Opinion ID: 4521869
Heading Depth: 4
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Admission of Letter Written by Pamela

Text: As victim impact evidence, the prosecution questioned Pamela’s daughter, Desiree, about how the loss of her mother has affected her life. The prosecution sought to have Desiree read a letter purportedly written from her mother to both Desiree and J.F. To establish foundation, the prosecution explained the letter was found with Pamela’s personal property in a storage shed available only to Pamela. Desiree had not yet seen the letter. Though initially sustaining defendant’s objection that the letter was more prejudicial than probative, the trial court later permitted Desiree to read the letter. The letter dated July 7, 2006 was read into the record: “To my dear sweet baby girls. Please hear me and know that I am forever with you. You are the fruit of my labor in this life and I am so proud of you both. Listen for my voice to guide you. I want so much to hold you in my arms and kiss your sweet faces for eternity. Please keep my family together with gentle love and understanding. You are all that exists for me now. Never abandon. Family is truly the only thing that is important. Protect each other at all costs. Love you with all my being. Mamma.” During her direct testimony, Desiree read the letter in front of the jury. When the prosecution asked what Desiree thought as she looked into the future without her mother, she 85 PEOPLE v. FAYED Opinion of the Court by Chin, J. responded: “[I]t saddens me and depresses me, and it not only affects mine and [J.F.]’s life and everyone involved right now, but it affects our future families.” The prosecution also referred to the letter in its closing argument. On appeal, defendant again argues that the letter was inadmissible hearsay and that the prosecution impermissibly “used the emotional letter as substantive evidence in closing arguments.” We conclude the letter was properly admitted to show the effect of Pamela’s death on her daughter. (People v. Cruz (2008) 44 Cal.4th 636, 682.) “Unless it invites a purely irrational response from the jury, the devastating effect of a capital crime on loved ones and the community is relevant and admissible as a circumstance of the crime under section 190.3, factor (a).” (People v. Lewis and Oliver (2006) 39 Cal.4th 970, 1056-1057.) The letter, which was clearly intended to be given to the girls on their mother’s death, “demonstrated the relationship lost” as a result of Pamela’s murder. (People v. Verdugo, supra, 50 Cal.4th at p. 299 [“Victim impact evidence is emotionally moving by its very nature, but that fact alone does not make it improper”].)