People v. Mena-Barba CA5 ( 2022 )

Filed 12/30/22 P. v. Mena-Barba 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NOT TO BE PUBLISHED IN THE OFFICIAL REPORTS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
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IN THE COURT OF APPEAL OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA
FIFTH APPELLATE DISTRICT
THE PEOPLE,
F082957
Plaintiff and Respondent,
(Super. Ct. No. 18CR-04292)
v.
JOSE JUAN MENA-BARBA, OPINION
Defendant and Appellant.
APPEAL from a judgment of the Superior Court of Merced County. Steven K.
Slocum, Judge.
Randy S. Kravis, under appointment by the Court of Appeal, for Defendant and
Appellant.
Rob Bonta, Attorney General, Michael P. Farrell, Assistant Attorney General,
Christopher J. Rench and Kelly E. LeBel, Deputy Attorneys General, for Plaintiff and
Respondent.
-ooOoo-
INTRODUCTION
Defendant Jose Juan Mena-Barba was charged with multiple counts related to his
molestation of a minor family member beginning when the minor was in kindergarten or
the first grade and defendant was 18 years old, and continuing for years.
A jury convicted defendant of three counts of forcible lewd acts on a child under
the age of 14 (Pen. Code, § 288, subd. (b)(1); counts 2, 3 & 7), one count of lewd acts on
a child under the age of 14 (§ 288, subd. (a); count 1), and one count of sexual
penetration of a child 10 years of age or younger (§ 288.7, subd. (b); count 8).
(Undesignated statutory references are to the Penal Code.) He was sentenced to a
determinate term of 20 years’ imprisonment, plus an indeterminate term of 15 years to
life.
On appeal, defendant contends his conviction for sexual penetration of a child 10
years of age or younger must be reversed because it violates the federal and state ex post
facto clause. Defendant also raises several claims of prosecutorial misconduct and
asserts, to the extent those issues were forfeited for failure to object, he received
ineffective assistance of counsel. Defendant also claims he should be resentenced based
on the recent passage of Assembly Bill No. 124 (2021–2022 Reg. Sess.) (Assembly Bill
124). The People agree the sexual penetration conviction in count 8 violates ex post facto
laws and that defendant should be resentenced in accordance with Assembly Bill 124.
However, the People do not agree there was prosecutorial misconduct or that defendant
received ineffective assistance of counsel.
We modify defendant’s conviction in count 8 to the lesser included offense of
sexual penetration of a minor under 18 years of age under section 289, subdivision (h)
and remand the matter for resentencing, at which time Assembly Bill 124 will apply. In
all other respects, we affirm the judgment.
2.
FACTUAL BACKGROUND
A. testified defendant molested her from when she was six years old to about 13
years old, when she was in the seventh grade in middle school. Defendant was 18 years
old at the time he began molesting A. A. lived with defendant “[b]asically all [her]
childhood.” Defendant lived with A.’s family in A.’s first house “off of Lander,” where
he began being inappropriate with her. The house on Lander burned down when A. was
approximately six years old and she was in the first grade. A. then lived at two different
places on Third Street, which A. referred to as the “blue house” and the “yellow house,”
and then she moved to a mobilehome on Lander. When A. was living at the “blue house”
on Third Street, defendant did not live with her, but he would still come over and he
would watch A. when her parents were gone. When A. moved to the “yellow house” on
Third Street, defendant lived in an RV on the property but not in the same house as A.
When A. moved to the mobilehome on Lander with her family, defendant again lived on
the property but not in A.’s home.
Defendant’s inappropriate behavior towards A. occurred while A. lived in the first
house on Lander, the two homes on Third Street, and when she moved back to Lander in
the mobilehome. A. explained defendant would touch her vagina and make her touch
him and rub his penis. A. testified defendant touched her vagina “[e]very time he got a
chance when [her] parents weren’t home,” which was more than 10 times. She stated
defendant put his fingers inside her vagina “[e]ver since I can remember,” “[b]ack when I
was six.” Defendant did this “[a] lot of times,” and A. described that it hurt. The
touching occurred in the living room. During this time, when A.’s parents were not
home, defendant would also rub his penis on A. under her clothing. Defendant would
open A.’s pants, pull her underwear down, and expose his penis by opening his zipper.
He put his penis on her vagina more than once at the Lander house. To make A. touch
his penis, defendant would grab her hand and put it on his erect penis and try to move her
hand, but she would pull her hand away. A. testified there were times defendant would
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have his hand under her underwear and, with his other arm, he would touch his own penis
and be “jacking off.” While defendant was doing these things to A. at the house on
Lander, he would “talk dirty” to her. During the time defendant was sexually abusing A.,
he would threaten her “[a]ll the time”; he told her she “better not say anything,” and “if
[she said] something, something bad’s going to happen to [her] or it’s going to go worse
for [her].” Defendant’s threats scared A.
A. testified the same touching and threats continued while she was living at the
two different houses on Third Street and when she later moved back to Lander. When A.
moved to the first house on Third Street, which A. referred to as the “blue house,” she
was still in elementary school. A. moved to a second house on Third Street, which she
referred to as the “yellow house,” when she was almost in middle school. She moved
back to Lander to a mobilehome when she was in middle school. The inappropriate
touching happened multiple times at each of the different houses. Defendant put his
penis or his fingers in her vagina and touched her vagina with his hand multiple times at
the first house on Lander, the blue house, the yellow house, and the mobilehome on
Lander. The sexual abuse stopped when A. was in middle school, which she felt was
because she started maturing.
A. explained most of the instances of defendant molesting her blended together,
but one incident stood out. The incident occurred when A. was in middle school and
living at the yellow house. A.’s parents were out of town and defendant tried to rape her.
A. was in the living room and defendant “was trying to pin [her] down, take off [her]
clothes, and put his penis in [her] vagina.” A. started running around the living room and
kitchen to get away. A. also ran into a bedroom where her siblings were watching
television, and defendant followed her. Defendant eventually made A. go with him by
threatening her that it would be worse for her if she did not. A. did not think her siblings
were looking at her because they did not do or say anything. When A. went with
defendant to the living room, he grabbed her and rubbed his penis on her vagina.
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Defendant then put his penis inside her vagina. She recalled it being painful and that it
left her with bruises and redness. She testified this incident was not the first or last time
defendant put his penis inside her vagina, it just stood out as a specific incident she
remembered.
A. did not come forward to law enforcement until she was about 20 or 21 years
old. She decided to come forward at that time because she was a mother and had children
of her own she needed to protect. A. first told her mother about it when she was 19 years
old, but her mother did not believe her. She also told her boyfriend’s mother when A.
was 19 years old. A. told her child’s father about the abuse, as well as her boyfriend. A.
testified it was difficult for her to talk about what happened to her because it brought
back unpleasant memories. A. testified she moved out of her parents’ house when she
was 20 years old. A. later moved back to live with her mother while defendant lived in
the RV in the back of the property. During that time, her mother would take care of her
children when A. was at school; defendant was not around her children.
Two pretext telephone calls between A. and defendant were recorded during the
investigation. In the first call, A. asked defendant, “Do you remember how my parents
would leave the ranch and you would touch me in my private areas?” And defendant
responded, “What about it?” Defendant told A. she was the one who would get in the
bed. When A. asked defendant why he would touch her in her private parts he
responded, “Because you started it.” Even when A. reminded defendant she was a little
girl, defendant maintained she was the one who “started it” and that he could not
“remember everything too well.”
In the second recorded pretext call, A. told defendant she needed him to apologize
to her and he responded, “[W]hy do I need to apologize to you? If I didn’t do anything to
you.” Then defendant started telling A. that she owed him $100 she borrowed from him
and that she should be apologizing to him. Defendant then said, “First pay me what you
owe me and then I’ll tell you.” But then defendant continued to tell A. that he did not
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need to apologize for anything and that she needed to apologize to him for swearing at
him when she was younger.
A.’s interview with Detective Luis Ortiz took place over multiple conversations.
