People v. Segovia CA2/2

Filed 7/29/14 P. v. Segovia CA2/2
NOT TO BE PUBLISHED IN THE OFFICIAL REPORTS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
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or ordered published for purposes of rule 8.1115.

IN THE COURT OF APPEAL OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA

SECOND APPELLATE DISTRICT

DIVISION TWO

THE PEOPLE, B246629

Plaintiff and Respondent, (Los Angeles County
Super. Ct. No. MA054573)
v.

ISAI SEGOVIA et al.,

Defendants and Appellants.

APPEAL from a judgment of the Superior Court of Los Angeles County.
Bernie C. LaForteza, Judge. Affirmed.
Maxine Weksler, under appointment by the Court of Appeal, for Defendant and
Appellant Isai Segovia.
Kelly C. Martin, under appointment by the Court of Appeal, for Defendant and
Appellant Alejandro Topete.
Kamala D. Harris, Attorney General, Dane R. Gillette, Chief Assistant Attorney
General, Lance E. Winters, Assistant Attorney General, Paul M. Roadarmel, Jr., and
Connie H. Kan , Deputy Attorneys General, for Plaintiff and Respondent.

___________________________________________________
 A jury convicted Isai Segovia and Alejandro Topete of first degree robbery in
violation of Penal Code section 2111 (count 1) and carjacking in violation of section 215,
subdivision (a) (count 2). In both counts, and with respect to both defendants, the jury
found that the crimes were committed for the benefit of, at the direction of, and in
association with a criminal gang with the required specific intent. (§ 186.22, subd.
(b)(1)(C).) In both counts, the jury found that Segovia had personally used a deadly and
dangerous weapon in the commission of the offense. (§ 12022, subd. (b)(1).)
After denying defendants’ motions for a new trial, the trial court sentenced
Segovia to a total of 14 years in state prison for count 1, consisting of the midterm of
three years, plus a 10-year term for the gang enhancement (§ 186.22, subd. (b)(1)(C)) and
a one-year term for the deadly weapon use enhancement (§ 12022, subd. (b)(1)). The
court stayed the sentence in count 1 under section 654. In count 2, the trial court imposed
15 years to life, plus an additional one-year term for the weapon use (§ 12022, subd.
(b)(1)).
The trial court sentenced Topete to 15 years to life in count 2. In count 1, the trial
court imposed the midterm of three years plus 10 years for the gang enhancement and
stayed the sentence pursuant to section 654.
Segovia appeals on the grounds that: (1) his convictions for carjacking and
robbery violate due process and must be reversed because there was insufficient evidence
to corroborate Topete’s self-serving statements incriminating him; (2) admission of
testimony regarding the cell phone call to the victim purportedly from Segovia’s mother
was prejudicial error and a violation of due process; (3) the prosecutor committed
prejudicial misconduct by his improper questioning of Segovia and the victim regarding
the call from Segovia’s mother’s cell phone, which resulted in denying Segovia a fair
trial; (4) the evidence was constitutionally insufficient to support the true finding on the
gang enhancement, since it consisted primarily of the gang expert’s opinion and was

1 All further references to statutes are to the Penal Code unless stated otherwise.

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based on speculation and hearsay; (5) the gang expert’s hearsay-reliant opinion testimony
should have been excluded as invading the jury’s province, violating the confrontation
clause, and as unduly prejudicial under Evidence Code section 352; (6) much of the gang
expert’s protracted opinion testimony, especially his opinion that the Palmas gang
commits murders and owes allegiance to the Mexican Mafia, was of such little relevance
and so extraordinarily prejudicial as to have rendered Segovia’s trial fundamentally
unfair, violating his right to due process, and his counsel was ineffective for failing to
object on those grounds; (7) the trial court’s denial of Segovia’s new trial motion based
on newly discovered Brady2 evidence resulted in a miscarriage of justice, requiring
reversal; and (8) Segovia was denied due process by the prosecution’s suppression of
material evidence, which would have cast doubt on the credibility of a key witness
testifying against him.
Topete appeals on the grounds that: (1) the admission of his statements to
sheriff’s deputies violated his Fifth and Fourteenth Amendment rights because the record
does not show he received the required Miranda warnings,3 and the questions regarding
gang affiliation were not routine booking questions; (2) the questioning of Topete
regarding prior arrests for DUI and robbery violated his federal constitutional rights to
due process, a fair trial, and to present a defense; (3) the prosecutor committed prejudicial
misconduct when he improperly questioned Topete about prior arrests; and
(4) he was denied effective assistance of counsel because his attorney failed to request a
limiting instruction on the prior arrest evidence.

2 Brady v. Maryland (1963) 373 U.S. 83 (Brady).
3 Miranda v. Arizona (1996) 384 U.S. 436 (Miranda).

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 Both defendants claim that the cumulative effect of the combined errors requires
reversal, and each defendant joins in all issues raised by the other that may accrue to his
benefit.4
FACTS
Prosecution Evidence
On the evening of November 9, 2011, cab driver Nelson Rivera received a call
from Topete, who needed a ride. Rivera knew Topete because Rivera had often given
rides to Topete’s mother and Topete. Topete asked Rivera to pick him up at a liquor
store located at 15th Street East and Palmdale Boulevard in Palmdale.
When Rivera arrived, Topete was alone. Topete asked Rivera to drive him to East
Avenue P-14. Rivera drove him there and parked on the dead-end street. Topete told
Rivera that his mother would pay him in five or 10 minutes. She was at Vallarta market,
which was about two miles away. The fare was approximately $7. Topete sat in the back
of the cab, texting and speaking on his cell phone.
After approximately five minutes, Topete opened his door and held it open for
another individual, later identified as Angel Aguilera.5 Aguilera got into the back seat
with a knife and asked Rivera for money. Rivera tried to “take off,” but he felt a knife on
his back after he had advanced only a short distance. Rivera never saw the knife.
Another individual appeared next to the driver’s door. Rivera never saw the third
suspect’s face, and he could not identify that individual.

4 Segovia asserts that he joins in all issues raised by Topete that might accrue to
Segovia’s benefit. Topete asserts that Segovia’s issue Nos. IV, V, VI, VII, and VIII were
preserved for appeal by his trial counsel. Neither defendant makes any argument relating
the other’s issues to the particular factual circumstances of his own case. We therefore
address the issues as argued by the individual defendants. (See People v. Nero (2010)
181 Cal.App.4th 504, 510, fn. 11 [reliance solely on codefendant’s arguments and
reasoning insufficient to satisfy burden on appeal].)
5 Aguilera entered a guilty plea before trial.

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 Topete was “running everything.” Topete told Aguilera, “Take his wallet. Take
his keys.” Topete started taking Rivera’s “personal things” that were next to him, such as
his phone earplugs.
The third person opened the driver’s door, put a knife against Rivera, and threw
him to the ground face first. This person went through Rivera’s pockets and took his
wallet, which contained about $30. Rivera remembered him as thin and taller than the
other two.6
The men also stole money from Rivera’s pants pocket. They took his GPS device
from the dashboard and his cell phone. Rivera never heard Topete say anything to try to
stop the robbery and carjacking. He did not hear Aguilera giving any orders to Topete.
The third person got in the cab, and Aguilera drove it away toward Palmdale Boulevard.
There were no other persons involved.
Rivera ran towards the train station. It took him about five minutes to arrive there,
and he then borrowed a cell phone to call 911. Police arrived within three minutes.
Deputy Robert Hernandez and his partner, Deputy David Roach, heard the call
that there had been a carjacking and the suspects were male Hispanics. They responded
to an area around Avenue Q and Sixth or Fifth Street. Deputy Hernandez was aware that
this area was a Palmas 13 gang area. En route, the deputies learned that another police
unit had located the carjacked vehicle. The deputies then responded to Fifth Street East
and Avenue Q, where they saw Rivera’s taxicab. Because there were already enough
deputies there, Deputies Hernandez and Roach decided to patrol the general area to try to
find suspects.
The deputies drove one street west and drove southbound to the next cross street.
They saw a black sedan, later identified as a Nissan Versa, cross in front of them. There
were two Hispanic males inside, the driver and a passenger. Deputy Hernandez got
behind the Nissan and, within a couple of seconds, a third person popped up from the rear

6 There was testimony that Segovia was taller than Topete and Aguilera.

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seat. That person took a quick look at the deputies and disappeared out of sight. It
appeared to the deputies that the third person was attempting to hide. The deputies
initiated a traffic stop.
The Nissan pulled over and came to a complete stop. After the deputies parked
behind the Nissan and started to get out of their car, the Nissan “thrust forward, like the
vehicle was going to take off.” It moved about 20 feet. Detective Hernandez used the air
horn to signal the Nissan to stop, and the car stopped again. As the deputies approached
the Nissan, Deputy Hernandez could see Aguilera lying down across the floorboards of
the rear passenger seat.
Deputy Hernandez identified Segovia as the driver of the Nissan and Topete as the
front seat passenger. He conducted a patdown search of Segovia but did not find any
weapons on him. In Aguilera’s pockets, Deputy Hernandez found a Garmin GPS unit
and a set of keys. Segovia’s demeanor was “very calm” and “just quiet.” He did not
seem surprised or confused about why he had been pulled over.
Deputy Jason Trevillyan arrived at the traffic stop. He assisted in the removal of
the occupants and watched their hands. Topete was continually removing his hands from
the dashboard, where he was told to keep them, and reaching downward. He was given
“constant instruction to bring his hand back.” Deputy Trevillyan searched the floorboard
area and found a cell phone with an orange case. He was told it belonged to Rivera.
As part of the booking process, Deputy Roach asked Topete whether he was in a
gang. Topete replied, “Yes,” and said he was from Palmas 13. Topete told Deputy
Roach that he was on his way to a gang meeting at “P Block,” or Avenue P-14, before the
carjacking occurred. Topete had $25.50 on his person at the time of booking. Deputy
Hernandez asked Topete if he had a moniker, and Topete replied, “Bad Boy.” He at no
time stated he was no longer a member of Palmas.
Deputy Hernandez searched the carport area of Topete’s apartment building,
located on East Avenue Q-3. Between a vehicle covered with a tarp and the wall of the
carport, the deputy found a steak knife and a black hat with the letter “P” on it. Another
steak knife was found between the carport and a brick wall bordering the next property.

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Based on his experience with the Palmas 13 gang, Deputy Hernandez testified that the
letter “P” on the hat stood for the Palmas 13 gang. There was a backpack next to the
knives and hat.
Detective Marc Phillips booked Segovia into custody. He gave his mother’s name
as Zoila Segovia7 and said her telephone number was (661) 233-6860.
Rivera received a phone call from Topete’s mother and, a few days before the
preliminary hearing, from another woman as well. The call originated from phone
number (661) 233-6860. The female caller did not say her name—only that she was the
mother of one of the defendants. Rivera knew the voice of Topete’s mother, and it was
not she. The caller said “that he had done it and that he was sorry.” She did not know
why. She said that her son had a girlfriend who was pregnant. She offered to return the
money stolen from Rivera and give him another phone.
Police returned to Rivera the GPS device, his keys, and his telephone. The day
after the carjacking, Topete’s mother called Rivera “to give [him] the wallet.” There was
no money in it. The money that had been in the taxi was not returned to him either.
Zoila testified that on November 9, 2011, she was living at Elizabeth Lake Road in
Palmdale, and Segovia lived there as well. She was the registered owner of the black
Nissan Versa that Segovia was driving when he was arrested. Her phone number is (661)
233-6860. She denied calling Rivera on November 27, 2011. She denied telling Rivera
that Segovia had told her he felt “sorry” for robbing Rivera, and she also denied telling
Rivera that the reason Segovia robbed and carjacked him was because Segovia’s
girlfriend was pregnant. She denied offering to pay Rivera the money that was stolen and
offering to replace Rivera’s cell phone if he dropped the charges against Segovia.
Deputy Steven Crosby testified regarding field information (FI) cards
documenting contacts with Topete. Deputy Crosby filled out one card documenting an
encounter on September 6, 2011, in which Topete said he was from the Palmas gang.

