Court Opinion

ID: 4556572
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2020-08-18 19:49:59.970844+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T09:37:48.042684
License: Public Domain

Filed 8/17/20 P. v. Campos CA5

                  NOT TO BE PUBLISHED IN THE OFFICIAL REPORTS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

                                       FIFTH APPELLATE DISTRICT

 THE PEOPLE,
                                                                                             F077384
           Plaintiff and Respondent,
                                                                             (Super. Ct. No. VCF265255A)
                    v.

 MATTHEW THOMAS CAMPOS,                                                                   OPINION
           Defendant and Appellant.

         APPEAL from a judgment of the Superior Court of Tulare County. Kathryn T.
Montejano, Judge.
         Michael Cross for Defendant and Appellant.
         Xavier Becerra, Attorney General, Gerald A. Engler, Chief Assistant Attorney
General, Michael P. Farrell, Assistant Attorney General, Catherine Chatman and A. Kay
Lauterbach, Deputy Attorneys General, for Plaintiff and Respondent.
                                                        -ooOoo-
         Matthew Thomas Campos participated in beating a man by punching him in the
head with brass knuckles. The victim subsequently died although the precise cause of
death was undetermined. Campos was convicted of second degree murder.
       On appeal, Campos raises three challenges to his conviction. First, he alleges the
evidence was insufficient to prove murder. Second, he argues, the jury instructions were
incomplete. Third, he raises evidentiary error. We affirm.
                                     BACKGROUND
Charges
       The Tulare County District Attorney charged Campos with two crimes: Murder
and robbery. (Pen. Code,1 §§ 187, subd. (a), 211.) The murder charge included
allegations that it was committed during a robbery, was gang-related, and that Campos
and a principal were armed during the murder. (§§ 190.2, subds. (a)(17)(A) & (a)(22)),
186.22, subd. (b)(5), 12022, subd. (b), & 12022.53 subds. (b)(1) and (e)(1).) The robbery
charge included identical armed allegations and a similar gang-related allegation.
(§ 186.22, subd. (b)(1)(C).)
Trial Evidence2
       On March 28, 2012, Campos and his friend went to visit his friend’s girlfriend.
They arrived at her house and entered through the garage where they encountered her
alone with the victim. Campos’s friend wanted to know if the victim was “messing
around … with his girlfriend.” Moments later, he attacked the victim by hitting him in
the head.
       Campos joined in the attack and punched the victim multiple times. His friend
then grabbed the victim’s arms, restrained them behind his back, and urged Campos to hit
the victim with a hammer. But Campos hesitated because he knew “something bad
would happen after that.”

       1 Undesignated   statutory references are to the Penal Code.
       2 We  omit the gang-related evidence because, as noted post, Campos was acquitted
of all gang-related allegations.

                                             2.
       Instead, Campos wielded brass knuckles and struck the victim in the head. The
number of times he hit the victim with the brass knuckles was described as anywhere
between one to “more than five times.” The victim stopped struggling after he was hit
“so many times with the brass knuckles.” Campos described the brass knuckles as
having “split” the victim’s head “open.”
       After incapacitating the victim, the friend still wanted to know if the victim was
“touching” his girlfriend. He then strangled the victim with an electrical cord and stole
his money. Campos took $300. They wrapped the victim in a rug and placed the
wrapped body in the back seat of the victim’s truck. They drove around for several hours
while searching for a place to dispose of the body. Campos eventually departed. Both
the victim’s body and truck were ultimately burned.
       The medical examiner was unable to discern a precise cause of death. He opined
the cause of death could have been strangling or a blood clot on the side of the head. The
blood clot could have been caused by brass knuckles. He also testified the amount of
amphetamines in the victim’s system would kill a normal person.
Verdict and Sentence
       Campos was convicted of second degree murder committed with a weapon. He
was acquitted of robbery and all other applicable allegations but found guilty of the lesser
included offense of grand theft. He was sentenced to serve 16 years to life in state prison.
                                      DISCUSSION
       Campos raises three questions on appeal. One, is the evidence sufficient to prove
malice and causation for murder? Two, did the instructions fail to adequately explain
causation? Three, did the court erroneously sustain a hearsay objection? We find the
issues are without merit and affirm the judgment.
I. The Evidence Sufficiently Proved Murder
       “In reviewing a claim for sufficiency of the evidence, we must determine whether,
after viewing the evidence in the light most favorable to the prosecution, any rational trier

