People v. Cortez CA4/2

• Court: California Court of Appeal
• Decided: September 7, 2023
• Docket: E080455
• Status: Unpublished

Opinion

Filed 9/7/23 P. v. Cortez CA4/2

NOT TO BE PUBLISHED IN OFFICIAL REPORTS California Rules of Court, rule 8.1115(a), prohibits courts and parties from citing or relying on opinions not certified for publication or ordered published, except as specified by rule 8.1115(b). This opinion has not been certified for publication or ordered published for purposes of rule 8.1115.

IN THE COURT OF APPEAL OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA

FOURTH APPELLATE DISTRICT

DIVISION TWO

THE PEOPLE,

Plaintiff and Respondent, E080455

v. (Super.Ct.No. FWV17004818)

ZOE RENE CORTEZ, OPINION

Defendant and Appellant.

APPEAL from the Superior Court of San Bernardino County. Michael A. Knish,

Judge. Reversed and remanded with directions.

Valerie G. Wass, under appointment by the Court of Appeal, for Defendant and

Appellant.

Rob Bonta, Attorney General, Lance E. Winters, Chief Assistant Attorney

General, Charles C. Ragland, Assistant Attorney General, and Alan L. Amann and Robin

Urbanski, Deputy Attorneys General, for Plaintiff and Respondent.

1 I.

INTRODUCTION

Defendant and appellant Zoe Rene Cortez appeals from the trial court’s order

denying her petition to vacate her attempted murder conviction and for resentencing

under Penal Code1 section 1172.6 (formerly section 1170.95).2 On appeal, defendant

argues the trial court erred in summarily denying her petition because it engaged in

impermissible factfinding at the prima facie stage of review by relying on the preliminary

hearing transcript and concluding she directly aided and abetted the commission of the

attempted murder. Defendant further contends she was denied effective assistance of

counsel in all matters related to her petition for resentencing. The People agree the court

impermissibly engaged in factfinding at the prima facie stage, as do we.3 We thus

reverse the order and remand the matter to the trial court with directions to issue an order

to show cause and hold an evidentiary hearing pursuant to section 1172.6,

subdivision (d).

1 All future statutory references are to the Penal Code.

2 Effective June 30, 2022, the Legislature renumbered section 1170.95 as section 1172.6, with no substantive change in text. (Stats. 2022, ch. 58, § 10.) We cite to section 1172.6 for ease of reference unless otherwise indicated.

3 Because we agree with the parties that the trial court erred in impermissibly engaging in factfinding at the prima facie stage, we need not address defendant’s claim her counsel was effective in matters related to her resentencing petition.

2 II.

FACTUAL AND PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND4

C.R. and defendant have a son together. At the time of the offense, their son was

about a year old. On the morning of December 16, 2017, C.R. and defendant agreed to

meet at a park. At the park, defendant and C.R. argued, and defendant wrongfully

accused C.R. of having a knife. C.R. left the park and defendant began following him.

C.R. went to a restaurant area and contacted the sheriff’s department. C.R. eventually

returned to his apartment where other members of his family, including his sister, also

lived.

C.R. spoke with defendant again later that afternoon. Defendant asked C.R. to

meet her at a McDonald’s and told him not to bring their son. When C.R. declined the

invitation, defendant told him that she was outside of his apartment complex. C.R. hung

up the phone, but she called him back. C.R. answered his phone and heard a male voice

on the line say, “he got something for me [C.R.]” and “we’re gonna catch hands.” C.R.

took these statements to mean that the person was going to fight him. C.R. was outside at

the time, near the parking lot of his apartment complex. C.R. hung up again and saw

defendant’s car. Defendant was driving and codefendant Manuel Rojas was in the

passenger seat. C.R. saw the passenger’s door open and watched Rojas fire two shots at

him from a handgun. C.R. fled, and Rojas ran after him and shot at C.R. two more times.

