DocketNumber: B279694
Judges: Feuer
Filed Date: 8/21/2018
Status: Precedential
Modified Date: 10/19/2024
*229Ashley Debra Jones appeals from a judgment entered after her conviction following a court trial for second degree murder and child abuse arising from the death of her four-month-old daughter, Savannah.
On appeal, Jones contends her waiver of her right to a jury trial was not knowing, intelligent, and voluntary. We agree. The trial court's two-question inquiry of Jones, as to whether she "underst[ood] [her] right to a jury trial" and whether she agreed to waive that right and have the trial judge "sitting alone, decide the case" does not affirmatively show that Jones understood the nature of the right to a jury trial she was relinquishing. Although there is no rigid formula for what a jury advisement must include, the record does not show whether Jones understood that a jury is comprised of individuals from the community instead of, for example, a collection of judges. We reverse on this basis.
We also review the sufficiency of the evidence to determine whether Jones may be tried again for the offenses. We conclude there was sufficient corroboration of Lucero's accomplice testimony and that substantial evidence supports the convictions. We remand for a new trial.
FACTUAL AND PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND
A. The Information and Jury Waiver
The information alleged that on December 31, 2013 Jones committed the crimes of murder ( Pen. Code, 3 § 187, subd. (a); count 1) and child abuse (§ 273a, subd. (a); count 2). The information charged Lucero with the same offenses. The information alleged as to count 1 that in the commission of the offense Jones personally inflicted great bodily injury on Savannah (§ 1203.075, subd. (a) ). The information alleged as to count 2 that Jones and Lucero willfully caused and permitted Savannah to suffer physical pain and injury under circumstances or conditions likely to produce great bodily injury or death (§ 12022.95).
*230Jones entered a plea of not guilty and denied the special allegations. On October 13, 2015 Jones and Lucero waived their right to a jury trial. A court trial commenced as to Jones and Lucero on September 26, 2016.
B. The Evidence at Trial
In December 2013 Jones, Lucero, and their three daughters, four-year-old Amiah, two-year-old Janelle, and four-month-old Savannah, shared a bedroom in an apartment in Downey. Lucero's sister Lourdes Cazares and other members of Cazares's family also lived in the apartment.
Between 10:00 and 10:30 a.m. on December 31, 2013 Amiah ran into Cazares's room screaming. She looked scared and said her little sister had blood in her eyes. About a minute later, Cazares heard Gloria Aguirre, Jones's grandmother, screaming. Cazares came out of her room and saw Aguirre in the hallway, holding Savannah. Aguirre then sat on the living room couch and rubbed Savannah's chest in a circular motion. Jones was standing in the dining room; Lucero was there, but Cazares could not recall where.
Cazares called 911. The 911 operator told her to place Savannah on the floor and check for a pulse. Cazares did this, but was unable to find a pulse. Savannah was cold to the touch. Cazares saw bruises "just popping up on her."
Downey Police Officer Blanca Reyes arrived at Cazares's apartment at 10:25 a.m. Downey Police Officer Angel Villegas arrived a few minutes later. Officer Reyes found Savannah lying on the living room floor, wrapped in a blanket. Savannah had two circular bruises on her forehead. Her skin was pale; her eyes were open and had a glossy film over them. She was not breathing. Officers Reyes and Villegas performed CPR on Savannah. Jones then walked into the living room from the hallway and said that she had just woken up. Officer Villegas yelled at her, "Who was watching the baby?" Jones did not respond.
The paramedics took Savannah to the hospital. Officer Reyes followed, and spoke to Jones and Aguirre at the hospital. Jones told Officer Reyes that Savannah had been constipated. Savannah had a bowel movement about midnight; Jones changed her diaper and put her back to sleep. Savannah awoke later and was crying. Jones gave her a pacifier, and Savannah went back to sleep. Jones woke up about 10:00 a.m. She took Savannah from the co-sleeper on the floor and put her on the bed. Jones noticed that Savannah's eyes were open and she was nonresponsive. Jones called Aguirre because she believed something was wrong with Savannah. Officer Reyes asked Jones about her feeding of Savannah. Jones said she did not breastfeed Savannah, and instead gave her a soy milk formula with iron.
