1

Filed 12/26/23 P. v. Jones CA1/5

NOT TO BE PUBLISHED IN OFFICIAL REPORTS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 This opinion has not been certified for publication or 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.

IN THE COURT OF APPEAL OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA

FIRST APPELLATE DISTRICT

DIVISION FIVE

THE PEOPLE,

Plaintiff and Respondent,

v.

THOMAS DEAN JONES,

Defendant and Appellant.

 A165177

 (Mendocino County

 Super. Ct. No.

 SCUKCRCR2036203)

Defendant, who represented himself at trial, was convicted by a jury of 

first degree murder (Pen. Code, §§ 187, subd. (a), 189; count one)

1 and 

attempted first degree murder (§§ 187, subd. (a), 664; count two). As to the 

murder count, the jury found true the special circumstances that the murder 

was committed for financial gain (§ 190.2, subd. (a)(1)) and by lying in wait 

(§ 190.2, subd. (a)(15)). The jury also found true the allegation that 

defendant personally discharged a firearm causing great bodily injury or 

death (§ 12022.53, subd. (d)) and that defendant had suffered six prior 

serious felony convictions. On appeal, defendant argues he was not 

competent to represent himself and he did not make a knowing waiver of his 

right to counsel. He also argues there was insufficient evidence to support 

1 All statutory references are to the Penal Code unless otherwise 

stated.
2

the financial gain and lying-in-wait special circumstances. Finally, he 

contends, and the People concede, that the trial court erred in calculating the 

sentencing enhancements for his prior convictions.2

We affirm the conviction but remand to the trial court for correction of 

the conceded sentencing error regarding defendant’s prior convictions.

BACKGROUND

Before we address the evidence presented at the murder/attempted 

murder jury trial, we first discuss the background of the proceedings 

regarding defendant’s competency to stand trial and his request to represent 

himself.

I. Competency Hearing

On November 17, 2020, defendant’s trial counsel declared a doubt as to 

defendant’s competency to stand trial. The trial court suspended the 

proceedings and appointed two doctors to evaluate defendant. Dr. Jessica

Ferranti’s report concluded that defendant was not competent to stand trial. 

Dr. Kevin Kelly’s report concluded defendant was competent to stand trial. 

Following receipt of the conflicting reports, the trial court conducted a jury 

trial on the issue of defendant’s competency to stand trial. (§ 1369.)

Defendant testified that he “claimed to hold some titles in the people’s 

portion of the civil government” and that he was “head of the psychological 

warfare division” and the “New Guard . . . .” He believed he has “[d]iplomatic 

immunity” from prosecution as “the people’s chair.” His primary motivation 

2 We acknowledge that on May 27, 2022, December 27, 2022, 

February 17, 2023, and May 15, 2023, this court received letters from the 

defendant in propria persona. We decline to file these documents because 

defendant is represented by counsel. A criminal defendant does not have a 

right to appear before this court in propria persona or as cocounsel. (People v. 

Clark (1992) 3 Cal.4th 41, 173; People v. Scott (1998) 64 Cal.App.4th 550, 

579.)
3

for going to trial “has always been to get the government to call for 

conventions of the people . . . to ratify . . . gun control, abortion, freedom of 

religion, freedom of speech, [and] all of the things that have been taken away 

recently and for the last hundred years.” He acknowledged that his political 

beliefs did not contribute to the crime and that he could separate the crime 

from his political views. Defendant had talked with his attorney about the 

specifics of the case and possible defenses. He stated he was willing to work 

with his attorney to find the strongest possible defense.

Dr. Ferranti, a forensic psychiatrist, testified that she diagnosed 

defendant with delusional disorder, grandiose type. She found that 

defendant did not have a communication deficit; nor did he have cognitive 

problems, a developmental delay, or a mental disability. He understood the 

criminal proceedings. However, Dr. Ferranti did not believe defendant was 

able to rationally assist his attorney because his delusions prevent him from 

being able to do so. During her discussions with defendant, he focused on his 

political and religious views and went on tangents about the government and 

quoted from the Federalist Papers. Defendant told Dr. Ferranti that he was 

not interested in defending his case but, rather, was focused on conveying a 

political message. He believed he should have immunity because he is the 

leader of an organization he refers to as “the sphere of people’s action . . . .” 

