Opinion ID: 2600593
Heading Depth: 4
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Failure to instruct on consideration of lingering doubt as to guilt

Text: The trial court declined to instruct the jury to consider any lingering doubt concerning defendant's guilt in deciding the appropriate penalty, but permitted the defense to argue to the jury that it should consider lingering doubt in reaching its penalty verdict. The trial court explained: [I]t's the Court's view that the only doubt that might be present as far as the verdict [is concerned] would be some sort of an imaginary or some possible doubt, some unreasonable doubt. There's really no lingering doubt based on the evidence in this case to support the giving of this instruction. (7) As we have observed: It is true ... that the jury's consideration of residual doubt is proper; defendant may assert his possible innocence to the jury as a factor in mitigation under section 190.3, factors (a) and (k). [Citations.] But there is no requirement, under either state or federal law, that the court specifically instruct the jury to consider any residual doubt of defendant's guilt. [Citations.] ( People v. Sanchez (1995) 12 Cal.4th 1, 77.) [47 Cal.Rptr.2d 843, 906 P.2d 1129].) In the present case, the trial court permitted defendant to assert he was not guilty, and defense counsel informed the jury that the concept of lingering doubt came within section 190.3, factor (k). Instructions to consider the circumstances of the crime (§ 190.3, factor (a)) and any other circumstance extenuating the gravity of the crime ( id., factor (k)), together with defense argument highlighting the question of lingering or residual doubt, suffice to properly put the question before the penalty jury. ([ [ People v.] Earp [(1999) 20 Cal.4th 826,] 904 [85 Cal.Rptr.2d 857, 978 P.2d 15].) ( People v. Demetrulias (2006) 39 Cal.4th 1, 42 [45 Cal.Rptr.3d 407, 137 P.3d 229] ( Demetrulias ).)