People v. High CA5

Filed 8/22/23 P. v. High CA5
NOT TO BE PUBLISHED IN THE OFFICIAL REPORTS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 This opinion has not been certified for publication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
FIFTH APPELLATE DISTRICT
THE PEOPLE,
F082478
Plaintiff and Respondent,
(Super. Ct. Nos. CRF60095,
v. CRF49073)
GREGORY DEAN HIGH,
OPINION
Defendant and Appellant.
APPEAL from a judgment of the Superior Court of Tuolumne County. Kevin M.
Seibert, Judge.
Aaron J. Schechter, under appointment by the Court of Appeal, for Defendant and
Appellant.
Rob Bonta, Attorney General, Michael P. Farrell, Assistant Attorney General,
Louis M. Vasquez, Amanda D. Carey, and Joseph Penney, Deputy Attorneys General, for
Plaintiff and Respondent.
-ooOoo-
INTRODUCTION
Gregory Dean High was charged with three counts of corporal injury to a spouse
1
(Pen. Code, § 273.5, subd. (a), counts 1, 3 & 4), each containing an allegation that High
had suffered previous domestic violence convictions within the past seven years (§ 273.5,
subd. (f)(2)) and two counts of false imprisonment by violence (§ 236, counts 2 & 5). In
counts 1, 2 and 3, it was further alleged that High personally inflicted great bodily injury
under circumstances involving domestic violence (§ 12022.7, subd. (e)). The charges
stem from three incidents occurring on the same day involving High’s estranged wife.
A jury found High guilty of two counts of corporal injury to a spouse (§ 273.5,
subd. (a), counts 1 & 3) and two counts of felony false imprisonment (§ 236, counts 2 &
5). The jury found the great bodily injury enhancements for counts 1 and 3 true. The
trial court dismissed the great bodily injury enhancement as to count 2 pursuant to the
People’s motion. The trial court imposed an aggregate state prison term of 13 years four
months.
On appeal, High raises the following claims: (1) the false imprisonment
conviction related to the third incident at the Intake Grill (count 5) is not supported by
sufficient evidence, (2) the court erred by failing to instruct the jury sua sponte on the
lesser included offense of attempted false imprisonment, (3) the trial court abused its
discretion in admitting testimony regarding prior incidents of domestic violence, (4) the
2
court committed Yurko error by failing to notify High of his rights and obtain a waiver
before accepting High’s admissions to prior convictions, (5) the matter should be
remanded for resentencing under Senate Bill No. 567 (2021-2022 Reg. Sess.) (Senate Bill
No. 567), (6) his sentence violates section 654, and (7) he was entitled to an ability to pay
1
Statutory references are to the Penal Code unless otherwise indicated.
2
In re Yurko (1974) 10 Cal.3d 857 (Yurko).
2.
3
hearing under Dueñas. The People disagree with High’s claims but concede that High’s
sentence violates section 654 and resentencing is required. As such, the People contend
we need not consider whether or not the sentence violates newly amended section 1170,
subdivision (b), since the trial court will have the opportunity to apply the new terms at
the resentencing hearing.
We conclude the trial court committed Yurko error and set aside the true findings
as to the alleged prior domestic violence and prior strike convictions, vacate High’s
sentence, and remand for the trial court to hold further proceedings not inconsistent with
this opinion. In all other respects, we affirm the judgment.
FACTUAL BACKGROUND
I. Prosecution Evidence
T.H. was previously married to High and had a child with him. T.H. met High
when she was eight years old, and they became a couple when she was 21 or 22 years
old. In 2010, within six months of becoming a couple, High became controlling and his
behavior escalated into cussing at T.H. and calling her names. In 2011, T.H. described
their relationship as “rough,” meaning there were a lot of fights and arguments. T.H.
became pregnant at that time but suffered a miscarriage due to stress. T.H. became
pregnant a second time and gave birth to her daughter, G. High and T.H. attempted to
work things out in their relationship but continued to fight “extremely bad.” They were
together for approximately five years before getting married on October 11, 2015.
A. Evidence Code Section 1109 - Previous Incidents of Domestic Violence
September 3, 2010 Incident Against R.D.
R.D. testified she was in a relationship with High back in 2006 that ended after
having a child in October of 2011. R.D. recalled an incident on Chucker Circle in
3 People v. Dueñas (2019) 30 Cal.App.5th 1157.
3.
September of 2010 where the police arrived. At trial, R.D. denied the incident involved
her and High.
Deputy David Vasquez testified that he responded to a disturbance on Chucker
Circle on September 3, 2010, around 10:56 p.m. Vasquez noticed two to four individuals
involved in a physical fight and saw High holding another individual in a headlock with
his arm around his neck. The individual sounded like he was gasping for air. Vasquez
told High to let go, but High did not initially comply. After High was detained, Vasquez
spoke with R.D. who indicated the fight started because High, her current boyfriend, was
jealous over her ex-boyfriend. Vasquez said R.D. told him High got upset because R.D.
was texting her ex-boyfriend and talking about going to a party with him. High grabbed
4
R.D. by the arms and threw her to the ground. Vasquez further testified that after
reading High his Miranda rights, High admitted he grabbed R.D. by the arms and pushed
her away from him, but denied throwing her to the ground.
March of 2015 Incident Against T.H.
T.H. testified she was with High at his mother’s house for a party. T.H. did not
hear High calling her name which made him extremely mad. High hit T.H., grabbed her
by the neck, and threw her to the ground by kicking her feet out from under her. T.H.
said she received scratches on her head, and her hair became so matted with blood she
could not brush through it. High’s cousin, who attempted to break up the fight, received
an ankle fracture from the altercation with High. High’s mother asked T.H. to lie and say
she was injured in a wreck on a dirt bike. T.H. took photographs of the injuries to her
face. She did not report the incident to the police because she was scared and because
High’s mother asked her to lie.
4 At trial, R.D. denied telling Vasquez that High had gotten physical with her after
getting jealous over an ex-boyfriend. She also denied telling the officer that High started
the fight with another male.
4.
June 25, 2015 Incident Against T.H.
On June 25, 2015, High came to T.H.’s home around 5:00 a.m. and broke in
through the garage door and the front door. T.H. explained that High took her phone
because he was convinced she was sleeping with his cousin. High placed his hands on
T.H.’s face, squeezed her cheeks, pushed her head down, and grabbed her. T.H. said she
was scared and ran to the bathroom while High scrolled through her phone. T.H. locked
her daughter G. and herself in the bathroom. High was trying to get into the bathroom, so
T.H. put her back against the door and feet against the cupboard to keep him from
entering. High cracked the bathroom door. T.H. called the police.
Sergeant Ken Grognet responded to the scene. Grognet noted damage to the
doorframe of the entry door leading from the garage into the apartment and damage to an
interior door leading into a bathroom. He found T.H. upset and crying. T.H. gave the
police a statement and pictures of the damage to her doors. Later that day, Grognet spoke
with High who confirmed he entered the house through the garage door and admitted he
punched a hole in the bathroom door during the argument. Grognet noted there were
several holes in the door. T.H. also told the police about the earlier incident that occurred
in March of 2015 at High’s mother’s house. T.H. gave them photographs depicting her
face and neck.
After these two incidents, T.H. said she moved to Arizona and then later returned
to Mi-Wuk, California. She maintained a rocky relationship with High even though they
lived separately. In October they married.
January 13, 2016 Incident Against T.H.
In the evening of January 13, 2016, while T.H. was sleeping, High appeared in her
house. According to T.H., she and High had broken up, were no longer living together
and he did not have permission to be inside. High did not have a key and entered through
a sliding glass door in one of the rooms. The sliding glass door was locked but he could
“just jimmy it.” T.H. said she woke up to see High in her bedroom. High was visibly
5.
drunk and smelled of alcohol. They got into a verbal fight and T.H. was able to get High
to leave, but he came back multiple times during the night through the same sliding glass
door. Each time he came back, T.H. would try to get him to leave and they would argue.
At some point, High became physically violent and pushed T.H. and choked her. T.H.
pushed him away, ran to the kitchen, and called 911. The dispatcher stayed on the line
with T.H. until High left. Law enforcement arrived and took T.H.’s statement and
photographed the marks around her neck and knot to her forehead. Detective Skylar
Waid observed bruising around T.H.’s neck and throat. There were lines on her neck like
fingers and she had bruising above her left elbow. Her right wrist was also red. Her right
hand was swollen and, two days later, she developed swelling in her wrist and elbow.
August of 2018 Incident Against T.H.
In August of 2018, T.H. and High were living together in a house on Crystal Falls.
They had a party at the house and High’s cousin was there. They were all drinking and,
at some point, T.H. began to feel unwell. She went downstairs to take a bath. When
High could not find T.H. or his cousin, he accused T.H. of sleeping with his cousin.
While T.H. was still in the bathtub, High confronted her, started yelling at her, and hit her
in the face. T.H.’s nose started bleeding and they continued fighting as they moved out
of the bathroom. High ended up on top of T.H., choking her. T.H. went in and out of
consciousness finally telling High to “just kill me and get it over with.” High stopped
choking her, started crying and told T.H. how sorry he was. T.H. did not report this
incident to police because High was crying and saying this would never happen again and
she believed him. The next day, T.H. took pictures, including one of her bed showing
blood all over it from her nose and mouth, in case something bad happened to her and
sent them to a friend.
October 2, 2018 Incident Against T.H.
While T.H. was still living at Crystal Falls, High and T.H. got into an argument
with a lot of pushing and shoving. High grabbed T.H. by her neck, swept her feet out
6.
from underneath her, and slammed her to the ground. T.H. used her feet to push High
backwards causing him to fall down the stairs and into the fireplace. T.H.’s mother
arrived and High threatened T.H.’s mother and then left.
B. Charged Incident on February 13, 2019
Counts 1 and 2
In February of 2019, T.H. and High were no longer together. T.H. was living with
K.C. and M.M. T.H. had been friends with K.C. for about five or six years. High was
one of M.M.’s best friends from childhood.
