People v. Wilson CA3 ( 2022 )

Filed 10/25/22 P. v. Wilson CA3
NOT TO BE PUBLISHED
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 This opinion has not been certified for publication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
THIRD APPELLATE DISTRICT
(Sacramento)
----
THE PEOPLE, C096053
Plaintiff and Respondent, (Super. Ct. No. CR109966)
v.
TYRONE DESHAWN WILSON,
Defendant and Appellant.
Defendant Tyrone Deshawn Wilson appeals from an order denying his 2022
postjudgment petition to vacate his murder conviction pursuant to former Penal Code1
1 Undesignated statutory references are to the Penal Code.
1
section 1170.952 based on changes made to the felony-murder rule by Senate Bill
No. 1437 (2017-2018 Reg. Sess.) (Senate Bill 1437). Defendant’s appointed counsel has
asked this court to conduct an independent review of the record to determine whether
there are any arguable issues on appeal. (People v. Wende (1979) 25 Cal.3d 436.)
Counsel advised defendant of his right to file a supplemental brief, and he filed a letter
brief raising multiple issues. We will affirm.
FACTUAL AND PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND
A detailed recitation of the underlying facts is set forth in our prior opinion in this
case. (People v. Wilson (Jul. 2, 1993, C013560) [nonpub. opn.].) In sum, defendant and
the victim, who had known each other since childhood, were socializing in a hotel
parking lot after a Halloween party. The two ended up in an embrace, and defendant then
pulled out a gun from his jacket pocket and shot the victim in the side. Defendant said he
did not mean to shoot the victim, and only pulled out his gun because he feared gang
violence.
2 The Legislature amended former section 1170.95 effective January 1, 2022, under
Senate Bill No. 775 (2021-2022 Reg. Sess.) (Stats. 2021, ch. 551). This amendment to
former section 1170.95 has no impact on the issues raised by this appeal. Effective June
30, 2022, the Legislature renumbered former section 1170.95 to section 1172.6, with no
change in the text. (Stats. 2022, ch. 58, § 10.) We reject defendant’s request for judicial
notice regarding the legislative history of Senate Bill No. 775 as unnecessary.
We also reject what we interpret as a request to augment the record with the
following documents defendant attached to his supplemental brief: (1) a minute order
from 2019; (2) a February 2022 letter from the public defender’s office; and (3) what
appears to be portions of a police report from 1991. (Cal. Rules of Court, rules 8.340(c),
8.155; see DeYoung v. Del Mar Thoroughbred Club (1984) 159 Cal.App.3d 858, 863
[document not presented to the trial court falls outside the scope of the augmentation rule
and could not be considered by the appellate court].) We note that a copy of the court’s
April 1, 2022, order denying his resentencing petition (which defendant also attached to
his supplemental brief) is already in the record.
2
At trial, the jury was instructed on first degree murder, second degree murder,
voluntary manslaughter, and justifiable homicide in self-defense. The jury was not
instructed on second degree murder based on implied malice. In our prior opinion, we
noted there was “no dispute” that defendant killed the victim. Although we modified a
restitution fine, we otherwise affirmed defendant’s conviction for second degree murder.
(People v. Wilson, supra, C013560.)
In 2019, defendant petitioned the court for resentencing under former section
1170.95. The trial court denied his petition, reasoning that he was ineligible for relief
because he was tried and convicted as the actual killer. The court also noted that the jury
was not instructed on either a second degree felony-murder theory or a second degree
natural and probable consequences doctrine theory of guilt.
Defendant filed another resentencing petition in January 2022 stating that he could
not presently be convicted of murder based on the changes to sections 188 and 189. The
trial court appointed defense counsel in February 2022. The People filed a response on
March 4, 2022, arguing defendant was ineligible for relief under former section 1170.95
because he was not convicted of murder based on the felony-murder rule, the natural and
probable consequences doctrine, or any theory in which malice may be imputed. In sum,
the record established as a matter of law that defendant was the actual killer who
murdered with malice aforethought.
On March 30, 2022, defendant filed an application for extension of time to file a
reply to the People’s response. In his supporting declaration, defendant stated he had not
yet heard from the public defender’s office regarding his petition. He stated he had hired
his own attorney to represent him on the matter, although the attorney had not responded
to him for nearly a month.
On April 1, 2022, the trial court issued a written order denying defendant’s
petition. The court reasoned that defendant had failed to show that he was eligible for
relief under former section 1170.95 because he was tried and convicted of second degree
3
murder as the actual killer. The court quoted our prior opinion as follows: “ ‘There is no
dispute defendant killed [the victim], shooting him in the left side of his back, at point
blank range, with a handgun.’ ” The court further noted that defendant’s 2019 petition
had been denied. The court did not address defendant’s request for an extension of time
to file a reply brief.
