People v. Motsenbocker CA4/1 (2015) · DecisionDepot
People v. Motsenbocker CA4/1
California Court of Appeal Nov 4, 2015 No. D064877Unpublished
Filed 11/4/15 P. v. Motsenbocker CA4/1 NOT TO BE PUBLISHED IN OFFICIAL REPORTS California Rules of Court, rule 8.1115(a), prohibits courts and parties from citing or relying on opinions not certified for publication or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 This opinion has not been certified for publication or ordered published for purposes of rule 8.1115.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, D064877
Plaintiff and Respondent,
v. (Super. Ct. No. SCD241912)
MATTHEW MOTSENBOCKER,
Defendant and Appellant.
APPEAL from a judgment of the Superior Court of San Diego County, Jeffrey F.
Fraser, Judge. Affirmed as modified.
Daniel J. Kessler, under appointment by the Court of Appeal, for Defendant and
Appellant.
Kamala D. Harris, Attorney General, Julie L. Garland, Assistant Attorney General,
Arlene A. Sevidal, Tami Hennick and Amanda E. Casillas, Deputy Attorneys General,
for Plaintiff and Respondent.
Matthew Motsenbocker appeals a judgment following his jury conviction of
assault with a deadly weapon, two counts of receiving stolen property, petty theft with
three prior theft convictions, unlawful possession of an access card, and various other
offenses described below. On appeal, Motsenbocker contends the trial court erred by: (1)
excluding from evidence a portion of a recorded telephone conversation during which he
stated a law enforcement officer had jumped through the vehicle's window and threatened
to kill him; (2) sentencing him to a prison term for unlawful possession of an access card
because that count was alleged as only a misdemeanor; and (3) imposing and staying a
prison prior enhancement rather than striking it. He also asserts that his sentences for
four convictions should be reduced to misdemeanors pursuant to Proposition 47 because
the judgment in his case is not yet final. In Case No. D068122, which we consider with
this appeal, we address Motsenbocker's related petition for habeas corpus based on his
counsel's purported mistake regarding the maximum sentence that could be imposed for
the counts alleged against him, which mistake purportedly caused him to reject a plea
offer made by the prosecution.
FACTUAL AND PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND
On July 6, 2012, Nicholas Wayman, a bail enforcement agent, requested the
assistance of Deputy U.S. Marshal Don Allie to apprehend Motsenbocker, a fugitive with
an outstanding felony warrant for his arrest. Allie and Deputy U.S. Marshal Kristopher
Stephens met Wayman at an apartment complex where Lindsey Hagberg, Motsenbocker's
girlfriend, resided. They saw Hagberg drive away in a white Volvo.
Allie, driving an undercover black Dodge Durango; Stephens, driving an
undercover black Dodge Charger; and Wayman, driving a white Kia Optima, followed
Hagberg to a shopping center on Balboa Avenue. Hagberg stopped and spoke with
2
Motsenbocker, who was standing next to a stolen Toyota FJ Cruiser. He got in the stolen
vehicle, drove to a nearby cul-de-sac, and parked it there. Hagberg, who followed
Motsenbocker to the cul-de-sac, then picked him up in her Volvo.
While Motsenbocker and Hagberg were in the cul-de-sac, Allie and Stephens put
on their body armor vests, which identified them as "U.S. Marshals." Both Allie and
Stephens also displayed U.S. Marshal badges on their apparel. They then contacted local
law enforcement to inform them of what they were doing and to request assistance.
Allie, Stephens, and Wayman followed Hagberg when her Volvo left the cul-de-sac.
Wayman could not identify the vehicle's passenger because the passenger seat was tilted
back low. Allie saw movement in the passenger's seat.
Based on his observations, Allie decided to initiate a traffic stop of the Volvo and
activated his vehicle's emergency lights and siren. Stephens also activated his vehicle's
emergency lights, but not his siren because he was attempting to communicate on his
radio. Both vehicles' emergency lights were red and blue lights located at the top of the
front windshield. Their vehicles also had "wigwag" lights in their front headlights that
flash in a strobe-like fashion. Wayman heard the siren and saw the flashing lights.
