People v. Kennemer CA4/2

Filed 3/14/22 P. v. Kennemer CA4/2
NOT TO BE PUBLISHED IN OFFICIAL REPORTS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
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or ordered published for purposes of rule 8.1115.
IN THE COURT OF APPEAL OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA
FOURTH APPELLATE DISTRICT
DIVISION TWO
THE PEOPLE,
Plaintiff and Respondent, E073368
v. (Super. Ct. No. RIF1602899)
MICHAEL JOHN KENNEMER, OPINION
Defendant and Appellant.
APPEAL from the Superior Court of Riverside County. Godofredo Magno,
Judge. Affirmed.
Levine, Flier and Flier and Leonard B. Levine; Law Office of Kiana Sloan-Hillier
and Kiana Sloan-Hillier, for Defendant and Appellant.
Xavier Becerra, Attorney General, Lance E. Winters, Chief Assistant Attorney
General, Julie L. Garland, Assistant Attorney General, Eric A. Swenson, Allison Acosta
and Felicity Senoski, Deputy Attorneys General, for Plaintiff and Respondent.
1
I.
INTRODUCTION
After separating from his wife, defendant and appellant Michael Kennemer filed a
quitclaim deed purporting to remove her ownership interest in their house and
transferring the title to his name. Defendant later entered the home while his wife was
not there and stole her personal belongings. A jury convicted him of willfully and
1
knowingly offering a false and a forged instrument (Pen. Code , § 115; count 1), theft of
personal property with a value of more than $950 (§ 487, subd. (a); count 2), and
residential burglary (§ 459; count 3), and found true the allegation that he stole property
with a value of more than $200,000 (§ 12022.6, subd. (a)(2)). The trial court sentenced
defendant to formal probation for a term of five years, including a jail term for 270 days.
On appeal, defendant argues (1) the trial court erroneously denied his motion for a
new trial; (2) the trial court erroneously instructed the jury as to count 1; (3) the
prosecutor committed misconduct; (4) cumulative error requires reversal of his
convictions; and (5) substantial evidence does not support the jury’s true finding on the
property enhancement or his convictions on counts 2 and 3. We reject defendant’s
contentions and affirm the judgment.
1
Unless otherwise indicated, all further statutory references are to the Penal
Code.
2
II.
FACTS
Defendant and his wife, B.K., rented a house together in Moreno Valley. They
decided to buy the house, but because defendant had poor credit, they legally separated in
September 2010 so that B.K. could buy it under her name alone. As part of their
agreement, defendant and B.K. agreed to grant each other power of attorney. Shortly
afterward, B.K. executed and recorded a document that authorized defendant to act as her
attorney in fact.
B.K. then bought the house as her separate property. In May 2011, defendant
executed an Interspousal Transfer Grant Deed, which waived his rights to the house and
confirmed that it was B.K.’s sole property.
In 2012, defendant and B.K. began to have marital problems. According to B.K.,
defendant “didn’t really work” and only did some “construction work.” While they were
living together but before they bought the house, defendant “worked for three weeks and
then injured himself at work” and received worker’s compensation benefits. After that,
defendant did some work “under the table where he was getting paid cash every so often,
nothing steady.” B.K. claimed defendant had only a “[m]inimal amount” of income from
employers who issued him a paycheck.
In July 2014, B.K. signed and notarized a document revoking defendant’s power
of attorney she had granted him. B.K. did not record the revocation and did not tell
defendant about it.
3
December 2015, however, B.K. told defendant during a fight at their home that
she was revoking the power of attorney. Defendant left the house and went to Las Vegas.
On December 12, B.K. told defendant over the phone that she wanted a divorce.
In the ensuing days, B.K. saw defendant in Riverside. He told B.K. he was going
to the house. B.K. was scared so she called the police. When the officer arrived,
defendant spoke with him and agreed to finish packing his belongings by December 20.
Defendant loaded his truck on December 18 and told B.K. he would finish packing
tomorrow. Defendant left and did not come back the next day.
On December 20, B.K. went to visit her daughter in another state. B.K.’s other
daughter, C.H., stayed at B.K.’s house while she was gone.
