People v. Lopez CA5 ( 2022 )

Filed 5/20/22 P. v. Lopez CA5
NOT TO BE PUBLISHED IN THE OFFICIAL REPORTS
California Rules of Court, rule 8.1115(a), prohibits courts and parties from citing or relying on opinions not certified for
publication or ordered published, except as specified by rule 8.1115(b). This opinion has not been certified for publication
or ordered published for purposes of rule 8.1115.
IN THE COURT OF APPEAL OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA
FIFTH APPELLATE DISTRICT
THE PEOPLE,
F080683
Plaintiff and Respondent,
(Super. Ct. No. VCF361905D)
v.
STEVEN MICHAEL LOPEZ, OPINION
Defendant and Appellant.
APPEAL from a judgment of the Superior Court of Tulare County. Gary L.
Paden, Judge.
Victoria H. Stafford, under appointment by the Court of Appeal, for Defendant
and Appellant.
Rob Bonta, Attorney General, Lance E. Winters, Chief Assistant Attorney
General, Michael P. Farrell, Assistant Attorney General, Louis M. Vasquez, Robert K.
Gezi, Lewis A. Martinez, Kari Mueller, Amanda D. Cary, and William K. Kim, Deputy
Attorneys General, for Plaintiff and Respondent.
-ooOoo-
INTRODUCTION
Stephen Michael Lopez and three codefendants—Robert Ramos, Francisco Nava,
and Ruben Perez—engaged in a confrontation at a convenience store with E.D. and his
girlfriend, C.A. They yelled rival gang slurs at E.D., Lopez and Perez threw drinks into
the car E.D. and C.A. were sitting in, and Lopez grabbed E.D.’s shirt, struck him in the
back of the head, and scratched his neck. Perez also tried to grab E.D. E.D. drove away.
E.D. saw a black car speeding toward him, heard two gunshots and glass breaking, and
felt an impact on his car. He saw the black car on the left side of his car and the back
passenger window rolled down.
The four defendants were charged with multiple offenses in relation to the
incident. At trial, the prosecution presented expert testimony on street gangs, evidence of
the defendants’ prior contacts with police, and certified records of conviction of Norteño
gang members as proof of a pattern of gang activity to prove the street gang
enhancements.
The jury acquitted the four defendants of attempted murder of E.D. and C.A.
(counts 1 and 2, respectively) and was deadlocked on the lesser included offense of
attempted voluntary manslaughter. The jury convicted all four defendants of shooting
into an occupied motor vehicle in violation of Penal Code section 246 (count 3) and
found true allegations a principal used a firearm (§ 12022.53, subds. (c) & (e)(1)) and that
the offense was committed for the benefit of a criminal street gang (former § 186.22,
subd. (b)(1)(C)). (Undesignated statutory references are to the Penal Code.) The jury
was deadlocked as to all four defendants on count 4, criminal street gang conspiracy in
violation of section 182.5. The jury convicted Lopez and Perez of battery in violation of
section 242 in count 5 and found true an enhancement alleging the offense was
committed for the benefit of a criminal street gang (former § 186.22, subd. (b)(1)(C)).
The jury convicted Lopez of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon in violation of
section 29800, subdivision (a)(1) (count 6).
2.
Lopez now challenges the judgment on multiple grounds. He first contends there
was insufficient evidence to support his convictions for shooting at an occupied vehicle
(count 3) and illegal possession of a firearm (count 6). He also argues the evidence was
insufficient to support the gang enhancements because the People failed to meet their
evidentiary burden under People v. Prunty (2015) 62 Cal.4th 59 (Prunty). And he
contends the court erred in staying, rather than striking, his prior serious felony
enhancement. In supplemental briefing, he further challenges the validity of the gang
enhancements and firearm enhancement under the Legislature’s recent passage of
Assembly Bill No. 333 (2021–2022 Reg. Sess.) (Assembly Bill 333), which, in part,
amended the language of section 186.22 to modify the showing necessary to sustain a
gang enhancement. Lopez asserts the changes enacted by Assembly Bill 333 are
retroactive and, accordingly, his gang enhancements should be reversed and retried under
the new requirements of section 186.22. He also argues his case should be remanded for
resentencing under recently enacted Senate Bill No. 567 (2021–2022 Reg. Sess.) (Senate
Bill 567).
We agree Assembly Bill 333 applies retroactively and Lopez is entitled to reversal
of his gang enhancements and firearm enhancement on that basis. However, we affirm
Lopez’s convictions for shooting at an occupied motor vehicle, battery, and felon in
possession of a firearm. We remand for further proceedings consistent with this opinion.
FACTUAL BACKGROUND
February 3, 2018 Incident
In the evening of February 3, 2018, E.D. was at a convenience store with his
girlfriend C.A.; E.D. was wearing a navy blue shirt. They met E.D.’s parents for dinner.
E.D. testified codefendants Nava and Ramos approached E.D. when he was at the register
checking out, though other evidence introduced suggests Ramos did not enter the store.
C.A. identified Nava and Lopez as the individuals who approached E.D. inside the store.
Officer Michael Elliot, who was tasked with identifying the suspects in the video
3.
surveillance footage from the convenience store, testified Nava and Lopez could be seen
inside the store on the day of the incident.
Nava said, “‘What’s up Ene?’” E.D. testified the statement is “like an initiation
from a gang member to another gang member.” E.D. smiled and said “What’s up?” E.D.
walked out of the store toward his car; Lopez and his codefendant Perez followed E.D.
and said, “‘Fuck Sur trece.’” E.D. understood the statement to mean “disrespect toward
the Southerner gang.” E.D. testified all four defendants continued to yell disrespectful
Southern gang slurs while E.D. and C.A. walked toward his car. E.D. and C.A. got in the
car and reversed; E.D. saw Ramos and Nava talking to his mother as she was trying to get
in her car. E.D. testified his car had a Los Angeles Dodgers logo decal on it; he and C.A.
denied any gang involvement. E.D. rolled his window down halfway to tell the
defendants he did not want any problems but, before he could, Lopez and Perez threw
drinks into E.D.’s car. Lopez then grabbed and scratched E.D.’s neck; Perez tried to grab
E.D., too. E.D. drove off. As he was leaving, E.D. saw Lopez and Perez running to a
black four-door sedan; he saw them get into it. He told C.A. to call 911 as he turned onto
the road from the driveway. He could see the defendants’ car in his rearview mirror
exiting from the same driveway.
E.D. got in the far right lane. The defendants pulled up behind E.D.’s car and then
next to it. E.D. heard glass breaking, tires screeching, and two gunshots. E.D. and C.A.
saw the rear passenger side window of the defendants’ car rolled down. E.D. drove back
to the convenience store and he and C.A. waited for the police. Both E.D. and C.A.
identified Lopez at the preliminary hearings and C.A. identified him in a photographic
line-up following the incident.
The manager of the convenience store gave the police the surveillance videos from
that day. Officer Elliot identified Perez, Ramos, Nava, and Lopez in the video shown at
trial. Officer Elliot testified Ramos could be seen getting into the driver’s seat at the gas
station/convenience store.
4.
