Court Opinion

ID: 856759
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2013-03-29 19:34:52.697899+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T11:46:36.748160
License: Public Domain

Filed 3/29/13 P. v. McCarty CA1/5
                      NOT TO BE PUBLISHED IN OFFICIAL REPORTS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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               IN THE COURT OF APPEAL OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA

                                       FIRST APPELLATE DISTRICT

                                                  DIVISION FIVE

THE PEOPLE,
         Plaintiff and Respondent,
                                                                     A135608
v.
KENNETH LEE MCCARTY,                                                 (Lake County
                                                                     Super. Ct. Nos. CR5321, CR5278,
         Defendant and Appellant.                                    CR5313)

         In 2002, appellant Kenneth Lee McCarty was sentenced to serve 23 years and
eight months in state prison upon his guilty plea to first degree burglary (Pen. Code,
§ 459),1 possession of a controlled substance for sale (Health & Saf. Code, § 11378), and
defrauding an innkeeper (§ 537, subd. (a)(2)). While in prison, McCarty was diagnosed
with multiple sclerosis. In 2012, the Office of the Secretary of the California Department
of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) recommended that the superior court recall
McCarty‟s sentence, pursuant to section 1170, subdivision (e)(1), providing for early
release of medically incapacitated or terminally ill prisoners. The superior court held a
hearing and denied the request. McCarty appealed, arguing that the trial court‟s findings
are not supported by the record and that the trial court misconstrued the statutory
language. Subsequent to filing this appeal, McCarty passed away in prison. We
therefore dismiss his appeal as moot.

         1   Unless otherwise noted, all further statutory references are to the Penal Code.

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                            I.     STATUTORY BACKGROUND
       Before addressing the facts unique to this case, we first discuss the governing
statute. Section 1170, subdivision (e), provides, in relevant part: “(1) Notwithstanding
any other law and consistent with paragraph (1) of subdivision (a), if the secretary or the
Board of Parole Hearings [(Board)] or both determine that a prisoner satisfies the criteria
set forth in paragraph (2), the secretary or the [B]oard may recommend to the court that
the prisoner‟s sentence be recalled. [¶] (2) The court shall have the discretion to
resentence or recall if the court finds that the facts described in subparagraphs (A) and
(B) or subparagraphs (B) and (C) exist: [¶] (A) The prisoner is terminally ill with an
incurable condition caused by an illness or disease that would produce death within six
months, as determined by a physician employed by the department. [¶] (B) The
conditions under which the prisoner would be released or receive treatment do not pose a
threat to public safety. [¶] (C) The prisoner is permanently medically incapacitated with a
medical condition that renders him or her permanently unable to perform activities of
basic daily living, and results in the prisoner requiring 24-hour total care, including, but
not limited to, coma, persistent vegetative state, brain death, ventilator-dependency, loss
of control of muscular or neurological function, and that incapacitation did not exist at
the time of the original sentencing. [¶] The Board . . . shall make findings pursuant to this
subdivision before making a recommendation for resentence or recall to the court. This
subdivision does not apply to a prisoner sentenced to death or a term of life without the
possibility of parole. [¶] (3) Within 10 days of receipt of a positive recommendation by
the secretary or the [B]oard, the court shall hold a hearing to consider whether the
prisoner‟s sentence should be recalled.”
       “The purpose of Assembly Bill 29[, which added subdivision (e) to section 1170
in 1997,] was not just compassion; it was to save the state money. An Assembly
Committee on Public Safety analysis states: „According to the author, “Prisons were
never intended to act as long term health care providers for chronically ill prisoners. As
the prison population ages, we will be faced with this situation more often. These
inmates consume a disproportionate amount of the [CDCR]‟s budget. . . . If this bill is

