People v. Pearce CA4/1 ( 2021 )

Filed 9/28/21 P. v. Pearce CA4/1
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COURT OF APPEAL, FOURTH APPELLATE DISTRICT
DIVISION ONE
STATE OF CALIFORNIA
THE PEOPLE, D076942
Plaintiff and Respondent,
v. (Super. Ct. No. SCE378575)
ALEJANDRO PEARCE,
Defendant and Appellant.
APPEAL from a judgment of the Superior Court of San Diego County,
Jeffrey F. Fraser, Judge. Affirmed.
Carl Fabian, under appointment by the Court of Appeal, for Defendant
and Appellant.
Matthew Rodriquez, Acting Attorney General, Lance E. Winters, Chief
Assistant Attorney General, Julie L. Garland, Assistant Attorney General,
Charles C. Ragland and James H. Flaherty, III, Deputy Attorneys General
for Plaintiff and Respondent.
Alejandro Pearce and Jordan Maxwell robbed Candido A. and in the
process, one of them shot and killed him. The primary factual dispute at trial
was whether Pearce or Maxwell was the shooter.
After Maxwell pleaded guilty to second degree murder, the People tried
the case against Pearce on two alternative theories of first degree murder,
either that: (1) Pearce was the shooter in a premeditated killing or during a
robbery; or (2) Maxwell was the killer, and Pearce was liable on a felony
murder theory as a major participant in the robbery who acted with reckless
indifference to human life. (Pen. Code,1 §§ 187, 189, subd. (e)(3).) The jury
was also asked to determine if during the offenses Pearce “personally used”
and/or “intentionally and personally discharged” a firearm. (§§ 12022.5, subd.
(a), 12022.53, subds. (b)‒(c).)
The jury found Pearce guilty of robbery and first degree murder, but
deadlocked (eight to four, in favor of a true finding) on whether he personally
used a gun. The court sentenced Pearce to state prison for 25 years to life.
On appeal, Pearce maintains that the jury’s deadlock on the gun
allegations necessarily means at least some jurors convicted him under a
felony murder theory in which Maxwell was the shooter. With that premise,
he contends the judgment should be reversed because there is insufficient
evidence he was a major participant and acted with reckless indifference to
human life.
In a supplemental brief, Pearce makes several additional assertions
involving the “reckless indifference” element. Specifically, he contends
(1) CALCRIM No. 540B as given was inadequate because it did not
enumerate specific factors the jury should consider in making that
1 Statutory references are to the Penal Code.
2
determination, and which are now contained in a revised version of the
instruction; (2) the court compounded that error by failing to sua sponte
instruct that “participating in an armed robbery is insufficient, standing
alone, to support a finding of reckless indifference to human life”; (3)
alternatively, defense counsel rendered constitutionally ineffective assistance
by not asking for such an instruction; and (4) the prosecutor misstated the
law by telling the jury in closing argument that Pearce’s role in the armed
robbery was itself sufficient to demonstrate reckless indifference. In the
event we deem this latter contention forfeited by counsel’s failure to object,
Pearce alternatively recasts the same claim as ineffective assistance of
counsel. Finally, he contends the court erroneously denied him one day of
presentence custody credit. We reject each of Pearce’s arguments and affirm
the judgment, without prejudice to his bringing a motion in the trial court to
resolve a factual dispute involving the claimed one day extra custody credit.
FACTUAL AND PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND
A. Events Leading Up to the Shooting
In mid-December 2017, Candido saw Pearce (19 years old) and Maxwell
(age 17) smoking marijuana in a parked car near his house. Although
Candido had never met them before, he told them he sold marijuana and
gave his phone number for future purchases.
During the same time period, Pearce asked his girlfriend, M.S., to buy
him a gun. M.S. promised to do so by Christmas, even if she had to steal the
money. Pearce replied that their continued relationship depended on it.2
A few days before Christmas, Pearce posted on social media a rap song about
2 The relationship was a committed one, at least from M.S.’s perspective.
She has Pearce’s name tattooed on her chest and his initials on her ring
finger.
3
killing during a robbery. The lyrics described “snatching lives from people”
and shooting them full of holes, “like swiss cheese.”
On December 27, 2017, Pearce and Maxwell arranged to meet Candido
at a public library parking lot to buy an ounce of marijuana. Candido’s
girlfriend, Angela, reluctantly drove him there in a small sedan. Pearce and
Maxwell met them on foot. Maxwell got in the right-rear passenger seat,
behind Candido. Pearce sat behind Angela. Unbeknownst to Candido and
Angela, robbery was apparently part of their plan from the outset—neither of
them had enough money ($160) to buy the ounce of marijuana.
