People v. Kic CA6 ( 2023 )

Filed 4/4/23 P. v. Kic CA6
NOT TO BE PUBLISHED IN OFFICIAL REPORTS
California Rules of Court, rule 8.1115(a), prohibits courts and parties from citing or relying on opinions not certified for
publication or ordered published, except as specified by rule 8.1115(b). This opinion has not been certified for publication
or ordered published for purposes of rule 8.1115.
IN THE COURT OF APPEAL OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA
SIXTH APPELLATE DISTRICT
THE PEOPLE, H047226
(Santa Cruz County
Plaintiff and Respondent, Super. Ct. Nos. 16CR05592,
16CR05596)
v.
JENESSA KIC et al.,
Defendants and Appellants.
Defendants Jenessa Kic and Nino Martin Ruiz appeal following a jury trial in
which Ruiz was convicted of first degree murder and Kic was convicted of second degree
murder. Both were also convicted of conspiracy to commit murder and various firearm
offenses. The trial court sentenced Ruiz to three years plus 50 years to life, and Kic to
three years plus 25 years to life.
Kic contends the trial court erred by failing to give instructions on the lesser
included offenses of involuntary manslaughter and conspiracy to commit assault with a
firearm, limiting the voluntary intoxication instruction to Ruiz, giving a conspiracy
instruction based on implied malice, and not staying the firearm sentence under Penal
Code section 654.1 She also claims cumulative error. In a supplemental brief, she argues
that Senate Bill No. 567 (2020-2021 Reg. Sess.) (Senate Bill 567) (Stats. 2021, ch. 731,
§ 1.3) and Assembly Bill No. 518 (Stats. 2021, ch. 441, § 1) (Assembly Bill 518) apply
retroactively to her case and warrant remand for resentencing.
1 Unspecified statutory references are to the Penal Code.
Ruiz argues that the trial court erred by allowing the prosecution to present
evidence of his gang ties, evidence of his past possession of guns, and giving a
conspiracy to commit murder instruction based on implied malice. He also argues that
his sentences for conspiracy to commit murder and possession of a firearm by a felon
should be stayed under section 654, and that the abstract of judgment does not reflect the
oral pronouncement.
We conclude that, as to Kic, her conviction for conspiracy to commit murder must
be reversed based on instructional error. However, we reject her other claims of
instructional error and cumulative error. Because Kic will necessarily be resentenced, we
do not address her sentencing claims. As for Ruiz, we find no merit to his substantive
claims, but determine that Ruiz’s abstract of judgment must be corrected to reflect the
oral pronouncement at sentencing.2 Therefore, we reverse the judgments and remand
with instructions.
I. Factual Background
A. Prosecution Case
1. Events leading up to killing
In August 2016, Ruiz met Kic and the two became friends and dated. Kic was a
member of the homeless community.3 Ruiz spent much of his time living on the streets,
though he would also occasionally stay at his mother’s house and use the shower. Ruiz
had a history of drug use including methamphetamine and pills.
Cristobal Natividad worked as a security guard, often working late into the early
morning. He met Kic while working security one night. Natividad developed a
2 Ruiz designated a blanket joinder of Kic’s issues without raising additional
argument as to how those issues applied to his particular cases. To the extent we reject
those issues as to Kic, we do so as well for Ruiz without additional elaboration.
3Consistent with the language in Ruiz’s and Kic’s briefs, we refer to unhoused
persons as members of the homeless community.
2
friendship with Kic, which according to Natividad was platonic. At some point he asked
Kic to move into his studio apartment. She agreed and brought her clothes and backpack.
Natividad later met Ruiz after he came home one day and found him in the apartment.
Natividad owned a Glock 20 handgun and 10-millimeter ammunition, which he
kept in an unlocked gun box in his apartment. He also kept a bulletproof vest in his
apartment.
Joseph Shuemaker, the victim, was a member of the homeless community. He and
his girlfriend, Jessica B.,4 usually slept outside near Depot Park in Santa Cruz.
Shuemaker and Jessica dated from between 2015 until his death in 2016. Shuemaker was
protective of Jessica.
Ruiz first met Shuemaker and Jessica under a bridge by the beach. Ruiz offered
them methamphetamine, which they all smoked together. At some point later, Ruiz
approached Jessica at the park and asked if Jessica ever “needed anything” or if she
“wanted to take a shower.” Jessica responded by telling Ruiz she had a boyfriend.
Shuemaker then arrived and asked Ruiz what he was doing. Ruiz responded, “nothing.”
Jessica then told Shuemaker, “he just asked me if I wanted to take a shower.” Shuemaker
then questioned Ruiz, “are you calling my girlfriend a liar.”
Another source of conflict between Ruiz and Shuemaker concerned the territory
over which each person could sell drugs. Ruiz often sold his drugs at a specific Taco Bell
location, and also engaged other people to sell drugs for him. Ruiz maintained that the
territory from the “Taco Bell out to Depot Park” would be “primarily the white race
territory” because it was the most profitable, and that “the Mexicans” and “the blacks”
each “had their neighborhood” where they could sell drugs. Shuemaker told Ruiz that
“nobody was going to dictate” who sold drugs, or where or when they could sell drugs.
4 To protect their privacy, we initially refer to witnesses by their first name and
last initial and subsequently by their first name. (Cal. Rules of Court, rule 8.90(b)(10).)
3
There were “probably three or four” arguments between Shuemaker and Ruiz concerning
this topic “that resulted in shoving matches, a couple of swings were thrown.” During
one such argument, Ruiz “pull[ed] a knife” during an argument before the altercation was
broken up.
Maria G., who was a member of the homeless community, described one incident
when Ruiz came to check on her and Shuemaker “came out of no where [sic] and chased
him off with a knife and was yelling.” Ruiz ran away. Maria also described an incident
prior to Shuemaker’s death when Ruiz spoke to her on the phone. Ruiz asked Maria to
pick up some things he left somewhere. Then he asked Maria if Shuemaker was there
and “said he was going to get a gun and kill him pretty much.”
Ruiz had confrontations with other individuals concerning drug sales. According
to Mark H., another member of the homeless community, Ruiz wanted his help to “move
product” and tried to recruit Mark into “[s]elling dope” for him. After Mark refused,
Ruiz “immediately” put “a large sheath knife” on the countertop and brandished it in a
threatening manner. Mark got up and walked away. Mark was “[v]ery uneasy” about
Ruiz, as he “felt like he was a threat and a loose cannon.” Mark told police that Ruiz said
that “he would stab” Shuemaker “and/or kill him . . . more than once” when they were
together.
Mark also described an incident that took place on August 22, 2016, when he
observed Shuemaker with two people. Ruiz yelled angrily at Shuemaker, “I’m going to
cut you” or “I’m going to get you” in a threatening manner. Shuemaker, who seemed
scared, ran over to Mark and frantically asked for a knife, which Mark provided.
Shuemaker went back towards Ruiz and the two shoved each other and shouted. Ruiz
said, “I’m going to get you,” and Shuemaker responded, “come on [and] bring it.” Then
the confrontation “just kind of ended and [Ruiz] took off.”
Kic also had confrontations with Jessica. According to Angelic G., another
member of the homeless community, Jessica, and another person “would basically punk
4
[Kic] and beat her up” because Jessica “didn’t like” Kic. Kic had a “strong dislike” for
Jessica “because she always got beat up by Jessica any time [she] basically saw her.”
Sara C. was a friend of Shuemaker’s and had known him since about 2009. She
also knew Ruiz and had first met him a few months before August 2016. Sara recalled
about a month prior to August 2016, Ruiz came into the Taco Bell “like hyped up, mad
and stuff,” and was “saying that he was going to shoot [Shuemaker], he was going to get
a gun and shoot him.” Sara asked why, and Ruiz replied that they had been fighting.
Sara “proceeded to talk him out of it, saying . . . think about your kids . . . , do you really
want them to visit you in jail?” Sara also testified that Ruiz claimed to be “part of a gang,
or affiliated with it,” but that this was disputed “because people from that [gang] said
no.” Ruiz variously claimed to be “an east sider” and “a skinhead.”
Francisco V. testified that he was friends with Shuemaker and had known him for
a few years.5 They saw each other daily and sometimes used drugs together. Francisco
had known Ruiz “[n]ot long.” He recalled initially meeting Ruiz and “we kicked it off
pretty good,” but he quickly “started seeing his tendencies” and distanced himself from
Ruiz. Francisco discussed a phone call between him and Ruiz. Ruiz called him
sometime in July 2016, told him he had “had words with [Shuemaker] at Jamba Juice,”
and asked Francisco to “back him up” by bringing a knife or a gun. Francisco “didn’t
go.”
Leo S., also a member of the homeless community, had known Shuemaker for a
few months and Ruiz for a little longer.6 Leo confirmed that Shuemaker and Ruiz did not
get along, and that he had seen Shuemaker chase Ruiz “a couple times.” On one
5Francisco was unavailable to testify at trial and his preliminary hearing testimony
was read to the jury.
6Leo was also unavailable to testify at trial, and his preliminary hearing testimony
was read to the jury and admitted into evidence.
5
occasion, Leo was driving a vehicle when Ruiz got into the vehicle and was carrying a
firearm, which upset Leo because he was not supposed to be around any firearms.
Angelic had been friends with Kic for about eight months before the shooting.
Kic allowed Angelic and Michael F., her boyfriend, to spend time and shower at
Natividad’s apartment. Angelic testified that days before Shuemaker was killed, Kic told
her that she wanted to be there when Shuemaker begged for his life.
2. Shuemaker’s killing
Between midnight and 1:00 a.m. on August 23, 2016, Angelic, Michael, and Kic
were at Natividad’s apartment. Using Angelic’s phone, Kic sent Ruiz a text message
asking him to get her some heroin because she was physically ill. Ruiz came to the
apartment with heroin and Kic injected it. Kic, Ruiz, Angelic, and Michael then walked
to Denny’s and ate food. Once done, the group walked back to Angelic and Michael’s
tent. As they were walking, Shuemaker arrived on his bicycle and said something.
