People v. Leon CA5 ( 2014 )

Filed 5/9/14 P. v. Leon CA5
NOT TO BE PUBLISHED IN THE OFFICIAL REPORTS
California Rules of Court, rule 8.1115(a), prohibits courts and parties from citing or relying on opinions not certified for
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IN THE COURT OF APPEAL OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA
FIFTH APPELLATE DISTRICT
THE PEOPLE,
F064119
Plaintiff and Respondent,
(Super. Ct. No. F09904233)
v.
JOSE AUGUSTINE LEON, OPINION
Defendant and Appellant.
APPEAL from a judgment of the Superior Court of Fresno County. W. Kent
Hamlin, Judge.
Richard L. Rubin, under appointment by the Court of Appeal, for Defendant and
Appellant.
Kamala D. Harris, Attorney General, Dane R. Gillette, Chief Assistant Attorney
General, Michael P. Farrell, Assistant Attorney General, Charles A. French and Jennifer
M. Poe, Deputy Attorneys General, for Plaintiff and Respondent.
-ooOoo-
A jury convicted Jose Augustine Leon of the first degree murder of Daniel
Gonzalez and the attempted murder of Elizando Diaz, Jr. (Diaz). In addition, the jury
found true the special circumstance that Leon intentionally murdered Gonzalez while an
active member of a criminal street gang and did so to further the activities of the gang.
Leon argues on appeal that two of the jury instructions, CALCRIM Nos. 316 and
337, were erroneous. We disagree. He also argues the trial court erred by failing to
instruct the jury that voluntary manslaughter was a lesser included offense to the murder
charge. We conclude the facts of this case did not support an instruction on voluntary
manslaughter because there was no evidence Leon subjectively acted under a heat of
passion.
Finally, Leon attacks one of the fines and one of the assessments imposed by the
trial court. First, he argues the trial court should not have imposed a parole revocation
fine pursuant to Penal Code section 1202.451 because he was sentenced to a term of life
without the possibility of parole. We reject this argument because he also was sentenced
to a determinate term for the attempted murder conviction, which required the trial court
to impose the fine, regardless of the life sentence.
Second, Leon asserts the abstract of judgment should be amended to reflect that
the trial court stayed the assessment imposed pursuant to section 1465.8. The People
correctly point out the trial court erred in imposing this assessment and the assessment
imposed pursuant to Government Code section 70373 because the trial court failed to
impose an assessment for each conviction as required by statute. The People also point
out the trial court did not have authority to stay the imposition of these assessments.
Accordingly, we will vacate these two assessments and remand the matter to the trial
court to comply with the statutory requirements.
1All statutory references are to the Penal Code unless otherwise stated.
2.
FACTUAL AND PROCEDURAL SUMMARY
The Information
The information charged Leon with the murder of Gonzalez and with the
attempted murder of Diaz. (§§ 187, 664.) The murder count alleged Leon personally
discharged a firearm resulting in great bodily injury or death (§ 12022.53, subd. (d)), and
he committed the crime for the benefit of, or in association with, a criminal street gang
(§ 186.22, subd. (b)(1)). The information also alleged the special circumstance that Leon
committed the murder while an active participant in a criminal street gang to further the
activities of the gang. (§ 190.2, subd. (a)(22).)
The attempted murder count alleged Leon personally discharged a firearm
resulting in great bodily injury or death (12022.53, subd. (d)), personally and
intentionally discharged a firearm (id., subd. (c)), and the offense was committed for the
benefit of, or in association with, a criminal street gang (§ 186.22, subd. (b)(1)).
The Testimony
Percipient Witnesses
Joseph Cavazos was with Gonzalez and Diaz the night of the shooting. He
testified that a group of about six young Hispanic males went to a party that evening.
The party was dull, so the group left. As the group was walking through town, a car
passed them. Cavazos did not see the driver or how many people were in the vehicle.
Cavazos thought the vehicle was a dark color (black or blue) and had tinted windows.
After passing the group, the vehicle made a U-turn. One of the group commented that the
vehicle was returning. Cavazos then heard three to four gunshots. The gunshots came
from the area where the vehicle was located, but Cavazos could not tell if the gunshots
came from the vehicle.
