California Court of Appeal Mar 3, 2016 No. D069447Unpublished
Filed 3/3/16 P. v. Love CA4/1 NOT TO BE PUBLISHED IN OFFICIAL REPORTS California Rules of Court, rule 8.1115(a), prohibits courts and parties from citing or relying on opinions not certified for publication or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 This opinion has not been certified for publication or ordered published for purposes of rule 8.1115.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, D069447
Plaintiff and Respondent,
v. (Super. Ct. No. FVI1301553)
TYRUS FORD LOVE,
Defendant and Appellant.
APPEAL from a judgment of the Superior Court of San Bernardino County, Eric
M. Nakata, Judge. Affirmed and remanded with directions.
Michael B. McPartland, 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, Kristin A.
Gutierrez Deputy Attorneys General, for Plaintiff and Respondent.
A jury convicted Tyrus F. Love of attempted murder (Pen. Code, §§ 647, 187,
subd. (a)1; count 1) and assault with a firearm (§ 245, subd. (a)(2); count 2). As to count
1, the jury found Love (1) personally inflicted great bodily injury under section 12022.7,
subdivision (a); (2) personally and intentionally discharged a handgun causing great
bodily injury under section 12022.53, subdivisions (b) through (d); and (3) committed the
offense for the benefit of a criminal street gang in violation of section 186.22, subdivision
(b)(1)(C). As to count 2, the jury found Love (1) personally used a handgun under
section 12022.5, subdivisions (a) and (d); (2) personally inflicted great bodily injury
under section 12022.55; and (3) committed the offense for the benefit of a criminal street
gang in violation of section 186.22, subdivision (b)(1)(C). The trial court found Love
had two prior strike convictions and sentenced Love to a total prison term of 70 years to
life.
On appeal, Love asserts the court erred by (1) admitting into evidence statements
he made to a jail intake officer concerning his gang affiliation and (2) failing to instruct
the jury on the lesser included offense of attempted voluntary manslaughter based on a
theory of unreasonable self-defense. Love also contends insufficient evidence supported
the gang enhancements to his sentence and that he was denied the effective assistance of
counsel because his attorney failed to request the trial court dismiss one of his prior strike
convictions. Finally, Love contends, and the Attorney General concedes, the abstract of
judgment should be corrected to reflect the actual sentence imposed. We conclude
counsel was ineffective in failing to request that the court strike one of Love's strike
1 Statutory references are to the Penal Code. 2
priors and, therefore, vacate Love's sentence and remand with directions to hold a new
sentencing hearing. The judgment is otherwise affirmed.
BACKGROUND
A. Evidence of the Underlying Offense
On the evening of April 30, 2013, Love and his friends Reginald Malone and
Elnora Jamison, who had all known each other for many years, were hanging out at the
apartment complex where Love and Malone lived. Around dinner time, Jamison told
Malone they needed to get food for their children, who were at home at Jamison's
apartment in another nearby apartment complex. Neither Jamison nor Malone had a car,
so Love agreed to drive them to a nearby pizza place. Malone rode in the front passenger
seat and Jamison rode in the back. When they got to the restaurant, Jamison went inside
to pick up the pizza, returned to the car, and Love drove them to Jamison's apartment.
Love pulled into the apartment complex and stopped in front of Jamison's first
floor apartment. Jamison got out of the car with the pizza and went into her apartment.
Corey Donald and two other men were sitting nearby, at the top of a staircase leading to
Donald's second-story apartment above Jamison's apartment. Donald testified that after
Jamison got out of Love's car, he heard someone from the car make disrespectful
statements to him and his companions.2 Donald testified he heard one of the men yell
out "bitch ass, nigga, fuck boy," "bitch made," or "punk ass mark."
2 Donald could not be located for trial and the court found he was unavailable to testify. As a result, his preliminary hearing testimony was read for the jury. 3
Donald and the two other men responded by walking down the stairs towards
Love's car. As Donald walked down the stairs, Love drove away from him towards the
street, and then reversed back toward Donald. Donald and his friends reached the
parking lot and seconds later Donald saw gunfire come from the driver's side window of
Love's car. Donald and other witnesses heard five or six gunshots fired. Donald and his
two companions turned and ran back up the stairs. Before Donald reached the staircase
he was shot in the buttocks. Donald testified that he did not see the individual that fired
the shots or the passenger in the car, but he was able to indentify Love's car.
