People v. Vasquez ( 2021 )

Filed 7/27/21
CERTIFIED FOR PARTIAL PUBLICATION *
IN THE COURT OF APPEAL OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA
FIFTH APPELLATE DISTRICT
THE PEOPLE,
F078228
Plaintiff and Respondent,
(Kern Super. Ct. No. BF167343A)
v.
GUILLERMO VASQUEZ et al., OPINION
Defendants and Appellants.
APPEAL from a judgment of the Superior Court of Kern County. Kenneth C.
Twisselman II, Judge.
Jeffrey S. Kross, under appointment by the Court of Appeal, for Guillermo
Vasquez, Defendant and Appellant.
Benjamin Owens, under appointment by the Court of Appeal, for Nicky Diaz
Carrillo, Defendant and Appellant.
Xavier Becerra, Attorney General, Michael P. Farrell, Assistant Attorney General,
Julie A. Hokans and Jessica C. Leal, Deputy Attorneys General, for Plaintiff and
Respondent.
-ooOoo-
*Pursuant to California Rules of Court, rules 8.1105(b) and 8.1110, this opinion is
certified for publication with the exception of parts II. and III. of the Discussion and the
concurring and dissenting opinion.
SEE CONCURRING AND DISSENTING OPINION
In an information filed January 16, 2018, the Kern County District Attorney
charged defendants Guillermo Vasquez and Nicky Diaz Carrillo with first degree murder
(count 1; Pen. Code, §§ 187, subd. (a), 189, subd. (a)) 1 and assault with a firearm
(count 2; § 245, subd. (a)(2).) 2 As to both defendants, the information also alleged that a
principal discharged a firearm during the commission of the murder, proximately causing
death to a nonaccomplice (§ 12022.53, subds. (d) & (e)(1).) The information further
alleged both defendants were active gang participants who carried out the murder to
further the activities of the criminal street gang. (§ 190.2, subd. (a)(22).) The
information also alleged that both defendants committed both offenses “for the benefit of,
at the direction of, or in association with Sure[ñ]os, a criminal street gang, with the
specific intent to promote, further or assist in criminal conduct by gang members.”
(§ 186.22, subd. (b)(1).) Finally, the information alleged three enhancements under
section 667.5, subdivision (b) against Vasquez, asserting he had committed a felony
offense within five years of being released from a prison term. (§ 667.5, subd. (b).)
Trial was trifurcated into the following proceedings: trial of the murder charge
and personal firearm use enhancement (§ 12022.53, subd. (d)); trial of the gang
enhancements under sections 186.22 3 and the use of a firearm by a principal
enhancement (§ 12022.53, subds. (d) & (e)); and trial of Vasquez’s three prison priors.
In the first proceeding, a jury convicted defendants of first degree murder, and found the
personal firearm use enhancement to be true as to both defendants. 4 In the second
1 All further statutory references are to the Penal Code unless otherwise stated.
2 Count 2 was later dismissed at the prosecutor’s request.
3Initially this portion of trial was to also resolve the allegation under section
190.2, but that allegation was later dismissed at the prosecutor’s request.
4 At the court’s prompting, the parties stipulated that the court would “dismiss”
and strike the jury’s “finding” that both defendants personally discharged a firearm
causing death. The stipulation was based on an agreement that there was not substantial
evidence that each of the defendants personally discharged a firearm causing death.
2.
proceeding, the jury found true the gang enhancement (§ 186.22, subd. (b)(1)) and the
discharge of a firearm by a principal causing death enhancement (§ 12022.53, subds. (d)
& (e)(1)) as to both defendants. Finally, in the third proceeding, the court found true the
prior prison term allegations against Vasquez.
The court sentenced Vasquez to 25 years to life in prison, plus 25 years to life
(§ 12022.53, subds. (d) & (e)(1)), plus three years (§ 667.5, subd. (b).) The court
sentenced Carrillo to 25 years to life, plus 25 years to life (§ 12022.53, subds. (d) &
(e)(1)). Both defendants appeal.
FACTS
I. Phase One of Trial
The Residence Motel in Bakersfield is a known hot spot for criminal activity. It is
bounded by Eureka Avenue to the north; Truxtun Avenue to the south; and Union
Avenue to the west.
Motel surveillance footage showed Francisco Amavisca wandering around the
motel premises through the early evening of February 18, 2017. The footage also shows
defendant Carrillo going to various locations on the premises of the Residence Motel that
day. At one point, Carrillo knocked on the door of room 245.
