Opinion ID: 1454621
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 25

Heading: Cumulative Effect of Errors and Harmless Error at the Penalty Phase

Text: (61) For the reasons discussed above, we also reject defendant's contention that the cumulative effect of asserted penalty phase errors requires reversal of his sentence. We have rejected nearly all of defendant's assignments of error. Where error was present, it was nonprejudicial. The evidence and argument at the penalty phase were properly focused on the defendant and his crimes as well as potentially mitigating factors; substantial and credible evidence supported the jury's selection of the death penalty; the jury was correctly instructed on the law; and no event or occurrence deprived defendant of a fair trial. To the extent there was any error in the penalty phase, it was harmless beyond a reasonable doubt. The heinous nature of defendant's crime and his prior criminal convictions for violent acts have convinced us that the verdict would not have been otherwise even in an error-free trial. ( People v. Turner, supra, 50 Cal.3d at p. 714; People v. Hamilton (1989) 48 Cal.3d 1142, 1184-1185 [259 Cal. Rptr. 701, 774 P.2d 730].)