Court Opinion

ID: 4018056
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2016-07-21 20:03:58.892891+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:34:33.506343
License: Public Domain

Filed 7/21/16 P. v. Kane CA2/5
                  NOT TO BE PUBLISHED IN THE OFFICIAL REPORTS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 FIVE

THE PEOPLE,                                                          B264639

         Plaintiff and Respondent,                                   (Los Angeles County
                                                                     Super. Ct. No. LA074423)
         v.

MICHAEL R. KANE,

         Defendant and Appellant.

         APPEAL from a judgment of the Superior Court of Los Angeles County, Martin
L. Herscovitz, Judge. Affirmed.
         Jennifer A. Mannix, 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, Senior Assistant Attorney General, Scott A. Taryle,
Supervising Deputy Attorney General, David A. Wildman, Deputy Attorney General, for
Plaintiff and Respondent.
                                          _______________________
       The jury convicted defendant and appellant Michael Kane in count 1 of first
degree murder of his wife, in violation of Penal Code section 187, subdivision (a).1 The
jury also found true the special circumstance that the murder was committed by lying-in-
wait, within the meaning of section 190.2, subdivision (a)(15), and that defendant used a
deadly weapon, to wit, a knife, in the commission of the offense within the meaning of
section 12022, subdivision (b)(1). The jury also found defendant guilty in count 2 of
making a criminal threat (§ 422, subdivision (a)), and in count 5 of disobeying a domestic
relations court order (§ 273.6).
       Defendant was sentenced in count 1 to life in prison without the possibility of
parole, plus one year for the use of a knife. The mid-term of two years was imposed for
the criminal threats conviction in count 4. Defendant was sentenced to one year in
county jail in count 5, which the court stayed pursuant to section 654.
       Defendant contends that (1) insufficient evidence was presented to support the
lying-in-wait special circumstance; and (2) the lying-in-wait special circumstance is
unconstitutionally vague and violates the Eighth Amendment because it is
indistinguishable from the lying-in-wait theory of first degree murder.
       We affirm.

                                   STATEMENT OF FACTS

Dissolution of the Marriage of Defendant and Michelle Kane

       Defendant was married to the victim, Michelle Kane (Michelle).2 They had a son
and daughter. Defendant moved out of the family home in February 2013. Michelle

       1   All further statutory citations are to the Penal Code unless otherwise indicated.

       2 Because   there are multiple women named Michelle in this case, for clarity we
refer to the victim, Michelle Kane, by her first name.

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filed for dissolution of the marriage in April 2013. Michelle obtained a temporary
restraining order on April 24, 2013, which ordered that defendant not threaten or harass
her and authorized her to legally record conversations during custodial exchanges. The
restraining order was in effect during the period spanning June 13-15, 2013.

“The Beast is Hungry” and Other Threats

       As part of a custody agreement, defendant and Michelle exchanged the children in
the parking lot of the police station in Topanga on June 13, 2013. Michelle recorded
defendant making various threats to her. Defendant said to Michelle, “The beast is
hungry. He’s ready to feed. You’re not going to make it a week. Forget it, we’re not
making it a week. [¶] . . . [¶] I could snap any second. You ain’t got three days. . . .
Watch out for me. [¶] . . . [¶] I’ll beat you up right here, I’m ready to feed.” Defendant
said that he had gone “beserk” and was not afraid of the police.
       That evening, Michelle sent the recording via email to her attorney, Matthew
Skarin. Skarin listened to the recording and filed ex parte notice for an emergency
hearing to address child custody and visitation rights. Michelle did not want defendant to
have the children for Father’s Day weekend, so Skarin sent a copy of the request to the
defendant’s attorney for notice. Skarin then suggested Michelle take the recording to the
police station and notify the police that defendant violated the restraining order.
       Michelle went to the police station at 1 p.m., where she spoke with Officer Korina
Bovaro about the recorded threats. Officer Bovaro feared for Michelle’s safety, so she
advised that Michelle obtain a stay-away order, not return home, and stay with friends or
family that night. Michelle left the station between 4 p.m. and 5 p.m.

