Opinion ID: 2602047
Heading Depth: 5
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Direct Testimony of Rick Wentworth

Text: Rick Wentworth, an elder in the Jehovah's Witness church, was called as a defense witness. Wentworth testified that he was asked to visit defendant in jail and that they established a relationship. He testified that defendant expressed an interest in Bible study and that he visited defendant about three times a month over the previous year and a half. Wentworth and defendant discussed family, friends in the congregation, and then had a formal study. Defense counsel then asked Wentworth whether defendant discussed any concerns about his own plight and Wentworth answered no. Defense counsel asked What areas has he expressed concern about to you? The prosecutor objected and asked to approach the bench. Defense counsel said that Wentworth would testify that defendant had expressed concern about his familythat's alland how they're handling it. The prosecutor said the testimony constituted improper testimony about the impact on defendant's family and was also hearsay. The trial court agreed that it appeared to be hearsay. Defense counsel replied that the testimony fell into the state of mind exception (Evid. Code, § 1250). The trial court responded that even so, it was irrelevant. Defendant argues that the trial court erred and we agree. Evidence that defendant was concerned about how his family was doing was relevant in mitigation because it constitutes indirect evidence of the defendant's character. ( Ochoa, supra, 19 Cal.4th at p. 456.) However, even assuming the error violated defendant's constitutional rights, the erroneous exclusion of the evidence was harmless beyond a reasonable doubt. ( Chapman v. California (1967) 386 U.S. 18, 24 [17 L.Ed.2d 705, 87 S.Ct. 824]; People v. Cole (2004) 33 Cal.4th 1158, 1195 [17 Cal.Rptr.3d 532, 95 P.3d 811].) Defendant introduced ample alternative evidence of his relationship with his family. Defendant's wife testified extensively about her love for him, how he had wanted to plead guilty to avoid causing more pain for his family, his character, and his relationship with her and with his children. Additionally, Dr. Kaser-Boyd testified at length about the children's bond with defendant, their love for him, and how they would benefit from a continuing relationship if he were allowed to live. Thus, even without the excluded testimony, the jury was presented with substantial evidence of defendant's relationship with his family and his concern for them. There is no reasonable possibility that the jury would have returned a different sentence even if Wentworth had been permitted to testify that defendant had inquired after his family's well-being. [13]