On February 13, 2019, T.H. went to K.C. and M.M.’s home around 2:00 p.m. to
hang out with them. After dinner, they started drinking and had about three or four shots
of Crown Royal; M.M. also had a case of beer. During that time, High showed up at the
house and drank with them. K.C. did not recall how many shots they took but recalled
being intoxicated.
Initially, everyone was getting along but soon an argument ensued between T.H.
5
and High. T.H. said she went upstairs to text a friend when High went up the stairs and
asked who she was talking to. T.H. lied and they began to argue. T.H. tried to walk
away but High pushed her into the bathroom and closed the door behind him. T.H. did
not want to be in the bathroom with High but could not get close enough to the door to
leave. High pushed T.H., causing her to fall backwards, trip over the toilet, and land in
the bathtub, hitting the back of her head on the faucet. T.H. got out of the bathtub and the
argument continued. High was yelling in her face, and she was in a corner telling him to
get away. T.H. tried to leave the bathroom but High kept pushing her, standing in front
of her, and blocking her exit.
K.C. testified that she went upstairs to check on them and heard High and T.H.
talking in the bathroom with the door closed. K.C. was concerned and wanted to make
5
At the trial, T.H. said this friend was now her fiancé.
7.
sure everything was okay so she banged on the door and opened it. According to T.H.,
K.C. opened the bathroom door and started arguing with High, which distracted High and
allowed T.H. to get out of the bathroom and run downstairs. T.H. did not know if High
locked the bathroom door but recalled K.C. was able to open the door without a key. At
trial, K.C. said that when she opened the upstairs bathroom door, T.H. was crying and
High left the bathroom while she spoke with T.H. T.H. told K.C. that High pushed her
down and hurt her by the bathtub and shower. Officer Erik Webber relayed that K.C.
reported to him she heard T.H. and High fighting and arguing in the bathroom. K.C. told
Webber she forced open the bathroom door and told them to stop fighting. T.H. left the
bathroom, followed by High.
Count 3
T.H. explained that after hitting her head on the faucet, her recollection of what
happened next was fuzzy. She described it as “walking through a really thick fog.” After
leaving the bathroom, T.H. went outside in the street, followed by High who would not
allow her to leave. T.H. remembered telling K.C. to call someone to get her out of there.
When neighbors came outside and intervened, T.H. said she ran away. High followed
her, calling her name a few times. T.H. said she was scared. Officer Webber, who took
T.H.’s statement later that night, said T.H. told him she and High were arguing and High
grabbed her throat with his right hand and squeezed, preventing her from breathing in a
normal manner. High put his leg behind her and forced her violently to the ground,
slamming the backside of her head on the pavement.
K.C. testified she went outside and saw T.H. leaving, so K.C. and High went after
her. K.C. saw High and T.H. in front of one of the neighbor’s houses; the neighbors were
outside. K.C. said one neighbor was arguing with High. K.C. joined T.H. as T.H. was
talking with another neighbor and then T.H. took off. K.C. did not see High hold T.H.
there against her will. Officer Webber stated that K.C. told him she saw T.H. and High
8.
6
outside in front of her house running around, arguing, and yelling at each other. K.C.
told Webber she saw High push T.H. a couple of times.
Neighbors T.R., K.T. and C.T. testified they went outside when they heard a man
and woman fighting. They saw a man holding onto a woman’s arm as she was struggling
and trying to get away, saying let go of me and “don’t touch me.” K.T. and C.T. both
said they were worried for the woman and told the man to take his hands off of her and to
get out of there. They saw the man get angry and aggressive. K.T. said the man wanted
to fight him and said something like “ ‘[m]ind your business’ ” or “ ‘I’ll beat your ass.’ ”
7
T.R. called law enforcement because she was a mandated reporter. She, K.T.,
and K.C. said they followed the man and the woman down the street towards K.C.’s
house. C.T. noticed the woman looked scared and was visibly trying to get away from
the man. She said the man kept grabbing the woman, and the woman kept trying to pull
away. K.T. saw the woman reverse direction and start walking back towards downtown.
The man also turned around to follow the woman.
T.R. had surveillance cameras that captured part of this incident. She made a link
of the video and shared the link with the victim. The video was played for the jury.
6
At trial, K.C. denied telling the officer that after the restroom she saw T.H. and
High running around outside in the middle of the street and yelling at each other. She
also denied telling the officer she saw High push T.H. several times and stated she did not
see High put his hands on T.H. K.C. did not remember telling the officer that T.H. ran
down the road and High left in his vehicle. K.C. did not recall if High threatened to beat
up the neighbor. She admitted she did not come to court voluntarily but was subpoenaed
to testify as a witness. Her son’s father’s close relationship with High was part of the
reason why K.C. did not want to testify.
7
T.R. explained because she works for a hospital, she is a mandated reporter and
must report unlawful activity.
9.
Counts 4 and 5
T.H. testified she ran downtown and hid inside the Intake Grill because she knew
the bartender and cook that worked there. T.H. told the employees that High followed
her and she needed to hide. They confirmed High was outside looking or waiting for
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her. T.H. waited inside for her friend to pick her up. Officer Webber testified T.H.
reported that High followed her to the Intake Grill and caught up to her at the back of the
building. High grabbed T.H. by the throat and forced her up against the back of the wall.
T.H. told Webber she was able to get away from High and went inside the Intake Grill to
hide from him.
T.H. reported the incident to law enforcement the next day. Officer Webber
photographed T.H.’s injuries. The pictures depicted the injury to the back of T.H.’s head,
as well as marks on her neck and under her chin. T.H. also had a bruise on her arm and
on the back of her shoulder and her back. Officer Webber noticed redness and bruising
on T.H.’s throat area and redness and bruising on her left shoulder and elbow. T.H.
stated she also had bruising on her right buttocks as well. Webber felt the back of T.H.’s
head and noticed a swollen mass on the back of her head. T.H. later informed Webber
that one of her neighbors had surveillance video of the incident. Webber received a
YouTube link to the video.
T.H. explained she went to the hospital because she was seeing stars, had really
bad slurred speech, and stated, “one of my pupils [was] blown.” Dr. Kimberly Freeman
testified she was working in the emergency room on February 14, 2019, and treated T.H.
T.H. described two head trauma incidents to the doctor. T.H. told the doctor she had
been assaulted that night and she had a headache and her legs felt heavy. T.H.
complained of increased nausea and vomiting and stated that light bothered her eyes and
8
According to K.C., High followed T.H. on foot to the Intake Grill and K.C.
followed them both. When K.C. arrived, High was there but T.H. was not. K.C. said
High went back to her house with her.
10.
that her vision was “ ‘jumpy.’ ” Dr. Freeman noted a hematoma on T.H.’s head.
Dr. Freeman diagnosed T.H. with head trauma, concussion, migraine, and domestic
violence. Dr. Freeman’s diagnosis was based on reported symptoms and a physical
exam.
Upon request of the prosecution, the court took judicial notice of certified copies
of High’s two prior convictions. One of the prior convictions was for spousal battery for
the incident that occurred in 2015.
II. Defense Evidence
C.H. is High’s father. T.H. called C.H. to tell him about the February 13th
incident a few weeks after it occurred. High accused T.H. of being on her cell phone
with someone else while she was in the bathroom. High went into the bathroom and took
T.H.’s phone. She told C.H. that she got mad at High for always taking her cell phone
and started hitting him. She said she did not really remember anything else because they
were all drunk. T.H. also told C.H. about going outside and being so drunk she fell in a
ditch.
C.H. admitted that he had two misdemeanor convictions for domestic violence.
When T.H. told him she was drunk and fell in a ditch, C.H. knew High was already
charged with domestic violence relating to the incident, but C.H. admitted he did not
forward that information to the police. C.H. explained he did not report it to police
because he thought T.H. would not follow through with the allegations.
III. Rebuttal Evidence
T.H. was recalled as a rebuttal witness. She testified she was close to C.H. and
that he knew about High’s incidents of domestic violence and was even present for a few
of them. C.H. called T.H. when she was in the hospital on February 14, 2019, and asked
her to lie about what happened to the police officers and the hospital staff. T.H. said she
11.
never told C.H. she fell into a ditch on February 13, because that never happened. She
did not tell C.H. she was drunk either. T.H. said C.H. has lied a few times.
IV. Verdict and Sentencing
The jury found High guilty of corporal injury to a spouse causing great bodily
injury regarding the incident in the bathroom (§§ 273.5, subd. (a) & 12022.7, subd. (e),
count 1), false imprisonment by force or violence in the bathroom (§ 236, count 2),
corporal injury to a spouse causing great bodily injury regarding the incident in the street
in front of the house (§§ 273.5, subd. (a) & 12022.7, subd. (e), count 3), and false
imprisonment by force or violence at the Intake Grill (§ 236, count 5). The jury found
High not guilty of corporal injury to a spouse regarding the incident at the Intake Grill
alleged in count 4.
Prior to trial, High admitted the prior strike allegation and the prior domestic
violence conviction allegation. Additionally, pursuant to the People’s motion, the court
dismissed the great bodily injury enhancement as to count 2.
The trial court held a combined sentencing hearing for this case (CRF60095) and a
violation of probation from a 2016 conviction (CRF49073) for first degree burglary
(§ 459) and corporal injury to a child with a prior (§ 273.5, subd. (f)(1)) for which High
was placed on five years felony probation. The court sentenced High to an aggregate
term of 12 years in prison for his convictions in this case. On count 1, the court imposed
the middle term of four years, doubled pursuant to the strike prior to eight years. On
count 2, the court imposed a concurrent sentence of the upper term of two years, doubled
pursuant to the strike prior to four years, to be served concurrently. On count 3, the court
imposed one third the middle term, doubled to two years eight months, to be served
consecutively to count 2. Five years for the enhancement pursuant to section 12022.7,
subdivision (e) was imposed but stayed. On count 5, the court imposed one-third the
middle term, doubled to one year four months, to be served consecutively to count 3.
12.
The court stayed punishment for the great bodily injury enhancements. The trial court
imposed a restitution fine of $7,500 pursuant to section 1202.4, subdivision (b).
