California Court of Appeal Oct 7, 2015 No. D066128Unpublished
Filed 10/7/15 P. v. Padilla CA4/1 NOT TO BE PUBLISHED IN OFFICIAL REPORTS California Rules of Court, rule 8.1115(a), prohibits courts and parties from citing or relying on opinions not certified for publication or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 This opinion has not been certified for publication or ordered published for purposes of rule 8.1115.
COURT OF APPEAL, FOURTH APPELLATE DISTRICT
DIVISION ONE
STATE OF CALIFORNIA
THE PEOPLE, D066128
Plaintiff and Respondent,
v. (Super. Ct. No. SCE338244)
MELISSA LOUISE PADILLA,
Defendant and Appellant.
APPEAL from a judgment of the Superior Court of San Diego County, Herbert J.
Exarhos, Judge. Affirmed.
John Derrick, under appointment by the Court of Appeal, for Defendant and
Appellant.
Kamala D. Harris, Attorney General, Gerald A. Engler, Chief Assistant Attorney
General, Julie L. Garland, Assistant Attorney General, Charles C. Ragland and Teresa
Torreblanca, Deputy Attorneys General, for Plaintiff and Respondent.
Melissa Louise Padilla appeals a judgment following her jury convictions of one
count of elder abuse under circumstances likely to produce great bodily harm (Pen. Code,
§ 368, subd. (b)(1)),1 one count of assault by means of force likely to produce great
bodily injury (§ 245, subd. (a)(4)), and one count of assault with a deadly weapon (§ 245,
subd. (a)(1)). On appeal, she contends: (1) because the evidence is insufficient to support
a finding she committed elder abuse under circumstances likely to produce great bodily
harm or death, the trial court erred by denying her section 1118.1 motion for judgment of
acquittal on the section 368, subdivision (b)(1), charge against her; (2) the court
prejudicially erred by ordering her to be physically restrained while testifying without
any manifest need to do so; and (3) the court improperly penalized her for exercising her
constitutional right to a jury trial by imposing a greater sentence on her than it indicated it
would before trial.
FACTUAL AND PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND
In 2014, Padilla lived in a home in Santee with Beverly Cunningham (her
grandmother), Brent Cunningham (her uncle), Edwin Cunningham (her uncle), and her
two children. At about 12:30 a.m. on February 23, Padilla was sitting outside on a chair
on the patio with her daughter asleep on her lap. Padilla had been drinking alcohol on the
patio that evening. Brent had just returned home from work. Beverly went outside to
wake up Padilla. When Beverly tapped her on the arm, Padilla told her, "F you, waking
me up." Beverly told Padilla to bring her daughter inside the house. After about 30
seconds of arguing, Padilla slapped Beverly on the arm and pushed her backwards.
Beverly stumbled backwards, but regained her balance. Padilla pushed her a second
1 All statutory references are to the Penal Code.
2
time. Padilla then took her daughter inside the house and locked Beverly outside.
Beverly was locked outside between 30 seconds and five minutes until Brent let her in
the house.
Inside the house, Padilla and Beverly continued arguing. Padilla was screaming,
using profanity, and calling Beverly "nasty" names. When Beverly told Padilla to stop
because her daughter was scared and crying, Padilla placed both of her hands around
Beverly's throat and started choking her. Beverly gasped for breath and was "really,
really scared." After less than a minute, Brent came and tried to pull Padilla off Beverly.
Brent hit Padilla in the jaw with his fist to get her to let Beverly go. Padilla then grabbed
a child's gate and hit Brent in the right temple with it, causing him to bleed from his right
temple.
Beverly called 911 to report the incident. She reported that "[s]he [i.e., Padilla]
just got me around the neck and was choking me." About that time, Edwin (also known
as Doug) woke up. He was recovering from a stroke and diabetic attack, and used a
walker. He went to the kitchen and saw Beverly was crying hysterically and had red
marks around her neck. Edwin asked Padilla, "What the hell is wrong with you?" He
and Padilla argued for about five minutes. Padilla was screaming, cussing, and calling
him names.
