People v. Ramirez

Filed 5/25/22 SEE TWO SEPARATE CONCURRING OPINIONS
CERTIFIED FOR PUBLICATION
IN THE COURT OF APPEAL OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA
SIXTH APPELLATE DISTRICT
THE PEOPLE, H047847
(Monterey County
Plaintiff and Respondent, Super. Ct. Nos. 17CR001723 &
17CR006465)
v.
ANGEL ISAAC RAMIREZ,
Defendant and Appellant.
In superior court case No. 17CR001723, defendant Angel Isaac Ramirez was
convicted of first degree murder (Pen. Code, § 187, subd. (a)),1 and the jury found true
allegations that he committed the offense in association with a criminal street gang
(§ 186.22, subd. (b)(1)) and personally used a firearm (§ 12022.53). In superior court
case No. 17CR006465, defendant pleaded no contest to assault by means of force likely
to produce great bodily injury (§ 245, subd. (a)(4)) and admitted that he committed the
offense in association with a criminal street gang (§ 186.22, subd. (b)(1)).
On appeal, defendant argues that his trial counsel was prejudicially deficient in
failing to object to hearsay evidence that bolstered a witness’s credibility and in failing to
object and request a curative instruction when the prosecutor shifted the burden of proof
during closing argument. We find no reversible error on these points.
1
All further statutory references are to the Penal Code.
While this appeal was pending, the Legislature enacted Assembly Bill No. 333
(2021-2022 Reg. Sess.), effective January 1, 2022. Assembly Bill No. 333, in part,
amended section 186.22 to modify the showing necessary to sustain a gang enhancement.
It also added section 1109, which, upon a defendant’s request, requires the bifurcation of
the trial of gang enhancement allegations from the trial of the offenses.
Defendant argues that amended section 186.22 applies retroactively, and that
under the new requirements of that section, the gang enhancement findings in both cases
must be reversed. He also argues that section 1109’s bifurcation provision applies
retroactively, and because his proceedings were not bifurcated, he is entitled to a new
trial on the first degree murder charge. The Attorney General agrees that amended
section 186.22 applies to this case, and that reversal of the gang enhancements is
required. However, the Attorney General maintains that defendant forfeited his
bifurcation claim, that, in any case, section 1109 applies prospectively only, and that any
error was harmless.
We agree with the parties that the section 186.22 gang enhancements must be
vacated and may be retried. But as to the bifurcation claim, we determine that amended
section 1109 does not apply retroactively, and thus defendant’s murder conviction
remains valid. We reverse the judgment and remand for further proceedings concerning
the gang enhancements.
I. BACKGROUND
A. Jury Trial: Case No. 17CR001723
1. Prosecution’s Case
On January 10, 2015, Dexter Barnett was with his children. They had gone to get
haircuts and then walked to the corner store to get snacks. While in the store, Barnett and
defendant got into an argument. Barnett’s son remembered that it started when Barnett
said something like, “ ‘What are you looking at[?]’ ” Defendant did not initially respond,
“[h]e just kept smiling at [Barnett].” Barnett said, “ ‘Are you just going to keep
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smiling . . . .’ ” Defendant responded, “ ‘Look. I’m just here to buy a beer . . . I don’t
want any problems.’ ” Defendant paid and left the store. Barnett and his sons paid and
left too.
Barnett and defendant continued to argue outside the store. Defendant asked
Barnett where he was from. Barnett said he was from Seaside. Defendant responded,
“ ‘This is Salinas, not Seaside.’ ” Barnett’s cousins then broke up the altercation and
took Barnett and his children over to the barbershop. Barnett reported to the barbershop
owner that “the Mexicans over there are tripping and they are banging on me.” Barnett
remained at the barbershop while his children went home.
Hanna S. was near the market at an apartment when she saw defendant. He was
“intoxicated” and “cussing,” and he “threw either some cans of beer or a box or some
object at [Hanna’s] feet,” which “exploded,” spraying her feet with beer. Hanna told a
police investigator that “after that, he reached in his waistband. He pulled out a gun and
was waving it around.”
At 10:02 p.m., two hours after the first encounter between Barnett and defendant,
surveillance video showed defendant near the barbershop. Barnett was still at the
barbershop, standing outside near a vehicle. At 10:03 p.m., another surveillance video
showed Barnett walk toward the trunk of a car and then toward the street corner. A
person in dark clothing was standing there. The video then showed “movement” and
“muzzle flashes from a gun being fired,” causing Barnett to collapse dead on the
sidewalk.
Defendant worked at Taylor Farms, which was approximately three miles from the
location of the shooting. The drive time between the two locations was between 5 and 10
minutes. Interviewed a week after the murder, defendant stated that he went to work at
10:00 p.m. that day, and that he went in at the same time every day. However, a timecard
reflected that defendant arrived at work at 10:52 p.m. that night. Later, defendant said he
“got mixed up” because on some days he “went in at 10:00 [p.m.]” and on other days he
3
“went in at 11:00 [p.m.].” Defendant acknowledged that he had an argument with
Barnett on the day of Barnett’s killing, but said he decided to leave after noting Barnett’s
son was with him. Defendant maintained he never went back to the corner market. After
being confronted with the surveillance video of him shortly before the shooting,
defendant acknowledged that the video showed him near the corner market at 10:02 p.m.
He maintained, however, that he did not shoot Barnett.
The firearm used to kill Barnett was recovered about a year later in the possession
of two Norteño gang members. While in prison awaiting trial, defendant disclosed to
another gang member that he was in custody for killing a black man.2
Derek Gibson was a “gang intelligence detective” and testified as an expert in the
investigation of gang-related crimes within Monterey County, specifically the Norteño
criminal street gang. He testified that as of January 10, 2015, the Norteños were an
ongoing organization, association, or group of three or more, numbering over 3,000
individuals in Monterey County. He testified that Barnett was a Crips gang member with
a Crips gang tattoo. According to Gibson, asking someone where they are from was
common before a gang shooting. Based on a hypothetical that mirrored the facts of the
case, Gibson opined that the crime would have been committed for the purpose of
benefitting the Norteño criminal street gang.