4 The factual background is taken from the preliminary hearing transcript.

3 Meanwhile, defendant drove her car at a high rate of speed to the area where

C.R.’s car was parked. By this time, C.R.’s sister had arrived in the area. C.R.’s sister

ran toward the commotion and got into a physical fight with defendant. Rojas pointed the

gun at defendant’s sister and did not fire it, but instead hit her in the face with the gun.

C.R. then jumped up from a bush he had been hiding behind. Rojas pointed the gun at

C.R. again, fired, and hit C.R. in the arm. The bullet entered C.R.’s arm and traveled to

his torso, causing him to have a collapsed lung and requiring him to have multiple

surgeries.

C.R.’s sister tackled Rojas, and at some point, the gun was on the ground.

Defendant picked up the gun, held it next to her leg, and looked at C.R. When C.R.

asked her whether she just tried to get him killed, defendant shrugged her shoulders and

slowly walked away from C.R. and toward her car. Defendant made no threatening

moves with the gun and made no threatening statements during the incident.

In a first amended information filed June 3, 2019, defendant was charged with two

counts of attempted willful, deliberate, premeditated murder (§ 664/187, subd. (a),

counts 6 & 7), and two counts of assault with a firearm (§ 245, subd. (a)(2), counts 8 &

9). As to counts 6 and 7, the first amended information further alleged that a principal

was armed with a firearm (§ 12022, subd. (a)(1).) Codefendant Rojas was charged with

the same offenses in different counts, along with personal firearm use (§§ 12022.53,

subds. (b), (c) & (d), 12022.5, subd. (a)) and great bodily injury enhancements

(§ 12022.7, subd. (a)).

4 On December 9, 2019, pursuant to a negotiated plea agreement, defendant pled

guilty to attempted murder (§§ 664/187, subd. (a)).5 In return, the remaining charges

were dismissed, and defendant was sentenced to nine years in state prison. The trial court

used the preliminary hearing transcript for a factual basis for the plea, and the parties

stipulated that the preliminary hearing provided a factual basis for the plea.

On June 8, 2022, defendant filed a petition for resentencing pursuant to

section 1172.6.

After appointing counsel and receiving briefing from the parties, the trial court

held a hearing on December 13, 2022. The court summarily denied the petition, finding

there was direct aiding and abetting. Defendant timely appealed.

III.

DISCUSSION

Defendant contends the trial court erred in summarily denying her petition because

it engaged in impermissible factfinding at the prima facie stage by relying on the

preliminary hearing transcript and concluding she directly aided and abetted the

attempted murder. The People agree the trial court impermissibly engaged in factfinding,

even if the court could properly rely on the preliminary hearing transcript to determine a

5 On the same day, codefendant Rojas pled guilty to attempted murder of C.R. without premeditation (count 1) and admitted the section 12022.53, subdivision (c) firearm enhancement. In return, the remaining allegations were dismissed and Rojas was sentenced to 27 years in state prison.

5 petitioner’s eligibility.6 Since the record of conviction does not establish as a matter of

law that defendant was a direct aider and abettor and thus ineligible for relief, we agree

with the parties.

A. Legal Background

Effective January 1, 2019, the Legislature passed Senate Bill No. 1437 “‘to amend

the felony murder rule and the natural and probable consequences doctrine, as it relates to

murder, to ensure that murder liability is not imposed on a person who is not the actual

killer, did not act with the intent to kill, or was not a major participant in the underlying

felony who acted with reckless indifference to human life.’” (People v. Gentile (2020) 10

Cal.5th 830, 846-847 (Gentile); see Stats. 2018, ch. 1015, § 1, subd. (f).) The Legislature

accomplished this by amending sections 188 and 189.

Section 188, which defines malice, now provides in part: “Except as stated in

subdivision (e) of [s]ection 189, in order to be convicted of murder, a principal in a crime

shall act with malice aforethought. Malice shall not be imputed to a person based solely

on his or her participation in a crime.” (§ 188, subd. (a)(3); Stats. 2018, ch. 1015, § 2.)

