Opinion ID: 1144098
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: evidence of intention to violate penal code section 288

Text: (8) Assuming the admissibility of his extrajudicial statements, Cantrell nevertheless contends the evidence was insufficient to establish he violated Penal Code section 288, the underlying felony relied upon. The thrust of his argument is that there was no proof he acted with the specific intent required to violate the section. The contention is without merit. Under the cases cited in the preceding paragraph, Cantrell's extrajudicial statements were not only admissible to show he committed acts proscribed by Penal Code section 288, but also to prove he did so with the requisite specific intent. We know of no authority, and Cantrell has cited none, which holds the People must prove the underlying felony independent of and without reference to the defendant's extrajudicial statements. His admissions he was queering with the kid, fondling the boy's penis with his hands, and that he strangled him when he started to yell, all indicate his sexual contact with Danny was neither innocent nor accidental. The reasonable inference to be drawn from the evidence is that Cantrell engaged in the acts with the intent of arousing, appealing to, or gratifying his own lust, passion or sexual desires. (Pen. Code, § 288.)