Opinion ID: 2626390
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Core Adjudicative Principles

Text: The trial court did not err in failing to modify the standard capital sentencing instructions by requiring the jury to (1) find proof of aggravating factors (in addition to other violent crimes) beyond a reasonable doubt, (2) find that aggravation outweighs mitigation beyond a reasonable doubt, (3) find that death is the appropriate penalty beyond a reasonable doubt, (4) reach unanimity as to the aggravating factors, and (5) presume that LWOP is the appropriate sentence. ( People v. Jones, supra, 15 Cal.4th 119, 196, 61 Cal.Rptr.2d 386, 931 P.2d 960; People v. Arias, supra, 13 Cal.4th 92, 190, 51 Cal.Rptr.2d 770, 913 P.2d 980.) Contrary to what defendant implies, the death penalty scheme does not violate either constitutional or statutory law insofar as it fails to allocate a burden of proof, or establish a standard of proof, for finding aggravating and mitigating circumstances and for selecting the appropriate penalty. ( People v. Welch, supra, 20 Cal.4th 701, 767-768, 85 Cal.Rptr.2d 203, 976 P.2d 754.) Recent high court decisions, such as Blakely v. Washington (2004) 542 U.S. 296, 124 S.Ct. 2531, 159 L.Ed.2d 403, Ring v. Arizona (2002) 536 U.S. 584, 122 S.Ct. 2428, 153 L.Ed.2d 556, and Apprendi v. New Jersey (2000) 530 U.S. 466, 120 S.Ct. 2348, 147 L.Ed.2d 435, do not require reconsideration or modification of our long-standing conclusions in this regard. ( People v. Morrison (2004) 34 Cal.4th 698, 731, 21 Cal.Rptr.3d 682, 101 P.3d 568; People v. Prieto (2003) 30 Cal.4th 226, 262-263, 275, 133 Cal.Rptr.2d 18, 66 P.3d 1123.)