                                             3.
of fact could have found the essential elements of the crime or special circumstance
beyond a reasonable doubt. We review the entire record in the light most favorable to the
judgment below to determine whether it discloses sufficient evidence—that is, evidence
that is reasonable, credible, and of solid value—supporting the decision, and not whether
the evidence proves guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. [Citation.] We neither reweigh the
evidence nor reevaluate the credibility of witnesses. [Citation.] We presume in support
of the judgment the existence of every fact the jury reasonably could deduce from the
evidence. [Citation.] If the circumstances reasonably justify the findings made by the
trier of fact, reversal of the judgment is not warranted simply because the circumstances
might also reasonably be reconciled with a contrary finding.” (People v. Jennings (2010)
50 Cal.4th 616, 638-639 (Jennings).)
       Second degree murder requires proof of an act, committed with malice
aforethought, resulting in death. (§ 187; People v. Cravens (2012) 53 Cal.4th 500, 507
(Cravens).) Malice aforethought may be express or implied. (Cravens, at p. 507.)
Causation may be proximate. (People v. Sanchez (2001) 26 Cal.4th 834, 845 (Sanchez).)
We find the record sufficiently proves these elements.
       A. Malice
       Implied malice exists when a person performs an act, the natural and probable
consequences of which are dangerous to human life, and acts with conscious disregard to
that danger. (People v. Chun (2009) 45 Cal.4th 1172, 1181.) The record readily supports
this element.
       The victim here was restrained with his arms behind his back and placed at
Campos’s mercy. Campos, recognizing the victim’s vulnerability, hesitated to strike him
with a hammer because he knew “something bad would happen after that.” Inexplicably,
he began punching him in the head with brass knuckles, “split[ting]” his head “open,”
and rendering him defenseless.

                                            4.
       Campos admittedly knew using the hammer was dangerous to human life. On this
record, using brass knuckles instead does not somehow transform the attack into a less
dangerous one. “[T]he circumstances of the attack alone” readily justify inferring a
conscious disregard for endangering life. (Cravens, supra, 53 Cal.4th at p. 511.)
Accordingly, the evidence sufficiently proved implied malice.
       B. Causation
       “[P]roximate causation, not direct or actual causation … determines [a]
defendant’s liability for murder.” (Sanchez, supra, 26 Cal.4th at p. 845.) “The
circumstance that … direct or actual causation cannot be established does not undermine
[a] murder conviction if it [is] shown beyond a reasonable doubt that [a] defendant’s
conduct [is] a substantial concurrent cause of … death.” (Ibid.) “This is true even if the
victim’s preexisting physical condition was also a substantial factor causing death.”
(People v. Catlin (2001) 26 Cal.4th 81, 155 (Catlin).) Substantial is distinguished from
“ ‘insignificant or merely theoretical’ ” factors.3 (Jennings, supra, 50 Cal.4th at p. 643.)
       “ ‘ “A cause is concurrent if it was operative at the time of the death and acted
with another cause to produce the death.” ’ ” (Sanchez, supra, 26 Cal.4th at p. 847.)
“[A]s long as the jury finds that without the criminal act the death would not have
occurred when it did, it need not determine which of the concurrent causes was the
principal or primary cause of death.” (Catlin, supra, 26 Cal.4th at p. 155.) “[I]t is no
defense that the conduct of some other person contributed to the death.” (Jennings,
supra, 50 Cal.4th at p. 643.)

