California Court of Appeal Jan 22, 2016 No. D068513Unpublished
Filed 1/22/16 P. v. Cage CA4/1 NOT TO BE PUBLISHED IN OFFICIAL REPORTS California Rules of Court, rule 8.1115(a), prohibits courts and parties from citing or relying on opinions not certified for publication or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 This opinion has not been certified for publication or ordered published for purposes of rule 8.1115.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, D068513
Plaintiff and Respondent,
v. (Super. Ct. No. FVI1203340)
MARVIN DESHAWN CAGE et al.,
Defendant and Appellant.
APPEAL from a judgment of the Superior Court of San Bernardino, Eric M.
Nakata, Judge. Affirmed as modified, remanded for resentencing.
Joanna McKim, under appointment by the Court of Appeal, for Defendant and
Appellant Marvin Deshawn Cage.
Melissa Hill, under appointment by the Court of Appeal, for Defendant and
Appellant Tobias Antonio Dunn.
Kamala D. Harris, Attorney General, Gerald A. Engler, Chief Assistant Attorney
General, Julie L. Garland, Assistant Attorney General, A. Natasha Cortina and Christine
Levingston Bergman, Deputy Attorneys General, for Plaintiff and Respondent.
A jury convicted Marvin Deshawn Cage and Tobias Antonio Dunn (Cage and
Dunn, together Appellants) of first degree murder (Pen. Code,1 § 187, subd. (a); count 1);
attempted first degree murder (§§ 664, subd. (a)/187, subd. (a); count 2); and street
terrorism (§ 186.22, subd. (a); count 3). With respect to counts 1 and 2, the jury found
certain hearsay evidence to be admitted at trial; (2) allowing an expert witness to testify
that another witness was afraid of Appellants and scared while testifying; and (3)
sentencing both Appellants based on a finding they personally used a firearm when the
jury made no such finding. In addition, Cage argues that substantial evidence does not
support his conviction for murder, attempted murder, and street terrorism. And Dunn
asserts the trial court improperly instructed the jury on the elements of street terrorism
and his trial counsel was constitutionally ineffective. We agree with Appellants that there
was no finding that either of them personally used a firearm and the trial court improperly
sentenced them, apparently assuming there was such a finding. However, we determine
that the rest of Appellants' claims are without merit or, even if the trial court erred,
Appellants were not prejudiced. As such, we affirm the judgment as modified and
remand the matter to the superior court for resentencing.
FACTUAL BACKGROUND
Prosecution
Appellants were members of the Poccet Hood Compton Crips criminal street gang.
Deshon Douglas was a member of the Front Hood criminal street gang and rival of
Poccet Hood. The rivalry was violent, and if two rival gang members encountered each
other on the street, they usually physically fought or, if they had guns, shot each other.
Douglas was engaged to Tamara Payton, and they were living together for six
months prior to Payton's death. Around November 24, 2012, Douglas was washing
Payton's car in their driveway on Serrano Road in Apple Valley when he noticed Cage
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parked at the curb in his grey Buick Park Avenue. As Douglas approached the car, Cage
drove away.
A day or two later, Douglas and Payton were at Grand Liquor store in Apple
Valley. Douglas saw Dunn sitting in the backseat of Cage's car and a woman sitting in
the front passenger seat. Inside the store, Douglas ran into Cage. Cage started laughing
or smirking, and yelled to Dunn, "He's one of them boys." Dunn got out of the car and
walked toward the door of the liquor store, but did not say anything to Douglas. Cage
asked Douglas where he was from. Douglas responded, "You know where I'm from."
Cage then said, "I'm from Poccet Hood. They call me Monster."
Douglas returned to his car and drove away with Payton. As they were driving,
Cage drove up behind them and acted like he was going to hit their car. Douglas wanted
to get out of his car, but Payton persuaded him to stay in the car and keep driving. After
they turned on Highway 18, Cage started swerving his car towards Douglas's, again
acting like he was going to hit Douglas's car. Douglas sped up, and Cage turned on to
another street.
On November 27, 2012, Douglas and Payton were getting ready to go to Long
Beach when Douglas realized the gas tank on Payton's car was leaking because someone
had stabbed it. Douglas and Payton thought James Ware might be responsible for the
punctured tank because Douglas and Ware had fought a few days earlier. Douglas and
Payton drove to AutoZone to get items to fix the tank. As they were driving, they saw
Cage driving in the opposite direction. Dunn was in the front passenger seat. Cage
swerved as if he was going to drive across the road, but then continued driving.
4
Around 5:00 p.m., when Douglas and Payton returned from AutoZone, Douglas
saw someone by the side of their house. Douglas drove up the 135-foot long driveway
and parked the car. Unbeknownst to Douglas, Cage and Dunn had driven to Serrano
Road with their friend Parrish Duren.2 Cage had told Duren that they needed to go take
care of business, and Cage and Dunn each grabbed handguns from under their seats and
walked toward Douglas and Payton's home. Cage had a nine-millimeter handgun, and
Dunn had a .380 caliber handgun. Duren got in the driver's seat of Cage's car and turned
it around to await their return.
As Douglas exited the car, Dunn began running toward him with a gun. Dunn
began shooting at him. Cage was standing near the end of the driveway. Douglas ran to
the passenger side of the car and threw Payton to the ground, trying to cover her. When
Dunn got close enough, he kicked Douglas off of Payton and shot her several times.
