People v. Smith CA3 ( 2013 )

Filed 11/6/13 P. v. Smith 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NOT TO BE PUBLISHED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 This opinion has not been certified for publication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
(Yolo)
THE PEOPLE, C070259
Plaintiff and Respondent, (Super. Ct. No. CRF105262)
v.
CHRISTOPHER ALLEN SMITH,
Defendant and Appellant.
Defendant shot and killed Gidd Robinson. A grand jury twice declined to indict
him for Robinson’s murder, but did indict him on firearm possession charges. Thereafter,
the People proceeded against him by way of criminal complaint and preliminary hearing.
The trial court found probable cause to hold defendant to answer for Robinson’s murder,
and a jury found defendant not guilty of first degree murder but guilty of the lesser
offense of second degree murder. (Pen. Code, § 187, subd. (a).)1 The jury also found
true allegations the killing was perpetrated by means of shooting a firearm from a motor
vehicle, intentionally at another person outside of the vehicle with the intent to inflict
great bodily injury (§ 190, subd. (d)); defendant personally used a firearm in the
1 Further undesignated statutory references are to the Penal Code.
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commission of the murder (§ 12022.5, subd. (a)); and defendant personally and
intentionally discharged a firearm and proximately caused great bodily injury to another
person in the commission of the murder (§ 12022.53, subd. (d)).2 Defendant was
sentenced to an aggregate term of 45 years to life in state prison, consisting of 20 years to
life for Robinson’s murder (§ 190, subd. (d)), plus a consecutive 25 years to life for
personally and intentionally discharging a firearm and proximately causing great bodily
injury to Robinson in the commission of the murder. Defendant’s sentence for using a
firearm was stayed pursuant to section 654.
Defendant appeals, contending the trial court erred in denying his motion to set
aside the information. According to defendant, his prosecution for Robinson’s murder is
barred by article I, section 14.1 of the California Constitution and section 1387 “because
[a] grand jury had twice failed to indict him on the murder charge, while indicting him on
firearm possession charges.” Alternatively, he contends the trial court abused its
discretion “in allowing the prosecutor to introduce an excessive amount of evidence
related to racist websites” and excluding evidence Robinson’s daughter told police
Robinson said “bad words” to defendant prior to the shooting. Finally, defendant asserts
the prosecutor prejudicially erred “by introducing evidence regarding [defendant’s]
possession of numerous rifles and shotguns” in violation of the trial court’s in limine
ruling.
We shall conclude defendant’s prosecution for Robinson’s murder is not barred
under either article I, section 14.1 of the California Constitution or section 1387, and
thus, the trial court did not err in declining to set aside the information on that basis. We
2 Following defendant’s conviction, the Legislature repealed sections 12022.5 and
12022.53. New versions took effect on January 1, 2012. (Stats. 2010, ch. 711, §§ 5, 10.)
The new versions continue those sections without change, except that, as relevant here,
section 12022.53, subdivision (d) was revised to correct a cross-reference to former
section 12034, subdivisions (c) and (d).
2
shall further conclude the trial court did not abuse its discretion in admitting evidence a
computer seized from defendant’s home was used to access racist Web sites or in
excluding evidence Robinson’s daughter told police Robinson said “bad words” to
defendant prior to the shooting. Finally, we shall conclude the prosecutor erred in
eliciting evidence defendant possessed numerous rifles and shotguns, but defendant
forfeited the error by failing to timely object below, and even if the issue had been
preserved for review, defendant was not prejudiced thereby. Accordingly, we shall
affirm the judgment.
FACTUAL AND PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND
A. The Prosecution
On the afternoon in question, defendant drove to his father’s home on Jasmine
Avenue in West Sacramento to pick up a couch to bring to the dump. He was
accompanied by his seven-year-old son. When they arrived, defendant asked his father to
pay him $20 to take the couch. Defendant’s father refused, telling defendant he would
wait for a “free trash” day.
Defendant and his son returned to defendant’s truck, pulled out of defendant’s
father’s driveway and stopped, blocking Jonathan Pasquale’s driveway. Pasquale
assumed defendant was waiting for someone because he kept looking over his shoulder.
Pasquale motioned for defendant to move, and defendant did so. Meanwhile, Robinson,
who lived down the street, was walking along Jasmine Avenue with his three young
daughters. Robinson threw up his hands, and defendant responded by flipping him off.
Defendant then drove to the end of the block, turned left onto Riverbank Road, and
stopped along the levee.
Robinson told his daughters to wait while he walked toward defendant’s truck.
