Court Opinion

ID: 9534184
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-07 04:37:24.487228+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T13:27:32.223965
License: Public Domain

BROUSSARD, J.
I dissent. I agree with the majority that when we are confronted with the question whether trial of offenses of the same class should be severed, the cross-admissibility of the offenses in separate trials is not the sine qua non of the analysis. Nonetheless, cross-admissibility is important in determining the ultimate question, whether joint trial would be unduly prejudicial to the defendant. As we said in Williams v. Superior Court (1984) 36 Cal.3d 441, 448 [204 Cal.Rptr. 700, 683 P.2d 699]: “The initial step in any review of a motion to sever is to examine the issue of cross-admissibility of evidence.” The majority err when they fail to undertake this analysis and consider only the other factors enumerated in Williams.
The Court of Appeal was right when it determined that it and the trial court were bound by our decision in People v. Tassell (1984) 36 Cal.3d 77 [201 Cal.Rptr. 567, 679 P.2d 1], and that under that decision the charged crimes would not be cross-admissible. It was also right in concluding that joint trial would be prejudicial to the defendant. As it explained, the crucial issue was credibility, and the credibility of the complaining witnesses is not overwhelming. In such a credibility battle, the similarity of the charges will prejudice defendant, though the similarity is not probative as to any legitimate issue. I would affirm the judgment of the Court of Appeal.
Petitioner’s application for a rehearing was denied June 1, 1989. Broussard, J., was of the opinion that the application should be granted.