Opinion ID: 2567349
Heading Depth: 4
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Trial court remarks suggesting role of emotion or religious belief in ruling

Text: Defendant next argues he was denied due process of law because the judge's decision on the automatic application to modify the verdict was tainted by passion, emotion, and religious beliefs. He cites several remarks the trial court made during the sentencing hearing. First, in examining section 190.3, factor (d)  whether the murders were committed while defendant was under the influence of extreme mental or emotional disturbance  the court stated: There is no evidence that the murders of John Davies and Lance Turner were committed while the defendant was under the influence of extreme mental or emotional disturbance. Even the doctors most favorable to the defendant testified that Jon Dunkle showed no signs of mental illness until 1987.[¶] Those of us who are overcome by the horror of these crimes may have an urge to imagine that Jon Dunkle suffered from some emotional illness[;] perhaps we do this to protect ourselves from the very real fact that some people in this world delight in doing evil. [¶] However, evidence indicates that the defendant has systematically feigned mental problems in order to avoid responsibility for his vicious acts. (Italics added.) Defendant argues the italicized phrase shows that the court's ruling was improperly based on its personal emotion. But he takes this comment out of context. The ruling as a whole makes clear that the court carefully considered all of the evidence presented at trial, applying the section 190.3 factors in exercising its independent judgment to determine that the weight of the evidence supported the jury's verdict. We see no basis for a conclusion the trial court improperly took emotional considerations into account in making its ruling. Defendant further asserts that the court's discussion of section 190.3, factor (a), the circumstances of the offenses, revealed that emotion and passion affected the ruling. The court stated: The circumstances of the crime for which the defendant was convicted were particularly vicious. The first of the defendant's chosen victims, John Davies, was especially vulnerable to the defendant's murderous intentions because he regarded the defendant as a friend. He trusted Jon Dunkle. The defendant used this trust, as well as John Davies' youth, to lure him to an isolated area, and there for pleasure, Jon Dunkle murdered his friend. [An] incomprehensible and vicious act. Having accomplished that, he abandoned John's body to the elements, he cruelly allowed the family who had welcomed him to be torn apart by years of searching and heart-[rending] sor[r]ow. [¶] Then the defendant in 1984 murdered again. As before the defendant chose a particularly vulnerable victim, a 12-year-old boy, Lance Turner. A child whom the defendant had never before seen. For a thrill, the defendant brutally stabbed Lance 23 times. For the perverse pleasure of seeing a human being suffer and die, Jon Scott Dunkle ended Lance's life and plunged the Turner family into darkest grief.  (Italics added.) Later, in the course of its comments on section 190.3, factor (b), other violent criminal conduct, the court stated: Proof beyond a reasonable doubt was also presented on a third murder committed by the defendant in 1985. The murder of Sean Dannehl. While the defend[ant] was living in Sacramento and [a]waiting court proceeding on the burglary charge, he happened upon his third victim, a slight 12-year-old boy, riding his bicycle home through the twilight. Jon Dunkle chased him on his own bike, rammed him twice, forcing Sean to stop. Who can imagine the terror that that child must have felt naked, alone and trapped by this defendant? Jon Dunkle brutally and pitilessly stabbed Sean in the heart and eyes. He forcibly penetrated that little skull. He drained Sean's life from him, and left him to decompose in the summer heat. [¶] The defendant confessed to this crime as well. (Italics added.) The italicized comments reveal the court's appreciation of the terror and grief felt by the victims and their families. They do not support defendant's assertion that the court made its ruling on the basis of its personal emotion or passion. Finally, defendant contends certain comments the court made after ruling on the automatic application and after imposing sentence, demonstrate that the court's emotional reactions and religious views improperly influenced its ruling. The court said: To the families of John Davies and Lance Turner: The facts that were presented here in this courtroom constitute a tragedy of incomprehensible proportions. Our children are so much a part of ourselves, their personalities, their uniqueness, become woven into the fabric of our being. When that precious part of our lives is ripped ruthlessly [from] us, as happened in this case, the resulting wound must be beyond endurance. [¶] I know that I speak for each person who sat in the courtroom and listened to the evidence, when I say that our hearts go out to you. We hope now, that somehow the healing process can begin. [¶] We admire your courage and pure faith. You have born[e] unbearable sorrow with grace and dignity. [¶] To Jon Scott Dunkle I say do not look to this court for forgiveness, Mr. Dunkle. I can find no mercy for you in my heart. [¶] What you have done deserves the fullest condemnation of the law. The jury rightly determined that there is no penalty but death to be imposed in this situation and I concur with that determination. [¶] I suggest that you now look beyond this earth for forgiveness, for what is not possible for man is possible for God. When you were younger you went to church. You know that a judgment day that will make this pale in comparison is coming. Direct your thoughts to that judgment that you may not make a wreckage of your eternal life as you have this mortal life. [¶] Court is in recess. As noted, the court made these comments after ruling on the automatic verdict modification application and after imposing sentence. In the course of our review of the ruling, we have independently considered the record and the court's statement of its reasons for the ruling. ( People v. Holt (1997) 15 Cal.4th 619, 710, 63 Cal.Rptr.2d 782, 937 P.2d 213.) We are satisfied the court complied with its obligation to weigh the evidence independently and without being influenced by improper religious or emotional considerations. Its postruling comments were personal reflections and not part of a legal ruling.