Source: https://scocal.stanford.edu/opinion/re-christian-s-31547
Timestamp: 2020-07-03 14:23:40
Document Index: 412166062

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 192', '§ 187', '§ 192', '§ 187', '§ 6', '§ 191', '§ 192', '§ 6', '§ 192', '§ 192', '§ 188', '§ 188', '§ 195', '§ 26', '§ 192', '§ 188', '§ 245', '§ 131']

In re Christian S. - 7 Cal.4th 768 S030310 - Mon, 05/16/1994 | California Supreme Court Resources
Home > Opinions > In re Christian S.
Citation 7 Cal.4th 768
In re Christian S. (1994) 7 Cal.4th 768 , 30 Cal.Rptr.2d 33; 872 P.2d 574
Stephen Gilbert, under appointment by the Supeme Court, for Defendant and Appellant. [7 Cal.4th 771]
[1a] The 1981 amendments to Penal Code sections 28, 29, and 188 do not manifest the Legislature's intention to mandate a murder conviction for a person who actually but unreasonably believes he must use lethal force to defend himself against imminent death or great bodily injury. Those amendments were a direct response to the public outcry against the diminished capacity defense successfully used in the infamous trial of a San Francisco City and County supervisor who had killed the city's mayor and another supervisor. That case raised no question of self-defense. Nothing in the language, history, or context of the amendments compels the conclusion that the Legislature intended to abrogate the well-established doctrine of imperfect self-defense-a doctrine that differs significantly from the doctrine of diminished capacity. [7 Cal.4th 772]
The Court of Appeal reversed. It ruled that the record "unequivocally established" that when defendant fired the gun, he feared that Elliott was about to "seriously" harm him. The court also interpreted the record as reflecting that the trial court had found that defendant had acted with an "honest belief" in the need to defend himself. The Court of Appeal held the Legislature had not abrogated the doctrine of imperfect self-defense and that, applying the doctrine, defendant's state of mind-that is, his honest belief-negated any finding that defendant acted with malice. In light of its decision, the Court of Appeal did not reach defendant's additional claims on appeal, namely, whether the trial court erred (1) in finding inadequate provocation [7 Cal.4th 773] to support a "heat of passion" defense that would reduce the offense to voluntary manslaughter (Pen. Code, § 192, subd. (a)), and (2) in refusing to allow expert testimony regarding the so-called fight-or-flight syndrome.
"Murder is the unlawful killing of a human being, or a fetus, with malice aforethought." (Pen. Code, § 187, subd. (a), italics added.) By contrast, "Manslaughter is the unlawful killing of a human being without malice." (Pen. Code, § 192, italics added.) "The vice is the element of malice; in its absence the level of guilt must decline." (People v. Flannel (1979) 25 Cal.3d 668, 680 [160 Cal.Rptr. 84, 603 P.2d 1] [Flannel].) The doctrines of imperfect self-defense and diminished capacity arose from this principle.
[2] We explained imperfect self-defense in Flannel, supra, 25 Cal.3d 668. "It is the honest belief of imminent peril that negates malice in a case of complete self-defense; the reasonableness of the belief simply goes to the justification for the killing." (Id., at p. 679.) We concluded that "An honest but unreasonable belief that it is necessary to defend oneself from imminent peril to life or great bodily injury negates malice aforethought, the mental element necessary for murder, so that the chargeable offense is reduced to manslaughter." (Id., at p. 674, some italics omitted.) (Although Flannel and other opinions referred to an "honest belief " we shall use the more precise term "actual belief " because it avoids the confusing suggestion inherent in the phrase "honest belief" that a person could have a "dishonest belief," i. e., that a person could believe something he does not believe.) fn. 1
[1b] This principle had common law antecedents (Flannel, supra, 25 Cal.3d at p. 679) but was not a purely common law defense. Rather, because malice is a statutory requirement for a murder conviction (Pen. Code, § 187, subd. (a)), the statute required courts to determine whether an actual but unreasonable belief in the imminent need for self-defense rose to the level of [7 Cal.4th 774] malice within the statutory definition. The doctrine thus had statutory as well as common law roots.
We observed in Flannel, supra, 25 Cal.3d 668, 681, that the doctrine had been "obfuscated by infrequent reference and inadequate elucidation" and thus, before the trial in that case, had not become a general principle of law requiring a sua sponte instruction. More important for our present purpose, though, is Flannel's conclusion that in future cases imperfect self-defense would be deemed to be so well-established a doctrine that it "should be considered a general principle for purposes of jury instruction." (Id., at p. 682.) Thus, by 1981 imperfect self-defense was demonstrably and firmly established.
Diminished capacity was also well established by that time. "[M]alice aforethought could be negated by showing that a person who intentionally killed was incapable of harboring malice aforethought because of a mental disease or defect or intoxication. [Citation.] To explain how diminished capacity negated malice, we redefined and expanded the mental component of malice aforethought beyond that stated in [Penal Code] section 188 to include a requirement that the defendant was able to comprehend the duty society places on all persons to act within the law, i.e., that he had an 'awareness of the obligation to act within the general body of laws regulating society.' " (People v. Saille (1991) 54 Cal.3d 1103, 1110 [2 Cal.Rptr.2d 364, 820 P.2d 588], fn. omitted, quoting People v. Conley (1966) 64 Cal.2d 310, 322 [49 Cal.Rptr. 815, 411 P.2d 911].) Absent this awareness by the defendant, a court could not find malice.
Because imperfect self-defense and diminished capacity were firmly established by 1981, we assume the Legislature was aware of both doctrines and would have made clear any intent to abolish either doctrine. (Mesler v. Bragg Management Co. (1985) 39 Cal.3d 290, 303 [216 Cal.Rptr. 443, 702 P.2d 601]; Estate of McDill (1975) 14 Cal.3d 831, 839 [122 Cal.Rptr. 754, 537 P.2d 874].)