6 As the People point out, there is a split of authority as to whether the trial court may consider the preliminary hearing transcript in cases resolved by plea, when the defendant stipulated that the transcript is the factual basis for the plea. (See People v. Nguyen (2020) 53 Cal.App.5th 1154, 1161 [court may consider information contained in the preliminary hearing transcript when in it is the stipulated as the factual basis for the plea]; contrast People v. Flores (2022) 76 Cal.App.5th 974, 991 [information in the preliminary hearing transcript may not be used to find a petitioner is ineligible for relief as a matter of law].) Because we conclude that the court erred by engaging in factfinding at the prima facie stage, we need not and do not reach the question of whether the preliminary hearing transcript may be reviewed in deciding whether a resentencing petition states a prima facie claim for relief.

6 Section 189, subdivision (e), now limits the circumstances under which a person

may be convicted of felony murder: “A participant in the perpetration or attempted

perpetration of a felony listed in subdivision (a) [defining first degree murder] in which a

death occurs is liable for murder only if one of the following is proven: [¶] (1) The

person was the actual killer. [¶] (2) The person was not the actual killer, but, with the

intent to kill, aided, abetted, counseled, commanded, induced, solicited, requested, or

assisted the actual killer in the commission of murder in the first degree. [¶] (3) The

person was a major participant in the underlying felony and acted with reckless

indifference to human life, as described in subdivision (d) of [s]ection 190.2.” (Stats.

2018, ch. 1015, § 3.)

Effective January 1, 2022, Senate Bill No. 775 expanded eligibility for relief to

include individuals convicted of “attempted murder under the natural and probable

consequences doctrine or other theory under which malice is imputed to a person based

solely on that person’s participation in a crime.” (§ 1172.6, subd. (a), as amended by

Stats. 2021, ch. 551, § 2; Legis. Counsel’s Dig., Sen. Bill No. 775 (2020-2021 Reg.

Sess.).) But it did not expand eligibility for relief pursuant to section 1172.6 to one who

directly aids and abets another who commits murder or attempted murder.

Senate Bill No. 1437 also created a procedure for offenders previously convicted

of felony murder or murder under the natural and probable consequences doctrine to seek

retroactive relief if they could no longer be convicted of murder under the new law.

(§ 1172.6, subd. (a); Gentile, supra, 10 Cal.5th at p. 843; People v. Lewis (2021) 11

7 Cal.5th 952, 959 (Lewis); People v. Strong (2022) 13 Cal.5th 698, 708 (Strong).) “[T]he

process begins with the filing of a petition containing a declaration that all requirements

for eligibility are met [citation], including that ‘[t]he petitioner could not presently be

convicted of murder or attempted murder because of changes to . . . [s]ection 188 or 189

made effective January 1, 2019 . . . .” (Strong, at p. 708, fn. omitted.) “When the trial

court receives a petition containing the necessary declaration and other required

information, the court must evaluate the petition ‘to determine whether the petitioner has

made a prima facie case for relief.’ [Citations.] If the petition and record in the case

establish conclusively that the defendant is ineligible for relief, the trial court may

dismiss the petition.” (Ibid.)

In Lewis, supra, 11 Cal.5th 952, our Supreme Court explained the trial court’s role

in deciding a section 1172.6 petition: Petitioners who request counsel “are entitled to the

appointment of counsel upon the filing of a facially sufficient petition . . . .” (Lewis, at

p. 957.)7 “[O]nly after the appointment of counsel and the opportunity for briefing may

the superior court consider the record of conviction to determine whether ‘the petitioner

makes a prima facie showing that he or she is entitled to relief.’” (Ibid., italics omitted;

see id. at p. 966 [“a complying petition is filed; the court appoints counsel, if requested;

the issue is briefed; and then the court makes [its] prima facie determination”].) The

court’s “prima facie inquiry . . . is limited. . . . ‘“[T]he court takes petitioner’s factual

7 In Senate Bill No. 775, the Legislature amended the language of section 1172.6, codifying Lewis, supra, 11 Cal.5th 952, expanding the scope of the petitioning process and clarifying some of the procedural requirements. (Stats. 2021, ch. 551, § 2.)