Malone also gave an account of the incident. He testified there were seven or
more young males hanging out at the top of the staircase with Donald. Malone saw the
men pointing at the car he was in with Love and testified that it "looked like they had a
problem." Malone stated that after Love turned the car around to pull out of the
apartment complex, three or four of the men came running down the stairs toward the car.
Malone testified that as Donald ran down the staircase Donald said "What the hell are
you looking at, Cuz."
As Donald and his companions moved toward the car, Malone recalled Love
saying "these niggas running up on the car." Malone testified "it was a scared
moment. . . . they were running up on the car to come after us." Malone said he looked
over at Love and saw him shooting backwards and over his shoulder out of the window
as he drove out of the parking lot. Malone then saw Love put the gun down on the floor
of the car as Love drove back to their apartment complex. Malone stated he was angry
with Love for shooting towards the apartment where his children were. As a result, the
4
two men got into an altercation that was witnessed by other residents. The men
eventually separated back to their own apartments. The following morning Malone went
back to Jamison's apartment and spoke with Donald's girlfriend. Malone told her he was
not involved in the incident and did not want any part of retaliation. Malone testified he
knew Donald to be a gang member.
B. Gang Evidence
Jamison testified that she knew Love to be a gang member and that he had a "high
rep" for being "hard in the streets." Rialto Police Officer Gregory Marquez and San
Bernardino County Sherriff's Department Deputy Eric Stoll testified as gang experts.
Both officers testified Love was a member of a small Rialto gang known as Noe Luv.
The officers identified Love as a member of the gang based on his extensive array of
gang-related tattoos.3 Noe Luv has 25-30 active members and, according to Marquez, is
known to be hostile to all other area gangs. Stoll also testified Noe Luv is a notoriously
violent gang and its members are known as willing to confront anyone that challenges
them, regardless of whether the challenger is a gang member. Marquez gave details
about four prior offenses for which other Noe Luv members had been convicted.
With respect to Love's alleged crime, Marquez testified that Love's statement that
Donald was a "mark" meant that Donald was marked for a bullet and that Love was
telling Donald that he was "going to get shot." Marquez testified the statement was "a
3 Stoll also stated his opinion was based on Love's admission to a jail intake classification deputy that he was a member of the gang. The classification deputy, Mark Reynoso, was also called as a witness and testified that during the booking process Love told Reynoso he was a member of the Noe Luv gang and that he was not a dropout (i.e. former member) of the gang. 5
warning almost, mark ass bitch, you're wanted" and that in gang subculture the term is
used to "label someone who has got a hit out on them." Stoll asserted that whenever a
gang member possesses a firearm the reputation of the member and of the gang is
enhanced because other gang members and rival gangs know to fear that member. Both
experts testified that Love's alleged crimes were done in association with the Noe Luv
gang and to benefit the gang. Stoll asserted Love benefitted personally from the crime
because he will "be looked at as a member that's willing to take care of business, that's
not soft, and is willing to commit violent crimes on behalf of the gang."
C. Jury Verdict and Sentencing
Following a seven day trial, the jury found Love guilty on count 1, non-
premeditated attempted murder, and count 2, assault with a firearm. The jury further
found Love had (1) used a firearm, discharged a firearm, and discharged a firearm
causing great bodily injury during the commission of count 1; (2) used a firearm, and
discharged a firearm from a motor vehicle causing great bodily injury during the
commission of count 2; (3) inflicted great bodily injury during the commission of both
offenses; and (4) committed both offenses for the benefit of a criminal street gang. At the
subsequent trial on the prosecution's strike prior allegations, the trial court found Love
had two prior serious felony convictions within the meaning of the Three Strikes law.
Love's counsel indicated his intention to submit a sentencing brief, and to bring a motion
for new trial as well as an application to strike under People v. Superior Court (1996) 13
Cal.4th 497 (Romero).
6
Thereafter, the defense brought an unsuccessful new trial motion asserting the
evidence was not sufficient to support the attempted murder conviction and that new
evidence, not available at trial, could result in a not guilty verdict. Love's counsel did not
request the court strike either strike prior conviction. The court sentenced Love to a total
prison term of 70 years to life. The term consisted of 45 years to life (15 years to life
tripled under the Three Strikes law) on count 1 plus 25 years to life consecutive on the
enhancement to that count under section 12022.53, subdivision (d). The court imposed
and stayed additional terms on the three other enhancements attendant to count 1. The
court sentenced Love to a term of 27 years to life on count 2 and stayed the sentence
pursuant to section 654, and imposed and stayed additional terms for each of the three
enhancements attendant to count 2.