Beverly called 911 a second time. Padilla tried to grab the telephone out of
Beverly's hand. Padilla yelled for help, screaming that Edwin would not let her out of the
house. She cursed at Edwin and pushed him to the floor. She grabbed a meat cleaver and
was threatening him with it while he lay on the floor. She opened the front door and
3
screamed, "Let the whole damn world see this." She then approached Edwin, who was
still on the floor, and swung the meat cleaver at him, coming within two feet of him.
Edwin grabbed her wrist.
San Diego Deputy Sheriff Troy Udvarhelyi arrived at the home and heard
screaming and commotion. He could see through the open front door into the kitchen.
Padilla was holding a meat cleaver inches from Edwin's head, and Edwin was trying to
push her away. San Diego Deputy Sheriff Felipe Guths also arrived at the scene and saw
Padilla holding a knife above her head. Udvarhelyi repeatedly told Padilla to drop the
cleaver. After five to 10 seconds, she dropped it. She appeared intoxicated and smelled
of alcohol. She was rambling and screaming random statements. Although Beverly
sustained injuries to her arm and wrist, she apparently did not have any injuries on her
neck.
An information charged Padilla with one count of elder abuse under circumstances
likely to produce great bodily harm (§ 368, subd. (b)(1)), one count of assault by means
of force likely to produce great bodily injury (§ 245, subd. (a)(4)), and one count of
assault with a deadly weapon (§ 245, subd. (a)(1)). It also alleged that in committing
count 3, she used a deadly or dangerous weapon (i.e., a cleaver) within the meaning of
section 1192.7, subdivision (c)(23).
At trial, the prosecution presented the testimonies of Beverly, Brent, Edwin,
Udvarhelyi, and Guths substantially as described above. The prosecution also presented
evidence of a prior incident in 2005 during which Padilla grabbed Beverly's hair and
pulled her down on the floor. She choked Beverly, saying "I'm going to kill the bitch."
4
Brent told her to let Beverly go and punched Padilla in the face. Beverly sustained red
and purple marks on her throat and bruises on her arm. Padilla pleaded guilty to a charge
of battery against Beverly.
Padilla testified in her defense. She stopped drinking alcohol at about 9:30 or
10:00 p.m. that evening. She was screaming to herself about what a jerk her ex-husband
was. Beverly came out and asked Padilla at whom was she yelling. She told Beverly to
"[g]et out my face [and] stop nagging me." Padilla walked inside the house, but did not
lock Beverly outside. Brent pushed or punched her and she "went out." When she "came
to," Brent was on top of her and she palmed him in the face to get him off of her. She
remembered being pushed against the refrigerator. Edwin had his hands around her
throat, choking her, and she had a meat cleaver in her hand. When deputies arrived and
told her to drop the cleaver, it was by her side and not above her head.
The jury found Padilla guilty of all three charged offenses. The trial court
sentenced her to a total of six years in prison. Padilla timely filed a notice of appeal.
DISCUSSION
I
Denial of Section 1118.1 Motion
Padilla contends the trial court erred by denying her section 1118.1 motion for
judgment of acquittal on the section 368, subdivision (b)(1), charge because the evidence
presented by the prosecutor was insufficient to support a finding that she committed elder
abuse under circumstances likely to produce great bodily harm. She argues the evidence
5
did not support a finding that it was likely great bodily harm would be produced when
she placed her hands around Beverly's throat.
A
A defendant's motion for judgment of acquittal must be granted "if the evidence
. . . before the court is insufficient to sustain a conviction of such offense or offenses on
appeal." (§ 1118.1.) "An appellate court reviews the denial of a section 1118.1 motion
under the standard employed in reviewing the sufficiency of the evidence to support a
conviction." (People v. Houston (2012) 54 Cal.4th 1186, 1215.) In so doing, we focus
only on the evidence admitted at the time the motion is made. (Ibid.)