Denise Bertone, coroner investigator with the County of Los Angeles Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner, examined Savannah at the hospital. Bertone observed multiple injuries, including a small bruise under Savannah's jaw, bruises on her head, chest, hip, legs, and ribs, and discoloration of her abdomen. Savannah was also underweight. Bertone observed and was able to feel a "callous formation" bump on Savannah's rib, indicating that Savannah had a fractured rib that was healing.
In response to Bertone's questions, Jones stated that Savannah had no known *231history of any medical problems. Jones "volunteered that ... she is careful, she is always with the baby and keeps the siblings away from the child." Jones admitted Savannah had some bruises, but added that "they quickly went away." Because Savannah was underweight, Bertone also inquired about her feeding schedule. Jones responded that she fed Savannah every three hours with a soy-based formula. Jones last fed her on December 30 between 11 and 11:30 p.m. Savannah did not have difficulty feeding.
Dr. James Ribe, a senior deputy medical examiner with the County of Los Angeles Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner, supervised Savannah's autopsy. He concluded Savannah's death was caused by blunt force trauma from blows to Savannah's abdomen and body, which caused fatal internal injuries, with a contributing cause of malnutrition. He noted that Savannah was emaciated and had, among other injuries, bruises on her forehead, face, chin, chest, abdomen, back, and knees. The autopsy revealed multiple contusions caused by blows to the head, two skull fractures, and contusions on her pancreas, lungs, and diaphragm. There was "advanced healing" of a fracture to the left side of Savannah's skull, consistent with the injury having healed for a period of weeks. Dr. Ribe found "early healing" of a fracture to the right side of the skull, meaning the fracture had healed for a period of days before Savannah's death.
Dr. Ribe opined that Savannah's injuries were caused by an adult striking the baby and could not have been caused accidentally. Savannah's malnutrition would have weakened her ability to heal and survive her injuries. A sample from Savannah's blood was analyzed, and the toxicology report showed she had been exposed to methamphetamine prior to her death.
Dr. Sandra Murray, a pediatrician specializing in child abuse pediatrics, also opined that Savannah's injuries were not accidental. She testified that Savannah weighed 9 pounds, 12 ounces at the time of the autopsy and that Savannah had lost weight during the six weeks before her death. Dr. Murray opined that the failure to take Savannah to a doctor to address her weight loss contributed to her death.
Downey Police Homicide Detective Steven Aubuchon interviewed Jones at the hospital. Jones said that on the evening of December 30 she was in her room with Lucero and Savannah.
Jones told Detective Aubuchon that she was Savannah's primary caregiver and that Savannah had "not been out of her sight for more than 20 minutes at a time." Jones said she fed Savannah with soy milk formula every two hours. She saw the bruising on Savannah's hip and abdomen for the first time the morning of December 30 while she was changing Savannah's diaper. Jones saw Savannah naked on December *23229 while Lucero gave her a bath, but Jones did not see bruising on Savannah at that time. Jones denied knowing how the bruises got there. At the end of the interview, Jones was allowed to leave.
After the autopsy on January 1, 2014, Jones and Lucero were arrested. Detective Aubuchon then interviewed Jones and Lucero, after reading each of them their Miranda
Lucero told Detective Aubuchon he saw a bruise on Savannah's abdomen on December 29 when he was bathing her. He asked her, "What is this? Take her to the doctor." He said to Jones, "What the fuck?" In response to his inquiry about the bruise, Jones said Savannah had been constipated, so she was giving her suppositories and massaging her stomach. Lucero had purchased suppositories to help Savannah with the constipation. But at some point when Savannah requested more suppositories, Lucero told her, "No, I'm not getting any more suppositories. Take the baby to the damn doctor."
