People v. Matthews

Opinion

a bloody barroom brawl in Brawley, Steven Matthews shot and killed a man and injured three others. At the end of a month-long jury trial he was convicted of second degree murder, having used a firearm within the meaning of Penal Code sections 12022.5 and 1203.06, subdivision (a)(1), assault intending to murder, with the gun use as above, plus inflicting great bodily injury (Pen. Code, § 12022.7); and two attempted murders, with gun use as above.

Matthews was enroute from San Bernardino to San Diego. Jack Peniska and his girlfriend Becky Sue King were with him. They stopped in Brawley for Peniska to retrieve his belongings, decided to spend the

Matthews claims the People reversibly erred in improperly questioning him about his postarrest silence to the police, violating his Fifth Amendment right to remain silent as explained to him when he was Mirandized (Doyle v. Ohio (1976) 426 U.S. 610 , 620 [ 49 L.Ed.2d 91 , 99, 96 S.Ct. 2240 ]; United States v. Hale (1975) 422 U.S. 171 , 180 [ 45 L.Ed.2d 99 , 106-107, 95 S.Ct. 2133 ]; People v. Galloway (1979) 100 Cal.App.3d 551 [ 160 Cal.Rptr. 914 ]). However, Matthews himself introduced the subject on direct examination when he took the stand. Having explained that he had been cut by a knife during the fracas he said he did not tell the authorities about it upon being booked, for the reason that the injury, not serious, appeared to be healing and he did not need any medical attention. Having opened up the subject, quite rightly the People were permitted to cross-examine Matthews about it. Matthews handled himself very well, explaining he needed no medical attention. He added what most people know, “When you are arrested you are read your rights and the first thing you are read is you have the right to remain silent. And the second thing is anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law. And I chose to remain silent and discuss anything that I had to say or show to my attorney concerning this case.” This was a logical and sensible explanation of Matthews’ actions upon arrest, not to discuss the case with the authorities, not to tell why he felt justified in his conduct. The questioning and comments of the People, following Matthews’ invitation to explore the subject, were proper (Jenkins v. Anderson (1980) 447 U.S. 231 [ 65 L.Ed.2d 86 , 100 S.Ct. 2124 ]. Moreover, no objection was made to the comments during argument (People v. Green (1980) 27 Cal.3d 1 , 34 [ 164 Cal.Rptr. 1 , 609 P.2d 468 ]).

In its brief filed March 21, 1980, the People agree with Matthews that he should be resentenced in the light of People v. Harvey (1979) 25 Cal.3d 754 , 761 [ 159 Cal.Rptr. 696 , 602 P.2d 396 ], considering also People v. Benton (1979) 100 Cal.App.3d 92 , 102, [ 161 Cal.Rptr. 12 ] and People v. Roberson (1978) 81 Cal.App.3d 890 , 894-895 [ 146 Cal.Rptr. 777 ].

However, a new law effective May 29, 1980, amending Penal Code section 1170.1, prompted this court to inquire of counsel as to its effect on Harvey. The law is intended to clarify the Legislature’s original intent on sentencing under Penal Code section 667.5, subdivision (c)(8) for violent felonies where a gun is used. While we agree with the People in its interpretation of Penal Code section 667.5, subdivision (c)(8), as we did originally when Harvey was before us, nevertheless under Auto Equity Sales, Inc. v. Superior Court (1962) 57 Cal.2d 450 , 455 [ 20 Cal.Rptr. 321 , 369 P.2d 937 ], we are compelled to and respectfully abide by the Supreme Court decision in People v. Harvey, supra, 25 Cal.3d 754 , 761.

The judgment of conviction is affirmed, with remand only for re-sentencing in harmony with Harvey, Benton and Roberson.

Cologne, J., and Staniforth, J., concurred.

The petitions of both parties for a hearing by the Supreme Court were denied September 24, 1980.