       3 “[T]he ‘substantial factor’ rule for concurrent causes ‘was developed primarily
for cases in which application of the but-for rule would allow each defendant to escape
responsibility because the conduct of one or more others would have been sufficient to
produce the same result.’ ” (Jennings, supra, 50 Cal.4th at p. 644.)

                                             5.
       The evidence in this case meets the standard. Although no definitive cause of
death was proven, the jury was entitled to believe either the blood clot or strangulation
caused death. Campos’s conduct was a substantial factor in both.
       For example, the jury could have reasonably believed Campos caused the blood
clot with a strike to the side of the head with brass knuckles. Although Campos testified
he only hit the victim with the brass knuckles once in the forehead, there was also
evidence he hit the victim multiple times with the brass knuckles. Dr. Burr Hartman, a
certified forensic pathologist, testified the brass knuckles could have caused the blood
clot. And the blood clot could have caused death. The jury was entitled to believe
Campos caused the blood clot which in turn caused death.
       Dr. Hartman also testified strangulation could have caused death. Campos’s
conduct was a substantial factor in the strangling in two ways. First, the strikes with
brass knuckles rendered the victim defenseless and the strangling followed shortly
thereafter. More directly, if Campos indeed caused the blood clot, the blood clot would
have killed the victim within minutes even if strangulation actually caused death. Either
way, Campos’s conduct was neither insignificant nor theoretical. It was “ ‘ “operative at
the time of the death and acted with another cause to produce the death.” ’ ” (Sanchez,
supra, 26 Cal.4th at p. 847.)
       Nevertheless, Campos vigorously urges methamphetamine overdose could have
caused the victim’s death. We question whether the record actually supports this cause of
death. Dr. Hartman never explicitly testified methamphetamine overdose could have
caused the death.4 But even were we to assume it could have caused the death, the record
credibly established the victim was alive when Campos struck him with the brass

       4 Dr.Hartman testified the evidence indicated the victim “was tolerant to
methamphetamine. … This was not his first rodeo.” He continued that if, instead, the
victim was intolerant to methamphetamine and was forced to consume it then it could
have caused death. But the record does not bear out this theory.

                                             6.
knuckles. The jury was thus entitled to believe the blood clot or strangulation, rather than
methamphetamine overdose, caused death.5 (See Catlin, supra, 26 Cal.4th at p. 155
[sufficient causation as long as “preexisting physical condition” is not sole substantial
factor].)
II. The Instructions Properly Explained Causation
       Apart from challenging the evidence of causation, Campos separately attacks the
instructions explaining causation. To that end, he faults the court for not instructing the
jury regarding independent intervening causes of death. We find the instructions proper
because the evidence did not warrant an intervening cause instruction.
       A. Additional Background
       The trial court instructed the jury with CALCRIM No. 520. As relevant to
causation, the instruction explains:

              “An act causes death if the death is the direct, natural and
              probable consequence of the act and the death would not have
              happened without the act. A natural and probable
              consequence is one that a reasonable person would know is
              likely to happen if nothing unusual intervenes. In deciding
              whether a consequence is natural and probable, consider all
              the circumstances established by the evidence.

              “There may be more than one cause of death. An act causes
              death only if it is a substantial factor in causing the death, and
              the death would not have happened without the act. A
              substantial factor is more than a trivial or remote factor. It
              must actually contribute to the death. However, it does not
              need to be the only factor that causes the death.”
This explanation was repeated once.

       5 Campos   urges other factual scenarios including that the blood clot was caused
later when Campos was not present. Our concern with sufficiency of evidence is only
whether the facts support the verdict. We need not ascertain or divine the jury’s precise
logic. Rather, we must determine whether the jury could have reasonably found Campos
guilty. The jury, not this court, resolves the facts. (Jennings, supra, 50 Cal.4th at
pp. 638-639.)