Purchase of Knives at a Big 5 Store

       At about 10:45 a.m. on June 14, 2013, defendant went to a Big 5 sporting goods
store and purchased two hunting knives from assistant manager Blake Blanchard.

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Defendant paid for both knives with his credit card. The transaction was captured by the
store’s surveillance cameras.

Events leading up to the murder

       Also on June 14, Michelle contacted her friend, Michelle Levin (Levin), and
explained that she had filed a police report against defendant for violating the restraining
order. Michelle was planning on spending the night with her mother in Marina Del Rey,
but stopped at the Levin residence beforehand to play the recording for Levin and her
husband, Howard (Howard). While Michelle was playing the tape for the Levins,
defendant called Michelle and left several voicemails, stating he wanted her to meet him
at the family home with the police so he could pick up his belongings. Levin testified
that defendant had moved out of the family home in February and already had all of his
belongings. Levin said defendant told Michelle he was going to get her when the police
were on their break. The Levins advised Michelle that she should not meet with
defendant or return his phone calls.
       Later that evening, Michelle learned that defendant had stopped at her work
around 3:50 p.m. while she was gone. Defendant asked Michelle’s coworker, Michelle
Rosser (Rosser), to see Michelle so he could drop something off for the children. It
appeared he had three pairs of rolled up adult sized jeans in a bag. Rosser told defendant
Michelle was home sick with their daughter. Defendant thanked Rosser and left.
Michelle called Skarin to tell him defendant had stopped by her work and violated the
restraining order a second time. Skarin again advised her to contact the police.
       About an hour after her first visit, Michelle returned to the police station and
spoke with Officer Bavaro a second time. Michelle explained that she was concerned
because defendant had never previously visited her at work. Michelle played a voicemail
for Officer Bavaro in which defendant said, “Where are you? I am looking for you. I
have a bag of - - a backpack of things, clothing and things that I want to give to the
children. You’re not at work, I went by there. Where are you?” Officer Bavaro found it

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bizarre that defendant repeated the same statement several times. Officer Bavaro again
advised Michelle not to spend the night at home and to immediately call 9-1-1 if she
spotted defendant. Michelle declined staying at a shelter and declined being given
information about a shelter.

Broken Windows at Michelle’s Home

       That same night, at about 5:30 p.m., the family’s neighbor Ella Isichei and her
daughter heard glass breaking at the Kane family home. The two women watched
defendant use a rod to smash the home’s garage windows and the window above the front
door. Isichei wanted to go downstairs and tell defendant to stop, but her daughter begged
her not to go. Isichei did not call the police because defendant was smashing the
windows to his own family home.

Defendant Appears at Daycare and Michelle Returns to the Levin’s Home

       On June 14, 2013, Michelle intended to pick up clothing and other necessities
before going to her mother’s house in Marina Del Rey. Michelle was crying when she
arrived at her children’s daycare that morning. She told the owner, Mary Gossett, that
defendant had threatened her and she was scared for her life. Michelle and Levin
returned at 6 p.m. to pick up the children. As they drove off, defendant arrived at the
daycare and asked for his children. Defendant gave Gossett a hug and told her “he was
going to make the Jewish wife happy.” Gossett could smell alcohol on defendant and
noted that the behavior was unusual. Defendant stated he loved everyone and had no
money to give and then accused Michelle of having a male friend. Gossett called
Michelle and left a message, expressing her concern that defendant may harm himself.
Gossett was worried about both defendant and Michelle.
       Michelle, her children, and the Levins ate dinner around 7:30 p.m. at the Levin
residence. Michelle asked Howard to escort her to her family home, but he was tired