Concerned about being seen making a drug deal outside the library,
Angela drove to a more secluded area about five minutes away. There,
Candido handed an ounce bag to Maxwell, and they all shared a blunt.
At Candido’s request, Angela drove them back to the library to drop off
Maxwell and Pearce. After she missed a turn, Pearce said that he and
Maxwell lived nearby, and she could drop them off at the curb.
B. Version One: Evidence That Maxwell Was Actual Killer
Angela pulled over and Candido asked Maxwell for the money. Angela
heard Maxwell say, “Give it to me” and next Angela heard Candido say,
“What the fuck.” She looked to her right and saw Maxwell was “scooted
forward” and pointing a gun near her head. Angela screamed and ducked
under the steering wheel. Shots were fired.
Nearby residents heard two gunshots in rapid succession. One
described it as “pow pow.” Pearce and Maxwell fled on foot.
Candido was shot twice. The first one hit the left side of his nose and
then through his right hand, landing in the dashboard. The fatal second shot
4
hit the back of his head, penetrating his brain and instantly incapacitating
him.3
Angela did not see the gunshots. At the scene, she told police that “ ‘a
little kid’ ” shot Candido from inside the car.4 At trial, she described
Maxwell as “a kid,” 15 or 16 years old.
From text messages on Candido’s phone setting up the drug deal, police
located Maxwell and Pearce. At a photograph lineup, Angela identified
Maxwell as the only shooter.5 From a different lineup, she identified Pearce
as the one sitting behind her.
The bullet that struck Candido’s nose and hand was recovered from the
airbag. However, police were unable to determine where the shot originated.
A defense expert, however, testified that both shots were fired inside the car
from the passenger-side rear seat (i.e., Maxwell’s position).
C. Version Two: Evidence That Pearce Was A Shooter
A few minutes before the shooting, Tonya C. was in her parked truck
when she saw a car pull up across from her with its headlights off. She heard
a “faint” gunshot, and then saw someone exit the driver’s side back seat with
a gun and shoot into the car. She identified Pearce as the gunman.
The shooting occurred at about 6:50 p.m. Six minutes later, Pearce
texted M.S., “I jus used my Christmas gift. I need you[;] can you get car plz.”
M.S. replied, “WTF happened?” Pearce said he would explain “face to face.”
3 Because bullet fragments were so damaged, police could not determine
if the bullet to the nose was fired from the same gun as the one to the head.
4 Maxwell is five foot, six inches tall; Pearce is five foot, eleven inches.
5 At trial, Angela testified that she did not know who fired the gun.
5
The next day (December 28), M.S. texted Pearce that police were at
Maxwell’s home. Two minutes later, Pearce replied, “Get my gift out now
asap.” He added, “MAKE SURE you clean it nobody like a dirty basketball.”
Later that night, M.S. replied, “It’s gone forever.” The gun used to kill
Candido has never been found.6
DISCUSSION
A. The Court Did Not Err in Submitting Felony Murder to the Jury
Section 189, subdivision (e) provides that a person who participated in
an enumerated felony (including robbery) in which a death occurs may be
convicted of first degree murder if one of the following three theories is
proven beyond a reasonable doubt: “(1) The person was the actual killer[;]
(2) The person was not the actual killer, but, with the intent to kill, aided,
abetted, . . . or assisted the actual killer in the commission of murder in the
first degree[;] [and] (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.” In this case, the court instructed the jury it
could convict Pearce on two of these—(1) that he was the actual killer, or
alternatively, (2) that Maxwell was the killer and Pearce was a major
participant who acted with reckless indifference to human life (§ 189, subd.
(e)(3)).7
Pearce does not challenge the sufficiency of the evidence to support his
conviction under a theory that he was the shooter. Nor would such a
6 M.S. was charged with being an accessory after the fact (§ 32) and theft
offenses. Before Pearce’s trial, she pled guilty; the record does not indicate
the specifics of her plea.
7 The court also instructed on first or second degree murder with malice
aforethought.
6
challenge be successful. Tonya testified she saw him fire a gun into the car.
And although the jury had ample grounds to discredit her account,8 it was
not inherently improbable. (See, e.g., People v. Ontiveros (1975) 46
Cal.App.3d 110, 116‒117 [“even testimony which is subject to justifiable
suspicion” may be substantial evidence if not inherently improbable (italics
omitted)].)
But Pearce does challenge the sufficiency of the evidence to support his
conviction under a felony murder theory in which Maxwell was the shooter.
We would be required to reverse the judgment on that basis if Pearce
establishes (1) error—that is, a lack of substantial evidence to support a
conviction on that felony murder theory; and (2) resulting prejudice—“a
reasonable probability that the jury in fact found [him] guilty solely on the
unsupported theory.” (People v. Guiton (1993) 4 Cal.4th 1116, 1130 (Guiton).)
