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In Gerson, we concluded that amended section 1170, subdivision (b) applies retroactively to nonfinal cases on direct appeal.
Summary of this case from People v. K.B. (In re K.B.)Opinion
D076297
07-08-2022
The PEOPLE, Plaintiff and Respondent, v. Hayden Abraham GERSON, Defendant and Appellant.
George L. Schraer, San Diego, for Defendant and Appellant. Xavier Becerra, Rob Bonta, Attorneys General, Lance E. Winters, Chief Assistant Attorney General, Julie L. Garland, Charles C. Ragland, Assistant Attorneys General, A. Natasha Cortina and Christine Levingston Bergman, Deputy Attorneys General for Plaintiff and Respondent.
Certified for Partial Publication.
Pursuant to California Rules of Court, rule 8.1110, this opinion is certified for publication with the exception of parts II, III, and IV.
George L. Schraer, San Diego, for Defendant and Appellant.
Xavier Becerra, Rob Bonta, Attorneys General, Lance E. Winters, Chief Assistant Attorney General, Julie L. Garland, Charles C. Ragland, Assistant Attorneys General, A. Natasha Cortina and Christine Levingston Bergman, Deputy Attorneys General for Plaintiff and Respondent.
HALLER, Acting P.J. Hayden Abraham Gerson attacked two police officers attempting to detain him after he refused to comply with their orders. This attack led to a SWAT standoff and gun battle between Gerson and two SWAT officers. After Gerson choked and bit a police K-9, multiple officers were able to subdue and arrest him.
A jury found Gerson guilty of two counts of attempted voluntary manslaughter ( Pen. Code, §§ 664, 192, subd. (a) ), a lesser included offense of attempted murder ( §§ 664, 187, subd. (a) ) charged in counts 1 and 2; two counts of assaulting a peace officer with a semiautomatic firearm (counts 3-4, § 245, subd. (d)(2)); shooting at an inhabited house (count 5, § 246); assault on a peace officer with force likely to produce great bodily injury (count 6, § 245, subd. (c)); making a criminal threat (count 7, § 422); exhibiting a firearm to a peace officer to resist arrest (count 8, § 417.8); two counts of resisting an executive officer (counts 9-10, § 69); and harming or interfering with a police animal (count 11, § 600, subd. (a)). The jury also found true various enhancements to these offenses. The jury found Gerson to be sane during commission of the offenses. The trial court sentenced Gerson to a total term of 33 years eight months in prison.
Undesignated statutory references are to the Penal Code.
Gerson appeals, contending that the judgment must be reversed because the trial court erred when it denied his motion for pretrial diversion based on a mental disorder. Assuming we reject this argument, he argues that counts 1 to 5, 8, and 11 must be reversed based on errors regarding the unconsciousness instruction. He challenges the sufficiency of the evidence supporting his convictions for assaulting a peace officer with a semiautomatic firearm (counts 3, 4) and criminal threats (count 7). Gerson also claims that the sentences imposed on counts 7 and 8 must be stayed under section 654 because he committed these counts and count 6 for the same criminal purpose—to prevent his arrest. Finally, Gerson asserts that he is entitled to 608 days of preconviction custody credit ( § 2900.5, subd. (a) ) and 91 days of preconviction conduct credit ( § 4019 ) for the time he spent subject to electronic monitoring on home detention. In the published portion of this opinion, we conclude that substantial evidence supported the trial court's finding that Gerson did not meet his burden of showing he suffered from bipolar disorder, a mental disorder that qualifies for pretrial diversion. Accordingly, its ruling denying Gerson's motion for pretrial diversion did not amount to an abuse of discretion. We also conclude that an individual, such as Gerson, who is out on bail and subject to electronic monitoring on home detention is similarly situated to persons participating in an electronic monitoring program pursuant to section 1203.018 and that a rational basis does not exist for treating these categories of individuals differently. Accordingly, Gerson is entitled to preconviction custody credit ( § 2900.5, subd. (a) ) and preconviction conduct credit ( § 4019 ) under the state and federal equal protection clauses.
In unpublished parts II, III, and IV, we reject Gerson's remaining arguments.
On June 6, 2022, Gerson filed a motion to recall the remittitur based on ineffective assistance of appellate counsel in failing to raise Assembly Bill No. 124 (2021-2022 Reg. Sess.) (Assembly Bill 124), which amended section 1170 to make the low-term sentence presumptively appropriate under specified circumstances. He requested that we remand the proceedings for resentencing in light of Assembly Bill 124. In new published part VI, we address the merits of the motion. Simultaneously with this opinion, we issue an order granting the motion to recall the remittitur. In part VI, we also agree with Gerson that remand is necessary so that the trial court may exercise its discretion to resentence him under Assembly Bill 124. Accordingly, we affirm the judgment as modified but vacate Gerson's sentence and remand for resentencing. No changes to our initial opinion are otherwise made. FACTUAL BACKGROUND
During the 2021-2022 legislative term, the Legislature introduced three bills proposing changes to section 1170 in a variety of ways. (Assembly Bill 124 (Stats. 2021, ch. 695, § 5 ), Assembly Bill No. 1540 (Stats. 2021, ch. 719, § 2 ), and Senate Bill No. 567 (Stats. 2021, ch. 731, § 1.3).) The three bills were approved by the Governor and filed with the Secretary of State on October 8, 2021. Senate Bill No. 567 bears the highest chapter number and is presumed to be the last of the three approved by the Governor. (Gov. Code, § 9510.) To the extent there are conflicts between the three bills, Senate Bill No. 567 takes precedence. (In re Thierry S. (1977) 19 Cal.3d 727, 738-739, 139 Cal.Rptr. 708, 566 P.2d 610.) Because the bills are not in conflict and the changes at issue in this appeal were introduced by Assembly Bill 124, for ease of discussion, we refer to Assembly Bill 124 rather than Senate Bill No. 567. (See People v. Banner (2022) 77 Cal.App.5th 226, 243, fn. 2, 292 Cal.Rptr.3d 574 (conc. & dis. opn. of Detjen, Acting P. J.) (Banner ).)
This section provides a general background regarding Gerson's crimes. The facts related to the specific claims at issue in this appeal will be discussed in section B, post.
A. Events Leading to Gerson's Crimes
Gerson and Alisha F. dated for eight months before breaking up in May 2016 because Gerson's "drug use was out of control." While Gerson and Alisha dated, Gerson was fascinated with solar energy. Gerson testified that he and a childhood friend, Matthew M., started their own solar installation company and that they both ran the business. Matthew, however, testified that he started the company, Gerson worked for him and was never a co-owner of the company. Matthew described Gerson as a person who had a temper, often exaggerated things, and "always thrived off conflict." Matthew knew Gerson to be an argumentative person who blew things out of proportion.
Undesignated date references are to 2016.
About two months before his arrest, Gerson told Matthew that he started using DMT and "mushrooms." Matthew noticed changes in Gerson after Gerson started using drugs, including "constantly" talking about various conspiracy theories, claiming he was God and that he had special powers. Gerson also started using extremely offensive language such as calling women "cunts" and telling Jewish people that he was "Hitler." Although Matthew stated that Gerson was prone to verbal conflict, physical conflict would be "unusual" but that the type of behavior Gerson engaged in changed after Gerson started using drugs. Matthew witnessed Gerson "high" from marijuana hundreds of times but described Gerson on other drugs as "something totally, totally different."
DMT (dimethyltryptamine) is a hallucinogenic drug. (Merriam-Webster's Unabridged Dict. Online (2022) < https://unabridged.merriam-webster.com/unabridged/dimethyltryptamine> [as of July 2022], archived at https://perma.cc/HT7W-ZPMP.)