In case No. CRF49073, the court imposed a term of 16 months for first degree
burglary, which was one third the midterm to be served consecutively to the term in this
case (case No. CRF60095), and the upper term of five years for injury to a child with a
prior conviction to be served concurrent to the term in case No. CRF60095.
Additionally, the trial court imposed a restitution fine of $1,500 pursuant to section
1202.4.
DISCUSSION
I. Substantial Evidence Supports High’s False Imprisonment Conviction on
Count 5
High claims his false imprisonment conviction on count 5 related to the incident at
the Intake Grill is not supported by substantial evidence and should be reversed. High
argues the evidence shows his physical restraint of T.H. outside the Intake Grill was
merely momentary, not for an appreciable length of time. The People respond count 5
was based upon the period of time T.H. was forced to hide inside the Intake Grill to
escape High’s violence against her, which amounted to an appreciable length of time.
A. Relevant Factual and Procedural History
During opening statements, the prosecutor made the following statement regarding
the false imprisonment charge at the Intake Grill: “[T.H.] then flees into the restaurant.
And that’s a charge. Because false imprisonment is not only keeping someone where
they don’t want to be, but it’s also making them go someplace they don’t want to be.
She’s only going to the Intake Grill to get away from him. And that’s another violation.”
Before closing arguments, the court inquired whether unanimity instructions were
required for the domestic violence charges. The People argued a unanimity instruction
was not required because “each domestic violence event [is] completely separate in
location and in time; inside the bathroom, later outside on the street, and much later a
13.
mile or so away at the Intake Grill.” It was confirmed that there were three separate
domestic violence charges listed in the information and verdict forms: one in the
bathroom, one in the front yard, and one at the Intake Grill. The court confirmed: “as to
the unanimity instruction, do you agree with that as well? That since they’re charged as
three separate crimes, there’s no unanimity issue with regard to the jury - - the unanimity
is going to happen when they vote guilty or not guilty on each of the charges.” Defense
counsel agreed, stating “I can work with that, Your Honor. I - - actually, it does simplify
things, and I think it does keep it correct; so we’re good.”
The prosecutor’s closing argument differentiated counts 4 and 5 at the Intake Grill
as follows: “And what does he do at the back of the Intake Grill? He puts his hands
around her neck and strangles her. And [Officer] Webber sees mark to her neck, which is
a traumatic condition. [⁋] That’s separate in time. It’s separate in place. It’s a violation
of the law. It’s Count 4.”
Regarding count 5, the prosecutor argued in closing: “Now [T.H.] went into
Intake Grill. She wasn’t going into Intake Grill to have a beer or one of their side dishes.
She was going in there to save her life. She was going into a place that she didn’t want to
be–but he had just put his hands around her neck. [⁋] I submit to you, that’s false
imprisonment by menace because he had used that–he had shown her that he was
perfectly willing to hunt her down again and use that force on her. And she had no
choice that–but to go someplace she did not want to be to get away from him.”
B. Standard of Review
“ ‘When considering a challenge to the sufficiency of the evidence to support a
conviction, 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.’ ” (People v. Lewis (2009) 46 Cal.4th 1255,
14.
1289 (Lewis), quoting People v. Lindberg (2008) 45 Cal.4th 1, 27; People v. Bolden
(2002) 29 Cal.4th 515, 553.) “The appellate court presumes in support of the judgment
the existence of every fact the trier could reasonably deduce from the evidence.” (People
v. Kraft (2000) 23 Cal.4th 978, 1053; People v. Reilly (1970) 3 Cal.3d 421, 425.)
“ ‘[T]he relevant question is whether, after viewing the evidence in the light most
favorable to the prosecution, any rational trier of fact could have found the essential
elements of the crime beyond a reasonable doubt.’ ” (Lewis, supra, at pp. 1289-1290,
quoting Jackson v. Virginia (1979) 443 U.S. 307, 318-319; see People v. Staten (2000)
24 Cal.4th 434, 460 [“An identical standard applies under the California Constitution.”].)
C. Applicable Law
“False imprisonment is the unlawful violation of the personal liberty of another.”
(§ 236; see People v. Jennings (2010) 50 Cal.4th 616, 638-639; People v. Reed (2000) 78
Cal.App.4th 274, 280.) In this context, “ ‘[p]ersonal liberty’ is violated when the victim
is ‘compelled to remain where he does not wish to remain, or to go where he does not
wish to go.’ ” (People v. Von Villas (1992) 10 Cal.App.4th 201, 255, quoting People v.
Haney (1977) 75 Cal.App.3d 308, 313.) “If the false imprisonment be effected by
violence, menace, fraud, or deceit, it shall be punishable by imprisonment pursuant to
subdivision (h) of Section 1170.” (§ 237; see People v. Jennings, supra, at pp. 638-639.)
False imprisonment does not require confinement in an enclosed space. (People v.
Fernandez (1994) 26 Cal.App.4th 710, 718 (Fernandez); People v. Dominguez (2010)
180 Cal.App.4th 1351, 1357 (Dominguez).) “ ‘ “ ‘Any exercise of force, or express or
implied threat of force, by which in fact the other person is deprived of his liberty or is
compelled to remain where he does not wish to remain, or to go where he does not wish
to go, is false imprisonment.’ ” ’ ”of express or implied force which compels another
person to remain where he does not wish to remain, or go where he does not wish to go,
is false imprisonment.” (Fernandez, supra, at p. 717; People v. Agnew (1940) 16 Cal.2d
15.
655, 659-660 [accord]; People v. Bamba (1997) 58 Cal.App.4th 1113, 1123 [accord];
People v. Rios (1986) 177 Cal.App.3d 445, 453 [accord].) False imprisonment may be
committed either by words or acts. It may be committed by personal violence, or merely
by operation upon the will of the falsely imprisoned, or both. (People v. Agnew, supra, at
p. 660; People v. Zilbauer (1955) 44 Cal.2d 43, 51; People v. Reed, supra, at p. 280.)
Thus, all that is necessary to convict on a misdemeanor charge of false
imprisonment is that an “ ‘ “individual be restrained of his liberty without any sufficient
complaint or authority therefor” ’ ” under the standards noted above. (People v. Islas
(2012) 210 Cal.App.4th 116, 122-123 (Islas).) To raise the offense to a felony, violence
or menace must be established. (Ibid; People v. Haney, supra, 75 Cal.App.3d at p. 313.)
Violence is use of force that is greater than reasonably necessary to effect the restraint.
(People v. Hendrix (1992) 8 Cal.App.4th 1458, 1462.) “ ‘Menace is a threat of harm
expressed or implied by words or act.’ ” (Islas, supra, at p. 123, quoting Dominguez,
supra, 180 Cal.App.4th at p. 1359; People v. Wardell (2008) 162 Cal.App.4th 1484,
1490.) “ ‘An express threat or use of a deadly weapon is not necessary.’ ” (Islas, supra,
at p. 123, quoting Wardell, supra, at p. 1491.)
D. Analysis
High contends that count 5, which alleged false imprisonment at the Intake Grill,
is not supported by substantial evidence. High claims count 5 was based on him grabbing
T.H. by the neck and pushing her up against a wall outside the Intake Grill. Because T.H.
was able to get away from him, High believes the restraint was merely momentary and
did not amount to “an appreciable length of time.” High argues “The record does not
contain evidence on which a reasonable jury could have found beyond a reasonable doubt
that [High] falsely imprisoned [T.H.] outside the restaurant.” The People, on the other
hand, contend that High’s “argument fails at its premise because the false imprisonment
conviction relating to count 5 was actually based on the appreciable period of time that
[T.H.] had to hide in the bar and grill to escape [High’s] menace and violence.” On
16.
reply, High disagrees with the People’s contention that count 5 was based on T.H.’s
fleeing into the restaurant, asserting the verdict form referred to the “incident at Intake
Grill,” which referred to his grabbing of T.H.’s neck and pushing her against a wall
outside of Intake Grill rather than T.H. fleeing into Intake Grill. He notes the court did
not give a unanimity instruction on count 5.
During trial, but outside the presence of the jury, unanimity instructions were
discussed, specifically regarding the domestic violence charges, because there was more
than one series of events that could form the basis for the charges. The trial court agreed
with the People, without objection from the defense, that unanimity instructions were not
required because the information and the verdict forms specified three separate locations
tied to the three separate domestic violence charges. Accordingly, no unanimity
9
instruction was given.
The prosecution’s theory of the case for false imprisonment charged in count 5
was that High menaced T.H. into hiding in the Intake Grill. During opening statements,
the prosecutor explained that the violation in count 5 occurred when T.H. “fle[d] into the
restaurant” and was “going into the Intake Grill to get away from [High].” The
9
It is also worth noting, because of the constitutional right to a unanimous jury, “ ‘if
one criminal act is charged, but the evidence tends to show the commission of more than
one such act, “either the prosecution must elect the specific act relied upon to prove the
charge to the jury, or the court must instruct the jury that it must” unanimously agree that
the defendant committed the same specific criminal act.’ ” (People v. Brown (2017) 11
Cal.App.5th 332, 341; People v. Russo (2001) 25 Cal.4th 1124, 1132 [“when the
evidence suggests more than one discrete crime, either the prosecution must elect among
the crimes or the court must require the jury to agree on the same criminal act”]; People
v. Brugman (2021) 62 Cal.App.5th 608, 627 [same].) “ ‘The prosecution can make an
election by “tying each specific count to specific criminal acts elicited from the victims’
testimony” – typically in opening statement and/or closing argument.’ ” (Brugman,
supra, at p. 627; People v. Diaz (1987) 195 Cal.App.3d 1375, 1382.) “ ‘Under these
principles, there is an implicit presumption that the jury will rely on the prosecution’s
election and, indeed, is bound by it.’ ” (Brugman, supra, at p. 627, quoting People v.
Brown, supra, at p. 341.)
17.
prosecutor explained to the jury that the false imprisonment is “not only keeping
someone where they don’t want to be, but it’s also making them go someplace they don’t
want to be.” In closing argument, the prosecutor again explained that the false
imprisonment at count 5 occurred when T.H. went into the Intake Grill. The prosecutor
stated, “She was going in there to save her life. She was going into a place that she didn’t
want to be – but he had just put his hands around her neck.” The prosecutor explained
that it was false imprisonment by menace because High had just shown her he was
willing to use force on her and she had no choice but to get away. Moreover, the
prosecutor told the jury that the crime regarding the choking incident behind the Intake
Grill had been charged in a separate count, count 4, corporal injury to spouse.