As explained below, we conclude there was no error, making it unnecessary to
consider whether any error was prejudicial. “ ‘In evaluating a claim
regarding the sufficiency of the evidence, we review the record “in the light
most favorable to the judgment below to determine whether it discloses
substantial evidence—that is, evidence which is reasonable, credible, and of
solid value—such that a reasonable trier of fact could find the defendant
guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.” ’ [Citation.] ‘ “To assess the evidence’s
sufficiency, we review the whole record to determine whether any rational
trier of fact could have found the essential elements of the crime . . . beyond
a reasonable doubt.” ’ ” (People v. Bradley (2021) 65 Cal.App.5th 1022,
8 Tonya admitted being “high on methamphetamine” and “pretty messed
up” when witnessing the shooting. Moreover, the district attorney’s office
paid her rent, food, and utilities in exchange for her cooperation. She also
has two felony convictions for forgery.
7
1028‒1029 (Bradley).) “ ‘ “If the circumstances reasonably justify the trier of
fact’s findings, reversal of the judgment is not warranted simply because the
circumstances might also be reasonably reconciled with a contrary
finding.” ’ ” (Id. at p. 1029.)
Substantial evidence supports a finding that Pearce was a major
participant in the robbery within the meaning of section 189, subdivision
(e)(3). To be a major participant, “a defendant’s personal involvement must
be substantial, greater than the actions of an ordinary aider and abettor to
an ordinary felony murder . . . .” (People v. Banks (2015) 61 Cal.4th 788, 802
(Banks).) To assist in determining whether a defendant was a major
participant, Banks identified a nonexclusive list of factors that includes:
“What role did the defendant have in planning the criminal enterprise that
led to one or more deaths? What role did the defendant have in supplying or
using lethal weapons? What awareness did the defendant have of particular
dangers posed by the nature of the crime, weapons used, or past experience
or conduct of the other participants? Was the defendant present at the scene
of the killing, in a position to facilitate or prevent the actual murder, and did
his or her own actions or inactions play a particular role in the death?[ ]
What did the defendant do after lethal force was used?” (Id. at p. 803, fn.
omitted.) No one of these considerations is necessary, nor is any one of them
necessarily sufficient.
Here, there is substantial evidence of nearly all of the Banks factors.
The robbery was planned—Pearce brought a loaded gun to a drug deal when
neither he nor Maxwell had enough money to pay for the marijuana. In his
reply brief, Pearce concedes he “handed the gun to Maxwell at Maxwell’s
request, just as the decedent sought payment for his marijuana.” Pearce had
the opportunity to prevent the killing simply by keeping possession of his
8
gun. He not only gave Maxwell the murder weapon, but also instructed his
girlfriend to clean and dispose of it afterwards.
As Banks did with respect to the major participant element, People v.
Clark (2016) 63 Cal.4th 522 (Clark) provides a nonexclusive list of factors
bearing on reckless indifference. In that case, the defendant planned a
robbery of a computer store. During the robbery, one of the defendant’s
accomplices shot and killed the mother of a store employee who arrived at the
store to pick up her son. At the time of the shooting, the defendant was not
at the store, but he drove to the location shortly thereafter and fled when he
saw a woman lying on the ground, the police approaching, and the shooter
fleeing the scene. (Id. at p. 612.) Despite the evidence of the defendant’s
significant involvement in planning the robbery, there was also evidence that
he tried to minimize the possibility for violence. He timed the robbery for
after the store closed and there were not supposed to be bullets in the gun.
(Id. at pp. 621‒623.) The court concluded there was insufficient evidence of
reckless indifference because “nothing in the plan . . . elevated the risk to
human life beyond those risks inherent in any armed robbery.” (Id. at
p. 622.)
In addition to considering the duration of the crime, Clark states
relevant factors in determining reckless indifference are the defendant’s
(1) knowledge of weapons used in the crime, and their actual use and
number; (2) presence at the crime and opportunities to stop the killing or
aid the victim; (3) knowledge of the actual killer’s propensity to kill; and
(4) efforts to minimize the possibility of violence during the crime. (Clark,
supra, 63 Cal.4th at pp. 618‒622.)
9
Recently, the Supreme Court reiterated these factors in In re Scoggins
(2020) 9 Cal.5th 667 (Scoggins). There, the defendant had been swindled out
of several hundred dollars by the victim and sought revenge by having his
friends “ ‘beat the shit’ ” out of the man and get the defendant’s money back.