                                             5
from work, so at about 8 p.m. Michelle and Levin drove to Michelle’s home. They
immediately noticed the broken window above the garage door. Michelle called the
police. The police arrived, checked the home to make sure it was clear, and took a report.
Michelle then packed her belongings while Levin tried to clean up the glass. They
realized it was past 10:00 p.m. and Levin asked that Michelle and her children stay at the
Levin residence for the night instead of making the drive to Marina Del Rey.
       When they returned to the Levin residence, Michelle put her daughter to bed. Her
son was having difficulty falling asleep. She decided to put him in the car and drive him
around so that he would fall asleep. At approximately 11:30 p.m., while Michelle was
out driving her son, Levin received a phone call from Michelle’s home alarm company.
Levin was the emergency contact if the company could not reach Michelle directly.
Levin gave the company permission to dispatch the police to Michelle’s home. Michelle
returned to the Levin residence to drop off her son, then left on her own to meet the
police at her home.
       Officer Albert Medrano met Michelle at her home and noticed that in addition to
the broken glass, it looked like someone had bent the front door frame. Officer Medrano
could tell Michelle was scared and wanted to leave the area as soon as possible. After
speaking with Officer Medrano, Michelle returned to the Levin residence at about
1:00 a.m. and spent the night.

Defendant’s Strange Behavior

       Angela Means lived in the same apartment complex as defendant in June 2013.
Means knew defendant for a few months. She would see defendant smoking as she
walked her dog. Means and defendant were friendly and they would talk about Michelle.
Defendant told Means that he was very upset about how things were going and that his
children were a “sore spot.” Means stated that defendant was always very fidgety,
anxious, and frustrated. Almost every conversation they had was about his marriage and
divorce.

                                             6
       Means spotted defendant in the back stairwell of their building before 6:00 a.m. on
June 15, 2013. Defendant’s hair and posture were different than usual. He seemed very
calm and at peace. With a smile and chuckle, defendant told her that the divorce was
getting rough. This behavior disturbed Means, so she told defendant she had to leave.
Defendant then picked Means’s dog up, brought it close to his face, and said, “goodbye.”
Means thought defendant was going to kill himself and the encounter made her uneasy
for the whole morning.

The Murder of Michelle by Defendant

       Howard went to a 7-Eleven convenience store at about 6:30 a.m. on the morning
of June 15, 2013. When Howard returned home he decided to park his car across the
street because Michelle’s car was in the driveway. Michelle’s car had a personalized
license plate that read, “Texan Girl.” He walked into his home and noticed Michelle on
the phone with the insurance company. He told Michelle he admired her brave and calm
behavior after all that had happened to her in the past couple of days.
       Howard went into his office to play with Michelle’s daughter. At close to
8:00 a.m. Levin shouted, “Someone’s at the door.” Howard looked through the door’s
peep hole and saw defendant, who was smiling. While Howard owns a pistol, he did not
retrieve it. Howard opened the door, stepped outside, and closed the door behind him
without locking it. He asked defendant what he was doing there. Defendant calmly
replied that he had always considered the Levins friends of the family and he stopped by
to check on the well-being of the children. Howard told defendant he needed to go home
and get some rest, but defendant kept changing the subject. Howard mentioned the
broken windows and told defendant he should go to the family home and help pick up the
glass so no one would get cut. Defendant changed the subject, saying someone had
broken his car window. Howard leaned over to look at defendant’s car window, but felt
like he was being distracted because the direction defendant was pointing required
Howard to move toward the street and away from the front door. Defendant looked at his

                                             7
wrist and then told Howard he had to speak with Michelle for a second. Howard replied,
“That’s not going to happen.” Howard did not see anything in defendant’s hands during
their conversation.
       While Howard was outside talking to defendant, Levin looked through the peep
hole, noticed defendant, and told Michelle to call 9-1-1. Michelle was nervous, but kept
calm during the phone call to 9-1-1. Michelle said to Levin, “I hope Howard can keep
[defendant] here long enough for the police to come and arrest him.”
       The conversation between Howard and defendant went silent. Defendant quickly
reached for the door handle, catching Howard by surprise. Howard and defendant fought
over the door handle, but defendant overpowered Howard and broke into the house,
leaving Howard on the floor. Defendant did not say anything and darted straight to
Michelle. Howard yelled, “Call 911!” Levin said that she called 9-1-1, thinking it would
deter defendant, but he sprinted past her towards Michelle. Michelle tried to back away
from defendant, but he got close to her and punched her with an underhand motion,
saying nothing while doing so. The Levins did not realize at the time that defendant was
stabbing Michelle.
       After defendant punched Michelle three times, Howard came around the corner
and bear-hugged defendant from behind. The two men struggled before falling to the
ground. Howard yelled out to both women to run and call 9-1-1. Howard realized
defendant had a knife.3 Michelle and Levin ran to a neighbor’s house. Levin banged on
the neighbor’s door while Michelle stayed on the lawn, hunched over and holding her
stomach. Michelle said, “He got me. He got me. . . . He stabbed me.” Michelle
apologized to Levin by stating, “I’m sorry. I didn’t think he knew where you lived.”
       Defendant ran out of the Levin residence, down their driveway, and headed toward
the area where Michelle and Levin were standing. Michelle ran into the street, trying to
avoid defendant as he was throwing right hook punching motions towards her. Levin
noticed her husband run out of the house. He tripped at the bottom of his driveway.