Dunn then ran back down the driveway. Holding guns in their hands, Dunn and Cage
returned to Cage's car, and Duren sped away. One of Douglas's neighbors saw the car as
Appellants fled, although the neighbor thought it was a Buick LaSabre, which is similar
to a Buick Park Avenue.
After the shooting, Douglas ran to his next door neighbor's house and asked her to
call 911. She had heard Payton's car drive up and then about three gunshots. Other
neighbors heard four to six gunshots, and then heard Douglas yelling for help. They
2 Duren pled guilty to voluntary manslaughter with a gang enhancement and received a 16-year prison sentence. 5
called 911 and went over to assist. Emergency personnel arrived and began attending to
Payton.
San Bernardino County Sheriff's Deputy Bryan Faylor responded to the scene and
spoke with Payton while she was in the ambulance. Faylor asked Payton if she knew the
identity of the shooter. She said she could not be certain because it was dark. Payton
explained that she had some problems with an old roommate, Ware, who was upset
because she made him move out. She repeated that she could not be sure who shot her
because it was dark.
San Bernardino County Sheriff's Deputy Jonathan Cahow spoke with Payton at the
hospital. Cahow asked Payton if she knew who shot her, or if there was anything going
on in her life that would make her think someone wanted to attack her. Payton did not
know who shot her. In response to the second part of his question, she said she recently
had separate issues with Ware and Cage. Payton said Ware was upset because she made
him move out. With respect to Cage, Payton relayed that Cage wanted to date her and
that he had been stalking her for a while. Payton told Cahow about the recent encounter
between Douglas and Cage at the liquor store. Payton also said the shooter was a skinny
African-American male who she thought looked like one of the people in the car with
Cage at the liquor store. Payton did not know why Cage would want to shoot her.
Payton ultimately died as a result of her gunshot wounds. She was shot multiple
times.
At the crime scene, Faylor found three .380 caliber shell casings. One was near
the left side of where the driveway turned, one was found on the passenger side of a
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parked El Camino, and the third was just off the driveway in the dirt. He also found a
.380 caliber bullet. The driver's side trunk of Payton's car was marked by a ricochet from
a bullet.
Douglas suffered two gunshot wounds, but they did not prove fatal. Douglas
initially declined to identify Dunn as the shooter because he intended to retaliate
personally. At the trauma center, he described the shooter as an African-American male
wearing a black hoodie sweatshirt and black pants. He did not identify anyone at that
time. He described an incident with Ware, a former roommate, which occurred a few
days before the shooting. At the hospital, Douglas told law enforcement that the shooter
was "AK" (Ware), and that the second person was too far away to identify.
San Bernardino County Sheriff's Deputy Joseph Steers subsequently searched
Cage's car. Inside of the car, Steers found a baseball cap with the letter "P" on the front.
Steers also found a pair of black gloves in a pouch on the back of the driver's seat.
Steers interviewed Dunn around December 21, 2012. Dunn admitted he was in
the High Desert area around the time of the shooting. Dunn said he did not know Payton,
but he had heard her nickname "Snickers." Dunn admitted he was a Poccet Hood gang
member. Dunn said his gang's rivals included Front Hood, and acknowledged that his
"PK" tattoo stood for Piru killer. At first Dunn denied any involvement in Payton's
murder. His story later changed and he admitted he was present when the murder
occurred. Dunn claimed that he acted as the lookout during the shooting, and denied
being the shooter. Dunn also initially said Duren was not there, but later said Duren was
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in the backseat and then became the getaway driver. Dunn identified both Duren and
Douglas in photographs.
Dunn also explained to Steers the various references to his gang on his Facebook
account, which was under the name "Dig 'Em Dulow." Dunn explained that the post
"FHK," stood for Front Hood Killer. "L36K" meant Largo Varrio 36 Killer, and "AFK"
stood for Acacia Spook Town and Farm Town Killer. Dunn noted that the post, "PH
Gang or don't bang, Fish head hunting, SSKNOT, basking, and ATF killas, knockin'
down Lagos," meant Poccet Hood gang or don't bang. Fish head is a derogatory term for
Front Hood, and Front Hood hunting as well as SSKNOT were disrespecting South Side
Compton Crips. "Phucc 'em all" meant "fuck 'em all" – Crips do not use a "c" and "k"
together because it means Crip killer.
Cage also agreed to be interviewed. Cage told detectives that he drove a 1994
Buick Park Avenue that was unique in color because sometimes it looked grey and other
times blue. Cage said that he and Payton were casual sex partners even though he knew
Payton had a boyfriend from Front Hood. Cage described the encounter with Douglas at
the liquor store as friendly. Cage said Douglas asked Cage where he was from, and Cage
was surprised by this question because everyone knew about Cage and his family's status
with Poccet Hood.
Regarding the day of the shooting, Cage went about his normal activities including
getting off work around 3:00 p.m. and getting home around 4:00 p.m. Cage heard about
the shooting about 30 minutes after it occurred from his cousin. Cage recited two
different stories about where he was when he received the call from his cousin. First, he
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said he was driving in the vicinity of the shooting when he received the call. He then said
he was traveling from Victorville to his aunt's house on Rim Rock, which also was in the
general vicinity of where the shooting occurred.
Cell phone records showed that Cage's cell phone was used in the vicinity of the
murder at the approximate time of the murder.
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Sergeant John Ganarial and Faylor testified as gang
experts. Poccet Hood aka Corner Poccet is a criminal street gang located in Compton
that is associated with the Crips. The common color for the gang was blue, and the
gang's common signs or symbols include the letters "PH" and "PHCC." Poccet Hoods
members often wear Pittsburgh Pirates clothing because of the "P" emblem.