Generally, when addressing a claim of insufficiency of the evidence, our task "is
to review the whole record in the light most favorable to the judgment to determine
whether it discloses substantial evidence—that is, evidence that is reasonable, credible,
and of solid value—such that a reasonable trier of fact could find the defendant guilty
beyond a reasonable doubt." (People v. Rodriguez (1999) 20 Cal.4th 1, 11, citing People
v. Johnson (1980) 26 Cal.3d 557, 578.) "Resolution of conflicts and inconsistencies in
the testimony is the exclusive province of the trier of fact. [Citation.] Moreover, unless
the testimony is physically impossible or inherently improbable, testimony of a single
witness is sufficient to support a conviction." (People v. Young (2005) 34 Cal.4th 1149,
1181.)
The substantial evidence standard of review involves two steps. "First, one must
resolve all explicit conflicts in the evidence in favor of the respondent and presume in
favor of the judgment all reasonable inferences. [Citation.] Second, one must determine
6
whether the evidence thus marshaled is substantial. While it is commonly stated that our
'power' begins and ends with a determination that there is substantial evidence [citation],
this does not mean we must blindly seize any evidence in support of the respondent in
order to affirm the judgment. . . . [Citation.] '[I]f the word "substantial" [is to mean]
anything at all, it clearly implies that such evidence must be of ponderable legal
significance. Obviously the word cannot be deemed synonymous with "any" evidence.
It must be reasonable . . . , credible, and of solid value . . . .' [Citation.] The ultimate
determination is whether a reasonable trier of fact could have found for the respondent
based on the whole record." (Kuhn v. Department of General Services (1994) 22
Cal.App.4th 1627, 1632-1633, fns. omitted.) The standard of review is the same in cases
in which the prosecution relies primarily on circumstantial evidence. (People v. Bean
(1988) 46 Cal.3d 919, 932.)
Section 368, subdivision (b)(1), provides that "[a]ny person who knows or
reasonably should know that a person is an elder or dependent adult and who, under
circumstances or conditions likely to produce great bodily harm or death, willfully causes
or permits any elder or dependent adult to suffer, or inflicts unjustifiable physical pain or
mental suffering" is punishable by imprisonment in county jail for up to one year and/or a
fine up to $6,000, or in state prison for two, three, or four years. Great bodily injury or
harm has been defined as an "injury which is significant or substantial, not insignificant,
trivial or moderate." (People v. Armstrong (1992) 8 Cal.App.4th 1060, 1066.) For a
section 368, subdivision (b)(1), offense to occur, actual harm or injury is not required.
(Roman v. Superior Court (2003) 113 Cal.App.4th 27, 35.) Although "likely" often
7
means probable or more likely than not, it also can mean a substantial danger or a serious
and well-founded risk. (People v. Wilson (2006) 138 Cal.App.4th 1197, 1201-1204;
People v. Russell (2005) 129 Cal.App.4th 776, 787.) To convict a defendant of elder
abuse, the jury is not required to unanimously agree on one circumstance or condition
likely to produce great bodily harm or death. (People v. Racy (2007) 148 Cal.App.4th
1327, 1334.)
B
Based on our review of the record, we conclude the prosecution presented
sufficient evidence at the time of Padilla's section 1118.1 motion to have supported a
finding by the jury that she committed elder abuse "under circumstances or conditions
likely to produce great bodily harm or death." (§ 368, subd. (b)(1).) The jury could have
reasonably found that when Padilla angrily placed her hands around Beverly's throat and
began choking her, it was likely her actions would produce great bodily harm or death.
At the time of trial, Beverly was 79 years old. As Padilla choked Beverly for less than
one minute, Beverly gasped for breath and was really scared. The jury could reasonably
infer Padilla's actions in choking Beverly were likely to produce great bodily harm or
death.
The fact Beverly did not actually suffer any great bodily injury did not preclude a
finding Padilla's actions were likely to produce great bodily harm or death. Rather, the
jury could reasonably find Padilla's actions posed a substantial danger or a serious and
well-founded risk to Beverly of great bodily harm or death. (People v. Wilson, supra,
138 Cal.App.4th at pp. 1201-1204; People v. Russell, supra, 129 Cal.App.4th at p. 787.)
8
Because there was substantial evidence to support a finding by the jury that Padilla's
elder abuse was committed "under circumstances or conditions likely to produce great
bodily harm or death," the trial court properly denied Padilla's section 1118.1 motion for
acquittal of the section 368, subdivision (b)(1), charge against her. To the extent Padilla
cites other evidence or inferences therefrom to support a contrary finding, she
misconstrues and/or misapplies the substantial evidence standard of review that we apply
in reviewing the denial of a section 1118.1 motion.