According to defendant’s son, Robinson yelled some “bad words” and was hiding a black
phone or gun under his shirt. When Robinson was a few feet from the truck, defendant
pointed a gun out the window and shot him in the upper arm and chest area. Robinson
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doubled over, clutched himself, and stumbled back toward his house. According to
defendant’s son, Robinson put something in his shirt after he was shot.
Gloria Blanco, who lived at the corner of Riverbank Road and Jasmine Avenue,
saw Robinson approach defendant’s truck. Robinson was not yelling or using profanity.
Fifteen or twenty seconds later, she heard a gunshot, and when she looked up, she saw
the truck drive off. She did not see a gun in Robinson’s hand or see him throw a gun.
Blanco’s husband Jesus also saw Robinson approach defendant’s truck and heard the
gunshot. Jesus did not see anything in Robinson’s hands or see him throw anything.
Two other neighbors saw Robinson moments after he was shot, and neither saw anything
in Robinson’s hands.
Robinson collapsed in front of his in-laws’ house down the street from where he
was shot. Gloria Blanco called 911, and emergency responders arrived shortly thereafter.
Robinson died on the way to the hospital.
A cell phone was found in the pocket of Robinson’s pants. Officers searched the
area around Jasmine Avenue and Riverbank Road but did not find a gun.
Defendant fled the scene. He drove to the Elkhorn boat ramp near the Sacramento
River, telling his son he had to “[h]urry . . . so the cops . . . won’t get me.” He placed the
gun he used to kill Robinson into a backpack and had his son carry the backpack down to
the river. Once there, defendant removed the gun from the backpack and threw it in the
river. Defendant told his son not to tell anyone what defendant had done.
Shortly after leaving the boat ramp, defendant was stopped by a deputy sheriff and
placed under arrest. Defendant told the deputy, “[O]h my God, what have I done. I
killed that guy. He pointed a gun at me and my son.”
Following his arrest, defendant was interviewed by Detective Eugene Semeryuk at
the West Sacramento Police Department. A video tape of the interview was played for
the jury. Defendant told Semeryuk he went to his father’s house on the day in question to
pick up a couch to take to the dump. When he arrived, his father was taking a nap. He
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returned to his truck, intending to pull it around and re-park it closer to his father’s gate
so he did not have to walk as far when he got the couch. As he drove down Jasmine
Avenue, he saw Robinson, who gave him a dirty look and threw up his hands. Defendant
responded by flipping him off. When defendant saw Robinson walking toward him, he
pulled around the corner, hoping Robinson would continue down Jasmine Avenue, and
defendant could return to his father’s house. As defendant waited, he grabbed his gun
and loaded it with a speed loader he kept in the glove box. When he saw Robinson run
around the corner, he pointed his gun at Robinson and said, “Hey, just back off.”
Robinson asked, “What are you going to do?” Robinson also pulled up his shirt,
revealing a gun in his waistband. When Robinson reached down toward the gun,
defendant shot him. There was no other exchange of words. Thereafter, defendant
“freaked out,” drove to the river, and disposed of the gun. Defendant did not know what
kind of gun Robinson had because he only saw the gun’s handle.
A computer seized from defendant’s home was examined by a forensic expert,
who found the computer was used hundreds of times between 2007 and November 2009
by someone associated with defendant’s user account and e-mail address to visit racist
Web sites and view news reports of African-Americans committing crimes against
Whites. Defendant is White, and Robinson was African-American.
B. The Defense
Defendant testified in his own defense. He explained that on the day in question,
he and his son went to his father’s house to pick up a couch in the backyard. When they
arrived, defendant’s father was in bed. Defendant asked his father for $10 or $20 to
cover a portion of the dump fee. His father told him not right now, maybe later, stating
he just wanted to sleep. Defendant and his son went outside, and defendant attempted to
re-park his truck. Eventually, defendant decided to pull all the way out and down the
street a ways before attempting to back into the driveway. When he was about 60 feet
down the street, he saw Robinson walking with some children. Robinson gave him a
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“really cold hard look” and threw his arms up in the air. Defendant responded by giving
Robinson a “dismissive head wave,” and Robinson flipped defendant off. Defendant
returned the gesture, flipping Robinson off. At that point, Robinson started walking
toward defendant’s truck with a “menacing” smile on his face. Defendant drove forward
about 10 feet, and Robinson stopped. When defendant stopped, Robinson again began
walking toward the truck. At that point, defendant drove around the corner and parked,
hoping Robinson would think defendant left. Defendant intended to wait there for three
or four minutes before returning to his father’s house. As a precaution, he reached for his
gun, a .357-caliber revolver, and loaded it. After a couple of minutes, defendant saw
Robinson running around the corner toward the truck. Defendant grabbed the gun,
pointed it at Robinson, who was a little more than arm’s distance away, and told
Robinson to stop. Robinson stood there for a moment, and defendant said, “[P]lease just
go away, please don’t do this. Just go away.” Robinson turned sideways and asked,
“[W]hat the fuck are you going to do with that?” Robinson also lifted up his shirt,
revealing the handle of a handgun. Defendant could not tell whether it was a revolver or
an automatic weapon. When Robinson “moved his hand up under his shirt, back to
where he showed [defendant] the firearm,” defendant shot him. Defendant was in fear of
his and his son’s lives when he pulled the trigger. Thereafter, defendant panicked, drove
to the river, and disposed of the gun. Defendant had never seen Robinson prior to this
incident.
