Court Opinion

ID: 2644313
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2013-11-27 00:30:08.89971+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T12:53:31.525117
License: Public Domain

Filed 11/26/13 P. v. Aparicio CA4/3

                      NOT TO BE PUBLISHED IN OFFICIAL REPORTS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
publication or ordered published, except as specified by rule 8.1115(b). This opinion has not been certified for publication
or ordered published for purposes of rule 8.1115.

              IN THE COURT OF APPEAL OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA

                                     FOURTH APPELLATE DISTRICT

                                                DIVISION THREE

THE PEOPLE,

     Plaintiff and Respondent,                                         G047477

         v.                                                            (Super. Ct. No. 09CF2722)

ADOLFO APARICIO,                                                       OPINION

     Defendant and Appellant.

                   Appeal from an order of the Superior Court of Orange County, Frank F.
Fasel, Judge. (Retired Judge of the Orange Sup. Ct. assigned by the Chief Justice
pursuant to art. IV, § 6 of the Cal. Const.) Affirmed as modified.
                   Jennifer A. Gambale, under appointment by the Court of Appeal, for
Defendant and Appellant.
                   Kamala D. Harris, Attorney General, Dane R. Gillette, Chief Assistant
Attorney General, Julie L. Garland, Assistant Attorney General, Eric A. Swenson and
Sharon L. Rhodes, Deputy Attorneys General, for Plaintiff and Respondent.
              Adolfo Aparicio appeals from an order after a probation revocation hearing
where the trial court found he violated the conditions of his probation. Aparicio contends
the following: (1) the trial court erred in admitting into evidence a tape recording of
911 calls because they were not authenticated; (2) the court abused its discretion when it
revoked his probation for failing to submit to search and seizure; and (3) the abstract of
judgment incorrectly reflects his pre-sentence credits and should be corrected. Although
we agree Aparicio is entitled to additional credits, his other contentions are meritless. We
affirm the order revoking probation and modify the judgment.
                                          FACTS
Underlying Conviction
              In October 2009, a domestic dispute between Aparicio and his then wife,
Isaura Meza, occurred at an apartment complex in Santa Ana. The dispute became
violent when Aparicio began to hit and kick Meza. Aparicio left the apartment complex,
but he returned a few hours later and threatened to kill someone if he was not allowed
inside an apartment; he was not let in. After briefly leaving to pick up her niece and son,
Meza returned to the apartment complex. Aparicio had been waiting for her outside.
When he saw Meza, he pulled out a semiautomatic gun and fired it in her direction.
              In April 2010, an information charged Aparicio with the following seven
counts: attempted murder (Pen. Code, §§ 187, subd. (a), 664, subd. (a));1 assault with a
semiautomatic firearm (§ 245, subd. (b)); domestic battery with corporal injury (§ 273.5,
subd. (a)); aggravated assault (§ 245, subd. (a)(1)); criminal threats (§ 422); possession of
a firearm by felon (§ 12021, subd. (a)(1)); and street terrorism (§ 186.22, subd. (a)). The
information alleged Aparicio personally used and discharged a firearm in committing the
attempted murder offense (§ 12022.53, subd. (c)), and personally used a firearm in
committing the assault with a deadly weapon offense (§ 12022.5, subd. (a)). The

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

                                              2
information also alleged he had a prior felony conviction that qualified as a serious felony
and a strike (§§ 667, subds. (a)(1), (d), (e)(1), 1170.12, subds. (b), (c)(1)), and he had
served two prior prison terms (§ 667.5, subd. (b)).
               In August 2010, Aparicio pleaded guilty to attempted murder and admitted
the prior serious felony conviction and prison priors. (§ 667, subd. (a)(1).) Under the
terms of the plea agreement, the trial court sentenced Aparicio to 16 years in prison, but
the court suspended execution of the sentence provided Aparicio serve one year in county
jail and three years of supervised probation. As relevant here, the court imposed the
following probation conditions on Aparicio: (1) “Violate no law”; (2) “Submit . . . to
search and seizure at any time of the day or night by any law enforcement or probation
officer, with or without a warrant, probable cause, or reasonable suspicion”; and
(3) “Attend and [c]omplete the Domestic Violence Batterer’s Treatment Program.”
Aparicio’s probation began on January 14, 2011.
Probation Violations
               In December 2011, Michelle Diaz was six months pregnant with Aparicio’s
child, and the couple lived together. On New Year’s Eve 2011, Aparicio and Diaz
attended a party at Diaz’s sister Claudia Aguera’s house, at 2041 South Oak Street in
Santa Ana. Many family members attended the party, and everyone was drinking alcohol
except for Diaz. Well into the party, Diaz became upset because she believed Aparicio
was “checking out” another woman. The couple began to argue, and Diaz slapped and
pushed Aparicio. The argument intensified, eventually causing Aguera to call the police
three times.
               Aguera’s first call to 911 occurred at 2:14 a.m. She asked for police
assistance because “[her] brother-in-law’s hitting [Diaz] and she’s pregnant. He’s
kicking her and punching her in the face.” Aguera identified the perpetrator as “Alberto,”
and went on to describe him as wearing a black shirt and khaki pants. When Officer
Brandon Sontag arrived at the house, he found a chaotic scene, but he could not locate

