Opinion ID: 1275251
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Sentence as Arbitrary, Discriminatory and Disproportionate.

Text: Defendant asserts the death sentence imposed on him is unconstitutionally arbitrary, discriminatory and disproportionate, considering the facts of the case and his personal characteristics, and requests that we review his sentence for intercase and intracase proportionality. He reasons that article I, section 17 of the California Constitution requires judicial review and reduction of any disproportionate sentences. ( People v. Dillon (1983) 34 Cal.3d 441 [194 Cal. Rptr. 390, 668 P.2d 697] ( Dillon ).) Moreover, he argues, this court has conducted the equivalent of comparative sentence review in the course of adjudicating noncapital claims of cruel or unusual punishment. ( In re Rodriguez (1975) 14 Cal.3d 639 [122 Cal. Rptr. 552, 537 P.2d 384]; People v. Wingo (1975) 14 Cal.3d 169 [121 Cal. Rptr. 97, 534 P.2d 1001].) We have previously rejected the contention that California's capital sentencing law fails to ensure that arbitrary, discriminatory and disproportionate death sentences are not imposed. ( People v. Crittenden, supra, 9 Cal.4th at pp. 156-157.) To the extent defendant contends his sentence must be reduced under the reasoning of Dillon, supra, we find no disproportionality on this record and therefore reject the contention. To the extent defendant may be understood to suggest we are obliged to conduct intercase proportionality review, he is in error. ( Pulley v. Harris, supra, 465 U.S. at pp. 50-51 [79 L.Ed.2d at pp. 40-41, 104 S.Ct. 871]; People v. Stanley (1995) 10 Cal.4th 764, 842 [42 Cal. Rptr.2d 543, 897 P.2d 481].) Defendant contends further that [c]omparative sentence review is essential to prevent arbitrary and discriminatory death sentences, as demonstrated by the results of capital sentence review in other states. Defendant sets forth neither supporting argument nor illustrations of such review; we therefore cannot and need not address his assertion. Finally, defendant argues principles of equal protection require that capital defendants receive comparative sentence review equivalent to that provided for determinately sentenced felons pursuant to section 1170, subdivision (f). We have previously rejected this claim ( People v. Diaz (1992) 3 Cal.4th 495, 576 [11 Cal. Rptr.2d 353, 834 P.2d 1171]), and see no reason to reconsider our conclusion.