A. testified she did not tell Detective Ortiz defendant “raped” her using that specific
word, but she told the detective that defendant penetrated her with his finger and put his
penis in her vagina. A. initially could not remember whether she told Detective Ortiz
defendant would rub his penis on her vagina or make her hold his penis, but after
reviewing the police report, she testified she told Detective Ortiz defendant put his penis
inside of her. She also reported to Detective Ortiz that defendant threatened her and she
sustained physical injuries after the abuse. In her interview with Detective Ortiz, A. said
she did not recall whether defendant talked dirty to her when he touched her or abused
her.
Detective Ortiz testified that A. did not use the “exact words” that defendant put
his penis in her vagina, but she told him defendant touched her and that there was
penetration, which could have been digital or penile. Detective Ortiz testified A. said
defendant probably talked dirty to her but she tried to forget it. Detective Ortiz did not
recall A. telling him defendant threatened her and did not tell him she was physically
injured from the abuse.
In connection with the alleged sexual abuse, defendant was charged with seven
counts of forcible lewd acts upon a child under the age of 14 years old, each alleging
different instances of conduct in violation of Section 288, subdivision (b)(1): count 1
related to the first time defendant touched A.’s vagina with defendant’s hand on or
between June 24, 2003 and October 14, 2009; count 2 related to any time between the
first and last time defendant touched A.’s vagina with defendant’s hand on or between
June 24, 2003 and October 14, 2009; count 3 related to the last time defendant touched
A.’s vagina with defendant’s hand on or between June 24, 2003 and October 14, 2009;
count 4 related to the first time defendant rubbed his penis on A.’s vagina on or between
6.
June 24, 2003 and October 14, 2009; count 5 related to any time between the first and last
time defendant rubbed his penis on A.’s vagina on or between June 24, 2003 and
October 14, 2009; count 6 related to the last time defendant rubbed his penis on A.’s
vagina on or between June 24, 2003 and October 14, 2009; and count 7 related to a time
when defendant had A. touch his penis with A.’s hand, on or between June 24, 2003 and
October 14, 2009. Defendant was also charged with one count of sexual penetration of a
child 10 years or younger on or between June 24, 2003 and October 14, 2007, in violation
of section 288.7, subdivision (b) (count 8).
On May 20, 2021, the jury found defendant guilty of three of the charged counts
of forcible lewd acts on a child who is under the age of 14 years old (§ 288, subd. (b)(1);
count 2 (defendant’s hand to A.’s vagina any time between first and last time), count 3
(defendant’s hand to A.’s vagina the last time), and count 7 (defendant had A. touch
defendant’s penis with A.’s hand)) and sexual penetration of a child 10 years of age or
younger (§ 288.7, subd. (b); count 8). The jury found defendant not guilty of the forcible
lewd act charged under count 1 but found him guilty of the lesser offense of a lewd or
lascivious act on a child under 14 years old pursuant to section 288, subdivision (a). The
jury was unable to reach a verdict as to counts 4, 5, and 6, which related to allegations
defendant touched his penis to A.’s vagina. These charges were ultimately dismissed.
On June 21, 2021, the court sentenced defendant to a determinate term of 20
years’ imprisonment, composed of six years on count 2, six years on count 3, six years on
count 7, and two years on count 1, plus an indeterminate term of 15 years to life on count
8.
DISCUSSION
I. Count 8 Must be Reversed on Ex Post Facto Grounds
Defendant contends his conviction of sexual penetration of a child under 10 years
of age in count 8 violates the constitutional prohibition against ex post facto laws because
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the conduct may have predated the September 20, 2006, effective date of section 288.7.
The People agree. We also agree and conclude defendant’s conviction for violating
section 288.7, subdivision (b) must be reversed, but may be modified to a violation of
section 289, subdivision (h), which is a lesser included offense. In addition, the matter
will be remanded to the trial court for resentencing.
A. Relevant Factual and Procedural History
The first amended information alleged that count 8 occurred “[o]n or between
June 24, 2003 and October 14, 2009.” When jury instructions were discussed, the
prosecutor realized the end date was incorrect because a violation of section 288.7
involves conduct against a child who is 10 or younger and the victim turned 11 in 2007.
Therefore, the court subsequently granted the prosecutor’s request to amend the date
range so that it ended on October 14, 2007. The verdict form for count 8 reflected this
amendment.
The jury instructions failed to specify that a conviction for section 288.7 could not
be based on conduct that occurred before September 20, 2006, the effective date of
section 288.7. The instructions read: “The defendant is charged with engaging in sexual
penetration with a child ten years of age or younger in violation of … Section 288.7,
Subdivision (b), sometime during the period of June 24, 2003, and October 14, 2007.
[¶] The People have presented evidence of more than one act to prove that the defendant
committed this offense. You must not find the defendant guilty unless you all agree that
the People have proved that the defendant committed at least one of these acts and you all
agree on which act he committed.”
In addressing count 8 in the context of the unanimity requirement, the prosecutor
pointed out that, so long as the jurors agreed on the same act underlying the charge, they
could pick an act from any time period within the date range, including the time when A.
was six years old and living at the house on Lander.
8.
The jury found defendant guilty of count 8. The verdict form read: “We the jury
in the above-entitled case find the defendant … Guilty of a violation of Section 288.7(b)
…, Oral Copulation or Sexual Penetration With Child 10 Years Old or Younger, a felony,
having occurred on or between June 24, 2003 and October 14, 2007.”
B. Standard of Review
The prosecution bears the burden of proving that the crime occurred on or after the
effective date of the statute. (People v. Hiscox (2006) 136 Cal.App.4th 253, 256.) The
record must show beyond a reasonable doubt that the ex post facto clauses were not
violated. “[W]here an instruction violates the ex post facto bar, the error is of federal
constitutional dimension, reviewable under the Chapman harmless-beyond-a-reasonable-
doubt standard.” (People v. Farley (1996) 45 Cal.App.4th 1697, 1710, fn. omitted; see
Chapman v. California (1967) 386 U.S. 18, 24.)
C. Applicable Law
The federal Constitution forbids the states from passing ex post facto laws. (U.S.
Const., art. I, § 10.) The California Constitution also prohibits ex post facto laws. (Cal.
Const., art. I, § 9.) Both ex post facto laws prohibit “‘“any statute [1] which punishes as
a crime an act previously committed, which was innocent when done; [2] which makes
more burdensome the punishment for a crime, after its commission, or [3] which deprives
one charged with crime of any defense available according to law at the time when the
act was committed ….”’” (Tapia v. Superior Court (1991) 53 Cal.3d 282, 294; see
Collins v. Youngblood (1990) 497 U.S. 37, 42; People v. White (2017) 2 Cal.5th 349,
360.)
Section 288.7 took effect on September 20, 2006. (Stats. 2006, ch. 337, § 9.) The
statute created a “new offense imposing an indeterminate life sentence for sexual
intercourse, sodomy, oral copulation, or sexual penetration of ‘a child who is 10 years of
age or younger.’” (People v. Cornett (2012) 53 Cal.4th 1261, 1267.) “Therefore, any
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application of section 288.7 to conduct that occurred prior to September 20, 2006, is a
violation of the state and federal ex post facto clauses.” (People v. Rojas (2015) 237
Cal.App.4th 1298, 1306 (Rojas).)
D. Analysis
Both parties agree defendant’s conviction for sexual penetration of a child who is
10 years of age or younger under section 288.7, subdivision (b) stands in violation of ex
post facto principles. Although defendant did not make an ex post facto challenge below,
the People concede the claim may be raised for the first time on appeal. (See People v.
Hiscox, supra, 136 Cal.App.4th at p. 259 [concluding ex post facto claim was not
forfeited, reasoning “[w]hen a failure of proof by the prosecution results in a trial record
that is inadequate to support a sentence,” an objection at sentencing is not required to
preserve a claim of error]; accord, Rojas, supra, 237 Cal.App.4th at p. 1306.)
