People v. Green CA4/3

Filed 5/27/16 P. v. Green CA4/3
NOT TO BE PUBLISHED IN OFFICIAL REPORTS
California Rules of Court, rule 8.1115(a), prohibits courts and parties from citing or relying on opinions not certified for
publication or ordered published, except as specified by rule 8.1115(b). This opinion has not been certified for publication
or ordered published for purposes of rule 8.1115.
IN THE COURT OF APPEAL OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA
FOURTH APPELLATE DISTRICT
DIVISION THREE
THE PEOPLE,
Plaintiff and Respondent, G052131
v. (Super. Ct. No. FWV1301852)
TRAJAN PAUL GREEN, OPINION
Defendant and Appellant.
Appeal from a judgment of the Superior Court of San Bernardino County,
Stephan G. Saleson, Judge. Affirmed in part, reversed in part, and remanded for
resentencing.
Alan S. Yockelson, under appointment by the Court of Appeal, for
Defendant and Appellant.
Kamala D. Harris, Attorney General, Gerald A. Engler, Chief Assistant
Attorney General, Julie L. Garland, Assistant Attorney General, Charles C. Ragland,
Scott Taylor and Paige B. Hazard, Deputy Attorneys General, for Plaintiff and
Respondent.
* * *
INTRODUCTION
Defendant Trajan Paul Green appeals from the judgment entered after a
jury found him guilty of attempted robbery, robbery, and assault. He contends the trial
court erred by denying his requests to represent himself pursuant to Faretta v. California
(1975) 422 U.S. 806 (Faretta), and by allowing the prosecutor to elicit facts surrounding
Green’s prior felony conviction for grand theft during her cross-examination of Green.
He also contends the trial court erred by finding his prior robbery conviction in Arkansas
constituted a strike under the “Three Strikes” law (Pen. Code, §§ 667, subds. (b)-(i),
1170.12), and by denying his motion to strike his prior strike conviction under People v.
Superior Court (Romero) (1996) 13 Cal. 4th 497 (Romero).
We affirm Green’s convictions for attempted robbery, robbery, and assault.
The trial court did not abuse its discretion by denying Green’s untimely Faretta requests;
the record supports the court’s findings that the requests were intended to unjustifiably
delay court proceedings and otherwise obstruct the orderly administration of justice. The
trial court did not abuse its discretion by allowing the prosecutor to elicit facts regarding
Green’s prior grand theft conviction after he minimized those circumstances during his
direct examination.
We reverse the trial court’s finding that Green’s 1995 conviction in
Arkansas for robbery constituted a strike under the Three Strikes law because, as
acknowledged by the Attorney General, it is supported by insufficient evidence. We
remand the matter to the trial court for further proceedings. (See People v. Barragan
(2004) 32 Cal. 4th 236, 239.)
2
FACTS
1
John Doe and his wife owned Kimmy’s Nails in Rancho Cucamonga. On
May 29, 2013, at 7:52 p.m., John Doe sat on the sofa in the store, waiting for his wife to
finish a customer’s nails, so they could close the store and go home. A skinny, tall
African-American man, wearing black clothing, a mask, and gloves that had holes in the
fingertips, walked into the store. He pointed a gun at John Doe, and said, “[d]on’t panic,
just give me the money.” He was holding a black bag with drawstrings.
The man then walked over to John Doe’s wife, pointed the gun at her, and
repeated, “[d]on’t panic; give [me] the money.” She told him, “[o]kay, okay, okay, I give
you money.” She opened a drawer and gave him about $300. After he directed her to put
the money in the bag he was holding, the man turned around and ran out the front door.
John Doe ran out of the store and watched the man run “really fast” toward Sixth Street.
When he lost sight of the man, John Doe ran back into the store and called the police.
Robert Coffman was stopped at a red light near Kimmy’s Nails when he
saw a person, who was wearing a black hoodie and black pants, “bolting” out of
2
Kimmy’s Nails. He also saw a man come out of the front door of the business, who
appeared to Coffman to be “scared to death,” looking in the direction of the person
running away. Coffman turned into a parking lot and started to follow that person.
Coffman briefly lost sight of the person until Coffman got to Sixth Street where he saw a
person, who fit “the same description” as the person he had seen moments before,
running diagonally across Sixth Street, toward an industrial complex, and into a
driveway. Coffman drove down that driveway and looked to his left, where he saw a
person, who was wearing the same clothing as the person whom he had been following,
1
None of the three victims used his or her real name at trial. We therefore refer to the
victims as John Doe, John Doe’s wife, and a customer.
2
Coffman testified that the weather was “[p]retty warm” at the time.
3
standing next to the driver’s side of a parked white vehicle that had been backed into a
parking stall. Coffman parked in front of the vehicle, thereby blocking it.
3
Coffman saw the person, who had something leathery covering his face
and was wearing a hoodie, open the car door and get into the white vehicle. While sitting
in the car, the person looked at Coffman, threw his head down, and then raised his head
back up; he was no longer wearing the hoodie or the mask. He and Coffman sat there
and looked at each other for 30 seconds. Coffman identified the man sitting in the white
4
vehicle as Green.
Coffman and Green drove their respective vehicles out of the driveway.
Coffman noticed the white vehicle had paper plates that said “Fiesta Motors” on them.
Coffman drove back to Kimmy’s Nails to find out what had happened and learned there
had been a robbery.
