Opinion ID: 2625727
Heading Depth: 4
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Refusal to Instruct on Self-defense or Manslaughter

Text: The prosecutor requested murder instructions in connection with the stabbing of Flemming. Defense counsel requested instructions on voluntary and involuntary manslaughter, self-defense, and unreasonable self-defense. After hearing argument, the court decided the evidence would not support a finding that either defendant or Gornick had a belief in the need for self-defense, reasonable or unreasonable. The court also considered whether a heat of passion theory of manslaughter might be sustainable, and concluded it was not. The court did decide to instruct on assault with a deadly weapon or by force likely to produce great bodily injury. Thus, the jury could consider whether defendant aided and abetted an assault instead of a murder. However, the court rejected defense counsel's argument that defendant may have aided and abetted only a battery, so that Flemming's killing might be deemed a misdemeanor manslaughter. (8) On appeal, defendant contends the court's rulings violated his rights under the Sixth, Eighth, and Fourteenth Amendments to the federal Constitution, and his state constitutional rights to present a defense, to a fair trial, to due process, and to equal protection. He claims he was entitled to instructions on manslaughter as a lesser included offense of murder. However, we have not decide[d] whether a trial court is ever obligated to instruct on lesser offenses requested by trial counsel at a penalty phase. ( People v. Guerra (2006) 37 Cal.4th 1067, 1148 [40 Cal.Rptr.3d 118, 129 P.3d 321].) Defendant was not charged with Flemming's murder in this case. Evidence of the attack in jail was presented as an aggravating circumstance under section 190.3, factor (b): criminal activity by the defendant which involved the use or attempted use of force or violence. Whether the assault amounted to murder or manslaughter was beside the point. The proper focus for consideration of prior violent crimes in the penalty phase is on the facts of the defendant's past actions as they reflect on his character, rather than on the labels to be assigned the past crimes [citation] or the existence of technical defenses to prior bad acts [citation]. ( People v. Cain (1995) 10 Cal.4th 1, 73 [40 Cal.Rptr.2d 481, 892 P.2d 1224].) (9) Nevertheless, counsel may request instruction on the elements of offenses presented under section 190.3, factor (b). (See People v. Guerra, supra, 37 Cal.4th at p. 1147.) Here, defense counsel proposed instructions on the elements of manslaughter and various related theories. The trial court correctly determined that the evidence was inadequate to support these instructions. Defendant argues that the jury could have found that he acted in reasonable or unreasonable defense of Gornick, who himself acted in self-defense. But both self-defense and defense of others, whether perfect or imperfect, require an actual fear of imminent harm. ( People v. Randle (2005) 35 Cal.4th 987, 994-997 [28 Cal.Rptr.3d 725, 111 P.3d 987].) Here, Flemming's threats against Gornick's family did not pose an immediate threat. By defendant's own account at trial, the fight was planned in advance, and Flemming was handcuffed throughout the assault. Neither defendant nor the other eyewitness, Deputy Mendoza, saw Flemming with a weapon of any kind. Defendant notes there was testimony that a piece of metal, which could have been used to make a shank, had previously been confiscated from Flemming's cell. This does not indicate that Flemming was armed when he was attacked. Without any evidence to support a finding that Gornick or defendant feared imminent harm, there was no basis to argue self-defense or defense of others. (10) Defendant also claims a voluntary manslaughter instruction was justified under the theory that he and Gornick acted in the heat of passion or upon a sudden quarrel. However, the fact that defendant knew Gornick had planned the assault in advance showed that both of them acted deliberately and upon reflection. (See People v. Manriquez (2005) 37 Cal.4th 547, 583-584 [36 Cal.Rptr.3d 340, 123 P.3d 614].) Defendant suggests he and Gornick were provoked by the sight of the shank. This speculation is not supported by anything in the testimony. In any event, `[t]he provocation which incites the defendant to homicidal conduct in the heat of passion must be caused by the victim [citation], or be conduct reasonably believed by the defendant to have been engaged in by the victim.' ( Manriquez, at p. 583.) Here, there was no evidence that Flemming had any role in the production of the shank. Finally, defendant contends involuntary manslaughter instructions were proper because the jury could have found that he intended to participate only in a misdemeanor battery. (See People v. Benavides (2005) 35 Cal.4th 69, 102-103 [24 Cal.Rptr.3d 507, 105 P.3d 1099].) This theory is also untenable. Defendant admitted that after he saw Flemming bleeding heavily from the wounds inflicted by Gornick, he continued to block the deputy's view of the fight, kick Flemming, and block him from reaching the row gate. Whatever defendant may have anticipated at the outset, by his own account he knowingly participated in an assault with a deadly weapon. No reasonable jury could have found that this violent and bloody incident was a misdemeanor battery. The court properly declined to instruct on involuntary manslaughter.