DISCUSSION
I
Admission of Love's Booking Testimony
Love contends the court's admission of his statements to Officer Reynoso
constituted a violation of the Fifth Amendment because he was not first advised of his
rights under Miranda v. Arizona (1966) 384 U.S. 436. He asserts this error was
prejudicial because without the admission of this testimony, the evidence did not show he
was a member of the Noe Luv gang at the time of the incident.
Citing People v. Gomez (2011) 192 Cal.App.4th 609, the Attorney General
explains that at the time of trial, "case authority supported the proposition that routine
questions during booking about gang affiliation, posed for security purposes and not
7
designed to elicit an incriminating response, fell within Miranda's booking exception."
The Attorney General concedes, however, that after Love's trial the California Supreme
Court rejected the exception outlined in Gomez. In People v. Elizalde (2015) 61 Cal.4th
523 (Elizalde), the Supreme Court held that while police may ask questions to address
jail security concerns, when police know or should know that such an inquiry is
reasonably likely to elicit an incriminating response from the suspect, the suspect's
responses are not admissible in a subsequent criminal proceeding unless the initial
inquiry has been preceded by Miranda admonishments. (Elizalde, supra, at pp. 527, 538,
fn. 9.) Nonetheless, "[t]he erroneous admission of a defendant's statements obtained in
violation of the Fifth Amendment is reviewed for prejudice under the beyond a
reasonable doubt standard of Chapman v. California (1967) 386 U.S. 18. [Citations.]
That test requires the People here 'to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the error
complained of did not contribute to the verdict obtained.' (Chapman, at p. 24.)"
(Elizalde, supra, at p. 542.)
Recognizing the rule announced in Elizalde, the Attorney General does not assert
the statements at issue were properly admitted. Instead, the Attorney General argues
there was ample additional, independent evidence of Love's gang membership such that
the error was harmless beyond a reasonable doubt. We agree. Love's gang membership
was convincingly established by other evidence, including pictures of Love's extensive
array of Noe Luv tattoos, many of which were visible when Donald was shot, and the
testimony of the People's gang expert witnesses who stated the tattoos showed Love's
8
active gang membership. Specifically, Stoll testified that gang tattoos show an allegiance
to the gang until the tattoos are either removed or covered.
Further, Marquez stated he was aware of Love's membership in Noe Luv from his
investigations of the gang. The fact was also supported by Jamison's testimony
indentifying Love as a gang member. Accordingly, we conclude the admission of the
challenged statements was harmless beyond a reasonable doubt.
II
Gang Enhancements
Love next contends insufficient evidence supported the jury's true findings on the
gang enhancement allegations under section 186.22, subdivision (b). Specifically, Love
argues that the prosecution failed to establish that members of the Noe Luv gang engaged
in a pattern of criminal activity as required under section 186.22, subdivision (e).
A
" 'In considering a challenge to the sufficiency of the evidence to support an
enhancement, 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. [Citation.] We presume every fact in
support of the judgment the trier of fact could have reasonably deduced from the
evidence. [Citation.] If the circumstances reasonably justify the trier of fact's findings,
reversal of the judgment is not warranted simply because the circumstances might also
reasonably be reconciled with a contrary finding. [Citation.] "A reviewing court neither
9
reweighs evidence nor reevaluates a witness's credibility." [Citation.]' " (People v.
Livingston (2012) 53 Cal.4th 1145, 1170.) "The relevant facts must, however, meet the
statutory requirements for a gang enhancement in order for it to apply." (People v.
Garcia (2014) 224 Cal.App.4th 519, 523 (Garcia).)
"Section 186.22, subdivision (b)(1)[,] provides for a sentence enhancement for
'any person who is convicted of a felony committed for the benefit of, at the direction of,
or in association with any criminal street gang, with the specific intent to promote,
further, or assist in any criminal conduct by gang members. . . .' " (Garcia, supra, 224
Cal.App.4th at p. 523.) The statute defines a "criminal street gang" as "any ongoing
organization, association, or group of three or more persons, whether formal or informal,
having as one of its primary activities the commission of one or more of the criminal acts
enumerated [within the statute], having a common name or common identifying sign or
symbol, and whose members individually or collectively engage in or have engaged in a
pattern of criminal gang activity." (§ 186.22, subd. (f).) In turn, section 186.22,
subdivision (e), "defines a 'pattern of criminal gang activity' as 'the commission of,
attempted commission of, conspiracy to commit, or solicitation of, sustained juvenile
petition for, or conviction of two or more of the [enumerated offenses], provided at least
one of these offenses occurred after the effective date of this chapter and the last of those
offenses occurred within three years after a prior offense, and the offenses were
committed on separate occasions, or by two or more persons . . . .' " (Garcia, supra, at
p. 523, italics added.)