Gang Expert Testimony
Before trial, defendant Perez moved to bifurcate the gang allegations. The court
noted it would treat the objection as a joint challenge by all the defendants. The court
considered the motion and tentatively denied it because the gang allegations and
underlying charges overlapped. The prosecutor argued the gang evidence was
intertwined with the charges, motive, and intent, and substantive evidence of it would
come in with regard to the section 182.5 charge. The court noted it intended to allow the
gang expert to testify about the foundational components and opinions regarding the gang
allegations and asked for comments from the parties; no objections or comments were
made. The court explained to the prosecutor that, “with the Sanchez [People v. Sanchez
(2016) 63 Cal.4th 665] issue,” she was going to have to “prove … up individually …
with witnesses.”
Officer Joel Arjona, who was assigned to the Tulare Area Regional Gang
Enforcement Team in February 2018, testified as a gang expert. He discussed his
experience working with gangs and how the Norteño and Sureño gangs are structured.
He explained both gangs have symbols and signs used to reflect their affiliation. Norteño
gang members associate with the number 14 and the color red. They use the huelga bird
as a symbol of the gang. Sureño members use the color blue to represent the gang and
associate with the number 13. Arjona explained the Norteño gang derives from the
prison gang Nuestra Familia. Local street gang members of the Norteño gang report to
an individual called a “channel.” The “channel” then reports up to a member of Nuestra
Familia who oversees the county. He testified Norteño members pay “taxes” that are
used for the benefit of the gang. He explained the Norteño gang has different cliques or
subsets that all identify with the color red and the number 14. Members of different
subsets work together, communicate with one another, commit crimes together, and share
information and weapons. He discussed the Norteño subset North Side Visa Boyz (or
NSVB) and the symbols and tattoos they used to identify themselves. He stated all
5.
NSVB members are in Tulare County. He testified NSVB is a subset of the Norteño
gang in Visalia.
Officer Arjona explained what he deemed to be “primary activities of the Norteno
gang” based on his investigations and reports and from speaking to other officers and
gang members. The primary activities included “a lot of criminal activities,” 33 of which
the Penal Code considers “gang crimes.” He listed specific gang crimes he opined were
primary activities of the Norteño gang including auto theft, possession of firearms,
murder, attempted murder, assault, assault with deadly weapons, kidnappings, burglary,
and vandalism.
He testified, based on his knowledge, training, and experience, gang members
carry weapons at times to protect themselves, to intimidate, to use them, or to transport
them from one location to another. They are supposed to tell each other when one is
carrying a firearm “so if you get pulled over or something happens, you know what to
expect.” Given a hypothetical mirroring of the facts of this case, Officer Arjona testified
it was his opinion such a crime was committed in association with and for the benefit of
the Norteño criminal street gang. He opined, the four gang members in the hypothetical
“have one common goal. Maybe they didn’t necessarily know the goal when they were
going to go to the stop, but eventually the goal was common.”
Predicate Offenses
Officer Arjona testified regarding two specific predicate offenses. He discussed
the murder of John Hernandez committed by Norteño gang members Jacob Robles and
Julian Gonzalez at the direction of Joe Dominguez, another gang member, on May 19,
2010. Officer Arjona was familiar with the case through his research. Based on his
training and experience, speaking with other officers, and reading reports, Officer Arjona
testified he believed gang member Joe Dominquez directed the two other gang members
to kill the victim, who was a gang dropout. The prosecutor then introduced certified
copies of records from that case, People v. Julian Gonzalez, case No. VCF241993. The
6.
records reflect the crime was committed in Tulare County and the defendant was
convicted of murder on May 15, 2012. The jury found true various enhancements,
including a gang enhancement pursuant to former section 186.22, subdivision (b).
Officer Arjona then testified regarding an attempted murder that occurred at the
Visalia Mall during business hours on January 27, 2012, by Adrian Esquer and Anthony
Hanson. Arjona was not on duty at the time, but he researched the incident after the fact
and testified “it was a gang crime.” Based on his conversations with the primary
detective, study of the case, and review of the contacts of the suspects involved, Arjona
concluded the individuals involved were “gang members and that this was an
intimidation shooting against a rival gang member. And a person who was caught in
crossfire was also struck.” He specifically opined Adrian Esquer was a Norteño gang
member at the time he committed the offense. He further opined the offense fits within
the pattern of Norteño street gang activity in Tulare County. He testified the mall
shooting involved “different subsets that were working together. So just because you’re
part of a different subset doesn’t necessarily mean that you’re not friends, you’re not a
Norteño gang member.” The People introduced the certified conviction packet for
People v. Adrian Esquer, case No. VCF263049B for convictions of attempted murder
and assault with a firearm in Tulare County, conviction date of January 31, 2014. It also
reflects the jury found true gang enhancements pursuant to former section 186.22,
subdivision (b).
Officer Arjona testified he reviewed 12 different gang contacts Lopez had with the
police. Based on his training, knowledge, experience, and investigation of this case,
Officer Arjona opined Lopez was a Norteño gang member in February 2018. Multiple
gang validation criteria applied to Lopez including: “the association with, admits to gang
membership, named by a reliable source, which would be law enforcement officers as
members of the gang unit, associates with gang members, involved in gang-related
crimes, gang-associated tattoos, gang clothing or attire.”
7.
Prior Contacts
Several officers testified independently about contacts they personally had with
Lopez.
On June 30, 2016, Officer Michael Lombardo encountered Lopez. He conducted
a field interview with him, documented his tattoos, and noted he was wearing red tennis
shoes. Lopez had a “Visa” tattoo across his stomach, “North Side” on his forearm,
“NSVB” across his chest, one dot on one wrist and four dots on the other. Lopez did not
want to answer whether he was a gang member but he denied being a dropout. He was
with Nathan Licon, a northern gang member.
On July 13, 2016, Officer Austin Huerta conducted a field interview with
defendant Lopez after seeing him walking in the roadway with other Norteño associates.
Huerta knew Lopez to be a North Side Visa Boy and Lopez told him he was still in good
standing with the gang during that encounter. Huerta documented Lopez’s tattoos
including an “NSVB” tattoo on Lopez’s chest.
On October 30, 2016, Officers Art Alvarez and Dan Ford contacted Lopez, who
was wearing a 49’ers jacket, and another individual. They appeared to be having a
dispute and a stolen firearm was found on the ground nearby, approximately 10 feet from
their location.
On May 10, 2017, Officer Alvarez did a field interview with Lopez during which
Lopez admitted to his gang affiliation. Lopez stated “he was an active Northerner with
the hood of being a Visa Boy.” Officer Alverez explained that means Lopez is a
Norteño, “Visa Boy is just a clique or a common hood. It’s just the sub-gang that is
under the Norteno gang of what he belongs to.” Alvarez documented Lopez’s tattoos,
which included a “114 Percent Buster” tattoo on the back of his head (buster is a
derogatory term for a Norteño); “Hood tested; Yard Approved” on his neck, a Tulare
County mural with a big “TC” on his back, and “Visa Boyz” on the inside of each
forearm.
8.
On August 2, 2017, at the same convenience store where the charged incident
began, there was a gang-related shooting involving Lopez. The People introduced
surveillance video footage of the store from that day. Lopez and three known Norteño
gang members were the victims of the shooting; one of them, Miguel Lopez, was shot in
the stomach. Officer Bryan Scott responded to the shooting. Lopez reported to the
police the “scraps” (a derogatory term use to refer to members of the Sureño gang)
perpetrated the shooting.