Deputy Mike Mason of the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department
responded to the robbery report. He interviewed witnesses and reviewed video
5
surveillance. He spoke with Yousef Bagherdai, the owner of the Fiesta Motors used car
dealership in Ontario, and learned that in May 2012, Bagherdai loaned the white vehicle
driven by Green that night to Green’s father, Nathan Green, who had provided tax
services to his business. Bagherdai gave Nathan Green the white car, transferring it to his
name, in February 2013. During the time the white car was on loan to Nathan Green,
Bagherdai received a red light ticket in the mail with a photograph showing Green
driving the car. That photograph, which was taken in June 2012, showed the vehicle had
license plates on it.
3
Coffman reported to a police officer that the face covering was not a mask but a
bandana-type covering that had a leathery texture.
4
During the robbery investigation, Coffman identified Green in a six-pack
photographic lineup as the man he had seen in the white vehicle.
5
Mason was unable to preserve the video surveillance.
4
Mason obtained the license plate number for the vehicle from Bagherdai
and obtained Nathan Green’s address. Mason went to that address after he was notified
by other officers that Green had arrived there, driving the vehicle. Mason spoke with
Nathan Green and searched the common areas of his home; Mason found two
knapsack-style bags in the garage. Mason searched the vehicle, which had Fiesta Motors
paper plates on its front and back, and found on the front passenger seat a pair of black
gloves with the fingers torn.
Green admitted to Mason that he had been driving the car for a few months.
He admitted being in the area of Kimmy’s Nails the previous evening, and specifically
stated he had parked the car in the parking stall where Coffman saw him. Green
explained he was in the area, but he said he never got out of the car.
Mason went to the motel room where Green was staying and found a black
bandana-style item, a black sweatshirt, and a red light camera photograph.
Green’s Testimony
Green testified that in May 2013, he was self-employed and also worked
with his father’s accounting business. The evening of the robbery, Green was trying to
find a business related to his recycling business. He was in the vicinity of Kimmy’s Nails
because he was attempting to reestablish a business relationship with a business in the
area. He parked the car in the parking lot where Coffman would eventually see him, but
never got out of the car. Green testified that that evening he had seen “a suspect,”
wearing dark-colored clothing, including a hoodie, and a ski mask, run through the
parking lot. He eventually drove to the business, with which he hoped to reestablish ties,
found it was closed, and drove to his parents’ home.
Green testified that neither the gloves found in the car nor the black
sweatshirt found in his motel room was his, but had been “planted.” The “real” license
plates for the car were in its trunk.
5
Green admitted to committing a robbery in 1995 and grand theft in 2005
“concerning [his] business.”
PROCEDURAL HISTORY
I.
GREEN IS CHARGED WITH ROBBERY AND ATTEMPTED ROBBERY;
6
THE FIRST AND SECOND MARSDEN HEARINGS.
In June 2013, Green was charged in an information with one count of
second degree robbery and two counts of attempted second degree robbery. The
7
following month, Green requested the first of six Marsden hearings that he would
request within a 10-month period in the trial court. He informed the court that he felt his
court-appointed attorney was “trying to force [him]” to take a plea deal and threatening
that the prosecutor was going to file a firearm enhancement allegation. He further stated
the lead detective was manipulating witnesses, and manufacturing and planting evidence.
Green said he was “extremely concerned” that his attorney did not look at his notes at the
preliminary hearing, particularly regarding inconsistencies he had found in the police
report, and felt she was not “in tune” with the “racial implications” in the case.
The court listened to Green’s attorney’s statements, including that she had
only advised Green of his potential exposure in the case, did not coerce him to plead
guilty, and had thoroughly reviewed the police report with him. The trial court found
Green’s attorney had and would continue to properly represent Green and there had not
been a breakdown in the attorney-client relationship.
6
People v. Marsden (1970) 2 Cal. 3d 118 (Marsden).
7
Green does not argue on appeal that the trial court erred by denying any of his
Marsden requests to replace appointed counsel. We review Green’s Marsden requests
and respective hearings to the extent they are relevant to the issues presented in this
appeal.
6
Later that same month, Green requested a second Marsden hearing. The
court granted Green’s request that appointed counsel be replaced and appointed conflict
8
panel attorney Gary Ablard to represent Green.
II.
JURY SELECTION; THE THIRD AMENDED INFORMATION;
GREEN’S FIRST FARETTA REQUEST.
On August 8, 2013, jury selection began. That morning, Green stated to the
court: “I am having some communication issues with my attorney, Mr. Ablard. I request
time, obviously, to discuss particular matters or concerns that I have with him as being
my attorney and he gives me the impression—I could be very, very, very, very wrong—
but I always get the impression he doesn’t have the time and he doesn’t want to have
discussions with me.”
The trial court responded: “But this isn’t ringing true to me, so that’s why I
am interrupting. Yesterday when you were here you wanted 10 or 15 minutes to speak
with him. I saw it was more like a half hour instead of 10 or 15 minutes at the conclusion
of our hearing yesterday. Mr. Ablard already put on the record yesterday all the time that
he and his investigator Glenn had been spending with you, sir, so there doesn’t seem to
be a problem in the Court’s eyes. Not that you are being inappropriate, you are not. I
just don’t see a problem and it is time for trial to continue and so we are going to start
picking a jury in a few minutes.”
Green then asked, “[i]f I have issues that I need to discuss with regard to
my case and Mr. Ablard is my attorney, how do I go about—.” The court responded,
“[y]ou work it out with Mr. Ablard.” Ablard informed the court that he had received
from Green a counteroffer to a pending plea bargain offer. Ablard explained to the court
8
The transcript of that hearing was not made available to the prosecution and is not
included in our record.
7
that he recommended that Green accept the prosecution’s offer of six years, given that
Green’s exposure was more than 20 years. Green claimed that he had been offered a plea
deal that involved less than six years, which had not been communicated to him by his
previous attorney. Green communicated his counteroffer which was rejected by the
prosecutor. Green requested to be cocounsel. The trial court told Green that he could
assist Ablard as a defendant but not as cocounsel.