The prosecution’s theory was that defendants shot Amavisca on the motel grounds
at 7:14 p.m. About 16 minutes prior to the shooting, defendant Vasquez arrived at the
motel. At 7:14 p.m., 5 surveillance footage shows Vasquez walking out of the main gate.
The jersey he was wearing was pulled up over his head. Following closely behind was
Carrillo, wearing a mask. The two made their way along the exterior of the motel, first
heading north (near Union Ave), then east (near Eureka Street).
However, the court still sentenced defendants on the use of a firearm by a principal
enhancement. (See § 12022.53, subd. (e)(1).)
5 According to the surveillance video’s timestamp.
3.
At 7:14:58, they leave the field of view of a surveillance camera in the direction of
a stairwell on the north side of the motel. A second or two later, Amavisca came running
into view of the camera from defendants’ location. Amavisca ran down Union Avenue
before collapsing. Amavisca bled to death from a gunshot wound that perforated his
femoral artery. Various bystanders reported hearing four to five gunshots.
Defendants went up the stairs and headed towards room 245. They crouched
below a partial wall as they approached the room. They entered room 245 shortly after
7:15 p.m.
Police arrived at the room about 16 minutes later. Carrillo was in room 245 along
with a woman and a child. On the bed was a gray sweatshirt and blue jeans, identical to
what Carrillo was wearing in the surveillance videos. Underneath a sofa cushion was a
black ski mask. DNA from the sweatshirt and mask matched Carrillo.
Vasquez was not in room 245 when police arrived. From the time defendants
entered room 245 until police arrived, surveillance cameras showed that no one left
through the front door of the room. However, from the back windows of room 245, it is
possible to step onto a flat roof nearby. Police officers exited room 245 via a back
window onto the flat roof and found a black grocery bag with six spent rounds of .357-
caliber ammunition.
Hours later, officers entered room 200. The door was ajar, but no one was inside.
Inside the room, police found a disconnected security camera that resembled the security
cameras on the motel premises. Inside the room’s air conditioning unit, officers found a
.357-caliber revolver. The firearm was capable of being loaded with seven bullets.
There was a single live bullet in the revolver when it was found by police.
4.
Officers also found a Pittsburgh Steelers jersey on the bed, and a drawstring
backpack on the floor. The drawstring backpack had .357-caliber ammunition inside and
a mask. They also found a Visa card with the name Yvette Garcia. 6
Vasquez’s DNA matched DNA on the revolver, the jersey, and the mask found in
the drawstring backpack.
Police located Vasquez the next day at a residence on East 3rd Street in
Bakersfield. Yvette Garcia was also at the residence. Inside a bedroom, officers located
the key to room 200 of the Residence Motel. Officers also located a bag of .357-caliber
ammunition at the home.
Officers interrogated Carrillo on the evening of February 18. Carrillo identified
himself in still shots from the surveillance video of the Residence Motel. Carrillo said he
had been watching the baby in the motel room when he heard gun shots. Carrillo claimed
he had nothing to do with the shooting.
After hearing this evidence, the jury returned guilty verdicts on count 1, and true
findings as to premeditation/deliberation (§ 189), and the personal firearm use resulting
in great bodily injury or death enhancement (§ 12022.53, subd. (d)) as to both defendants.
II. Phase Two of Trial
After the verdicts from the first phase were recorded, the second phase of the trial
began. This phase pertained to the gang enhancement (§ 186.22, subd. (b)(1)) and the
use of a firearm by a principal enhancement (§ 12022.53, subds. (d) & (e)(1).)
A. Prosecution Gang Expert – Officer Barajas
Officer Barajas testified as the prosecution’s gang expert. Barajas testified about
several topics, including gang structure and hierarchy. Barajas explained that the
Mexican Mafia was originally a prison gang. The Mexican Mafia “spills out into the
streets … through the Sure[ñ]os.” The Mexican Mafia has created a gang structure, using
6Years prior, Vasquez was pulled over by police. Yvette Garcia was his
passenger.
5.
Sureños as their “foot soldiers.” At the top is a group of Mexican Mafia members
referred to as the “Mesa” or “the table.” They have monthly meetings, usually on the
13th of every month. This group then puts out “orders” that go down to the Sureños.
The local, Kern County Sureño gangs also have monthly meetings.