7 We refer to Zoila Segovia by her first name to avoid confusion.

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Deputy Crosby saw a “P” tattooed on Topete’s neck. He also had a tattoo of four cards
depicting kings, which would indicate 13 Kings. He was walking on a street frequented
by Palmas gang members. Topete said his moniker was “Bad Boy.”
Detective Anthony Delia, the investigating officer, testified as a gang expert. He
stated that a Latino street gang that adds the number “13” to its name shows its allegiance
to the Mexican Mafia. Individuals who are not members of the gang are not allowed to
claim membership. All members of a gang are expected to “put[] in work” by doing
some sort of illegal activity for the gang. The “primary activities” of the Palmas 13 gang
are vandalism, robberies, shootings, murders, and narcotics sales. Detective Delia based
this opinion on having investigated many Palmas gang members and their crimes. The
same gang uses the names “Palmas,” “13 Kings,” and “CKF.” Detective Delia’s opinions
were based on his training, experience, investigations, and conversations with other
deputies, gang members, and victims.
Detective Delia noted Topete’s tattoos. He testified that not all gang members
have tattoos, and some are concerned with incurring gang allegations if they commit a
crime. Detective Delia had encounters with Topete on July 6, 2011, and April 6, 2011.
Both times, Topete indicated to him that he was a member of either 13 Kings or Crazy
Kings Familia, and he appeared proud to be in a gang. Both contacts occurred at
“hangouts” for Palmas and CKF.
Detective Delia had not spoken to Segovia before this incident. Segovia has the
moniker “Listo.” Detective Delia had spoken with one or more gang members regarding
Segovia’s membership and had heard he was a member of 13 Kings. An FI card from
2007 named Segovia as a suspected gang member. He was stopped in a car with three
gang members.
Detective Delia was of the opinion that Topete was a Palmas 13 gang member
because he admitted he was, he had gang tattoos, and Detective Delia’s contacts with him
always occurred when he was with other Palmas 13 gang members in Palmas 13 gang
territory. He believed Segovia was a gang member because of the contact in 2007 and
his presence in the car in the instant case, where he is accused of committing crimes with

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13 Kings members. Detective Delia noted that Aguilera is also a Palmas 13 gang
member with the moniker “Stocks” and a tattoo of the word “King” on the left side of his
face.
Detective Delia testified regarding two felony crimes committed by 13 Kings gang
members. In one case, a gang allegation was found to be true. Detective Delia believed
that both defendants in those cases were Palmas 13 gang members.
Detective Delia expressed the opinion that defendants committed the carjacking
and robbery for the benefit of the Palmas 13 gang. The crimes benefited the gang by
giving them more standing in the community through creating fear. The items they took
would be sold to purchase narcotics to sell or to purchase firearms to protect their gang
and attack rival gangs. Detective Delia also believed the crimes were committed in
association with the Palmas 13 gang because all three of the perpetrators worked together
as one unit for their goal of robbing the victim and getting away. Even if the individual
who pulled Rivera out of the car was not a gang member, he still committed a crime in
association with a criminal street gang.
Crimes such as those committed in this case promote, further, and assist in
criminal conduct by the gang because the older members hear about it, and the
perpetrators might be rewarded with drugs or being brought into an activity the older
members are doing. Such crimes make money for the gang, which helps the gang
commit future crimes. The crimes also create more fear in the community and enhance
the perpetrators’ status in the gang.
Defense Evidence
Topete testified in his own behalf. He was 18 when arrested in the instant case.
He was not currently a member of 13 Kings or Palmas. He was jumped into the 13 Kings
gang on December 30, 2010, while he was drunk. He got out of the gang on
September 20, 2011. “Bad Boy” was his nickname from the party crews he used to
“throw.” He testified that Segovia had never been in a gang.
On November 9, 2011, Topete left his apartment for the first time around 4:00 or
4:30 p.m. He went outside to take care of his brothers. Aguilera showed up in a white

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Honda with a female passenger. Aguilera approached Topete and told him the shot caller
named Sluge had sent him there to deliver a message. Topete had to get “rejumped” out
of the gang. Sluge said to show up at “P Block” at a certain gang member’s house.
Topete did not recall the address. Aguilera told him, “We’ll be outside.” Topete told
Aguilera he would get a ride from Rivera. Aguilera told him not to show up later than
8:00 p.m.
Topete returned to his apartment but came back down to the parking lot to check
on his car, which had “some missing parts.” He went back inside the apartment to get his
backpack and tools. He wanted to get some car parts that were at his grandmother’s
house. He received a phone call from Segovia on his mother’s boyfriend’s cell phone,
which Topete was using at the time. Topete told Segovia he needed a ride to his
grandmother’s house, and Segovia offered him a ride. Segovia arrived at Topete’s
residence at approximately 6:00 p.m. and drove him to his grandmother’s house. Topete
did not drive his own car because he had recently been in a car crash.
Topete and Segovia arrived at Topete’s grandmother’s house at approximately
7:00 p.m. Topete had his mother’s cell phone with him, but only the texting function
worked. After dropping off Topete, Segovia left because Topete said he did not need a
ride back. Topete went into his grandmother’s backyard “where [he] had [his] tools” and
left 10 minutes later with the tools in his backpack. He had about a dollar and change at
that time. He walked two blocks to a liquor store to use the pay phone to call Rivera.
Rivera arrived at the liquor store after approximately five minutes. Topete asked
Rivera to take him to “P-14.” They arrived at the house Topete planned on visiting, and
Aguilera and others, including someone called “Ghost,” were outside. Rivera parked
across the street. Topete testified that Rivera told him it was going to be $5, and Topete
told him he did not have anything on him. Rivera told him to call his mother. Using his
mother’s cell phone, he sent her a text to her boyfriend’s phone. He knew she would
have that phone with her. In the text message, he said he needed $5 to pay Rivera. He

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did not get the chance to tell her where he was because “they came and rushed the van.”8
Topete next testified that his mother responded to him and said she was going to Vallarta,
a market, to “cash it out.” He said she texted again, but he did not get a chance to read
the message because that is when “the guys came to the van and rushed.”
Topete said the taxi was “rushed” by Aguilera and two other people from the right
side. He then said two people came on one side and Aguilera on the other. The other
two men were Ghost and Blackie. Ghost is a gang member. Topete did not know
Blackie, who was a tall, skinny Mexican. Aguilera was the first to get in the car, on the
passenger side. Topete did not open the door for him. Blackie went to the driver’s side.
Ghost entered the same passenger door as Aguilera had. When Topete tried to get out of
the taxi, Aguilera pointed a knife at him. Topete then stated that Aguilera went to the
driver’s side and searched the car. Aguilera told Blackie to take Rivera’s money and
wallet. Topete saw Aguilera grab the GPS, the phone, and something square.
Blackie pulled Rivera onto the ground and searched him. Rivera ran away.
Topete again tried to jump out of the taxi, but Ghost pushed him in. Blackie and Ghost
got into the back passenger seat with Topete. Topete stated, “then the other member
came in and jumped in the passenger side” in the front. It was “a guy named Listo.” It
was not Segovia, but rather a member of 13 Kings. Topete did not know his real name.
Sluge was nearby in a white Honda parked on the sidewalk with a white girl in the
driver’s seat.
Aguilera started driving the taxi, and he and Ghost began arguing. Topete told
them he wanted to get out of the taxi, and Aguilera parked on Fifth Street and East
Avenue Q-4. Topete got out of the taxi and ran. Blackie, Aguilera, and Ghost jumped
into the white Honda.
Topete ran towards his apartment and saw Segovia parked across the street.
Topete asked him where he was going, and Segovia said he was on his way to the gas

8 Topete first said that Aguilera and Ghost came over to the taxi right away. He
then said it took them about three minutes.

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station. Topete got in the car. At that point, Topete saw Aguilera running from the
parking lot of Topete’s apartment building by himself. Aguilera entered Segovia’s car
through the unlocked back door. Aguilera was sweating and had on black gloves.
Segovia asked Aguilera what his problem was, and Topete told Segovia about what
happened.
Aguilera said he wanted a ride to Lancaster. Topete told Segovia not to do it.
Aguilera was lying down in the back seat. As they drove to the gas station, a white
Honda was following them. It eventually left them, but not before Topete saw “the white
girl and the other members” inside. At the gas station, they all got out and bought chips
and drinks.
Segovia told Aguilera he was not going to Lancaster and was going to drop off
Topete. When they neared Topete’s apartment, they saw “all these patrol cars.” Aguilera
told Segovia to drive out of the area, but Topete told Segovia “not to do it.” Topete said
he did not have anything to hide and asked Segovia to drop him off in front of his
apartment.
As he drove, Segovia reached into his glove compartment and pulled out $25. He
told Topete, “This is for the laptop that you sold me.” Topete had sold Segovia a laptop
weeks before, and Segovia has already paid him $100. At that point they were crossing
Larkin Street, and a patrol car came behind them and sounded their siren. Segovia tried
to park the car on the sidewalk. He did not try to go forward or flee the scene.
Topete did not know there was a cell phone under his seat. He moved his hands to
put drinks on the floor. He did not take Rivera’s cell phone or earphones. Topete did not
put the knives where they were found. Topete said Aguilera told him he had stashed
everything in the parking lot but did not tell him where. Topete told Deputy Hernandez
he would tell him everything Aguilera told him because Topete had nothing to do with it.
After their arrest, while at the police station, Topete overheard Aguilera telling another
inmate in his cell where he had stashed everything, including the wallet. Topete’s mother
told him Rivera was looking for it, and Topete told his mother what he had heard.

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 Topete testified that he was afraid of retaliation in jail. Aguilera saw him in the
showers and told him not to be a rat, to “stop being a bitch,” and to “go along with the
flow.” Aguilera punched him in the face approximately three times. Topete had received
approximately six written threats from Aguilera. Topete took the threats seriously and
was afraid. One of the notes stated, “You’re a bitch-ass rat lame fool. No wonder the
homies wanted to rejump your scary ass. I got 24 years. Still going to get out. Still
active. Got you set up like a dumb motherfucker. Fuck you. You got it coming. And
your mom’s homie pointed me out. Right. Don’t trip out.”
Segovia also testified in his own behalf and stated he had never been in a gang.
He had a wife and three-year-old son, but no girlfriend. His wife was not pregnant in
November 2011.
On the day of the incident, he went to Topete’s house because Topete had sold
him a computer and the screen was broken. Topete had sold it to him for $100, but
Segovia planned to sell it to someone else for $150 and give Topete $25. He went to
Topete’s house around 7:00 p.m. When he picked up Topete, Aguilera was with him and
they both got into his car. He drove them both to Topete’s grandmother’s house to get
parts for Topete’s car. Segovia left Topete at his grandmother’s. He was going to drop
off Aguilera at Topete’s home.
When Segovia was dropping off Aguilera, he saw his Aunt Rosemary and started
talking to her. Segovia accompanied her to her apartment, and as he was getting back
inside his car, he saw Topete running. Topete jumped into the car and told him that
something had happened. Segovia turned off his car and asked him what happened.
Aguilera then got into the backseat of Segovia’s car.
Aguilera asked, “Where you guys going to go?” Segovia told him they were
going to the store, and Aguilera said that he would go with them. They went to a gas
station, bought drinks and candy, and started back to Topete’s home. Aguilera told
Segovia to drive him to Lancaster, but Segovia said he had to go home. Shortly
thereafter, the police pulled them over.

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 Segovia denied involvement in the robbery and carjacking. He had never before
heard the nickname “Listo.”
Segovia had given Topete $25 on the way to Topete’s grandmother’s house, and
Topete put the money in the glove compartment and left it there. Topete retrieved the
$25 while they were on the way back to his apartment, before they were pulled over by
police. Segovia denied ever having threatened Topete. He said he was not angry at
Topete for telling Deputy Roach Segovia and Aguilera were the ones who committed the
carjacking and robbery. Segovia denied having made any attempt to evade police.
Deputy Scott Sorrow spoke with Rivera after the carjacking. Rivera told him he
saw two male Hispanics standing on the sidewalk in front of 409 East Avenue P-14 when
he arrived in the taxi with Topete. He said those two male Hispanics were the ones
involved in the case. Rivera did not say Topete gave orders to Aguilera to take Rivera’s
wallet and keys. Rivera said Aguilera and the other individual coming to the driver’s side
were the two who demanded money. He said Aguilera took his wallet, cash, and cell
phone from his pocket, and his GPS device off the dashboard. Rivera did not say the
third person went through his pockets. The only person who Rivera said had a knife was
Aguilera. Rivera said the third person got into the driver’s seat and drove off. He did not
say Aguilera drove off. Rivera identified Aguilera and Topete, but not Segovia.
Maria Avila, Topete’s mother, testified that Aguilera came to her house on
November 9, 2011, between 4:00 and 5:00 p.m., but she refused to allow him to see
Topete. Topete rarely went out prior to November 9, 2011. She received a text message
from Topete that day, and she was going to go to an ATM at a store to withdraw money
to take it to him.
After speaking with Topete after his arrest, Avila went to the carport area to look
for Rivera’s wallet. Topete said another person told him where it had been left. She
returned the wallet to Rivera two days after her son’s arrest.
Rebuttal Evidence
Deputy Roach testified that during the traffic stop, Topete began “spontaneously”
speaking to him. Topete told him Aguilera and Segovia were present with him during the

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carjacking and robbery. Topete said he was on his way to a gang meeting on Avenue P-
14 and Sixth Street East. He identified Segovia and Aguilera as members of his gang.
Topete said he just happened to be there during the carjack. He said Segovia had a knife.
Segovia opened the taxi door, held the knife up to Rivera, and demanded money.
Segovia pulled Rivera out of the car, threw him onto the ground, and began going
through his pockets.
Topete said Aguilera went through the back passenger door and through the
vehicle up to where the driver was sitting. He held a knife to the driver, yelled at him,
and demanded money. Aguilera then drove the three of them away from the crime scene
in Rivera’s taxi. Topete never said there were more than three people involved. Topete
said Segovia held the knife up to Topete and told him that “if he wasn’t down, the gang
will turn its back on him.” Aguilera parked the taxi at the corner of Fifth Street East and
Avenue Q, ran down Fifth Street East, and “stashed” the knives. They all got into an
awaiting black Nissan and drove down the street where they picked up Aguilera.
Detective Delia testified that, to his knowledge, there was no one other than
Segovia in Palmas 13 who had the name “Listo.” On the day of the preliminary hearing,
Topete told Detective Delia he wished to speak with him. Topete said he was scared
because he had been receiving threats from Segovia and Aguilera, and he needed to be
housed separately. Topete said Aguilera had the police report, which confirmed Topete
had snitched on Segovia and Aguilera. Detective Delia later found a police report in
Aguilera’s cell. Topete said Segovia’s nickname was “Listo,” and Aguilera and Segovia
were in the 13 Kings gang.
Detective Delia had known Blackie for several years. He was in the Palmas 13
gang also. His real name is Thomas James Reyes. Reyes was incarcerated at the time of
the carjacking and was still incarcerated at the time of trial.

