Filed 6/24/13 P. v. Dickerson CA5

NOT TO BE PUBLISHED IN THE OFFICIAL REPORTS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 This opinion has not been certified for publication 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

FIFTH APPELLATE DISTRICT

THE PEOPLE,

Plaintiff and Respondent,

v.

TYRELL D. DICKERSON,

Defendant and Appellant.

F063809

(Super. Ct. No. BF137473B)

OPINION

APPEAL from a judgment of the Superior Court of Kern County. Michael E. 

Dellostritto and Kenneth C. Twisselman II, Judges.

Julia J. Spikes, under appointment by the Court of Appeal, for Defendant and 

Appellant.

Kamala D. Harris, Attorney General, Dane R. Gillette, Chief Assistant Attorney 

General, Michael P. Farrell, Assistant Attorney General, Carlos A. Martinez and Wanda 

Hill Rouzan, Deputy Attorneys General, for Plaintiff and Respondent.

-ooOoo-
2.

On appeal, defendant Tyrell D. Dickerson asks this court to review the material 

disclosed at the in camera hearing following his Pitchess1 motion. Next, defendant 

contends the evidence is insufficient to support his conviction for burglary. Additionally, 

defendant maintains his due process rights were violated when the trial court instructed 

the jury with CALJIC No. 2.15. Lastly, defendant asserts that the October 1, 2011, 

amendments to Penal Code2section 4019 must be applied to his case. We disagree with 

defendant and affirm the judgment in its entirety.

PROCEDURAL HISTORY

By amended information, defendant and his codefendant Jovon Jackson were 

charged with burglary (§ 460, subd. (a); count 1) and receiving stolen property (§ 496, 

subd. (a); count 2). Each count further alleged defendant had a prior strike conviction 

within the meaning of section 667, subdivisions (c) through (j), and he had served a prior 

prison term within the meaning of section 667.5. The burglary count also alleged 

defendant had suffered a prior serious felony conviction within the meaning of section 

667, subdivision (a). Defendant subsequently pled not guilty to all counts and denied all 

allegations.

On August 8, 2011, defendant filed a Pitchess motion. The motion was opposed 

by the City of Bakersfield and Officer Peter Beagley. On September 2, 2011, the trial 

court heard and granted defendant‘s motion. Following proceedings in camera, it ordered 

certain information be disclosed to defense counsel.

Jury trial commenced September 26, 2011. On September 28, 2011, the jury 

found defendant guilty of felony burglary and the court dismissed count 2 on its own 

motion as a lesser included offense. That same date, following a court trial, the further 

allegations were found true.

 

1Pitchess v. Superior Court (1974) 11 Cal.3d 531 (Pitchess).

2All further statutory references are to the Penal Code unless otherwise indicated.
3.

Thereafter, on October 27, 2011, defendant was sentenced to a total of 13 years in 

state prison.

FACTS

On the evening of July 1, 2011, at about 7:15 p.m., Michael George and his 

girlfriend Katy Munoz left their residence to have dinner at a local restaurant. When they 

left the home, both the front and the sliding glass doors were locked.

Shortly after returning home between 9:45 and 10:00 p.m., the couple realized 

certain belongings were missing and the home had been ransacked. A Samsung 50‖ 

plasma television, a PlayStation 3 video game console and various video games, two 

laptop computers in accessory bags, a red duffel bag, and Munoz‘s costume jewelry and 

jewelry box were missing. Although the front door was locked when they returned home, 

the couple noticed the sliding glass door was slightly ajar.

Police officers responded to the couple‘s report of a break-in. They dusted for 

fingerprints and noted pry marks on the front door. Officer Juan Orozco testified that 

although the scene was processed for fingerprints, no usable prints were obtained. While 

on scene, Orozco was contacted by other officers who indicated the property taken from 

the George/Munoz residence may have been recovered.

At about 9:00 p.m. that same evening, Officer Peter Beagley and his partner 

conducted a traffic stop at Madison and Watts Avenues in Bakersfield. This location was 

approximately eight to ten miles from the victims‘ residence, or 20 to 25 minutes‘ driving 

time. When the officers stopped the vehicle in which defendant was a passenger, several 

electronic items and accessories could be seen in the vehicle‘s backseat. None of the 

items appeared to be brand new. After a vehicle search, the officers located laptop 

computers, a PlayStation 3 video game console, a red duffel bag containing a jewelry 

box, and DVD‘s and video games strewn about in the backseat. In the vehicle‘s trunk 

was a large Samsung flat-screen television. A second search of the trunk revealed a 

screwdriver with a bent tip; it also appeared to contain brown paint residue.
4.