2. Defense Case
Police spoke to the driver of the vehicle that Barnett was standing near when he
was shot. The driver stated he had an altercation with Barnett. After speaking with the
driver, however, police eliminated him as a suspect in the killing.
The owner of the barbershop testified that he had known Barnett since he was 12
or 13 years old. Barnett was a friend and the owner was familiar with his children.
Barnett came to the shop that day with his sons to get haircuts. Barnett arrived sober but
2
This evidence will be discussed in greater detail in connection with the
ineffective assistance claims.
4
later on seemed like he had consumed some alcohol. Barnett left at some point. When
he came back, he was “a little” upset and said, “they be tripping out here more.” At some
point while Barnett was at the barbershop, Barnett “squared off” with another man who
often hangs out there. It started when Barnett tried to give the man a hug, which Barnett
would often do when he was drinking. The other man “shoved him off of him.” The
owner reminded them that there was no fighting inside or outside the shop. The owner
did not really think they were going to fight because Barnett and the other man had a lot
of respect for one another. The owner stated: “It was kind of laughable. We was all
laughing, including me.”
When the owner closed the barbershop at around 10:00 p.m., Barnett stood outside
in the parking lot. “Something got [Barnett’s] attention,” meaning someone talked to him
or yelled at him. The owner allowed that he might have heard someone yell “DD,” which
was a nickname Barnett went by. The owner saw Barnett hit the ground and then he
“ducked back into the shop.”
B. No Contest Plea: Case No. 17CR006465
According to the probation report, on December 17, 2017, deputies heard loud
slamming, shuffling, and shouting in the jail’s D-Pod housing unit. The D-Pod housing
unit was used to house “sophisticated Norteno gang members with violent charges.”
Deputies observed John Doe being led shirtless down a flight of stairs by two other
inmates, one of whom was punching Doe. Doe appeared to have multiple lacerations on
his face and blood stains on his torso. The deputies called for backup and waited.
Inmates saw the deputies waiting for assistance and moved down the stairs, where they
continued to punch Doe in the head and face. After more deputies arrived, the deputies
entered D-Pod and saw defendant and other inmates assaulting Doe. Deputies used a
Taser on defendant and another inmate, and the assault ended.
Doe was interviewed and recalled that he was getting ready to use the restroom
when a number of inmates entered his room and began to strike him with their fists. He
5
did not recall who struck him. Doe’s medical records show he suffered from left
periorbital edema and a superficial linear abrasion, as well as multiple body contusions.
Defendant was interviewed after the assault and stated, “ ‘It is what it is.’ ” Video
surveillance showed that defendant and other inmates were the aggressors, and that
defendant repeatedly hit Doe with his fists on Doe’s back and torso. In a later interview,
defendant admitted the assault, saying “he was fed up with the victim, and while
incarcerated, inmates are grown men in cages.”
Defendant entered a plea of no contest to a single count of assault by means of
force likely to produce great bodily injury and admitted that he committed the act in
association with a criminal street gang. As part of the plea agreement, he agreed to a
stipulated sentence of four years, consecutive to any other sentence.
II. DISCUSSION
A. Failure to Object to Hearsay Testimony
Defendant argues that his trial counsel was prejudicially deficient when he failed
to object to testimony that official records indicated that the gang member who testified
against appellant was a high-ranking Norteño.
1. Background
George Campbell testified that he was a Norteño gang member, a member of the
Soledad Vatos Locos subset, and had attained the rank of “Norteño Soldado” in 2011. A
Norteño Soldado is a member of the Northern Structure, a subset of the Nuestra Familia.
He had been a member of the gang since he was 16 years old. He described the hierarchy
of the Norteño gang, the expectations and behaviors of its members, and how the gang
operates in the prison system. He recited the oath he took when he became a Norteño
Soldado. Campbell was currently in custody for attempted murder because he had shot a
“dropout” gang member.
Campbell described entering the Monterey County prison system and the
screening process he underwent. Upon being cleared, a senior Norteño asked to speak
6
with him. He was informed that he was being placed in charge of “D Pod,” because the
current leadership there “were not doing what they were supposed to do.” Campbell’s
appointment replaced defendant, who was demoted to being a “secretary” under
Campbell. Defendant was “insubordinate” and “disrespectful” to Campbell. Campbell
tried to work with defendant but eventually filed papers to have defendant stripped of his
leadership role. Defendant became embittered, causing Campbell to place a “freeze” on
him, meaning he always had “two security blankets” or “hit men” armed with knives who
followed defendant around.
At some point, Campbell was placed on a freeze, after the gang leadership was
informed that he had been associating with dropouts. Campbell denied the accusations.
He later learned that defendant was one of the people who made the accusation.
Campbell felt upset, betrayed, and heartbroken because he had dedicated his life to the
Norteño street gang. He blamed defendant in large part for his predicament. After some
time passed, Campbell decided to renounce his Norteño Soldado oath and indicated to
prison officials he was willing to provide information.
At trial, Campbell testified that he spoke with defendant, asking him, “[w]hat are
you here for?” Defendant responded, “I’m here for killing a [black man].”3 Campbell
gave defendant “a strong-arm gesture,” which was “like a high-five basically with the
Norteño struggle.” In another conversation, defendant expressed concern to Campbell
about someone “snitching on me.” Defendant again offered that he “killed a [black
man].”
Drew Bittner, a correctional officer and institutional gang investigator with
California’s Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR), testified about the
Nuestra Familia and Northern Structure. As part of his work, he identified “current
prison gang members, street gang[] members; criminal activity occurring inside the
3
Campbell testified that defendant used a racial slur.
7
institution as well as outside [in] the communities; investigate gang homicides, batteries;
document intel reports, vital information within discovered kites.” He testified that he
had reviewed Campbell’s official records with CDCR. He stated that the official records
indicated “Campbell was a validated Northern Structure associate.” He also stated that
Campbell’s position meant “[h]e’ll hold rank over any Norteño entering CDC’s custody.”
