James v. Brazelton et al

Filing 31

FINDINGS and RECOMMENDATION Regarding Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus 1 , signed by Magistrate Judge Stanley A. Boone on 6/17/15: 30-Day Deadline. (Hellings, J)

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

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EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA
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MICHAEL VONTRE JAMES,

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Case No. 1:12-cv-01583-AWI-SAB (HC)

Petitioner,

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FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATION
REGARDING PETITION FOR WRIT OF
HABEAS CORPUS

v.

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PAUL D. BRAZELTON,

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Respondent.

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Petitioner is a state prisoner proceeding pro se with a petition for writ of habeas corpus

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18 pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2254.
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I.

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BACKGROUND

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Following a jury trial in the Kings County Superior Court, Petitioner was convicted of

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23 one count of dissuading a witness (Cal. Penal Code § 136.1(a)(1)). Petitioner was sentenced to

24 25 years to life, plus 10 years for committing two prior serious felonies (§ 667.5(a)(1)).
Petitioner filed a timely notice of appeal. On May 2, 2011, the California Court of

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26 Appeal, Fifth Appellate District affirmed the judgment.

On July 20, 2011, the California

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

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1 Supreme Court denied the petition for review. Petitioner filed the instant petition for writ of
2 habeas corpus on September 27, 2012. Respondent filed an answer to the petition on November
3 30, 2012. Petitioner did not file a traverse.
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II.

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STATEMENT OF FACTS2

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In July 2008, Yvonne and her children were harassing Latura.
They threatened Latura and vandalized her car. One day, Yvonne
stabbed Latura in the head and back. Tikiyie witnessed the
stabbing.

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Criminal charges were filed against Yvonne. Latura and Tikiyie
were subpoenaed several times by the prosecution. Each time a
subpoenaed [sic] issued, Latura and Tikiyie were harassed by
several people. On approximately 20 separate occasions Tunstall
angrily called Latura a “snitch bitch,” which is a derogatory term
referring to someone who cooperates with the police. One day in
February, Smith‟s and James‟s sister, Tenisha, tried to attack
Tikiyie while she was sitting in her car. They yelled and screamed
at Tikiyie, calling her a “snitch bitch” and a “police bitch.”
Tenisha kicked a dent into Tikiyie‟s car.

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On Thursday, April 9, Tikiyie and Latura received subpoenas to
appear in court on April 19, 2009. Tikiyie, Latura and a few of
their friends went to a night club on the following Saturday night
and Sunday morning.3 Tikiyie wore black stiletto heeled boots, a
short red dress and a red wig. Tunstall, Smith, James, Tenisha, and
Kevin James were also at the night club.

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Tikiyie and her friends went to the bar to get a drink. Then Tikiyie
went by herself into a lounge room and sat down. Tikiyie testified
that Tunstall entered the lounge, looked at her, smiled and laughed,
and then left. Then Smith entered the lounge. Tikiyie testified that
Smith “was loud and obnoxious, calling me snitches and bitches
and we‟re going to get them ho‟s tonight, and stuff like that.”
Tikiyie testified Smith was looking at her when she made these
statements. Tikiyie said she just smiled and kept drinking her
drink. Smith left the lounge.

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Tikiyie stayed in the lounge room for about 15 minutes and then

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The Fifth District Court of Appeal‟s summary of the facts in the May 2, 2011, opinion is presumed correct. 28

25 U.S.C. §§ 2254(d)(2), (e)(1). Petitioner does not present clear and convincing evidence to the contrary; thus, the
Court adopts the factual recitations set forth by the state appellate court. See Vasquez v. Kirkland, 572 F.3d 1029,

26 1031 n.1 (9th Cir. 2009) (“We rely on the state appellate court‟s decision for our summary of the facts of the
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crime.”).
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There is conflicting evidence about when the group arrived at the bar. Latura testified they arrived between 9:30

28 and 10:00 p.m. on April 11, while Tikiyie testified they arrived at approximately 12:15 a.m. on April 12.
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walked into another room containing a dance floor. She passed
James, who was standing with a few other people near the lounge
room door. Tikiyie began talking to Kenny Martens. Tikiyie
testified that Smith approached them. Smith grabbed Marten‟s
arm and said, “Don‟t be talking to those snitch bitches. I told you
about talking to snitches.” Then Smith “balled her fist up and hit
me in the forehead.” Tikiyie said she swung at Smith, “but I don‟t
think I hit her because she kept like swinging at me, and then the
next thing I know Michael James grabs my dress from behind, and
I fall straight back, and I‟m trying to pull my dress down because I
didn‟t have any underwear on.” While Tikiyie was on the ground,
Smith, James, Kevin and another person repeatedly hit and kicked
her. She heard them call her a snitch and a bitch while they were
kicking and stomping her. Tikiyie testified that “all I could do is
like try to cover my face and try to pull my dress down.” Tunstall
got involved in the fray. Tikiyie testified Tunstall “acted like he
was pulling Demetria Smith off of me, and he socked me … in my
temple.” Tikiyie testified that the attack continued until a security
guard intervened about a minute or two later.4 The security guard
helped Tikiyie get up and escorted her outside. Latura and other
people also went outside.

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A short time later, Tunstall went outside. Tikiyie testified that
Tunstall yelled, “Yeah, I hit that bitch. Yeah, I got that snitch
bitch. I bet she won‟t go to court and testify on that. We‟re going
to have your heads.” Tikiyie testified that Tunstall repeatedly
called her a snitch bitch and said, “[A]ll you ho‟s do is tell.”
Tikiyie was angry and insulted Tunstall. Hanford police officers
arrived a few minutes later. Tikiyie said she approached the
officers and tried “to explain to them that I had been attacked for
no apparent reason, but there “was so much chaos they told me to
get in the car and leave” or they would arrest her.

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Tikiyie drove to Latura‟s house, which took about three or four
minutes. She “vomited blood” twice during the drive. Latura
called 911 but Tikiyie decided the ambulance was taking too long
to arrive so she drove herself to the hospital. (Although Latura and
several other people were in the car with Tikiyie, none of them had
a driver‟s license.) Tikiyie was vomiting blood and had to pull
over to the side of the road. A police officer stopped the vehicle.
Latura explained the situation to the officer, who escorted them to
the hospital.

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Tikiyie was treated in the emergency room and released. Tikiyie
complained of a severe headache, nausea and vomiting. She had
facial contusions with tenderness over the left temple area. She
was tender in the back and upper thoracic region. There was a chip
in tooth number eight. Her injuries were consistent with being
punched and kicked in the head. Dr. Milton Teske testified that he
believed Tikiyie suffered a concussion. Tikiyie did not suffer any
acute fractures, bleeding in the brain or serious injury. She was

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The night club had a surveillance video system with several cameras. CD‟s containing images of Tikiyie‟s arrival
and of the attack were played for the jury and entered into evidence. Tikiyie testified she was not able to identify
James from the images as one of the attackers.

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released after being given an anti-nausea medication and Tylenol
with Codeine.

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Hanford Police Officer Josh Ragsdale interviewed Tikiyie while
she was in the hospital. Tikiyie appeared frightened and
disheveled. Tikiyie told him that she had been attacked by four
people. She identified Smith, Tunstall and Kevin as three of the
people who attacked her. She described the fourth person as a
Black male who had dreadlocks and a long beard. Officer
Ragsdale observed noticeable swelling on the left side of Tikiyie‟s
face and a cut on her chin. He took photographs of Tikiyie‟s face
and hands. She did not have any lacerations on her knuckles or the
backs of her hand. Officer Ragsdale testified this was consistent
with Tikiyie‟s statement to him that she got “jumped” and had not
been in a mutual fight. Officer Ragsdale spoke with Latura, who
said she did not see anything and wanted to stay out of it.

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Tikiyie called Hanford Police Detective Gabriel Jimenez the next
morning. Detective Jimenez had investigated the July 2008
stabbing. He interviewed Tikiyie at the police department. During
this interview, she told the detective that James was one of the
people who attacked her. Tikiyie testified that she wasn‟t able to
remember James‟s name at the hospital because she “was still in
shock from being attacked by men. It was bad enough being
attacked by a woman.” Also, Tikiyie did not personally know
James to the same degree as she knew the other defendants.
Detective Jimenez subsequently showed Tikiyie a photo lineup and
she identified “the defendants in this case as the attackers.”