On August 12, 2013, Green was charged in a third amended information
with one count of attempted second degree robbery, in violation of Penal Code
sections 664 and 211 (count 1); one count of second degree robbery, in violation of
section 211 (count 2); and one count of assault with a firearm, in violation of Penal Code
section 245, subdivision (a)(2) (count 3). The third amended information alleged as to
counts 1 and 2, that Green personally used a firearm within the meaning of Penal Code
section 12022.53, subdivision (b), and as to count 3, that he personally used a firearm
within the meaning of Penal Code section 12022.5, subdivisions (a) and (d). The third
amended information also alleged Green had a prior strike in the form of a 1995 robbery
conviction in Arkansas.
On August 12, the jury was selected and, the next day, Green asked the
court to be allowed to represent himself, claiming Ablard was unprepared for trial. The
trial court and Green engaged in the following colloquy:
“The Court: All right. And, just for the record, why would you like to do
that now after we selected the jury and testimony is about to begin in a case that is going
to take about two days?
“[Green]: It has nothing to do with the jury, Your Honor. The time that
was invested between me and Mr. Ablard, my attorney, I feel was highly insufficient for
him to be able to properly represent me.
“The Court: I see. But you are ready to represent yourself?
8
“[Green]: Yes, sir. I believe I am more adequately prepared to represent
myself, knowing the police report in totality more than Mr. Ablard. It has nothing to
do—there is no prejudice against Mr. Ablard whatsoever. Just a matter of preparation
and lack thereof.
“The Court: I am going to respectfully deny the request. I don’t feel it’s
timely. I don’t feel that it’s warranted under any circumstance. I think, rather, it possibly
might be more manipulative. I noticed there has been a Marsden hearing already in this
case not long ago where Judge Reichert replaced the Public Defender.
“[Green]: Yes, sir.
“The Court: There was a request by you, sir, to be a co-counsel which also
was respectfully denied, and at this point in time, I don’t find that the request is
appropriate under the circumstances in the middle of trial. And perhaps I don’t feel it’s
so genuine because Mr. Ablard is very prepared. He’s always been prepared. He has an
investigator that’s been here. I saw them. They were with you this morning. I have no
doubt, nor do I have anything contrary to tell me, that Mr. Ablard somehow needs more
time to get on top of this any more than he is right now. So I think that he’s ably
representing you. He will continue to ably represent you. As I say, your request is
respectfully denied.” (Italics added.)
III.
THE JURY FINDS GREEN GUILTY OF COUNTS 1 AND 2 AND ASSAULT, AND FINDS THE
FIREARM ENHANCEMENT ALLEGATIONS NOT TRUE; THE THIRD MARSDEN HEARING.
On August 16, 2013, the jury found Green guilty of counts 1 and 2. The
jury found him not guilty of assault with a firearm as charged in count 3, but found him
guilty of the lesser included offense of simple assault. The jury found all the firearm
enhancement allegations to be not true.
9
Three days later, before trial on the prior strike conviction allegation began,
Green requested that Ablard be replaced. A third Marsden hearing was held. Green
stated that Ablard did not tell him that he could get a haircut before trial, causing the
prosecutor to make “very degrading and racial remarks about [his] appearance directly to
the jury” and to suggest Green was trying to alter his appearance as a disguise. The court
explained to Green that the prosecutor’s comments were not racial. Green reiterated that
Ablard was not prepared for trial.
The court denied Green’s request that Ablard be replaced. The court
pointed out that the firearm enhancement allegations that carried a mandatory 10-year per
count prison term were found not true because Ablard convinced the jury there was
insufficient proof of a real gun. The court further stated that Ablard did a fine job and the
court watched Green assist him. The court noted Green was able to testify on his own
behalf and say whatever he wanted to say.
Green asked the trial court what his options were in having Ablard removed
as counsel. The court stated, “I am not removing him from your representation. I am not
going to have you represent yourself at this point because I think it’s untimely, and I
think it’s manipulative. I don’t agree with your reasoning as to why you want to replace
Mr. Ablard, so I can’t see representing yourself is anything other than a disingenuous
way to move forward. I’m sorry about that, but that’s the way it is. It’s untimely.”
Green asked about hiring an attorney and the court said that was always a
possible option and Green had time to do so before the sentencing hearing. The court
concluded, “[b]ut right now I am going to find there’s no deterioration, there’s no
breakdown in the relationship, other than Mr. Green’s notions that he has; that the Court
doesn’t find persuasive as to why Mr. Ablard should be replaced. I understand what you
are saying. I just don’t agree with it, respectfully.”
10
IV.
THE TRIAL COURT FINDS THE PRIOR STRIKE CONVICTION ALLEGATION TRUE; ABLARD
REQUESTS TO BE RELIEVED AS GREEN’S COUNSEL IN LIGHT OF THE MOTION FOR A NEW
TRIAL GREEN WISHED TO FILE; THE TRIAL COURT APPOINTS GEOFF NEWMAN.
The trial court found the prior strike conviction allegation true.
In October 2013, Ablard requested that the trial court relieve him from
representing Green because he wanted a new trial motion filed and a conflict had
developed between them, relating to that motion. The court appointed conflict panel
attorney Geoff Newman to serve as Green’s counsel.
In November 2013, Green stated to the trial court: “I’ve told Mr. Newman
that I have proof that I was set up, and I need that to be addressed prior to any kind of
mistrial and into January.” He stated he had told Newman of evidence that had been
planted and asked Newman to contact an agency called the “Inland Regional Corruption
Task Force.” The court told Green he had an excellent lawyer and “[w]hatever you are
doing, that’s up to you.”