During closing arguments, defense counsel argued that “Campbell decided to take
advantage of his position and save himself from life in prison” by testifying. He
contended that Campbell was “a terrible witness in one sense and a great witness in
another.” Defense counsel explained that Campbell was “a good witness for the
prosecution because he tells a story about his involvement in gangs, although it has
nothing to do with [defendant].” Defense counsel argued that the jury should not believe
Campbell because he was biased: “Campbell . . . admitted that one of the reasons he’s
upset was because Mr. Ramirez, according to him, this person with such magnitude in the
gang, to be put on freeze. For him, a humiliation. The gang is and probably still is his
main object in life. It’s his identity. He is intricately involved with the gang.” Then
defendant became “insubordinate, didn’t follow rules, he and his friends weren’t listening
to him, and this caused him no amount of anguish. And then he ends up getting put on
freeze.” This, counsel concluded, showed that Campbell’s testimony was influenced by
bias and prejudice, and so should be discounted by the jury.
2. Discussion
“ ‘In assessing claims of ineffective assistance of trial counsel, we consider
whether counsel’s representation fell below an objective standard of reasonableness
under prevailing professional norms and whether the defendant suffered prejudice to a
reasonable probability, that is, a probability sufficient to undermine confidence in the
outcome.’ ” (People v. Gamache (2010) 48 Cal.4th 347, 391.) As to counsel’s
representation, “[a] reviewing court will indulge in a presumption that counsel’s
8
performance fell within the wide range of professional competence and that counsel’s
actions and inactions can be explained as a matter of sound trial strategy.” (Ibid.)
“Failure to object rarely constitutes constitutionally ineffective legal
representation . . . .” (People v. Boyette (2002) 29 Cal.4th 381, 424.) “[D]eciding
whether to object is inherently tactical, and the failure to object will rarely establish
ineffective assistance.” (People v. Hillhouse (2002) 27 Cal.4th 469, 502.) Thus, “[i]f the
record on appeal fails to show why counsel acted or failed to act in the instance asserted
to be ineffective, unless counsel was asked for an explanation and failed to provide one,
or unless there simply could be no satisfactory explanation, the claim must be rejected on
appeal.” (People v. Kraft (2000) 23 Cal.4th 978, 1068-1069.)
Here, the record does not reflect why defense counsel did not object to Bittner’s
testimony regarding Campbell’s gang status. However, it is apparent that counsel had
sound tactical reasons for not objecting to the testimony. In closing argument, defense
counsel explicitly argued that Campbell’s testimony should be rejected because Campbell
was biased and prejudiced against defendant. Defense counsel noted that Campbell had
been placed on a freeze, which for someone with his position and longtime affiliation
with the Norteños, must have “caused him no amount of anguish.” Put another way,
defense counsel’s bias argument explicitly relied on the fact that Campbell and defendant
had a shared gang status, and that Campbell’s status within the gang was one of authority.
Campbell’s gang status was a necessary component of defendant’s defense. Thus, on this
record, because the record reflects a sound tactical basis for allowing Bittner’s testimony
regarding Campbell’s gang status to be admitted, this ineffective assistance claim must be
rejected.
B. Failure to Object to Prosecution’s Closing Argument
Defendant argues that his trial counsel was prejudicially deficient in failing to
object to an argument made by the prosecution during closing argument.
9
1. Background
In closing argument, the prosecution addressed the surveillance video showing
defendant near the scene of Barnett’s murder just before it occurred: “[Defendant]
repeatedly says that that’s him in the video, but he repeatedly denies doing the shooting.
We expect that. People don’t want to admit that they killed somebody because they
know there’s consequences to that. [¶] But never does [defendant] tell you where he was
going at 10:00 when he was supposed to be at work. Never does he say what he was
doing at Chin Market and heading toward [the barbershop] when he was supposed to be
at work. And never says why he was there. He just says, yeah, that’s me, I didn’t do it.
He never says what he was doing, why he was there, where he was going. Anything that
you would logically expect from somebody. [¶] You would expect, I didn’t do it, I was
going to meet a friend. I didn’t do it, I was walking down town. I didn’t do it, I was
going to go to a restaurant. I didn’t do it, I was lost. Whatever. There is no explanation
whatsoever. ‘I didn’t do it’ is not sufficient. [¶] It’s just another piece of the puzzle.
Shows the inconsistencies, it shows the lies, it shows the consciousness of guilt. There’s
a jury instruction that says if you find that he lies -- I don’t want to misstate it, but there is
a jury instruction that goes to consciousness of guilt when a person lies, consider that. So
he lies about being at work.”
After closing arguments and out of the jury’s presence, defense counsel addressed
the trial court: “One thing judge. Well, two things. [¶] One’s a nice thing. One’s a not
so nice thing. [¶] The nice thing is I’m loath to interrupt argument as the Court’s aware.
The People at one point in time -- I just wanted it noted for the record and I’m not asking
for anything at this point in time, I just want to make sure that the record reflects I’m
aware of this. [¶] At one point in time during the closing, the People said the People can
call any number of witnesses, something to that effect, but how about the Defense, did
anybody say the defendant didn’t do it? [¶] I didn’t want to interrupt the argument. I
thought it would bring more attention to it. I want the strategy to be clear that it would
10
bring more attention to it. I think that statement shifts the burden of proof. I want the
record to reflect I did note it, and I’m not asking for anything at this point.” The court
responded, “Your objection is noted.”
2. Analysis
The parties both assert that defense counsel stated on the record his reasons for not
objecting to the statements now challenged on appeal. However, a close reading of
defense counsel’s explanation demonstrates that defense counsel was not referring to the
statements now challenged on appeal but was actually referring to another argument
made by the prosecution. During the closing argument rebuttal, the prosecution
addressed defense counsel’s suggestion that the prosecution had failed to call certain
witnesses who might have critical information. The prosecution explained that one of the
witnesses “never gave any information. Why would I call a person that has no
information? That was news to me.” The prosecution continued: “So the People should
call all logical witnesses? What about the Defense? Anybody say the defendant didn’t
do it?” Later, defense counsel, in identifying the statement he found objectionable,
stated: “At one point in time during the closing, the People said the People can call any
number of witnesses, something to that effect, but how about the Defense, did anybody
say the defendant didn’t do it?” Clearly, defense counsel’s stated reasons for not
objecting related to the prosecution’s statement that defendant had failed to call any
witness that said “defendant didn’t do it[.]” On appeal, defendant does not challenge this
statement by the prosecution. Accordingly, as to the challenged argument that defendant
failed to explain his presence near the crime scene, the record is silent as to the reasons
why defense counsel declined to object.