Michael could not hear what he said, and asked Shuemaker to repeat it. Shuemaker
stopped his bike and got off, throwing it to the ground. Speaking toward Ruiz,
Shuemaker said “something about next time I see you, you better have a gun.”
Shuemaker also told Michael to “better watch who you hang out with,” which Michael
took to mean “stay away” from Ruiz. Shuemaker got on his bike and left. Ruiz ran
away, though Michael recalled he did not look scared. Shuemaker then turned to follow
Ruiz.
Kic, Angelic, and Michael walked some more until at some point Kic left and
headed in the direction Ruiz and Shuemaker had gone. Angelic and Michael continued
together to a gas station to buy lottery tickets, and stayed there between 30 minutes to
two hours.
Sometime between 2:00 a.m. and 3:00 a.m., Natividad returned to his apartment
from work and went to sleep. Although Natividad made prior statements about having
seen Kic or Ruiz at the apartment, at trial he testified he saw no one there. At around that
6
same time, Leo was riding his bicycle near Natividad’s apartment when he saw Ruiz and
Kic outside the apartment.
At approximately 5:00 a.m., Natividad awoke after Kic slammed the door.
Natividad was angry and the two argued. Kic told him she was going to Denny’s.
Natividad went to Denny’s to find her but did not see her and went home.
At around 5:20 a.m., Kic sent a text message to Angelic, “went to get gun.” At
5:32 a.m., Kic called Ruiz. At 5:33 a.m., after the phone call, Kic texted Ruiz, “your
[boy] just threatened to throw me off my bike because he says [it is] his.” She then
added, “and he is standing here all bandanaed out, not letting me move.” A minute later,
she texted Ruiz again, “I either give out him or he is going to force me to.” After a brief
phone call at 5:34 a.m., Kic then texted Ruiz, “I know his bitch and dog were behind
Wheel Works . . . before I call you he was there.” At 5:44 a.m., Kic texted, “Success.
On my way.” All these messages were deleted from the phone but later recovered.
Angelic and Michael, who had been at the 76 gas station, left and headed back to
their tent. On the way, they ran into Kic, who was riding her bicycle, and the three
walked back to the tent. Ruiz called Kic’s phone and asked to speak to Michael. Ruiz
and Michael talked for about five minutes. Ruiz asked Michael to meet him at the water
treatment plant and said that he “had gotten the gun for Joey”7 “[t]o shoot him.” Michael
declined to meet him.
On the way to the tent, Kic was speaking to someone on the phone. Michael heard
her tell someone, “ ‘call me when you get [there] and I’ll come get you.’ ” At 6:06 a.m.,
Kic, Michael, and Angelic crossed a road near the tent. At 6:07 a.m., Ruiz texted Kic,
writing, “ ‘be there soon.’ ” Five minutes later, Ruiz texted Kic, writing “ ‘success. On
my way.’ ” These messages were deleted but later recovered.
7 Many witnesses referred to Shuemaker as “Joey.”
7
At 6:22 a.m., Ruiz texted Kic, writing, “ ‘I’m on the tracks.’ ” Kic left the tent and
returned with Ruiz, who was wearing a bulletproof vest. Ruiz removed a gun from a
holster on his right hip. At some point, Ruiz related that “he was going to shoot
[Shuemaker]” with the gun. Kic stated that Shuemaker “sometimes slept behind Wheel
Works,” and that if they found Jessica they would be able to find Shuemaker. She said if
they get ahold of Jessica, “it would bring [Shuemaker] out.” Michael also recalled a
discussion about if the gun were used, it could be tracked to Natividad because “there is a
record of him having that weapon” and “ ‘he’d be brought up on charges.’ ”
Consequently, there was a concern “[t]hat they all would be brought up on charges.”
According to Michael, Ruiz said “he was going to freaking find [Shuemaker] and
he was going to shoot him—that basically he was . . . done with the whole cat-and-mouse
game with him.” He said, “ ‘I’m going to find him and kill him.’ ” Kic responded, “you
don’t need to do all of that,” and she suggested Ruiz “shoot him in the legs or something
like that” because of “where the gun is coming from, you know what I mean.”
At some point, Michael asked Ruiz if he could see the gun. Ruiz removed the clip
and handed it to Michael, who noted it was a 10-millimeter semi-automatic pistol. After
holding it for about two minutes, Michael handed it back to Ruiz.
Francisco returned to the camp site and saw Ruiz’s bike parked next to a tent.
Francisco and Ruiz met, and Francisco noticed Ruiz was carrying a gun and a bulletproof
jacket. Francisco asked why he needed a gun. Kic responded that “[t]hey needed it for
protection” without elaborating further. Francisco asked to see the gun, but Ruiz said no.
According to Francisco, at some point, Ruiz carelessly waved the gun around, with the
gun pointing at Francisco. Francisco was upset and told Ruiz, “ ‘Don’t point that at
me.’ ”
Sometime after sunrise, Leo saw Ruiz at the train trestle. Ruiz told Leo he was
looking for Shuemaker, that he had something for him, and he wanted Shuemaker to call
8
him. Leo asked Ruiz if he planned to “have another knife fight with him,” and Ruiz
responded, “no, this time, I have a gun.”
Rocky B., another member of the homeless community, had just woken up when
Shuemaker arrived on his bicycle and stopped to talk. Rocky then saw Ruiz run up a
nearby ramp. Rocky and Shuemaker were talking when Ruiz approached. When Ruiz
was 75 to 100 feet away, Shuemaker looked over to Ruiz in surprise. Shuemaker put his
bicycle down, walked about 10 feet toward Ruiz, and said to Ruiz, “do you want to come
back for some more” and “what are you going to do with that thing?” Ruiz pulled a gun
out of his pocket, bent his knee, and assumed “an aiming stance,” and then fired the gun.
Rocky heard a “pop,” saw a “cloud of smoke,” and saw Shuemaker fall to the ground.
Mark, who was nearby, also witnessed the shooting. He recalled that Shuemaker
came by on his skateboard. Shuemaker kicked the tail of his board up, grabbed it, and he
acknowledged Mark’s presence. From about 50 to 75 feet away, Mark saw Ruiz run up
from an access ramp before “instantly” taking a target shooting stance and pulling out a
gun. Shuemaker dropped his skateboard, put his hands in the air, and said “bring it,”
while also calling Ruiz a “bitch” and asking, “what are you going to bring that” after
realizing Ruiz had a gun. Ruiz shot Shuemaker and ran away.
At around 8:20 a.m., a maintenance worker heard the shots and called the police.
Shuemaker was pronounced dead shortly after paramedics arrived.
At some point after 8:00 a.m., Kic returned to Natividad’s apartment. At
8:17 a.m., Kic texted Ruiz, “ ‘Roommate here, too. Won’t leave until he has gun
back . . . I just acted like I didn’t talk to you . . . . So you can decide. He has doctor
appointment [at] 9:00.”
Kic asked Natividad if he wanted to go to Capitola for breakfast. Natividad
agreed, and Kic said she wanted to pick up a friend. They left and eventually picked up
Ruiz.
9
Ruiz said he needed to pick up some money for breakfast. They first went to one
mobile home park before going to another mobile home park. Ruiz’s mother, Betty,
worked at the second mobile home park.
Just before 10:00 a.m., a restaurant worker saw Kic and Ruiz sitting on a bench in
Capitola. Kic, Ruiz, and Natividad were also seen on surveillance video in the same area
at 9:48 a.m. and then again at 10:02 a.m. While there, Kic asked Natividad to take a
picture of her and Ruiz on the sea wall. At 10:07 a.m., Ruiz posted the picture to
Facebook with the notation, “ ‘What a great night and morning . . . at the beach
chilling.’ ” At 10:13 a.m., Kic texted Ruiz, writing, “ ‘Need to shower. Get residue
off.’ ”
At around 11:20 a.m., after receiving a tip from a witness, an officer watching
Natividad’s apartment saw Natividad, Kic, and Ruiz arrive in Natividad’s truck and walk
towards the apartment. Other officers arrived to assist. Natividad came out of the
apartment first and was arrested. Kic and Ruiz eventually came out and were also
arrested.
At the police station, Detectives Damon Williams and David Pawlak interviewed
Ruiz. According to Williams, throughout the questioning, Ruiz’s responses were
“fast . . . and consistent,” and his demeanor appeared to be “fine.” He did not appear to
be under the influence of a controlled substance or inebriated. Portions of the interview
were played to the jury. Ruiz denied seeing Shuemaker at all that day and claimed he had
spent the night at a beach in Capitola with Kic. In his interview, Ruiz denied firing a
gun, stating, “I did not fucking shoot no damn gun.” He added, “I have not fucking fired
a gun. Never have for one.” Ruiz explained that he would “never fucking do that”
because “I don’t have enough balls to fucking ever do that.”
A search of Natividad’s apartment revealed a gun lock box. Inside were cleaning
tools and a magazine for a 10-millimeter Glock, but no gun. In an interview with police,
10
Natividad claimed that the gun was there the last time he saw it, that it should be in the
box, and that if it was not there it was stolen.
A day after the shooting, a man walking near the area of the shooting found a
bullet on the ground. The man put the bullet in his mouth to see if there was blood on it,
then put it in his pocket and later gave it to police.
On September 11, 2016, Ruiz’s mother, Betty, and a family friend visited Ruiz in
jail. When speaking with the family friend, Ruiz directly handed her a piece of paper, on
which Ruiz had written that the gun was under Betty’s porch. Undetected by Betty, the
family friend told him to “get that out of here.” When Ruiz started to put it in his pocket,
she said, “no eat that.” Ruiz also talked with Betty and the family friend together. He
denied being involved in the shooting. Rather, he indicated that Natividad, “he’s the one
that did it.”
In a recorded conversation, Ruiz asked Betty and the family friend to find Mark
and Angelic, the two individuals who identified Ruiz at Shuemaker’s killing, because
Ruiz’s lawyer told Ruiz “that is willing to go show up and talk.” Ruiz also identified
Leo, who had seen Ruiz outside Natividad’s apartment. He stated, “I just need those
people to be talked to, though. You know?” “Those people right there—if—if they’re
not around . . . then there’s no witnesses.” “Then we have nothing to worry about,” Ruiz
added.
