Court Opinion

ID: 9738240
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-26 19:46:32.229324+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T07:24:03.963825
License: Public Domain

STEPHENS, J.
I concur:
I agree with the result reached in the majority opinion. There is, as I understand the principles of law involved, considerable variance in the application of standards currently applied in the troublesome areas of quality of separate counsel and effective joint counsel. It seems to me that if we are to follow down the path as lighted for us in the instant case by defendant and by the suggestion in the dissenting opinion, we must reach the conclusion that separate counsel is mandatory in all joint trials. This path is not so well lighted as to prevent the shadow of mandatory separate counsel from supplanting the more discrete holding of People v. Ibarra, 60 Cal.2d 460 [34 Cal.Rptr. 863, 386 P.2d 487], and thus require reversal of every joint trial wherein defendants had joint counsel. Such a result would naturally follow in a situation where the defense was adversely affected as it related to one of two defendants because of their joint counsel (People v. Chacon, 69 Cal.2d 765 [73 Cal.Rptr. 10, 447 P.2d 106]), or where one defendant is prejudiced by association with a codefendant (People v. Gallardo, 269 Cal.App.2d 86 [74 Cal.Rptr. 572]). I do not so understand the rule to dictate this result, nor do I believe we should so extend the right to adequate counsel where separate counsel are involved. "The right to counsel at trial guaranteed by the Sixth Amendment of the United States Constitution (Gideon v. Wainwright (1963) 372 U.S. 335 [9 L.Ed.2d 799, 83 S.Ct. 792, 93 A.L.R.2d 733]) and article I, section 13 of the California Constitution does not include an automatic right to separate counsel for each co-defendant. One counsel may represent more than one defendant so long as the representation is effective. (Powell v. Alabama (1932) 287 U.S. 45, 71 [77 L.Ed. 158, 171-172, 53 S.Ct. 55, 84 A.L.R. 527]).” (People v. Chacon, supra, 69 Cal.2d 765, 773-774.) The court in Chacon states that it is in effect adopting the standard of reasonable doubt recognizing the right to effective counsel as one of constitutional dimension: “. . . If counsel must represent conflicting interests or is ineffective because of the burdens of representing more than one defendant, the injured defendant has been denied his constitutional right to effective counsel.” (69 Cal.2d at p. 774.)
*212‘‘ The extent of the conflict of interest and its impact on Mr., Lopez’s effectiveness, was 'certainly not so slight that we can ignore it.3 ’’
In such a situation, it does not necessarily follow that defendant’s representation would be reduced to a “farce or a sham.” (People v. Ibarra, supra, at p. 464.) In the Ibarra situation, the “error” can never be treated as harmless because such representation is in reality no representation at all and is prejudicial per se. (See Chapman v. California, 386 U.S. 18, 23 [17 L.Ed.2d 705, 710, 87 S.Ct. 824]; Gideon v. Wainwright, supra, 372 U.S. 335.) That which ultimately proves to be an erroneous appointment of one counsel to represent two defendants, however, is not so antagonistic to a fair trial that its infraction can never be treated as harmless. Rather, the question is whether the error complained of might have contributed to the conviction (Fahy v. Connecticut, 375 U.S. 85 at pp. 86-87 [11 L.Ed.2d 171, 173-174, 84 S.Ct. 229]), and the People must demonstrate beyond a reasonable doubt that it did not. (Chapman v. California, supra, at p. 24 [17 L.Ed.2d at p. 710].)