Defendant acknowledged viewing racist Web sites on the computer seized from
his home, explaining he did so in conjunction with his cultural anthropology class and
two history courses. He did not share the views expressed in those Web sites. He had
African-American friends. Robinson’s color had nothing to do with the shooting.
Defendant’s former coworker, who is African-American, testified he knew
defendant “pretty well.” They went shooting together, and he felt defendant was honest
and without racial bias.
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Defendant’s stepfather, who has known defendant since defendant was six years
old, testified defendant had African-American friends and was not prejudiced.
Clark Pease testified that a couple of years before the incident in question,
Robinson coldcocked Pease in the face. According to Pease, Robinson had a reputation
for being a “thug.”
DISCUSSION
I
Defendant’s Prosecution for Robinson’s Murder Is Not Barred by Either Article I,
Section 14.1 of the California Constitution or Section 1387
Defendant contends “[t]he trial court prejudicially erred when it denied [his]
motion to set aside the information.” (§ 995.) According to defendant, his prosecution is
barred by article I, section 14.1 of the California Constitution and section 1387 because a
grand jury twice failed to indict him for Robinson’s murder, while indicting him on
related firearm possession charges. He is mistaken.
On November 5, 2009, the Yolo County District Attorney filed a criminal
complaint charging defendant with Robinson’s murder.3 Defendant was arraigned on
November 12, 2009. Instead of proceeding to a preliminary hearing, however, the district
attorney presented the case to a grand jury, and the original complaint was dismissed.
The grand jury returned an indictment, charging defendant with five felony counts of
unlawfully possessing assault weapons and one misdemeanor count of destroying or
concealing evidence. The grand jury declined to indict defendant for Robinson’s murder.
Defendant was arraigned on March 3, 2010, and pled not guilty to the charges in the
indictment.
3 The People ask us to take judicial notice of our files in Smith v. Superior Court of Yolo
County, case No. C068271. The request for judicial notice is granted. (Evid. Code, §§
459, subd. (a), 452, subd. (d).)
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On May 10, 2010, the district attorney presented additional evidence to the grand
jury, but the grand jury again declined to indict defendant for Robinson’s murder.
On October 28, 2010, the district attorney filed a second criminal complaint,
charging defendant with Robinson’s murder, and alleging three firearm enhancements.
Defendant was arraigned on October 29, 2010, and a preliminary hearing was set for
November 12, 2010.
On November 12, 2010, defendant filed a motion to dismiss the complaint on the
ground his prosecution for Robinson’s murder was barred under article I, section 14.1 of
the California Constitution, which provides: “If a felony is prosecuted by indictment,
there shall be no postindictment preliminary hearing.” The trial court denied the motion,
finding there had been no indictment on the murder charge, and therefore, article I,
section 14.1 of the California Constitution did not apply.
Following the preliminary hearing, the trial court found probable cause to hold
defendant to answer to the murder charge. On March 1, 2011, the district attorney filed
an information, charging defendant with Robinson’s murder and the three firearm
enhancements alleged in the complaint.
On April 1, 2011, defendant filed a motion to set aside the information, again
arguing the prosecution was barred from charging him with Robinson’s murder under
article I, section 14.1 of the California Constitution as well as section 1387. The trial
court denied the motion. On May 27, 2011, defendant filed a petition for writ of mandate
in this court (Smith v. Superior Court of Yolo County, case No. C068271), and we issued
a stay and requested an informal response from the People. On July 21, 2011, we
summarily denied the petition and lifted the previously imposed stay. Our Supreme
Court likewise denied defendant’s petition for review and application for stay, and the
United States Supreme Court denied his petition for a writ of certiorari.
On appeal, defendant claims that article I, section 14.1 of the California
Constitution “does not allow a preliminary hearing on unindicted charges for an indicted
8
defendant.” More specifically, he claims that because he “was indicted on firearm
possession and destruction of evidence charges,” the prosecution was precluded from
proceeding against him on the murder charge by way of criminal complaint and
preliminary hearing.