The family friend later told Betty about what Ruiz had said about the gun. Upon
returning to the mobile home park where Betty lived, the two spoke further, called the
police, and directed them to where the gun was hidden. Police recovered a
backpack/purse containing a holster and a Glock 10-millimeter semi-automatic pistol.
The gun had a 10-round magazine, with eight rounds in the magazine and one in the
chamber. Police attempted to match the bullet found near the shooting with bullets in the
gun. However, while the bullet was determined to be of the same general type, a
11
.40-caliber 10-millimeter bullet, it was too badly damaged to determine whether it was
fired from that gun.
In a later recorded conversation with the family friend, Ruiz talked about another
case where a woman was involved in a man’s overdose death but never charged with
murder. He observed that “she wasn’t thinking. She was high, too.” Then he added ,
“Yeah. See, I was high. I was coming under the influence of . . . [¶] . . .
methamphetamine, and I killed that guy . So—so, I should get manslaughter,
too. I should be walking out of here. They should—they should give me a chance.”
Finishing, he said, “They should let me go. I’m a good citizen.”
Michael F. was in jail and housed in a unit next to Ruiz. Ruiz told Michael not to
testify, and “said that something might happen” to Francisco and Leo if Michael went
ahead and testified. Michael considered the statement a threat. Later, four men whom he
did not know approached Michael and told him not to testify. “They said that if [he]
testified then something could come of that.”
C. Defense Case
Ruiz testified that he shot Shuemaker in self-defense. His relationship with
Shuemaker soured after he saw Jessica crying and offered her food or a place to take a
shower. Shuemaker came by and Jessica said that Ruiz was “trying to get at me.”
Shuemaker hit Ruiz in the chest and took his bicycle. After that, it was a “daily ritual”
for Shuemaker to “c[o]me after” Ruiz. During one such incident, Ruiz was standing
outside a Taco Bell smoking a cigarette when Shuemaker came up, “said some words,”
and then hit Ruiz “with the . . . skateboard . . . on the side of [his] face.” Ruiz was left
with a knot on his head and was shaken up. Ruiz became so scared of Shuemaker that he
tried to learn Shuemaker’s schedule so that he could avoid him throughout the day.
Ruiz testified that on the night of August 22, 2016, he went to Denny’s with
Michael and Angelic. Kic joined them. After they finished, they were walking when
Shuemaker came up to them on his bicycle. Shuemaker stopped and got off, yelled
12
something about a gun, and reached for his waistband. Ruiz left quickly on his bicycle.
Shuemaker followed him. He eventually caught up to him, got off his bicycle, and pulled
out a gun. Shuemaker said, “I have a fucking .45 right here for your bitch ass.” Ruiz
begged Shuemaker, “don’t do this right here, please don’t do this right here.” Ruiz told
Shuemaker that “they are calling the cops” and Shuemaker left, saying, “I’ll be back for
your bitch ass.”
Kic showed up, and after Ruiz told her what happened, she told Ruiz “that she
could get [him] a gun.” Ruiz said he would “rather go home,” but Kic said she was
scared and asked Ruiz to stay with her. Ruiz agreed. They went to Natividad’s
apartment, where Kic told Natividad that Shuemaker was armed and threatening her and
Ruiz. Kic asked about Natividad’s gun. Natividad told her to grab the gun case and
bring it. Kic did so, and Natividad put the magazine clip in the gun, and then instructed
Kic to get the holster. She did so. Natividad then holstered the gun. With Natividad’s
permission, Kic then took the bulletproof vest and gave it to Ruiz. She also then gave
Ruiz the gun, telling Ruiz to “make sure” he gets it back to Natividad.
Ruiz put on the vest, took the gun, and left with Kic. He then went to the water
treatment plant to sell drugs. He sent a text message to Michael asking him to come meet
him because he “didn’t want to go down the tracks” alone. Michael declined to come.
Kic, however, agreed to meet him. After meeting up, Kic and Ruiz return to Michael’s
and Angelic’s tent where Ruiz and Michael smoked methamphetamine. At some point,
Kic told Ruiz to pull out the gun and show it to Michael and Angelic. Ruiz said, “are you
sure,” and Kic said, “yeah.” Ruiz unloaded the gun and handed it to Michael. After
Michael looked at it, he handed it back to Ruiz.
Francisco arrived about 20 minutes later, and Ruiz and Francisco smoked more
methamphetamine. Francisco saw the gun and asked to see it but Ruiz said no.
According to Ruiz, Francisco was upset and asked why Ruiz brought a gun to his tent
13
area. Ruiz responded that he “needed it for protection [and] that [his] life was just
threatened.” Francisco did not agree that he needed a gun.
Ruiz and Kic eventually left together, but then Ruiz continued alone. Ruiz later
decided to head back to Kic’s apartment but then unexpectedly ran into Shuemaker. Ruiz
was scared and got off his bicycle. Shuemaker got off his skateboard and “was in like a
running stance” like he was about to run at Ruiz. Shuemaker had a black object that
looked like a gun in his right hand. Shuemaker said to Ruiz, you “better have a gun.”
Ruiz pulled out his gun, and Shuemaker yelled, “what are you going to do with that little
bitch ass BB gun.” As he said that, he took a “few steps” toward Ruiz like he was about
to run at him. Ruiz told Shuemaker, “don’t move.” Shuemaker continued and Ruiz fired
a single shot. Ruiz thought Shuemaker was holding the same gun he had pulled on Ruiz
before. Ruiz did not intend to kill Shuemaker. He said he was “scared” and “coming
down off the drugs” and “could have . . . hit anybody that was there.”
Ruiz initially threw away the gun in a trash can but at Natividad’s request
retrieved it. He then hid the gun under his mother’s porch. He also went to Capitola and
took a photograph in an attempt to create an alibi. Asked why he did not call police and
tell them what happened, Ruiz said he “didn’t know what to do.” He “wasn’t sure what
was the right thing to do,” he “was too scared,” and was not “in the right state of mind.”
He had never had good interactions with police and did not trust them.
Ruiz also called character witnesses who testified to Shuemaker’s history of
violence. Jason H., who was then a member of the homeless community, observed
“[d]aily” confrontations between Shuemaker and Ruiz in the months preceding August
2016. Shuemaker was physically and verbally violent with Ruiz, punching him and
threatening him with a knife. Ruiz did not fight back when he was physically attacked or
threatened with a knife. Shuemaker also fought Jason a few times, but he stopped after
Jason “finally decided to fight back.” Shuemaker was also often physically aggressive
and violent with other people.
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II. Procedural Background
The Santa Cruz County District Attorney filed an information charging Ruiz with
murder (count 1; § 187, subd. (a)), conspiracy to commit murder (count 2; § 182,
subd. (a)(1)), possession of a firearm by a felon (count 3; § 29800, subd. (a)(1)), and
possession of ammunition by a prohibited person (count 4; § 30305, subd. (a)(1)). With
respect to counts 1 and 2, it was alleged that Ruiz personally used a firearm (§ 12022.5,
subd. (a)) and that he personally discharged a firearm causing great bodily injury or death
(§ 12022.53, subd. (b)).
Kic was charged by information with murder (count 1; § 187, subd. (a)) and
conspiracy to commit murder (count 2; § 182, subd. (a)(1)). It was also alleged as to both
counts that Kic possessed a firearm (§ 12022, subd. (a)(1)) and that she furnished a
firearm to another person for purposes of committing a felony (§ 12022.4).
After a joint trial, the jury found Ruiz guilty on all counts, finding the murder to be
first degree murder, and found all of the allegations true. The jury found Kic not guilty
of first degree murder, but guilty of second degree murder and conspiracy to commit
murder, and found all of the allegations true.
The trial court sentenced Ruiz to state prison for an aggregate term of three years
plus 50 years to life.8 Kic was sentenced to state prison for a total term of three years
plus 25 years to life, consisting of 25 years to life on count 2 (conspiracy to commit
murder), with a consecutive three-year term for furnishing a firearm. The court imposed
but stayed a one-year gun-use enhancement as well as a 15-year-to-life term for second
degree murder.
Kic and Ruiz both timely appealed.
8Because Ruiz claims error with respect to how his sentence was calculated and
recorded in the abstract, we will discuss his sentence in more detail below.
15
III. Discussion
A. Gang Evidence
Ruiz argues that the trial court erred by allowing the prosecution to introduce
evidence of Ruiz’s claimed membership in the East Side Live Oak criminal street gang.
In a supplemental brief, he argues that in addition to being an error of state law, the
admission of gang evidence also violated his federal constitutional rights.
1. Background
Prior to trial, Ruiz moved in limine to exclude all gang related evidence as more
prejudicial than probative. While the prosecutor confirmed that she would not present a
gang expert or evidence that the shooting was gang motivated, she intended to introduce
evidence that Ruiz claimed to be a member of the “LOC Eastside Live Oak” street gang.
The prosecutor argued that the evidence was relevant because defense expert witnesses
stated in their reports that Ruiz was a “coward,” that he “runs away,” and because Ruiz
made statements that “he is some shrinking violet.” Defense counsel opposed any gang
evidence as “not relevant to this case.” The court stated its tentative ruling that if Ruiz’s
experts testified, the prosecution would be permitted to introduce the gang evidence in
rebuttal but not as part of its case-in-chief.
During an Evidence Code section 402 hearing for one of the defense experts, the
expert stated he was expecting “evidence to indicate that [Ruiz] had non-paranoid
reality-based reasons to be fearful of the victim,” and that Ruiz was “unusually fearful.”
At the end of the hearing, Ruiz’s defense counsel indicated he would try to present
evidence to lay the foundation for the expert to testify.
During the prosecution’s questioning of Maria, the prosecutor asked, “Did Mr.
