THE PEOPLE, Plaintiff and Respondent, v. TEDDY BRIAN SANCHEZ, Defendant and Appellant, 12 Cal. 4th 1

Opinion LUCAS, C. J. After defendant Teddy Brian Sanchez waived his right to a jury trial at the guilt and special circumstances phases, and submitted the case for a court trial on the basis of the preliminary hearing transcripts, the trial court found him guilty of the first degree murders of Juan Bocanegra, Juanita Bocanegra, and Woodrow Wilson Tatman (Pen. Code, § 187; all statutory references are to the Penal Code unless otherwise noted).

The court found true the multiple-murder special-circumstance allegation (§ 190.2, subd. (a)(3)) as to the Bocanegra murders only, but found untrue the robbery-murder special-circumstance allegations that had been charged in the Tatman and Bocanegra murders (§ 190.2, subd. (a)(17)(i)). The court also found that defendant used a deadly and dangerous weapon within the meaning of

section 12022, subdivision (

b) in both Bocanegra murders, and that defendant was guilty of the robbery of Tatman, but not guilty of the robbery of Juan and Juanita Bocanegra (§211). At the conclusion of the penalty trial, a jury returned a verdict of death. The trial court denied defendant’s motion to modify the verdict and entered judgment. We affirm the judgment in its entirety. I. Facts A. Guilt Phase Facts 1. The Bocanegra Murders On the afternoon of February 3, 1987, the police found the bodies of Juan and Juanita Bocanegra in their home. Juanita was found in her sewing room, and Juan was found in the kitchen.

Both had sustained extensive stab wounds and head injuries. A piece of fabric was tied loosely around Juanita’s neck, and another piece of cloth was found on her right wrist. Kern County Sheriff’s criminalist Gregory Laskowski analyzed the blood found at the scene and concluded that both victims were killed where their bodies were found. The blood splatter evidence showed that the attack began in the hallway near the bathroom. The fight then moved to the kitchen where large amounts of blood indicated that a struggle took place throughout the room.

The evidence indicated a fierce struggle occurred throughout the house. Small amounts of diluted blood in the bathroom suggested that someone cleaned up after the attack. Laskowski also found evidence of two types of shoe tracks on the floor of the Bocanegra kitchen; one print had a “chevron pattern” and another, partial print, contained a “wavy sole design.” A full wavy design shoe track in the bathroom was consistent with the print found in the kitchen. Both victims were found without shoes; Juanita’s bloodstained slippers were found in the hallway.

Police found a knife block with four empty spaces in the kitchen. Two knives, without bloodstains, were in the kitchen sink. There were slash marks on the cabinets directly above the knife holder. That same evening, the police recovered a knife and sharpening stone that appeared to have blood on them. No fingerprints were found on these items. But police did find a bloody palm print belonging to defendant’s accomplice Robert Reyes on the doorknob inside the Bocanegra front door.

Autopsies performed on both Juan and Juanita revealed that they died as a result of massive hemorrhaging due to multiple stab wounds, although the type of instrument that inflicted the wounds could not be conclusively determined. On February 4, 1987, the Bocanegras’ Dodge Colt station wagon was found abandoned. There were extensive bloodstains on both the interior and exterior of the car. Fingerprints belonging to Joey Bocanegra were found on the interior driver’s and right rear door windows and on the right rear door handle. Two items of evidence linked defendant to the crimes.

The missing Bocanegra television set was found in the same room at the Bakersfield Inn where defendant stayed at the time of the murders, and defendant sold the Bocanegras’ vacuum cleaner to Maria Rodriguez, a clerk employed by the inn. The remaining evidence used to convict defendant was based primarily on the circumstances of the crime, and incriminating statements made by defendant to police investigator Bob Stratton, jailhouse informant Rufus Hernandez, and newspaper reporter Michael Trihey. 2.

The Tatman Murder Woodrow Wilson Tatman was a frail, undernourished, 72-year-old man who often drank alcohol and was confined to a wheelchair. He rented a room at the Bakersfield Inn, and spent his days drinking alcohol and watching television. Rose McGrew was employed by the inn as a maid and she also lived on the premises. She helped care for Tatman and had last been in his room on February 1, 1987. Maria Charboneau also worked and lived at the inn, and she took care of Tatman’s Social Security checks, and managed his finances. In the first week of February, Tatman received two Social Security checks.

On February 2, Charboneau gave Tatman between $80 and $100. That was the last time she saw him alive. On the afternoon of February 4, 1987, McGrew noticed that Tatman’s drapes were still drawn and that he had not yet picked up his mail, which included his Social Security check. McGrew entered the room and found Tatman’s body, lying on the floor near his bed. He was covered with a bedspread. Tatman’s television, radio and electric skillet were missing from the room.

The autopsy report indicated that Tatman was killed by “massive blunt force injury to the left chest” which collapsed his left lung and caused substantial hemorrhaging. The blow to the chest was consistent with a heel stomp or with the application of an instrument approximately two inches by three inches in size. Tatman also sustained several superficial stab wounds to the chest and lower abdomen, as well as a head injury. It appeared that the superficial injuries had been inflicted intra or post mortem, and none contributed to death.

It could not be determined what instrument caused the lower abdominal injuries, although it appeared that the chest wounds were inflicted by a screwdriver. Dr. John Holloway, the forensic pathologist who performed the autopsy, could not determine whether the wounds were caused by one or more individuals. a. Statements Made to Jailhouse Informant Hernandez Rufus Hernandez was incarcerated with defendant for two months during 1987. He had been charged with receiving stolen property and second degree burglary.

Defendant spoke to Hernandez about the Bocanegra murders and Hernandez entered into a plea bargain whereby he received six months in county jail and three years’ probation in exchange for his testimony. Hernandez testified that defendant told him he went with Joey Bocanegra to the Bocanegra house. Hernandez’s testimony was inconsistent as to whether defendant said they went with the plan of robbing the Bocanegras or only with the plan of borrowing money from Juan Bocanegra. Defendant waited outside for Joey, but entered the house when he heard Joey and Juan arguing in the hallway.

Defendant claimed he tried unsuccessfully to stop the fight by hitting Juan with a curved metal bar. He thereafter threw the bar in the front yard. Defendant did not say whether Joey had stabbed Juan before or after defendant hit him. Juanita, who heard the commotion from another room, came out of the bedroom yelling. Defendant slipped in a puddle of blood as he jumped over Juan to reach Juanita. He thereafter grabbed Juanita and told Joey that he should “shut up” his mother. Joey then stabbed his mother repeatedly and pushed her into the sewing room, where she was found.

Defendant did not tell Hernandez that he did anything other than hold Juanita; instead defendant claimed that he saw Joey stab both victims with a kitchen knife. Defendant ended his story with the comment that after the murders he threw the bar into the front yard, and that the knife was thrown into a canal. Defendant noted that Joey took the television, a toolbox, and his parents’ hatchback automobile. Hernandez thereafter reported defendant’s statements to police investigator Stratton. b. Statements Made to Police Investigator Stratton On February 19, 1987, Stratton met with defendant in the Kern County jail.

Defendant had contacted the police through his attorney because he wished to offer statements about the Bocanegra crimes. Before commencing the interview, defendant waived his right to counsel after receiving the admonitions required by Miranda v. Arizona (1966) 384 U.S. 436 [16 L.Ed.2d 694, 86 S.Ct. 1602, 10 A.L.R.3d 974]. Thereafter, he told Stratton that about 10 a.m., on the day of the Bocanegra murders, he met Joey Bocanegra on the street and spoke to him for a few minutes before Joey walked home. Defendant then walked by the Bocanegra house and observed Joey leaving the home.

At that point, the interview with Stratton ended. One week later, Stratton again spoke to defendant. At this point, defendant asked Stratton a series of hypothetical questions, including: “What if I was present in the house; what if Joey hit his dad after his dad had refused to give him some money; and what if Joey’s dad hit him back and what if Joey got real mad and grabbed a knife and started stabbing his dad; what if Joey’s mother didn’t know what was happening because she was in another room?” c.