Dr. Ferranti opined that because defendant is preoccupied with grandiose 

fantasies, he is not able to consult rationally with an attorney.

Dr. Kelly, a forensic psychologist, testified that defendant understood 

the status and circumstances of the case against him. He was able to talk 

about the facts and issues. Dr. Kelly described essays defendant wrote as 

similar in content to talk radio shows and Internet sites in that they referred 

to conspiracy, governmental overreach, infringement of individual rights and 
4

necessary changes to the system. Defendant understood that his beliefs were 

not necessarily shared by the general public. Dr. Kelly was able to redirect 

defendant when he veered off topic during their discussions. Dr. Kelly 

acknowledged there was grandiosity in defendant’s writings, but he did not 

see defendant display grandiosity in their discussions. Dr. Kelly did not 

believe that defendant’s grandiosity was at a level that is a mental health 

disorder. Based on tests Dr. Kelly administered to defendant and Dr. Kelly’s

own observations of defendant, Dr. Kelly found no evidence of a mental 

disorder. Defendant had schizoid and paranoid personality characteristics, 

but they were not at a level that impaired his competency to stand trial. 

Dr. Kelly believed that defendant had the capacity to assist in his defense 

and would be able to separate his political ideas from his legal defense. On 

August 13, 2021, the jury found defendant mentally competent to stand trial. 

Defendant does not contest this finding.

II. Faretta Hearings

On September 20, 2021, defendant asked to represent himself. On 

October 5, 2021, defendant filed a Faretta3 form stating that he understood 

his constitutional rights and the dangers and disadvantages of selfrepresentation. At the hearing on defendant’s motion to represent himself, 

Judge Shanahan confirmed with defendant that he understood his right to 

counsel, his right against self-incrimination and his right to a speedy trial. 

She then told defendant that “representing yourself is never wise” and that 

he would be expected to comply with the Evidence Code. She further stated 

that she reviewed some of the documents from defendant’s case and knew he 

had “some ideas about the government,” and then she explained that “if it 

doesn’t follow proper rules of evidence, some of that information may not be 

3 Faretta v. California (1975) 422 U.S. 806 [45 L.Ed.2d 562].
5

allowed to come in at trial.” Defendant confirmed that he understood. Judge 

Shanahan then explained that defendant would be opposing the prosecutor, 

who was a very experienced trial attorney. Defendant again confirmed that 

he understood. Defendant also told the judge that he understood the 

maximum sentence was 137 years to life without parole. Judge Shanahan 

again referred to some of defendant’s letters regarding his ideas about the 

government and told him that they might not be admitted at trial and then 

stated: “I’m advising you that if you represent yourself, you may not be able 

to have the platform that you think you’re going to have as far as your issues 

with the case.” Defendant said he understood. Judge Shanahan granted 

defendant’s motion to represent himself.

On December 2, 2021, at a pretrial conference before Judge Faulder, 

defendant filed two motions entitled: “Notice of Motion and Motion for 

Discovery” and “Notice of Motion Points Introduction and Motion of 995, to 

dismiss charges not legally made.” Judge Faulder described the motions as 

follows: “[O]ut of 24 pages only one paragraph relates to anything of 

substance and most of the rest, if not all of the rest of the motion, are [sic]

quotes from the Constitution and from historical figures, including numerous 

quotes from Alexander Hamilton, none of which helps the Court ensure that 

it’s doing its duty in making sure that you are getting a fair trial in this 

matter.” Judge Faulder stated he was concerned about defendant’s 

competence to represent himself “despite the findings of Judge Shanahan on 

October 5th” and that he intended to reevaluate whether defendant should 

continue self-representation.