                                              7.
       B. Analysis
       “ ‘A trial court has a sua sponte duty to “instruct on general principles of law that
are closely and openly connected to the facts and that are necessary for the jury’s
understanding of the case[.] ” ’ ” (People v. Mitchell (2019) 7 Cal.5th 561, 586.) “A
party may not argue on appeal that an instruction correct in law was too general or
incomplete, and thus needed clarification, without first requesting such clarification at
trial.” (People v. Hillhouse (2002) 27 Cal.4th 469, 503.)
       A “defendant is liable for homicide unless a superseding intervening act has
broken the chain of causation. The intervening act must be unforeseeable and
extraordinary, and a defendant remains liable if he might reasonably have contemplated
the possible consequence or should have foreseen the possibility of harm of the kind that
could result from his act.” (People v. Moncada (2012) 210 Cal.App.4th 1124, 1133;
People v. Cervantes (2001) 26 Cal.4th 860, 871 (Cervantes) [independent means
“unforeseeable” and “extraordinary”].)
       The instructions here correctly conveyed the law. Campos foresaw the result
when he admittedly hesitated to hit the victim with a hammer. Resorting instead to brass
knuckles does not change this calculus. The homicide was neither extraordinary nor
unforeseeable considering the fight was violent and involved weapons. (See Cervantes,
supra, 26 Cal.4th at p. 871 [“ ‘The precise consequence need not have been foreseen; it is
enough that the defendant should have foreseen the possibility of some harm of the kind
which might result from his act.’ ”].)
       Because the homicide was foreseeable, an instruction on independent intervening
causes of death was unwarranted. The instructions as given were complete and
sufficient.
       In any event, Campos failed to request a special instruction regarding intervening
causes. His failure would forfeit his claim the instructions incompletely explained
causation principles. We reject his claim alleging instructional error.

                                             8.
III. Hearsay Objection Correctly Sustained
       During Campos’s testimony, he was asked about what his friend stated about the
homicide. The prosecutor objected on hearsay grounds and, after a lengthy discussion,
the objection was sustained.
       Campos now argues “[i]t was error for the court to sustain the objection because
the question did not call for hearsay [and], if it did, the hearsay was admissible as a
statement against interest ….” We conclude the ruling was proper.
       A. Additional Background
       After the objection, the court held a lengthy discussion with counsel outside the
jury’s presence. Defense counsel stated the proposed testimony would be that the victim
said, “If she wants to play, let her play.” Counsel argued the statement was admissible
because it was against penal interest as it implicated him in the homicide and “explains
how everything got started. It was a spur-of-the-moment event. It was not planned. It
wasn’t premeditated. It happened spontaneously … because he thought” the victim was
“fooling around” with his girlfriend.
       The prosecutor argued “it’s hearsay …. I don’t think that the circumstances …
show this to be very reliable. There’s any number of reasons why [he] could have
possibly said this statement that are [sic] self-serving at this time. I mean, the defendant
was describing this was the week of his prelim. They were on prelim for murder
charges.… I don’t see any indication of reliability in this case.”
       The court ultimately agreed with the prosecutor. It sustained the objection
because the statement was “mitigating ….”
       B. Discussion
       A statement is admissible if “when made, was so far contrary to the declarant’s
pecuniary or proprietary interest, or so far subjected him to the risk of civil or criminal
liability … that a reasonable man in his position would not have made the statement
unless he believed it to be true.” (Evid. Code, § 1230.) The rationale underlying this rule

