Court Opinion

ID: 9729892
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-26 14:51:49.546715+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:26:02.034269
License: Public Domain

NEWSOM, J., Dissenting.
I am unable to agree with my respected colleagues that exclusion of evidence of specific acts of aggression allegedly committed by the victim and contained in probation reports was reversible error, or indeed error at all.
The thrust of Mizchele’s defense was that the shooting occurred by accident. However characterized by counsel, the subject evidence amounts only to an explanation of what actuated Mizchele in attempting to disarm Nawassha—namely, a reasonable fear of her known violent propensities.
But, given that Mizchele’s action in disarming Nawassha was justified, the fact remains that the weapon either discharged accidentally or it did not, and the proffered evidence seems to me only marginally, if at all, relevant to the resolution of that central issue. Also, the jury heard other, uncontradicted evidence of Nawassha’s violent propensities and use of weapons, and could have been under no illusions respecting the violence of her nature.
Under these circumstances, I find no abuse of discretion under Evidence Code section 352 in the trial court’s exclusionary ruling. And, finding no other material error, I would affirm the conviction.
A petition for a rehearing was denied June 2, 1983. Newsom, J., was of the opinion that the petition should be granted.