Diaz testified Leon was known as “Smiley,” and Smiley associated with the
criminal street gang known as “VOCR” (Varrio Orange Cove Rifa), which also is known
in Orange Cove as the Bulldogs. Diaz had seen Smiley driving a purple Chevrolet
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Malibu, but did not see that car the night of the shooting. Diaz described being with his
friends, going to the party for a short while, and then leaving. As he and his friends were
walking, they saw a vehicle parked in the middle of the street. He heard three gunshots
and was knocked to the ground. He ran from the vehicle when he was able to do so. He
was struck by shotgun pellets in his chest, hands, and head and had to be hospitalized.
Diaz claimed he was untruthful when he testified at the preliminary hearing that he
saw Smiley’s vehicle on the night of the shooting. He could not tell what kind of car the
gunshots were fired from or the color of the car. He claimed he could not recall talking
with police officers the night he was shot, although he had a vague recollection they were
at the hospital.
Deputy Sheriff Austin Herion interviewed Diaz shortly after Diaz arrived at the
local hospital. Diaz did not appear to be under the influence of any drug, and he
answered questions appropriately. Diaz told Herion he recognized the vehicle as the one
driven by Smiley. Diaz stated he saw Smiley point a shotgun out of the driver’s side
window and shoot at him.
Deputy Sheriff Tim Rivera interviewed Diaz shortly after he arrived at
Community Regional Medical Center in Fresno from the local hospital. Diaz did not
appear to be under the influence of drugs and responded to questions in an appropriate
manner. Diaz stated he was walking with his girlfriend when a purple Chevrolet Malibu
drove up. Diaz recognized the driver as Smiley. As he was running, Diaz was shot.
Diaz was interviewed later that night by the investigating detectives. The
interview was played for the jury. In the interview, Diaz stated he was walking down the
street with some friends, including the victim, when a purple car drove by. Diaz
recognized the vehicle as belonging to Smiley, and he recognized Smiley as he drove by.
The vehicle made a U-turn after passing the group, and Diaz suspected trouble. He told
everyone to run. Smiley shot as Diaz was running away. Diaz identified the photo of
Smiley as the shooter. The photo Diaz identified as Smiley was a photo of Leon.
4.
Portions of Diaz’s testimony from the preliminary hearing were read into the
record. Diaz admitted knowing Leon as Smiley and admitted seeing the vehicle Smiley
normally drove on the night of the shooting. He denied, however, seeing Smiley. As he
left the preliminary hearing, district attorney investigator Richard Orozco stopped Diaz
and asked him why he did not tell the truth in his testimony. Diaz replied that if he had
identified Smiley, he would “develop a snitch jacket that would follow him for the rest of
his life.”
Miguel Juarez testified he was with the group at which shots were fired. He
described the events leading up to the shooting in a similar fashion as the other witnesses.
He observed Smiley driving his car near the party shortly before the shooting. He also
recognized Smiley’s vehicle as the one from which the shots were fired. Although he
was not sure who was driving, he thought it was Smiley. Two items in his testimony
were significant, however. Juarez identified the passenger as the one who shot from the
vehicle. He also provided a motive for the shooting. That night Omar Rodriguez told
Juarez he had beaten up a member of another gang earlier that afternoon after the other
gang member called him a derogatory term.
Gustavo Chapa admitted he affiliated with the Bulldogs gang, and he had been
beaten and robbed on the day of the shooting. He denied informing Leon of the incident,
but other witnesses established that after Chapa was beaten, he went to Leon’s residence
and asked for assistance with his injuries. Chapa and Leon then left the residence in
Leon’s vehicle. Chapa claimed Sureños had attacked him.
Deputies arriving at the scene located the body of the victim, who did not appear
to be breathing. They also located three shell casings from a 20-gauge shotgun. Two
days after the shooting, an abandoned and burnt 1999 Chevrolet Malibu registered to
Leon’s mother, Petra Garcia, was recovered just west of Highway 99 in Fresno.
