Opinion ID: 1113193
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 20

Heading: References to 1979 informant testimony.

Text: Dr. Siegel testified at length about the descriptions defendant, Victor Cordova, and others had given him of events on the day of Gregorio's murder. The prosecutor asked whether Dr. Siegel also considered how these versions might contrast with what defendant told Michael Palacio, his jail cellmate. Dr. Siegel confirmed he had considered Palacio's 1979 trial testimony. As Dr. Siegel told it, Palacio gave the following account of defendant's statements: Defendant entered Gregorio's home to use the telephone and saw money sticking out of Gregorio's pocket. Defendant then formed the intent to kill Gregorio for the cash and went to the kitchen to get a knife. After leaving the house, defendant asked Victor to go back and retrieve his beer, then did so himself after Victor declined. Defendant returned a second time with the beer and a bulging pocketful of coins he had not taken before. Dr. Siegel said this information tells me that while ... [defendant] ... [was] ... obviously grossly intoxicated, he also [was] ... capable of some goal direction activity.... In his closing argument, the prosecutor again noted Palacio's claim that defendant admitted forming the intent to rob and kill. (15a) Even so, counsel's failure to pursue a hearsay objection was not facially incompetent. As counsel must have known, a successful objection probably would not have prevented Palacio's account from reaching the jury. In that event, the People could, and likely would, have chosen to present Palacio in person, or if he was unavailable, to introduce his 1979 testimony directly under the unavailable-witness exception to the hearsay rule. (Evid. Code, ง 1291, subd. (a)(2).) Either alternative would only have emphasized Palacio's claim that defendant committed a premeditated killing. Given these tactical considerations, the record fails to demonstrate that counsel's silence in the face of Dr. Siegel's hearsay report constituted ineffective assistance. Moreover, even if counsel should have objected, reversal is not warranted. While Palacio's assertions were the only direct evidence that defendant consciously formed a criminal intent before he killed Gregorio, the valid circumstantial evidence that defendant knew what he was doing was extremely strong. The manner of killing suggested calculation and awareness. It was also clear that defendant had ransacked Gregorio's residence and taken money. Moreover, Victor testified that moments after the crime, defendant described it several times in graphic and coherent terms. Victor also indicated that defendant carried away the murder weapon and immediately returned to the house to retrieve other evidence which might link him to the homicide. Defendant continued to boast about the killing as he was driven away from the scene. He later asked Victor to lie about the extent of his intoxication. (16)(See fn. 17.), (15b) Under these circumstances, admission of the Palacio evidence without a limiting instruction does not undermine confidence in the judgment. [17]