Lucero had observed Savannah was underweight and blamed it on Jones for not taking her to the doctor. It was Jones's responsibility to take Savannah to the doctor because he was always at work. Lucero said Jones was overwhelmed with the children, so Amiah and Janelle would frequently stay at Aguirre's home. After Savannah was born, Jones would often become angry and aggressive and cursed at Amiah and Janelle for no apparent reason.
Lucero also "saw that Savannah's head was kind of big, and when he touched [her] head, it felt kind of squishy around the-the opening." He could feel her brain through the opening. Lucero stated that he had no doubt that Jones "would have done this," because Jones did not take Savannah to the doctor. However, this statement was admitted as to Lucero only.
C. The Trial Court's Ruling and Sentencing
The trial court found Jones guilty of second degree murder based on implied malice as alleged in count 1 and child abuse as alleged in count 2. As to count 1 the court found the allegation true that Jones personally inflicted great bodily injury on Savannah. As to count 2 the court found the allegation true that Jones willfully caused and permitted Savannah to suffer physical pain and injury under circumstances likely to produce great bodily injury or death (§ 12022.95).
The court sentenced Jones to 15 years to life on count 1, second degree murder. On count 2, child abuse, the trial court imposed and stayed a 10-year term (the upper term of six years plus four years for the sentencing enhancement) pursuant to section 654. Jones timely appealed.
DISCUSSION
A. Jones Did Not Provide a Knowing and Intelligent Waiver of Her Right to a Jury Trial
1. Proceedings below
Prior to trial, Jones and Lucero waived their rights to a jury trial. The prosecutor took their waivers as follows:
*233"[Prosecutor]: Ms. Jones, Mr. Lucero, your attorneys have indicated that you wish to waive jury and have this case decided by Judge Sahagun sitting alone. In order to do that, you each have to waive your right to a jury trial. Ms. Jones, do you understand your right to a jury trial?
"Defendant Jones: Yes, sir.
"[Prosecutor]: Do you agree to waive that right and have Judge Sahagun, sitting alone, decide the case?
"Defendant Jones: Yes, sir.
"[Prosecutor]: Mr. Lucero, do you also understand your right to a jury trial?
"Defendant Lucero: Yeah.
"[Prosecutor]: Do you agree to waive that right and agree that Judge Sahagun, sitting alone, would make the decision on this case?
"Defendant Lucero: Yes."
The attorneys for both Jones and Lucero joined in the waiver.
2. A defendant's waiver of the right to a jury trial
A defendant in a criminal prosecution has a right to a trial by jury under both the federal and state Constitutions. ( People v. Sivongxxay (2017)
" '[W]hether or not there is an intelligent, competent, self-protecting waiver of jury trial by an accused must depend upon the unique circumstances of each case.' " ( Sivongxxay , supra , 3 Cal.5th at p. 166,
The Supreme Court in Sivongxxay provided "general guidance to help ensure that a defendant's jury trial waiver is knowing and intelligent, and to facilitate the resolution of a challenge to a jury waiver on appeal." ( *234Sivongxxay , supra , 3 Cal.5th at p. 169,
In Sivongxxay , the Supreme Court concluded the defendant's waiver of his right to a jury trial was knowing and intelligent where the trial court had advised him "that he had a right to a jury trial, that a jury consists of 12 people from the community, that he would have the right to participate in the selection of the jury, and that waiver of the right to a jury would mean the judge alone would determine his guilt or innocence and any resulting punishment." ( Sivongxxay ,
The Court rejected the defendant's argument that the jury waiver was deficient because the trial court failed to advise him that the jury must be impartial and render a unanimous verdict, explaining, " '[T]he United States Supreme Court has never held that a defendant, when waiving the right to a jury, constitutionally is entitled to be canvassed by the trial court, let alone to require a specifically formulated canvass' [citations], and we have never insisted that a jury waiver colloquy invariably must discuss juror impartiality, the unanimity requirement, or both for an ensuing waiver to be knowing and intelligent." ( Sivongxxay ,
*235The Supreme Court and Courts of Appeal have consistently concluded that the failure of a trial court to provide a specific advisement does not mean there was not a knowing, intelligent, and voluntary waiver. (See, e.g., People v. Weaver (2012)
Notably, in Sivongxxay , Weaver , Wrest , and DeRobertis , the trial courts inquired extensively of the defendants before accepting their jury trial waivers, specifically advising them that they would be giving up the right to have their case decided by 12 members of a jury drawn from the community or comprised of citizens. The trial court in Doyle did not advise the defendant of the fact a jury is drawn from the community, but did advise him that his other trial rights applied equally to a jury or court trial.