Ruiz ever talk about any gangs?” Maria replied, “Yes.” Defense counsel then objected,
and a sidebar was held outside the presence of the jury. The prosecutor explained that
Ruiz “ran around with a blue hankie,” talked extensively about East Side Locs in his
interview, had references to East Side and Live Oak tattooed on his body, and “they are
16
trying to portray him as some shrinking violet.” The prosecutor contended that in reality
“that’s not how he portrayed himself at all.” Defense counsel reiterated that “[t]his is not
a gang case, not alleged, not charged,” and therefore it was not relevant. The court
overruled the objection and allowed the line of questioning.
The prosecutor then asked Maria about what Ruiz had said about gangs, and Maria
responded that Ruiz said he was in a gang but she could not remember the name of the
gang. On cross examination, Maria testified that the “gang stuff . . . didn’t seem like it
was real,” and that she thought Ruiz was lying.
During the prosecutor’s direct examination of Sara, Sara was asked, “Did Mr.
Ruiz ever say he was a member of a gang?” Defense counsel objected on relevance
grounds and the trial court overruled the objection. Sara then testified that Ruiz claimed
he was an “east sider” and a “skinhead,” but that these claims were disputed “because
people from that said no.” Asked on cross examination whether she believed Ruiz’s
claims, Sara said, “Not one bit.” Sara was also asked by Ruiz’s defense counsel if she
had previously described Ruiz as a coward. Sara said yes.
During Jessica’s cross examination, Ruiz’s defense counsel asked whether Ruiz
ever exaggerated to make himself look tougher than he was, and Jessica agreed. Jessica
also agreed that when you live on the streets “[y]ou have to sort of make an image for
yourself so that you won’t get picked on by others.”
During Mark’s cross examination, Ruiz’s defense counsel asked if Ruiz bragged a
lot and “ma[d]e up stuff.” Mark agreed, and further agreed Ruiz often made up stories
and said things that Mark did not take seriously.
During Daniel K.’s testimony, the prosecutor asked Daniel, a member of the
homeless community, whether he ever described Ruiz “as if he [was] frontin’ as if he was
some kind of a person.” After Daniel asked the prosecutor to repeat the question, the
prosecutor requested a sidebar. At sidebar, the prosecutor explained that Daniel had
described Ruiz as “frontin’ like he was a gang member,” and that other people also said
17
Ruiz claimed gang membership. Defense counsel objected. The court stated, “It’s my
recollection that the Defense team has brought out [that] Mr. Ruiz claims to be an east
sider, [but] that is exaggeration, bluff.” Accordingly, the court determined each side
would be allowed to ask about what Ruiz said, and the other side would be permitted to
rebut it.
The prosecutor asked Daniel again whether Ruiz ever tried “to front like he was a
gang member, do you remember . . . hearing him say that or describing him[self] that
way?” Daniel replied, “Yes.” Asked whether he believed Ruiz, Daniel responded, “No.
No, I didn’t believe that he was.”
During Rocky’s testimony, the prosecutor asked whether Ruiz had any tattoos.
Rocky responded that he did, and explained in response to another question about what
the tattoo depicted, “ESLO. East Side Live Oak.”
The gang issue also arose during discussions of possible redactions to Leo’s
preliminary hearing testimony, which was going to be read to the jury. Defense counsel
requested that the court redact the prosecutor’s questions about Ruiz’s claim of gang
membership. The prosecutor responded that the statements were probative because Leo
testified he knew Ruiz for only two or three months, meaning the statements were made
around the time of Shuemaker’s killing. The prosecutor also asked to introduce
photographs of Ruiz’s gang tattoos that he got while in custody and photographs of gang
indicia in Ruiz’s home. The court ultimately decided to exclude Leo’s comments about
gangs. The court noted that the testimony was not probative and was unduly prejudicial,
and unlike other witnesses, included detailed discussions of gang life. As for the
photographs, the court decided to not allow the gang tattoos to be introduced, and only
allow one photograph of indicia of East Side. The court also allowed limited testimony
related to the photograph, but no discussion that East Side was a white supremacist gang
or about what they do.
18
Later, the detective who searched the home of Ruiz’s mother discussed finding a
drawing on the kitchen table with “Eastside S 831 C,” which she explained was a Santa
Cruz based street gang. A photograph of the drawing, which had Ruiz’s name on it, was
displayed to the jury.
Ruiz testified that he was not a member of the East Side Live Oak gang and that
he associated with them for protection and to keep from being bullied. He testified that
when he told people he was in the gang it was a lie, and he did it to make himself look
“bigger and badder.” Asked about his Live Oak tattoo on his face, Ruiz said it was not a
gang tattoo and he only got the tattoo because it was “a town in Santa Cruz that I love.”
Ruiz was asked about statements he made to police, in which he told detectives he
was “a coward” who “didn’t have the balls to shoot and kill [Shuemaker].” He
acknowledged the statements. He later emphasized, “I’m a coward. I’m a chicken shit.”
Testifying for the defense, Jason described Ruiz’s demeanor as “[d]ocile” and
explained that Ruiz never did anything when Shuemaker punched him. Jason also twice
described Ruiz as “[a] docile person.”
2. Standard of Review
Under Evidence Code section 1101, subdivision (a), “Except as [otherwise
provided], evidence of a person’s character or a trait of his or her character (whether in
the form of an opinion, evidence of reputation, or evidence of specific instances of his or
her conduct) is inadmissible when offered to prove his or her conduct on a specified
occasion.” Under Evidence Code section 1101, subdivision (b), “Nothing in this section
prohibits the admission of evidence that a person committed a crime, civil wrong, or
other act when relevant to prove some fact (such as motive, opportunity, intent,
preparation, plan, knowledge, identity, [or] absence of mistake or accident . . .) other than
his or her disposition to commit such an act.” Under Evidence Code section 1101,
subdivision (c), “Nothing in this section affects the admissibility of evidence offered to
support or attack the credibility of a witness.”
19
Thus, “as a general rule, [gang evidence] is admissible if it is logically relevant to
some material issue in the case, other than character evidence, is not more prejudicial
than probative and is not cumulative.” (People v. Albarran (2007) 149 Cal.App.4th 214,
223 (Albarran).) The test of relevance is whether the evidence tends logically, naturally,
and by reasonable inference to establish material facts such as identity, intent, or motive.
(People v. Wallace (2008) 44 Cal.4th 1032, 1058; Evid. Code, §§ 210, 1101, subd. (b).)
However, “even if [gang] evidence is found to be relevant, the trial court must carefully
scrutinize [such] evidence before admitting it because of its potentially inflammatory
impact on the jury.” (Albarran, at p. 224.) Under Evidence Code section 352, the trial
court may, in its discretion, exclude evidence if its probative value is substantially
outweighed by the probability that its admission will create substantial danger of undue
prejudice.
The decision on whether gang evidence is relevant and not unduly prejudicial rests
within the broad discretion of the trial court. (Albarran, supra, 149 Cal.App.4th at
pp. 224-225.) We will not disturb a trial court’s exercise of discretion “ ‘ “except on a
showing that the [trial] court exercised its discretion in an arbitrary, capricious or patently
absurd manner that resulted in a manifest miscarriage of justice.” ’ ” (Id. at p. 225, italics
omitted.) The appellant bears the burden to demonstrate abuse of discretion and
prejudice. (Ibid.)
3. The trial court did not abuse its discretion by admitting limited evidence of
Ruiz’s claims of gang membership
Ruiz asserts the admitted gang evidence was not relevant and was improper
disposition evidence to show him as dangerous or violent. The Attorney General argues
that the limited gang evidence was relevant to counter Ruiz’s claims of cowardice and
fear.
We conclude that the trial court reasonably determined that the gang evidence,
which consisted largely of Ruiz’s claims to gang membership, was relevant to rebut
20
Ruiz’s asserted defense. His defense rested on a claim that he acted in self-defense and
that he was in essence a coward who would not have planned Shuemaker’s murder.
Ruiz’s defense counsel repeatedly elicited statements on cross examination that Ruiz was
a coward, that he exaggerated to look tough, and that he “made up stuff.” The evidence
of Ruiz’s statements that he was a member of or associated with gangs was relevant and
could possibly undermine the truth of this claim. Therefore, the trial court properly
allowed rebuttal evidence, based on his boasting of gang membership, that Ruiz was not
in fact the coward he claimed to be and that the killing was not unintentional. (See
People v. Chhoun (2021) 11 Cal.5th 1, 31 [defendant’s gang membership relevant to
show intent to steal and kill].)
Moreover, the probative value of the gang evidence was not substantially
outweighed by the risk of undue prejudice. “ ‘The admission of gang evidence over an
Evidence Code section 352 objection will not be disturbed on appeal unless the trial
court’s decision exceeds the bounds of reason.’ ” (People v. Montes (2014) 58 Cal.4th
809, 859.) Under Evidence Code section 352, a court has the discretion to exclude
otherwise admissible 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.”
Here, the record reflects that the trial court carefully weighed the probative and
prejudicial value of the gang evidence. Initially, the court tentatively excluded the gang
evidence until it became clear that Ruiz’s self-defense claim rested on the notion that he
was passive and cowardly, whereas Shuemaker was violent and aggressive. But even in
admitting the gang evidence, the court limited the nature and quantity of the evidence
sought by the prosecution. Notably, the court excluded Leo’s detailed testimony about
gangs and gang culture, limited testimony on the activities of the East Side street gang,
and limited photographs of Ruiz’s gang tattoos. The testimony that was permitted was
limited, short in duration, and not overly graphic. Nor was the evidence unduly
21
prejudicial. Indeed, some of the challenged testimony also included statements that the
witness did not believe Ruiz’s claims of gang membership. Combined with Ruiz’s
explanation that he only claimed claim membership as a means of protection, the
evidence of Ruiz’s gang membership was not particularly prejudicial.
In sum, the court’s weighing of evidence did not exceed the bounds of reason and
was not an abuse of discretion.