At the continued pretrial conference on December 28, 2021, Judge 

Faulder again expressed concern about defendant’s self-representation and 

asked him a series of questions, including what charges defendant faced and
6

whether he understood that he would be trying his case against an 

experienced trial attorney and that he would be held to the same standards of 

preparedness, professionalism and decorum as the prosecutor. Defendant 

correctly stated that he was charged with murder and attempted murder and 

that he understood Judge Faulder’s admonitions.

On January 14, 2022, Judge Faulder held a hearing after receiving two 

additional motions filed by defendant, entitled: “Notice of Motion and Motion 

for Change of Venue” and “Motion for Discovery of Jurisdiction.” The 

prosecutor responded to the motions by stating that he anticipated making 

motions in limine asking the court to “strongly admonish the defendant that 

the issues will be whether he committed the murder, whether he used a 

firearm, whether he attempted to murder the second man, whether he had 

the six strikes. [¶] . . . [N]ot whether he holds the People’s Chair in the 

People’s Sphere of Action.” Judge Faulder stated that the motions’ headings 

listed real issues but that the bodies of the pleadings were essays of 

defendant’s political beliefs and views and did not ask the court for relief or 

provide authority for the court to act. He again stated his concern about 

defendant’s competency to represent himself and appointed Dr. Kelly to 

evaluate that issue.

On January 27, 2022, Dr. Kelly submitted his evaluation of defendant’s 

competency to represent himself. The report explains that Dr. Kelly 

reviewed defendant’s motions and the transcript of the January 14, 2022 

hearing, including the prosecutor’s reference to anticipated motions to 

exclude references to “the People’s Chair in the People’s Sphere of Action,” 

and met with defendant on January 27, 2022. Dr. Kelly opined that 

defendant’s mental status and behavior had not changed since he had been in 

custody. He did not observe any symptoms of psychosis but found that 
7

defendant had a personality disorder and that strong schizoid personal traits 

accounted for defendant’s difficulties representing himself. Defendant’s 

mental status did not negatively impair his daily activities; nor did it require 

medication. Dr. Kelly found that defendant was “acting knowingly, 

intelligently, voluntarily, and that he is aware of the general dangers of selfrepresentation.” He also stated that defendant “anticipates in limine orders 

that he will disagree with, and he states that he will ‘probably not’ respect 

the orders because he is entitled to be ‘truthful’ in presenting all of his 

defense.” Dr. Kelly opined that defendant “is presently acting in an 

ineffectual manner in his self-representation,” and Dr. Kelly believed 

defendant was highly likely to continue to be ineffectual. Dr. Kelly explained, 

“[Defendant] is ineffectual despite the fact that he is capable of 

understanding the nature of the proceedings and he is capable of researching 

and learning how to represent himself in an effective manner. He has made 

appropriate motions, at times, but the idiosyncrasies of his Schizoid 

personality traits and his verbose communication style buries [sic] what 

would be a pertinent legal motion within highly distracting and repetitive 

political posturing thereby sabotaging the credibility and impact of his 

motion. [¶] The fact that he persists in bringing up ideas that are not directly 

relevant to the allegations is, in my opinion, the strongest evidence of lacking 

competency to represent himself.” Dr. Kelly further stated that if defendant 

was not permitted to represent himself, he would continue to press his ideas 

at trial either through defense counsel or by testifying.

On February 2, 2022, Judge Faulder held a hearing on the question of 

defendant’s competency to represent himself. Defendant confirmed that he 

reviewed Dr. Kelly’s January 27th report and that he wished to continue 

representing himself. Defendant stated that he understood he would be 
8

facing an experienced prosecutor and, “No lawyer can make any defense that 

would be better than me.” Judge Faulder summarized Dr. Kelly’s conclusion 

as finding that “while [defendant] may not be qualified to represent [himself] 

or maybe even competent to represent [himself], [defendant is] competent to 

choose to represent [himself].” Judge Faulder then asked defendant to state 

the charges, including the special allegations, which he did. Defendant 

stated that if he were found guilty he would face “199 years to life without 

parole.” Judge Faulder reminded defendant that by representing himself he 

was giving up the right to appeal based on ineffective assistance of counsel 

and that if he were disruptive at trial the court could relieve him of the right 

to represent himself. Multiple times, Judge Faulder told defendant that selfrepresentation was “unwise” and against the court’s advice. Judge Faulder 

concluded by stating: “[I]f the question were do I think you are qualified to 

represent yourself or even competent in the sense of knowing the law or 

knowing how to represent yourself as a trained attorney would, I would find 

that you are not competent. But that is not the standard I have to follow. 