The Supreme Court addressed the requirements for a knowing and intelligent jury trial waiver most recently in Daniels . The Court concluded the defendant David Daniels, who represented himself, had provided a knowing and intelligent waiver of his right to a jury trial in a death penalty case as to his guilt and determination of the special circumstances allegation where "the trial court informed [the defendant] that he had a right to be tried by a jury made up of members of the community and that, if he waived jury trial, the court alone would determine the issues of guilt, special circumstances, and penalty." ( Daniels , supra , 3 Cal.5th at p. 1011,
Justice Corrigan concluded in her concurrence, citing to the United States Supreme Court's holding in Williams v. Florida (1970)
Justice Corrigan's concurrence cited approvingly to the Seventh Circuit decision in DeRobertis , in which the court "upheld a jury trial waiver as knowing and intelligent where the defendant 'understood that the choice confronting him was, on the one hand, to be judged by a group of people from the community, and on the other hand, to have his guilt or innocence determined by a judge.' " ( Daniels , supra , 3 Cal.5th at p. 1020,
The concurring opinion also looked at Daniels's conduct in the case after his jury waiver, including that he pleaded guilty to all allowable charges and presented no defense or argument at the guilt or penalty phase of the trial on the remaining charges. ( Daniels , supra , 3 Cal.5th at p. 1023,
In Blancett, the only published jury waiver case following the Supreme Court's decisions in Sivongxxay and Daniels , our colleagues in Division Six considered whether the defendant in a mentally disordered offender recommitment hearing made a knowing, intelligent, and voluntary waiver of his right to a jury trial where, as the trial court noted, the defendant's attorney had represented that the defendant was " 'okay with having a judge decide [his] case and not a jury.' " The trial court then inquired simply, " 'That's okay with you?' " The defendant responded, " 'Yes, your honor.' " ( Blancett , supra , 15 Cal.App.5th at p. 1203,
The Court of Appeal concluded the defendant "did not waive his right to a jury trial with full awareness of the nature of the right being abandoned and the consequences of the decision to abandon it." ( Blancett , supra , 15 Cal.App.5th at p. 1206,
The Court of Appeal explained, "In view of the trial court's stark colloquy, the lack of evidence that [the defendant] discussed his jury trial right and waiver with counsel, [the defendant's] inexperience with the criminal justice system, and [the defendant's] lack of familiarity with [the type of] proceedings, we conclude that his waiver was not knowing and intelligent." ( Blancett , supra , 15 Cal.App.5th at pp. 1206-1207,
3. The record does not affirmatively show that Jones provided a knowing, intelligent, and voluntary waiver of her right to a jury trial.
Jones contends she did not give a knowing, intelligent, and voluntary waiver because the trial court did not advise her that in a jury trial, 12 members of a jury would decide her case, the jurors would need to be unanimous to render a verdict, she could assist with the selection of the jury, and the same standard of proof of beyond a reasonable doubt would apply. She also argues she did not make a knowing waiver because she was not advised that the trial court would hear her codefendant Lucero's statements that incriminated her, whereas in a jury trial the jury would not.