C.H. went out on December 23 and saw defendant’s trailer in the driveway when
she returned. C.H. could not open the gate with her key and noticed paint was chipped
off a door lock, an alarm fob was missing, and there were footprints inside that were not
there when she left earlier. A few hours later, defendant showed up at the house and C.H.
let him in, but she left because she felt unsafe.
The next day, B.K. learned from a coworker at the Riverside County Recorder’s
Office that defendant filed a quitclaim deed purporting to transfer the house to himself.
Because she was still out of town, B.K. asked C.H. to remove some of B.K.’s belongings
from the house. When C.H. went to the house on December 25, she discovered several of
B.K.’s belongings were not there.
4
Defendant came to the house and began moving things into his truck. C.H. left out
of fear for her safety, but returned later and found defendant was still moving things into
his truck. Defendant told C.H. she could not go inside, so she called the police.
Defendant came back to the house the next day and finished packing. B.K. filed for
divorce a few days later.
In February 2016, B.K. left for work around 6:30 a.m. About an hour later, her
house’s security alarm was triggered and then disarmed. B.K. received a text message
that her security alarm had low battery. Some of the cameras inside were offline. When
B.K. returned that evening, she noticed several items were out of place and the electricity
that powered the security system and cameras was cut off. B.K. also noticed that several
of her personal items were gone, including Louis Vuitton handbags and a wallet, a
camera, and Apple devices. When she used the “find” feature for her Apple products, she
received a notification that they were near defendant’s Las Vegas home.
A neighbor told B.K. that he saw defendant in B.K.’s driveway around 7:00 or
8:00 a.m. that morning. A secondhand store owner in Long Beach later told investigating
officers that she recognized defendant. She claimed defendant tried to sell expensive
Louis Vuitton items and jewelry, which she thought was suspicious because he did not
care about the price even though they were expensive items.
When an investigator spoke with defendant, he admitted that he recorded the
quitclaim deed after signing for B.K. as her attorney in fact. } He also admitted that he
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entered B.K.’s house in December 2015 to remove items and that he refused to let C.H.
2
inside because he believed she was stealing items.
III.
DISCUSSION
A. Motion for a New Trial
Defendant contends the trial court erred by denying his motion for a new trial
3
based on the prosecutor’s Brady violation and ineffective assistance of counsel. We
disagree.
1. Background
4
After the jury convicted him, defendant moved for a new trial on two grounds.
First, he argued the prosecutor violated Brady by failing to produce a letter B.K.
wrote mid-trial to the prosecutor until after the trial. Defendant argued the prosecutor
should have disclosed B.K.’s letter because it impeached her testimony that defendant
“didn’t really work” and her allegedly uncertain response when asked what work he did
2
Defendant requests that we take judicial notice of five documents related to the
Moreno Valley property and his divorce proceedings. We deny defendant’s request as
unnecessary to resolve the issues on appeal.
3
Brady v. Maryland (1963) 373 U.S. 83 (Brady).
4
Defendant also moved for a new trial based on alleged instruction error, which
he raises as a separate argument on appeal. We address the issue below.
6
5
(“Construction, I think”). Defendant thus argued B.K.’s letter would have undermined
her credibility, which was central to the prosecution’s case.
In the letter, B.K. provided the timeframe for when defendant lived with her at the
Moreno Valley house. She stated that in 2009 defendant worked for three weeks before
he was injured on the job and that he was still receiving worker’s compensation for the
injury.
B.K. also outlined defendant’s subsequent work history: “[Defendant] had a
California Contractor’s State License #624488, using his business name, iEnergy
Worldwide. He contracted a construction job between March 2012-April 2012 for Joan
Earhart[, who] filed a complaint against [his] Contractor’s license and his license was
revoked in 2015. [Defendant] contracted another construction job, between January
2013-May 2013 at his mother’s house . . . . In 2013 [defendant] contracted a construction
job for . . . his aunt and uncle . . . from May 2013-July 2013 . . . . [Defendant] contracted
another construction job for [his aunt and uncle] . . . between March 2015-August 2015.
[Defendant] worked on several other construction job sites during these years and prior
years. I believe he is currently working at his mother’s address doing construction on her
house.” B.K. noted that defendant has a real estate license and had worked for Patriot
Energy HVAC, although she did not specify when.