                                              3
Aparicio. Sontag first spoke with Aguera believing she was Diaz. He eventually
contacted Diaz, who was crying and “uncooperative.” When he asked Diaz what
happened, she said, “‘I don’t want to tell you. He will fucking kill me.’” Eventually,
Diaz identified Aparicio as her boyfriend and stated he punched and kicked her, and he
pulled her hair.2 Diaz did not have visible injuries, and she declined medical attention.
Diaz then refused to talk to Sontag and said, “‘I’m not telling you anything. I don’t want
to press charges and you can’t make me.’” Sontag left after family members denied his
request to search the house for Aparicio.
                A few minutes after Sontag’s departure, Aguera made a second call to 911.
She informed the dispatcher that Aparicio had returned and was trying to enter the house
and they were scared because he tried to kill his ex-wife and he is a gang member. Upon
arrival, Sontag was again unable to locate Aparicio, so he left but parked nearby because
he thought Aparicio would return.
                About 25 minutes later, Aguera called 911 a third time. When Sontag, who
was wearing his department issued uniform, arrived several family members pointed out
Aparicio, who was standing on the front porch. As we explain anon, there were different
accounts of what happened next. But it is not disputed Sontag apprehended Aparicio and
arrested him.
Probation Revocation Hearing
                The Orange County Probation Department filed a petition for arraignment
for a probation violation. The petition alleged Aparicio violated his probation by

2               At the probation revocation hearing, Diaz denied she spoke with any police
officers.

                                             4
committing battery against a spouse or cohabitant (§ 243, subd. (e)(1)), and failing to
submit to search and seizure.3
              At the probation revocation hearing, Aparicio’s defense attorney objected
to admission of a tape recording containing the 911 calls between Aguera and the police
dispatcher because they lacked proper foundation and authentication and on due process
grounds. The prosecutor replied Diaz had recanted her statements and Aguera’s
statements are excited utterances. The court overruled the objection without prejudice
subject to a motion to strike. After the court admitted the tape into evidence and heard it
in full, defense counsel moved to strike the tape. The court denied the motion, explaining
there is no Sixth Amendment right to confront and cross-examine at a probation
revocation hearing and “at this point in time for clarification purposes [the tape] is
admitted within the meaning of [Evidence Code section] 1240 as a spontaneous
declaration.” Neither party called Aguera to testify at the hearing.
              Sontag testified that when family members indicated Aparicio was on the
front porch, Sontag walked towards him. Sontag stated Aparicio was “maybe 20 feet,
30 feet” away. Sontag said he called out Aparicio’s name and tried to get him to stop and
talk three or four times; Aparicio made eye contact with him after the second or third
time Sontag stated his name. Sontag stated he followed Aparicio as he walked towards
the driveway, and after Aparicio turned the corner of the house and walked up the
driveway towards the backyard, Sontag caught up with him and was a few “feet from
[him].” Sontag ordered Aparicio to walk towards him, but he turned away as if he was
going to walk to the backyard. Sontag testified, “[He] used [his] left hand in a slapping
motion to strike [Aparicio][]” on the “right cheek ear area.” Sontag said Aparicio fell to
the ground and he handcuffed him. On cross-examination, Sontag admitted he had

3               The declaration alleged a third violation of the probation condition, that
Aparicio attend and complete the Domestic Violence Batterer’s Treatment Program. But
the trial court found he did not violate this condition.