As set forth above, article I, section 14.1 of the California Constitution provides:
“If a felony is prosecuted by indictment, there shall be no postindictment preliminary
hearing.” (Italics added.) “An indictment is an accusation in writing, presented by the
grand jury to a competent court, charging a person with a public offense.” (§ 889, italics
added.) Where, as here, a grand jury fails to return an indictment on a felony charge
sought by a prosecutor, it would seem the felony is not prosecuted by indictment, and the
prohibition set forth in article I, section 14.1 does not apply. Defendant disagrees. He
claims that his prosecution for Robinson’s murder is barred even though the jury failed to
return an indictment on that charge because the grand jury returned an indictment on the
related firearm possession charges. His claim is not well taken.
First, the drafter’s use of the article “a” (as opposed to “any”) is consistent with
the People’s position that “the prohibition on post indictment preliminary hearings
applies only when the same felony is contained in an indictment, not when a defendant is
indicted on some other felony, even a related felony.” Moreover, article I, section 14.1 of
the California Constitution was enacted as part of Proposition 115, the Crime Victims
Justice Reform Act. (Bowens v. Superior Court (1991) 1 Cal.4th 36, 50 (Bowens).) The
“manifest intent” of the voters in enacting article I, section 14.1 was to abrogate our
Supreme Court’s decision in Hawkins v. Superior Court (1978) 22 Cal.3d 584, 586,
which held that defendants who had been indicted had a right to a preliminary hearing
before a magistrate. (Bowens, supra, 1 Cal.4th at pp. 47-48.)4 Stated another way, article
4 “In Hawkins, [our Supreme Court] concluded there is a ‘considerable disparity in the
procedural rights afforded defendants charged by the prosecutor by means of an
9
I, section 14.1 was enacted to limit a defendant’s constitutional right of equal protection
(Cal. Const., art. I, § 7) as it relates to the constitutionally mandated indictment process
(Bowens, supra, 1 Cal.4th at p. 45), not the People’s ability to prosecute felonies. Under
the interpretation urged by defendant, a prosecutor would not be precluded under article
I, section 14.1 of the California Constitution from proceeding by way of complaint and
preliminary hearing where a grand jury declined to return an indictment on any of a
number of felony charges sought by a prosecutor, but would be precluded from doing so
where a grand jury returned an indictment on some but not all of those same charges.
Such an interpretation is not only inconsistent with the plain language of article I, section
14.1 of the California Constitution and the voters’ intent in enacting it, it defies common
sense. Article I, section 14.1 of the California Constitution does not apply here, and the
trial court did not err in denying defendant’s motion to set aside the information on this
basis.
Defendant also argues his prosecution for Robinson’s murder is barred by section
1387, which provides in pertinent part: “An order terminating an action pursuant to this
chapter, or Section 859b, 861, 871, or 995, is a bar to any other prosecution for the same
offense if it is a felony . . . and the action has been previously terminated pursuant to this
chapter, or Section 859b, 861, 871, or 995 . . . .” In other words, “two dismissals
information and defendants charged by the grand jury in an indictment. [Fn. omitted.]’
[Citation.] [The court] noted that although the Penal Code provided those defendants
ultimately charged by information with a preliminary hearing presided over by ‘ “a
neutral and legally knowledgeable magistrate, representation by retained or appointed
counsel, the confrontation and cross-examination of hostile witnesses, and the
opportunity to personally appear and affirmatively present exculpatory evidence
[citations],” ’ the code failed to provide a similar ‘ “impressive array of procedural
rights” ’ to defendants charged by indictment. [Citation.] [The court] held that, ‘an
accused is denied the equal protection of the laws guaranteed by article I, section 7, of the
California Constitution when prosecution is by indictment and he [or she] is deprived of a
preliminary hearing and the concomitant rights which attach when prosecution is by
information.’ [Citation.]” (Bowens, supra, 1 Cal.4th at p. 40, fn. omitted.)
10
pursuant to section 1385, 859b, 861, 871 or 995, bar retrial on felony charges except in
limited circumstances.” (People v. Hatch (2000) 22 Cal.4th 260, 270.)5
Defendant acknowledges the murder prosecution was never dismissed pursuant to
any of the statutes enumerated in section 1387, but asserts the grand jury’s “failure to
indict is tantamount to a termination of the action by a magistrate under section 1387.”