5
On appeal, defendant also argues that the letter buttressed B.K.’s sister’s
testimony that B.K. thought defendant was “‘loaded.’” He did not make that argument in
his motion for a new trial, so it is forfeited. (See People v. Stowell (2003) 31 Cal.4th
1107, 1114.)
7
The second basis for defendant’s new trial motion was that his trial counsel was
6
ineffective for four reasons. First, counsel erroneously but successfully moved in limine
to exclude “evidence and argument regarding legality of power of attorney in this case,”
including “whether oral revocation is sufficient to nullify power of attorney” and
“whether the power of attorney required [defendant] to act in [B.K.’s] benefit” (i.e.,
fiduciary duty). Second, counsel failed to obtain his bank records that showed he
contributed financially throughout his marriage with B.K. and thus undermined her
testimony that he contributed minimally. Third, counsel did not obtain receipts that
would have showed he was Las Vegas on the day he was allegedly seen trying to sell
items at a secondhand store. Finally, counsel did not obtain documents showing that
defendant was a named insured on the Moreno Valley house’s homeowner’s insurance
policy.
The trial court denied defendant’s motion. As to the prosecution’s alleged Brady
violation, the trial court ruled that the prosecution should have produced B.K.’s letter,
which favored the defense, but its failure to do so was immaterial. As to defense
counsel’s alleged ineffective assistance, the trial court found defendant’s counsel was not
ineffective because counsel could have made a reasonable tactical decision not to
6
On appeal, defendant does not mention his arguments that counsel was
ineffective for failing to impeach an investigator’s testimony or that counsel failed to
know the law, so we do not discuss them. (See Aptos Council v. County of Santa Cruz
(2017) 10 Cal.App.5th 266, 296 fn. 7 [“Issues not raised in the appellant’s opening brief
are deemed waived or abandoned”].)
8
subpoena defendant’s bank records “or not to go deeper into the records,” even though
doing so could have impeached B.K.
2. Brady Violation
In Brady, the United States Supreme Court established that due process requires
the prosecution to disclose evidence that is both favorable to the defendant and material
on either guilt or punishment. (Brady, supra, 373 U.S. at p. 87.) A Brady violation
occurs when three conditions are met: (1) the evidence was “‘favorable’” to the
defendant, (2) the evidence was “‘“suppressed by the State, either willfully or
inadvertently,”’” and (3) the evidence was “material” (i.e., its suppression was
prejudicial). We independently review whether a Brady violation has occurred while
giving great weight to the trial court’s factual findings if supported by substantial
evidence. (People v. Letner and Tobin (2010) 50 Cal.4th 99, 176.)
The only issue here is whether the trial court properly found that B.K.’s letter was
immaterial. Defendant contends B.K.’s letter was material because it conflicted with her
trial testimony about defendant’s work history and thus it would have impeached her
credibility.
We disagree. Evidence is material under Brady if there is “‘a reasonable
probability its disclosure would have altered the trial result.’” (People v. Whalen (2013)
56 Cal.4th 1, 64.) It is not reasonably probable that defendant would have received a
better result had the prosecution given defendant B.K.’s letter before the trial concluded.
9
At trial, B.K. explained that defendant worked for three months before they
bought their house but he got injured on the job and received worker’s compensation
benefits. Although B.K. testified that defendant “didn’t really work” while they were
married, she also testified that defendant worked “under the table” construction jobs from
time to time that paid him in cash, but only received a “[m]inimal amount” of income
from jobs where he earned a paycheck.
In the letter, B.K. stated: (1) defendant worked for three weeks in 2009 before
receiving worker’s compensation benefits; (2) he worked on a handful of months-long
jobs, mostly for family members; and (3) he worked for an HVAC company at some
point. Although B.K. mentioned that defendant had a real estate license, she did not say
that he had earned money from real estate work. B.K.’s letter was therefore consistent
with her testimony that defendant worked inconsistently while they were married and
only some of his income was from formal jobs.
Because B.K.’s letter did not conflict with her trial testimony, it is not reasonably
probable that defendant would have obtained a better result had the prosecution disclosed
it to the defense before trial. The trial court therefore did not err in finding B.K.’s letter
immaterial and denying defendant’s motion for a new trial on Brady grounds.