II
Trial Court's Order for Physical Restraint of Padilla
Padilla contends the trial court prejudicially erred by ordering she be physically
restrained while testifying without any manifest need for restraint.
A
During trial, the trial court raised the issue of restraining Padilla if she chose to
testify either with shackling or the immediate presence of a bailiff. The court expressed
concerns based on the configuration of its courtroom (i.e., the close proximity of the
witness stand to the jury box). The court stated:
"[W]hat I have in the [witness stand] is an o-ring on the floor under the desk to which she can be shackled which is not visible from the jury box. I've sat in seats one and seven, it's not visible. If she is shackled to that, the bailiff need not accompany her. The jury is not present when she's placed in the jury box. She's able to stand and still not be visible so she can show her respects to the jury. At the end of her testimony, then we recess, the jury is then excused, the windows are blocked and she's released. Because of the nature of the charges—any defendant. I just have a problem with the proximity of the jury.
9
"Your choices are, one, to secure her in that fashion. I will give you an opportunity to examine it if you want to see how visible. I have done it before and it works. Or, to have the bailiff accompany her to the [witness stand]. I'm not going to let her go up there unaccompanied." (Italics added.)
Padilla's counsel objected to both alternatives for restraint, but the court replied either her
counsel would pick one or it would pick one. The court stated those security measures
would not have been necessary if Padilla was out of custody. The court explained:
"The fact remains she's in custody. She's charged with three crimes of violence and . . . I have done it before, [testifying defendants are] three to five feet away from the jury and I will not allow it. I have done it in such a way that it does not disclose her custody status. I assume you want the latter. When there's a recess, you can examine it [i.e., the witness stand].
The court later explained:
"In chambers, I mentioned what I consider the procedure if she chooses to testify. Ordinarily, in the past, the bailiff would accompany her to the witness stand and hover. The appellate courts have indicated their displeasure with that process. But they, at least in the TV shows I watch in other courtrooms, the witness stand is on the opposite side of the courtroom from the jury box. That is not the case in this courtroom. The jury box is maybe five feet away and the defendant is in custody. She's charged with a felony. I'm not going to make any specific finding of her propensity to commit violence or whatever. I'm not convince[d] I need to.
"The choices are: The [witness stand] is equipped with an o-ring hidden under the desk to which she would be attached. I have checked from the number one and number seven jury seats and that is not visible and it does allow her to stand to show her respect when the jury enters." (Italics added.)
The court stated: "I emphasize, it's not directed to this particular defendant." (Italics
added.) The court then had the bailiff conduct a "dry run" by placing Padilla on the
witness stand to determine whether the restraint on her would be visible from the jury
10
box. Padilla's counsel stated that although he could not see the o-ring, he could see the
chain and the "thing" around Padilla's ankle. The court then directed the bailiff to shorten
the chain, so Padilla's foot would be hidden farther under the desk. The court further
noted Padilla could keep her foot under the desk "to minimize any visibility."
After the prosecution rested its case, the trial court revisited the issue of restraining
Padilla, stating:
"I want the record to reflect that [during a recess] the Court went over and sat in the number 7 juror seat and could see, if it looked intentionally, if it looked into the [witness stand], it could see the securing of the defendant, but it was difficult to do so. However, . . . that is controlled by the defendant. If she simply moves her leg forward, it can't be viewed. That's up to her. I wanted to put on the record that there's a lot of room for her to move the cord. There's no restraint for her to move it forward, even in the standing position, she can keep that foot forward."
Padilla later testified in her defense, presumably with the physical restraint described by
the trial court.