V.
NEWMAN FILES GREEN’S NEW TRIAL MOTION; THE FOURTH MARSDEN HEARING;
GREEN MAKES FURTHER FARETTA REQUESTS TO REPRESENT HIMSELF.
In January 2014, Newman, on behalf of Green, filed a new trial motion,
raising arguments involving ineffective assistance of counsel, wrongful denial of his
Faretta request, and a verdict that was contrary to the evidence. At a hearing, Green
stated he was “not happy with the motion.” Newman explained he refused to do the civil
work that Green had requested. Green requested another Marsden hearing.
Three days later, the court conducted Green’s fourth Marsden hearing. The
court asked Green why he wished to replace Newman as counsel. Green replied, “[f]or
lying,” explaining that in November, Newman said he was not Green’s attorney. He
11
complained that Newman was not communicating with him. The court explained that
Newman was appointed specifically for the purpose of considering bringing a motion for
a new trial on Green’s behalf. Newman informed the court that Green had asked him to
send letters to a number of agencies, reporting alleged corruption, and talked about suing
the county for civil rights violations, all of which are outside the scope of his
representation. The court explained that just because Newman would not do something
that Green wanted him to do does not mean they are miscommunicating. The court found
no breakdown in their relationship and nothing showed Newman was unable to represent
Green “in the excellent way that he represents all people who [the court] ha[s] seen him
represent which have been numerous.”
At the end of the hearing, Green asked, “[c]an I represent myself?” The
court responded: “No. We are not going to deal with that. I find it to be manipulative,
highly manipulative.” The court further stated, “[s]imply a transparent attempt right now
because you are not getting your way, you are not getting people to do what you want,
that, okay, well, in that case then let me just represent myself.”
In February, Newman informed the trial court that Green wished to
represent himself. The court informed Green that a response had been filed to his motion
for a new trial and the court had asked counsel to file a brief regarding striking his prior
strike conviction for purposes of sentencing. The court explained it wanted to be
reminded of the circumstances of the Arkansas case. Green stated that he had wanted to
represent himself since the first day of trial and he had proof of “outrageous misconduct”
by the police and “vindictive prosecution.”
The court responded: “I am going to deny your request to represent
yourself for the following reasons: First, I think it’s untimely. We are past the point
where we should have been for sentencing already. There’s been a motion for new trial
already filed on your behalf by Mr. Newman. We’ve had now four Marsden motions in
the last seven to eight months filed by you. I believe that I have listened to you, and
12
either you and/or Mr. Newman have indicated some of the bases for your concerns, and I
have listened to them, and I understand they relate to but aren’t limited to outrageous
police conduct, outrageous conduct by the District Attorney, the planting of evidence . . .
[¶] . . . [¶] . . . denial of due process. I think you even said I was prejudice[d] at one point
or something. . . . It’s the Court’s belief that your request to now represent yourself at
this late hour is for dilatory reasons. It’s manipulative. I don’t think it’s sincere and
genuine. And I am not going to grant the request at this time. You are ably represented
by Mr. Newman who is ready to present the motion for new trial at least. I told you this
morning he’s also going to be working on a Romero motion which is to your benefit, and
we were going to continue the matter for a period of time so that all of these things could
be appropriately considered and so that you can be afforded every inch of due process
that you are entitled to and that you have already been awarded. So I am respectfully
denying the request to represent yourself at this time, sir.” (Italics added.)
Green asked for another Marsden hearing because he was not prepared at
the last Marsden hearing. Newman said he was ready to proceed on the legal issues in
the case and move forward.
VI.
THE FIFTH MARSDEN HEARING AND FURTHER FARETTA REQUEST.
Green’s fifth Marsden hearing was held four days later. Green informed
the trial judge that he had written three letters to the presiding judge, “that detail blatant
gross mishandling of my case as you being the overseer of my case.” He also stated,
“[i]n addition, I am also going to be contacting the California State Bar to have a
supervisor in the complaint department contacted to find out how, while I am
incarcerated, to file a formal complaint against [his first appointed counsel], Mr. Gary
Ablard, and also Mr. Geoff Newman as well.” The court stated it appreciated Green’s
13
statements but redirected Green to the issues related to the Marsden hearing and asked
him if there was anything new.
Green cited Newman’s alleged lack of communication in representing him,
Mason’s alleged corruption of which Green claimed to have “physical proof,” and the
prosecutor’s filing of “false charges.” He also claimed he had written Newman six letters
and had left phone messages all of which were unanswered.
Newman acknowledged receiving at least six letters from Green, all asking
the same things. He also said he had multiple discussions with Green in court, explaining
why he did not want to do something a certain way, but Green continued to write letters
raising the same issues.
Green asked, “why do you not give me my right to go pro per?” The trial
court denied Green’s request to replace counsel and to represent himself, stating,
“listening to you speak and your reasoning, it is clear that you just wish to delay the
proceedings, you wish to pursue things that are totally outside the scope of the trial, the
sentencing, i.e., for example, that law enforcement has set you up.” The court further
stated, “if I were to just let you have your way, that’s what we would be doing. We
would never get [to] sentencing.”
VII.
THE SIXTH MARSDEN HEARING; GREEN MAKES ANOTHER FARETTA REQUEST;
THE TRIAL COURT SUSPENDS CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS AFTER GREEN SUBMITS AN
AFFIDAVIT OF PREJUDICE AGAINST THE TRIAL JUDGE.
After Newman filed a Romero motion on Green’s behalf, Newman
informed the court, “we do want a Marsden motion now” (italics added). At Green’s
sixth Marsden hearing, Green accused Newman of a “gross lack of communication” and
“gross ineffective assistance of counsel.” Green accused the trial court of being racist.
