Court Opinion

ID: 3174874
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2016-02-05 09:53:16.07269+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T12:17:20.639183
License: Public Domain

Filed 2/2/16 P. v. Cardoza CA4/1

                      NOT TO BE PUBLISHED IN OFFICIAL REPORTS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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or ordered published for purposes of rule 8.1115.

                       COURT OF APPEAL, FOURTH APPELLATE DISTRICT

                                                     DIVISION ONE

                                             STATE OF CALIFORNIA

THE PEOPLE,                                                         D069074

         Plaintiff and Respondent,

         v.                                                         (Super. Ct. No. INF1100744)

GABRIEL CUEVAS CARDOZA,

         Defendant and Appellant.

         APPEAL from a judgment of the Superior Court of Riverside County, Richard A.

Erwood, Judge. Affirmed.

         Sharon M. Jones, under appointment by the Court of Appeal, for Defendant and

Appellant.

         Kamala D. Harris, Attorney General, Gerald A. Engler, Chief Assistant Attorney

General, Julie L. Garland, Assistant Attorney General, A. Natasha Cortina and Annie

Featherman Fraser, Deputy Attorneys General, for Plaintiff and Respondent.

         A jury convicted Gabriel Cuevas Cardoza of murdering Mary Palacios and attempting

to murder Frederico Garza and Jose Garcia. The jury found that the offenses were
committed with premeditation and deliberation and found true all enhancement allegations.

The trial court sentenced Cardoza to an indeterminate sentence of 114 years to life. Cardoza

appeals, contending the trial court erred by admitting in rebuttal his recorded interview with

a board certified psychiatrist who rebutted evidence that Cardoza had a cognitive disorder

and testified that Cardoza was malingering. He also asserts we should independently review

the record to determine whether the trial court abused its discretion in finding there was no

discoverable material in the coroner's file. We affirm.

                    FACTUAL AND PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND

The Incident

       Cardoza does not challenge the sufficiency of the evidence supporting the jury's

findings; accordingly, we briefly summarize the evidence to provide context for the ensuing

discussion.

       In April 2011, Grace and Phillip Palacios were celebrating their wedding

anniversary at their home in Cathedral City with about 50 or 60 other people. At one

point, two boys told Jose Garcia, a party guest, that someone, later identified as Cardoza,

wanted him outside. Jose approached Cardoza and after a confrontation, Cardoza pulled

out a gun and shot Jose. Jose tried to escape, but Cardoza shot him again. Cardoza then

pointed his gun at Jose's wife, but she ducked behind a car.

       Frederico Garza witnessed the shooting. Cardoza then shot Frederico. Mary

Palacios told Cardoza to put the gun down and walked away. Cardoza shot Palacios in

the back, killing her. Cardoza then started walking to his home down the block.

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       A guest at the party, Ernest Briseno, fearing that Cardoza would hurt more people,

hit Cardoza with his car and then fled the scene on foot. When police arrived they found

Cardoza's brother, Guillermo, about 20 feet from Briseno's car with gunshot wounds. It

appeared that the car had also hit Guillermo. Guillermo suffered about eight gunshot

wounds to his face, chest and abdomen and died from his injuries.

       During closing argument, defense counsel argued that Cardoza should be acquitted

of all counts because Guillermo committed the crimes that Cardoza was accused of, and

one of the party goers shot Guillermo in retaliation and also ran down Guillermo and

Cardoza. Defense counsel asserted the Palacios and the Cardoza families were like the

"Hatfields and the McCoys," that the Palacios family wanted Cardoza "out of the way"

and Cardoza was too drunk to commit the crimes.

The Trial

       The parties stipulated that when Cardoza was admitted to the hospital after the

incident he had a blood alcohol level of .42. A forensic toxicologist testified that some

people with an alcohol level of .42 would be dead and this indicated an alcohol abuser

with tolerance. At that level, a person is confused, disoriented and unable to make

rational decisions.

       The defense retained Dr. Gary Miller to perform neuropsychological and

psychological tests on Cardoza. Based on his testing, Dr. Miller concluded that Cardoza

had a neurocognitive disfunction that could be the result of long-term alcohol abuse.

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Although Dr. Miller was not asked to address the issue, he found no evidence of

malingering.

       Prior to trial, the court ordered Cardoza to submit to a forensic psychiatric

evaluation under Penal Code section 1054.3. Dr. Gregory McGowan, a staff psychiatrist

at Patton State Hospital, conducted Cardoza's psychological evaluation. The interview

lasted over four hours. Dr. McGowan started with casual conversation about things

having nothing to do with the case to build rapport, which for Cardoza lasted about an

hour and a half. In the next phase of the interview, he asked questions about Cardoza's

life. Dr. McGowan then asked about the day of the incident. Finally, Dr. McGowan

became very formal and told Cardoza it was time to test him. At this point, Cardoza's

demeanor changed, his responses suddenly became very slow and their rapport ended.