Despite the flashing lights and siren, Hagberg did not stop her vehicle. She knew
Motsenbocker had outstanding arrest warrants and thought law enforcement agents were
following her in the Dodge Durango. She continued driving from southbound Interstate
805 onto Balboa Avenue, pulled behind a flatbed semi-truck, and maneuvered between
that truck and Allie's Durango to the front of the lighted intersection. With his vehicle's
lights and siren still activated, Allie drove his vehicle forward to see the driver's side of
3
the Volvo. Hagberg told Motsenbocker she wanted to get out of her vehicle. She then
jumped out and walked toward Allie with her hands up in the air. She complied with
Allie's command to lie on the ground. Allie then approached the Volvo and saw
Motsenbocker move from the front passenger's seat to the driver's seat. Allie ordered
Motsenbocker to get out of the vehicle, but he did not comply. Allie reached through the
Volvo's open driver's window with his left hand (without his gun drawn) in an attempt to
grab the keys and disable it, but Motsenbocker sped off with Allie hanging onto the
driver's side of the vehicle. The Volvo accelerated through the traffic light, traveling
about 25 miles per hour, and then Stephens heard a pop and saw Allie "go flying across
the road." As Motsenbocker drove off in the Volvo, a percipient witness on a nearby
sidewalk heard a shot. Allie fell onto the street and rolled into the center median.
Motsenbocker continued driving, crossing the center median, heading into oncoming
traffic and then crossing back over into westbound traffic, where he then stopped the
Volvo. He got out of the Volvo and yelled, "Help me, I've been shot." Stephens arrested
Motsenbocker.
Wayman came to Allie's aid, saw Allie's firearm on the road, and secured it. Allie
appeared unresponsive, had a gash on his head, and was bleeding. Allie was taken to a
hospital, where his condition was diagnosed as an acute intracranial hemorrhage with
subdural hematomas, a subarachnoid hemorrhage, a neck strain, scalp lacerations, facial
abrasions, bilateral upper extremity abrasions, and a questionable loss of consciousness.
Toxicology tests showed Motsenbocker had ingested methamphetamine within 24
hours of his arrest on July 6, 2012. He also had morphine and codeine in his system,
4
which was indicative of heroin use. After the incident, he told paramedics he had used
heroin two hours earlier.
Stephens found a stolen Glock handgun, apparently loaded, on the passenger's seat
of the Volvo. Officers found the case for that handgun in the stolen FJ Cruiser
Motsenbocker was driving. His DNA profile matched that found on the handgun.
Officers also found two knives on the floorboard of the driver's seat of the Volvo.
A consolidated amended information charged Motsenbocker with one count of
assault with a deadly weapon (Pen. Code, § 245, subd. (a)),1 two counts of possession of
a firearm by a felon (§ 29800, subd. (a)(1)), one count of unlawful driving or taking a
vehicle (Veh. Code, § 10851, subd. (a)), two counts of receiving stolen property (§ 496,
subd. (a), two counts of burglary (§ 459), one count of possession of ammunition by a
prohibited person (§ 30305, subd. (a)(1)), one count of possession of a forged document
(§ 475, subd. (a)), one count of possession of a completed check with intent to defraud
(§ 475, subd. (c)), one count of unlawfully acquiring or retaining possession of an access
card (§ 484e, subd. (c)), and one count of petty theft with three prior theft convictions
(§§ 484, 666). The information also alleged that in committing count 1 Motsenbocker
personally inflicted great bodily injury on Allie (§§ 12022.7, subd. (a), 1192.7, subd.
(c)(8)) and used a vehicle as a deadly weapon (§ 1192.7, subd. (c)(23)), and he
committed the offenses alleged in counts 1 through 12 while he was released from
custody on bail (§ 12022.1, subd. (b)). It also alleged he had served a prior prison term
1 All statutory references are to the Penal Code unless otherwise specified.
5
(§ 667.5, subd. (b)), had been previously convicted of a serious felony (§ 667, subd.
(a)(1)), and had a prior strike conviction within the meaning of the three strikes law
(§§ 667, subd. (b)-(i), 1170.12, 668).
At trial, the prosecution presented evidence substantially as described above. In
his defense, Motsenbocker presented his testimony that he had acted in self-defense. He
stated he was under the influence of drugs on the day of the incident. When he met
Hagberg that morning in the parking lot, she was nervous because she saw two black cars
following her. Motsenbocker had also seen the two black cars when he was driving the
FJ Cruiser. He left the FJ Cruiser at the apartment complex and got in Hagberg's Volvo.