Statements Made to Homicide Detective Boggs On March 27, 1987, after waiving his Miranda rights, defendant was interviewed about the Tatman murder by Homicide Detective Boggs. Defendant had already been arrested for the Bocanegra murders and agreed to talk to the officer because he believed he could be spending the rest of his life in prison. Boggs testified that defendant told him he wanted to rob Tatman of his refrigerator because he needed one. Defendant told Boggs that, because he was so intoxicated (from ingesting alcohol and drugs) at the time of the robbery, he could not remember the sequence of events.

According to Boggs, defendant asked Reyes to pry open Tatman’s bathroom window with Reyes’s screwdriver. Once inside, Reyes removed the contents of Tatman’s refrigerator, and defendant moved it to a room next door that had been rented by Vicky Omalez, a friend of the perpetrators. Defendant told Boggs that when he returned to Tatman’s room, Tatman was awake and Reyes was standing over him with a screwdriver in his hand. Defendant claimed he had no idea why Reyes was acting this way because both men had discussed trying not to awaken Tatman while they removed his property.

Reyes then hit Tatman in the chest, pulled Tatman off the bed and onto the floor, and made multiple lunging movements downward with the screwdriver in his hand. Defendant asserted that the bed partially blocked his view, but he nonetheless believed Reyes was stabbing Tatman. After Reyes completed the murder, both defendant and Reyes returned to Vickie Omalez’s room. d. Defendant’s Postarrest Comments to Michael Trihey Michael Trihey was a reporter for the Bakersfield Californian. Prior to trial, he interviewed defendant five times about the charges pending against him.

On April 25, 1988, the paper published a Trihey

article entitled, Accused Asks for Own Death, System Says No. According to Trihey, defendant told him that he was a “triple murderer” and that the Bocanegras and Tatman were killed for their Social Security checks. B. Penalty Phase Evidence The prosecution introduced evidence of defendant’s criminal activity involving the use or attempted use of force or violence. (§ 190.3, factor (b).) On May 7, 1982, defendant assaulted store owner Hassan Ahmad Ammarie after defendant asked Ammarie to “get him some bacon” and Ammarie refused. Defendant stabbed Ammarie in the left shoulder and neck.

Ammarie was hospitalized for two weeks following the attack. On June 2, 1982, defendant attacked an acquaintance, Arthur Melendez Pena, after Pena refused to comply with defendant’s demand for money. Several witnesses who had testified at the preliminary hearing also testified at the penalty phase.

Homicide Detective Boggs testified defendant had told him that after removing Tatman’s possessions to Omalez’s room, he and Reyes “kicked back, drank some whiskey, smoked some dope, ate some food and just relaxed for the rest of the evening.” Informant Rufus Hernandez and Police Detective Stratton also testified that defendant told Hernandez that he took an active role in the Bocanegra and Tatman slayings—including beating Juan and Juanita Bocanegra, and beating and assisting Reyes in stabbing Tatman.

Stratton repeated Hernandez’s statements to him that defendant and Joey Bocanegra went to Juan and Juanita’s house and planned to rob them and that Tatman was robbed for his Social Security check. Rose McGrew, the Bakersfield Inn maid, repeated her guilt phase testimony about how she discovered Tatman’s body.

With regard to the Bocanegra murders, Hernandez testified that defendant entered the house with a bar and “ran up to Joey’s father and grabbed him and held him there until Joey went and got the knife and they just beat him and stabbed him.” When Juanita walked out of her sewing room, defendant “rushed” her: “That’s when they both started killing her. . . .

They just stabbed her numerous times and hit her in the head a few times with the bar, and the time, at the same time of doing that I guess Joey somehow managed to get her back inside the room, I guess, while he was hitting her. . . .” The prosecution also introduced six color photographs of the victims and forty-eight other color photographs of the Bocanegra and Tatman crime scenes. Criminalist Greg Laskowski testified that the blood splatter in the hallway of the Bocanegra house was consistent with the prosecution’s theory that multiple stabbings occurred there.

Defendant’s penalty phase evidence consisted of testimony by friends, relatives, and a social anthropologist to the effect that defendant’s dysfunctional and poverty-stricken, migratory family life severely hampered his ability to live a productive life. Defendant was rejected by his mother following his birth and was sent to live with his grandparents. When he was three years old, defendant’s mother and stepfather unexpectedly wrenched defendant from his grandparents’ home to move to Arkansas.

Shortly thereafter, defendant’s mother left defendant’s stepfather, and took defendant and his half brother to California. Defendant’s mother remarried a man with three children, and the couple thereafter had five additional children. Defendant’s mother and his stepfather were alcoholics and drug abusers who were violent with each other and the children. His grandparents, who were often in charge of defendant, also drank heavily and abused drugs. Both defendant’s mother and stepfather died in their middle 30’s of acute alcoholism.

Defendant tried to take care of his siblings, but took drugs to escape his difficult life. He eventually turned to crime because he had no marketable job skills to prepare him for life as an adult. Penalty phase defense counsel Gary Frank attempted to persuade the jury that defendant should receive a sentence of life without the possibility of parole and “spend the remainder of his life in prison.” II. Discussion A. Guilt and Special Circumstance Phase Issues 1.

Validity of Submission on Preliminary Hearing Transcripts On the second day of trial, July 11, 1988, defendant’s chief guilt phase trial counsel, Toton, moved to submit the guilt and special circumstance phases on the preliminary hearing transcript. (Cocounsel Frank was also present during the proceedings.) Toton stated that defendant had agreed to waive his right to a jury trial and to confront witnesses, and to offer no additional evidence, subject to being allowed to argue the legal admissibility of the testimony.

The next day, the court informed the parties that although it had not researched the issue, it would allow Toton to take tentative nonbinding waivers of constitutional rights from defendant. These nonbinding waivers included defendant’s waiver of his right against self-incrimination. The prosecutor, Ryals, opposed the motion. She stated that although she was willing to accept a stipulation from defendant that he was guilty of the charges and the special circumstance allegations and to proceed directly to a penalty trial, she would not stipulate to the submission of the case on the preliminary hearing transcripts.

On July 13, the court told the parties that it believed the prosecution had the right to a jury trial in the guilt and special circumstance phases but that it would entertain further argument from defendant. Toton informed the court that the submission proposal was a compromise made by defendant at Toton’s request. Defendant originally had wanted to plead guilty to the capital charges, but Toton would not consent to such a plea, believing that a guilty plea would amount to ineffective assistance of counsel under People v. Pope (1979) 23 Cal.3d 412 [152 Cal.Rptr. 732, 590 P.2d 859, 2 A.L.R.4th 1].

Ryals argued that if the court granted defendant’s request to submit the case on the basis of the preliminary hearing transcripts, the prosecution would be foreclosed from proffering additional evidence gathered since the preliminary hearing. Ryals told the court that the additional evidence was essential to convict defendant and included testimony by Rodriguez (who purchased property stolen from the murder scenes), reporter Trihey, to whom defendant confessed, a police officer, and an employee of the Bakersfield Inn.

Toton and Ryals agreed that the prosecution should be allowed to present additional evidence at the guilt phase, and that the defense would present rebuttal evidence and argue the case. Toton then stated to the court: “Mr. Toton: Let me attempt then, because there is a lot of things going on, to see if my understanding is correct. “We are prepared to waive jury trial on the guilt phase, on the special circumstance. “Mrs. Ryals will present additional evidence.

We will be able to present additional evidence and argue the matter. “At penalty phase, it will be statutory, and, in other words, we understand that she has to put on the facts and circumstances of the case itself. “Regular rules of evidence will apply at this point as if they were, as if there had been a jury trial on the guilt phase, and that Mr. Sanchez would be prepared to so waive his right to a jury trial on both and separately on both the guilt phase and the special circumstance. “Mr.

Frank and I would be prepared to join that on the People’s consent to also join.” “The Court: It sounds all right, sounds good.” The trial court then allowed Toton to inform defendant of his constitutional rights, but ruled that the waivers would not bind defendant until the following morning. Defendant waived his rights to trial by jury and to confront and cross-examine witnesses, but was not asked to and did not repeat his waiver of the right against self-incrimination.