"We begin with the fundamental rule that our primary task in construing a statute is to determine the Legislature's intent." (Brown v. Kelly Broadcasting Co. (1989) 48 Cal.3d 711, 724 [257 Cal.Rptr. 708, 771 P.2d 406].) We [7 Cal.4th 775] must begin with the words of the statute. (Ibid.) Several amendments were enacted together as part of Senate Bill No. 54. Those amendments included the addition to the Penal Code of section 28, which eliminated the diminished-capacity defense, and section 29, which limited psychiatric testimony regarding a defendant's mental state. The Legislature also changed Penal Code section 189's definition of premeditation and deliberation and amended section 22 to restrict a defendant's use of evidence of voluntary intoxication to negate mental capacity.
Penal Code section 188, the statute on which respondent primarily relies, is likewise devoid of any reference to imperfect self-defense. Before the 1981 amendments, section 188 stated: "Such malice may be express or implied. It is express when there is manifested a deliberate intention unlawfully to take away the life of a fellow creature. It is implied, when no considerable provocation appears, or when the circumstances attending the killing show an abandoned and malignant heart." The 1981 amendments did not change this language. Rather, the amendments added the following language: "When it is shown that the killing resulted from the intentional doing of an act with express or implied malice as defined above, no other mental state need be shown to establish the mental state of malice aforethought. An awareness of the obligation to act within the general body of laws regulating society is not included within the definition of malice." (Stats. 1981, ch. 404, § 6, p. 1593, italics added.) This new language clearly refers to the diminished-capacity defense. The amendment uses the same language we used before 1981 in explaining the premise that malice required an "... awareness of the obligation to act within the general body of laws regulating society ...." (People v. Conley, supra, 64 Cal.2d 310, 322, italics added.) The Legislature made absolutely clear its intent to abrogate the diminished-capacity defense.
There is no similar reference to imperfect self-defense in the 1981 amendment to Penal Code section 188. We decline to insert into the statute what the Legislature omitted. That is not our function. [7 Cal.4th 776]
First, we are aware of no authority that supports the notion of legislation by accident. If respondent means the Legislature abrogated imperfect self-defense by implication, we reject that view as well. "[A]n intention to legislate by implication is not to be presumed." (First M. E. Church v. Los Angeles Co. (1928) 204 Cal. 201, 204 [267 P. 703]; Educational & Recreational Services, Inc. v. Pasadena Unified Sch. Dist. (1977) 65 Cal.App.3d 775, 782 [135 Cal.Rptr. 594].)
Second, respondent reads too much into the discussion in Flannel, supra, 25 Cal.3d 668, of mental capacity, as it had been construed and applied in People v. Conley, supra, 64 Cal.2d 310, 322. Although "Flannel[, supra, 25 Cal.3d 668] relied upon the expanded mental component of malice in formulating its imperfect self-defense doctrine, its reliance was only partial. Independent of this expanded mental component and independent of diminished capacity, Flannel regarded imperfect self-defense as a factor which -just like 'the statutorily suggested "sudden quarrel or heat of passion"-can negate malice aforethought....' " (People v. De Leon (1992) 10 Cal.App.4th 815, 822 [12 Cal.Rptr.2d 825], quoting Flannel, supra, 25 Cal.3d 668, 672.) The De Leon court's observation was well taken. The doctrine of imperfect self-defense had a lineage independent of the notion of mental capacity set forth in Conley, supra, 64 Cal.2d 310. In Flannel itself, supra, 25 Cal.3d 668, we traced the long development of the doctrine in California courts. (People v. Wells (1949) 33 Cal.2d 330 [202 P.2d 53]; People v. Lewis (1960) 186 Cal.App.2d 585 [9 Cal.Rptr. 263]; Roads v. Superior Court (1969) 275 Cal.App.2d 593 [80 Cal.Rptr. 169]; People v. Sedeno (1974) 10 Cal.3d 703 [112 Cal.Rptr. 1, 518 P.2d 913].) Indeed, 30 years before the diminished-capacity defense was allowed, a California court approved the imperfect self-defense doctrine: " '[I]f the act is committed under the influence of an uncontrollable fear of death or great bodily harm, caused by the circumstances, but without the presence of all the ingredients necessary to excuse the act on the ground of self-defense, the killing is manslaughter' [citation]." (People v. Best (1936) 13 Cal.App.2d 606, 610 [57 P.2d 168].) Several other states also had approved the imperfect self-defense doctrine long before the notion of diminished capacity was approved in Conley, supra, 66 Cal.2d 310, 322. (Allison v. State (1905) 74 Ark. 444 [86 S.W. 409]; State v. Clark (1904) 69 Kan. 347 [77 P. 287]; Commonwealth v. Colandro (1911) 231 Pa. 343 [80 A. 571]; State v. Swift (1926) 53 N.D. 916 [7 Cal.4th 777] [208 N.W. 388]; State v. Foutch (1896) 95 Tenn. 711 [34 S.W. 423]; State v. Kidd (1918) 24 N.M. 572 [175 P. 772]; Hartfield v. State (1936) 176 Miss. 776 [170 So. 531].) fn. 2
Third, despite the discussion in Flannel, supra, 25 Cal.3d 668, of mental capacity, neither that opinion nor the other cases approving imperfect self-defense could have misled the Legislature into reasonably believing that the doctrine was the same as, or even inextricably bound up with, the diminished-capacity defense. We made clear in Flannel that the two doctrines were not coextensive: "We disagree that the doctrine of unreasonable belief is necessarily bound up with or limited by the concepts of either heat of passion or diminished capacity." (Flannel, supra, 25 Cal.3d 668, 677, italics added.) The Legislature was, of course, aware of Flannel and thus knew that we had noted the difference between the two doctrines. We are not persuaded the Legislature would have attempted to eliminate imperfect self-defense by referring only to the diminished-capacity defense in the amendment to Penal Code section 188. (We subsequently reiterated the distinction between the two doctrines when we concluded in People v. Saille, supra, 54 Cal.3d 1103 (Saille), that the Legislature had abrogated the diminished-capacity defense. Concerning imperfect self-defense, we observed, "This doctrine has no application to the facts before us ...." (Id., at p. 1107, fn. 1, italics added).)
