Opinion ID: 1351343
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 7

Heading: Validity of the special findings.

Text: (36) As we noted in the previous section, the jury returned special findings. One finding stated: We, the jury ... find beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant, Jackson Chambers Daniels, Jr., personally killed Dennis Doty with express malice aforethought and premeditation and deliberation. The other finding identically described the murder of Phil Trust. Defendant contends these findings constitute a special verdict in violation of section 1150. [25] In People v. Burgener (1986) 41 Cal.3d 505 [224 Cal. Rptr. 112, 714 P.2d 1251], the jury determined that the murder was committed with express malice aforethought and with deliberation and premeditation. (P. 537.) We held this determination constituted a finding, not a special verdict, and did not violate section 1150. Defendant advances no plausible basis for distinguishing Burgener, which is controlling on this point.