In support of his assertion, he relies on cases likening a grand jury’s function in
determining whether to return an indictment under section 939.8 to that of a magistrate
deciding whether to bind a defendant over to the superior court on a criminal complaint
under section 871. (See, e.g., Cummiskey v. Superior Court (1992) 3 Cal.4th 1018, 1027;
People v. Letner and Tobin (2010) 50 Cal.4th 99, 140.) Unlike section 871, however,
section 939.8 is not among the statutes listed in section 1327. The canon of statutory
construction that lists are ordinarily considered exclusive, expressio unius est exclusio
alterius, supports the conclusion that a grand jury’s failure to indict does not amount to a
dismissal for purposes of section 1327’s two-dismissal rule. (2A Singer & Singer,
Sutherland Statutory Construction (7th ed. 2007) § 47.23, pp. 398-421.) Moreover, while
a magistrate’s determination that there is not sufficient cause to believe a defendant is
guilty of a public offense and a grand jury’s determination that there is not sufficient
evidence to warrant a conviction by a trial by jury may be similar in some respects, they
5 “Whether a third or subsequent prosecution of a felony is barred by an earlier
termination depends on the nature and circumstances of the previous dismissals.
[Section] 1387 expressly refers to an action terminated by a dismissal for want of
prosecution, speedy trial, or in furtherance of justice ([§§] 1381 et seq., 1385), a dismissal
for failure to provide a speedy or continuous preliminary examination ([§§] 859b, 861), a
dismissal for lack of proof that a public offense has been committed ([§] 871), and an
order setting aside an indictment or information ([§] 995). Where there are successive
dismissals on any of these grounds, or combinations of them, the order terminating the
second action operates to bar any third or subsequent prosecution on the same charge
unless one of the statutory exceptions applies.” (5 Witkin & Epstein, Cal. Criminal Law
(4th ed. 2012) Criminal Trial, § 488, pp. 754-755.)
11
are dissimilar in one key respect: unlike a magistrate, a grand jury is not required to
dismiss or otherwise exonerate the targets of their investigation unless specifically
requested to do so. (§ 939.91; see also Daily Journal Corp. v. Superior Court (1999) 20
Cal.4th 1117, 1133.) There is no evidence in the record before us that such a request was
ever made much less granted. For all the foregoing reasons, we conclude section 1387
does not apply here, and the trial court did not err in declining to set aside the information
on this basis.
II
The Trial Court Did Not Abuse Its Discretion in Admitting Evidence Defendant Viewed
Racist Web Sites
Defendant next claims the trial court abused its discretion in allowing the People
to introduce “an excessive, extraordinary amount of highly inflammatory racist website-
related evidence.” Defendant concedes evidence of racial bias is relevant to show
motive, but argues “the highly prejudicial nature of the evidence nevertheless called for
its total exclusion.” Even assuming the evidence was not unduly prejudicial, defendant
claims “the amount thereof should have been limited.” As we shall explain, defendant
forfeited his argument that the evidence was excessive by failing to object to its
admission on that ground below, and in any event, the challenged evidence was properly
admitted.
Prior to trial, defendant moved in limine to exclude all evidence showing the
computer seized from his home was used to “[visit] websites that included terms such as
‘nigger’ and ‘White Supremacist’ and images of Nazis and articles detailing assaults by
black assailants on white victims” on the grounds such evidence would constitute
improper character evidence under Evidence Code section 1101, subdivision (a), and
would be more prejudicial than probative under Evidence Code section 352. The People
opposed the motion, arguing such evidence was relevant to show motive. In support of
their opposition, the People submitted a copy of a report prepared by their computer
12
forensic examiner, indicating “numerous data items related to racist information against
African Americans,” and “information regarding White Supremacist and Nazi’s” were
found on the computer along with “strong evidence that [defendant] was the user of the
computer when racist sites were visited.”
The trial court ruled that “even though it is somewhat inflammatory in nature,”
some of the evidence found on the computer “is relevant and admissible” to show motive.
Specifically, the court ruled “evidence that indicates a racial animosity towards African
Americans . . . would be relevant and would be admissible.” It also concluded articles
detailing crimes perpetrated by African-Americans on Whites “is relevant for the same
reasons” and “is more probative than prejudicial.” The court ruled “evidence that
references the Nazis or Hitler” would be excluded under Evidence Code section 352
because it “is so emotional, so highly inflammatory . . . .”
At trial, the People’s forensic examiner testified the computer seized from
defendant’s home was used hundreds of times between 2007 and November 2009 to visit
racist Web sites and view news reports of African-Americans committing crimes against
Whites. He specifically identified three such Web sites (;
; ), and provided the jury with
examples of the materials found on those Web sites, as well as samples of documents
found on the seized computer. In addition, he testified the racist Web sites were accessed
by someone associated with defendant’s user account and e-mail address.
On appeal, defendant concedes “admission of some racist evidence may have been
relevant to the question of motive,” but asserts such evidence nevertheless should have
been excluded under Evidence Code section 352 because it is highly prejudicial.