Newman reiterated his conversations with Green and how those conversations ended
14
when they turned from discussions about the case to personal insults about Newman.
Newman stated the issue was not a lack of communication, but his telling Green things he
did not want to hear. Newman stated he was representing Green, and doing everything
he could for him, “to the best of [his] abilities, despite Mr. Green himself.”
The trial court denied Green’s request to replace Newman, explaining that
Newman knew what Green cared about (Green agreed to that point), he is an excellent
criminal defense lawyer, and he would not do something that would hurt Green’s case.
The court stated that at the then-current stage of the proceedings with a pending Romero
motion and motion for a new trial, it “would be in dereliction of my duty if I were to
replace Mr. Newman at this point based on your comments which [are] essentially
coming down to he’s not doing what [Green] ask[s] him.”
Green responded, “I want me.” The court stated that in addition to the
request being untimely, inappropriate, and disingenuous, there was no reason at that point
in the proceedings to allow Green to represent himself. The court stated, “it’s simply an
expression of I am not getting my way, people aren’t doing what I want, and, therefore, I
want to represent myself. And, therefore, at this stage of the proceedings, there is really
nothing more you could do. However, I understand that you think there’s evidence out
there that might exonerate you.” The court set a hearing to address whether any such
evidence existed.
Green handed the bailiff an affidavit of prejudice against the trial judge.
The court accepted the affidavit and suspended the criminal proceedings.
VIII.
CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS ARE REINSTATED; THE NEW TRIAL AND ROMERO MOTIONS ARE
DENIED; GREEN IS SENTENCED TO SIX YEARS IN PRISON; GREEN APPEALS.
After a different judge denied the motion to disqualify the trial judge, on
May 9, 2014, criminal proceedings were reinstated. The trial court denied the new trial
15
motion and the Romero motion and sentenced Green to a total of six years in prison.
9
Green appealed.
DISCUSSION
I.
THE TRIAL COURT DID NOT ERR BY DENYING GREEN’S UNTIMELY
AND EQUIVOCAL FARETTA REQUESTS; EVEN IF THE TRIAL COURT ERRED,
ANY SUCH ERROR WAS HARMLESS.
Green argues the trial court erred by denying his Faretta requests. In a
footnote in the opening brief, Green states that although his argument “focuses largely
upon his initial Faretta motion, [he] maintains that the trial court erred in denying each
such subsequent motion as well.”
“A criminal defendant has a constitutional right to counsel at all critical
stages of a criminal prosecution, including sentencing. [Citations.] The right to counsel
may be waived by a criminal defendant who elects to represent himself at trial.
[Citation.] The right of self-representation is absolute, but only if a request to do so is
knowingly and voluntarily made and if asserted a reasonable time before trial begins.
Otherwise, requests for self-representation are addressed to the trial court’s sound
discretion. [Citation.] Moreover, whether timely or untimely, a request for
self-representation must be unequivocal. [Citation.]” (People v. Doolin (2009) 45
Cal. 4th 390, 453.)
“On appeal, a reviewing court independently examines the entire record to
determine whether the defendant knowingly and intelligently invoked his right to
self-representation.” (People v. Doolin, supra, 45 Cal.4th at p. 453.) “The trial court’s
discretion to deny a motion made at the commencement of trial or later exists to ‘prevent
9
Our order summarily denying Green’s petition for a writ of habeas corpus, case
No. G052923, is filed this same date.
16
the defendant from misusing the motion to unjustifiably delay trial or obstruct the orderly
administration of justice.’ [Citation.] It follows ineluctably that where
self-representation is requested for a legitimate reason, where there is no request for a
continuance and where there is no reason to believe there would be any delay or
disruption, the trial court’s denial of a Faretta motion is an abuse of discretion.” (People
v. Nicholson (1994) 24 Cal. App. 4th 584, 593; see People v. Valdez (2004) 32 Cal. 4th 73,
103 [“‘In exercising this discretion, the trial court should consider factors such as “‘the
quality of counsel’s representation of the defendant, the defendant’s prior proclivity to
substitute counsel, the reasons for the request, the length and stage of the proceedings,
and the disruption or delay which might reasonably be expected to follow the granting of
such a motion.’”’”].)
A.
Green’s First Faretta Request Was Untimely.
“In order to invoke the constitutionally mandated unconditional right of
self-representation, a defendant must assert that right within a reasonable time prior to
trial. The latter requirement serves to prevent a defendant from misusing the motion to
delay unjustifiably the trial or to obstruct the orderly administration of justice. [Citation.]
If the motion is untimely—i.e., not asserted within a reasonable time prior to trial—the
defendant has the burden of justifying the delay. [Citation.]” (People v. Horton (1995)
11 Cal. 4th 1068, 1110 [motion made on the day trial was scheduled to start was
untimely]; see People v. Frierson (1991) 53 Cal. 3d 730, 740, 742 [motion untimely when
made two days before trial]; People v. Moore (1988) 47 Cal. 3d 63, 78-79 [motion
untimely when made Friday before trial was scheduled to begin the following Monday].)
Green’s first request to represent himself was made after the jury had been
selected. It was therefore untimely and it was within the trial court’s discretion whether
to grant or deny his Faretta request.
17
B.
The Trial Court Did Not Abuse Its Discretion in Denying Green’s Faretta Requests,
and Even If It Had, Any Such Error Was Harmless.
In People v. Lewis and Oliver (2006) 39 Cal. 4th 970, 1002, the California
Supreme Court held the “right of self-representation is not a license to abuse the dignity
of the courtroom or disrupt the proceedings. [Citation.] Faretta motions must be both
timely and unequivocal. Otherwise, defendants could plant reversible error in the record.