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Tikiyie testified that as a result of the attack she had two black
eyes, a chipped tooth, a scar under her lip and her body was really
sore all over. She wasn‟t able to eat afterwards and lost about 20
pounds. Also, Tikiyie changed her mind about testifying against
Yvonne. Tikiyie said that she “didn‟t feel comfortable” testifying,
“even though I knew it was going to help my sister.” And Tikiyie
was afraid for her children‟s safety.

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Latura testified when they were socializing at the night club, Smith
said within her presence, but not directly to her, that “she had her
bitches and her niggas in the club.” Later, Latura was on the dance
floor when she saw “a fight in the club and my sister she got up,
and it was her getting jumped.” Latura went outside and observed
a verbal altercation involving Tunstall and others. Tunstall was
angry and he said things “about me going to court, about me
getting stabbed, calling me snitches, [calling] my sister snitches,
and just say that‟s how they do them and all this and that, and
things like that.”

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II. Defense Evidence

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Tunstsall testified he was on the dance floor when the disc jockey
announced that security was needed because there was a fight. He
saw a large crowd surrounding a fight. Getting closer, he saw
Smith on top of Tikiyie. Kevin and a security guard were
attempting to separate the two women. Tunstall told the security

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guard that he could remove Smith. He pulled Smith away from
Tikiyie and escorted her off the dance floor. Tunstall testified that
he did not hit Tikiyie and no one kicked her. He did not see James
near the fight. Tunstall testified that he went outside a few minutes
later. Tikiyie, Latura and some other people were yelling and
arguing. Tikiyie said some things to him but he did not reply.

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Martens testified that he was talking to Tikiyie when Smith
approached him and pulled him aside. Smith did not say anything.
While his back was turned, Smith and Tikiyie started to fight.
Martens saw Tikiyie fall to the ground. Smith got on top of her.
The fight stopped when Kevin got in between Tikiyie and Smith,
and Tunstall pulled Smith away from Tikiyie. Martens did not see
Tunstall punch Tikiyie. Martens said James was standing next to
him during the altercation.
Tenisha testified that she saw Tikiyie and Martens talking. Smith
approached them and pulled Martens away from Tikiyie. Tikiyie
spit on Smith and hit Smith‟s arm. Tikiyie and Smith started to
fight. A crowd surrounded them. Tenisha testified no men were
involved in the fight. Tenisha further testified that when she went
outside the night club, she saw Tikiyie screaming, swearing and
yelling at Tunstall.

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Smith called Detective Jimenez, who testified Tikiyie told him that
Smith punched her and “they tussled and went to the ground.”
Tikiyie did not tell him that Smith hit and kicked her while she was
on the ground. Detective Jimenez watched the video. He
described it as depicting a group of males who appeared to be
making kicking and swinging motions at a downward position.
The video was not clear and he could not identify any of the
subjects.

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18 (Answer, Attachment 1 at 3-8) (footnotes in original.)
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III.

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DISCUSSION

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A.

Jurisdiction

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Relief by way of a petition for writ of habeas corpus extends to a person in custody

23 pursuant to the judgment of a state court if the custody is in violation of the Constitution or laws
24 or treaties of the United States. 28 U.S.C. § 2254(a); 28 U.S.C. § 2241(c)(3); Williams v.
25 Taylor, 529 U.S. 362, 375 (2000). Petitioner asserts that he suffered violations of his rights as
26 guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution. The challenged conviction arises out of Fresno County
27 Superior Court, which is located within the jurisdiction of this Court. 28 U.S.C. § 2254(a); 28
28 U.S.C. § 2241(d).

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On April 24, 1996, Congress enacted the Antiterrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act

2 of 1996 (“AEDPA”), which applies to all petitions for writ of habeas corpus filed after its
3 enactment. Lindh v. Murphy, 521 U.S. 320 (1997); Jeffries v. Wood, 114 F.3d 1484, 1499 (9th
4 Cir. 1997) (en banc). The instant petition was filed after the enactment of the AEDPA and is
5 therefore governed by its provisions.
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B.

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Where a petitioner files his federal habeas petition after the effective date of the Anti-

Standard of Review

8 Terrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act (“AEDPA”), he can prevail only if he can show that
9 the state court‟s adjudication of his claim:
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(1) resulted in a decision that was contrary to, or involved an
unreasonable application of, clearly established Federal law, as
determined by the Supreme Court of the United States; or
(2) resulted in a decision that was based on an unreasonable
determination of the facts in light of the evidence presented in the
State court proceeding.

14 28 U.S.C. § 2254(d). “Federal habeas relief may not be granted for claims subject to § 2254(d)
15 unless it is shown that the earlier state court‟s decision “was contrary to” federal law then clearly
16 established in the holdings of [the Supreme] Court.” Harrington v. Richter, 562 U.S. 86, 100,
17 131 S.Ct. 770, 785 (2011) (citing 28 U.S.C. § 2254(d)(1); Williams v. Taylor, 539 U.S. 362, 412
18 (2000)). Habeas relief is also available if the state court‟s decision “involved an unreasonable
19 application” of clearly established federal law, or “was based on an unreasonable determination
20 of the facts” in light of the record before the state court. Richter, 562 U.S. at 100 (citing 28
21 U.S.C. § 2254(d)(1), (d)(2)).
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“[C]learly established ... as determined by” the Supreme Court “refers to the holdings, as

23 opposed to the dicta, of th[at] Court‟s decisions as of the time of the relevant state-court
24 decision.” Williams v. Taylor, 529 U.S. at 412. Therefore, a “specific” legal rule may not be
25 inferred from Supreme Court precedent, merely because such rule might be logical given that
26 precedent. Rather, the Supreme Court case itself must have “squarely” established that specific
27 legal rule. Richter, 562 U.S. at 101; Knowles v. Mirzayance, 556 U.S. 111, 122, 129 S.Ct. 1411,
28 1419 (2009). Moreover, the Supreme Court itself must have applied the specific legal rule to the

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1 “context” in which the Petitioner‟s claim falls. Premo v. Moore, 562 U.S. 115, 118, 131 S.Ct.
2 733, 737 (2011). Under § 2254(d)(1), review is limited to the record that was before the state
3 court adjudicated the claim on the merits. Cullen v. Pinholster, __ U.S. __, 131 S.Ct. 1388, 1398
4 (2011). “A state court‟s determination that a claim lacks merit precludes federal habeas relief so
5 long as „fairminded jurists could disagree‟ on the correctness of the state court‟s decision.”
6 Richter, 562 U.S. at 101.
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“Factual determinations by state courts are presumed correct absent clear and convincing

8 evidence to the contrary, § 2254(e)(1), and a decision adjudicated on the merits in a state court
9 and based on a factual determination will not be overturned on factual grounds unless objectively
10 unreasonable in light of the evidence presented in the state court proceedings, § 2254(d)(2).”
11 Miller-El v. Cockrell, 537 U.S. 322, 340 (2003). Both subsections (d)(2) and (e)(1) of § 2254
12 apply to findings of historical or pure fact, not mixed questions of fact and law. See Lambert v.
13 Blodgett, 393 F.3d 943, 976-77 (2004).
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Courts further review the last reasoned state court opinion. See Ylst v. Nunnemaker, 501

15 U.S. 979, 803 (1991). However, “[w]here a state court‟s decision is unaccompanied by an
16 explanation, the habeas petitioner‟s burden still must be met by showing there was no reasonable
17 basis for the state court to deny relief.” Richter, 562 U.S. at 98.
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C.