10
B
Love contends the gang enhancements must be reversed because the prosecution
failed to establish that the most recent conviction by a member of Noe Luv occurred
within three years of the charged offenses. The prosecution presented testimony from
Officer Marquez concerning prior convictions of four other Noe Luv members. Marquez
stated that the most recent relevant crime was committed by Noe Luv member Marselle
Thompson, who was convicted of possession of firearm by an ex-felon on September 7,
2012. Love asserts the relevant date is the day Thompson committed the crime and that
there was no evidence presented to establish that date. Love's assertion is not well taken.
The District Attorney asked Marquez about the convictions of four Noe Luv gang
members. With each of the first three Noe Luv members, Marquez established the date
of the conviction, followed by the date the crime was committed. The prosecutor then
asked Marquez if he was familiar with Thompson. Marquez responded affirmatively.
Following the established pattern of questioning, the prosecutor asked Marquez: "Date of
birth July 2, 1989, convicted on September 7, 2012 of felon in possession of a firearm?"
Marquez responded "Yes." The prosecutor then asked: "Date of conviction on or about
December 4th, 2011." To which Marquez also responded "Yes."
Love asserts the two quoted questions created ambiguity about the date of
conviction and provide no evidence establishing Thompson committed the crime within
the relevant time period. However, when the colloquy about Thompson is considered in
the context of the pattern of questioning by the prosecutor, it was reasonable for the jury
to conclude that the second and earlier date, December 4, 2011, was the date the crime
11
was committed, and not the date of conviction, which had just been established. This
testimony sufficiently established Thompson committed the offense after April 30, 2010,
and within three years of the date Love was alleged to have committed the instant
crimes.4
III
Failure to Instruct on Lesser Included Offense
Love asserts the trial court erred by failing to instruct the jury, sua sponte, on the
lesser included offense of attempted voluntary manslaughter based on a theory of
imperfect, or unreasonable, self-defense. He contends the record contains substantial
evidence to absolve him of attempted murder and justify a conviction of voluntary
manslaughter.
A
A trial court has a sua sponte obligation to instruct on a lesser included offense
when the offense is supported by evidence. (People v. Breverman (1998) 19 Cal.4th 142,
154, 162.) The duty to instruct does not arise if there is " 'any evidence, no matter how
weak' " in support of the lesser offense, but rather only arises if there is evidence
" 'substantial enough to merit consideration' by the jury." (Ibid.) Substantial evidence
exists if there is evidence that a reasonable jury could find persuasive. (Ibid.) In
deciding whether there is substantial evidence to warrant the instruction, the court should
not evaluate the credibility of witnesses and should resolve doubts in favor of giving the
4 The minute order for Thompson's conviction is dated September 7, 2012, and does not list the date the offense was committed. 12
instruction. (Ibid.; see People v. Strozier (1993) 20 Cal.App.4th 55, 63.) If the evidence
in support of the lesser offense is " 'minimal and insubstantial,' " however, the court need
not give the instruction. (People v. Barton (1995) 12 Cal.4th 186, 201 (Barton).)
Attempted voluntary manslaughter based on unreasonable self-defense is a lesser
included offense of attempted murder. (Barton, supra, 12 Cal.4th at pp. 200-201.) If the
defendant actually, but unreasonably, believed there was an imminent danger of death or
great bodily injury, the defendant is deemed to have acted without malice and is guilty
only of attempted voluntary manslaughter. (People v. Manriquez (2005) 37 Cal.4th 547,
581.) The trial court has a sua sponte duty to instruct on this theory "whenever the
evidence is such that a jury could reasonably conclude that the defendant [acted] in the
unreasonable but good faith belief in having to act in self-defense." (Barton, supra, at p.
201.)
Unreasonable self-defense requires the defendant actually believe (1) there is a
danger of harm and (2) that the harm is imminent. (People v. Manriquez, supra, 37
Cal.4th at p. 581.) " '[T]he doctrine is narrow. It requires without exception that the
defendant must have had an actual belief in the need for self-defense. . . . Fear of future
harm—no matter how great the fear and no matter how great the likelihood of the harm—
will not suffice. The defendant's fear must be of imminent danger to life or great bodily
injury. ' " '[T]he peril must appear to the defendant as immediate and present and not
prospective or even in the near future. An imminent peril is one that, from appearances,
must be instantly dealt with.' " ' " (Ibid., italics omitted.) "On appeal, we apply a de novo
standard of review." (Ibid.)
