Opinion ID: 2387577
Heading Depth: 5
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Manner of killing

Text: At trial, defendant argued that he lacked the requisite mental state when he attacked Officer Ganz, asserting that Officer Ganz had been fatally wounded by the first shot. The totality of the evidence presented, however, indicates defendant wanted to make certain Officer Ganz died. (See People v. Bolin, supra, 18 Cal.4th at pp. 332-333 [the killings took place within a few minutes of the victims' arrival and the evidence suggested rapid and purposeful planning in response to the potential consequences of his partner's carelessness].) Here, defendant did not merely fire one shot from his car and then flee; rather, he got out of his car, shot Officer Ganz again in the back as the officer was retreating, and then stood over the officer's prone body and fired a third shot while holding his firearm with two hands. (See People v. Koontz (2002) 27 Cal.4th 1041, 1080-1082 [119 Cal.Rptr.2d 859, 46 P.3d 335] [intent to kill was shown by the defendant's shooting the victim in a vital area from only a few feet away and then preventing a witness from calling an ambulance]; People v. Mayfield (1997) 14 Cal.4th 668, 767-768 [60 Cal.Rptr.2d 1, 928 P.2d 485] [gunshot fired at a victim's face was consistent with a preexisting intent to kill]; see also People v. Hawkins (1995) 10 Cal.4th 920, 956-957 [42 Cal.Rptr.2d 636, 897 P.2d 574] [shooting the victim in the back of the head in an execution-style murder was sufficient evidence of premeditation and deliberation despite minimal evidence of planning and motive].) Defense counsel at trial did highlight the weaknesses of the prosecution's theory of the case: the witnesses not only contradicted each other on various points, but the testimony of several witnesses also contradicted statements they had originally given to the police; no shell casings were found near the rear of the police vehicle; defendant's medical expert testified it was possible for the fatal shot to the head to have been fired first; and Don and La Fond initially were unable to identify defendant as the shooter. On review, however, we do not reevaluate the credibility of witnesses or resolve factual conflicts; rather, we presume the existence of every fact in support of the verdict that reasonably could be inferred from the evidence. (See People v. Burney, supra, 47 Cal.4th at p. 253; People v. Lindberg (2008) 45 Cal.4th 1, 27 [82 Cal.Rptr.3d 323, 190 P.3d 664].) Under that standard, the prosecution's evidence did support the verdict. (7) Citing People v. Anderson (1968) 70 Cal.2d 15 [73 Cal.Rptr. 550, 447 P.2d 942], defendant contends the fact he twice shot Officer Ganz in a nonfatal manner negates the possibility of premeditation and deliberation because the multiple shots and immediate pursuit of Officer Ganz demonstrate an explosion of violence or an eruption of animal fury. (See, e.g., People v. Alcala (1984) 36 Cal.3d 604, 625-627 [205 Cal.Rptr. 775, 685 P.2d 1126].) Not so. The manner of the shootingapproaching a prone victim, stopping over him, and then aimingshows a calculated design to ensure death rather than an unconsidered explosion of violence. ( People v. Horning (2004) 34 Cal.4th 871, 902-903 [22 Cal.Rptr.3d 305, 102 P.3d 228].) The mere possibility of a contrary finding as to defendant's mental state does not warrant a reversal of the guilt judgment. (See People v. Burney, supra, 47 Cal.4th at p. 253.) Defendant claims the evidence of intent to kill in this case is no stronger than in People v. Ratliff (1986) 41 Cal.3d 675, 695-696 [224 Cal.Rptr. 705, 715 P.2d 665], in which we reversed an attempted murder conviction. However, as we explained in People v. Arias (1996) 13 Cal.4th 92 [51 Cal.Rptr.2d 770, 913 P.2d 980], in Ratliff, we simply held that the `evidence of intent to kill was not so conclusive as to render harmless an erroneous failure to instruct on that issue.' ( People v. Avila (2009) 46 Cal.4th 680, 702, fn. 7 [94 Cal.Rptr.3d 699, 208 P.3d 634].) Unlike Ratliff, the trial court here properly instructed the jury on the mental state required for first degree murder, and defendant does not contend otherwise.