In Rojas, the information alleged the defendant perpetrated violations of section
288.7 after September 20, 2006, when the statute took effect. (Rojas, supra, 237
Cal.App.4th at p. 1302.) However, the jury was problematically instructed it had to find
the defendant committed the offense “‘on a date or dates after August 12, 2005.’” (Id. at
p. 1303.) The Rojas court concluded the instruction allowed the jurors to find the
defendant guilty even if the offense was committed prior to the effective date of section
288.7. (Rojas, at p. 1307.) Thus, the jury could have based their conviction on conduct
that preceded the statute’s effective date. (Id. at p. 1302.) The court noted, “If the jury’s
verdict … was based on an event that took place when the victim was three years old, the
crime could have happened anytime between December 2005 and December 2006, and
most of that period fell outside of the date when section 288.7 went into effect, i.e.,
September 20, 2006.” (Id. at p. 1307.) As a result, the appellate court reversed the
defendant’s conviction, finding that the record allowed for reasonable doubt over whether
the section 288.7 conviction was based on an act that occurred on or after September 20,
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2006. (Rojas, at p. 1307.) The Rojas court noted “‘[i]t would be inappropriate … to
review the record and select among acts that occurred before and after that date, or to
infer that certain acts probably occurred after that date.’” (Ibid., quoting People v.
Hiscox, supra, 136 Cal.App.4th at p. 261.) “‘For a court to hypothesize which acts the
jury may have based its verdicts on, or what dates might be attached to certain acts based
on ambiguous evidence, would amount to “judicial impingement upon the traditional role
of the jury.”’” (Rojas, at p. 1307, quoting Blakely v. Washington (2004) 542 U.S. 296,
309.)
Hiscox involved an ex post facto claim in an analogous context under the “One
Strike Law” (§ 667.61), which became effective on November 30, 1994. (People v.
Hiscox, supra, 136 Cal.App.4th at p. 257.) The Hiscox defendant was convicted of
committing 11 lewd acts against multiple victims based on conduct alleged to have been
committed between 1992 and 1996. (Ibid.) The evidence presented at trial failed to
show whether the offenses happened before or after section 667.61 took effect. (Hiscox,
at p. 261.) Under the record, it could not be said the evidence left “no reasonable doubt
that the underlying charges pertained to events occurring on or after November 30,
1994.” (Ibid.) “The evidence did not reliably connect the various charges to any time
frame other than the period between 1992 and 1996. The court did not instruct the jury
that its findings under section 667.61 were restricted to offenses committed on or after
November 30, 1994, and defense counsel raised no ex post facto objection.” (Hiscox, at
p. 258.) Consequently, the appellate court vacated the defendant’s One Strike sentence.
(Id. at p. 262.)
Here, the record allows for reasonable doubt over whether count 8 was based on
an act that occurred on or after the effective date of section 288.7. (See Rojas, supra, 237
Cal.App.4th at p. 1307.) The information, as amended, alleged that the sexual
penetration for count 8 occurred sometime between June 24, 2003, through October 14,
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2007. Thus, the charging document allowed for the possibility that the offense was
committed before September 20, 2006.
Additionally, the evidence is such that the jury could “draw equally plausible
contrary inferences” from the evidence as to whether or not the crime was committed
after the effective date of the statute. (People v. Riskin (2006) 143 Cal.App.4th 234,
245.) A. could not recall specifically when each act of digital penetration occurred but
testified that it occurred on a regular basis when she was between the ages of six and 13
years old. Because A. was born in October of 1996, these incidents would have occurred
between October 2002 and October 2009. Since A. did not provide testimony regarding
specific times that defendant penetrated her vagina, it cannot be said that the jury
necessarily based its verdict on conduct that took place on or after September 20, 2006.
It would be inappropriate for us, as the reviewing court, to “‘review the record and select
among acts that occurred before and after that date, or to infer that certain acts probably
occurred after that date.’” (Rojas, supra, 237 Cal.App.4th at p. 1307.) Consequently, we
cannot conclude beyond a reasonable doubt that the jury based its verdict on conduct
postdating the enactment of section 288.7 on September 20, 2006. (See Rojas, at p.
1306.)
“When a conviction is contrary to law, but the evidence shows that a defendant is
guilty of a lesser included offense, a court can reduce the conviction to the lesser included
offense and affirm the judgment as modified.” (People v. Eagle (2016) 246 Cal.App.4th
275, 279.) “Under California law, a lesser offense is necessarily included in a greater
offense if either the statutory elements of the greater offense, or the facts actually alleged
in the accusatory pleading, include all the elements of the lesser offense, such that the
greater cannot be committed without also committing the lesser. [Citations.]” (People v.
Birks (1998) 19 Cal.4th 108, 117–118.)
Section 288.7, subdivision (b) makes it illegal to “engage[] in oral copulation or
sexual penetration … with a child who is 10 years of age or younger.” And section 289,
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subdivision (h) penalizes “any person who participates in an act of sexual penetration
with another person who is under 18 years of age.” Here, the facts alleged in the
accusatory pleading pertaining to the charged violation of section 288.7, subdivision (b)
(count 8)—sexual penetration of a child 10 years of age or younger—include all of the
elements of a violation of section 289, with the added element that the child was 10 years
old or younger. This is because the definition of “sexual penetration” is the same for
both section 288.7, subdivision (b) and section 289. (People v. Saavedra (2018) 24
Cal.App.5th 605, 613–614.) And sexual penetration of a child under 18 years of age
necessarily includes the sexual penetration of a child 10 years of age or younger. Thus, a
violation of section 288.7, subdivision (b) based on sexual penetration necessarily
involves a violation of section 289, subdivision (h). Accordingly, sexual penetration of a
minor under 18 years of age under section 289, subdivision (h) is a lesser included
offense of sexual penetration of a child 10 years of age or younger under section 288.7,
subdivision (b). (See People v. Lopez (2020) 9 Cal.5th 254, 269–270 [under the
accusatory pleading test, “‘“if the facts actually alleged in the accusatory pleading
include all of the elements of the lesser offense, the latter is necessarily included in the
former”’”].)
The parties agree, as do we, the proper remedy is to modify defendant’s judgment
and reduce defendant’s conviction in count 8 to the lesser included offense of sexual
penetration of a minor under 18 years of age under section 289, subdivision (h), which
was in existence during the time defendant committed the sexual penetration. In
addition, the matter will be remanded for resentencing on this count.
II. Prosecutorial Misconduct
Defendant alleges the prosecutor engaged in four separate instances of misconduct
during closing arguments by (1) exhorting jurors “not to consider the fact that certain
logical prosecution witnesses were not called,” (2) admonishing jurors to disregard any
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notion that they would have liked to have seen more evidence in her case-in-chief, (3)
stating that “defendants are convicted ‘day in and day out,’” thereby lessening the beyond
a reasonable doubt standard, and (4) stating that the presumption of innocence was over.
The People argue defendant failed to object to all but the first claim at trial and thereby
forfeited the last three claims. To the extent these claims are forfeited, defendant claims
he received ineffective assistance of counsel.
A. Standard of Review and Applicable Law
“A prosecutor’s conduct violates the Fourteenth Amendment to the federal
Constitution when it infects the trial with such unfairness as to make the conviction a
denial of due process. Conduct by a prosecutor that does not render a criminal trial
fundamentally unfair is prosecutorial misconduct under state law only if it involves the
use of deceptive or reprehensible methods to attempt to persuade either the trial court or
the jury.” (People v. Morales (2001) 25 Cal.4th 34, 44; see People v. Mendoza (2007) 42
Cal.4th 686, 700; People v. Farnam (2002) 28 Cal.4th 107, 167.) “The focus of the
inquiry is on the effect of the prosecutor’s action on the defendant, not on the intent or
bad faith of the prosecutor.” (Mendoza, supra, at p. 700.) “‘A defendant’s conviction
will not be reversed for prosecutorial misconduct, however, unless it is reasonably
probable that a result more favorable to the defendant would have been reached without
the misconduct.’” (People v. Tully (2012) 54 Cal.4th 952, 1010.)