In addition, having found no state law error, we also reject Ruiz’s federal
constitutional claim. Ruiz’s argument “fails to account for the general rule that the
application of the ordinary rules of evidence under state law do not violate a criminal
defendant’s federal constitutional right to present a defense, because trial courts retain the
intrinsic power under state law to exercise discretion to control the admission of evidence
at trial.” (People v. Abilez (2007) 41 Cal.4th 472, 503; see also People v. Fitch (1997) 55
Cal.App.4th 172, 178-179 [“Preventing and dealing with crime is more the business of
the states than of the federal government. Accordingly, the state has power to regulate
the procedures under which its laws are carried out, and a rule of evidence in this regard
‘is not subject to proscription under the Due Process Clause unless “it offends some
principle of justice so rooted in the traditions and conscience of our people as to be
ranked as fundamental.” ’ ”].)
B. Gun Evidence
Ruiz argues that the trial court erred by allowing testimony by two witnesses about
Ruiz’s possession of a gun in a vehicle in the weeks prior to the killing.
1. Background
Sara testified that sometime within the month prior to Shuemaker’s death, she saw
Ruiz in his car with a Glock handgun “sitting on . . . the center console” of the car. Ruiz
was “hanging with the homies, trying to act cool, like he was a gangster.” Sara thought it
“looked fake.”
22
Later, during discussions of redactions of Leo’s preliminary hearing testimony,
defense counsel asked the trial court to exclude portions in which Leo talked about Ruiz’s
possession of a gun on another occasion. Counsel argued that because the prosecution’s
theory was that Ruiz used Natividad’s gun, the prosecution should not be allowed to
show he possessed other guns. The prosecutor argued that while there was strong
evidence the gun recovered was the murder weapon, there was no definitive evidence.
Relying on People v. Sanchez (2019) 7 Cal.5th 14 (Sanchez), the court allowed the
testimony.
Through his preliminary hearing testimony, the jury learned that on one occasion,
Leo was driving a vehicle when Ruiz got into the vehicle and was carrying a firearm,
which upset Leo because he was not supposed to be around any firearms.
At trial, Natividad was shown a picture of the Glock 20 that was recovered. He
said he had “a gun similar to that” one pictured. He affirmed his earlier statement to
police that his gun was stolen. With respect to the gun box, he admitted that although it
was lockable, he chose not to lock it. On the morning of the killing, he did not recall
“hearing anything” from the area of his closet where he kept the gun and he did not give
Kic or Ruiz permission to take the gun.
2. Standard of Review
“When the prosecution relies on evidence regarding a specific type of weapon, it is
error to admit evidence that other weapons were found in the defendant’s possession, for
such evidence tends to show not that he committed the crime, but only that he is the sort
of person who carries deadly weapons.” (People v. Barnwell (2007) 41 Cal.4th 1038,
1056.)
“[A]n appellate court applies the abuse of discretion standard of review to any
ruling by a trial court on the admissibility of evidence.” (People v. Waidla (2000) 22
Cal.4th 690, 717.) “Under the abuse of discretion standard, ‘a trial court’s ruling will not
be disturbed, and reversal of the judgment is not required, unless the trial court exercised
23
its discretion in an arbitrary, capricious, or patently absurd manner that resulted in a
manifest miscarriage of justice.’ ” (People v. Hovarter (2008) 44 Cal.4th 983, 1004.)
3. Ruiz has not shown prejudicial error
Initially, as to Ruiz’s challenge to Sara’s testimony, the Attorney General argues
that because he never objected to her testimony in the trial court, this portion of the claim
is forfeited on appeal. (People v. Partida (2005) 37 Cal.4th 428, 434 (Partida).) We
agree.
As to Ruiz’s challenge to Leo’s preliminary hearing statements about prior
possession of a gun, we conclude that the court did not abuse its discretion in admitting
the statements. Sanchez, supra, 7 Cal.5th at page 55, is instructive. In Sanchez, over the
defendant’s objection, the court admitted evidence that he possessed a firearm around the
time of the murders. In concluding that there was no error, our high court reasoned that
Barnwell did not apply: “Here, the murder weapon was never found, but the evidence
showed it was likely a nine-millimeter firearm. The firearm the witnesses testified about
could easily have been the one used in the murders.” (Ibid.)
Here, like Sanchez, the murder weapon was never definitively confirmed and the
weapons that Ruiz was seen holding could have been one used in the murders. Regarding
the weapon found under the porch, the ballistics evidence was found to be inconclusive
and Natividad continued to deny giving his gun to Ruiz. He maintained his gun had been
stolen. Shown a picture of the gun recovered, Natividad only provided that it was
“similar” to his gun. When the trial court allowed the prosecution to present evidence of
Ruiz’s prior possession of handguns, Ruiz had not yet testified to his version of events
regarding how he obtained a gun. In sum, while there was strong reason to believe the
weapon found under Ruiz’s mother’s porch and Natividad’s gun were one and the same,
and that it was also the murder weapon, that fact was not uncontested. Indeed, in one of
his interviews with police, Ruiz initially denied having ever held a gun before.
Evidence of his prior possession of a gun which could have been the murder weapon was
24
both relevant and probative. Thus, the trial court did not abuse its discretion in admitting
it.
Even assuming error here, we would not find prejudice. “Absent fundamental
unfairness, state law error in admitting evidence is subject to the traditional [People v.
Watson (1956) 46 Cal.2d 818] test: The reviewing court must ask whether it is
reasonably probable the verdict would have been more favorable to the defendant absent
the error.” (Partida, supra, 37 Cal.4th at p. 439.) Here, there was no reasonable
probability of a different outcome because the evidence of Ruiz’s guilt was considerable,
and the gun evidence was comparatively inconsequential. The evidence showed that
Ruiz announced his intention to get a gun and shoot Shuemaker to multiple people on
multiple occasions, that he retrieved a gun consistent with those intentions, and that he
found Shuemaker, assumed a shooting stance, and shot him. Two witnesses to the
shooting, although varying in certain details, confirmed that the killing was without
provocation. In contrast, Leo’s statements about seeing the gun weeks before the killing
were fleeting and nonspecific. Under these circumstances, there was no reasonable
probability of a different outcome in the absence of error.
4. There was no cumulative error with respect to the gang and gun evidence
Ruiz argues that “[e]ven if neither of the errors in admitting the gang or gun
evidence were individually sufficiently prejudicial, in combination they denied Ruiz a
fair trial.” However, we have found no errors. Because there are no other errors to
cumulate, his claim of cumulative error necessarily fails. (People v. Staten (2000) 24
Cal.4th 434, 464.)
C. Instructional Error: Conspiracy to Commit Murder
Ruiz contends that the trial court committed instructional error because the jury
instructions improperly allowed the jury to convict him of conspiracy to commit murder
based on a finding of implied malice. He argues that the error was prejudicial and
warrants reversal. Kic similarly argues that the instruction was erroneous, and that it was
25
not harmless. The Attorney General concedes error but maintains it was harmless beyond
a reasonable doubt. We conclude that there was error. As to Ruiz, we find the error
harmless based on the jury’s findings on the other charges. However, as to Kic, we
conclude that the error was not harmless beyond a reasonable doubt, and we therefore
reverse her conviction as to count 2, conspiracy to commit murder.
1. Background
The trial court instructed the jury with CALCRIM No. 520 (first or second degree
murder with malice aforethought) and CALCRIM No. 563 (conspiracy to commit
murder). CALCRIM No. 563 told the jury, in relevant part, “[t]o decide whether a
defendant and one or more of the other alleged members of the conspiracy intended to
commit murder, please refer to Instructions 500 and 520, which define that crime.” It
went on to say, “The People must prove that the members of the alleged conspiracy had
an agreement and intent to commit murder.” The instruction for CALCRIM No. 520, in
turn, included the following description, “There are two kinds of malice aforethought,
express malice and implied malice. Proof of either is sufficient to establish the state of
mind required for murder.” The instruction then went on to define the elements of
implied malice.
2. Standard of Review
“We review a claim of instructional error de novo. [Citation.] ‘Review of the
adequacy of instructions is based on whether the trial court “fully and fairly instructed on
the applicable law.” ’ ” (People v. Barber (2020) 55 Cal.App.5th 787, 798.) “Generally,
the trial court is required to instruct the jury on the general principles of law that are
closely and openly connected with the evidence and that are necessary to the jury’s
understanding of the case. [Citation.] It also has a duty to refrain from giving incorrect
instructions or instructions on principles of law that are irrelevant and that would have the
effect of confusing the jury or relieving it from making findings on the relevant issues.”
(Id. at p. 799.)
26
3. The jury was improperly instructed regarding conspiracy to commit murder
Here, the prosecution’s theory was that Ruiz and Kic agreed to kill Shuemaker,
with Kic supplying Ruiz the gun that he used to shoot Shuemaker. Murder “is the
unlawful killing of a human being . . . with malice aforethought.” (§ 187, subd. (a).)
Malice “may be express or implied.” (§ 188, subd. (a).) “ ‘It is express when there is
manifested a deliberate intention unlawfully to take away the life of a fellow creature.’ ”
(People v. Swain (1996) 12 Cal.4th 593, 600 (Swain).) “Implied malice murder, in
contrast to express malice, requires instead an intent to do some act, the natural
consequences of which are dangerous to human life.” (Id. at p. 602.) “[A]ll conspiracy
to commit murder is necessarily conspiracy to commit premeditated and deliberated first
degree murder.” (People v. Cortez (1998) 18 Cal.4th 1223, 1237.) Because all murder
conspiracies are conspiracies to commit first degree murder, a conspiracy conviction
“cannot be based on a theory of implied malice.” (Swain, at p. 607; People v. Beck and
Cruz (2019) 8 Cal.5th 548, 642 (Beck and Cruz) [“Conspiracy to commit murder may be
based only on express malice, i.e., an intent to kill.”].)
Accordingly, it is improper for a court to cross-reference the murder instructions
(CALCRIM No. 520) in the conspiracy instruction (CALCRIM No. 563) when the
murder instructions refer to implied malice murder. Referring to implied malice “ ‘could
confuse jurors’ ” because “ ‘conspiracy to commit murder, may not be based on a theory
of implied malice.’ ” (Beck and Cruz, supra, 8 Cal.5th at p. 642.) When giving the
conspiracy instruction, the murder instruction should be modified to delete references to
implied malice. (Ibid.) Thus, as all parties agree, the instruction for conspiracy to
commit murder was erroneous.