In November 2012, the gang had over 100 members. The gang's geographic area
included Wilmington Avenue on the west, El Segundo to the north, Willowbrook to the
east, and Stockwell to the south. Nord Street was a street that ran through their territory.
Poccet Hood's rivals included Front Hood, Compton Crips, Lagos, and it also did not get
along with any Blood or Piru gangs. Poccet Hood's rivalry with Front Hood was long
standing and at times, could be violent. The gang's primary activities were shootings,
weapons possession, murder, robbery, burglaries, vandalism, and narcotics. Ganarial
discussed three predicate offenses committed by Poccet Hood gang members, a June 7,
2010 robbery; a July 1, 2010 murder; and possession of a firearm on July 4, 2009.
Ganarial viewed photographs of tattoos on Dunn and Cage. The first photograph
was a tattoo on the chest of Dunn of "PK" and "BK," with the "P" and "B" crossed out.
Ganarial explained that Crips often crossed out these letters to show disrespect to the
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Bloods and Pirus. The next tattoo on Dunn was "PHIP" with the "P's" crossed out. The
tattoo meant Poccet Hood In Peace, a sign of respect for the fellow Poccet Hood gang
members who have died. Dunn also had a tattoo that said "Compton Crip" with the "P's"
crossed out. Cage's tattoo's included "Poccet" and "CC," and "Nord Street" on his arms.
Faylor opined that Cage and Dunn were both Poccet Hood gang members.
Faylor explained the importance of respect and reputation in gangs. Faylor opined
that the crimes in this case were committed for the benefit of and in association with a
criminal street gang. There were two gang members from the same gang, and it benefited
the gang because it boosted their reputation, and placed fear and intimidation in the
community and as to rival gangs.
Faylor also testified that there was a problem with gang cases and gang members
testifying against each other. Faylor explained that Douglas's testimony regarding
wanting to retaliate himself and not get law enforcement involved was normal in the gang
culture. The prosecutor asked Faylor if Duren had a reason to not want to testify against
Cage and Dunn. Faylor said, yes, because Duren felt like a snitch and was fearful.
Faylor opined that as he watched Duren on the witness stand, Duren appeared afraid.
Faylor observed Duren looking at the prosecutor and answering the questions, and then
looking at Cage and Dunn and backpedaling and claiming either he did not know the
answer, or that he gave a false statement. In addition, when Faylor transported Duren
back to custody after he testified, Duren expressed how terrified he was of Cage and
Dunn.
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Defense
At trial, Appellants focused on the prosecution's failure to prove its case. To this
end, they both pointed out that the prosecution's key percipient witnesses, Douglas and
Duren, were not credible.
For example, Douglas never told the police that Cage was the shooter. When
Douglas received treatment at the trauma center after he was shot, Douglas described the
shooter as a black male wearing a black hoodie and black pants. He told the officer he
could see another person, but he was too far away to identify the person.
Contrary to his trial testimony, Douglas had previously told a couple people that
the shooter was Ware. Ware was a former roommate of Douglas and Payton. He also
explained that on Thanksgiving, he had an altercation with Ware after discovering Ware
stole things in the house. Douglas wanted Ware out of the house and told him he had to
leave. After the fight, Ware told Douglas: "It ain't over. . . . You ain't the only one with
guns. I got guns, too." Douglas told the police about the incident with Ware and said
Ware was the person who shot Payton and Douglas.
After Douglas told the police that Ware was the shooter, Ware was arrested.
Douglas admitted that did not want the shooter apprehended because he wanted to
personally retaliate. Douglas also testified that he talked about the incident with Ware,
and after doing so, he told the police that the shooter was Dunn.
At trial, Appellants also emphasized that Duren testified that he was lying when he
told detectives that he rode with Appellants in Cage's car to "take care of business" with
Douglas and Payton and served as the getaway driver. Instead, Duren said that he was
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pressured to tell the detectives that he played a role in Payton's murder because he wanted
to avoid a prison sentence of 50 years to life, which is what he claimed law enforcement
told him he would receive if he did not testify at Appellants' trial. During cross-
examination, Duren testified that he was not present during the shooting, had no idea
what happened or the identity of the shooter, or if either Cage or Dunn was involved.
DISCUSSION
I
THE ADMISSION OF WARE'S HEARSAY STATEMENTS
During cross-examination of Douglas, Dunn's trial counsel established that
Douglas had talked to Ware on the telephone after Payton was killed. Dunn's counsel
asked Douglas about the content of that conversation. Douglas replied, "He told me that
he didn't have nothing to do with it. He said he didn't have nothing to do with the
shooting." Cage's trial counsel objected on hearsay grounds. The trial court overruled the
objection, stating, "He's answering counsel's question. And that question called for
hearsay, but he nevertheless asked it. I'm going to let it in." Douglas admitted that after
this conversation with Ware he implicated Cage and Dunn in Payton's and Douglas's
shooting.
Douglas's testimony about what Ware said to him during their telephone
conversation is hearsay. It was an out-of-court statement offered for the truth of the
matter that Ware was not the shooter. (See Evid. Code, §1200, subd. (a).) Indeed, the
trial court admitted as much, but inexplicably allowed the evidence to be admitted over
objection. At trial, there was no discussion of any exception that would allow this
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hearsay to be properly admitted. The People offer no argument that the evidence was
admissible beyond their contention that Dunn's trial counsel asked the question that
elicited the hearsay. Finding no exception that would allow Douglas's testimony about
what Ware said to be admissible, we determine that the court abused its discretion in
overruling Cage's trial counsel's hearsay objections. (See People v. Alvarez (1996) 14
Cal.4th 155, 201.)
