Opinion ID: 1405904
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 7

Heading: Application for Modification of Judgment.

Text: In every case in which a death penalty is returned, section 190.4, subdivision (e) requires the trial judge to make an independent determination whether imposition of the death penalty upon the defendant is proper in light of the relevant evidence and the applicable law. ( People v. Rodriguez, supra, 42 Cal.3d at p. 792.) The judge must review the evidence, consider, take into account, and be guided by the aggravating and mitigating circumstances ... and shall make a determination as to whether the jury's findings and verdicts that the aggravating circumstances outweigh the mitigating circumstances are contrary to law or the evidence presented. The judge shall state on the record the reasons for his findings. (§ 190.4, subd. (e).) (29) Boyde contends the court's denial of the motion to modify the judgment was based on its erroneous belief that the evidence he presented at the penalty hearing did not constitute mitigation. He points to the court's statement: There is little, if anything, that can be said in way of mitigation against imposition of the death penalty, but there are many factors in aggravation.... In context, however, the court's statement was merely a reference to the weight he thought should be given the mitigating evidence. The court never indicated it thought the evidence could not be considered.