George and Munoz subsequently identified the items found in that vehicle as the 

possessions missing from their home. They also testified they did not know defendant 

and that he did not have permission to be in their home. All items were returned that 

same evening. The television was heavy; two persons were required to lift it.

For the defense, criminalist Jeanne Spencer testified she examined the screwdriver 

for trace evidence or evidence of a paint transfer to compare to samples provided of the 

victims‘ front door. None were found on the screwdriver. On cross-examination, she 

testified such a result did not mean the screwdriver could not have been used in the 

crime. Rather, it meant only that no trace evidence remained on the screwdriver had it 

been used in the crime.

DISCUSSION

I. Review of Materials Following Pitchess Motion

Defendant asks this court to review the materials disclosed in camera in response 

to his Pitchess motion. Defendant contends the trial court‘s September 2, 2011, order is 

ambiguous and that it is not clear the ―court itself made the determination of what was 

 ̳discoverable.‘‖

We begin with the well-settled standards for disclosure of confidential personnel 

records pursuant to Pitchess, which established that ―a criminal defendant could  ̳compel 

discovery‘ of certain relevant information in the personnel files of police officers by 

making  ̳general allegations which establish some cause for discovery‘ of that 

information and by showing how it would support a defense to the charge against him.‖ 

(Warrick v. Superior Court (2005) 35 Cal.4th 1011, 1018–1019 (Warrick); see §§ 832.7, 

832.8; Evid. Code, §§ 1043–1045.)

―... To initiate discovery, the defendant must file a motion supported 

by affidavits showing  ̳good cause for the discovery,‘ first by demonstrating 

the materiality of the information to the pending litigation, and second by 

 ̳stating upon reasonable belief‘ that the police agency has the records or 

information at issue. [Citation.] This two-part showing of good cause is a 

 ̳relatively low threshold for discovery.‘ [Citation.]
5.

―If the trial court finds good cause for the discovery, it reviews the 

pertinent documents in chambers and discloses only that information falling 

within the statutorily defined standards of relevance. [Citations.] The trial 

court may not disclose complaints more than five years old, the 

 ̳conclusions of any officer‘ who investigates a citizen complaint of police 

misconduct, or facts  ̳so remote as to make [their] disclosure of little or no 

practical benefit.‘ [Citations.] Typically, the trial court discloses only the 

names, addresses, and telephone numbers of individuals who have 

witnessed, or have previously filed complaints about, similar misconduct 

by the officer. [Citation.] That practice  ̳imposes a further safeguard to 

protect officer privacy where the relevance of the information sought is 

minimal and the officer‘s privacy concerns are substantial.‘ [Citation.]‖ 

(Warrick, supra, 35 Cal.4th at p. 1019.)

―[T]he standard governing discovery of personnel records is not whether the 

information discovered is ultimately admissible at trial.  ̳[Evidence Code s]ection 1043 

has no such precondition. Quite to the contrary, the Legislature has determined that the 

moving party must show only that the personnel records are material to the subject matter 

in the pending litigation.‘ [Citation.]‖ (Larry E. v. Superior Court (1987) 194 

Cal.App.3d 25, 31–32.) When there is ―discoverable information in the officer‘s file,‖

the defendant should be ―given an opportunity to determine if the information would 

have led to any relevant, admissible evidence that he could have presented at trial. 

[Citation.]‖ (People v. Hustead (1999) 74 Cal.App.4th 410, 419.)

When the court finds good cause and conducts an in camera review pursuant to 

Pitchess, it must make a record that will permit future appellate review. (People v. Mooc

(2001) 26 Cal.4th 1216, 1229-1230; People v. Guevara (2007) 148 Cal.App.4th 62, 69.) 

The court may preserve the record either by copying the documents and placing them in a 

confidential file, preparing a sealed list of the documents it reviewed, or ―simply state for 

the record what documents it examined‖ and seal that transcript. (Mooc, supra, at p. 

1229.)

The trial court has broad discretion in ruling on both the good cause and disclosure 

components of a Pitchess motion. Its ruling will not be disturbed absent an abuse of that 

discretion. (Alford v. Superior Court (2003) 29 Cal.4th 1033, 1039; People v. Hughes
6.