“Evidence Code section 352 permits a trial court in its discretion to exclude
evidence if its probative value is substantially outweighed by the probability that its
admission would create a substantial danger of undue prejudice. We review a trial
court’s decision whether to exclude evidence pursuant to Evidence Code section 352 for
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abuse of discretion. [Citation.] For this purpose, ‘ “prejudicial” means uniquely
inflammatory without regard to relevance.’ [Citation.] ‘Evidence is substantially more
prejudicial than probative [citation] if . . . it poses an intolerable “risk to the fairness of
the proceedings or the reliability of the outcome” [citation].’ [Citation.]” (People v.
Lindberg (2008) 45 Cal.4th 1, 49 (Lindberg).) “Evidence is not unduly prejudicial
‘merely because it strongly implicates a defendant and casts him or her in a bad light.’ ”
(Id. at p. 50)
Evidence defendant subscribed to White supremacist beliefs or otherwise had
disdain for African-Americans was relevant in determining his motive and intent in
committing the murder, and thus, was directly relevant to the jury’s determination of the
murder charge. (Lindberg, supra, 45 Cal.4th at pp. 46, 50.) We do not view as unduly
prejudicial evidence defendant viewed racist information against African-Americans.
Defendant argues that even if the challenged evidence is not unduly prejudicial,
the amount of evidence admitted was excessive. Defendant forfeited this claim by failing
to raise it below. (Evid. Code, § 353, subd. (a); People v. Holford (2012) 203
Cal.App.4th 155, 168-170.) Even if the issue had been preserved for review, it fails on
the merits. As noted above, the trial court excluded evidence referencing “Nazis” or
“Hitler.” Moreover, the forensic examiner focused his testimony on three Web sites, and
examples of materials available on those sites, and his testimony on direct, including that
concerning his background and qualifications as an expert and analysis of defendant’s
and Robinson’s cellular telephones, comprises only 59 pages of the reporter’s transcript.
The trial court did not abuse its discretion in admitting the challenged evidence.
III
The Trial Court Properly Excluded Robinson’s Daughter’s Hearsay Statement
Defendant also claims the trial court abused its discretion in excluding evidence
Robinson’s four-year-old daughter told police Robinson said “bad words” to defendant
14
before defendant shot him. He argues the out-of-court statement was admissible as a
prior inconsistent statement. (Evid. Code, § 1235.) We disagree.
At trial, Robinson’s daughter, who was six years old at the time of trial, testified
she recalled the day her father “got hurt.” She was walking to school with Robinson and
her two younger sisters. While they were walking, she saw a man in a truck. The man in
the truck stopped and then drove away. Robinson followed the man in the truck, while
she remained on the sidewalk playing with her baby sister. Shortly thereafter, she heard a
shot. The next time she saw Robinson, he was at her grandparents’ house down the
street.
Robinson’s daughter did not remember the color of the truck, whether a trailer was
attached to it, or whether there was anyone other than the driver inside. She also did not
recall if the man in the truck or Robinson made any hand gestures or if Robinson said
anything to the man in the truck. In particular, on direct examination, she told the
prosecutor she did not remember if the man in the truck had “some words with your dad”
or if “your dad sa[id] anything to him.”
On cross-examination, defendant’s trial counsel asked her, “Can you remember
now that you heard your dad said bad words?” She responded, “No.”
Later, defense counsel sought to impeach Robinson’s daughter with her prior
statement to Officer Michelle Tate on the day of the shooting that Robinson said “bad
words” to the man in the truck prior to being shot. The trial court ruled defendant would
not be permitted to impeach Robinson’s daughter with her prior statement because she
merely failed to remember whether Robinson had used bad words.
“ ‘Hearsay evidence’ is evidence of a statement that was made other than by a
witness while testifying at the hearing and that is offered to prove the truth of the matter
stated.” (Evid. Code, § 1200, subd. (a).) “Except as provided by law, hearsay evidence
is inadmissible.” (Id., subd. (b).) “Evidence of a statement made by a witness is not
made inadmissible by the hearsay rule if the statement is inconsistent with his [or her]
15
testimony at the hearing and is offered in compliance with Section 770.” (Evid. Code,
§ 1235.) “ ‘ “The ‘fundamental requirement’ of section 1235 is that the statement in fact
be inconsistent with the witness’s trial testimony.” [Citation.] “ ‘Inconsistency in effect,
rather than contradiction in express terms, is the test for admitting a witness’[s] prior
statement . . . .’ ” [Citation.]’ [Citation.] Thus, for example, ‘ “[w]hen a witness’s claim
of lack of memory amounts to deliberate evasion, inconsistency is implied. [Citation.]