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 DISCUSSION
I. Sufficiency of Evidence in Support of Segovia’s Convictions
A. Segovia’s Arguments
Segovia contends that, absent Topete’s statements to the police incriminating him,
there was insufficient corroborating evidence of Segovia’s involvement in the carjacking
and robbery of Rivera. No weapons or stolen items were found on Segovia’s person or
under his seat, his fingerprints were not found on the knives or in the taxi, and the victim
was unable to identify him. Segovia and Topete testified to the same version of events,
and Topete denied Segovia was involved. Segovia asserts his conviction violated due
process, since it was based on insubstantial evidence.
B. Relevant Authority
When determining whether the evidence was sufficient to sustain a conviction,
“our role on appeal is a limited one.” (People v. Ochoa (1993) 6 Cal.4th 1199, 1206.)
The test of whether evidence is sufficient to support a conviction is “‘whether, after
viewing the evidence in the light most favorable to the prosecution, any rational trier of
fact could have found the essential elements of the crime beyond a reasonable doubt.’
[Citations.]” (People v. Holt (1997) 15 Cal.4th 619, 667.) “We draw all reasonable
inferences in support of the judgment.” (People v. Wader (1993) 5 Cal.4th 610, 640.)
Reversal is not warranted unless it appears “‘that upon no hypothesis whatever is there
sufficient substantial evidence to support [the conviction].’” (People v. Bolin (1998) 18
Cal.4th 297, 331.)
Section 1111 provides: “A conviction cannot be had upon the testimony of an
accomplice unless it be corroborated by such other evidence as shall tend to connect the
defendant with the commission of the offense; and the corroboration is not sufficient if it
merely shows the commission of the offense or the circumstances thereof.” “Testimony,”
as used in section 1111, includes ‘“all out-of-court statements of accomplices . . . used as
substantive evidence of guilt which are made under suspect circumstances.”’ (People v.
Williams (1997) 16 Cal.4th 153, 245; People v. Brown (2003) 31 Cal.4th 518, 555;
People v. Belton (1979) 23 Cal.3d 516, 524-525.)

16
 Evidence corroborating an accomplice’s testimony “may be circumstantial or
slight and entitled to little consideration when standing alone, and it must tend to
implicate the defendant by relating to an act that is an element of the crime.” (People v.
McDermott (2002) 28 Cal.4th 946, 985-986.) The corroborating evidence may consist of
a defendant’s conduct or statements. (People v. Douglas (1990) 50 Cal.3d 468, 507.)
“The trier of fact’s determination on the issue of corroboration is binding on the
reviewing court unless the corroborating evidence should not have been admitted or does
not reasonably tend to connect the defendant with the commission of the crime.” (People
v. McDermott, supra, 28 Cal.4th at p. 986; see also People v. Abilez (2007) 41 Cal.4th
472, 505; People v. Narvaez (2002) 104 Cal.App.4th 1295, 1303.)
C. Evidence Sufficient
Topete was an accomplice as a matter of law, and the jury was so instructed. The
jury was also instructed on the type of evidence needed to corroborate his statements.
We disagree with Segovia and conclude there was sufficient independent evidence that
tended to connect Segovia with the carjacking and robbery. (People v. Douglas, supra,
50 Cal.3d at p. 506.) Therefore, there was sufficient evidence of Segovia’s participation
in the crimes, and the jury verdicts must be upheld.
Rivera identified Aguilera and Topete as two of the three carjackers. Very shortly
after the carjacking, Segovia was found driving approximately two blocks from the
incident with Topete and a hidden Aguilera as his passengers. Segovia stopped the car
initially but then made an aborted attempt to flee. When arrested, Segovia made no
comments, asked no questions, and exhibited no surprise. There was also evidence that
Segovia’s mother telephoned Rivera a few days before the preliminary hearing. Segovia
was arrested with two members of the same gang that he had been with when contacted
by police approximately two years earlier, which corroborated Topete’s statement that
Segovia was a member of Palmas. Detective Delia testified as to the motivation of gang
members to commit theft crimes.
The fact that Topete and Segovia had differing accounts of where they had gone
and with whom preceding the carjacking also served as corroborating evidence. False

17
and contradictory statements of a defendant in relation to the charge are themselves
material corroborative evidence. (People v. Santo (1954) 43 Cal.2d 319, 330; People v.
Taylor (1924) 70 Cal.App. 239, 244.) We believe the record shows enough corroboration
of Topete’s early statements to provide sufficient evidence that Segovia was the third
participant in the crimes. The corroborating evidence established, at a minimum, motive
and opportunity, which have been found to be significant factors in sustaining
convictions. (See, e.g. People v. Szeto (1981) 29 Cal.3d 20, 28-29; People v. Vu (2006)
143 Cal.App.4th 1009, 1022-1023, 1024.)
Finally, the jury was instructed regarding accomplice testimony with CALCRIM
No. 334. In general, this instruction serves to caution the jury that the testimony of the
accomplice witness is to be viewed with caution and that the defendant cannot be
convicted on the basis of the accomplice’s testimony unless it is corroborated by other
evidence independent of the accomplice’s statement or testimony. (See People v. Zapien
(1993) 4 Cal.4th 929, 982.) We presume the jury followed the court’s instructions. In
this case, the jury nevertheless found sufficient evidence of Segovia’s guilt beyond a
reasonable doubt. We conclude the jury drew reasonable inferences from the evidence
presented, and sufficient evidence supported the verdicts.
II. Admission of Testimony of Telephone Call to Rivera
A. Segovia’s Argument
Segovia contends that admission of evidence that Rivera received a telephone call
from a perpetrator’s mother, who said her son was sorry for committing the crime and
who offered to reimburse Rivera, was extremely prejudicial. The prejudice caused by
this evidence was not cured by the court’s limiting instruction. The erroneous admission
of this evidence violated Segovia’s federal constitutional rights to due process and a fair
trial.
B. Proceedings Below
The prosecutor’s first witness was Zoila, Segovia’s mother. She denied
telephoning Rivera and saying she was the mother of one of the persons who “was
accusing him.” She denied saying her son felt sorry for robbing Rivera. She did not

18
offer to repay Rivera the money that was stolen and to replace his phone if he would drop
charges against her son.
When Rivera testified, he said he received a call from Topete’s mother, whose
voice he recognized, and another woman. The other woman telephoned a few days
before the preliminary hearing. The trial court sustained Segovia’s hearsay objection
when the prosecutor asked what the woman said.
At sidebar, Segovia’s attorney pointed out that there were three perpetrators and
argued that evidence of a phone call from “someone’s mother” was overly prejudicial to
his client when no connection to Segovia had been established. Although the call was
linked to Zoila’s phone, there was no evidence she had sole access to the phone.
The court excused the jurors and conducted an Evidence Code section 402 hearing
on the issue. The prosecutor argued that the evidence was very relevant because Zoila
indicated to Rivera “that her son had basically told her that he had committed a carjack
and a robbery, and he was sorry for it.” Therefore, Zoila’s statements in the phone call
were admissible to impeach her testimony and as party admissions by Segovia.
Segovia’s counsel argued that Rivera did not recognize the voice of this caller, and
it was not known who made the call. Moreover, the woman said her son had a pregnant
girlfriend, and Segovia did not have a girlfriend. He was married with a three-year-old
child, and his wife was not pregnant at the time of the crimes. Also, Zoila had at least
three sons. Counsel argued there was not “enough foundational connection.” Topete’s
counsel joined in the objections. She argued the call was complete hearsay and was not
impeachment of Zoila because it was not known if she was the caller.
After further argument, the trial court found that the statement of the woman who
said her son said, “‘sorry for the robbery’” was an admission and an exception to the
hearsay rule. The other portions of the statements were admissible for impeachment.
The court stated that the fact the person was unknown, although the call came from
Zoila’s phone, went to the weight of the evidence rather than its admissibility. The court
would give a limiting instruction. The court stated it had weighed the evidence within the

19
meaning of Evidence Code section 352 and found that the probative value, which was
linking Segovia to the case, was not substantially outweighed by the danger of prejudice.
When Rivera resumed the witness stand, the prosecutor produced a photograph the
prosecutor had taken of Rivera’s phone, which showed the date, time and phone number
of the caller. Rivera testified that the caller said “that her son had done that and that she
was very sorry,” referring to the robbery or carjack. She said she did not know why he
did it but that he had a girlfriend who was pregnant. She offered to give him back the
money and another phone. The prosecutor asked, “Now when she said that he did it, did
she say, ‘He told me he did it,’ or did she just say ‘he did it?”’ Rivera replied, “No. She
just said that he had done it and that she was sorry.” Rivera later clarified that she said
“he was sorry.” The prosecutor asked, “So she said he did it, and he’s sorry?” Rivera
said, “Yes.”
The trial court called a sidebar and told the prosecutor that the testimony had not
panned out to be what the prosecutor had predicted. The prosecutor argued that it was
not much different. Defense counsel disagreed and said it was not the understanding the
parties had. The court stated it did not sound like an admission. The prosecutor, at the
court’s suggestion, asked Rivera some follow-up questions. Rivera repeated that “she
said that he had done it and that he was sorry.” When the prosecutor asked, “Do you
know that she got that information from him or from somebody else?” Rivera replied
that he did not know. At sidebar again, the prosecutor argued, “I think it goes to the—the
weight, not the admissibility,” but he believed he would have to recall Zoila to ask her if
she received any information from anyone but her son about the case.
After hearing argument from both defense counsel and the prosecutor, the court
ruled that, in light of that day’s testimony, it did not believe there was sufficient
foundation to support the admission exception to the hearsay rule based on Rivera’s
testimony. The court intended to strike the testimony. The court stated it would not
strike anything about the “phone or the number.” After further discussion, the court told
the jury that the following testimony was stricken: “‘Question: And what did she say?

20
Answer: That her son had done that and that she was very sorry.’” The court added that
the jury must disregard the testimony and not consider it for any purpose.
C. Relevant Authority
Only relevant evidence is admissible. (Evid. Code, § 350.) The test of relevance
is whether the evidence tends ““‘logically, naturally, and by reasonable inference” to
establish material facts such as identity, intent, or motive. [Citations.]’ [Citation.]”
(People v. Scheid (1997) 16 Cal.4th 1, 13-14.) The trial court’s rulings on the admission
of evidence constitute an abuse of discretion only if the “‘“court exercised its discretion
in an arbitrary, capricious or patently absurd manner that resulted in a manifest
miscarriage of justice.””’ (People v. Ochoa (2001) 26 Cal.4th 398, 437-438.)
“The court in its discretion may exclude evidence if its probative value is
substantially outweighed by the probability that its admission will (a) necessitate undue
consumption of time or (b) create substantial danger of undue prejudice, of confusing the
issues, or of misleading the jury.” (Evid. Code, § 352.) The trial court’s exercise of
discretion “will not be disturbed on appeal absent a clear abuse; i.e., unless the prejudicial
effect of the evidence clearly outweighs its probative value.” (People v. Karis (1988) 46
Cal.3d 612, 637.)
D. Analysis
Segovia contends that the tendency of the evidence of the telephone call to prove
Segovia’s guilt was undeniable, and the trial court’s error in admitting the testimony of
Zoila and Rivera on the subject of the phone call was irremediable. Segovia asserts his
case was a close one on the issues of both his guilt and his gang affiliation. According to
Segovia, the court’s ruling that Zoila’s statement constituted an admission without first
hearing the testimony, and in light of Zoila’s denials, was arbitrary and fundamentally
unfair. There was no identification of the caller’s voice, or any evidence Segovia had
instigated the call or told his mother anything about the charged crimes. Thus, the
evidence was extremely and uniquely inflammatory.
We disagree. We believe the trial court properly relied on the prosecutor’s
representations as to Rivera’s testimony regarding the telephone call. The testimony