On December 20, 2017, Officer Austin Huerta contacted Lopez in a “known
Norteño hangout,” smoking marijuana and drinking; Lopez was wearing all red and a
49’ers’ logo. Huerta testified he had been told “SF” stands for “Scrap Free,” which is
why Norteños wear clothing associated with the San Francisco 49’ers. Lopez stated he
was in good standing with the Norteño gang; he had new facial tattoos, including Mayan
dots and bars symbolizing the number 14 on his left cheek and a huelga bird on his right
cheek.
The People also introduced testimony about the other codefendants’ prior contacts
with law enforcement, focusing on incidents that had gang-related circumstances.
Verdict and Sentencing
The jury acquitted all four defendants of attempted murder of E.D. and C.A.
(counts 1 and 2, respectively) and was deadlocked on the lesser included offense of
attempted voluntary manslaughter. The court declared a mistrial on the attempted
voluntary manslaughter charge. The jury convicted all four defendants of shooting into
an occupied motor vehicle in violation of section 246 (count 3) and found true allegations
a principal used a firearm (§ 12022.53, subds. (c) & (e)(1)) and that the offense was
committed for the benefit of a criminal street gang (former § 186.22, subd. (b)(1)(C)).
The jury was deadlocked as to all defendants on count 4, criminal street gang conspiracy
in violation of section 182.5; accordingly the court declared a mistrial on this count. The
jury convicted Lopez and Perez of battery in violation of section 242 in count 5 and
9.
found the offense was committed for the benefit of a criminal street gang (former
§ 186.22, subd. (b)(1)(C)). The jury convicted Lopez of possession of a firearm by a
convicted felon in violation of section 29800, subdivision (a)(1) (count 6).
DISCUSSION
I. Sufficiency of the Evidence
Lopez argues insufficient evidence supports his convictions for shooting at an
occupied vehicle and felon in possession of a firearm. He also argues the evidence was
insufficient to support the gang enhancement. We address and reject each of defendant’s
contentions in turn.
A. Standard of Review
“‘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. Edwards (2013) 57 Cal.4th
658, 715.) “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.” (People v. Zamudio (2008) 43 Cal.4th 327, 357.)
B. Sufficient Evidence Supports Lopez’s Conviction for Shooting at an
Occupied Vehicle
Lopez first contends there was insufficient evidence he aided and abetted the
shooting or that he could be liable for count 3 as a coconspirator. We disagree.
1. Applicable Law
Section 246 provides in pertinent part: “Any person who shall maliciously and
willfully discharge a firearm at an …. occupied motor vehicle, … is guilty of a felony….”
“A violation of section 246 is a general intent crime.” (People v. Ramirez (2009) 45
10.
Cal.4th 980, 985, fn. 6; see People v. Iraheta (2014) 227 Cal.App.4th 611, 620; People v.
Hernandez (2010) 181 Cal.App.4th 1494, 1500.)
To establish that a defendant is guilty of an offense as an aider and abettor, the
prosecution must demonstrate that the defendant “‘acted “with knowledge of the criminal
purpose of the perpetrator and with an intent or purpose either of committing, or of
encouraging or facilitating commission of, the offense.” [Citation.]’” (People v. McCoy
(2001) 25 Cal.4th 1111, 1118; accord, People v. Mendoza (1998) 18 Cal.4th 1114, 1123;
People v. Nguyen (2015) 61 Cal.4th 1015, 1054.)
“‘Whether a person has aided and abetted in the commission of a crime ordinarily
is a question of fact. …[¶] … [¶] Among the factors which may be considered in making
the determination of aiding and abetting are: presence at the scene of the crime,
companionship, and conduct before and after the offense.’” (People v. Nguyen, supra, 61
Cal.4th at p. 1054; accord, In re Lynette G. (1976) 54 Cal.App.3d 1087, 1094; People v.
Campbell (1994) 25 Cal.App.4th 402, 409; In re Jessie L. (1982) 131 Cal.App.3d 202,
217.) “‘Evidence of a defendant’s state of mind is almost inevitably circumstantial, but
circumstantial evidence is as sufficient as direct evidence to support a conviction.’
[Citation.]” (People v. Nguyen, supra, at p. 1055.)
“‘Conspiracy requires two or more persons agreeing to commit a crime, along
with the commission of an overt act, by at least one of these parties, in furtherance of the
conspiracy. [Citations.] A conspiracy requires (1) the intent to agree, and (2) the intent
to commit the underlying substantive offense.’ [Citation.]” (People v. Homick (2012) 55
Cal.4th 816, 870.) “‘Evidence is sufficient to prove a conspiracy to commit a crime “if it
supports an inference that the parties positively or tacitly came to a mutual understanding
to commit a crime. [Citation.] The existence of a conspiracy may be inferred from the
conduct, relationship, interests, and activities of the alleged conspirators before and
during the alleged conspiracy.”’” (People v. Maciel (2013) 57 Cal.4th 482, 515–516;
accord, People v. Homick, supra, at p. 870 [“‘“The punishable act, or the very crux, of a
11.
criminal conspiracy is the evil or corrupt agreement.”’ [Citation.] [¶] If the agreement
between the conspirators is the crux of criminal conspiracy, then the existence and nature
of the relationship among the conspirators is undoubtedly relevant to whether such
agreement was formed, particularly since such agreement must often be proved
circumstantially”]; People v. Ware (2020) 52 Cal.App.5th 919, 940 [“Incidents occurring
before the start of the conspiracy may be considered as circumstantial evidence
supporting the existence of the conspiracy”].)
2. Analysis
Lopez contends, to the extent his conviction of count 3 for shooting at an occupied
vehicle was based upon an aiding and abetting theory, the prosecution needed to prove he
knew Nava was armed with a gun and that Lopez “in some way promoted Nava’s use of
it,” but there was no evidence to support those conclusions. He argues any inference the
defendants discussed shooting at E.D.’s car was “pure speculation.” He further asserts
the evidence was insufficient to establish he and his codefendants agreed to shoot at
E.D.’s vehicle as necessary to support a conviction based on a conspiracy theory. On
reply, he relies upon the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals case, Mitchell v. Prunty (9th Cir.
1997) 107 F.3d 1337, in support of his contentions.1 We conclude sufficient evidence
supports this conviction.
Here, the jury was instructed it could convict Lopez of shooting at an inhabited
vehicle under an aiding and abetting theory or as a coconspirator. And our review of the
record reveals substantial evidence from which a rational trier of fact could have found
Lopez guilty of this count beyond a reasonable doubt based on an aiding and abetting
theory. The same evidence of Lopez’s and the other defendants’ conduct, relationship,
interest, and activities before and during the offense, when viewed in the light most
1This case was overruled on other grounds in Santamaria v. Horsley (9th Cir. 1998) 133
F.3d 1242, 1248.
12.
favorable to the judgment, also provides sufficient evidence to support a conclusion
Lopez conspired to commit the shooting at E.D.’s vehicle.
