Opinion ID: 1175478
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 9

Heading: robbery and burglary special circumstances: claims of overlap and of requirement of intent to kill

Text: (15) Defendant contends it was error to charge and instruct the jury on both the robbery special circumstance (ง 190.2, subd. (a)(17)(i)) and the burglary special circumstance (ง 190.2, subd. (a)(17)(vii)), since both depended on the same larcenous intent. He relies on the plurality opinion in People v. Harris (1984) 36 Cal.3d 36, 60-67 [201 Cal. Rptr. 782, 679 P.2d 433]. We have since held, however, that both of these special circumstances can be charged and considered in aggravation of the penalty since each invades a separate societal interest; a robbery invades personal integrity and a burglary invades the sanctity of the home. ( People v. Melton (1988) 44 Cal.3d 713, 765-769 [244 Cal. Rptr. 867, 750 P.2d 741].) Thus, it was proper to authorize the jury to find both the robbery and the burglary special circumstances. (16) Defendant's briefs, relying on Carlos v. Superior Court, supra, 35 Cal.3d 131, contend it was error to omit instructions to the jury not to find a special circumstance of killing in the commission of burglary or a robbery unless they were satisfied that defendant intended to kill Ms. Neidig. In People v. Anderson, supra, 43 Cal.3d 1104, 1138-1147, we overruled Carlos and held that where, as here, the defendant is the actual killer, intent to kill is not an element of a felony-murder special circumstance. The instructions given were properly consistent with that holding.