13
B
Here, the record is devoid of evidence suggesting Love had an actual belief in the
need for self-defense against imminent danger. In support of his argument, Love points
to Malone's testimony. Malone first testified that while Donald and his companions were
at the top of the stairs, Malone "couldn't hear really what they were saying. It just looked
like they had a problem." Malone also testified that when Donald was halfway down the
staircase, heading toward the car, Donald stated "What the hell are you looking at, Cuz?"
and Love asserts this evidence shows he believed he was in imminent danger of being
gravely injured. We disagree.
Malone did not testify he feared for his own life in that "scared moment," or that
he thought Love held such a fear. In fact, Malone testified that as Donald came down the
stairs towards the car, Love stated to Malone "Look at this Nigga coming up on the car."
This statement does not suggest Love had an imminent fear for his safety. Further,
Donald and his companions were on foot while Love was driving a car that was pointed
away from Donald. Malone and Donald testified Love had started to drive away from
Donald by the time he fired a gun and Love fired the gun over his shoulder and
backwards out of his window. We do not agree with Love's assertion that Donald's
antagonizing statement and Malone's testimony that it was a "scared moment" showed
Love had an actual fear of imminent harm. The court did not err by failing to provide an
imperfect self-defense instruction.
14
IV
Ineffective Assistance of Counsel
Love contends he received ineffective assistance of counsel because his attorney
failed to request the dismissal of one of his prior strike offenses under the authority of
Romero, supra, (1996) 13 Cal.4th 497. The Attorney General responds that the
circumstances did not warrant such a request and even if they did, Love has not
established he was prejudiced by his counsel's failure.
A
"Under both the Sixth Amendment to the United States Constitution and article I,
section 15, of the California Constitution, a criminal defendant has the right to the
assistance of counsel." (People v. Ledesma (1987) 43 Cal.3d 171, 215.) That right
"entitles the defendant not to some bare assistance but rather to effective assistance."
(Ibid.) A defendant claiming ineffective assistance of counsel has the burden to show:
(1) counsel's performance was deficient, falling below an objective standard of
reasonableness under prevailing professional norms; and (2) the deficient performance
resulted in prejudice. (Strickland v. Washington (1984) 466 U.S. 668, 687 (Strickland);
Ledesma, supra, at pp. 216, 218.) Prejudice is shown when "there is a reasonable
probability that, but for counsel's unprofessional errors, the result of the proceeding
would have been different. A reasonable probability is a probability sufficient to
undermine confidence in the outcome." (Strickland, supra, at p. 694.)
In addition,"[r]eviewing courts reverse convictions on direct appeal on the ground
of incompetence of counsel only if the record on appeal demonstrates there could be no
15
rational tactical purpose for counsel's omissions." (People v. Lucas (1995) 12 Cal.4th
415, 442; see also People v. Anderson (2001) 25 Cal.4th 543, 569 ["When a claim of
ineffective assistance is made on direct appeal, and the record does not show the reason
for counsel's challenged actions or omissions, the conviction must be affirmed unless
there could be no satisfactory explanation"].)
B
In Romero, supra, 13 Cal.4th at pages 529-530, the California Supreme Court held
that section 1385, subdivision (a), permits a court acting on its own motion and "in
furtherance of justice" to strike prior felony conviction allegations in cases brought under
the Three Strikes law. Although the Legislature has not defined the phrase "in
furtherance of justice" contained in section 1385, subdivision (a), the California Supreme
Court has held that this language requires a court to consider both the " ' "constitutional
rights of the defendant, and the interests of society represented by the People" ' " in
determining whether to strike a prior felony conviction allegation. (Romero, supra,
13 Cal.4th at p. 530 (italics omitted).)
In People v. Williams (1998) 17 Cal.4th 148, 161, the court explained that, in
determining whether to strike or vacate a prior strike allegation or finding under the
Three Strikes law "in furtherance of justice" pursuant to section 1385, subdivision (a), the
trial court "must consider whether, in light of the nature and circumstances of his present
felonies and prior serious and/or violent felony convictions, and the particulars of his
background, character, and prospects, the defendant may be deemed outside the [Three
Strikes law's] spirit, in whole or in part, and hence should be treated as though he had not
16
previously been convicted of one or more serious and/or violent felonies." A relevant,
indeed "overarching consideration," in determining whether it is appropriate to strike a
prior conviction allegation is the length of the defendant's sentence. (People v. Garcia
(1999) 20 Cal.4th 490.) " 'Ultimately, a court must determine whether "the defendant
may be deemed outside the scheme's spirit, in whole or in part." [Citation.]' " (People v.