The evidence at trial, including the surveillance footage of the events giving rise to
the charges and testimony of the victims and officers, support a conclusion Lopez and
Nava entered the store and instigated the initial confrontation with E.D. Lopez and Perez
then escalated the verbal confrontation to a physical one by approaching E.D.’s car,
grabbing and scratching him, and throwing their drinks at him. The surveillance footage
shows the defendants hanging out together outside the gas station area, Perez staring at
E.D. and C.A., and the roles each defendant assumed during the initial confrontation at
the convenience store. It also can be viewed as depicting Lopez and Nava entering the
backseat of the car after the initial confrontation at the gas station and before the
defendants’ car pursued E.D.’s car. The victims’ testimony provided evidence two shots
were fired from the defendants’ car, the window of the backseat passenger of the
defendants’ car was down, and the defendants then fled. The prosecution also introduced
significant evidence of the defendants’ gang affiliation, which related to the defendants’
relationship to one another, as well as evidence of the gang rivalry between Norteños and
Sureños, and expert testimony regarding how crimes were typically executed by gang
members, including that members typically notify others in the car with them if they are
in possession of a weapon. There was also evidence Lopez was previously attacked by
members of the rival Sureño gang at the same convenience store gas station six months
before the charged incident, and E.D. appeared to be wearing rival gang colors on the
night of the crime.
Considering all of this evidence together in the light most favorable to the verdict,
it was reasonable for the jury to infer beyond a reasonable doubt Lopez intended to aid
and abet the shooting at E.D.’s vehicle. (See People v. Nguyen, supra, 61 Cal.4th at p.
1055 [substantial evidence supported jury’s conclusion defendant aided and abetted
attempted murder where he was passenger in car waiting in parking lot before pursuing
13.
victim’s car; defendant stared at occupants in victim’s car as they passed it; fellow gang
member shot at victim’s car from front seat; and gang expert testified to existing gang
rivalry].). The jury could also reasonably conclude from this same evidence that Lopez
conspired with the other defendants to commit the shooting. (See People v. Jurado
(2006) 38 Cal.4th 72, 121 [“[a]lthough there is no direct evidence that defendant and [an
accomplice] discussed in advance the killing of [the victim], there was evidence that they
were alone together … shortly before the killing, during which a discussion and
agreement could have taken place,” from which jury could infer defendant and
accomplice(s) had specific intent to agree or conspire to murder victim].)
In so holding, we disagree with Lopez’s suggestion there needed to be direct
evidence Lopez was aware a codefendant was armed. Rather, this fact could be inferred
from the record presented. (See People v. Nguyen, supra, 61 Cal.4th at p. 1055 [expert
testimony regarding relevant gang rivalry and customary behavior including driving
around “‘hunting for their rivals,’” in context with “defendant’s act of staring at the
occupants of [the victim’s] car—followed by his car’s maneuver in an out of the
restaurant parking lot—could have supported the inference that defendant was aware of
the impending shooting and acted to facilitate it by identifying [the rival gang] members
riding in [the victim’s] car”].)
In so holding we conclude Mitchell v. Prunty, supra, 107 F.3d 1337, relied upon
by Lopez, is distinguishable. In Mitchell, the Ninth Circuit concluded there was
insufficient evidence the defendant aided and abetted a gang-related murder as there was
no evidence he rendered any assistance or encouraged the driver who ran over the gang
rival and crushed the victim. (Mitchell, at p. 1342.) The Ninth Circuit stated,
“Membership in a gang cannot serve as proof of intent, or of the facilitation, advice, aid,
promotion, encouragement or instigation needed to establish aiding and abetting.” (Ibid.)
Unlike in Mitchell, Lopez was not convicted of this offense solely based upon his
presence in the car and his gang membership. Rather, evidence of his conduct before and
14.
after the shooting, coupled with evidence of his motive, gang membership, and
relationship to the other defendants, provided substantial evidence from which the jury
could infer he conspired or aided and abetted the offense. (See People v. Campbell
(1994) 25 Cal.App.4th 402, 409 [“‘[a]mong the factors which may be considered in
making the determination of aiding and abetting are: presence at the scene of the crime,
companionship, and conduct before and after the offense’”]; People v. Mejia (2012) 211
Cal.App.4th 586, 607–610 [affirming multiple gang members’ convictions for murder as
aiders and abettors, including member who reluctantly went with others to rival’s
residence “‘to have [his friend’s] back’”]; accord, People v. Superior Court (Quinteros)
(1993) 13 Cal.App.4th 12, 20 [noting common gang membership can comprise part of the
circumstantial evidence supporting the inference of a conspiracy].)
We reject defendant’s first contention.
C. Sufficient Evidence Supports Lopez’s Conviction for Felon in
Possession of a Firearm
Defendant next challenges his conviction for being a felon in possession of a
firearm, arguing there was no evidence to support the jury’s finding that he possessed a
firearm. Again, we disagree.
1. Relevant Procedural Background
Lopez was charged with one count of possession of a firearm by a felon.
(§ 29800, subd. (a)(1); count 6.) The prosecution introduced certified records of Lopez’s
prior felony conviction for assault with great bodily injury with a gang allegation, with a
conviction date of November 16, 2011.
The court instructed the jury with a tailored version of CALCRIM No. 2510
stating, in part:
“To prove Defendant Lopez is guilty of this crime, the People must
prove that:
15.
“One, he possessed a firearm; [¶] Two, he knew that he possessed a
firearm; [¶] And three, he had previously been convicted of a felony. [¶] …
[¶]
“Two or more people may possess something at the same time. A
person does not have to actually hold or touch something to possess it. It is
enough if the person had control over it or the right to control either
personally or through another person.”
The prosecutor then argued, with regard to the charge for possession of a firearm
by Lopez:
“Count 6 is felon in possession of a firearm. Again, this only applies
to Defendant Lopez. I must prove that he possessed a firearm. He knew he
possessed a firearm, and he previously had been convicted of a felony.
You have his certified records pertaining to his felony conviction, so that
element has been established. The issue will be whether he possessed it,
right? And he knew he possessed it, because no one saw a firearm in that
case. But you don’t need someone to get on that stand and tell you I saw a
firearm, to know that a gun was used in this case by four Norteno gang
members.
“So how do we know that he possessed it? Well, the law tells you
two or more people may possess something at the same time. A person
does not actually have to hold or touch something to possess it. It is
enough if the person has control over it or the right to control it either
personally or through another person.
“And that is what we have here. We have Defendant Lopez getting
in the backseat of the car, followed by Defendant Nava. We know that
backseat window was rolled down. That shot came from the backseat
where those two were seated. They are active Norteno criminal gang
members.
“Officer Arjona told you that the Norteno gang, they have to put
each other on notice when one of them is carrying. That is when the
Norteno gang members go out to commit a crime. They all aren’t carrying.
It only takes one person to shoot a gun. One person, but they are acting as
a unit. They are acting together. They have control over that because they
are in corroboration because they are the ones executing that situation, and
that’s what we have here.”
16.
2. Applicable Law
Subdivision (a)(1) of section 29800 provides, in relevant part, “Any person who
has been convicted of a felony … and who owns, purchases, receives, or has in
possession or under custody or control any firearm is guilty of a felony.” “Possession
may be physical or constructive, and more than one person may possess the same
contraband.” (People v. Miranda (2011) 192 Cal.App.4th 398, 410; accord, People v.
Williams (2009) 170 Cal.App.4th 587, 625.) “Possession may be imputed when the
contraband is found in a place which is immediately accessible to the joint dominion and
control of the accused and another.” (People v. Miranda, supra, at p. 410; accord, People
v. Newman (1971) 5 Cal.3d 48, 53, disapproved on another point in People v. Daniels
(1975) 14 Cal.3d 857, 862.)