“To prevail on a claim of prosecutorial misconduct based on remarks to the jury,
the defendant must show a reasonable likelihood the jury understood or applied the
complained-of comments in an improper or erroneous manner. [Citations.] In
conducting this inquiry, we ‘do not lightly infer’ that the jury drew the most damaging
rather than the least damaging meaning from the prosecutor’s statements.” (People v.
Frye (1998) 18 Cal.4th 894, 970, disapproved on another ground in People v. Doolin
(2009) 45 Cal.4th 390, 421, fn. 22; see People v. Spector (2011) 194 Cal.App.4th 1335,
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1403.) “[W]hen the claim focuses upon comments made by the prosecutor before the
jury, the question is whether there is a reasonable likelihood that the jury construed or
applied any of the complained-of remarks in an objectionable fashion.” (People v.
Morales, supra, 25 Cal.4th at p. 44; see People v. Ayala (2000) 23 Cal.4th 225, 283–
284.) “Improper comment by a prosecutor requires reversal if it so infects a trial with
unfairness as to deny due process or ‘“if it involves the use of deceptive or reprehensible
methods to persuade.”’” (People v. Holmes, McClain and Newborn (2022) 12 Cal.5th
719, 786, quoting People v. Winbush (2017) 2 Cal.5th 402, 480.)
“As a general matter, an appellate court reviews a trial court’s ruling on
prosecutorial misconduct for abuse of discretion.” (People v. Alvarez (1996) 14 Cal.4th
155, 213.) However, when a claim of prosecutorial misconduct presents a question of
law on undisputed facts, the appellate court reviews the issue de novo. (See People v.
Uribe (2011) 199 Cal.App.4th 836, 860.)
B. Forfeiture and Ineffective Assistance of Counsel
As a threshold matter, defendant concedes his counsel failed to object to all but the
first claim of prosecutorial misconduct and, accordingly, that these claims of misconduct
may be deemed forfeited. However, he argues that, to the extent his claims regarding
prosecutorial misconduct are forfeited, his counsel provided ineffective assistance in
failing to object and request an admonition.
“‘In order to preserve a claim of misconduct, a defendant must make a timely
objection and request an admonition; only if an admonition would not have cured the
harm is the claim of misconduct preserved for review.’” (People v. Nieves (2021) 11
Cal.5th 404, 451; see People v. Lopez (2008) 42 Cal.4th 960, 966 [“‘A defendant may not
complain on appeal of prosecutorial misconduct unless … the defendant objected to the
action and also requested that the jury be admonished’”]; see also People v. Hill (1998)
17 Cal.4th 800, 820 [“‘As a general rule a defendant may not complain on appeal of
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prosecutorial misconduct unless in a timely fashion—and on the same ground—the
defendant made an assignment of misconduct and requested that the jury be admonished
to disregard the impropriety’”].) An exception is made if a timely objection or request
for admonition would have been futile, or if an admonition would not have cured the
harm caused by the misconduct. (Hill, supra, at p. 820.) “‘The reason for this rule, of
course, is that “the trial court should be given an opportunity to correct the abuse and
thus, if possible, prevent by suitable instructions the harmful effect upon the minds of the
jury.”’ [Citation.]” (People v. Seumanu (2015) 61 Cal.4th 1293, 1341.)
Alternatively, defendant contends his trial counsel rendered ineffective assistance
of counsel for failing to object to the prosecutor’s challenged comments. “‘A defendant
whose counsel did not object at trial to alleged prosecutorial misconduct can argue on
appeal that counsel’s inaction violated the defendant’s constitutional right to the effective
assistance of counsel.’” (People v. Centeno (2014) 60 Cal.4th 659, 674; see People v.
Lopez, supra, 42 Cal.4th at p. 966.)
A criminal defendant has a Sixth Amendment right to the effective assistance of
counsel. (Strickland v. Washington (1984) 466 U.S. 668, 687.) To prove ineffective
assistance of counsel, a defendant must satisfy Strickland’s two-part test requiring a
showing of counsel’s deficient performance and prejudice. (Ibid.) A defendant bears the
burden of showing by a preponderance of the evidence that (1) counsel’s performance
was deficient because it fell below an objective standard of reasonableness under
prevailing professional norms, and (2) counsel’s deficiencies resulted in prejudice. (Id. at
pp. 688, 694; People v. Centeno, supra, 60 Cal.4th at p. 674; People v. Ledesma (2006)
39 Cal.4th 641, 746; People v. Ledesma (1987) 43 Cal.3d 171, 216, 218.)
As to deficient performance, a defendant “must show that counsel’s representation
fell below an objective standard of reasonableness” measured against “prevailing
professional norms.” (Strickland v. Washington, supra, 466 U.S. at p. 688.) “Unless a
defendant establishes the contrary, we shall presume that ‘counsel’s performance fell
16.
within the wide range of professional competence and that counsel’s actions and
inactions can be explained as a matter of sound trial strategy.’ [Citation.] If the record
‘sheds no light on why counsel acted or failed to act in the manner challenged,’ an
appellate claim of ineffective assistance of counsel must be rejected ‘unless counsel was
asked for an explanation and failed to provide one, or unless there simply could be no
satisfactory explanation.’ [Citations.]” (People v. Ledesma, supra, 39 Cal.4th at p. 746.)
“[T]he decision facing counsel in the midst of trial over whether to object to comments
made by the prosecutor in closing argument is a highly tactical one” (People v. Padilla
(1995) 11 Cal.4th 891, 942, overruled on another ground in People v. Hill, supra, 17
Cal.4th at p. 823), and “a mere failure to object to evidence or argument seldom
establishes counsel’s incompetence.” (People v. Ghent (1987) 43 Cal.3d 739, 772; see
People v. Centeno, supra, 60 Cal.4th at pp. 674–675.)
The prejudice prong requires a defendant to establish “there is a reasonable
probability that, but for counsel’s unprofessional errors, the result of the proceeding
would have been different.” (Strickland v. Washington, supra, 466 U.S. at p. 694.) “A
reasonable probability is a probability sufficient to undermine confidence in the
outcome.” (Ibid.) Prejudice must be affirmatively proved. (People v. Maury (2003) 30
Cal.4th 342, 389.) Where a defendant fails to show prejudice, a reviewing court may
reject a claim of ineffective assistance of counsel without reaching the issue of deficient
performance. (See Strickland, at p. 697.)
C. Prosecutor Telling the Jury It Is Not to Consider the Absence of
Logical Witnesses
Defendant first asserts the prosecutor committed misconduct during rebuttal
argument by telling jurors they may not consider the prosecution’s failure to call logical
witnesses. Defendant agrees neither side is required to call all witnesses but claims the
prosecutor’s comment that it would be improper speculation if the jurors were to consider
what the absent witnesses would say amounted to misconduct.
17.
1. Relevant factual background
The court instructed the jury, in relevant part:
“You must decide what the facts are. It is up to all of you and you
alone to decide what happened based only on the evidence that has been
presented to you in this trial.”
“You must follow the law as I explain it to you, even if you disagree
with it. If you believe that the attorneys’[] comments on the law conflict
with my instructions, you must follow my instructions.”
“Nothing that the attorneys say is evidence. In their opening
statements and closing arguments, the attorneys discuss the case, but their
remarks are not evidence. Their questions are not evidence. Only the
witnesses’[] answers are evidence. The attorneys’[] questions are
significant only if they helped you to understand the witnesses’[] answers.
Do not assume that something is true just because one of the attorneys
asked a question that suggested it was true.”
“Neither side is required to call all witnesses who may have
information about the case or to produce all physical evidence that might be
relevant. [¶] The testimony of only one witness can prove any fact. Before
you conclude that the testimony of one witness proves a fact, you should
carefully review all the evidence. [¶] Conviction of a sexual assault crime
may be based on the testimony of a complaining witness alone.”
“You may not convict the defendant unless the People have proved
his guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.”