He repeatedly acknowledged, however, that he was waiving his constitutional rights and that his decision was entered “freely and voluntarily.” Once the waivers were taken, the following colloquy occurred between the court and defendant: “The Court: I take it that. . . Mr. Frank and Mr.

Toton have talked to you at some length about the waivers? “The Defendant: Yes, sir. “The Court: Do you feel you understood them? “The Defendant: Yes, sir, I believe I do. “The Court: And you have had some time to think about it, at least since about 10:30 this morning, and they talked to you later, I take it? “The Defendant: Yes, sir. “The Court: And you have thought about it? “The Defendant: Yes, sir. “The Court: So far as you are losing your right to confront witnesses, those witnesses whose testimony will be presented to the court through the preliminary examination, you won’t get a chance to cross-examine them in this court.

You understand that? “Defendant: Yes sir. “The Court: And you are giving that right up then? “The Defendant: Yes, sir. “The Court: Now, so far as the witnesses called ... to augment the People’s case and/or in your behalf, the live witnesses called in this case, you will have the right to confrontation and you understand that? “The Defendant: Yes, sir. “The Court: I have to tell you that some of the cases in the state of California say that when you present a case to the judge to determine the guilt or innocence on the basis of the preliminary hearing transcript, that’s sometimes called a slow guilty plea. “The Defendant: Yes, sir. “The Court: I don’t know whether you have heard that language before, but it’s used in the cases. “The Defendant: Yes, sir. “The Court: And I want you to be aware of that.

I am not telling you how I am going to decide this case, but there is an aura of that in the cases and you should be aware of that fact. “The Defendant: Yes, sir. “The Court: And do you understand that? “The Defendant: Yes, sir. “The Court: And you are willing to give up your right to a trial by jury both as to the guilt of the two homicides alleged and of the other enhancements and the special circumstances; is that right? “The Defendant: Yes. “The Court: And you know you have the right, and we are ready to give you a jury on all those issues. “The Defendant: Yes, your Honor, I understand all that. “The Court: And you nonetheless give it up? “The Defendant: Yes, sir.” Shortly thereafter, the court again confirmed that defendant understood he was waiving important constitutional rights: “The Court: Are you satisfied with your decision? “The Defendant: Yes, sir, I am very confident. “The Court: Because you know we have got a record of everything here.

It’s going to be kind of hard to tell somebody else, gee, I didn’t think about it. The judge coerced me. The [d]istrict [a]ttorney growled at me. My lawyers kicked me around. You know, it’s going to be kind of hard to say that after you have been very candid with us here. Are you satisfied with that? “The Defendant: Yes, sir, I am very satisfied. “The Court: You seem satisfied. I believe you are satisfied.

I will make that kind of a finding.” Defendant confirmed his intent to waive his jury trial and confrontation rights the following morning, but no mention was made by the court or counsel of defendant’s right against self-incrimination. Defendant now contends that because submitting the case on the basis of the preliminary hearing was tantamount to pleading guilty (or a slow plea), the trial court committed reversible error under Bunnell v.

Superior Court (1975) 13 Cal.3d 592 [119 Cal.Rptr. 302, 531 P.2d 1086] (hereafter Bunnell) when it failed to advise in the binding waivers that defendant would be relinquishing his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination. He also contends that the court’s failure to advise him of the direct consequences of a conviction requires reversal, as does the fact that he was unaware of the legal ramifications of his initial submission and waiver. a.

Slow Plea In Bunnell, this court held that a stipulation to submit a case for decision on preliminary hearing transcripts must be accompanied by advice regarding the personal waiver of a defendant’s constitutional rights to jury trial, silence, and to confront and cross-examine, i.e., Boykin-Tahl advice and waivers. (Boykin v.

Alabama (1969) 395 U.S. 238 [23 L.Ed.2d 274, 89 S.Ct. 1709]; In re Tahl (1960) 1 Cal.3d 122 [81 Cal.Rptr. 577, 460 P.2d 449].) The Bunnell court held, “the record shall reflect that he had been advised of his right to a jury trial, to confront and cross-examine witnesses, and against self-incrimination. . . . Express waivers of the enumerated constitutional rights shall appear. ...

In all guilty plea and submission cases the defendant shall be advised of the direct consequences of conviction such as the permissible range of punishment provided by statute . . . .” (Bunnell, supra, 13 Cal.3d at p. 605.) Thereafter, in People v.

Hendricks (1987) 43 Cal.3d 584 [238 Cal.Rptr. 66, 737 P.2d 1350] (hereafter Hendricks) we held that the mandate of Boykin-Tahl applies only to pleas of guilty and submissions on the preliminary hearing transcript, or slow pleas, “by virtue of which [defendant] surrenders one or more of the three specified rights.” (Id., at p. 592.) A slow plea is defined as a submission of the guilt phase to the court on the basis of the preliminary hearing transcripts that is tantamount to a plea of guilty because guilt is apparent on the face of the transcripts and conviction is a foregone conclusion if no defense is offered. (People v.

Wright (1987) 43 Cal.3d 487, 496 [233 Cal.Rptr. 69, 729 P.2d 260] [hereafter Wright].) Deciding whether a submission is a slow plea is often difficult, and courts generally review such pleas based on defendant’s willingness to contest guilt during the court trial. “Submissions that are not considered slow pleas include those in which (1) the preliminary hearing involves substantial cross-examination of the prosecution witnesses and the presentation of defense evidence or (2) the facts revealed at the preliminary examination are essentially undisputed but counsel makes an argument to the court as to the legal significance to be accorded them.” (Ibid.; see In re Mosely (1970) 1 Cal.3d 913, 924-925, fn. 9 [83 Cal.Rptr. 809, 464 P.2d 473] [extending, in dictum, Tahl advisement and waiver requirement to cases in which defendant’s submission on preliminary hearing transcript is tantamount to a guilty plea].) Defendant claims that because counsel did not argue for acquittal of all charges and presented no defense to some of the charges, his submission was a slow plea tantamount to a guilty plea.

But as the Wright court observes, “[a]n appellate court, in determining whether a submission is a slow plea, must assess the circumstances of the entire proceeding. It is not enough for a reviewing court to simply count the number of witnesses who testified at the hearing following the submission. A submission that prospectively appeared to be a slow plea may turn out to be part of a full-blown trial if counsel contested the sufficiency of evidence for those counts or presented another potentially meritorious legal argument against conviction.

Conversely, a submission that did not appear to be a slow plea because the defendant reserved the right to testify and call witnesses or to argue the sufficiency of the evidence (see People v. Guerra (1971) 21 Cal.App.3d 534, 538 [98 Cal.Rptr. 627]) may turn out to be a slow plea if the defense presented no evidence or argument contesting guilt. [% If it appears on the whole that the defendant advanced a substantial defense, the submission cannot be considered to be tantamount to a plea of guilty. Sometimes, a defendant’s best defense is weak.

He may make a tactical decision to concede guilt as to one or more of several counts as part of an overall defense strategy. A submission under these circumstances is not a slow plea, and the trial court is not constitutionally compelled by Boykin and Tahl to administer the guilty-plea safeguards to assure that the tactical decision is voluntary and intelligent.

The advisements and waivers in such a case are required only as a matter of the judicial policies that underlie our decision in Bunnell.” (Wright, supra, 43 Cal.3d at pp. 496-497.) In the present case, defendant’s submission on the preliminary hearing transcripts was not a slow plea. Defense counsel Toton conducted substantial cross-examination of the prosecution witnesses during the preliminary hearing.

Toton also called prosecution witnesses Hernandez and Detective Stratton to testify for the defense, and questioned Hernandez about whether he had agreed to testify against defendant with the intent of making a deal in his own case. In addition, following the close of the prosecution’s guilt phase presentation, Toton renewed his motions to strike portions of the trial testimony of Maria Rodriguez, Detective Boggs, and William Freeman (the patrolman who seized two screwdrivers from defendant that had been stolen from the Bocanegra residence), and then moved for a judgment of acquittal of all the charges.