3. Analysis
The parties dispute whether sufficient evidence supports the jury’s conclusion
Lopez “possessed” the gun. Lopez contends there was no evidence he had actual or
constructive possession of the gun. He asserts there was no evidence he even knew a
codefendant had a gun or that Lopez had the right to control it. Lopez argues, “At most,
the evidence showed that [he] was near the gun when Nava fired it which is not a basis
for a conviction of possessing the gun.” The People respond the evidence showed Lopez
and the other three gang members in the car were in joint possession of the firearm. They
highlight that Ramos drove Perez’s car, suggesting the gang members had the right to
exercise control over each other’s possessions at the time of the shooting. We conclude
sufficient evidence supports Lopez’s conviction for possession of a firearm by a felon.
Lopez does not dispute there was evidence from which the jury could conclude he
was in the backseat of the car and the shots emanated from the backseat, supporting a
conclusion he was in close proximity to and potentially had access to the gun. And we
agree with his assertion his mere proximity or access to the gun, by itself, is insufficient
to establish he possessed it. (See People v. Bay (2019) 40 Cal.App.5th 126, 132 [“‘mere
17.
proximity’ or opportunity to access the contraband, ‘standing alone, is not sufficient
evidence of possession’”]; accord, People v. Land (1994) 30 Cal.App.4th 220, 225
[“‘[d]ominion and control are essentials of possession, and they cannot be inferred from
mere presence or access. Something more must be shown to support inferring of these
elements. Of course, the necessary additional circumstances may, in some fact contexts,
be rather slight’”]; People v. Zyduck (1969) 270 Cal.App.2d 334, 336 [same].)
But we conclude the record here contains additional facts beyond Lopez’s mere
presence in the car or access to the firearm, which give rise to a reasonable inference he
had constructive possession of it. As discussed ante, there was also evidence from which
the jury could infer Lopez knew the gun was in the car and he facilitated its use; that is,
he aided and abetted the shooting of E.D.’s car. The jury could have reasonably
concluded as such based upon Lopez’s and his codefendants’ conduct before and after the
shooting, Lopez’s relationship to his codefendants, his gang affiliation, and the evidence
of his interest or motive. Indeed, there was evidence Lopez was part of the initial verbal
confrontation and escalated it into a physical confrontation. Based upon such evidence,
in addition to the evidence of Lopez’s access to the firearm based upon his presence in
the car, we conclude a rational trier of fact could reasonably infer Lopez had the right to
control the firearm. (See People v. Land, supra, 30 Cal.App.4th at p. 228 [evidence of
defendant’s presence in and access to stolen car coupled with evidence he and driver
were friends, defendant knew car was stolen, and they used car for common criminal
mission supported finding defendant had constructive possession of vehicle].)
Accordingly, we conclude his conviction of possession of a firearm by a felon is
supported by substantial evidence.
We reject Lopez’s second contention.
D. Sufficient Evidence Supports the Gang Enhancements
In his initial briefing, Lopez argued insufficient evidence supports the gang
findings necessary for the enhancements imposed under former section 186.22,
18.
subdivision (b) and section 12022.53, subdivision (e)(1). While we are vacating the gang
findings under Assembly Bill 333, as discussed further post, we still must address this
claim to determine whether the enhancements may be retried on remand. We conclude
the gang findings were supported by substantial evidence under the law in effect at the
time of Lopez’s trial.
1. Applicable Law
A gang enhancement applies to one who commits a felony for the benefit of, at the
direction of, or in association with a criminal street gang, with the specific intent to
promote, further, or assist in criminal conduct by gang members. (Former § 186.22,
subd. (b)(1); see People v. Sanchez, supra, 63 Cal.4th at p. 698.) At the time of trial, to
sustain a gang enhancement, the prosecution has to prove “‘that the gang (1) is an
ongoing association of three or more persons with a common name or common
identifying sign or symbol; (2) has as one of its primary activities the commission of one
or more of the criminal acts enumerated in the statute; and (3) includes members who
either individually or collectively have engaged in a “pattern of criminal gang activity”
by committing, attempting to commit, or soliciting two or more of the enumerated
offenses (the so-called “predicate offenses”) during the statutorily defined period.’”2
(Sanchez, supra, at p. 698; see former § 186.22, subd. (f).) Section 186.22, subdivision
(e) lists the crimes that qualify as predicate offenses. “[T]he prosecution must show that
the group the defendant acted to benefit, the group that committed the predicate offenses,
and the group whose primary activities are introduced, is one and the same.” (Prunty,
supra, 62 Cal.4th at p. 81; see id. at p. 75.) This is referred to as the “‘sameness
requirement.’” (Id. at pp. 76, 81.)
2As discussed further post, Assembly Bill 333 subsequently amended the language of
section 186.22, subdivision (f). For purposes of our substantial evidence review in this part, we
quote from and refer to the law in effect at the time of trial.
19.
In Prunty, the California Supreme Court concluded “that where the prosecution’s
case positing the existence of a single ‘criminal street gang’ for purposes of section
186.22(f) turns on the existence and conduct of one or more gang subsets, then the
prosecution must show some associational or organizational connection uniting those
subsets. That connection may take the form of evidence of collaboration or organization,
or the sharing of material information among the subsets of a larger group. Alternatively,
it may be shown that the subsets are part of the same loosely hierarchical organization,
even if the subsets themselves do not communicate or work together.” (Prunty, supra, 62
Cal.4th at p. 71.)
2. Analysis
Lopez argues Arjona, the gang expert, testified about the Norteño gang in general
and described predicate acts and primary activities of Norteños but offered no specific
testimony connecting the Norteños who committed the predicate acts and primary
activities with a Visalia subset or to the North Side Visa Boyz subset with which Lopez
identified. He asserts, pursuant to Prunty, because the prosecution did not establish the
predicate offenses were committed by members of a subset that shared a connection with
the North Side Visa Boyz or that identified with a larger Norteño group, the evidence was
insufficient to show the existence of a single “criminal street gang” encompassing both
the group Lopez sought to benefit and the specific subsets whose members committed the
predicate offenses. He further contends Arjona never testified regarding the primary
activities of the NSVB subset, any other subset, or of the Visalia Norteños. We conclude
the issue addressed in Prunty is not present in this case and the evidence was sufficient to
support Lopez’s gang enhancements.
In Prunty, the defendant was an admitted member of the Detroit Boulevard
Norteño set. (Prunty, supra, 62 Cal.4th at p. 68.) The prosecution’s theory underlying
the gang enhancement charge was the defendant committed the charged assault to benefit
the Sacramento-area Norteños. (Id. at p. 82.) To prove the predicate offenses, the gang
20.
expert in Prunty “described a 2007 confrontation between two Norteño gang subsets, the
Varrio Gardenland Norteños and the Del Paso Heights Norteños, that led to two Varrio
Gardenland members’ convictions for a variety of offenses, including murder and
attempted murder. [He also] testified about a 2010 incident in which members of the
Varrio Centro Norteños shot at a former Norteño gang member. Besides [the expert’s]
testimony that these gang subsets referred to themselves as Norteños, the prosecution did
not introduce specific evidence showing these subsets identified with a larger Norteño
group. Nor did [the expert] testify that the Norteño subsets that committed the predicate
offenses shared a connection with each other, or with any other Norteño-identified
subset.” (Prunty, supra, at p. 69.)