Zichwic (2001) 94 Cal.App.4th 944, 960.)
C
Love contends his counsel's failure to bring an application to strike one of his prior
strike allegations fell below the standard of conduct expected of a reasonably competent
criminal attorney because Love's case falls "outside the spirit of the [T]hree [S]trikes
laws" and a sentence of 70 years to life in this case is unjust. In support of this assertion,
Love characterizes his two prior strike offenses (both burglaries) as "not that serious" and
notes they were committed within eight months of each other when he was very young,
just 18 and 19 years old. Love also points to the antagonistic actions of his victim as a
justification for his own conduct, and contends his prospects of reform are good because
at the time he was arrested he had stable housing and held a job.
We agree with Love that his attorney's failure to bring an application to strike one
of his prior strike allegations fell below the standard of conduct expected of a reasonably
competent defense attorney. Indeed, Love's counsel indicated his intention to do so at the
trial on the strike priors, but failed to follow through. There was no detriment to filing
such a request and no ascertainable tactical reason to forego it. The 15-year reduction in
17
sentence that Love could receive, in effect preventing the imposition of a de facto
sentence of life without parole, is significant.
The Attorney General's response to Love's ineffective assistance assertion is that
this is not a case in which the court would exercise discretion under section 1385,
subdivision (a), to strike a strike prior conviction. The Attorney General asserts that even
if the request were made, counsel's failure to do so was not prejudicial because the
request would not have been granted.
This court, however, is not tasked with determining a Romero request in the first
instance. Rather, such requests are matters vested in the sound discretion of the trial
court, which must determine whether, considering all the circumstances before it, the
interests of justice would be served by dismissing a prior strike conviction. (See, e.g.
People v. Zichwic, supra, 94 Cal.App.4th at p. 961 ["An appellate court is not authorized
to substitute its judgment of the relative weights of aggravating and mitigating factors
properly considered by the trial court"].) We are hesitant to vest this discretionary
determination in this court under the rubric of predicting the likely outcome of a Romero
request. In light of the length of the sentence imposed here, we cannot say with certainty
that had a Romero request been made there is no reasonable probability that the trial court
would not have granted it.
Therefore, we vacate the sentence imposed on Love and remand with directions
that the trial court conduct a new sentencing hearing at which it can consider a Romero
request by Love. (See § 1260 ["The court may reverse, affirm, or modify a judgment or
order appealed from . . . and may, if proper, remand the cause to the trial court for such
18
further proceedings as may be just under the circumstances"].) We emphasize, however,
that we express no opinion as to whether such a request should be granted by the trial
court. Our role is limited solely to ensuring Love has the opportunity to be heard.
V
Correction of Abstract of Judgment
The parties agree the abstract of judgment contains an error and does not
accurately reflect the sentence imposed by the trial court. Specifically, the abstract states
a sentence of 70 years to life, rather than 45 years to life, was imposed on count 1 and
that a 25-year term was imposed on the enhancement for discharging a firearm causing
great bodily injury. Because we remand for resentencing so that Love can bring a
Romero request, the issue is moot. The new abstract of judgment should accurately
reflect the sentence ultimately imposed.
DISPOSITION
The sentence is vacated and the cause is remanded to the trial court with directions
to hold a new sentencing hearing to consider a Romero request. In all other respects, the
judgment is affirmed.
HUFFMAN, Acting P. J.
WE CONCUR:
McDONALD, J.
AARON, J.
19
AI Brief
AI-generated · verify before citing
Holding. The court held that trial counsel provided ineffective assistance by failing to request that the court strike one of the defendant's prior strike convictions, necessitating a remand for a new sentencing hearing. The court otherwise affirmed the judgment, finding that the erroneous admission of the defendant's booking statements was harmless and that sufficient evidence supported the gang enhancements.
Issues
Whether the admission of the defendant's booking statements regarding gang affiliation violated the Fifth Amendment.
Whether sufficient evidence supported the gang enhancements under Penal Code section 186.22.
Whether the trial court erred by failing to instruct the jury on attempted voluntary manslaughter based on unreasonable self-defense.
Whether trial counsel was ineffective for failing to move to strike a prior strike conviction.
Disposition. Affirmed and remanded with directions.