(Id. at p. 671.) The plan did not call for the defendant to be at the scene, and
there was no evidence that the plan involved using weapons. (Ibid.) But
unknown to the defendant, one of the friends was armed and shot the victim.
The defendant was not present during the shooting, and when he arrived at
the scene afterwards he attended to the victim and cooperated with police.
(Id. at pp. 671‒672.) The Supreme Court determined that the defendant had
not acted with reckless indifference because he was not present during the
assault, his plan did not involve the use of weapons, the duration of the
interaction was brief, and there was no evidence that the defendant knew his
friends were likely to use lethal force. (Id. at pp. 671, 680‒681.) “In short, a
mastermind who planned a robbery and beating as revenge bore only minor
culpability when his henchmen unpredictably went too far and shot the
swindler to death.” (People v. Douglas (2020) 56 Cal.App.5th 1, 9.)
In this case, nearly all of the Clark/Scoggins factors support a finding
that Pearce acted with reckless indifference to life. Clark states that “[a]
defendant’s use of a firearm, even if the defendant does not kill the
victim . . . can be significant to the analysis of reckless indifference to human
life.” (Clark, supra, 63 Cal.4th at p. 618.) Here, Pearce was not merely
aware that a gun would be involved in the robbery—rather, his rap video,
posted on social media just a week before the killing, glorified murder
occurring during a robbery. He obtained a gun a few days before the crimes,
concealed it during the drug transaction, and handed it to Maxwell on his
command so they could escape with the stolen marijuana.
10
Sidestepping this evidence, Pearce states that a defendant’s “awareness
that a confederate was armed, and that armed robberies carry a risk of death,
is not enough to demonstrate reckless indifference.” We agree. (Banks,
supra, 61 Cal.4th at pp. 808‒809.) The problem is that (1) Pearce himself
was armed; and (2) his culpability goes well beyond mere awareness that an
armed robbery was planned. The evidence would support a finding of intent
to kill, and thus is necessarily sufficient to show reckless indifference to
human life. Just a week before these crimes, Pearce boasted on social media
that if anyone were to “ ‘Fuck wit us,’ ” he would shoot holes in that person
like “ ‘swish cheese’ ” and he and his cohorts were “ ‘dem type’ ” who are
“snatching lives from people” when “ ‘hittin licks’ ”—i.e., committing a
robbery.9
Another factor supporting a finding of a reckless indifference to human
life is the defendant’s physical presence at the scene because that provides an
opportunity to be a restraining influence and prevent the crime. (Clark,
supra, 63 Cal.4th at p. 619.) Pearce asserts that although present the whole
time, there is no evidence that he had “any opportunity to speak to Maxwell
or attempt to dissuade him.” We disagree. Pearce had the gun, and without
it in Maxwell’s hands there may have been no killing. At any point before
Angela pulled over, including when he and Maxwell were sharing a blunt
with the victim, Pearce could have decided to not give the gun to Maxwell.
9 For these reasons, Pearce’s reliance on In re Ramirez (2019) 32
Cal.App.5th 384, where the court found insufficient evidence of reckless
indifference, is not a persuasive analogy. There, the defendant was the
getaway driver, was not at the murder scene, and although he may have been
able to see and hear what was happening at the time of the shooting, he was
not close enough to exercise a restraining effect on the crime or his cohorts.
(Id. at p. 405.)
11
The third Clark factor is the duration of the crime. Duration is
relevant because when a victim is in the defendant’s presence for a prolonged
period, there is a greater opportunity for violence culminating in murder.
(Clark, supra, 63 Cal.4th at p. 620.)
Pearce contends the “undisputed” evidence showed “the felony” lasted a
matter of seconds. While that may be true, the relevant “duration” is not the
few seconds to shoot and flee with the marijuana, but the entire encounter
leading up to it. Pearce and Maxwell were with Candido for about 20
minutes. Although this is not an especially long period, it is enough to
suggest the killing was not impulsive. (Compare with Clark, supra, 63
Cal.4th at pp. 537, 539, where the shooter was surprised by the arrival of a
store employee’s mother.)
As to the fourth Clark factor, nothing in the record indicates that
Pearce was aware of Maxwell’s propensity to kill. Nevertheless, this factor
does not significantly assist Pearce. By supplying Maxwell with the loaded
gun on demand, Pearce had a substantial role in the robbery.10 (See Tison v.
Arizona (1987) 481 U.S. 137, 153 [“the greater the defendant’s participation
in the felony murder, the more likely that he acted with reckless indifference
to human life”].)11
10 In a related argument, Pearce asserts that he “had no criminal history
and no history of engaging in any criminal misconduct with Maxwell.” But
that is not entirely true. When at arraignment the court asked whether
Pearce has “a record,” the prosecutor replied with this negative pregnant:
“As an adult, no.” Because Maxwell pled guilty before Pearce’s trial, the
record contains no information about his criminal history.