21
actually given by Rivera was not far off the mark, and given the effects of having the
questions and answers interpreted by a Spanish language court interpreter, it may be that
the prosecutor’s expectations were well-founded. Rivera seemed to founder on the
successive questions about what the mother’s exact words had been, which became
confusing—perhaps more so in translation. Rivera may well have believed he was
repeating what he had previously told the prosecutor privately, as witnessed by Detective
Delia, i.e., that the caller said, “My son told me he did it.”
In any event, the record could not be clearer that the trial court’s admission of the
evidence was far from arbitrary or capricious, and any error in admitting the evidence of
the phone call was harmless under any standard. The court allowed extensive argument
and carefully weighed the issue. As to the court’s curative efforts, it is generally
presumed that striking evidence and admonishing the jury cures evidentiary error.
(People v. Osband (1996) 13 Cal.4th 622, 676; see also People v. Abbaszadeh (2003) 106
Cal.App.4th 642, 648 [“we presume jurors can ‘unring the bell’ and follow
admonishments and instructions designed to cure a trial court error”].) There is no
indication in the record that the admonition was insufficient. There is no authority for
discounting as a matter of course the trial court’s striking of testimony and instructing the
jury to disregard it.
Thus, we conclude that the trial court did not abuse its discretion in fashioning its
cure for the testimony given by Rivera regarding a defendant’s mother’s telephone call.
Even if Rivera’s testimony about the statement was of constitutional significance, the
admission of the testimony was harmless beyond a reasonable doubt in light of the
evidence of Segovia’s guilt, discussed ante.
III. Alleged Prosecutorial Misconduct in Questioning Regarding Call
A. Segovia’s Argument
Segovia asserts that the prosecutor’s questions to Zoila and Rivera regarding the
phone call implied the existence of facts that he made no effort to prove and had no
reason to believe could be proved. This constituted misconduct and requires a reversal of
the judgment. He argues that, had the jurors not believed Zoila made the phone call

22
and/or that Segovia was involved in her making the call, they would have had no reason
for returning a guilty verdict as to him.
B. Relevant Authority
“The applicable federal and state standards regarding prosecutorial misconduct are
well established. ‘“A prosecutor’s . . . intemperate behavior violates the federal
Constitution when it comprises a pattern of conduct ‘so egregious that it infects the trial
with such unfairness as to make the conviction a denial of due process.’”’ [Citations.]
Conduct by a prosecutor that does not render a criminal trial fundamentally unfair is
prosecutorial misconduct under state law only if it involves ‘“‘the use of deceptive or
reprehensible methods to attempt to persuade either the court or the jury.’”’ [Citation.]
As a general rule a defendant may not complain on appeal of prosecutorial misconduct
unless in a timely fashion—and on the same ground—the defendant made an assignment
of misconduct and requested that the jury be admonished to disregard the impropriety.
[Citation.]” (People v. Samayoa (1997) 15 Cal.4th 795, 841.)
“‘It is, of course, misconduct for a prosecutor to “intentionally elicit inadmissible
testimony.” [Citations.]’ [Citations.]” (People v. Smithey (1999) 20 Cal.4th 936, 960-
961; People v. Bell (1989) 49 Cal.3d 502, 532.) It is also improper for a prosecutor to ask
questions that suggest the existence of facts harmful to a defendant unless the prosecutor
has a good faith belief that the questions will be answered in the affirmative, or that the
facts can be proved and the prosecutor intends to prove them. (People v. Mooc (2001) 26
Cal.4th 1216, 1233.)
C. Analysis
The record shows that defense counsel did not object to the prosecutor’s questions
to Zoila on the grounds of prosecutorial misconduct, nor did counsel request the jury be
admonished regarding these questions, which would have cured any harm. Therefore,
Segovia forfeited any issue with respect to prosecutorial misconduct. The same is true
for the questions posed to Rivera on this subject. “‘As a general rule a defendant may not
complain on appeal of prosecutorial misconduct unless in a timely fashion—and on the
same ground—the defendant made an assignment of misconduct and requested that the

23
jury be admonished to disregard the impropriety.’” (People v. Valencia (2008) 43
Cal.4th 268, 281.)
Additionally, the record shows there was evidence that the phone call took place.
Rivera testified about receiving the call, although he was not precise about the exact
words spoken. The telephone number of the caller matched Zoila’s telephone number.
Thus, it cannot be said that the prosecutor lacked a good faith belief that the fact of the
call could be proved. The testimony of one witness, if believed by the trier of fact, is
sufficient to prove any fact. (Evid. Code, § 411; People v. Vega (1995) 33 Cal.App.4th
706, 711.)
Moreover, the record shows that the trial court allowed the evidence of the
telephone call as impeachment of Zoila and agreed with the prosecutor’s projected
tactics. Therefore, the prosecutor’s questioning did not constitute the use of deceptive or
reprehensible methods to persuade the jury. (People v. Hajek and Vo (2014) 58 Cal.4th
1144, 1238.) Also, the fact that Zoila denied being the caller, and that there was only
circumstantial evidence that she was the caller, went to the weight of the evidence rather
than to its admissibility.
Finally, if there was any prosecutorial misconduct in posing the questions to Zoila
and Rivera, it was harmless under any standard. Here, the trial court struck Rivera’s
testimony about what the woman was ultimately purported to have said about doing the
crime and being sorry. The court told the jury not to consider that evidence for any
purpose. The trial court instructed the jury with CALCRIM No. 222, which cautioned
the jury that “[n]othing that the attorneys say is evidence” and “[t]heir questions are not
evidence.” The instruction told the jurors not to assume “something is true just because
one of the attorneys asked a question that suggested it was true.” The jury was again told
that if the court ordered testimony stricken from the record, the jury “must disregard it
and must not consider that testimony for any purpose.” Segovia’s claim of prejudicial
misconduct is without merit.

24
IV. Sufficiency of the Evidence in Support of Gang Allegation
A. Segovia’s Argument
Segovia contends that, in order to prove the gang enhancement, the prosecutor
presented only police officers’ opinions based on subjective criteria, outdated information
from police-generated gang databases, and hearsay. This evidence was unreliable and
insufficient to support the true findings on the gang allegations against him.
B. Relevant Authority
We review issues concerning the admissibility of opinion testimony for an abuse
of discretion. (People v. Lindberg (2008) 45 Cal.4th 1, 45; People v. Prince (2007) 40
Cal.4th 1179, 1222.)
The elements of a section 186.22 gang enhancement may be proved by a
combination of documentary evidence, percipient witness testimony, and expert opinion
testimony. (People v. Gardeley (1996) 14 Cal.4th 605, 626 (Gardeley).) We review a
section 186.22 gang enhancement finding for substantial evidence. (People v. Williams
(2009) 170 Cal.App.4th 587, 624.) Substantial evidence is that which is reasonable,
credible and of solid value. (People v. Cuevas (1995) 12 Cal.4th 252, 260.)
C. Analysis
We disagree with Segovia’s claim. Generally speaking, where a gang
enhancement is alleged, expert testimony concerning the culture, habits, and psychology
of gangs—including the motivation for an individual member’s actions—is permissible,
and a jury may rely on such testimony to render a finding on the allegation. (People v.
Ward (2005) 36 Cal.4th 186, 210; People v. Hernandez (2004) 33 Cal.4th 1040, 1047-
1048; Gardeley, supra, 14 Cal.4th at p. 617; People v. Ferraez (2003) 112 Cal.App.4th
925, 930-931.) Detective Delia’s testimony provided substantial evidence that Segovia’s
crimes were committed, at a minimum, in association with a criminal street gang with the
required specific intent to assist that gang. From his testimony, the jury could reasonably
infer that Segovia, along with his coperpetrators, committed the robbery and carjacking in
order to commit crimes for the gang and to enhance respect for himself and for the gang.

25
 Detective Delia’s opinions were clearly founded upon the solid ground of his
experience. At the time of trial, he was a gang investigator with Safe Streets Bureau, the
gang investigative unit in the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. He had been a
deputy sheriff for almost 14 years. He received training in the academy, had worked in
the jail, and had dealt with and interviewed hundreds of gang members about their
culture, structure, and criminal activity. He also trained in the gang investigator school
and attended a gang and subcultures class, various seminars and briefings, and other
training sessions. He worked patrol for four or five years and arrested hundreds of gang
members for gang-related crimes. Prior to becoming an investigator, he was assigned to
the gang enforcement team in which his primary function was to contact gang members
and arrest them when they violated the law. He had testified in court as a gang expert
multiple times. It was part of his job to get to know gang members and their families.
One of Detective Delia’s “target gangs” was Palmas 13, and he had spoken with
Palmas 13 gang members hundreds of times. He had been an investigating officer on
Palmas 13 cases approximately 30 to 40 times.
Detective Delia identified Aguilera and Topete as gang members. Although
Detective Delia had not spoken with Segovia before the instant crimes, he had reviewed
an FI card from October 2007 where a deputy had written that he believed Segovia to be
a member of a gang. Segovia was stopped with three other gang members, one of whom
was his brother, Noe. Noe is a documented Palmas gang member. In 2012, in the instant
case, Segovia was in a car with 13 Kings gang members accused of committing crimes
with them. The existence of a four-year or five-year gap between contacts with police
was not inconsistent with maintaining his membership in a gang. Detective Delia
believed Segovia was a gang member.
Moreover, Topete told Deputy Roach that Segovia was involved in the carjacking
and robbery. Topete said that Segovia held a knife to him and said that if “he wasn’t
down” the gang would turn its back on him. Later, Topete said he was being threatened
in jail by Segovia and Aguilera. At that point, Topete said that Segovia was a member of
13 Kings and his moniker was Listo.

26
 In sum, considering the expert testimony in conjunction with the remaining
evidence, the jurors reasonably could have concluded that Segovia committed the crimes
in association with a criminal street gang. (§ 186.22, subd. (b)(1).) Furthermore,
subdivision (b) of section 186.22 does not require a showing of current, active gang
membership. (In re Ramon T. (1997) 57 Cal.App.4th 201, 206-207.) The purpose of the
statute is to punish those who associate themselves with any gang with the intent to assist
in any criminal activity by that gang’s members. Proof that a defendant committed a
crime in association with a gang member is sufficient to establish that the gang
enhancement applies, without regard to a specific gang loyalty. (People v. Morales
(2003) 112 Cal.App.4th 1176, 1198.) It was clear Segovia knew that Topete and
Aguilera were gang members. Topete had numerous tattoos, and was apparently
Segovia’s best friend. Segovia’s own brother was a documented Palmas 13 gang
member. Segovia was in the heart of Palmas territory with two Palmas gang members
and engaged in one of the gang’s primary activities. It was for the jury to assess the
weight of the detective’s testimony in the first instance, and if we believe that any
rational juror could have been convinced by it, “we cannot deem it insufficient.
[Citation.]” (People v. Olguin (1994) 31 Cal.App.4th 1355, 1384.)
We observe that Segovia fully cross-examined Detective Delia. In addition,
CALCRIM No. 332 told the jury that it was not required to accept the expert’s opinion as
true or correct, and the opinion’s meaning and importance were for the jury to decide.
The jury was to decide whether the information on which the expert relied was true and
accurate. Viewed in the light most favorable to the prosecution, there was credible and
solid evidence supporting the reasonable inference that Segovia committed the instant
offenses in association with, or for the benefit of, or at the direction of the Palmas gang,
and that he intended to further the gang’s criminal conduct by so doing.
Finally, Segovia’s general complaints in conformity with several articles he cites,
which question the reliability of gang expert testimony and police record-keeping on
gangs in general, are not a basis for reversing the gang allegations in this case. His
arguments regarding the nature of Detective Delia’s expert testimony are without merit,

27
and we conclude there was no violation of his rights to due process, trial by jury, and a
fair trial.
V. Nature of Gang Expert’s Hearsay Testimony as Invasion of Jury’s Province,
Confrontation Clause Violation, and Unduly Prejudicial
A. Segovia’s Argument
Segovia contends the trial court erred in admitting Detective Delia’s testimony on
the ultimate issues contained in the gang allegation because it invaded the jury’s province
and was without evidentiary support. The error was not harmless because the evidence
was weak, and the error was not cured by the jury instructions.
Segovia also contends that, because the detective’s opinion was hearsay-reliant
and was offered for its truth, the opinion testimony violated the confrontation clause. In
addition, he argues that the hearsay-based testimony should have been excluded under
Evidence Code section 352. If any of these claims was forfeited, Segovia maintains that
his counsel was ineffective for failing to object.
1. Alleged Usurping of Jury’s Function
An expert may testify with respect to any subject that is sufficiently beyond
common experience that the opinion of an expert would assist the trier of fact. (Evid.
Code, § 801, subd. (a).) The culture and habits of criminal street gangs fall into this
category. (Gardeley, supra, 14 Cal.4th at p. 617.) A gang expert properly may express
an opinion that a crime is gang related. (People v. Gonzalez (2006) 38 Cal.4th 932, 944-
946; People v. Ferraez, supra, 112 Cal.App.4th at p. 930.) An expert’s testimony is not
objectionable merely because it embraces the ultimate issues to be decided by the trier of
fact. (Evid. Code, § 805; People v. Prince, supra, 40 Cal.4th at p. 1227; People v.
Coffman and Marlow (2004) 34 Cal.4th 1, 77 [opinion testimony often goes to the
ultimate issue in the case]; People v. Valdez (1997) 58 Cal.App.4th 494, 507.)
Detective Delia’s testimony did not express an opinion that Segovia was guilty of
the crimes, nor was it tantamount to the expression of such an opinion. (See, e.g., People
v. Brown (1981) 116 Cal.App.3d 820, 828-829.) Indeed, his “testimony was quite typical
of the kind of expert testimony regarding gang culture and psychology that a court has

