People v. Cuiriz
People v. Cuiriz
Opinion of the Court
*746Defendant Deyanira Cuiriz appeals a judgment sentencing her to imprisonment for 27 years to life following her conviction for attempted voluntary manslaughter, shooting at an occupied vehicle and mayhem. She contends that she did not voluntarily and knowingly waive her right to remain silent when she spoke to the police after having been advised of her rights under Miranda v. Arizona (1966)
Background
The record contains extensive testimony from numerous witnesses describing the incident that culminated in the shooting that rendered the victim a quadriplegic. However, a detailed recitation of the evidence is unnecessary in view of the issues raised on appeal.
In brief, the shooting occurred after midnight on August 19, 2012, during the course of defendant's 19th birthday party, outside the Richmond home where she lived with her parents. Although there was conflicting evidence as to what precipitated the incident, it is undisputed that a confrontation occurred between defendant's father (who like others had been drinking at the party) and the victim Oscar Barcenas and his friend Miguel Magdaleno. The father and others were outside in front of the house when Barcenas and Magdaleno *726drove by in a truck and (for disputed reasons) exited the truck and engaged in a physical confrontation with defendant's father. Defendant emerged from the house, observed the two men hitting and pushing her father and, according to defendant, pushed her when she attempted to separate the *747men. Defendant testified that she saw her father on the floor with "his face full of blood," she was scared, she said, and yelled at the two men to leave and they threatened to return, telling her they were gang members. Defendant was handed a gun by her boyfriend
About a half hour after police responded to the scene, defendant approached an officer and, as the officer testified without objection, acknowledged that she had shot the victim. As the officer was handcuffing her, she explained that "she was defending her father and that's why she shot the subject in the vehicle." At trial she testified that as she was standing next to the driver's side of the truck, Barcenas "was coming outside of the truck towards me." She continued, "He looked like he just turned around from looking in his center console. When I turned around, he was already coming out. I was scared." She said she shot "[b]ecause I seen him come out the car and I thought he had something, he was gonna do something to me. I was already scared because he was saying that he's in a gang, and that's really scary to me."
Over defendant's objection, the recording of her interrogation by two detectives at the police station that began at 6:50 that morning was played for the jury. At one point during the questioning, defendant stated that when Barcenas and Magdaleno returned to the truck "and they're like, 'Oh I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry,' I was like, 'What the fuck do you mean you're sorry?' ... [¶] ... [¶] ... I was like 'What the hell?' I was like, 'How are you gonna say you're sorry after you come and beat someone's dad not knowing what the fuck is going on?' I was like, 'Fuck that.' And then they were just like, man. They were just saying some of this ignorant stuff. They got on my nerves. And then I just shot the dude. I was like what the hell? Like 'cause he was gonna-he was, like, he was gonna come back outside so I was scared. I was like, 'What the hell?' I just shot him cause he was gonna come back and argue with me." Later in the interrogation: "like we're at the point where I was-where I grabbed-where my hand started shaking. 'Cause like I got mad. Like I got mad and I knew like, I never did nothing to anyone before. But like they were being really ignorant. Like ... [¶] ... I don't know why people. And I usually talk about ... people being ignorant. But my anger got to me. [¶] ... [¶] Like in desperation and I didn't want them to come back outside and keep doing stuff." When asked why she shot the victim, defendant answered: "Because I was mad. Like I was telling you I was [upset] (unintelligible) he was saying sorry. And the more he said sorry the more he got me mad. 'Cause like it doesn't make sense for you to come *748hit somebody and say you're sorry and I don't know what you're doing. I knew he was like threatening me, and everything. So I was like, 'What the hell are you talking about.' That's when he was gonna come outside, so I'm guessing he was gonna do something to me. So I just shot him. Like I didn't want anything to happen to me." *727Towards the end of the interrogation, defendant volunteered, "It was easily self defense. That's what I chose to do." This prompted additional questions and then the following exchange:
"Q. So you decided to take it into your own hands?
"A. I blacked out, like honestly my temper is ...
"Q. Hey wait, and real quick, just so you understand ...
"A. Yeah ...
"Q. This blacking out thing is a bunch of garbage. You tell me you black out, but you've already told me everything in detail.
"A. No, no, I know in detail. (Crosstalk) In between, my mind at the point, I wasn't thinking you know?