[¶] The standard I have to follow is whether or not you are competent to 

choose to represent yourself knowing the risks and consequences to selfrepresentation. And in good conscience, I cannot make that finding. [¶] I find 

that you are, as Dr. Kelley [sic] pointed out, competent to choose to represent 

yourself.”

III. Evidence in Murder/Attempted Murder Trial

At trial, among other evidence, the prosecution played recorded 

interviews defendant gave to the police following the murder. Defendant 

lived in a motor home on family property. Jamie Wilcox was defendant’s 

stepson. Wilcox and his husband, Jayme G., lived in a house on the family 

property, and Wilcox owned an interest in the property. Defendant believed 
9

Wilcox and Jayme G. planned to sell their part of the property and “screw 

everybody.”

On September 23, 2020, at 6:30 a.m., defendant put a gun in his 

waistband and waited for Wilcox and Jayme G. to come out of their home and 

get into their car. When they did, defendant approached the car with the gun 

behind his back. Defendant asked them whether there was anything he 

could do to change their mind, and Jayme G. said no. Defendant then shot 

them both. The police were dispatched to the scene at 8:09 a.m. in response 

to Jayme G.’s 911 call. Wilcox had a gunshot wound to his head and to his 

neck. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Jayme G. was shot in his upper 

right arm, his hand, and his head. He suffered a fractured wrist and a 

fractured skull.

DISCUSSION

I. Waiver of Right to Counsel

A. Legal Principles

Faretta holds that the Sixth Amendment to the United States 

Constitution gives criminal defendants the right to represent themselves 

when the defendant knowingly and intelligently elects to do so. (Faretta, 

supra, 422 U.S. at pp. 819–820, 835–836.) A self-represented defendant need 

not meet the standards of an attorney or even be capable of conducting “an 

effective defense.” (People v. Mickel (2016) 2 Cal.5th 181, 206.) “[T]he cost of 

recognizing a criminal defendant’s right to self-representation may result ‘ “in

detriment to the defendant, if not outright unfairness.” ’ ” (Ibid.) A

defendant’s decision to present no defense is a valid exercise of the right to 

control the defense. (Id. at p. 209.)

A criminal defendant also has the constitutional right not to stand trial 

while he or she is mentally incompetent. (Indiana v. Edwards (2008) 554 
10

U.S. 164, 169–170 [171 L.Ed.2d 345].) The constitutional test for mental 

competence to stand trial is “(1) ‘whether’ the defendant has ‘a rational as 

well as factual understanding of the proceedings against him’ and 

(2) whether the defendant ‘has sufficient present ability to consult with his 

lawyer with a reasonable degree of rational understanding.’ ” (Ibid.) Section 

1367, subdivision (a) similarly precludes prosecution while a defendant, “as a 

result of a mental health disorder or developmental disability . . . is unable to 

understand the nature of the criminal proceedings or to assist counsel in the 

conduct of a defense in a rational manner.”

Indiana v. Edwards, supra, recognized the existence of “gray-area 

defendants” who are mentally competent to stand trial but “who still suffer 

from severe mental illness to the point where they are not competent to 

conduct trial proceedings by themselves.” (554 U.S. at pp. 172–174, 178.) 