In arguing the motion for acquittal, Toton asserted there was insufficient evidence of defendant’s guilt of the robbery and murder charges, and that the People failed to charge properly the special circumstance allegations. In addition, Toton asserted that no physical evidence linked defendant to the Bocanegra murders. He argued that the prosecution presented no evidence of premeditation in those murders, and that defendant’s hypothetical questions to Detective Stratton should not be used as evidence of murder.

Toton also pointed out that defendant’s incriminating statements to newsman Trihey implied knowledge of the crime, but not intent to kill, that there was no evidence that defendant robbed the Bocanegras or that defendant had the specific intent to kill either the Bocanegras or Tatman. Toton’s closing argument following the guilt phase was equally extensive. He asserted there was insufficient evidence, as a matter of law, to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that defendant committed the charged robberies and the Bocanegra murders because the testimony of Hernandez and Trihey was not credible.

At best, he argued, the evidence in the Bocanegra murders supported a verdict of voluntary manslaughter. He also asserted that the prosecution had failed to prove the specific intent to kill necessary to support the special circumstance allegations. It therefore appears that defense counsel’s cross-examination was substantial, and that he argued constantly that the facts as presented at the preliminary hearing should be viewed as not supporting first degree murder convictions.

These facts support the People’s assertion that defendant’s submission on the preliminary hearing transcripts for the guilt and special circumstance phases of the trial was not tantamount to a guilty plea.(Wright, supra, 43 Cal.3d at p. 496.) For submissions not tantamount to a guilty plea, a trial court’s failure to advise the defendant of his right against self-incrimination is implicated only to the extent defendant surrendered the right. (Hendricks, supra, 43 Cal.3d at p. 592.) Through the submission stipulated to here, defendant never surrendered his self-incrimination privilege because he chose not to testify during the guilt phase proceedings.

Because defendant never surrendered his right against self-incrimination, there was no requirement of a personal, on-the-record waiver. (Ibid.) b. Consequences of Conviction Defendant next contends that the trial court committed reversible error when it failed to advise him that a conviction of guilt and special circumstances could lead to a death sentence. Without an understanding of the possible consequences of submitting the guilt and special circumstances on the preliminary hearing transcripts, defendant asserts, any waiver of constitutional rights is invalid. We find defendant’s argument unavailing.

On submission on a transcript of preliminary hearing, a defendant must be told of the potential maximum and minimum terms of imprisonment. (People v. Dakin (1988) 200 Cal.App.3d 1026, 1033 [248 Cal.Rptr. 206].) Nonetheless, a court’s failure to comply with this rule requires reversal only if it is reasonably probable a result more favorable to the defendant would have been reached in absence of the error. (Wright, supra, 43 Cal.3d at p. 495; People v. Watson (1956) 46 Cal.2d 818, 836 [299 P.2d 243].) We find no such prejudice.

Defendant had been thoroughly advised by counsel of the consequences of pleading guilty and of the consequences of waiving his constitutional rights. He was well aware that he faced a possible death sentence, and, according to reporter Trihey, even asked for his own death. It is clear from the record that defendant would have waived his right to a jury trial and insisted on the submission of the guilt phase on the preliminary hearing transcripts even if he was specifically told by the court that he faced a possible death sentence. c.

Other Claims Defendant asserts that he was not told (1) of the legal ramifications of the agreement between Toton and Ryals to limit evidence to that presented at the preliminary hearing, and (2) of the absence of a defense to the Tatman robbery and the Tatman first degree felony-murder charges. Defendant especially notes that he was unaware the defense challenge to the charges would rest solely on the ground of insufficient evidence. Moreover, defendant claims, Toton never explained he limited his defense to “rebuttal” witnesses.

The lack of any explanation as to the procedural aspects of submitting the case on the preliminary hearing transcripts, defendant asserts, renders his waiver and submission void. As to defendant’s claims that he was unaware of the legal ramifications of his submission and waiver, and the probability of conviction, we conclude no such advisement was required in light of defendant’s reservation of his right to present additional evidence and to contest his alleged guilt in argument to the court.

As the People observe, Bunnell, supra, 13 Cal.3d 592, requires that a defendant be advised of the probability that his submission will result in a conviction of the offenses only “[i]f a defendant does not reserve the right to present additional evidence and does not advise the court that he will contest his guilt in argument to the court. . . .” (Id., at p. 605.) 2. Sufficiency of the Evidence Defendant contends there was insufficient evidence of premeditation and deliberation to support his convictions for the first degree murders of both Juan and Juanita Bocanegra.

In the alternative, he asserts that even if there was sufficient evidence to convict him of the Bocanegra murders on an aider and abettor theory, the evidence supported only a second degree murder conviction because the prosecution failed to prove that Joey intended to kill his parents with premeditation and deliberation, and that defendant aided and abetted in the murders. We need not be convinced beyond a reasonable doubt that the murders were premeditated.

Our inquiry on appeal “in light of the whole record [is] whether any rational trier of fact could have found the essential elements of the crime beyond a reasonable doubt.” (People v. Davis (1995) 10 Cal.4th 463, 511 [41 Cal.Rptr.2d 826, 896 P.2d 119] [hereafter Davis]’, see Jackson v. Virginia (1979) 443 U.S. 307, 318-319 [61 L.Ed.2d 560, 573-574, 99 S.Ct. 2781].) The standard of review is the same when the People rely mainly on circumstantial evidence. (People v. Stanley (1995) 10 Cal.4th 764, 793 [42 Cal.Rptr.2d 543, 897 P.2d 481]; see also People v.

Bean (1988) 46 Cal.3d 919, 932 [251 Cal.Rptr. 467, 760 P.2d 996] [conviction based on circumstantial evidence will be affirmed if circumstances reasonably justify trier of fact’s findings].) The record does not support either of defendant’s contentions. As we have observed in numerous cases, we apply the tripartite test of People v.

Anderson (1968) 70 Cal.2d 15 [73 CaL.Rptr. 550, 447 P.2d 942], in deciding whether the evidence is sufficient to support a finding of premeditation and deliberation based on these three factors: (1) planning activity; (2) motive (established by a prior relationship and/or conduct with the victim); and (3) manner of killing. (Id., at pp. 26-27; People v. Wharton (1991) 53 Cal.3d 522, 546-547 [280 CaL.Rptr. 631, 809 P.2d 290] [hereafter Wharton]; cf. People v.

Haskett (1982) 30 Cal.3d 841, 849, fn. 1 [180 CaL.Rptr. 640, 640 P.2d 776].) [T]his court sustains verdicts of first degree murder typically when there is evidence of all three types and otherwise requires at least extremely strong evidence of (1) or evidence of (2) in conjunction with either (1) or (3).” (Anderson, supra, 70 Cal.2d at p. 27.) We have recently explained that the Anderson factors do not establish normative rules, but instead provide guidelines for our analysis. In People v.

Thomas (1992) 2 Cal.4th 489, 517 [7 Cal.Rptr.2d 199, 828 P.2d 101] we observed: “The Anderson analysis was intended as a framework to assist reviewing courts in assessing whether the evidence supports an inference that the killing resulted from preexisting reflection and weighing of considerations. It did not refashion the elements of first degree murder or alter the substantive law in any way." Thereafter, in People v.

Perez (1992) 2 Cal.4th 1117, 1125 [9 Cal.Rptr.2d 577, 831 P.2d 1159] (hereafter Perez) we reiterated the Thomas statement, and added that “[t]he Anderson guidelines are descriptive, not normative. [Citation.] The goal of Anderson was to aid reviewing courts in assessing whether the evidence is supportive of an inference that the killing was the result of preexisting reflection and weighing of considerations rather than mere unconsidered or rash impulse. [Citation.] [*]fl In identifying categories of evidence bearing on premeditation and deliberation, Anderson did not purport to establish an exhaustive list that would exclude all other types and combinations of evidence that could support a finding of premeditation and deliberation. . . .