Upon review of the record, we conclude there is substantial evidence from which a
reasonable trier of fact could find High guilty of false imprisonment by violence or
menace beyond a reasonable doubt on count 5. (See Lewis, supra, 46 Cal.4th at p. 1289.)
The evidence at trial was that High caught up with T.H. behind the Intake Grill, grabbed
her by the throat and forced her up against the back of the wall. She was able to get away
from High and went inside the Intake Grill to hide. T.H. waited inside for her friend to
pick her up. The jury could reasonably infer based on High’s actions causing physical
harm to T.H. behind the Intake Grill that High used violence or menace to effectuate the
false imprisonment. (See Islas, supra, 210 Cal.App.4th at pp. 122-123.)
On this record, there is substantial evidence that T.H.’s personal liberty was
violated since she was not free to leave the Intake Grill. After T.H. explained to her
friends inside the Intake Grill that High had followed her there, they confirmed that High
was outside waiting for her. Because High was observed waiting outside, the evidence
demonstrates she was “ ‘compelled to remain where [s]he [did] not wish to remain, or to
go where [s]he [did] not wish to go.’ ” (See People v. Von Villas, supra, 10 Cal.App.4th
at p. 255.) Our Supreme Court explained “the tort [of false imprisonment] consists of the
‘ “nonconsensual, intentional confinement of a person, without lawful privilege, for an
18.
appreciable length of time, however short.” ’ ” (Fermino v. Fedco, Inc. (1994) 7 Cal.4th
701, 715.) The length of time can be as brief as 15 minutes. (Ibid.) While inside the
Intake Grill, T.H. took time to explain to her friends who were employed there that High
was following her and that she needed to hide. The employees took the time to confirm
that High was still outside looking for T.H. T.H. then waited for a friend to pick her up.
We conclude the record contains substantial evidence from which a reasonable trier of
fact could find beyond a reasonable doubt T.H.’s liberty was restrained for an appreciable
length of time.
We are not persuaded by High’s argument that because the verdict form for
count 5 states the false imprisonment occurred “at the Intake Grill,” it means outside the
Intake Grill and only pertains to High’s actions behind the Intake Grill. Any risk the
jurors may have relied on different incidents to find High guilty of false imprisonment in
count 5 was alleviated by the prosecution’s clear election during opening statements and
closing arguments. The prosecution remedied any potential confusion by explaining in
opening statements and closing argument that the false imprisonment charge in count 5 at
the Intake Grill was based on T.H. feeling forced to hide inside the Intake Grill.
We further reject High’s assertion that his restraint of T.H. was merely a
momentary event and not for “ ‘some appreciable length of time, however short.’ ” (See
People v. Rios, supra, 177 Cal.App.3d at p. 453, dis. opn. of White, J.) The cases High
relies upon are inapposite. In People v. Arnold (1992) 6 Cal.App.4th 18, the victim
wanted to go on a run with the defendant hoping he would kiss her. When he said
“ ‘come here,’ ” he grabbed her buttocks, kissed her and put both his hands underneath
her clothing, touching her breasts for a couple of seconds. The victim pushed him away
and told him no. (Id. at p. 28.) The defendant was charged with sexual battery and the
court found the momentary grabbing of the victim before she successfully pulled away
was insufficient to establish unlawful restraint in sexual battery. (Id. at p. 29.) Unlike in
Arnold, the facts here lack the initially desired contact, nor was T.H. able to regain her
19.
full freedom since she had to hide from High in the Intake Grill. In People v. Martinez
(1984) 150 Cal.App.3d 579,10 the victim successfully prevented the defendant’s attempt
to grab her by the hair to gain control of her as a hostage. The evidence was insufficient
to establish the crime of kidnapping for extortion. (Id. at p. 602.) Here, T.H. was able to
get away from High’s physical hold but was forced to hide from High inside the Intake
Grill.
II. The Trial Court Did Not Prejudicially Err By Not Instructing the Jury Sua
Sponte on the Lesser Included Offense of Attempted False Imprisonment
Alternately, High contends the trial court prejudicially erred by failing to instruct
sua sponte on the lesser included offense of attempted false imprisonment. And that the
trial court’s failure to instruct on the lesser included offense was prejudicial. The People
disagree arguing there was no sua sponte duty to instruct on attempted false
imprisonment because attempted false imprisonment is not a lesser included offense
under either the elements test or the accusatory pleading test. We conclude the trial court
did not have a sua sponte duty to instruct on attempted false imprisonment.
A. Relevant Procedural History
The trial court instructed the jury regarding false imprisonment as
follows:
“The Defendant is charged in Counts 2 and 5 with false
imprisonment by violence or menace in violation of Penal Code Section
273(a). [¶ ] To prove that the Defendant is guilty of this crime, the People
must prove that, one, the Defendant intentionally and unlawfully confined
someone or caused that person to be confined by violence or menace. And,
two, the Defendant made the other person stay or go somewhere against the
person’s will. [¶ ] Violence means using physical force that is greater than
force reasonably necessary to restrain someone. [¶ ] Menace means a
verbal or physical threat of harm. The threat of harm may be expressed or
implied. [¶ ] An act is done against a person’s will if that person does not
10 Disapproved of on other grounds in People v. Hayes (1990) 52 Cal.3d 577, 628,
fn. 10.
20.
consent to the act. In order to consent, a person must act freely and
voluntarily and know the nature of the act. [¶ ] False imprisonment does
not require that the person be restrained, be confined in a jail or prison.
“False imprisonment is a lesser-included offense of the crime of
false imprisonment by violence or menace as charged in Counts 2 and 5.
[¶ ] To prove false imprisonment, the evidence must show that, one, the
Defendant intentionally and unlawfully confined a person. And, two, the
Defendant’s acts made that person stay or go somewhere against that
person’s will. [¶ ] An act is done against that person’s will if that person
does not consent to the act. In order to consent, a person must act freely
and voluntarily and know the nature of the act. [¶ ] False imprisonment
does not require that the person be restrained be confined in a jail or prison.
“Counts 1, 3, and 4, false imprisonment, is a lesser-included offense
to false imprisonment by violence and – or menace as charged in Counts 2
and 4. [¶ ] It is up to you to decide the order in which you consider each
crime and the relevance, but I can accept a verdict of guilty of a lesser
crime only if you have found the Defendant not guilty of the according
greater count. But each charged count has a lesser-included offense.”
High did not request, and the court did not instruct, on attempted false
imprisonment as a lesser included offense.
B. Standard of Review
“On appeal, we review independently the question whether the trial court
improperly failed to instruct on a lesser included offense.” (People v. Souza (2012) 54
Cal.4th 90, 113.) “An appellate court applies the independent or de novo standard of
review to the failure by the trial court to instruct on an uncharged offense that was
assertedly lesser than, and included, in a charged offense.” (People v. Waidla (2000) 22
Cal.4th 690, 733.)
C. Legal Principles
“A trial court must instruct the jury sua sponte on an uncharged offense that is
lesser than, and included in, a greater offense with which [High] is charged ‘only if
[citation] “there is evidence” ’ [citation], specifically ‘substantial evidence’ [citation]
‘ “which, if accepted …, would absolve [High] from guilt of the greater offense”
21.
[citation] but not the lesser.’ ” (People v. Waidla, supra, 22 Cal.4th at p. 733; People v.
Cole (2004) 33 Cal.4th 1158, 1218 [same].) “ ‘[A] lesser offense is necessarily included
in a greater offense if either the statutory elements of the greater offense, or the facts
actually alleged in the accusatory pleading, include all the elements of the lesser offense,
such that the greater cannot be committed without also committing the lesser.’ ” (People
v. Licas (2007) 41 Cal.4th 362, 366, quoting People v. Birks (1998) 19 Cal.4th 108, 117-
118.) Error in failing to give a lesser included instruction is reviewed for prejudice under
the People v. Watson (1956) 46 Cal.2d 818 standard. (People v. Breverman (1998) 19
Cal.4th 142, 165, abrogated on another ground by amendment of § 189.)
“An attempt to commit a crime consists of two elements: a specific intent to
commit the crime, and a direct but ineffectual act done toward its commission.” (§ 21a;
People v. Ross (1988) 205 Cal.App.3d 1548, 1554-1555 (Ross)[“i.e., an overt ineffectual
act which is beyond mere preparation yet short of actual commission of the crime”].)
Mere preparation such as planning or mere intention to commit a crime is insufficient to
constitute an attempt. It requires “[s]ome act done toward the ultimate accomplishment
of the intended crime.” (People v. Siu (1954) 126 Cal.App.2d 41, 43; Ross, supra, at p.
1554.)
“ ‘A defendant may be convicted of an uncharged crime if, but only if, the
uncharged crime is necessarily included in the charged crime. [Citations.] ... “ ‘This
reasoning rests upon a constitutional basis: “Due process of law requires that an accused
be advised of the charges against him in order that he may have a reasonable opportunity
to prepare and present his defense and not be taken by surprise by evidence offered at his
trial.” [Citation.]’ ” [Citation.] The required notice is provided as to any charged
offense and any lesser offense that is necessarily committed when the charged offense is
committed.’ ” (People v. Sloan (2007) 42 Cal.4th 110, 116; see § 1159.)
“[A] lesser offense is necessarily included in a greater offense if either the
statutory elements of the greater offense, or the facts actually alleged in the accusatory
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pleading, include all the elements of the lesser offense, such that the greater cannot be
committed without also committing the lesser.” (People v. Birks, supra, 19 Cal.4th at pp.
117-118, fn. omitted; accord People v. Lopez (2020) 9 Cal.5th 254, 269-270 [“ ‘To
determine if an offense is lesser and necessarily included in another offense for this
purpose, we apply either the elements test or the accusatory pleading test. “Under the
elements test, if the statutory elements of the greater offense include all of the statutory
elements of the lesser offense, the latter is necessarily included in the former. Under the
accusatory pleading test, if the facts actually alleged in the accusatory pleading include
all of the elements of the lesser offense, the latter is necessarily included in the
former.” ’ ”].)