As long as there is a reasonable basis in the record for concluding that the witness’s ‘I
don't remember’ statements are evasive and untruthful, admission of his or her prior
statements is proper. [Citation.]” ’ [Citation.]” (People v. Homick (2012) 55 Cal.4th
816, 859 (Homick), fn. omitted.) We review the trial court’s rulings on the admission of
evidence for abuse of discretion. (Ibid.)
Defendant sought to introduce Robinson’s daughter’s out-of-court statement for
the truth of the matter asserted, i.e. that Robinson said “bad words” to defendant before
defendant shot him. Accordingly, the statement constituted hearsay (Evid. Code, § 1200,
subd. (a)), and as such, was admissible as a prior inconsistent statement only if there was
a reasonable basis in the record for concluding Robinson’s daughter’s testimony at trial
that she did not remember whether her father said “bad words” to the man in the truck
was “ ‘ “evasive and untruthful.” ’ ” (Homick, supra, 55 Cal.4th at p. 859.)
At trial, Robinson’s daughter, who was six years old, was questioned about a
traumatic event that occurred when she was four years old. Thus, it is hardly surprising
that there were things about the event she could not remember. In addition to not
remembering if Robinson said “bad words” to defendant, a detail that supported the
defense, she also did not remember details that would have benefited the prosecution.
For example, she could not recall whether defendant said bad words to Robinson,
whether either man used any hand gestures, whether the men appeared mad at one
another, or any details concerning Robinson’s injuries other than he was hurt. There is
nothing about her testimony that suggests she was being evasive or untruthful when she
16
said she could not remember if Robinson said “bad words” to defendant prior to being
shot. Accordingly, the trial court did not abuse its discretion in excluding her out-of-
court statement to Officer Tate.
IV
Defendant Forfeited His Challenge to the Prosecutor’s Introduction of Evidence Related
to Defendant’s Gun Collection, and in Any Event, He Was Not Prejudiced Thereby
Finally, defendant contends the prosecutor erred by introducing evidence
defendant possessed numerous rifles and shotguns in violation of the trial court’s in
limine ruling. We agree the prosecutor erred, but find defendant forfeited his challenge
by failing to object below, and in any case, he was not prejudiced by the error.
Prior to trial, defendant moved in limine for an order “exclud[ing] evidence of
weapons and ammunition found during the search [of his home] subsequent to the
shooting” as irrelevant because the gun he used to shoot Robinson and the bullet that
struck Robinson had been accounted for. The People responded that “[t]he 53 guns
seized during a search of the defendant’s house are relevant to refute his likely claim of
self-defense.” According to the People, “if [Robinson] did in fact have a gun, the
defendant should have been able to provide some type of description to the police” given
his “extensive collection of guns and his own self-proclaimed expertise of guns.” The
trial court granted defendant’s motion to exclude evidence of the weapons seized from
defendant’s home, with the exception of nine handguns and a considerable amount of
ammunition. The trial court also ruled evidence of defendant’s “familiarity with firearms
from [his] employment in [the] firearms business” was admissible because it did not
“bear on his ownership” of firearms.
During the People’s case-in-chief, the prosecutor introduced evidence nine
handguns, the majority of which were semiautomatic, were seized from defendant’s
home. The prosecutor also played the entire audio-video recording of defendant’s
interview with Detective Semeryuk, which included a discussion of defendant’s gun
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collection. Defendant initially told Semeryuk he had “a few” guns, but later
acknowledged he “probably ha[d] thirty rifles[,] . . . three or four shotguns,” and five or
so semi-automatic handguns. Defendant did not object when this portion of the interview
was played at trial nor was there any request that the jury be admonished not to consider
such evidence.
During the defense’s case-in-chief, defendant’s stepfather testified as to
defendant’s character for honesty and lack of racial prejudice. On cross-examination, the
prosecutor asked him if, on the day of the shooting, he directed his own wife and
defendant’s wife to remove numerous guns from defendant’s home. He acknowledged
removing “[l]ots of guns,” “probably more than could fit in [an] SUV” because he “didn’t
think it would look good [to the police] for [defendant] to have all the guns.”
When defendant testified, the prosecutor cross-examined him about the accuracy
of his statement to Detective Semeryuk that he possessed a “few” guns. Defendant’s trial
counsel objected “based on [the court’s] in limine ruling,” and the court overruled the
objection. When the cross-examination resumed, defendant admitted he lied to
Semeryuk and that he had “a lot more than” a few guns. Thereafter, the prosecutor
played the portion of defendant’s interview with Semeryuk during which he said he
“probably ha[d] thirty rifles[,] . . . three or four shotguns,” and five or so semiautomatic
handguns, and asked defendant, “Is that a more accurate statement about how many
firearms you had?” Defendant explained he had not meant to lie but “knew how bad it
looks to have guns, people think you’re a nut . . . .”