During the summer and fall, Gerson began studying Hinduism, started chanting and meditating, used different psychedelic drugs, and started inhaling nitrous oxide. In November, Gerson called Alisha and told her "crazy stuff" such as bringing her deceased sister back. Alisha suspected that Gerson's drug use caused him to become delusional and not in touch with reality. Gerson later told Alisha that he had been using drugs when he made that telephone call. During this time, Gerson's social media postings referred to his use of DMT as "life changing" and that mushrooms changed his perspective about death and "now I don't fear death." Gerson referred to psychedelic drugs as "medicine." In another post he wrote that " ‘cops are the biggest criminals.’ " On the night of December 12, Alisha contacted Gerson and he invited her to come over. When Alisha arrived, she knew Gerson was intoxicated based on his large eyes, rapid movements, and the tone of his voice. She had never seen Gerson this intoxicated before. Gerson told Alisha that "he was eating mushrooms for breakfast, lunch, and dinner." Gerson admitted at trial that he was under the influence of psilocybin and nitrous oxide at the time and had also used cannabis that day. Alisha surreptitiously recorded Gerson with her cell phone. Gerson made delusional statements such as causing it to snow in Hawaii and having control because he was Lord Shiva. Gerson then inhaled about 14 canisters of nitrous oxide in front of Alisha. Alisha called the police and told them she had a "5150" with her ex-boyfriend and she needed someone to come over immediately. After the 911 operator ascertained that Gerson was not hurting himself or Alisha, the operator asked Alisha to call a non-emergency number. Instead, Alisha texted a friend and asked her to call the police. A police dispatcher later called Alisha to ask if Gerson was being violent. Alisha falsely answered that Gerson was violent so that the police would respond.
Nitrous oxide produces a mild euphoria but in large amounts it is an anesthetic that can cause dizziness, an inability to think clearly, a dreamlike state, and amnesia.
Psilocybin is the active ingredient in a variety of hallucinogenic mushrooms.
In Hinduism, Shiva is a manifestation of one God.
A "normal" dose of nitrous oxide is two to three canisters.
Welfare and Institutions Code section 5150, subdivision (a) permits peace officers and designated mental health professionals to take persons considered a danger to self or others into custody "for a period of up to 72 hours for assessment, evaluation, and crisis intervention."
B. Gerson's Crimes
San Diego Police Officers John White and Melanie Bognuda arrived at Gerson's home where Alisha informed Officer Bognuda that Gerson was on drugs and thought he was Lord Shiva. After Gerson refused to comply with Officer White's command to walk towards him, both officers tried to grab Gerson's arms to put him in handcuffs while Gerson physically resisted. Officer White deployed his Taser when Gerson ignored his order to get on the ground. The Taser had no effect on Gerson. Gerson then punched Officer Bognuda in the face. Officer White tackled Gerson and both men fell to the ground.
Gerson, who started training in jiu jitsu as a teenager, put Officer White in a chokehold. Officer Bognuda hit Gerson's body with her baton as Gerson maintained his chokehold on Officer White. Gerson released Officer White after Bognuda hit Gerson in the head with her baton. While Officer White gasped for breath, Gerson stated "I'm gonna fucking kill you" and "I will fucking murder you now." As the officers hid behind a parked car, Gerson retreated to his home and then came outside carrying a semiautomatic handgun. He repeatedly racked the gun's slide. The officers recognized that Gerson's gun was unloaded based on his continual racking of the gun. Gerson then went back inside his house.
The police deployed two SWAT officers to the scene who positioned themselves on the roof of a neighbor's home and watched a window of Gerson's home where Gerson was located. At some point, Gerson fired a shot from the room. A gunfight ensued as the SWAT officers began shooting towards the window while Gerson fired back.
The officers then shot tear gas into the house, which caused Gerson to run out the front door. Gerson ignored the officers' commands to get on the ground, which caused them to shoot Gerson with less-than-lethal rounds. A handler then released a police K-9 to bite and hold Gerson.
The dog bit Gerson and held contact. Gerson immediately grabbed the dog's head, flipped it on its back and started choking the K-9. Gerson also bit the dog. The K-9 released its bite and fell unconscious. Officers rushed in and after a significant struggle, detained Gerson by placing him in a body wrap.
C. Post-arrest Evidence
The police transported Gerson to the hospital where an emergency room physician diagnosed him as suffering agitated delirium from abusing several substances. Based on Gerson's agitation and failure to follow commands, the doctor administered four different sedatives so they could do a CT scan to check for a head injury. The CT scan revealed no acute intracranial abnormality. Toxicology results showed the presence of THC, indicating that Gerson had recently used marijuana. The tests also detected the presence of a metabolic breakdown product of psilocybin. A test to detect nitrous oxide was not performed because this compound leaves the blood very quickly. The physician concluded that Gerson was suffering from "toxic encephalopathy" consistent with potential neurological issues from using an inhalant and this condition caused Gerson's delirium.
Police detectives interviewed Gerson immediately after his release from the hospital. Gerson claimed that he had acted in self-defense. After informing Gerson that he would be transported to jail, Gerson asked how many felonies he would be charged with and whether any of the charges were wobblers or misdemeanors. When told that he would be charged with attempted murder, Gerson responded that he did not attempt to murder a police officer—"[t]hose guys are being such fuckin' dramatic pussies. I didn't fuckin' shoot at them. They shot at me." He claimed that after the officers started shooting at him he fired his gun into the air as a warning for them to leave him alone. After his arrest, Gerson spent time in county jail and then received treatment in a locked unit at Alvarado Parkway Institute (Alvarado) as a condition of bail. The trial court later modified Gerson's bail conditions to allow him to reside at Casa Palmera for further treatment. Records from Casa Palmera noted that Gerson's test results demonstrated no evidence of psychosis or mania, that Gerson demonstrated no symptoms indicating a need for psychotropic medication, and that Gerson was " ‘less likely to have been suffering from bipolar than a substance induced psychosis.’ " Gerson was then discharged on bail to home detention with a GPS device and subject to other conditions.
At trial, Gerson claimed that he used psilocybin and DMT as introspective tools related to his spiritual journey. He testified that after being tased and hit with the baton, he could not make any thoughtful decisions and did not remember most of his actions. After going through the incident in his head "a million times," Gerson could not explain his actions. Defense counsel told the jury that Gerson's delirium was a form of unconsciousness and Gerson should not be held responsible for his actions.
DISCUSSION
I. THE TRIAL COURT DID NOT ERR WHEN IT DENIED PRETRIAL DIVERSION
A. Legal Principles
Section 1001.36 authorizes courts to grant pretrial diversion to defendants who meet the statute's six qualifying criteria or eligibility requirements. ( § 1001.36, subds. (a), (b)(1) ; People v. Williams (2021) 63 Cal.App.5th 990, 995, 278 Cal.Rptr.3d 332.) One purpose of the program is to increase "diversion of individuals with mental disorders to mitigate the individuals' entry and reentry into the criminal justice system while protecting public safety." (§ 1001.35, subd. (a).) If mental health diversion is granted and the defendant satisfactorily completes the court's approved mental health treatment program, then the defendant's criminal charges are required to be dismissed and the defendant's arrest on the charges "shall be deemed never to have occurred." ( § 1001.36, subd. (e).)
Mental disorders that qualify for diversion include, but are not limited to, "bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, or post-traumatic stress disorder." ( § 1001.36, subd. (b)(1)(A).) Excluded disorders are "antisocial personality disorder, borderline personality disorder, and pedophilia." (Ibid. ) The defendant bears the burden of making a prima facie showing that he or she meets the minimum requirements of eligibility for diversion. ( § 1001.36, subd. (b)(3) ; see Evid. Code, § 500 ["Except as otherwise provided by law, a party has the burden of proof as to each fact the existence or nonexistence of which is essential to the claim for relief or defense that he [or she] is asserting."].)
