Court Opinion

ID: 2830662
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2015-08-26 00:03:04.967542+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T11:31:39.849462
License: Public Domain

Filed 8/25/15 P. v. Martinez CA2/3

                  NOT TO BE PUBLISHED IN THE OFFICIAL REPORTS
California Rules of Court, rule 8.1115(a), prohibits courts and parties from citing or relying on opinions not certified for
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              IN THE COURT OF APPEAL OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA

                                     SECOND APPELLATE DISTRICT

                                                DIVISION THREE

THE PEOPLE,                                                             B254382

         Plaintiff and Respondent,                                      (Los Angeles County
                                                                        Super. Ct. No. BA411467)
         v.

DANIEL Z. MARTINEZ,

         Defendant and Appellant.

         APPEAL from a judgment of the Superior Court of Los Angeles County,
Paul T. Suzuki, Judge. Affirmed.

         Craig C. Kling; Caneel C. Fraser, under appointment by the Court of Appeal, for
Defendant and Appellant.

         Kamala D. Harris, Attorney General, Gerald A. Engler, Chief Assistant Attorney
General, Lance E. Winters, Assistant Attorney General, Noah P. Hill and Garett A.
Gorlitsky, Deputy Attorneys General, for Plaintiff and Respondent.

                                            _____________________
       Appellant Daniel Z. Martinez appeals from the judgment entered following his
conviction by jury of assault with a deadly weapon, with personal infliction of great
bodily injury. (Pen. Code, §§ 245, subd. (a)(1), 12022.7, subd. (a)(1).) The court
sentenced appellant to prison for seven years. We affirm.
                                 FACTUAL SUMMARY
1. People’s Evidence.
       Alexander Sandoval (Sandoval) and his wife Flor had two daughters. At some
point, appellant began living with the Sandovals in their apartment. After a few months,
appellant and Flor apparently had an affair. In 2012, Sandoval made Flor and appellant
leave. Quinten Welch rented an apartment in another apartment building. After March
2013, Flor, appellant, and a man stayed in Welch’s apartment.
       In May 2013, Angeleen, Sandoval’s 10-year-old daughter, lived with Sandoval.
Sandoval did not want his daughters to go to Welch’s apartment once Sandoval learned it
was not appellant’s apartment. Moreover, Sandoval testified that early in May 2013,
Angeleen told Sandoval she had seen appellant smoking “a piece of . . . clear glass with a
bowl on the tip.” Angeleen testified she had seen a “little bowl where people do
smoking.” Sandoval was concerned for Angeleen’s safety and knew appellant had many
friends. Sandoval told Flor he did not want Angeleen in that environment.
       On May 13, 2013, Sandoval learned Flor and Angeleen were at Welch’s
apartment. Sandoval was upset because the location was unsafe and he believed
appellant was selling drugs. After Angeleen’s school day was over, Sandoval drove to
Welch’s apartment to get her. After Sandoval arrived, Flor was between two of the
building’s gates. Sandoval could not enter.
       Sandoval, upset and using profanity, argued with Flor. Sandoval was telling Flor
he had told her not to bring Angeleen there because it was unsafe. Sandoval was banging
on the door and making a scene to create problems for Flor and appellant. The apartment
manager’s office was nearby and Sandoval wanted the manager to know the person living
in the apartment where Flor and appellant were staying was selling drugs.

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       Later, Sandoval and Angeleen were leaving when appellant yelled, “Hey.”
Sandoval was standing across the street by his truck. Sandoval approached appellant to
talk and thought appellant was going to talk. As Sandoval approached appellant,
appellant pulled out a knife and said, “You fucking bitch.” Appellant began running
towards Sandoval and trying to stab him.
       Sandoval began running backwards. Appellant was swinging the knife and trying
to kill Sandoval. Sandoval used his left forearm defensively. Appellant stabbed
Sandoval in his stomach and left arm. Sandoval was not holding a knife and had no
weapon. Sandoval’s truck contained construction tools, including some usable as
weapons, and including knives, but Sandoval did not obtain any of these before
approaching appellant.
       As a result of the knife attack, Sandoval suffered an approximate 1.5 centimeter
laceration to his abdominal wall, three lacerations to his left forearm (one 6-inch
laceration and two 4-inch lacerations) and a laceration to his finger. A video and
photographs pertaining to the incident were introduced into evidence.
       After the knife attack, Sandoval went to get Angeleen, who was with Flor near the
gate. Sandoval and Angeleen went to his truck. Sandoval saw appellant’s cell phone in
the street and heard someone say pick it up. Flor went to pick it up but Sandoval exited
the truck and grabbed the cell phone. Sandoval saw appellant running towards him and
getting something out of appellant’s pocket. Sandoval did not want to fight so he threw
the cell phone on the ground, smashing the phone. Sandoval and appellant fought again.
June Jackson, the apartment manager, called the police. Appellant fled.
       Sandoval also testified appellant went to a male and Flor, Flor told appellant to
leave, and appellant gave something to the male. The male quickly entered the building
and appellant fled. On May 20, 2013, Los Angeles police went to Welch’s apartment.
Police found appellant hiding in a closet and arrested him. Angeleen testified she had
never seen Sandoval hit Flor. Jackson testified she initiated eviction proceedings against
Welch based on “unauthorized guests and . . . drug sales taking place and drugs being
used in the apartment.”

