Opinion ID: 1311837
Heading Depth: 4
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Sympathy for Victims.

Text: (22) Relying on Booth v. Maryland (1987) 482 U.S. 496 [96 L.Ed.2d 440, 107 S.Ct. 2529], defendant argues the prosecutor's request that the jury consider the feelings of William Parr (whose murder was proved as a factor (b) other crime [§ 190.3, factor (b)]) and his family constituted federal constitutional error. Assuming arguendo Booth applies to factor (b) crimes, that case, involving introduction into evidence of an extensive victim impact statement, is patently distinguishable from the instant case involving the prosecutor's argument. In the instant case the prosecutor merely asked the jury to consider the feelings of Mr. William Parr and his family.... He acknowledged we don't know who his family and friends are, but asked the jury to think about [h]ow many people cried in the William Parr household the day he was murdered by the defendant? The prosecutor's remarks were brief and mild, making only passing reference to the feelings of unknown persons who may have been affected by Parr's death. In the circumstances, any error in the comments was harmless beyond a reasonable doubt. ( People v. Miranda, supra, 44 Cal.3d 57, 113; People v. Ghent, supra, 43 Cal.3d 739, 772.)