Opinion ID: 1203248
Heading Depth: 4
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Improper Admission of Evidence

Text: The court permitted to be played to the jury a tape recording of prosecution witness Corona's interview with the police. In this interview, Corona recounted the events that culminated in the two murders with which defendant was charged. In passing, Corona alluded to defendant's prior robberies and drug activities, mentioned that defendant knew people in the Aryan Brotherhood, and said that he had heard that defendant was involved in an incident in which two people died. (29a) Defendant contends this inadmissible hearsay prejudiced him and its admission into evidence requires reversal of the judgment because it violated his state and federal constitutional rights to confront witnesses, to a fair trial, and to a reliable sentencing determination. Defendant concedes that there is no objection on the record to the admission of this evidence, but contends that an objection must be presumed, in part because of the trial court's refusal to order that all sidebar conferences be reported. However, we have examined the reporter's transcript and the parties' settled record regarding the untranscribed sidebar discussions, and see absolutely no indication that defense counsel objected to the admission of this evidence. As we have already noted, the court directed counsel that although it would not order the transcription of all sidebar conferences, counsel would be permitted to make all their objections on the record. We agree with respondent that not only did defense counsel not object, the record shows that they desired the evidence to be presented. Counsel collaborated with the prosecutor in drafting a transcript of the recording, and did not demur when the prosecutor said that she presumed they all wanted the tape played. Most significantly, at the conclusion of Corona's testimony, when the prosecutor moved to play the tape, the court asked: Is it the intention of all parties that we should play this tape? Counsel for defendant responded: No objection. There was some discussion of errors in the transcription, but no suggestion whatever that defense counsel had moved to edit any prejudicial material out of the transcript or that they objected in any way to the playing of the tape. The jury was told to use the transcript of the recording, which defense counsel had helped prepare, as an aid. Counsel did not object to supplying the jury with the transcript during deliberations, and the following exchange gives an indication that the trial court understood that there were tactical reasons for the decision to allow the tape to be played: The Court: ... I think at the time we discussed that, at the time it was received into evidence, it was my understanding that neither side objected, and as a matter of fact there was material in there that the defense believed was important to them, and everyone, at that point in time, at least agreed that the transcript was a joint effort, transcribing those notes by the prosecution and defense, was advantageous to both sides and it was received in evidence without objection. [ถ] Mr. Dettmar [defendant's counsel]: I have just had a chance to discuss with Mr. Brainard [cocounsel], and it was his recollection, too, so apparently there will be no objection as to Mr. Pinholster. Finally, at the close of the prosecutor's case, when she formally moved all the items marked for identification into evidence, counsel for the defendants were directed to note their objections to any items, with the assumption that any items not mentioned by the defense shall be admitted without objection.... There was no objection to the tape or the transcript and therefore it was admitted. Counsel also did not object to the replaying of the tape to the jury during deliberations. (30) It is, of course, `the general rule that questions relating to the admissibility of evidence will not be reviewed on appeal in the absence of a specific and timely objection in the trial court on the ground sought to be urged on appeal.' ( People v. Poggi (1988) 45 Cal.3d 306, 331 [246 Cal. Rptr. 886, 753 P.2d 1082], quoting People v. Rogers (1978) 21 Cal.3d 542, 548 [146 Cal. Rptr. 732, 579 P.2d 1048].) (29b) Defendant counters that any failure to object necessarily was ineffective assistance of counsel, in violation of state and federal constitutional guaranties. (31) Defendant's burden is to show that counsel's performance was deficient and that the deficiency prejudiced him. ( Strickland v. Washington (1984) 466 U.S. 668, 687-689 [80 L.Ed.2d 674, 693-694, 104 S.Ct. 2052]; People v. Ledesma (1987) 43 Cal.3d 171, 216, 217 [233 Cal. Rptr. 404, 729 P.2d 839].) `Reviewing courts will reverse on the ground of inadequate counsel only if the record on appeal affirmatively discloses that counsel had no rational tactical purpose for his act or omission.' ( People v. Cox (1991) 53 Cal.3d 618, 659 [280 Cal. Rptr. 692, 809 P.2d 351], quoting People v. Fosselman (1983) 33 Cal.3d 572, 581 [189 Cal. Rptr. 855, 659 P.2d 1144].) (29c) Here, a rational tactical reason appears for counsel's choice; the defense theory, and indeed defendant's testimony, was that he was a professional and accomplished robber of drug dealers who always used a firearm, not a bungler who would use a knife and associate with a knife-wielding burglar like Corona. (Compare People v. Cox, supra, 53 Cal.3d at p. 660 [tactical reason for defense counsel to elicit evidence of defendant's gang activity].) He needed to create an impression of candor to carry his testimony that he had broken into the Kumar house on the night of the murder, but had stolen the drugs and left before Corona arrived and stabbed the murder victims. Accordingly, his own testimony recounted his violent criminal past; the Corona tape, in its passing comments on defendant's exploits, simply confirmed what defendant was willing to say about himself. The reference to defendant's knowledge of people involved in the Aryan Brotherhood was clearly innocuous, since Corona testified that it was Paul Brown who was affiliated with the Aryan Brotherhood and that it was Brown, not Pinholster, that Corona feared. Further, the tape contained statements inconsistent with Corona's trial testimony, showed Corona's eagerness to cooperate with the police, and contained some reference to Corona's contact with one Butch, who defendant claimed was Corona's actual accomplice. All these factors made the playing of the tape advantageous to defendant. In fact, defense counsel made use of it in closing argument. On this record, we find no ineffective assistance of counsel.