Courts have made clear that false imprisonment is a general intent crime, because
the statutory definition “includes only a description of the particular act without any
reference to an intent to do a further act or achieve a further consequence.” (People v.
Swanson (1983) 142 Cal.App.3d 104, 109; see also People v. Olivencia (1988) 204
Cal.App.3d 1391, 1399-1400; Fernandez, supra, 26 Cal.App.4th at pp. 716-718.)
In People v. Bailey (2012) 54 Cal.4th 740 (Bailey), the California Supreme Court
explained that although an attempt to commit a crime is generally a lesser included
offense of the completed crime, that rule does not apply where “the attempted offense
includes a particularized intent that goes beyond what is required by the completed
offense.” (Id. at p. 753; see also People v. Mendoza (2015) 240 Cal.App.4th 72, 83.)
Pursuant to section 21a, an attempt to commit a crime “consists of two elements: a
specific intent to commit the crime, and a direct but ineffectual act done toward its
commission.” “Because of the different mental states required, a defendant could be
guilty of the completed offense but not the attempt,” and therefore a specific intent
attempt crime is not a lesser included offense of a general intent completed crime.
(People v. Mendoza, supra, at p. 83; see People v. Braslaw (2015) 233 Cal.App.4th 1239,
1248 (Braslaw) [the attempt of a general intent crime requires proof of an additional
23.
element and is therefore not a lesser included offense]; Bailey, supra, at p. 753 [same];
People v. Ngo (2014) 225 Cal.App.4th 126, 156 [“when the completed offense is a
general intent crime, an attempt to commit that offense does not meet the definition of a
lesser included offense under the elements test because the attempted offense includes a
specific intent element not included in the complete offense”]; People v. Strunk (1995) 31
Cal.App.4th 265, 271 [“an attempt is a specific intent crime and does not fit within the
definition of a necessarily included offense of a general intent crime”].)
D. Analysis
High claims he attempted but was unable to complete the false imprisonment of
T.H. behind the Intake Grill because she broke away from his momentary restraint of her.
High claims that “[e]ven if there is substantial evidence that [High] restrained [T.H.] at
the restaurant for an appreciable length of time in order to be guilty of false
imprisonment, there is also substantial evidence that [High] attempted to complete the
crime of false imprisonment but … was unable to do so because he was only able to
restrain [T.H.] for mere moments before she broke away.” As such, High contends the
trial court erred by failing to instruct sua sponte on the lesser included offense of
attempted false imprisonment. High argues CALCRIM No. 1240 identifies attempted
false imprisonment as a lesser included offense of false imprisonment. High argues that
there was sufficient evidence in the record from which the jury could have found that
High was only guilty of the lesser included offense of attempted false imprisonment and
not guilty of the greater offense of false imprisonment. And that the failure to instruct on
attempted false imprisonment was prejudicial. High claims the trial court’s failure to
instruct on attempted false imprisonment was prejudicial given the evidence High
restrained T.H. for mere moments behind the Intake Grill.
The People disagree, arguing the court did not have a sua sponte duty to instruct
on attempted false imprisonment because attempted false imprisonment is not necessarily
24.
a lesser included offense because it requires specific intent, and false imprisonment only
requires general intent. Accordingly, attempted false imprisonment fails both the
elements test and the accusatory pleading test. The People also contend the court did not
have a duty to instruct on attempted false imprisonment because there was substantial
evidence that High was guilty of false imprisonment but not guilty of attempted false
imprisonment.
Our Supreme Court has held that “where the attempted offense includes a
particularized intent that goes beyond what is required by the completed offense,” it is
not a lesser included offense. (Bailey, supra, 54 Cal.4th at p. 753.) False imprisonment
is a general intent crime. (People v. Swanson, supra, 142 Cal.App.3d at p. 109.) An
attempt is a specific intent crime, and attempted false imprisonment requires the specific
intent to commit false imprisonment. (§ 21a; see Braslaw, supra, 233 Cal.App.4th at p.
1249.) Therefore, because of the different mental states required, the specific intent
crime of attempted false imprisonment is not a lesser included offense of the general
intent crime of false imprisonment. (See People v. Mendoza, supra, 240 Cal.App.4th at
p. 83; see Braslaw, supra, at p. 1248.) Thus, under the elements test, attempted false
imprisonment is not a lesser included offense of false imprisonment.
“The accusatory pleading test arose to ensure that defendants receive notice before
they can be convicted of an uncharged crime.” (People v. Reed (2006) 38 Cal.4th 1224,
1229; People v. Lopez, supra, 9 Cal.5th at p. 270.) Because a defendant is entitled to
notice of the charges, the specific language of the accusatory pleading must adequately
warn the defendant that the People will seek to prove the elements of the lesser offense.
(People v. Reed, supra, at p. 1229.) The information alleges High “unlawfully violate[d]
the personal liberty” of T.H. It does not charge High with having specific intent to
commit the offense. As such, attempted false imprisonment is also not a lesser included
offense of false imprisonment under the accusatory pleading test.
25.
Although High cites to CALCRIM No. 1240 to argue attempted false
imprisonment is a lesser included offense of false imprisonment, the jury instruction is
not the law or binding authority. (See People v. Mojica (2006) 139 Cal.App.4th 1197,
1204, fn. 4 [pattern jury instructions are not the law and are not binding]; People v.
Alvarez (1996) 14 Cal.4th 155, 217; People v. Runnion (1994) 30 Cal.App.4th 852, 858.)
And none of the cases High cites state that attempted false imprisonment is a necessarily
lesser included offense of false imprisonment. Including People v. Ross, supra, 205
Cal.App.3d 1548, cited by High, which only addresses whether a present ability to
complete the offense is necessary to convict on attempted false imprisonment. (Id. at pp.
1553-1556.) Ultimately, Bailey is controlling and compels the conclusion that the
specific intent crime of attempted false imprisonment is not a lesser included offense of
the charged general intent crime of false imprisonment.
Even if attempted false imprisonment were a lesser included offense of false
imprisonment, the trial court did not have an obligation to instruct on attempted false
imprisonment. “That obligation has been held to include giving instructions on lesser
included offenses when the evidence raises a question as to whether all of the elements of
the charged offense were present [citation], but not when there is no evidence that the
offense was less than charged.” (People v. Breverman, supra, 19 Cal.4th at p. 154.) As
discussed above, there is no question that all the elements of the charge of false
imprisonment by violence or menace were present in count 5. And there is no evidence
that the offense was less than charged.
It is also important to note that the jury was already given a lesser included offense
option of misdemeanor false imprisonment but rejected that option in favor of the
charged offense. In such cases, the jury is not “forced [into] ‘an all-or-nothing choice
between conviction of the stated offense on the one hand, or complete acquittal on the
other.’ ” (People v. Lacefield (2007) 157 Cal.App.4th 249, 262, disapproved on other
grounds in People v. Smith (2013) 57 Cal.4th 232, 242; see People v. Dominguez (1992)
26.
11 Cal.App.4th 1342, 1353 [defendant charged with robbery; failure to instruct on lesser
included offense of grand theft was harmless because jury was instructed on lesser
included offense of petty theft and was thus not “put to an ‘unwarranted all-or-nothing
choice’ ”]; cf. People v. Lipscomb (1993) 17 Cal.App.4th 564, 571 [defendant charged
with assault with a firearm; failure to instruct on lesser related offense of brandishing was
harmless where the jury “was not faced with an all-or-nothing choice” because it was
instructed on other lesser related offenses].)
The California Supreme Court applied these principles in People v. Rogers (2006)
39 Cal.4th 826, where the defendant was charged with first degree murder. The Rogers
court held that the trial court should have instructed the jury on the express malice form
of second degree murder. (Id. at pp. 866-867.) However, the error was harmless because
the jury had been given other lesser offense options, including the implied malice form of
second degree murder, but convicted the defendant of first degree murder. (Id. at pp.
867-868.) The Rogers court similarly found that any error in failing to give an
involuntary manslaughter instruction was harmless because the jury had rejected the
lesser options of second degree murder and voluntary manslaughter. (Id. at p. 884; see
People v. Barnett (1998) 17 Cal.4th 1044, 1156 [failure to give involuntary manslaughter
instruction harmless where jury found defendant guilty of first degree murder “in the face
of exhaustive instructions pertaining to the lesser included offenses of second degree
murder and voluntary manslaughter”].) Therefore, even assuming, arguendo, the trial
court erred in failing to instruct on attempted false imprisonment, such failure would be
harmless since the jury was given another reasonable lesser offense option but rejected it
in favor of the charged offense.
III. The Trial Court Did Not Prejudicially Err in Allowing Testimony Regarding
Prior Domestic Violence Incidents
High contends his “conviction should be reversed because the trial court
prejudicially abused its discretion and violated [his] federal due process right to a
27.
fundamentally fair trial [citation] by admitting extensive testimony about six prior
domestic violence incidents.” The People argue that prior incidents of domestic violence
are admissible under Evidence Code section 1109 and that the trial court did not abuse its
discretion in allowing the evidence after finding its probative value outweighed any
undue prejudice. We agree with the People and conclude the trial court did not abuse its
discretion in allowing testimony regarding prior incidents of domestic violence.
A. Relevant Factual Background
Through a motion in limine, the People sought to admit High’s prior instances of
domestic violence under Evidence Code section 1109. The domestic violence incidents
consisted of four uncharged instances and two charged instances. Defense sought to
exclude evidence regarding prior acts of domestic violence under Evidence Code section
352. High claimed that “the only reason to get it in would be to inflame the passion of
the jurors so as to influence how they decide my client’s case. [⁋] And it is – there’s no
– well, minimal – minimal probative value as to whether the allegations in this Complaint
actually happened that could be proffered from that evidence.”
The prosecution argued that “Everything that [defense counsel] said is contrary to
Penal Code Section 1109. It goes to propensity. It’s highly relevant. Most of the acts
are the same victim; so I – I – other than his 352 argument, if the Code calls for it, then
it’s permissible. And I’d ask the Court to grant the motion.”