The Mexican Mafia also “taxes” the Sureños. For example, if a member of a
Sureño subset is given the ability to sell drugs in a particular area, he must pay “taxes”
that eventually go to members of the Mexican Mafia.
In Bakersfield, the Sureño gang has several “subsets.” A subset is a “smaller kind
of clique” under the “umbrella” of the Sureños. Sureño subsets in Bakersfield include the
Varrio Bakers, Colonia Bakers, West Side Bakers, East Side Bakers, South Side Bakers,
Okie Bakers, Loma Bakers, and Uptown Bakers. Members of different subsets commit
crimes together. Occasionally, subsets will have feuds with one another.
All Sureño gangs are associated with the Mexican Mafia. Sureño gang members
pay homage to Mexican Mafia by getting tattoos associated with the number 13. 7
The “big gang rival” of the Sureños are the Norteños. Generally, everything south
of Delano is Sureño territory; and everything north of Delano is Norteño territory. The
Residence Motel is in Sureño territory. It is a “melting pot” for various Sureño subsets.
Navy blue is the Sureño gang’s color. The primary color of the West Side Bakers
subset is turquoise.
B. Predicate Offenses
Officer Barajas testified that an individual named Jimmy Ramirez was involved in
a court case arising out of an incident that occurred on December 6, 2014. Barajas
opined that Ramirez is, and was, an active Sureño gang member and also belonged to the
West Side Bakers subset.
7 “M” is the thirteenth letter of the alphabet.
6.
An individual named George Mendoza was involved in a court case arising out of
an incident that occurred on May 23, 2012. Officer Barajas opined that Mendoza is a
member of the Sureño criminal street gang.
Officer Barajas also opined that Vasquez was an active member of the Sureños on
February 18, 2017.
C. Primary Activities
The primary activities of the Sureños are narcotics sales, prostitutions, homicide,
murder for hire, robberies, burglaries, and “the list goes on.”
D. Gang Evidence Concerning Defendant Vasquez
1. Prior Contacts with Law Enforcement
Officer Harless testified that he went to Vasquez’s residence on October 9, 2010,
as part of his police duties. A picture was found, under a mattress, depicting Vasquez
holding a firearm. Another individual in the photo was wearing a hat with the letters
“VB” on the front, and a third individual was holding his hands in the shape of a “V.”
Officer Barajas testified that the “V” hand symbol stood for “Varrio Bakers.”
Officer Jones testified that he conducted a vehicle stop on April 14, 2013.
Vasquez was driving the vehicle. Yvette Garcia was in the passenger seat. Underneath
the driver’s seat was a .22-caliber revolver.
2. Vasquez’s Tattoos
Vasquez has a tattoo on the top of his back that says, “Varrio” which is Spanish
for neighborhood. Vasquez also has a tattoo that says, “BKS,” which stands for
“Bakers.” Vasquez has another tattoo that says, “Lil Lokos” which is a smaller clique
within the Varrio Bakers. This is a common tattoo on Sureño gang members. Above his
left eye, Vasquez has a tattoo that reads, “VBKS” which stands for “Varrio Bakers.”
There exists a picture showing Vasquez also had the three-dot tattoo, which is a
“commonality across all Sure[ñ]os.”
7.
Officer Barajas testified that you would never see a nongang member with tattoos
like Vasquez’s.
3. Gang Evidence Concerning Defendant Carrillo
Officer Harless testified that on October 29, 2011, he stopped a vehicle in which
Carrillo was riding as a passenger. Both Carrillo and the driver were wearing baseball
caps with the letter, “W.” Carrillo told Harless he was a member of the West Side
Bakers.
Sergeant Wood testified that on May 12, 2011, he contacted Carrillo and informed
him of his Miranda 8 rights. Carrillo was wearing a baseball cap with the letter, “W.”
Carrillo initially said he wore the hat because he liked the design. Carrillo later admitted
that the “W” on the hat stood for West Side Bakers.
Officer Harless again contacted Carrillo on January 31, 2012. Carrillo was
wearing a turquoise shirt and a baseball cap with the letter, “W.” Carrillo again
mentioned that he was a member of the West Side Bakers.
Officer Benavente testified that he contacted Carrillo on September 3, 2015.
Benavente observed that Carrillo had the letters, “WSB,” on his right cheek. Carrillo said
the acronym stood for West Side Bakers.
4. Carrillo’s Tattoos
Carrillo has tattoos reading, “KC,” “VB,” “WS,” “V,” and “S.” “KC” stands for
Kern County; “WS” stands for West Side; “V” stands for Varrio; “S” stands for South or
“Sur.”