Defendant timely appealed from the 2022 order.
DISCUSSION
A. Our Review
Whether the protections afforded by Wende and the United States Supreme
Court’s decision in Anders v. California (1967) 386 U.S. 738 apply to an appeal from an
order denying a postjudgment motion to deny a resentencing petition under section
1172.6 is an open question. Our Supreme Court is set to resolve the issue in People v.
Delgadillo (Nov. 18, 2020, B304441) (nonpub. opn.), review granted February 17, 2021,
S266305.
In People v. Figueras (2021) 61 Cal.App.5th 108, review granted May 12, 2021,
S267870,3 this court described the Anders/Wende procedure applicable to appeals for
postjudgment relief: “ ‘[C]ounsel appointed in such appeals is required to independently
review the entire record and, if counsel so finds, file a brief advising the appellate court
that there are “no arguable issues to raise on appeal”; [counsel must inform] the
defendant [that he or she] has a right to file a supplemental brief [within 30 days of the
filing of counsel’s brief]; and this court has the duty to address any issues raised by the
defendant but otherwise may dismiss the appeal without conducting an ind ependent
review of the record.’ ” (Id. at pp. 112-113.) Pending guidance from the Supreme Court,
we adhere to the reasoning of Figueras as to this postjudgment motion for relief pursuant
3 Review was granted in Figueras and held for Delgadillo.
4
to section 1172.6. We deny defendant’s request in his supplemental brief for an
independent review of the matter and review the remaining claims raised in defendant’s
supplemental brief.
B. Defendant’s Contentions
Defendant argues: (1) the trial court erred in considering any evidence beyond the
petition itself; (2) the trial court erred and violated his due process rights by issuing its
denial order before he filed a response to the prosecution’s brief, and before the 30-day
period for him to file his brief had passed; (3) he received ineffective assistance of
counsel because the public defender never filed a reply brief; (4) the court failed to
consider the new amendments to section 1172.6, especially the addition that someone
convicted of murder under any “other theory under which malice is imputed to a person
based solely on that person’s participation in a crime” is eligible for relief (Senate Bill
No. 775); and (5) the court engaged in improper factfinding by relying on our recitation
of the facts in our prior opinion, specifically that there was no dispute that defendant
killed the victim.
Defendant additionally argues that an actual killer who was acting alone and was
convicted of second degree murder is eligible for relief under section 1172.6. Citing
People v. Foren (1864) 25 Cal. 361, defendant argues that malice can be imputed to an
actual killer acting alone.
Without any citation to the record, defendant argues the jury was instructed
pursuant to CALJIC No. 8.11 (malice aforethought). Defendant notes that CALJIC
No. 8.11 provides that malice “may be either express or implied,” and sets out the
situations when malice may be implied: “(1) The killing resulted from an intentional act;
[¶] (2) The natural consequences of the act are dangerous to human life, and [¶] (3) The
act was deliberately performed with knowledge of the danger to, and with conscious
disregard for, human life.” According to defendant, this instruction could have led the
jury to impute malice to him “based solely on his participation in an intentional act, to
5
wit, unreasonable belief in the need for self-defense.” According to defendant, the
Legislature intended to abolish all theories of “implied malice” murder liability.
Defendant next argues that he “could not be convicted of second degree murder if
he was to go back to trial under the current law because the court would have a duty to
instruct on all theories of murder.” Defendant then argues that evidence of voluntary
intoxication was introduced at trial, and the failure to instruct on that issue could mitigate
the presence of malice. He further argues that the evidence showed that he had an honest
but unreasonable belief that it was necessary to defend himself. In addition, he argues,
the evidence was sufficient to support a heat of passion and sudden quarrel theory of
voluntary manslaughter. According to defendant, “if he was to be taken back to trial,” he
could only be convicted of voluntary manslaughter.
C. Background Law
Senate Bill 1437, which became effective on January 1, 2019, “amend[ed] the
felony murder rule and the natural and probable consequences doctrine, as it relates to
murder, to ensure that murder liability is not imposed on a person who is not the actual
killer, did not act with the intent to kill, or was not a major participant in the underlying
felony who acted with reckless indifference to human life.” (Stats. 2018, ch. 1015,
§ 1(f).)
Section 188, which defines malice, now provides in part: “Except as stated in
subdivision (e) of Section 189, in order to be convicted of murder, a principal in a crime
shall act with malice aforethought. Malice shall not be imputed to a person based solely
on his or her participation in a crime.” (§ 188, subd. (a)(3); Stats. 2018, ch. 1015, § 2.)