       Dr. McGowan stated he does not rely on any particular testing to determine

whether or not a subject is malingering. Rather, he has a "sixth sense" based on his own

particular interviewing technique. Dr. McGowan diagnosed Cardoza with alcohol

dependence and concluded that Cardoza suffered from no cognitive defect. Dr.

McGowan "very much" disagreed with Dr. Miller's finding that Cardoza suffered a

cognitive impairment.

       The defense also had Dr. Robert Suiter, a clinical psychologist, perform a

psychological examination on Cardoza. Dr. Suiter relied on an interview of Cardoza,

documents concerning the offense and reports by Drs. Miller and McGowan. Dr. Suiter

found that Cardoza met the diagnostic criteria for alcohol dependence, and it was likely

that Cardoza had an alcoholic blackout at the time of the offense.

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                                       DISCUSSION

                         I. Rebuttal Testimony of Expert Witness

A. Background Facts

       Prior to trial, defense counsel asked the court to limit what Dr. McGowan could

discuss regarding the statements Cardoza made to him. The court stated that Dr.

McGowan's testimony would be limited to what was testified to by the defense expert;

thus, the court left its ruling open to "see how it goes." The court stated it was important

for the jury to see the video to determine whether it corroborated Dr. McGowan's

testimony. The prosecutor then noted he was not planning on playing the entire video for

the jury, but wanted to see how the defense case went. The court took the matter under

submission until after the defense expert testified.

       During trial, the parties discussed the issue again. The prosecutor informed the

court that defense counsel would be providing information on redacting the video and he

did not want to play anything that defense counsel objected to and that might prove to be

prejudicial. Defense counsel then objected to the playing of the video, noting that there

was a lot of irrelevant "chitchat." Defense counsel indicated he would make redactions if

the court was inclined to play the entire tape. The trial court indicated it would play the

tape with any requested redactions. The jury then viewed the first portion of the

interview that had both video and audio and heard another portion of the interview that

had no video component.

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B. Analysis

       Cardoza asserts the trial court erred in allowing the tape of the interview to be

played to the jury because it contained extraneous, irrelevant and incompetent evidence

that should not have been placed before the jury. He notes that the interview included a

range of topics with little bearing on the issues before the jury, such as his physical

disabilities and medications, past employment, the food in jail and how often he urinates

at night. Other topics included questions about DNA test results on the gun, any plea

bargaining and possible sentencing. He also contends the tape should have been

excluded under Evidence Code section 352 as far more prejudicial than probative and

cumulative to Dr. McGowan's testimony. (Undesignated statutory references are to the

Evidence Code.)

       Only relevant evidence is admissible. (§§ 350, 351.) Relevant evidence is

evidence "having any tendency in reason to prove or disprove any disputed fact that is of

consequence to the determination of the action." (§ 210.) The trial court has "wide

discretion in determining relevance under this standard." (People v. Kelly (1992) 1

Cal.4th 495, 523.) Under section 352, "[a] trial court may exclude otherwise relevant

evidence when its probative value is substantially outweighed by concerns of undue

prejudice, confusion, or consumption of time." (People v. Scott (2011) 52 Cal.4th 452,

490.) A trial court has broad discretion in determining whether to admit or exclude

evidence under section 352. (People v. Ramos (1997) 15 Cal.4th 1133, 1170.)

       As a threshold matter, we reject Cardoza's argument that the trial court erred by

not excluding the entire tape. As Cardoza tacitly concedes, Dr. McGowan's testimony

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was relevant rebuttal evidence on the issue of whether Cardoza suffered from a cognitive

disorder. We reject Cardoza's contention that the tape was merely cumulative of

Dr. McGowan's testimony. Although Dr. McGowan testified that Cardoza's demeanor

dramatically changed when he began the "testing" portion of the interview, the best

evidence of this change was the tape recording. "Evidence that is identical in subject

matter to other evidence should not be excluded as 'cumulative' when it has greater

evidentiary weight or probative value." (People v. Mattson (1990) 50 Cal.3d 826, 871;

People v. Filson (1994) 22 Cal.App.4th 1841, 1851 ["the actual sound of defendant

speaking contained on the tape would be much stronger evidence than [the deputy's]

opinion testimony regarding defendant's condition at the time of his arrest"].)

       While we agree portions of the tape could have been excluded without impacting

the prosecution's case, defense counsel had the burden of specifying which portions of

the tape should have been excluded. Defense counsel and the prosecutor could have

reviewed the transcript of the interview together and stipulated to the portions to be

excluded and the trial court could have ruled on any portions in dispute. Significantly,

the prosecutor agreed to "whatever specific redactions" defense counsel wanted. It

appears, however, that defense counsel never requested that specific portions of the

interview be redacted. On this record, Cardoza forfeited any contention that the trial

court erred in allowing the jury to consider the entire tape without any redactions or

limiting instructions. (People v. Partida (2005) 37 Cal.4th 428, 433-435.)

