Opinion ID: 2612432
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Failure to Instruct on Proof Beyond a Reasonable Doubt as to Aggravating Circumstances

Text: In his next assignment of error, defendant contends the court erred by failing to instruct the jury sua sponte that they could fix the penalty at death only if they found beyond a reasonable doubt that the aggravating circumstances substantially outweighed the mitigating circumstances and that death was the appropriate punishment. We have previously rejected this argument. ( People v. Bonillas (1989) 48 Cal.3d 757, 790 [257 Cal. Rptr. 895, 771 P.2d 844]; People v. Rodriguez, supra, 42 Cal.3d 730 at p. 777; People v. Williams (1988) 44 Cal.3d 883, 960 [245 Cal. Rptr. 336, 751 P.2d 395].)