B
"[A] defendant cannot be subjected to physical restraints of any kind in the
courtroom while in the jury's presence, unless there is a showing of a manifest need for
such restraints." (People v. Duran (1976) 16 Cal.3d 282, 290-291, fn. omitted (Duran).)
A "manifest need" for restraints is shown when a defendant has been unruly, announced
an intention to escape, or when the evidence shows the defendant would likely disrupt the
judicial process. (People v. Wallace (2008) 44 Cal.4th 1032, 1050; People v. Lewis and
Oliver (2006) 39 Cal.4th 970, 1031-1032; People v. Seaton (2001) 26 Cal.4th 598, 651.)
It is an abuse of a trial court's discretion to impose physical restraints in the absence of a
11
showing on the record of violence or threat of violence or other nonconforming conduct.
(Wallace, at p. 1050; Lewis and Oliver, at p. 1032; Seaton, at p. 651.) "[T]he trial judge
must make the decision to use physical restraints on a case-by-case basis. The court
cannot adopt a general policy of imposing such restraints upon prison inmates charged
with new offenses [or other defendants] unless there is a showing of necessity on the
record." (Duran, at p. 293.) Furthermore, a court cannot justify the use of restraints
based solely on the layout of the courtroom and/or the fact the defendant has been
charged with a violent crime. (Seaton, at p. 652.)
The due process clause of the United States Constitution prohibits the use of
visible shackles unless they are justified by an essential state interest (e.g., courtroom
security) specific to the defendant. (Deck v. Missouri (2005) 544 U.S. 622, 624, 632;
People v. McDaniel (2008) 159 Cal.App.4th 736, 742.) If a trial court requires a
defendant to wear shackles that will be seen by the jury without adequate justification, it
is federal constitutional error unless the People prove beyond a reasonable doubt the error
did not contribute to the verdict. (Deck, at p. 635; McDaniel, at p. 742; Chapman v.
California (1967) 386 U.S. 18, 24.) In contrast, if a trial court orders a defendant to be
restrained without a showing of manifest need for such restraints but the record does not
affirmatively show the jury saw the restraints, the error is subject to the harmless error
standard of People v. Watson (1956) 46 Cal.2d 818, 836 (i.e., the error is harmless unless
the defendant shows it is reasonably probable he or she would have obtained a more
favorable verdict in the absence of visible restraints). (People v. Jackson (1993) 14
Cal.App.4th 1818, 1829 (Jackson).) The California Supreme Court has "consistently
12
held that courtroom shackling, even if error, was harmless if there is no evidence that the
jury saw the restraints, or that the shackles impaired or prejudiced the defendant's right to
testify or participate in his [or her] defense." (People v. Anderson (2001) 25 Cal.4th 543,
596; see also People v. Tuilaepa (1992) 4 Cal.4th 569, 583-584.)
C
Based on our review of the record, we conclude the trial court abused its discretion
by ordering that Padilla be restrained during her testimony without a showing of manifest
need for such restraint. The court made its decision to restrain Padilla based on the close
proximity of the witness stand to the jury box and the fact she was charged with a violent
crime and/or was an inmate. The court explained its basis for imposing the restraint
requirement, stating it was "[b]ecause of the nature of the charges—any defendant. I just
have a problem with the proximity of the jury." The court did not receive or consider any
information that Padilla posed a risk of violent or unruly conduct in court or had
threatened to escape. By apparently applying a general policy of restraining all
defendants charged with violent crimes regardless of showing of a manifest need that the
particular defendant be restrained, the court erred. "[T]he trial judge must make the
decision to use physical restraints on a case-by-case basis. The court cannot adopt a
general policy of imposing such restraints upon prison inmates charged with new
offenses [or other defendants] unless there is a showing of necessity on the record."
(Duran, supra, 16 Cal.3d at p. 293.)