                                              5
several complaints of excessive force filed against him. Sontag also admitted he was a
defendant in several civil actions arising out of his employment; two cases resulted in
substantial settlement agreements with the city.
              Aparicio’s probation officer testified she spoke with Diaz weeks after the
incident. Diaz did not tell her Aparicio hit or kicked her, but she did say he pulled her
hair.
              As noted above, Diaz denied speaking with officers or making any
statement implicating Aparicio. After the 911 tape was played for the trial court, Diaz
confirmed the voice on the tape was her sister’s (Aguera’s) voice. On cross-examination,
Diaz, who was inside the house, testified she did not hear Sontag say anything to
Aparicio. She claimed, “I just seen [sic] [Sontag] slam [Aparicio] to the floor.” The
record reflects Diaz claimed Sontag body slammed Aparicio, and another officer sat on
his feet.
              At the close of the prosecutor’s case-in-chief, the prosecutor moved to
admit the 911 tape (and the transcript the prosecutor agreed he would produce after the
hearing), into evidence. Aparicio’s defense attorney again objected. The court admitted
the 911 tape into evidence, explaining the 911 tape was “a spontaneous declaration within
the meaning of [Evidence Code section] 1240 . . . .” The court added some of the
statements Diaz made to Sontag were consistent with Aguera’s statements on the tape.
The court concluded there was no need for Aguera to testify at the hearing.
              Aparicio’s nephew and a family friend, Angelica Reyes, both testified they
did not see Aparicio hit or kick Diaz. Reyes testified she heard Sontag instruct Aparicio
to “open the gate and walk towards [him].” Reyes also testified she heard Sontag call
Aparicio a “mother fucker” and saw him punch Aparicio on the right side of the face and
when he fell to the floor, Sontag handcuffed him “roughly.”
              Aparicio testified he did not use physical force of any kind against Diaz.
Aparicio stated he did not see the police officers, but he heard someone running and he

                                             6
stepped inside the gate and stood near the house. He said he heard someone cursing at
him, and when he began to look over his left shoulder, someone hit him on the right side
of the face and he fell to the ground. He never heard the police identify themselves, tell
him stop, or call his name. On cross-examination, Aparicio admitted he was previously
convicted of felony evading a police officer.
                After hearing the evidence and counsels’ arguments, the trial court found
Aparicio violated his probation because he committed a battery against Diaz and failed to
submit to a search and seizure based on a preponderance of the evidence. The court
reasoned the current offense was similar to his previous conviction for shooting at his
former wife because they both involved domestic violence. The court explained that
although Sontag may have some credibility issues, the issue of whether he used excessive
force was not at issue. Based on Aguera’s 911 calls and Diaz’s statements to Sontag at
the scene, the court concluded Aparicio committed a battery against Diaz. The court
opined this was supported by the probation officer’s testimony Diaz told her Aparicio
pulled her hair. The court did not believe Aparicio’s and Diaz’s testimony concerning
the incident.
                The trial court revoked the suspension of the previously executed sentence
and imposed the identical sentence. The court sentenced Aparicio to 16 years in prison as
follows: the upper term of nine years, five years for the prior serious felony conviction,
and two years on the two prison priors. The court stated Aparicio was entitled to
365 days credit on his prior sentence. The court said Aparicio had 259 days of actual
credit and 39 days of conduct credit for a total of 298 days. The court awarded Aparicio
a total of 663 days credit. Aparicio’s defense attorney indicated he calculated Aparicio
had 260 days of actual credit. The court agreed and changed its calculation stating
Aparicio was entitled to 365 days credit on his prior sentence. The court said Aparicio
had 260 days of actual credit and 49 days of conduct credit for a total of 309 days. The
court awarded Aparicio a total of 674 days credit. The abstract of judgment reflects the

                                                7
court awarded him 365 days of actual credit and 309 days of conduct credit for a total of
674 days.
                                       DISCUSSION
              Under section 1203.2, subdivision (a), “the court may revoke and terminate
[probation] if the interests of justice so require and the court, in its judgment, has reason
to believe from the report of the probation or parole officer or otherwise that the
[probationer] has violated any of the conditions . . . or has subsequently committed other
offenses, regardless whether he or she has been prosecuted for such offenses.” Although
the evidence must show a willful violation occurred (People v. Zaring (1992)
8 Cal.App.4th 362, 379 (Zaring)), our Supreme Court has found a trial court’s “reason to
believe” a probationer violated a probation condition is provable by a preponderance of
the evidence (People v. Rodriguez (1990) 51 Cal.3d 437, 440-443). Because probation
revocation hearings are not part of a criminal prosecution, “‘[m]ore lenient rules of
evidence apply than at criminal trials [citation] . . . .” (People v. McGavock (1999)
69 Cal.App.4th 332, 337 (McGavock); see Morrissey v. Brewer (1972) 408 U.S. 471, 480
[“the full panoply of rights due a defendant in [a criminal] proceeding does not apply [to
probation revocation proceedings”].)
911 Tape
              Aparicio contends the trial court erred by admitting into evidence the tape
recording of Aguera’s 911 calls because the prosecution failed to lay a proper foundation
to authenticate the tape.4 We disagree.
              An audio recording must be authenticated to be admissible into evidence.
(People v. Gonzalez (2006) 38 Cal.4th 932, 952; Evid. Code, § 250 [audio recording is
same as a writing].) For foundation purposes, a participant to a recording’s content may