"Q. Cause you were so pissed off.
"A. Ya.
"Q. Ok, that's not self defense. Who told you getting pissed off, grabbing a gun, and shooting someone is self defense? Who told you that?"
In an amended information, defendant was charged with attempted murder (Pen. Code, §§ 187, 664 ),
Discussion
1. The recording of defendant's interrogation was properly admitted.
Defendant first challenges the admissibility of her recorded statements on which the prosecution relied in disputing her claim of self defense. The interrogation in which these statements were made took place in the police station some six to seven hours after the shooting. Defendant had been taken to the station from the scene and apparently had been dozing in the interrogation room before the detectives arrived. At the outset one of the detectives advised defendant of each of her rights specified in the standard Miranda warning, asking her whether she understood that right and as to each right defendant responded that she did. Without explicitly asking defendant whether she waived those rights the detectives proceeded with the questioning and defendant unhesitantly *728answered. Defendant's in limine motion to exclude her statements made during the interrogation on multiple grounds, including that the implicit waiver of her Miranda rights was not made voluntarily and knowingly, was denied
On appeal, defendant renews her contention that the recording should not have been admitted because she did not voluntarily and knowingly waive her Miranda rights. The recording was not admissible unless defendant's waiver was voluntary and knowing. (People v. Duff (2014)
In arguing that defendant's waiver was not voluntary and knowing, defendant points to the facts that she "was barely 19 years old at the time of the interrogation," she had "no prior experience with law enforcement or the criminal justice system," she "was emotionally distraught throughout the entire interview and may have been suffering from shock," and it is "at best uncertain whether [she] slept or had anything to eat or drink in the five and a half hours between the time that she was arrested (at approximately 1:30 a.m.) and the time that the interrogation began (at approximately 7:00 a.m.)." However, despite the characteristics of youth that courts have recognized in the numerous cased cited by defendant, defendant had graduated from high school and was an adult and employed at the time of the shooting. Waivers from much younger persons have been upheld. (E.g., People v. Nelson (2012)
2. The court did not err in failing to excise the detective's statements from the recording.
Defendant contends that even if the recording of the interrogation was properly admitted, the court erred in failing to excise the detective's statements near the conclusion of the interview that the shooting was "not self defense. Who told you getting pissed off, grabbing a gun, and shooting *751someone is self defense? Who told you that?" The issue was raised by the court at the end of the section 402 hearing, leading to an extended discussion with counsel concerning how the defense might properly respond. During the exchange defendant's attorney indicated that she preferred the remarks to be stricken. However, the court suggested instructing the jury that the statement was not to be considered as evidence and counsel stipulated to the following instruction: "Statements made by police officers while conducting out-of-court interviews are not evidence. These statements can be viewed as interview techniques and do not express the personal views or opinions of those police officers." The stipulation was read to the jury before the recording of the interview was played, and was repeated in the final jury instructions, at which point the court added: "So if it's a situation with the officers, something the officers have testified to, do keep in mind what sounds like an opinion expressed during that interview is not to be considered by you, because of the stipulation, as an opinion. So I wanted to clarify that point for all of you." Whether or not the objection was forfeited by entry of the stipulation, as the Attorney General contends, any possible prejudice from inclusion of the detective's remarks was cured by the court's instruction. (People v. Ervine (2009)