11 The terms “major participant” and “reckless indifference” in section
190.2, subdivision (d), which is incorporated by reference into the felony
murder statute (§ 189, subd. (e)(3)), were designed to codify the holding of
12
Finally, that the jury could fairly conclude Pearce was a major
participant is further supported by comparing the evidence here with cases
where defendants have shown their culpability was too slight under Banks
and Clark. Generally—and unlike Pearce—those defendants were not
armed, not present for the shooting (either because they were getaway
drivers or because they only planned the crime), and in some cases took steps
to minimize the risk of violence. (See, e.g., In re Miller (2017) 14 Cal.App.5th
960, 965, 966‒967, 974‒975 [defendant planned the robbery, was the “spotter”
who selected the robbery target, but was not at the scene of the
robbery/murder, and did not know a gun would be used]; In re Bennett (2018)
26 Cal.App.5th 1002, 1019, 1023, 1025‒1026 [defendant was involved in
planning the robbery but was not at the scene of the murder, did not have
reason to know it was going to happen, and could not do anything to stop the
shooting]; In re Taylor (2019) 34 Cal.App.5th 543, 550 [defendant was
getaway driver and not at the scene of the murder, did not supply the murder
weapon, and planned the robbery in a way to reduce the risk of violence].)12
Tison, and a prior decision upon which it is based. (See Banks, supra, 61
Cal.4th at p. 794.)
12 Because of this disposition, it is unnecessary to address the Attorney
General’s alternative argument that the judgment can be sustained on a
direct aiding and abetting theory, as well as Pearce’s claim that the jury’s
deadlock on the gun enhancement demonstrates a reasonable probability that
it convicted on the felony murder nonshooter theory.
13
B. Giving the 2018 Version of CALCRIM No. 540B Was Not Error, and the
Court Had No Sua Sponte Obligation to Further Explain “Reckless
Indifference to Human Life.”
When this case was tried in 2018, the court gave the then-current
version of CALCRIM No. 540B which provided in part:
“To prove that the defendant is guilty of first degree
murder under this theory, the people must prove that:
[¶] . . . [¶]
“6. The defendant was a major participant in the Robbery
and when the defendant participated in the robbery he
acted with reckless indifference to human life.
“A person acts with reckless indifference to human life when
he knowingly engages in criminal activity that he knows
involves a grave risk of death.”
After Pearce’s conviction, CALCRIM No. 540B was amended to
incorporate Clark’s holding by offering a nonexclusive list of factors relevant
in determining whether a nonkiller acted with reckless indifference. As
amended in April 2020, CALCRIM No. 540B provides in part:
“[When you decide whether the defendant acted
with reckless indifference to human life, consider all the
evidence. No one of the following factors is necessary, nor is
any one of them necessarily enough, to determine whether
the defendant acted with reckless indifference to human
life. Among the factors you may consider are:
“[• Did the defendant know that [a] lethal weapon[s] would
be present during the ?]
“[• Did the defendant know that [a] lethal weapon[s]
(was/were) likely to be used?]
“[• Did the defendant know that [a] lethal weapon[s]
(was/were) used?]
“[• Did the defendant know the number of weapons
involved?]
14
“[• Was the defendant near the person(s) killed when the
killing occurred?]
“[• Did the defendant have an opportunity to stop the
killing or to help the victim(s)?]
“[• How long did the crime last?]
“[• Was the defendant aware of anything that would make
a coparticipant likely to kill?]
“[• Did the defendant try to minimize the possibility of
violence?]
“[• ].” (Judicial Council
of Cal. Crim. Jury Instns. (2020), CALCRIM No. 540B.)
Pearce characterizes these as “wholesale changes” that establish the prior
version of CALCRIM No. 540B was “woefully inadequate” and, therefore,
violated his due process rights. We disagree.
Pearce’s argument is foreclosed by People v. Estrada (1995) 11 Cal.4th
568. There, the court held that “the generally accepted meaning of the
phrase, ‘reckless indifference to human life,’ in common parlance amply
conveys to the jury the requirement of a defendant’s subjective awareness of
the grave risk to human life created by his or her participation in the
underlying felony. [¶] . . . [¶] This is the meaning intended by the phrase
‘reckless indifference to human life’ as it is used in section [190.2,
subdivision] (d) . . . .” (Estrada, at p. 578.)13
In this case, the trial court instructed with language almost identical to
that suggested in Estrada. It defined “reckless indifference to human life” as
“knowingly engag[ing] in criminal activity that he knows involves a grave
13 The felony murder statute, section 189, subdivision (e), incorporates by
reference the definition of “reckless indifference to human life” from section
190.2, subdivision (d). (See Bradley, supra, 65 Cal.App.5th at p. 1030, fn. 6.)