Hagberg, driving the vehicle, saw the two black cars again and said, "What the fuck's
going on?" As they drove onto the freeway, Motsenbocker could still see the black
Dodge Durango behind them. He testified he looked for any sign it was a law
enforcement vehicle but did not see any. Because its windows were blacked out, he
thought they could be followed by gangsters.
Hagberg said she saw lights and exited the freeway. She was "freaking out" and
suddenly slammed on the brakes and jumped out of the Volvo, leaving its driver's side
door open and the car in gear. As the car rolled forward, Motsenbocker jumped into the
driver's seat to stop the car. Motsenbocker testified he then saw a man reaching for the
car keys. The man stated, "I'm going to fucking kill you." When Motsenbocker's foot
slipped off the brake, the car could have rolled forward. At that moment, the man shot
him. Motsenbocker then pressed the gas pedal to get away because he felt he was in
danger. He stopped a short distance later, got out of the car, and laid on the ground,
6
screaming, "I've been shot, I've been shot. I can't breathe." Motsenbocker testified that
the man (i.e., Allie) did not show him a badge or otherwise identify himself as law
enforcement. He did not try to grab or hit Allie when Allie reached into the car.
Motsenbocker knew he had warrants for his arrest, but did not know the FJ Cruiser was
stolen.
The jury found Motsenbocker guilty of all the charges. The jury found true the
allegations that in committing count 1 Motsenbocker personally inflicted great bodily
injury on Allie (§§ 12022.7, subd. (a), 1192.7, subd. (c)(8)) and used a vehicle as a
deadly weapon (§ 1192.7, subd. (c)(23)), and he committed the offenses alleged in counts
1 through 12 while he was released from custody on bail (§ 12022.1, subd. (b)).
Motsenbocker admitted he had served a prior prison term (§ 667.5, subd. (b)), had been
previously convicted of a serious felony (§ 667, subd. (a)(1)), and had a prior strike
conviction within the meaning of the three strikes law (§§ 667, subd. (b)-(i), 1170.12,
668). On September 20, 2013, the trial court imposed a total prison term of 29 years four
months. Motsenbocker timely filed a notice of appeal.
DISCUSSION
I
Exclusion of Portion of Recorded Telephone Call
Motsenbocker contends the trial court erred by excluding from evidence a portion
of a recorded telephone conversation during which he stated a law enforcement officer
had jumped through the vehicle's window and threatened to kill him. He argues that
evidence should have been admitted pursuant to Evidence Code sections 356 and 791.
7
A
On direct examination, Motsenbocker testified he did not know who was
following him, claiming the vehicles behind him had tinted windows and did not have
law enforcement lights, sirens, or exempt license plates. On cross-examination,
Motsenbocker denied he told Hagberg she should jump out of the vehicle if she could not
handle the situation and denied saying he did not want to go to jail. He also denied
knowing the FJ Cruiser he had been driving was stolen. The prosecutor then impeached
Motsenbocker with evidence showing he told a friend in a recorded telephone call while
he was in jail that "I was going to the stolen FJ Cruiser that we got." He also impeached
Motsenbocker with evidence from the same recorded telephone call showing he told his
friend: "We got on the freeway and Lindsey started freaking out. I'm like, 'What are you
doing?' and she's like, 'Pull over. The sirens'? [¶] . . . [¶] . . . We got off right there at
Balboa, fool. . . . I told Lindsey, 'All right. If you can't handle this, jump out and I'll
have somebody come pick you up.' "
On redirect, defense counsel sought to question Motsenbocker regarding another
statement he made during that recorded telephone call. After the prosecutor objected on
hearsay grounds, the trial court discussed the matter with counsel out of the jury's
presence, asking whether there was an Evidence Code section 356 issue. Defense
counsel instead argued it was a prior consistent statement when Motsenbocker told his
friend, "When I closed the door this fool jumped through the window and said, 'I'm going
to fucking kill you.' " The prosecutor argued he had not impeached Motsenbocker on that
subject and he (Motsenbocker) had remained consistent on it. The court sustained the
8
prosecutor's objection, finding Motsenbocker had not made a prior consistent statement
under Evidence Code section 791.