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2. Defense Evidence.
       In defense, Flor testified as follows. Angeleen never told Flor that Angeleen had
seen appellant smoking out of a pipe. Sandoval never told Flor that he did not want
Angeleen around Welch’s apartment because Angeleen had told Sandoval that Angeleen
had seen appellant smoking out of a pipe. Flor had never seen appellant or Welch smoke
out of a pipe in Welch’s apartment.
       On May 13, 2013, Flor left Angeleen downstairs for Sandoval to pick up. Flor
closed the gate, afraid Sandoval would hurt Flor. Sandoval was yelling at Flor, saying,
inter alia, “I hate you, you fucking bitch. I’m going to kill you, you fucking bitch.” Flor
called appellant for help while Sandoval was at the door banging on the gate and yelling.
       Sandoval escorted Angeleen to his truck. It appeared Sandoval was leaving.
Appellant exited a side door. Flor did not remember whether she had any contact with
appellant as he left the building and went towards the street. Appellant and Sandoval
fought, and Angeleen tried to intervene. Flor was near appellant and Sandoval but she
focused on Angeleen. Flor was six to eight feet from the fight and did not see appellant
holding a knife. Flor testified Sandoval received the cuts on his arm during the fight. On
May 14, 2013, Flor went back to live with Sandoval but was still afraid of him.
       Sandoval had assaulted Flor in the past, even before her relationship with
appellant. In December 2012, Sandoval, using a knife, tried to kill Flor in the presence of
her parents and children. In about April 2013, Sandoval assaulted Flor. On May 13,
2013, after the present stabbing incident, Flor reported the April 2013 incident to police.
At time of trial, Flor was in a relationship with appellant and wanted to be with him.
                                         ISSUES
       Appellant claims (1) the trial court erroneously admitted Jackson’s testimony that
Welch was evicted for drug use and sales in Welch’s apartment where appellant was
staying, and that Welch became “high” after appellant moved in, and (2) the trial court
erroneously refused to instruct on defense of another.

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                                        DISCUSSION
1. The Court Did Not Err by Admitting Jackson’s Challenged Testimony.
         a. Pertinent Facts.
                (1) Appellant’s Opening Statement.
         During opening statement, appellant indicated as follows. Sandoval previously
had victimized Flor with threats, violence, and weapons. He unsuccessfully tried to
prevent her from letting appellant interact with the daughters. On May 13, 2013, when
Sandoval learned Flor had picked up Angeleen from school and had taken her to
appellant’s residence, Sandoval flew into one of his rages. Sandoval was looking for a
fight.
         Sandoval arrived at Welch’s apartment building as Flor was leaving, and Sandoval
was hurling threats and abusive language towards her. She retreated behind a gate but
that did not stop Sandoval’s explosion of anger towards her. Sandoval was banging on
the gate and yelling to humiliate Flor. Flor had told appellant about Sandoval’s history of
violence towards Flor. Flor called appellant for help and appellant came outside to assist
her. Sandoval ran towards appellant.
         During opening statement, appellant indicated Sandoval would try to portray
himself as the victim. Appellant did not, during opening statement, claim Sandoval had a
knife. Instead, appellant’s counsel stated, “[Sandoval] is probably going to tell you that
he didn’t have any kind of weapon that day. You can decide for yourself how credible
that is.” Appellant indicated Sandoval started the fight because Sandoval’s ego had been
wounded.
                (2) Admissibility Proceedings Regarding Jackson’s Proposed Testimony.
         Prior to Jackson’s testimony for the People, the court and parties discussed the
admissibility of testimony by Jackson that Welch had been evicted because of drug sales.
The court indicated the proposed testimony was very relevant because
(1) evidence drugs were being sold in Welch’s apartment supported Sandoval’s belief
drugs were being sold there, (2) evidence of that belief was relevant to show that
Sandoval’s state of mind in going to the apartment was “to extricate [Angeleen],” and

