Court Opinion

ID: 4256984
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2018-03-22 00:04:43.603995+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:45:45.152887
License: Public Domain

Filed 2/28/18; Certified for Publication 3/21/18 (order attached)

              IN THE COURT OF APPEAL OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA

                                     FIRST APPELLATE DISTRICT

                                                DIVISION ONE

THE PEOPLE,
         Plaintiff and Respondent,
                                                                A149910
v.
JUAN PABLO MENDEZ,                                              (Napa County
                                                                Super. Ct. No. CR115810)
         Defendant and Appellant.

         Juan Pablo Mendez appeals from an order extending his civil commitment as a
mentally disordered offender (MDO). Mendez contends the judgment should be reversed
because the trial court erred by improperly instructing the jury to consider the
consequences of its verdict. He also argues the trial court abused its discretion by
admitting case-specific hearsay in violation of People v. Sanchez (2016) 63 Cal. 4th 665
(Sanchez), his counsel rendered ineffective assistance, and the cumulative effect of the
trial court’s errors resulted in an unfair trial. Because we agree with his first contention
and reverse for a new trial, we find it unnecessary to resolve his remaining claims.
                                             I. BACKGROUND
         We state only the facts relevant to the resolution of this appeal. We incorporate by
reference the procedural history section from Mendez’s prior appeal, People v. Mendez
(Jan. 31, 2017, A147173 [nonpub. opn.]), which contains background information on
Mendez’s offense history and commitment to the State Department of State Hospitals.
A. Procedural History
       In or around 1991, Mendez was charged with intent to commit rape and false
imprisonment. He was found not guilty by reason of insanity (NGI) and committed to the
Napa State Hospital. In 2003, while committed as an NGI patient, he stabbed another
patient three times with a homemade weapon. He was convicted of assault with a deadly
weapon (Pen. Code,1 § 245, subd. (a)(1)), and committed as an MDO in 2007 pursuant to
section 2962. After a December 2015 bench trial, his commitment was extended by one
year from January 1, 2016 to January 1, 2017, pursuant to sections 2962 and 2970.
       On June 3, 2016, the Napa County District Attorney filed a petition to again
extend Mendez’s commitment as an MDO. A jury found the petition true, and the trial
court signed an order extending his commitment by one year.
B. Expert Testimony at Trial
       At trial, the prosecution called three expert witnesses.
       Robert Wagner, a clinical and forensic psychologist at Coalinga State Hospital,
evaluated Mendez in May 2016. Wagner diagnosed Mendez with schizoaffective
disorder, meaning he had all the symptoms of schizophrenia, as well as depression and
manic episodes. Mendez described hallucinations to Wagner, and Wagner reviewed
records noting “symptoms of hallucinations or delusions, disorganized behavior or
thinking, paranoia, ups and downs in terms of hygiene.” Wagner explained
schizoaffective disorder is a lifetime illness, but can be treated with medication.
Discussing whether Mendez’s mental disorder was in remission, Wagner testified his
medications improved his mental illness, such that his hallucinations “softened” or had
“less of an impact,” but he did not believe Mendez was in remission.
       Wagner opined Mendez was “more than likely” to stop taking medication if not
required to do so, and as a result, would pose a danger to others. He testified Mendez had
refused medication from December 2014 to April 2015 while in Napa County Jail, and
“was described in the documentation as being very psychotic, hallucinating, and began to

       1
           All statutory references are to the Penal Code unless otherwise indicated.

                                               2
show some problems with [his] behavior.” Wagner admitted Mendez had not engaged in
any violent behavior when he went off his medication at that time. Wagner also felt
Mendez would pose a danger to others because “he was not on medication and he was
clearly psychotic at the time of [his] previous arrests.” Wagner based his opinion on the
fact Mendez had been found incompetent to stand trial and it took him four months at
Atascadero State Hospital to get him restored to competency. Wagner acknowledged he
had never “observed [Mendez] actually off of medications” but instead relied on “what
staff has written” or what Mendez had told him. Mendez told Wagner he did not believe
he had a mental illness, when he leaves the hospital he intends not to take his
medications, his medications “ ‘neither help nor hinder [him] psychiatrically,’ ” and
going off his medication while in county jail in 2014 and 2015 “ ‘didn’t affect [him] at
all.’ ” Wagner concluded Mendez posed a substantial risk of danger to others in the
community, and it would not be beneficial for him to be released from the hospital.
       During his testimony, Wagner recognized Mendez had not engaged in any violent
acts since 2004, was generally well liked by his treatment team, was seen as “very
stable,” was “a really good patient,” was “able to deal with [his hallucinations],” and had
the highest level of privileges available at the hospital, meaning he had free access to
patient grounds and units. On the HCR-20 risk assessment tool, he tested as low risk for
future violence in a facility and moderate risk for violence if placed in the community
without outpatient services. On the short-term assessment of risk and treatability
(START) instrument, he tested low risk for violence and aggression based on a number
of mitigating factors, including that he had good impulse control and adaptive
responsivity (meaning his response to external triggers was appropriate), was good at
adhering to rules, and had a number of occupational skills. Wagner also noted Mendez’s
age lessened his risk of danger to others.
       Shana Nguyen, a “telepsychiatrist” also testified for the prosecution at trial.
Nguyen had been Mendez’s treating psychiatrist since June 2016, and had monthly
sessions with him via video conference. Nguyen opined Mendez suffered from
schizoaffective disorder bipolar type, that is “severe, with psychotic features.” Mendez