*239The record shows that Jones had some discussion with her attorney before the waiver was taken in that it was her attorney who indicated to the trial court that Jones wanted to waive her right to a jury trial. However, the record does not show whether Jones's attorney ever discussed with her the nature of a jury trial, including for example, that the jury would be comprised of 12 of her peers from the community. Further, the trial court did not specifically advise Jones that she had a right to a jury trial, instead only asking her, "do you understand your right to a jury trial?" She responded, "Yes, sir." The only real advisement by the trial court was that, as a result of Jones's waiver, the trial judge "sitting alone" would "decide the case." Jones agreed, again responding, "Yes, sir."
The question before us is whether this sparse record " ' "affirmatively shows that it is voluntary and intelligent under the totality of the circumstances." ' " ( Daniels , supra , 3 Cal.5th at p. 991,
Neither did the trial court take steps to ensure Jones "comprehend[ed] what the jury trial right entails." ( Sivongxxay , supra , 3 Cal.5th at pp. 169-170,
Significantly, although the Supreme Court in Sivongxxay and Daniels concluded it was not necessary that the defendant be advised specifically that the jury is comprised of 12 jurors, the Court has consistently emphasized the importance of the defendant's knowledge that he or she has " ' "the right to be tried by a jury of his [or her] peers." ' " ( Daniels , supra , 3 Cal.5th at p. 1019,
Nothing in the record suggests that Jones was aware that a jury is comprised of individuals drawn from the community. Moreover, unlike the defendants in Sivongxxay and Daniels , who had previously waived their rights in connection with guilty pleas (see Daniels , supra , 3 Cal.5th at pp. 1011-1012,
Rather, this case is more similar to Blancett , in which the trial court's entire inquiry was whether the defendant was "okay" with having his case decided by a judge instead of a jury. The additional statement by Jones that she understood her right to a jury trial does not change the fact that, as in Blancett , Jones "did not waive [her] right to a jury trial with full awareness of the nature of the right being abandoned and the consequences of the decision to abandon it." ( Blancett ,
We conclude the record does not " ' "affirmatively show[ ] that [Jones's jury waiver was] voluntary and intelligent under the totality of the circumstances." ' " ( Daniels , supra , 3 Cal.5th at p. 991,
Although we conclude that Jones's convictions must be reversed because of the lack of a valid waiver of her right to a jury trial, we also must consider the sufficiency of the evidence to determine whether she may be tried again on the charges. ( People v. Morgan (2007)
B. Sufficient Evidence Corroborated Lucero's Accomplice Testimony
1. Accomplice testimony must be corroborated.
Jones contends there was insufficient evidence to corroborate the accomplice testimony of Lucero. Section 1111 provides: "A conviction can not be had upon the testimony of an accomplice unless it be corroborated by such other evidence as shall tend to connect the defendant with the commission of the offense; and the corroboration is not sufficient if it merely shows the commission of the offense or the circumstances thereof." Under section 1111, an accomplice is "defined as one who is liable to prosecution for the identical offense charged against the defendant on trial in the cause in which the testimony of the accomplice is given." The People concede that Lucero was an accomplice because he was charged with the identical offenses as Jones.