The court "may" ( § 1001.36, subd. (a) ) grant pretrial diversion if a defendant meets all six enumerated requirements: (1) the court is satisfied that the defendant suffers from a mental disorder identified in the most recent edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM); (2) the court is satisfied the "defendant's mental disorder was a significant factor in the commission of the charged offense"; (3) a qualified mental health expert opines "the defendant's symptoms of the mental disorder motivating the criminal behavior would respond to mental health treatment"; (4) the defendant "consents to diversion and waives [his or her] right to a speedy trial"; (5) the defendant "agrees to comply with treatment as a condition of diversion"; and (6) the court is satisfied "the defendant will not pose an unreasonable risk of danger to public safety ... if treated in the community." ( § 1001.36, subd. (b)(1)(A)-(F).) Even if a defendant otherwise satisfies the six eligibility requirements, the court must also be satisfied that the recommended mental health treatment program "will meet the specialized mental health treatment needs of the defendant." ( § 1001.36, subd. (c)(1)(A) ; People v. Frahs (2020) 9 Cal.5th 618, 627, 264 Cal.Rptr.3d 292, 466 P.3d 844 ( Frahs ).)
The trial court's determination "whether the defendant's disorder played a significant role in the commission of the charged offense" is "a quintessential factfinding process" subject to review for substantial evidence. ( People v. Oneal (2021) 64 Cal.App.5th 581, 589, 279 Cal.Rptr.3d 142 ( Oneal ).) Similarly, the court's determination whether the defendant suffers from a mental disorder under subdivision (b)(1)(A) of section 1001.36 involves evaluating expert testimony and making conclusions based thereon and is also reviewed for substantial evidence.
"On appeal, we must view the evidence in the light most favorable to the People and must presume in support of the judgment the existence of every fact the trier could reasonably deduce from the evidence." ( People v. Jones (1990) 51 Cal.3d 294, 314, 270 Cal.Rptr. 611, 792 P.2d 643.) "Although we must ensure the evidence is reasonable, credible, and of solid value, nonetheless it is the exclusive province of the trial judge or jury to determine the credibility of a witness and the truth or falsity of the facts on which that determination depends." ( Ibid. )
" ‘We do not reweigh evidence or reevaluate a witness's credibility.’ [Citations.] ‘Resolution of conflicts and inconsistencies in the testimony is the exclusive province of the trier of fact. [Citation.] Moreover, unless the testimony is physically impossible or inherently improbable, testimony of a single witness is sufficient to support [a trial court's factual finding].’ " ( People v. Brown (2014) 59 Cal.4th 86, 106, 172 Cal.Rptr.3d 576, 326 P.3d 188.) " ‘ "To warrant the rejection of the statements given by a witness who has been believed by [the trier of fact], there must exist either a physical impossibility that they are true, or their falsity must be apparent without resorting to inferences or deductions." ’ " ( People v. Maciel (2013) 57 Cal.4th 482, 519, 160 Cal.Rptr.3d 305, 304 P.3d 983.) Conversely, the trier of fact generally may reject even uncontradicted testimony, whether by lay or expert witnesses, so long as the rejection is not arbitrary. ( Howard v. Owens Corning (1999) 72 Cal.App.4th 621, 632, 85 Cal.Rptr.2d 386 ( Howard ).)
Ultimately, however, diversion under section 1001.36 is discretionary, not mandatory, even if all the requirements are met. ( § 1001.36, subd. (a) ["the court may" grant pretrial diversion], subd. (b)(1) ["[p]retrial diversion may be granted" if certain criteria are met]; see Frahs, supra , 9 Cal.5th at p. 626, 264 Cal.Rptr.3d 292, 466 P.3d 844 [implying that a court may exercise its discretion to deny an eligible defendant mental health diversion].) We therefore review for abuse of discretion the trial court's decision whether to grant a request for mental health diversion. ( People v. Moine (2021) 62 Cal.App.5th 440, 448, 276 Cal.Rptr.3d 668 ( Moine ).) "A court abuses its discretion when it makes an arbitrary or capricious decision by applying the wrong legal standard [citations], or bases its decision on express or implied factual findings that are not supported by substantial evidence." ( Id. at p. 449, 276 Cal.Rptr.3d 668.)
1. Additional Background
Gerson filed a motion for mental health diversion pursuant to section 1001.36. The motion was a proverbial battle of the experts. Dr. Clark Smith, Gerson's defense expert, was a psychiatrist in private practice. Dr. Smith opined that Gerson suffered from, among other things, bipolar disorder with psychotic features. Dr. Alan Abrams, a forensic and addiction psychiatrist appointed by the court, explained that bipolar disorder can be an endogenous mental illness or a substance-induced mental illness. In his July 2018 report, he initially diagnosed Gerson with substance induced bipolar disorder and hypomania, noting that Gerson has been sober for 20 months and "there is no current evidence of an endogenous psychotic mental disorder."
Endogenous refers to a condition "originating in the individual's own psychodynamics rather than through external causes." (Merriam-Webster's Unabridged Dict. Online (2022) < https://unabridged.merriam-webster.com/unabridged/endogenous> [as of July 2022], archived at https://perma.cc/V4XG-4XMB.)
The People opposed the motion arguing, among other things, that Gerson was ineligible for diversion because he did not suffer from a qualifying mental disorder. A report from Dr. Nichole Friedman, a court appointed licensed psychologist, opined that at the time of the offenses, Gerson suffered from "Other Specified Personality Disorder (mixed personality features including Narcissistic Personality Features)." Dr. Friedman concluded that Gerson did not have a qualifying mental disease or defect at the time of the incident. Rather, she believed that his "voluntary substance use (cannabis, mushroom, nitrous oxide) in conjunction with his interpersonal reactivity, grandiose self-importance, entitlement, [and] hostility, resulted in the alleged violence."
Drs. Abrams and Friedman both opined that at the time of the incident, Gerson suffered from psilocybin, nitrous oxide and cannabis intoxication, with a use disorder for each drug.
In January 2019, the court held a hearing on the motion over the course of three days. At the hearing, Dr. Abrams changed his diagnosis to opine that Gerson suffered from bipolar II disorder, most recently manic. His updated diagnosis relied on people who had continued contact with Gerson, and on the symptoms that Gerson displayed after drugs would have been out of his system. Dr. Smith similarly opined that Gerson suffers from bipolar disorder with psychotic features that is independent of substance use.
Dr. Friedman also testified at the hearing. She conducted the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) on Gerson to objectively measure his personality. She disagreed with the bipolar diagnoses rendered by Drs. Smith and Abrams because one criterion for bipolar disorder is that the person must be without substances and Gerson was always "under the influence of substances preceding the incident." Dr. Friedman opined that Gerson did not meet the DSM, fifth edition (DSM-5) criteria for bipolar disorder and thus did not have a qualifying mental disorder under section 1001.36.
After considering this conflicting testimony and hearing extensive argument from counsel, the trial court denied Gerson's request for diversion finding that: (1) Gerson posed an unreasonable risk of danger to public safety if treated in the community; (2) the recommended outpatient treatment program would not meet Gerson's specialized needs and thus Gerson had not demonstrated a suggested program for effective treatment and supervision; and (3) it could not determine if Gerson suffered from bipolar disorder. The court considered the question whether Gerson suffered from a mental disorder to be "complex" and "very difficult" to address without a full and complete analysis of Gerson's life. Although Gerson's family and friends indicated that Gerson suffered from a period where he "decompensated," he also had an above average number of conflicts in his life that suggested to the court that Gerson had a "deeper personality issue" that took him outside the diversion statute. The trial court denied the motion, concluding that the evidence raised questions regarding the validity of the diagnosis that Gerson suffered from bipolar disorder.