Review of Claims

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1. Sufficient Evidence to Support Conviction for Intimidating a Witness

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Petitioner contends that there was insufficient evidence to support the jury‟s finding that

21 he dissuaded a witness from testifying. The California Court of Appeal, Fifth Appellate District
22 rejected the claim, stating:
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A. The witness intimidation verdict is supported by substantial
evidence.
James argues his conviction for violating section 136.1,
subdivision (a)(1) is not supported by substantial evidence. We are
not convinced. As will be explained, there is sufficient evidence
from which a reasonable trier of fact could find beyond a
reasonable doubt that James was guilty of this crime.
When reviewing a challenge to the sufficiency of the evidence, we
assess the entire record in the light most favorable to the judgment
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below to determine whether it contains substantial evidence from
which a reasonable trier of fact could find the defendant guilty
beyond a reasonable doubt. (People v. Johnson (1980) 26 Cal.3d
557, 578.) “The standard is the same, regardless of whether the
prosecution relies mainly on direct or circumstantial evidence.
[Citation.]” (People v. Vazquez (2009) 178 Cal.App.4th 347,
352.) The testimony of a single witness is sufficient to prove a
disputed fact unless the testimony is inherently or physically
impossible. (People v. Young (2005) 34 Cal.4th 1149, 1181;
People v. Scott (1978) 21 Cal.3d 284, 296.) The trier of fact
makes credibility determinations and resolves factual disputes.
(People v. Estrella (1995) 31 Cal.App.4th 716, 7254-725.) An
appellate court will not substitute its evaluation of a witness‟s
credibility for that of the fact finder. (People v. Vazquez, supra,
178 Cal.App.4th at p.352.) „“Before a judgment of conviction can
be set aside for insufficiency of the evidence to support the trier of
fact‟s verdict, it must clearly appear that upon no hypothesis
whatever is there sufficient evidence to support it.‟ [Citation.]”
(People v. Kwok (1998) 63 Cal.App.4th 1236, 1245.)
Subdivision (a)(1) of section 136.1 prohibits one from knowingly
and maliciously preventing or dissuading any witness or victim
from attending or giving testimony at any trial or legal proceeding.
This section punishes a defendant‟s “efforts to prevent a victim or
witness from appearing in court and giving testimony.” (People v.
Fernandez (2003) 106 Cal.App.4th 943, 948.) It “requires proof
that the defendant specifically intended to dissuade a witness from
testifying.” (People v. Young, supra, 34 Cal.4th at p. 1210.)

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James argues the record lacks proof that he committed any act or
made any statement from which it could be inferred that he
intended to deter Tikiyie from testifying. He argues we cannot
analyze the evidence for sufficiency under the theory that he
dissuaded Tikiyie by actively participating in the attack on her in
the night club because the jury acquitted him of assault.
Essentially, James claims the negative finding on the assault count
is equivalent to a special verdict on the factual question of whether
he participated in the attack. This argument is unconvincing.

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An acquittal on one offense will not invalidate a verdict on a
second offense, although the two verdicts are factually
inconsistent. This rule is based on the realization that inconsistent
findings may be caused simply by the mercy of leniency of the
jury, or “through confusion or ennui.” (People v. Pettaway (1988)
206 Cal.App.3d 1312, 1325.) Thus, for example, in People v.
Codina (1947) 30 Cal.2d 356, the jury acquitted the defendant of
lewd and lascivious conduct but convicted him of contributing to
the delinquency of a minor. The conviction was upheld even
though both counts were based on the same act. The court wrote
that “each count must stand upon its own merit and be weighed
separately in its disposition.” (Id. at p. 361; see also People v.
Gottman (1976) 64 Cal.App.3d 775, 784-785 [conviction of rape
by threats of great bodily harm was affirmed, even though the jury
found, in conjunction with an oral copulation charge, that the
defendant did not use force or threat of great bodily harm]; People

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v. Lopez (1982) 131 Cal.App.3d 565, 569 [not true finding on a
firearm arming enhancement is not equivalent to a special verdict
on the factual question whether defendant personally used a
firearm].) Thus, the not guilty verdict on counts 3 and 4 are not
equivalent to a special verdict that James did not participate in the
attack on Tikiyie. The jury‟s verdicts on counts 3 and 4 and the
not true findings on the great bodily injury enhancements do not
have any “bearing upon the meaning or validity of the verdict in
other counts, regardless of how similar the facts underlying each
county may be. (Pen. Code, § 954.)” (People v. Keltie (1983) 148
Cal.App.3d 773, 785, fn. omitted.)
We have examined the entire record and conclude it contains
substantial evidence from which a rational fact finder reasonably
could determine James knowingly and maliciously dissuaded
Tikiyie from testifying. Tikiyie testified that after Smith called her
a “snitch bitch” and hit her on the forehead, James grabbed the
back of her dress, causing her to fall on the ground. Then James
and others hit and kicked her while she lay on the ground, trying to
pull her dress down. Tikiyie‟s testimony that James kicked and
struck her is adequate to prove this disputed fact. (People v.
Young, supra, 34 Cal.4th at p. 1181; People v. Scott, supra, 21
Cal.3d at p. 296.) From the entirety of the circumstances
surrounding the attack on Tikiyie, a rational trier of fact could
reasonably find that one of the purposes of the beating was to
dissuade Tikiyie from testifying against Yvonne, and that James
shared the intent and purpose of the other participants in the attack.
The prosecutor asked Tikiyie, “were the people who were
attacking you, the defendants, saying anything?” Tikiyie replied,
“They were calling me snitches and bitches, and I just remember
hearing snitches bitches, and I remember hearing a lot of like—a
lot of like kicking sounds.” Accordingly, we reject James‟s
challenge to the sufficiency of the evidence.

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19 (Answer, Attachment 1 at 21-24.)
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The law on insufficiency of the evidence claim is clearly established. The United States

21 Supreme Court has held that when reviewing an insufficiency of the evidence claim on habeas, a
22 federal court must determine whether, viewing the evidence and the inferences to be drawn from
23 it in the light most favorable to the prosecution, any rational trier of fact could find the essential
24 elements of the crime beyond a reasonable doubt. Jackson v. Virginia, 443 U.S. 307, 319
25 (1979). Sufficiency claims are judged by the elements defined by state law. Id. at 324, n. 16.
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On habeas corpus review, a finding of constitutionally-insufficient evidence is rare

27 because the Jackson analysis must be determined through the lens of AEDPA. Cavazos v.
28 Smith, __ U.S. __, 132 S.Ct. 2, 4 (2011) (per curiam); McDaniel v. Brown, 558 U.S. 120, 133-

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1 136 (2010). When the deferential standard set forth in AEDPA is combined with the already2 onerous Jackson standard, the petitioner‟s burden is exceptionally difficult to carry. Cf. Renico
3 v. Lett, 130 S.Ct. 1855, 1865 (2010) (finding, in the context of a double jeopardy issue, that
4 “dual layers of deference” result when AEDPA combines with substantive law that is itself
5 deferential); Knowles v. Mirzayance, 556 U.S. 111, 123 (2009) (applying “double deferential
6 judicial review” to an AEDPA-governed claim brought under the already-deferential standard set
7 forth in Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. 668 (1984)).
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Under California Penal Code section 136.1(a), it is a crime to knowingly and maliciously

9 prevent or dissuade a witness or victim from testifying at a trial or other proceeding. There is
10 “no talismanic requirement that a defendant must say „Don‟t testify‟ or words tantamount
11 thereto” to be found guilty of witness intimidation; a conviction will be upheld so long as the
12 defendant‟s “words or actions support the inference” that defendant sought to dissuade a
13 potential witness from testifying. People v. Thomas, 83 Cal.App.3d 511, 514 (1978).
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The Court finds that it was not objectively unreasonable for the state courts to conclude

15 that the Jackson standard was met as to each of elements of dissuading a witness. In July of
16 2008, Tikiyie‟s sister, Latura Brooks, was being harassed and assaulted by Yvonne Tunstall and
17 her children and criminal proceedings were ongoing. Latura and Tikiyie had been subpoenaed
18 several times to testify against Yvonne. Evidence was presented at trial that on the evening of
19 April 12, 2009, as Yvonne‟s trial was nearing and subpoenas were being issued, Tikiyie and
20 Latura were at the Sky Box bar. After Tikiyie ordered a drink, Demetria Smith arrived at the bar
21 and began yelling at Tikiyie, “snitch bitches” and “we‟re going to get that bitch tonight.”
22 Sometime later when Tikiyie was talking with Kenny, Demetria Smith approached Kenny
23 Martins grabbed his arm and said, “We don‟t talk to these snitch bitches. What are you doing
24 talking to her? Get away from her,” and just as Smith was saying this she reached out and hit
25 Tikiyie on the forehead. Petitioner then pulled Tikiyie by the back of her dress, causing her to
26 fall to the floor landing on her back. As Tikiyie was laying on the ground, Petitioner and others
27 repeatedly hit and kicked her calling her a “snitch bitch” and stated “this snitch is not going to
28 make it to court.” (RT 522-523, 525, 557-558, 864-865, 880-881, 1019, 1265-1266, 1302.)