Further, Lucero's statements to Detective Aubuchon constituted "testimony" for purposes of section 1111. " ' "[T]estimony" within the meaning of ... section 1111 includes all oral statements made by an accomplice or coconspirator under oath in a court proceeding and all out-of-court statements of accomplices and coconspirators used as substantive evidence of guilt which are made under suspect circumstances. The most obvious suspect circumstances occur when the accomplice has been arrested or is questioned by the police.' " ( People v. Williams (1997)
Section 1111 "reflects the Legislature's determination that ' "because of the reliability questions posed by" ' accomplice testimony, such testimony ' "by itself is insufficient as a matter of law to support a conviction." ' " ( People v. Rodriguez (2018)
As the Supreme Court explained in People v. Najera , "[A]ccomplice testimony requires corroboration not because such evidence is factually insufficient to permit a reasonable trier of fact to find the accused guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, but because '[t]he Legislature has determined that because of the reliability questions posed by certain categories of evidence, evidence in those categories by itself is insufficient as a matter of law to support a conviction.' [Citations.] That is, even though accomplice testimony would qualify as 'substantial evidence' to sustain a conviction ... [citation], the Legislature has for policy reasons created an 'exception[ ]' to the substantial evidence test and *242requires accomplice testimony to be corroborated." ( People v. Najera , supra , 43 Cal.4th at pp. 1136-1137,
" 'The trier of fact's determination on the issue of corroboration is binding on the reviewing court unless the corroborating evidence should not have been admitted or does not reasonably tend to connect the defendant with the commission of the crime.' " ( Romero and Self , supra , 62 Cal.4th at pp. 32-33,
Section 1111 "require[s] 'evidence tending to connect defendant with the crimes "without aid or assistance from the testimony of" ' the accomplice. [Citation.] ... [E]vidence corroborating accomplice testimony ' "need not ..." [citation] ... corroborate every fact to which the accomplice testifies [citation], and " 'may be circumstantial or slight and entitled to little consideration when standing alone.' " ' [Citation.] But the evidence must nonetheless connect the defendant to the crime itself, rather than simply connect the accomplice to the crime." ( People v. Perez (2018)
" ' "The entire conduct of the parties, their relationship, acts, and conduct may be taken into consideration by the trier of fact in determining the sufficiency of the corroboration." ' " ( People v. Rodriguez , supra , 4 Cal.5th at p. 1128,
2. Jones's own conduct and statements provided sufficient corroboration of Lucero's testimony.
Jones contends there was insufficient corroboration of Lucero's statements to Detective Aubuchon. The trial court considered Lucero's statements that when he arrived home the night before Savannah's death she was "breathing funny"; he woke the next morning to Jones yelling that something was wrong with Savannah; he told Jones, "I'm not responsible for this bullshit"; he saw a bruise on Savannah on December 29 when he bathed her; Jones told him in response to his questions about the bruises that Savannah was constipated; Savannah's nutrition was Jones's responsibility; and he urged Jones to take Savannah to the doctor, but she refused.
As the trial court found, Jones "acted in a fashion which [the court] thought showed consciousness of guilt. She was evasive to the police, she didn't call 911." Jones told Officer Reyes and Detective Aubuchon that on the day of Savannah's death, Jones woke up about 10:00 a.m. or 10:30 a.m.
In addition, although Jones admitted she was Savannah's primary caregiver and Savannah was never out of her sight for more than 20 minutes, Jones denied she had seen any bruises on Savannah prior to the day before her death when Jones changed her diaper. This was not credible given that at the time of her death Savannah had bruises all over her body. Further, Dr. Ribe testified that one skull fracture had been healing for weeks *244and another for days. Jones tried to minimize Savannah's condition by telling Bertone that Savannah had some bruises, but "they quickly went away."
Evidence of a defendant's consciousness of guilt, including false or misleading statements about the crime, is admissible to prove the crime. (See People v. Watkins (2012)
Jones's conduct and statements corroborate Lucero's statements to Detective Aubuchon placing responsibility for Savannah's death on Jones. Although this evidence connecting Jones to the killing of Savannah " ' " 'may be circumstantial or slight and entitled to little consideration when standing alone,' " ' " it is sufficient to connect Jones to the unlawful killing of Savannah. (See People v. Perez , supra , 4 Cal.5th at p. 452,
C. Substantial Evidence Supported Jones's Murder Conviction
1. Standard of review
" ' "[T]he court must review the whole record in the light most favorable to the judgment below to determine whether it discloses substantial evidence-that is, evidence which is reasonable, credible, and of solid value-such that a reasonable trier of fact could find the defendant guilty beyond a reasonable doubt." ' " ( People v. Ghobrial (2018)
" ' " 'The standard of review is the same in cases in which the prosecution relies mainly on circumstantial evidence. [Citation.] " 'Although it is the duty of the [trier of fact] to acquit a defendant if it finds that circumstantial evidence is susceptible of two interpretations, one of which suggests guilt and the other innocence [citations], it is the [trier of fact], not the appellate court[,] which must be convinced of the defendant's guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. " 'If the circumstances reasonably justify the trier of fact's findings, the opinion of the reviewing court that the circumstances might also reasonably be reconciled with a contrary finding does not warrant a reversal of the judgment.' " ' " ' " ' " ( People v. Ghobrial , supra , 5 Cal.5th at pp. 277-278,
