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Filed 11/8/19; Opinion following rehearing

CERTIFIED FOR PUBLICATION

IN THE COURT OF APPEAL OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA

THIRD APPELLATE DISTRICT

(San Joaquin)

----

In re RICKY LEE COBBS

on Habeas Corpus.

C088160

(Super. Ct. Nos. 

STKCRFE19980005981, SC063184A)

OPINION ON TRANSFER 

AFTER REHEARING

ORIGINAL PROCEEDINGS. Writ of habeas corpus. 

Ricky Lee Cobbs, in propria persona, and Diane Nichols, under appointment by 

the Court of Appeal, for Petitioner.

Xavier Becerra, Attorney General, Lance Winters, Chief Assistant Attorney 

General, Michael P. Farrell, Senior Assistant Attorney General, Darren K. Indermill, 

Supervising Deputy Attorney General, Eric L. Christoffersen, Supervising Deputy 

Attorney General, Catherine Tennant Nieto, Deputy Attorney General, for Respondent.

Petitioner Ricky Lee Cobbs was convicted of, among other crimes, first degree 

murder (Pen. Code, § 187)1in a prosecution relying on two theories of guilt: felony 

1 Undesignated statutory references are to the Penal Code.
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murder based on attempted robbery, and murder as the natural and probable consequence 

of assault and battery. Petitioner contends the second theory is now invalid under People 

v. Chiu (2014) 59 Cal.4th 155 (Chiu) and In re Martinez (2017) 3 Cal.5th 1216

(Martinez), and both theories are invalid following changes enacted under Senate Bill 

No. 1437 (2017-2018 Reg. Sess.) (Stats. 2018, ch. 1015, § 2 (SB 1437).) He contends we 

should vacate his conviction and direct the trial court to conduct further proceedings 

consistent with sections 188 and 189. 

The Attorney General agrees the first degree murder conviction is invalid under 

Chiu, supra, 59 Cal.4th 155 and Martinez, supra, 3 Cal.5th 1216, and asserts the remedy 

should be that provided for in Chiu and Martinez: reverse the first degree murder 

conviction, and give the People the option of retrying the first degree murder count or 

reducing the conviction to second degree murder. 

We agree with the Attorney General, as SB 1437 applies retroactively only 

through its resentencing provision, which does not apply in this habeas proceeding. 

Accordingly, we shall vacate the first degree murder conviction and remand for further 

proceedings.

BACKGROUND

We briefly summarize the relevant facts and procedures occurring prior to the 

petition from our nonpublished opinion affirming petitioner’s conviction. 

“Defendant Ricky Lee Cobbs was one of several young men who confronted 

[Kenny W.] at the home of his fiancée [] after defendant discovered his gun was missing. 

While defendant and others were kicking and beating [Kenny W.], one of the men pulled 

out a gun, and shot [Kenny W.] through the heart. At trial with codefendant Undrey 

Darnel Turner, the prosecution argued defendant was guilty of first degree murder on 

either of two theories: felony murder based on attempted robbery, and murder as the 

natural and probable consequence of assault and battery. 
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“The jury convicted defendant of first degree murder in count one (. . . § 187),

without indicating the theory on which it based its verdict. It also found true allegations 

the murder was committed for the benefit of a criminal street gang (§ 186.22, subd. 

(b)(1)), and defendant was armed with a firearm (§ 12022, subd. (a)(1)). The jury found 

defendant guilty of street terrorism in count two (§ 186.22, subd. (a)). The court 

sentenced defendant to an aggregate term of 53 years to life in prison.” (People v. Cobbs

(April 18, 2001, C031265) [nonpub. opn.] (fn. omitted).) We affirmed the judgment on 

appeal. (People v. Cobbs, supra, C031265.)

Petitioner filed a petition for habeas corpus in this court that we denied on 

November 2, 2018. After petitioner filed a petition for review in the California Supreme 

Court on January 2, 2019, the Supreme Court transferred the matter to us with directions 

to vacate the denial and issue an order to show cause returnable to this court as to why 

petitioner is not entitled to relief.