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(3) that state of mind was relevant to the issue of whether Sandoval was the initial
aggressor in the later fight. Appellant indicated he would not, through defense questions,
attack the “basis” or “reasonableness” of Sandoval’s belief appellant was selling drugs.
       The court observed appellant had indicated during opening statement Sandoval
had a history of domestic violence and appellant had run outside to protect Flor. The
court indicated it appeared Sandoval’s motive in going to the apartment was to try to “get
his kid out of a drug environment.” The court ruled it would permit questioning of
Jackson regarding Welch’s eviction and its basis.
               (3) Jackson’s Trial Testimony.
       During direct examination at trial, Jackson testified she initiated eviction
proceedings against Welch for “unauthorized guests and . . . drug sales taking place and
drugs being used in the apartment.” Appellant posed foundation, hearsay, and Evidence
Code section 352 objections that the court overruled. The prosecutor asked Jackson what
she saw that made her decide to rely on drug sales as a basis for eviction. Jackson
replied, “Well, I didn’t personally see it.” The prosecutor later asked if Jackson had ever
seen a controlled substance or narcotic inside Welch’s apartment. Jackson replied yes.
The prosecutor asked what Jackson saw, and she replied, “Pipe, [marijuana], and then I
smelled drugs, [marijuana] on a number of occasions when I have gone into the
apartment . . . .”
       The prosecutor asked what, besides what Jackson had observed, gave her the
impression drug sales or drug use was occurring. She replied, “on a number of occasions,
like I said, when I go up for repairs, I have seen drugs. And . . . I have smelled drugs.”
The following later occurred: “Q Did you witness . . . behavior by the individuals that
were staying in [Welch’s apartment] that suggested to you that there could be drug use
going on? [¶] A Yeah. When you can tell a person is high, . . .”

                                              6
       The prosecutor asked, “[w]hen you said you can tell a person is high, what did you
see?” Jackson replied she was basing this on when Welch first moved in and “the
condition of [Welch’s] behavior.” Jackson observed Welch’s behavior when he first
moved into the apartment. Welch’s behavior changed drastically after appellant, his
girlfriend, and a male began staying there. The prosecutor later asked Jackson if, about
May 2013, she had seen any of the individuals in Welch’s apartment “appear . . . to be
high off of marijuana.” Jackson replied yes.
       During its final charge to the jury, the court gave the following limiting instruction
(a modified CALCRIM No. 303): “During the trial, certain evidence was admitted for a
limited purpose. You may consider that evidence only for that purpose and for no other.
The following evidence was admitted for the following limited purposes: [¶] . . . [¶]
3. As to any evidence of drug usage and or drug sales at [appellant’s] residence, you may
. . . consider such evidence only to determine the state of mind of . . . Sandoval in
determining who was the initial aggressor.”
       b. Analysis.
       Appellant claims the trial court erroneously admitted Jackson’s testimony
(1) Welch was evicted for drug use and sales in Welch’s apartment where appellant was
staying and (2) Welch became “high” after appellant moved into the apartment. We
disagree.
       Appellant argues, “First, it is important to note that, though [Jackson’s] . . .
testimony addresses why Welch was evicted, the acts resulting in the eviction were
clearly being attributed to appellant. Appellant was, therefore, portrayed to the jury as
both a drug user and dealer and a bad influence. He was further portrayed as the person
who encouraged or caused Welch to use drugs.” We reject the argument. The “acts”
resulting in the eviction were not attributed to appellant. Jackson did not testify appellant
was a drug user or drug dealer. The only person Jackson specifically named as using
drugs was Welch, and then indirectly when she testified he got “high.”