The trial court responded, stating, “If we went with your logic, [defense counsel],
that code section would have no use ever.” The court explained it “under[stood] 352
applies, but I’m going to allow the evidence.”
In closing arguments, the prosecutor argued the following: “For nine years, by my
math, [High has] been unable to control his violent impulses toward his partners, unable
to handle jealousy issues. And we’re not here to be counselors for him. But he’s been
enable[d]. And it’s been chronicled. [⁋] And he has an MO he likes to use. He likes to
use strangulation. He likes to use punches. He likes to use leg sweeps. [⁋] And over
28.
those nine years, he’s caused injuries to [T.H.]. Over those nine years, including [R.D.],
he’s incited situations where people have had to come out and deal with him. [O]ver that
nine-year period, he’s been convicted of domestic violence and faced consequences. [⁋]
And what has all that taught him on the evening of February 13th, 2019? Nothing. Not a
thing. He hasn’t accepted responsibility or learned a lesson from his past conduct.”
B. Standard of Review
A trial court’s ruling on the admissibility of evidence is reviewed for abuse of
discretion. (People v. Johnson (2010) 185 Cal.App.4th 520, 531.) Specifically, the
admissibility of evidence of domestic violence is subject to the sound discretion of the
trial court, which will not be disturbed on appeal absent a showing of an abuse of
discretion. (People v. Poplar (1999) 70 Cal.App.4th 1129, 1138, citing Evid. Code,
§§ 352, 1109; People v. Fitch (1997) 55 Cal.App.4th 172, 183.)
C. Applicable Law
Character or propensity evidence, including evidence of a person’s prior conduct,
is generally inadmissible to prove the person’s conduct on a specified occasion. (Evid.
Code, § 1101, subd. (a); People v. Villatoro (2012) 54 Cal.4th 1152, 1159.) However,
“[t]he Legislature has … created specific exceptions to the rule against admitting
character evidence in cases involving sexual offenses ([Evid. Code, ]§ 1108, subd. (a)),
and domestic violence, elder or dependent abuse, or child abuse ([Evid. Code, ]§ 1109,
subd. (a)(1)-(3)).” (Villatoro, supra, at p. 1159.)
Evidence Code section 1109 provides, in relevant part, “in a criminal action in
which the defendant is accused of an offense involving domestic violence, evidence of
the defendant’s commission of other domestic violence is not made inadmissible by
Section 1101 if the evidence is not inadmissible pursuant to Section 352.” (Evid. Code,
§ 1109, subd. (a)(1).) The code section “permits the introduction of evidence of prior
domestic violence to demonstrate a defendant’s propensity for such behavior.” (Doe v.
Busby (9th Cir. 2011) 661 F.3d 1001, 1023; People v. Kerley (2018) 23 Cal.App.5th 513,
29.
539 [evidence of prior domestic violence authorized to show the defendant had a
propensity for abuse]; People v. Brown (2011) 192 Cal.App.4th 1222, 1233 (Brown)
[evidence of a prior act may be introduced as propensity evidence].) “[I]n enacting
Evidence Code section 1109, the Legislature found that in domestic violence cases
evidence of prior acts is particularly probative in demonstrating the propensity of the
defendant. ‘ “The propensity inference is particularly appropriate in the area of domestic
violence because on-going violence and abuse is the norm in domestic violence cases.
Not only is there a great likelihood that any one battering episode is part of a larger
scheme of dominance and control, that scheme usually escalates in frequency and
severity. Without the propensity inference, the escalating nature of domestic violence is
likewise masked” ’ (citation), (quoting Assem. Com. on Public Safety, Rep. on Sen. Bill
No. 1876 (1995-1996 Reg. Sess.) June 25, 1996, [at] pp. 3-4.)” (People v. Cabrera
(2007) 152 Cal.App.4th 695, 705-706; see People v. Hoover (2000) 77 Cal.App.4th 1020,
1027-1028 (Hoover).) “Based on the foregoing, the California Legislature has
determined the policy considerations favoring the exclusion of evidence of uncharged
domestic violence offenses are outweighed in criminal domestic violence cases by the
policy considerations favoring the admission of such evidence.” (People v. Johnson
(2000) 77 Cal.App.4th 410, 420.)
However, Evidence Code section 1109 permits a trial court to exclude evidence of
other crimes under Evidence Code section 352. (Evid. Code, § 1109, subd. (a)(1).)
Evidence Code section 352 gives the court discretion to “exclude evidence if its probative
value is substantially outweighed by the probability that its admission will (a) necessitate
undue consumption of time or (b) create substantial danger of undue prejudice, of
confusing the issues, or of misleading the jury.” (Evid. Code, § 352.) “Under Evidence
Code section 352, the trial court enjoys broad discretion in assessing whether the
probative value of particular evidence is outweighed by concerns of undue prejudice,
confusion or consumption of time.” (People v. Rodrigues (1994) 8 Cal.4th 1060, 1124
30.
(Rodrigues), abrogated on another ground in People v. Leon (2020) 8 Cal.5th 831, 848.)
“Evidence is substantially more prejudicial than probative (citation) [only] if, broadly
stated, it poses an intolerable ‘risk to the fairness of the proceedings or the reliability of
the outcome’ [citation].” (People v. Waidla, supra, 22 Cal.4th at p. 724; People v. Tran
(2011) 51 Cal.4th 1040, 1047.) “Prejudice for purposes of Evidence Code section 352
means evidence that tends to evoke an emotional bias against the defendant with very
little effect on issues, not evidence that is probative of a defendant’s guilt.” (People v.
Crew (2003) 31 Cal.4th 822, 842.)
A trial court’s exercise of its discretion under section 352 is not disturbed on
appeal except on a showing that the court acted in an arbitrary, capricious or patently
absurd manner that resulted in a manifest miscarriage of justice. (Rodrigues, supra, 8
Cal.4th at p. 1124; Brown, supra, 192 Cal.App.4th at p. 1233; People v. Lewis (2001) 26
Cal.4th 334, 374 (Lewis).)
D. Analysis
High claims the trial court abused its discretion when it admitted testimony
regarding six prior domestic violence incidents, over his objection under Evidence Code
section 352. High asserts the prosecutor was allowed to present an overwhelming
amount of evidence about four uncharged and two charged domestic violence incidents.
High argues that because the evidence regarding the prior incidents took up 64 percent of
T.H.’s direct examination, 37 percent of the total direct examination, and 28 percent of
the prosecutor’s closing argument, it exceeded its probative value and became
prejudicial. High contends this error requires reversal because it significantly bolstered
the People’s weak case based on T.H.’s inability to remember two of the three incidents
at trial. The People disagree contending the evidence was highly probative, admissible to
demonstrate propensity evidence and pattern of abuse on the domestic violence charges,
and was not outweighed by undue prejudice.
31.
High fails to demonstrate the trial court acted in an arbitrary, capricious or patently
absurd manner when it admitted evidence of prior domestic violence incidents. (See
Rodrigues, supra, 8 Cal.4th at p. 1124; Lewis, supra, 26 Cal.4th at p. 374.) First, we note
the evidence of prior instances of domestic violence was statutorily admissible under
Evidence Code section 1109 since High was charged with three counts involving
domestic violence. Second, the trial court did not abuse its discretion in determining the
probative value of the evidence was not substantially outweighed by the probability its
admission would create undue prejudice. “[W]hen ruling on a section 352 motion, a trial
court need not expressly weigh prejudice against probative value, or even expressly state
that it has done so. All that is required is that the record demonstrate the trial court
understood and fulfilled its responsibilities under Evidence Code section 352.” (People
v. Williams (1997) 16 Cal.4th 153, 213, citing People v. Lucas (1995) 12 Cal.4th 415,
448-449; People v. Jennings (2000) 81 Cal.App.4th 1301, 1315.) Here, the court
expressed on the record that it considered Evidence Code section 352 in its ruling and,
nevertheless, decided to admit the evidence.
Further, the evidence of prior incidents showed High had a propensity for
domestic violence, which is particularly probative in domestic violence cases. (See
People v. Kerley, supra, 23 Cal.App.5th at p. 539 [evidence of prior domestic violence
authorized to show defendant had a propensity for abuse]; Brown, supra, 192
Cal.App.4th at p. 1233 [evidence of a prior act may be introduced as propensity
evidence]); People v. Poplar, supra, 70 Cal.App.4th at p. 1139 [evidence showing a
defendant’s propensity for violence against domestic partners is “extremely probative”];
People v. Cabrera, supra, 152 Cal.App.4th at pp. 705-706; Hoover, supra, 77
Cal.App.4th at pp. 1027-1028; People v. Megown (2018) 28 Cal.App.5th 157, 168).) The
evidence of prior incidents also demonstrated High had modus operandi or a repeated
pattern to his violence; specifically, grabbing his victim by the throat and sweeping their
legs so they fall backward.
32.
High fails to demonstrate “the prejudicial effect of the evidence clearly
outweighed its probative value.” (People v. Brown (1993) 17 Cal.App.4th 1389, 1396.)
Although High suggests a large portion of testimony at trial was spent on prior incidents
of domestic violence, the probative value of the evidence is not substantially outweighed
by any risk the evidence consumed an undue amount of time or created a substantial
danger of undue prejudice, confusion of issues, or misleading the jury. (Brown, supra,
192 Cal.App.4th at p. 1233; Hoover, supra, 77 Cal.App.4th at pp. 1028-1029.) As such,
we conclude the trial court did not abuse its discretion in admitting evidence of prior acts
of domestic violence.
IV. The Trial Court Committed Yurko Error By Accepting High’s Admissions to
His Prior Convictions Without Providing Any Warning or Advisement
11
High contends the trial court committed Yurko error by accepting his admissions
to a prior strike conviction and a prior domestic violence conviction without the proper
advisements; and contends that his admissions must be vacated. The People concede the
trial court did not obtain express waivers before taking High’s admissions of his prior
convictions, and committed Yurko error, but maintain that the error was harmless. We
agree with High that the trial court committed Yurko error and the prior conviction
findings must be vacated.