Carrillo also has a tattoo of three dots
Carrillo also has a tattoo of a large “V” with the letters “arrio” inside. When “you
put it together, you have Varrio.”
8 Miranda v. Arizona (1966) 384 U.S. 436.
8.
Based on Officer Barajas’s experience and training, Carrillo’s tattoos are
consistent with membership in the Sureño gang.
Officer Barajas testified that while he was taking pictures of his tattoos, Carrillo
asked, “You guys take pictures of nongang ones too[?]”
5. Gang Membership
Officer Barajas testified that, in his opinion, Carrillo was a member of the Sureño
gang on February 18, 2017. Officer Barajas’s opinion was based on prior police contacts,
gang apparel, self-admissions, and tattoos.
Officer Barajas also opined that Vasquez was an active member of the Sureños on
February 18, 2017. That opinion was based on the surveillance video, tattoos, prior
contacts, and prior weapons possession.
The prosecutor presented Officer Barajas with a hypothetical that matched the
prosecution’s theory of what the evidence showed. Barajas opined that such a crime
would have been committed for the benefit of, at the direction of, and in association with
a street gang. Since there were two Sureño gang members involved, the nonshooter can
confirm to other Sureño gang members that the shooter had in fact followed through.
The location also benefits the gang because it demonstrates that gang members are not
afraid to shoot in a public place. Finally, it demonstrates that the shooter was willing to
kill for the gang.
The “in association” prong is also satisfied because the two gang members were
“together” when they committed the crime.
E. Defense Gang Expert – Dr. Jesse De La Cruz
Dr. Jesse De La Cruz testified as a gang expert for the defense. Dr. De La Cruz
has a doctoral degree in education and is a former member of the Nuestra Familia prison
gang.
When gang members from Southern California go to prison, they are
“automatically under the umbrella of the Mexican Mafia.” “Same thing with Norteños or
9.
Northerners,” who automatically “become under the umbrella of the Nuestra Familia.”
Whatever “street gang” you belonged to “is no longer applicable.”
Dr. De La Cruz opined that Officer Barajas’s opinion expressed at the preliminary
hearing was not connected to the evidence in this case. In determining whether a crime
was done for the benefit of, in association with, or at the direction of a gang, Dr. De La
Cruz looks at several factors. Dr. De La Cruz considers whether the participants “throw
or yell out any gang slogans;” use gang signs; wear clothing associated with gangs; send
text messages relating to the gang; or make gang-related posts on social media. Dr. De
La Cruz testified that he did not find any of these factors present in the current case.
However, Dr. De La Cruz conceded the factors are not required under the law.
Dr. De La Cruz testified it is possible for gang members to commit crimes that are
not gang related. Dr. De La Cruz testified that he himself had committed several crimes,
some related to the gang and others unrelated.
Dr. De La Cruz testified that a person may be a member of a Sureño subset
without being a Sureño. Alternatively, a person can be in a subset and the Sureño gang
itself.
DISCUSSION
I. Prosecution was not Required to Show Connection Between Sureño Subsets
A. Introduction
Carrillo argues the gang enhancement was not supported by substantial evidence. 9
Specifically, he argues that “because the government’s theory was that the gang
appellants benefitted for purposes of the enhancement was the broader Sure[ñ]os gang,
under [People v.] Prunty [(2015) 62 Cal.4th 59 (Prunty),] it had to show a connection
between the local subsets and the Sure[ñ]os.” Carrillo contends the prosecution failed to
show this requisite connection.
9 Vasquez joins in Carrillo’s argument.
10.
As we will explain, Carrillo’s legal premise is flawed. The prosecution did not
have to show a connection between the subsets and the broader Sureño gang, so long as it
otherwise showed that the group defendant acted in association with, “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.) Because the prosecution
showed that the broader Sureño gang satisfied all three, it need not show a connection
between subsets. (See, e.g., People v. Pettie (2017) 16 Cal.App.5th 23, 49–50.) We
reject defendants’ challenge.
B. Law
To establish the existence of a gang under the Street Terrorism Enforcement and
Protection Act, also known as the STEP Act (§ 186.20 et seq.), “the prosecution must
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. [Citation.]” (People v. Gardeley (1996) 14 Cal.4th 605, 617 (Gardeley),
disapproved on other grounds in People v. Sanchez (2016) 63 Cal.4th 665, 686, fn. 13.)