DISCUSSION

The Supreme Court held in Chiu, supra, 59 Cal.4th 155, an aider and abettor of a 

target offense may not be convicted of first degree murder under the natural and probable 

consequences doctrine. Instead, “punishment for second degree murder is commensurate 

with a defendant’s culpability for aiding and abetting a target crime that would naturally, 

probably, and foreseeably result in a murder under the natural and probable consequences 

doctrine.” (Id. at p. 166.) In Martinez, supra, 3 Cal.5th 1216, the Supreme Court held 

that Chiu applies retroactively. (Martinez, at p. 1222.) Chiu therefore applies to 

defendant’s first degree murder conviction. 

The defendant in Chiu was convicted of first degree murder “on the theory 

that either he directly aided and abetted the murder or he aided and abetted the 

‘target offense’ of assault or of disturbing the peace, the natural and probable 

consequence of which was murder.” (Chiu, supra, 59 Cal.4th at p. 158.) Since 

the high court held a defendant cannot be convicted of first degree murder under the 
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natural and probable consequences doctrine, it was error for the trial court to instruct 

the jury with that theory. (Id. at pp. 158-159.) The error was prejudicial because 

“[w]hen a trial court instructs a jury on two theories of guilt, one of which was legally 

correct and one legally incorrect, reversal is required unless there is a basis in the 

record to find that the verdict was based on a valid ground,” and such a finding could 

not be made in Chiu. (Id. at p. 167.) The remedy was to reverse the first degree murder 

conviction while “allowing the People to accept a reduction of the conviction to second 

degree murder or to retry the greater offense” pursuant to the “direct aiding and abetting 

theory.” (Id. at p. 168.)

The Attorney General admits Chiu, supra, 59 Cal.4th 155 is applicable and 

provides the appropriate remedy. We agree the first degree murder conviction is invalid 

under Chiu as there is no basis to find that the jury did not rely on aiding and abetting 

under the natural and probable consequence theory. 

What the Attorney General does not address but petitioner does, is the substantial 

change to the law governing felony murder and the natural and probable consequences 

theory enacted since Chiu.

After Chiu, supra, 59 Cal.4th 155 was decided, SB 1437 was signed into law. 

SB 1437 was enacted to “amend the felony murder rule and the natural and probable 

consequences doctrine, as it relates to murder, to ensure that murder liability is not 

imposed on a person who is not the actual killer, did not act with the intent to kill, or was 

not a major participant in the underlying felony who acted with reckless indifference to 

human life.” (Stats. 2018, ch. 1015, § 1, subd. (f).) SB 1437 accomplishes this by 

amending section 188, which defines malice, and section 189, which defines the degrees 

of murder and addresses liability for murder. 

SB 1437 made two major additions to sections 188 and 189. Subdivision (a)(3) 

was added to section 188 and reads as follows: “Except as stated in subdivision (e) of 

Section 189, in order to be convicted of murder, a principal in a crime shall act with 
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malice aforethought. Malice shall not be imputed to a person based solely on his or her 

participation in a crime.” (Stats. 2018, ch. 1015, § 2.)

SB 1437 also added subdivision (e) to section 189, which states: “(e) A 

participant in the perpetration or attempted perpetration of a felony listed in 

subdivision (a) in which a death occurs is liable for murder only if one of the following is 

proven: [¶] (1) The person was the actual killer. [¶] (2) The person was not the actual 

killer, but, with the intent to kill, aided, abetted, counseled, commanded, induced, 

solicited, requested, or assisted the actual killer in the commission of murder in the first 

degree. [¶] (3) The person was a major participant in the underlying felony and acted 

with reckless indifference to human life, as described in subdivision (d) of Section 

190.2.” (Stats. 2018, ch. 1015, § 3.)

Petitioner asserts both2theories of guilt are now invalid under the changes to 

sections 188 and 189, as the natural and probable consequences theory is now abolished 

2 The Attorney General asserts there was a third theory of guilt for first degree 

murder at petitioner’s trial, as an aider and abettor to first degree premeditated 

murder. The only citation in support of this claim is two pages of the reporter’s 

transcript from petitioner’s trial, asserted without appending the relevant pages to the 

return or seeking judicial notice of or incorporation by reference of the record of 

petitioner’s direct appeal of his conviction. In addition to contravening our own 

characterization of the theories of guilt in our prior opinion, the Attorney General’s 

claim is not supported by the record. 