After defendant was convicted of Robinson’s murder, he moved for a new trial,
arguing, among other things, that the prosecutor violated the court’s in limine ruling
when he introduced evidence of defendant’s extensive collection of rifles and shotguns
during his cross-examination of defendant. The trial court denied the motion, explaining
that its “in limine rulings barred the introduction of that evidence during the People’s
[case-in-chief], not during the defense case.” Thus, the court found “there was no
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violation of [the] court’s order when [the prosecutor] cross-examined the defendant on
that particular issue.” The court found the prosecutor had violated its order when he
presented evidence of defendant’s gun collection “through the videotaped interview with
the defendant,” but concluded defendant was not prejudiced by the error because “[t]he
same information would have come in during the defense case, not only through the
defendant, but through his [stepfather].”
On appeal, defendant contends the trial court erred in concluding he was not
prejudiced by the prosecutor’s error. According to defendant, “[f]rom the evidence [he
possessed many rifles and shotguns] the jury would readily--but improperly--infer that
[he] had a propensity toward gun-related violence and thus did not act in self-defense.”
To preserve a claim of prosecutorial error for appeal, the defense must make a
timely objection at trial and request an admonition; otherwise, the point is reviewable
only if an admonition would not have cured the harm caused by the error. (People v.
Linton (2013) 56 Cal.4th 1146, 1205.)
Here, defendant failed to object or request an admonition when the prosecutor
introduced evidence defendant possessed numerous rifles and shotguns during the
People’s case-in-chief. Defendant’s pretrial motion in limine did not constitute a timely
objection. The motion was made well before the error occurred and before the court had
a chance to cure any potential prejudice with an admonition. Our Supreme Court
requires a defendant to “timely” “ma[k]e an assignment of misconduct . . . .” (People v.
Samayoa (1997) 15 Cal.4th 795, 841.) Had defendant’s trial counsel done so, the trial
court could have warned the prosecutor, consistent with its prior ruling, not to elicit
evidence of defendant’s collection of rifles and shotguns. Because such a warning could
have prevented or mitigated the prosecutor’s error, it is evident that an objection would
not necessarily have been futile. As a result, defendant was not excused from his legal
obligation to object to the error, and thus, has forfeited any claim of prosecutorial error.
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Even assuming the claim is reviewable on appeal, reversal is not required. A
defendant’s conviction will not be reversed for prosecutorial error that violates state law
“ ‘unless it is reasonably probable that a result more favorable to the defendant would
have been reached without the misconduct.’ ” (People v. Wallace (2008) 44 Cal.4th
1032, 1071.) As the trial court correctly found, defendant was not prejudiced by the
prosecutor’s error because the jury would have learned defendant possessed a large
number of firearms and ammunition in any event. Defendant’s stepfather was properly
cross-examined concerning his efforts to conceal defendant’s firearms from police.
(Evid. Code, § 785.) He acknowledged removing “probably more [guns] than could fit in
[an] SUV” from defendant’s home following the shooting because he “didn’t think it
would look good [to the police] for [defendant] to have all the guns.” Defendant does not
contend otherwise. Moreover, defendant does not challenge the admission of evidence
concerning the nine handguns and considerable amount of ammunition seized from
defendant’s home.
Because the jury would have learned defendant likely possessed “more [guns] than
could fit in [an] SUV,” including nine handguns, seven of which were semiautomatic,
absent the prosecutor’s error, defendant cannot establish he was prejudiced by the
introduction of evidence that his collection also included 30 rifles and 3 or 4 shotguns.6
In other words, given the evidence that was properly admitted, it is not reasonably
probable the jury would have found defendant acted in self-defense had it not learned his
extensive gun collection also included 30 rifles and 3 or 4 shotguns. Accordingly, the
6 Although a witness’s admission of untruthfulness is relevant to determining credibility
(Evid. Code, §§ 780, subd. (k); 785), we need not determine whether the prosecutor also
erred by introducing evidence defendant possessed 30 rifles and 3 or 4 shotguns during
his cross-examination of defendant. Even assuming it was error, as defendant argued
below, based on our analysis set forth above, defendant was not prejudiced thereby.
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trial court properly declined to grant defendant a new trial based on the prosecutor’s error
in introducing such evidence.
DISPOSITION
The judgment is affirmed.
BLEASE , Acting P. J.
We concur:
MAURO , J.
MURRAY , J.
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