Opinion ID: 1442039
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 32

Heading: Motion for Modification of Verdict

Text: (24) Defendant contends that the record fails to clearly establish that the trial judge made an independent determination that death was the appropriate penalty. We disagree. In making its ruling, the court began by noting that section 190.4 subdivision (e) ... requires this Court to review the evidence, take into account and be guided by the aggravating and mitigating circumstances and I must make a determination whether the jury's findings and verdict, that the aggravating circumstances outweighed the mitigating circumstances, were contrary to the law or the evidence. The court further stated: I have reviewed all of the evidence including the testimony presented during both the guilt, special circumstances and penalty phases of this trial. I have examined and reexamined the exhibits introduced into evidence. The court proceeded to review the evidence and make findings, giving reasons therefor. The court announced its ruling as follows: Now, as required by law, and having considered all of the evidence and being guided by the factors just discussed, it is the further finding of this Court beyond a reasonable doubt that the aggravating circumstances far outweigh the mitigating circumstances. It is, therefore, the Court's further finding that the jury's verdicts and findings are not only supported by the overwhelming weight of the evidence, but upon an independent review are not contrary to law or the evidence. It is, therefore the determination and finding of this Court that the defendant's statutory automatic application for modification of the death sentence is denied. Our review of the record leaves no doubt that the court understood and complied with its duty to independently reweigh the evidence of aggravating and mitigating circumstances and then to determine whether, in its independent judgment, the weight of the evidence supported the jury's verdict. (See People v. Lang (1989) 49 Cal.3d 991, 1045 [264 Cal. Rptr. 386, 782 P.2d 627].)