People v. Lawless
People v. Lawless
Opinion of the Court
Opinion
James L. Lawless appeals from the judgment following his conviction by jury of possession of marijuana in state prison (Pen. Code, § 4573.6) and conspiracy to escape from prison (Pen. Code, §§ 182/4530, subd. (b)). He was sentenced to a total term of three years, eight months, He contends the testimony of a defendant during his preliminary hearing may not be used to prove the corpus delicti. . . .
In accordance with the usual rules on appeal that the evidence must be viewed in light most favorable to respondent (People v. Barnes (1986) 42 Cal.3d 284, 303 [228 Cal.Rptr. 228, 721 P.2d 110]), it was established that appellant and Guy Andrade
Appellant testified at the preliminary hearing that an escape was planned but that he and Andrade had nothing to do with it and that the marijuana belonged to another prisoner. Appellant admitted the pieces of hacksaw blade were his but claimed he planned to use them to fashion weapons for self-defense because he felt his life was in danger for quitting a prison gang.
At trial, over defense objections, the court allowed the prosecution to introduce appellant’s testimony at the preliminary hearing to establish the corpus delicti of the escape conspiracy, relying on People v. Quicke (1969) 71 Cal.2d 502 [4 P.2d 601].
In defense, appellant and Andrade asserted that the marijuana was possessed by Andrade alone, that there had never been a plan to escape and that they had lied “to make the story a little more sweet” and a “bigger issue”—believing that when the case got to trial they would be acquitted because there was no escape planned.
Appellant’s contention that his testimony at the preliminary hearing could not be used to establish the corpus delicti of conspiracy to escape is without merit. Appellant’s contention amounts to no more than an invitation that this court disregard the decision of the California Supreme Court in People v. Quicke, supra, 71 Cal.2d at page 521, and instead follow the earlier decision of People v. McWilliams (1931) 117 Cal.App. 732 [4 P.2d 601]. That is not the function of this court. (Auto Equity Sales, Inc. v. Superior Court (1962) 57 Cal.2d 450, 455 [20 Cal.Rptr. 321, 369 P.2d 937].)
Stone, P. J., and Gilbert, J., concurred.
Appellant’s petition for review by the Supreme Court was denied January 27, 1988.
See footnote, ante, page 1248.
Guy Andrade pled guilty to conspiracy to escape and is not a party to this appeal.
See footnote, ante, page 1248.
Case-law data current through December 31, 2025. Source: CourtListener bulk data.