The Anderson factors, while helpful for purposes of review, are not a sine qua non to finding first degree premeditated murder, nor are they exclusive.” (See Davis, supra, 10 Cal.4th at p. 511.) Finally, we have recognized that it is not necessary that the Anderson “factors be present in some special combination or that they be accorded a particular weight.” (People v.

Pride (1992) 3 Cal.4th 195, 247 [10 Cal.Rptr.2d 636, 833 P.2d 643].) Nonetheless, we are guided by the factors in our determination whether the murder occurred as a result of “preexisting reflection rather than unconsidered or rash impulse.” (Ibid.) We find substantial evidence supports the trial court’s finding that Joey Bocanegra intended to kill his parents, that he premeditated and deliberated the murders, and that defendant can be found vicariously liable for the murders as an aider and abettor.

As we have observed, an aider and abettor must act with knowledge of the criminal purpose of the perpetrator and with an intent either of committing, or of encouraging or facilitating commission of, the offense. (People v. Beeman (1984) 35 Cal.3d 547, 560 [199 Cal.Rptr. 60, 674 P.2d 1318] [hereafter Beeman].) We have also recognized that if the aider and abettor undertakes acts “with the intent that the actual perpetrator’s purpose be facilitated thereby, he is a principal and liable for the commission of the offense.” (People v.

Croy (1985) 41 Cal.3d 1, 12, fn. 5 [221 Cal.Rptr. 592, 710 P.2d 392]; see also §§ 31, 190.2, subds. (c) & (d), 971.) Thus, the basis of liability for the perpetrator applies to the aider and abettor and extends to “the natural and reasonable consequences of the acts he knowingly and intelligently aids and encourages.” (Beeman, supra, 35 Cal.3d at p. 560.) As we explain, we conclude that defendant shared Joey’s intent to kill, and in assisting Joey in committing the crimes, understood, and facilitated, the full extent of Joey’s criminal purpose.

Hernandez testified, and defendant admitted to Detective Stratton, that defendant initially waited outside while Joey entered his parents’ house. Defendant then entered the house after hearing the sounds of a fight between Joey and Juan. Defendant told Hernandez that he went inside the house to break up the fight between Joey and his father, but the facts belie his stated intent. When defendant entered the house, he saw Joey fighting with his father. Rather than come to Juan’s aid, defendant grabbed a curved metal bar and commenced beating Juan.

Joey’s actions, according to defendant’s statements to prosecution witnesses, indicated that Joey deliberated over his father’s killing. Joey initially struck Juan in the hallway and then, in the kitchen, obtained a knife that he used to stab Juan. In our view, Joey formed a clear intent to kill, at the latest, during the altercation with his father, and obtained a kitchen knife to carry out that plan. Our cases hold that planning activity occurring over a short period of time is sufficient to find premeditation. “ The true test is not the duration of time as much as it is the extent of the reflection.

Thoughts may follow each other with great rapidity and cold, calculated judgment may be arrived at quickly ....’” (Perez, supra, 2 Cal.4th at p. 1127, quoting People v. Thomas (1945) 25 Cal.2d 880, 900 [156 P.2d 7].) There was also ample evidence of motive. The evidence supports a strong inference that Joey entered his parents’ house to rob them. When his father resisted the robbery, Joey was motivated to murder him in order to gain access to both money and tangible goods, including a television set. Substantial evidence supports a finding that Joey believed Juan stood in the way of his plan.

Finally, the trial court could infer from the evidence that the manner of killing tended to demonstrate Joey acted with premeditation and deliberation. The attack occurred in a series of rooms, indicating that Juan’s repeated attempts to break away from his murderers were consistently thwarted by the attackers’ relentless pursuit of him, even after he was gravely wounded.

A rational finder of fact could infer that the manner of killing, when combined with Joey’s retrieval of the knife in the kitchen, and defendant’s retrieval of a metal bar used in clubbing a defenseless Juan, is sufficient to support the trier of fact’s implied finding that Joey formed the plan to kill his parents during the altercation, located the murder weapon, and along with defendant, deliberately murdered his father. (See Davis, supra, 10 Cal.4th at p. 511.) The same evidence supports the trial court’s finding that defendant shared Joey’s intent and plan to kill Juan, and thus was liable, as an aider and abettor, for Juan’s murder. (Beeman, supra, 35 Cal.3d at p. 560.) The killing of Juan ended after a prolonged knife attack and beating from which Juan attempted to defend himself.

Defendant’s personal involvement in the murder was substantial. Far from merely acting as a lookout, or beating Juan after he was already dead, defendant was actively involved in assisting Joey in Juan’s murder.

Defendant’s admitted act of arming himself with a curved metal bar before joining the altercation between Joey and Juan indicates he shared Joey’s plan. (Perez, supra, 2 Cal.4th at p. 1126 [evidence of planning activity shown by defendant’s act of surreptitiously entering victim’s house and obtaining knife from victim’s kitchen]; Wharton, supra, 53 Cal.3d at p. 547 [defendant’s act of retrieving hammer constituted planning activity].) From this evidence, the trier of fact could reasonably infer defendant knowingly engaged or assisted in Juan’s murder as an aider and abettor. (Beeman, supra, 35 Cal.3d at p. 556.) As to Juanita’s murder, defendant asserts the evidence similarly does not support the conviction.

He claims that he “did not personally kill Juanita [because] she was stabbed to death by Joey.” He asserts that there is “no evidence in the record that [he] held Juanita down, helped push her back to the sewing room, or had any contact with her while Joey was stabbing her.” He contends that there is no evidence to support the People’s theory that defendant aided Joey by hitting Juanita with a bar and that “[t]here is simply no evidence that [his] initial grabbing of Juanita actually aided, or even was intended to aid, Joey’s subsequent stabbing of his mother.” Finally, defendant asserts in his reply brief that his “efforts to tie and gag Juanita are altogether inconsistent with an intent to kill her.” Again, the evidence supports the court’s verdicts and refutes defendant’s contention.

Hernandez testified defendant told him that during the murder of Juan, Juanita screamed. Defendant grabbed Juanita and told Joey to “shut her up.” Joey then stabbed his mother 26 times. A bloodstained garment was wrapped around Juanita’s neck, and her wrists had been tied together with a piece of fabric. The pathologist (Holloway) opined that Juanita died of the stab wounds and that the ligature constriction of her neck was a possible contributing cause.

She also had severe scalp injuries that Holloway concluded were consistent with those inflicted by a long bar or pipe less than one-half inch in diameter, similar to the instrument used by defendant to inflict Juan’s scalp wounds. The trial court could reasonably infer from the evidence that Juanita was killed in order to keep her from being a percipient witness to the murder of her husband.

Thus, viewing the evidence in the light most favorable to the People, we conclude a “rational trier of fact” could have been persuaded “that the killing was the result of preexisting reflection and weighing of considerations rather than mere unconsidered or rash impulse.” (Perez, supra, 2 Cal.4th at p. 1125.) Defendant’s participation in Juanita’s murder, like his aiding and abetting in Juan’s killing, clearly supports a finding that defendant aided and abetted her murder. (Beeman, supra, 35 Cal.3d at p. 560.) Finally, defendant contends that the evidence showing he “waded into a fight” already in progress and struck the victim several ineffectual blows with an instrument found on the scene, proves no more than an unlawful killing.

When nothing further is shown, defendant claims, the presumption is that the evidence supports differing degrees of guilt, based on the same conduct. Thus, defendant asserts, he should have been convicted of murder in the second degree. (See People v. Woods (1992) 8 Cal.App.4th 1570, 1586-1587 [11 Cal.Rptr.2d 231]; see also People v. Wells (1938) 10 Cal.2d 610, 616-617 [76 P.2d 493].) We reject defendant’s

interpretation of the evidence. Far from “wading into a fight” and being ineffectual, we have shown how the evidence clearly reflects that defendant aided and abetted Joey in killing both Juan and Juanita. We thus conclude there was sufficient evidence to support the verdict finding defendant guilty of first degree murder. 3. Denial of Motions to Withdraw Defendant asserts that his right to the effective assistance of counsel under the federal and state Constitutions was violated when the trial court denied two motions to withdraw filed by defense counsel Toton and Frank.