The Prunty court held “where the prosecution’s case positing the existence of a
single ‘criminal street gang’ for purposes of section 186.22(f) turns on the existence and
conduct of one or more gang subsets, then the prosecution must show some associational
or organizational connection uniting those subsets.” (Prunty, supra, 62 Cal.4th at p. 71.)
Put differently, it is not “permissible for the prosecution to introduce evidence of
different subsets’ conduct to satisfy the primary activities and predicate offense
requirements without demonstrating that those subsets are somehow connected to each
other or another larger group.” (Id. at p. 72.) The Supreme Court held insufficient
evidence supported the gang enhancement in that case, concluding “the prosecution’s
evidence fell short … with respect to the predicate offenses. [The expert] referred to two
offenses involving three alleged Norteño subsets …. Although [the expert] characterized
these groups as Norteños, he otherwise provided no evidence that could connect these
groups to one another, or to an overarching Sacramento-area Norteño criminal street
gang.” (Id. at p. 82.) That is, the expert’s testimony did not “demonstrate that the subsets
that committed the predicate offenses, or any of their members, self-identified as
members of the larger Norteño association that defendant sought to benefit. Although
there was ample evidence that [the defendant] self-identified as both a member of the
21.
Detroit Boulevard Norteños and the larger umbrella Norteño gang, and that he
collaborated with a member of another subset to commit his present offenses, the
prosecution presented no evidence that the members of the Varrio Gardenland and Varrio
Centro Norteños self-identified as part of the umbrella Norteño gang.” (Prunty, at pp.
82–83.)
By contrast, here, the prosecution’s case positing the existence of a single
“criminal street gang” for purposes of former section 186.22, subdivision (f) did not turn
on the existence and conduct of one or more gang subsets. Rather, the prosecution’s
theory underlying the gang enhancement charge was the defendants committed the
shooting at E.D. to benefit the broader Norteño gang, rather than a specific subset. Thus,
the case hinged on proving the existence of the Norteños as a unitary gang under former
section 186.22.
The prosecution introduced evidence Lopez self-admitted he was an active
Norteño gang member on more than one occasion. During a field interview, Lopez
specifically told Officer Alvarez “he was an active Northerner with the hood of being a
Visa Boy.” Officer Alverez explained that meant Lopez is a Norteño, Visa Boy is just a
“clique or a common hood. It’s just the sub-gang that is under the Norteno gang of which
he belongs to.” Officer Arjona explained all NSVB Norteño gang members are in Tulare
County; they associate with the number 14 and share a common enemy in the Sureños;
and the subset “fall[s] within the gang,” “they’re given orders.” He further testified, “the
hierarchy is based on communication from the street level all the way up to from [sic] an
area of, like, Visalia.” Street level Norteño gang members report up to someone in
charge called a “channel,” who reports up and to a Nuestra Familia gang member who is
in charge of the county, and that gang member then reports to the prison side of the gang.
Gang members pay taxes, which move up from the streets to the prisons. Officer Arjona
explained different Norteño gang subsets share information and weapons, work together
with members of other subsets, communicate with one another, and commit crimes
22.
together. Lopez bore tattoos representing North Side Visa Boyz and the umbrella
Norteño gang, including one that said “114 percent Buster,” a huelga bird on his face, and
the Mayan symbol that represents the number 14—all symbols associated with the
broader Norteño street gang. There was also evidence Lopez previously associated with
other Norteño gang members and was contacted in known Norteño hangouts. Officer
Arjona opined Lopez and the other defendants with whom he committed the charged
crimes were Norteño gang members. There was also evidence to support a conclusion
the defendants attacked the victim because they associated him with the Sureños, a rival
gang of the Norteños, and they used gang slurs during the initial confrontation.
Furthermore, Arjona discussed a hypothetical that mirrored the facts of the instant case;
he opined in such an incident the four gang members were acting in association with each
other and for a common goal that would benefit their gang—the Norteños. Thus, the jury
had sufficient evidence from which it could reasonably find Lopez’s acts during the
charged offenses were for the benefit of, at the direction of, or in association with the
larger Norteño gang itself.
Lopez contends insufficient evidence was introduced to prove the primary
activities of the criminal street gang in question. Specifically, Lopez challenges the
sufficiency of the gang expert’s testimony, asserting he never testified to the primary
activities of the NSVB subset or any other subset. However, because the street gang that
the prosecution sought to prove defendant’s actions intended to benefit was the umbrella
Norteño gang, we cannot conclude evidence regarding the primary activities of a distinct
subset was necessary as in Prunty. (See Prunty, supra, 62 Cal.4th at p. 76 [“the
prosecution need not demonstrate the precise scope of an alleged gang, but it must allow
the jury to reasonably infer that the ‘criminal street gang’ the defendant sought to
benefit—or which directed or associated with the defendant—included the ‘group’ that
committed the primary activities and predicate offenses”].)
23.
And here, Arjona, the gang expert, testified to the primary illicit activities of the
Norteño gang. He explained the Norteños’ primary activities included “a lot of criminal
activities,” including, but not limited to, auto theft, possession of firearms, murder,
attempted murder, assault, assault with deadly weapons, kidnappings, burglary, and
vandalism. Such testimony was sufficient to establish the primary activities of the
Norteños included the commission of one or more of the criminal acts enumerated in
section 186.22, subdivision (e). (See People v. Sengpadychith (2001) 26 Cal.4th 316,
324 [expert testimony may be sufficient to establish gang’s primary activities consist of
criminal activity listed in gang statute]; People v. Margarejo (2008) 162 Cal.App.4th
102, 108 [expert’s testimony as to primary activities of the gang constituted sufficient
evidence].)
And there was also evidence the predicate offenses were committed by Norteño
members in Tulare County for the benefit of the umbrella Norteño gang, not for the
benefit of a distinct subset.3 That is, Officer Arjona testified the subjects of the predicate
offense cases were Norteño gang members without specifying a particular subset to
which they belonged.4 Thus, this case is distinguishable from Prunty in which the
prosecution failed to establish a connection between the distinct subsets to which the
subjects of the predicate offenses belonged and that with which the defendant was
affiliated. Rather, here, the prosecution met the “sameness requirement” by presenting
evidence the gang Lopez acted in association with and/or intended to benefit—the
3The certified records of conviction reflect the predicate crimes were committed in
Tulare County. And Officer Arjona testified the crimes “fit[] the pattern of Norteño street gang
activity here in Tulare County.”
4Notably, one of the predicate offenses occurred at the Visalia Mall, evidencing the
offense was committed on the North Side Visa Boyz’ “turf,” which, Officer Arjona testified, was
Visalia. (See Prunty, supra, 62 Cal.4th at pp. 77–78 [“evidence that two seemingly unrelated
Norteño cliques routinely act to protect the same territory or ‘turf’ could suggest that they are
part of a larger association. Similarly, proof that several gang subsets conduct independent, but
harmonious, criminal operations within a discrete geographical area may show that they are part
of a single entity whose bosses have divided up a larger territory”].)