B
Evidence Code section 356. Motsenbocker argues the trial court abused its
discretion by excluding his proffered portion of his recorded telephone call because it
was admissible under Evidence Code section 356, which provides:
"Where part of an act, declaration, conversation, or writing is given in evidence by one party, the whole on the same subject may be inquired into by an adverse party; when a letter is read, the answer may be given; and when a detached act, declaration, conversation, or writing is given in evidence, any other act, declaration, conversation, or writing which is necessary to make it understood may also be given in evidence." (Italics added.)
Assuming arguendo Motsenbocker did not forfeit or waive Evidence Code section
356 as a ground for admission of the proffered statement by not arguing its admission on
that basis, we nevertheless conclude the trial court did not err by implicitly concluding it
was not admissible on that ground. Evidence Code section 356 is the statutory version of
the common law rule of completeness. (People v. Parrish (2007) 152 Cal.App.4th 263,
269, fn. 3.) When one party places in evidence one part of a conversation or statement,
the other party may place the remainder of that conversation or statement in evidence
provided those other statements have some bearing on, or connection with, the admission
or declaration in evidence. (Evid. Code, § 356; People v. Zapien (1993) 4 Cal.4th 929,
959.) Alternatively stated, for admission under Evidence Code section 356, those other
statements must be on the same subject or must be necessary to understand the original
statements already admitted. (People v. Maury (2003) 30 Cal.4th 342, 419.) We review
9
a trial court's ruling under Evidence Code section 356 for abuse of discretion. (Parrish,
at p. 274.)
Based on our review of the record, we conclude the trial court did not abuse its
discretion by implicitly concluding Evidence Code section 356 did not allow admission
of Motsenbocker's proffered statement because that statement was not on the "same
subject" as the statements introduced by the prosecutor. The prosecutor impeached
Motsenbocker's testimony with his statements in the recorded telephone call that he told
his friend he was aware the FJ Cruiser he was driving was stolen and that he was aware
law enforcement officers were trying to pull him over. Those statements were unrelated
to his subsequent statement that "this fool," presumably referring to Deputy Allie,
"jumped through the window" and threatened to kill him. Although Motsenbocker
argues his subsequent statement should have been admitted to help show he feared for his
life, it did not relate to the same subject as, and was not necessary to understand, the
statements introduced by the prosecutor. (Evid. Code, § 356; People v. Maury, supra, 30
Cal.4th at p. 419.) The court did not abuse its discretion by implicitly concluding the
proffered statement was not admissible under Evidence Code section 356. (People v.
Parrish, supra, 152 Cal.App.4th at p. 269 & fn. 3.)
C
Evidence Code section 791. Motsenbocker also argues the trial court abused its
discretion by not admitting his proffered statement from the recorded telephone call
under Evidence Code section 791, which provides:
10
"Evidence of a statement previously made by a witness that is consistent with his testimony at the hearing is inadmissible to support his credibility unless it is offered after:
"(a) Evidence of a statement made by him that is inconsistent with any part of his testimony at the hearing has been admitted for the purpose of attacking his credibility, and the statement was made before the alleged inconsistent statement; or
"(b) An express or implied charge has been made that his testimony at the hearing is recently fabricated or is influenced by bias or other improper motive, and the statement was made before the bias, motive for fabrication, or other improper motive is alleged to have arisen."
Motsenbocker specifically argues his proffered statement should have been admitted
under Evidence Code section 791, subdivision (b), to rehabilitate his credibility after the
prosecutor attempted to broadly impeach his trial testimony with the portions of the
recorded telephone call quoted above. He cites People v. Kennedy (2005) 36 Cal.4th 595,
in which the court stated: "Evidence Code section 791 permits the admission of a prior
consistent statement when there is a charge that the testimony given is fabricated or
biased, not just when a particular statement at trial is challenged." (Id. at p. 614; People
v. Brents (2012) 53 Cal.4th 599, 616.)