Edwards held that the Constitution permits states to impose a higher 

standard of mental competence for self-representation. (Id. at p. 178.) In 

2009, the California Supreme Court explained the permissive nature of the 

Edwards holding: “Edwards does not mandate the application of such a dual 

standard of competency for mentally ill defendants. In other words, Edwards 

did not alter the principle that the federal constitution is not violated when a 

trial court permits a mentally ill defendant to represent himself at trial, even 

if he lacks the mental capacity to conduct the trial proceedings himself, if he 

is competent to stand trial and his waiver of counsel is voluntary, knowing,

and intelligent. [Citation.] Edwards thus does not support a claim of federal 

constitutional error in a case like the present one, in which defendant’s 

request to represent himself was granted.” (People v. Taylor (2009) 47

Cal.4th 850, 878.)
11

In People v. Johnson (2012) 53 Cal.4th 519, the California Supreme 

Court decided “whether California courts may accept Edwards’s invitation 

and deny self-representation to gray-area defendants.” (Id. at p. 527.) It held 

that they could and that “the standard that trial courts considering 

exercising their discretion to deny self-representation should apply is simply 

whether the defendant suffers from a severe mental illness to the point where 

he or she cannot carry out the basic tasks needed to present the defense 

without the help of counsel.” (Id. at p. 530.) “Trial courts must apply this 

standard cautiously” given that criminal defendants generally have a Sixth 

Amendment right to self-representation. (Id. at p. 531.) “Self-representation 

by defendants who wish it and validly waive counsel remains the norm and 

may not be denied lightly. A court may not deny self-representation merely 

because it believes the matter could be tried more efficiently, or even more 

fairly, with attorneys on both sides. Rather, it may deny self-representation 

only in those situations where Edwards permits it.” (Ibid.) Determinations 

regarding self-representation are reviewed for abuse of discretion. (Ibid.) 

The trial court’s competency determination must be upheld if supported by 

substantial evidence. (Ibid.)

B. Trial Court Did Not Abuse Its Discretion When It 

Permitted Defendant to Represent Himself

Defendant argues he was not competent to waive his right to counsel. 

He concedes that there was evidence that he was capable of understanding 

the law and was capable of “mentally separating his views from the 

applicable California law.” However, he contends, without record citations,

4

4 Doppes v. Bentley Motors, Inc. (2009) 174 Cal.App.4th 967, 990 

[“California Rules of Court, rule 8.204(a)(1)(C) requires every reference to a 

matter in the appellate record be supported with a citation to the volume and 
12

that “the record also demonstrates that he not only would not, but due to his 

delusional mental state could not, act in any manner that meaningfully 

advanced a defense based on California law.” We find the trial court did not 

abuse its discretion when it permitted defendant to continue selfrepresentation after it reviewed an additional court-ordered evaluation of 

defendant’s competency to represent himself.

Dr. Kelly’s January 27, 2022, report found defendant was not suffering 

from psychosis but had a personality disorder. Although Dr. Kelly opined 

that defendant was “presently acting in an ineffectual manner in his selfrepresentation”; he also stated that defendant was capable of understanding 

the nature of the proceedings, researching and learning to represent himself 

effectively. Dr. Kelly also reported that defendant was acting knowingly, 

intelligently, and voluntarily; that he understood the dangers of selfrepresentation; and that he even anticipated that the trial court would not 

allow him to present his political beliefs. Although defendant did not present 

an effective defense, that is not the standard for determining whether a 

defendant may represent him- or herself. (People v. Mickel, supra, 2 Cal.5th 

at p. 206 [“the critical question is not whether a self-represented defendant 

meets the standards of an attorney, or even whether a defendant is capable of 

conducting an effective defense” because the risks are “a cost that we allow 

defendants the choice of paying”].) Although Dr. Kelly’s January 27, 2022,

report concluded that defendant was acting in an “ineffectual manner in his 

self-representation,” it also stated that defendant understood the proceedings

and was capable of researching and learning to represent himself effectively. 

The record indicates that the trial court carefully considered, and 

page number of the record where the matter appears. The rule applies 

wherever a reference to a matter in the record appears in a brief”].)
13

reconsidered, whether defendant should be permitted to represent himself. 

The court agreed with Dr. Kelly and specifically found defendant was 

competent to choose to represent himself. There was no abuse of discretion.

Nor are we persuaded that the trial court did not understand its 

discretion to revoke defendant’s right to self-representation under Edwards. 