2. Analysis
Gerson argues that insubstantial evidence supports Dr. Friedman's diagnosis that he has a personality disorder because: (1) the diagnosis conflicts with the evidence showing that his mental state underwent a drastic change shortly before the incident; and (2) she did not explain what behaviors in his past showed characteristics of a personality disorder. He also claims Dr. Friedman's finding that he does not suffer from bipolar disorder is not credible because it ignores the DSM-5 definition for bipolar disorder and, consistent with DSM-5 guidelines, his bipolar disorder was not substance-induced because he continued to have bipolar symptoms months after he stopped using all drugs.
These arguments improperly frame the issue regarding denial of the diversion motion. It was Gerson's burden to present evidence that he suffered from a qualifying mental disorder. ( § 1001.36, subd. (b)(3) ; Evid. Code, § 500.) Accordingly, we believe the issue is more precisely framed as whether Gerson met his burden of presenting evidence that he suffered from endogenous bipolar disorder. The trial court's statements after a lengthy hearing show that, based on the totality of the evidence, it was not convinced that Gerson met his burden of showing he suffered from endogenous bipolar disorder, a qualifying mental disorder. As we shall explain, there is sufficient evidence in this record to support the trial court's conclusion that Gerson had not met his burden of proof.
Dr. Friedman concluded that Gerson's violent behavior resulted from his voluntary substance use combined "with his interpersonal reactivity, grandiose self-importance, entitlement, [and] hostility." She opined that at the time of the offenses, Gerson suffered from a personality disorder and did not meet the DSM-5 criteria for bipolar disorder. She used the MMPI to objectively measure Gerson's personality and noted that Drs. Abrams and Smith did not have Gerson take the MMPI. Dr. Friedman considered the MMPI data to be valid and explained that it provided a means of validating what Gerson described.
On the MMPI, Gerson scored high regarding authority problems such as opposition to authority figures, dislike of school, and lack of constraint. He also scored high on "persecutory ideas, meaning the ideas of external influence," and "on naivety, which deals with moral righteousness." Dr. Friedman considered these scores to be important in terms of the grandiosity and moral righteousness that Gerson exhibited and in terms of his personality psychopathology. Gerson scored "at the cutoff" in terms of psychoticism, which deals with personality factors such as views of the external world, unusual beliefs or experiences and the intent to overindulge or daydream. Nonetheless, Dr. Friedman found Gerson's personality to be vulnerable to these factors.
Based on Gerson's MMPI results, Dr. Friedman stated that he "fits th[e] bill" for "a personality of paranoid grandiosity" because throughout his life he had a paranoid feeling about authority and grandiosity. Gerson's "inflated self-esteem or grandiosity" also fit "with the traits of [a] narcissistic personality." Dr. Friedman concluded that Gerson suffered from a personality disorder by looking at all the evidence, noting that Gerson exhibited a sense of entitlement, selfishness, lack of empathy, grandiosity, disregarded rules, acted out, was impulsive, had low frustration tolerance, and "can be perceived as being arrogant and can be arrogant." Contrary to Gerson's contentions, the record and Gerson's characteristics supported Dr. Friedman's conclusion that he suffered from a personality disorder.
More importantly, this evidence is sufficient to undermine the court's confidence in the validity of the competing bipolar disorder diagnosis. First, Drs. Smith and Abrams did not determine whether Gerson had a personality disorder. Dr. Smith testified he did not have enough information to reach a conclusion that Gerson suffered from a personality disorder because he lacked information about Gerson "as a person before he got all involved with the drugs." Dr. Abrams similarly admitted that he did not "have a very good sense" of Gerson as a person before he got involved with drugs and to make a personality disorder diagnosis he "need[ed] way more evidence."
Second, Drs. Smith and Abrams considered Gerson's acute personality change in fall 2016, as observed by Gerson's friends and relatives, as significant in diagnosing him as suffering from bipolar disorder. Dr. Friedman addressed Gerson's personality change during this time period in her testimony. Gerson increased his drug use around August, which Dr. Friedman noted is when Gerson's mother noticed a decline in his mental health. Gerson's brother-in-law and his employer both opined that Gerson's personality shift occurred in about October. Drugs that Gerson started using in the fall before the incident included DMT, ayahuasca, and nitrous oxide. Gerson reported being on a five-day "binge" of psilocybin mushrooms before the incident. Dr. Friedman considered Gerson's drug use as significant in her analysis, stating that Gerson "has used an exorbitant amount of hallucinogens." Accordingly, Dr. Friedman disagreed with the diagnoses of Drs. Abrams and Smith that Gerson was bipolar, manic because Gerson was always "under the influence of substances preceding the incident."
DMT is the active ingredient in ayahuasca.
Third, Drs. Smith and Abrams opined that Gerson's drug use leading up to the incident did not cause his behavioral change before the incident because Gerson's symptoms persisted long after his drug use stopped. Dr. Smith stated that bipolar symptoms that persisted after Gerson stopped using drugs included pressured speech, irritability, increased activity, and psychotic delusions. Dr. Abrams also mentioned grandiosity and paranoia.
DSM-5 diagnostic criteria for "Bipolar II Disorder" during a hypomanic episode include: "A. A distinct period of abnormally and persistently elevated, expansive, or irritable mood and abnormally and persistently increased activity or energy, lasting at least 4 consecutive days and present most of the day, nearly every day. [¶] B. During the period of mood disturbance and increased energy and activity, three (or more) of the following symptoms have persisted (four if the mood is only irritable), represent a noticeable change from usual behavior, and have been present to a significant degree: 1. Inflated self-esteem or grandiosity. [¶] 2. Decreased need for sleep (e.g., feels rested after only 3 hours of sleep). [¶] 3. More talkative than usual or pressure to keep talking. [¶] 4. Flight of ideas or subjective experience that thoughts are racing. [¶] 5. Distractibility (i.e., attention too easily drawn to unimportant or irrelevant external stimuli), as reported or observed. [¶] 6. Increase in goal-directed activity (either socially, at work or school, or sexually) or psychomotor agitation. [¶] 7. Excessive involvement in activities that have a high potential for painful consequences (e.g., engaging in unrestrained buying sprees, sexual indiscretions, or foolish business investments). [¶] C. The episode is associated with an unequivocal change in functioning that is uncharacteristic of the individual when not symptomatic. [¶] D. The disturbance in mood and the change in functioning are observable by others. [¶] E. The episode is not severe enough to cause marked impairment in social or occupational functioning or to necessitate hospitalization. If there are psychotic features, the episode is, by definition, manic. [¶] F. The episode is not attributable to the physiological effects of a substance (e.g., a drug of abuse, a medication or other treatment)."
The trial court asked Dr. Friedman about the testimony that Gerson's persistent symptoms of delusion and grandiosity, without drug use, supported a conclusion that Gerson suffered from bipolar disorder.
Dr. Friedman gave an alternate explanation for Gerson's continued symptoms while off drugs. She explained that Gerson's grandiosity related to him having a narcissistic personality. She stated that delusions were not part of bipolar disorder and explained Gerson's delusions as experiences he had during prior drug use that he considered as fact:
"So his delusions are also—when he describes his delusions to me, it's his experience when he's been under the influence of, let's say, mushrooms. He's had these experiences, and that becomes his experience, becomes his fact. [¶] Just like if someone is on mushrooms and they said, I can fly. They had this feeling they could fly. That's delusional for most of us. We think that's delusional. You can't fly. [¶] They had the experience. That's what they are stating. That's their belief. Doesn't mean they are bipolar."
Dr. Friedman did not consider Gerson's pressured speech to be abnormal, stating that Gerson is talkative and "can speak fast." She remembered reading that Gerson came across as irritable at times. While one reporter found Gerson to be distractible, she found him to be "goal directed" and nothing in the records suggested that jail personnel perceived him to be manic but that he "came across as ... irritable at times." Jail records also did not suggest that Gerson displayed psychomotor agitation. Finally, she noted that Gerson has not displayed a marked impairment in social functions, that he has "been functioning" and running a business. She concluded, "I just don't believe he meets the criteria for bipolar."