Therefore, Estrada is equally applicable here.
15
risk of death.” Thus, the reckless indifference to human life standard as
defined by the trial court in its instruction is one the jury may reasonably be
expected to understand without further amplification.
Further, contrary to Pearce’s argument, the later revision to include
Clark factors does not mean the version given in his case was constitutionally
inadequate. (See People v. Allison (2020) 55 Cal.App.5th 449, 458 [“Jury
instructions regarding the mental state required for a felony-murder . . . are
not defective if they do not include the Banks and Clark factors.”].) Rather,
the additions in the revision reflect an attempt to minimize instances in
which a finding of reckless indifference would later be determined to be
insufficiently supported by the evidence. (See Bench Notes to CALCRIM
No. 540B and People v. Price (2017) 8 Cal.App.5th 409, 451.)
This analysis also resolves Pearce’s related contention that the court
had a sua sponte obligation to instruct that the intent to commit an armed
robbery or the mere fact of a defendant’s awareness that a gun will be used in
the felony is insufficient to support a finding of reckless indifference to
human life. Because the phrase “reckless indifference to human life” does not
have a technical meaning peculiar to the law, “ ‘the trial court had no sua
sponte duty to further define the statutory phrase for the jury.’ ” (Price,
supra, 8 Cal.App.5th at p. 444.)14 Any clarifying comments would have
amounted, at most, to a so-called “pinpoint” instruction that must be
specifically requested. (See generally, e.g., People v. Saille (1991) 54 Cal.3d
1103, 1119.)
14 Because of this disposition, it is unnecessary to consider the Attorney
General’s argument that Pearce forfeited this issue.
16
C. On Appeal, Pearce Cannot Sustain His Burden of Showing Counsel Was
Constitutionally Ineffective in Failing to Request the Court Instruct That an
Armed Robbery, Without More, is Insufficient to Show Reckless Indifference.
Anticipating that we might conclude the trial court had no sua sponte
obligation to amplify on CALCRIM No. 540B, Pearce alternatively contends
defense counsel was constitutionally ineffective by not asking the court to
instruct that participating in armed robbery, without more, is insufficient to
constitute reckless indifference.
To establish ineffective assistance of counsel, a defendant bears the
burden of showing that counsel’s performance was deficient, falling below an
objective standard of reasonableness under prevailing professional norms,
and that absent counsel’s error, it is reasonably probable that the verdict
would have been more favorable. (People v. Hernandez (2004) 33 Cal.4th
1040, 1052–1053.) “ ‘If the record does not shed light on why counsel acted or
failed to act in the challenged manner, we must reject the claim on appeal
unless counsel was asked for and failed to provide a satisfactory explanation,
or there simply can be no satisfactory explanation.’ ” (Id. at p. 1053.) “We
presume that counsel rendered adequate assistance and exercised reasonable
professional judgment in making significant trial decisions” (People v. Holt
(1997) 15 Cal.4th 619, 703), and will reverse on the ground of inadequate
assistance of counsel only if the record affirmatively discloses that counsel
had no rational tactical purpose for his act or omission (People v. Zapien
(1993) 4 Cal.4th 929, 980).
Here, the record does not indicate why counsel did not ask for the
instruction Pearce now claims was essential, nor is there any indication that
counsel was asked for an explanation and failed to provide one. Thus, Pearce
is in the difficult position of having to establish there could be no tactical
reason for trial counsel to not request the additional instruction. And we can
17
conceive of at least one plausible reason why defense counsel might not want
an instruction focusing the jury’s attention on Pearce’s role in the robbery: It
would have been inconsistent with the defense theory that both the robbery
and murder were unplanned and unforeseeable—the result of Maxwell’s
violence made possible only because Angela missed the turn to the library.
Moreover, in closing argument defense counsel told the jury that to
convict on a felony murder theory, the jurors would have to conclude that
Pearce was “up to his eyes in the robbery” and “he is the reason there was a
robbery.” Thus, defense counsel’s closing argument ameliorated any
possibility that jurors might otherwise believe Pearce’s mere presence or
participation in an armed robbery was enough to support a guilty verdict on a
felony murder theory. Pearce’s ineffective assistance claim therefore fails on
appeal, and is more appropriately pursued, if at all, in a petition for writ of
habeas corpus. (People v. Mendoza Tello (1997) 15 Cal.4th 264, 266.)