                                               7
       To the extent Jackson’s testimony indicated appellant was a bad influence or
encouraged or caused Welch to use drugs, the testimony was relevant to show she
believed Welch used drugs in his apartment. Evidence of Jackson’s belief about drug use
in Welch’s apartment corroborated Angeleen’s implied testimony pertaining to
Angeleen’s beliefs. Angeleen testified to the effect she told Sandoval she saw appellant
using drug paraphernalia to smoke. Angeleen also testified she saw a little bowl where
“people” do smoking. Whether or not Angeleen saw these things or accurately related
them, her testimony implied she believed she had seen them. In turn, her testimony
explained why she told Sandoval, in effect, she saw appellant using drug paraphernalia to
smoke.
       Angeleen’s testimony to the effect she told Sandoval she saw appellant using drug
paraphernalia to smoke was relevant to show that Sandoval’s state of mind in going to the
apartment was to extricate Angeleen from what he believed (whether or not what he
believed was true) was an unsafe, drug-infested environment. That state of mind
evidence was relevant to negate the inference Sandoval went to the apartment looking for
a fight and as the initial aggressor in the ensuing fight. Evidence Sandoval was not the
initial aggressor was evidence negating appellant’s defense of self-defense.
       Second, appellant argues “any evidence related to drug sales from Jackson was
hearsay.” However, “‘Hearsay evidence’ is evidence of a statement that was made other
than by a witness while testifying at the hearing and that is offered to prove the truth of
the matter stated.” (Evid. Code, § 1200, subd. (a), italics added.) Appellant points to no
testimony by Jackson relating a “statement” about drug sales. Her testimony was based
on her personal observations in Welch’s apartment.
       Moreover, as discussed, the trial court gave a limiting instruction that effectively
told the jury any evidence of drug sales at the apartment was admitted for the limited
purpose of permitting the jury “to determine the state of mind of . . . Sandoval in
determining who was the initial aggressor.” That is, any testimony by Jackson, or other
evidence, of drug sales occurring at the apartment was not “offered to prove the truth of
the matter asserted.” We reject appellant’s hearsay argument.

                                              8
       Third, appellant argues Jackson’s testimony was inadmissible evidence of
uncharged misconduct by appellant, introduced to portray him as a drug dealer and
person who influenced Welch to use drugs. Appellant suggests it was clear at trial
Sandoval would testify as to his belief drugs were being sold from Welch’s apartment
and would testify as to the reasons underlying Sandoval’s actions, and appellant asserts
he had agreed at trial on the record not to challenge Sandoval’s “belief” drugs were being
sold from Welch’s apartment.
       However, as previously discussed, Jackson did not testify appellant was a drug
dealer. Her testimony was part of the evidence admissible to show Sandoval’s state of
mind. Moreover, appellant indicated to the trial court appellant would not, through
defense questions, challenge the basis or reasonableness of Sandoval’s belief appellant
was selling drugs. Appellant did not state he would not challenge through defense
questions whether Sandoval harbored that belief.
       Further, whether or not appellant agreed at trial not to attack, through defense
questions, Sandoval’s state of mind or its basis, appellant effectively attacked Sandoval’s
state of mind during appellant’s opening statement. Appellant’s opening statement
portrayed Sandoval, not as a concerned father going to Welch’s apartment to extricate
Angeleen from what Sandoval believed was an unsafe environment, but as a man going
there looking for a fight because Flor had left him. The trial court was entitled to
consider, as it did, appellant’s opening statement when considering the issue of the
admissibility of Jackson’s testimony. (Cf. People v. Whisenhunt (2008) 44 Cal. 4th 174,
204.) We reject appellant’s third argument. And the trial court did not abuse its
discretion by failing to exclude the challenged testimony under Evidence Code section
352. (See People v. Waidla (2000) 22 Cal. 4th 690, 724.) The challenged testimony was
admissible.

                                             9
       Finally, there is no real dispute Sandoval suffered severe lacerations on his
stomach and arms, caused by a knife. The People’s evidence was appellant used a knife
to cause the lacerations. He later fled, evidence of consciousness of guilt. There was
evidence suggesting he gave the knife to a friend, i.e., evidence suggesting concealment
of evidence and consciousness of guilt. Police later found appellant hiding in a closet,
further evidence of consciousness of guilt. On the other hand, the defense evidence
through Flor was she never saw appellant with a knife.
       The video and photographs of the stabbing incident (discussed below) considered
with the rest of the evidence in this case, present independent overwhelming evidence of
appellant’s guilt. Any trial court error in admitting Jackson’s challenged testimony,
including any testimony about drug sales, was not prejudicial under any conceivable
standard. (Cf. People v. Watson (1956) 46 Cal. 2d 818, 836 (Watson); Chapman v.
California (1967) 386 U.S. 18, 24 (Chapman).)
2. The Trial Court Did Not Err by Refusing to Instruct on Defense of Another.
       During discussions regarding jury instructions, appellant asked the court to
instruct the jury on defense of another, i.e., Flor. Appellant’s counsel argued, inter alia,
when appellant left the apartment building, he had no visible contact with Flor, it was
impossible to know whether he saw her, and Flor could not remember whether appellant
and Flor interacted; therefore, appellant did not know Flor was not in danger and was not
in Sandoval’s truck. The prosecutor argued there was insufficient evidence to support the
requested instruction. The court agreed and refused appellant’s request.
       Appellant claims the trial court’s refusal was error. He argues the court should
have instructed on defense of another using, e.g., that portion of CALCRIM No. 3470
that instructs on that issue. We reject the claim. Defense of another can be a defense
against assault with a deadly weapon. A defendant is not guilty of assault with a deadly
weapon if the defendant used force against an assailant in lawful defense of another. The
defense requires the defendant (1) reasonably believe another person is in imminent
danger of suffering bodily injury, (2) reasonably believe the immediate use of force is