To establish the gang enhancement, the prosecution must then show that the
relevant crimes were “committed ‘for the benefit of, at the direction of, or in association
with’ ” the criminal street gang. (Gardeley, supra, 14 Cal.4th at pp. 609–610.)
C. The Sameness Requirement
The definition of a “gang” and the elements of the gang enhancement converge in
an obvious, but important way. “[T]he prosecution must show that the group the
11.
defendant acted to benefit,[ 10] 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 also id. at p. 75.) This is referred to as the “ ‘sameness’
requirement.” (Id. at pp. 76, 81.)
Satisfying this requirement is often straightforward because “many gang-related
prosecutions involve the conduct of discrete criminal street gangs and do not turn on the
relationship between alleged gang subsets. [Citations.]” (Prunty, supra, 62 Cal.4th at
p. 80.)
However, a different circumstance is presented when “when the prosecution seeks
to prove the street gang enhancement by showing a defendant committed a felony to
benefit a given gang, but establishes the commission of the required predicate offenses
with evidence of crimes committed by members of the gang’s alleged subsets ….”
(Prunty, supra, 62 Cal.4th at pp. 67–68.) In that situation, “it must prove a connection
between the gang and the subsets.” (Id. at p. 68.) This “connection” evidence is
necessary to satisfy the sameness requirement because it shows “the groups in fact
constitute the same ‘criminal street gang.’ ” (Id. at p. 79.)
But there is no need to show that various gangs or subsets should be treated as one
group, when there is a single group that, itself, satisfies all aspects of the sameness
requirement. (See People v. Pettie, supra, 16 Cal.App.5th at pp. 49–50; see also Prunty,
supra, 62 Cal.4th at p. 80.)
D. Gang Organization
Some gangs have associational or even hierarchal relationships to other groups or
gangs. For example, experts testified in the present case that the Mexican Mafia prison
gang issues orders and imposes “taxes” on the Sureño gang. The Sureño gang is itself an
“umbrella” gang over several cliques or subset gangs.
10
“… []or which directed or associated with the defendant in connection with the
crime[].” (Prunty, supra, 62 Cal.4th at pp. 80–81.)
12.
Similarly, the rival prison gang, Nuestra Familia is an umbrella gang over the
Norteños.
E. Gang Membership
However, while some subset gangs fall under the organizational umbrella of a
larger gang, not every member of the subset gang is necessarily a member of the larger,
umbrella gang. Indeed, an individual’s gang membership may take one of several forms.
The individual may (1) only be a member of a subset; (2) only be a member of an
umbrella gang; or (3) be a member of both a subset and an umbrella gang. For example,
Dr. De La Cruz was a member of the Nuestra Familia prison gang, but not a member of
the Norteño street gang. The predicate offenders in Prunty were members of a subset
gang but not the umbrella gang 11 (Prunty, supra, 62 Cal.4th at pp. 82–83), while Prunty
himself belonged to both the subset gang and the broader umbrella gang (ibid. [Prunty
belonged to subset and umbrella gang, in contrast to predicate offenders who only
belonged to subset]).
The problem that arose in Prunty was that the defendant belonged to the umbrella
Norteño gang, but the predicate offenders belonged only to subset gangs. (See Prunty,
supra, 62 Cal.4th at pp. 82–83.) This discrepancy raised questions about the sameness
requirement, because “the group the defendant acted to benefit” and “the group that
committed the predicate offenses” must be “one and the same.” 12 (Id. at p. 81.)
However, this problem does not arise when the defendant seeks to benefit,
associates with, or acts under the direction of a particular gang, and the predicate
offenders are members of the same gang. In that circumstance, the sameness requirement
is satisfied tautologically. Thus, when a defendant commits a crime to benefit an
11 Similarly, Dr. De La Cruz testified that not all members of subsets “partake in
the actual Sure[ñ]o umbrella unless they choose to.”
12The prosecution could have prevailed nonetheless if it had shown that the
various groups were so organizationally connected that they were realistically a single
gang. (See Prunty, supra, 62 Cal.4th at pp. 79–80.)
13.
umbrella gang, and the umbrella gang in question satisfies the primary activities and
predicate offense requirements, it is not necessary to establish any connection between
subsets of the umbrella gang. (People v. Pettie, supra, 16 Cal.App.5th at pp. 49–50.)