We evaluate this error for prejudice under Chapman v. California (1967) 386 U.S.
18, 24. (Beck and Cruz, supra, 8 Cal.5th at p. 642; Swain, supra, 12 Cal.4th at p. 607.)
Under this standard, we must reverse the conviction unless after examining the entire
cause, including the evidence, and considering all relevant circumstances, it appears
27
“beyond a reasonable doubt that the error complained of did not contribute to the verdict
obtained.” (Chapman, at p. 24.)
The Attorney General maintains that despite this error the balance of the
instructions, the prosecutor’s argument, and the jury verdict make clear that the jury in
fact found that Ruiz and Kic intended to kill Shuemaker. As to Ruiz, we agree that when
taken together, the remaining instructions, the prosecutor’s argument, and the jury’s
verdict, that the jury necessarily found Ruiz guilty of conspiracy to commit murder on a
proper theory, i.e., based on express malice or intent to kill. (Swain, supra, 12 Cal.4th at
p. 607.) However, as to Kic, the same considerations lead us to conclude that the jury
could have based its conviction for conspiracy to commit murder upon a theory of
implied malice.
Here, the jury’s findings confirm that Ruiz was found guilty of conspiracy to
commit murder based on a theory of express malice. In convicting Ruiz of count 1 of
murder in the first degree, the jury was instructed with CALCRIM No. 521, which
provided in relevant part: “The defendant is guilty of first degree murder if the People
have proved that he or she acted willfully, deliberately, and with premeditation. The
defendant acted willfully if he or she intended to kill. The defendant acted deliberately if
he or she carefully weighed the considerations for and against his or her choice and,
knowing the consequences, decided to kill. The defendant acted with premeditation if he
or she decided to kill before completing the act that caused death.” (Italics added.)
“[E]xpress malice and an intent unlawfully to kill are one and the same.” (People v.
Saille (1991) 54 Cal.3d 1103, 1114.) Thus, by finding Ruiz guilty of first degree murder,
the jury necessarily found that Ruiz acted with express, not implied, malice. In the
context of Ruiz’s repeated statements of intent to kill Shuemaker, his efforts to find
Shuemaker, and the statements of two witnesses who saw Ruiz shoot Shuemaker without
provocation, we are convinced beyond a reasonable doubt that the error did not contribute
to the verdict obtained.
28
Turning to Kic, who was found guilty of second degree murder, we cannot say
beyond a reasonable doubt that the error did not contribute to her conviction for
conspiracy to commit murder. In Swain, 12 Cal.4th at page 607, our high court
concluded that reversal was required because the verdicts did not disclose whether the
jury had relied on an implied malice theory in returning the conviction and because the
prosecutor repeatedly had referred to implied malice in her closing arguments.
Likewise here, the prosecutor repeatedly argued to the jury that Kic could be
convicted under an implied malice theory. In discussing malice aforethought, the
prosecutor reminded the jury that these are two types of malice, implied and express
malice. She went on to note, as this applied to Kic, “the way the aiding and abetting and
implied malice could interrelate together is when she gave [Ruiz] the gun, knowing what
kind of a person he was, that he was a thug, that he threatened people, that he was angry
at him, that he had been shamed by him, she knew that giving that kind of a person a
loaded gun was . . . an act that was inherently dangerous to life.” She later argued that
Kic “knew” Ruiz was going to kill Shuemaker and gave him the gun, gave him
information, and “she intended to help him do that, and her mental state was implied
malice to at least shoot him which is an inherently dangerous act and when she recklessly
helped him to do it she acted with implied malice.” (Italics added.) Thus, the prosecutor
expressly urged the jury to consider that Kic’s actions and mental state, at the very least,
constituted something less than express malice, which compounded the court’s
instructional error.
In addition to the prosecutor’s argument, the jury’s verdict also suggests that, as to
Kic, the instructional error may have allowed the jury to convict her of conspiracy to
commit murder on an implied malice theory. In contrast to Ruiz, the jury here found Kic
not guilty of first degree murder and instead convicted her of second degree murder.
Second degree murder may be based on three theories: unpremeditated murder with
express malice; implied malice murder; and second degree felony murder. (Swain, supra,
29
12 Cal.4th at pp. 601-602.) Conspiracy to commit murder requires the specific intent to
kill, and cannot be committed if the underlying criminal objective is second degree
implied malice murder. (Id. at pp. 602-603, 607.) Here, Kic’s participation in the murder
was not as the actual perpetrator and felony murder was not at issue, leaving implied
malice as the only valid theory for a second degree murder conviction. Although the
mere existence of inconsistent verdicts does not show that the jury must have been
confused (People v. Lewis (2001) 25 Cal.4th 610, 655), in light of the clear instructional
error, it strongly implies that the jury did not find Kic had the specific intent to kill.
The Attorney General contends that the jury’s verdict confirms that the jury found
Kic committed conspiracy to commit murder with express malice. He notes that the jury
returned a true finding on the enhancement allegation that Kic “furnished and offered to
furnish a firearm to another for the purpose[s] of aiding and abetting or enabling that
other person to commit a felony” as to count 2, conspiracy to commit murder. The
instruction related to this enhancement, CALCRIM No. 3250, required the jury to find
that Kic furnished or offered to furnish a firearm “with the specific intent to aid, abet, or
enable that person to commit a felony.” The Attorney General thus argues that “[s]ince
the only felony referenced in the instructions was murder, and since specific intent is an
element only of express malice murder,” then the jury necessarily found Kic guilty of
conspiracy based on an express malice theory.
Based on the totality of the instructions, we find this argument unavailing. First,
contrary to the Attorney General’s assertions, the instructions also referred to other
felonies. In particular, Ruiz was charged in counts 3 and 4 with felony possession of a
firearm by a felon and felony possession of ammunition by a prohibited person. Thus,
Kic’s furnishing of a firearm could also have applied to Ruiz’s commission of counts 3
and 4. Second, the instructions were not entirely consistent in describing the type of
crime associated with the furnishing enhancement. In describing which crimes applied to
which defendants, CALCRIM No. 203 told the jury that Kic was charged with
30
“furnishing and offering to furnish a firearm for the purpose of aiding and abetting a
crime.” (Italics added.) Thus, we cannot say beyond a reasonable doubt that the jury
necessarily made a finding that Kic harbored the requisite intent to kill based on the
enhancement findings.
We therefore conclude that Kic’s conviction for conspiracy to commit murder
must be reversed. The instructions permitted the jury to find Kic guilty of conspiracy to
commit murder based on something less than express malice. The error was compounded
by the prosecutor’s argument to the jury that Kic’s intent was, at the very least, implied
malice. Further, nothing in the verdicts demonstrate that the jury necessarily found Kic
harbored the specific intent to kill, especially in light of the jury’s verdicts of not guilty
for first degree murder and guilty of second degree murder. Thus, the instructional error
was not harmless beyond a reasonable doubt and Kic’s conviction must be reversed.
D. Instructional Error: Lesser Included Offense of Manslaughter
Kic contends that the trial court erred by not instructing the jury sua sponte on
involuntary manslaughter as a lesser-included offense to count 1, murder. Kic also
contends that if the issue was waived by failing to request the instruction, defense counsel
was prejudicially ineffective for failing to do so.
1. Standard of Review
“A trial court must instruct the jury sua sponte on a lesser included offense only if
there is substantial evidence . . . which, if accepted, ‘ “would absolve [the] defendant
from guilt of the greater offense” [citation] but not the lesser’ [citation].” (People v. Cole
(2004) 33 Cal.4th 1158, 1218.) Thus, to warrant instruction on the lesser offense,
substantial evidence must support the conclusion that the defendant committed the lesser
included offense and not the greater offense. (People v. Gonzalez (2018) 5 Cal.5th 186,
196 (Gonzalez).)
“ ‘ “[T]he existence of ‘any evidence, no matter how weak’ will not justify
instructions on a lesser included offense . . . .” [Citation.] Rather, substantial evidence
31
must exist to allow a reasonable jury to find that the defendant is guilty of a lesser but not
the greater offense. [Citation.] “ ‘ “Substantial evidence is evidence sufficient to
‘deserve consideration by the jury,’ that is, evidence that a reasonable jury could find
persuasive.” ’ ” ’ ” (People v. Westerfield (2019) 6 Cal.5th 632, 718.) In deciding
whether to instruct the jury on a lesser included offense, trial courts must not evaluate the
credibility of witnesses and must resolve doubts regarding the sufficiency of evidence in
a defendant's favor. (People v. Breverman (1998) 19 Cal.4th 142, 162.) We review de
novo the trial court’s decision to instruct on a lesser included offense. (People v.
Brothers (2015) 236 Cal.App.4th 24, 30 (Brothers).)
Involuntary manslaughter is a lesser included offense of murd er. (Gonzalez,
supra, 5 Cal.5th at p. 197.) Involuntary manslaughter is an unlawful killing of a human
without malice. (§ 192, subd. (b).) By statute, commission of the offense requires
(1) “an unlawful act, not amounting to a felony”; or (2) “a lawful act which might
produce death, in an unlawful manner, or without due caution and circumspection.”
(§ 192, subd. (b).) However, courts have defined additional, nonstatutory forms of the
offense based on the acts of (3) a noninherently dangerous felony accomplished without
due caution and circumspection; or (4) an inherently dangerous assaultive felony.
(Brothers, supra, 236 Cal.App.4th at pp. 31-33.) Involuntary manslaughter requires the
absence of malice aforethought and the presence of criminal negligence. (People v.
Ochoa (1998) 19 Cal.4th 353, 423.) “Accordingly, an instruction on involuntary
manslaughter as a lesser included offense must be given when a rational jury could
entertain a reasonable doubt that an unlawful killing was accomplished with implied
malice during the course of an inherently assaultive felony.” (Brothers, supra, at p. 34.)