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enacted, the state will be able to release these prisoners and recover 50 percent of their
health care[] costs through Medicaid.” [¶] . . . [¶] The bill is frankly an attempt to fast
track the release of prisoners with AIDS and other terminal illnesses if the [CDCR]
and/or the BPH recommend release via the recall procedure. . . . [¶] . . . According to the
author, health care costs alone in California prisons cost the state $372 million, more than
36 states spend on their entire prison budgets. . . . ‟ (Assem. Com. on Public Safety, Rep.
on Assem. Bill No. 29 (1997–1998 Reg. Sess.) Apr. 15, 1997, p. 2.) A Senate
Appropriations Committee analysis reported that there „would be unknown cost savings
due to reduced incarceration. In addition, to the extent that medical care provided outside
a penal institution is less expensive due to the absence of security personnel, and security
measures, there would be unknown, potentially significant, medical care cost savings.‟
(Sen. Com. on Appropriations, Rep. on Assem. Bill No. 29 (1997–1998 Reg. Sess.) as
amended July 1, 1997, p. 1.)
       “Ten years later, the Legislature passed Assembly Bill No. 1539 (2007–2008 Reg.
Sess.), which an Assembly Committee on Public Safety analysis referred to as the
„Medical Release and Fiscal Savings Bill.‟ (Assem. Com. on Public Safety, Conc. in
Sen. Amends. to Assem. Bill No. 1539 (2007–2008 Reg. Sess.) as amended July 5, 2007,
coms., p. 6.) The Legislative Counsel‟s Digest summarized the bill as amending section
1170, subdivision (e) to „extend those provisions for early release to prisoners who are
permanently medically incapacitated and whose release is deemed not to threaten public
safety.‟ (Legis. Counsel‟s Dig., Assem. Bill No. 1539 (2007–2008 Reg. Sess.).) . . . .
[¶] Again, the legislative history reflects that the purpose of the provision is not just
compassion; it is to save the state money.” (Martinez v. Board of Parole Hearings
(2010) 183 Cal.App.4th 578, 590–591 (Martinez).)
                   II.     FACTUAL AND PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND
       McCarty‟s 2002 convictions involve his taking equestrian paraphernalia from a
residence, his attempt to charge a room at a resort using a stolen credit card, and his sale,
with a codefendant, of methamphetamine at a casino. McCarty had also called his ex-

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girlfriend and threatened to kill her, her family, and her horse. A charge of making
annoying phone calls was dismissed with a Harvey waiver.2
       In March 2012, the CDCR‟s Undersecretary of Operations wrote to the superior
court, recommending that McCarty‟s sentence be recalled pursuant to section 1170,
subdivision (e). The letter stated that McCarty had been diagnosed with multiple
sclerosis and was paralyzed from the neck down. McCarty was unable to use his arms
and legs (with the exception of minimal movement of his right hand). However, he was
awake, alert, and had a clear mental state. The letter indicated that McCarty, if released,
would not pose a threat to public safety. However, it was also noted that McCarty‟s
“institutional adjustment has been unacceptable; he has received five rules violations
while in custody,” and that McCarty‟s “criminal history include[d] arrests and/or
convictions for burglary, grand theft, receiving stolen property, petty theft with priors,
annoying phone calls, hit and run with property damage, driving with a suspended
license, contempt of court, possession of a controlled substance, and forgery.”
       The superior court held a recall hearing, at which McCarty‟s uncle was the only
witness. He testified that he was prepared to take full responsibility for McCarty‟s
medical care. He understood that McCarty would require 24-hour care. The court also
considered a diagnostic study and recommendation for release, McCarty‟s prison medical
records, a letter from McCarty‟s primary care physician, letters in support of McCarty‟s
release, and the 2002 probation report.
       McCarty‟s primary care physician, Dr. Robert Rudas, wrote: “McCarty‟s case has
progressed to the severity wherein he is paralyzed in all four extremities. He is not able
to walk or functionally use his hands. He is not able to attend to any of [h]is activities of
daily living. He requires total care in regards to nutrition, going to the bathroom, and
bathing. His prognosis is profoundly poor with no likelihood of clinical improvement. If
his condition continues to progress as it has in the past year his death is imminent in the
range of a few weeks to 1–3 years. Once the multiple sclerosis starts affecting his ability

       2   People v. Harvey (1979) 25 Cal.3d 754.

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to breathe, his demise would be forthcoming. [¶] If ever there would be a potential for the
compassionate commutation of sentence, [McCarty] would be the case.” The parties
stipulated McCarty had an incurable disease, was expected to die within one year, and
was physically incapacitated. It was also acknowledged that McCarty had been granted
medical parole.3
       The superior court did not resolve whether McCarty was permanently
incapacitated, but did find, “I cannot be assured that he does not pose a threat to public
safety.” The court relied on the diagnostic study, which concluded that McCarty
“retain[ed] the capacity to commit or to influence others to commit criminal acts that
endanger public safety.” His risk assessment score was “high.” The diagnostic study
also noted that McCarty had a prison disciplinary history, including battery on an inmate
and three rules violation reports for fighting. It was further reported that “a documented
victim or victim next of kin of the commitment offense . . . would suffer fear from the
release of [McCarty] back into the community.”
       But, the court also went on to indicate that, even if the two statutory conditions
were satisfied, it would still deny compassionate release. The court expressed concern
that compassionate release, unlike medical parole, would be unconditional and without
any mechanism to take McCarty back into custody.4 With respect to compassion, the
court said: “[W]hat you‟ve got is somebody coming back to the criminal trough and
taking another sip and taking another sip and taking another sip and, as I say, leaving a

       3  Section 3550, subdivision (a), provides: “Notwithstanding any other provision
of law, except as provided in subdivision (b), any prisoner who the head physician of the
institution where the prisoner is located determines, as provided in this section, is
permanently medically incapacitated with a medical condition that renders him or her
permanently unable to perform activities of basic daily living, and results in the prisoner
requiring 24-hour care, and that incapacitation did not exist at the time of sentencing,
shall be granted medical parole if the Board . . . determines that the conditions under
which the prisoner would be released would not reasonably pose a threat to public
safety.” (Italics added.)
       4McCarty‟s counsel represented that McCarty had declined to accept medical
parole because he was concerned that “his quality of care [would] be degraded.”