A. Relevant Procedural History
The information charging High alleged he had a prior domestic violence
conviction in violation of section 273.5 and a prior strike conviction of first degree
burglary in violation of section 459 out of a 2016 Tuolumne Superior Court case No.
CRF49073.
After the jury was sworn, the trial court had a preliminary conference with the
parties. The court stated it understood there were some stipulations to put on the record.
11
Yurko, supra, 10 Cal.3d 857.
33.
The prosecutor replied, “Yes, Your Honor. It’s the People’s understanding [High] is
alleged to have a prior domestic violence conviction as well as a prior serious or violent
felony. [¶] It’s my understanding [High] is going to be admitting those. I wanted to do
that just so we didn’t have to worry about that.” Defense counsel affirmed that “[t]hose
are stipulated, Your Honor, both.” The trial court said, “Okay,” thanked counsel, and
asked if there was anything else to put on the record. The prosecutor responded, “I’m
thinking — I would ask the Court to specifically ask [High] each one and have him admit
or deny.”
The trial court subsequently spoke with High, and the following colloquy
occurred:
“THE COURT: So I’m going to ask – [High], there was an allegation that you
have had prior domestic violence convictions as well as a prior serious or violent
felony. Do you admit both of those?
“[HIGH]: Yes, sir.”
The prosecutor later asked for the court to take judicial notice of its records for
case No. CRF49073, the case that formed the basis for the prior conviction allegations.
The court asked defense counsel for his position on judicial notice. Counsel first
indicated that he believed the court could take judicial notice. There was then some
discussion about how this would play out, including that the jury would be informed that
the fact of the conviction had been proven. Based on that discussion, High’s attorney
indicated he would like additional time to consider the issue and “doublecheck” on some
question he may have.
The court indicated it was inclined to grant the motion for judicial notice, absent
any authority to the contrary, but that it was open to whatever arguments High might
wish to make on the matter after doing further research. The next morning, defense
counsel stated that after further research, he was submitting on the issue of judicial
notice. The court asked if he meant there was no objection to judicial notice, and counsel
34.
clarified there was no objection. The prosecutor stated he had also obtained a certified
docket for an out-of-county prior domestic violence offense, and he intended to ask the
court to take judicial notice of that prior conviction as well. High did not object and the
court took judicial notice of the prior convictions.
High’s previous conviction from case No. CRF49073 was resolved on March 21,
2016, by a fully-advised plea.
B. Applicable Law
The United State Supreme Court in Boykin v. Alabama (1969) 395 U.S. 238, 239
held “[i]t was error ... for the trial judge to accept petitioner’s guilty plea without an
affirmative showing that it was intelligent and voluntary.” (Id. at pp. 242, 244.) The
court explained its holding in these words: “Several federal constitutional rights are
involved in a waiver that takes place when a plea of guilty is entered in a state criminal
trial. First, is the privilege against compulsory self-incrimination.... [Citations.] Second,
is the right to trial by jury. [Citations.] Third, is the right to confront one’s accusers.
[Citations.] We cannot presume a waiver of these three important federal rights from a
silent record.” (Id. at p. 243.) In People v. Tahl (1969) 1 Cal.3d 122 (Tahl),12 the
California Supreme Court interpreted Boykin v. Alabama as requiring that “each of the
three rights mentioned—self-incrimination, confrontation, and jury trial—must be
specifically and expressly enumerated for the benefit of and waived by the accused prior
to acceptance of his guilty plea.” (Id. at p. 132; People v. Howard (1992) 1 Cal.4th 1132,
1176 (Howard), abrogated on other grounds as stated in People v. Rhoades (2019) 8
Cal.5th 393, 425, fn. 12.)
In Yurko, the California Supreme Court subsequently extended Tahl’s requirement
of express admonitions and waivers to cases in which the defendant admits the truth of a
12 Superseded by statute on another ground as stated in People v. Carty (2003) 110
Cal.App.4th 1518, 1523-1524.
35.
prior conviction allegation that subjects him to increased punishment. (People v. Cross
(2015) 61 Cal.4th 164, 170 (Cross); Howard, supra, 1 Cal.4th at p. 1177.) Our high
court held that the admission of a prior was sufficiently like a plea of guilty to require the
same procedural protections. (Yurko, supra, 10 Cal.3d at p. 863.) Therefore, when a
defendant admits to the truth of prior convictions that subject him to increased
punishment, he or she must be informed of the right to trial by jury, the right against self-
incrimination, and the right to confront one’s accusers. (Yurko, supra, at pp. 863-864;
Cross, supra, at pp. 170-171, 174-179; People v. Guzman (1988) 45 Cal.3d 915, 968
(Guzman) [law is well settled], criticized on other grounds by Price v. Superior Court
(2001) 25 Cal.4th 1046, 1069; see Boykin v. Alabama, supra, 395 U.S. at pp. 243-244;
see Tahl, supra, 1 Cal.3d at pp. 130-133.) Failure to explicitly inform a defendant of
these rights, and solicit a waiver of them, is error under Yurko. (See Yurko, supra, at pp.
863-864.)
Yurko error is not reversible per se. (Cross, supra, 61 Cal.4th at p. 171.) “Instead,
the test for reversal is whether ‘the record affirmatively shows that [the guilty plea] is
voluntary and intelligent under the totality of the circumstances.’ ” (Ibid., citing Howard,
supra, 1 Cal.4th at p. 1175.)
C. Analysis
High contends the trial court committed Yurko error when it accepted High’s
admissions to prior convictions without informing High of his rights and not obtaining a
waiver of them. Specifically, the trial court did not inform High of the privilege against
self-incrimination, the right to a trial, and the right to confront one’s accusers; nor did it
obtain a personal waiver of each of those rights. The trial court also failed to inform
High of the penal consequences of admitting the prior convictions. As such, High
contends the record fails to show his admission was voluntary and intelligent under the
totality of the circumstances, and therefore, the error is reversible. The People concede
36.
that the trial court committed Yurko error when it accepted High’s stipulations to his prior
convictions without an advisement or waiver of his rights. However, the People contend
the error was harmless and does not require reversal because, under the circumstances,
there was no reasonable probability that High would not have admitted the convictions
had he been properly advised. Further, the People contend the convictions would have
been proven true.
Here, High admitted two prior convictions that subjected him to increased
punishment. High admitted he had a previous domestic violence conviction under
section 273.5 that occurred within the past seven years. Under section 273.5, subdivision
(f)(2), “[a]ny person convicted of a violation of this section for acts occurring within
seven years of a previous conviction under subdivision (e) of Section 243 shall be
punished by imprisonment in the state prison for two, three, or four years, or in a county
jail for not more than one year, or by a fine of up to ten thousand dollars ($10,000), or by
both that imprisonment and fine.” By admitting his prior domestic violence conviction,
High subjected himself to increased punishment. Additionally, High admitted he had a
previous strike conviction, which increased his punishment under the three strikes law.
Because High admitted “every fact necessary to imposition of the additional punishment
other than conviction of the underlying offense” (People v. Adams (1993) 6 Cal.4th 570,
580), he was entitled to receive Boykin-Tahl warnings before he made these admissions.
(See Cross, supra, 61 Cal.4th at p. 174.) As such, the trial court erred when it failed to
inform High he had the right to a trial, the right against self-incrimination and the right to
confront his accusers, and when it failed to obtain High’s waiver of these rights. (See
Yurko, supra, 10 Cal.3d at pp. 863-864; Cross, supra, at pp. 170-171, 174-179.)
While the parties agree that the trial court erred under Yurko, they disagree as to
the applicable standard of review to determine whether the error requires reversal. The
People contend that such error is subject to the harmless error analysis under the
“reasonable probab[ility]” standard of People v. Watson, supra, 46 Cal.2d at p. 836, set
37.
forth in Guzman, supra, 45 Cal.3d at page 968. However, years after its opinion in
Guzman, the California Supreme Court clarified the standard for determining whether
13
Yurko error requires reversal in Howard, which it has since reiterated. The Howard
court held that “Yurko error involving Boykin/Tahl admonitions should be reviewed
under the test used to determine the validity of guilty pleas under the federal Constitution.
Under that test, a plea is valid if the record affirmatively shows that it is voluntary and
intelligent under the totality of the circumstances.” (Howard, supra, 1 Cal.4th at p. 1175;
see Cross, supra, 61 Cal.4th at p. 179; People v. Mosby (2004) 33 Cal.4th 353, 360-361
(Mosby).)
“In replacing the old rule, the focus was shifted from whether the defendant
received express rights advisements, and expressly waived them, to whether the
defendant’s admission was intelligent and voluntary because it was given with an
understanding of the rights waived.” (Mosby, supra, 33 Cal.4th at p. 361.) “Now, if the
transcript does not reveal complete advisements and waivers, the reviewing court must
examine the record of ‘the entire proceeding’ to assess whether the defendant’s admission
of the prior conviction was intelligent and voluntary in light of the totality of
circumstances.” (Ibid.)
“Truly silent-record cases are those that show no express advisement or waiver of
the Boykin-Tahl rights before a defendant’s admission of a prior conviction.” (Mosby,
supra, 33 Cal.4th at pp. 361-362; People v. Stills (1994) 29 Cal.App.4th 1766, 1769-1771
[without any rights advisements or waivers the defendant was asked if he admitted
13
In Howard, the California Supreme Court noted most of its previous statements, if
only by analogy or in dictum, supported the defendant’s position that Yurko error was
reversible per se (regardless of prejudice, with Guzman being the exception). (Howard,
supra, 1 Cal.4th at pp. 1174-1175.) However, it concluded, the “overwhelming weight of
authority no longer supports the proposition that the federal Constitution requires reversal
when the trial court has failed to give explicit admonitions on each of the so-called
Boykin rights,” it had “no choice but to revisit [its] prior holdings.” (Id. at p. 1175.)
38.
14
priors]; see also People v. Campbell (1999) 76 Cal.App.4th 305, 309-310 [after
conviction by jury on the substantive offense, the defendant, who received no
admonishments and gave no waivers, admitted each of four alleged priors]; People v.
