Opinion ID: 2631807
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Antisympathy Instructions

Text: Defendant's jury, during its penalty deliberations, had asked to see the court's guilt phase instructions on aiding and abetting. Recognizing that these instructions were irrelevant to the penalty issue, the court nonetheless provided the jury with the entire set of guilt phase instructions, with the admonition that the aiding and abetting issues pertained to the guilt phase of trial, and that the jury should be guided by the penalty phase instructions in making its penalty decision. Defendant now contends the court erred in providing the penalty phase jury with a copy of the guilt phase instructions, which included an instruction (see CALJIC No. 1.00) cautioning the jury not to be influenced by such emotions as passion, sympathy, and pity for or prejudice against a defendant. Defendant also suggests the jury's request indicated its confusion regarding its responsibilities (see McDowell v. Calderon (9th Cir.1997) 130 F.3d 833, 836-837), but we think the court's admonition was adequate to clarify the matter. Other than the jury's request itself, the record contains no indication the jurors were confused or uncertain regarding their sentencing responsibilities. As for the antisympathy instruction in the guilt phase instructions, the penalty phase instructions specifically told jurors, pursuant to CALJIC No. 8.85, that they could consider any sympathetic or other aspect of the defendant's character or record that the defendant offers as a basis for a sentence less than death.... You must disregard any jury instruction given to you in the guilt or innocence phase of this trial which conflicts with this principle.  (Italics added.) As noted, the court's subsequent response to the jury's request repeated the admonition that the guilt phase instructions should not be used in determining the appropriate penalty. We have consistently rejected similar claims of error. (See People v. Frye (1998) 18 Cal.4th 894, 1024-1026, 77 Cal. Rptr.2d 25, 959 P.2d 183, and cases cited.)