       3   The knife used in the assault was one of the knives purchased at the Big 5 store.

                                               8
When she turned around, defendant was on top of Michelle, straddling her, stabbing her
repeatedly from her head all the way down her waist.
       Levin ran back into her home, locked the door, set her alarm, and called 9-1-1.
Howard went into the kitchen, thinking he needed to get a weapon, and instead washed
blood from a cut on his hand, retrieved a towel, and walked outside to help Michelle, but
she had already died.

Evidence Recovered and Autopsy Results

       Detective David Peteque arrived on the scene at 9:25 a.m. and immediately
secured the crime scene. He found a black folding knife, laying in the street, next to
Michelle’s body.
       The autopsy report revealed that Michelle had been stabbed in the face, chest,
abdomen region, back, and upper extremities. The coroner testified that in his opinion,
the death was homicide by multiple sharp force injuries. Both lungs had been penetrated
and Michelle’s trachea had been stabbed as well. The coroner identified 41 knife wounds
on Michelle’s body.

Defense Evidence

       Jennifer Richter was a friend of Michelle’s; Richter described their relationship as
being “the best of friends.” Richter sent Michelle a text message on June 15, 2013. She
socialized primarily with Michelle and the two children, and defendant was invited to a
birthday party for Richter’s husband. Defendant did not like the way someone at the
party spoke to him and uttered something rude in response. Michelle disclosed to Richter
that defendant was seeing a psychiatrist and was supposed to be on medication, but he
often failed to take his medicine or show up for his appointments. Richter testified that
she saw defendant be verbally abusive to Michelle on several occasions. She had never
seen defendant be physically abusive to her. Michelle told Richter that defendant

                                             9
threatened to hurt and kill her. Michelle said defendant threatened to behead her.
       Michelle at one point called Richter and told her that defendant had accused
Richter’s husband of smashing his car window. Michelle also said that defendant alleged
she and Richter were having a lesbian relationship, which was untrue.
       Defendant’s medical records from Olive View Medical Center were admitted into
evidence, including a number of different prescribed medications. Dr. Ronald Markman,
a psychiatric expert witness for defendant, explained the uses of several drugs, including
drugs prescribed for atypical antipsychotic behavior, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia,
anxiety, and depression.

                                           DISCUSSION

Sufficiency of the Evidence of the Lying-In-Wait Special Circumstance

       Defendant contends the prosecution failed to present sufficient evidence to support
the lying-in-wait special circumstance finding. He argues that the elements of lying-in-
wait are not supported by the evidence because defendant did not conceal his intent to kill
Michelle, nor did he engaging in a period of watching and waiting. We disagree.

       Standard of Review

       “In assessing the sufficiency of the evidence, we review the entire record in the
light most favorable to the judgment to determine whether it discloses evidence that is
reasonable, credible, and of solid value such that a reasonable trier of fact could find the
defendant guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. [Citations.] Reversal on this ground is
unwarranted unless it appears ‘that upon no hypothesis whatever is there sufficient
substantial evidence to support the [the conviction].’ [Citation.]” (People v. Bolin (1998)
18 Cal. 4th 297, 331.)
       “‘Although it is the duty of the jury to acquit a defendant if it finds that

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circumstantial evidence is susceptible of two interpretations, one of which suggests guilt
and the other innocence [citations], it is the jury, not the appellate court which must be
convinced of the defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. “‘If the circumstances
reasonably justify the trier of fact’s findings, the opinion of the reviewing court that the
circumstances might also reasonably be reconciled with a contrary finding does not
warrant a reversal of the judgment.’” [Citations.]’” (People v. Stanley (1995) 10 Cal. 4th
764, 792-793.)

