Opinion ID: 1277356
Heading Depth: 4
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: The Rape and Sodomy Special Circumstances

Text: Defendant contends there was insufficient evidence in support of the special circumstances involving rape and sodomy. He specifically challenges the sufficiency of the evidence as it pertained to whether penetration had occurred, whether Diane was alive when the crimes of rape and sodomy allegedly were committed, and whether the rape and sodomy were part of a continuous transaction with the murder. None of defendant's challenges have merit. The prosecution's pathologist testified there was no physical evidence of forcible sexual entry into Diane's vaginal or anal orifices. Defendant seizes upon the absence of physical evidence of penetration to assert the insufficiency of the evidence in support of the special circumstances of rape and sodomy. The pathologist's testimony, however, did not suggest that penetration could not have occurred, and the jury reasonably could have found from the other evidence reviewed above, including defendant's statement to Amy, that a completed rape and sodomy had occurred. Furthermore, the prosecution was not required to establish the completion of the underlying felonies in order to establish the special circumstances. Either of the respective special circumstances at issue may be found true if the murder was committed while defendant was engaged in the commission or attempted commission of rape or sodomy. (§ 190.2, subd. (a)(17)(C), (D); People v. Wright, supra, 52 Cal.3d 367, 405, 276 Cal.Rptr. 731, 802 P.2d 221.) As noted above, there was overwhelming evidence to support a finding that defendant had sexually assaulted Diane and at least had attempted to rape and sodomize her, and that the murder occurred during the commission of these offenses. Defendant contends there was insufficient evidence that the murder occurred during the commission of, or attempted commission of, or in flight immediately following the commission of, rape or sodomy. The evidence, however, supported a finding that Diane resisted defendant's assault, called him some names, was sexually attacked, and thereafter was killed. The prosecution's pathologist opined that there had been at least an attempt to sexually assault Diane prior to her death. According to the testimony given by Amy, defendant explained that his impotence was related to having just got it on with the murder victim. The evidence supports a finding that the murder occurred during, or immediately after, the commission or attempted commission of, the underlying felonies of rape and sodomy of Diane. Defendant also challenges the adequacy of the evidence in support of the special circumstances, contending that the prosecution failed to establish that Diane was alive when the crimes of rape and sodomy allegedly were committed. The evidence, however, refutes defendant's position; contusions on Diane's thighs and reddening of her vaginal area were consistent with a forcible sexual assault, and defendant's statements to Amy that Diane called him a few names, and I just got it on with your friend, indicate that Diane had attempted to resist defendant's attack and that defendant had committed or attempted to commit rape and sodomy While Diane still was alive. Thus, the jury reasonably could conclude that Diane was alive during defendant's sexual attack upon her. Moreover, when an individual attempts to rape (or sodomize) a victim, reasonably or mistakenly believing that the victim is alive, the perpetrator is guilty of having attempted the underlying felony. (See People v. Thompson (1993) 12 Cal. App.4th 195, 203, 15 Cal.Rptr.2d 333; see also People v. Kelly (1992) 1 Cal.4th 495, 525, 3 Cal.Rptr.2d 677, 822 P.2d 385 [it... does not matter whether actual penetration did not occur until after death for purposes of the special circumstance]; People v. Guzman (1988) 45 Cal.3d 915, 949-952, 248 Cal.Rptr. 467, 755 P.2d 917 [explaining the scope of the rape special circumstance].) Accordingly, we reject defendant's claim that the evidence was insufficient to support the rape and sodomy special circumstances.