Opinion ID: 1121458
Heading Depth: 4
Heading Rank: 8

Heading: Characteristics of the Victim

Text: (52) Defendant next contends that the prosecutor impermissibly referred to the victim's age, vulnerability, innocence, photograph and absence from trial during his argument. Defendant argues that the prosecutor's statements violated his rights for three reasons: (1) victim impact information is not an aggravating factor under section 190.3; (2) even if such information was permissible in aggravation, defendant did not receive proper notice that the prosecutor would rely on such evidence; and (3) the argument violated defendant's right to a reliable and individualized sentencing. Defendant again did not object at trial to the challenged arguments and his objections are waived. (E.g., People v. Noguera, supra, 4 Cal.4th at p. 638.) In any event, we find defendant's arguments to be without merit. First, the prosecutor's references to the victim's age, vulnerability and innocence related directly to the circumstances of the crime. The prosecutor's invitation to the jury to look at the victim's photograph and the contents of her suitcases merely drew attention to evidence that underscored the youth of the victim. The age, vulnerability and innocence of the victim all served to support the inference that the victim did not consent to intercourse with the defendant and in all likelihood was in no position to resist the brutal onslaught by the defendant that caused her death. The prosecutor's observations regarding the circumstances of the crime were appropriate. (E.g., People v. Wright, supra, 52 Cal.3d at pp. 435-436; People v. Carrera (1989) 49 Cal.3d 291, 336-337 [261 Cal. Rptr. 348, 777 P.2d 121]; see also People v. Cox, supra, 53 Cal.3d at p. 688 [photograph of victim].) (45b) Furthermore, there is no requirement that the prosecutor give notice of evidence in aggravation that is related to the circumstances of the capital crime. (ง 190.3, 4th par.) Moreover, the prosecutor's argument did not constitute evidence; therefore, the notice requirement was inapplicable. Second, the prosecutor's comments relating to the victim's absence from trial were also appropriate. The import of the prosecutor's statements were to remind the jury that, while it may be natural to sympathize with defendant, because the jury sees him every day, the victim (and her inability to attend the trial) should be remembered when the jury is making its decision. [41] It is permissible for the prosecutor to urge that the jurors remember the victim and the life that she might have led. ( People v. Cox, supra, 53 Cal.3d at p. 687; People v. Williams, supra, 44 Cal.3d at p. 967.) Moreover, we have held that the use of the very quotation employed by the prosecutor is permissible. ( People v. Rowland, supra, 4 Cal.4th at pp. 277-278, fn. 17.) Finally, unlike defendant, we see nothing in the prosecutor's argument that violated defendant's due process and Eighth Amendment rights to a reliable and individualized sentencing. Although defendant relies upon Payne v. Tennessee (1991) 501 U.S. ___ [115 L.Ed.2d 720, 111 S.Ct. 2597] in support of his argument, Payne recognizes that the defendant's rights are not infringed by evidence or argument showing that the victim was a unique and valuable human being. ( Id. at pp. ___-___ [115 L.Ed.2d at pp. 735-736].)