However, we conclude the trial court did not abuse its discretion by concluding
Motsenbocker's proffered statement did not qualify as a prior consistent statement under
Evidence Code section 791. Because the prosecutor never questioned the truthfulness of
Motsenbocker's statement that Deputy Allie threatened to kill him, his proffered
statement did not qualify as a prior consistent statement under Evidence Code section
791, subdivision (b). Specifically, the prosecutor did not expressly or implicitly charge
11
that Motsenbocker's statement regarding Allie's purported threat was recently fabricated
or influenced by bias or other improper motive and that statement was made before the
bias or improper motive allegedly arose. (Evid. Code, § 791; People v. Ervine (2009) 47
Cal.4th 745, 780.) Evidence Code section 791 does not make all prior statements
admissible merely because a defendant's general credibility has been attacked during
cross-examination. (Ervine, at p. 780.) Furthermore, because Motsenbocker made the
proffered statement while in jail awaiting trial, the court reasonably could infer he had a
motive to lie at the time he made the statement and therefore it was inadmissible under
Evidence Code section 791. Accordingly, the court did not abuse its discretion by
concluding Motsenbocker's proffered statement was not admissible under Evidence Code
section 791.2 (People v. Waidla (2000) 22 Cal.4th 690, 717 [abuse of discretion standard
applies to Evid. Code, § 791 rulings].)
2 To the extent Motsenbocker argues the trial court's exclusion of his proffered statement violated his constitutional right to present a defense or to a fair trial, we disagree. A trial court's exercise of its discretion in admitting or excluding evidence does not involve a defendant's constitutional rights absent extraordinary or unusual circumstances. (People v. Abilez (2007) 41 Cal.4th 472, 503; People v. Lawley (2002) 27 Cal.4th 102, 155.) Because Motsenbocker does not persuade us there are any extraordinary or unusual circumstances in this case, we conclude the court did not violate his constitutional rights by excluding his proffered statement. Furthermore, because we conclude the court did not err by excluding that evidence, we need not, and do not, decide whether exclusion of that evidence was prejudicial to Motsenbocker.
12
II
Count 11 Sentence
Motsenbocker contends the trial court erred by sentencing him to a prison term for
unlawful possession of an access card (count 11) because that count was alleged as only a
misdemeanor.
A
The unlawful possession of an access card with intent to defraud is generally
considered a form of petty theft. (§ 484e, subd. (c).) Petty theft is a misdemeanor crime,
for which a felony sentence may be imposed when a defendant has previously been
convicted of the same or another listed theft-related offense. (§§ 490, 666.) "Section 666
does not establish a separate substantive offense of petty theft with a prior conviction. It
is a discretionary sentencing statute which, upon the establishment of a qualifying prior
conviction, allows the trial court to punish petty theft as either a felony or a
misdemeanor." (People v. Robinson (2004) 122 Cal.App.4th 275, 281.) That statute
does not establish a sentence enhancement, but rather an alternate and elevated penalty
for a petty theft conviction when a recidivist defendant has served a prior term for a listed
offense. (Ibid.) Therefore, Robinson concluded: "[S]ection 666 need not be specifically
pleaded in the information or indictment." (Id. at pp. 281-282.)
B
Count 11 of the consolidated amended information in this case charged
Motsenbocker with violating section 484e, subdivision (c). In the charge summary of the
consolidated amended information, that charged offense was listed as a misdemeanor
13
with a maximum sentence of six months in jail. The consolidated amended information
also listed all of Motsenbocker's prior offenses, including four prior burglary offenses and
a receipt of stolen property offense. However, it did not expressly refer to section 666.
During trial, Motsenbocker admitted he had three or more theft-related crimes
within the meaning of section 666. He further admitted he had previously been convicted
of multiple counts of burglary (§ 459) and feloniously receiving stolen property (§ 496,
subd. (a)). The jury found Motsenbocker guilty of count 11 as charged in the
information.
C
Although section 666 does not require that it be specifically pleaded in the
information, People v. Tardy (2003) 112 Cal.App.4th 783 stated the information must
apprise "the defendant of the potential for the enhanced penalty and allege every fact and
circumstance necessary to establish its applicability." (Id. at p. 787.) In the
circumstances of that case, Tardy stated: "[T]here is no due process requirement to
specify section 666 when that enhancement relates solely to the unpleaded (but
constitutionally noticed) lesser included offense and every fact necessary to establish
section 666 is subsumed in the prior conviction/prison enhancement allegations set forth
in the accusatory pleading." (Id. at p. 788.)
