Opinion ID: 1239150
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Failure to permit defendant to testify

Text: (34a) Defendant contends that he was denied his constitutional right to testify on his own behalf. He asserts that his counsel rendered ineffective assistance by notifying the trial court out of defendant's presence that counsel did not intend to call defendant to the stand despite his express desire to testify, and that the trial court erred, upon learning of this conflict, by failing either to advise defendant of his right to testify or obtain his waiver of that right. The record reflects that, on November 10, 1987, following the conclusion of the prosecutor's case, the defense requested a hearing outside the presence of the prosecutors. The prosecutors and a witness departed, and the reporter's transcript and notes of the ensuing proceedings were ordered placed under seal. Although the record does not indicate that defendant also left the courtroom during the hearing, a settled statement prepared in 1994 by appellate defense counsel (after the documents placed under seal could not be located) indicates that defendant was not present. [14] According to the settled statement, defense counsel informed the court that it was their intention to rest without calling any witnesses and without calling defendant to testify. Defense counsel advised the court that defendant previously had indicated that he wanted to testify, although he had changed his mind several times. Defendant had told defense counsel he wanted to testify so that he could tell the jury that he had not committed the murders, that he loved Shari, and that Detective Worthen had beaten him severely before defendant made his statement on August 16, 1994. The trial court told defense counsel that they could rest without mentioning defendant's desire to testify and that if defendant did not raise the issue on his own, the court would not raise it with him. (35) A defendant in a criminal case has the right to testify in his or her own behalf. ( People v. Frierson (1985) 39 Cal.3d 803, 813 [218 Cal. Rptr. 73, 705 P.2d 396]; People v. Robles (1970) 2 Cal.3d 205, 214-215 [85 Cal. Rptr. 166, 466 P.2d 710].) The defendant may exercise the right to testify over the objection of, and contrary to the advice of, defense counsel. ( People v. Lucas (1995) 12 Cal.4th 415, 444 [48 Cal. Rptr.2d 525, 907 P.2d 373]; People v. Lucky (1988) 45 Cal.3d 259, 282 [247 Cal. Rptr. 1, 753 P.2d 1052].) When the decision is whether to testify [citation] or whether to present a defense at the guilt phase of a capital trial [citation] it is only in case of an express conflict arising between the defendant and counsel that the defendant's desires must prevail. In the latter situation, there is no duty to admonish and secure an on the record waiver unless the conflict comes to the court's attention. [Citation.] ( In re Horton (1991) 54 Cal.3d 82, 95 [284 Cal. Rptr. 305, 813 P.2d 1335]; People v. Guzman (1988) 45 Cal.3d 915, 935-936 [248 Cal. Rptr. 467, 755 P.2d 917]; see People v. Frierson, supra, 39 Cal.3d 803, 818, fn. 8.) (34b) In the present case, the settled statement indicates that at some point defendant told his counsel of his desire to testify, but at another point indicated he did not wish to do so, and that defendant changed his mind several times. The trial court, apparently concluding that an express conflict between counsel and defendant did not then exist, informed counsel that it would await any further expression from defendant as to his intent. Thereafter, the defense immediately rested and defendant made no comment. It does not appear that an express conflict between counsel and defendant had emerged. ( In re Horton, supra, 54 Cal.3d 82, 95; People v. Guzman, supra, 45 Cal.3d 915, 935-936.) Accordingly, the trial court was not obligated expressly to advise defendant of his right to testify, or to obtain his personal waiver of that right. (45 Cal.3d at pp. 935-936.) Nor, contrary to defendant's assertion, does it appear that defendant's trial counsel attempted to prevent defendant from learning of or exercising his right to testify by advising the court outside the presence of defendant of counsel's intent not to call any witnesses, including defendant. [15] Although defendant attributes to defense counsel an intent secretly to apprise the court of defendant's desire to testify in order to enlist the court's assistance in preventing defendant from exercising that right, by omitting to inform him of that right, defense counsel's comments to the court at the hearing do not support that interpretation. The trial court's response, contrary to defendant's contention, does not suggest it had joined defense counsel in a conspiracy of silence in order to avoid affording defendant the opportunity to openly declare a conflict with his attorneys over the issue. Rather, the court's response reflects its belief that, in view of defendant's previous conduct, defendant would not hesitate to so inform the court if he once again entertained the desire to testify.