                                              3
told her he saw and heard spirits, including his parents and “microscopic” spirits. She
also testified he was labile, grandiose, has pressured speech, and shared thoughts of being
sexually inappropriate.
       Nguyen learned from Mendez’s records he was on an involuntary Qawi2
medication order since 2008. He also told her “if he were to be allowed to refuse or not
to take medication, he would” and she believed he would stop taking his medications if
the involuntary medication order were not in place. Nguyen thought Mendez would
decompensate if he stopped taking his medications, and based on her review of his
record, she noticed he had decompensated “when he was sent out to jail and returned
back to the State Hospital,” at which time he was reported as having “active—more
symptoms of mania.” She acknowledged Mendez had not engaged in any acts of
violence at that time, and did not know any details of his symptoms because the report
only noted “mania” and did not elaborate further.
       Nguyen opined Mendez would pose “a substantial [risk of] dangerousness in the
community if he’s not supervised or treated.” She based this conclusion on her belief he
would “stop his medication if he were free in the community” and noted his
noncompliance with treatment “historically. . . causes him to decompensate and therefore
commit his crimes.” She was also concerned he still “harbors thoughts of touching
women in their privates,” failed to acknowledge a substance abuse problem, and lacked
insight into his mental illness. Like Wagner, Nguyen acknowledged Mendez had not
been violent or threatening during the time she had treated him, was well liked by the
treatment staff, complied with rules, took his medication, attended groups, and had full
privileges to walk freely around the hospital.
       Mark Naas, a psychologist and community program director for the Contra Costa
conditional release program (CONREP), also testified. Naas conducted risk assessments
to determine whether MDO’s in state hospitals could be released into a CONREP
program. Mendez was evaluated twice by CONREP in 2016, and both evaluations

       2
           In re Qawi (2004) 32 Cal. 4th 1 (Qawi).

                                             4
concluded he was not eligible for the program because he did not meet the applicable
criteria.
        Naas testified once an MDO is decertified and released into the community, there
are no mandatory treatment services and CONREP provides services to MDO’s after
expiration of their commitment only if ordered by the court. He also stated the state
hospital provided social workers and other treatment providers to help prepare an MDO
for release, and under Laura’s Law, a court could supervise a released MDO if symptoms
of mental illness were present.
                                    II. DISCUSSION
A. Consequences of the Verdict
        Mendez contends the trial court erred by modifying the standard jury instruction
CALCRIM No. 3457 regarding extension of commitment as an MDO. The instruction
provides, in relevant part, the prosecution must prove three elements beyond a reasonable
doubt: (1) Mendez has a severe mental disorder; (2) the severe mental disorder is not in
remission or cannot be kept in remission without continued treatment; and (3) because of
the severe mental disorder, Mendez presently represents a substantial danger of physical
harm to others. (CALCRIM No. 3457.) At the request of the prosecution, the trial court
modified the third element and instructed the jury, “Because of his severe mental
disorder, he presently represents a substantial danger of physical harm to others if
released into the community unsupervised.” (Italics added.) The trial court also changed
the jury verdict form to conform to the modified jury instruction. Mendez argues the
modification impermissibly directed the jury to consider the consequences of the verdict
and constituted reversible error.
        Preliminarily, we reject the Attorney General’s argument Mendez has forfeited the
issue on appeal. Defense counsel objected (twice) to the instruction at trial. In any event,
because Mendez challenges the instruction as incorrect in law, he did not have to raise his
argument below. (People v. Jandres (2014) 226 Cal. App. 4th 340, 357; People v. Ramos
(2008) 163 Cal. App. 4th 1082, 1087.)