2. The trial court had no sua sponte duty to give an involuntary manslaughter
instruction
In Brothers, supra, 236 Cal.App.4th at page 34, the defendant beat the victim with
a large wooden broom handle, and her accomplices forced a gag down the victim’s
32
throat. A jury acquitted the defendant of murder but convicted her of voluntary
manslaughter. (Id. at pp. 27-28.) On appeal, the defendant contended that the trial court
had a sua sponte duty to instruct the jury on involuntary manslaughter as a lesser included
offense to murder, arguing that the instruction was warranted because she testified that
she did not know “ ‘this was going to happen.’ ” (Id. at p. 34.) The Court of Appeal
rejected her argument because “intent to kill is an element of express malice, not implied
malice.” (Ibid.) The court found, at a minimum, the defendant acted with implied
malice, noting that even crediting her statement that she did not know this was going to
happen, “there was simply no evidence from which a reasonable jury could entertain a
reasonable doubt that [the defendant] had acted in conscious disregard of the risk her
conduct posed to [the victim’s] life.” (Ibid.) Thus, the court concluded that “when, as
here, the defendant indisputably has deliberately engaged in a type of aggravated assault
the natural consequences of which are dangerous to human life, thus satisfying the
objective component of implied malice as a matter of law, and no material issue is
presented as to whether the defendant subjectively appreciated the danger to human life
his or her conduct posed, there is no sua sponte duty to instruct on involuntary
manslaughter.” (Id. at p. 35.)
Here, as in Brothers, there was no material issue presented as to whether Kic
subjectively appreciated the danger to human life her conduct posed. Kic provided Ruiz
with the murder weapon along with a bulletproof vest. She also updated Ruiz by text
message on Shuemaker’s location, suggested ways to lure him out, and helped Ruiz
despite Ruiz’s numerous statements that he was going to kill Shuemaker. She also
reportedly said she wanted to be there when Shuemaker begged for his life.
Kic points to her alleged statements to Ruiz that he should “just shoot
[Shuemaker] in the legs” as evidence she acted without malice. Kic also points to her
text message to Ruiz telling him that Natividad wanted his gun back, and argues that this
text demonstrates that she thought Ruiz would return the gun unfired. This evidence,
33
however, did not constitute substantial evidence that Kic’s intent was anything less
culpable than implied malice. Kic’s suggestion to shoot Shuemaker in the legs came
after Ruiz repeatedly stated his intent to shoot and kill Ruiz, and after Kic provided the
means and encouragement to do so. Standing by itself, the statement failed to raise a
material issue as to whether Kic subjectively appreciated the danger to human life her
conduct posed.
As relates to her asking Ruiz to return the gun to Natividad, the statement does not
indicate a belief on Kic’s part that the gun would not be fired. She stated, “Roommate
here, too. Won’t leave until he has gun back . . . I just acted like I didn’t talk to u . . . so u
can decide . . . he has dr [at] 9.” At face value, the text message merely relates to Ruiz
that Natividad wanted the gun back, which suggests only that Natividad thought that the
gun would not be fired. Indeed, Kic’s message ultimately told Ruiz, “u can decide”
whether to return the gun or not. Rather than suggest no knowledge, this suggests that
Kic knew there was a reason the gun should not be returned.
In addition, Kic’s instructional error claim nonetheless fails because, even
assuming error, any such error was harmless. In non-capital cases, “[t]he trial court’s
failure to instruct on lesser included offenses . . . of murder with malice aforethought is
subject to harmless error review” under the standard of People v. Watson, supra, 46
Cal.2d 818. (Gonzalez, supra, 5 Cal.5th at p. 199; People v. Thomas (2012) 53 Cal.4th
771, 814.) Under the Watson standard, reversal is required only if defendant shows a
“different result was reasonably probable” had the jury been instructed on involuntary
manslaughter. (Gonzalez, at p. 201.) “ ‘Such posttrial review focuses not on what a
reasonable jury could do, but what such a jury is likely to have done in the absence of the
error under consideration. In making that evaluation, an appellate court may consider,
among other things, whether the evidence supporting the existing judgment is so
relatively strong, and the evidence supporting a different outcome is so comparatively
34
weak, that there is no reasonable probability the error of which the defendant complains
affected the result.’ ” (Thomas, at p. 814.)
Here, applying these standards, we conclude that even assuming error there is no
reasonable probability it affected the result. As we discussed, there was strong evidence
Kic knew of and encouraged Ruiz to kill Shuemaker, or at a minimum she acted in
conscious disregard for life because she fully appreciated the risk of arming and
supporting Ruiz notwithstanding what she knew about Ruiz’s antagonistic relationship
with Shuemaker. Based on the evidence presented, the jury was not reasonably likely to
have convicted Kic of the lesser offense if instructions on involuntary manslaughter had
been given. For the same reason, Kic’s ineffective assistance claim also necessarily fails,
given that Watson error is substantially the same as the prejudice prong of Strickland v.
Washington (1984) 466 U.S. 668. (Richardson v. Superior Court (2008) 43 Cal.4th
1040, 1050.)
E. Instructional Error: Lesser Included Offense of Manslaughter
Kic argues that the trial court erred by failing to sua sponte instruct the jury on
conspiracy to commit assault with a firearm as a lesser-included offense of count 2,
conspiracy to commit murder. Because we reverse Kic’s conviction for conspiracy to
commit murder, we do not address this issue.
F. Instructional Error: Voluntary Intoxication
Kic contends that the trial court erred by not instructing the jury on voluntary
intoxication.
1. Background
During the jury instruction conference, the trial court granted Ruiz’s defense
counsel’s request that the jury be given CALCRIM No. 625 (voluntary intoxication:
effects on homicide crimes) as to Ruiz. Counsel noted that Ruiz testified that he used
methamphetamine before he shot Shuemaker. Although the prosecutor noted there was
very little evidence of Ruiz’s methamphetamine use, as most of it had been stricken, the
35
prosecutor agreed it “may just be easier to include it” with the jury instructions. The
court concluded that there likely was not “enough to support it,” but agreed with the
prosecutor that it was safer to give it. Consistent with its ruling, the trial court instructed
the jury pursuant to CALCRIM No. 625.
2. Standard of Review
Evidence of voluntary intoxication is admissible not to negate the capacity to form
any mental state for a charged crime but “solely on the issue of whether or not the
defendant actually formed a required specific intent, or, when charged with murder,
whether the defendant premeditated, deliberated, or harbored express malice
aforethought.” (§ 29.4, subd. (b); People v. Berg (2018) 23 Cal.App.5th 959, 966.) A
trial court has no duty to instruct sua sponte on voluntary intoxication. (People v. Saille,
supra, 54 Cal.3d at p. 1120.) However, a defendant may request an instruction on
voluntary intoxication as a “ ‘pinpoint’ ” instruction. (Ibid.)
3. Kic forfeited any argument that the trial court erred by not giving the jury a
voluntary intoxication instruction as to her
Because Kic did not request an instruction on voluntary intoxication, and because
the trial court had no duty to sua sponte instruct on the pinpoint instruction, her claim is
forfeited. Kic attempts to avoid forfeiture by arguing instead that the trial court erred by
limiting the voluntary intoxication instruction to Ruiz. Kic references the general
proposition that when a trial court decides to give an instruction, it must do so correctly.
She asserts that it was reasonably likely the jury understood the instruction, stating it
applied to Ruiz, as precluding the jury from considering evidence of Kic’s own voluntary
intoxication. However, this claim necessarily fails, as there was nothing inherently
erroneous about the court’s voluntary intoxication instruction in connection with Ruiz. In
all the cases cited by Kic, in which the accuracy of the instruction was at issue, the
defendant requested the instruction and then later challenged the accuracy of the
36
instruction. (People v. Mendoza (1998) 18 Cal.4th 1114, 1134; People v. Letner and
Tobin (2010) 50 Cal.4th 99, 186; People v. Covarrubias (2016) 1 Cal.5th 838, 897, 895.)
Kic also attempts to avoid forfeiture by arguing that her trial counsel was
ineffective for failing to request CALCRIM No. 625, especially after it was requested by
Ruiz’s attorney. To establish ineffective assistance of counsel, the defendant bears the
burden of showing trial counsel’s performance was deficient, meaning counsel’s
performance “fell below an objective standard of reasonableness” in light of the
prevailing professional norms. (Strickland v. Washington, supra, 466 U.S. at p. 688.)
“ ‘Reviewing courts defer to counsel’s reasonable tactical decisions in examining a claim
of ineffective assistance of counsel [citation], and there is a “strong presumption that
counsel’s conduct falls within the wide range of reasonable professional assistance.” ’ ”
(People v. Weaver (2001) 26 Cal.4th 876, 925.) Second, the defendant must show the
asserted deficiency in counsel’s performance resulted in prejudice, that is, a
“ ‘ “reasonable probability that, but for counsel’s unprofessional errors, the result of the
proceeding would have been different.” ’ ” (Id. at p. 955.) “On direct appeal, a
conviction will be reversed for ineffective assistance only if (1) the record affirmatively
discloses counsel had no rational tactical purpose for the challenged act or omission,
(2) counsel was asked for a reason and failed to provide one, or (3) there simply could be
no satisfactory explanation. All other claims of ineffective assistance are more
appropriately resolved in a habeas corpus proceeding.” (People v. Mai (2013) 57 Cal.4th
986, 1009.)
The Attorney General suggests “there was a legitimate tactical reason for
counsel’s silence, namely an instruction on voluntary intoxication would have been
inconsistent with Kic’s defense.” We agree. During closing arguments, her trial counsel
argued that Kic was not involved in the conspiracy, and in fact, there was no conspiracy.
Counsel suggested, at best, Kic was guilty of taking “steps to help [Ruiz] get away” after
the killing. Counsel could have rationally concluded it was not worth arguing, in the
37
alternative, that Kic did in fact help Ruiz but was too intoxicated to form the requisite
intent. Accordingly, we must reject Kic’s claim of ineffective assistance of counsel on
direct appeal.
G. Cumulative Error
Kic claims that even if harmless considered alone, the cumulative effect of the
asserted instructional errors requires reversal.
“Under the cumulative error doctrine, the reviewing court must ‘review each
allegation and assess the cumulative effect of any errors to see if it is reasonably probable
the jury would have reached a result more favorable to defendant in their absence.’ ”
(People v. Williams (2009) 170 Cal.App.4th 587, 646.)