The problem with reconciling Ibarra with Chacon is that Ibarra and its progeny have enunciated a standard that admits of no middle ground. The cases have either proceeded to find that counsel’s ineptitude reduced the trial to a “farce or a sham,” in which case the “error” is reversible per se (see People v. Welborn, 257 Cal.App.2d 513 [65 Cal.Rptr. 8]; People v. Keesee, 250 Cal.App.2d 794 [58 Cal.Rptr. 780] ; In re Grossi, 248 Cal.App.2d 315 [56 Cal.Rptr. 375] ; People v. Natividad, 240 Cal.App.2d 244 [49 Cal.Rptr. 437]), or have resolved the issue with the conclusionary statement that it did not, in which case reversal is not required. (See People v. Batista, 257 Cal.App.2d 413, 419 [64 Cal.Rptr. 718] : “Such strategy did not reduce the trial to a ‘farce or a sham,’ the test used to determine whether counsel’s representation was ineffective” (italics added); People v. Birdwell, 253 Cal.App.2d 621 [61 Cal.Rptr. 536]; People v. Adams, 249 Cal. *213App.2d 501 [57 Cal.Rptr. 389]; People v. Elledge, 186 Cal.App.2d 656 [9 Cal.Rptr. 188].) It seems perfectly clear to me that counsel may be ineffective to a cognizable extent without reducing the trial to a “farce or a sham,” as seemingly required by Ibarra and the cases which have sought to follow it. If this observation is correct, then a need appears to exist for clarification of the standard enunciated in Ibarra and that articulated in Chacon. The complexity of the situation impels an appellate court in reviewing the effectiveness of joint counsel for two defendants to weigh any impairment of representation in the light of Chapman v. California, supra, while the' effectiveness of counsel for one defendant is weighed by the less stringent standard (for the People) of Ibarra. In other words, in the case of dual representation which is determined to have been ineffective, the People must carry the weighty burden of demonstrating beyond a reasonable doubt that the “error” did not contribute to the verdict obtained, whereas in the case of a single defendant represented by ineffective counsel, the burden is on the defendant to demonstrate that his trial was reduced to a “farce or a sham,” a finding which appellate courts have been consistently reluctant to make, indulging in a myriad of euphemisms to gloss over sheer ineptitude, and imputing subtle tactics to defense counsel which in all probability never were dreamed of. I am not unmindful of the fact that in the case of dual representation the state can be said to be a participant in securing the services of one counsel for two defendants. This appears to be a prime reason for requiring the state to carry the appellate burden of showing lack of prejudice. Is not the same reasoning applicable where a sole indigent defendant is provided counsel? If the crucial consideration is to afford a defendant a fair trial, conducted by competent counsel, what possible justification can there be in requiring a disadvantaged defendant to shoulder the near impossible task of proving, in effect, “beyond a reasonable doubt” that his trial counsel was totally inept— not merely ineffective ? This apparent disparity in standards for reviewing defendants’ claims of inadequate trial counsel calls for resolution. It has always been the state’s burden to demonstrate that it has afforded a defendant a fair trial—at least, that is a defendant’s constitutional right. Inferentially, it is not without significance that in effectuating this concept, the “rule” that a defendant must complain of his ineffective trial counsel at the time of trial to raise the issue on appeal has been recently undermined. (See In re Rose, 62 Cal.2d 384 *214[42 Cal.Rptr. 236, 398 P.2d 428]; People v. Kirchner, 233 Cal.App.2d 83 [43 Cal.Rptr. 218].) However, where the defendant objects to removal and substitution of his counsel, the trial court has no inherent power to accomplish that substitution even though it is the court’s conclusion that defense counsel is incompetent. (Smith v. Superior Court, 68 Cal.2d 547 [68 Cal.Rptr. 1, 440 P.2d 65].)
In light of Chacon, it appears that even where a single defendant raises the issue of incompetency of counsel, if the reviewing court finds that counsel was ineffective to a significant degree, the appellate court, to sustain the verdict, must be convinced beyond a reasonable doubt that such ineffectiveness did not contribute to defendant’s conviction. On the other hand, consistent with Ibarra, should the court find that, defendant’s trial was reduced to a “farce or a sham,” certainly the rule of automatic reversal will prevail, for such blatant ineptitude could not be countenanced. By such resolution, there would be established a middle ground, defining “ineffective counsel’’ so that the same standard is applied to both situations.