2. There was substantial evidence to support the trial court's finding of implied malice.
Murder is the unlawful killing of a human being or fetus "with malice aforethought." ( § 187, subd. (a).) At trial the People relied on a theory of implied malice to support a conviction for second degree murder. Second degree murder is *245" 'the unlawful killing of a human being with malice aforethought but without the additional elements, such as willfulness, premeditation, and deliberation, that would support a conviction of first degree murder.' [Citation.] ... [Citation.] 'Malice is implied when the killing is proximately caused by " 'an act, the natural consequences of which are dangerous to life, which act was deliberately performed by a person who knows that his conduct endangers the life of another and who acts with conscious disregard for life.' " ' " ( People v. Cravens (2012)
The Supreme Court has " 'interpreted implied malice as having "both a physical and a mental component. The physical component is satisfied by the performance of 'an act, the natural consequences of which are dangerous to life.' [Citation.] The mental component is the requirement that the defendant 'knows that his conduct endangers the life of another and ... acts with conscious disregard for life.' " ' " ( People v. Soto (2018)
Jones contends substantial evidence did not support her conviction for murder because there was no evidence that she "abused, mishandled, or assaulted" Savannah or that Savannah's injuries were caused in her presence. We disagree. In deciding whether substantial evidence supports Jones's convictions, we consider the evidence corroborating Lucero's statements to Detective Aubuchon in addition to Lucero's statements.
As we discuss above, there was significant evidence of consciousness of guilt. Jones admitted she was Savannah's primary caregiver and had not let Savannah out of her sight for more than 20 minutes. Yet Jones denied seeing Savannah's bruises prior to the day before her death when she changed Savannah's diaper. Jones admitted to Bertone that she had seen some bruises, but added, "they quickly went away." This was not a credible statement given the severity of the bruising all over Savannah's body. Lucero stated that he *246confronted Jones about the bruises on December 29, but Jones only responded that Savannah was constipated. Jones denied that she saw Savannah's bruises that day, even though she observed Lucero bathe Savannah. Jones also denied she knew what caused Savannah's bruises.
Although Jones found Savannah unresponsive and cold to the touch when she woke up on December 31, she failed to call 911, even after Aguirre and Lucero directed her to do so. When Officers Reyes and Villegas attempted to resuscitate Savannah, Jones walked into the room and falsely stated she had just woken up. Jones later provided inconsistent statements to Officer Reyes and Detective Aubuchon as to where Lucero was the morning of December 31 and whether Jones's two older children were in the house the night before Savannah's death.
Savannah's malnutrition also contributed to her death. Although Jones stated to multiple people that she regularly fed Savannah, Savannah had lost weight in the six weeks before her death and, as Dr. Murray opined, Jones's failure to take her to a doctor was a contributing cause of death. Lucero asked Jones to take Savannah to the doctor-both for the malnutrition and the bruises, but she did not. Given the severity of Savannah's injuries and her weight loss, the urgent need for medical attention would have been apparent. It is a reasonable inference that Jones did not take Savannah to the doctor or call 911 because she did not want a doctor or the police to see Savannah's injuries.
As the trial court concluded, it is reasonably inferable that Jones, who "had virtually sole possession and custody of that child" and "showed a consciousness of guilt," caused Savannah's injuries. The severe nature of the injuries, inflicted over a period of weeks while Savannah was in the primary care of Jones, coupled with Jones's failure to take Savannah to a doctor and later to call 911, support the trial court's finding that Jones inflicted the injuries deliberately with knowledge " ' " 'that [her] conduct endanger[ed] the life of another and [she acted] with conscious disregard for life.' " ' " ( People v. Cravens , supra , 53 Cal.4th at p. 507,
DISPOSITION
The judgment is reversed.