       Elements of the Lying-in Wait Special Circumstance

       Section 190.2 provides in pertinent part: “(a) The penalty for a defendant who is
found guilty of murder in the first degree is death or imprisonment in the state prison for
life without the possibility of parole if . . . [¶] . . . [¶] (15) [t]he defendant intentionally
killed the victim by means of lying in wait.” “‘The lying-in-wait special circumstance
requires “an intentional murder, committed under circumstances which include (1) a
concealment of purpose, (2) a substantial period of watching and waiting for an
opportune time to act, and (3) immediately thereafter, a surprise attack on an
unsuspecting victim from a position of advantage . . . .” [Citations.]’” (People v. Moon
(2005) 37 Cal. 4th 1, 22 (Moon).)

               Concealment of Purpose

       “[An] element of the lying-in-wait special circumstance is that the murderer act by
means of concealment.” (People v. Arellano (2004) 125 Cal. App. 4th 1088, 1095
(Arellano).) “‘[P]hysical concealment from, or an actual ambush of, the victim is not a
necessary element of the offense of lying-in-wait murder.’” (Ibid.) Concealment is
established by substantial evidence “‘“‘that a defendant’s true intent and purpose were
concealed by his actions of conduct. It is not required that he be literally concealed from
view prior to his attack.’”’ (People v. Hillhouse (2002) 27 Cal. 4th 469, 500[].)” (People

                                                11
v. Stevens (2007) 41 Cal. 4th 182, 202.)
       Relying on his conduct in the days prior to the killing, defendant contends he did
not conceal his purpose or intentions from Michelle. Defendant points to the statements
recorded by Michelle that “the beast is hungry” and she “was not going to make it a
week.” Michelle responded by obtaining an emergency stay-away order and reporting
the statements to the police. Defendant points out that Michelle told others defendant
intended to kill her. She did not stay at home in an attempt to avoid defendant. From
these circumstances, defendant reasons that Michelle was well aware of his intent, and
the element of concealment is accordingly not supported by substantial evidence.
       Defendant’s persistent threats prior to the murder do not negate the element of
concealment of purpose. (Arellano, supra, 125 Cal.App.4th at p. 1095.) In Arellano, the
defendant warned his ex-wife for months that he intended to kill her, harassed her at
work, and made threatening phone calls, including a call on the night of the murder.
(Ibid.) The Arellano court rejected the defendant’s contention that the victim was aware
of his purpose on the night of the murder based on the defendant’s prolonged history of
threats of violence: “While a victim of domestic violence and continuing death threats
might well suspect she will be attacked sometime in the future, she has no way of
knowing exactly when or where that attack will occur. The very fact Arellano repeatedly
told [the victim] her death was imminent tended to dilute the effect of those warnings.
Indeed, [the victim’s sister] testified [the victim] pointedly refused to curtail such
activities as going to the movies in the face of Arellano’s continual death threats. We
conclude Arellano’s death threats did not negate the surprise element of lying in wait.”
(Ibid.; accord People v. Jantz (2006) 137 Cal. App. 4th 1283, 1291 [“prior threats to the
victim do not necessarily negate the concealment and surprise elements of murder by
lying in wait” and “[a] victim of threats and domestic violence may be fearful of further
violence, but is not charged with notice that he or she might be murdered”].)
       The following circumstances demonstrate that Michelle, as well as the Levins,
were unaware of defendant’s homicidal purpose for appearing at the Levin residence.
Howard described defendant’s appearance at the door as “smiling, pretty relaxed