In this case, we found that there was prejudicial error with respect to count 2,
conspiracy to commit murder, but found Kic’s other remaining claims of error
unavailing. As there are no other errors to cumulate, we must reject Kic’s cumulative
error argument.
H. Section 654
Ruiz contends that his sentence for conspiracy to commit murder and for
possession of a firearm by a felon should be stayed pursuant to section 654. The
Attorney General concedes Ruiz is correct as to the conspiracy count, but maintains that
consecutive sentencing was appropriate for the possession charge.
Kic separately argues that the court should have stayed her consecutive three-year
term for furnishing a firearm to aid and abet a felony. Because Kic will necessarily be
resentenced, we do not address this sentencing claim.
1. Conspiracy to commit murder (Ruiz)
a. Background
At Ruiz’s sentencing, the trial court stated, with respect to count 1 and count 2:
“As to the life terms with respect to Count 1 [murder], the Court will impose the sentence
of life in prison. Pursuant to Penal Code section 12022.53(d), the enhancement, the
38
Court will impose the term of 25 years to life. [¶] With respect to count 2 [conspiracy][,]
the Court will impose the term of 25 years to life. The [C]ourt will stay that term
pursuant to Penal Code section 654. The Court will order that those terms are to be
served consecutively.” With respect to counts 3 and 4, the court designated count 3 as
the principal term and selected the aggravated term of three years. For count 4, the court
also selected the aggravated term of three years and then stayed it pursuant to section
654. The court stated the total sentence “for Mr. Ruiz is 53 years plus life in prison.”
As relevant here, the abstract of judgment states that the term for the count 1,
murder, was “life with the possibility of parole,” the term for count 2, conspiracy to
commit murder, was 25 years to life, and a consecutive term of 25 years to life for the
firearm enhancement for count 1.
b. The abstract of judgment must be corrected
The parties agree that the abstract of judgment, as to Ruiz, does not reflect the trial
court’s oral pronouncement at sentencing. It appears that the trial court intended to
impose a 25-year-to-life term on the murder charge, a consecutive 25-year-to-life term
for the firearm enhancement, and to impose and stay sentence on the conspiracy count.
This would be the appropriate sentence, too, given that the object of the conspiracy and
the underlying crime were both the murder of Shuemaker. In this instance, where the
object of the conspiracy as found by the jury was no broader than the underlying crime,
sentence on the conspiracy charge must be stayed under section 654. (People v. Dalton
(2019) 7 Cal.5th 166, 247; People v. Lewis (2008) 43 Cal.4th 415, 539.)
We will direct the trial court to correct the abstract of judgment on remand.
2. Possession of a firearm by a felon (Ruiz)
As noted, the trial court also sentenced Ruiz to a consecutive term on count 3,
possession of a firearm by felon. Ruiz contends that his possession of a firearm was
“inextricably intertwined with the murder, and thus part of an indivisible course of
39
conduct.” He argues that since he acquired the gun for the sole purpose of shooting
Shuemaker, the sentence for count 3 should have been stayed under section 654.
a. Standard of Review
Under section 654, as it read at the time of Ruiz’s sentencing, “[a]n act or
omission that is punishable in different ways by different provisions of law shall be
punished under the provision that provides for the longest potential term of
imprisonment, but in no case shall the act or omission be punished under more than one
provision.” (Former § 654, subd. (a).)9 The statute “precludes multiple punishments for
a single act or indivisible course of conduct.” (People v. Hester (2000) 22 Cal.4th 290,
294.) “Whether a course of criminal conduct is divisible and therefore gives rise to more
than one act within the meaning of section 654 depends on the intent and objective of the
actor. If all of the offenses were incident to one objective, the defendant may be
punished for any one of such offenses but not for more than one.” (Neal v. State of
California (1960) 55 Cal.2d 11, 19.)
“Whether section 654 applies in a given case is a question of fact for the trial
court, which is vested with broad latitude in making its determination. [Citations.] Its
findings will not be reversed on appeal if there is any substantial evidence to support
them.” (People v. Jones (2002) 103 Cal.App.4th 1139, 1143.) “The court’s findings may
be either express or implied from the court’s ruling. [Citation.] In the absence of any
reference to . . . section 654 during sentencing, the fact that the court did not stay the
sentence on any count is generally deemed to reflect an implicit determination that each
crime had a separate objective.” (People v. Tarris (2009) 180 Cal.App.4th 612, 626.)
9 Section 654, subdivision (a) now provides, “[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. An acquittal or conviction and sentence under any one bars a prosecution
for the same act or omission under any other.” (Italics added.)
40
The implied finding “must be sustained on appeal if supported by substantial evidence.”
(People v. Osband (1996) 13 Cal.4th 622, 730.) In applying this standard, we “review
the trial court’s determination in the light most favorable to the respondent and presume
the existence of every fact the trial court could reasonably deduce from the evidence.”
(Jones, supra, at p. 1143.)
b. Substantial evidence supports the trial court’s implied finding the crime of
being a felon in possession of a firearm was part of a divisible course of
conduct
In the context of a conviction for possession of a prohibited weapon, “ ‘where the
evidence shows a possession distinctly antecedent and separate from the primary offense,
punishment on both crimes has been approved. On the other hand, where the evidence
shows a possession only in conjunction with the primary offense, then punishment for the
illegal possession of the [weapon] has been held to be improper where it is the lesser
offense.’ ” (People v. Bradford (1976) 17 Cal.3d 8, 22 (Bradford).) “Applying this rule,
courts have determined that section 654 applies where the defendant obtained the
prohibited weapon during the assault in which he used the weapon. [Citations.]
However, section 654 has been found not to apply when the weapon possession preceded
the assault.” (People v. Wynn (2010) 184 Cal.App.4th 1210, 1217.)
Here, the undisputed evidence reflected that Ruiz’s possession of the firearm
preceded Shuemaker’s killing. Indeed, at a minimum and according to his own
testimony, the evidence showed that Ruiz obtained Natividad’s gun well before he shot
Shuemaker, he showed off the weapon at Michael’s and Angelic’s tent, and possessed it
while selling drugs. Based on this evidence, the trial court could reasonably conclude
that Ruiz’s possession of the firearm was “ ‘distinctly antecedent and separate from’ ” the
offense of murder (Bradford, supra, 17 Cal.3d at p. 22), and it could properly impose
separate punishment for those offenses without running afoul of section 654.
41
Citing People v. Cruz (1978) 83 Cal.App.3d 308 (Cruz), People v. Jurado (1972)
25 Cal.App.3d 1027 (Jurado), and People v. Kane (1985) 165 Cal.App.3d 480 (Kane),
Ruiz argues that multiple punishment is barred because his only intent in having the gun
was to use it to shoot Shuemaker. We disagree, as these cases are distinguishable.
In Cruz, the defendant attempted to gain entry to a bar and was denied. Three to
five minutes later, the defendant returned with a handgun and fired it, hitting multiple
people. (Cruz, supra, 83 Cal.App.3d at p. 314.) The appellate court found that the
defendant’s possession of a handgun was not “ ‘antecedent and separate’ ” from his use
of the weapon in the assault because there was no evidence of him possessing the
handgun prior to the assault. (Id. at p. 333.) In Jurado, the defendant was convicted of
first degree burglary and carrying a concealed weapon. (Jurado, supra, 25 Cal.App.3d at
p. 1029.) The appellate court determined he could not be separately punished because the
possession charge was the sole basis for elevating the offense to burglary in the first
degree, and because there was no evidence the defendant possessed the gun prior to the
burglary. (Id. at p. 1033.) Finally, in Kane, the defendant and the victim argued, leading
to a fistfight. The victim decided to leave, went to his car, and got in. A brief
confrontation with the defendant occurred, and at one point, the defendant fired a gun at
the victim’s car. (Kane, supra, 165 Cal.App.3d at p. 484.) The defendant was convicted
of assault with a deadly weapon, discharging a firearm at an occupied vehicle, and
possession of a firearm by a felon. (Id. at p. 483.) The defendant argued on appeal that
punishment should have been stayed for discharging a firearm and possession. The
Attorney General conceded error, and the appellate court agreed, concluding that because
the “[d]efendant possessed the firearm, fired it at [the victim], and hit the [car] in an
indivisible course of conduct,” section 654 applied. (Kane, at p. 488.)
Here, in contrast to Cruz and Jurado, there was ample evidence that Ruiz
possessed the firearm prior to killing Shuemaker. Moreover, unlike Kane, Ruiz’s
possession was not contemporaneous to the shooting. He obtained the weapon hours in
42
advance, had sufficient time to show it off, and then later used it to shoot Shuemaker.
Under these circumstances, the trial court’s implied findings are supported by substantial
evidence and therefore section 654 did not bar multiple punishments.
I. Senate Bill 567 and Assembly Bill 518
In a second supplemental brief, Kic contends that her case should be remanded for
resentencing in light of Senate Bill 567 and Assembly Bill 518, which she contends are
ameliorative and apply retroactively. Because Kic will necessarily be resentenced on
remand, we need not address these arguments on appeal.
IV. DISPOSITION
As to defendant Kic, the judgment of conviction for count 2, conspiracy to commit
murder, is reversed. The sentence is vacated in its entirety. The prosecution shall, within
30 days of the issuance of remittitur, file a written election to either retry Kic for
conspiracy to commit murder or forego a retrial. Upon the conclusion of the retrial or the
prosecution’s decision not to retry Kic, the trial court shall resentence Kic in accordance
with current law. Kic’s remaining conviction for second degree murder and related
enhancements are affirmed.
As to defendant Ruiz, the judgment is reversed. The cause is remanded with
directions to correct the abstract of judgment to reflect the court’s oral pronouncement at
sentencing. Ruiz’s convictions are otherwise affirmed.
43
___________________________________
Wilson, J.
WE CONCUR:
______________________________________
Bamattre-Manoukian, Acting P.J.
______________________________________
Danner, J.
People v Kic et al.
H047226