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number of people victimized in his wake. [¶] So, his prior criminal record is a very strong
record suggesting that the Court not grant compassionate release.”
       The court concluded: “Even if [McCarty] did not have medical parole available to
him, I would be and I am exercising my discretion to deny compassionate release for all
of the reasons that I‟ve announced.” McCarty filed a timely notice of appeal.
                                    III.   DISCUSSION
       On appeal, McCarty contends: “The court erred in concluding it had discretion
not to release [him] if [the factual conditions of section 1170, subdivision (e)(2)] are
proven. . . . When a prisoner meets the criteria . . . the only way a court can reasonably
exercise its discretion is to recommend release. To find otherwise would defeat the
purpose of the statute.” He also maintains that the record does not support the superior
court‟s findings with respect to the conditions of section 1170, subdivision (e)(2).
Accordingly, McCarty asks us to vacate the superior court‟s denial and order his release.
McCarty‟s statutory interpretation argument is a question of first impression.5 However,
we are not persuaded that this is the appropriate case in which to resolve the question.
       First, we note that McCarty did not raise his statutory interpretation argument
below. In fact, he specifically conceded that, even if the factual conditions of
section 1170, subdivision (e)(2) were met, the trial court retained discretion to grant or
deny compassionate release. “As a rule, parties are precluded from urging on appeal any
points that were not raised before the trial court. [Citation.]” (In re Marriage of Walker
(2006) 138 Cal.App.4th 1408, 1418.) However, we have discretion to address pure
questions of law that present important issues of public policy. (See People v. Williams
(1998) 17 Cal.4th 148, 161, fn. 6; City of Scotts Valley v. County of Santa Cruz (2011)

       5 Martinez, supra, 183 Cal.App.4th 578, did not decide the same statutory
interpretation question. In that case, the Board had denied a request for compassionate
release. On review, the Third District Court of Appeal considered whether “may” in
section 1170, subdivision (e)(1), reflected the Legislature‟s intent to give the Board
discretion or a mandatory duty to recommend recall if the statutory criteria were met.
(Martinez, at pp. 581, 588–589.)

                                              6
201 Cal.App.4th 1, 28–29; In re Marriage of Hinds (1988) 205 Cal.App.3d 1398, 1403.)
The correct interpretation of the compassionate release statute is certainly an important
issue of law.
       The bigger concern is mootness. McCarty died shortly after his opening brief on
appeal was filed. The People argue that McCarty‟s objections to the challenged order
have been mooted by his death. We agree. “An appellate court will not review questions
which are moot and only of academic importance, nor will it determine abstract questions
of law at the request of a party who shows no substantial rights can be affected by the
decision either way. [Citation.] An appeal becomes moot when, through no fault of the
respondent, the occurrence of an event renders it impossible for the appellate court to
grant the appellant effective relief. [Citations.]” (In re Esperanza C. (2008)
165 Cal.App.4th 1042, 1054–1055.) Even if we were to find error, we clearly could not
grant the relief sought by McCarty.
       We do have discretion to consider moot points if they are of continuing public
importance and similar disputes are likely to arise, but evade review, in the future. (See
In re Sheena K. (2007) 40 Cal.4th 875, 879; In re William M. (1970) 3 Cal.3d 16, 23; In
re Christina A. (2001) 91 Cal.App.4th 1153, 1158–1159; People v. Pennington (1991)
228 Cal.App.3d 959, 966, fn. 5.) Here, however, the statutory interpretation question is
really beside the point. The superior court found: “I cannot be assured that [McCarty]
does not pose a threat to public safety.” McCarty argues, in his opening brief, that this
finding was not supported by the record. But, that question is necessarily a fact-bound
inquiry that is unique to McCarty. And, it is only if we agree with McCarty on that fact-
bound inquiry that we would even need to reach the question of statutory interpretation.
(See § 1170, subd. (e)(2).) Our Supreme Court has cautioned: “We should, of course,
avoid advisory opinions on abstract propositions of law. [Citations.] But we should not
avoid the resolution of important and well litigated controversies arising from situations
which are „capable of repetition, yet evading review.‟ [Citations.]” (In re William M.,
supra, 3 Cal.3d at p. 23, fn. 14.) This case falls in the former category. Accordingly, we
decline to exercise our discretion to address McCarty‟s statutory interpretation argument.

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                                IV.    DISPOSITION
     The appeal is dismissed as moot and is taken off the oral argument calendar.

                                              _________________________
                                              Bruiniers, J.

We concur:

_________________________
Simons, Acting P. J.

_________________________
Needham, J.

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