Similarly, as Prunty itself explains, “when a defendant commits a crime to benefit
a particular subset, and the prosecution can show that the subset in question satisfies the
primary activities and predicate offense requirements, there will be no need to link
together the activities of various alleged cliques; nor is there likely to be uncertainty
about what the relevant ‘criminal street gang’ is. Indeed, [Supreme Court] cases suggest
that many gang-related prosecutions involve the conduct of discrete criminal street gangs
and do not turn on the relationship between alleged gang subsets. [Citations.]” (Prunty,
supra, 62 Cal.4th at p. 80, italics added.)
Thus, it is clear there are multiple ways to satisfy the sameness requirement,
depending on the circumstances of the case. First, the prosecution can establish that the
defendant sought to benefit an umbrella or subset gang, and members of the same
umbrella or subset gang also committed the requisite predicate offenses/primary
activities. (See People v. Pettie, supra, 16 Cal.App.5th at pp. 49–50; see also People v.
Ewing (2016) 244 Cal.App.4th 359, 372–373.) Alternatively, the prosecution can
introduce evidence the defendant sought to benefit an umbrella gang, plus evidence that
another gang/subset committed the predicate offenses/primary activities, plus evidence
showing a sufficient associational connection between the umbrella gang and the other
gang/subset. (Prunty, supra, 62 Cal.4th at p. 82.) The sameness requirement is satisfied
by either approach. Meaning, if the prosecution does the former, it need not do the latter.
In other words, the associational evidence described in Prunty is not required in every
case.
F. Application
Here, there is no violation of the sameness requirement because there was
substantial evidence that the gang whose members Carrillo acted in association with, the
14.
gang whose members committed the predicate offenses, and the gang whose primary
activities were established by expert testimony is one and the same: the broader Sureño
gang. 13
Carrillo points out that there was evidence he and Vasquez were members of
different Sureño subsets. Indeed, if this was the only evidence of their gang membership,
the prosecution likely would have needed to produce the associational evidence described
in Prunty. However, the evidence also showed that, in addition to his membership in a
subset, Carrillo was also a member of the umbrella Sureño gang.
Carrillo argues there was no evidence he was a Sureño. However, there was clear
evidence Carrillo was a Sureño: Officer Barajas’s expert opinion that Carrillo was a
Sureño.
Carrillo goes on to suggests Officer Barajas’s opinion that he was a Sureño lacked
foundational evidentiary support. We disagree. Carrillo had several gang-related tattoos.
While some were associated with the West Side Bakers subset, others were associated
with the broader Sureño gang. Carrillo had a tattoo of three dots, which is a tattoo
associated with the Sureño gang. Carrillo also had a tattoo with the letters, “KC,” which
is also associated with the Sureño gang. Finally, Carrillo had a tattoo of the letter “S,”
which stood for “South” or “Sur.”
II. Substantial Evidence Supported the Gang Findings ∗
Vasquez argues there is insufficient evidence to support the gang findings
necessary for the enhancements under section 186.22, subdivision (b) and 12022.53,
subdivision (e)(1). We disagree.
13Carrillo very may well have been acting to benefit his specific subset as well.
But since the sameness requirement was satisfied through the Sureño gang, it is
immaterial that defendants may also have sought to benefit their respective subsets as
well.
∗ See footnote, ante, page 1.
15.
“In considering a challenge to the sufficiency of the evidence to support an
enhancement, 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. [Citation.] We presume every fact in
support of the judgment the trier of fact could have reasonably deduced from the
evidence. [Citation.] If the circumstances reasonably justify the trier of fact’s findings,
reversal of the judgment is not warranted simply because the circumstances might also
reasonably be reconciled with a contrary finding. [Citation.] ‘A reviewing court neither
reweighs evidence nor reevaluates a witness’s credibility.’ [Citation.]” (People v.
Albillar (2010) 51 Cal.4th 47, 59–60.)
“There are two prongs to the gang enhancement under section 186.22, subdivision
(b)(1). [Citation.] The first prong requires that the prosecution prove the underlying
felony was ‘gang related.’ [Citations.] The second prong ‘requires that a defendant
commit the gang-related felony “with the specific intent to promote, further, or assist in
any criminal conduct by gang members.” ’ [Citations.]” (People v. Weddington (2016)
246 Cal.App.4th 468, 484, fn. omitted (Weddington).)
A. First Prong – Gang-relatedness
“Section 186.22, subdivision (b)(1) provides three alternatives for establishing the
first prong – that the underlying offense was ‘gang related.’ The offense may be
committed (1) for the benefit of a gang; (2) at the direction of a gang; or (3) in
association with a gang. [Citation.] Because the first prong is worded in the disjunctive,
a gang enhancement may be imposed without evidence of any benefit to the gang so long
as the crime was committed in association with or at the direction of another gang
member. [Citations.] The first prong therefore may be established with substantial
evidence that two or more gang members committed the crime together, unless there is
16.
evidence that they were ‘on a frolic and detour unrelated to the gang.’ [Citations.]”