                                              12
looking.” Howard went outside, thinking he would simply talk to defendant and tell him
he should not be there due to the restraining order. He neither locked the door to the
house nor armed himself with the firearm he had in the home. Defendant said he stopped
by to check on the well-being of the children, sounding “very, very calm and very nice.”
Defendant’s tone remained calm, even as Howard told him he had to stop his conduct and
to go home. Howard felt like defendant was manipulating him by not answering his
questions and denying that he broke windows at the home the previous night. It was not
until defendant distracted Howard by directing him to look at his car window that
defendant moved to gain entry to the house. At no point outside did Howard see a knife
in defendant’s hand. Howard explained he “never thought that he was going to break in
and stab her to death.”
       When Levin saw that was defendant outside her home, she advised Michelle to
call 9-1-1, who did so. Michelle remained calm but was nervous. Michelle said she
hoped Howard could keep defendant at the location long enough for the police to arrive
and arrest him. She also apologized to Levin for defendant being at her house. Levin did
not hear any noise from outside, confirming Howard’s version of the calm nature of his
conversation with defendant. Levin and Michelle stayed in the kitchen, having a
conversation, waiting for the police to arrive. The calm was broken when “the door flew
open. You could see my husband fell into the house, like, holding the door. And
[defendant] just ran right over him, past me at Michelle.” Defendant then stabbed
Michelle with a motion “like, an underhanded punch with his left hand.”
       Further, defendant argues that he clearly and unequivocally disclosed his intent to
kill Michelle. However, the evidence presented at trial can reasonably be interpreted that
he concealed his intent to imminently kill Michelle up until the moment he rushed past
Howard to stab Michelle. According to Richter, Michelle disclosed that defendant had
threatened to hurt and kill her, including a threat to decapitate her, at some point in the
past. However, defendant had never been physically abusive to Michelle. As in
Arellano, defendant’s continued harassment and threats diluted the effect of any threats
he made leading up to the murder, concealing his true intentions from his victim.

                                              13
Further, defendant’s comments that he was “ready to feed” and that “we’re not making it
a week” were not explicit threats to kill her. At the time he made these threats, he made
no moves to harm Michelle. While Michelle was clearly scared and went to the police
for help, a jury could reasonably believe that Michelle may have feared for her safety but
not for her life. A jury could reasonably believe that Michelle thought these comments
were part of a larger pattern of harassment, and not an explicit threat to kill her. Michelle
could have also viewed defendant’s bizarre behavior as symptoms of his mental illness,
rather than an express threat to kill her. Michelle’s actions leading up to her murder
support an inference that she did not believe her murder imminent, and thus defendant
concealed his true intent from her. Detective Bovaro advised Michelle to go to a shelter,
but Michelle declined and refused to receive any information about a shelter, instead
planning to go to her mother’s home.
       The testimony of the Levins and Michelle’s responses to defendant’s actions
constitute substantial evidence that defendant successfully concealed his homicidal intent
up until the moment he forced his way into the house. Neither the Levins nor Michelle
acted as if what was taking place was anything more than defendant’s ongoing harassing
behavior. A rational trier of fact could conclude that defendant concealed his true intent
for purposes of the lying-in-wait special circumstance.

              Watching and Waiting

       Defendant next argues he did not watch and wait for an opportune time to attack
Michelle. Defendant reasons that Michelle knew that he had been looking for her, he
intended to hurt her, and she was aware defendant was outside of the Levin residence.
Defendant’s approach to the house, he argues, was “in full view of many witnesses and
[he] announced his arrival.” This is not correct, as substantial evidence supports the
element of watching and waiting.
       The lying-in-wait special circumstance requires a substantial period of watching
and waiting for an opportune time to act. (Moon, supra, 37 Cal.4th at p. 22.)