The court in this case apparently believed it was not required to consider whether
there was a manifest need for Padilla to be restrained, stating: "I'm not going to make any
13
specific finding of her propensity to commit violence or whatever. I'm not convince[d] I
need to." (Italics added.) We hold that a trial court needs to make a specific finding that
there is a showing of manifest need for restraining a particular defendant (e.g.,
information showing a defendant poses a significant risk of violent conduct in the
courtroom) before it can order that defendant to be restrained. (Duran, supra, 16 Cal.3d
at pp. 290-291; People v. Wallace, supra, 44 Cal.4th at p. 1050; People v. Lewis and
Oliver, supra, 39 Cal.4th at pp. 1031-1032; People v. Seaton, supra, 26 Cal.4th at
p. 651.)
D
Although the trial court abused its discretion by ordering that Padilla be restrained
without considering whether there was a manifest need for such restraint, we nevertheless
conclude that error was not prejudicial under the Watson standard. Contrary to Padilla's
assertion, because the record does not affirmatively show the jurors saw Padilla's
restraints, we conclude there was no federal constitutional error requiring the application
of the more stringent Chapman standard of prejudicial error. (Jackson, supra, 14
Cal.App.4th at p. 1829.) Instead, the record shows there was, at most, a possibility jurors
could have seen her restraints. Furthermore, it was possible for jurors to have seen the
restraints only if she did not keep her foot forward and the attached chain or cord
adequately hidden or obscured by the witness stand's desk. Therefore, because the record
does not affirmatively show her restraints were seen by the jury, the court's error did not
violate her federal constitutional rights. (Deck v. Missouri, supra, 544 U.S. at p. 635;
Jackson, at p. 1829.)
14
Under the California standard of prejudicial error, it has been "consistently held
that courtroom shackling, even if error, was harmless if there is no evidence that the jury
saw the restraints, or that the shackles impaired or prejudiced the defendant's right to
testify or participate in his [or her] defense." (People v. Anderson, supra, 25 Cal.4th at
p. 596; see also People v. Tuilaepa, supra, 4 Cal.4th at pp. 583-584.) In this case, as
discussed above, there is no evidence the jury actually saw Padilla's restraints. Likewise,
contrary to Padilla's assertion, there is no evidence showing her right to testify or
participate in her defense was prejudiced. Padilla was restrained only when she was on
the witness stand. She, at most, speculates the hidden leg restraint resulted in
psychological effects that impaired her testimony or demeanor while on the witness
stand. However, it cannot be reasonably inferred from the record that either her
testimony or demeanor was adversely affected by that restraint. People v. Mar (2002) 28
Cal.4th 1201, cited by Padilla, involved a powerful electronic stun belt worn by the
defendant during his testimony and therefore is factually inapposite to this case and does
not persuade us to reach a contrary conclusion. Based on our review of the record, we
conclude it is not reasonably probable Padilla would have obtained a more favorable
verdict had she not been restrained during her testimony. (Jackson, supra, 14
Cal.App.4th at p. 1829; People v. Watson, supra, 46 Cal.2d at p. 836.) The court's error
in ordering that she be physically restrained during her testimony was not prejudicial.
15
III
Imposition of Sentence Greater Than Indicated Before Trial
Padilla contends the court improperly penalized her for exercising her
constitutional right to a jury trial by imposing a greater sentence on her than it indicated it
would before trial. She argues that because there was no new information the court
obtained during trial or at sentencing that could have supported a greater sentence, the
court must have wrongly penalized her for going to trial.
A
The prosecution's trial brief represented that Padilla had one prior felony
conviction (i.e., a § 496, subd. (a), conviction for receiving stolen property). It also
briefly described the events of the instant incident.
At the pretrial hearing on in limine motions, the trial court raised the issue of plea
negotiations between the parties. The court stated:
"I don't know what the People are offering in this case, but the court indicated its inclination that if she [Padilla] were to plead to the charges—they're currently not willing to make a plea agreement, but if she were willing to plead to the charges, at the time of sentencing, I would reduce counts 2 and 3 to misdemeanors, count 3 being the most significant because it is a serious felony and a strike. She would still face a felony charge on count 1 and the court has indicated its inclination to grant her probation.
