Court Opinion

ID: 9853084
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-09-24 05:42:14.534305+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T09:22:40.664043
License: Public Domain

BURKE, J.
I dissent. In my opinion it is not reasonably probable that a result more favorable to defendant would have been reached had the evidence of his acquittal of the Mexican crime been admitted at his trial on guilt. (Cal. Const., art. VI, § 13;* People v. Watson, 46 Cal.2d 818, 836 [299 P.2d 243].) Evidence of that acquittal was admitted at the penalty trial, and it is apparent that it had no effect upon the jury since the jury returned the death penalty.
There is overwhelming evidence that defendant killed Essie Mae Hodson in the perpetration of, or attempt to perpetrate, rape. Evidence of the incident in Mexico several weeks later, indicating a similar plan, scheme and design was highly relevant as to defendant’s illicit motives in introducing himself into the household of an acquaintance. Whether in the Mexi*468can incident he accomplished his objectives by means of rape by force or by inducement was relatively unimportant. It was the bearing which the Mexican incident had on his intentions which was significant.
I would affirm the judgment in its entirety.
Me Comb, J., concurred.