The first motion was filed on the ground that defendant refused to follow their advice by speaking with newsman Trihey and discussing the Bocanegra murders. In denying the motion, the court asked defendant if he felt he could continue to work with counsel. The court told defendant: “You’ve got a little say in it. Whatever you’ve done, if it’s damaged your case, it’s damaged your case; if it hasn’t damaged your case, it hasn’t. What’s done is done.

And it really comes down to a question now and again whatever has been done, whatever has been said is going to be there whether you have these attorneys or another attorney or attorneys appointed to represent you.” The court then told defendant it would not relieve counsel from the case unless defendant told the court he no longer trusted them.

Defendant replied: “There is a little bit of mistrust there, but, you know, I’m willing to stay with them, but if they want out, you know, I won’t stop them.” The court thereafter denied the motion to withdraw, informing counsel that it had the “highest regard” for both attorneys, but whatever defendant had done “has happened and any attorney on the case is going to have to live with that.” Two months later, following an

article published in the Bakersfield Californian in which Trihey wrote that defendant told him he was “a triple killer” who “deserves to die for his crimes,” Frank filed a second motion to withdraw on the ground that his continued representation of defendant would require the proffering of perjured testimony, resulting in violations of the Rules of Professional Conduct. Toton joined the motion, and the court again denied it on the ground that trial was to begin shortly thereafter.

Defendant claims that the court’s failure to grant both motions was an abuse of discretion that led counsel to submit the guilt phase on the preliminary hearing transcripts and resulted in a complete breakdown in the attorney-client relationship. The determination whether to grant or deny a motion by an attorney to withdraw is within the sound discretion of the trial court and will be reversed on appeal only on a clear showing of abuse of discretion. (People v. McKenzie (1983) 34 Cal.3d 616, 629 [194 Cal.Rptr. 462, 668 P.2d 769]; People v.

Lucky (1988) 45 Cal.3d 259, 282 [247 Cal.Rptr. 1, 753 P.2d 1052].) We find no abuse of discretion on this record. As the People observe, implicit in the court’s denial of the motions is the finding that defendant’s discussion of his case with the media was not an indication of his distrust or dissatisfaction with counsel. Rather, the conduct was merely indicative of his unwavering desire to admit culpability and to atone for his crimes.

Indeed, allowing counsel to withdraw would not have alleviated any prejudice to defendant caused by his contact with the press, nor does the record indicate that denying the motion to withdraw influenced defendant’s desire to submit the guilt issue on the basis of the preliminary hearing transcripts. Even though counsel were dissatisfied with defendant’s failure to heed their advice and not discuss the case with the media, the record shows defendant’s right to counsel was not jeopardized by counsel’s continuing representation.

Thus, because defendant does not show that any disagreement with counsel resulted in a complete breakdown in the attorney-client relationship that jeopardized his right to a fair trial, we conclude the trial court did not abuse its discretion in denying counsels’ motions to withdraw. (See People v. Douglas (1990) 50 Cal.3d 468, 542 [268 Cal.Rptr. 126, 788 P.2d 640] (conc. opn. of Mosk, J.) [In reviewing denial of motion to substitute attorneys, the court “focuses on the ruling itself and the record on which it is made. It does not look to subsequent matters . . . .”].) 4.

Disciplinary Proceedings Against Cocounsel Toton a. Background On July 26, 1988, the last day of testimony in the guilt and special circumstances phase of trial, an

article titled Bakersfield Attorney Faces Disbarment appeared on the front page of the morning edition of the Bakersfield Californian. The

article noted that Toton, “attorney for triple killer Ted Sanchez,” faced potential disbarment for allegedly failing to (1) notify his clients of receipt of funds, (2) turn over funds in a timely manner, (3) provide an accounting of receipts, and (4) communicate with his clients. In addition, the

article observed that Toton was scheduled to appear before the California State Bar’s Review Department, which would thereafter make its disciplinary recommendation. Toton alone was aware of the proceedings prior to the article’s publication. The court met in chambers with Ryals, Toton, Frank, and defendant to discuss the article. Ryals requested the court “make inquiry as to [defendant], as to his knowledge of the problems Mr. Toton is facing, of whether or not we. are being rushed through this trial for Mr.

Toton’s benefit, if there is so much as a rush . . . .” After Frank agreed to discuss the disciplinary proceedings with defendant that evening, the court agreed to meet in camera with the defense the following morning. When Frank and defendant met with the court in camera the next morning, Frank indicated that he had met with defendant and learned that defendant had read the July 26 article, and that Frank had no knowledge of the disciplinary proceedings prior to reading the article.

The following colloquy then occurred: “The Court: One of the things that concerns me about this incident is the fact of the date of August 25th and the fact that a jury trial was waived in this case, and now we’re at that stage of the case where a [Penal Code section] 1118.1 is under submission. And I suppose somebody reviewing this case could say one of the reasons maybe that Mr. Toton suggested that the jury trial be waived was the fact that the trial could be completed prior to the time that the Californian suggests that there’s going to be some kind of a ruling in his case.

As—and clearly if we had had a jury, we would still have been going at that time, and I really seriously doubt whether we would have been in a position even to have begun to take evidence as of the 25th day of August. That situation worried me a little bit. “And I wonder if you have discussed this with your client. “Mr. Frank: Yes, your Honor. I advised [defendant] that the

article certainly did imply that Mr.

Toton’s motivation for pursuing the presentation of the case in the manner in which he has, at least indicated, that perhaps he did that because of his own personal problems, plans or agenda. “I advised [defendant] that he had the right to be represented by an attorney who was completely and absolutely free from any sort of conflict, that [defendant] had the right to have an attorney whose decision-making process was unfettered by any of his own personal plans or problems, and that he had the right to have an attorney whose representation and whose decision-making process was based not on any of the attorney’s considerations but on the best interests of [defendant], the client in this case.” The court then questioned defendant to verify that he had spoken to Frank about the disciplinary proceedings, that he had read the Bakersfield Californian article, and that he was unaware of any disciplinary action against Toton prior to the date of the article.

The court asked defendant if he believed the

article implied that “one reason Mr. Toton was pushing this case forward was because of his own personal time considerations.” Defendant replied: “Not really sir, because we had discussed—you know, this was part—I wanted to go this way in the beginning anyway.

So there was really—I never really felt that he was doing it for his own incidences [szc].” The court confirmed defendant’s earlier position that it was his idea alone to “waive the jury under any circumstances.” The court next asked defendant if he wanted to make a motion for mistrial “and for certain other motions in view of the publicity that this has gotten?” The following discussion ensued: “The Court: What I’m concerned [about] is that something will happen down the line and then you will say, gee, I didn’t know what I was doing; I should have asked for a mistrial at that point in time.

That would probably be too late, because I’m probably getting an indication that you want to waive any problems that Mr. Toton’s difficulties might have in this case. Is that right? “The Defendant: Yes. “The Court: I didn’t make that very clear. “The Defendant: Yeah. “The Court: What I’m saying is, I don’t want you to go down the line and then all of a sudden say, gee, I’ve changed my mind. “The Defendant: Yeah. “The Court: Probably you can’t do that. You understand that? “The Defendant: Yes, I understand that. “The Court: Are you satisfied with the state of the record at this point? “The Defendant: Yes sir.

I’m very satisfied. “The Court: Nobody threatened you to get you to say this? “The Defendant: No, sir ... . “The Court: Are you satisfied, sir, that Mr. Toton’s dilemma with the State Bar had nothing to do with the waiver of the jury trial? “Mr. Frank: I am, yes. “The Court: And are you, Mr. Sanchez? “The Defendant: I am too.” The parties agree Toton was not disbarred until March 31, 1989, well after defendant’s trial was completed. Against this background, we address below defendant’s several arguments regarding Toton’s disbarment and its effect, if any, on the fairness of defendant’s trial. b.

