Opinion ID: 2631807
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: Delay in Executing Sentence

Text: Defendant next contends that his nine-year confinement on death row pending resolution of this appeal, and the probable additional delay in executing him, constitute cruel and unusual punishment under the state and federal Constitutions. We have rejected similar claims in recent cases, and defendant offers no compelling reasons for reconsidering them. A relatively lengthy period of incarceration pending appeal and execution is necessary to provide careful appellate review. (See People v. Massie (1998) 19 Cal.4th 550, 574, 79 Cal.Rptr.2d 816, 967 P.2d 29; People v. Frye, supra, 18 Cal.4th at pp. 1030-1031, 77 Cal.Rptr.2d 25, 959 P.2d 183.) Moreover, as we have frequently held, matters bearing on the legality of the execution of sentence, rather than the validity of the sentence itself, are no basis for reversal of the judgment. (See People v. Samayoa (1997) 15 Cal.4th 795, 864, 64 Cal.Rptr.2d 400, 938 P.2d 2; People v. Holt (1997) 15 Cal.4th 619, 702, 63 Cal. Rptr.2d 782, 937 P.2d 213; People v. Bradford (1997) 14 Cal.4th 1005, 1058-1059, 60 Cal.Rptr.2d 225, 929 P.2d 544; People v. Berryman (1993) 6 Cal.4th 1048, 1110, 25 Cal.Rptr.2d 867, 864 P.2d 40.)