[3] Fourth, even if we had not emphasized the difference between the two doctrines, that difference would have been patent, and we assume the Legislature would have understood this. The two doctrines relate to the concept of malice, but the similarity ends there. Unlike diminished capacity, imperfect self-defense is not rooted in any notion of mental capacity or [7 Cal.4th 778] awareness of the need to act lawfully. To the contrary, a person may be entirely free of any mental disease, defect, or intoxication and may be fully aware of the need to act lawfully-and thus not have a diminished capacity-but actually, although unreasonably, believe in the need for self-defense. Put simply, an awareness of the need to act lawfully does not-in fact or logic-depend on whether the putative victim's belief in the need for self-defense is correct. A person who actually believes in the need for self-defense necessarily believes he is acting lawfully. He is thus aware of the obligation to act lawfully. A defendant could assert one doctrine even though the facts did not support the other. The diminished-capacity defense could be-and often has been-asserted when self-defense was not an issue; and, conversely, imperfect self-defense could be raised when there was no claim of diminished capacity.
We believe defendant's construction of the statute is the more reasonable. Respondent's approach substitutes an unlawful consequence for an unlawful [7 Cal.4th 779] intent. This view also reverses the normal way in which malice and murder are understood. As respondent would have it, if a person kills someone lawfully, the killer has no malice, but if he kills someone unlawfully, he has malice. Of course, whether the killing is unlawful is the ultimate question and can be determined only with hindsight. Thus, under respondent's view, the defendant's mental state at the time of the killing will depend on whether the killing is later determined to be unlawful. The defendant's intent would become-not a fact to be determined-but the result of a determination of whether he acted unlawfully. fn. 3
We also reject the suggestion that we previously decided in Saille, supra, 54 Cal.3d 1103, that Penal Code section 188's definition of express malice does not require an intent to act unlawfully. This reads too much into Saille. It quotes a Court of Appeal decision that, in turn, relies on another Court of Appeal decision for the proposition that, " 'The adverb "unlawfully" in the express malice definition means simply that there is no justification, excuse, or mitigation for the killing recognized by the law.' " (Saille, supra, 54 Cal.3d at p. 1115, quoting People v. Bobo (1990) 229 Cal.App.3d 1417, 1440-1441 [271 Cal.Rptr. 277], citing People v. Stress (1988) 205 Cal.App.3d 1259, 1268 [252 Cal.Rptr. 913].) Respondent asserts this observation is inconsistent with the doctrine of imperfect self-defense. Not so. In its very next sentence after the one quoted in Saille, supra, 54 Cal.3d at page 1115, the Bobo court, supra, 229 Cal.App.3d at page 1441, explained, "Thus, in the wake of the 1981 legislation, voluntary manslaughter encompasses only an intentional killing resulting from a sudden quarrel or heat of passion (with adequate provocation), and perhaps a killing arising from an honest but unreasonable belief in the need to defend." (Bobo, supra, 229 Cal.App.3d 1417, 1441, italics added.) Even the Bobo court itself did not suggest that its view of section 188's express malice definition would necessarily prohibit imperfect self-defense. Indeed, the court made clear it was not suggesting as much. The passing reference in Saille, supra, 54 Cal.3d 1103, to this equivocal observation in Bobo, supra, 229 Cal.App.3d 1417, is too slender a reed on which to base the conclusion that Saille decided the issue now before us. Indeed, the Saille court made clear it was not deciding this issue: "That [imperfect self-defense] doctrine applies to reduce an intentional killing from murder to manslaughter when a person kills under an honest [i.e., [7 Cal.4th 780] actual] but unreasonable belief in the necessity to defend against imminent peril to life or great bodily injury. (People v. Flannel [, supra,] 25 Cal.3d 668, 674-680 [citation].) This doctrine has no application to the facts before us, and we do not decide whether it has been affected by Proposition 8 and the 1981 legislation." (Saille, supra, 54 Cal.3d at p. 1107, fn. 1, italics added; see also People v. De Leon, supra, 10 Cal.App.4th at p. 822 [noting our disclaimer in Saille, supra, 54 Cal.3d at p. 1107, fn. 1, that we were not deciding the continued validity of imperfect self-defense].)
Perhaps most important, even though we are not persuaded by respondent's view of Penal Code section 188, we acknowledge the inherent ambiguity in the statute's definition of express malice. " 'When language which is reasonably susceptible of two constructions is used in a penal law ordinarily that construction which is more favorable to the offender will be adopted.' " (People v. Stuart (1956) 47 Cal.2d 167, 175 [302 P.2d 5, 55 A.L.R.2d 705], quoting People v. Ralph (1944) 24 Cal.2d 575, 581 [150 P.2d 401]; In re Tartar (1959) 52 Cal.2d 250, 256 [339 P.2d 553].) Because the language of section 188's definition of express malice is, at the very least, reasonably susceptible to the construction asserted by defendant, we adopt that construction. fn. 4 [7 Cal.4th 781]
Because there is ambiguity, we may properly also look to the legislative history of the 1981 amendments. (Brown v. Poway Unified School Dist. (1993) 4 Cal.4th 820, 830 [15 Cal.Rptr.2d 679, 843 P.2d 624].) That history, though not unequivocal, leads to the same conclusion. We have not found a single reference to eliminating imperfect self-defense or even a clue that doing so was considered by the Legislature. Time after time, those involved in the legislative process made clear the purpose was to eliminate the diminished-capacity defense.
Many other references to diminished capacity could be noted but would be unnecessary because the point is clear. The extensive analyses of the legislation by both its supporters and its opponents are replete with discussions of [7 Cal.4th 782] the need and desire to abolish diminished capacity. But there is no discussion, not a single mention, of also eliminating imperfect self-defense.