During closing argument, defense counsel commented on the minimal evidence
presented by the prosecution. Defense counsel noted no family members corroborated
the victim’s accusations. He pointed out the prosecutor did not call the victim’s father,
her brothers who—according to the victim—were present during one of the incidents,
defendant’s brothers who shared a room with defendant, or her former or present
boyfriends to whom she claimed to have revealed the sexual abuse. Counsel argued to
the jury, “These are all things that would corroborate what she said. They didn’t testify.
There’s no corroboration. That means there’s nothing substantiating what she said.
These people were not presented to you.”
18.
The prosecutor responded in rebuttal argument:
“Now the law also states that neither side has to bring in every
possible witness. [Defense counsel] brought up a lot. ‘You didn’t hear
from the parents; you didn’t hear from [A.’s] brothers; you didn’t hear from
[defendant’s brothers]; you didn’t hear from the boyfriend.’
“Now the Court also instructs you you cannot speculate. How do
these tie together?
“[Defense counsel] points out that all these people weren’t dragged
into court to testify. Well, there’s some things for you to consider.
[¶] One, there is no obligation. Neither side is required to call every
witness who may have information in the case; and, two, you would be
speculating about what that witness would testify about. You don’t know
what they would say. Maybe they’d come in and corroborate everything
[A.] told you. You’re just speculating.
“You all in jury selection agreed that you would judge this case—
“[DEFENSE COUNSEL]: I have to object—
“[PROSECUTOR]: —just on the evidence presented.
“THE COURT: [Defense counsel]?
“[DEFENSE COUNSEL]: I have to object as burden shifting.
“THE COURT: Overruled.
“[PROSECUTOR]: You have to judge this case just based on the
evidence presented. Neither side is required to call all witnesses, and you
would be speculating about what that witness might or might not have said.
You have to judge the case just based on the evidence presented and that
the evidence presented is proof beyond a reasonable doubt—
“[DEFENSE COUNSEL]: I object as improper—
“[PROSECUTOR]: —that the defendant—
“[DEFENSE COUNSEL]: —improper argument.
“THE COURT: Overruled.
19.
“[PROSECUTOR]: And the evidence presented is proof beyond a
reasonable doubt that the defendant molested [A.] and committed the
crimes that are charged.”
2. Applicable Law
It is well-established that a prosecutor may not misstate the law during closing
argument. (People v. Cowan (2017) 8 Cal.App.5th 1152, 1159.) To do so is misconduct.
(People v. Otero (2012) 210 Cal.App.4th 865, 870–871.)
During closing argument a party is entitled both to discuss the evidence and to
comment on reasonable inferences that may be drawn therefrom. (See People v. Bemore
(2000) 22 Cal.4th 809, 846 [speaking of the prosecutor’s entitlement in this regard];
People v. Sandoval (1992) 4 Cal.4th 155, 183 [same]; People v. Morales, supra, 25
Cal.4th at p. 44.)
The prosecution is not required to call any particular witness, nor to put on all the
evidence relating to a charge so long as all material evidence bearing thereon is fairly
presented in such a manner as to accord to the defendant a fair trial. (People v. Stanley
(1967) 67 Cal.2d 812, 820; People v. Tuthill (1947) 31 Cal.2d 92, 98, overruled on
another ground in People v. Balderas (1985) 41 Cal.3d 144, 182; see People v. Kiihoa
(1960) 53 Cal.2d 748, 752.) It is neither unusual nor improper to comment on the failure
to call logical witnesses. (People v. Gonzales (2012) 54 Cal.4th 1234, 1275; People v.
Castaneda (2011) 51 Cal.4th 1292, 1333, abrogation recognized on other grounds in
People v. Hardy (2018) 5 Cal.5th 56, 100.) However, it is improper to ask the jury to
speculate about what absent witnesses might have said. (Gonzales, supra, at p. 1274.)
3. Analysis
Defendant concedes “neither side is required to call all witnesses” but claims the
prosecutor misstated the law in rebuttal arguments when she “effectively told the jurors
that they were not allowed to consider” the absence of logical witnesses. Defendant
argues it was proper to argue that “jurors may consider the failure to call logical
witnesses and give that whatever meaning they believe it has.” The People contend that
20.
defendant misstates the prosecutor’s arguments. We agree with the People and conclude
defendant fails to establish misconduct or prejudice.
As defendant acknowledges, it is true neither side is required to call all witnesses.
(See CALJIC No. 2.11; People v. Wein (1958) 50 Cal.2d 383, 402–403, overruled on
other grounds in People v. Daniels (1969) 71 Cal.2d 1119, 1140.) “The prosecution is
not required to call any particular witness, nor to put on all the evidence relating to a
charge so long as all material evidence bearing thereon is fairly presented in such a
manner as to accord the defendant a fair trial.” (People v. Stanley, supra, 67 Cal.2d at p.
820; see People v. Galvan (1962) 208 Cal.App.2d 443, 450.) Accordingly, the
prosecutor did not misstate the law in explaining to the jury neither side was required to
call all witnesses. (See People v. Ibarra (2007) 156 Cal.App.4th 1174, 1189; People v.
Simms (1970) 10 Cal.App.3d 299, 313.)
Contrary to defendant’s argument, the prosecutor never told the jury it was not
allowed to consider the absence of logical witnesses or suggested it was improper for
defense counsel to comment on the failure to call all witnesses. Rather, the prosecutor
explained, “You have to judge this case just based on the evidence presented. Neither
side is required to call all witnesses, and you would be speculating about what that
witness might or might not have said.” The prosecutor’s remark to the jury explained it
had to base its verdict on facts and evidence, not speculation, which “‘did little more than
urge the jury not to be influenced by [defense] counsel’s arguments, and to instead focus
on the testimony and evidence in the case.’” (People v. Dykes (2009) 46 Cal.4th 731,
771.) Therefore, we cannot conclude the prosecutor misstated the law or committed
prosecutorial misconduct by reminding the jury in rebuttal argument that neither side is
required to call all witnesses and that it could not speculate about what any uncalled
witnesses might have said. Nor can we conclude the prosecutor’s arguments “infect[ed]
the trial with such unfairness as to make the conviction a denial of due process.” (People
v. Morales, supra, 25 Cal.4th at p. 44.)
21.
Defendant’s reference to People v. Hall (2000) 82 Cal.App.4th 813 does not
change our conclusion. The Hall court concluded it was not misconduct for the
prosecutor in rebuttal argument to comment on the fact he did not call a certain officer to
testify, but went too far when he told the jury the witness’s testimony would have been
repetitive. (Id. at p. 817.) Defendant argues there is no reason why the defense should
not also be allowed to comment about the absence of logical witnesses in the
prosecution’s case. Here, however, defendant fails to demonstrate the prosecutor told the
jury the defense was not allowed to comment on the absence of logical witnesses.
Rather, the prosecution affirmed that neither side was required to call all witnesses.
Defendant cites to People v. Beghtel (1966) 239 Cal.App.2d 692, 695 to argue the
absence of logical witnesses from the prosecution’s case-in-chief could be construed by
the jury as the prosecution failing to meet its burden of proving the defendant guilty
beyond a reasonable doubt. However, again, defense counsel was permitted to argue the
prosecution did not call logical witnesses and did not prove the defendant guilty beyond a
reasonable doubt.
Even assuming the prosecutor’s remarks amounted to misconduct, we would find
no prejudicial error. We presume that the jury relied on the instructions, not the
arguments, in convicting defendant. (See People v. Sanchez (1995) 12 Cal.4th 1, 70 [we
presume “the jury treated the court’s instructions as statements of law, and the
prosecutor’s comments as words spoken by an advocate in an attempt to persuade”],
disapproved on other grounds in People v. Doolin, supra, 45 Cal.4th at p. 421, fn. 22.)
“[I]t should be noted that the jury, of course, could totally disregard all the arguments of
counsel.” (People v. Green (1980) 27 Cal.3d 1, 76 (conc. & dis. opn. of Richardson, J.);
see People v. Morales, supra, 25 Cal.4th at p. 47.)