From a clinical perspective, Dr. Friedman opined that Gerson's drug use and personality caused his actions on the date of the incident. She explained that Gerson "made a host of different choices that night that led to him feeling that he was threatened by the police. And he felt like [the police] were out to, as he stated, kill him. He was going to self-protect himself. That's what he did. And at the time he was on substances, and he was amped up. And trying to calm him down at the same time and because of his personality and how he feels about authority, he behaved in the way he did."
Dr. Friedman specifically noted that right before the incident Gerson had a massage and his masseuse described Gerson as his normal self and not exhibiting manic or delusional behavior. In her experience people in a state of mania cannot relax and "are not going to go for a massage." Additionally, at the start of the incident she noted that Gerson was "relaxed" and confused regarding why the officers wanted to detain him. This evidence suggested to Dr. Friedman that Gerson did not have mania or bipolar disorder.
Dr. Friedman attributed Gerson's behavior to a combination of his personality and narcotics use, as opposed to delirium, because Gerson had the ability to explain why he did certain things during the incident. As examples, Dr. Friedman referred to Gerson's statements that he opened his computer to listen to chanting music because he did not have his phone and had last used his computer to listen to chanting music. This suggested to her that Gerson "wasn't so delirious that he was unable to ... know his past or navigate through his own home or not understand reality. He knew what he was doing. It was something as simple as turning on the chanting music, which he then used, I believe, to calm himself down." Additionally, during Gerson's interview with officers, he questioned whether the charges against him were wobblers or misdemeanors. Dr. Friedman considered this to be "pretty sophisticated" and that Gerson knew he had done something that could warrant a felony charge.
Contrary to Gerson's arguments, Dr. Friedman considered the DSM-5 guidelines in making her diagnosis, explained why she believed his actions were substance-induced, and noted how Gerson's personality explained his perceived bipolar symptoms after he stopped using all drugs. The record shows that the trial court understood Gerson's argument that his drastic personality change shortly before the incident was attributable to the onset of endogenous bipolar disorder. The court, however, also noted the counter-argument that Gerson had certain personality features such as grandiosity and paranoia that his drug use exacerbated. Ultimately, after considering the competing evidence, it concluded "sufficient questions [were] raised about the bipolar diagnosis that [it was] not satisfied that [the] burden has been met."
The trial court came to this conclusion after a three-day evidentiary hearing and over three hours of oral argument where it frequently interrupted counsel to ask questions, and often engaged in a dialogue with counsel. Dr. Friedman's testimony cast doubt on the competing bipolar diagnosis; thus, the trial court's rejection of the competing diagnosis was not arbitrary. ( Howard, supra , 72 Cal.App.4th at p. 632, 85 Cal.Rptr.2d 386.) As a reviewing court, we do not reweigh the evidence or resolve evidentiary conflicts. ( People v. Valenti (2016) 243 Cal.App.4th 1140, 1158, 197 Cal.Rptr.3d 317.) Rather, we are bound by the principle that "[t]he testimony of a single witness can be sufficient to uphold [the trial court's factual finding] even when there is significant countervailing evidence, or the testimony is subject to justifiable suspicion." ( Ibid. )
Based on the totality of the evidence, the trial court could have reasonably concluded that the changes observed by Gerson's relatives and his employer in fall 2016 were attributable to his personality and significant drug use, and not the emergence of bipolar disorder. It could have also reasonably concluded that Gerson's personality disorder explained his continued symptoms after he stopped using drugs. ( People v. Venghiattis (1986) 185 Cal.App.3d 326, 333, 229 Cal.Rptr. 636 [it is not an abuse of discretion for the trial court to give more credit to one expert's opinion than to another's].) It is not within our province to reweigh the evidence.
In sum, substantial evidence supported the trial court's finding that Gerson did not meet his burden of showing that he suffered from bipolar disorder. Accordingly, its ruling denying the motion for pretrial diversion did not amount to an abuse of discretion. ( Moine, supra , 62 Cal.App.5th at p. 449, 276 Cal.Rptr.3d 668.)
Because the evidence supported the trial court's conclusion that Gerson did not suffer from a qualifying mental disorder, we need not address his remaining arguments that the evidence did not support the findings that he posed an unreasonable risk of danger or that the recommended treatment program would not meet his needs. Even if we assumed these two findings are not supported by the record, Gerson is not entitled to a reversal based on the court's conclusion that he did not suffer from a qualifying mental disorder. (Oneal, supra , 64 Cal.App.5th 581, 279 Cal.Rptr.3d 142.)
II.-IV. V. GERSON IS ENTITLED TO CUSTODY OR CONDUCT CREDITS FOR THE TIME HE SPENT RELEASED ON BAIL
See footnote *, ante .
A. Additional Background
The trial court set Gerson's bail at $2 million on the condition that he wear a GPS monitoring device and be admitted to a locked hospital unit for treatment and evaluation. Gerson was then treated at Alvarado. While there, he was not allowed to leave the premises and wore a GPS device. After the trial court modified Gerson's bail conditions, he transferred from Alvarado to Casa Palmera. The court required Gerson to wear a GPS monitoring device and subjected him to a Fourth Amendment waiver. Gerson was then discharged to home detention with a GPS device and subject to other conditions. Gerson's home detention lasted from August 4, 2017, to April 4, 2019.
While on home detention, the trial court reduced Gerson's bail to $1 million and his conditions changed over time. Initially, the court allowed him 90 minutes per day to do personal errands but required that he be accompanied by a responsible adult. The court then ordered him to surrender his passport, remain on GPS monitoring, abstain from alcohol, regularly drug test, and attend psychological counseling. Eventually, the court allowed him to work between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. He was later allowed to work until 8:30 p.m. on Wednesdays and spend three nights a week at his girlfriend's home. He remained subject to a curfew, wore a GPS device and was subject to a Fourth Amendment waiver.
Prior to sentencing, Gerson sought custody and conduct credits for the time he spent at Alvarado and Casa Palmera, and his time on home detention while out on bail. The prosecutor agreed that Gerson was entitled to custody and conduct credit for his time at Alvarado and Casa Palmera. The trial court awarded Gerson custody credits for those days but concluded that he was not entitled to credit for his time at home on bail finding that home detention was not a "custodial environment" similar to county jail, Alvarado, or Casa Palmera.
B. Custody Credits
Preconviction custody credits are governed by section 2900.5, subdivision (a), which provides in relevant part that "[i]n all felony and misdemeanor convictions, either by plea or by verdict, ... all days of custody of the defendant, including ... days served in home detention pursuant to Section 1203.016 or 1203.018, shall be credited upon his or her term of imprisonment...." Section 1203.016 governs home detention postsentencing and section 1203.018 extends the same conditions and privileges to a home detention program prior to sentencing. ( People v. Yanez (2019) 42 Cal.App.5th 91, 93-94, 255 Cal.Rptr.3d 44 ( Yanez ).) The conditions of electronic home detention under sections 1203.016 and 1203.018 are "substantially similar." ( Yanez , at p. 94, 255 Cal.Rptr.3d 44.) Under the version of section 1203.018 in effect when Gerson was sentenced, "the board of supervisors of any county" may "offer a program under which inmates being held in lieu of bail in a county jail or other county correctional facility may participate in an electronic monitoring program" if specified statutory conditions are met. ( Id. subds. (a) & (b), italics added.)