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1 Yvonne‟s husband, Corey Tunstall, was also involved in the assault and hit Tikiyie on the side of
2 the head. He later yelled, “Yeah, I hit that bitch,” and told Tikiyie, “I bet you won‟t make it to
3 court.” (RT 527, 560, 880-881, 1019, 1265-1266, 1302.)
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After viewing the evidence in the light most favorable to the prosecution, there is little

5 doubt that Petitioner intended Tikiyie to feel threatened if she testified at trial against Yvonne by
6 the very nature of the attack accompanied with the comments of her being a “snitch bitch” and
7 desire that she not be able to testify in court. Thus, the jury could reasonably have inferred that
8 Petitioner knew Tikiyie had been subpoenaed as a witness and would testify against Yvonne, and
9 he knowingly and maliciously attempted to prevent her from doing so by his participation in the
10 assault coupled with the comments about her testimony. Therefore, the Court concludes that the
11 state courts‟ denial of this claim was not contrary to or an unreasonable application of clearly
12 established federal law, nor was it an unreasonable determination of the facts. See 28 U.S.C. §
13 2254(d).
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2. Trial Court‟s Denial of Motion to Reduce Felony Conviction to Misdemeanor

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Petitioner contends the trial court abused its discretion by refusing to reduce his felony

16 conviction of dissuading a witness to a misdemeanor. The California Court of Appeal, Fifth
17 Appellate District denied the claim in the last reasoned decision and reasoned as follows:
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James‟[s] probation report reflects that he suffered juvenile
adjudications in 1986, 1987 and 1989 for, inter alia, possessing
stolen property and battery. As an adult, he was convicted in 1990
of battery. He was placed on three years‟ probation and sentenced
to 90 days in jail. He violated the terms of his probation later that
year. In 1991, James was convicted of attempted murder with a
firearm. He was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment and was
paroled in 1996. In 1998, he was convicted or robbery and second
degree burglary. He was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment and
paroled in 2006. James was on parole when he committed the
current crime. The probation report states that James “showed no
remorse for the victim and [he] specifically stated, „don‟t know
what I am being punished for.‟” (Italics omitted.)
James filed a motion to reduce his conviction to a misdemeanor
(the reduction motion) and to dismiss the prior felony convictions
in the interest of justice pursuant to People v. Superior Court
(Romero) (1996) 13 Cal.4th 497 (Romero) (the Romero motion).
Both motions were heard and denied during the sentencing
hearing. The court explained its reasons for denying the reduction
motion, as follows: “… [T]he Court has considered the [§] 17(b)
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motion, considered the facts of the case that it heard at trial, as well
as those set forth in the report. [¶] And while defendant‟s actions
are not as egregious—excuse me, are not as substantial physically
as the other two codefendants in this matter, his participation
obviously in a crime of this type is egregious. [¶] This Court, as
stated, has considered it. It cho[o]ses not to exercise its discretion
to make this a misdemeanor given the seriousness of the incident.”
When ruling on the Romero motion, the court stated that it had
considered the factors set forth in Romero, supra, 13 Cal.4th 497,
and its sentencing responsibilities under the California Rules of
Court, People v. Orin (1975) 13 Cal.3d 937, and People v. Burke
(1956) 47 Cal.2d 45. Then it explained:

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And those responsibilities for sentencing are for the Court to take
into consideration not only society‟s purpose in this matter, but
before it exercises its discretion to take in the totality of the
situations in these matters; not just the conduct in the specific
crime in which it is sentencing the defendant.
I note that the age of the defendant‟s priors, and I note that he has
never been off probation or parole since he was a juvenile. Picking
the last juvenile one, it‟s a battery, a [§] 242. Even though it‟s a
misdemeanor charge, it shows violence, and his wardship was
terminated in January of 1990.
And then one month later he‟s arrested for another burglary as an
adult. He gets reinstated on probation after a violation of 1991 of
March, and less than four months later in July of ‟91 out of Fresno
he has an attempted murder. He gets paroled November 10th,
1996, and less than two years later, in July of 1998, there‟s a
robbery, violation of [§] 211, as well as a second degree burglary.
He gets put on parole in June 13th of 2006, and less than three
years later we have this offense. I do note that the defendant is 37
years of age, but looking at his record he is a career criminal. The
participation, the jury may have found, has been less than a [§]
136(1) … (c) offense, but these crimes for which he was found
guilty are in no means insignificant.

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Defendant does face a substantial sentence, but the defendant is,
his background, his character, I‟ve considered the letters in his
support; however, he cannot be deemed to be outside the spirit of
the Three Strikes Law. If I were to focus strictly on the finding of
the jury in this matter, it‟s quite possible that a middle sentence
would be appropriate; however, the Three Strikes Law was put in
place by the legislature and by the People of the State of California
for the Court to punish recidivism, and before the Court exercises
its discretion to strike strikes, it has to take everything into
consideration for which I‟ve done.”
The crime of dissuading a witness in violation of section 136.1,
subdivision (a)(1) may be punished either by incarceration in a
county jail or prison for one year. Section 17, subdivision (b)
grants trial courts discretion to treat a crime punishable either as a
felony or a misdemeanor, also known as a wobbler, as a

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misdemeanor. Wobblers that are classified as misdemeanors at the
time of sentencing do not trigger increased penalties under the
three strikes law. (People v. Superior Court (Alvarez) (1997) 14
Cal.4th 968, 979 (Alvarez).) Proper exercise of discretion under
section 17 involves “an intensely fact-bound inquiry taking all
relevant factors, including the defendant‟s criminal past and public
safety, into due consideration; and the record must so reflect.”
(Alvarez, supra, at pp. 981-982.) Relevant factors include the
defendant‟s criminal history, „“the nature and circumstances of the
offense, the defendant‟s appreciation of and attitude toward the
offense, or his traits of character as evidenced by his behavior and
demeanor at the trial.‟ [Citations.]” (Id. at p. 978.) On review, we
apply “the extremely deferential and restrained” abuse of
discretion standard. (Id. at p. 981.) “The court is presumed to
have considered all of the relevant factors in the absence of an
affirmative record to the contrary.” (People v. Myers (1999) 69
Cal.App.4th 305, 310.)
We discern no abuse of discretion. The trial court stated that it
considered the circumstances of the crime and the contents of the
probation report. The probation report included James‟s criminal
history and his attitude towards the offense and offender. Thus,
the trial court made an individualized decision based on an
assessment of the factors enumerated in Alvarez, supra, 14 Cal.4th
at page 978. We reject James‟[s] assertion that the trial court‟s
remark that his participation “in a crime of this type is egregious”
evidence a refusal to “honor[] the spirit of Alvarez.” The trial
court did not consider witness intimidation to be per se egregious.
It concluded this particular crime was egregious and we agree with
this conclusion. The attack on Tikiyie was a brutal way of
dissuading her from testifying. Tikiyie was publicly beaten by
multiple perpetrators in a particularly humiliating manner. She
testified James was one of the men who hit and kicked her while
she was on the ground trying to pull down her dress. James‟s
absence of remorse or empathy for the victim and his substantial
criminal history further supports the trial court‟s decision. At no
point in James‟s adult life has he been free from probation or
parole. His prior adult convictions involve violent offenses such as
attempted murder and robbery. He was on parole when he
committed the current crime. Denial of the reduction motion was
fully supported by the record and we discern no error or abuse of
discretion.

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23 (Answer, Attachment 1 at 24-27.)
24

The role of this Court on federal habeas review of a state criminal conviction is limited to

25 determining whether Petitioner‟s federal constitutional or other federal rights have been violated
26 and does not extend to review a state‟s application of its own laws. Jackson v. Ylst, 921 F.2d
27 882, 885 (9th Cir. 1990). Federal courts must defer to the state courts‟ interpretation of state
28 sentencing laws. Estelle v. McGuire, 502 U.S. 62, 67-68 (1991); Bueno v. Hallahan, 988 F.2d

13

1 86, 88 (9th Cir. 1993). Absent a showing of fundamental unfairness, a state court‟s application
2 or misapplication of its own sentencing laws does not generally justify federal habeas relief.
3 Christian v. Rhode, 41 F.3d 461, 469 (9th Cir. 1994).
4

Under California law, it is a misdemeanor to “knowingly and maliciously prevent[] or

5 dissuade [] any witness or victim from attending or giving testimony at any trial, proceeding, or
6 inquiry authorized by law.” Cal. Penal Code § 136.1(a)(1).