Here, the trial court explained that “[n]othing that the attorneys say is evidence. In
their opening statements and closing arguments, the attorneys discuss the case, but their
remarks are not evidence.” The court also explained that “[n]either side is required to
22.
call all witnesses who may have information about the case or to produce all physical
evidence that might be relevant.” And if there was any confusion about the prosecutor’s
explanation of the law, the court instructed the jury: “You must follow the law as I
explain it to you, even if you disagree with it. If you believe that the attorneys’[]
comments on the law conflict with my instructions, you must follow my instructions.”
We presume the jury followed these instructions. (See People v. Wilson (2008) 44
Cal.4th 758, 834; People v. Gray (2005) 37 Cal.4th 168, 231.)
D. Prosecutor Telling the Jurors They Were Forbidden from Considering
What Was Lacking in the Prosecution’s Case
Defendant argues “it was equally incorrect to tell the jurors that they may not
consider the ‘more’ they would have liked to have seen.” Defendant contends that a
juror’s need to see more from the prosecution shows that its case was deficient and the
prosecution failed to sufficiently prove its case beyond a reasonable doubt. Defendant
claims the prosecutor misstated the law and misrepresented the reasonable doubt
standard. And that “[f]orbidding the jurors, as the prosecutor did, from asking
themselves if they needed to see more from the prosecution’s case” effectively reduced
the reasonable doubt standard. The People disagree, stating the “prosecutor simply
reiterated that the verdict was to be based on the evidence that was presented at trial,”
which was “proper and did not distort the burden of proof.” First, we note this claim was
forfeited when defense counsel failed to object. Irrespective, defendant fails to establish
the prosecutor’s comments constituted prejudicial misconduct.
1. Relevant factual background
The trial court instructed the jury:
“The fact that a criminal charge has been filed against the defendant
is not evidence that the charge is true. You must not be biased against the
defendant just because he has been arrested, charged with a crime, or
brought to trial. [¶] A defendant in a criminal case is presumed to be
innocent. This presumption requires that the People prove a defendant
23.
guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. Whenever I tell you the People must
prove something, I mean they must prove it beyond a reasonable doubt.
“Proof beyond a reasonable doubt is proof that leaves you with an
abiding conviction that the charge is true. The evidence need not eliminate
all possible doubt because everything in life is open to some possible or
imaginary doubt. [¶] In deciding whether the People have proved their case
beyond a reasonable doubt, you must impartially compare and consider all
the evidence that was received throughout the entire trial. Unless the
evidence proves the defendant guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, he is
entitled to an acquittal, and you must find him not guilty.”
In closing argument, the prosecutor explained the burden of proof as follows:
“Now going through my burden of proof, you have the instruction
on this. [¶] Proof beyond a reasonable doubt is proof that leaves you with
an abiding conviction. It’s not, ‘Hmm, I’d like to see more.’ [¶] You’re
not to talk about ‘more.’ You talk about the evidence presented in this
case, what you have, as [the judge] says, in the circle that you get of the
case. (Indicating.) [¶] It’s not 100 percent. It’s not beyond all possible
doubt. It’s not ‘What if this?’ ‘What if that?’ ‘What would that person
have said?’ ‘What would that person have said?’ It’s about the evidence
presented in court. It’s about what you have. [¶] … [¶]
“Now proof beyond a reasonable doubt—yes, there are other legal
standards. [Defense counsel] went over some of these with you. Clear and
convincing evidence, preponderance of the evidence, more likely than
not—yes, there’s a lot of different standards. [¶] The standard we’re
talking about here is the highest legal standard but it is not the highest
standard ever. It’s not 100 percent. It’s not beyond all possible doubt. It’s
not beyond a shadow of a doubt. We’re talking about beyond a reasonable
doubt. That is the same burden that every court in every county, in every
state, and every jurisdiction in the United States uses. Day in and day out,
juries reach verdicts. It’s not insurmountable. It’s not unattainable. It’s
not 100 percent. It’s reasonable. We’re talking about reasonable doubt.”
2. Applicable Law
“A jury’s verdict in a criminal case must be based on the evidence presented at
trial, not on extrinsic matters.” (People v. Leonard (2007) 40 Cal.4th 1370, 1414; accord,
People v. Nesler (1997) 16 Cal.4th 561, 578.) “The reasonable doubt prescribed by
statute may well grow out of the lack of evidence in the case as well as the evidence
24.
adduced.” (People v. Simpson (1954) 43 Cal.2d 553, 566; accord, People v. Campos
(2007) 156 Cal.App.4th 1228, 1238.) However, it is improper to ask the jury to speculate
about what absent witnesses might have said. (People v. Gonzales, supra, 54 Cal.4th at
p. 1274.)
“Although counsel have ‘broad discretion in discussing the legal and factual
merits of a case [citation], it is improper to misstate the law. [Citation.]’” (People v.
Mendoza, supra, 42 Cal.4th at p. 702, quoting People v. Bell (1989) 49 Cal.3d 502, 538.)
In particular, it is misconduct for counsel to attempt to absolve the prosecution from its
prima facie obligation to overcome reasonable doubt on all elements. (People v.
Gonzalez (1990) 51 Cal.3d 1179, 1215, superseded by statute on another point in In re
Steele (2004) 32 Cal.4th 682, 691.)
3. Analysis
Even if the issue had been adequately preserved for appellate review, defendant
fails to establish the prosecutor’s referenced statements amounted to misconduct.
Defendant mischaracterizes the prosecutor’s arguments when he argues it was incorrect
for the prosecution “to tell the jurors that they may not consider the ‘more’ they would
have liked to have seen.” Upon review of the record, it is clear the prosecutor was
demonstrating the high standard of “[p]roof beyond a reasonable doubt” by explaining
that it “is proof that leaves you with an abiding conviction. It’s not, ‘Hmm, I’d like to see
more.’” The prosecutor was using this example to give context to the burden of proof,
not reduce the burden of proof.
We also disagree with defendant’s claim the prosecutor committed error when she
said, “You’re not to talk about ‘more.’” In context, the prosecutor explained, “You’re not
to talk about ‘more.’ You talk about the evidence presented in this case, what you have,
as [the judge] says, in the circle that you get of the case. (Indicating.) [¶] It’s not 100
percent. It’s not beyond all possible doubt. It’s not ‘What if this?’ ‘What if that?’
25.
‘What would that person have said?’ ‘What would that person have said?’ It’s about the
evidence presented in court. It’s about what you have.” The prosecutor’s statements
properly explained to the jurors that they are not to speculate about what a witness might
have said. (See People v. Gonzales, supra, 54 Cal.4th at p. 1274.) And the prosecutor
did not err by reminding the jurors they are to make their decision based on the evidence.
(See People v. Leonard, supra, 40 Cal.4th at p. 1414; People v. Nesler, supra, 16 Cal.4th
at p. 578.) Consequently, we cannot conclude these statements amounted to prosecutorial
misconduct, and therefore, defendant cannot establish the failure to object resulted in
ineffective assistance of trial counsel.
E. Prosecutor Told the Jury the Reasonable Doubt Standard Is Met “Day
In and Day Out”
Defendant next contends the prosecution improperly linked defendant’s case to
convictions that occur “day in and day out.”1 Defendant argues the rate of conviction has
no bearing on the question of defendant’s guilt and should not be something considered
by the jury. Defendant further argues the prosecutor crossed the line when she discussed
the frequency of convictions under the reasonable doubt standard. Defendant claims the
prosecutor’s argument about guilty verdicts being reached “day in and day out” had the
effect of reducing or trivializing the reasonable doubt standard by pointing the jury to an
irrelevant consideration, i.e., the frequency with which other defendants have been
convicted. The People disagree, contending the prosecutor was simply explaining the
prosecutor’s burden of proof was not an impossibly high standard. We conclude this
claim was forfeited when defense counsel failed to object, and defendant fails to
demonstrate the requisite prejudice to establish ineffective assistance of counsel.
“To prevail on a claim of prosecutorial misconduct based on remarks to the jury,
the defendant must show a reasonable likelihood the jury understood or applied the
1Defendant implies the phrase “day in and day out” referred to guilt or convictions. Not
so. The prosecutor stated, “Day in and day out, juries reach verdicts.”