24.
umbrella Norteño gang—was the same gang whose members committed the predicate
offenses and whose primary activities were established by the evidence introduced at
trial, including expert testimony. (See Prunty, supra, 62 Cal.4th at p. 91 [clarifying the
scope of the majority opinion, stating, “The issue we address is a narrow one. It arises
only when the prosecution seeks to prove a street gang enhancement by showing the
defendant committed a felony to benefit a broader umbrella gang, but seeks to prove the
requisite pattern of criminal gang activity with evidence of felonies committed by
members of subsets to the umbrella gang. Our decision is limited to that factual
scenario”], conc. & dis. opn. of Corrigan, J.; accord, People v. Ewing (2016) 244
Cal.App.4th 359, 372–373 [Prunty does not apply where prosecution does not proffer
predicate crimes of subset gang members to prove existence of criminal street gang];
People v. Pettie (2017) 16 Cal.App.5th 23, 48–51 [sufficient evidence proved existence
of criminal street gang—the Norteños—where prosecution’s theory was defendants were
Norteños, not members of subset, and predicate offenses were committed by Norteño
members for benefit of that gang rather than subset].) On this record, we conclude there
was sufficient evidence to support the jury’s findings regarding the existence of a single
“criminal street gang,” as required for sustaining a gang enhancement.
Defendant argues People v. Nicholes (2016) 246 Cal.App.4th 836 establishes the
evidence presented was insufficient to show the requisite connection between the subsets
under Prunty; but Nicholes is inapposite. There the defendant was affiliated with a
Sacramento Norteño subgroup but the predicate offenses occurred in a different county,
and the perpetrators of the predicate crimes were alleged to be members from the other
county and subsets distinct from the subset to which the defendant belonged. (Nicholes,
supra, at pp. 845–846.) In Nicholes, the gang expert generally testified about the
structure of the Norteño street gang and the use of regiment commanders to whom
members paid a percentage of their taxes. (Id. at p. 847.) The court held the evidence
was insufficient to establish a sufficient connection between the particular subset of
25.
which the defendant was a member and the subsets of which the subjects of the predicate
offenses were members. In so holding, the court held “Prunty requires that the
prosecution, in a case involving Norteños and testimony that Norteños operate through
subsets, introduce evidence specific to the subsets at issue.” (Nicholes, at p. 848.)
But here, unlike in Nicholes, there was no evidence the subjects of the predicate
offenses were members of a subset distinct from that with which Lopez was affiliated, or
that the group they sought to benefit was different from the group Lopez sought to benefit
in his commission of the charged offense. Rather, the evidence only reflected they, like
Lopez, were members of the larger Norteño gang. Thus, unlike in Nicholes, the issue
raised in Prunty is not implicated here.
Accordingly, we reject defendant’s contention.
II. Lopez Is Entitled to Reversal of His Gang Enhancement Under Assembly Bill
333
In supplemental briefing, Lopez argues the imposed criminal street gang
enhancements must be reversed because of changes made to section 186.22 by the recent
enactment of Assembly Bill 333. We conclude Lopez is entitled to reversal of his gang-
related enhancements.
A. Assembly Bill 333
While Lopez’s appeal was pending, the Legislature enacted Assembly Bill 333,
the STEP Forward Act of 2021, which, in part, amends section 186.22 to provide new
substantive and procedural requirements for gang enhancements. The legislation went
into effect on January 1, 2022.
First, Assembly Bill 333 amended the definition of a “‘criminal street gang,’”
requiring proof that the gang is an organized association or group of three or more
persons, whose members collectively engage in, or have engaged in, a pattern of criminal
activity (§ 186.22, subd. (f)). Next, the law created a stricter requirement for proof of “a
pattern of criminal gang activity,” which is necessary to prove that the group with which
26.
the defendant is associated is indeed a criminal street gang. (See § 186.22, subd. (e).)
Previously, the prosecution needed to prove only that those associated with the gang had
committed at least two offenses from a list of predicate crimes on separate occasions
within three years of one another. (See former § 186.22, subd. (e).) Under the newly
amended law, the offense with which the defendant is currently charged cannot be used
as one of the two predicate offenses. (§ 186.22, subd. (e)(2).) In addition, the last of the
predicate offenses must have “occurred within three years of the prior offense and within
three years of the date the current offense is alleged to have been committed.” (§ 186.22,
subd. (e)(1).) The predicate offenses must have been committed by gang “members,” and
must have been for the “common[] benefit[] [of] a criminal street gang.” (§ 186.22, subd.
(e)(1).) Assembly Bill 333 also narrowed the list of offenses that may be used to
establish a pattern of criminal gang activity (compare former § 186.22, subd. (e)(1)–(33)
with § 186.22, subd. (e)(1)(A)–(Z)). Additionally, it defines “to benefit, promote, further,
or assist” throughout section 186.22 to mean “to provide a common benefit to members
of a gang where the common benefit is more than reputational.” (Id., subd. (g).) The
legislation notes examples of a common benefit that are more than reputational “may
include, but are not limited to, financial gain or motivation, retaliation, targeting a
perceived or actual gang rival, or intimidation or silencing of a potential current or
previous witness or informant. (Ibid.)
Finally, Assembly Bill 333 adds section 1109, which requires gang enhancements
charged under section 186.22, subdivision (b) or (d) to be tried separately from the
underlying charges upon request from the defense. (Stats. 2021, ch. 699, § 5.) Section
1109 also requires the substantive offense of active participation in a criminal street gang
(§ 186.22, subd. (a)) to be tried separately from all other counts that do not otherwise
require gang evidence as an element of the crime.
27.
B. The Amendments to Section 186.22 Apply Retroactively and Lopez is
Entitled to Reversal of His Gang Enhancements and Firearm
Enhancement
First, the parties agree Assembly Bill 333’s amendments to section 186.22 altering
the substantive requirements necessary to prove a gang enhancement operate
retroactively. Because the legislation increased the evidentiary burden necessary to prove
a gang-related enhancement, we agree it was an ameliorative change in the law that
applies retroactively to cases not yet final on appeal.
Ordinarily, “a new statute is presumed to operate prospectively absent an express
declaration of retrospectivity or a clear indication that the electorate, or the Legislature,
intended otherwise.” (Tapia v. Superior Court (1991) 53 Cal.3d 282, 287.) However, in
In re Estrada (1965) 63 Cal.2d 740 (Estrada), our Supreme Court recognized an
exception to this rule. The court explained that “[w]hen the Legislature amends a statute
so as to lessen the punishment it has obviously expressly determined that its former
penalty was too severe and that a lighter punishment is proper as punishment for the
commission of the prohibited act. It is an inevitable inference that the Legislature must
have intended that the new statute imposing the new lighter penalty now deemed to be
sufficient should apply to every case to which it constitutionally could apply. The
amendatory act imposing the lighter punishment can be applied constitutionally to acts
committed before its passage provided the judgment convicting the defendant of the act is
not final. This intent seems obvious, because to hold otherwise would be to conclude that
the Legislature was motivated by a desire for vengeance, a conclusion not permitted in
view of modern theories of penology.” (Id. at p. 745.)
In subsequent years, the California Supreme Court has applied the Estrada
doctrine broadly “to statutes changing the law to the benefit of defendants.” (Tapia v.