"You asked in chambers for the court to commit itself to a 180 day maximum sentence and local time. As I have reconsidered—the reason I'm not willing to do that, it may well end up that way. I don't know what her credits are, it may end up that way. The reason I'm not willing to do that is I don't know until I see the probation report what her attitude is going to be. If she goes to the probation and says 'This is a bunch [of] bull. This never happened. This is ridiculous.' If she has an attitude problem, then I'm not going to be
16
bound. It's that simple. That's where we stand. I assume you conveyed all of that except maybe those last comments?" (Italics added.)
The court continued: "My inclination is if she goes up there with a little bit of humility
and a little bit of humbleness never hurt anybody. But if I detect a certain amount of
denial? Arrogance? I don't know. But that would make the difference. That's why I'm
not willing to commit to the 180 days, but I'm willing to commit to the grant of
probation." (Italics added.) The court then asked Padilla whether she understood what it
was saying. Padilla replied, "Uh-huh. I'm not pleading."
After trial, the probation report stated Padilla was presumptively ineligible for
probation pursuant to section 1203, subdivision (e)(4), because she had three prior felony
convictions. It further stated there was nothing unusual in this case to overcome that
presumption. It cited three factors supporting a denial of probation: (1) Padilla was
armed with a weapon (i.e., a metal baby gate and a meat cleaver); (2) she inflicted
personal injury on her grandmother and uncle; and (3) she had not expressed remorse for
the instant offense. It stated the probation officer had "considered making a
recommendation for 365 days in local custody followed by a three[-]year grant of formal
probation. However, the instant offense was violent and the defendant has shown no
remorse or interest in addressing the issues that contributed to her behavior. The
defendant is presumptively ineligible for probation pursuant to [section] 1203[,
subdivision] (e)(4), in that the instant offense is a felony and she has had three prior
felony convictions. She has two prior felony convictions related to possession [of]
methamphetamine and one for possession of stolen property." The probation officer
17
recommended that probation be denied and Padilla be sentenced to a total term of four
years in prison.2
At sentencing, the prosecution argued Padilla should be sentenced to the upper
term for the elder abuse count, noting she had not taken responsibility for her actions and
was unlikely to succeed on probation. The trial court denied Padilla probation, stating
she was presumptively ineligible for probation and there were no unusual circumstances
to overcome that presumption. The court then imposed a total term of six years in prison,
consisting of an upper four-year term for the elder abuse conviction and consecutive one-
year terms for each of the other two offenses.
B
A trial court may properly indicate before trial what sentence it would impose
based on a given set of facts, but it cannot engage in plea bargaining. (People v. Clancey
(2013) 56 Cal.4th 562, 570 (Clancey).) A court may not treat a defendant more leniently
because he or she forgoes the right to trial or more harshly because he or she exercises
that right. (Id. at p. 575.) In general, "the indicated sentence must be the same
punishment the court would be prepared to impose if the defendant were convicted at
trial." (Ibid.)
2 The probation report also stated that Beverly thought Padilla should serve at least a year in local custody and then receive probation, Brent believed she should go to prison, and Edwin believed she should be sentenced to prison and "however long she is sentenced to jail or prison will not be long enough."
18
However, an indicated sentence is not a promise from the court. (Clancey, supra,
56 Cal.4th at p. 575.) By indicating a sentence, "the court has merely disclosed to the
parties at an early stage—and to the extent possible—what the court views, on the record
then available, as the appropriate sentence so that each party may make an informed
decision." (Ibid.) Accordingly, if the factual predicate underlying an indicated sentence
is disproved at trial, the court may withdraw that indicated sentence. (Id. at p. 576.)
Furthermore, the court retains broad discretion to modify an intended sentence even if its
factual predicate is not disproved. (Id. at pp. 576-577.) In particular, "[t]he development
of new information at sentencing may persuade the trial court that the sentence
previously indicated is no longer appropriate for this defendant or these offenses. Or,
after considering the available information more carefully, the trial court may likewise
conclude that the indicated sentence is not appropriate." (Id. at p. 576.) Therefore, a
court may sentence a defendant differently than an indicated sentence based on additional
new information or a reexamination of the relevant circumstances. (Ibid.) Clancey
stated:
"[A]n indicated sentence is not a promise that a particular sentence will ultimately be imposed at sentencing. Nor does it divest a trial court of its ability to exercise its discretion at the sentencing hearing, whether based on the evidence and argument presented by the parties or on a more careful and refined judgment as to the appropriate sentence. . . . [T]he utility of the indicated-sentence procedure . . . depends to a great extent on whether the record then before the court contains the information about the defendant and the defendant's offenses that is relevant to sentencing." (Clancey, supra, 56 Cal.4th at p. 576.)