26.
complained-of comments in an improper or erroneous manner. [Citations.]” (People v.
Frye, supra, 18 Cal.4th at p. 970, disapproved on another ground in People v. Doolin,
supra, 45 Cal.4th at p. 421, fn. 22; People v. Morales, supra, 25 Cal.4th at p. 44; People
v. Ayala, supra, 23 Cal.4th at pp. 283–284.)
Here, defendant fails to establish the prosecutor’s “day in and day out” comment
had a prejudicial effect on his trial. As he concedes in his opening brief, the prosecutor’s
comment that defendants are convicted “day in and day out” did not reduce the
reasonable doubt standard to everyday life decisions, such as driving and marriage, as
criticized in People v. Nguyen (1995) 40 Cal.App.4th 28, 35–36. And although defendant
suggests the comment may have had the effect of “link[ing] [defendant] to every
defendant who turned out to be guilty,” which was criticized in Taylor v. Kentucky (1978)
436 U.S. 478, 486–487, he fails to show how he was prejudiced by the comment, i.e., that
it is reasonably probable a more favorable result would have been reached without the
comment. (See People v. Tully, supra, 54 Cal.4th at p. 1010.) And because the court
properly instructed the jury regarding reasonable doubt, we cannot conclude “there is a
reasonable likelihood that the jury construed or applied any of the complained-of remarks
in an objectionable fashion.” (People v. Morales, supra, 25 Cal.4th at p. 44; accord,
People v. Ayala, supra, 23 Cal.4th at pp. 283–284.)
Because defendant has not established he was prejudiced by the challenged
statements, he also cannot establish his counsel was ineffective for failing to object to the
challenged statements. (See Strickland v. Washington, supra, 466 U.S. at p. 694.)
F. Prosecutor Told the Jury “We’re Beyond” that Now
Defendant contends the prosecutor committed misconduct when she “told the
jurors that the presumption of innocence lasted until the start of the evidentiary portion of
the trial, but now that all the evidence has been taken, ‘we’re beyond that now.’” The
defendant contends the prosecutor erred when she told the jury “we’re beyond” the
27.
presumption of innocence before the start of deliberations, suggesting to “‘the jury it need
no longer apply the presumption because it is no longer in effect as a procedural matter.’”
We disagree and conclude the prosecutor’s comment “we’re beyond that now” does not
rise to prosecutorial misconduct. We first note the claim is forfeited for lack of objection
below. Secondly, we conclude defendant fails to demonstrate he received ineffective
assistance of counsel.
1. Relevant Law
“[T]he prosecutor has a wide-ranging right to discuss the case in closing argument.
He has the right to fully state his views as to what the evidence shows and to urge
whatever conclusions he deems proper.” (People v. Lewis (1990) 50 Cal.3d 262, 283; see
People v. Panah (2005) 35 Cal.4th 395, 463.)
A defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty, and the government has the
burden to prove guilt, beyond a reasonable doubt, as to each element of each charged
offense. (§ 1096; e.g., People v. Kobrin (1995) 11 Cal.4th 416, 419; People v. Freeman
(1994) 8 Cal.4th 450, 501–505; People v. Booker (2011) 51 Cal.4th 141, 185.)
2. Factual Background
The court instructed the jury with CALCRIM No. 220:
“A defendant in a criminal case is presumed to be innocent. This
presumption requires that the People prove a defendant guilty beyond a
reasonable doubt. Whenever I tell you the People must prove something, I
mean they must provide it beyond a reasonable doubt.”
The following remarks were made by the prosecutor during her rebuttal argument:
“[Defense counsel] stated multiple times the defendant’s innocent.
‘You will find him innocent.’ [¶] He’s not innocent. You heard from [A.]
You heard what he did to her. You heard the evidence against the
defendant. That presumption of innocence that we talked about back in
jury selection, that was a presumption of innocence when you had no
evidence, when the only verdict you could render at that point without any
evidence was not guilty. [¶] But we’re beyond that now. You have all the
evidence. Go ahead and get readback. Go ahead and listen to the pretext
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calls. Go through the transcript. Look at the law as the judge gave it to
you.
“After you’ve reviewed everything, after you’ve judged the
credibility of witnesses, after you have looked at the law, you will find the
defendant guilty of the greater crime of forcible lewd act on [A.] as outlined
in the law and the verdict forms, and you will find him guilty of sexual
penetration of [A.] when she was ten years old or younger. Thank you.”
3. Analysis
Defendant contends that the prosecutor committed misconduct when she told the
jury that “we’re beyond” the presumption of innocence before the start of deliberations.
We disagree.
Several cases support a conclusion the referenced argument did not amount to
misconduct. In People v. Panah, supra, 35 Cal.4th at page 463, the prosecutor argued the
“evidence had ‘stripped away’ defendant’s presumption of innocence.” The Supreme
Court rejected a claim of prosecutorial misconduct and concluded “the prosecutor’s
references to the presumption of innocence were made in connection with his general
point that, in his view, the evidence, to which he had just referred at length, proved
defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, i.e., the evidence overcame the
presumption.” (Ibid.)
In People v. Goldberg (1984) 161 Cal.App.3d 170, the prosecutor argued that after
reviewing all the evidence, “‘[t]here is no more presumption of innocence. Defendant
Goldberg has been proven guilty by the evidence.’” (Id. at p. 189, italics omitted.) The
court noted the jury had been properly instructed on the presumption of innocence and
the prosecutor merely restated the law that a “‘defendant in a criminal action is presumed
to be innocent until the contrary is proved….’” (Id. at p. 189.)
In People v. Booker, supra, 51 Cal.4th 141, the prosecutor stated, “‘The defendant
was presumed innocent until the contrary was shown. That presumption should have left
many days ago. He doesn’t stay presumed innocent.’” (Id. at p. 183.) After an objection
was overruled, the trial court instructed the jury “‘the presumption of innocence is the
29.
point at which you start the case. At some point you come to the conclusion the person is
guilty, the presumption is gone. On the other hand, if you find the person is not guilty,
the presumption of innocence is always there. Again, you have to interpret how to use
that.’” (Id. at pp. 183–184.) The prosecutor continued, “‘As the Court instructed you, I
was correct, that the defendant starts out with the presumption of innocence. That
doesn’t stay. That isn’t an automatic thing forever. That’s why we have a trial. Once the
evidence convinces you he is no longer innocent, that presumption vanishes. That’s all it
is.’” (Id. at p. 184.) The Supreme Court agreed with the reasoning in Goldberg
discussed above and characterized the prosecutor’s argument as one that merely
encouraged the jury to “return a verdict in his favor based on the state of the evidence
presented.” (Booker, supra, at p. 185.)
In People v. Romo (2016) 248 Cal.App.4th 682, the prosecutor argued, “‘As the
evidence comes in—and the evidence has come in—and when you walk into that jury
room and discuss the case—discuss the evidence in this case, once the evidence proved to
you beyond a reasonable doubt that [defendant] committed the crime, there’s no
presumption of innocence. It’s—it goes away as the evidence comes in and the evidence
shows you that he’s guilty. The presumption of innocence doesn’t just stay there forever.
[¶] The evidence proves to you that he’s committed the crime and is guilty beyond a
reasonable doubt.’” (Id. at pp. 690-691, italics omitted.) The Romo court relied on
Booker and restated its conclusion: “‘Although we do not condone statements that
appear to shift the burden of proof onto a defendant (as a defendant is entitled to the
presumption of innocence until the contrary is found by the jury), the prosecutor here
simply argued the jury should return a verdict in his favor based on the state of the
evidence presented.’” (Romo, supra, at p. 692, quoting People v. Booker, supra, 51
Cal.4th at p. 185.)