Having found error, we next consider whether it was prejudicial. If admission of
the hearsay statements violated a state statute alone, we apply the standard articulated in
People v. Watson (1956) 46 Cal.2d 818, and reverse only if there is a reasonable
probability of a result more favorable to the defendant in the absence of the error.
(People v. Duarte (2000) 24 Cal.4th 603, 618-619 [Watson standard applicable to state
law error in admission of hearsay].) If, on the other hand, the error violated Appellants'
confrontation clause rights, we must determine whether the error was harmless beyond a
reasonable doubt. (Chapman v. California (1967) 386 U.S. 18, 24.)
Cage and Dunn both claim that admission of Douglas's testimony regarding
Ware's statement violated their constitutional rights to a fair trial. The People counter,
arguing Appellants waived their constitutional claim of a denial of confrontation by
failing to make that specific objection at trial. We need not resolve this dispute because
we determine that the subject error was harmless under either the Chapman or Watson
standard.
There was strong evidence that Dunn was the shooter. Although Douglas initially
said it was Ware, he admitted it was actually Dunn and testified accordingly at trial.
13
Duren's account of what happened that night corresponded with Douglas's trial testimony.
During an interview with Steers, Dunn acknowledged he was at the scene, but he
minimized his participation in the crimes. Dunn corroborated Duren's statements about
Duren first being in the backseat of the car, and then being the getaway driver.
Before she died, Payton told Cahow that the shooter looked like the person who
was in the car when Douglas had the encounter with Cage at the liquor store. Dunn was
in the backseat of Cage's car that day. Shell casings found at the scene were .380 caliber;
the same caliber of the gun possessed by Dunn when he got out of and returned to the car.
Duren's description of what Dunn was wearing, a black hoodie, was corroborated by
Douglas's testimony.
As with Dunn, the evidence of Cage's guilt is compelling. Douglas also was a
rival gang member of Cage. The two had several recent hostile encounters leading up to
the shooting, including Cage parking his car in front of Douglas and Payton's house,
Cage challenging Douglas at the liquor store, and Cage repeatedly driving in a
threatening manner. In addition, there is evidence that Cage had some type of
relationship with Payton. Payton told police that Cage wanted to date her and had been
stalking her. Cage claimed that they had been lovers.
Cage's accomplice, Duren, directly implicated Cage (as well as Dunn) in the
shooting. Further, a neighbor saw a car similar to Cage's leaving the scene with its lights
off, implying that the driver was trying to avoid detection, and Cage's cell phone records
placed him near the site of the shooting around the time of the shooting. Finally, the fact
14
that Cage and Dunn are members of the same gang and hung out together further
implicated both of them in the crimes.
The overwhelming evidence established that Dunn was the shooter and Cage aided
and abetted Dunn in killing Payton and shooting Douglas. As such, any error in
admitting Ware's statements was harmless beyond a reasonable doubt.
Similarly, we are not persuaded by Dunn's claim that his trial counsel was
ineffective because he did not request a limiting instruction prohibiting the jury from
considering Ware's statements for the truth of the matter asserted. To show that trial
counsel's performance was constitutionally defective, an appellant must prove:
(1) counsel's performance fell below the standard of reasonableness, and (2) the
"deficient performance prejudiced the defense." (Strickland v. Washington (1984) 466
U.S. 668, 687 (Strickland).) Competency is presumed unless the record affirmatively
excludes a rational basis for trial counsel's choice. (People v. Ray (1996) 13 Cal.4th 313,
349 (Ray); People v. Musselwhite (1998) 17 Cal.4th 1216, 1260.) We reverse on the
ground of inadequate assistance on appeal only if the record affirmatively discloses no
rational tactical purpose for counsel's act or omission. (People v. Lucas (1995) 12
Cal.4th 415, 436-437 (Lucas); see Ray, supra, at p. 349.)
Dunn's claim of ineffective counsel arises from his trial counsel's failure to request
a limiting jury instruction. However, we generally defer to the tactical decisions of trial
counsel. (See People v. Scott (1997) 15 Cal.4th 1188, 1212; People v. Holt (1997) 15
Cal.4th 619, 703.) "[T]here is a 'strong presumption that counsel's conduct falls within
15
the wide range of reasonable professional assistance.' " (Lucas, supra, 12 Cal.4th at
p. 437, quoting Strickland, supra, 466 U.S. at p. 689.)
In his opening brief, Dunn suggests his counsel may have asked Douglas about the
content of his telephone conversation with Ware for the nonhearsay purpose of trying to
show that although Douglas believed Ware was the shooter, the two had reached an
agreement to blame someone else to allow Douglas and Ware to settle the matter on their
own. Although Douglas's testimony ultimately did not support Dunn's trial counsel's
theory of defense, it was the trial counsel's strategic decision to make as to the
appropriate extent of cross-examination. (See People v. Freeman (1994) 8 Cal.4th 450,
490.)