(Weddington, supra, 246 Cal.App.4th at p. 484.)
Here, there was clearly evidence that two or more gang members committed the
crime together. Officer Barajas opined that Vasquez and Carrillo are both gang
members. Surveillance video showed Vasquez and Carrillo, shortly before the shooting,
walking towards the eventual murder scene near each other, while obscuring their
appearance (i.e., Carrillo was wearing a mask; Vasquez pulled his jersey up around his
head). Surveillance video also showed Vasquez and Carrillo quickly making their way to
the same motel room after the shooting. Because there is substantial evidence that two or
more gang members committed the crime together, and the crime was not shown to be a
frolic and detour, the first prong is satisfied. (See Weddington, supra, 246 Cal.App.4th at
p. 484.)
It is true that some factors that generally tend to show a crime was committed for
the benefit of a gang were not present here, such as gang slogans, signs or clothing.
Similarly, Vasquez argues the crime was in a dark area of the hotel, which was located in
“relatively neutral [gang] territory.” 14 Indeed, these factors are relevant to ascertaining
whether the crime was committed for the benefit of a gang. However, they do not
undermine the evidence that the crime was committed by two gang members working in
association. And since either is sufficient to show gang-relatedness, “a gang
enhancement may be imposed without evidence of any benefit to the gang so long as the
crime was committed in association with … another gang member. [Citations.]”
(Weddington, supra, 246 Cal.App.4th at p. 484.) 15
14While Officer Barajas described the area as a “melting pot” – he meant a
“melting pot” of Sureño subsets. He clearly testified the motel was in Sureño territory.
15 The present case is distinguishable from People v. Perez (2017) 18 Cal.App.5th
598, because the defendant in that case was not acting in association with other gang
members. (See id. at p. 613 [no evidence defendant’s companions were gang members,
or that they were present for/assisted with the shooting].)
17.
B. Second Prong – Specific Intent
The fact that Carrillo and Vasquez – two gang members – came together to
commit a crime also satisfies the second prong that the defendant have the specific intent
to “ ‘promote, further or assist in any criminal conduct by gang members.’ [Citations.]”
(See Weddington, supra, 246 Cal.App.4th at p. 485.) “[I]f substantial evidence
establishes that the defendant intended to and did commit the charged felony with known
members of a gang, the jury may fairly infer that the defendant had the specific intent to
promote, further, or assist criminal conduct by those gang members.” (People v. Albillar,
supra, 51 Cal.4th at p. 68.)
Here, there is evidence the defendants intended to and did commit the charged
felony (i.e., murder) with known members of a gang (i.e., each other). As a result, the
jury was free to infer each defendant specifically intended to promote, further or assist
the criminal conduct of a gang member (i.e., the other defendant).
III. Vasquez Not Entitled to Relief on Claim of Error Regarding Ability to Pay ∗
In his opening brief, Vasquez argued the court violated his due process by
imposing restitution in an amount to be determined, a $300 restitution fine (§ 1202.4,
subd. (b)), a $40 court operations fee (§ 1465.8) and a $30 criminal conviction
assessment fee (Gov. Code, § 70373) without any finding he had the ability to pay. He
acknowledges that he did not offer an objection in the trial court.
A. Vasquez’s Due Process Claim Lacks Merit
After Vasquez filed his opening brief, this court decided People v. Aviles (2019)
39 Cal.App.5th 1055. In that case, we held that due process does not afford a defendant a
Because there is sufficient evidence the crime was committed in “association”
with other gang members, we need not address whether there was also sufficient evidence
the crime was committed for the benefit of or at the direction of a gang.
∗ See footnote, ante, page 1.
18.
preassessment ability-to-pay hearing before a trial court imposes fines and fees. 16 (See
id. at pp. 1068–1069.) In his reply brief, Vasquez acknowledges the holding of Aviles
and simply states he wishes to “preserve this issue” in case the Supreme Court decides
differently in the future.