28
discretion to admit.” (People v. Gonzalez, supra, 38 Cal.4th at p. 945.) Detective Delia
did not testify that Segovia possessed a specific intent, even when he answered a
hypothetical question based on the facts of this case. The detective gave his opinion only
as to whether such crimes would benefit the gang and whether they were gang-related
crimes at all. The answer reflected his experience as an expert with respect to the gang
activity in the area in question. He therefore did not invade the province of the jury. As
we have discussed, this opinion was not without evidentiary support, as Segovia alleges.
Detective Delia’s testimony was unlike the testimony disapproved of in People v.
Killebrew (2002) 103 Cal.App.4th 644, in which the expert made a pronouncement that
when one gang member in a car has a gun, every other gang member in the car knows of
the gun and will constructively possess the gun. The latter testimony reached beyond the
facts of that particular case and also resolved the issue of constructive possession for the
jury. On the other hand, Detective Delia’s testimony was based partly on a legitimate
hypothetical grounded in the evidence and did not constitute a finding of an ultimate fact.
It was clear that Detective Delia was expressing his opinion, and the jury was instructed
that it was not bound by the expert’s opinion and could disregard any opinion it found
unreasonable. (CALCRIM No. 332.) Segovia’s argument has no merit.
2. Alleged Confrontation Clause Violation
Segovia contends that the admission of Detective Delia’s testimony, in which he
relied on the out-of-court statements of unidentified gang members to support his belief
that Segovia was a gang member, violated his Sixth Amendment right to confront and
cross-examine his accusers under Crawford v. Washington (2004) 541 U.S. 36
(Crawford). He argues that People v. Thomas (2005) 130 Cal.App.4th 1202 (Thomas)
and other appellate opinions reaffirming Thomas should be re-evaluated. Thomas held,
inter alia, that “the materials on which the expert bases his or her opinion are not elicited
for the truth of their contents.” (Id. at p. 1210.)
Segovia’s failure to object to the detective’s testimony on the grounds it violated
the confrontation clause forfeited that challenge on appeal. (People v. Redd (2010) 48

29
Cal.4th 691, 730.) Even assuming Segovia preserved the issue for appeal, it is without
merit.
The confrontation clause has traditionally barred “admission of testimonial
statements of a witness who did not appear at trial unless he was unavailable to testify,
and the defendant had had a prior opportunity for cross-examination.” (Crawford, supra,
541 U.S. at pp. 53-54.) “Under Crawford, the crucial determination about whether the
admission of an out-of-court statement violates the confrontation clause is whether the
out-of-court statement is testimonial or nontestimonial.” (People v. Geier (2007) 41
Cal.4th 555, 597.)
Crawford did not specify what constitutes a testimonial statement for purposes of
the confrontation clause. (Crawford, supra, 541 U.S. at pp. 51-52.) The characterization
of statements as testimonial or nontestimonial had eluded precise definition in cases
following Crawford. In Williams v. Illinois (2012) ___ U.S. ___ [132 S.Ct. 2221], the
statements at issue were those of a prosecution expert who testified that a DNA profile
produced by an outside laboratory, Cellmark, matched a profile produced by the state
police laboratory using a sample of the petitioner’s blood. (Williams v. Illinois, supra,
132 S.Ct. at p. 2227.) In that case, in addition to holding that out-of-court statements
related by experts for the sole purpose of explaining the assumptions on which their
opinion rests are not offered for their truth, a plurality of four justices stated that, even if
the report in question had been admitted into evidence, it was not testimonial in that it
was not sought for the purpose of obtaining evidence to be used against the petitioner,
who was not a suspect at the time. (Id. at pp. 2228, 2243.) The plurality observed that
“[t]he abuses that the Court has identified as prompting the adoption of the Confrontation
Clause shared the following two characteristics: (a) they involved out-of-court
statements having the primary purpose of accusing a targeted individual of engaging in
criminal conduct and (b) they involved formalized statements such as affidavits,
depositions, prior testimony, or confessions.” (Id. at p. 2242.)
Similarly, the California Supreme Court, in one of a trilogy of cases decided after
Williams, stated that, even though the high court had not agreed on a definition of

30
“testimonial,” a review of the decisions indicates that a statement is testimonial when two
critical components are present. “First, to be testimonial the out-of-court statement must
have been made with some degree of formality or solemnity. [Citations.] The degree of
formality required, however, remains a subject of dispute in the United States Supreme
Court. [Citations.] [¶] Second, all nine high court justices agree that an out-of-court
statement is testimonial only if its primary purpose pertains in some fashion to a criminal
prosecution, but they do not agree on what the statement’s primary purpose must be.”
(People v. Lopez (2012) 55 Cal.4th 569, 581-582; see also People v. Dungo (2012) 55
Cal.4th 608; People v. Rutterschmidt (2012) 55 Cal.4th 650.)
Utilizing these guidelines, we conclude the statements at issue here have not been
shown to be testimonial. There is no indication that the sources of the detective’s
information were made in formalized statements, and there is every indication that they
were not. Detective Delia’s testimony about gang culture in general and Palmas 13 in
particular was gleaned from interviews with “hundreds of gang members” as well as
instruction and seminars, briefing and training. He also spoke with victims of gang
crimes. With regard to Segovia, Detective Delia consulted an FI card written in 2007 by
two deputies chronicling an encounter with Segovia and other gangsters. The card stated
that Segovia was a suspected member of the Palmas 13 gang, and he was with three other
members of that gang. Topete, who testified at trial, approached Detective Delia on the
day of the preliminary hearing and asked for protection from Segovia and Aguilera, and
at that time he said Segovia was in 13 Kings. The fact that Segovia was driving a car
with two other gang members immediately after the carjacking and robbery was another
factor causing the detective to believe Segovia was a gang member. Thus, there is no
basis upon which to find the required solemnity or formality in the sources of Detective
Delia’s information regarding gangs, Palmas 13, or Segovia, nor was there any formal
interrogation targeting Segovia. Accordingly, there was no confrontation clause violation
in the admission of Detective Delia’s gang testimony.
In addition, even if error occurred, it was harmless beyond a reasonable doubt.
(see People v. Rutterschmidt, supra, 55 Cal.4th at p. 651.) The jury was instructed that

31
“Detective Anthony Delia testified that in reaching his conclusions as an expert witness,
he considered statements made by other Los Angeles Sheriff Deputies and other certain
gang members. You may consider those statements only to evaluate the expert’s opinion.
Do not consider those statements as proof that the information contained in the
statements is true.” (CALCRIM No. 360.) Detective Delia was subject to cross-
examination, and the information on which he relied was the type of material reasonably
relied upon by gang experts. There is no merit to Segovia’s argument.
3. Evidence Code Section 352
As respondent notes, Segovia’s challenge under Evidence Code section 352 was
forfeited for failure to object on the same ground below. (People v. Zapien, supra, 4
Cal.4th at pp. 979-980.) Nevertheless, we address his claim on the merits, given his
allegation of ineffective assistance of counsel. We will disturb a trial court’s exercise of
discretion in admitting evidence pursuant to Evidence Code section 352 only when the
trial court’s decision exceeds the bounds of reason. (People v. Funes (1994) 23
Cal.App.4th 1506, 1519.) “‘[A]ll evidence which tends to prove guilt is prejudicial or
damaging to the defendant’s case. The stronger the evidence, the more it is “prejudicial.”
The “prejudice” referred to in Evidence Code section 352 applies to evidence which
uniquely tends to evoke an emotional bias against the defendant as an individual and
which has very little effect on the issues. In applying section 352, “prejudicial” is not
synonymous with “damaging.”’ [Citation.]” (People v. Karis, supra, 46 Cal.3d at p.
638.)
We believe Detective Delia’s testimony regarding Segovia’s gang membership
had probative value that outweighed any undue prejudice. It did not require an undue
consumption of time, nor did it risk confusing the issues or misleading the jury. In a case
such as this, where a gang allegation was made against both participants, the evidence
against Topete would have been presented in any event. The probative value was high,
and it is well established that the prejudice Evidence Code section 352 is designed to
avoid is not the prejudice or damage to a defense that naturally flows from relevant,
highly probative evidence. There was no abuse of discretion.

32
VI. Gang Testimony as Violation of Fundamental Fairness and Due Process;
Counsel’s Failure to Object
A. Segovia’s Argument
Segovia criticizes the admission of Detective Delia’s opinion about the nature of
the primary activities of the Palmas 13 gang (robberies, shootings, murder, and narcotics
sales). He also views as prejudicial the detective’s statements that the “13” in the gang’s
name stood for the letter “M” and signified the gang’s allegiance to the Mexican Mafia,
which controls prisons, the narcotics trade, and the south-side gangs in southern
California. Citing People v. Albarran (2007) 149 Cal.App.4th 214 (Albarran), Segovia
argues that this testimony was erroneously admitted because it was factually unsupported.
The testimony was so prejudicial that it had the legal consequence of rendering Segovia’s
trial fundamentally unfair and violating due process. Segovia adds that trial counsel’s
failure to move for exclusion of the highly prejudicial gang evidence constituted
prejudicially deficient representation.
B. Relevant Authority
A trial court’s admission of evidence, including gang testimony is reviewed for
abuse of discretion. (People v. Avitia (2005) 127 Cal.App.4th 185, 192-193.) Evidence
of gang affiliation and activity is admissible where relevant to issues such as identity,
motive, intent, or the truth of a gang enhancement allegation. (People v. Williams, supra,
16 Cal.4th at p. 193; Gardeley, supra, 14 Cal.4th at pp. 619-620.) Gang evidence is
inadmissible if introduced only to “show a defendant’s criminal disposition or bad
character as a means of creating an inference the defendant committed the charged
offense. [Citations.]” (People v. Sanchez (1997) 58 Cal.App.4th 1435, 1449.)
A criminal defendant has a state and federal constitutional right to the effective
assistance of counsel. (Strickland v. Washington (1984) 466 U.S. 668 (Strickland).)
Whether or not defendant’s trial counsel rendered ineffective assistance must be judged
according to well-established criteria. A defendant must first show that counsel’s “acts
or omissions were outside the wide range of professionally competent assistance.” (Id. at
p. 690.) Secondly, a defendant must show that the alleged deficiencies in counsel’s

33
performance were prejudicial to the defense, i.e., that there is a reasonable probability
that but for counsel’s unprofessional errors, the outcome of the case would have been
different. (Id. at pp. 692, 694; People v. Ledesma (1987) 43 Cal.3d 171, 216-217.)
C. Analysis
Segovia’s challenge was forfeited for failure to object on the same ground below.
(People v. Zapien, supra, 4 Cal.4th at pp. 979-980.) Nevertheless, because Segovia adds
that the failure of trial counsel to object to Detective Delia’s testimony constituted
prejudicially deficient representation, we address the claim on its merits.
Detective Delia’s testimony regarding certain aspects of the gang involved in the
instant crimes was highly relevant and not unduly prejudicial considering the facts of this
case. Given that the gangs involved here were Palmas 13 and 13 Kings, it was relevant to
ask Detective Delia about the number 13 in these names. Detective Delia explained that
the number shows allegiance to the Mexican Mafia. He explained that the Mexican
Mafia is the “shot caller” of all south side or Hispanic gangs. If a gang uses the number
13 in its name, it means the gang is paying taxes to the Mexican Mafia. Paying taxes is a
kind of “insulator” for gang members who later go to prison. If the taxes are not paid, the
inmate will be in bad standing in jail, which could lead to being beaten or killed. The
testimony regarding the Mexican Mafia was comprised of less than two pages of the
reporter’s transcript.
In order to prove the gang allegation of section 186.22, the prosecutor was obliged
to present evidence that the crime charged was committed “for the benefit of, at the
direction of, or in association with a criminal street gang.” (CALCRIM No. 1401.) The
jury was instructed that a criminal street gang was, inter alia, an organization “[t]hat has,
as one or more of its primary activities, the commission of vandalism, robbery, assault
with a deadly weapon, criminal threats, narcotic sales, shootings and murder.” The jury
was told that the phrase “primary activities” meant that the commission of the crimes
“must be one of the group’s chief or principal activities rather than an occasional act
committed by one or more persons who happen to be members of the group.”