4             On appeal, Aparicio does not argue admission of the 911 tape violated his
due process rights.

                                              8
authenticate the recording by testifying to whether it is an accurate reflection of the oral
content. (Evid. Code, § 1413.) However, “‘[t]he decision whether the foundational
evidence is sufficiently substantial is a matter within the [trial] court’s discretion.’”
(People v. Bacon (2010) 50 Cal.4th 1082, 1103.) “Circumstantial evidence, content, and
location are all valid means of authentication. [Citations.]” (People v. Gibson (2001)
90 Cal.App.4th 371, 383; see also, Evid. Code, § 1410 [“[n]othing in this article shall be
construed to limit the means by which a writing may be authenticated or proved”].)
              Here, although neither Aguera nor the 911 operator testified, the record
includes circumstantial evidence from which the trial court could reasonably conclude the
911 tape was authentic. There was witness testimony that meaningfully correlated with
Aguera’s statements in the 911 telephone calls, including the following: Aguera stated
the incident occurred at 2041 South Oak Street in Santa Ana, and Sontag testified he
responded to the same address; Aguera stated Aparicio wore a black shirt and khaki
pants, and Aparicio admitted that was what he wore; Aguera stated Aparicio was
intoxicated, and Aparicio testified he had been drinking that night; and Aguera stated
Aparicio had been convicted for trying to kill his ex-wife, and Aparicio admitted that
conduct. In addition, Diaz testified she recognized Aguera’s voice on the recording of
the 911 telephone calls.
              Aparicio complains the trial court failed to rule on defense counsel’s
foundational objection to the admission of the 911 recording. Nonsense. The court
indicated it considered the need for Aguera to testify to corroborate the 911 tape but
concluded Sontag’s testimony concerning Diaz’s statements was consistent with
Aguera’s statements to the 911 operator. The court considered and ruled on Aparicio’s
foundational objection. Thus, there was circumstantial evidence from which the court
could reasonably conclude the 911 tape was sufficiently reliable to demonstrate the
recording accurately depicted its content. (People v. Williams (1997) 16 Cal.4th 635, 662

                                               9
[audio recording authenticated by evidence it accurately depicts what it purports to
show].)
              Assuming the trial court erred in admitting into evidence the 911 tape, it is
not reasonably probable the result of the proceeding would have been different had the
court excluded the 911 tape from evidence. (People v. Catlin (2001) 26 Cal.4th 81, 138
[applying standard of People v. Watson (1956) 46 Cal.2d 818, 836, to claim trial court
erred in admitting evidence].) In making its ruling, the court opined Sontag’s testimony
stating Diaz confessed to him that Aparicio hit and kicked her was believable. The court
also found testimony by Aparico’s probation officer was reliable regarding Diaz’s
statement that Aparicio pulled her hair the night of the incident. Citing this evidence, the
court concluded Aparicio acted violently toward Diaz that evening. Thus, it is not
reasonably probable the result of the proceeding would have been different had the court
excluded from evidence the 911 tape.
              Aparicio relies on O’Laskey v. Sortino (1990) 224 Cal.App.3d 241
(O’Laskey),5 to argue the 911 tapes were not properly authenticated. O’Laskey is
inapposite. In that case, a private investigator had surreptitiously recorded a
conversation between himself and defendant. (Id. at p. 244.) Plaintiff sought to
authenticate a transcript of the recording with a declaration from his attorney stating
among other things that the voice on the tape was defendant’s voice. (Id. at p. 249.) The
O’Laskey court explained there was no evidence the tape was what plaintiff claimed it to
be because “[n]o declaration or other sworn testimony of the investigator was offered to
describe when, where, how or by whom the tape was made.” (Ibid.) The court of appeal
added, “Furthermore, [plaintiff] failed to introduce any evidence regarding the
completeness or accuracy of the tape.” (Id. at p. 250.) As we explain above, although

5            O’Laskey was disapproved on other grounds in Flanagan v. Flanagan
(2002) 27 Cal.4th 766, 768, 774-776 & footnote 4.