Sometime after the shooting, the apartment in which Leon had lived was cleaned
for new renters. Two yellow shotgun shells were located inside the apartment.
5.
Criminalist Robert Benavides testified the shotgun shells recovered from the apartment
had been altered to add multiple sizes of shot instead of a single size. The shotgun shells
used in the shooting appeared to be modified in the same manner. The shot recovered
from the victim also included different sizes of shot. The sizes of shot recovered from
the victim and in the shell found at the residence were similar in size.
Leon’s Family
Leon’s mother, sister, and wife were called as witnesses for the prosecution.
While Leon’s wife, Ludivinia Leon,2 gave the appearance of testifying truthfully, Leon’s
mother, Garcia, and sister, Guadalupe Villagomez, appeared to testify at trial in a manner
they felt would benefit Leon. Garcia and Villagomez were impeached with recorded
statements they previously had given to the police.
Garcia testified she did not know if Leon was a member of the Bulldogs criminal
street gang. She admitted one of her daughter’s called her on the night of the shooting
and told her she needed to leave the house. She also admitted on occasion Leon drove
the vehicle used in the shooting. She denied seeing Chapa the night of the shooting and
denied seeing Leon leave the house the night of the shooting. She told Leon to leave the
state so she could hire an attorney because a neighbor told her a shooting had occurred
and Leon was being accused of being a participant.
In her recorded interview Garcia stated she received a phone call from a friend
who told her to get out of the house because Leon had shot someone and the rival gang
was going to retaliate. Garcia also explained Chapa had come by between 8:00 p.m. and
9:00 p.m. on the night of the shooting. Garcia answered the door when Chapa arrived.
Chapa had been beaten and he had cuts on his head and face. Chapa asked Leon to give
him a ride to the hospital. Chapa said Sureños had attacked him. Leon left with Chapa.
2We will refer to Ludivinia Leon by her first name to avoid confusion with
defendant. No disrespect is intended.
6.
Garcia accused Charles Rowan of shooting Gonzalez, although she did not have any
proof to support her accusation.
Villagomez testified Leon did not belong to a criminal street gang. She received a
phone call from Leon on the night of the shooting. In the phone call, Leon told
Villagomez to pick up their mother from her house, but he did not explain why she
should do so. While admitting she spoke with police, Villagomez testified she could not
recall what she had told them.
In a telephone interview conducted shortly after the shooting, Villagomez stated
her mother was moving from her house because of the threats heard in the community.
Leon had called the night of the shooting sounding scared and told her to get their mother
out of the house. She also accused Rowan of shooting Gonzalez.
When asked to explain how she came to this conclusion, Villagomez stated she
had met with Leon at a shopping mall the day after the shooting. At the meeting, Leon
was crying and shaking while he explained to her that a shooting had occurred and some
boys were shot. Leon explained was getting ready to leave his friend’s house and when
he noticed some boys approaching the house. The boys were carrying crowbars, bats,
and golf clubs. Leon was afraid the boys were going to jump him or beat up the car. The
boys were blocking the street in one direction, so Leon left in the opposite direction.
Leon found a truck blocking the street in that direction. A friend also was in the car. A
confrontation ensued and the friend took out a gun and fired at the group of boys. One of
the boys fell and could not get away. Leon asserted he did not shoot the gun. Leon
eventually accused Rowan of firing the gun. Villagomez and Garcia then went to
Rowan’s house and confronted him. Rowan denied any involvement, although to
Villagomez he looked nervous and frightened.
Regarding the events on the night in question, Ludivinia testified Chapa showed
up at Leon’s house that evening bleeding from the head. Garcia was sleeping at the time.
Ludivinia did not like Chapa, so she went into the bedroom while Leon dealt with Chapa.
7.
Leon used a towel to clean Chapa’s wounds. At approximately 9:00 p.m., Leon told
Ludivinia he was going to the store to purchase first aid supplies and then left with
Chapa. The two left in the vehicle Leon customarily drove. Leon returned
approximately one hour later without Chapa.