Moore (1992) 8 Cal.App.4th 411, 417 [after conviction by jury on the substantive
offense, the defendant, who received no admonishments and gave no waivers, admitted a
prior conviction of assault with a deadly weapon and a prior prison term].) In each of
these above cases, defendants were not told on the record of their right to a trial to
determine the truth of the prior conviction allegation, nor did they expressly waive their
right to a trial. Our high court in Mosby concluded that “[i]n such cases, in which the
defendant was not advised of the right to have a trial on an alleged prior conviction, we
cannot infer that in admitting the prior the defendant has knowingly and intelligently
waived that right as well as the associated rights to silence and confrontation of
witnesses.” (Mosby, supra, at p. 362.)
Here, the record contains no indication that High’s stipulation was knowing and
voluntary. When accepting High’s stipulation, the trial court did not ask High whether he
had discussed the stipulation with his lawyer or discussed his right to a fair determination
of the prior conviction allegation. (See Cross, supra, 61 Cal.4th at p. 180; cf. Mosby,
supra, 33 Cal.4th at pp. 357-358.) The trial court failed to make any admonitions on the
record with respect to any of the three constitutional rights preceding High’s admission to
the truth of his prior conviction allegations. Nor did High acknowledge and waive any of
his rights on the record. This is the type of silent record condemned in Boykin v.
Alabama and Mosby. (See Boykin v. Alabama, supra, 395 U.S. at p. 243; Mosby, supra,
at pp. 361-362.) While High’s prior experiences with the criminal justice system may
suggest High has an understanding and knowledge of his legal rights, it does not
14 The statement in People v. Campbell that “[u]nder Howard, we are not permitted
to imply knowledge and a waiver of rights on a silent record” was disapproved in People
v. Farwell (2018) 5 Cal.5th 295, 304, fn. 6.
39.
necessarily mean he understood he faced increased punishment by stipulating to his prior
convictions. Especially here where High made the stipulations before his trial began.
Therefore, upon review of the record, we cannot conclude the record affirmatively
shows that High’s stipulation to his prior convictions was voluntary and intelligent under
the totality of the circumstances. (See Cross, supra, 61 Cal.4th at p. 171; Mosby, supra,33 Cal.4th at pp. 361-362.) Accordingly, High’s stipulations must be set aside. (See
Cross, supra, at p. 180.)
The People contend they should be entitled to retry these allegations. We agree.
In a “noncapital case, the state and federal prohibitions against double jeopardy do not
apply” to bar the retrial of a prior serious felony conviction and where the evidence at the
original trial was insufficient. (People v. Monge (1997) 16 Cal.4th 826, 829, 843, 845
(Monge) [where there was insufficient evidence to prove prior conviction, double
jeopardy did not bar retrial, but prosecution had to present additional evidence].) The
United States Supreme Court affirmed Monge and concluded the bar of double jeopardy
does not apply to noncapital sentencing determinations based on High’s prior criminal
history. (Monge v. California (1998) 524 U.S. 721, 731-732; Cherry v. Superior Court
(2001) 86 Cal.App.4th 1296, 1301.) A retrial of whether High suffered the alleged prior
convictions is proper here. (See People v. Scott (2000) 85 Cal.App.4th 905, 914, citing
People v. Morton (1953) 41 Cal.2d 536, 544-545 [when a true finding as to a prior
conviction allegation is reversed due to insufficiency of the evidence, the proper
procedure is to remand for a retrial on the allegation].) As such, the matter is remanded
for retrial on High’s alleged prior domestic violence conviction and prior strike
conviction, and for resentencing.
V. Penal Code Section 654
High contends his conviction on counts 1 and 2 violate section 654’s prohibition
against multiple punishment for a single act. High claims the sentence should be
40.
reversed and the matter remanded for resentencing for the trial court to determine which
term should be stayed. The People agree that punishment for both counts 1 and 2 violate
section 654 and that one of the terms must be stayed. We agree and remand the matter
for resentencing in order for the trial court to determine which term should be stayed.
A. Relevant Factual Background
Both count 1 (corporal injury to a spouse, § 273.5, subd. (a)) and count 2 (false
imprisonment, § 236) stem from the incident in the bathroom. At sentencing, the trial
court imposed concurrent sentences on counts 1 and 2. The trial court did not consider
whether section 654 applied to counts 1 and 2, nor was the potential applicability of
section 654 mentioned in either the probation report or the parties’ arguments at
sentencing.
B. Standard of Review and Legal Principles
“Section 654 prohibits multiple punishment for any single act or omission. If a
single action or course of conduct by a defendant violates multiple laws, ‘the distinct
crimes may be charged in separate counts and may result in multiple verdicts of guilt,
[but] the trial court may impose sentence for only one offense.’ ” (People v. Sek (2022)
74 Cal.App.5th 657, 673, quoting People v. Liu (1996) 46 Cal.App.4th 1119, 1135.)
Until recently, the law required trial courts to impose sentence “under the provision that
provides for the longest potential term of imprisonment.” (Former § 654, subd. (a); Sek,
supra, at p. 673.) In 2021, however, the Legislature enacted Assembly Bill No. 518
(2021-2022 Reg. Sess.) (Stats. 2021, ch. 441), which removed the requirement to impose
the longest prison term. (Ibid.) Subdivision (a) of section 654 now states in part “[a]n
act or omission that is punishable in different ways by different provisions of law may be
punished under either of such provisions, but in no case shall the act or omission be
punished under more than one provision.” (§ 654.)
41.
“The proscription against double punishment in section 654 is applicable where
there is a course of conduct which … comprises an indivisible transaction punishable
under more than one statute .… The divisibility of a course of conduct depends upon the
intent and objective of the actor, and if all the offenses are incident to one objective, the
defendant may be punished for any one of them but not for more than one.” (People v.
Bauer (1969) 1 Cal.3d 368, 376.)
Whether section 654 applies is a question of law we review de novo. (People v.
Corpening (2016) 2 Cal.5th 307, 383; People v. Harrison (1989) 48 Cal.3d 321, 335.)
C. Analysis
High contends that his concurrent sentences on count 1 for corporal injury and
count 2 for false imprisonment, which occurred in the bathroom, violate section 654’s
prohibition against multiple punishment. High asserts that counts 1 and 2 occurred at the
same time and place, and involved the same victim. High states that his actions confining
the victim in the bathroom was incidental to the domestic violence; the purpose of which
was to further the domestic violence. As such, High claims his sentence on counts 1 and
2 should be reversed and the matter remanded to the trial court in order to consider which
count should be stayed under section 654. The People concede the sentence on counts 1
and 2 violate section 654 and agree that the matter should be remanded for resentencing.
“The proscription against double punishment in section 654 is applicable where
there is a course of conduct which violates more than one statute and comprises an
indivisible transaction punishable under more than one statute.… The divisibility of a
course of conduct depends upon the intent and objective of the actor, and if all the
offenses are incident to one objective, the defendant may be punished for any one of them
but not for more than one.” (People v. Bauer, supra, 1 Cal.3d at p. 376.) In People v.
Latimer (1993) 5 Cal.4th 1203, the defendant was convicted of both kidnapping and rape.
Our High Court determined that “[a]lthough the kidnapping and the rapes were separate
42.
acts, the evidence does not suggest any intent or objective behind the kidnapping other
than to facilitate the rapes.” (Id. at p. 1216.) As such, it concluded the sentence violated
section 654. (Ibid.)
Similarly, here, the record does not suggest High kept T.H. in the bathroom for
any intent or objective other than to facilitate the corporal injury to her. Although High
stood in front of the bathroom door to prevent T.H. from leaving, he was pushing T.H.,
which caused her to fall backwards and hit her head on the bathtub faucet. When K.C.
opened the bathroom door, it was to intercede in the argument. Once the domestic
violence was interrupted, there was no evidence High tried to prevent T.H. from leaving
the bathroom. Therefore, we conclude High’s course of conduct in the bathroom violated
more than one statute and comprised an indivisible transaction punishable under more
than one statute, in violation of section 654. Therefore, the matter shall be remanded for
resentencing on counts 1 and 2 for the trial court to determine which count to stay.
VI. Senate Bill No. 567
High claims the aggravating circumstances relied upon by the trial court in
imposing concurrent upper term sentences on count 2 in case No. CRF60095, and count 3
in case No. CRF49073, do not comport with the new requirements under section 1170,
subdivision (b)(2). As such, High contends that his case should be remanded for
resentencing under Senate Bill No. 567. The People’s position is that the matter need not
be considered in light of its concession the matter should be remanded for resentencing
due to a violation of section 654’s prohibition against multiple punishments. We agree
that since the matter will be remanded for resentencing under section 654, the trial court
will have the opportunity to apply section 1170, subdivision (b) as amended by Senate
Bill No. 567, and need not be decided here.
43.
VII. Challenge to Restitution Fine
High asserts that he is indigent and that, in light of People v. Dueñas, supra, 30
Cal.App.5th at pages 1164 and 1167, which held in part that “the execution of any
restitution fine … must be stayed unless and until the trial court holds an ability to pay
hearing and concludes that the defendant has the present ability to pay the restitution
fine,” the trial court violated his rights by imposing restitution fines without first
determining whether he had the ability to pay. Alternatively, High claims he received
ineffective assistance of counsel for his trial counsel’s failure to object to the restitution
fines based on his inability to pay. The People respond High forfeited this claim because
he failed to object at the time of sentencing, which was long after the Dueñas opinion
issued. Here, because the matter is being remanded and a new sentencing will be held,
High will have an opportunity to request a hearing regarding his ability to pay restitution
fines then. Accordingly, we need not decide the issue here.
DISPOSITION
High’s sentence is ordered vacated. The true findings as to the allegations that
High suffered a prior corporal injury conviction and prior strike conviction out of the
2016 Tuolumne Superior Court case No. CRF49073, are reversed and the matter is
remanded for a retrial as to those allegations and for further proceedings and sentencing
consistent with this opinion. In all other respects, the judgment is affirmed.
SMITH, J.
WE CONCUR:
PEÑA, Acting P. J.
DE SANTOS, J.
44.