Gian Norelli, a defense witness, testified that he was present when the abortive plan to rob Kumar was discussed, and that Kempf, not defendant, was the ringleader. The prosecutor attempted to impeach Norelli with his inconsistent statement to Detective Quartararo, and Norelli repeatedly claimed that he could not remember what he had told the detective. In particular he was asked whether he had told Quartararo that he thought defendant guilty, that defendant had asked him to lie, and that he had overheard defendant admitting the killing to a third party. Norelli testified that he remembered talking to the officer, but that he could not remember making these statements. Detective Quartararo was permitted to testify as a rebuttal witness that Norelli had told him all about the abortive plan to rob Kumar. In addition, Quartararo said that Norelli said that he thought defendant had done the murders, that he had overheard defendant say he had knifed two people in Tarzana, and that defendant had asked Norelli to lie for him about defendant's involvement in the Kempf incident. When asked why Norelli would testify that he did not remember these statements, the detective was permitted to testify as to his opinion that Norelli was afraid of defendant. (32) Defendant contends that Quartararo's testimony was inadmissible hearsay and opinion evidence, and that its admission violated Evidence Code section 352, and his rights under the Fifth, Sixth, Eighth and Fourteenth Amendments to the United States Constitution and their parallel provisions in the California Constitution. Respondent argues that any objection beyond the hearsay objection was not preserved for appeal. The trial court stated for the record that there was an objection to the testimony of the officer, as well as reference to the document [the detective's notes of the interview.] The court referred to a sidebar conference on the matter that was unreported. The settled statement indicates that the subject of the unreported conference was defendant's hearsay objection, and that beyond this, counsel were unable to add to the information provided in the reporter's transcript. Because it was the court's ruling on reporting sidebar conferences that created some deficiency in the record on this point, we will assume that counsel properly preserved objections to the evidence on the grounds raised here. We find Norelli's statements that defendant told Norelli to lie for defendant, that Norelli had overheard defendant tell Steven Crane defendant had stabbed two people at Kumar's house, and that Norelli thought defendant was guilty, were admissible as prior inconsistent statements. On cross-examination, Norelli had claimed he was unable to remember making these statements to Quartararo. Given Norelli's pattern of deliberate evasions on cross-examination, the prosecutor was entitled to prove that the statements were made through a prior inconsistent statement. ( People v. Green (1971) 3 Cal.3d 981, 988-989 [92 Cal. Rptr. 494, 479 P.2d 998]; Evid. Code, งง 770, 1235.) Our review of the record persuades us that Norelli was deliberately evasive; a prior ruling on the record to that effect by the trial court is not a condition precedent to our holding that the statements were admissible as a prior inconsistent statement. (See, e.g., People v. Plasencia (1985) 168 Cal. App.3d 546, 551 [223 Cal. Rptr. 786]; People v. Burciago (1978) 81 Cal. App.3d 151, 165 [146 Cal. Rptr. 236].) Further, defendant's right of confrontation was not impaired; the declarant was subject to examination at trial and admitted making a statement to the detective. The jury could evaluate Norelli's demeanor, and defendant had the opportunity to examine him fully regarding his statements to the detective. (See California v. Green (1970) 399 U.S. 149 [26 L.Ed.2d 489, 90 S.Ct. 1930]; People v. Green, supra, 3 Cal.3d at pp. 989-990.) Nor can we agree with defendant's conclusory claims that the evidence was more prejudicial than probative under Evidence Code section 352, or that its admission violated the laundry list of constitutional provisions defendant notes in passing. (33a) Respondent concedes it was error to admit the testimony that Quartararo was of the opinion that Norelli was afraid of defendant. We agree with respondent, however, that any error was not prejudicial. Norelli was not the only one who was afraid of defendant, as the evidence that defendant had threatened to blow up Corona reveals.
