Opinion ID: 2589798
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 8

Heading: Alleged Error Regarding Providing Jury Written Transcripts

Text: During guilt phase deliberations, the jury sent a note requesting the testimony of Randi Renken and Marcus Boykin. The trial judge gave the jury transcripts of this testimony after having the court reporter make certain redactions, and allowing counsel to review the 62-page transcript and make comments. Both the People and defendants requested that the jury be read back the testimony, not given written transcripts. The trial court denied the request. Defendant claims this was error. Section 1138 provides that [a]fter the jury have retired for deliberation, if there be any disagreement between them as to the testimony, or if they desire to be informed on any point of law arising in the case, they must require the officer to conduct them into court. Upon being brought into court, the information required must be given in the presence of, or after notice to, the prosecuting attorney, and the defendant or his counsel, or after they have been called. We have stated that under this section, the trial court must satisfy requests by the jury for the rereading of testimony. { People v. Ainsworth (1988) 45 Cal.3d 984, 1020, 248 Cal. Rptr. 568, 755 P.2d 1017.) We have also held, however, that it is not improper for a court, with the consent of the accused and his counsel, to provide a transcript to the jury in lieu of rereading testimony in open court. ( People v. Odle (1988) 45 Cal.3d 386, 407, 247 Cal.Rptr. 137, 754 P.2d 184.) The question here is whether the trial court may do so over the defendant's objection. The rereading of testimony is not a critical stage of the proceedings. ( People v. Ayala (2000) 23 Cal.4th 225, 288, 96 Cal.Rptr.2d 682.) Hence, the trial court's procedure did not violate defendant's constitutional right to be present or to counsel at a critical stage of trial. Nor does he persuasively demonstrate his right to a jury trial was violated by this procedure, and he waived below any objection to the procedure based on his right to a public trial. We also reject defendant's claim the trial court violated a statutory right under section 1138. Section 1138 requires the testimony to be furnished; the form in which it is furnished, i.e., written or oral, is apparently in the trial court's discretion. Even assuming error, defendant does not persuasively demonstrate how he was thereby prejudiced or denied a fair trial. ( People v. Frye (1998) 18 Cal.4th 894, 1007, 77 Cal.Rptr.2d 25, 959 P.2d 183; People v. Fauber (1992) 2 Cal.4th 792, 836-837, 9 Cal.Rptr.2d 24, 831 P.2d 249; People v. Ainsworth, supra, 45 Cal.3d at p. 1020, 248 Cal.Rptr. 568, 755 P.2d 1017.) Rather, it is not reasonably probable that the outcome would have been different had the testimony been reread instead of being provided in writing. ( People v. Ainsworth, supra, 45 Cal.3d at p. 1020, 248 Cal.Rptr. 568, 755 P.2d 1017.)