Gang Testimony
The prosecution’s gang expert witness opined that Leon was a member of a
criminal street gang, the victims were members of a rival gang, and the shooting was for
the benefit of Leon’s criminal street gang, along with the other elements of the gang
enhancement.
At the time of the incident there were two Sureño criminal street gangs in the
Orange Cove area -- the Varrio Loco Sureños and the Pure Loco Sureños. Another gang
in the area was the Varrio Orange Cove Rifa, which was a Bulldog gang. Leon was a
“Bulldog Gang member, VOCR.” Chapa merely hung around with the Bulldogs. Diaz
was a Sureño, while Gonzalez associated with the Sureños. Rodriguez also was a
Sureño. The Bulldogs were rivals to the Sureños.
Defense
Leon testified in his defense. He admitted he was a member of the Bulldogs
gang. He also admitted Chapa was his friend, but denied Chapa was a member of the
Bulldogs. Chapa came by his house the night of the shooting; he had blood on his face.
Leon provided some first aid and offered to take Chapa to the hospital. Chapa did not
want to go to the hospital, so Leon took Chapa to Rowan’s house to get cleaned up.
Rowan lived across the street from the house at which a party was being held, which was
attended by Gonzalez, Diaz, and the rest of the group. Leon also admitted he drove to
Rowan’s house in the vehicle used in the shooting.
While Rowan was tending to Chapa’s injuries, Leon began playing video games.
While he was playing, Rowan and Chapa left the house. Rowan apparently was going to
take Chapa home. The two took Leon’s vehicle because Rowan’s vehicle was in poor
8.
condition and Leon’s vehicle was parked behind Rowan’s vehicle, preventing it from
exiting the driveway.
After a while, Leon walked home (a relatively short walk) because Rowan had
failed to return with his vehicle. Leon was with Ludivinia for a short time, but when she
fell asleep he walked back to Rowan’s house to retrieve his car. Rowan was not at home
when Leon arrived. Leon played the video game while he waited. Rowan eventually
called and asked his girlfriend to pick him up. Leon talked to Rowan and Chapa when
they returned to the house. Rowan told Leon that he and Chapa had shot at some guys
and had gotten rid of Leon’s vehicle.3 Leon felt he did not have any options at that time,
even though he had not done anything wrong, so he left the state until he could get
enough money to hire an attorney. He denied owning or having access to a shotgun or
having any shotgun shells at his house.
Prosecution Rebuttal
In rebuttal, the prosecution called Rowan as a witness. Rowan denied any
involvement in the shooting, asserted he barely knew either Chapa or Leon, and provided
an alibi for the time of the shootings. The prosecution also called Kriss Gibson to
confirm Rowan’s alibi.
Verdict and Sentencing
The jury found Leon guilty of the murder of Gonzalez and the attempted murder
of Diaz. On both counts the jury found true the allegation the crime was committed for
the benefit of a criminal street gang. The jury also found true the special circumstance
that Leon was an active member of a criminal street gang and that the crime was
committed to further gang activities. However, the jury did not find the gun use
enhancements true.
3These hearsay statements were not admitted for their truth, but only to explain
Leon’s state of mind and his subsequent conduct.
9.
The trial court sentenced Leon to a term of life in prison without the possibility of
parole for the murder of Gonzalez and a consecutive term of seven years for the
attempted murder of Diaz.
DISCUSSION
Jury Instructions
Leon’s first two arguments are directed at the jury instructions. He does not argue
the trial court gave an erroneous instruction, or failed to give a necessary instruction. He
concedes the instructions provided to the jury were appropriate. Instead, he argues the
wording of two of the form instructions was incorrect, at least in the context of this case.
CALCRIM No. 316
Leon first complains about CALCRIM No. 316.4 This instruction informs the jury
that if a witness has been convicted of a crime, the jury may utilize that fact when
evaluating the witness’s testimony. The instruction further informs the jury it is up to
them to decide how much weight to assign to this fact.
Leon complains the instruction was erroneous because the jury should have been
informed that it must utilize the fact a witness suffered a prior conviction when it
evaluates the witness’s testimony, making the instruction mandatory instead of
permissive. Leon cites as authority the well-established right to present evidence in his
defense. Leon fails to recognize, however, that there is a significant difference between
the right to present evidence and an instruction that aids the jury in evaluating the
credibility of a witness.
