Opinion ID: 2518032
Heading Depth: 6
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Pertinent Trial Proceedings

Text: Dr. William Sherry, the forensic pathologist, testified during the guilt phase that the bullet entered the upper right rear of Rose's head and exited through the right forehead. The absence of stippling, tattooing and searing indicated the gun was at least 18 inches from Rose when it was fired, but could have been as far away as 100 feet. Dr. Sherry also noted that Rose had small abrasions on the left hand, a scratch on the right knee, an abrasion just below the knee, and a bruise on the left elbow. These injuries occurred while Rose was still alive. The prosecutor asked Dr. Sherry if he had an opinion about the direction of the gunshot wound. In response, Dr. Sherry and the prosecutor engaged in the following colloquy: A. All I can say is assuming the body in the standard anatomic position, which means hands down at the side and standing and looking straight ahead, the gunshot wound in that particular position would be back to front, slightly left to right, and slightly downward. Q. When you say `slightly downward,' that would mean that the person doing the shooting would have to be a little taller or hold a weapon a little over the head; is that correct? A. It would be consistent with that. Q. Would it also be consistent with perhaps two people who are the same size, but one person is kneeling which could account for the abrasion on the knee? A. It would be consistent with that. On cross-examination, defense counsel and Dr. Sherry engaged in the following exchange: Q. Isn't it true that the anatomical position or the position of the person who has been shot, more precisely, has a great deal of impact upon the bullet track within the body? A. You mean the position of the head? Q. Yes. A. Yes. The head can be turned in any of a number of positions at that time that the gunshot was sustained so that with relationship to the rest of the body, the standard anatomic position may not apply. Q. It would be possible, would it not, for someone to have a wound with a downward track if, for example, that person's head was tilted backwards, for example, when the bullet struck the head. A. You are correct. Q. And there are probably millions of different possibilities depending upon the position of the weapon and the position of the body and specifically the head of the person who was struck? A. Yes. In her closing argument at the penalty trial, the prosecutor discussed the circumstances of the crime under section 190.3, factor (a): [Defendant] killed [ sic ] Fred Rose in the back of the head. When based on the evidence Mr. Rose was either on his knees pleading for mercy or running away from defendant. Defense counsel objected and the trial court advised that the statements of counsel are not evidence. The prosecutor continued, He executed this father of three and then went out and partied. At the conclusion of the guilt phase the jury was admonished with CALJIC No. 1.03 as follows: You must not make any independent investigation of the facts or the law or consider or discuss the facts as to which there is no evidence. This means, for example, that you must not on your own visit the scene, conduct experiments or consult reference works or persons for additional information. At the conclusion of the penalty phase, the jury was told it was to be guided by applicable and pertinent guilt phase instructions.