D. The Prosecutor Did Not Commit Misconduct in Closing Argument
In rebuttal closing argument, the prosecutor addressed the felony
murder theory if the jury concluded that Maxwell was the actual killer,
explaining:
“What awareness did the defendant have with the
particular dangers posed by the nature of the crime? You
heard about his rap lyric. He knows drug robberies are
violent, can end up with people dying. Any weapons used?
Everyone knows a gun is dangerous, especially when
loaded like it is in this situation.” [¶] . . . [¶]
“Finally, did the defendant act with reckless [indifference]
to human life? Once again, he is engaged in a robbery with
a loaded gun with another person who also has a gun. And
what does he do after the shot has been fired? He runs off.”
18
Focusing on these remarks only, Pearce contends the prosecutor misstated
the law by telling the jury “armed robbery = reckless indifference as a matter
of law.” 15
It should go without saying that it is improper for the prosecutor to
misstate the law in closing argument. (People v. Marshall (1996) 13 Cal.4th
799, 831.) In evaluating that claim, we review the prosecutor’s entire
argument as a whole. (People v. Dennis (1998) 17 Cal.4th 468, 522.) Here, in
portions of the argument Pearce does not mention, the prosecutor referred to
evidence that Pearce planned the robbery and murder, supplied the murder
weapon, was present at the scene, had an opportunity to stop Maxwell from
shooting, did not render aid after the shooting, and fled. Although these
remarks appear to have been directed towards explaining that Pearce was a
“major participant,” in Clark the Supreme Court explained that “reckless
indifference to human life” “significantly overlap[s]” with the major
participant element. (Clark, supra, 63 Cal.4th at pp. 614‒615.) The
prosecutor did not tell the jury that Pearce’s participation in an armed
robbery, all by itself, was enough to show reckless indifference. There was no
misstatement of law.16
In a related argument, Pearce also contends that a note sent by the
jury during deliberations shows the jury was confused about the reckless
15 Because Pearce’s trial lawyer did not object, the issue is forfeited on
appeal. (People v. Brown (2003) 31 Cal.4th 518, 553.) Nevertheless, because
appellate counsel alternatively argues the failure to object is ineffective
assistance, we address the merits in that context.
16 For the same reason, counsel was not constitutionally ineffective in
failing to object during closing argument. (People v. Thomas (1992) 2 Cal.4th
489, 531 [failure to make meritless objection does not constitute ineffective
assistance of counsel].)
19
indifference element in CALCRIM No. 540B. Some additional background
will place this in a fuller context.
Late on a Friday afternoon and after two days of deliberations, the jury
sent a note to the court asking, “Can we speak with the judge on Monday
morning to help interpreting [CALCRIM No.] 540(B) & clarifying verdict
forms?” At 9:07 a.m. on the following Monday, and after conferring with both
counsel the court replied, “Please give us more information as to both
questions.” Twelve minutes later, the jury asked, “On the verdict form, do we
all need to be unanimous on true/not true questions” and “[i]f we are not
unanimous, how do we mark true/not true questions?” The jury did not ask
any clarifying question about CALCRIM No. 540B. At 9:38 a.m., the court
replied, “You do have to be unanimous, if you cannot be unanimous, do not
mark either true or not true.” At 9:55 a.m., the jury reached a verdict.
Pearce interprets these exchanges as showing the jury was confused
about the felony murder instruction and reached a verdict with the confusion
unaddressed and unresolved. We disagree. The court invited the jury to ask
a question that would clarify exactly what part(s) of CALCRIM No. 540B was
of concern. It never did. We know the jury was capable of and comfortable
asking a follow up question—it did so with respect to the other question
about the verdict form. The only reasonable conclusion is that after further
deliberations that Monday morning, jurors determined no additional
instruction or clarification of CALCRIM No. 540B was necessary.
E. Whether Pearce is Entitled to One Additional Day of Custody Credit Must
Be Determined in the Trial Court.
The calculation of actual presentence custody credits is performed by
simply adding together “all days of custody” the defendant has served.
(People v. Arevalo (2018) 20 Cal.App.5th 821, 827.) Ordinarily, this is a
simple exercise in using a calculator. In this case, however, the problem is
20
not whether the court made the correct computation, but rather a dispute
about when to start counting custody days.
The “Criminal History” and the “Custody Data” sections of the
probation report state Pearce was arrested on December 30, 2017. And at
trial, the arresting officer testified he took Pearce into custody on December
30. But the “Background” in the “Offense” section of the probation report
states Pearce was arrested a day earlier, on December 29, 2017.