[Citations.] Equivocation of the right of self-representation may occur where the
defendant tries to manipulate the proceedings by switching between requests for counsel
and for self-representation, or where such actions are the product of whim or frustration.”
Our record is replete with examples of Green’s alternating requests between
requests for new counsel and for self-representation, starting with his first Marsden
motion in early July 2013, through his motion on April 9, 2014, to replace Newman as
counsel, who was his third attorney in this case, and to represent himself. The trial court
repeatedly made findings, throughout this period of serial Marsden hearings and Faretta
requests, that Green’s requests were disingenuous and highly manipulative.
The transcripts from those hearings show repetitive demands by Green that
the trial court and appointed counsel research, consider, and/or address issues that were
not properly before the court, such as his alleged civil claims against law enforcement
and the district attorney’s office. They further show the trial court repeatedly having the
same conversation with Green about why his Marsden hearing and/or Faretta requests
would not be granted. Although Green never expressly requested a continuance, the
record shows Green’s requests caused delays and were otherwise calculated to disrupt the
trial court proceedings, including sentencing.
The record also shows that the trial court considered and analyzed the
quality of appointed counsel’s representation of Green throughout the proceedings. In
August 2013, the court observed that Ablard had been very prepared for trial, and always
18
had been prepared. The court found that Ablard had been “ably representing” Green and
would continue to do so. After trial, the court pointed out that Ablard’s representation
resulted in the jury finding the firearm enhancement allegations not true.
After Ablard was replaced by Newman as Green’s counsel, and Green
requested Marsden hearings and made Faretta requests, the trial court noted that
Newman would represent Green in the excellent way the court had observed him
represent all his clients in the courtroom. Newman filed a motion for new trial and a
Romero motion on Green’s behalf.
Even if the trial court erred by denying any of Green’s Faretta requests,
any such error was harmless. Green testified in his own defense without limitation. The
jury found all of the firearm enhancement allegations not true and found Green not guilty
of the assault with a firearm charge, but guilty of the lesser included offense of assault,
notwithstanding eyewitness testimony that the robber appeared to have an automatic
firearm in his hand.
As for the posttrial proceedings, Green directly conversed at length with the
trial court during the course of his multiple Marsden hearings and Faretta request
discussions. It is difficult to fathom that there remained any uncommunicated arguments
or issues that Green wished conveyed to the court; Green does not argue otherwise in his
appellate briefs. The trial court sentenced Green to a six-year prison term by imposing
the middle term on count 2, doubled because of the prior strike conviction, and a
concurrent middle term sentence on count 1. Thus, Green’s sentence was significantly
less than what he faced at the beginning of trial.
In his opening brief, Green contends that had he been permitted to proceed
in propria persona, he might have obtained evidence that would have exonerated him.
Green’s argument is unsubstantiated speculation; he failed to show a reasonable
probability of achieving a better result absent any alleged error in the trial court’s denying
his Faretta requests.
19
Green also argues that because the evidence presented at the court trial on
his 1995 robbery conviction in Arkansas “contained different names and different
birthdates, there was no fingerprint match, and no photo match, [Green] argued that it
was not him.” But Green admitted during his jury trial that he had been convicted in
1995 of robbery.
Finally, Green argues, “there was nothing suggesting that the Arkansas
conviction could be considered a strike.” For the reasons discussed post, we reverse the
trial court’s finding that Green’s 1995 Arkansas robbery conviction constituted a strike.
Consequently, Green has not suffered prejudice on that ground either. The trial court did
not abuse its discretion by denying Green’s Faretta requests.
II.
THE TRIAL COURT DID NOT ERR BY ALLOWING THE PROSECUTOR TO ELICIT FACTS
SURROUNDING GREEN’S PRIOR FELONY CONVICTION FOR GRAND THEFT.
Green argues that the trial court abused its discretion by “allowing the
prosecution to elicit facts surrounding [Green]’s prior felony conviction for grand theft
because he ‘opened the door.’” (Boldface & capitalization omitted.) We review claims
of evidentiary error for an abuse of discretion. (People v. Cooper (2007) 148
Cal. App. 4th 731, 740.)
Evidence Code section 788 provides: “For the purpose of attacking the
credibility of a witness, it may be shown by the examination of the witness or by the
record of the judgment that he has been convicted of a felony . . . .” Courts have
interpreted section 788 to limit the admission of evidence of a prior felony conviction to
the name or type of crime and the date and place of conviction. (People v. Allen (1986)
42 Cal. 3d 1222, 1270; People v. Shea (1995) 39 Cal. App. 4th 1257, 1267; People v.
Heckathorne (1988) 202 Cal. App. 3d 458, 462.)
20
Subdivision (i) of Evidence Code section 780 permits a trial court to admit
otherwise inadmissible evidence for impeachment purposes to prove or disprove the
“existence or nonexistence of any fact” about which a witness has testified or “opened the
door.” (See Andrews v. City and County of San Francisco (1988) 205 Cal. App. 3d 938,
946 [“[A] witness who makes a sweeping statement on direct or cross-examination may
open the door to use of otherwise inadmissible evidence of prior misconduct for the
purpose of contradicting such testimony.”].) The open-the-door rule prevents witnesses
from misleading the jury or minimizing the facts. (See People v. Robinson (1997) 53
Cal. App. 4th 270, 282-283; People v. Shea, supra, 39 Cal.App.4th at p. 1267 [“if in
‘admitting’ the prior felony conviction ‘the defendant first seeks to mislead a jury or
minimize the facts of the earlier conviction [citation] he [or she] may properly be
questioned further”].)