                                             10
neither Aguera nor the 911 operator testified concerning the authenticity of the tape, the
prosecutor did present circumstantial evidence, Sontag’s testimony, that the 911 tape was
what it purported to be. Therefore, we conclude the court properly admitted the 911 tape
into evidence.
Search and Seizure Violation
              Aparicio argues insufficient evidence supports the trial court’s conclusion
he failed to submit to search and seizure.6 Not so.
              “‘[S]ection 1203.2 provides the court may revoke probation if it has reason
to believe that the person has violated any of the probation conditions.’” (McGavock,
supra, 69 Cal.App.4th at p. 337.) “‘When the evidence shows that a defendant has not
complied with the terms of probation, the order of probation may be revoked at any time
during the probationary period. [Citations.]’ [Citation.]” (People v. Johnson (1993)
20 Cal.App.4th 106, 110.) The evidence must prove a willful violation of a probation
condition. (Zaring, supra, 8 Cal.App.4th at p. 379.) On appeal, we must of course “view
the facts in the light most favorable to the judgment, drawing all reasonable inferences in
its support. [Citations.]” (People v. Cochran (2002) 103 Cal.App.4th 8, 13.)
              Here, there was sufficient evidence from which the trial court could
reasonably conclude by a preponderance of the evidence Aparicio failed to submit to
search and seizure. When Sontag arrived at the house the third time, he wore his
department issued uniform. Sontag testified he called out to Aparicio three or four times.
Sontag stated that when he called out to Aparicio from 20 to 30 feet7 away the second or
third time, Aparicio looked at him, but then walked in the opposite direction, toward the

6             Although violating a law is sufficient reason to revoke Aparicio’s probation
under 1203.2, subdivision (a), a point Aparicio does not dispute, we will address the
search and seizure issue.

7           In his opening brief, Aparicio claims Sontag was 20 to 30 yards away from
him. The page of the reporter’s transcript he cites to in support of this claim, indicates
Sontag was 20 to 30 feet away from him, not yards.

                                            11
backyard. After Sontag repeated his commands to no avail, he quickened his approach,
struck Aparicio, and arrested him.
              Although the trial court recognized Sontag may have some credibility
issues because of the excessive force complaints, the court opined those complaints did
not diminish his credibility on the issues before the court. Additionally, Reyes testified
she was “steps away” from Aparicio when she heard Sontag’s instructions to “open the
gate and walk towards him.” (People v. Richardson (2008) 43 Cal.4th 959, 1030-1031
[“testimony of a single witness is sufficient for the proof of any fact”].) Although
Aparicio testified he never heard Sontag tell him to stop or call out his name and he did
not realize Sontag was a police officer, the court found Aparicio not credible and did not
believe his testimony.
              Upon review of the record, we find there is substantial evidence to support
the trial court’s finding Aparicio did not submit to search and seizure. Therefore, the trial
court properly revoked probation and executed the suspended sentence of 16 years.
Credit Recalculation
              Aparicio contends the abstract of judgment incorrectly reflects the credits
the court awarded him. The Attorney General agrees, but asserts he is entitled to four
more days than Aparicio claims he is due. We agree with the Attorney General.
              A defendant is entitled to actual custody credit for “all days of custody” in
county jail and residential treatment facilities, including partial days. (§ 2900.5,
subd. (a); People v. Smith (1989) 211 Cal.App.3d 523, 526.) Calculation of custody
credit begins on the day of arrest and continues through the day of sentencing. (People v.
Bravo (1990) 219 Cal.App.3d 729, 735.) A defendant is also entitled to conduct credits
under section 4019. However, section 2933.1, subdivision (a), states, “Notwithstanding
any other law, any person who is convicted of a felony offense listed in subdivision (c) of
[s]ection 667.5 shall accrue no more than 15 percent of worktime credit, as defined in

                                             12
[s]ection 2933.” Here, Aparicio’s underlying offense, attempted murder, is listed under
section 667.5, subdivision (c)(12). Thus, the 15 percent credit limitation applies.
              After his guilty plea but before probation, Aparicio received actual credit
for 330 days served in county jail and 49 conduct credit days. After his arrest for the
probation violations, Aparicio served 260 actual days while waiting for his probation
revocation hearing; applying the 15 percent credit limitation, he should receive
39 conduct credit days for this time. Based upon this re-calculation, Aparicio has
590 actual days served and 88 conduct credit days, totaling 678 days.
                                      DISPOSITION
              We affirm the order revoking probation and modify the judgment as
follows: Aparicio is entitled to 590 days of actual credit and 88 days of conduct credit
for a total of 678 days credit. The clerk of the superior court is directed to prepare an
amended abstract of judgment consistent with this opinion and forward it to the
Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, Division of Adult Operations. As
modified, the judgment is affirmed.

                                                  O’LEARY, P. J.

WE CONCUR:

FYBEL, J.

THOMPSON, J.

                                             13