Opinion ID: 2567545
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Distribution of a Motion Picture Reflecting the Prosecution's View of This Case

Text: Next, Hollywood contends it was misconduct for Zonen to cooperate in the dissemination of a major motion picture that would convey his (distorted, according to Hollywood) view of Hollywood. [6] The Court of Appeal likewise criticized Zonen for trying his case in the movies. While the prosecution ethically may discuss information necessary to aid in the apprehension of fugitives (Rules Prof. Conduct, rule 5-120(B)(7)(b)), its freedom to do so is not without limits. Certainly, a case might arise in which a trial court could order recusal based on the prosecution's attempt to manipulate the prospective jury pool by disseminating inflammatory, portrayals of the defendant. (See id., rule 5-120(A) [attorney may not make extrajudicial statements he or she reasonably should know ... will have a substantial likelihood of materially prejudicing an adjudicative proceeding in the matter].) However, the trial court found this was not that case, concluding that (1) Zonen's cooperation came before Hollywood had been captured and was solely motivated by his desire to have Hollywood captured so he could be tried in a court of law, and (2) Zonen sought throughout to have Hollywood portrayed in as accurate a fashion as possible. Each of these conclusions is supported by substantial evidence. Zonen declared under oath that Hollywood's capture was his sole motivation, and indeed Hollywood and the Court of Appeal both agreed that it was at least his principal motivation. Zonen declared that he sought to have Hollywood portrayed accurately; likewise, Hollywood himself submitted a videotape in which Mehas, leaving a 2003 meeting with Zonen, reported Zonen had told the filmmakers he wanted them to make the movie as accurate as possible. The trial court expressly credited these uncontradicted statements. Of course, as the trial court recognized, Zonen's views on what constitutes an accurate portrayal of Hollywood might vary widely from those of defense counsel. In a criminal case where the defendant is charged with capital crimes, this is wholly unsurprising. Equally important to remember is that at the time Zonen made his remarks, he had no case. Hollywood had successfully vanished into thin air; for years he had eluded extensive attempts by law enforcement to locate him, and the trail had gone cold. The trial court concluded Zonen was only conveying his honest assessments of a fugitive defendant to Cassavetes and others in the hope their subsequent portrayal would lead to the fugitive's capture, and his doing so did not create a conflict. On this record, it was not an abuse of discretion to so conclude. We note as well that if in fact the jury pool in this case has been affected in any way by the release of Alpha Dog, this is a matter that can be handled during voir dire through the close questioning of individual prospective jurors. (See Haraguchi v. Superior Court, supra, ___ Cal.4th at p. ___, 76 Cal.Rptr.3d 250, 182 P.3d 579, 2008 WL 2003496 [at p. 16].) This case is not the first in which pretrial publicity may create an issue with respect to ensuring a fair trial for the defendant, nor is it the first in which one side or the' other may be inordinately responsible for that publicity. [7] In many or most such cases, measures short of recusal will suffice to address any such fairness issues and ensure the defendant's rights are protected. Motions to recuse are directed to the trial court's discretion in part because the trial court is in the best position to assess in the first instance whether it can handle pretrial publicity issues with such lesser measures. If a trial court believes it can, it should do so, as we trust the trial court will here on remand.