(2002) 27 Cal.4th 287, 330; Haggerty v. Superior Court (2004) 117 Cal.App.4th 1079, 

1086.)

On appeal, we are required to review the ―record of the documents examined by 

the trial court‖ and to determine whether the trial court abused its discretion in refusing to 

disclose the contents of the officer‘s personnel records pursuant to Pitchess. (People v. 

Mooc, supra, 26 Cal.4th at p. 1229; see People v. Hughes, supra, 27 Cal.4th at p. 330.) A 

defendant is entitled to ―meaningful appellate review‖ of the confidential files that were 

before the superior court when it denied the Pitchess motion for disclosure. (Mooc, 

supra, at p. 1228.)

If the appellate court determines that the superior court abused its discretion by 

denying disclosure of confidential records it had reviewed, reversal is not required unless 

the error was prejudicial under the standard of People v. Watson (1956) 46 Cal.2d 818, 

836. (See People v. Gaines (2009) 46 Cal.4th 172, 182–183; People v. Samuels (2005) 

36 Cal.4th 96, 110.) The determination of whether the court‘s error was prejudicial 

―involves an assessment or weighing of the persuasive value of the evidence that was 

presented and that which should have been presented. [Citations.]‖ (Gaines, supra, at p. 

182.) There must be a reasonable probability of a different outcome if the potential 

impeachment evidence had been disclosed. (Ibid.)

Here, defendant filed his motion on August 8, 2011, seeking personnel records 

regarding Bakersfield police officer Peter Beagley. More particularly, defendant sought 

reports, complaints or investigation documents pertaining to ―[f]alsifying information‖ 

and ―[d]ishonesty as [to] the reporting of investigations.‖ The City of Bakersfield and 

Officer Beagley opposed the motion. On September 2, 2011, the trial court granted the 

motion and proceeded to hold an in camera hearing. The minute order reads, in pertinent 

part: ―Cause proceeds with in camera hearing. [¶] The court makes the following 

findings and/or orders: [¶] Court orders discoverable items, if any, are to be disclosed and 

provided to the defense within ten days. Protective order granted.‖ (Some capitalization 

omitted.)
7.

We have examined Officer Beagley‘s personnel records and all materials provided 

during the in camera proceedings. The trial court preserved the record in a sealed 

transcript by stating for the record the documents it examined. (People v. Mooc, supra, 

26 Cal.4th at p. 1229.) Following its review, the trial court ordered the release of certain 

relevant information to defense counsel, subject to a protective order. Otherwise, it 

determined that the materials reviewed in camera were not discoverable. Following our 

review, we conclude that the trial court did not abuse its discretion.

II. Sufficiency of the Evidence

Defendant contends the evidence was insufficient to support his conviction for 

burglary. More specifically, he contends there was insufficient evidence he had 

conscious possession of the stolen property.

In assessing a claim of insufficiency of the evidence, the reviewing court‘s task is 

to review the entire record in the light most favorable to the judgment to determine 

whether it contains substantial evidence—evidence that is reasonable, credible, and of 

solid value upon which a reasonable trier of fact could find the defendant guilty beyond a 

reasonable doubt. The standard of review is the same in cases in which the prosecution 

relies mainly on circumstantial evidence. It is the jury, not the appellate court, which 

must be convinced of a defendant‘s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. If the 

circumstances reasonably justify the trier of fact‘s findings, the opinion of the reviewing 

court that the circumstances might also reasonably be reconciled with a contrary finding 

does not warrant a reversal of the judgment. (People v. Rodriguez (1999) 20 Cal.4th 1, 

11; see also Jackson v. Virginia (1979) 443 U.S. 307, 317-320; People v. Johnson (1980) 

26 Cal.3d 557, 578.)

In reviewing a challenge to the sufficiency of the evidence, appellate courts do not 

determine the facts. We examine the record as a whole in the light most favorable to the 

judgment and presume the existence of every fact the trier of fact could reasonably 

deduce from the evidence in support of the judgment. (People v. Kraft (2000) 23 Cal.4th 

978, 1053, overruled on other grounds in People v. Rundle (2008) 43 Cal.4th 76, 151.) If 
8.

the verdict is supported by substantial evidence, a reviewing court must accord due 

deference to the trier of fact and not substitute its evaluation of a witness‘s credibility for 

that of the fact finder. (People v. Ochoa (1993) 6 Cal.4th 1199, 1206.) Unless the 

testimony of a single witness is physically impossible or inherently improbable, it is 

sufficient for a conviction. (Evid. Code, § 411; People v. Young (2005) 34 Cal.4th 1149, 

1181.)