Also, it may very well be that Dunn's trial counsel had a solid, tactical reason for
not requesting a limiting instruction. Although counsel's question called for hearsay,
counsel may have been expecting a different answer. Request for a limiting instruction
may have called undue attention to Ware's statement. "A 'reasonable attorney may have
tactically concluded that the risk of a limiting instruction . . . outweighed the questionable
benefits such instruction would provide.' " (People v. Hernandez (2004) 33 Cal.4th 1040,
1053, quoting People v. Maury (2003) 30 Cal.4th 342, 394.) On the record before us, we
simply cannot reach the conclusion that no rational tactical purpose existed for Dunn's
trial counsel's failure to ask for a limiting instruction. (Lucas, supra, 12 Cal.4th at
pp. 436-437; Ray, supra, 13 Cal.4th at p. 349.)
Additionally, even if we were to find that Dunn's trial counsel's representation of
Dunn was deficient, Dunn's claim of ineffective counsel fails because he cannot show
16
prejudice. As we discuss above, the evidence against Dunn was extremely strong and the
admission of Ware's hearsay statements did not prejudice his defense.
II
THE EXPERT WITNESS'S OPINION THAT DUREN WAS AFRAID
Appellants claim that the trial court prejudicially erred when it permitted Faylor to
testify that Duren was afraid of Appellants and scared to testify. We agree that the trial
court erred in allowing Faylor to testify regarding Duren's fear of Appellants and
testifying, but such error was harmless.
At trial, the prosecutor asked Faylor whether there was a reason why Duren "may
or may not have wanted to testify against Mr. Cage and Mr. Dunn." Dunn's trial counsel
objected on grounds of speculation and lack of foundation when Faylor responded:
"Absolutely, I think that in Mr. Duren's case he is more fearful, feeling like a snitch. It's said many times the saying 'Snitches get stitches,' or 'Snitches get stitches or end up in ditches.' And they kind of live by that code. As a codefendant initially in the case, he really felt as a snitch that he was going to tell the truth and tell on other people that participated in the crime with him. And as he — as I sat here and watched him on the stand, he was deathly afraid."
The trial court overruled the objection and stated that this was "an opinion of a
gang expert." Then the prosecutor asked Faylor to elaborate further. Faylor responded:
"My personal opinion was — during [Duren's] testimony I was seated directly behind the defendants, and what I noticed was as he would be direct with you and answer your questions. . . . He would answer those questions. The second that he would look over to the defendants and make eye contact with them is when he would backpedal and start to say, I don't know. I said those things but they were false statements. And I watched that interaction between you, [the prosecutor], and as he looked over to the defendants becoming scared. That evening I transported Mr. Duren back to the jail and we
17
had a discussion about that. And he told me how terrified he was of the defendants Marvin Cage and Tobias Dunn."
The People argue that the trial court did not err in admitting Faylor's opinion,
likening the instant matter to People v. Gonzalez (2006) 38 Cal.4th 932 (Gonzalez). The
People's reliance on that case is misplaced.
In Gonzalez, the expert witness "merely answered hypothetical questions based on
other evidence the prosecution presented, which is a proper way of presenting expert
testimony." (Gonzalez, supra, 38 Cal.4th at p. 946.) The court noted "[t]he witness did
not express an opinion about whether the particular witnesses in this case had been
intimidated." (Id. at p. 947.) Here, in contrast, Appellants do not complain about Faylor
offering an opinion in response to hypothetical questions. Instead, Appellants emphasize
that Faylor offered an opinion that a specific witness (Duren) was afraid of Cage and
Dunn and afraid to testify against them. As such, Appellants contend Faylor's opinion
implied that Duren was lying when he stated he was not with Appellants when Payton
and Douglas were shot. We agree that Faylor was not providing an opinion based on a
hypothetical question, but instead, offered his opinion based on his observation of a
specific witness at trial. Gonzalez therefore is inapplicable.
A gang expert may testify on the culture and habits of criminal street gangs.
(Gonzalez, supra, 38 Ca1.4th at p. 944; People v. Ward (2005) 36 Ca1.4th 186, 210-211.)
For example, a gang expert may render a general opinion regarding the gang practice of
intimidating any gang member willing to testify at a criminal trial. (Gonzalez, supra, at
pp. 944-945.) From this kind of gang culture testimony, a jury may infer that a particular
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gang witness who has changed his story is lying. (Id. at p. 947.) However, an expert
witness may not testify about a specific witness at trial and ultimately offer an opinion
about his or her credibility. (See People v. Vang (2011) 52 Cal.4th 1038, 1047
["Obviously, there is a difference between testifying about specific persons and about
hypothetical persons."].)
We see little difference between an expert witness offering an opinion that states
that a specific witness was afraid to testify and thus lying during his testimony and
offering an opinion as to the guilt of a defendant. "A witness may not express an opinion
on a defendant's guilt. [Citations.] The reason for this rule is not because guilt is the
ultimate issue of fact for the jury, as opinion testimony often goes to the ultimate issue.
[Citations.] 'Rather, opinions on guilt or innocence are inadmissible because they are of
no assistance to the trier of fact. To put it another way, the trier of fact is as competent as
the witness to weigh the evidence and draw a conclusion on the issue of guilt.' " (People
v. Coffman and Marlow (2004) 34 Cal.4th 1, 77.)
Here, Faylor's opinion that Duren was afraid to testify as well as Faylor's
explanation that Duren was lying during trial was not helpful to the jury. The jury is as
competent as Faylor to weigh the evidence and determine if Duren was credible. Indeed,
this is the jury's role. (See People v. Jones (1990) 51 Cal.3d 294, 314 [At trial, "it is the
exclusive province of the . . . jury to determine the credibility of a witness and the truth
and falsity of the facts on which that determination depends."].) Thus, we determine that
the trial court abused its discretion when it allowed Faylor to testify directly that Duren
was afraid of Appellants and was afraid to testify against them.