The question before us is, of course, one of statutory construction and we do not decide whether the Legislature in 1981 should have eliminated imperfect self-defense or whether it should do so now. That is a public policy issue properly left to the Legislature. As we recently observed in construing another group of statutes, "Our holding is based on the Act as it is written, not on a different, perhaps broader, version that could have been, or still may be, enacted." (Waste Management of the Desert v. Palm Springs Recycling Center, Inc., ante, 478 at p. 490 [28 Cal.Rptr.2d 461, 869 P.2d 440].) Public policy, however, is a relevant, albeit secondary, consideration for our decision in the present case. We are asked in this case to decide whether the Legislature intended to abolish a well-established legal doctrine that raises significant public policy considerations. We are not persuaded the Legislature would have silently, or at best obscurely, decided so important and controversial a public policy matter and created a significant departure from the existing law.
We find no indication the Legislature considered any of the policy issues attendant to elimination of imperfect self-defense. Of course, reasonable minds might differ on how these issues should be resolved. And, we do not suggest that the Legislature is required to give plenary, or any particular level of consideration, to an issue. The depth of the debate is the domain of the Legislature. But the absence of any debate or clear resolution of this matter further suggests the Legislature did not intend any change in the law or even consider the question. Unlike the dissent, we reject the view that the Legislature silently enacts major social policy. That view renders legislative intent-traditionally the touchstone of statutory construction-a nullity. [7 Cal.4th 783]
Respondent and others have suggested this defense will lead to a proliferation of unfounded claims of self-defense. We leave that concern to the Legislature. We caution, however, that the doctrine is narrow. It requires without exception that the defendant must have had an actual belief in the need for self-defense. We also emphasize what should be obvious. 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.' ... [¶] This definition of imminence reflects the great value our society places on human life." (People v. Aris (1989) 215 Cal.App.3d 1178, 1187, 1189 [264 Cal.Rptr. 167], italics added.) Put simply, the trier of fact must find an actual fear of an imminent harm. Without this finding, imperfect self-defense is no defense.
Despite our extensive scrutiny of the record, we are unable to determine with certainty the precise basis of the trial court's determination that defendant was not entitled to the benefit of the imperfect self-defense doctrine. More specifically, the record is debatable whether the trial court found that defendant had an actual belief in the need for self-defense. The Court of Appeal read the record as reflecting that the trial court did accept defendant's assertion of an actual fear but that the trial court acted on a "basic [7 Cal.4th 784] misunderstanding of the concept [of imperfect self-defense], as indicated by the statement that an honest but unreasonable belief in the need to defend carries with it the unlawful intent to kill." That is a fair reading of the record, but it also indicates that the trial court found that defendant lacked even an actual belief. Of course, this determination is dispositive. If defendant lacked even an actual belief, he is not entitled to the imperfect self-defense doctrine. If, however, he had an actual but unreasonable belief, he is entitled to the doctrine as set forth in this opinion.
My own recent separate opinions should have alerted the lawmakers to unnecessary complications in California homicide law. The cryptic law of implied-malice murder and the undue abstractness and open-endedness of the jury instructions on the subject are problems. (People v. Nieto Benitez (1992) 4 Cal.4th 91, 112 [13 Cal.Rptr.2d 864, 840 P.2d 969] (conc. opn. of Mosk, J.).) Another set of difficulties lies in the multiple anomalies that People v. Whitfield (1994) 7 Cal.4th 437 [27 Cal.Rptr.2d 858, 868 P.2d 272] has created for the law of unlawful homicide and intoxication: (1) a grossly intoxicated defendant may be punished less than a legally intoxicated, but not stuporous, defendant; (2) the parties will use the same evidence of intoxication to both prove and disprove culpability and the defendant will try to prove a greater degree of intoxication while the prosecution will try to prove a lesser degree, thereby doubly confusing the jury; and (3) if intoxication is successfully invoked as a defense to implied-malice murder, a drunk driver could receive a significantly higher penalty (Pen. Code, § 191.5) than someone who commits another reckless act and is convicted of only involuntary manslaughter (id., §§ 192, subd. (b), 193, subd. (b)). [7 Cal.4th 785]
Equally important is "the need for legislative attention to the second degree felony-murder rule" (People v. Patterson (1989) 49 Cal.3d 615, 641 [262 Cal.Rptr. 195, 778 P.2d 549] (conc. & dis. opn. of Panelli, J.), a "court-created" doctrine (People v. Clark (1990) 50 Cal.3d 583, 656 [268 Cal.Rptr. 399, 789 P.2d 127] (conc. & dis. opn. of Kaufman, J.)) that "we have characterized ... as 'anachronistic' (People v. Burroughs [(1984)] 35 Cal.3d [824] at p. 829) and 'disfavored' (People v. Henderson [(1977)] 19 Cal.3d [86] at p. 92), based on the view of many legal scholars that the doctrine incorporates an artificial concept of strict criminal liability that 'erodes the relationship between criminal liability and moral culpability.' (People v. Washington (1965) 62 Cal.2d 777, 783 [44 Cal.Rptr. 442, 402 P.2d 130]; People v. Satchell (1971) 6 Cal.3d 28, 33 [98 Cal.Rptr. 33, 489 P.2d 1361, 50 A.L.R.3d 383].) The Legislature ... has taken no action to alter this judicially created rule, and has declined our more recent suggestion in People v. Dillon (1983) 34 Cal.3d 441, 472, footnote 19 [194 Cal.Rptr. 390, 668 P.2d 697], that it reconsider the rules on first and second degree felony murder and misdemeanor manslaughter." (People v. Patterson, supra, 49 Cal.3d at p. 621 (lead opn. of Kennard, J.).)
In the case of People v. Whitfield, supra, 7 Cal.4th 437, the statute is clear and the error lies in the majority's interpretation. (Id. at pp. 460-461 (conc. & dis. opn. of Mosk, J.); accord, id. at p. 477 (conc. & dis. opn. of Baxter, J.).) In the case of People v. Nieto Benitez, supra, 4 Cal.4th 91, the problem appears to be with the statute. This court's difficulty in deciding whether imperfect self-defense survived legislative changes also can be laid to statutory ambiguities. A considered legislative reexamination of the mental states and acts associated with various types of lawful and unlawful homicide is needed.