An appellate court must accept logical inferences that the jury might have drawn 

from circumstantial evidence. (People v. Maury (2003) 30 Cal.4th 342, 396.) Before the 

judgment of the trial court can be set aside for insufficiency of the evidence, ―it must 

clearly appear that on no hypothesis whatever is there sufficient substantial evidence to 

support the verdict of the jury.‖ (People v. Hicks (1982) 128 Cal.App.3d 423, 429; see 

People v. Conners (2008) 168 Cal.App.4th 443, 453.)

Here, defendant argues the evidence in support of his burglary conviction is 

insufficient because the People failed to present any evidence that he possessed the items, 

either actually or constructively. We disagree.

Defendant relies upon People v. Zyduck (1969) 270 Cal.App.2d 334 in support of 

his argument. Zyduck was the front seat passenger in a vehicle stopped on a highway in 

a logging area. The court held that the mere presence of a stolen chainsaw in the 

backseat did not support Zyduck‘s conviction of receiving stolen property. That court 

held that ―[d]ominion and control are essentials of possession, and they cannot be 

inferred from mere presence or access. Something more must be shown to support 

inferring of these elements. Of course, the necessary additional circumstances may, in 

some fact contexts, be rather slight. [Citations.]‖ (Id. at p. 336.)

In this case, unlike People v. Zyduck, defendant was not convicted based upon his 

mere presence as a passenger in the vehicle, nor on the basis that Jackson‘s vehicle 

contained a heavy object. Rather, there exists other evidence to support the inference of 

possession.
9.

The George/Munoz residence was burgled after 7:15 p.m. on July 1, 2011. Less 

than two hours later, and about 25 minutes driving time away, defendant was a passenger 

in a vehicle with Jackson, the only other occupant. The vehicle had been stopped by 

police and found to contain the victims‘ possessions. One of those possessions—a 50-

inch Samsung plasma television—could not be carried by a single individual. The 

evidence adduced at trial revealed that due to the bulk and weight of the television, two 

persons were needed to lift and carry it. Here, the fact defendant was in the presence of 

recently stolen property shortly after the burglary must have occurred, coupled with the 

fact one of the stolen items could not be lifted and carried by a single individual and there 

were only two occupants in the vehicle, is the ―something more‖ that supports an 

inference of possession. The jury logically inferred that defendant was aware the items in 

the backseat and trunk of Jackson‘s car were stolen. It is also logical to infer from that 

same evidence that defendant burgled the victims‘ home.

We disagree with defendant that his case is similar to the facts of People v. Smith

(1954) 128 Cal.App.2d 706. In Smith, more than 24 hours following the burglary of a 

jewelry store in Oakland, the defendant and two other men were playing pool at a pool 

hall in Merced. One of the other men left briefly and returned with a brown paper bag. 

The contents of the bag—watches and rings—were emptied onto a pool table and the 

other two men asked patrons whether they were interested in purchasing the items. Smith 

was nearby, dancing to music from the juke box. (Id. at p. 707.) After the three men left 

the pool hall, they were pulled over by law enforcement. Questioned separately, all three 

denied ever having seen the jewelry found in the vehicle. (Id. at pp. 707-708.)

The appellate court reversed Smith‘s conviction for possession of stolen property, 

finding the evidence of possession was sufficient as to the other two men, but insufficient 

as to Smith. (People v. Smith, supra, 128 Cal.App.2d at pp. 708-709.) Defendant likens 

himself to Smith, indicating that he ―was associating with someone who had possibly just 

burgled an apartment,‖ and that while that association ―may be a very suspicious 

circumstance,‖ it is not evidence he possessed stolen property. As detailed above 
10.

however, unlike Smith, here there is evidence to support the jury‘s finding that defendant 

possessed stolen property. Unlike Smith, more than 24 hours and 130 miles had not 

passed between the time of the burglary and the time in which Smith was found in the 

presence of the stolen property. Rather, here, defendant was found in Jackson‘s vehicle 

within two hours of the burglary and only eight to ten miles away from the scene of the 

burglary. Additionally, there was evidence that one of the items taken during the 

burglary could not be handled by a single individual. These facts distinguish this matter 

from Smith.