Unfortunately, this has become an appellate issue because no one called the
discrepancy to the court’s attention at sentencing.17
It is undisputed that Pearce was released from custody on January 4,
2018, arrested a second time on February 15, 2018, and remained in custody
up to and including sentencing on November 22, 2019. Based on the
December 30 date, the trial court calculated 652 days of presentence credit,
consisting of 6 days (December 30 to and including January 4), plus 646 days
(February 15, 2018 to and including November 22, 2019).
The Attorney General argues that the December 30 date is the correct
one because it is consistent with the arresting officer’s trial testimony, and
the December 29 date appears only in the factual summary portion of the
probation report, not the custody data section. The unstated assumption is
that a date in the custody section is more credible than a conflicting date
elsewhere in the same report. And while this analysis appears reasonable,
nothing in the record forecloses the possibility that Pearce was actually
17 Nevertheless, the issue is not forfeited. “ ‘A sentence that fails to
award legally mandated custody credit is unauthorized and may be corrected
whenever discovered.’ ” (People v. Cardenas (2015) 239 Cal.App.4th 220, 235
(Cardenas).)
21
arrested on December 29, and even someone sentenced to 25 years to life
should not be imprisoned one day longer than is required by law.
The key question is the source of information, if any, for the probation
officer’s conflicting statements about the date of arrest. Without that, we are
just speculating. And while we would ordinarily presume the probation
officer fully and fairly performed the duty to correctly chronicle the dates a
defendant was in custody (Cardenas, supra, 239 Cal.App.4th 220, 235), that
presumption fails where the probation report itself is internally inconsistent
on the critical start date.
Fortunately, there is an available process that will avoid any such
speculation. Section 1237.1 provides that if an error in calculating
presentencing custody credits is not discovered until after sentencing, the
defendant is required to first make a motion in the trial court to correct the
error:
“No appeal shall be taken by the defendant from a
judgment of conviction on the ground of an error in the
calculation of presentence custody credits, unless the
defendant first presents the claim in the trial court at the
time of sentencing, or if the error is not discovered until
after sentencing, the defendant first makes a motion for
correction of the record in the trial court, which may be
made informally in writing. The trial court retains
jurisdiction after a notice of appeal has been filed to correct
any error in the calculation of presentence custody credits
upon the defendant’s request for correction.” (Italics added.)
Notwithstanding the unequivocal language, “ ‘No appeal shall be
taken . . . unless the defendant first presents the claim in the trial court,’ ”
courts have interpreted this statute to not require a motion be filed in the
trial court as a precondition to litigating the amount of presentence credits
where other issues are raised on direct appeal. (People v. Acosta (1996) 48
Cal.App.4th 411, 420 (Acosta).) That makes a lot of sense where correcting
22
the error simply involves pressing the correct buttons on a calculator or
counting days on a calendar. But where determining the correct presentence
custody credit requires resolving a disputed factual issue—as here—clearly
the trial court is in a better position than a reviewing court to access the
records necessary to determine the appropriate award of credit.
Acosta “holds no more than that the Court of Appeal may address a
question of this sort if it is properly presented with others as well. It does not
even suggest that the Court of Appeal must do so . . . .” (People v. Mendez
(1999) 19 Cal.4th 1084, 1101.) Given the unresolved factual dispute, we are
unable to address Pearce’s custody credit claim on appeal. We suspect this
issue could be resolved by examining records of indisputable accuracy, and
we encourage the parties to do so. If the People agree that Pearce is entitled
to the extra day of credit, nothing in this opinion would preclude a stipulation
to that effect and an order amending the judgment pursuant to that
stipulation. But absent that, if he so chooses Pearce may file a motion under
section 1237.1 in the trial court to resolve whether he was first arrested and
confined on December 29 or December 30.18
18 In his supplemental brief, Pearce also contends he is entitled to 651
days of credit for the period of the second arrest starting on February 18,
2018 through and including November 22, 2018 (date of sentencing), whereas
the trial court calculated 646 for the same period. On this issue, there is no
dispute about the relevant dates, but only a counting exercise. We have done
the math and agree with the trial court and the Attorney General—it should
be 646 days, which the court awarded, not 651.
23
DISPOSITION
The judgment is affirmed without prejudice to Pearce’s filing a motion
in the trial court under section 1237.1 to determine whether he was first
arrested and confined on December 29, 2017, or instead on December 30,
2017. If the trial court determines that Pearce was first arrested and
confined on December 29, 2017, it shall amend the judgment to add one day
of presentence custody credit, and shall direct the clerk to prepare an
amended abstract of judgment reflecting the additional one day of custody
credit and forward a copy to the Department of Corrections and
Rehabilitation. In all other respects, the judgment is to remain unchanged.
DATO, Acting P. J.
WE CONCUR:
GUERRERO, J.
DO, J.
24