8 allegations as true and makes a preliminary assessment regarding whether the petitioner

would be entitled to relief if his or her factual allegations were proved. If so, the court

must issue an order to show cause.”’ [Citation.] ‘[A] court should not reject the

petitioner’s factual allegations on credibility grounds without first conducting an

evidentiary hearing.’” (Id. at p. 971.) Importantly, “[i]n reviewing any part of the record

of conviction at this preliminary juncture, a trial court should not engage in ‘factfinding

involving the weighing of evidence or the exercise of discretion.’” (Id. at p. 972.)

If a petitioner has made a prima facie showing of entitlement to relief, “‘the court

shall issue an order to show cause.’” (Strong, supra, 13 Cal.5th at p. 708.) Once the

court determines that a defendant has made a prima facie showing, it “must [then] hold an

evidentiary hearing at which the prosecution bears the burden of proving, ‘beyond a

reasonable doubt, that the petitioner is guilty of murder or attempted murder’ under state

law as amended by Senate Bill [No.] 1437. [Citation.] ‘A finding that there is substantial

evidence to support a conviction for murder, attempted murder, or manslaughter is

insufficient to prove, beyond a reasonable doubt, that the petitioner is ineligible for

resentencing.’ [Citation.] ‘If the prosecution fails to sustain its burden of proof, the prior

conviction, and any allegations and enhancements attached to the conviction, shall be

vacated and the petitioner shall be resentenced on the remaining charges.’” (Strong, at

p. 709; accord, Lewis, supra, 11 Cal.5th at p. 960.) “Senate Bill [No.] 1437 relief is

unavailable if the defendant was either the actual killer, acted with the intent to kill, or

9 ‘was a major participant in the underlying felony and acted with reckless indifference to

human life . . . .’” (Strong, at p. 710.)

B. Standard of Review

In this case, the trial court denied defendant’s petition at the prima facie stage

under section 1172.6, subdivision (c). A denial at this stage is appropriate only if the

record of conviction demonstrates that the petitioner is ineligible for relief as a matter of

law. (Lewis, supra, 11 Cal.5th at p. 960.) This is a purely legal conclusion, which we

review de novo. (See id. at p. 961.)

C. Analysis

We agree with the parties that defendant’s petition presented a prima facie

showing of relief, and nothing in the record established as a matter of law that she was

ineligible for relief as a matter of law under section 1172.6. (Lewis, supra, 11 Cal.5th at

p. 970.) As the California Supreme Court has made clear, “the prima facie inquiry under

[former section 1170.95,] subdivision (c) is limited. Like the analogous prima facie

inquiry in habeas corpus proceedings, ‘“the court takes petitioner’s factual allegations as

true and makes a preliminary assessment regarding whether the petitioner would be

entitled to relief if his or her factual allegations were proved. If so, the court must issue

an order to show cause.”’ [Citations.] ‘[A] court should not reject the petitioner’s factual

allegations on credibility grounds without first conducting an evidentiary hearing.’

[Citations.] ‘However, if the record, including the court’s own documents, “contain[s]

facts refuting the allegations made in the petition,” then “the court is justified in making a

10 credibility determination adverse to the petitioner.”’ [Citations.]” (Lewis, supra, 11

Cal.5th at p. 971.)

Nothing in the record establishes as a matter of law that defendant was ineligible

for relief. The trial court’s finding that defendant was a direct aider and abettor rests on

the type of factfinding in which the trial court may not engage at the prima facie stage.

IV.

DISPOSITION

The trial court’s order denying defendant’s section 1172.6 petition for

resentencing is reversed and the matter is remanded with directions. On remand, the trial

court shall issue an order to show cause under section 1172.6, subdivision (c), and hold a

hearing pursuant to section 1172.6, subdivision (d)(3).

NOT TO BE PUBLISHED IN OFFICIAL REPORTS

CODRINGTON J. We concur:

McKINSTER Acting P. J.

MILLER J.