Section 1203.018 leaves the terms of the electronic monitoring program to the discretion of county authorities, but provides that the rules and regulations of the program must require that the participant "remain within the interior premises of his or her residence during the hours designated by the correctional administrator" and "admit any person or agent designated by the correctional administrator into his or her residence at any time for purposes of verifying the participant's compliance with the conditions of his or her detention." (Former § 1203.018, subds. (d)(1) & (d)(2).) The statute allows for the use of "global positioning system devices or other supervising devices for the purpose of helping to verify the participant's compliance with the rules and regulations of the electronic monitoring program." (Former § 1203.018, subd. (d)(3).)
The current version of section 1203.018 is substantively similar to the former version.
The plain language of section 2900.5 provides that Gerson may receive custody credit for periods in home detention prior to sentencing only if the home detention complies with section 1203.018. Gerson candidly admits that the record does not support a conclusion that he was on a home detention program within the meaning of section 1203.018. Instead, Gerson argues entitlement to additional preconviction custody credits under People v. Lapaille (1993) 15 Cal.App.4th 1159, 19 Cal.Rptr.2d 390 ( Lapaille ). Assuming we reject this argument, he asserts that awarding preconviction custody credits to persons who participate in electronic monitoring programs pursuant to section 1203.018, while denying preconviction custody credits to persons such as himself, subject to electronic monitoring on home detention while on bail, violates his right to equal protection.
We find that Lapaille, supra , 15 Cal.App.4th 1159, 19 Cal.Rptr.2d 390 is of limited value to Gerson because it was decided before the enactment of section 1203.018, at a time when electronic home detention was available only to sentenced inmates, under the conditions of section 1203.016. ( Lapaille , at p. 1165, 19 Cal.Rptr.2d 390.) Section 1203.018 now extends the same conditions and privileges to pretrial custody. As Gerson admitted, however, he was not on a home detention program within the meaning of section 1203.018.
Turning to Gerson's alternative argument, he notes that persons who participate in electronic monitoring programs pursuant to section 1203.018 are entitled to preconviction custody credits, while persons on home detention and subject to electronic monitoring while on bail, such as himself, are not. In other words, Gerson argues that he is similarly situated to a person participating in an electronic monitoring program pursuant to section 1203.018 and thus should be entitled to preconviction custody credits on equal protection grounds. We agree.
"Equal protection requires the state to treat similarly situated persons alike, with some exceptions in which the disparate treatment is sufficiently related to the purpose of the [law] in question." ( People v. Jacobs (1992) 6 Cal.App.4th 101, 103, 7 Cal.Rptr.2d 781.) The similarly situated inquiry examines whether two groups are similarly situated for purposes of the law challenged, not whether they are similarly situated for all purposes. ( People v. McKee (2010) 47 Cal.4th 1172, 1202, 104 Cal.Rptr.3d 427, 223 P.3d 566 ( McKee ).) The threshold question is "whether two classes that are different in some respects are sufficiently similar with respect to the laws in question to require the government to justify its differential treatment of these classes under those laws." ( Ibid. ) "If persons are not similarly situated for purposes of the law, an equal protection claim fails at the threshold." ( People v. Buffington (1999) 74 Cal.App.4th 1149, 1155, 88 Cal.Rptr.2d 696.)
To show that persons such as himself who are out on bail and subject to electronic monitoring are similarly situated to persons participating in an electronic monitoring program pursuant to section 1203.018, Gerson must establish that the terms of his release were as "custodial, or restraining" as a statutory home detention program pursuant to section 1203.018. (See Lapaille, supra , 15 Cal.App.4th at pp. 1163, 1169, 19 Cal.Rptr.2d 390 ["[I]n order to compare persons confined to their homes under electronic surveillance, and thus eligible for home detention program credit pursuant to current section 2900.5, subdivision (a), with defendant, who was confined to preconviction house arrest as a condition of [his release on his own recognizance], for purposes of applying the equal protection clauses, we must determine whether his confinement to his home was as custodial, or restraining, as are those confined subject to electronic tracking."].)
Subdivision (d) of former section 1203.018 provides that participants in a home detention program must comply with the rules of the program, including the following: (1) remaining within the interior premises of his or her residence during the hours designated by the correctional administrator; (2) admitting persons into his or her residence at any time for purposes of verifying compliance with the conditions of his or her detention; and (3) a GPS device or other supervising device. Here, the record shows that Gerson was required to remain in his home during the hours designated by the court, wear a GPS device, and was subject to a Fourth Amendment waiver. Because Gerson's home detention satisfied the statutory requirements, we conclude that the terms of his release were at least as "custodial, or restraining" as a statutory home detention program pursuant to section 1203.018. (See Lapaille, supra , 15 Cal.App.4th at pp. 1163, 1169, 19 Cal.Rptr.2d 390.) Thus, Gerson is similarly situated to persons participating in an electronic monitoring program pursuant to section 1203.018, yet he is being treated differently.
We reject the People's argument that Gerson is not similarly situated to defendants on home detention under section 1203.018 because he posted bail and defendants on home detention under 1203.018 did not. As Gerson aptly notes, entitlement to custody credits under section 2900.5 is related to a defendant's days in custody and not whether a defendant posted bail. (§ 2900.5, subd. (a) ; McKee, supra , 47 Cal.4th at p. 1202, 104 Cal.Rptr.3d 427, 223 P.3d 566 [two groups must be similarly situated for purposes of the law challenged, not for all purposes].)
Once it is determined that two groups are similarly situated for the purposes of a statute, we then ask whether disparate treatment of the groups is justified. ( McKee, supra , 47 Cal.4th at p. 1207, 104 Cal.Rptr.3d 427, 223 P.3d 566.) Where, as here, the legislative classification does not reach a suspect class or fundamental right, the classification does not violate equal protection if it bears a rational relationship to a legitimate public purpose. ( People v. Hofsheier (2006) 37 Cal.4th 1185, 1200-1201, 39 Cal.Rptr.3d 821, 129 P.3d 29, overruled on another ground in Johnson v. Department of Justice (2015) 60 Cal.4th 871, 888, 183 Cal.Rptr.3d 96, 341 P.3d 1075.)
Under this standard, "equal protection of the law is denied only where there is no ‘rational relationship between the disparity of treatment and some legitimate governmental purpose.’ " ( People v. Turnage (2012) 55 Cal.4th 62, 74, 144 Cal.Rptr.3d 489, 281 P.3d 464.) "In other words, the legislation survives constitutional scrutiny as long as there is ‘ "any reasonably conceivable state of facts that could provide a rational basis for the classification." ’ [Citation.] This standard of rationality does not depend upon whether lawmakers ever actually articulated the purpose they sought to achieve. Nor must the underlying rationale be empirically substantiated. [Citation.] While the realities of the subject matter cannot be completely ignored [citation], a court may engage in ‘ "rational speculation" ’ as to the justifications for the legislative choice [citation]. It is immaterial for rational basis review ‘whether or not’ any such speculation has ‘a foundation in the record.’ " ( Id. at pp. 74-75, 144 Cal.Rptr.3d 489, 281 P.3d 464.) The People have not attempted to justify treating individuals such as Gerson released on bail and ordered by a court to home detention with electronic monitoring different from individuals participating in an electronic monitoring program pursuant to section 1203.018. Even speculating, we cannot discern a rational basis for treating an individual, such as Gerson, who is out on bail and subject to electronic monitoring different from an individual participating in an electronic monitoring program pursuant to section 1203.018. Both categories of individuals are subjected to similarly restrictive home detention conditions and both are avoiding spending time in jail or other local custody.