4As read to the jury, CALCRIM No. 316 stated: “If a witness has been convicted
of a crime, you may consider that fact in evaluating the credibility of the witness’s
testimony. The fact of a conviction does not necessarily destroy or impair a witness’s
credibility. It is up to you to decide the weight of that fact and whether that fact makes
the witness less believable.” This instruction was not modified from that promulgated
by the Judicial Council of California.
10.
Leon further argues this instruction encouraged the jury to reach a verdict without
considering all of the evidence. We disagree. This instruction provides a guideline to the
jury when it is evaluating the testimony of some of the witnesses. It does not instruct the
jury to disregard any item of evidence. Indeed, the instruction specifically informs the
jury that the weight of a witness’s prior conviction is a matter for the jury to decide.
Significantly, Leon fails to consider the effect of the change to this instruction he
proposes.
First, we note Leon also suffered prior convictions. Therefore, a mandatory
instruction would have applied to his testimony, which was the only exculpatory
evidence presented.
Second, informing the jury it must consider a witness’s prior conviction renders
the instruction confusing. How must the jury utilize the fact of a prior conviction? If a
prosecution witness has more prior convictions than a defense witness, must the jury
accept the testimony of the defense witness and reject the testimony of the prosecution
witness? Is the jury now required to compare the types of prior convictions suffered by
the witnesses to decide who is a more despicable individual and therefore subject to
disbelief? How is the jury to utilize the age of the prior conviction? Does a recent prior
conviction mean the jury must disregard a witness’s testimony as opposed to an older
conviction for a more serious crime? Must the jury reject the testimony of a witness it
otherwise finds very credible simply because the witness suffered a prior conviction for a
minor offense? Must the jury accept as true the testimony of all witnesses who have not
suffered a prior conviction?
Leon cannot answer these questions, nor can we, because the evaluation of a
witness’s testimony involves many factors, and a prior conviction is just one of those
factors. (See, e.g., CALCRIM Nos. 226, 315.) How these various factors are utilized in
a case depends on which are present and deemed relevant by the jury. It is impossible to
construct a list of factors the jury must apply in every case. In one case the jury may find
11.
a prior conviction destroys a witness’s credibility, while in the next case it may decide the
prior conviction is not relevant. That is why the instruction is permissive, not mandatory.
The jury must evaluate the testimony of every witness, decide the creditability of each
witness, and decide whether to believe all or part of the witness’s testimony. CALCRIM
No. 316 simply informs the jury of a tool it can utilize in making these determinations.
Moreover, the cases cited by Leon do not support his argument. Indeed, it is
difficult to determine how the cited cases apply to the issue Leon presents. CALCRIM
No. 316 does not preclude the defendant from presenting evidence, as in Rock v.
Arkansas (1987) 483 U.S. 44 [per se rule prohibiting defendant’s testimony if defendant
was hypnotized violated defendant’s right to testify in his or her defense], Chambers v.
Mississippi (1973) 410 U.S. 284 [evidentiary rules that prohibited impeachment of
witness called by defense violated right to due process], and People v. Bobo (1990) 229
Cal. App. 3d 1417 [Legislature cannot deny a defendant the right to present evidence to
prove he or she did not have the mental state required by the crime].
Nor does the instruction affect any defense Leon presented, as was the case in
Bradley v. Duncan (9th Cir. 2002) 315 F.3d 1091 [refusal to instruct jury on entrapment
when defendant relied on the defense] and Conde v. Henry (9th Cir. 1999) 198 F.3d 734
[trial court erred by precluding defendant from arguing prosecution failed to prove all
elements of the crime]. Nor did the instruction prevent Leon from presenting, or prevent
the jury from considering, evidence related to the credibility of prosecution witnesses, as
in Davis v. Alaska (1974) 415 U.S. 308 [confrontation clause violated when trial court
prevented defendant from cross-examining prosecution witness about juvenile conviction
and his status as a probationer], and the other cited cases. Not only is Leon wrong on the
merits, he has failed to provide any authority to support the argument.