On the silent record that we have here, we will not assume defense counsel’s
failure to object to the prosecution’s argument rendered his assistance ineffective. As our
high court has “repeatedly stressed,” if “ ‘ “the record on appeal sheds no light on why
counsel acted or failed to act in the manner challenged[,] . . . unless counsel was asked
11
for an explanation and failed to provide one, or unless there simply could be no
satisfactory explanation,” the claim on appeal must be rejected.’ ” (People v. Mendoza
Tello (1997) 15 Cal.4th 264, 266, italics added.) “[T]actical choices presented . . . on a
silent record . . . are better evaluated by way of a petition for writ of habeas corpus, and
on direct appeal we reject them.” (People v. Mayfield (1993) 5 Cal.4th 142, 188.) This is
not a case where there could be no satisfactory answer. Indeed, defense counsel could
have reasonably concluded that an objection to the prosecution’s argument would draw
undue attention to it. (See, e.g., People v. Huggins (2006) 38 Cal.4th 175, 206 [finding
no ineffective assistance of counsel where counsel’s failure to object could be explained
as a tactical decision not to draw the jurors’ attention to comments by the prosecutor];
People v. Milner (1988) 45 Cal.3d 227, 245 [finding no ineffective assistance of counsel
where counsel failed to object to the prosecutor’s statements during argument because
counsel could reasonably have chosen to ignore the statements rather than draw attention
to them by objecting], disapproved on another ground in People v. Sanchez (2016) 63
Cal.4th 665, 686, fn. 13.) Accordingly, we must reject the ineffective assistance claim.
What is more, defendant has not demonstrated that counsel’s performance was
deficient, as the prosecution’s argument was permissible in the context of the closing
argument. A prosecutor is given wide latitude in arguing a case to the jury as long as it
amounts to fair comment on the evidence. (People v. Hill (1998) 17 Cal.4th 800, 819.) It
is not improper for a prosecutor to comment on “the state of the evidence or on the failure
of the defense to introduce material evidence or to call logical witnesses.” (People v.
Carter (2005) 36 Cal.4th 1215, 1266.)
Contrary to defendant’s assertion, the prosecution’s comments did not suggest to
the jury that the defense bore any burden of proof or that defendant had a duty to
establish any fact. Rather, the remarks consisted of nothing more than fair comment on
the state of the evidence. The prosecution’s argument suggested to the jury some
reasonable inferences that could be deduced from the surveillance video showing
12
defendant near the scene of Barnett’s murder and defendant’s initial explanation that he
was at work at the time. Defendant eventually acknowledged his presence at the scene
when faced with the evidence that he was there. The prosecution reasonably argued that
this evidence was an additional “piece of the puzzle” as it showed that defendant initially
lied about his whereabouts, but when confronted with the surveillance video offered no
further explanation for his presence at the crime scene. Because the argument was a
permissible comment on the state of the evidence, defense counsel was not deficient for
failing to object to it.
Finally, even assuming trial counsel’s performance was deficient, defendant’s
challenge nonetheless fails because he has not established any prejudice resulting from
that assumed error. “When attacking the prosecutor’s remarks to the jury, [a] defendant
must show that, ‘[i]n the context of the whole argument and the instructions’ [citation],
there was ‘a reasonable likelihood the jury understood or applied the complained-of
comments in an improper or erroneous manner. [Citations.] In conducting this inquiry,
we “do not lightly infer” that the jury drew the most damaging rather than the least
damaging meaning from the prosecutor’s statements. [Citation.]’ [Citation.]” (People v.
Centeno (2014) 60 Cal.4th 659, 667.)
Here, the trial court instructed the jury that defendant “is presumed to be innocent”
and that “[t]his presumption requires that the People prove a defendant guilty beyond a
reasonable doubt.” The court also told the jury that defendant had “an absolute
constitutional right not to testify,” and that he “may rely on the state of the evidence and
argue that the People have failed to prove the charges beyond a reasonable doubt. Do not
consider for any reason at all the fact the defendant did not testify. Do not discuss that
fact during your deliberations or let it influence your decision in any way.” The court
also told the jury to “[e]valuate the witness’s testimony according to the instructions I
have given you.” We presume jurors are intelligent and capable of understanding and
correlating all jury instructions given. (People v. Holt (1997) 15 Cal.4th 619, 662.)
13
Thus, we presume the jury followed the instructions notwithstanding the prosecution’s
arguments. (People v. Osband (1996) 13 Cal.4th 622, 717 [reviewing court presumes
“ ‘that jurors treat the court’s instructions as a statement of the law by a judge, and the
prosecutor’s comments as words spoken by an advocate in an attempt to persuade’ ”].)
Accordingly, even assuming deficient performance, defendant was not prejudiced by the
failure to object to the prosecution’s argument.
C. Cumulative Error
Defendant argues that the cumulative prejudicial effect of trial counsel’s errors
deprived him of a fair trial. “Under the cumulative error doctrine, the reviewing court
must ‘review each allegation and assess the cumulative effect of any errors to see if it is
reasonably probable the jury would have reached a result more favorable to defendant in
their absence.’ ” (People v. Williams (2009) 170 Cal.App.4th 587, 646.)
In this case, we have rejected defendant’s claims of ineffective assistance. In one
part of the analysis we assumed error but found it harmless. Insofar as there were no
other errors to cumulate with the assumed error, we must reject defendant’s cumulative
error argument.