It is also a misdemeanor to

7 “attempt[] to prevent or dissuade another person who has been the victim of a crime or who is a
8 witness to a crime from … [m]aking any report of that victimization to any peace officer or state
9 or local law enforcement officer … or to any judge.” Cal. Penal Code § 136.1(b)(1). It is a
10 felony to violate either subsection (a) or (b) by dissuading a witness by force or the threat of
11 force. Cal. Penal Code § 136.1(c)(1).
12

To the extent Petitioner contends that the trial court improperly exercised its discretion

13 under state sentencing law, such claim is not cognizable on federal habeas corpus review. See
14 Estelle, 502 U.S. at 67-68. Thus, this Court‟s review is limited to whether Petitioner‟s sentence
15 was fundamentally unfair giving rise to a due process violation. Christian v. Rhode, 41 F.3d at
16 469.
17

In light of the facts of this case as referenced and thoroughly analyzed by the Court of

18 Appeal, with which this Court agrees, it cannot be said that the trial court‟s denial of Petitioner‟s
19 motion to reduce his felony conviction to a misdemeanor was fundamentally unfair so as to
20 violate his due process rights. Thus, the state courts‟ rejection of this claim was not contrary to
21 or an unreasonable application of federal law. See 28 U.S.C. § 2254(d).
22

3. Trial Court‟s Denial of Romero Motion

23

Petitioner argues that the trial court abused its discretion by denying his request to strike

24 one or more of his prior strike convictions. In the last reasoned decision, the California Court of
25 Appeal, Fifth Appellate District denied the claim, stating:
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In ruling on a request to dismiss a prior strike conviction in the
interests of justice, the court must conduct a fact-based inquiry to
determine whether the defendant falls outside the spirit of the three
strikes law. Relevant factors include the nature of the present
offense, defendant‟s prior criminal history, the defendant‟s
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background, character and prospects, as well as other
individualized considerations. (People v. Williams (1998) 17
Cal.4th 148, 161; People v. Philpot (2004) 122 Cal.App.4th 893,
905 (Philpot).) “[A] court‟s failure to dismiss or strike a prior
conviction allegation is subject to review under the deferential
abuse of discretion standard.” (People v. Carmony (2004) 33
Cal.4th 367, 374.) The burden is on the party attacking the
sentence to demonstrate that the lower court‟s decision was “so
irrational or arbitrary that no reasonable person could agree with
it.” (Id. at p. 377.)

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James argues the trial court abused its discretion because it did not
give adequate weight to his recent “efforts at law-abiding
behavior.” James points out that he remained free from criminality
from 2006 to 2009, was employed before his arrest, and was in a
stable romantic relationship. We are not persuaded. Essentially,
appellant is asking this court to reweigh the evidence and substitute
our judgment for that of the trial court. This we will not do.
(People v. Myers, supra, 69 Cal.App.4th at p. 310.) The trial court
is not required to articulate every one of the factors it considered.
(Ibid.) The fact that the court focused its comments on James‟s
prior criminal history does not mean this is the only factor it
considered. (Ibid.)
The record fully supports the trial court‟s conclusion that James
does not fall outside the spirit of the three strikes law. His criminal
history spans over 20 years. It includes violent felonies such as
attempted murder and robbery. The current offense involved
violence. Probation, parole, short jail sentences and lengthy prison
terms have all failed to eradicate his recidivism. James‟s “conduct
as a whole was a strong indication of unwillingness or inability to
comply with the law. It is clear from the record that prior
rehabilitative efforts have been unsuccessful for [him].” (Philpot,
supra, 122 Cal.App.4th at p. 906.) We concur in the trial court‟s
determination that James was not outside the spirit of the three
strikes law. Therefore, denial of the Romero motion was not an
abuse of discretion. (Id. at p. 907.)
(Answer, Attach 1 at 27-28.)
Petitioner‟s challenge to the trial court‟s denial of his Romero motion essentially involves
an interpretation of state sentencing law which is not subject to federal habeas corpus review.
Wilson v. Corcoran, 562 U.S. 1, 5, 131 S.Ct. 13, 16, 178 L.Ed.2d 276 (2010) (quoting Estelle,
502 U.S. at 67). Thus, this Court‟s review is limited to whether the application of the sentencing
law was fundamentally unfair. Christian v. Rhode, 41 F.3d at 469.
In this case, the sentencing judge declined to strike any of Petitioner‟s prior convictions
after considering all of the relevant factors and applying the applicable state law. Petitioner‟s

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1 criminal history spanned over a period of 20 years which included violent felonies, and he failed
2 to profit from leniency such as probation, parole and short jail sentences.

Therefore, the

3 appellate court reasonably concluded that the sentencing judge‟s decision that Petitioner did not
4 fall outside the spirit of California‟s Three Strikes Law was supported by the record. In light of
5 Petitioner‟s history, he cannot show that the trial court‟s refusal to strike any of his prior
6 convictions was fundamentally unfair so as to warrant federal habeas corpus relief.
7

4. Trial Court‟s Denial of Batson/Wheeler Claim

8

In his final claim, Petitioner challenges the trial court‟s denial of his Batson/Wheeler

9 motion. In the last reasoned decision, the California Court of Appeal, Fifth Appellate District
10 found the claim to be without merit and stated the following:
11

Appellants are African-American.

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Prospective juror No. 389, an African-American male, was in the
first group of 20 prospective jurors. The court discussed the daily
time schedule and asked the prospective jurors if anyone would
have difficulty participating. Prospective juror No. 389 stated he
taught a karate class every evening beginning at 5:00 p.m. The
court asked him if he would have enough time to get to class if the
jury was dismissed at 4:50 p.m. He replied affirmatively.

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When prospective jurors were asked to provide occupational and
educational information, prospective juror No. 389 stated that he
was a retired military aircraft mechanic, had two children who
were both in junior high school, and his wife was employed at a
casino. In response to a question whether the prospective jurors
had ever been involved in a physical altercation with another
person, prospective juror No. 389 replied, “I was attacked one
time. I had a guy attack me and I defended myself,” using karate
skills. In response to the question whether anyone was injured,
prospective juror No. 389 replied: “Not severely. No, he was
pretty sore. I didn‟t hit him in any place that would actually kill
him. I just defended myself, just enough to keep him off of me.
That was enough.”
A total of nine jurors were excused from the first group of 20
prospective jurors. Four additional groups, consisting of nine
prospective jurors each, were examined and some of the jurors
were excused. Prospective juror No. 389 remained.
Prospective juror No. 399, an African-American adult female, was
part of the sixth group of prospective jurors. She stated that she
was married and had three children. She was a social worker
employed by Kings County Human Services. Both her husband
and her oldest son were correctional officers at Corcoran State
Prison. Her other two children were in college. She has lived in
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Kings County for 15 years and had never served as a juror.

2

After examining the sixth group of prospective jurors, the
prosecutor used a peremptory challenge for prospective juror No.
399. He passed on the next five prospective jurors and then used a
peremptory challenge for prospective juror No. 389.