Here, like in Romo, defendant cites to People v. Dowdell (2014) 227 Cal.App.4th
1388, which he contends supports his position. In Dowdell, during closing argument, the
30.
prosecutor twice stated without objection that the “‘presumption of innocence is over’”
(italics omitted), and the defendant “‘has gotten his fair trial.’” (Id. at p. 1407.) The
defendant in Dowdell argued defense counsel was deficient for failing to object to these
statements. The Dowdell court agreed, noting the presumption of innocence continues
not only through the presentation of evidence, but also during deliberations and until a
verdict is reached. (Id. at p. 1406.) The Supreme Court in Romo noted that “[t]he
Dowdell court found Goldberg distinguishable because the prosecutor in the case before
it had twice made what the court considered to be a clear misstatement of the law
regarding the presumption of innocence because the prosecutor also stated the defendant
had gotten a ‘fair trial,’ which ‘implied that the “fair trial” was over, and with it, the
jury’s legal obligation to respect the presumption of innocence.’” (People v. Romo,
supra, 248 Cal.App.4th at pp. 692–693; see Dowdell, supra, at p. 1408.)
Defendant also points to People v. Cowan, supra, 8 Cal.App.5th 1152 where the
prosecutor told the jury “the presumption ends with the reading of the charges. To put it
another way, even before the evidence is received, the presumption of innocence
disappears.” (Id. at p. 1160.) The court concluded the prosecutor’s comments were “an
unfair attempt to lighten the prosecution’s burden of proof and constitutes misconduct.”
(Ibid.)
The court in People v. Jimenez (2019) 35 Cal.App.5th 373, reviewed Booker,
Panah, Goldberg, and Dowdell and clarified that these cases distinguished acceptable
arguments of the prosecution: those where the prosecutor contends the evidence has
overcome the presumption of innocence from arguments that constitute misconduct, and
those where the prosecution tells the jury it need no longer apply the presumption
because it is no longer in effect as a procedural matter. (Jimenez, supra, at p. 385.) “The
statement ‘he’s no longer presumed innocent’ was preceded by several statements
outlining the strength of the evidence, and the prosecutor immediately followed it up by
stating, ‘[T]he line had been moved, and he’s now been proven guilty.’ In isolation, the
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statement ‘no longer presumed innocent’ could be interpreted to mean the presumption
was no longer in effect at the point of closing argument, but the context shows it was a
statement about the strength of the evidence.” (Ibid.)
Here, we conclude the prosecutor’s statement, in context, shows it was a statement
about the strength of the evidence. (See People v. Jimenez, supra, 35 Cal.App.5th at p.
385.) The prosecutor reminded the jurors of the evidence presented before them and
explained the “presumption of innocence [was] when you had no evidence, when the only
verdict you could render at that point without any evidence was not guilty. [¶] But we’re
beyond that now. You have all the evidence.” The prosecutor went on to add that “[a]fter
you’ve reviewed everything, after you’ve judged the credibility of witnesses, after you
have looked at the law, you will find the defendant guilty ….” As such, the prosecutor’s
statements are more similar to the ones in Panah, Goldberg, Romo and Booker and fall in
the acceptable category of arguing the weight of the evidence has overcome the
presumption of innocence. We disagree with defendant’s suggestion that the prosecutor’s
comment constituted misconduct because it suggested the presumption was “‘no longer
in effect as a procedural matter’” because it occurred before deliberations. (See Jimenez,
supra, at p. 385.) The prosecution did not tell the jury the presumption no longer applied
because it was no longer in effect as a procedural matter. (See id. at p. 385.) Therefore,
we conclude the prosecutor’s argument in the instant case was not an incorrect statement
of the law and, instead, an appropriate argument about the weight of the evidence of guilt.
Consequently, we do not reach defendant’s claim of ineffective assistance of counsel.
III. Assembly Bill 124
Defendant argues his sentence on counts 2, 3 and 7 must be vacated in light of
Assembly Bill 124. The People agree.
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A. Relevant Factual Background
Defendant was convicted of three counts of forcible lewd acts on a child who is
under the age of 14 years in violation of section 288, subdivision (b)(1) under counts 2, 3,
and 7. The court sentenced defendant to full, middle term sentences of six years in prison
for each of these three convictions. The court took note of the aggravating and mitigating
factors. In aggravation, the court found that defendant took advantage of a position of
trust and that the crimes involved a threat of great bodily harm or other acts disclosing a
high degree of cruelty, viciousness, or callousness. In mitigation, the court took note of
defendant’s lack of criminal history and the fact that he was under 24 years of age when
the crimes were committed.
B. Applicable Law
Effective January 1, 2022, Assembly Bill 124, in relevant part, amended section
1170, subdivision (b) by adding subdivision (b)(6), which establishes a presumptive
mandate to impose the lower term under specific circumstances. Section 1170,
subdivision (b)(6), as amended, provides:
“(6) Notwithstanding paragraph (1) [as separately amended by
Senate Bill 567 (2021–2022 Reg. Sess.)], and unless the court finds that the
aggravating circumstances outweigh the mitigating circumstances that
imposition of the lower term would be contrary to the interests of justice,
the court shall order imposition of the lower term if any of the following
was a contributing factor in the commission of the offense:
“(A) The person has experienced psychological, physical, or
childhood trauma, including, but not limited to, abuse, neglect, exploitation,
or sexual violence.
“(B) The person is a youth, or was a youth as defined under
subdivision (b) of Section 1016.7 at the time of the commission of the
offense.
“(C) Prior to the instant offense, or at the time of the commission of
the offense, the person is or was a victim of intimate partner violence or
human trafficking.”
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Section 1016.7, subdivision (b), which was added by Assembly Bill 124, defines
“youth” as “any person under 26 years of age on the date the offense was committed.”
(Stats. 2021, ch. 695, § 4.)
The question of whether an amended statute applies to an existing case is reviewed
de novo. (People v. American Contractors Indemnity Co. (1999) 76 Cal.App.4th 1408,
1413.)
C. Analysis
Effective January 1, 2022, section 1170, subdivision (b)(6), now imposes a
presumption that when the law specifies three possible terms, the court shall impose the
lower term where, as relevant here, the defendant was a youth. (See § 1170, subd.
(b)(6)(A)–(B); Sen. Bill No. 567 (2021–2022 Reg. Sess.); Stats. 2021, ch. 731 §§ 1.3, 3,
subd. (c); see also § 1016.7, subd. (b) [defining “youth” to mean a person under 26 years
of age at the time of the offense].) This presumption in favor of the lower term can only
be overcome if “the court finds that the aggravating circumstances outweigh the
mitigating circumstances [such] that imposition of the lower term would be contrary to
the interests of justice.” (§ 1170, subd. (b)(6).)
The amendments to section 1170 apply retroactively to defendant because his
judgment was not yet final when the amendments went into effect, and there is no
indication the Legislature intended the amendments to apply prospectively only. (See In
re Estrada (1965) 63 Cal.2d 740, 745–746 [when the Legislature lessens the penalty for a
crime, an inference arises that it intended the lighter penalty to apply provided the
judgment is not final]; People v. Frahs (2020) 9 Cal.5th 618, 628–629 [Estrada’s
retroactivity rule applies to statutes that make a reduced punishment possible].)
Here, the trial court imposed full, middle term sentences for counts 2, 3, and 7.
The charging document alleged, and the jury found, that these crimes occurred “on or
about June 24, 2003 and October 14, 2009.” Since defendant was born on June 24, 1985,
34.
he was under 26 years old when he committed the offenses. Under the new law,
defendant may be entitled to be sentenced to the low term on each of the offenses, unless
the court expressly finds that the aggravating circumstances outweigh the mitigating
circumstances such that imposition of the lower term would be contrary to the interests of
justice. Consequently, this matter is remanded for the trial court to resentence defendant
in accordance with the changes to section 1170, subdivision (b), after Assembly Bill 124.
DISPOSITION
Defendant’s conviction on count 8 is reduced to the lesser included offense of
sexual penetration of a minor under section 289, subdivision (h). The matter is remanded
for a full resentencing hearing during which, in addition to resentencing on count 8, the
court should consider the changes to section 1170, subdivision (b), as discussed herein.
In all other respects, the judgment is affirmed.
PEÑA, J.
WE CONCUR:
DETJEN, Acting P. J.
SNAUFFER, J.
35.