CALCRIM No. 337
The second instruction about which Leon complains is CALCRIM No. 337, which
instructed the jury to disregard Rodriguez and Rowan being physically restrained when
12.
they testified.5 Leon argues both Rodriguez and Rowan had criminal records and their
convictions should have been considered by the jury when evaluating their testimony.
According to Leon, CALCRIM No. 337 conflicted with CALCRIM No. 316, thereby
resulting in the jury being instructed to ignore the witness’s prior convictions. We
disagree.
As explained above, CALCRIM No. 316 correctly informed the jury it could
consider a witness’s criminal convictions in determining his or her credibility.
CALCRIM No. 337 informed the jury to disregard a witness being restrained when
testifying. The two instructions related to different topics and did not conflict.
Leon’s argument confuses conviction of a crime with being restrained, which does
not necessarily mean one has been convicted of a crime. A witness could be in custody
awaiting trial when he or she testifies, and the trial may or may not result in a criminal
conviction. Thus he or she being in custody does not mean the witness has suffered a
criminal conviction.
Because the two instructions did not conflict, the instructions properly informed
the jury it could utilize Rowan’s prior conviction when evaluating his testimony, while
ignoring Rowan being in custody when he testified. There was no error in instructing the
jury with either CALCRIM No. 316 or 337.
5As read to the jury, CALCRIM No. 337 stated: “When Omar Rodriguez and
Charles Rowan testified, they were physically restrained. Do not speculate about the
reason. You must completely disregard this circumstance in deciding the issues in this
case. Do not consider it for any purpose or discuss it during your deliberations. Evaluate
the witness’[s] testimony according to the instructions I have given you.”
13.
Lesser Included Offense
Leon was convicted of the first degree murder of Gonzalez. He argues the trial
court erred when it failed to instruct the jury that voluntary manslaughter is a lesser
included offense to first degree murder because the jury could have concluded he acted in
a heat of passion.
“‘It is settled that in criminal cases, even in the absence of a request, the trial court
must instruct on the general principles of law relevant to the issues raised by the
evidence. [Citations.] The general principles of law governing the case are those
principles closely and openly connected with the facts before the court, and which are
necessary for the jury’s understanding of the case.’ [Citation.]” (People v. Sedeno
(1974) 10 Cal. 3d 703, 715, overruled on other grounds in People v. Breverman (1998) 19
Cal. 4th 142, 149 (Breverman).)
The general principles of law include instructions on lesser included offenses if
there is a question about whether the evidence is sufficient to permit the jury to find all
the elements of the charged offense. (Breverman, supra, 19 Cal.4th at pp. 154-155.)
There is no obligation to instruct the jury on theories that do not have substantial
evidentiary support. (Id. at p. 162.) “[T]he existence of ‘any evidence, no matter how
weak’ will not justify instructions on a lesser included offense, but such instructions are
required whenever evidence that the defendant is guilty only of the lesser offense is
‘substantial enough to merit consideration’ by the jury. [Citations.]” (Ibid.) Evidence is
substantial if it would permit the jury to conclude the lesser offense was committed, but
the greater offense was not. (Ibid.) The trial court must instruct on lesser offenses, even
in the absence of a request for such instructions, or in the face of an objection by the
defendant to the giving of the instructions. (Id. at pp. 154-155.)
The issue here is whether there was sufficient evidence Leon acted under a heat of
passion to require a manslaughter instruction. We begin with the law related to voluntary
manslaughter.
14.
Manslaughter is the unlawful killing of a human being without malice. (§ 192.)
“But a defendant who intentionally and unlawfully kills lacks malice only in limited,
explicitly defined circumstances: either when the defendant acts in a ‘sudden quarrel or
heat of passion’ [citation], or when the defendant kills in ‘unreasonable self-defense’—
the unreasonable but good faith belief in having to act in self-defense [citations].”