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Outside the presence of the jury, Smith made a Batson/Wheeler
motion. Tunstall and James joined in the motion. Smith‟s counsel
argued the prosecutor had exercised peremptory challenges to
excuse three African-American potential jurors. One of these
prospective jurors had a son in prison, which could indicate a
potential bias against the prosecution. However, in his view there
was no reason other than race explaining the decision to excuse
prospective juror Nos. 389 and 399. The court found “a prima
facie has been made and the burden will shift to [the prosecutor] to
explain to the Court the justification for the two challenges.”
The prosecutor stated he excused prospective juror No. 399
because “her occupation as a social worker gives me grave
concern. It tends to show more of a liberal bias, and that is the,
one of the main reasons. [¶] Also the fact that she never has
served on jury duty before in this county or any other also is a bias
on which I relied upon that gave me cause for concern.” The
prosecutor stated he excused prospective juror No. 389 for several
reasons. His “initial response when we started the day was that he
had to be somewhere at 5 o‟clock, and he‟s sat back there most of
the day, and my thought maybe his demeanor and his attitude
would change as the day went on once he reserved himself to being
there, but with every peremptory, he‟d lean[] back in the chair,
looking up at the ceiling, yawning and his attitude really has not
changed throughout most of the day whenever it got closer and
closer to being a likely and a potential juror.” Next, the prosecutor
explained, “I believe … he answered positive to the fact that he‟s
been in physical altercations involving alcohol, and … I think he
stated he hasn‟t served any jury duty as well.” Finally, the
prosecutor considered “the next jurors in line, and balancing all the
factors, and [the next prospective juror] certainly has no prior
alcohol physical incidents, [and] he‟s not a karate instructor who
would minimize any violent conduct in the case….”
James‟s counsel argued that being a karate instructor did not make
one a violent person and that prospective juror No. 389 had acted
in self-defense during the physical altercation. Smith‟s counsel
argued prospective juror No. 389‟s physical altercation was not
alcohol-related and he was the victim in the incident. Further,
Smith‟s counsel did not think prospective juror No. 389 appeared
to be disinterested and, in his view, all of the prospective jurors
looked bored and impatient.
The court denied the Batson/Wheeler motion, stating: “The Court
has to rule on the adequacy of the justification in this matter. If
they‟re implausible or fantastic justifications, then the Court can
find them to be pretext. [¶] In this matter, it appears to this Court
that the objections that [the prosecutor] found to [prospective juror

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Nos. 389 and 399] are proper in this matter. [¶] It appears that his
reasons were other than … for excusing impermissible group bias
or prejudice.”
Appellants contend that the prosecutor improperly exercised
peremptory challenges to exclude two African-American
prospective jurors in violation of “the state Constitution‟s implicit
guaranty of a representative jury, … and, in the federal
Constitution, the Fourteenth Amendment‟s equal protection and
Sixth Amendment jury trial provisions.” (People v. Jones (1998)
17 Cal.4th 279, 293.)

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In Johnson v. California (2005) 545 U.S. 162, the United States
Supreme Court reiterated the three-step process which guides a
trial court‟s constitutional review of peremptory strikes:
First, the defendant must make out a prima facie case „by showing
that the totality of the relevant facts gives rise to an inference of
discriminatory purpose.‟ [Citations.] Second, once the defendant
has made out a prima facie case, the „burden shifts to the State to
explain adequately the racial exclusion‟ by offering permissible
race-neutral explanation is tendered, the trial court must then
decide … whether the opponent of the strike has proved purposeful
racial discrimination.‟ [Citation.]” (Id. at p. 168, fn. omitted.)
A trial court‟s ruling on a Batson/Wheeler motion is reviewed for
substantial evidence. (People v. Jones, supra, 17 Cal.4th at p. 293.)
“„“„Because Wheeler motions call upon trial judges‟ personal
observations, we review their rulings with “considerable
deference” on appeal.‟”‟ [Citation.] We also bear in mind that
peremptory challenges are not challenges for cause—they are
peremptory. We have said that such challenges may be made on
an „apparently trivial‟ or „highly speculative‟ basis. [Citation.]
Indeed, they may be made „“without reason or for no reason,
arbitrarily and capriciously”‟ [citation].” (Id. at p. 294.)

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In this case, the trial court concluded a prima facie case had been
made and the burden shifted to the prosecutor to provide raceneutral reasons for excusing prospective juror Nos. 389 and 399.
The prosecutor stated that he chose to exclude prospective juror
No. 399 because she was a social worker and he believed
individuals in this occupation were more liberal. The occupation
or employment of a prospective juror is generally a race-neutral
reason for excluding him or her. (People v. Trevino (1997) 55
Cal.App.4th 396, 411-412 [peremptory challenges upheld for
individuals employed in social services and health care]; People v.
Perez (1996) 48 Cal.App.4th 1310, 1315 [peremptory challenges
upheld for individuals who worked in the social services or
caregiving fields].) Also, the prosecutor cited the fact prospective
juror No. 399 had never served on a jury before.
The prosecutor set forth several race-neutral reasons justifying his
decision to excuse prospective juror No. 389. First, he was
concerned by the prospective juror‟s demeanor throughout the day.
In addition to expressing concern about scheduling, prospective
juror No. 389 appeared disinterested in the proceedings. Race-

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neutral reasons for peremptory challenges often invoke a juror‟s
demeanor, such as nervousness or inattention. (People v. Lenix
(2008) 44 Cal.4th 602, 614.) “A prospective juror may be excused
based upon facial expressions, gestures, hunches, and even for
arbitrary or idiosyncratic reasons.” (Id. at p. 613.) When
demeanor is cited as a reason for a peremptory challenge, the trial
court must evaluate if the prosecutor‟s demeanor belies a
discriminatory intent and if “the juror‟s demeanor can credibly be
said to have exhibited the basis for the strike attributed to the juror
by the prosecutor.” (Id. at p. 614.) Additionally, the prosecutor
was concerned about this prospective juror‟s involvement in a
fight, and the fact he had never served on a jury before. While the
prosecutor made some factual errors about the circumstances of the
fight, this does not in and of itself indicate the existence of a racial
bias on the prosecutor‟s part. The prosecutor explained that he was
concerned about the fight because it could indicate this prospective
juror might “minimize any violent conduct.”
The trial court evaluated the prosecutor‟s reasons and determined
they were genuine and race-neutral. The court had the benefit of
contemporaneous observations of voir dire. There is nothing
apparent from the questions asked by the prosecutor during voir
dire which raises the specter of purposeful discrimination. Since
exceptional circumstances do not appear, we defer to the trial
court‟s credibility assessment. (People v. Lenix, supra, 44 Cal.4th
at p. 614.) Accordingly, we uphold the trial court‟s ruling and
conclude appellants‟ constitutional jury trial and fair trial rights
were not infringed.

15
16 (Answer, Attachment 1 at 8-13.)
17

Evaluation of allegedly discriminatory peremptory challenges to potential jurors in

18 federal and state trials is governed by the standard established by the United States Supreme
19 Court in Batson v. Kentucky, 476 U.S. 79, 89 (1986). In Batson, the United States Supreme
20 Court set out a three-step process in the trial court to determine whether a peremptory challenge
21 is race-based in violation of the Equal Protection Clause. Purkett v. Elem, 514 U.S. 765, 767
22 (1995) (citing Batson, 476 U.S. at 96-98). First, the defendant must make a prima facie showing
23 that the prosecutor has exercised a peremptory challenge on the basis of race. Id. That is, the
24 defendant must demonstrate that the facts and circumstances of the case “raise an inference” that
25 the prosecution has excluded venire members from the petit jury on account of their race. Id. If
26 a defendant makes this showing, the burden then shifts to the prosecution to provide a race27 neutral explanation for its challenge. Id. At this second step, “the issue is the facial validity of
28 the prosecutor's explanation.

Unless a discriminatory intent is inherent in the prosecutor's

19

1 explanation, the reason offered will be deemed race neutral.” Id. (quoting Hernandez v. New
2 York, 500 U.S. 352, 360 (1991)). Finally, the third step requires the trial court to determine if
3 the defendant has proven purposeful discrimination. And “[s]ince the trial judge‟s findings in
4 the context under consideration here largely turn on evaluation of credibility, a reviewing court
5 ordinarily should give those findings great deference.” Batson, 476 U.S. at 98, n.21.
6

In this case, Petitioner contends that the prosecutor's reasons were pretextual. This

7 allegation thus implicates Batson‟s third step, where the court evaluates whether the defendant
8 has met the burden of showing purposeful discrimination in light of the proffered justifications.
9 Kesser v. Cambra, 465 F.3d 351, 359 (9th Cir. 2006) (en banc); Batson, 476 U.S. at 98. The
10 Court must review the “totality of the relevant facts” which includes the “prosecutor‟s statements
11 about his jury selection strategies and his explanations … for striking minority jurors” as well as
12 “the characteristics of people he did not challenge.” Kesser, 465 F.3d at 360.
13

In order to properly evaluate the prosecutor‟s reasoning, this Court must conduct a