D. Assembly Bill No. 333
Defendant argues that amended section 186.22 applies retroactively and that under
the amended statute there is insufficient evidence to support imposition of the gang
enhancements in both cases. Defendant also contends that the jury instructions for the
section 186.22 gang enhancement were deficient. The Attorney General agrees that
remand is required with regard to the gang enhancements. Defendant also contends that
newly enacted section 1109 applies retroactively and requires a retrial of the murder
count. The Attorney General disagrees.
1. Section 186.22
“Assembly Bill No. 333 . . . amended section 186.22 by modifying the definitions
of ‘pattern of criminal activity’ and ‘criminal street gang,’ and it clarified what is
14
required to show an offense ‘benefit[s], promote[s], further[s], or assist[s]’ a criminal
street gang.” (People v. Perez (May 2, 2022, B300396) __ Cal.App.5th __ [2022 WL
1302282 at p. 16] (Perez).)
“[P]ursuant to the new legislation, imposition of a gang enhancement requires
proof of the following additional requirements with respect to predicate offenses: (1) the
offenses must have ‘commonly benefited a criminal street gang’ where the ‘common
benefit . . . is more than reputational’; (2) the last predicate offense must have occurred
within three years of the date of the currently charged offense; (3) the predicate offenses
must be committed on separate occasions or by two or more gang members, as opposed
to persons; and (4) the charged offense cannot be used as a predicate offense. [Citation.]
With respect to common benefit, the new legislation explains: ‘[T]o benefit, promote,
further, or assist means to provide a common benefit to members of a gang where the
common benefit is more than reputational. Examples of a common benefit that are more
than reputational may include, but are not limited to, financial gain or motivation,
retaliation, targeting a perceived or actual gang rival, or intimidation or silencing of a
potential current or previous witness or informant.’ [Citation.]” (People v. Lopez (2021)
73 Cal.App.5th 327, 345 (Lopez).)
We agree with the parties regarding the retroactive application of amended section
186.22. The amendments to section 186.22 by Assembly Bill No. 333 increased the
threshold for conviction under the gang enhancement statute. “ ‘[A] defendant is entitled
to the benefit of an amendment to an enhancement statute, adding a new element to the
enhancement, where the statutory change becomes effective while the case was on
appeal, and the Legislature did not preclude its effect to [a] pending case.’ [Citation.]”
(Lopez, supra, 73 Cal.App.5th at p. 344.) Accordingly, defendant is entitled to
retroactive application of amended section 186.22. (Ibid. [finding amended section
186.22 to be retroactive]; Perez, supra, __ Cal.App.5th __, __ [2022 WL 1302282 at
pp. 16–17] [finding amended section 186.22 to be retroactive].)
15
The parties agree that the record lacks substantial evidence that the predicate
offenses “provide[d] a common benefit to members of a gang where the common benefit
is more than reputational,” as required by amended section 186.22. Indeed, the record is
very thin on the nature, purpose, or details of the five predicate offenses, which were
proved by admitting into evidence records of conviction for other claimed Norteño gang
members. Thus, the record is insufficient to support the heightened proof requirements
of amended section 186.22. Accordingly, we vacate the gang enhancements and remand
the matter to allow the prosecution the opportunity to retry the enhancement allegations.4
(People v. Sek (2022) 74 Cal.App.5th 657, 674.) Because we vacate the gang
enhancements, we do not address defendant’s argument that the jury instructions for the
gang enhancement were erroneous.
2. Section 1109
Defendant argues that section 1109 applies retroactively to his case, and under that
section, he was entitled to a bifurcated trial on the gang enhancement that was tried to a
jury. He argues that the error in not receiving a bifurcated trial on the gang enhancement
allegation warrants reversal of his murder conviction. The Attorney General contends
that defendant forfeited this contention by not requesting bifurcation below, that section
1109 operates prospectively only, and that even if bifurcation was required, any error was
harmless.
In addition to amending section 186.22, Assembly Bill No. 333 also enacted
section 1109. Section 1109, which took effect on January 1, 2022, requires trial courts to
bifurcate the trial on a gang enhancement if the defendant so requests. (§ 1109, subd. (a);
4
The Attorney General contends that on remand, with respect to the gang
enhancement that defendant admitted as part of his plea, the prosecution should be
permitted to withdraw from the plea agreement. On remand, the trial court may consider
this argument and determine, in the first instance, whether it is appropriate to allow the
prosecution to withdraw from the plea agreement.
16
Stats. 2021, ch. 699, § 5.) A bifurcated trial on a gang enhancement will occur only if the
defendant is first found guilty of the underlying offense. (§ 1109, subd. (a)(1) & (a)(2).)
Assembly Bill No. 333 did not expressly address whether any of its provisions
were intended to apply retroactively or only prospectively. “Generally, statutes are
presumed to apply only prospectively. [Citation.] However, this presumption is a
canon of statutory interpretation rather than a constitutional mandate. [Citation.]
Accordingly, ‘the Legislature can ordinarily enact laws that apply retroactively, either
explicitly or by implication.’ [Citation.] Courts look to the Legislature’s intent in
order to determine if a law is meant to apply retroactively. [Citation.] [¶] In
Estrada . . . , [the California Supreme Court] held that amendatory statutes that lessen
the punishment for criminal conduct are ordinarily intended to apply retroactively.”
(People v. Frahs (2020) 9 Cal.5th 618, 627, italics added.) “ ‘This intent seems
obvious, because to hold otherwise would be to conclude that the Legislature was
motivated by a desire for vengeance, a conclusion not permitted in view of modern
theories of penology.’ ” (Id. at p. 628.)
We conclude that the Estrada presumption does not apply to section 1109 because
section 1109 “is not an ameliorative statute within the meaning of the Estrada rule.”