I take the liberty to also suggest this is a particularly appropriate time for the Legislature to carefully reconsider Penal Code section 1096, which prescribes for all criminal trials a definition of "reasonable doubt" in such archaic terms as "abiding conviction," "moral certainty," and "moral evidence." As I explained at length in my concurring opinion in People v. Brigham (1979) 25 Cal.3d 283, 292-316 [157 Cal.Rptr. 905, 599 P.2d 100], this anachronistic definition confuses, rather than clarifies, the critically important concept of reasonable doubt.
Although the United States Supreme Court did not reverse the judgments of conviction when similar instructions were given in Victor v. Nebraska (1994) 511 U.S. __________ [127 L.Ed.2d 583, 114 S.Ct. 1239], it is plain the justices have many of the same serious reservations about the instruction on reasonable doubt that I have expressed. Although Justice O'Connor observed for [7 Cal.4th 786] the majority that the jury likely did not consider the use of "moral certainty" in the instruction to suggest a standard of proof lower than due process requires, she forthrightly cautioned that "we do not condone the use of the phrase." (511 U.S. at p. __________ [127 L.Ed.2d at p. 597].)
Impressed, or possibly blinded, by what it perceives to be sound public policy, the majority resurrects a legal doctrine long ago abrogated by the Legislature. Ironically, the resurrection occurs in the midst of a fierce legislative/political debate on the very question whether or not to restore the doctrine, and if so, to what extent. (See, e.g., Jordan, 'Imperfect Self-Defense' is linked to Domestic Violence, S.F. Daily J., (Feb. 16, 1994) p. 1; Martin, Reasonable Women (Mar. 1994) Cal. Law., p. 58 et seq.) [7 Cal.4th 787]
In a nutshell, when the Legislature redefined the legal concept of "malice" in 1981 by amendment to Penal Code section 188, it completely uprooted the doctrinal framework for the "imperfect self-defense" doctrine and left nothing in its place to support it. (Accord, Comment, Dead or Alive: Did the California Legislature Abolish "Imperfect Self-Defense"? (1993) 3 S.F. L.Rev. 1 [hereafter Comment].) If, as confirmed by this court in People v. Flannel (1979) 25 Cal.3d 668, 674-680 [160 Cal.Rptr. 84, 603 P.2d 1] (hereafter Flannel), the sole statutory underpinning for the doctrine was a broad, now abrogated, definition of malice as including an awareness of one's proper legal obligations to society, then there remains no statutory basis for the doctrine. No court, not even a supreme one, may create new defenses or revive abrogated ones simply as a matter of policy or preference. (See Walker v. Superior Court (1988) 47 Cal.3d 112, 135 [253 Cal.Rptr. 1, 763 P.2d 852] [common law defenses unavailable in California]; Keeler v. Superior Court (1970) 2 Cal.3d 619, 632 [87 Cal.Rptr. 481, 470 P.2d 617, 40 A.L.R.3d 420] [same].) Nor may a court create a new, nonstatutory offense (see Pen. Code, § 6), yet the majority's revival of imperfect self-defense does just that, creating a type of "imperfect" voluntary manslaughter not requiring heat of passion or provocation, and thus not provided by statute (see Pen. Code, § 192).
I first review the development of the imperfect self-defense doctrine, and then summarize the 1981 statutory provisions (and 1982 initiative measure) which abrogated the doctrine. My analysis then turns to People v. Saille (1991) 54 Cal.3d 1103 [2 Cal.Rptr.2d 364, 820 P.2d 588] (hereafter Saille), wherein we considered a similar issue in the context of the partial defense of voluntary intoxication or mental disorder.
The development of the imperfect self-defense doctrine was fully traced in Flannel, supra, 25 Cal.3d 668. In that case, the defendant had been convicted [7 Cal.4th 788] of second degree murder after shooting to death a man with whom he had previously argued and fought. The evidence indicated that the defendant believed his victim had a knife and was prepared to attack him with it.
In the course of our discussion, we traced the development of the imperfect self-defense doctrine as follows: In People v. Wells (1949) 33 Cal.2d 330 [202 P.2d 53], the defendant had been charged with the capital offense of assault on a police officer. We noted that an "honest though unreasonable" fear of bodily harm would not constitute a complete defense to the assault but would negate the element of malice required for that offense. (Id. at p. 345.) A subsequent decision (People v. Lewis (1960) 186 Cal.App.2d 585, 598 [9 Cal.Rptr. 263]) applied the foregoing theory in a homicide context. Dictum in People v. Sedeno (1974) 10 Cal.3d 703, 715, 718 [112 Cal.Rptr. 1, 518 P.2d 913], confirmed that instructions on "the effect of an unreasonable belief that deadly force was necessary in defense of self" would be appropriate in a murder case when the evidence shows the defendant believed he was acting in self-defense. (See Flannel, supra, 25 Cal.3d at pp. 674-677.)
The People had argued in Flannel that malice could be negated only by sudden quarrel or heat of passion on reasonable provocation (Pen. Code, § 192; further statutory references are to this code unless otherwise indicated) or by diminished capacity caused by voluntary intoxication, mental disease or mental defect (e.g., People v. Conley (1966) 64 Cal.2d 310 [49 Cal.Rptr. 815, 411 P.2d 911] [hereafter Conley]). According to the People, "the doctrine of unreasonable belief is necessarily bound up with or limited by the concepts of either heat of passion or diminished capacity." (Flannel, [7 Cal.4th 789] supra, 25 Cal.3d at p. 677.) We disagreed, noting that "[t]o hold that an honest but unreasonable belief in the need to defend mitigates to manslaughter only if accompanied by the heat of passion-type terror expected of a reasonable man renders superfluous the unreasonable belief doctrine expressed" in prior cases. (Id. at p. 678.)