34
 Thus, the gang evidence was clearly admissible and necessary to prove the gang
allegation. (See People v. Romero (2008) 44 Cal.4th 386, 412, fn. 2.) Significantly, the
jury was instructed that it must first decide whether defendant committed the crimes
charged in counts 1 and 2 before deciding whether the prosecution had proved the gang
allegation. (CALCRIM No. 1401.) The trial court instructed the jury that it could
consider evidence of gang activity only for the limited purpose of deciding if the
defendants acted with the intent, purpose, and knowledge required to prove the gang-
related enhancements charged and not for any other purpose. (CALCRIM No. 1403.)
We presume, having no indication to the contrary, that the jury followed the proper
written instructions it received in the instant case. (People v. Callahan (1999) 74
Cal.App.4th 356, 372.)
Albarran is distinguishable. Unlike the instant case, the gang evidence in
Albarran was inflammatory. The prosecutor referred to the defendant’s gang as
“‘dangerous,’” and to the defendant’s tattoo as linking him personally to the Mexican
Mafia, which he described as a violent prison street gang. (Albarran, supra, 149
Cal.App.4th at p. 220.) The gang expert noted the gang’s graffiti contained specific
threats to murder police officers. The expert spoke of a number of the defendant’s fellow
gang members and their arrests and criminal offenses, which were unrelated to the
charged crime. (Id. at pp. 220-221.) The gang expert also described how the defendant,
upon being arrested, had “‘confessed’” to his participation in the shooting that was the
source of the charges. (Id. at p. 221.) The prosecutor told the jury that defendant’s alibi
defense was not worthy of belief because he was in a gang. (Id. at p. 222.) In addition to
finding that the gang evidence was extremely inflammatory and cumulative and had no
connection to the charged crime, the reviewing court stated there was nothing inherent in
the facts to suggest a specific gang motive. (Id. at pp. 227, 228.)
As noted, Detective Delia testified briefly about the Mexican Mafia by way of
explaining the “13” in the gang names associated with the defendants. He also
mentioned the Mexican Mafia in the context of the consequences of being labeled a
“snitch” in jail. Detective Delia said that a snitch may be put on a green-light list to be

35
beaten or killed, and the list is approved by higher ranking members of gangs and “the
Mafia.” The latter evidence was highly relevant in the instant case where Topete’s
testimony was contrary to his prior statements, and where he alleged he had been
threatened while in jail. “‘The law does not disfavor the admission of expert testimony
that makes comprehensible and logical that which is otherwise inexplicable and
incredible.’” (People v. Gonzalez, supra, 38 Cal.4th at p. 947.)
With respect to prejudice, as stated in Albarran, we may proceed directly to the
issue of whether the admission of the Mexican Mafia evidence and other gang evidence
was so serious that it violated Segovia’s federal constitutional rights to due process.
(Albarran, supra, 149 Cal.App.4th at p. 229.) If the admission of the evidence violated
federal due process, an appellant need not demonstrate the evidence violated the state law
standard for prejudicial error. (Ibid.) “To prove a deprivation of federal due process
rights, [appellant] must satisfy a high constitutional standard to show that the erroneous
admission of evidence resulted in an unfair trial. ‘Only if there are no permissible
inferences the jury may draw from the evidence can its admission violate due process.
Even then, the evidence must “be of such quality as necessarily prevents a fair trial.”
[Citations.] Only under such circumstances can it be inferred that the jury must have
used the evidence for an improper purpose.’ [Citation.]” (Albarran, at p. 229; People v.
Partida (2005) 37 Cal.4th 428, 439.)
In addition to concluding that the evidence was more probative than prejudicial,
we believe the complained-of evidence, when considered in context with all of the other
evidence, did not result in a trial that was fundamentally unfair. The prosecutor did not
mention the Mexican Mafia in his opening statement or closing arguments, unlike the
prosecutor in Albarran. (Albarran, supra, 149 Cal.App.4th at p. 220.) The gang
evidence related to Palmas 13 and 13 Kings was properly admitted; therefore, no
emotional bias can be attributed to the testimony about the Mexican Mafia. And in light
of the fact that Detective Delia did not testify that Segovia was actually a Mexican Mafia
member, the effect of evidence relating to the Mexican Mafia, was not “so prejudicial as

36
to render the defendant’s trial fundamentally unfair.” (People v. Falsetta (1999) 21
Cal.4th 903, 913.)
We conclude the admission of the complained-of evidence in this case did not
violate Segovia’s right to due process, and we also conclude that it is not reasonably
probable that a result more favorable to Segovia would have occurred absent the
evidence. (People v. Boyette (2002) 29 Cal.4th 381, 428 [Standard of People v. Watson
(1956) 46 Cal.2d 818, 836 (Watson) applies to analysis of prejudicial state-law error].)
Finally, we do not believe Segovia’s trial counsel was ineffective for failing to
object to the gang evidence. Given its probative nature on the gang allegation, any
objection would have been futile, since the trial court would have overruled the objection.
Counsel had no duty to make frivolous or futile objections. (People v. Weaver (2001) 26
Cal.4th 876, 931.) Moreover, because we have found the evidence to be not unduly
prejudicial, counsel cannot be found ineffective. (Strickland, supra, 466 U.S. at pp. 692,
694.)
VII. Denial of New Trial Motion
A. Segovia’s Argument
Segovia contends the trial court erroneously denied his new trial motion, which
was based on the newly discovered evidence that Deputy Sorrow had been found liable
and ordered to pay a judgment in a civil case for use of excessive force. According to
Segovia, the court erred by not ascertaining the facts underlying the excessive force
judgment, since the judgment revealed morally turpitudinous conduct on the part of
Deputy Sorrow.9

9 On April 2, 2014, this court granted Segovia’s request, joined in by Topete, that
this court take judicial notice of the published decision of Division Eight of this district
entitled Bender v. County of Los Angeles (2013) 217 Cal.App.4th 968 (Bender) (case No.
B236294), as well as a printout obtained from the Los Angeles Superior Court website of
the case summary in case No. BC440862, Noel Bender vs. County of Los Angeles et al.,
filed on July 2, 2010.

37
 B. Relevant Authority
Section 1181, subdivision 8 provides that a trial court may grant a new trial
“[w]hen new evidence is discovered material to the defendant, and which he could not,
with reasonable diligence, have discovered and produced at the trial.” “‘“The
determination of a motion for a new trial rests so completely within the court’s discretion
that its action will not be disturbed unless a manifest and unmistakable abuse of
discretion clearly appears.”’ [Citations.]” (People v. Delgado (1993) 5 Cal.4th 312,
328.) “‘[I]n determining whether there has been a proper exercise of discretion on such
motion, each case must be judged from its own factual background.’” (People v. Dyer
(1988) 45 Cal.3d 26, 52.)
“In ruling on a motion for new trial based on newly discovered evidence, the trial
court considers the following factors: ‘“1. That the evidence, and not merely its
materiality, be newly discovered; 2. That the evidence be not cumulative merely; 3. That
it be such as to render a different result probable on a retrial of the cause; 4. That the
party could not with reasonable diligence have discovered and produced it at the trial; and
5. That these facts be shown by the best evidence of which the case admits.”’
[Citations.]” (People v. Delgado, supra, 5 Cal.4th at p. 328.)
C. Proceedings Below
Topete called Deputy Sorrow as a defense witness and questioned him regarding
Rivera’s statements to the deputy after the carjacking. During cross-examination, the
prosecutor attempted to elicit from Deputy Sorrow that the crime scene was hectic and
that he may have incorrectly remembered what he heard from Rivera. Segovia’s
attorney, Mr. Kelly, questioned Deputy Sorrow on redirect examination about his ability
to take accurate notes of his interview with Rivera. Mr. Kelly asked the deputy if he still
had the field notes, and the deputy replied, “No.” When asked if he typically destroyed
his notes after an interview, Deputy Sorrow said he did not, but he also said he did not
know where the notes from his interviews with Rivera were. Segovia’s attorney asked
for a sidebar during which he stated he had repeatedly asked the prosecution for the
deputy’s field notes but had not received them. The prosecutor replied that he had not

38
been aware of their existence. The prosecutor was ordered to tell the deputy to retain the
notes if he could find them.
Verdicts were reached in May 2012, and after several continuances, the new trial
motion came up for hearing on January 30, 2013. The trial court stated it had read the
moving papers of both defendants. The court questioned Segovia’s attorney regarding
the statement in his papers that Deputy Sorrow’s notes contained exculpatory evidence.
Mr. Kelly replied that this contention was based on all of the circumstances, since the
defense had not seen the notes. The deputy testified that he always kept his notes, but
ultimately he could provide only the notes from his shorter, first interview with Rivera.
The second interview was more in depth, but “magically, those notes have vanished.”
Mr. Kelly stated that there had been a finding of excessive force with regard to Deputy
Sorrow, and the jury had not been aware of this moral turpitude issue. According to Mr.
Kelly, the “13th-hour” discovery about Deputy Sorrow “cast a real dark shadow on this
issue.”
The court questioned whether a civil judgment for excessive force was a “moral
turpitude type of crime.” Mr. Kelly said it was, but he had no authority to support that
position. Mr. Kelly did not know the facts of the other case or the degree of force used.
Mr. Kelly asserted that the deputy had “given these conflicting stories and catch-up
stories on these notes of an in-depth interview where my client was not identified, but the
other two were.” Topete’s attorney said she joined the motion for new trial because any
evidence negative in nature affected Topete, even though not directly.
The prosecutor argued that the determinative factor at issue was whether the
evidence would render a different result probable upon retrial. The prosecutor asserted
he had complied with Brady in that there had been no information on Deputy Sorrow’s
name and badge number prior to trial. At some point after that, the judgment appeared in
the Brady database. There were, however, no findings of any moral turpitude against the
deputy. The Brady unit of the district attorney’s office stated the information was not
necessarily discoverable and left it up to the prosecutor to decide whether to disclose the
information, and he had done so. There was nothing to indicate the deputy lied or did

39
anything that equated to moral turpitude. Moreover, Rivera testified two times, and
Deputy Sorrow corroborated Rivera’s testimony by testifying that Rivera was never able
to identify Segovia.
Mr. Kelly and Ms. Fujita suggested that more investigation into what conduct was
the subject of the civil suit might be appropriate. The court stated that Mr. Kelly had had
his opportunity, since the motion had been put over since October of the prior year.
The court ruled the motion was denied based on the moving papers, the
arguments, the evidence, and the law. It found the prosecutor did not use any
reprehensible methods to influence the jury, and his conduct was not prejudicial. The
court found without merit the defense contention that the evidence of the deputy being
found civilly liable on an excessive force case and being ordered to pay damages would
have probably led to a different result. Although the defense speculated the notes
contained exculpatory information, there was no such evidence. Under People v. Hall
(2010) 187 Cal.App.4th 282, a new trial on the grounds of newly discovered evidence is
not granted where the only value of the evidence was impeachment. Had the defense
known about the deputy’s civil judgment earlier, the court would have found the evidence
irrelevant and denied its admission on Evidence Code section 352 grounds. The
probative value of the evidence was slight and would have substantially been outweighed
by the danger of confusion of issues and undue consumption of time.
D. Analysis
Segovia argues that Rivera’s statements to Deputy Sorrow regarding the third
perpetrator were crucial to his defense. Mr. Kelly contended that Rivera told the deputy
not just that he could not identify the third perpetrator, but that Segovia was not the third
perpetrator. Mr. Kelly maintained that Deputy Sorrow’s use of excessive force was an
act involving moral turpitude and was admissible at a new trial to impeach him. Segovia
complains that the trial court was obligated to ascertain the facts underlying the excessive
force judgment in order to determine its materiality under Brady, and it never sought to
do so.

40
 “Critically, ‘[a] new trial on the ground of newly discovered evidence is not
granted where the only value of the newly discovered testimony is as impeaching
evidence’ or to contradict a witness of the opposing party. [Citations.]” (People v. Hall,
supra, 187 Cal.App.4th at p. 299.) In Hall, the court found that the trial court properly
denied Hall’s motion for new trial because the purpose of the new evidence was to
contradict the prosecution’s expert witness. (Ibid.) As in Hall, Segovia admits that the
purpose of the evidence of Deputy Sorrow’s moral turpitude was admissible for
impeaching him at Segovia’s trial.
Regardless of the facts surrounding the deputy’s prior uses of excessive force, of
which we have been apprised by means of the opinion in Bender, supra, 217 Cal.App.4th
at pages 972-976, 982, the evidence was not relevant to any issue in Segovia’s case,
except for general impeachment of the deputy’s veracity. In the context of the deputy’s
testimony, this impeachment was of little value, since the deputy testified only about
what Rivera told him, and none of that information was inculpatory of Segovia. “‘[A]
motion for a new trial should be granted when the newly discovered evidence contradicts
the strongest evidence introduced against the defendant.’” (People v. Delgado, supra, 5
Cal.4th at p. 329.) Here, Deputy Sorrow’s testimony was clearly not the strongest
evidence against Segovia. Indeed, the evidence was more favorable than unfavorable to
both defendants. The deputy was called as a defense witness by Ms. Fujita, Topete’s
attorney. Deputy Sorrow testified that Rivera never said Topete told Aguilera to take
Rivera’s keys and wallet. Rivera said the other two perpetrators demanded money and
Rivera’s wallet. Rivera did not say Topete took anything from him. Rivera did not say
the third person—the one who came to the driver’s door—was the one who reached into
his pockets or that he had a knife. Deputy Sorrow testified that Rivera did not identify
Segovia at the field showup.
We agree with the trial court that it is unlikely that a jury that heard what Segovia
labels “new evidence” would have reached a different verdict with respect to Segovia.
Deputy Sorrow was called as a defense witness because his testimony revealed
inconsistencies between Rivera’s statement and his testimony. It would have been of