19
Ironically, however, because Duren was so obviously afraid of Appellants and
testified as such, we conclude Faylor's improperly admitted opinion was not prejudicial.
When Duren first began to testify at trial, he admitted that he was scared to testify and did
not want to be a witness. He explained that he was worried that he would "either get beat
up or killed" for testifying. Then, on direct examination, Duren acknowledged that he
told the detective that he was the driver of Cage's car and was with Appellants on the date
Payton and Douglas were shot. He also admitted that he told the detective that
Appellants had guns, exited the car with those guns, Duren heard shots fired, and
Appellants returned to the car and Duren drove away with them. However, he told the
prosecutor that he was lying when he provided his statement to the detective. Duren then
admitted that if he testified at trial and affirmed what he had told the detective then he
could be "beat up or killed."
On cross-examination, Duren then said he was only testifying to avoid a longer
sentence and he had no idea who shot Payton or Douglas.
On redirect examination, Duren admitted that in gang culture, he would "get hurt
real bad" if he identified the shooter at trial. He then admitted that he could possibly be
killed if he admitted what he told the detective was true. Later, during redirect, Duren
appeared to admit he was in Cage's car and with Appellants on the date in question or, at
the very least answered questions agreeing as to what he told the detective, but he asked
to stop his testimony because he was too tired to continue.
Duren eventually testified later in the trial, but his testimony was less than clear.
20
Even in reviewing a cold record, it is apparent that Duren did not want to testify
and was afraid regarding what could happen to him if he identified either Cage or Dunn
as the shooter. In this sense, Faylor's testimony simply amplified what was happening at
trial. Although we agree with Appellants that the trial court should not have admitted
Faylor's opinion that Duren was afraid of Appellants, Duren's own testimony (some of
which was erratic) convincingly establishes that he was indeed afraid to testify against
Appellants. Therefore, we do not find that Appellants were prejudiced by the admission
of Faylor's opinion.3
III
SUBSTANTIAL EVIDENCE
Cage next argues the evidence was insufficient to support his conviction as an
aider and abetter for murder and attempted murder. We disagree.
We apply a substantial evidence standard of review to assess the sufficiency of the
evidence. We review the entire record in the light most favorable to the judgment to
determine whether it contains substantial evidence–that is, evidence that is reasonable,
credible, and of solid value–from which a reasonable trier of fact could find the defendant
guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. (People v. Steele (2002) 27 Cal.4th 1230, 1249.) We
presume in support of the judgment the existence of every fact that could reasonably be
deduced from the evidence. (People v. Kraft (2000) 23 Cal.4th 978, 1053.) We ask
3 Because we determine Appellants were not prejudiced, we reject Cage's claim that his trial counsel was prejudicially ineffective for failing to object on constitutional grounds to Faylor's testimony. 21
whether, after viewing the evidence in the light most favorable to the judgment, any
rational trier of fact could have found the allegations to be true beyond a reasonable
doubt. (See Jackson v. Virginia (1979) 443 U.S. 307, 319.)
"[A] person who aids and abets a crime is guilty of that crime even if someone
else committed some or all of the criminal acts." (People v. McCoy (2001) 25 Cal.4th
1111, 1117.) " 'A person aids and abets the commission of a crime when he . . . (i) with
knowledge of the unlawful purpose of the perpetrator, (ii) and with the intent or purpose
of committing, facilitating, or encouraging commission of the crime, (iii) by act or
advice, aids, promotes, encourages or instigates the commission of the crime.' " (People
v. Hill (1998) 17 Cal.4th 800, 851.)
"It is important to bear in mind that an aider and abettor's liability for criminal
conduct is of two kinds. First, an aider and abettor with the necessary mental state is
guilty of the intended crime. Second, under the natural and probable consequences
doctrine, an aider and abettor is guilty not only of the intended crime, but also 'for any
other offense that was a "natural and probable consequence" of the crime aided and
abetted.' [Citation.] Thus, for example, if a person aids and abets only an intended
assault, but a murder results, that person may be guilty of that murder, even if
unintended, if it is a natural and probable consequence of the intended assault." (People
v. McCoy, supra, 25 Cal.4th at p. 1117.) Factors relevant to whether a defendant is guilty
of aiding and abetting can include his presence at the scene of the crime, companionship,
and conduct before and after the offense. (See People v. Hill, supra, 17 Cal.4th at pp.
851-852; In re Juan G. (2003) 112 Cal.App.4th 1, 5.)
22
Here, the prosecution presented ample evidence showing Cage knew Dunn
intended to shoot Douglas and Payton, and that Cage intended to and did encourage or
facilitate Dunn in committing the crimes. Cage and Dunn were members of the same
gang, and they had a long standing violent rivalry with Front Hood gang members. A
few days before the crimes, Cage and Dunn encountered rival gang member Douglas at a
liquor store. Cage said to Dunn, "He's one of them boys." Cage then challenged Douglas
by asking "where are you from," and then telling Douglas, "You know where I'm from.
I'm from Poccet Hood. They call me Monster." Douglas went about his business and
returned to his car. As Douglas was driving, Cage started following him in his car and
acted like he was going to hit him. A few days later, when Cage was driving the opposite
direction of Douglas, Cage swerved, again acting like he was going to run into Douglas.