As we noted in Saille, supra, 54 Cal.3d at page 1111, in September 1981, the Legislature "added to the Penal Code sections 28 and 29, which abolished diminished capacity and limited psychiatric testimony. It amended section 22 on the admissibility of evidence of voluntary intoxication, section [7 Cal.4th 790] 188 on the definition of malice aforethought, and section 189 on the definition of premeditation and deliberation. Other sections not relevant here were also amended."
We also noted in Saille that "[a] provision abolishing the defense of diminished capacity was also included in the initiative measure adopted in [7 Cal.4th 791] June 1982 and known as Proposition 8. Section 25 was added to the Penal Code as part of Proposition 8. Subdivision (a) of section 25 provides: 'The defense of diminished capacity is hereby abolished. In a criminal action, as well as any juvenile court proceeding, evidence concerning an accused person's intoxication, trauma, mental illness, disease, or defect shall not be admissible to show or negate capacity to form the particular purpose, intent, motive, malice aforethought, knowledge, or other mental state required for the commission of the crime charged.' " (54 Cal.3d at p. 1112.) Neither party herein has argued that the foregoing provision is relevant to the issue of the survival of the imperfect self-defense doctrine.
As we noted in Saille, 54 Cal.3d at page 1110, our Conley decision, in explaining how diminished capacity negated malice, "redefined and expanded the mental component of malice aforethought beyond that stated in [7 Cal.4th 792] [former] section 188 to include a requirement that the defendant was able to comprehend the duty society places on all persons to act within the law, i.e., that he had an 'awareness of the obligation to act within the general body of laws regulating society.' [Citation.] Pursuant to this definition, we concluded [in Conley] that someone who is unable, because of intoxication or mental illness, to comprehend his duty to govern his actions in accord with the duty imposed by law, cannot act with malice aforethought." (Fn. omitted.)
Saille observed that "The first sentence of the [foregoing] passage limits malice to the definition set forth in section 188. This sentence clearly provides that once the trier of fact finds a deliberate intention unlawfully to kill, no other mental state need be shown to establish malice aforethought. Whether a defendant acted with a wanton disregard for human life or with some antisocial motivation is no longer relevant to the issue of express malice. [Citation.] No doubt about this conclusion is possible when the last sentence of section 188 is analyzed. That sentence directly repudiates the expanded definition of malice aforethought in Conley, supra, 64 Cal.2d 310 ..., that express and implied malice include an awareness of the obligation to act within the general body of laws regulating society and the capability of acting in accordance with such awareness. After this amendment of section 188, express malice and an intent unlawfully to kill are one and the same. [Citation.]" (Saille, supra, 54 Cal.3d at pp. 1113-1114, fn. omitted.) Saille concluded that "Pursuant to the language of section 188, when an intentional killing is shown, malice aforethought is established. Accordingly, the concept of 'diminished capacity voluntary manslaughter' ... is no longer valid as a defense." (54 Cal.3d at p. 1114, italics added.)
As previously explained, the doctrine of imperfect self-defense, like diminished capacity/voluntary manslaughter, was derived from an expansive definition of malice that included an awareness of one's legal and societal obligations. (See Flannel, supra, 25 Cal.3d at p. 679; Conley, supra, 64 [7 Cal.4th 793] Cal.2d at p. 322.) Yet, as Saille observes, that broadened definition of malice has now been abrogated, and no mental state need be shown to establish malice other than "an intent unlawfully to kill." (Pen. Code, § 188.) Under Saille, it would appear to follow that imperfect self-defense is no longer available to negate the element of malice arising from an unlawful intentional killing, and thereby to reduce a murder to voluntary manslaughter.
There are several flaws in this analysis. First, the single word "unlawfully" is a very weak statutory hook on which to hang the entire doctrine of [7 Cal.4th 794] imperfect self-defense. Certainly, neither Flannel nor any other case has relied on that word as significant in this regard. And I find it quite difficult to fathom how a doctrine entirely hidden within the statutory definition of express malice could possibly control the outcome in implied malice cases.
Second, a similar argument was made in Saille in the context of a voluntary intoxication defense: Intoxication, it was argued, might reduce the ability to intend an "unlawful" killing. Rejecting the contention, we quoted with approval an earlier decision's observation that the word "unlawfully" merely referred to the lack of any legally recognized justification, excuse or mitigation for the killing. (See Saille, supra, 54 Cal.3d at pp. 1114-1115; see also People v. Bobo (1990) 229 Cal.App.3d 1417, 1433-1434 [3 Cal.Rptr.2d 747]; People v. Stress (1988) 205 Cal.App.3d 1259, 1268 [252 Cal.Rptr. 913].)
Third, under the majority's construction of the word "unlawfully," a defendant could avoid a murder conviction because of his unreasonable mistake of fact as to the necessity of using lethal force to defend himself. But our cases make clear that in order for a mistake of fact to constitute a defense, it must be an honest and reasonable one. (E.g., People v. Williams (1992) 4 Cal.4th 354, 360-361 [14 Cal.Rptr.2d 441, 841 P.2d 961]; People v. Mayberry (1975) 15 Cal.3d 143, 155 [125 Cal.Rptr. 745, 542 P.2d 1337]; People v. Hernandez (1964) 61 Cal.2d 529, 534-536 [39 Cal.Rptr. 361, 393 P.2d 673, 8 A.L.R.3d 1092]; People v. Vogel (1956) 46 Cal.2d 798, 801 [299 P.2d 850].)
Fourth, and most critical, to accept the majority's construction of the word "unlawfully" as including a threshold subjective awareness of the illegality or wrongfulness of one's conduct would conflict with the express language of amended Penal Code section 188 that an awareness of one's legal or societal obligations is no longer a prerequisite to a finding of malice. Stated another way, if one who is wholly unaware of his obligation to obey the law is nonetheless deemed capable of acting with malice (as now provided in § 188), then it would follow that one who mistakenly assesses the nature of his peril and the legality of a lethal response likewise must be deemed so [7 Cal.4th 795] capable. To hold otherwise would improperly create a theory of defense unauthorized by the Legislature.