41
little value to impeach him, unless raising the specter of police brutality was perceived by
the defense as of some value to its case. Whether or not Deputy Sorrow exhibited “moral
depravity,” as Segovia asserts, would not have put the entire case against Segovia in such
a different light so as to undermine confidence in the verdict. (Strickler v. Green (1999)
527 U.S. 263, 290.) Deputy Sorrow did not investigate the instant case. He merely
interviewed the victim twice and filed a police report summarizing these interviews and
Rivera’s field showup identifications. Contrary to Segovia’s assertions the credibility of
the defendants versus that of Deputy Sorrow was not key to the jury’s finding of guilt.
Accordingly, we do not believe the trial court abused its discretion in denying Segovia’s
motion for a new trial.
VIII. Denial of Due Process by Prosecutor’s Alleged Suppression of Evidence
A. Segovia’s Argument
Segovia contends that the prosecutor’s failure to disclose evidence of excessive
force complaints and judgments against Deputy Sorrow denied him due process under
Brady. He contends the prosecution withheld material evidence from him and from the
jury about Deputy Sorrow’s pervasive misconduct in other cases. The suppression of the
evidence was prejudicial to his case and requires reversal of the judgment.
B. Relevant Authority
“In Brady, the United States Supreme Court held ‘that the suppression by the
prosecution of evidence favorable to an accused upon request violates due process where
the evidence is material either to guilt or to punishment, irrespective of the good faith or
bad faith of the prosecution.’ [Citation.] The high court has since held that the duty to
disclose such evidence exists even though there has been no request by the accused
[citation], that the duty encompasses impeachment evidence as well as exculpatory
evidence [citation], and that the duty extends even to evidence known only to police
investigators and not to the prosecutor [citation]. Such evidence is material ‘“if there is a
reasonable probability that, had the evidence been disclosed to the defense, the result of
the proceeding would have been different.’” [Citation.]” (People v. Salazar (2005) 35

42
Cal.4th 1031, 1042.) A Brady claim is subject to independent review. (Salazar, at p.
1042.)
Kyles v. Whitley (1995) 514 U.S. 419 stated that the test of materiality is not
whether “the defendant would more likely than not have received a different verdict with
the [exculpatory] evidence, but whether in its absence he received a fair trial, understood
as a trial resulting in a verdict worthy of confidence.” (Id. at p. 434.) The court also said
that the defendant must show “that the favorable evidence could reasonably be taken to
put the whole case in such a different light as to undermine confidence in the verdict.”
(Id. at p. 435, fn. omitted.)
C. Analysis
Segovia argues that, in the instant case, all three Brady requirements were
satisfied. The evidence was favorable and material because the misconduct evidence
would have impeached the deputy’s credibility regarding the actual words used by Rivera
in failing to identify Segovia as the third perpetrator. Secondly, the prosecution had
constructive, if not actual, knowledge that there had been complaints against Deputy
Sorrow and that he had been found liable. Thirdly, given there was no evidence other
than Topete’s purported statements to Deputies Roach and Delia implicating Segovia—
which Topete denied making at trial—and only circumstantial evidence of Segovia’s
guilt, there is a reasonable probability that the result of trial would have been different
had the misconduct evidence been disclosed to the defense.
At the outset, it appears the prosecutor complied with his obligations under Brady.
The prosecutor informed the defense about the judgment against Deputy Sorrow as soon
as he learned of it. The prosecutor “ran the deputy’s name and badge number, and no hits
came up” prior to trial. When the results did appear, the Brady unit at the district
attorney’s office stated that the judgment was not necessarily discoverable because there
was no moral turpitude associated with it, and it was left to the individual deputy district
attorney to decide whether to disclose the matter.
Nevertheless, even if constructive knowledge of the judgment at an earlier date is
attributed to the prosecution, Segovia’s claim fails because there is no reasonable

43
probability that the verdicts would have been different had the evidence of Deputy
Sorrow’s excessive-force judgments been disclosed to the defense and to the jury. As we
observed in the previous section, Deputy Sorrow was called by the defense as a witness,
and he testified that Rivera was not able to identify Segovia. He revealed inconsistencies
in Rivera’s testimony. There was no showing the deputy’s notes would have revealed
that Rivera stated affirmatively that Segovia was not the third attacker. Therefore,
despite the absence of evidence of the judgment against Deputy Sorrow and his prior
excessive force incidents, Segovia fails to show that, given the nature of Deputy Sorrow’s
role in the instant case and the nature of what he could testify to, the evidence “could
reasonably be taken to put the whole case in such a different light as to undermine
confidence in the verdict.” (Kyles v. Whitley, supra, 514 U.S. at p. 435, fn. omitted.)
IX. Admission of Topete’s Statements to Deputies Hernandez and Roach
A. Topete’s Arguments
Topete contends that admission of his statements to Deputies Hernandez and
Roach was a violation of his Fifth and Fourteenth Amendment rights, and he contends his
answers to the deputies’ questions about his gang affiliation were not routine booking
questions and were designed to elicit an incriminating response. Therefore, a Miranda
advisement was required. Topete asserts that the error was not harmless beyond a
reasonable doubt.
B. Proceedings Below
Deputy Hernandez testified that he booked Topete. He did not recall if he asked
Topete if he had a moniker. When shown the booking slip, Deputy Hernandez
acknowledged that Topete told him he was known as “Bad Boy” and was a member of
the Palmas gang. After a recess, Topete’s attorney, Ms. Fujita, called for an Evidence
Code section 402 hearing on whether Topete’s remarks about his gang were elicited in
violation of Miranda. The prosecutor argued that routine booking questions do not
constitute interrogation. Ms. Fujita stated that Topete was in custody when questioned by
Deputy Hernandez. Topete should have been Mirandized even if the questions were for
administrative purposes. She also argued that the deputy had brought in damaging

44
information through the back door and it should be excluded under Evidence Code
section 352.
Deputy Hernandez then testified in order to lay a foundation. He stated that
Topete made the statements in the patrol car while Deputy Roach was filling out the
booking slip. Deputy Hernandez was driving and did not hear all of the questions and
answers.
During further argument, the prosecutor asserted that asking about gang affiliation
was routine because of the need to separate inmates from rival gangs. The prosecutor
provided the court with the booking slip, and the court stated that the questions appeared
to be routine booking questions. The court also found that the probative value was not
substantially outweighed by the danger of prejudice, undue consumption of time, or
confusion of issues.
Deputy Roach testified before the jury that he began asking routine booking
questions in the patrol car and also helped in booking Topete at the station. He asked
Topete if he was in a gang, and Topete replied he was from Palmas 13 and he gave his
moniker as Bad Boy. Topete said he had been on his way to a gang meeting on “P
Block.”
The prosecution also called Deputy Roach on rebuttal. He testified that it was
standard procedure for one officer to drive and the other officer to fill out the booking
form in the patrol car in order to expedite the booking process. Segovia’s attorney cross-
examined the deputy about his first conversation with Topete—the one where he
implicated Segovia and Aguilera in the robbery and carjacking. The police report on the
first conversation stated, “‘I contacted Topete and advised him of his Miranda rights.’”
C. Relevant Authority
“The prophylactic Miranda protections are triggered only if a defendant is
subjected to a custodial interrogation. [Citation.] Interrogation refers not only to express
questioning, but also to its functional equivalent; i.e., “‘any words or actions on the part
of the police (other than those normally attendant to arrest and custody) that the police
should know are reasonably likely to elicit an incriminating response from the suspect.’”

45
[Citation.] However, not all police questioning of a person in custody constitutes
interrogation. [Citation.] The exclusion for communications ‘normally attendant to
arrest and custody’ recognizes that the police may properly perform their normal
administrative duties that are distinct from their investigatory function without giving rise
to Miranda protections. [Citations.] [¶] For example, under the “‘routine booking
question” exception’ to the Miranda rule, the police need not provide Miranda warnings
prior to asking routine booking questions to secure biographical information. [Citations.]
Also, the Miranda requirements are generally not implicated when the police ask
questions related to safety concerns that arise during the arrest or booking process.
[Citations.] Similarly, casual conversations or ‘small talk’ unrelated to the offense do not
typically constitute a Miranda interrogation. [Citations.] [¶] The fact that information
gathered from routine questions or casual conversations turns out to be incriminating
does not alone render the statements inadmissible. [Citation.] This principle excluding
routine or casual communications from Miranda’s coverage can apply even when a
defendant has already received Miranda warnings and invoked his or her rights.
[Citations.]” (People v. Andreasen (2013) 214 Cal.App.4th 70, 86-87, fn. omitted.)
In assessing whether Miranda warnings should have been given before routine
questioning or casual conversations, among the factors to be considered are the nature
and context of the questioning, the knowledge and intent of the officer asking the
questions, the relationship between the questions and the crime, and the administrative
need for the questions. (People v. Gomez (2011) 192 Cal.App.4th 609, 630-631
(Gomez).)
In reviewing the trial court’s denial of a motion to exclude evidence based on
Miranda violations, we defer to the trial court’s factual and credibility findings if
supported by substantial evidence. We independently determine whether the statements
were illegally obtained. (Gomez, supra, 192 Cal.App.4th at p. 627.)
D. Analysis
Topete argues that all of the Gomez factors weigh against applying the booking
exception to the questioning in this case. We conclude that because the questions asked

46
of Topete during booking may not reasonably be construed as calling for an incriminating
response, no Miranda warning was required. The fact that information gathered from
routine questions or casual conversations turns out to be incriminating does not alone
render the statements inadmissible. (See Gomez, supra, 192 Cal.App.4th at p. 629.)
The record indicates that the standard booking slip used by Deputy Roach
provided a place for noting information about a detainee’s gang affiliation. As stated in
Gomez, gang affiliation is an important factor for the secure housing of inmates. (Gomez,
supra, 192 Cal.App.4th at pp. 634-635.) Because Deputy Roach was merely following a
standard booking procedure, it cannot be said he asked the question as a pretext to
soliciting incriminating statements. At the moment Topete was being booked, it was not
clear that the crime was a gang-related crime.
We note, however, that Topete does not dispute that he was advised of his
Miranda rights by Deputy Roach prior to their first conversation in the patrol car. Topete
argues that no evidence was given about the contents of that Miranda warning, but
Topete’s counsel did not ask about the contents, nor did Segovia. Deputy Roach’s
testimony was not contradicted, and was sufficient to establish that Topete was given the
Miranda advisory. (Evid. Code, § 411.)
Finally, any error in admitting Topete’s gang admission to Deputy Roach was
harmless beyond a reasonable doubt. (People v. Johnson (1993) 6 Cal.4th 1, 33.) There
was ample evidence of Topete’s gang membership. He had admitted his membership and
his moniker to Deputy Crosby in 2011 while in the Las Palmas gang area. He also
admitted his membership to Detective Delia twice in 2011. Topete had tattoos on his
body that were gang related. Topete had been stopped with other Palmas 13 gang
members in the gang’s territory.
Topete argues that the error was not harmless because, other than Rivera’s
contradictory testimony, the only evidence that he participated in the crimes came from
the deputies who attributed statements to him that were not recorded. We disagree with
Topete that Rivera’s testimony was so contradictory as to be insufficient to convict him.
Rivera was thoroughly cross-examined by Topete’s attorney. She pointed out the

47
inconsistencies between Rivera’s preliminary hearing testimony, the police reports
detailing Rivera’s prior statements, and his trial testimony on direct examination—
precisely the discrepancies Topete mentions in his opening brief. Counsel read back
various portions of the preliminary hearing transcript. In closing argument, counsel
urged the jury to consider the inconsistencies in Rivera’s testimony and his failure to
recall certain facts and statements he made. Counsel asked the jury to consider the jury
instruction that tells the jury to ask whether a witness made a statement in the past that is
consistent or inconsistent with his or her testimony. (CALCRIM No. 226.) Thus, the
jury was very aware of any contradictions in Rivera’s statements and of the statements he
made that he no longer recalled. It was within the province of the jury as the trier of fact
to assess the credibility of the witness and weigh the available inferences. (People v.
McPeters (1992) 2 Cal.4th 1148, 1183.) Any contradictions revealed by Rivera’s
testimony merely raised a credibility issue for the jury to resolve. (People v. Glaude
(1983) 141 Cal.App.3d 633, 641.)
X. Questioning Regarding Topete’s Prior Arrests
A. Topete’s Argument
Topete contends that the prosecutor’s questions regarding his prior arrests for DUI
and robbery violated his federal constitutional rights to due process, a fair trial, and to
present a defense. He asserts that: evidence of mere arrests is inadmissible; he did not
open the door to the evidence; the prosecutor’s questions alone supplied an inference
Topete had been arrested for robbery; the evidence was not admissible under Evidence
Code section 1101, subdivision (b); and the evidence was inadmissible under Evidence
Code section 352 in violation of due process and a fair trial and defendant’s right to
present a defense. Topete states that, if this court believes any of these grounds had been
forfeited, his counsel was ineffective for failing to object on that ground. Topete adds
that he was prejudiced by the error, since, but for admission of this evidence, it is
reasonably probable the jury would have rendered a more favorable verdict. He also
argues that the admission of the prior arrests was not harmless beyond a reasonable
doubt.

48
 B. Proceedings Below
During trial, Topete’s attorney complained that she was not given discovery of an
arrest report on Topete. The prosecutor informed the court that it did not intend to use
the evidence of Topete’s prior arrest. Topete’s attorney withdrew her Evidence Code
section 402 challenge to the evidence but stated she was unsure whether to close out her
investigation of the robbery. The prosecutor said she could close it out because he did
not believe he would use the evidence.
Topete took the stand, and during cross-examination, the following exchange
occurred:
“Q: After you run home, you’re worried about what is going to happen; right?
“A: Yes.
“Q: And you see Mr. Segovia, who just, coincidentally, happens to be there. You
get in his car; right?
“A: Yes.
“Q: You didn’t think to yourself, ‘Maybe it would be better for me to go inside
my house where no one can find me and see me rather than get in a car where people will
see me?’
“A: It was the first time in a situation like this.
“Q: So you’ve never been in a situation before where you’ve had troubles like
these?
“A: I’ve never been in trouble.
“Q: Okay.”
The prosecutor asked to approach the bench and told the court that because Topete
had said he had never been in trouble, he should be allowed to question Topete about his
prior arrest. Ms. Fujita argued that the reason the door had been opened was due to the
way the prosecutor had posed his questions. The court ruled that, based on the witness’s
testimony and his defense, he had opened the door, and the prosecutor’s proposed
impeachment was proper. The jury was entitled to hear a follow-up question by the
prosecutor.