3. Ineffective Assistance of Counsel
To establish ineffective assistance of counsel, “the defendant must first show
counsel’s performance was deficient, in that it fell below an objective standard of
reasonableness under prevailing professional norms. Second, the defendant must show
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resulting prejudice, i.e., a reasonable probability that, but for counsel’s deficient
performance, the outcome of the proceeding would have been different.” (People v. Mai
(2013) 57 Cal.4th 986, 1009.)
On direct appeal, ineffective assistance is established “only if (1) the record
affirmatively discloses counsel had no rational tactical purpose for the challenged act or
omission, (2) counsel was asked for a reason and failed to provide one, or (3) there
simply could be no satisfactory explanation. All other claims of ineffective assistance are
more appropriately resolved in a habeas corpus proceeding.” (People v. Mai, supra, 57
Cal.4th at p. 1009.) “[R]arely will an appellate record establish ineffective assistance of
counsel.” (People v. Thompson (2010) 49 Cal.4th 79, 122.) So “[w]hen the record on
direct appeal sheds no light on why counsel failed to act in the manner challenged [the
defendant asserts counsel should have acted], defendant must show that there was ‘“‘no
conceivable tactical purpose’” for counsel’s act or omission. [Citations.]’” (People v.
Centeno (2014) 60 Cal.4th 659, 675.) If the record sheds no light on counsel’s actions,
the claim must be rejected unless no satisfactory explanation exists or counsel was asked
for an explanation and failed to provide one. (People v. Mendoza Tello (1997) 15 Cal.4th
264, 266.)
Defendant’s first claim of ineffective assistance of counsel is that his counsel
moved to exclude “evidence and argument regarding legality of power of attorney in this
case,” including “whether oral revocation is sufficient to nullify power of attorney” and
“whether the power of attorney required [defendant] to act in [B.K.’s] benefit” (i.e.,
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fiduciary duty). At the hearing on the motion, trial counsel explained that she was
concerned about “a mini trial involving civil and family law issues,” particularly whether
defendant violated any fiduciary duty to B.K. Counsel thought arguments about those
issues would confuse the jurors and lead them to make legal conclusions they could not
make as laypeople. Counsel also believed arguments and evidence about the fiduciary
duty defendant owed to B.K. were unnecessary because “[t]he issue boils down” to
whether defendant’s filing the quitclaim deed was fraudulent, not whether it violated his
fiduciary duty to B.K.
Counsel’s discussion with the trial court about the motion in limine shows that the
motion was a reasonable tactical decision. Counsel reasonably concluded that evidence
and argument about the fiduciary duty defendant owed B.K. under the power of attorney
and whether he breached that duty was beyond the jury’s capabilities, may have confused
the issues, and may have required a “mini trial” on issues that counsel reasonably found
were unnecessary for the jury to decide. Because counsel’s motion in limine was a
reasonable tactical decision, we reject defendant’s claim that it amounts to ineffective
assistance of counsel.
Defendant next contends his trial counsel was ineffective for failing to obtain his
bank records, which would have bolstered his credibility. In particular, he argues the
records would have undermined B.K.’s testimony that he contributed “very minimally” to
the marriage while supporting his testimony that he contributed financially to the
marriage. He argues that his credibility was damaged when he testified during cross-
12
examination by the prosecutor that he did not have bank records to support his testimony
that he consistently contributed to his marriage financially.
Defendant’s trial counsel may have made a tactical decision not to obtain and
introduce defendant’s bank records at trial. Counsel could have reasonably concluded
that although the records show that defendant contributed financially to the marriage,
they might not have sufficiently undermined B.K.’s testimony that he did not contribute
much. Counsel may have reasonably found that the records would not show whether
defendant’s contributions were significant compared to B.K.’s. Counsel similarly may
have found that defendant’s bank records were inconclusive as to whether he contributed
as much as he claimed he did, and thus could have hurt his credibility. Counsel also may
have reasonably concluded that attacking B.K.’s credibility in other ways, such as
focusing on her sister’s testimony that B.K. was greedy and determined to keep the house
for herself, was more effective than parsing through bank records.
Because counsel may have had a tactical decision not to obtain defendant’s bank
records, we reject his claim that counsel was ineffective for failing to subpoena them and
produce them at trial.
