Court Opinion

ID: 3176373
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2016-02-10 19:12:23.642939+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:49:44.498184
License: Public Domain

Filed 2/9/16 P. v. Gray CA5

                  NOT TO BE PUBLISHED IN THE OFFICIAL REPORTS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 This opinion has not been certified for publication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
                                     FIFTH APPELLATE DISTRICT

THE PEOPLE,
                                                                                           F070151
         Plaintiff and Respondent,
                                                                         (Fresno Super. Ct. No. F12902431)
                   v.

COREY DANYELL GRAY,                                                                      OPINION
         Defendant and Appellant.

                                                   THE COURT*
         APPEAL from a judgment of the Superior Court of Fresno County. Brian F.
Alvarez, Judge.
         William A. Malloy, under appointment by the Court of Appeal, for Defendant and
Appellant.
         Office of the Attorney General, Sacramento, California, for Plaintiff and
Respondent.
                                                        -ooOoo-
         Appellant/defendant Corey Danyell Gray pleaded no contest to second degree
robbery and was sentenced to five years in prison pursuant to a negotiated disposition.
On appeal, his appellate counsel has filed a brief that summarizes the facts with citations

         *   Before Levy, Acting P.J., Poochigian, J. and Detjen, J.
to the record, raises no issues, and asks this court to independently review the record.
(People v. Wende (1979) 25 Cal.3d 436 (Wende).) Defendant has filed a letter brief and
contends he was forced to accept the plea. We affirm.
                                          FACTS1
         At 5:00 p.m. on March 28, 2012, officers from the Fresno Police Department
responded to a dispatch that a silent alarm had been activated at Don Roberto’s Jewelry
Store. Officer Troy Miller arrived in the store’s parking lot within one minute of
receiving the call. He immediately encountered a witness who reported that two suspects
had just robbed the store, and they left in a black Chrysler. Officer Miller drove through
the area but could not find the car.
         The witnesses at the store reported that two men entered the store wearing blue
bandanas over their faces; one man had a handgun. The men ordered everyone to go to
the back of the store. They took $479 in cash, used a hammer and the gun to break into
the jewelry displays, took approximately $113,000 worth of jewelry, and ran out to a
black car. The suspects left behind the hammer and some blood on the glass display
cases.
         The store’s surveillance videotape depicted the two suspects and their black four-
door Chrysler. A witness said the last digit on the license plate was “2.”
         A confidential citizen informant gave two names to the police and said they were
possibly responsible for the robbery and were selling the stolen jewelry.
         On April 4, 2014, the police executed search warrants at the separate homes of the
two men named by the confidential informant. These two men did not commit the
robbery. During the course of the searches, however, the police obtained additional

        Given defendant’s plea, the following facts are from the preliminary hearing and
         1
the probation report.

                                              2
information that one of the robbery suspects was called “Gucci,” and that Andrew Lee
(Lee) was possibly the getaway driver.
       Also on April 4, 2014, the police went to Lee’s house and saw a black Chrysler
200 parked in front, and the last digit on the license plate was “2.” The vehicle was a
rental car. The officers obtained a search warrant for Lee’s house. As they were serving
the warrant at Lee’s house, defendant arrived. Both defendant and Lee were arrested.
       On April 5, 2012, the police interviewed Lee, who initially said he did not know
anything about the robbery. The police advised Lee that they knew he sent text messages
to various people on March 28, 2012, the day of the robbery, saying that he had gold,
silver, and platinum jewelry to sell. Lee admitted that on the day of the robbery, “Fat
Boy,” “Gucci,” and “Capo” asked to borrow the keys to the rental car. He gave the keys
to “Fat Boy” and did not go with them. Lee said that when they returned, they had
jewelry, and he was mad because they committed a robbery in his vehicle. Lee said
“Gucci” did not get any of the jewelry, and the other guys took it all. Lee said “Capo”
had the gun. Lee described “Capo” as a light-skinned African-American, and he had
either a large tattoo or birthmark under an eye.
       Based on Lee’s information about “Capo” and where he lived, the police
determined “Capo” was Justin McLean (McLean). Lee was shown a photograph of
McLean and confirmed he was “Capo.”
       The police executed a search warrant at McLean’s house and arrested him. They
found clothing that exactly matched the apparel worn by one of the robbery suspects.
They also found ammunition, magazines, and a MAK 90 assault rifle.
       McLean initially said he was not involved in the robbery. After further
questioning, McLean admitted he committed the robbery using “Gucci’s” gun, but he
kept on the safety. McLean, who had been in the military, wanted to see the videotape of