Superior Court, supra, 53 Cal.3d at p. 301; see generally People v. Frahs (2020) 9
Cal.5th 618, 631–632 [pretrial diversion statute is retroactive because it provides a
“possible benefit” to a class of criminal defendants, does not contain express savings
28.
clause, and Legislature did not signal its intent to overcome Estrada inference]; People v.
Superior Court (Lara) (2018) 4 Cal.5th 299, 309 [“Proposition 57 is an ‘ameliorative
change[] to the criminal law’ that we infer the legislative body intended ‘to extend as
broadly as possible’”].)
Most relevant here, the Supreme Court in Tapia held the presumption of
retroactivity applies to laws changing the substantive requirements for an enhancement in
a defendant’s favor. (See Tapia v. Superior Court, supra, 53 Cal.3d at pp. 300–301.) In
Tapia, the electorate had recently passed an initiative requiring proof of intent to kill for
certain special circumstance allegations. (Ibid.) Because the initiative “redefine[d], to
the benefit of defendants, conduct subject to criminal sanctions,” the court held the
initiative applied retroactively. (Id. at p. 301.)
Like in Tapia, because Assembly Bill 333’s substantive changes to section 186.22
“redefine, to the benefit of defendants, conduct subject to criminal sanctions,” these
changes apply retroactively to all cases—like Lopez’s—in which the judgment of
conviction is not yet final. (Tapia v. Superior Court, supra, 53 Cal.3d at p. 301; accord,
People v. Sek (2022) 74 Cal.App.5th 657, 667 [concluding Assem. Bill 333’s
amendments to § 186.22 “‘redefine[d], to the benefit of defendants, conduct subject to
criminal sanctions,’” and therefore applies retroactively under Estrada]; People v. E.H.
(2022) 75 Cal.App.5th 467, 478 [similar]; see People v. Lopez (2021) 73 Cal.App.5th
327, 344 [concluding substantive changes in Assem. Bill 333 apply retroactively because
they “increase[] the threshold for conviction of the section 186.22 offense and the
imposition of the enhancement”]; People v. Rodriguez (2022) 75 Cal.App.5th 816, 822
[same].)
And here, it is undisputed Lopez is entitled to reversal of the gang enhancements
on this basis; that is, neither party argues, nor can we conclude, the evidence presented at
trial was sufficient to sustain the gang enhancements under the revised requirements of
section 186.22. The parties agree, under the amended statute, the prosecution would need
29.
to present evidence showing the current crimes, as well as the predicate offenses,
commonly benefited the gang and the benefit was more than reputational.
Additionally, as the People note, at trial the prosecution introduced evidence of
two cases committed in 2010 and 2012 as evidence of the predicate offenses necessary to
establish a pattern of criminal gang activity. The last predicate offense did not occur
within three years of the date the currently charged offense was committed—February 3,
2018—as required by amended section 186.22. (Stats. 2021, ch. 699, § 3.)
It is undisputed the existing record is insufficient to support these heightened
evidentiary requirements set forth by amended section 186.22 following the enactment of
Assembly Bill 333. As a result, the criminal gang enhancements must be reversed.
Additionally, because the imposed section 12022.53 enhancement applied to
Lopez only because the jury concluded he violated section 186.22, subdivision (b) and
because his penalty had been elevated to a life term through application of the alternate
penalty provision provided for in section 186.22, the section 12022.53 enhancement is
also no longer supported. The People agree this is also the correct result. Accordingly,
the imposed firearm enhancement must also be vacated.
However, the People are not foreclosed from retrying Lopez on the gang
enhancements and gang-related firearm enhancement upon remand under the new
requirements of amended section 186.22. Put differently, “‘[b]ecause we do not reverse
based on the insufficiency of the evidence required to prove a violation of the statute as it
read at the time of trial, the double jeopardy clause of the Constitution will not bar a
retrial.’” (People v. Sek, supra, 74 Cal.App.5th at p. 669; accord, People v. Figueroa
(1993) 20 Cal.App.4th 65, 72 [“Where, as here, evidence is not introduced at trial
because the law at that time would have rendered it irrelevant, the remand to prove that
element is proper and the reviewing court does not treat the issue as one of sufficiency of
the evidence”]; see People v. Eagle (2016) 246 Cal.App.4th 275, 280 [“When a statutory
30.
amendment adds an additional element to an offense, the prosecution must be afforded
the opportunity to establish the additional element upon remand”].)
III. Lopez May Raise His Remaining Claims Below
At sentencing, the court stated it intended “to exercise [its] discretion and stay the
667(A), the nickel prior.” In his opening brief, Lopez asserts the court should have
stricken rather than stayed his section 667, subdivision (a) serious felony enhancement,
noting the same conviction—a 2011 assault with a gang enhancement—was used to
increase his sentence under the three strikes law. He contends, pursuant to section 1385,
the court only had discretion to strike this enhancement, not stay it. The People agree and
respond they have no objection to the court striking this enhancement. Because we are
reversing Lopez’s gang-related enhancements and a new sentencing hearing will
necessarily result, we do not address this contention further. Rather, the issue may be
raised at resentencing.
Also, in his supplemental brief, Lopez contends he is entitled to resentencing in
accordance with Senate Bill 567’s amendment to section 1170, subdivision (b). He notes
the court imposed a determinate term of six years, the upper term doubled, for count 5
(battery), and stayed another six-year term, the upper term doubled, for count 6 (gun
possession).
At the time of Lopez’s sentencing on January 23, 2020, section 1170 provided that
the choice between sentencing a defendant to the lower, middle, or upper term “shall rest
within the sound discretion of the court,” with the court to determine which term “best
serves the interests of justice.” In doing so, the court could rely on “the record in the
case, the probation officer’s report, other reports … and statements in aggravation or
mitigation submitted by the prosecution, the defendant, or the victim, or the family of the
victim if the victim is deceased, and any further evidence introduced at the sentencing
hearing.” (Former § 1170, subd. (b), as amended by Stats. 2007, ch. 3, § 2.)
31.
Thereafter, Senate Bill 567 amended section 1170, affecting a trial court’s
sentencing discretion, including its ability to impose the upper term for a conviction.
(Stats. 2021, ch. 731, § 1.3.) The legislation limits the trial court’s ability to impose the
upper term unless certain circumstances have been stipulated to by the defendant or
found true beyond a reasonable doubt. (Ibid.)
Again, because we reverse the true findings on Lopez’s gang enhancements and
his vicarious firearm enhancement based on Assembly Bill 333’s amendments to section
186.22, we need not address this argument. Rather, because of our conclusion, Lopez is
ultimately entitled to a resentencing hearing at which he may raise his contention.
DISPOSITION
The section 186.22, subdivision (b) gang enhancements and the section 12022.53
firearm enhancement are reversed, and the matter is remanded to the trial court for further
proceedings. The People shall have 60 days from the date of the remittitur in which to file
an election to retry Lopez on these enhancements. If the People elect not to retry him, the
trial court shall modify the judgment by striking the enhancements and shall resentence
Lopez accordingly. Following the conclusion of proceedings, the court shall amend the
abstract of judgment in a manner consistent with this disposition and forward copies of
the amended abstract to the appropriate law enforcement and custodial officials. In all
other respects, the judgment is affirmed.
PEÑA, Acting P. J.
WE CONCUR:
SMITH, J.
DE SANTOS, J.
32.