As petitioner points out with citation to relevant materials appended to the 

supplemental traverse, the prosecutor argued in closing that there were but two 

theories of guilt for first degree murder, stating: “The issue before you plain and 

simple was whether or not this was murder during a robbery, which makes defendant 

liable, or whether or not this is murder which is a natural or probable and foreseeable 

type of a crime that the defendant instigated and was aiding and abetting. Because 

if you find it to be felony murder, the defendant is guilty of murder. If you find it 

to be aiding and abetting a foreseeable crime it is again murder and murder in the first 

degree.” We reject the Attorney General’s unfounded assertion that there was a third 

theory of guilt.
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and liability under a felony murder theory requires proof and a jury finding that petitioner 

was the killer, aided and abetted the killer with the intent to kill, or was a major 

participant in the underlying felony (robbery) with reckless indifference to human life.

According to petitioner, the changes in the law of murder relieve this court of its duty to 

follow the Supreme Court opinion in Chiu, supra, 59 Cal.4th 155 as it relates to remedy. 

His proposed remedy is to vacate the first degree murder conviction and remand to the 

trial court for further proceedings consistent with sections 188 and 189. 

We are bound to follow Chiu, supra, 59 Cal.4th 155 until it is disapproved. (Auto 

Equity Sales, Inc. v. Superior Court (1962) 57 Cal.2d 450, 455.) However, the interplay 

between the theories of guilt in petitioner’s case and the changes enacted by SB 1437 

have the potential to distinguish Chiu, if SB 1437 applies retroactively to petitioner’s 

conviction. Petitioner’s argument overlooks a key element of SB 1437 governing 

retroactivity. 

As with other enactments that have reduced penalties for crimes (see §§ 1170.18 

[resentencing under Proposition 47], 1170.126 [resentencing under Proposition 36]), 

SB 1437 contains a provision for addressing claims of defendants who were convicted 

of murder prior to its effective date. SB 1437 also enacted section 1170.95 that 

permits defendants “convicted of felony murder or murder under a natural and 

probable consequences theory [to] file a petition with the court that sentenced the 

petitioner to have the petitioner’s murder conviction vacated and to be resentenced 

on any remaining counts . . . .” (§ 1170.95, subd. (a).) Like the resentencing provisions 

of Propositions 36 and 47, section 1170.95 provides a detailed mechanism for obtaining

relief by petition.

A person may file a section 1170.95 petition if: “(1) A complaint, information, or 

indictment was filed against the petitioner that allowed the prosecution to proceed under 

a theory of felony murder or murder under the natural and probable consequences 

doctrine[;] [¶] (2) The petitioner was convicted of first degree or second degree murder 
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following a trial or accepted a plea offer in lieu of a trial at which the petitioner could be 

convicted for first degree or second degree murder[;] [¶] [and] (3) The petitioner could 

not be convicted of first or second degree murder because of changes to Section 188 or 

189 made effective January 1, 2019.” (§ 1170.95, subd. (a)(1)-(3).) 

“The petition shall be filed with the court that sentenced the petitioner and 

served by the petitioner on the district attorney, or on the agency that prosecuted the 

petitioner, and on the attorney who represented the petitioner in the trial court or on 

the public defender of the county where the petitioner was convicted. If the judge 

that originally sentenced the petitioner is not available to resentence the petitioner, 

the presiding judge shall designate another judge to rule on the petition.” (§ 1170.95, 

subd. (b)(1).) 

The court then reviews the petition for a prima facie case, and will appoint counsel 

for petitioner if requested. (§ 1170.95, subd. (c).) The prosecuting agency has 60 days to 

file an answer to the petition, and petitioner has 30 days to file a reply, with time 

extensions permitted for good cause. (Ibid.) If the court finds the petition establishes a 

prima facie case, then it shall issue an order to show cause. (Ibid.) It then has 60 days to 

hold a hearing on the petition, at which the prosecution must prove beyond a reasonable 

doubt that petitioner is ineligible for resentencing, unless there was a prior finding that 

the petitioner did not act with reckless indifference to human life or was not a major 

participant in the felony, in which case the murder conviction and any enhancements are 

vacated. (§ 1170.95, subd. (d)(1)-(3).) If the petitioner is entitled to relief, the murder 

conviction and any enhancements will be vacated, and, if “murder was charged 

generically, and the target offense was not charged, the petitioner’s conviction shall be 

redesignated as the target offense or underlying felony for resentencing purposes.” 

(§ 1170.95, subd. (e).)

In People v. Martinez (2019) 31 Cal.App.5th 719 (Martinez II), Division Five of 

the Second District Court of Appeal found a defendant must file a section 1170.95 
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petition in the trial court to obtain relief under SB 1437. (Martinez II, at pp. 729-730.) 