                                             3
the robbery so he could “time” himself and see how long it took. McLean said he did not
have the jewelry; he had sold it.
       Defendant’s palm prints were found on broken glass and the display counter at the
jewelry store.
       After being advised of the warnings pursuant to Miranda v. Arizona (1966) 384
U.S. 436, defendant agreed to give a statement and confirmed his nickname was “Gucci.”
Defendant denied any involvement in the robbery and said he had never been to the
jewelry store. The police advised defendant that his fingerprints were found there.
Defendant did not respond to that information and simply said that he loved his children.
Procedural history
       On April 9, 2012, a felony complaint was filed against defendant and McLean,
charging them with second degree robbery.
       On October 9, 2012, defense counsel expressed a doubt as to defendant’s
competence to stand trial. The court suspended criminal proceedings and appointed an
expert to examine defendant.
       On December 11, 2012, the court reviewed the expert’s report, found defendant
was competent, and reinstated criminal proceedings.
       On September 13, 2013, an information was filed charging defendant and McLean
with count I, second degree robbery (Pen. Code, §§ 211, 212.5, subd. (c));2 and that
McLean personally used a firearm during the commission of the offense (§ 12022.53,
subd. (b)). As to defendant, it was alleged that a principal in the offense was armed with
a firearm (§ 12022, subd. (a)(1)), and defendant had served a prior prison term (§ 667.5,
subd. (b)).

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

                                               4
Plea proceedings
       On July 3, 2014, the court convened a hearing for both defendant and McLean,
and was advised that both parties would enter into plea agreements. McLean was going
to plead no contest to second degree robbery and admitted the firearm enhancement, for a
maximum term of 12 years and dismissal of charges in a pending case.
       Defendant’s attorney said defendant would enter a plea to second degree robbery
and admit the firearm and prior prison term enhancement, for a maximum term of five
years and dismissal of all other pending cases. Defendant’s attorney stated the agreement
was “a package contingent on Mr. McLean pleading.” Defendant initialed and signed the
change-of-plea form in court.
       The court separately advised McLean and defendant of their constitutional rights,
the terms of their individual plea agreements, and obtained their waivers; found a factual
basis for their pleas; and found they entered their pleas knowingly and voluntarily, and
pursuant to the stated agreements.
       As to defendant, the court advised him that he was going to plead to second degree
robbery with two enhancements, and he would have “a five-year lid” and asked he if
understood the agreement. Defendant said yes. In response to the court’s questions,
defendant said he fully understood the plea agreement, he had talked to his attorney, and
he understood what he was doing. Defendant acknowledged he had just initialed and
signed the change-of-plea form, and he fully understood everything on the form.
Thereafter, defendant pleaded no contest to second degree robbery, and admitted the
firearm and prior prison term enhancements.
Sentencing Hearing
       On September 11, 2014, the court conducted the sentencing hearing for defendant.
Defense counsel asked to read aloud a letter which defendant had written to the court,

                                             5
which he wrote “when he had time to really reflect how he felt about this case.” The
court agreed. Counsel read as follows:

       “ ‘Thank you for taking the time to read this letter or hear my attorney read
       it in open court and hearing my case. My name is Corey Gray. I’m a father
       of three, two boys and a little girl. I have been incarcerated for the last 28
       months and this is the longest I have been away from my family. I have
       completed Turning Point, a rehabilitation program, and I have tried to be a
       productive member of my community. I—however, I fully recognize the
       conduct was terrible in this case. Most of my recent criminal charges stem
       from my involvement with the usage of drugs and the company it brings.
       Nonetheless, I am convinced that at the age of 29, I can prevent future
       related incidents by living in a—living a sober life with positive influences
       and by simply not associating myself with people who make unwise life
       choices. I am remorseful for the involvement. I’m humbly asking that you
       impose four years. Please strike either the prison prior or the vicarious
       arming allegation. [¶] So please strike either of the enhancements.’ ”
       (Italics added.)
       Defendant also addressed the court and said he was sorry for what he did, and
asked the court to “bless me with the four years or three” so he could return to his family
and start life over again.
       Defense counsel asked the court to impose four years by selecting the mitigated
term of two years plus both enhancements, and noted that he played a lesser role in the
robbery since he was not armed.
       The prosecutor argued five years was appropriate based on the terms of the plea
agreement since defendant and his accomplice entered a store with intent to steal and his
accomplice had a gun. Defendant had multiple violations of probation and parole.
       The court found the midterm of three years for robbery was appropriate.
Defendant’s juvenile adjudications and adult convictions were numerous and increasing
in seriousness, he had performed poorly on parole, and there were no unusual
circumstances to strike the arming allegation. The court also imposed two consecutive

                                             6
one-year terms for the arming and prior prison term enhancements, for an aggregate term
of five years.
       On September 23, 2014, defendant filed a timely notice of appeal and his attorney
requested a certificate of probable cause as follows:

               “Defendant was given the option of accepting a 5 year lid and 1
       strike or a 4 year stipulated term and 2 strikes. I recommended that he
       accept the 5 year lid and 1 strike. The defendant received 5 years at
       sentencing.

              “The defendant believes I forced him to accept the 5 year deal, when
       he wanted the 4 year stip deal all along. D[efendant] also believes the court
       should have given him 4 years as his sentence. D[efendant] believes 5
       years is an unreasonable and unjust sentence.

                 “The defendant asked me to file this notice of appeal.”
       Defendant’s request for a certificate of probable cause was denied.
                                        DISCUSSION
       As noted above, defendant’s counsel has filed a Wende brief with this court. The
brief also includes the declaration of appellate counsel indicating that defendant was
advised he could file his own brief with this court. By letter on January 8, 2015, we
invited defendant to submit additional briefing.
       Defendant has sent several letters to this court and his appointed appellate counsel,
and asserts that his attorney said he would get four years; he was promised that he would
get four years; he would have never accepted a deal for five years; he should have
received probation in the first place; he was tricked into accepting five years; and he now
wanted four years.
       However, issues going to the validity of a plea require compliance with section
1237.5 and a certificate of probable cause. (People v. Brown (2010) 181 Cal.App.4th
356, 359.) “Thus, for example, a certificate must be obtained when a defendant claims
that a plea was induced by misrepresentations of a fundamental nature [citation] .…”

                                               7
(People v. Panizzon (1996) 13 Cal.4th 68, 76.) Defendant failed to obtain a certificate of
probable cause and his issues are not cognizable on appeal.
       Moreover, defendant’s assertions about his plea are refuted by the record.
Defendant was repeatedly advised that he was entering into a negotiated disposition with
a maximum term of five years, and that five other pending cases would be dismissed. At
the sentencing hearing, defendant addressed the court through his lengthy letter and
statements, asked for leniency, and requested a four-year term instead. In doing so, he
essentially acknowledged his understanding that he had agreed to the five-year term.
Defendant never stated that he had been tricked into accepting the plea or that he should
receive probation. Defense counsel clarified that the court could impose four years based
on the mitigated term for robbery plus the two enhancements, and argued four years was
appropriate because of defendant’s lesser role in the robbery. The court rejected the
argument and imposed five years, consistent with the negotiated disposition. Defendant’s
contentions that he was tricked into accepting the plea are meritless. (See, e.g., People v.
Knight (1987) 194 Cal.App.3d 337, 344 [“Postplea apprehension (buyer’s remorse)
regarding the anticipated sentence, even if it occurs well before sentencing, is not
sufficient to compel the exercise of judicial discretion to permit withdrawal of the plea of
guilty …”]; People v. Nance (1991) 1 Cal.App.4th 1453, 1456 [“[a] plea may not be
withdrawn simply because a defendant has changed his mind”].)
       After independent review of the record, we find that no reasonably arguable
factual or legal issues exist.
                                      DISPOSITION
       The judgment is affirmed.

                                             8