Denying a defendant preconviction custody credit for days spent subject to electronic monitoring on "home detention based on the manner in which he or she came to participate in the program would elevate form over substance; the focus is properly on whether the placement met certain custodial conditions and standards, not the procedure by which the defendant was placed." ( People v. Raygoza (2016) 2 Cal.App.5th 593, 601, 206 Cal.Rptr.3d 347, italics added.) If the defendant's custody conditions satisfy the statutory minimum conditions, there is no basis to deny credit to the defendant while granting it to others subject to similar custody conditions. As the Raygoza court observed in a footnote that cited Lapaille, supra , 15 Cal.App.4th 1159, 19 Cal.Rptr.2d 390, "A statute that precludes similarly detained defendants from receiving similar custody credit raises serious constitutional concerns." ( Raygoza , at p. 602, fn. 4, 206 Cal.Rptr.3d 347.)
Accordingly, we hold that Gerson is entitled to 608 days of custody credit for preconviction custody pursuant to section 2900.5, subdivision (a) under the state and federal equal protection clauses.
C. Conduct Credits
Gerson also contends that he is entitled to additional conduct credit under section 4019 for his time on home detention. In addition to actual custody credit under section 2900.5, " section 4019 ... offer[s] prisoners in local custody the opportunity to earn ‘conduct credit’ against their sentences for good behavior." ( People v. Brown (2012) 54 Cal.4th 314, 317, fn., 142 Cal.Rptr.3d 824, 278 P.3d 1182 omitted.) Section 4019 applies in various circumstances, including "[w]hen a prisoner participates in a program pursuant to Section 1203.016 ...." ( § 4019, subd. (a)(7).) Although section 4019 expressly authorizes conduct credit for defendants participating in a postsentencing electronic home detention program under section 1203.016, section 4019 does not expressly address defendants participating in a presentencing electronic home detention program under section 1203.018. In Yanez , the appellate court held that, because defendants are statutorily eligible for conduct credit if they are placed on electronic home detention after imposition of sentence (see §§ 1203.016, 4019, subd. (a)(7) ), it violates equal protection to deny eligibility for conduct credit for time spent on electronic home detention prior to sentencing (see § 1203.018 ). ( Yanez, supra , 42 Cal.App.5th at p. 93, 255 Cal.Rptr.3d 44.) Gerson argues that because he has shown entitlement to custody credits under the equal protection clause even though he was not on a home detention program under section 1203.018, he is similarly entitled to conduct credits under Yanez , even though he was not on a home detention program under section 1203.018.
As we discussed, Gerson has shown entitlement to custody credits under the equal protection clause. Accordingly, under Yanez, supra , 42 Cal.App.5th 91, 255 Cal.Rptr.3d 44, to the extent Gerson is entitled to receive preconviction section 2900.5 custody credits, he is also entitled to 91 days of preconviction section 4019 conduct credit for his time spent in preconviction home detention as a matter of equal protection. ( Yanez , at p. 100, 255 Cal.Rptr.3d 44.)
VI. MOTION TO RECALL THE REMITTITUR
A. Recalling the Remittitur Is Appropriate Under the Circumstances
In 2019, the trial court sentenced Gerson to a total term of 33 years eight months in prison. As part of that sentence, the trial court imposed the middle term on Counts 3 and 4 (assaulting two peace officers with a semiautomatic firearm). While this appeal was pending, Assembly Bill 124 amended section 1170 to require the sentencing court to impose a lower term where trauma experienced by the defendant contributed to the offense and the court concludes aggravating circumstances did not outweigh mitigating circumstances. Gerson contends he suffered physical trauma as a result of being hit by a baton multiple times and this trauma was "a contributing factor in the commission" of the assaults.
Gerson now seeks to recall the remittitur issued on April 26, 2022, claiming ineffective assistance of appellate counsel in failing to file a supplemental brief or a petition for rehearing requesting a remand for resentencing based on Assembly Bill 124. Gerson argues because physical trauma contributed to the assault, and it would not be "contrary to the interest of justice" to impose the lower term, the court was required to impose the lower term of five years, instead of the seven years the court imposed at sentencing on Count 3, the principal term.
The People oppose the motion, arguing that the proper route to obtain relief on Gerson's ineffective assistance of counsel claim is through a petition for writ of habeas corpus, not the "obscure and constrained method of moving for recall of the remittitur." The People also contend that Assembly Bill 124 does not benefit Gerson because the trial court already considered Gerson's mental health at the sentencing hearing, thus counsel was not ineffective for failing to subsequently raise the issue.
We agree that Gerson could have filed a petition for a writ of habeas corpus to raise his claim of ineffective assistance of counsel, but we disagree that this was the only remedy available to him. For good cause, a remittitur may be recalled ( Cal. Rules of Court, rule 8.272(c)(2) ) and, other than to correct clerical errors, a remittitur may be recalled "on the ground of fraud, mistake, or inadvertence. " ( Pacific Legal Foundation v. California Coastal Com. (1982) 33 Cal.3d 158, 165, 188 Cal.Rptr. 104, 655 P.2d 306, italics added.) As our high court noted in People v. Mutch (1971) 4 Cal.3d 389, 93 Cal.Rptr. 721, 482 P.2d 633, a remittitur may be recalled when an error of law "is of such dimensions as to entitle the defendant to a writ of habeas corpus." ( Id. at p. 396, 93 Cal.Rptr. 721, 482 P.2d 633.) Likewise in People v. Rhoden (1972) 6 Cal.3d 519, 521, 529, 99 Cal.Rptr. 751, 492 P.2d 1143, on an application to recall the remittitur, the California Supreme Court held that the petitioner was denied his right to effective counsel on appeal and transferred the matter to the appellate court with directions to recall its remittitur, vacate its decision, and reinstate the appeal.
In People v. Lewis (2006) 139 Cal.App.4th 874, 44 Cal.Rptr.3d 403, the court recalled the remittitur and vacated the opinion where the basis for affirming the conviction was later abrogated by the California Supreme Court. ( Id. at p. 879, 44 Cal.Rptr.3d 403.) Similarly, in People v. Valenzuela (1985) 175 Cal.App.3d 381, 222 Cal.Rptr. 405, the appellate court granted a motion to recall the remittitur on the ground defendant was deprived of effective assistance of appellate counsel. ( Id. at p. 394, 222 Cal.Rptr. 405.) And, in People v. Phung (2018) 25 Cal.App.5th 741, 236 Cal.Rptr.3d 174, the appellate court recalled a remittitur on the ground that appellate counsel had provided ineffective assistance of counsel in failing to raise the retroactivity of Proposition 57 to his case. ( Phung , at p. 747, 236 Cal.Rptr.3d 174.) The circumstances here are similar to those in Valenzuela and Phung
In arguing against recalling the remittitur, the People cited In re Richardson (2011) 196 Cal.App.4th 647, 126 Cal.Rptr.3d 720, which addressed a habeas petition alleging, among other things, that petitioner suffered ineffective assistance of counsel when his appellate counsel failed to seek recall of the remittitur after the California Supreme Court issued an opinion that changed the law on an issue. ( Id. at p. 656, 126 Cal.Rptr.3d 720.) In Richardson , however, the appellate court issued its opinion affirming the judgment in August 2006, issued its remittitur on December 4, 2006, and a week later, the Supreme Court on December 11, 2006, issued an opinion that cast a shadow on one of the appellate court's rulings. ( Id. at p. 654, 126 Cal.Rptr.3d 720.) Thus, the change in the law occurred after the opinion was final and did not result from ineffective assistance of counsel in failing to raise the issue. ( Id. at pp. 664-665, 126 Cal.Rptr.3d 720.) Richardson is distinguishable.
The next question is whether Gerson's appellate counsel provided ineffective assistance to warrant the remedy of recalling the remittitur. " ‘[T]o demonstrate ineffective assistance of counsel, a defendant must first show counsel's performance was "deficient" because his [or her] "representation fell below an objective standard of reasonableness ... under prevailing professional norms." [Citations.] Second, he [or she] must also show prejudice flowing from counsel's performance or lack thereof. [Citation.] Prejudice is shown when there is a "reasonable probability that, but for counsel's unprofessional errors, the result of the proceeding would have been different. A reasonable probability is a probability sufficient to undermine confidence in the outcome." ’ " ( In re Harris (1993) 5 Cal.4th 813, 832-833, 21 Cal.Rptr.2d 373, 855 P.2d 391 ; Strickland v. Washington (1984) 466 U.S. 668, 687, 104 S.Ct. 2052, 80 L.Ed.2d 674 ( Strickland ).)