(People v. Burgos (2022) 550 Cal.App.5th 569 (dis. opn. of Elia, J.).) We adopt the
analysis in Justice Elia’s dissent in Burgos. Notably, section 1109 “does not alter the
punishment for an offense, make a lesser punishment possible, or change the elements of
an offense or defense.” (Burgos, at p. 572 (dis. opn. of Elia, J.).) Rather, “[s]ection 1109
. . . is a prophylactic rule of criminal procedure expressly intended to employ new
procedures aimed at enhancing the fairness of future criminal proceedings. It makes no
change to any crime or defense and makes no change to any punishment provision, and it
does not create the possibility of lesser punishment or any other ‘ameliorative’ benefit
from which it could be inferred that failing to extend that benefit retroactively must have
been motivated by a ‘desire for vengeance.’ ” (Ibid.; accord Perez, supra, __
17
Cal.App.5th __, __ [2022 WL 1302282 at p. 17] [“[S]ection 1109 is a procedural statute
that ensures a jury will not be prejudiced by the introduction of evidence to support gang
enhancement allegations—it does not reduce the punishment imposed.”].) Thus, section
1109 operates prospectively only, and defendant is not entitled to retroactive application
of the bifurcation statute.5
III. DISPOSITION
The judgments are reversed, and the true finding and admission on the gang
allegations under section 186.22 are vacated. The matter is remanded with directions to
permit the prosecution the opportunity to elect whether to retry the gang allegation that
was tried to a jury. As to the gang allegation that was previously admitted by defendant
pursuant to a plea agreement, the prosecution may, on remand, request that the trial court
permit the prosecution to withdraw from the plea agreement.
5
Because we find section 1109 does not apply retroactively, we need not address
the Attorney General’s argument that defendant forfeited the claim. For this same
reason, we also need not address the argument that, assuming section 1109 applied
retroactively, the failure to receive a bifurcated trial on the gang enhancement was
harmless.
18
_________________________________
ELIA, ACTING P.J.
I CONCUR:
_______________________________
BAMATTRE-MANOUKIAN, J.
People v. Ramirez
H047847
BAMATTRE-MANOUKIAN, J., Concurring.
For the reasons stated in the majority opinion here and in the dissent in People v.
Burgos (2022) 77 Cal.App.5th 550, 569 (dis. opn. of Elia, J.) (Burgos), I concur that
newly enacted Penal Code section 11091 does not apply retroactively. I write separately
to briefly elaborate on why I conclude that section 1109 is not ameliorative.
In re Estrada (1965) 63 Cal.2d 740, 742 (Estrada), the California Supreme Court
held that a statutory amendment lessening punishment is presumptively retroactive and
applies to judgments not yet final when the amendment takes effect. “ ‘The Estrada rule
rests on an inference that, in the absence of contrary indications, a legislative body
ordinarily intends for ameliorative changes to the criminal law to extend as broadly as
possible, distinguishing only as necessary between sentences that are final and sentences
that are not.’ ” (People v. Superior Court (Lara) (2018) 4 Cal.5th 299, 308 (Lara).)
In the Estrada context, an ameliorative law is one that mitigates the legal effect, or
consequences, of criminal conduct. (See Tapia v. Superior Court (1991) 53 Cal.3d 282,
301 (Tapia).) For example, courts have found a law to be ameliorative when it eliminates
or reduces a defendant’s criminal liability by decriminalizing conduct (People v. Rossi
(1976) 18 Cal.3d 295, 298), adding new elements to an offense (People v. Lopez (2021)
73 Cal.App.5th 327, 344), or providing a new defense (People v. Wright (2006)
40 Cal.4th 81, 94-95). A law is also ameliorative when it lessens the punishment
(Estrada, supra, 63 Cal.2d at p. 745) or possible punishment (People v. Francis (1969)
71 Cal.2d 66, 76) for the conduct itself or reduces the possible punishment for a class of
persons who committed the conduct (Lara, supra, 4 Cal.5th at p. 308; People v. Frahs
(2020) 9 Cal.5th 618, 624 (Frahs)). In providing for the bifurcation at trial of gang
charges and enhancements, section 1109 does none of those things—it effects no
1
All further statutory references are to the Penal Code.
reduction to the legal consequences of a defendant’s criminal conduct either through a
change to the definition of a crime or a lessening of punishment.
In Lara and Frahs, the California Supreme Court determined that the legislation at
issue was ameliorative because it mitigated the possible punishment for a class of persons
who committed criminal conduct. (Lara, supra, 4 Cal.5th at p. 306 [observing regarding
legislation that prohibits prosecutors from charging juveniles directly in adult court that
“[w]hile a person convicted of serious crimes in adult court can be punished by a long
prison sentence, juveniles are generally treated quite differently, with rehabilitation as the
goal”]; Frahs, supra, 9 Cal.5th at p. 624 [holding that laws creating the possibility of
mental health diversion applied retroactively to a defendant who stole beverages from a
store and threw rocks at cars].) In contrast, section 1109 involves a procedural change
that may (or may not) alter when gang evidence is admitted at trial as gang evidence
relevant to the underlying charges would still be admissible.2 If the Estrada rule is to be
broadly extended to include any procedural change that may possibly benefit a criminal
defendant, I would respectfully seek that direction from the California Supreme Court.
For the reasons expressed in the majority opinion here and in the Burgos dissent,
and because section 1109 does not mitigate the legal consequences of criminal conduct,
I concur that section 1109 is not ameliorative and does not apply retroactively.
2
In Tapia, when deciding whether provisions enacted through Proposition 115
should be applied to prosecutions of crimes committed before the initiative’s effective
date, the California Supreme Court noted “the general rule that statutes addressing the
conduct of trials are prospective.” (Tapia, supra, 53 Cal.3d at pp. 290-291.)
2
BAMATTRE-MANOUKIAN, J.
People v. Ramirez
H047847
WILSON, J., Concurring.
I concur in the result. I write separately because, unlike the majority, I conclude
that Penal Code section 11091 is ameliorative within the meaning of the Estrada rule and
therefore retroactive as well. (In re Estrada (1965) 63 Cal.2d 740 (Estrada).) As applied
here, though, I believe the failure to bifurcate the trial was harmless; accordingly, I
concur with the majority’s disposition.