The night of the crime, Cage was again driving with Dunn in the front passenger
seat. Both were armed with handguns, and Cage knew where Douglas lived. They drove
to Douglas's house to "take care of business." Cage and Dunn approached the driveway,
and as Cage stood lookout, Dunn continued up the driveway, shooting Douglas and
Payton. Cage and Dunn then returned to Cage's car, with guns in their hands, and Duren
drove them away.
In addition, expert testimony regarding gangs showed that respect is highly
important to gang members and is earned by committing crimes such as assaults,
stabbings, and shootings on behalf of the gang. Gang members commit these crimes
against people who disrespect them. By committing the crimes in association with one
23
another, Cage and Dunn promoted their reputation, within the gang and in the
community.
Thus, substantial evidence established that Cage had the requisite intent to aid and
abet Dunn in committing the murder and attempted murder. The Poccet Hood gang
members were violent rivals of Front Hood gang member Douglas. Shortly after Douglas
disrespected Cage at the liquor store, Cage drove to Douglas's house, and stood armed
with a nine-millimeter handgun as lookout while Dunn, who had a .380, did the actual
shooting. The two then fled the crime scene together. Based on this evidence, the jury
could reasonably conclude that Cage and Dunn were on a mission to kill a rival gang
member and his fiancé, and Cage served as the lookout for his fellow gang member.4
IV
STREET TERRORISM JURY INSTRUCTION
Dunn contends the trial court prejudicially erred in instructing the jury concerning
the elements of street terrorism under the February 2013 version of the standard
CALCRIM No. 1400 on the ground it did not require the jury to find at least two gang
members of the same gang must have participated in the felony offense to find him
guilty. Dunn concedes his trial counsel did not object to CALCRIM No. 1400 or request
any clarifying instruction.
4 Cage also contends that if we found the evidence insufficient to support his conviction for murder and attempted murder then we should reverse his conviction for street terrorism as well. Because we find substantial evidence supports Cage's convictions for murder and attempted murder, we need not address his argument that we reverse his street terrorism conviction. 24
By failing to object to or request a specific jury instruction at trial, Dunn forfeited
this claim on appeal, unless the claimed error affected Dunn's substantial rights. (See
§ 1259; People v. Flood (1998) 18 Cal.4th 470, 482, fn. 7.) "Ascertaining whether
claimed instructional error affected the substantial rights of the defendant necessarily
requires an examination of the merits of the claim—at least to the extent of ascertaining
whether the asserted error would result in prejudice if error it was." (People v. Andersen
(1994) 26 Cal.App.4th 1241, 1249.) We conclude that Dunn has not shown that the
claimed error affected his rights; thus, he has forfeited his claim.
We review a claim of instructional error de novo. (People v. Posey (2004) 32
Cal.4th 193, 218.) "Review of the adequacy of instructions is based on whether the trial
court 'fully and fairly instructed on the applicable law.' " (People v. Ramos (2008) 163
Cal.App.4th 1082, 1088.) In determining whether error has been committed in giving
jury instructions, we consider the instructions as a whole and assume jurors are intelligent
persons, capable of understanding and correlating all jury instructions which are given.
(Ibid.) " 'Instructions should be interpreted, if possible, so as to support the judgment
rather than defeat it if they are reasonably susceptible to such interpretation.' " (Ibid.)
"The crucial assumption underlying our constitutional system of trial by jury is that jurors
generally understand and faithfully follow instructions." (People v. Mickey (1991) 54
Cal.3d 612, 689, fn. 17.)
Here the court instructed the jury under former CACLCRIM No. 1400 as follows:
"The defendants are charged in Count 3 with participating in a criminal street gang in violation of Penal Code Section 186.22(a).
25
"To prove that the defendants are guilty of this crime, the People must prove that,
"1. The defendants actively participated in a criminal street gang;
"2. When the defendants participated in the gang, they knew that the members of the gang engage in or have engaged in a pattern of criminal activity; and
"3. That the defendants willfully assisted, furthered, or promoted felonious conduct by members of the gang either by:
"(a) directly and actively committing a felony offense; or (b) aiding and abetting a felony offense.
"Active participation means involvement with a criminal street gang in a way that is more than passive or in name only."
Dunn and Cage committed the crimes in November 2012, and the trial
commenced on January 27, 2014. The trial court instructed with the February 2013
version of CALCRIM No. 1400.
In August 2013, the Judicial Council revised the instruction and, as relevant here,
added the paragraph, "At least two gang members must have participated in committing
the felony offense. The defendant may count as one of those members if you find that the
defendant was a member of the gang." (CALCRIM No. 1400 (Aug. 2013 supp.).) In
February 2014, the Judicial Council modified the first sentence to read, "At least two
members of that same gang must have participated in committing the felony offense."
(CALCRIM No. 1400 (2014).) Dunn's claim of error is based on the 2014 version of the
instruction.
However, CALCRIM No. 1400, as given in the instant matter, correctly informed
the jury that to find Appellants guilty of street terrorism (§ 186.22, subd. (a); count 3), it
26
had to find that Appellants had willfully assisted, furthered, or promoted felonious
criminal conduct by members of the gang either by (1) directly and actively committing a
felony offense or (2) aiding and abetting a felony offense. In other words, the word
"members" required that each of the Appellants' actions be in connection, in some way,
with another gang member. The instruction followed the statutory language for active
participation in a criminal street gang.5 It was correct statement of the law. Accordingly,
no instructional error occurred.