49
 Upon the prosecutor’s resuming questioning, he asked Topete, “So you indicated
that you have never been in trouble like this before; correct?” Topete said, “Yes.” The
prosecutor asked him if he had not been arrested for a DUI, and Topete acknowledged
that he had. Topete then denied that he had been arrested for another robbery. The
prosecutor showed Topete an arrest report for purposes of refreshing his recollection.
When the prosecutor asked again if police had spoken to him about a robbery, Topete
said he was asked for information and told he had nothing to do with it. The prosecutor
returned to questioning about the day of the Rivera robbery and carjacking.
C. Relevant Authority
The trial court has broad discretion to admit or exclude impeachment evidence.
(People v. Rodriguez (1999) 20 Cal.4th 1, 9-10.) Its discretion will not be disturbed,
unless there is a “showing the trial court exercised its discretion in an arbitrary,
capricious, or patently absurd manner that resulted in a manifest miscarriage of justice.
[Citation.]” A miscarriage of justice occurs only when it appears reasonably probable
that a result more favorable to defendant would have been reached in the absence of the
error. (Watson, supra, 46 Cal.2d at p. 836.) Arrests are generally inadmissible. (People
v. Medina (1995) 11 Cal.4th 694, 769.)
D. Analysis
We conclude the evidence of Topete’s prior arrests was admissible to impeach his
credibility. It was not admitted to attack his credibility generally, however. Rather, the
evidence was relevant and admissible under Evidence Code section 780, subdivision (i).
Pursuant to Evidence Code section 780, subdivision (i), a trial court may admit
otherwise inadmissible evidence for impeachment purposes to prove or disprove the
existence or nonexistence of a fact about which a witness has testified or opened the door.
(Andrews v. City and County of San Francisco (1988) 205 Cal.App.3d 938, 946 [“[A]
witness who makes a sweeping statement on direct or cross-examination may open the
door to use of otherwise inadmissible evidence of prior misconduct for the purpose of
contradicting such testimony”]; Leader v. State of California (1986) 182 Cal.App.3d
1079, 1089-1092; see also People v. Cooks (1983) 141 Cal.App.3d 224, 324; People v.

50
Reyes (1976) 62 Cal.App.3d 53, 61-62.) The rule admitting evidence after a witness has
opened the door prevents the witness from misleading the jury or misrepresenting facts.
(People v. Robinson (1997) 53 Cal.App.4th 270, 282-283.)
In this case, on cross-examination, Topete made the sweeping statement that he
had never been in trouble. This testimony led to the inference that Topete was an
innocent person who was in the wrong place at the wrong time. By impliedly asserting
that he acted out of fear and confusion because he had never been involved in anything
remotely against the law before, Topete opened the door to cross-examination about his
past conduct. As held in People v. Cooks, supra, 141 Cal.App.3d at page 324, it was not
improper for the prosecutor to briefly cross-examine Topete about his prior arrests. In
this way, Topete was prevented from misleading the jury or misrepresenting the facts.
The evidence had a “tendency in reason to prove or disprove the truthfulness of his
testimony at the hearing,” by establishing the “nonexistence of [a] fact testified to by
him.” (Evid. Code, § 780, subd. (i); People v. Rodriguez, supra, 20 Cal.4th at p. 9
[“always relevant for impeachment purposes are the witness’s capacity to observe and the
existence or nonexistence of any fact testified to by the witness”].) He was allowed to
deny the robbery arrest without any further questioning by the prosecution. The trial
court did not abuse its discretion.
Topete also argues that the evidence was inadmissible under Evidence Code
section 352, and it violated his Fourteenth Amendment rights to due process and a fair
trial. He asserts that his trial counsel was ineffective for not preserving those grounds for
review.
We believe the trial court did not err under Evidence Code section 352 by
allowing the prosecutor to briefly question Topete about his prior arrests. The evidence
of the DUI arrest was not inflammatory, and Topete categorically denied any prior arrest
for robbery, stating that the police had only asked for his assistance in gathering
evidence. The evidence was, however, potentially probative regarding Topete’s portrayal
of himself as a young man who had never been in trouble and had been taken advantage
of by the perpetrators—members of the gang he wanted to leave so much that he had

51
gone to get jumped out a second time. The brief questioning did not require an undue
consumption of time, and a DUI arrest was highly unlikely to evoke an emotional bias
against Topete on the part of the jury. “[A]dmissible evidence often carries with it a
certain amount of prejudice, [and] Evidence Code section 352 is designed for situations
in which evidence of little evidentiary impact evokes an emotional bias.” (People v.
Olguin, supra, 31 Cal.App.4th at p. 1369.) Topete denied any involvement in any
robbery, and it was left at that.
In addition, because the impeachment evidence at issue did not prejudice Topete,
his counsel was not ineffective for failing to object on due process grounds or Evidence
Code section 352 grounds. (Strickland, supra, 466 U.S. at pp. 692, 694.) And, although
counsel stated she had “closed out” her investigation on the prior arrests in reliance on
the prosecutor’s statement that he would not introduce evidence of those arrests, there is
no support for Topete’s claim he was deprived of his right to present a defense to the
evidence. Even after being shown a police report, Topete adamantly denied any
involvement in any robbery, including the instant robbery, and insisted the police had
asked him for help in gathering evidence. The prosecution presented no evidence to
rebut these assertions, and the jury was left with the impression that Topete had been
helpful to police investigators.
“The general rule remains that ‘“the ordinary rules of evidence do not
impermissibly infringe on the accused’s [constitutional] right to present a defense.
Courts retain . . . a traditional and intrinsic power to exercise discretion to control the
admission of evidence in the interests of orderly procedure and the avoidance of
prejudice.’” [Citations.]” (People v. Lawley (2002) 27 Cal.4th 102, 155.) We believe
that the totality of the evidence, rather than the brief mention of Topete’s prior arrest,
which he denied, was the deciding factor in the jury’s estimation of Topete’s credibility.
No miscarriage of justice occurred as a result of the prosecutor’s question, and it does not
appear that a result more favorable to Topete would have been reached in the absence of
this evidence. (Cal. Const., art. VI, § 13; Watson, supra, 46 Cal.2d at p. 836.) Moreover,
the jury was instructed with CALCRIM No. 222 that questions were not evidence and the

52
jury must not assume something is true just because one of the attorneys asked a question
suggesting it was true. Finally, Rivera’s testimony and the circumstantial evidence of the
location of the items in Topete’s carport as well as his presence in the car with Segovia
and Aguilar minutes after the crimes were strong evidence of Topete’s guilt. Any error in
admitting the evidence was harmless under any standard. (Chapman v. California (1967)
386 U.S. 18 [harmless beyond a reasonable doubt]; Watson, supra, 46 Cal.2d at p. 836
[reasonable probability the error did not affect the outcome].)
XI. Prosecutorial Misconduct
A. Topete’s Argument
Topete contends the prosecutor committed prejudicial misconduct under state and
federal law by questioning Topete about his prior arrests. Topete asserts that the
prosecutor’s questions were designed to elicit inadmissible and prejudicial answers.
Moreover, the prosecutor knew he could not prove Topete was involved in the robbery if
he denied it. In addition, the issue of Topete’s arrests was irrelevant. If the jurors had
not heard that Topete had been arrested on a separate robbery, they would have been
more willing to accept his version of events. The misconduct was prejudicial under any
standard of prejudice. If this court finds the issue was forfeited, trial counsel was
ineffective.
B. Relevant Authority
We set out the authority on prosecutorial misconduct in a previous section of this
opinion.
C. Analysis
The record shows the trial court ruled that Topete had opened the door for
evidence regarding his past encounters with law enforcement by testifying that he had
never been in trouble before. The trial court, after hearing argument from both sides,
allowed the prosecutor to question Topete about his two arrests. Therefore, the
prosecutor did not commit misconduct by asking a question calling for inadmissible
evidence. The evidence was admissible for impeachment of Topete under Evidence
Code section 780, as we have stated previously. The prosecutor did not display a pattern

53
of conduct that infected the trial with unfairness, nor did he employ deceptive or
reprehensible methods to attempt to persuade the jury.
Contrary to Topete’s assertion, the prosecutor was not unable to prove Topete’s
arrest, since the record shows the prosecutor had an arrest report, which he showed to
Topete. That the prosecutor did not belabor the point when Topete said detectives had
pulled him out of his cell in order to obtain information did not mean the prosecutor knew
he could not prove Topete was actually arrested. Rather, it indicates the prosecutor
believed he had no reason to instigate a mini-trial on this issue, since the evidence was
only offered for its impeachment value.
In any event, even if the questioning about prior arrests could be deemed
misconduct, defendant was not prejudiced thereby. Even if a defendant shows that
prosecutorial misconduct occurred, reversal is not required unless the defendant can
demonstrate that a result more favorable to him would have occurred absent the
misconduct or with a curative admonition. (People v. Arias (1996) 13 Cal.4th 92, 161.)
As we have stated in the previous section, there was strong evidence of Topete’s guilt,
and the jury was instructed that an attorney’s question does not constitute evidence, nor
should its contents be considered as true. It is not reasonably probable that the trial
would have resulted in an outcome more favorable to Topete had the alleged misconduct
not occurred.
XII. Topete’s Ineffective Assistance of Counsel Claim
A. Topete’s Argument
Topete argues that trial counsel was ineffective for failing to request a limiting
instruction, such as CALCRIM No. 316, Alternative B,10 on the evidence of his prior

10 CALCRIM No. 316, Alternative B reads as follows: “If you find that a witness
has committed a crime or other misconduct, you may consider that fact [only] in
evaluating the credibility of the witness’s testimony. The fact that a witness may have
committed a crime or other misconduct does not necessarily destroy or impair a witness’s
credibility. It is up to you to decide the weight of that fact and whether that fact makes
the witness less believable.”

54
arrests. He asserts counsel could have had no tactical reason for not requesting such an
instruction, and the failure to do so prejudiced him, requiring reversal.
B. Analysis
We have set out the pertinent authority on ineffective assistance of counsel in a
previous section. Here, trial counsel’s failure to draw attention to the brief mention of
Topete’s prior arrests for DUI and robbery was not “outside the wide range of
professionally competent assistance.” (Strickland, supra, 466 U.S. at p. 690.) It may
well have been part of counsel’s strategy to ameliorate any prejudice caused by the
prosecutor’s mention of these arrests. Counsel may have determined that an instruction
on this very issue would unduly emphasize the fact of these arrests, and Topete’s denial
of the robbery arrest was more beneficial to the defense. Because defense counsel’s
purpose in failing to request a limiting instruction is unclear, we cannot conclude that she
had no reason for the omission.
In any event, Topete also fails to meet the second prong of the Strickland test for
ineffective assistance of counsel. As we have indicated several times, the brief mention
of Topete’s prior arrests along with his emphatic denial of a prior arrest for robbery
eliminated any undue prejudice from this information. As noted, CALCRIM No. 222
instructed the jury that it must not assume that something is true merely because an
attorney’s question suggested it was true. In addition, CALCRIM No. 220 told the jury
that it “must not be biased against the defendants just because they have been arrested,
charged with a crime, or brought to trial.” These instructions adequately informed the
jury of the concept that Topete alleges was lacking, i.e., the fact that the jury must not
judge Topete’s guilt on the carjacking and robbery based on any alleged past crimes, and
they cured any prejudice caused by a failure to request a further limiting instruction.
XIII. Cumulative Error
A. Defendants’ Arguments
Topete asserts that the instant case was close on the issue of guilt and was based
primarily on unreliable hearsay regarding the gang allegation. He claims there is a
reasonable probability that without the multiple errors, the jury would have reached a

55
more favorable result. According to Segovia, the accumulated errors, considered
together, took away from him all possibility and opportunity for the jury to make a fair
and just appraisal of his defense.
In examining cumulative error, the critical question is “whether defendant
received due process and a fair trial.” (People v. Kronemyer (1987) 189 Cal.App.3d 314,
349; accord, People v. Cain (1995) 10 Cal.4th 1, 82 [a defendant is entitled to a fair trial,
not a perfect one].) A predicate to a claim of cumulative error is a finding of error, and
we have found no prejudicial error. Our review of the record assures us that defendants
received due process and a fair trial. (See People v. Ashmus (1991) 54 Cal.3d 932, 1006.)
Therefore, there was no cumulative error requiring reversal.
DISPOSITION
The judgments are affirmed.
NOT TO BE PUBLISHED IN THE OFFICIAL REPORTS.

BOREN, P.J.
We concur:

CHAVEZ, J.

FERNS, J.*

_______________________________________________________________

* Judge of the Los Angeles Superior Court, assigned by the Chief Justice
pursuant to article VI, section 6 of the California Constitution.

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