(People v. Barton (1995) 12 Cal. 4th 186, 199.) Voluntary manslaughter is a lesser
included offense to murder. (People v. Manriquez (2005) 37 Cal. 4th 547, 583
(Manriquez).)
Leon’s argument relies on the heat of passion theory of manslaughter. “Although
section 192, subdivision (a), refers to ‘sudden quarrel or heat of passion,’ the factor
which distinguishes the ‘heat of passion’ form of voluntary manslaughter from murder is
provocation. The provocation which incites the defendant to homicidal conduct in the
heat of passion must be caused by the victim [citation], or be conduct reasonably believed
by the defendant to have been engaged in by the victim. [Citations.] The provocative
conduct by the victim may be physical or verbal, but the conduct must be sufficiently
provocative that it would cause an ordinary person of average disposition to act rashly or
without due deliberation and reflection. [Citations.] ‘Heat of passion arises when “at the
time of the killing, the reason of the accused was obscured or disturbed by passion to
such an extent as would cause the ordinarily reasonable person of average disposition to
act rashly and without deliberation and reflection, and from such passion rather than from
judgment.”’ [Citation.]” (People v. Lee (1999) 20 Cal. 4th 47, 59.)
“Thus, ‘[t]he heat of passion requirement for manslaughter has both an objective
and a subjective component. [Citation.] The defendant must actually, subjectively, kill
under the heat of passion. [Citation.] But the circumstances giving rise to the heat of
passion are also viewed objectively. As we explained long ago in interpreting the same
language of section 192, “this heat of passion must be such a passion as would naturally
be aroused in the mind of an ordinarily reasonable person under the given facts and
15.
circumstances,” because “no defendant may set up his own standard of conduct and
justify or excuse himself because in fact his passions were aroused, unless further the jury
believe that the facts and circumstances were sufficient to arouse the passions of the
ordinarily reasonable man.” [Citation.]’ [Citations.] [¶] ‘“To satisfy the objective or
‘reasonable person’ element of this form of voluntary manslaughter, the accused’s heat of
passion must be due to ‘sufficient provocation.’” [Citation.]’ [Citation.]” (Manriquez,
supra, 37 Cal.4th at p. 584.)
Here, the trial court did not err in failing to instruct the jury that voluntary
manslaughter is a lesser included offense to murder because there was no evidence to
support the subjective component of heat of passion manslaughter. Leon suggests the
jury could have concluded he was provoked to act when his life-long friend, Chapa, was
beaten up by a member of the Sureños criminal street gang. Leon’s testimony, however,
precluded any such finding. First, Leon testified he was not at the scene of the shooting,
therefore he denied his acts were the result of his outrage at the beating suffered by
Chapa. Second, Leon testified that while he was Chapa’s friend, Chapa was a drunk who
had a big mouth that repeatedly resulted in Chapa being beaten up. Leon confirmed he
did not “feel like [he] needed to go seek revenge” as a result of Chapa having been
beaten. Therefore, there was no evidence to suggest Leon fired at Gonzalez and Diaz
because his judgment was impaired by a heat of passion.
Leon’s argument that the jury may have inferred he acted in a heat of passion is
more logically directed at the objective component of heat of passion manslaughter: an
ordinary reasonable person in Leon’s position may have been so aroused that he or she
would lose reason and judgment. While we do not necessarily agree with this assertion,
the absence of any evidence that Leon subjectively acted under a heat of passion, i.e., he
acted without reason and judgment, precluded the consideration of voluntary
16.
manslaughter because both the objective and subjective components must be present.
Accordingly, the trial court did not err.6
Fines and Fees7
Leon contends two errors occurred in the trial court regarding fines and fees.
According to Leon, the first error pertains to the court security fee imposed pursuant to
section 1465.8. The trial court imposed a $40 court security fee and then suspended the
fee because Leon was sentenced to a term of life in prison without the possibility of
parole. The abstract of judgment correctly indicates the $40 fee but fails to reflect the
suspension of the fee. Leon asserts the abstract of judgment must be corrected to reflect
this fact.