19
Therefore, a trial court retains its full discretion at sentencing to select a fair and just
punishment despite any previous indicated sentence. (Id. at p. 562.)
It is unconstitutional for a court to penalize a defendant who chooses to exercise
his or her constitutional rights. (U.S. v. Jackson (1968) 390 U.S. 570, 581.) However,
the imposition of a greater sentence than an indicated sentence does not, in itself, support
an inference the court penalized the defendant for exercising his or her constitutional
right to a trial. (People v. Szeto (1981) 29 Cal.3d 20, 34-35.) Instead, the record must
show the court imposed a greater sentence as punishment for exercise of that right.
(People v. Angus (1980) 114 Cal.App.3d 973, 989-990.)
C
Based on our review of the record, we conclude Padilla has not carried her burden
on appeal to persuade us the trial court imposed a greater sentence than its indicated
sentence as punishment for her exercise of her constitutional right to a trial. Contrary to
her assertion, the court, at the time of its indicated sentence, did not have "every material
piece of evidence relating to the assault on Beverly." Instead, the court had the
information and the prosecution's trial brief, including its two-page description of the
instant incident and Padilla's one prior felony conviction and one prior misdemeanor
conviction. In contrast, at the time of sentencing, the court had additional information,
including the testimony of six witnesses and various photographic and other exhibits
admitted at trial, as well as the probation report. The probation report stated Padilla had
three prior felony offenses and not just the one prior felony offense described in the
prosecution's trial brief. It also showed Padilla was not remorseful for her criminal
20
behavior. Accordingly, the court had new and/or additional information regarding the
circumstances of the instant offenses and Padilla's criminal record and attitude that could
have made it conclude its indicated sentence (i.e., grant of probation) was no longer
appropriate and a prison term (i.e., six years in prison) was now appropriate. (Clancey,
supra, 56 Cal.4th at pp. 576-577.) Likewise, the court may have considered more
carefully the initial information it had before trial and decided based on that information,
either by itself or together with the new information it received during trial and at
sentencing, that a grant of probation was no longer appropriate. (Ibid.) We conclude the
court did not abuse its discretion by imposing a six-year prison term rather than granting
Padilla probation. Contrary to Padilla's assertion, there is nothing in the record to support
a reasonable inference that the court imposed a greater sentence as punishment for her
exercise of her right to a trial. It is mere speculation that its imposition of a six-year term
rather than granting probation was, by itself, evidence that the court imposed a greater
sentence to punish her for exercising her right to a trial.
DISPOSITION
The judgment is affirmed.
McDONALD, J. WE CONCUR:
McCONNELL, P. J.
O'ROURKE, J.
21
AI Brief
AI-generated · verify before citing
Holding. The court held that while the trial court abused its discretion by ordering physical restraints on the defendant without a showing of manifest need, the error was harmless because there was no evidence the jury saw the restraints or that they prejudiced the defendant's right to testify.
Issues
Whether the trial court erred in denying a motion for acquittal on the elder abuse charge due to insufficient evidence.
Whether the trial court erred by ordering the defendant to be physically restrained while testifying without a showing of manifest need.
Whether the trial court improperly penalized the defendant for exercising her right to a jury trial by imposing a harsher sentence than previously indicated.
Disposition. Affirmed
Quotations verified verbatim against the opinion
“The jury could have reasonably found that when Padilla angrily placed her hands around Beverly's throat and began choking her, it was likely her actions would produce great bodily harm or death.”
“The trial court abused its discretion by ordering that Padilla be restrained during her testimony without a showing of manifest need for such restraint.”
“In this case, as discussed above, there is no evidence the jury actually saw Padilla's restraints.”