14 comparative juror analysis which includes side-by-side comparisons of minority venire members
15 who were struck and non-minority venire members allowed to serve. Jameson v. Runnels, 713
16 F.3d 1218, 1224 (9th Cir. 2013) (federal court must conduct comparative analysis in the first
17 instance if the state court declined to perform it) (citing Briggs v. Grounds, 682 F.3d 1165, 1170
18 (9th Cir. 2012)). “If a prosecutor‟s proffered reason for striking a black panelist applies just as
19 well to an otherwise-similar nonblack who is permitted to serve, that is evidence tending to prove
20 purposeful discrimination to be considered at Batson‟s third step.” Miller-El v. Dretke (Miller21 El II), 545 U.S. 231, 241 (2005).
22

This Court‟s evaluation thus involves comparative analysis in the first instance because

23 the state court declined to do so, and the state court decision must be evaluated in light of the
24 “comparative analysis and any other evidence tending to show purposeful discrimination to
25 decide whether the state was unreasonable in finding the prosecutor‟s race-neutral justifications
26 to be genuine.” Jameson v. Runnels, 713 F.3d at 1225. As recently stated by the Ninth Circuit,
27 “[t]hough we conduct the comparative juror analysis ourselves, we are still constrained by §
28 2254(d)(2).” Mayes v. Premo, 766 F.3d 949, 960 (9th Cir. 2014) (citing Jamerson, 713 F.3d at

20

1 1225-26). Although the purpose of comparative juror analysis is to assess the prosecutor‟s
2 credibility, the reviewing court must “also account for the totality of the circumstances . . . and,
3 under AEDPA, give [the state] courts‟ credibility determination the benefit of the doubt.”
4 Mayes, 766 F.3d at 962 (citing Felkner v. Jackson, 562 U.S. 594, 131 S.Ct. 1305, 1307, 179
5 L.Ed.2d 374 (2011) (per curiam); Jamerson, 713 F.3d at 1224). The writ of habeas corpus
6 should only be granted if the Court finds that “a reasonable appellate court could only reasonably
7 conclude that the [California] trial court‟s credibility determination was not supported by the
8 record. Mayes, 766 F.3d at 958 (citing Taylor v. Maddox, 366 F.3d 992, 1000 (9th Cir. 2004)).
9

The Court notes that Petitioner‟s codefendant, Damitra Smith, also filed a federal habeas

10 petition in this district which challenged the composition of the jury under Batson. See Smith v.
11 Miller, 1:12-CV-00790-LJO-JLT. On December 9, 2014, Magistrate Judge Jennifer L. Thurston
12 issued a Findings and Recommendation that recommended that Smith‟s petition be denied. See
13 1:12-CV-00790-LJO-JLT, ECF No. 17, Findings and Recommendation.

Magistrate Judge

14 Thurston found that the prosecution offered plausible non-discriminatory reasons for excluding
15 both prospective juror no. 389 and no. 399. Id. at 11. Magistrate Judge Thurston also found that
16 Smith had not established that there was purposeful discrimination. Id. On March 19, 2015,
17 District Judge Lawrence J. O‟Neill adopted Magistrate Judge Thurston‟s Findings and
18 Recommendation. See 1:12-cv-00790-LJO-JLT, ECF No. 20, Order Adopting Findings and
19 Recommendation.
20

a. Juror No. 389

21

The prosecutor provided the following reasons for excusing prospective Juror No. 389

22 (who was African-American) from the jury: (1) his demeanor and attitude which included
23 leaning back in his chair, looking up at the ceiling and yawning during the parties use of
24 peremptory challenges; (2) prior involvement in a physical altercation; (3) time schedule; (4)
25 lack of prior jury service; and (5) the possibility that he may minimize violent conduct. (RT 20726 208.)
27

First, a juror‟s demeanor and behavior during the voir dire process cannot be gauged

28 from a transcript. Thus, in such situations, federal courts must generally defer to the state trial

21

1 court‟s evaluation of whether the prosecutor genuinely relied on the juror‟s demeanor as the
2 basis for a peremptory challenge. See Snyder v. Louisiana, 552 U.S. 472 (2008) (“deference is
3 especially appropriate where a trial judge has made a finding that an attorney credibly relied on
4 demeanor in exercising a strike.”); Hernandez v. New York, 500 U.S. 352, 365 (1991) (“As with
5 the state of mind of a juror, evaluation of the prosecutor‟s state of mind based on demeanor and
6 credibility lies „peculiarly within the trial judge‟s province.‟”) (citations omitted).

Here, by

7 finding no discriminatory intent, the trial court impliedly found that the prosecutor‟s
8 observations regarding Juror No. 389 inattentiveness during the proceedings were legitimate.
9 See, e.g., Jameson v. Runnel, 713 F.3d at 1234 (demeanor observations by the trial court may
10 provide an adequate basis for dismissal.)
11

Furthermore, none of the seated jurors had a potential time conflict. Juror No. 389

12 clearly stated at the beginning of the voir dire questioning that he taught karate classes every day
13 at 5:00 p.m.. (RT 21.) Although Juror No. 389 agreed with the trial court that he could attend
14 such classes if released ten minutes prior to 5:00 p.m., this does not dispel the prosecutor‟s
15 reasonable concern that this juror may be distracted by maintaining his time schedule on a daily
16 basis, particularly given the prosecutor‟s observation of his inattentiveness to the proceedings.
17

The prosecutor also stated that he was concerned about having Juror No. 389 on the jury

18 because he had been involved in a prior physical altercation, and that he may minimize violent
19 conduct because he is a karate instructor. (RT 307-308.) Juror No. 389 indicated that he taught
20 karate classes at night. (RT 17.) Based upon the record, none of the seated jurors were involved
21 in martial arts or any activities that would indicate that they minimize violence.
22

However, upon a review of the voir dire transcripts, it appears that Juror No. 389 may not

23 have been the juror who testified that he had defended himself using karate that caused the other
24 individual to be “pretty sore.” (RT 17, 21, 84.) It may have been Juror No. 184 who testified
25 that he had been in the physical altercation and had used karate which resulted in the other
26 individual being “pretty sore.” (RT 17, 21, 84.)
27

Juror No. 389 and Juror No. 184 were both part of the first group of prospective jurors.

28 (RT 17.) During voir dire, Juror No. 184 did not indicate to the Court that he was a karate

22

1 instructor or that he had experience with karate. When counsel asked the panel whether anyone
2 had been involved in a physical altercation, it appears that Juror No. 184 indicated that he had,
3 but Juror No. 389 did not indicate that he had. (RT 81-85.) The following exchange occurred
4 during voir dire:
Ms. McGee: Was that—okay. Were there any other hands? You‟re
[Juror No. 184‟s name], correct?

5
6

Prospective Juror [No. 184‟s Name]: Correct

7

Ms. McGee: Okay. You‟re the karate instructor. I know that. What
was your altercation about?

8

Prospective Juror [No. 184‟s name]: I was attacked one time. I had
a guy attack me and I defended myself. That was about it.

9
10

Ms. McGee: Okay. Did you use karate?

11

Prospective Juror [No. 184‟s name]: Yes, I did.

12
13

Ms. McGee: Did the altercation involve another person or just the
one person. Was anybody else involved?

14

Prospective Juror [No. 184‟s name]: Just that one person.

15

Ms. McGee: Was anybody injured?

16

Prospective Juror [No. 184‟s name]: Not severely. No, he was
pretty sore. I didn‟t hit him in any place that would actually kill
him. I just defended myself, just enough to keep him off of me.
That was enough.

17
18

Ms. McGee: Were you injured?

19

Prospective Juror [No. 184‟s name]: I don‟t think I was.

20

Ms. McGee: No? But he was just sore?

21
22

Prospective Juror [No. 184‟s name]: Yes, I guess.
(RT 84.) 5

23

During the Batson motion, defense counsel challenged the prosecutor‟s decision to use

24
peremptory challenges on Juror Nos. 389 and 399. (RT 206-207.) The prosecutor explained that
25
he used a challenge on Juror No. 389 because Juror No. 389 had been involved in a physical
26
27
28

5

The transcript indicates that Juror No. 184 answered these questions. However, it is possible that the transcript has
the incorrect name for this section of the voir dire, and that Juror No. 389 was actually the one who answered these
questions.