A. Section 1109 is an ameliorative statute
In my view, section 1109 provides defendants charged with gang enhancements
the ameliorative benefits of a bifurcated trial that reduces the risk of prejudice, thereby
increasing the possibility of acquittal and making a lesser punishment possible. It is
therefore intended to apply retroactively. (People v. Frahs (2020) 9 Cal.5th 618, 627
(Frahs); Estrada, supra, 63 Cal.2d at pp. 744-745.)
As the California Supreme Court has explained, “ ‘[t]he Estrada rule rests on an
inference that, in the absence of contrary indications, a legislative body ordinarily intends
for ameliorative changes to the criminal law to extend as broadly as possible,
distinguishing only as necessary between sentences that are final and sentences that are
not.’ ” (Frahs, supra, 9 Cal.5th at p. 628, quoting People v. Conley (2016) 63 Cal.4th
646, 657.)
In People v. Burgos, a different panel of this court recently held that section 1109
is an ameliorative statute because bifurcation increases the possibility of acquittal, “which
necessarily reduces possible punishment.” (People v. Burgos (2022) 77 Cal.App.5th 550,
567 (Burgos).) The majority cited legislative findings for Assembly Bill No. 333
(2021-2022 Reg. Sess.) showing that section 1109 was intended to reduce punishment:
“ ‘Bifurcation of trials where gang evidence is alleged can help reduce its harmful and
prejudicial impact.’ ” (Burgos, supra, at p. 566, quoting Assem. Bill No. 333, § 2,
1
Unspecified statutory references are to the Penal Code.
subd. (f).) The findings also noted that bifurcation is intended to mitigate the possibility
of wrongful convictions and pressure on defendants to accept unfavorable plea deals
“ ‘rather than risk a trial filled with prejudicial evidence and a substantially longer
sentence.’ ” (Burgos, supra, at p. 567.)
The majority in Burgos also relied on the California Supreme Court’s recent
decision in Frahs. (Burgos, supra, 77 Cal.App.5th at p. 566.) In that case, the court
considered the retroactive application of newly enacted sections 1001.35 and 1001.36,
which give trial courts the discretion to grant pretrial diversion for certain defendants
with mental health disorders. (Frahs, supra, 9 Cal.5th at pp. 624, 626.) The court held
that section 1001.36 “by design and function provides a possible ameliorating benefit for
a class of persons—namely, certain defendants with mental disorders—by offering an
opportunity for diversion and ultimately the dismissal of charges.” (Frahs, supra, at
p. 624.) In addition, “the procedures instituted by the enactment carry the potential of
substantial reductions in punishment for the [defendants].” (Id. at p. 631.)
Similarly, the majority in Burgos relied on People v. Superior Court (Lara), in
which the California Supreme Court determined that the Estrada rule applied to
Proposition 57, which prohibits prosecutors from directly filing charges against a minor
in adult criminal court and gives juvenile courts the sole discretion to determine whether
a minor can be prosecuted and sentenced as an adult. (People v. Superior Court (Lara)
(2018) 4 Cal.5th 299, 308.) The court held that, even though Proposition 57 did not
mitigate punishment for any particular crime, Estrada nevertheless applied because it
“reduces the possible punishment” for juveniles. (Id. at p. 303.) Specifically, “[t]he
possibility of being treated as a juvenile in juvenile court—where rehabilitation is the
goal—rather than being tried and sentenced as an adult can result in dramatically
different and more lenient treatment.” (Ibid.; see id. at pp. 306-307.) The court found
“the potential ameliorating benefit of remaining in the juvenile court system” to be
2
analogous to “the potential reduction in a criminal defendant’s sentence.” (Frahs, supra,
9 Cal.5th at p. 629.)
I agree with the majority in Burgos in the following respects. As in Frahs,
section 1109 “provides a possible ameliorating benefit for a class of persons”—here, by
offering the opportunity for a bifurcated trial free from prejudicial gang enhancement
evidence. (Frahs, supra, 9 Cal.5th at p. 624, italics added.) Additionally, the
“procedures instituted by the enactment carry the potential of substantial reductions in
punishment” (id. at p. 631, italics added) for the defendants—here, by mitigating the
possibility of wrongful convictions and the risk of “ ‘substantially longer sentence[s].’ ”
(Burgos, supra, 77 Cal.App.5th at p. 567; Assem. Bill No. 333, § 2, subd. (e).)
Similarly, as in Lara, I find “the potential ameliorating benefit” (Frahs, supra, 9
Cal.5th at p. 629) of bifurcated trials free from prejudicial gang enhancement evidence to
be “ ‘analogous to the potential reduction in a criminal defendant’s sentence.’ ” (Lara,
supra, 4 Cal.5th at p. 309.)
In another recent case, the Fifth Appellate District reached a similar conclusion
with respect to section 1109. (People v. Ramos (2022) __ Cal.App.5th __ [2022 Cal.App.
Lexis 355] (Ramos).) The court held that “by its plain language, Assembly Bill [No.] 333
is an ameliorative change to the criminal law intended to benefit a class of criminal
defendants by reducing the potential harmful and prejudicial impact of gang evidence
through bifurcation.” (Id. at p. __ [2022 Cal.App. Lexis 355 at p. *23].) Further, the
court held that “[t]he legislation is geared to address wrongful convictions and mitigate
punishment resulting from the admission of irrelevant gang evidence at trial; accordingly,
the logic of Estrada applies.” (Ibid.)
By contrast, the majority in this case holds that section 1109 is not an ameliorative
statute because it “does not alter the punishment for an offense, make a lesser punishment
possible, or change the elements of an offense.” (Maj. opn., ante, at p. 17.) As explained
above, I believe section 1109 does make a lesser punishment possible because it carries
3
“the potential of substantial reductions in punishment” (Frahs, supra, 9 Cal.5th at p. 624)
by mitigating the possibility of wrongful convictions and the risk of “substantially longer
sentence[s].” (Assem. Bill No. 333, § 2, subd. (e).)