The record here is distinguishable from People v. Shiga (2016) 6 Cal.App.5th 

22, 40, which found the trial court erred in granting the defendant’s Faretta

motion because the record revealed that the trial court erroneously believed 

that a finding the defendant was competent to stand trial “ ‘tied’ ” its hands 

as to the determination of whether the defendant was also competent to 

represent himself. Shiga found the defendant made an affirmative showing 

that the court was unaware of its discretion “both to conduct an inquiry 

regarding whether defendant was mentally incapable of representing himself 

and, if necessary, to deny defendant’s Faretta request on that ground.” (Ibid.) 

This affirmative showing rebutted the general rule that the trial court is 

presumed to have been aware of and followed applicable law. (Ibid.)

Here, the record demonstrates that the trial court understood its 

discretion to both conduct an inquiry into whether defendant was mentally 

competent to continue representing himself and to revoke self-representation. 

Most significantly, on multiple occasions, the trial court voiced concerns

about defendant’s mental capacity to represent himself based on the motions 

he filed. The court then proceeded to actually conduct an inquiry as to 

whether defendant should be permitted to continue self-representation. As 

part of the trial court’s inquiry, it obtained a second report from Dr. Kelly on 

the issue of defendant’s competency to represent himself.

Defendant is incorrect in suggesting that the record does not indicate 

Judge Faulder was aware of Edwards or Johnson, which permit a court to 
14

find that “gray-area defendants” may not represent themselves. Although 

Judge Faulder did not specifically mention Edwards or Johnson during the 

February 2, 2022 hearing, at a preceding hearing on January 31, 2022, the 

prosecutor asked the trial court to review People v. Best (2020) 49 

Cal.App.5th 747, which discusses both Edwards and Johnson. (People v. 

Best, at p. 757.) The trial court noted the case citation and arranged for the 

prosecutor to provide a copy of the case to the defendant. The fact that the 

trial court did not specifically mention Edwards or Johnson in stating its

decision to permit defendant to continue to represent himself does not 

warrant a departure from the general rule that the trial court is presumed to 

have been aware of and followed applicable law. (People v. Shiga, supra, 6 

Cal.App.5th at p. 40.)

C. Defendant’s Waiver of the Right to Counsel Was Knowing

Defendant argues his waiver of the right to counsel was not knowing. 

We review a Faretta waiver de novo and examine the record as a whole to 

determine whether defendant understood the consequences of waiving the 

right to counsel. (People v. Mickel, supra, 2 Cal.5th at p. 211.) Specifically, 

defendant claims that he did not know that if he waived counsel and 

represented himself, he would not be allowed to present the immunity 

defense based on his position in the New Guard. According to defendant, he 

was “led to believe that he could present the immunity defense if he 

represented himself.” Our review of the record belies defendant’s claim.

Defendant filed a Faretta form stating he understood his constitutional 

rights and the dangers and disadvantages of self-representation. At the first 

Faretta hearing, on October 5, 2021, Judge Shanahan confirmed on the 

record that defendant understood his rights, and she told him selfrepresentation is “never wise.” She also specifically referred to defendant’s 
15

“ideas about the government” and cautioned that such information may not 

be allowed at trial and that “you may not be able to have the platform that 

you think you’re going to have . . . .” Defendant said he understood. At the 

pretrial hearing on December 28, 2021, Judge Faulder again admonished 

defendant regarding the dangers of self-representation and confirmed that 

defendant understood. At a pretrial hearing on January 14, 2022, the 

prosecutor stated that he anticipated making motions in limine to preclude 

defendant from referencing “whether he holds the People’s Chair in the 

People’s Sphere of Action.” Dr. Kelly’s January 27, 2022 evaluation of 

defendant states that defendant was “acting knowingly, intelligently, 

voluntarily, and that he is aware of the general dangers of selfrepresentation.” It also states that defendant “anticipates in limine orders

that he will disagree with, and he states that he will ‘probably not’ respect 

the orders because he is entitled to be ‘truthful’ in presenting his defense.” At 