23

1 altercation involving alcohol and that he was a karate instructor who could minimize violent
2 conduct. (RT 207-208.) Petitioner‟s counsel and Ms. Smith‟s counsel responded that Juror No.
3 389 had not been involved in an alcohol-related incident, and had only defended himself and did
4 not cause injury. (RT 208-209.)
5

There are two plausible interpretations of the transcript. The first option is that the

6 transcript has the incorrect name and that Juror No. 389 actually testified that he had used karate
7 skills on an individual who had attached him and he had caused the other individual to be “pretty
8 sore.” The second option is that the transcript has the correct name and it was actually Juror No.
9 184 who had been in the altercation.
10

For the first option, the Court must determine whether there was innocent, unintentional

11 error or purposeful discrimination by the prosecutor. See Aleman, 723 F.3d at 982 (citing
12 Batson, 476 U.S. at 98; Mitleider v. Hall, 391 F.3d 1039, 1049 (9th Cir. 2004)). The Ninth
13 Circuit has held that when a prosecutor mischaracterizes a juror‟s testimony in a way that is
14 completely contrary to the juror‟s statements, then the prosecutor‟s credibility is undermined.
15 Aleman v. Uribe, 723 F.3d 976, 982 (9th Cir. 2013) (citing Jamerson, 713 F.3d at 1232 n. 7;
16 Miller-El v. Dretke, 545 U.S. 231, 243-44, 125 S.Ct. 2317, 162 L.Ed.2d 196 (2005)). However,
17 the prosecutor‟s credibility is not necessarily undermined when the “prosecutor makes a mistake
18 in good faith, such as an innocent transposition of juror information.” Aleman, 723 F.3d at 982
19 (internal citations omitted).
20

If it was Juror No. 184 and not Juror No. 389 who was involved in the physical

21 altercation, then the prosecutor made a mistake about one of the bases for his peremptory
22 challenge of Juror No. 389. Petitioner‟s counsel and Ms. Smith‟s counsel both indicated that
23 Juror No. 389 had been involved in a physical altercation, so it is possible that all three attorneys
24 misspoke with respect to which juror was involved in the physical altercation, and this leads
25 support for the prosecutor‟s mistake being merely an innocent transposition.

Therefore, it

26 appears that the prosecutor‟s mistake was in good faith. Even if this reason was impermissible,
27 the prosecutor provided other permissible reasons for challenging Juror No. 389.
28

For the second option, the Court will evaluate the Batson motion as if it was Juror No.

24

1 389 who testified that he had used karate skills when he was attacked. Although the prosecutor
2 mischaracterized the circumstances of Juror No. 389‟s prior physical altercation as involving
3 alcohol, the prosecutor clearly stated that he was concerned that based on Juror No. 389‟s karate
4 training he may tend to minimize violence. This court is “not convinced that the state court was
5 unreasonable in crediting [the prosecution‟s] explanation as genuine, particularly affording the
6 double deference due to the state trial court‟s ruling.” Jamerson, 713 F.3d at 1235 (citing Rice v.
7 Collins, 546 U.S. 333, 538 (2006)).
8

Paneled Juror No. 18 and Alternate Juror No. 198 had been involved in prior physical

9 altercations and had no prior jury experience. Juror No. 18 stated that he was assaulted by three
10 individuals who were ultimately prosecuted by the Navy. (RT at 120.) Juror No. 18 did not state
11 whether there were any injuries or the intensity of the altercation. (RT 120.) Alternate Juror No.
12 198 stated that he had been in a fight or two just as everyone has and none had taken place within
13 the last ten years. (RT 262.) Therefore, the record was silent about the intensity of the physical
14 altercations and whether any injuries resulted from the altercations involving Paneled Juror No.
15 18 and Alternate Juror No. 198. In this case, the physical altercation justification is not the
16 strongest, but still permissible because Juror No. 389‟s physical altercation was more intense
17 than the altercations involving Paneled Juror No. 18 and Alternate Juror No. 198. Even if this
18 reason was impermissible, the prosecutor provided other permissible reasons for challenging
19 Juror No. 389.
20

Applying the double deference, the Court cannot say that the Court of Appeal‟s decision,

21 which relied on the trial court‟s credibility finding, was objectively unreasonable in concluding
22 that the peremptory challenge against Juror No. 389 lacked an impermissible discriminatory
23 motive.
24

b. Juror No. 399

25

The prosecutor explained that he struck Juror No. 399, also African-American, because

26 of (1) her occupation as a social worker; and (2) lack of prior jury service. (RT 207.) Juror No.
27 399 stated that she was a social worker for Kings County Human Services. (RT 192.) The
28 occupation of a potential juror may be a legitimate non-discriminatory reason to dismiss a

25

1 potential juror, and a social worker falls within this reasoning. In this instance, the prosecutor
2 explained her occupation as a social worker tended to show more of a liberal bias which caused
3 him grave concern. See, e.g., J.E.B. v. Alabama, 511 U.S. 127, 142-143 nn. 14 & 16 (1994)
4 (excusing a potential juror based on occupation may not be constitutional); United States v.
5 Thompson, 827 F.2d 1254, 1260 (9th Cir. 1987) (dismissal of jurors based on occupation is
6 within the prosecutor‟s prerogative); Messiah v. Duncan, 435 F.3d 186, 200 (2d Cir. 2006)
7 (“full-time social service provider . . . might have more sympathy for a defendant” than other
8 panelists); Hall v. Luebbers, 341 F.3d 706, 713 (9th Cir. 2003) (“Occupation is a permissible
9 reason to defend against a Batson challenge, and being a social worker could be a legitimate
10 basis to strike a prospective juror.”); United States v. Smith, 223 F.3d 554, 569 (7th Cir. 2000)
11 (prosecutor‟s stated reason to strike a potential juror because she was “a social worker type” who
12 would be “too sympathetic towards the defendants” found non-racial.”).
13

None of the other seated jurors had jobs involving social work and only two other jurors

14 arguably have a comparable characteristic. Juror No. 183 was a student studying liberal arts at
15 the time of jury selection and aspired to be a third grade teacher, and had no prior jury service.
16 (RT 194, 198.) However, Juror No. 183 did not work in the social services field like Juror No.
17 399, and nothing about his education or desire to be a third grade teacher lends itself to being
18 liberal and sympathetic toward the defendants like juror No. 399.
19

Juror No.188 worked as a pastor for a church, which could arguably lend itself to the

20 view of sympathy and forgiveness toward defendants. (RT 144.) Juror No. 188, unlike Juror
21 No. 399, had prior jury experience on a drug case. (RT 147.) Thus, the prosecutor could have
22 reasonably concluded that Juror No. 188‟s prior service on a criminal case in which a verdict was
23 reached rendered him suitable as a juror in this case. Therefore, based on the record, the state
24 court was not unreasonable in concluding that the peremptory challenge against Juror No. 399
25 lacked an impermissible discriminatory motive.
26

Accordingly, after engaging in comparative juror analysis, the totality of the

27 circumstances establishes that the prosecutor‟s peremptory challenges to Juror Nos. 389 and 399
28 was not unreasonable. The California Court of Appeal‟s factual determinations at Batson‟s third

26

1 step relying on the trial court‟s credibility determinations were not unreasonable. Also, the
2 California Court of Appeal‟s decision was not contrary to clearly established federal law.
3

IV.

4

RECOMMENDATION
Accordingly, the Court HEREBY RECOMMENDS that:

5
6

1. Petitioner‟s petition for writ of habeas corpus be DENIED; and

7

2. The Clerk of Court be directed to enter judgment in favor of Respondent.
This Findings and Recommendation is submitted to the assigned United States District

8

9 Court Judge, pursuant to the provisions of 28 U.S.C. § 636 (b)(1)(B) and Rule 304 of the Local
10 Rules of Practice for the United States District Court, Eastern District of California. Within
11 thirty (30) days after service of the Findings and Recommendation, any party may file written
12 objections with the court and serve a copy on all parties. Such a document should be captioned
13 “Objections to Magistrate Judge‟s Findings and Recommendation.” Replies to the objections
14 shall be served and filed within fourteen (14) days after service of the objections. The District
15 Judge will then review the Magistrate Judge‟s ruling pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(1)(C). The
16 parties are advised that failure to file objections within the specified time may waive the right to
17 appeal the District Court‟s order. Wilkerson v. Wheeler, 772 F.3d 834, 839 (9th Cir. 2014)
18 (citing Baxter v. Sullivan, 923 F.2d 1391, 1394 (9th Cir. 1991)).
19
20

IT IS SO ORDERED.

21 Dated:

June 17, 2015
UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

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