Opinion ID: 1394991
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 25

Heading: Witness Credibility Instructions

Text: (33) Relying on People v. Rincon-Pineda (1975) 14 Cal.3d 864 [123 Cal. Rptr. 119, 538 P.2d 247, 92 A.L.R.3d 845], defendant maintains that the trial court's failure to sua sponte instruct the jury at the penalty phase on the standards for assessing witness credibility constitutes reversible error. (CALJIC No. 2.20.) [29] Defendant's reliance on Rincon-Pineda is clearly misplaced. In Rincon-Pineda, supra, 14 Cal.3d at page 883, we held that the credibility instructions should be given  sua sponte by the trial court in every criminal case. The jury here was in fact instructed pursuant to CALJIC No. 2.20 at the guilt phase. We believe this is all that was required. In the absence of an affirmative showing that the jury did not continue to apply the instruction at the penalty phase, we cannot assume error. Moreover, the factors relating to credibility, as identified in CALJIC No. 2.20, were amply brought to the jury's attention during closing statements. During their arguments, the district attorney and defense counsel warned the jury that Saucedo's testimony should be viewed with caution because of his previous dishonesty, his involvement in the Hosey murder, and the fact that he was given immunity and a reduced sentence in exchange for his willingness to testify. 5. Prosecutorial Misconduct Defendant asserts that numerous comments made by the district attorney during closing argument constituted prejudicial misconduct. However, because he failed to object to any of the challenged statements at trial, he is precluded from raising the objections on appeal. [30] ( People v. Green, supra, 27 Cal.3d at p. 27.) None of the claimed errors were of such significance that they could not have been cured by an admonition. We therefore deem any error to be waived. (Cf. Green, supra, at pp. 34-35.) Defendant attempts to overcome the waiver rule by asserting that the failure to object to the misconduct of the district attorney deprived him of the effective assistance of counsel. (See People v. Fosselman, supra, 33 Cal.3d at p. 584.) However, a review of the record reveals that it is not reasonably probable the jury would have reached a more favorable result had defense counsel objected and requested an admonition regarding the alleged instances of misconduct: