Title: P. v. Boyette

State: california

Issuer: California Supreme Court

Document:

Filed 2/11/03 
 
 
 
IN THE SUPREME COURT OF CALIFORNIA 
 
 
 
THE PEOPLE, 
) 
 
 
) 
 
Plaintiff and Respondent, 
) 
 
 
) 
S032736 
 
v. 
) 
 
 
) 
MAURICE BOYETTE, 
) 
 
) 
Alameda County 
 
Defendant and Appellant. 
) 
Super. Ct. No. 114009B 
___________________________________ ) 
 
MODIFICATION OF OPINION 
 
THE COURT: 
 
The opinion herein, filed December 2, 2002, appearing at 29 Cal.4th 381, is 
modified as follows: 
 
1. 
Delete the first full paragraph on page 423 and replace it with the 
following paragraph: 
 
“Defendant also contends the trial court used the wrong standard in 
assessing whether he had established a prima facie showing of group bias.  He 
claims he need only ‘raise an inference’ of such bias, whereas we have held he 
must ‘show a strong likelihood’ of such bias.  (See Wade v. Terhune (9th Cir. 
2000) 202 F.3d 1190 [discussing a perceived difference between the two 
standards].)  However, as we have explained, ‘in California, a “strong likelihood” 
means “a reasonable inference.” ’  (People v. Box (2000) 23 Cal.4th 1153, 1188, 
fn. 7; see People v. Wheeler (1978) 22 Cal.3d 258, 280-281.)  Moreover, even 
 
 2
assuming arguendo that the two standards were different, and that the ‘reasonable 
inference’ standard were more lenient, the court’s ruling finding that defendant 
had not established a prima facie showing of group bias was supportable.” 
 
2. 
Delete the words “guilt phase” in line 9 of the ninth full paragraph 
on page 455 of the opinion and replace it with “penalty phase.” 
This modification does not affect the judgment.