Moreover, defendant argues, without any citation to legal authority, that because 

CALJIC No. 2.15 ―has a temporal component factored into it by virtue of using the 

phrase  ̳recently stolen,‘‖ the ―prosecutor cannot use that same circumstantial evidence as 

corroborating evidence.‖ We have not identified any authority in support of defendant‘s 

assertion. We note, however, that ― ̳the attributes of the possession—time, place, and

manner—may furnish the additional quantum of evidence‘‖ needed to establish 

possession. (People v. Reyes (1997) 52 Cal.App.4th 975, 985.) Here, the attributes of 

possession—time (within two hours of the burglary), place (eight to ten miles from 

burgled residence), and manner (item taken could not be carried by single individual)—

provided proper corroboration.

We conclude this record contains additional facts beyond defendant‘s mere 

presence as a passenger in a vehicle. Those additional facts gave rise to a logical 

inference that defendant had possession of the stolen property and had committed the 

crime of burglary.

III. CALJIC No. 2.15

Defendant maintains the trial court erred in instructing the jury with CALJIC 

No. 2.153 because, as a matter of law, there was no evidence he possessed stolen 

 

3The jury was instructed as follows:

―If you find that a defendant was in conscious possession of recently stolen property, the 

fact of that possession is not, by itself, sufficient to permit an inference that the defendant is 
11.

property. As we have already determined there was sufficient evidence to establish that 

defendant had possession of stolen property, we find no error.

The general rule is that the trial court must instruct on the ―principles of law 

relevant to the issues raised by the evidence [citations] and has the correlative duty  ̳to 

refrain from instructing on principles of law which not only are irrelevant to the issues 

raised by the evidence but also have the effect of confusing the jury or relieving it from 

making findings on relevant issues.‘ [Citation.]‖ (People v. Saddler (1979) 24 Cal.3d 

671, 681.) It is well settled that a jury may infer guilt of a theft-related crime from the 

fact a defendant is in possession of recently stolen property, when coupled with slight 

corroboration by other inculpatory circumstances that tend to show guilt. (People v. 

Barker (2001) 91 Cal.App.4th 1166, 1173.)

The California Supreme Court has concluded CALJIC No. 2.15 may properly be 

given regarding charges of robbery, burglary, and other theft-related offenses in cases in 

which there is sufficient evidence to support findings the defendants possessed recently 

stolen property. (People v. Prieto (2003) 30 Cal.4th 226, 249 [―[w]e have approved the 

use of CALJIC No. 2.15 with respect to theft offenses‖]; People v. Smithey (1999) 20 

Cal.4th 936, 976–977; People v. Holt (1997) 15 Cal.4th 619, 677.)

As previously discussed, although defendant asserts he was merely a passenger in 

the vehicle and thus could not be found to have possessed stolen property, we have 

determined the evidence logically suggests otherwise.

In this case, the trial court instructed on a principle of law relevant to an issue 

raised—possession of recently stolen goods. Here, over and above defendant‘s proximity 

to the victims‘ property at the time of the stop, there was evidence in the form of time, 

 

guilty of the crimes charged in counts 1 and 2. Before guilt may be inferred, there must be 

corroborating evidence tending to prove defendant‘s guilt. However, this corroborating evidence 

need only be slight and need not, by itself, be sufficient to warrant an inference of guilt.

―As corroboration, you may consider the attributes of possession, time, place, and manner 

that the defendant had an opportunity to commit the crime charged, the defendant‘s conduct, and 

any other evidence which tends to connect the defendant with the crime charged.‖
12.

place, and manner that spoke to defendant‘s opportunity to commit burglary and have 

knowing possession of recently stolen goods. The instruction was clearly relevant to the 

issues raised at trial. (People v. Saddler, supra, 24 Cal.3d at p. 681.)

Defendant argues the jury may have been confused by the instructions given by 

the trial court but fails to cite to the record to support this possibility. He claims ―the jury 

might have assumed that [his] mere presence in the vehicle with the stolen items 

constituted possession‖ and that such a misconception was not remedied by the 

instructions given. We cannot agree with defendant‘s assertion as it is based on rank 

speculation. Defendant points to nothing in the record to support such an assumption.

In sum, the trial court did not err by instructing the jury in the language of 

CALJIC No. 2.15. The instruction explained to the jury that it could not find defendant 

guilty of burglary unless it first found that defendant ―was in conscious possession of 

recently stolen property‖ and then found additional corroborating evidence to infer guilt.