                                             5
       Turning to the substance of Mendez’s argument, we review de novo whether jury
instructions correctly state the law. (People v. Posey (2004) 32 Cal. 4th 193, 218.)
       In MDO proceedings, as in criminal matters generally, it is “improper for the jury
to consider what disposition of the defendant may be made or what treatment he may
receive.” (People v. Allen (1973) 29 Cal. App. 3d 932, 936 (Allen); People v. Collins
(1992) 10 Cal. App. 4th 690, 696 (Collins).) In Allen, the court held it was reversible error
to permit the prosecution in a mentally disordered sex offender proceeding to argue that if
committed, the defendant would receive beneficial treatment in a state hospital, but if
released he would be sent to jail, come out the same person, and potentially commit new
crimes. (Id. at pp. 934, 938.) Noting such considerations were improper under the plain
language of the statute, the court also concluded allowing evidence and argument about
the “alleged speculative benefits of involuntary treatment” was misleading and invited
the jury to weigh matters irrelevant to the issue they were charged with determining.
(Id. at pp. 936–938.) In Collins, the trial court erred by instructing the jury it would
determine whether a defendant in an MDO proceeding should be further hospitalized or
released on parole. (Id. at p. 695.) “ ‘There can be no purpose to advising a jury of the
consequences of its decision under the present circumstances, except to improperly
deflect its attention from the issue of the defendant’s current mental condition to the
possible effect of a decision to find [in his favor], i.e., to “stack the deck” against the
defendant.’ ” (Id. at p. 696, quoting People v. Kipp (1986) 187 Cal. App. 3d 748, 750–751
[holding trial court erred in NGI extension proceeding by advising the jury their verdict
would determine whether the defendant should be released or continue to be confined for
involuntary treatment].)
       Similarly, here, the trial court erred when it instructed the jury to consider the
consequences of its verdict. By adding the language “if released into the community
unsupervised” to the third prong regarding present dangerousness, the trial court implied
Mendez would be released unsupervised unless the jury found he should be recommitted,
and expressly directed the jury to base its determination on that hypothetical outcome.
Contrary to those instructions, however, the statutory criteria does not require the jury to

                                               6
decide whether Mendez will be dangerous if released unsupervised, only whether he
presents a substantial danger of physical harm to others given his present mental
condition. (§ 2972, subd. (c).) In modifying the instruction as it did, the trial court told
the jury to reach its factual finding based on considerations irrelevant to the issue it was
called upon to decide.
       The instruction was also misleading, because as the Attorney General concedes, a
true finding would not necessarily result in Mendez being released unsupervised. The
Attorney General points to evidence developed during trial on various alternatives to
unsupervised release and argues the “jury was manifestly made aware that release was
not the automatic outcome of a non-MDO finding.” The problem with the argument is
two-fold: (1) while jurors were made aware of several possible alternatives to
unsupervised release, they were told to base their factual finding on a particular outcome
that was entirely speculative; and (2) disposition in MDO proceedings is not within the
province of the jury. As the court observed in Allen, “should the subject of disposition
and treatment be permitted to be opened up by the district attorney, the entire spectrum of
possible dispositions could properly be explored by the defendant, which . . . could
involve the jury in utterly perplexing collateral and time-consuming efforts not
appropriate to the determination of the central issue.” (Allen, supra, 29 Cal.App.3d at
p. 938.)
       The prejudicial effect of the modification was exacerbated by the trial court’s
modification of the verdict forms and the prosecution’s extensive argument to the jury
about the potential consequences of its verdict. (See Collins, supra, 10 Cal.App.4th at
pp. 694, 696 [verdict forms led jury to believe it was deciding whether defendant should
be treated as an inpatient or released and erroneous instructions permitted prosecutor to
devote opening statement and closing argument to consequences of verdict].) The verdict
form, which tracked the modified CALCRIM No. 3457 instruction, stated, “Because of
his severe mental disorder, [Mendez] presently represents a substantial danger of physical
harm to others if released into the community unsupervised.” (Italics added.) During
closing argument and rebuttal, the prosecution repeatedly emphasized if Mendez’s