Here, during direct examination, Green minimized the circumstances of his
conviction for grand theft and thereby sought to mislead the jury; he therefore opened the
door to the prosecutor eliciting facts about the circumstances of that offense.
After the prosecution completed its case-in-chief, Green’s trial counsel
informed the court that Green wished to testify. A hearing was held regarding whether
Green’s prior convictions might be used for impeachment purposes. The trial court ruled
that Green could be impeached with his conviction in 2005 for grand theft, and for his
conviction in 1995 for robbery in Arkansas. The court further ruled that the prosecutor
would be allowed to elicit the names of the prior convictions (grand theft and robbery),
and the dates of those convictions.
During his direct examination, Green testified about working with his
father’s business, and also had his own recycling business. Regarding his prior
convictions, he testified as follows:
“Q In 1995 you had a robbery?
“A Yes, sir.
21
“Q How old were you back in 1995?
“A I had to be somewhere in my twenties.
“Q Okay. Was that before you started your businesses up?
“A Far before that, sir.
“Q And in 2005 you had a theft case?
“A That’s correct.
“Q Wasn’t a robbery. It was a theft case?
“A That’s correct, concerning my business.” (Italics added.)
During cross-examination, the prosecutor asked Green about his prior
conviction for grand theft, as follows:
“Q . . . You indicated when [Green’s trial counsel] asked you about your
Grand Theft, that just happened in 2007—2005, you indicated that that was concerning
your business?
“A A business—yes. Not the recycling business. It was a different
business. You are correct.
“Q Okay. So it was your dad’s business?
“A No, it was not.”
The prosecutor asked Green, aside from his father’s business and Green’s
recycling business, what other businesses he had owned. Green responded that he had
owned a grocery shopping and delivery service for low-income senior citizens, disabled
individuals, and homebound individuals. The prosecutor confirmed that it was in
connection with that grocery shopping and delivery service that Green had been
convicted of grand theft.
Later in his cross-examination, Green testified that Mason had planted
evidence, such as the gloves found in the car he had been driving and the sweatshirt
found in the motel room, “[t]o assist [the prosecutor] in [her] conviction.” Green’s
cross-examination continued as follows:
22
“Q So I have—in your opinion, I have an interest in convicting you who is
just an innocent person?
“A I don’t know if you personally do, but I do believe that the County of
San Bernardino does, yes, ma’am.
“Q Why do you think the County of San Bernardino would have an interest
in doing that?
“A For reasons of the prior case involving the Grand Theft which the only
victim in that case was the county of San Bernardino.
“Q So it’s your testimony, sir, that the County of San Bernardino has it out
for you, correct, and that’s why Deputy Mason has planted evidence, and that’s why I am
unfairly prosecuting you?
“[Defense counsel]: Compound.
“The Court: It is compound. Why don’t you break it down into what
seemed like two parts.
“Q So it’s your testimony, Mr. Green, that in your opinion the County of
San Bernardino has it out for you, and that’s why you are being prosecuted?
“A I believe it is revenge. Yes.
“Q And also why I have an interest in prosecuting you?
“A I do not know you personally. I believe you are just on the case. I
never stated that you personally have a grudge or anything out after me. You are just the
person that’s on the case.
“Q Well, let me ask you this, Mr. Green. Why, if your business was
involving elderly, the disabled people, then how is the County of San Bernardino
involved?
“[Defense counsel]: Your Honor, I am going to object. 352.
“The Court: Overruled.”
23
Green testified that his company received funding from the County of San
Bernardino and he would bill it for the services that his company provided. Green’s
testimony continued as follows:
“Q And you b[ille]d them, and basically you what? You stole from them,
right?
“A No, that’s incorrect.
“Q You weren’t providing the food to the elderly?
“A We didn’t provide food, ma’am. We provided the service.
“Q You didn’t provide food to the disabled people?
“A No. We provided a service. We only grocery shopped. We purchased
the food for them and delivered it to them, so we provided a service, not food.
“Q But obviously, Mr. Green, a case was filed against you, right?
“A Yes, ma’am.
“Q And you pled guilty, right? You indicated that you pled guilty, right?
“A Through the advice of my attorney at the time, yes, ma’am, I did.
“The Court: At this point I think you should be moving on please, [the
prosecutor].”
After the defense rested, the trial court had a discussion with the prosecutor
and defense counsel regarding defense counsel’s objection about the prosecutor “moving
into some of the factual background about the Grand Theft conviction.” Defense counsel
stated that he did not believe Green opened the door to the level of inquiry that ensued
and he also asserted the foundational aspects of the theft case were “so prejudicial that
that in and of itself would sway the jury.” He argued the prosecutor was able to convey
to the jury that although San Bernardino County was the victim, the theft involved food
services and elderly people. The prosecutor responded that Green had opened the door
because he untruthfully misled the jury to believe the theft had to do with a recycling
business.
24
The court stated: “I believe that the door was opened by the statement that
you just made at least insofar as to find out what the nature of the business was, whether
it was one of the businesses that Mr. Green testified to or a different business. Once that
began, Mr. Green once again opened the door further in talking about the County and so
forth being out to get him. And, frankly, as far as the Court is concerned, Mr. Green
opened the door to the entire inquiry about the nature of that charge at a minimum by
indicating that the motivation to plant evidence and to bring the prosecution against him
was based on the fact that the County of San Bernardino was out to get him or for
revenge and it related back to the fact that the County of San Bernardino was apparently a
victim, so Mr. Green said, in the Grand Theft situation. I allowed a little bit of latitude to
explore that based on all of Mr. Green’s answers as to motivations, planting of evidence,
and so forth as related back to the County, and then I drew a halt to it when, as far as I
was concerned, 352 of the Evidence Code raised a flag in my mind that we were heading
into more prejudicial or at least more matters that were time-consuming unnecessarily,
possibly more prejudicial than probative, and I drew a halt to that question. But as far as
I am concerned, Mr. Green opened the door to that type of questioning, and that’s why I
allowed it.”