       To forestall a claim of ineffective assistance of counsel, we reviewed the transcript of

Dr. McGowan's interview. (Cf. People v. Turner (1990) 50 Cal.3d 668, 708.) Notably,

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defense counsel may have had a tactical reason for allowing the jury to consider the

interview as it allowed Cardoza to talk about the incident, the individuals that witnessed the

incident and his theory about what happened without being cross-examined. During closing

argument, defense counsel relied on the statements Cardoza made to Dr. McGowan to

support Cardoza's defense. (People v. Lucas (1995) 12 Cal.4th 415, 442 ["Reviewing courts

reverse convictions on direct appeal on the ground of incompetence of counsel only if the

record on appeal demonstrates there could be no rational tactical purpose for counsel's

omissions."].)

       Even assuming we found the trial court improperly admitted portions of the interview

into evidence, we would conclude that the admission of this evidence was harmless. The

erroneous admission of evidence is not reversible unless it has resulted in a miscarriage of

justice, measured under the test of People v. Watson (1956) 46 Cal.2d 818, 836. (People v.

Partida, supra, 37 Cal.4th at p. 439; see § 353; Cal. Const., art. VI, § 13.) A miscarriage of

justice occurs when it appears that a result more favorable to the appealing party would have

been reached in the absence of the alleged errors. (Watson, at p. 836; see Cal. Const., art. VI,

§ 13.) It is Cardoza's burden to demonstrate prejudice. (People v. Hernandez (2011) 51

Cal.4th 733, 746.)

       Defense counsel argued to the jury that Cardoza should be acquitted because

Guillermo committed the crimes. The prosecution, however, presented strong evidence of

Cardoza's guilt as at least nine witnesses identified him as the shooter. Although Cardoza

had a high blood alcohol level after the shooting, he had previously been pulled over driving

a car with a blood alcohol level of .32 percent, was not driving poorly and had no

                                             8
coordination problems getting out of the car. The police officer who had conducted the field

sobriety tests on Cardoza expressed surprise when he learned of Cardoza's blood alcohol

level based on Cardoza's performance on the tests.

       We discern no reasonable probability that the exclusion of the interview or portions of

the interview would have raised a reasonable doubt in the minds of the jurors regarding the

identity of the shooter or Cardoza's guilt.

                                     II. In Camera Review

A. Background Facts

       Joanna Young, a forensic pathologist employed by the Riverside County Sheriff's

Department testified about the autopsies she performed. After the jury rendered its verdict,

defense counsel learned that Young was the subject of an internal investigation "relating to

performance issues." Defense counsel filed a Pitchess motion asking for "discovery of law

enforcement files and records" related to Young's performance. (Pitchess v. Superior Court

(1974) 11 Cal.3d 531.) The Riverside County Sheriff-Coroner opposed the motion arguing

good cause did not exist for the request. The trial court granted Cardoza's request for an in

camera hearing to determine whether there was any evidence that the internal investigation

addressed Young's honesty. After the in camera hearing, the court determined there was

nothing to be disclosed.

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B. Analysis

       Cardoza requests that we independently review the materials examined by the trial

court to determine whether the trial court incorrectly withheld any information. The

People object on the ground Young is not a law enforcement officer; thus, the Pitchess

procedure does not apply. The Attorney General, however, presented no authority to

support this assertion. Nor was this argument tendered below. Accordingly, we deem it

forfeited. (Perez v. Grajales (2008) 169 Cal.App.4th 580, 591-592 [reviewing courts

ordinarily will not consider claims made for the first time on appeal, and such claims "are

generally deemed forfeited"]; People v. Smith (2003) 30 Cal.4th 581, 616, fn. 8 [appellate

courts will not consider perfunctory contentions unsupported by argument].)

       In any event, the Attorney General's unsupported argument lacks merit. Sections

1043 through 1045 and Penal Code sections 832.5, 832.7, and 832.8 codify Pitchess.

(People v. Mooc (2001) 26 Cal.4th 1216, 1226 (Mooc).) The Evidence Code provides a

motion procedure for the discovery of "peace or custodial officer" personnel records.

(§ 1043, subd. (a).) Under Penal Code section 830.35, subdivision (c), coroners and

deputy coroners are peace officers. Accordingly, the Pitchess procedure applied to

Young, a forensic pathologist with the Riverside County Sheriff-Coroner.

       The trial court's decision on a Pitchess motion is reviewed under an abuse of

discretion standard. (People v. Prince (2007) 40 Cal.4th 1179, 1285.) We review the

record for "materials so clearly pertinent to the issues raised by the Pitchess discovery

motion that failure to disclose them was an abuse of Pitchess discretion." (People v.

Samayoa (1997) 15 Cal.4th 795, 827.)

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       The trial court can make a record for appellate review by either describing the

documents it reviews or ordering them photocopied. (Mooc, supra, 26 Cal.4th at

pp. 1229-1230.) Here, the trial court described the documents it reviewed and made an

adequate record. We have conducted an independent review of the transcript and find no

abuse of discretion.

                                     DISPOSITION

       The judgment is affirmed.

                                                                           McINTYRE, J.

WE CONCUR:

McCONNELL, P. J.

AARON, J.

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