Opinion ID: 1454621
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 23

Heading: The Trial Court's Refusal to Inform the Jury of the Consequences of Its Failure to Reach a Penalty Verdict

Text: (57) When asked by the jury what would happen if it failed to reach a penalty verdict (see factual description in pt. XXXIII, ante ), the court declined to answer and admonished the jury not to speculate as to the consequences of its failure to agree. Defendant claims error, arguing that the court was obligated to explain what would happen in the circumstances posited by the jury. We have already rejected this contention. ( People v. Belmontes, supra, 45 Cal.3d 744 at pp. 813-815; see also People v. Allison (1989) 48 Cal.3d 879, 908-909 [258 Cal. Rptr. 208, 771 P.2d 1294]; People v. Bell, supra, 49 Cal.3d at pp. 552-553.) He offers no basis for reconsideration of our decisions, other than a reference to his separate argument about an erroneously typed jury instruction, which we consider below. Defendant has not justifed reversal on this ground.