Federal Constitutional Claims Defendant first asserts that on learning of the pending disciplinary action against Toton, the court was required to “terminate” Toton’s appointment as defendant’s counsel. Defendant claims that the court’s failure to remove Toton as counsel denied him his right to the effective assistance of counsel under the Sixth Amendment, denied him due process under the Fourteenth Amendment, and deprived him of a reliable determination of penalty under the Eighth Amendment. We are not persuaded.

In order to establish a violation of the right to effective assistance of counsel, a defendant must show that counsel’s performance was inadequate when measured against the standard of a reasonably competent attorney, and that counsel ’ s performance prejudiced defendant’s case in such a manner that his representation “so undermined the proper functioning of the adversarial process that the trial cannot be relied on as having produced a just result.” (Strickland v.

Washington (1984) 466 U.S. 668, 686 [80 L.Ed.2d 674, 692-693, 104 S.Ct. 2052] [hereafter Strickland]; Wharton, supra, 53 Cal.3d at p. 575.) Moreover, “a court need not determine whether counsel’s performance was deficient before examining the prejudice suffered by the defendant as a result of the alleged deficiencies.” (Strickland, supra, 466 U.S. at p. 697 [80 L.Ed.2d at p. 699].) 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 Sixto (1989) 48 Cal.3d 1247, 1257 [259 Cal.Rptr. 491, 774 P.2d 164]; Strickland, supra, 466 U.S. at p. 694 [80 L.Ed.2d at pp. 697-698].) If defendant fails to show that he was prejudiced by counsel’s performance, we may reject his ineffective assistance claim without determining whether counsel’s performance was inadequate. (Strickland, supra, 466 U.S. at p. 697 [80 L.Ed.2d at pp. 699-700].) To support his federal constitutional argument, defendant relies on two Illinois cases, in which the appellate courts reversed sentences of minder in cases where the same defense attorney was subject to disciplinary proceedings during separate murder trials for the same crime. (People v.

Williams (1982) 93 Ill.2d 309 [67 Ill.Dec. 97, 444 N.E.2d 136] [hereafter Williams]; People v. Rainge (1983) 112 Ill.App.3d 396 [68 Ill.Dec. 97, 445 N.E.2d 535] [hereafter Rainge].) In Williams, a jury convicted the defendant of two counts of murder, kidnapping, and rape, and sentenced him to death. The Illinois Supreme Court affirmed defendant’s conviction and sentence, over his protest that he had been denied effective assistance of counsel.

While the defendant’s petition for rehearing on the appeal was pending, the defendant’s attorney appeared before the same court in a disciplinary action in which the Hearing Board and Review Board of the Illinois Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission recommended that the attorney be disbarred because of misconduct in handling the estate of a client.

The Illinois Supreme Court ordered the attorney disbarred. (In re Weston (1982) 92 Ill.2d 431 [65 Ill.Dec. 925, 442 N.E.2d 236].) Based on the information presented to it in the attorney disciplinary action, the Williams court granted the defendant’s petition for rehearing. After reconsidering the effectiveness of counsel in light of the disbarment, the court reversed the defendant’s conviction and sentence.

The court held that even though the evidence supported defendant’s conviction, in light of the disbarment it “no longer can say, with any degree of assurance, that [the defendant] received the effective assistance of counsel guaranteed by the Constitution.” (Williams, supra, 444 N.E.2d at p. 142.) In reversing the conviction, the Williams court cited numerous examples of inaction by counsel that it believed demonstrated ineffective assistance, including “the failure to make a motion to suppress the physical evidence seized from [defendant’s] car—evidence which was perhaps crucial to the State’s case; the failure to object to the testimony concerning the Canadian study on hair comparisons; the failure to object to prejudicial material received by [the defendant’s] jury . . . ; the failure to object to testimony concerning the good character of the decedents . . . (444 N.E.2d at pp. 142-143.) The court admitted that it had “originally examined” in the appeal “the more significant errors . . . and found no plain error.” (Id., at p.143.) But in light of counsel’s disbarment, the court reconsidered its original affirmance of the conviction.

The court stated: “[W]e are now aware, for the first time, of the unique circumstances under which counsel in this case was operating at the time of the capital trial.

In light of these facts, we can no longer characterize counsel’s decision not to make the motion to suppress . . . evidence or to take other action on his client’s behalf as professional misjudgments made with full knowledge of the applicable law and the facts. . . . [*]□ It is apparent to us that the unique facts in this case require that we forgo application of either of the established tests, normally applied in determining whether a defendant has been deprived of his constitutional right to the assistance of counsel. [Citations.] As we originally indicated, the voluminous record here shows that there were many instances where counsel made able and vigorous objections and presentations, and we cannot characterize his performance as actual incompetence or as of such a low caliber as to reduce the trial to a farce or sham.

We believe, however, considering the unique circumstances and sequence of events in this capital case, which will rarely, if ever, be duplicated, that the interests of justice require that . . . Williams be granted a new trial.” (Ibid.) Defendant Williams’s two codefendants, Rainge and Adams, were separately tried and also found guilty of the above murders and sentenced to life imprisonment. (Rainge, supra, 445 N.E.2d 535.) Defendant Rainge was represented by the same attorney who had represented Williams.

The Illinois Court of Appeal held in abeyance its decision in the Rainge case pending the decision in Williams, supra, 444 N.E.2d 136, because “numerous issues raised in the supreme court by Williams, were common issues based upon the same record which were raised in the instant appeal by Rainge and Adams.” (Rainge, supra, 445 N.E.2d at p. 544.) Thereafter, the Rainge court reversed Rainge’s murder convictions because “the similar interests of Williams and Rainge and the similar issue raised on the same record require that defendant Rainge be granted a new trial.

As in [Williams], we base our decision upon ‘the unique circumstances and sequence of events in this capital case which will rarely, if ever, be duplicated.’ ” (Rainge, supra, 445 N.E.2d at p. 547, quoting Williams, supra, 444 N.E.2d at p. 142; but see People v.

Neal (1984) 123 Ill.App.3d 148 [78 Ill.Dec. 695, 462 N.E.2d 814, 816] [distinguishing Williams and Rainge and finding same counsel not incompetent in noncapital case].) Defendant asserts that we should follow the Williams and Rainge courts and find that on the “unique facts” of this case, the State Bar proceedings against Toton tainted his representation of defendant and compromised the constitutionality of the conviction and sentence.

But unlike Williams, who had asserted “numerous instances of inaction by counsel to demonstrate he was denied the effective assistance of counsel” (Williams, supra, 444 N.E.2d at p. 142), defendant points to no “instances of inaction” that, in light of the pending discipline, would allow the court to characterize Toton’s representation as incompetent. Indeed, the record is clear that defendant agreed to the guilt phase submission on the basis of the preliminary hearing transcripts even though factual issues remained in the case.

Although the Williams court had found “no plain error” prior to learning of the disciplinary action pending against counsel, once the court became aware of the disciplinary matter, it lost confidence that counsel’s “decision not to make the motion to suppress [certain evidence] or to take other action on his client’s behalf as professional misjudgments made with full knowledge of the applicable law and the facts.” (Id., at p. 143.) By contrast, defendant herein does not assert that Toton’s pending discipline prejudiced his case. The record would not support such an argument.

Toton vigorously cross-examined prosecution witnesses at the preliminary hearing and during the guilt phase, made several defense motions, including one for appointed assistant counsel, which was granted, and motions for pretrial discovery, severance and additional motions that indicated he was vigorously representing his client. In addition, Toton made a comprehensive closing argument at the guilt phase.