The People agree an error occurred, but not the error identified by Leon. The
People argue the trial court incorrectly calculated the court security fee, as well as the
court facilities fee imposed pursuant to Government Code section 70373. The trial court
imposed a $30 court facilities assessment and also ordered the assessment stayed because
Leon was sentenced to a term of life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Section 1465.8, subdivision (a)(1) requires an assessment of a $40 court security
fee “shall be imposed on every conviction for a criminal offense .…” In identical
language, Government Code section 70373, subdivision (a)(1) provides that a $30 court
facilities assessment “shall be imposed on every conviction for a criminal offense .…”
Leon was convicted of the murder of Gonzalez and the attempted murder of Diaz.
Because Leon suffered two convictions, the People assert he must pay a court security fee
6Leon also argues the cumulative prejudice that resulted from the above three
“errors” requires reversal. Since the trial court did not err, we necessarily reject this
argument.
7Leon also argued in his opening brief that the abstract of judgment erroneously
failed to award him credit for time served pending judgment. Leon withdrew this
argument when the trial court corrected the error after Leon’s request to do so.
17.
for each conviction, for a total of $80, and a court facilities fee for each conviction, for a
total of $60. Moreover, the People assert these fees cannot be stayed, even though Leon
received a sentence of life without the possibility of parole.
The language found in Penal Code section 1465.8, subdivision (a)(1) and
Government Code section 70373, subdivision (a)(1) is clear. The trial court must impose
these assessments on every conviction. Every case we have located has reached the same
conclusion. (See, e.g., People v. Crittle (2007) 154 Cal. App. 4th 368, 370-371 [trial court
required to impose fee for each conviction]; People v. Schoeb (2005) 132 Cal. App. 4th
861, 865 [same].) Leon does not cite any authority that would permit the trial court to
ignore this mandatory language.8 Moreover, the People are correct that the trial court
does not have authority to stay these assessments. (People v. Woods (2010) 191
Cal. App. 4th 269, 272-273.) Accordingly, we conclude the trial court erred when it failed
to impose an assessment for each conviction pursuant to both Penal Code section 1465.8
and Government Code section 70373 and when it stayed the assessments that were
imposed.
The second fine addressed by Leon is the parole revocation fine pursuant to
section 1202.45, subdivision (a). This section requires imposition of a parole revocation
fine in “every case where a person is convicted of a crime and his or her sentence
includes a period of parole .…” The fine is required to be in the same amount as the
restitution fine imposed pursuant to section 1202.4, subdivision (b). (§ 1202.45, subd.
(a).) The trial court imposed and suspended this fine in accordance with this provision.
Leon argues, however, that because he was sentenced to a term of life in prison
without the possibility of parole, the fine should not have been imposed. The People
maintain the fine was imposed properly and suspended because, in addition to the term of
8Leon did not address this issue in his respondent’s brief.
18.
life in prison without the possibility of parole, Leon also was sentenced to a term of seven
years for the attempted murder of Diaz.
In People v. Brasure (2008) 42 Cal. 4th 1037, the Supreme Court held that a
section 1202.45 parole revocation fine should be imposed when a determinate prison
term under section 1170 is imposed in addition to a sentence of death. “Section 3000,
subdivision (a)(1) provides that such a term ‘shall include a period of parole.’ Section
1202.45, in turn, requires assessment of a parole revocation restitution fine ‘[i]n every
case where a person is convicted of a crime and whose sentence includes a period of
parole.’ The fine was therefore required, though by statute and the court’s order it was
suspended unless and until defendant was released on parole and his parole was revoked.
[Citation.]” (Brasure, at p. 1075.) Our case is indistinguishable, and therefore we are
compelled to follow Brasure. (Auto Equity Sales, Inc. v. Superior Court (1962) 57
Cal. 2d 450, 455.) The trial court’s order was correct.
DISPOSITION
The assessments imposed pursuant to Penal Code section 1465.8 and Government
Code section 70373 are vacated and the matter is remanded to the trial court to impose
assessments as required by the respective statutes. The judgment is affirmed in all other
respects.
_____________________
CORNELL, Acting P.J.
WE CONCUR:
_____________________
GOMES, J.
_____________________
DETJEN, J.
19.