We concur:
PERLUSS, P. J.
ZELON, J.
The victim's name is spelled both "Savanah" and "Savannah" in the record. We use "Savannah," the spelling used in the reporter's transcript and the parties' appellate briefs.
Lucero is not a party to this appeal. Jones has filed a petition for writ of habeas corpus asserting ineffective assistance of counsel based on, inter alia, her trial counsel's failure to investigate and present evidence to show that Lucero physically abused both Jones and Savannah. Because we reverse Jones's conviction, by a separate order we deny Jones's petition for writ for habeas corpus as moot.
Cazares and the responding police officers testified to the events of December 30 and 31, 2013. Neither Jones nor Lucero testified or called any witnesses.
Jones initially told Detective Aubuchon that she was in her room with Lucero and all three daughters, but later told him that Amiah and Janelle were at Aguirre's home, not with Jones. Jones also had told Officer Reyes that Lucero was at work the morning of December 31, which was contradicted by her later statement to Detective Aubuchon and Cazares's testimony.
Under Miranda v. Arizona (1966)
Justice Cuéllar authored the lead opinion, in which all seven justices agreed on its resolution of all issues except as to Daniels's jury trial waiver. Two justices joined in part II.D of the lead opinion, which concluded that Daniels's waiver was invalid as to all three phases of the trial. Justice Corrigan authored a concurring and dissenting opinion, joined by two justices, in which she concluded Daniels made a knowing and intelligent waiver of his right to a jury trial as to all three phrases of the trial. (Daniels , supra , 3 Cal.5th at p. 1010,
The lead opinion distinguished DeRobertis on the basis that in contrast to Daniels, the defendant in DeRobertis " 'was represented by competent counsel.' " (Daniels , supra , 3 Cal.5th at pp. 998-999,
The concurring opinion also found significant that the defendant had approximately 10 years earlier pleaded guilty in three cases in which he was advised that he was entitled to a unanimous verdict of 12 jurors. (Daniels , supra , 3 Cal.5th at pp. 1011-1012,
The People cite to the holding in People v. Acosta (1971)
The holding in U.S. v. Delgado is cited approvingly by the court in Sivongxxay for its conclusion that the trial court " 'should' " explain to a defendant that the jury is comprised of 12 members of the community, the defendant can participate in selection of the jury, and the verdict of the jury must be unanimous. (Sivongxxay , supra , 3 Cal.5th at p. 169,
Under People v. Aranda (1965)
Jones also points to Lucero's statement to Detective Aubuchon that he had no doubt Jones "would have done this," but the statement was admitted only as to Lucero. Similarly, Lucero's statement to Detective Aubuchon that Jones told him Savannah was dead was only admitted as to Lucero.
Jones told Officer Reyes she woke up at 10:00 a.m. and Detective Aubuchon that she woke up at 10:30 a.m.
We consider all the evidence in deciding whether there was substantial evidence to support Jones's convictions for purposes of a retrial. "[W]hen reviewing the sufficiency of the evidence for purposes of deciding whether retrial is permissible, the reviewing court must consider all of the evidence presented at trial, including evidence that should not have been admitted. '[W]here the evidence offered by the State and admitted by the trial court-whether erroneously or not-would have been sufficient to sustain a guilty verdict, the Double Jeopardy Clause does not preclude retrial.' [Citation.] Accordingly, 'a reviewing court must consider all of the evidence admitted by the trial court in deciding whether retrial is permissible under the Double Jeopardy Clause ....' " (People v. Story , supra , 45 Cal.4th at pp. 1296-1297,
Jones does not assert an argument that there was insufficient evidence to support her conviction for child abuse. In any event, the same evidence that supports her conviction for second degree murder provides substantial evidence to support her conviction for child abuse.