3. Defendant's sentence constitutes cruel and unusual punishment.
Defendant contends that her sentence of 27 years to life constitutes cruel and unusual punishment in violation of the state and federal constitutions. "Whether a punishment is cruel or unusual is a question of law for the appellate court, but the underlying disputed facts must be viewed in the light most favorable to the judgment." (People v. Martinez (1999)
Defendant acknowledges, and we reiterate, that she must overcome a "considerable burden" to show that the sentence is disproportionate to her level of culpability (People v. Wingo (1975)
The presentencing report from the probation department observed, "Despite the defendant's ineligibility for grant of probation, it is noted that the circumstances of this case are disturbing. The instant offense occurred because the victim and his friend interrupted a family party, without invite or welcome. The two men then assaulted the defendant's father, without cause or fear of reprisal from the defendant's family, all the while, yelling at family members in a threatening manner. [¶] When it became evident the two men may be outnumbered, they returned to their vehicle, at which time the defendant shot the driver of the vehicle, the victim. The victim and his friend provoked the defendant, or at the very least, began the altercation by arriving at the defendant's home unwelcome." In an addendum to the report, the probation officer agreed that a prison sentence was appropriate, but "also agree[d] with the jurors
The governing principles established in Dillon and Lynch have been restated numerous times. They are summarized in People v. Em (2009)
Both in the abstract and in its particulars, defendant's offense unquestionably is serious and dangerous. Mayhem, particularly when committed with a fire arm, necessarily involves a high risk of harm, and the injury to the victim in this case could not be more extreme. Moreover, the Attorney General emphasizes that defendant committed the offense while angry, and when the victim and his friend had returned to their vehicle and had apologized. Nonetheless, as the jury's verdict reflects, this was not an offense that defendant had calculated. She was provoked, having observed the attack on her father and heard what she understood as a threat by intruding gang members to return. She was handed the gun by her boyfriend only moments before using it to shoot the victim. Defendant undoubtedly over-reacted to the situation, for which she must be punished, but the offense resulted from a moment of impaired judgment in response to the victim's provocation. There was absolutely no planning involved. The jury found defendant not guilty of attempted murder and that she shot the victim in the heat of passion. The court imposed mitigated base terms on two of the counts and the midterm on the voluntary manslaughter count. Despite the severity of the victim's injuries, as the Supreme Court recognized in Lynch, " 'there are rational gradations of culpability that can be made on the basis of injury to the victim.' " (In re Lynch, supra , 8 Cal.3d at p. 426,
With respect to the nature of the offender, the sentence imposed under the mandatory term for the firearm enhancement is far longer than necessary *754to effectively punish this particular defendant. " 'Although the determination that a severe punishment is excessive may be grounded in a judgment that it is disproportionate to the crime, the more significant basis is that the punishment serves no penal purpose more effectively than a less severe punishment.' " (In re Lynch, supra, 8 Cal.3d at p. 422,
There are at least two aspects of the sentence itself that are significant in evaluating whether the punishment is cruel or unusual. As was true of the sentence considered in Dillon, despite the "broad factual spectrum" of circumstances in which section 12022.53, subdivision (d) may apply, "the Legislature has provided only one punishment scheme" for the use of a firearm causing death or great bodily injury in the commission of any of the offenses specified in the statute. (People v. Dillon, supra, 34 Cal.3d at p. 477,
Moreover, it is also significant that the 27 years to life sentence resulting from the enhancement is longer than the sentence prescribed under California law for first degree murder (§ 190, subd. (a)), rape of a minor (§ 264, subd. (c)), and many other arguably more serious offenses involving intentional acts causing extreme harm. "[I]f among [the criminal penalties prescribed in the jurisdiction] are found more serious crimes punished less severely than the offense in question, the challenged penalty is to that extent suspect." (In re Lynch, supra, 8 Cal.3d at p. 426,
While comparison of the penalty imposed by California for the use of a gun causing harm to the penalty imposed by other states for like conduct is perhaps of limited significance (see People v. Martinez, supra, 76 Cal.App.4th at p. 498,
*756Detailed comparison of the facts in this case with those in which the courts have rejected claims of cruel and unusual punishment is of limited value. What is significant is that in most of those cases the court considered the defendant to have engaged in reprehensible conduct reflecting a disposition to commit other antisocial acts. For example, in People v. Em, the court considered that the "Defendant has proven himself to be completely resistant to the rules and structures of civilized society and the criminal justice system, and to be indifferent to basic social mores. The danger he presents to society is significant. Defendant committed this crime, not because he was in the wrong place at the wrong time, but because he has a complete disregard for the rule of law and lack of respect for human life." (People v. Em, supra, 171 Cal.App.4th at p. 976,
We recognize, as we must, that "the Legislature determined in enacting section 12022.53 that the use of firearms in commission of the designated felonies is such a danger that 'substantially longer prison sentences must be imposed ... in order to protect our citizens and to deter violent crime.' " (People v. Martinez, supra, 76 Cal.App.4th at p. 497,
Having determined that defendant's 27-year-to-life sentence constitutes cruel and unusual punishment, we are left with no clear method or standard to determine a permissible sentence under the circumstances. Defendant's crime is a serious offense and undoubtedly justifies stern punishment. Simply *758striking the 25-year enhancement would result in a sentence of only two years, which would not adequately reflect the gravity of defendant's offense or the serious nature of the injury that she inflicted. Given our rejection of the sentence that the trial court imposed under the mayhem count of the information, we believe that activation of the 12-year sentence the trial court imposed but stayed for the commission of attempted voluntary manslaughter will do justice to the public interest in enforcement of the criminal laws while recognizing the defendant's right to avoid excessive punishment. (Cf. Dillon, supra, 34 Cal.3d at p. 489,
Disposition
The judgment is modified to vacate the sentence imposed, to strike the 25-year-to-life enhancement from the sentences imposed under counts two and four and stay the sentences imposed under counts two and four, and to vacate the stay with respect to the sentence imposed by the trial court under count one for attempted voluntary manslaughter, imprisonment for a term of 12 years. In all other respects the judgment is affirmed.