the February 2, 2022, hearing on the question of defendant’s competency to 

continue self-representation, Judge Faulder again confirmed that defendant 

wished to continue to represent himself. Judge Faulder asked defendant to 

state the charges against him and the penalty he faced if he were found 

guilty, and defendant did so. Judge Faulder again reminded defendant that 

self-representation meant he was giving up the right to appeal based on 

ineffective assistance of counsel and that if defendant were disruptive at 

trial, the court could relieve him of the right to represent himself. Finally, 

Judge Faulder told defendant multiple times that self-representation was 

“unwise” and against the court’s advice. On this record, defendant’s waiver of 

the right to counsel was knowing.
16

II. Special Circumstances Findings

A. Substantial Evidence Supports Finding the Murder Was 

Carried Out for Financial Gain

Defendant argues that the jury’s finding that he committed the murder 

for financial gain is not supported by substantial evidence. We disagree. The 

financial gain required to support a special circumstance finding does not 

need to be “the ‘ “ ‘dominant,’ ‘substantial,’ or ‘significant’ motive for the 

murder.” ’ ” (People v. Parker (2022) 13 Cal.5th 1, 63.) Nor is it required that 

the intended financial benefit from the murder actually materialize. (Ibid.) 

Further, the special circumstance applies if the defendant carries out the 

murder for the financial gain of a third person. (People v. Michaels (2002) 28 

Cal.4th 486, 520.)

The evidence, including defendant’s statements to the police following 

the shooting, is that defendant convinced his sister to give Wilcox “resident 

tenancy on the property.” Jayme G., the surviving victim, testified that 

Wilcox had an interest in the property on which defendant and his sister and 

other family members also lived. The day before the shooting, defendant 

learned that Jayme G. and Wilcox intended to sell what he described as 

“their quarter” of the property. Defendant wanted “to protect the property.” 

He shot the victims because “they were going to destroy my family” and “sell 

[the property] out from under [his sister] and tear it apart.” Defendant 

stated Wilcox “had to be dead to get off of the . . . deed.”

Viewing the evidence in the light most favorable to the verdict, we find 

that a reasonable jury could conclude that defendant killed Wilcox to protect 

his family’s ownership of, and interest in, the property. (People v. Parker, 

supra, 13 Cal.5th at p. 58.)
17

B. Substantial Evidence Supports Lying-in-wait Finding

The lying-in-wait special circumstance instruction states: “A person 

commits a murder by means of lying in wait if: [¶] 1. He or she concealed his 

or her purpose from the person killed; [¶] 2. He or she waited and watched for 

an opportunity to act; [¶] 3. Then he or she made a surprise attack on the 

person killed from a position of advantage; [¶] AND [¶] 4. He or she intended 

to kill the person by taking the person by surprise.” (CALCRIM No. 728.) 

Defendant concedes there was sufficient evidence of elements 3 and 4. 

However, he contends there was insubstantial evidence of elements 1 and 2. 

Defendant argues that his “true ‘purpose’ ” in approaching the victims’ car 

was not simply to kill Wilcox but, rather, to ask him if he had changed his 

mind about selling the property. We find sufficient evidence to support the 

jury’s finding.

The evidence included defendant’s statement to the police that he 

armed himself with a loaded gun around 6:30 a.m. the morning of the 

murder. He then “waited till they came out to get in the car . . . .” Defendant 

cocked the gun before approaching the car. He approached the victims with 

his gun hidden behind his back. Jayme G. testified that he did not see 

defendant’s gun as he approached them. Defendant asked the victims, “ ‘Are

you going to stop this?’ ” Jayme G. did not know what defendant was talking 

about and said, “ ‘Stop what?’ ” Defendant then immediately shot Wilcox and 

then Jayme G. Jayme G. called 911, and the police responded to the scene at 

8:09 a.m.

The evidence is sufficient to support a finding of lying in wait. The jury 

could reasonably conclude that defendant concealed his purpose, and waited 

and watched for an opportunity to act, when he armed himself with a gun at 

6:30 a.m.; waited for over an hour until the victims got into their car;
18

approached the car with a concealed, loaded gun behind his back; and then 

shot the victims immediately after Jayme G. expressed confusion about what 

defendant had asked them.