It is the necessity of a full and fair trial to which the Constitutions and our consciences are committed. If the right of a defendant is to “effective” counsel, the denial of a fair trial is no less real by inept or inadequate representation by counsel for one defendant than the same faulty representation of two defendants by one counsel. There should be no premium for ineffectiveness because counsel wears two hats, nor is ineptness less antagonistic to justice where he wears but one.
Returning to a consideration of the instant case, in the light of the overwhelming evidence of Morga’s involvement, it cannot be deemed reversible error for the trial court to have appointed one counsel to defend both Morga and Edward Guzman. Here, the identification of Morga as the driver of the car was clearly established by the testimony of Mrs. Montes as of the time of the burglary. Morga sat in the driver’s seat at the time of arrest, according to the testimony of Officer Najera, though Morga testified to the contrary. The car belonged to Morga’s sister, and he acknowledged driving it during part of the day on which the crime occurred. At no time did any of the defendants place more than four persons in the car, and at the time of arrest, Edward Guzman, his brother Richard, Morga, and Jurado were at the scene. The first three were in the car, and Jurado was seen exiting from a house and going toward the car. Mrs. Montes testified there were two persons *215in the back seat, the face of one of which she did not observe. As the majority opinion concludes, this person “was either passed out or was asleep in the back seat.” This was the position and condition of Richard Guzman at the time of arrest.
Morga sought to involve a phantom person (“Joe”) as the driver, and depended upon his claimed intoxication to absolve him from participation. The officer apparently did not arrest Richard Guzman. (This reasonably appears to be because of Richard’s obvious condition and inability to participate.) The officer also, as the acquittal of Edward Guzman shows, eliminated Edward as one being able to participates This result is in considerable conflict with the testimony of Mrs. Montes, who identified Edward and Jurado as the two who tried to get “ [Mrs. Montes’] hands off of the driver so they [could] get away. ’ ’
Defendant’s contention is that a separate attorney might have cross-examined the arresting officer more effectively and thereby confirmed his alibi of being “flaked [passed] out.” The case of Glasser v. United States, 315 U.S. 60 [86 L.Ed. 680, 62 S.Ct. 457], relied upon by defendant must be read in the light of its own facts. There, Glasser was represented by his own private counsel, and the additional burden of defending a codefendant was imposed upon that counsel over Glasser’s objection and the fear of conflict expressed by the appointed counsel. The very conflict which concerned counsel came to pass and resulted in substantial likelihood of disadvantage to Glasser. This is a far different situation from the speculative prospect of more effective cross-examination in the case before us. Though agile minds might conceive of a possible lessening of a counsel’s effectiveness where he defends codefendants,1 any such lessening of effectiveness must be demonstrably present for there to be error of a constitutional magnitude. To my mind, the phantom person “Joe” conjured up by Morga is about as real as the disadvantage occasioned by Morga’s not having separate counsel. The trial judge was not convinced of “Joe’s” existence, nor am I convinced of the ineffectiveness of Morga’s counsel.
KAUS, P. J.
A summary of my reasons for believing that this judgment must be reversed, is as follows:
*2161. I understand Justice Aiso’s opinion, although. I do not agree with it.
2. I agree with Justice Stephens that in many cases refusing to find that incompetence of counsel has deprived the defendant of a fair trial, the courts may have leaned over backwards in crediting counsel with fancy strategy when in fact he has butchered the defense: I just do not understand what that has to do with this case. It is one thing to presume that an attorney who represents a single defendant knows wha.t he is doing, until the opposite is proved. It is quite another to judge the acts and omissions of an attorney who represents conflicting interests.
3. I would find it difficult to say that the evidence supports the judgment, were it not for Morga’s ready obedience to Jurado’s command, “Okay, let’s go,” when Jurado came out of the house. Prom this the court could infer advance knowledge of what Jurado was up to. Even so the finding is perhaps not the most reasonable, having in mind that while Jurado was in the house Morga and Guzman got out of the car and knelt on the grass. Conscientious drivers of getaway cars stay behind the wheel, ready to roll.
