Opinion ID: 2321756
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 7

Heading: An Additional Theory

Text: Finally, Petitioner argues that Castillo and Flores were accomplices as a matter of law because MS-13 would not allow persons with potential to furnish evidence against them to help with murders unless they were also involved in the gang. To support that notion, Petitioner directs us to Detective Saa's expert testimony that MS-13 uses new recruits as lookouts and getaway drivers during the indoctrination process. Although we agree with Petitioner that the Detective's testimony informs the issue, we do not agree that it is dispositive. In other words, the Detective's testimony supports the notion that Castillo's and Flores's complicity vel non should be for a jury to decide, but it does not provide evidence clear enough to have compelled a determination by the trial court that the witnesses were accomplices as a matter of law.