We conclude the circumstances in this case are factually apposite to those in Tardy
regarding the section 666 issue. Here, the consolidated amended information alleged
Motsenbocker's prior theft-related offenses that qualified him for sentencing under
section 666, and he admitted he had been previously convicted of three or more of those
14
offenses within the meaning of section 666. Because the information gave him adequate
notice he could receive a felony sentence on count 11, the court did not err by imposing a
term of one year four months for his conviction on that count. (Cf. People v. Tardy,
supra, 112 Cal.App.4th at p. 788.)
D
Motsenbocker alternatively argues he was denied effective assistance of counsel
when his counsel did not object to the trial court's imposition of a felony sentence for his
conviction on count 11.3 However, as the People assert, his counsel did not perform
deficiently because he was not required to make frivolous objections, such as the one
Motsenbocker now asserts should have been made. (People v. Westoby (1976) 63
Cal.App.3d 790, 799.) Here, an objection to his sentencing under section 666 would
have been frivolous because the information listed his prior offenses that qualified him
for sentencing under section 666 and he stipulated he had been convicted of three or more
theft-related offenses within the meaning of section 666. Because, based on this record,
the trial court presumably would have overruled any objection by Motsenbocker's
counsel to sentencing under section 666, any such objection would have been frivolous
and therefore his counsel did not perform deficiently. (Strickland v. Washington (1984)
466 U.S. 668, 687-689; Westoby, at p. 799.) Furthermore, Motsenbocker similarly has
3 In Case No. D068122, which we consider with this appeal, we address Motsenbocker's related petition for habeas corpus based on other purported deficient performance by his counsel (i.e., a mistake regarding the maximum sentence that could be imposed for the counts alleged against him, which mistake purportedly caused him to reject a plea offer made by the prosecution).
15
not shown he was prejudiced by his counsel's purported deficient performance (i.e., that
the trial court would not have imposed a felony sentence for count 11 under § 666 had his
counsel objected to such sentencing). (Strickland, at p. 694.) He has not carried his
burden on appeal to show his constitutional right to effective assistance of counsel was
violated when his counsel did not object to his sentencing on count 11 under section 666.
III
Section 667.5, Subdivision (b), Enhancement
Motsenbocker contends, and the People agree, that the trial court erred by
imposing and staying the section 667.5, subdivision (b), enhancement for a prior prison
term rather than striking it. At trial, he admitted he had previously been convicted of a
serious felony within the meaning of section 667, subdivision (a)(1), and a prison prior
under section 667.5, subdivision (b). At sentencing, the trial court imposed the section
667, subdivision (a)(1), enhancement, and then imposed but stayed the section 667.5,
subdivision (b), enhancement, which was based on the same prior conviction. However,
the court lacked authority to stay the section 667.5, subdivision (b), enhancement. "Once
[a] prior prison term is found true within the meaning of section 667.5(b), the trial court
may not stay the one-year enhancement, which is mandatory unless stricken." (People v.
Langston (2004) 33 Cal.4th 1237, 1241.) Because the trial court could not impose both a
prior serious felony enhancement and a prior prison term enhancement based on the same
underlying conviction, it should have stricken, rather than stayed, the section 667.5,
subdivision (b), enhancement. (People v. Jones (1993) 5 Cal.4th 1142, 1146-1153;
People v. Perez (2011) 195 Cal.App.4th 801, 805.) By not doing so, the court erred.
16
IV
Proposition 47
Motsenbocker contends he should be resentenced on counts 4, 11, 12, and 13
because Proposition 47 (Prop. 47), effective on November 5, 2014, applies retroactively
and therefore those pre-Prop. 47 convictions must be automatically sentenced as only
misdemeanors and not felonies. The People agree that Motsenbocker's four convictions
qualify for resentencing as misdemeanors under Prop. 47. However, they assert that
because Prop. 47 does not apply retroactively and he was currently serving a sentence for
a felony conviction at the time Prop. 47 became effective, he must file a petition for recall
of his sentence after his judgment is final and allow the trial court to determine whether
he is, in fact, eligible for resentencing under Prop. 47. We agree with the People.