Nor are we persuaded that People v. Becerrada (2017) 2 Cal.5th 1009, 

which defendant cites, requires reversal of the lying-in-wait finding. In 

Becerrada, the Supreme Court reversed a lying-in-wait special circumstance 

for insufficient evidence. (Id. at pp. 1028–1029.) The defendant threatened 

to kill the victim if she did not dismiss rape charges against him. (Id. at pp. 

1015, 1029.) After a phone call from the defendant, the victim went to his 

house, where she was murdered. (Id. at p. 1029.) The prosecution’s theory to 

support the lying-in-wait special circumstance was that defendant lured the 

victim to his home, intending to kill her after learning she would not drop the 

rape charges. (Id. at pp. 1028–1029.) The evidence supported a finding that 

defendant intended to kill the victim if she failed to drop the rape charges;

however, the court emphasized there was no evidence “defendant learned 

before [the victim’s] fatal trip to his home that [the victim] had not dropped 

the charges.” (Id. at p. 1029, italics omitted.) The court concluded there was 

insufficient evidence to establish the requisite period of watching and waiting 

because there was no evidence to support a finding that defendant lured the 

victim to his home intending to kill her. (Ibid.)

Here, there is evidence that defendant planned to kill Wilcox “to get 

[him] off of the . . . deed” and that he armed himself and waited until the 

victims were in their car before approaching them with a gun behind his 

back. The fact that he asked, “ ‘Are you going to stop this?’ ” before shooting 

Wilcox does not negate the lying-in-wait finding. Notably, Jayme G. testified 

that his response to defendant’s question was, “ ‘Stop what?’ ” which did not 

definitely indicate any intention or imminent plan to sell a share of the 
19

property. Nonetheless, without any further discussion, defendant 

immediately shot the victims. In defendant’s statement to the police, he said 

that he asked whether there was anything he could do to change their minds, 

and Jayme G. said no. However, it is for the jury to determine which 

evidence to credit. (People v. Ochoa (1993) 6 Cal.4th 1199, 1206.) In

reviewing for substantial evidence, we do not reverse simply because the 

circumstances might also reasonably be reconciled with a contrary finding. 

(People v. Westerfield (2019) 6 Cal.5th 632, 713.) Sufficient evidence supports 

the jury’s finding.

III. Sentencing Error

Defendant was sentenced as follows: (1) life without parole on count 

one; (2) 25 years to life for the firearm enhancement on count one; (3) 14

years to life on count two; (4) 25 years to life for the firearm enhancement on 

count two; (5) 30 years for the prior serious felony convictions as to count one; 

and (6) 30 years for the prior serious felony convictions as to count two. 

Defendant contends, and the People agree, that the trial court erred in its 

calculation of the prior serious felony conviction enhancements.

Section 667, subdivision (a)(1) states: “A person convicted of a serious 

felony who previously has been convicted of a serious felony in this state . . .

shall receive, in addition to the sentence imposed by the court for the present 

offense, a five-year enhancement for each such prior conviction on charges 

brought and tried separately. The terms of the present offense and each 

enhancement shall run consecutively.” Defendant has six prior felony 

convictions for robbery in 1979. However, the six convictions arose from only 

two separately brought and tried cases: the one in Sonoma County that 

resulted in three convictions and the other in Lake County that also resulted 

in three convictions. Defendant’s six prior felony convictions are the result of 
20

only two cases that were “brought and tried separately,” and, therefore, 

under section 667, subdivision (a)(1) only two five-year enhancements should 

be imposed for each count. (People v. Jones (2015) 236 Cal.App.4th 1411, 

1416.) Accordingly, we will remand for the trial court to vacate the 

additional five-year enhancements.

DISPOSITION

The matter is remanded with directions that the trial court vacate the 

erroneously imposed additional five-year prior serious felony enhancements

and correct the abstract of judgment to reflect imposition of two five-year 

prior serious felony enhancements on count one and two five-year prior 

serious felony enhancements on count two. In all other respects, the 

judgment is affirmed.

Jackson, P. J.

WE CONCUR:

Simons, J.

Burns, J.

A165177/People v. Thomas Dean Jones