Relying on California Supreme Court decisions finding the resentencing provisions of 

Propositions 36 and 47 were the sole avenues for relief under those provisions (see 

People v. Conley (2016) 63 Cal.4th 646 (Conley) [Proposition 36]; People v DeHoyos

(2018) 4 Cal.5th 594 (DeHoyos) [Proposition 47]), the Court of Appeal found 

section 1170.95 similarly limited relief under SB 1437. (Martinez II, at pp. 725-728.) 

We agree with Martinez II.

In Conley, the Supreme Court held the resentencing provision for Proposition 36, 

section 1170.126, was the sole means by which a person sentenced before Proposition 36 

took effect could obtain relief. (Conley, supra, 63 Cal.4th at pp. 661-662.) The Supreme 

Court noted Proposition 36 addressed the question of retroactivity through 

section 1170.126 that did not distinguish between those serving final sentences and those 

whose sentences were not yet final. (Conley, at p. 657.) Resentencing was not automatic 

under section 1170.126 but could be denied if certain disqualifying factors were present 

or if the resentencing posed an unreasonable risk of danger to public safety. (Conley, at 

pp. 658, 659.) Whether such exclusions applied required findings that typically would 

not be made at trial that led to the defendant’s conviction. (Id. at pp. 659-660.) “In short, 

application of the Reform Act’s revised sentencing scheme would not be so simple as 

mechanically substituting a second strike sentence for a previously imposed 

indeterminate life term.” (Id. at p. 660.) From this, the Supreme Court concluded the 

voters intended for section 1170.126 to be the sole means of relief for defendants 

sentenced before Proposition 36 took effect. (Conley, at p. 661.) 

The same result applied to the resentencing provision of Proposition 47, 

section 1170.18, in DeHoyos, supra, 4 Cal.5th 594. “Similar considerations lead us to a 

similar conclusion in this case. Like the Reform Act, Proposition 47 is an ameliorative 

criminal law measure that is ‘not silent on the question of retroactivity,’ but instead 

contains a detailed set of provisions designed to extend the statute’s benefits 
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retroactively. [Citation.] Those provisions include, as relevant here, a recall and 

resentencing mechanism for individuals who were ‘serving a sentence’ for a covered 

offense as of Proposition 47’s effective date. [Citation.] Like the parallel resentencing 

provision of the Reform Act, section 1170.18 draws no express distinction between 

persons serving final sentences and those serving nonfinal sentences, instead entitling 

both categories of prisoners to petition courts for recall of sentence. [Citation.] And like 

the resentencing provision of the Reform Act, section 1170.18 expressly makes 

resentencing dependent on a court’s assessment of the likelihood that a defendant’s early 

release will pose a risk to public safety, undermining the idea that voters ‘categorically 

determined that “imposition of a lesser punishment” will in all cases “sufficiently serve 

the public interest.” ’ [Citations.]” (DeHoyos, supra, 4 Cal.5th at p. 603.) Following 

DeHoyos, “section 1170.18 supplies the exclusive path to relief on a current offense 

under Proposition 47 for defendants who were serving felony sentences as of the 

measure’s effective date, including those whose judgments were on appeal and thus not 

yet final.” (People v. Lara (2019) 6 Cal.5th 1128, 1131.) 

The same applies in the context of SB 1437. Since this habeas action is not 

a resentencing petition under section 1170.95, SB 1437 is inapplicable and Chiu, supra, 

59 Cal.4th 155 governs. In accordance with Chiu, petitioner’s first degree murder 

conviction is reversed, and the People have the option of either retrying petitioner for 

first degree murder or accepting a second degree murder conviction. If the People 

choose to retry defendant, then the retroactivity issue is no longer present and the changes 

enacted by SB 1437 apply to any retrial. The trial court shall resentence petitioner as 

needed. If petitioner remains convicted of murder following the proceedings pursuant 

to this disposition, he can, where appropriate, file a resentencing petition under 

section 1170.95.
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DISPOSITION

Petitioner Ricky Lee Cobbs’s conviction for first degree murder is reversed and 

the San Joaquin County Superior Court is directed to conduct additional proceedings 

consistent with this opinion.

 /s/

HOCH, J.

We concur:

 /s/

HULL, Acting P. J.

 /s/

BUTZ, J.