The trial court did not abuse its discretion by concluding that Green had
opened the door to the prosecutor’s line of questioning. Therefore, Green’s testimony
regarding the facts surrounding his grand theft conviction was admissible under Evidence
Code section 780, subdivision (i). The court did not abuse its discretion by excluding
that evidence under Evidence Code section 352, which gives the court discretion to
exclude evidence if its probative value “is substantially outweighed by the probability
that its admission will . . . necessitate undue consumption of time or . . . create substantial
danger of undue prejudice, of confusing the issues, or of misleading the jury.”
The probative value of the evidence clarifying that Green’s grand theft
conviction was not substantially outweighed by any probability that evidence would
25
necessitate an undue consumption of time or create a substantial danger of undue
prejudice, of confusing the issues, or of misleading the jury. In fact, the prosecutor’s
continuing line of questioning enabled Green to communicate that it was the County of
San Bernardino, not those persons for whom his company provided services, that was
victimized by his crime. Green also denied having committed theft at all, stating he had
pleaded guilty to grand theft on the advice of counsel.
Even if the evidence regarding the circumstances surrounding Green’s
grand theft conviction was inadmissible, its admission was not prejudicial. The
erroneous admission of such evidence is examined for prejudice under People v. Watson
(1956) 46 Cal. 2d 818. (People v. Heckathorne, supra, 202 Cal.App.3d at pp. 463-464.)
Given the strong evidence of Green’s guilt, including eyewitness testimony and materials
from the crime found in Green’s car and hotel room, it is not reasonably probable Green
would have had a better outcome had the evidence of the facts of the grand theft
conviction not been admitted.
III.
BECAUSE INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE SHOWED GREEN’S ARKANSAS ROBBERY CONVICTION
QUALIFIED AS A STRIKE, WE REVERSE THAT FINDING.
In his supplemental opening brief, Green argues insufficient evidence
supported the trial court’s finding that Green’s 1995 robbery conviction in Arkansas
constituted a strike within the meaning of the Three Strikes law. In the supplemental
respondent’s brief, the Attorney General agrees with Green “because [Green]’s Arkansas
robbery conviction does not contain all the elements of the California robbery offense.”
Penal Code section 211 provides: “Robbery is the felonious taking of
personal property in the possession of another, from his person or immediate presence,
and against his will, accomplished by means of force or fear.” The elements of robbery
include “taking” which “consists of ‘two necessary elements, gaining possession of the
26
victim’s property and asporting or carrying away the loot.’ [Citation.] Asportation is
thus an element of robbery in California. (See People v. Lopez (2003) 31 Cal. 4th 1051,
1054 . . . .)” (People v. Rodriguez (2004) 122 Cal. App. 4th 121, 130.)
Section 5-12-102, subdivision (a) of the Arkansas Code Annotated defines
robbery, as follows: “A person commits robbery if, with the purpose of committing a
felony or misdemeanor theft or resisting apprehension immediately after committing a
felony or misdemeanor theft, the person employs or threatens to immediately employ
physical force upon another person.”
Unlike the crime of robbery in California, to prove a robbery occurred in
Arkansas, the prosecution is not required to prove that a theft was actually accomplished.
(Carter v. State (Ark. 2010) 364 S.W.3d 46, 51.) Because the Arkansas robbery statute
does not require all of the elements of Penal Code section 211, as it does not require
proof of asportation or that property was taken from the victim’s immediate presence, the
mere fact that Green was convicted of robbery in Arkansas in 1995 does not establish that
it qualifies as a strike under the Three Strikes law.
The Attorney General concedes, “[o]ther than indicating the offense was a
Class B felony under the Arkansas definition, there are no facts set forth in the record as
to the robbery conviction. Thus, there is no factual basis to establish that the Arkansas
robbery committed by [Green] would constitute robbery under the California statute.”
Thus, the trial court’s finding that Green’s 1995 conviction for robbery in Arkansas
constituted a strike under the Three Strikes law is reversed for insufficient evidence.
It is well settled that if the jury’s finding on a strike allegation is reversed
on appeal for insufficient evidence, the allegation may be retried. (People v. Barragan,
supra, 32 Cal.4th at p. 239.) In his supplemental opening brief, Green argues that
because insufficient evidence supported the finding that the prior robbery conviction
constituted a strike, “[i]t is therefore necessary to reverse and remand for a retrial as to
whether [Green]’s Arkansas robbery conviction was a robbery or other serious felony
27
under California law.” Because we reverse the strike finding, we do not reach Green’s
argument that the trial court erred by failing to grant his motion pursuant to Penal Code
section 1385 and Romero, supra, 13 Cal. 4th 497, to strike that prior conviction for
sentencing purposes.
DISPOSITION
The judgment of conviction is affirmed. The true finding as to the
allegation that Green’s prior robbery conviction constituted a strike under the Three
Strikes law is reversed and the sentence is vacated. The case is remanded on that
allegation if the People so elect to retry it, or for a new sentencing hearing if the People
do not go forward on retrial of the allegation in a timely manner. After resentencing, the
trial court shall prepare a modified abstract of judgment consistent with this opinion and
forward a certified copy of the modified abstract of judgment to the Department of
Corrections and Rehabilitation.
FYBEL, J.
WE CONCUR:
RYLAARSDAM, ACTING P. J.
MOORE, J.
28