Section 189, subdivision (e) now limits the circumstances under which a person may be
convicted of felony murder: “A participant in the perpetration or attempted perpetration
of a felony listed in subdivision (a) [(defining first degree murder)] in which a death
occurs is liable for murder only if one of the following is proven: [¶] (1) The person was
the actual killer. [¶] (2) The person was not the actual killer, but, with the intent to kill,
6
aided, abetted, counseled, commanded, induced, solicited, requested, or assisted the
actual killer in the commission of murder in the first degree. [¶] (3) The person was a
major participant in the underlying felony and acted with reckless indifference to human
life, as described in subdivision (d) of Section 190.2.” (Stats. 2018, ch. 1015, § 3.)
Senate Bill 1437 also added former section 1170.95, now section 1172.6, which
allows those convicted of felony murder or murder under the natural and probable
consequences theory to petition the trial court to vacate and resentence the defendant.
(§ 1172.6, subd. (a).) Once a petitioner has filed a petition that meets the requirements of
section 1172.6,4 the prosecutor shall file and serve a response within 60 days. (§ 1172.6,
subd. (c).) The petitioner may then file and serve a reply within 30 days, and the court
“shall hold a hearing to determine whether the petitioner has made a prima facie case for
relief. If the petitioner makes a prima facie showing that the petitioner is entitled to
relief, the court shall issue an order to show cause.” (§ 1172.6, subd. (c).)
The prima facie inquiry under section 1172.6 subdivision (c) is “limited.”
(People v. Lewis (2021) 11 Cal.5th 952, 971.) The court “ ‘ “takes petitioner’s factual
allegations as true and makes a preliminary assessment regarding whether the petitioner
would be entitled to relief if his or her factual allegations were proved.” ’ ” (Ibid.)
Although the court may rely on the record of conviction (including a prior appellate court
opinion) in determining whether defendant has made a prima facie showing, the court
“should not engage in ‘factfinding involving the weighing of evidence or the exercise of
discretion.’ ” (Id. at p. 972; see id. at p. 971.)
4 A petition must include: (a) a declaration by the petitioner that he or she is
eligible for relief, (b) the superior court case number and year of the petitioner’s
conviction, and (c) whether the petitioner requests appointment of counsel. (§ 1172.6,
subd. (b)(1).)
7
D. Analysis
As a preliminary matter, we find no merit in defendant’s contention that the trial
court engaged in improper factfinding by looking beyond his petition and considering the
record of conviction, including our prior opinion. As previously noted, courts have made
clear that trial courts may consider the record of conviction, including the jury
instructions and a prior appellate opinion, in determining whether defendant has made a
prima facie showing. (People v. Lewis, supra, 11 Cal.5th at pp. 971-972.)
Turning to defendant’s arguments about the merits of his petition, we agree with
the trial court that he has failed to make the requisite prima facie showing of entitlement
to relief under section 1172.6. To be eligible for relief, a petitioner must have been
convicted of murder or attempted murder under a felony murder or natural and probable
consequences theory, or other theory of imputed malice. (§ 1172.6, subd. (a).) However,
the record of conviction reflects defendant was not convicted under such theories.
Although defendant’s jury was instructed on malice, premeditated and unpremeditated
murder, voluntary manslaughter, and justifiable homicide in self-defense, it was never
instructed on the felony-murder doctrine, natural and probable consequences theory, or
any other imputed malice theory. (People v. Wilson, supra, C013560.) Because imputed
malice theories were not presented to the jury, there is no possibility the jury found him
guilty under any of these theories. Moreover, as we noted in our prior opinion, there was
“no dispute” that defendant killed the victim and was therefore the actual killer. In sum,
defendant could still be convicted for murder under sections 188 or 189 and was therefore
ineligible for resentencing. (§§ 188, 189, 1172.6.)
Because defendant was ineligible for resentencing as a matter of law, he was not
prejudiced by the court’s denial of his petition before he had filed a reply brief. This lack
of prejudice also defeats his argument that his lawyer was ineffective for failing to file a
reply brief prior to the trial court’s orders. (People v. Mai (2013) 57 Cal.4th 986, 1009-
1010 [a defendant can only establish ineffective assistance of counsel if (1) trial counsel’s
8
representation fell below an objective standard of reasonableness under prevailing
professional norms; and (2) the deficiency resulted in prejudice to defendant, meaning
there is “a reasonable probability that, but for counsel’s deficient performance, the
outcome of the proceeding would have been different”]; see also People v. Ochoa (1998)
19 Cal.4th 353, 463 [trial counsel’s representation is not deficient “for failing to make
meritless objections”].)
DISPOSITION
The order denying defendant’s petition for resentencing is affirmed.
/s/
HOCH, J.
I concur:
/s/
BOULWARE EURIE, J.
I concur in the result:
/s/
MAURO, Acting P. J.
9