We concur:
Siggins, J.
Jenkins, J.
Defendant originally told the police that she went inside the house for the gun but at trial testified that she had lied in order to protect her boyfriend.
All statutory references are to the Penal Code unless otherwise indicated.
The aggravated mayhem charge was dismissed on the prosecutor's motion after the jury reported that it could not agree on that charge.
Defendant was sentenced to 28 years to life on the conviction for shooting at an occupied vehicle (three-year base term plus 25 years to life for the firearm enhancement). On the attempted voluntary manslaughter count she was sentenced to 12 years (mitigated three-year base term plus four years for the firearm enhancement and five years for inflicting great bodily injury). These sentences were stayed pursuant to section 654.
The court did not rule on the motion before the start of trial because the prosecutor indicated he did not intend to introduce the recording. The prosecutor subsequently indicated he did wish to introduce the recording, at which point the court conducted a hearing under Evidence Code section 402 and denied the motion.
As indicated below, a majority of the jurors made known to the court that they were shocked to learn of defendant's potential sentence, which they considered extremely unjust in this case.
The court explicitly found applicable the mitigating factors that the circumstances of the offense were unusual and unlikely to recur, that defendant participated in the crime "under circumstances not of coercion but to a certain extent duress," that defendant "has no prior record of criminal conduct," and that she "acknowledged the wrongdoing at an early stage in this proceeding."
People v. Em also recognizes that a sentence is cruel and unusual under the Eighth Amendment to the United States Constitution if it is "grossly disproportionate." (171 Cal.App.4th at p. 977,
In Schueren, the Supreme Court held that where a defendant had been convicted of a lesser included offense under the accusatory pleading test for which the statutory punishment was greater than for the offense charged, the constitutional proscription against cruel or unusual punishment prohibited imposition of the longer sentence. Under the circumstances, the court held, a prison term exceeding the sentence for the offense charged was "an 'unusual' punishment." (People v. Schueren, supra, 10 Cal.3d at p. 560,
Zepeda and the other California cases are in accord with decisions of the United States Supreme Court rejecting Eighth Amendment challenges to lengthy sentences applied to recidivist offenders. (E.g., Ewing v. California (2003)
A majority of the jurors came forward at sentencing to state they were "stunned to learn of the sentencing guidelines for the enhancements they found true," felt " 'compelled to offer our strong personal views that the mandated jail time for the gun and bodily injury enhancements is just plain wrong for this particular case,' " and that " 'adding a 25-to-life enhancement to the jail time for [the] underlying crimes would not be justice' for the defendant 'and it would not do a thing to help the victim.' " Seven jurors signed a letter to the district attorney stating that they "could not have been more shocked to learn that our verdict ties the judge's hands at sentencing, and that the charges we convicted Ms. Cuiriz of carry a mandatory minimum sentence of 25 years to life. We feel betrayed." Another juror stated he found "the mandatory minimum sentencing associated with those charges in this specific case to be obscene, truly offensive to what I consider to be standards of decency and morality. I feel this way after having heard all of the evidence in the case, after discussing that evidence with the other jurors, and after delivering the guilty verdicts on the various charges."
In view of this disposition it is unnecessary to consider defendant's additional contention that the sentence imposed by the trial court unreasonably penalizes the exercise of the Second Amendment right to bear arms.
Case-law data current through December 31, 2025. Source: CourtListener bulk data.