter when the absence of malice is shown by heat of passion arising
from provocation by the victim that would cause a reasonable person to react with deadly
passion, or an unreasonable but good faith belief in the need to act in self defense.
(People v. Gutierrez (2002) 28 Cal.4th 1083, 1143–1144; People v. Lasko (2000) 23
Cal.4th 101, 108.)
A defendant's constitutional right to present a defense requires admission of all "
'relevant and material' " evidence. (People v. Babbitt (1988) 45 Cal.3d 660, 684.) A trial
court's discretionary power to exclude evidence under Evidence Code section 352 "must
yield to a defendant's due process right to a fair trial and to the right to present all
relevant evidence of significant probative value to his or her defense." (People v.
Cunningham (2001) 25 Cal.4th 926, 998–999.) A trial court's discretionary ruling under
Evidence Code section 352 will not be disturbed unless the court acted in an "arbitrary,
capricious, or patently absurd manner that resulted in a manifest miscarriage of justice[.]"
(People v. Rodriguez (1999) 20 Cal.4th 1, 9–10.)
Here, police found a knife or sheath underneath the victim's body. Ryan contends
that with this evidence combined with evidence of the victim's methamphetamine
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impairment, "the defense could have set forth a reasonably plausible argument that the
homicide was the lesser offense of voluntary manslaughter." However, for voluntary
manslaughter, both provocation and actual heat of passion must be demonstrated.
(People v. Gutierrez, supra, 28 Cal.4th at p. 1143.) There was no evidence of
provocation in this case or that the victim even brandished the knife. The evidence
revealed that although the victim had a knife with him, he never grabbed for it, with one
witness stating, "He didn't even have a chance." Based on the foregoing, we conclude the
trial court did not err in excluding evidence of the victim's methamphetamine
impairment.
IV. Sufficiency of the Evidence
Ryan argues the trial court erred in denying his new trial motion because there was
insufficient evidence to support his murder conviction. Specifically, he contends the
court did not independently weigh the evidence, and if it had done so, it would have
concluded there was insufficient evidence of his presence at the crime scene and that he
aided and abetted the murder. We disagree.
In deciding a new trial motion, the trial court weighs the evidence independently
to determine whether there is sufficient credible evidence to support the verdict, but is
guided by a presumption in favor of the correctness of the verdict. (People v. Davis
(1995) 10 Cal.4th 463, 523–524.) In determining whether the verdict is contrary to the
evidence, the court is confined to evidence that was before the jury. (People v. Moreda
(2004) 118 Cal.App.4th 507, 514.) On appeal, we indulge a strong presumption that the
court properly exercised its discretion. (People v. Davis, at p. 524.)
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Ryan argues the trial court did not independently weigh the evidence because it
concluded "there was ample evidence upon which the jury could determine that Mr. Ryan
was present [and] that he participated." The trial court's comments do not indicate that it
applied the wrong standard in denying Ryan's new trial motion. Rather, the trial court
referenced the jury's findings but also recounted its interpretation of the evidence and
reasoning for denying the new trial motion.
Ryan further contends the trial court erred in denying his new trial motion because
the evidence was insufficient to support a finding that he was present at the crime scene
and aided and abetted the murder. Although the witnesses gave varying testimony and
some recanted their earlier statements to police when they testified at trial, at least one
witness testified at trial that Ryan was present when the murder took place. Further,
Ryan's fingerprints were on beer bottles found near the crime scene and similar bottles
were found in the apartment where the murder took place.
Additionally, the evidence showed that Ryan and the victim were in rival gangs.
Ryan had previously made threatening statements to the victim and at least one witness
testified that Ryan was with Ruiz at the apartment where the murder took place. The
evidence revealed that while they were at the apartment, Ruiz lifted his shirt to reveal a
gun and then Ryan and Ruiz approached the victim. After a short verbal altercation, Ruiz
shot the victim. Ryan and Ruiz both benefitted from the killing of a rival gang member
because it showed they were willing to put in the work necessary for the gang to thrive.
It is not our function to reweigh the evidence or the credibility of witnesses.
(People v. Pitts (1990) 223 Cal.App.3d 606, 884.) Based on the record, we agree with
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the trial court that there was sufficient evidence to establish Ryan's guilt. Accordingly,
we conclude the court acted within its discretion in denying Ryan's motion for a new
trial.
DISPOSITION
The judgment is affirmed.
MCINTYRE, J.
WE CONCUR:
BENKE, Acting P. J.
NARES, J.
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