"On direct appeal, a conviction will be reversed for ineffective assistance only if (1) the record affirmatively discloses counsel had no rational tactical purpose for the challenged act or omission, (2) counsel was asked for a reason and failed to provide one, or (3) there simply could be no satisfactory explanation. All other claims of ineffective assistance are more appropriately resolved in a habeas corpus proceeding." ( People v. Mai (2013) 57 Cal.4th 986, 1009, 161 Cal.Rptr.3d 1, 305 P.3d 1175.)
To determine whether appellate counsel's failure to raise an argument under Assembly Bill 124 "fell below an objective standard of reasonableness, and if so, whether the failure resulted in prejudice, we must assess the merits of that claim." ( In re Hampton Corp. (2020) 48 Cal.App.5th 463, 478, 261 Cal.Rptr.3d 907 ( Hampton ).)
The Governor signed Assembly Bill 124 on October 8, 2021. This was after the appeal had been fully briefed and during the period when we reviewed the matter prior to oral argument. During this time appellate counsel could have requested permission to file a supplemental opening brief asking this court to remand Gerson's case for a new sentencing hearing under Assembly Bill 124. (See Cal. Rules of Court, rule 8.200(a)(4).) Alternatively, after we issued the opinion on January 22, 2022, appellate counsel could have included an issue related to Assembly Bill 124 in the petition for rehearing he filed on February 14, 2022, but did not do so. In a declaration Gerson's counsel filed in support of the motion to recall the remittitur, he admitted that he was not aware that Assembly Bill 124 might apply to Gerson and that he had no tactical reason for failing to raise an issue based on Assembly Bill 124. ( Hampton, supra , 48 Cal.App.5th at p. 477, 261 Cal.Rptr.3d 907 ["where appellate counsel fails to raise ‘a significant and obvious issue,’ the failure will generally be considered deficient performance under Strickland, supra , 466 U.S. 668, 104 S.Ct. 2052"].)
The People do not challenge Gerson's argument that it was objectively unreasonable for his appellate counsel to fail to file a supplemental brief addressing Assembly Bill 124, or a petition for rehearing requesting remand for resentencing under Assembly Bill 124. Rather, the People contend Gerson's appellate counsel cannot establish he was ineffective for failing to raise Assembly Bill 124 because Gerson suffered no prejudice in that the result would not be different under Assembly Bill 124. Specifically, the People assert that a remand is unnecessary because the trial court considered Gerson's alleged mental health disorder when sentencing him and the result would have been the same had Assembly Bill 124 been in effect at the time of sentencing. As we shall explain, we disagree.
B. Gerson Is Entitled to Resentencing Under Assembly Bill 124
The Governor signed Assembly Bill 124 while this appeal was pending, and it became effective on January 1, 2022. (Stats. 2021, ch. 695, § 5.3.) Assembly Bill 124 applies retroactively to nonfinal cases on direct appeal. ( Banner, supra , 77 Cal.App.5th at p. 240, 292 Cal.Rptr.3d 574 ); People v. Vieira (2005) 35 Cal.4th 264, 305-306, 25 Cal.Rptr.3d 337, 106 P.3d 990 [a judgment becomes final when the time for petitioning for a writ of certiorari in the United States Supreme Court has passed]; see U.S. Supreme Ct. Rule 13(1) [providing ninety days from the date of the entry of the final judgment in the highest state appellate court to petition the Supreme Court for a writ of certiorari].)
Assembly Bill 124 made a low-term sentence presumptively appropriate under specified circumstances, including where the defendant's experience of psychological or physical trauma was a "contributing factor" to the defendant's commission of the offense. ( § 1170, subd. (b)(6)(A).) Where the presumption applies, the trial court may impose a higher sentence if it finds "the aggravating circumstances outweigh the mitigating circumstances [so] that imposition of the lower term would be contrary to the interests of justice." ( § 1170, subd. (b)(6).) Even where the presumption does not apply because there is no evidence that the circumstances listed in paragraph (6) are present, the trial court retains discretion to impose the lower term. ( § 1170, subd. (b)(7).) Remand for resentencing is required in this case "unless the record ‘clearly indicate[s]’ that the trial court would have reached the same conclusion ‘even if it had been aware that it had such discretion.’ " ( People v. Gutierrez (2014) 58 Cal.4th 1354, 1391, 171 Cal.Rptr.3d 421, 324 P.3d 245.) This is because defendants are " ‘entitled to sentencing decisions made in the exercise of the "informed discretion" of the sentencing court.’ " ( Ibid. ) A court that is not aware of the scope of its discretionary powers cannot exercise that "informed discretion" any more than a court whose sentence may have been based on misinformation regarding a material aspect of the defendant's record. ( Ibid. )
We reject the People's assertion that the record clearly indicates the trial court would have imposed the same sentence had Assembly Bill 124 been in effect at the time of sentencing. The probation report, prepared in July 2019, well before the language of Assembly Bill 124 was introduced on December 18, 2020, notes that Gerson has diagnosed mental disorders and suffered a traumatic brain injury during the incident. However, at the time of Gerson's sentencing in 2019, the trial court had no statutory reason to make, and Gerson had no reason to seek, a finding that past psychological or physical trauma was a contributing factor to his commission of any of his offenses. ( § 1170, subd. (b)(6)(A).) "[P]sychological trauma based on mental illness may be a circumstance qualifying for the lower term presumption in section 1170, subdivision (b)(6)." ( Banner, supra , 77 Cal.App.5th at p. 241, 292 Cal.Rptr.3d 574.) Additionally, even if the trial court were to find no evidence that the circumstances listed in paragraph (6) are present, it nonetheless retains discretion to impose the lower term. ( § 1170, subd. (b)(7).)
We also reject the People's argument that a remand would be futile because Gerson's probation report listed three aggravating circumstances and only one mitigating circumstance. Subdivision (b)(6) of section 1170 requires that "the aggravating circumstances outweigh the mitigating circumstances" but also that "imposition of the lower term would be contrary to the interests of justice." The parties did not argue this point and the trial court was not called upon to make such a finding during Gerson's 2019 sentencing hearing.
Accordingly, Gerson's sentence is vacated. On remand, the trial court may fully resentence Gerson anew, incorporating the new legislative changes. (See People v. Buycks (2018) 5 Cal.5th 857, 893, 236 Cal.Rptr.3d 84, 422 P.3d 531 ; People v. Valenzuela (2019) 7 Cal.5th 415, 424-425, 247 Cal.Rptr.3d 651, 441 P.3d 896 ["[T]he full resentencing rule allows a court to revisit all prior sentencing decisions when resentencing a defendant."].) We express no view as to how the trial court should exercise its discretion on remand. DISPOSITION
We direct the trial court to award Gerson 608 additional days of preconviction custody credit ( § 2900.5, subd. (a) ) and 91 additional days of preconviction conduct credit ( § 4019 ). Gerson's sentence is vacated and the matter is remanded for resentencing under Assembly Bill 124. After resentencing, the clerk of the superior court is directed to amend the abstract of judgment accordingly and forward a copy of the amended abstract of judgment to the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. As modified, the judgment is affirmed.
Upon issuance of the remittitur, the clerk is directed to forward a copy of this opinion and the order granting Gerson's request to recall the remittitur to the State Bar of California. (Bus. & Prof. Code, § 6086.7, subd. (a)(2).)
WE CONCUR:
DATO, J.
DO, J.