Defendant also argues his counsel was ineffective for failing to obtain several
receipts which showed that he paid bills in Las Vegas on the day the secondhand store
owner claimed to have seen him and in the days before and after. But defendant
concedes that the bills did not establish his “exact whereabouts.” Counsel thus may have
reasonably concluded that the receipts did not help defendant’s defense because they did
13
not show where he was, and thus did not undermine the secondhand store’s owner’s
testimony. This potential tactical decision does not constitute ineffective assistance of
counsel.
Defendant’s final claim of ineffective assistance of counsel is that his counsel
failed to obtain documents showing that he was a named insured on B.K.’s house’s
insurance policy. In his view, this would have refuted B.K.’s testimony that defendant
knew she was the house’s sole owner. Although defendant may have been a named
insured, the fraudulent-filing charge (count 1) was based on his lack of authorization
from B.K. to record the quitclaim deed transferring title to him. Counsel could have
reasonably decided that insurance documents showing that defendant was a named
insured would not have contributed to his defense that he properly recorded the deed.
For all of these reasons, we reject defendant’s ineffective assistance of counsel
claim. The trial court did not err in denying defendant’s motion for a new trial based on
his counsel’s alleged ineffective assistance.
B. Instructional Error
Defendant contends the trial court erred by failing to instruct the jury that (1) the
“transfer of the deed into his name did not change the nature of the [Moreno Valley
house]” and that (2) the jury could not find true the allegation defendant took property
worth $200,000 or find him guilty on counts 2 or 3 if the jury could not determine who
owned the house or the allegedly stolen items or if the jury found that the property was
community property.
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When discussing the issue at the hearing on defendant’s motion for a new trial, the
trial court told counsel that it believed it did not have to give the instructions sua sponte
and that defense counsel had to request them. Counsel responded that he “[a]bsolutely
agree[d]” with the trial court, as do we. Because defendant did not request the
instructions he claims the trial court should have given, the trial court properly denied
defendant’s motion for a new trial for instructional error. (See People v. Aguilera (2016)
244 Cal.App.4th 489, 502 fn. 6 [trial court had no sua sponte duty to give instructions
seeking “to apply separate and community property principles to negate an element of
robbery”].) Defendant likewise forfeited the issue for our review. (People v. Hajek and
Vo (2014) 58 Cal.4th 1144, 1246 [“The trial court was under no sua sponte duty to give
an instruction as to the limited purpose for which evidence was received. [Citation.]
Vo’s failure to request such an instruction forfeits the claim of error on appeal.”],
abrogated on other grounds by People v. Rangel (2016) 62 Cal.4th 1192, 1216.)
C. Prosecutorial Misconduct
Defendant argues the prosecutor advanced two legally “defective” theories of
fraud. Defendant never objected, so he forfeited his claim of prosecutorial misconduct.
(People v. Hajek and Vo, supra, 58 Cal.4th at p. 1239 [“Vo’s trial counsel failed to object
to a single remark he now assigns as misconduct by the prosecutor, thus forfeiting his
claims of misconduct.”].)
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D. Cumulative Error
Defendant contends the judgment must be reversed because of cumulative error.
But because we have found no error, the cumulative error doctrine does not apply.
(People v. Duff (2014) 58 Cal.4th 527, 562 [no cumulative error when there is “nothing to
cumulate”].)
E. Enhancement Allegation
Defendant argues that the jury’s true finding on the former section 12022.6,
7
subdivision (a)(2) enhancement on count 1 is not supported by substantial evidence
because B.K. suffered no financial loss when he recorded the quitclaim deed. We
disagree.
“In considering a challenge to the sufficiency of the evidence to support an
enhancement, we review the entire record in the light most favorable to the judgment to
determine whether it contains substantial evidence—that is, evidence that is reasonable,
credible, and of solid value—from which a reasonable trier of fact could find the
defendant guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. [Citation.] We presume every fact in
support of the judgment the trier of fact could have reasonably deduced from the
evidence. [Citation.] If the circumstances reasonably justify the trier of fact’s findings,
reversal of the judgment is not warranted simply because the circumstances might also
reasonably be reconciled with a contrary finding. [Citation.] ‘A reviewing court neither
7
Former section 12022.6, which was in effect at the time of defendant’s offenses,
was repealed in 2018 and was not reenacted. (See People v. Medeiros (2020) 46
Cal.App.5th 1142, 1147.)