                                              9.
“is that ‘a person’s interest against being criminally implicated gives reasonable
assurance of the veracity of his statement made against that interest[.]’ ” (People v.
Grimes (2016) 1 Cal.5th 698, 711 (Grimes).)
        “ ‘[T]he proponent of such evidence must show that the declarant is unavailable,
that the declaration was against the declarant’s penal interest when made and that the
declaration was sufficiently reliable to warrant admission despite its hearsay character.’ ”
(Grimes, supra, 1 Cal.5th at p. 711.) To determine trustworthiness, “ ‘the court may take
into account not just the words but the circumstances under which they were uttered, the
possible motivation of the declarant, and the declarant’s relationship to the defendant.’ ”
(Ibid; Williamson v. United States (1994) 512 U.S. 594, 603 [“whether a statement is self-
inculpatory or not can only be determined by viewing it in context”].) Only “specifically
disserving” statements are admissible.6 (People v. Duarte (2000) 24 Cal.4th 603, 612
(Duarte).)
        “We review a trial court’s decision whether a statement is admissible
under Evidence Code section 1230 for abuse of discretion.” (Grimes, supra, 1 Cal.5th at
p. 711.) The ruling “ ‘ “will not be disturbed unless there is a showing that the trial court
acted in an arbitrary, capricious, or absurd manner resulting in a miscarriage of
justice.” ’ ” (People v. Young (2019) 7 Cal.5th 905, 931.) “ ‘A merely debatable ruling
cannot be deemed an abuse of discretion.’ ” (People v. Miracle (2018) 6 Cal.5th 318,
346.)

        6In Grimes, supra, the Supreme Court explained the specifically disserving rule is
not absolute because it “permits courts to consider whether the portion of a confession
that tends to exculpate another, rather than to shift blame or curry favor, should be
admitted in view of surrounding circumstances, even though the exculpatory portion of
the statement is not independently disserving of the declarant’s interests.” (Grimes,
supra, 1 Cal.5th at p. 715.) A statement that exculpates another must still, however, be
“sufficiently reliable to warrant admission ….” (Id. at p. 716; Evid. Code, § 1230.)

                                             10.
       The trial court here correctly concluded the statement at issue was not admissible
because it was not specifically disserving and thus unreliable. As the court noted, the
statement was “mitigating” in light of the charges alleging premeditation and
deliberation, and the various special circumstances. In this case, these charges were
based on a preformed plan to commit robbery or murder. By offering an explanation for
the homicide inconsistent with either plan, the statement is exculpatory because it defeats
premeditation and the various special circumstances.
       The statement’s timing further supports the conclusion. The statement was made
near the upcoming preliminary hearing at which both Campos and his friend were facing
first degree murder charges based on premeditation and a plan to commit robbery.7 This
bolsters the conclusion it was unreliable because, as the court concluded, taken in context
it was “mitigating ….”8
       Even if the statement had been admitted, Campos would not have received a more
favorable result. (Duarte, supra, 24 Cal.4th at pp. 618-619 [Evidence Code section 1230
errors are reviewed for harmlessness under the “ ‘reasonably probable that a result more
favorable to the defendant would have been reached’ ” standard].) The evidence adduced
at trial adequately conveyed the theory his friend attacked the victim due to jealousy.
And defense counsel appropriately argued the theory during closing argument.9

       7 Campos  and his friend were charged as codefendants but, after a joint
preliminary hearing, were tried separately.
       8 Campos   also argues the statement was “admissible as reliable and trustworthy
defense hearsay.” He cites Chambers v. Mississippi (1973) 410 U.S. 284 as authority.
Chambers held only that the facts in its case indicated the statement was reliable and
trustworthy. It did not “signal any diminution in the respect traditionally accorded to the
States in the establishment and implementation of their own criminal trial rules
and procedures.” (Id. at pp. 302-303.) In contrast, the trial court here found the
statement at issue unreliable—a conclusion we find a proper exercise of discretion.
       9 Defense counsel argued “there was no plan” because the friend started the attack
due to “suspicio[n]” the victim was “fooling around with his girlfriend.” Indeed, this
theory aligns best with the actual verdicts.

                                            11.
      In sum, the court’s ruling was not arbitrary, capricious, or absurd. It was based on
reasoned analysis. For these reasons we reject the evidentiary error claim.

                                           12.
                                  DISPOSITION
      The judgment is affirmed.

                                                SNAUFFER, J.
WE CONCUR:

LEVY, Acting P.J.

POOCHIGIAN, J.

                                      13.