4. The majority’s emphasis on the high probability, if not certainty, that Morga was indeed the driver is a red herring. I am quite ready to assume that no court would have been taken in by the invention of “Joe.” That makes Morga a perjurer, but not a burglar.
5. Morga was very probably guilty of being an accessory to a completed burglary. (Pen. Code, § 32.) He is, however, appealing from a conviction as a principal.
6. Since everything depends, in my view, on Morga’s readiness to abscond with Jurado and the loot, his power to resist temptation at that moment was the only real issue below. Obviously, the more intoxicated he was, the less inhibited he became and the more likely he would have been to agree to join a criminal act on the spur of the moment, making him only an accessory.
7. The fact that Morga was able to drive does not detract from this analysis. The very lack of inhibition which may have made him willing to assist in a clumsy getaway without advance notice is the quality of mind which causes drunks to drive and risk imprisonment, injury or death.
8. Because of counsel’s dual representation he found himself unable to cross-examine Officer Nejera. In practical effect the officer had just acquitted one of his clients, Guzman—the court did it formally, without hearing argument, a few sec*217onds later—and any dent in the officer’s credibility which could have helped Morga, could only have hurt Guzman.
Therefore, on the most vital aspect of the entire case the dual loyalties of counsel prevented him from doing his job. In effect Morga was deprived of confronting the most important witness who testified against him. This is not just a matter of speculation, informed or otherwise, but demonstrable from the record.
9. No one can be blamed for what occurred. When one attorney is appointed to represent two defendants, a conflict is not always discoverable by anyone at the time of the appointment. Nevertheless, it often exists. It existed in this case, although it did not surface until the People’s last witness on rebuttal.
10. Justice Stephens’ opinion points out that the Sixth Amendment does not compel an automatic appointment of separate counsel for each codefendant at the outset of the trial. I agree. No case that I know of, other than possibly Ford v. United States, 379 F.2d 123, has ever said so. What the Sixth Amendment does guarantee, I believe, is that if an attorney who represents a conflicting interest has been appointed and the record indicates that the defendant may have been damaged and the People do not negative this indication by a showing within the meaning of Chapman v. California, 386 U.S. 18 [17 L.Ed.2d 705, 87 S.Ct. 824], a reversal must follow. Any other rule would make it a difference of constitutional proportions whether at the outset of the trial the conflict is above or below the surface.
11. Whether or not the separate appointment of counsel is constitutionally compelled, I would respectfully suggest to our Supreme Court that as a matter of policy it direct trial judges, at least in felony cases, to appoint separate counsel as a matter of course. (In re Anderson, 69 Cal.2d 613, 632-634 [73 Cal.Rptr. 21, 447 P.2d 117].) If, after investigation, counsel conclude that no actual or potential conflict exists, the procedure for relieving one of them that is outlined in Ford v. United States, supra, can always be.followed.
I would reverse.
Appellant’s petition for a hearing by the Supreme Court was denied July 16, 1969. Peters, J., was of the opinion that the petition should be granted.

"Several United States Courts of Appeal have adopted much the same position that we take here. In Lollar v. United States, supra, 376 F.2d 243, 247, the court stated: ‘ (O)nly where ‘‘ ‘we can find no basis in the record for an informed speculation’ that appellant’s rights were prejudicially affected,” can the conviction stand. ... In effect, we adopt the standard of “reasonable doubt,’’ a standard the Supreme Court recently said must govern wherever the prosecution contends the denial of a constitutional right is merelv harmless error. ’ See also Campbell v. United States (D.C. Cir. 1965) 352 F.2d 359, 360-361 [122 App.D.C. 143]; Sawyer v. Brough (4th Cir. 1966) 358 F.2d 70, 73-74.” (Italics added.) (69 Cal.2d at p. 776.)

The case of People v. Gallardo, supra, 269 Cal.App.2d 86, is a clear example of the difference between factual disadvantage or conflict and that raised by educated and imaginative creativity.