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“‘Watchful’ does not require actual watching; it can include being ‘alert and vigilant’ in
anticipation of the victim’s arrival to take him or her by surprise. [Citation.]” (People v.
Streeter (2012) 54 Cal. 4th 205, 247 (Streeter).) Our Supreme Court has never fixed a
minimum time period for watching and waiting. (People v. Mendoza (2011) 52 Cal. 4th
1056, 1073.) What is required in not a precise period of time, but a period of watchful
waiting that is substantial. (Ibid., citing Moon, supra, at p. 23 [“a few minutes can
suffice”].) Even a “relatively short” period of watching and waiting can be sufficient to
satisfy the element. (Moon, supra, at p. 24.) “Although we have held the period of
watchful waiting must be ‘substantial’ [citation], we have never placed a fixed time limit
on this requirement. Indeed, the opposite is true, for we have previously explained that
‘[t]he precise period of time is also not critical.’ [Citation.] Even accepting defendant’s
testimony that he waited only a few scant minutes before killing [the victim], a few
minutes can suffice. [Citation.]” (Id. at p. 23)
       Substantial evidence supports a finding that defendant watched and waited for a
substantial period of time before seizing the opportunity to get past Howard and enter the
house for the purpose of killing Michelle. Defendant had reason to believe Michelle was
in the home, because her car with a personal license plate was in the driveway.
Defendant arrived at the Levin residence with the knife he had recently purchased, but he
kept the weapon concealed. Defendant calmly engaged in conversation with Howard,
who tried to convince him to change his harassing behavior and return home. Defendant
was non-responsive to some of Howard’s statements, prolonging his presence. He
distracted Howard by directing him to a broken window on his car, waiting for an
opportunity to get past Howard and enter the Levin residence. Defendant was at the
location long enough to satisfy the requirement of watching, and he waited for the
moment he felt he could gain entry by surprise. This is sufficient to satisfy the second
element of the lying-in-wait special circumstance.

Constitutionality of the Lying-in-Wait Special Circumstance

                                             15
       Defendant contends the lying-in-wait special circumstance is unconstitutionally
vague and overbroad in violation of the Eighth Amendment because it is
indistinguishable from the lying-in-wait theory of first degree murder. Based on this
premise, defendant argues the special circumstance “is unconstitutionally vague and
creates an artificial application of the death penalty by failing to narrow the class of death
[penalty] eligible defendants.” We reject the contention.
       First, we agree with the Attorney General that defendant lacks standing to make
this argument because the prosecution did not seek the death penalty as punishment in
this case. In other words, defendant is making a vagueness argument that has no impact
on him. “‘“The rule is well established . . . that one will not be heard to attack a statute
on [vagueness] grounds that are not shown to be applicable to himself and that a court
will not consider every conceivable situation which might arise under the language of the
statute and will not consider the question of constitutionality with reference to
hypothetical situations.” [Citations.]’” (In re Perdue (2013) 221 Cal. App. 4th 1070,
1077-78.)
       Second, our Supreme Court has repeatedly rejected the merits of defendant’s
contention. “As we said in People v. Carasi (2008) 44 Cal. 4th 1263, 1310 (Carasi ),
‘[T]he lying-in-wait special circumstance . . . is limited to intentional murders that
involve a concealment of purpose and a meaningful period of watching and waiting for
an opportune time to attack, followed by a surprise lethal attack on an unsuspecting
victim from a position of advantage.’ (See [People v.] Morales [(1989)] 48 Cal.3d [527,]
557.) Defendant acknowledges we have differentiated between the lying-in-wait special
circumstance and lying in wait as a theory of first degree murder on the bases that the
special circumstance requires an intent to kill (unlike first degree murder by lying in wait,
which requires only a wanton and reckless intent to inflict injury likely to cause death)
and requires that the murder be committed ‘while’ lying in wait, that is, within a
continuous flow of events after the concealment and watching and waiting end. ([People
v.] Michaels [(2002)] 28 Cal.4th [486,] 517; Morales, supra, at p. 558.) Contrary to
defendant’s argument, the lying-in-wait special circumstance is not coextensive with

                                              16
either theory of first degree murder; it does not apply to all murders and is not
constitutionally infirm. (Streeter, supra, 54 Cal.4th at p. 253; see People v. Johnson
(2016) 62 Cal. 4th 600, 635–637.)” (People v. Casares (2016) 62 Cal. 4th 808, 849.)

                                        DISPOSITION

       The judgment is affirmed.

              KRIEGLER, Acting P.J.

We concur:

              BAKER, J.

              RAPHAEL, 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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