When he wrote Flannel in 1979, Justice Tobriner undoubtedly realized that it was improper for this court to create a defense, partial or otherwise, having no statutory basis. Imperfect self-defense cannot derive from the self-defense statutes (Pen. Code, §§ 195-199), for they afford an absolute defense to homicide and require reasonable belief. For the same reason, the doctrine cannot arise from the mistake of fact provision (id., § 26). Moreover, the doctrine cannot be based on the voluntary manslaughter statute (id., § 192, subd. (a)), with its requirements of heat of passion and provocation. Thus, Flannel relied on the only remaining statutory basis to support the doctrine of imperfect self-defense, namely, the concept of malice (id., § 188), as broadly interpreted by prior court decisions such as Conley, supra, 64 Cal.2d 310.
The 1981 amendments rewrote the law of malice. Conley was discredited and Flannel's statutory justification for the doctrine vanished. Unless we wish to exercise unprecedented judicial power and create the doctrine afresh based on our personal views of suitable public policy, we must forthrightly acknowledge the problem and allow the Legislature to deal with it as it deems appropriate. (See generally, Comment, supra, 3 S.F. L.Rev. 1.) [7 Cal.4th 796]
­FN 1. It is well established that the ordinary self-defense doctrine-applicable when a defendant reasonably believes that his safety is endangered-may not be invoked by a defendant who, through his own wrongful conduct (e.g., the initiation of a physical assault or the commission of a felony), has created circumstances under which his adversary's attack or pursuit is legally justified. (See generally, 1 Witkin & Epstein, Cal. Criminal Law (2d ed. 1988) Defenses, § 245, p. 280; 2 Robinson, Criminal Law Defenses (1984) § 131(b)(2), pp. 74-75.) It follows, a fortiori, that the imperfect self-defense doctrine cannot be invoked in such circumstances. For example, the imperfect self-defense doctrine would not permit a fleeing felon who shoots a pursuing police officer to escape a murder conviction even if the felon killed his pursuer with an actual belief in the need for self-defense.
­FN 2. As another state's high court has more recently observed, a majority of those states that have considered the doctrine of imperfect self-defense has approved the doctrine. (State v. Faulkner (1984) 301 Md. 482 [483 A.2d 759]; see also People v. Guest (1986) 115 Ill.2d 72 [104 Ill.Dec. 698, 503 N.E.2d 255]; Wood v. State (Okla.Crim.App. 1971) 486 P.2d 750; State v. Mendoza (1977) 80 Wis.2d 122 [258 N.W.2d 260].)
­FN 3. We emphasize that our discussion of this point is limited to the context of a claim of imperfect self-defense, which is based on a defendant's assertion that he lacked malice under Penal Code section 188 because he acted under an unreasonable mistake of fact-that is, the need to defend himself against imminent peril of death or great bodily harm. We do not suggest that an unreasonable mistake of fact would be a defense under Penal Code section 26. Nor do we suggest that malice would be negated by a mistake of law, for example, if a defendant killed with the mistaken belief that he could properly use deadly force to protect his parked automobile against a vandal.
­FN 4. Although the focus of the parties in this court has been the meaning of Penal Code section 188's definition of express malice, the record is not clear whether the trial court's conclusion of second degree murder was based on a finding of express malice rather than implied malice. (The prosecutor referred to implied malice in closing argument.) Or, stated more simply, we cannot determine with certainty if the trial court found that defendant intended to kill rather than to wound Elliott.
This ambiguity, however, does not affect the applicability of the imperfect self-defense doctrine, because a defendant's actual belief in the need for self-defense against imminent peril would negate a finding of implied as well as express malice. As already noted, under section 188 malice is implied "when no considerable provocation appears, or when the circumstances attending the killing show an abandoned and malignant heart." As Justice Traynor explained in his concurring opinion in People v. Thomas (1953) 41 Cal.2d 470, 480 [261 P.2d 1], implied malice is shown when "the defendant for a base, antisocial motive and with wanton disregard for human life, does an act that involves a high degree of probability that it will result in death." (Italics added.) A defendant who acts with the requisite actual belief in the necessity for self-defense does not act with the base motive required for implied malice, i.e., with "an abandoned and malignant heart." (Accord, People v. Wells, supra, 33 Cal.2d 330, 345 [imperfect self-defense negates "malice aforethought" element of Penal Code section 4500 (assault by a life prisoner "with malice aforethought," a capital offense)].) A contrary conclusion, namely, that imperfect self-defense applies only in cases of express, but not implied, malice would lead to a totally anomalous and absurd result, in which a defendant, who unreasonably believes that his life is in imminent danger, would be guilty only of manslaughter if he acts with the intent to kill his perceived assailant, but would be guilty of murder if he does not intend to kill, but only to seriously injure, the assailant. There is no authority to support such an incongruous rule.
Petition for review after the Court of Appeal modified an adjudication of wardship and remanded. The case concerns the validity of a minor's claim of imperfect self-defense to reduce murder to manslaughter.
Mon, 05/16/1994 7 Cal.4th 768 S030310 Review - Civil Appeal closed; remittitur issued
2 S., C. (Appellant)
311 So. Spring Street
4 Orange County Public Defender (Amicus curiae)
901 Civic Center Dr West
Kat Dozik
6 San Francisco County Public Defender (Amicus curiae)
7 Orange County Women Lawyers Association (Amicus curiae)
Represented by Andrea Taylor Gee
C/O Ferruzzo & Ferruzo
2114 N. Broadway
8 California District Attorneys Association (Amicus curiae)
10 Criminal Justice Legal Foundation (Amicus curiae)
2131 L Street (95816)
11 S., C. (Overview party)
May 16 1994 Opinion: Reversed
Dec 15 1992 Petition for review filed
C/A Record: G011579 - 5 Doghouses (Orange)
Dec 29 1992 Answer to petition for review filed
Appellant Christian S.