                                             10
necessary to defend against that danger, and (3) use no more force than is reasonably
necessary to defendant against that danger. (CALCRIM No. 3470.)
       There is no dispute appellant repeatedly attacked Sandoval with a knife; appellant
is arguing he was entitled to an instruction on the issue of whether he used such force in
defense of Flor. The People’s evidence was Sandoval was unarmed. The circumstantial
defense evidence Sandoval was armed, including the evidence his truck contained knives
and tools usable as weapons, was weak.
       Moreover, we have viewed People’s exhibit Nos. 1 and 13, video and
photographs, respectively, taken by cameras at Welch’s apartment building. Viewed in
the context of the evidence in this case, they show Sandoval escorting Angeleen across
the street. Neither exhibit depicts Sandoval ever holding a knife or any weapon. The
exhibits also show the following. A ramp for the handicapped begins on the left after one
exits the front of the building, and the ramp descends to the left and parallel to the
sidewalk. The ramp descends to an open gate (hereafter, gate) in the perimeter fence,
permitting access to the sidewalk.
       Shortly after Sandoval escorts Angeleen across the street, appellant and Flor
concurrently appear in front of the building and approach each other and the gate from
opposite directions. Flor is descending the ramp. After appellant exits the gate, he
reaches in the area of his right back pants pocket (where his shirt is partially raised) while
walking on the sidewalk towards the street and Sandoval. Sandoval, who originally was
across the street and in front of the building’s front entrance, begins walking directly
towards appellant and the gate. Sandoval is not walking directly towards Flor.
       Appellant begins running into the street and towards Sandoval. When appellant
begins running, Flor begins running down the ramp. During the entire time Flor is on the
ramp, a handrail, a landscaped area, the perimeter fence, the sidewalk, then vehicles
parked at the curb, are between Flor and Sandoval, the latter of whom is in the street.
When appellant begins running into the street towards Sandoval, Sandoval retreats, and
the two face each other fighting as appellant makes jabbing motions and Sandoval
retreats further into the street and to a location more nearly in front of the building’s front

                                              11
entrance. Once Flor begins running down the ramp towards the gate, she has to run away
from appellant and Sandoval, who are fighting in the street and moving away from the
gate. Flor continues running to the gate and exits, then runs in the opposite direction to
appellant and Sandoval in the street, in an attempt to intervene.
       A trial court is under no duty to give an instruction unsupported by substantial
evidence. (Cf. People v. Tufunga (1999) 21 Cal. 4th 935, 944.) We agree with the trial
court there was insufficient evidence to warrant an instruction on defense of another. The
trial court did not err by refusing to instruct on that defense.
       Moreover, CALCRIM No. 3470 also instructs on self-defense and the trial court
used CALCRIM No. 3470 to instruct the jury on that issue. Appellant argues, inter alia,
“Because there was sufficient evidence to support a self-defense instruction relating to
appellant, the evidence equally supported a defense of another instruction related to
Flor.” However, even if there was substantial evidence of self-defense, the jury, by its
verdict, rejected any evidence of self-defense. Further, the video and photographs of the
stabbing incident, considered with the rest of the People’s evidence in this case, present
overwhelming evidence of appellant’s guilt. Any trial court error in refusing to instruct
on defense of another was not prejudicial. (Cf. Watson, supra, 46 Cal.2d at p. 836;
Chapman, supra, 386 U.S. at p. 24.)

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                                     DISPOSITION
      The judgment is affirmed.

      NOT TO BE PUBLISHED IN THE OFFICIAL REPORTS

                                                KITCHING, J.

We concur:

                    EDMON, P. J.

                    EGERTON, J*.

*
        Judge of the Los Angeles Superior Court, assigned by the Chief Justice pursuant to
article VI, section 6 of the California Constitution.

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