Moreover, we are not persuaded by Dunn's argument that the subject jury
instruction allowed the jury to convict the Appellants contrary to People v. Rodriguez
(2012) 55 Cal.4th 1125. In that case, our high court concluded "with section 186.22(a),
the Legislature sought to punish gang members who acted in concert with other gang
members in committing a felony regardless of whether such felony was gang related."
(Rodriguez, supra, at p. 1138, italics omitted.) This court followed Rodriguez to reverse
a defendant's conviction for street terrorism when there was insufficient evidence that the
defendant engaged in felonious criminal conduct with a member of the defendant's gang.
(People v. Velasco (2015) 235 Cal.App.4th 66, 76-78.) We are satisfied that Appellants'
convictions for street terrorism do not raise any of the concerns present in Rodriquez or
Velasco.
5 Section 186.22, subdivision (a) provides: "Any person who actively participates in any criminal street gang with knowledge that its members engage in or have engaged in a pattern of criminal gang activity, and who willfully promotes, furthers, or assists in any felonious criminal conduct by members of that gang, shall be punished by imprisonment in a county jail for a period not to exceed one year, or by imprisonment in the state prison for 16 months, or two or three years." 27
Here, the evidence plainly established Dunn committed the crimes in concert with
his fellow Poccet Hood gang member Cage. Further, the gang expert explained that the
crimes were committed in association with a criminal street gang because Cage and Dunn
were both Poccet Hood gang members. As such, we are not concerned that the jury could
have convicted Cage and Dunn for street terrorism without finding that they each
committed felonious conduct with another member of their gang.
Against this backdrop, even if we were to conclude the instruction given was
improper, we would not reverse the Appellants' convictions. Instructional error requires
reversal only if it is reasonably probable that the result would have been more favorable
had the court given the revised version of CALCRIM No. 1400. (People v. Lawley
(2002) 27 Cal.4th 102, 161 [failure to give revised version of CALJIC No. 3.18 held
harmless under the Watson standard].) The evidence overwhelmingly established that
both Cage and Dunn committed their felonies in connection with each other and both are
members of the same gang. Therefore, it is not reasonably probable Dunn or Cage would
have achieved a more favorable result if the court had given the additional paragraph in
the revised CALCRIM No. 1400.
V
APPELLANTS' RESPECTIVE SENTENCES
Lastly, Appellants contend, and the People correctly concede, the trial court erred
by imposing a 15-year minimum parole eligibility period under section 186.22,
subdivision (b)(5), on count 2 because the jury did not find that either Dunn or Cage
personally used or discharged a firearm in the commission of the offense. We agree.
28
The trial court sentenced Appellants on count 2 to an alternative term of 15 years
to life for the attempted, premeditated murder conviction pursuant to the jury finding that
the crime was committed in furtherance of a street gang as set forth under section 186.22,
subdivision (b)(5). As to Cage, this was tripled by virtue of his two prior strikes, to 45
years to life. As to Dunn, the 15 years to life was doubled because of his prior strike.
The trial court also imposed on both Appellants a term of 25 years to life on count 2 for
the jury's finding that a principal personally and intentionally discharged a firearm,
causing death to the victim.
As Appellants argue, the trial court erred by imposing both the firearm use
enhancement under section 12022.53, subdivision (d) and (e)(1), and the gang alternative
penalty under section 186.22, subdivision (b)(5), because there was no finding that either
Cage or Dunn personally used or personally discharged a firearm. (People v. Brookfield
(2009) 47 Cal.4th 583, 590 (Brookfield).)
Under section 12022.53, subdivision (e)(2), a defendant who does not personally
use a firearm cannot be punished under both section 186.22 and section 12022.53. In
choosing which of those two provisions to apply, the trial court must, consistent with
section 12022.53's subdivision (j), choose the provision that will result in a greater
sentence. (Brookfield, supra, 47 Cal.4th at pp. 596-597.) Here, the court erred by
sentencing Appellants under both sections. We thus remand the matter back to the
superior court for resentencing.
29
DISPOSITION
The judgment of conviction as to Dunn is affirmed. Regarding Dunn's sentence,
the matter is remanded to the superior court with directions to resentence Dunn consistent
with this opinion.
The judgment of conviction as to Cage is affirmed. Regarding Cage's sentence,
the matter is remanded to the superior court with directions to resentence Cage consistent
with this opinion.
HUFFMAN, Acting P. J.
WE CONCUR:
NARES, J.
McINTYRE, J.
30
AI Brief
AI-generated · verify before citing
Holding. The court held that the trial court erred in admitting hearsay evidence and expert testimony regarding a witness's fear, and improperly sentenced the defendants based on a firearm enhancement not found by the jury. The judgment was affirmed as modified and remanded for resentencing because the errors were harmless in light of the overwhelming evidence of guilt.
Issues
Did the trial court err in admitting hearsay statements regarding a third party's denial of involvement?
Did the trial court err in allowing a gang expert to testify that a witness was afraid of the defendants?
Did the trial court err in sentencing defendants for personal firearm use when the jury made no such finding?
Disposition. Affirmed as modified, remanded for resentencing.
Quotations verified verbatim against the opinion
“We agree with Appellants that there was no finding that either of them personally used a firearm and the trial court improperly sentenced them, apparently assuming there was such a finding.”
“We determine that the court abused its discretion in overruling Cage's trial counsel's hearsay objections.”
“We agree that the trial court erred in allowing Faylor to testify regarding Duren's fear of Appellants and testifying, but such error was harmless.”