A
Prop. 47 created section 1170.18, providing a new statutory remedy for "[a] person
currently serving a sentence for a conviction, whether by trial or plea, of a felony or
felonies who would have been guilty of a misdemeanor under [Prop. 47] had this act been
in effect at the time of the offense . . . ." (§ 1170.18, subd. (a).) Section 1170.18,
subdivision (a), provides such a person "may petition for a recall of sentence before the
trial court that entered the judgment of conviction in his or her case to request
resentencing in accordance with . . . Section . . . 490.2, 496, or 666 of the Penal Code, as
17
those sections have been amended or added by this act."4 Section 1170.18, subdivision
(b), provides:
"Upon receiving a petition under subdivision (a), the court shall determine whether the petitioner satisfies the criteria in subdivision (a). If the petitioner satisfies the criteria in subdivision (a), the petitioner's felony sentence shall be recalled and the petitioner resentenced to a misdemeanor pursuant to . . . Section . . . 490.2, 496, or 666 of the Penal Code . . . unless the court, in its discretion, determines that resentencing the petitioner would pose an unreasonable risk of danger to public safety."
B
Citing In re Estrada (1965) 63 Cal.2d 740, Motsenbocker argues that because his
judgment is not yet final and Prop. 47 does not contain any savings clause, Prop. 47
operates retroactively to automatically reduce the punishment for his convictions on
counts 4, 11, 12, and 13 to misdemeanor sentences and he is not required to file in the
trial court a petition to recall his sentence under section 1170.18. He also argues the
voters intended that Prop. 47's provisions retroactively apply to nonfinal judgments. We
disagree.
Based on our review of section 1170.18 and giving its words their ordinary and
usual meaning (People v. Park (2013) 56 Cal.4th 782, 796), we conclude its language is
unambiguous that a defendant, such as Motsenbocker, serving a sentence for a Prop. 47
qualifying offense when Prop. 47 became effective (i.e., on November 5, 2014) may
4 For example, Prop. 47 amended section 496 to provide punishment for possession of stolen property only as a misdemeanor if the value of the property does not exceed $950. (§ 496, subd. (a).)
18
petition for a recall of his or her sentence and request resentencing under Prop. 47, and
that any resentencing under Prop. 47 must be effected in that manner. Because its
provisions are clear, there is no issue regarding Prop. 47's retroactivity. In any event, we
agree with other courts that Prop. 47's provisions do not apply retroactively. (See, e.g.,
People v. Shabazz (2015) 237 Cal.App.4th 303, 310-314; People v. Noyan (2014) 232
Cal.App.4th 657, 672.) Accordingly, to obtain relief under Prop. 47, Motsenbocker must
file a petition for recall of his sentence under Prop. 47 once the judgment is final and
jurisdiction of the case has been returned to the trial court.
DISPOSITION
The judgment is modified to strike the section 667.5, subdivision (b),
enhancement. In all other respects, the judgment is affirmed. The clerk of the trial court
shall file an amended abstract of judgment reflecting that modification and forward a
copy to the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.
McDONALD, J.
WE CONCUR:
McCONNELL, P. J.
HUFFMAN, J.
19
AI Brief
AI-generated · verify before citing
Holding. The court affirmed the judgment as modified, holding that the trial court erred by staying rather than striking a section 667.5, subdivision (b) enhancement, and that the defendant must seek Proposition 47 relief through the statutory petition process rather than direct appeal.
Issues
Did the trial court err in excluding a portion of a recorded telephone conversation under Evidence Code sections 356 and 791?
Did the trial court err by imposing a felony sentence for unlawful possession of an access card?
Did the trial court err by staying rather than striking a section 667.5, subdivision (b) enhancement?
Does Proposition 47 apply retroactively to require automatic resentencing on direct appeal?
Disposition. Affirmed as modified.
Quotations verified verbatim against the opinion
“The court did not abuse its discretion by implicitly concluding the proffered statement was not admissible under Evidence Code section 356.”
“Because the information gave him adequate notice he could receive a felony sentence on count 11, the court did not err by imposing a term of one year four months for his conviction on that count.”
“Once [a] prior prison term is found true within the meaning of section 667.5(b), the trial court may not stay the one-year enhancement, which is mandatory unless stricken.”