Opinion ID: 1162628
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Issues Relating to Other Crimes Evidence

Text: Defendant makes a number of contentions relating to the introduction of evidence concerning the Modesto liquor store robbery. He first claims that evidence of other crimes not resulting in conviction is constitutionally inadmissible at the penalty phase of a capital trial. We rejected the point, however, in People v. Balderas (1985) 41 Cal.3d 144, 204-205 [222 Cal. Rptr. 184, 711 P.2d 480]. (12) Defendant next claims that the court erred by failing to instruct the jurors that they could consider the evidence of the liquor store robbery in aggravation only if they found that he had committed the crime beyond a reasonable doubt. We agree. ( People v. Robertson (1982) 33 Cal.3d 21, 53-54 [188 Cal. Rptr. 77, 655 P.2d 279].) He then argues that the error was prejudicial. We cannot agree. In view of the fact that defendant faced overwhelming direct evidence of guilt and indeed did not actively contest the issue, we conclude that the error was nonprejudicial. (Cf. People v. Miranda, supra, 44 Cal.3d at pp. 97-98 [holding Robertson error harmless in a case in which there was ample evidence, properly admitted, establishing the defendant's guilt of the unadjudicated crime].) Defendant also claims that the court was under a constitutional obligation to instruct the jurors that before they could consider the evidence of the liquor store robbery they had to agree unanimously that he had committed the crime. In People v. Miranda, supra, 44 Cal.3d 57, 99, however, we rejected essentially the same point. Finally, defendant claims that the court was under a constitutional obligation to require the jury to return a written finding stating whether or not it found him guilty of the liquor store robbery. In People v. Gates (1987) 43 Cal.3d 1168, 1203, however, we rejected the point.