People v. Sogoian

232 Cal. App. 2d 430
CourtCalifornia Court of Appeal
DecidedFebruary 24, 1965
DocketCiv. 7427; Crim. 9556-9558
StatusPublished
Cited by8 cases

This text of 232 Cal. App. 2d 430 (People v. Sogoian) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering California Court of Appeal primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
People v. Sogoian, 232 Cal. App. 2d 430 (Cal. Ct. App. 1965).

Opinion

HERNDON, J.

Three cases are consolidated for purposes of this appeal. In superior court case No. 273,776, the appeal is from the judgment entered against appellant following a jury verdict finding him guilty of selling heroin in violation of section 11501 of the Health and Safety Code. In superior court case No. 274,357, the appeal is from the judgment con *432 victing him of violating section 10851 of the Vehicle Code in the theft, unlawful driving or taking of a vehicle. In superior court case No. 241,739, he appeals from the order revoking the probation theretofore granted him in an earlier proceeding which had resulted in his conviction of the crimes of forgery and issuing checks without sufficient funds in violation of sections 470 and 476a of the Penal Code.

In No. 273,776, appellant challenges the sufficiency of the evidence to sustain the verdict and judgment and contends that certain errors were committed in connection with the admission of proof of his prior narcotic convictions and failure to advise him of his right to counsel.

The evidence, in substance, discloses that on the afternoon of April 23, 1963, Officer Estrada, operating as an undercover officer for the narcotics division of the Los Angeles Police Department, and one Eddie DeValencia were parked at the corner of McBride Street and Whittier Boulevard in East Los Angeles. Appellant and a eodefendant named Peter Hernandez walked over to the car. DeValencia asked Hernandez if he could get them some “stuff.” Officer Estrada testified that “stuff” was another word for heroin. Hernandez said, “Yes, if you can give us a ride somewhere later.” The officer said, “Sure, man,” whereupon Hernandez and appellant entered the car. Hernandez said, “Let’s go to Laguna Park.”

When they had arrived at the designated location appellant said, “I’ll go see if the man is there,” and Officer Estrada handed him a twenty-dollar bill. Appellant returned approximately three minutes later and said, “He’s not around.” Hernandez then directed the officer to another location where he said, “I can get you the gram here..” Hernandez left the car and shortly returned with two balloons. He handed one to the officer and kept one, stating, “I’m going to get me a cap and give one to my buddy Louie here. ’ ’ Hernandez then handed appellant one capsule, kept one, and gave the officer the second balloon containing the remaining capsules. The officer gave no money to Hernandez; appellant had not returned the twenty dollars originally given to him. The capsules in each balloon were found to contain heroin.

Appellant’s contention regarding the sufficiency of the evidence is based upon his argument that the foregoing evidence failed to show that he ever exercised dominion and control over the contraband or knew of its narcotic character. This same argument was made to the trial judge who termed it “ludicrous.” Even if it could be rationally argued that *433 appellant had not personally succeeded in furnishing the narcotics involved in the instant transaction, it is apparent that he aided and abetted Hernandez therein and therefore is equally liable as a principal. (People v. Mays, 205 Cal.App.2d 798, 802 [23 Cal.Rptr. 605] ; People v. Richards, 198 Cal.App.2d 465, 471 [17 Cal.Rptr. 845].)

On cross-examination Officer Estrada was asked by appellant’s counsel whether he had ever heard the word “stuff” used in reference to girls, stolen property, mattresses, etc., and the officer conceded that he had heard the word used with respect to many things. Apparently the purpose in this line of questioning was to establish in the minds of the jurors the possibility that appellant had not known the meaning of the words “stuff” and “cap” in the jargon of those trafficking in narcotics and had participated in the above described transaction in innocent unawareness of the nature of the substance which he and Hernandez were attempting to furnish to the officer. The prosecution therefore offered proof that appellant had suffered prior convictions for his possession of heroin. Appellant now contends that this was error because the latest such conviction occurred in 1953.

While remoteness of prior convictions may occasionally be of moment when offered in proof of certain aspects of the prosecution’s case, such remoteness generally goes to the weight to be given such evidence rather than to its admissibility. (People v. Zankick, 189 Cal.App.2d 54, 66 [11 Cal.Rptr. 115].) Although this rule is not unbounded in particular applications, it is clear that in this case the trial court certainly did not abuse its discretion in determining that such evidence was admissible to establish the requisite proof of appellant’s knowledge of the narcotic character of the substances involved. (People v. Castellanos, 157 Cal.App.2d 36, 39 [320 P.2d 152]; People v. George, 169 Cal.App.2d 740, 746 [338 P.2d 240].)

In this same connection appellant assigns as error the remarks of the trial court addressed to the jury at the time proof of this prior conviction was made. The court said: ' ‘ Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, let me inform you at this time that the evidence that has been received, that has just been read by the District Attorney, is received for the limited purpose only of showing that the defendant had knowledge of the character of the substance which has been received in evidence and has been testified to as being heroin. It is received for that limited purpose and for no other purpose. ’ ’

*434 No objection to this statement was made at the trial. However, appellant now argues that in substance the jury was told “that this prior conviction showed as a matter of law that the defendant had knowledge of the character of the heroin.” We hold that appellant’s interpretation of the court’s statement is unacceptable. Moreover, where no objection is interposed and no request for further clarification is made during the trial, such issue cannot be raised for the first time on appeal. In addition, under the circumstances here presented, it appears extremely improbable that the jury could have believed that appellant had forgotten the meaning of the terms “stuff” and “cap” during and following his years of imprisonment. Under such circumstances the alleged error could not have been prejudicial. (People v. Winston, 46 Cal.2d 151, 161 [293 P.2d 40].)

Lastly, appellant argues that he was denied his constitutional rights when Officer Estrada failed to advise him of his absolute right to remain silent and to have the assistance of counsel prior to the time he accepted the twenty dollars from the officer and left the car, stating: “I’ll go see if the man is there.”

It is true that our Supreme Court in People v. Dorado, 62 Cal.2d 338, 350 [42 Cal.Rptr. 169, 398 P.2d 361], relied upon comments made in the dissenting opinion of Justice White in

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Bluebook (online)
232 Cal. App. 2d 430, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/people-v-sogoian-calctapp-1965.