People v. Baghumyan CA1/1

Filed 6/29/15 P. v. Baghumyan CA1/1 NOT TO BE PUBLISHED IN OFFICIAL REPORTS California Rules of Court, rule 8.1115(a), prohibits courts and parties from citing or relying on opinions not certified for publication or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 This opinion has not been certified for publication or ordered published for purposes of rule 8.1115.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

FIRST APPELLATE DISTRICT

DIVISION ONE

THE PEOPLE, Plaintiff and Respondent, A141245 v. ARMEN BAGHUMYAN, (San Francisco City & County Super. Ct. No. 220864) Defendant and Appellant.

Defendant Armen Baghumyan appeals from a judgment, following a jury trial and conviction of telephonic harassment (Pen. Code, § 653m),1 a misdemeanor. He was found innocent of one count of misdemeanor battery (§ 243, subd. (e)(1)), and the jury was unable to reach verdicts on three other charges, stalking (§ 646.9), criminal threats (§ 422), and a second charge of misdemeanor battery. The trial court sentenced him to 179 days in county jail, with credit for time served of 179 days, and dismissed the latter charges. The court also issued a 10-year stay away order. Defendant’s appellate counsel raises no issues and asks this court for an independent review of the record to determine whether there are any issues that would, if resolved favorably to the defendant, result in reversal or modification of the judgment. (People v. Kelly (2006) 40 Cal.4th 106; People v. Wende (1979) 25 Cal.3d 436.) Defendant was notified of his right to file a supplemental brief, and did so. The court then asked for further briefing on a sentencing issue, which both parties provided. Upon independent review of the record, we have

1 All further statutory references are to the Penal Code unless otherwise indicated. 1

determined the matter must be remanded for imposition of fines and fees, but otherwise affirm. BACKGROUND On August 26, 2013, the San Francisco District Attorney filed a domestic violence felony complaint, alleging three counts (one felony and two misdemeanors). A preliminary hearing was held on September 6, and defendant was held to answer on the felony charge. On September 12, the district attorney filed a five-count information, charging defendant with stalking, criminal threats, two counts of misdemeanor battery and telephonic harassment. Defendant made a section 995 motion as to the stalking and criminal threat charges, based on the transcript of the preliminary hearing, on the ground defendant had made no unequivocal, immediate and specific threat. The district attorney opposed the motion, and the trial court denied it. Trial commenced on December 16. The prosecution called eight witnesses, including the victim, Sona Hovhannisyan. Hovhannisyan testified about her initial romantic relationship with defendant during September 2012, which ended a month later. Defendant nevertheless called her and eventually began leaving offensive voice messages after the relationship resumed in February 2013. Hovhannisyan tried to cut off further telephone contact with defendant in June 2013. Defendant’s telephone calls and abusive messages continued, and between June 19 and August 22, he left many profane and abusive messages. In August, his messages became threatening. At that point, she called the police. DISCUSSION Defendant was ably represented by counsel at all times. The trial court properly denied the section 995 motion. Trial timely commenced. There was no error in the instructions given. Whether defendant’s belated request that the jury be instructed that count 5, misdemeanor telephonic harassment, was a lesser included offense of the count 1 felony stalking offense was properly denied is moot given the jury’s inability to reach a verdict on count 1 and the court’s declaration of a mistrial and subsequent dismissal of