The majority also views section 1109 as a “prophylactic rule of criminal
procedure . . . aimed at enhancing the fairness of future criminal proceedings.” (Maj.
opn., ante, at p. 17.) Similarly, the Burgos dissent, which the majority here expressly
adopts, stated that “there is a manifest distinction between the Legislature’s creation of
new criminal procedures designed to enhance fairness and its enactment of provisions
that reduce the possibility of punishment.” (Burgos, supra, 77 Cal.App.5th at p. 574 (dis.
opn. of Elia, J.).) While there may be a distinction between those two concepts, I do not
believe they are mutually exclusive. Moreover, I believe section 1109 is designed to
achieve both: to enhance fairness and reduce the possibility of punishment. Consistent
with that, the Legislature expressly found that section 1109 is intended to reduce the
harmful and prejudicial impact of gang evidence, thereby potentially reducing wrongful
convictions and minimizing the risk of longer sentences. (Assem. Bill No. 333, § 2,
subd. (f).)
In short, I believe section 1109 is ameliorative because it carries “the potential of
substantial reductions in punishment for the [defendants]” and provides the benefit of
bifurcated trials free from prejudicial gang enhancement evidence. (Frahs, supra, 9
Cal.5th at p. 631; Lara, supra, 4 Cal.5th at pp. 308-309.) As the California Supreme
Court has stated, “ ‘ “absent a saving clause, a criminal defendant is entitled to the benefit
of a change in the law during the pendency of his appeal.” ’ ” (People v. Wright (2006)
40 Cal.4th 81, 95 (Wright), quoting People v. Babylon (1985) 39 Cal.3d 719, 722.)
B. The failure to bifurcate was harmless
Although I believe section 1109 is ameliorative and applies retroactively, I would
not require retrial of the underlying first degree murder conviction because the failure to
bifurcate was harmless. (People v. Watson (1956) 46 Cal.2d 818, 836 [evaluating
4
nonstructural state law error under harmlessness standard]; Chapman v. California (1967)
386 U.S. 18, 24 [error must be harmless beyond a reasonable doubt].)2
In Burgos, a different panel of this court, after determining that section 1109 is
ameliorative and retroactive, considered the circumstances to constitute “ ‘structural
error’ ” that necessitated reversal because they “ ‘def[ied] analysis by harmless-error
standards.’ ” (Burgos, supra, 77 Cal.App.5th at p. 568, quoting Arizona v. Fulminante
(1991) 499 U.S. 279, 280.) The court stated that “[t]he case law does not clearly
establish whether or how harmless error analysis applies in this instance,” because “[i]t is
difficult to determine how the outcome of the trial would have been affected if it had
been bifurcated [where] the nature of the proceeding would have been entirely different.”
(Burgos, supra, at p. 568.) Nevertheless, the court concluded that, regardless of the
standard that applied, the defendants suffered prejudice. (Ibid.) In the court’s view,
given the nature of the evidence, it was likely the jury relied on evidence of the
defendants’ gang membership. (Ibid.)
By contrast, in Ramos, the Fifth District did not consider it to be structural error,
but instead held that it could not conclude it was reasonably probable the defendant
would have obtained a more favorable verdict in the absence of the gang evidence, had
the matter been bifurcated. (Ramos, supra, __ Cal.App.5th at p. __ [2022 Cal.App. Lexis
355 at p. *27].)
I would not find structural error here. Rather, because the admission of prejudicial
evidence typically constitutes trial error, a reviewing court can evaluate the extent of the
prejudice. (See, e.g., People v. E.H. (2022) 75 Cal.App.5th 467, 480 [applying Watson
harmless error analysis].)
2
I would not decide whether the state or federal law standard for harmless error
analysis applies here because, under either standard, reversal is not warranted. (See, e.g.,
Wright, supra, 40 Cal.4th at p. 98.)
5
Evaluating the evidence here, I conclude that the failure to bifurcate was harmless.
First, the evidence of Ramirez’s guilt on the underlying charges included what could be
considered a confession of murder to Campbell; a surveillance video showing Ramirez,
just before the shooting, approaching the area where the victim was murdered; Ramirez’s
subsequent admission that he was at the scene at the time of the murder; testimony by the
victim’s son regarding the initial incident between Ramirez and the victim; and testimony
by another witness who observed Ramirez that evening near the scene just before the
murder, in which she described him as intoxicated and cussing, and waving a gun in the
air. In such circumstances, “it is unlikely the defendant was harmed by the format of the
trial.” (People v. E.H., supra, 75 Cal.App.5th at p. 480, citing People v. Pinholster
(1992) 1 Cal.4th 865, 931, overruled on other grounds in People v. Williams (2010) 49
Cal.4th 405, 459 [failure to bifurcate was harmless because of overwhelming evidence of
defendant’s guilt on relevant charges].)
Second, section 1109 does not necessarily preclude gang-related evidence in a
bifurcated trial if the evidence relates to the underlying charges. (Ramos, supra, __
Cal.App.5th __ [2022 Cal.App. Lexis 355 at p. *27].) Here, as in Ramos, some of the
gang-related evidence was relevant to Ramirez’s actions prior to the murder, his motive
for pursuing the victim, and his confession to Campbell. (Ibid.; see also People v.
Hernandez (2004) 33 Cal.4th 1040, 1049-1050 [“To the extent the evidence supporting
the gang enhancement would be admissible at a trial of guilt, any inference of prejudice
would be dispelled, and bifurcation would not be necessary.”].)3
Otherwise, I concur with the majority’s disposition.
3
Because I would find that the failure to bifurcate was harmless, I would not reach
the People’s argument that Ramirez forfeited his bifurcation claim.
6
_______________________________
WILSON, J.
People v. Ramirez
H047847
Trial Court: Monterey County Superior Court
Trial Judge: Honorable Pamela L. Butler
Attorney for Defendant and Appellant: Candace Hale
By Appointment of the Court of
Appeal, Under the Sixth District
Appellate Program
Attorney for Plaintiff and Respondent: Rob Bonta
Attorney General of California
Lance E. Winters
Chief Assistant Attorney General
Michael P. Farrell
Senior Assistant Attorney General
Eric L. Christoffersen
Supervising Deputy Attorney General
Ivan P. Marrs
Deputy Attorney General
People v. Ramirez
H047847