IV. Section 4019 Credits

Finally, defendant contends he should be awarded additional presentence credits 

based upon the amendments to section 4019 that became operative on October 1, 2011. 

He argues failure to award retroactive credit constitutes a violation of equal protection 

principles. He further argues he should receive enhanced credits for the actual time spent 

in custody after October 1, 2011, claiming the statutory language is ambiguous. This 

court has previously addressed, and rejected, the specific arguments raised by defendant 

in our decision in People v. Ellis (2012) 207 Cal.App.4th 1546 (Ellis). We reject them 

again here. (See also People v. Brown (2012) 54 Cal.4th 314; People v. Kennedy (2012) 

209 Cal.App.4th 385.)

Subdivision (h) of section 4019 specifically states the increased conduct credit 

amendment applies prospectively only. In Ellis, we concluded the intent of the 

Legislature ―was to have the enhanced rate apply only to those defendants who 

committed their crimes on or after October 1, 2011. [Citation.]‖ (Ellis, supra, 207 
13.

Cal.App.4th at p. 1553.) It is undisputed that defendant committed his crime prior to 

October 1, 2011, or, on July 1, 2011.

―The concept of equal protection recognizes that persons who are similarly 

situated with respect to a law‘s legitimate purposes must be treated equally. [Citation.]‖ 

(People v. Brown, supra, 54 Cal.4th at p. 328.) Reviewing courts determine whether 

groups are ―similarly situated‖ in the specific context of the law being challenged, not 

whether the groups are ―similarly situated‖ in all respects. (Ellis, supra, 207 Cal.App.4th 

at p. 1551.)

In People v. Brown, the California Supreme Court noted that the purpose of 

section 4019 is to authorize incentives for good behavior.4 This goal is not served ― ̳by 

rewarding prisoners who served time before the incentives took effect and thus could not 

have modified their behavior in response....‘‖ (Ellis, supra, 207 Cal.App.4th at p. 1551, 

quoting People v. Brown, supra, 54 Cal.4th at pp. 328–329.) Therefore, prisoners who 

served time before and after amendments to section 4019 are not ―similarly situated‖ for 

equal protection purposes. (Ellis, supra, at p. 1551.) Because defendant fails to show 

section 4019 treats ―similarly situated‖ groups unequally, he asserts no cognizable equal 

protection claim.

To the degree defendant argues his right to equal protection was violated by the 

denial of conduct credits for the presentence time he served between October 1 and 

October 27, 2011, the court in People v. Rajanayagam (2012) 211 Cal.App.4th 42 

rejected a similar claim. Although the Rajanayagam court found that defendants who 

served time in jail on or after October 1, 2011, regardless of the date they committed their 

offenses were indeed similarly situated for purposes of equal protection, it nevertheless 

concluded there was no equal protection violation as there was a rational basis for the 

legislative classification. (Id. at pp. 53-56.) As the court explained, the legislative 

 

4Although People v. Brown dealt with a different amendment to section 4019, we have 

applied its reasoning to the October 1, 2011, amendments to section 4019 that are at issue here. 

(See Ellis, supra, 207 Cal.App.4th at pp. 1551–1552.)
14.

purpose behind the amendment at issue is ― ̳to reduce recidivism and improve public 

safety, while at the same time reducing corrections and related criminal justice 

spending.‘‖ (Id. at p. 55.) The court concluded ―the classification in question does bear a 

rational relationship to cost savings.‖ (Ibid.) Therefore, the defendant‘s equal protection 

rights were not violated. (Id. at p. 56.) Even assuming we were to find defendant is 

similarly situated with persons who do benefit from the legislation, we agree with the 

court in Rajanayagam that there is a rational basis for the classification. No equal 

protection violation occurred.

Likewise, we reject defendant‘s argument that he is entitled to enhanced conduct 

credits for the period between October 1, 2011, and the date he was subsequently 

sentenced on the ground the wording of the statute is ambiguous. As we explained in 

Ellis, the statutory language on this point is not ambiguous. (Ellis, supra, 207 

Cal.App.4th at pp. 1552-1553.) Thus, for the reasons stated in Ellis, we reject 

defendant‘s claim.

The trial court properly awarded defendant a total of 58 days of custody credit and 

119 days of actual custody credit, for a total of 177 days.

DISPOSITION

The judgment is affirmed.

___________________________

PEÑA, J.

WE CONCUR:

________________________________

KANE, Acting P.J.

________________________________

FRANSON, J.