                                              7
commitment was not extended, he would be released into the community unsupervised,
would stop taking his medications, and would become more paranoid, manic, and unable
to handle his hallucinations and delusions on his own. The impact of the prosecution’s
argument on the jury is reflected in a note presented at the conclusion of trial by one
juror, which asked, “Does he have a family infrastructure to go to on the outside?” The
query suggests jurors were concerned with what would happen if Mendez were released
into the community unsupervised, which the trial court’s erroneous instruction expressly
directed them to consider.
       The Attorney General’s reliance on People v. Shazier (2014) 60 Cal. 4th 109 and
People v. Roberge (2003) 29 Cal. 4th 979 is misplaced. Those cases both involved the
Sexually Violent Predator Act, which, unlike section 2972, subdivision (c), expressly
requires the jury to consider whether a mentally disordered sex offender’s release might
lead to commission of new violent predatory sex crimes and whether it is necessary to
keep a defendant in secure custody. (Shazier, at p. 130; Roberge, at p. 982; Welf. & Inst.
Code, §§ 6600, subd. (a)(1), 6601, subd. (d).) Nor are we persuaded by the Attorney
General’s cursory reference to People v. Noble (2002) 100 Cal. App. 4th 184, 190. In
Noble, the trial court’s erroneous jury instruction shifted the burden of proof to the
defendant to prove his mental disorder was in remission when medicated. In dicta, the
Noble court commented, “Where . . . an MDO defends on such a theory, the trial court
should instruct the jury as follows: The People have the burden to prove, beyond a
reasonable doubt, that if released, the defendant will not take his or her prescribed
medication and in an unmedicated state, the defendant represents a substantial danger of
physical harm to others.” (Id. at p. 190.) Mendez, however, did not assert a “medication
defense,” and Noble has no application to the facts of this case.
       On this record, we cannot conclude the errors discussed above were harmless.
The evidence regarding Mendez’s dangerousness was equivocal—both Wagner and
Nguyen testified he had not recently engaged in violent acts, he behaved well, was stable
when medicated, complied with rules, and presented a low to moderate risk for violence.
Both experts testified about past instances when Mendez had stopped taking his

                                              8
medication and opined he would go off medication and become a danger to others if
released to the community. In light of those expert opinions, the incorrect modification
of the legal standard in the instructions and on the verdict form, and the extensive
argument from the prosecution about what would happen if the jury declined to order
Mendez recommitted, we conclude it is reasonably probable a more favorable result
would have been reached in the absence of the error. (People v. Watson (1956) 46 Cal. 2d
818, 836.)
B. Sanchez and Ineffective Assistance of Counsel Claims
       Mendez also contends the trial court committed prejudicial error under Sanchez,
supra, 63 Cal. 4th 665, by allowing case-specific hearsay, and his counsel rendered
ineffective assistance by failing to object to the errors at trial.3 Because we conclude the
instructional error discussed above was prejudicial and constitutes reversible error, we
need not address these additional claims.
                                   III. DISPOSITION
       The judgment is reversed and the matter is remanded for retrial.

       3
         Though we do not reach these issues, it appears Mendez’s Sanchez claims may
have been forfeited by counsel’s failure to object to case-specific hearsay at trial. (See,
e.g., People v. Stevens (2015) 62 Cal. 4th 325, 333 [“the failure to object to the admission
of expert testimony or hearsay at trial forfeits an appellate claim that such evidence was
improperly admitted”]; People v. Burroughs (2016) 6 Cal.App.5th 378, 408 [defendant
forfeited some Sanchez claims].)

                                              9
                                 _________________________
                                 Margulies, J.

We concur:

_________________________
Humes, P.J.

_________________________
Dondero, J.

A149910 People v. Mendez

                            10
Filed 3/21/18

                           CERTIFIED FOR PUBLICATION

                IN THE COURT OF APPEAL OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA

                              FIRST APPELLATE DISTRICT

                                      DIVISION ONE

THE PEOPLE,                                       A149910
         Plaintiff and Respondent,
                                                  (Napa County
v.                                                Super. Ct. No. CR115810)
JUAN PABLO MENDEZ,
                                                  ORDER CERTIFYING OPINION
         Defendant and Appellant.                 FOR PUBLICATION
                                                  [NO CHANGE IN JUDGMENT]

THE COURT:
         The opinion in the above-entitled matter filed on February 28, 2018, was not
certified for publication in the Official Reports. After the court’s review of a request
under California Rules of Court, rule 8.1120, and good cause established under
rule 8.1105, it is hereby ordered that the opinion should be published in the Official
Reports.

Dated:

                                                  ___________________________
                                                  Margulies, Acting P.J.
Trial Court: Napa County Superior Court

Trial Judge: Hon. J. Michael Byrne

Counsel:
James S. Donnelly-Saalfield, under appointment by the Court of Appeal, for Defendant
and Appellant.
Xavier Becerra, Attorney General, Gerald A. Engler, Chief Assistant Attorney General,
Jeffrey M. Laurence, Assistant Attorney General, Amit Kurlekar and Arthur P. Beever,
Deputy Attorneys General for Plaintiff and Respondent.

                                           2