(34) Defendant contends the terms of the prosecutor's plea bargain with Art Corona were coercive, so that Corona's testimony should have been excluded as unreliable. (See People v. Garrison (1989) 47 Cal.3d 746, 767 [254 Cal. Rptr. 257, 765 P.2d 419]; People v. Medina (1974) 41 Cal. App.3d 438 [116 Cal. Rptr. 133].) He claims a violation of state and federal due process guaranties. He argues that given the history of Corona's cooperation with the police, the agreement should be understood to have impermissibly required Corona to adhere to his prior statements without regard for their truthfulness, and to testify in such a way as to assure defendant's conviction. The complaint in this case named Corona as well as defendant and Brown in each count except the Croutch robbery. Just before the preliminary hearing, Corona's case was severed. He waived preliminary hearing and testified against defendant and Brown, denying then and at trial that he had been offered or promised leniency in return for his preliminary hearing testimony. His attorney was called as a witness at the preliminary hearing and testified that he and the prosecutor had discussed what might happen if Corona testified. However, the attorney successfully invoked the attorney-client privilege with respect to the content of those discussions. Seven days later, the prosecutor wrote to Corona's counsel, setting forth the offer defendant now complains of as coercive: It is my belief that Mr. Corona will testify completely and truthfully at any and all trials in this matter. At the conclusion of all such trials the People agree to dismiss Counts I, II, IV, and V as to Mr. Corona and to amend the information to allege a violation by him of Penal Code section 32. He would then plead guilty to this charge as well as to Count III, the burglary. [ถ] The reasons the murder and robbery charges against Mr. Corona will be dropped are twofold: First and foremost, the evidence clearly shows that he did not participate or aid and abet in the killing or robbery of the victims. Secondly, realistically, I believe we need Mr. Corona's testimony to ensure the successful prosecution of the two actual murderers and, even though Mr. Corona has already testified at their preliminary hearing without any `deals' or promises having been made to him, the fact that he did so and is willing to do so in the future โ at a very substantial risk and danger of death to himself and his wife โ merits considerable consideration. [ถ] I trust you and Mr. Corona will be agreeable to this arrangement. During voir dire, defendant moved for discovery of any prosecution agreements with Corona. The court granted the motion. Defense counsel stated that with regard to Corona in reading the preliminary hearing transcript, you get the feeling that there is a deal, but Mr. Corona may not have been fully informed of it by his attorney, although I'm sure [Corona's counsel] had discussed the matter with the district attorney. The prosecutor responded: I represent to the court, as an officer of the court, with respect to Mr. Corona, the only discussions are those that are contained in the letter which was sent to his attorney.... The claim that the prosecutor's offer to Corona was coercive is specious. We have said that a condition that the accomplice testify truthfully is not coercive. ( People v. Andrews (1989) 49 Cal.3d 200, 231 [260 Cal. Rptr. 583, 776 P.2d 285]; People v. Garrison, supra, 47 Cal.3d at pp. 769-770.) The agreement clearly was not conditioned on defendant's conviction. While the prosecutor's letter explained why the prosecution needed Corona's testimony, it imposed no condition on that testimony. The explanation was probably aimed at allaying Corona's counsel's fear that a trial court might reject the bargain being offered to his client. Defendant claims that Corona's police interrogator told him that if he changed his story, he would be hung out, and that only his statement to the police would mean anything. He claims that Corona therefore must have understood that the bargain offered by the prosecutor was conditional on his not changing his story. But the prosecutor's offer itself simply does not bear such a construction, and the context of the interrogation does not support the claim that any kind of bargain was struck at that time.