Feb 11 1993 Petition for review granted (civil case)
Mar 5 1993 Received application to file Amicus Curiae Brief
From California public Defender's Assoc. [Application Only]
Mar 12 1993 Permission to file amicus curiae brief granted
Calif public Defender's Assn [Appellant] brief Due: 4-12-93 answer Due: 5-3-93
Mar 15 1993 Opening brief on the merits filed
Orange County public Defender in support of Applt Christian S. (Appl. Only) - (Perm granted - Order Being Prepared/brief Due 4/26; Ans 5/17
Mar 26 1993 Permission to file amicus curiae brief granted
Orange County P.D. in support of Appellant. brief Due 4/26/93. Ans Due 5-17-93
Mar 31 1993 Received application to file Amicus Curiae Brief
Cal Attorneys for Criminal Justice and S.F. public Defender in support of Appellant. [Application Only]
Calif Atys for Criminal Justice and San Francisco public Deefnder in support of Appellant
Apr 2 1993 Counsel appointment order filed
Stephen Gilbert for Applt Christian S.
Apr 7 1993 Permission to file amicus curiae brief granted
Calif Attorneys for Criminal Justice (C.A.C.J.) and S.F. public Defender in support of Appellant. Amicus brief Due: 5-3-93; answer Due: 5-23-93.
Apr 12 1993 Amicus Curiae Brief filed by:
California public Denfender's Assn in support of Resp.
Orange County Women Lawyers Assn in support of Appellant. (Appl Only)
Cal District Atty's Assn in support of Respondent (Appl Only)
Cal District Attys Assn in support of Respondent brief Due: 5-14-93. Ans Due: 5-28-93
Orange County Women Lawyers Assn in support of Appellant. brief Due: 5-14-93. Ans Due: 5-28-93
Apr 23 1993 Response to Amicus Curiae Brief filed by:
California public Defender's Assn. (Petnr) (filed in S.D.)
Deputy public Defender Thomas Havlena in support of Aplnt. Christian S.
Apr 30 1993 Application for Extension of Time filed
To file Applt's brief on the merits To 6-1-92 - (30 Days) (To Staff)
May 3 1993 Amicus Curiae Brief filed by:
May 3 1993 Received document entitled:
Request for Judicial Notice of Legislative Material from the SF County public Defender.
May 7 1993 Extension of time granted
To file Applt's answer brief on the merits To & Incl 6-1-93
By Orange Co Women Lawyers Assoc
Cal District Attys Assn in support of Respondent Ans Due: 5-28-93
May 14 1993 Response to Amicus Curiae Brief filed by:
Respondent to Amicus Orange County public Defender (filed in San Diego)
May 24 1993 Received application to file Amicus Curiae Brief
State public Defender in support of Applt Christian S. (Appl. Only)
May 24 1993 Response to amicus curiae brief filed
Respondent's answer to amicus brief of California Attorneys for Criminal Justice
May 26 1993 Permission to file amicus curiae brief granted
Cal State public Defender in support of Applnt. Amicus brief Due: 6-30-93 answer: 7-20-93
May 27 1993 Received document entitled:
Amended Proof of Service for A/C brief of Orange Co Women Lawyers
Jun 1 1993 Answer brief on the merits filed
Aplt's Christian S.
To file Resp's Ans To A/C brief of Orange County Women Lawyers Assn To 6-8-93
Jun 8 1993 Response to Amicus Curiae Brief filed by:
Resp's to Amicus brief by Orange County Women Lawyers Association (received in San Diego 6-8-93)
Jun 15 1993 Received application to file Amicus Curiae Brief
Criminal Justice Legal Foundation in support of Appellant (Applic Only)
Jun 18 1993 Permission to file amicus curiae brief granted
Criminal Justice Legal Foundation in support of Applt. brief Due: 7-19-93 Ans Due: 8-9-93
Jun 22 1993 Received:
Ptr's reply brief (in San Diego) 1 Day Late (to Crt for Perm)
Jun 24 1993 Compensation awarded counsel
Atty Gilbert
Jun 28 1993 Reply brief filed (case fully briefed)
by respondent People (with permission)
Jun 30 1993 Amicus Curiae Brief filed by:
Criminal Justice Legal Foundation in support of Appellant. Ans Due: 8-9-93 (filed in Sac)
Jul 20 1993 Response to Amicus Curiae Brief filed by:
Resp A.G. (filed in San Diego) (brief of State public Defender)
Aug 6 1993 Response to amicus curiae brief filed
Petitioner's answer to amicus brief of the Criminal Justice Legal Foundation
1 Videotape (Exhibit Q) from Orange County Superior Court At Req of A.G. per Rule 10(D).
Jan 31 1994 Received letter from:
Resp A.G. Re Add'l Authority
Feb 2 1994 Received:
By Fax Article Ref in Resp's 1-26-94 letter which appeared in the Res Ipsa Loquitur, SF Law School Spring 1993 Vol.3 Number 1 issue.
May 16 1994 Opinion filed: Judgment reversed
Remanded to CA with directions to remand to trial court. Majority Opinion by Baxter, J. -- joined by Mosk, Kennard, Arabian & George JJ. Concurring Opinion by Mosk, J. Dissent by Lucas, C.J. -- joined by Puglia (P.J. CA 3, assigned), J.
May 23 1994 Rehearing Petition filed by:
May 31 1994 Time extended to consider modification or rehearing
to 8-14-94
Jun 6 1994 Change of Address filed for:
Amicus Andrea Taylor Gee (Orange County Women Lawyers)
Aug 11 1994 Rehearing denied
Aug 11 1994 Remittitur Issued
Aug 11 1994 Note:
Certifed copies (Two) of opinion & Order mailed to Dca4/3.
Aug 17 1994 Received:
Receipt for Remittitur from Dca4/3 Signed by Kathy Roy
Michael Satris (Kat Dozik)
Jeff Rubin (Deputy District Attorney)
Gary M. Mandinach (California Public Defender'S Association)
Thomas Havlena (Orange County Public Defender)
Andrea Taylor Gee (Orange County Women Lawyers Association)
SCOCAL, In re Christian S. , 7 Cal.4th 768 available at: (https://scocal.stanford.edu/opinion/re-christian-s-31547) (last visited Friday July 3, 2020).