We reject Vasquez’s due process claim because “ ‘general “fairness” grounds of
due process and/or equal protection principles do not afford a defendant a preassessment
ability-to-pay hearing before a trial court imposes fines and fees on him or her.’
[Citations.]” (Aviles, supra, 39 Cal.App.5th at p. 1068.) 17
B. No Violation of the Excessive Fines Clause Has Been Shown
Vasquez does not appear to make any claim under the excessive fines clause. 18 If
he had, we would reject it.
If the aggregate amount of fines, fees and assessments are not grossly
disproportionate to the defendant’s level of culpability and harm caused, there is no
violation of the excessive fines clause. (See, e.g., Aviles, supra, 39 Cal.App.5th at
p. 1072.) Here, the total of the restitution fine, court operations fee and conviction
assessment fee was $370. In contrast, Vasquez’s culpability is substantial. A jury found
he committed murder, and did so for the benefit of, at the direction of, or in association
with a criminal street gang. We conclude this level of culpability “ ‘amply justifies the
amount at issue.’ [Citation.]” (Aviles, supra, 39 Cal.App.5th at p. 1070.) And no
16We also held that a lack of objection forfeits the ability-to-pay issue on appeal.
(See Aviles, supra, 39 Cal.App.5th at pp. 1073–1075.)
17 We reject Carrillo’s purported joinder on this issue for the same reason.
18 Because Carrillo simply purports to join in portions of Vasquez’s opening brief,
including the ability-to-pay claim, it likewise appears Carrillo has made no claim under
the excessive fines clause. If he had desired to do so, it would have required an
explanation as to how the factors that govern application of the excessive fines clause
relate to his specific circumstances. He has failed to do that. To the extent Carrillo offers
the identical arguments as Vasquez, we reject them for the same reasons as we reject
Vasquez’s.
19.
showing has been made that defendants lack the future ability to pay the relatively
modest fines and fees.
Consequently, we reject defendants’ claims.
IV. We Accept the Attorney General’s Concession that Vasquez is Entitled to
Relief Under Senate Bill No. 136
In supplemental briefing, Vasquez argues he is entitled to retroactive relief under
Senate Bill No. 136. (2019–2020 Reg. Sess.) The Attorney General agrees that Vasquez
is entitled to the benefits of this legislation.
Because Vasquez’s prior prison terms were not imposed for sexually violent
offenses, the one-year prison term enhancements can no longer be applied to him under
Senate Bill No. 136. (See People v. Gastelum (2020) 45 Cal.App.5th 757, 772.)
Therefore, we accept the Attorney General’s concession.
DISPOSITION
The judgment is modified as to defendant Guillermo Vasquez to reflect that the
three, one-year prison term enhancements imposed under former section 667.5,
subdivision (b) are stricken. As so modified, the judgment as to Vasquez is affirmed.
The trial court is directed to prepare an amended abstract of judgment and forward it to
appropriate parties and entities.
The judgment as to defendant Nicky Carrillo is affirmed.
POOCHIGIAN, J.
I CONCUR:
LEVY, Acting P.J.
20.
DE SANTOS, J., Concurring and Dissenting ∗
I agree with the majority opinion in all respects but one. I would remand to allow
appellants the opportunity to raise the issue of their inability to pay the fines and court
assessments imposed, in accordance with this court’s decision in People v. Montes (2021)
59 Cal.App.5th 1107 (Montes). I would not find appellants’ claims forfeited by the
failure to object below, as I believe People v. Dueñas (2019) 30 Cal.App.5th 1157(Dueñas) constituted a marked departure from existing law; in addition, because the court
imposed the minimum restitution fine, appellants had no statutory basis on which to make
an ability-to-pay objection at the time of sentencing. (Pen. Code, § 1202.4, subd. (c); see
Montes, at pp. 1119‒1120.) Because I do not believe the issue was forfeited, and because
the parties here did not have the benefit of Dueñas at the time of sentencing, I believe the
record is insufficient for us to address appellants’ claims regarding the fines and court
assessments. (See Montes, at p. 1121.) Therefore, I would remand the matter to allow
appellants to raise the issue, while bearing the burden of “both demonstrating a harm of
constitutional magnitude and making a record regarding [their] alleged inability to pay
the restitution fine and court assessments.” (Ibid.)
DE SANTOS, J.
∗ See footnote, ante, page 1 of the majority opinion.