16
reweighs evidence nor reevaluates a witness’s credibility.’ [Citation.]” (People v.
Albillar (2010) 51 Cal.4th 47, 59-60.)
Former section 12022.6 provided that the trial court must impose another two-year
term if the defendant “takes, damages, or destroys any property in the commission or
attempted commission of a felony, with the intent to cause that taking, damage, or
destruction,” and the loss exceeds $200,000. The People alleged that defendant’s
recording the quitclaim deed to transfer title of B.K.’s house to him caused B.K. to suffer
loss exceeding $200,000 because the house was worth more than $200,000 at the time.
Substantial evidence supports the jury’s true finding on the section 12022.6, subdivision
(a)(2) allegation.
The People presented testimony from a real estate fraud investigator that B.K.’s
house was worth about $370,000 when he recorded the quitclaim deed. B.K. bought the
house as her sole and separate property. Defendant’s fraudulently filing the quitclaim
deed is a felony. (§ 115, subd. (a).) When he filed the deed and transferred title to the
house to his name, B.K. was divested of any interest in the property. (See In re Marriage
of Broderick (1989) 209 Cal.App.3d 489, 503 [“Under well-settled law, a quitclaim deed
passes all the right, title and interest the grantor has in the property at the time of its
execution.”].)8 The jury thus reasonably found that defendant took more than $200,000
8
Defendant argues his filing of the quitclaim deed had no legal effect. He
provides no authority to support his argument beyond the unsupported opinion of a legal
expert he retained for his motion for a new trial. (Estate of Teed (1952) 112 Cal.App.2d
638, 646 [“The ipse dixit of the most profound expert proves nothing except it finds
support upon some adequate foundation.”].)
17
in real property from B.K. in the commission of a felony. Substantial evidence supports
the jury’s true finding on the section 12022.6, subdivision (a)(2) enhancement allegation.
(See People v. Abrahamian (2020) 45 Cal.App.5th 314, 320 [upholding true finding on
section 12022.6, subdivision (a)(2) enhancement for the defendant’s fraudulently filing
quitclaim deed conveying property to himself].)
F. Counts 2 and 3
Defendant asserts substantial evidence does not support his convictions on counts
2 (grant theft) and 3 (residential burglary). We disagree.
Grand theft in violation of section 487, subdivision (a) occurs “[w]hen the money,
labor, or real or personal property taken is of a value exceeding nine hundred fifty dollars
($950).” Burglary in violation of section 459 “consists of an act—unlawful entry—
accompanied by the ‘intent to commit grand or petit larceny or any felony.’” (People v.
Montoya (1994) 7 Cal.4th 1027, 1041.)
On December 24, 2015, C.H. saw defendant at B.K.’s house moving his
belongings. The next day, C.H. again saw defendant at the house moving his belongings.
When C.H. entered the house later that evening, she noticed several of B.K.’s belongings
were missing. B.K. estimated the missing items were worth about $12,000. From this
evidence, the jury could reasonably find that defendant stole personal property worth
more than $950 from B.K. in violation of section 487, subdivision (a). Substantial
evidence thus supports defendant’s conviction on count 2.
18
On December 23, 2015, C.H. noticed that a fob for the house’s security system
was missing, defendant’s trailer was outside, and there were footprints inside the house
that she did not recognize. About two months later, B.K.’s house was burglarized. W.G.,
B.K.’s neighbor, saw defendant in B.K.’s driveway between 7:00 and 8:00 a.m. on the
morning of the burglary. The security system had been deactivated around 7:20 a.m., and
could have been deactivated by the missing fob. When B.K. returned that evening, she
noticed several items were missing, including a Louis Vuitton bag. The secondhand store
owner identified defendant as a man who tried to sell her a Louis Vuitton bag after the
burglary. From this evidence, the jury could reasonably find that defendant burglarized
B.K.’s house. Substantial evidence thus supports defendant’s conviction on count 3.
IV.
DISPOSITION
The judgment is affirmed.
NOT TO BE PUBLISHED IN OFFICIAL REPORTS
CODRINGTON
J.
We concur:
RAMIREZ
P. J.
FIELDS
J.
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