Thus, there is no indication on the record that counsel’s representation was anything less than competent, and defendant fails to persuade us that counsel’s representation was ineffective solely on the basis of the disciplinary action pending against him. c. State Constitutional Claim Defendant next asserts that even if we find no federal constitutional violation, he was denied his right to effective assistance of counsel under

article I,

section 15 of the California Constitution which states that a “defendant in a criminal case has the right ... to have the assistance of counsel for the defendant’s defense. . . .” Defendant relies on our decision in In re Johnson (1992) 1 Cal.4th 689 [4 Cal.Rptr.2d 170, 822 P.2d 1317] (hereafter Johnson) to support his argument that Toton was unfit to represent him during his capital trial. In Johnson, the defendant was convicted in July 1989 of selling cocaine in violation of Health and Safety Code

section 11352. (Johnson, supra, 1 Cal.4th at p. 694.) Unknown to the defendant, his counsel had been suspended from the practice of law prior to the representation pursuant to Business and Professions Code

section 6102, following a conviction under Penal Code

section 288, subdivision (a) (committing a lewd or lascivious act against a child using force or fear). In May 1989, while State Bar disciplinary proceedings were pending against counsel, he resigned. We accepted the resignation in September 1989. (Johnson, supra, 1 Cal.4th at p. 694.) Although we refused to “presume that a suspended attorney lacks professional competence” (1 Cal.4th at p. 699), we nonetheless reversed the Court of Appeal judgment denying habeas corpus relief.

We held that representation by one who has resigned from the State Bar denies effective counsel, and observed: “Representation by a person who has never been admitted to the practice of law or has fraudulently procured admission denies a defendant his rights under

article I,

section 15, as a matter of law. So too does representation by a person who, although formerly licensed, has resigned from the State Bar. The court will not examine the quality of the representation in such cases since an essential element of the constitutional right to counsel is counsel’s status as a member of the State Bar.” (Id., at p. 701, fn. omitted.) Thus, we held, once an attorney resigns from the State Bar with charges pending, and is immediately transferred to inactive status, that attorney, for all purposes, is no longer considered a member of the bar and is not licensed to practice law. Such an attorney’s representation of a defendant, therefore, violates

article I,

section 15, and denies the defendant effective assistance of counsel. (1 Cal.4th at p. 701.) In reversing Johnson’s conviction on ineffective assistance grounds, however, we emphasized that mere suspension of an attorney from practice under Business and Professions Code

section 6102 upon conviction of any felony or other offense involving moral turpitude does not alone create a presumption of incompetence or deprive the defendant of his right to counsel under

article I,

section 15. (Johnson, supra, 1 Cal.4th at p. 699.) Indeed, we observed that even a suspension of an attorney pursuant to

section 6102 does not establish, as a matter of law, that the attorney is unfit to practice law, and “a conclusion that an attorney who has committed an offense of moral turpitude is unfit to practice law is not necessarily a judgment on the attorney’s professional competence.” (Johnson, supra, 1 Cal.4th at p. 699.) We have not previously addressed whether, as in this case, disciplinary proceedings that are pending during an attorney’s representation of a criminal defendant render the assistance of counsel ineffective when there is no suspension of the attorney or placement on inactive status.

But under Johnson’s reasoning, we can conclude that the fact disciplinary proceedings were pending against counsel Toton did not automatically render Toton’s performance inadequate or prejudice defendant’s right to effective counsel. (See also Strickland, supra, 466 U.S. at p. 696 [80 L.Ed.2d at p. 699].) As the People observe, “While representing [defendant], defense counsel Toton was not even subject to suspension under Business and Professions Code

section 6102 because he had not been convicted of any crime.

In an attempt to establish the denial of his right to counsel, [defendant] equates defense counsel Toton’s alleged failure to challenge the State Bar proceedings with the attorney’s resignation from the State Bar in Johnson.” In fact, unlike the attorney in Johnson, Toton was a member of the State Bar at all times during his representation of defendant. “ ‘Erring morally or by a breach of professional ethics does not necessarily indicate a lack of knowledge of the law.’ ” (Johnson, supra, 1 Cal.4th at p. 699.) We simply are not persuaded that Toton’s unrelated disciplinary problems in any way influenced his representation of defendant or otherwise rendered him unfit as a matter of law. (See Johnson, supra, 1 Cal.4th at pp. 699-702.) d.

Alleged Conflict of Interest Defendant’s claim that Toton’s disciplinary proceedings rendered him incompetent “‘is no more persuasive if considered under the rubric of conflict of interest. A criminal defendant’s right to effective assistance of counsel, guaranteed by both the state and federal Constitutions, includes the right to representation free from conflicts of interest. (Wood v. Georgia (1981) 450 U.S. 261, 271 [67 L.Ed.2d 220, 230, 101 S.Ct. 1097]; People v.

Jones (1991) 53 Cal.3d 1115, 1134 [282 Cal.Rptr. 465, 811 P.2d 757].) To establish a violation of the right to unconflicted counsel under the federal Constitution, ‘a defendant who raised no objection at trial must demonstrate that an actual conflict of interest adversely affected his lawyer’s performance.’ [Citation.] To establish a violation of the same right under our state Constitution, a defendant need only show that the record supports an ‘informed speculation’ that counsel’s representation of the defendant was adversely affected by the claimed conflict of interest.’ ” (People v.

Kirkpatrick (1994) 7 Cal.4th 988, 1009 [30 Cal.Rptr.2d 818, 874 P.2d 248].) In People v. Jones (1991) 53 Cal.3d 1115 [282 Cal.Rptr. 465, 811 P.2d 757] (hereafter Jones) we also observed that “[conflicts of interest may arise in various factual settings. Broadly, they ‘embrace all situations in which an attorney’s loyalty to, or efforts on behalf of, a client are threatened by his responsibilities to another client or a third person or by his own interests.’ ” (Id., at p. 1134, quoting People v.

Bonin (1989) 47 Cal.3d 808, 853 [254 Cal.Rptr. 298, 765 P.2d 460] [hereafter Bonin].) Defendant contends that the alleged conflict of interest between himself and Toton was caused by Toton’s “own interest” in expediting the trial prior to his disbarment, to the defendant’s prejudice. Defendant asserts that the fact of the pending disciplinary action gave Toton a strong incentive to finish defendant’s case as quickly as possible, implying that Toton’s desire to end the case led to a constitutionally deficient performance. Based on the appellate record, we are not persuaded by defendant’s arguments.

As we have observed, the record shows that Toton was not disbarred until eight months after the court and defendant learned of the proceedings against him, and one month after completion of the penalty phase of defendant’s trial. There is no indication that the disciplinary proceedings influenced the pace of Toton’s representation, and, indeed, there is substantial evidence on record that would support the opposite conclusion.

First and foremost, it was Toton who advised defendant not to plead guilty and instead to submit the guilt and special circumstance issues on the basis of the preliminary hearing transcripts. This alternative to a guilty plea allowed counsel to contest the People’s case, present various defense motions to the court, and generally make a stronger case for defendant than would have been available following a guilty plea. Thus, counsel Toton actually prolonged the trial notwithstanding defendant’s desire to proceed directly to the penalty phase.

Moreover, even if we were to perceive either an actual conflict of interest, as required by federal law, or to conclude the record supports an “informed speculation” of a conflict as required under our state Constitution, defendant intentionally and knowingly waived any conflict on the record. {Ante, at pp. 38-39.) In addition, defense counsel Frank informed the court he was satisfied that Toton’s pending discipline “had nothing to do with the waiver of the jury trial.” At a later in camera hearing attended by defense counsel Frank, defendant admitted that, in partially submitting his case, it was his desire to waive jury trial “under any circumstances,” that he had had a “lengthy discussion” regarding his rights with defense counsel Frank, and that he wanted to maintain the status quo.

The fact that defendant did not discuss Toton’s pending discipline with him does not assist defendant’s conflict claim. Here, defendant asserts that his “discussion with Frank could not substitute for a discussion with Toton. By his own admission, Frank knew nothing about his cocounsel’s impending [discipline] until the news appeared on the front page of the Bakersfield newspaper .... Toton hid this important fact from his own assistant counsel until the news became public. Nothing in the record indicates that Frank knew any more about the [discipline] than did the readers of the Bakersfield Californian.

Frank simply was not able to speak for Toton in discussing the impact of the [disciplinary proceedings] on the future conduct of the defense [nor was] Frank in [a] position to discuss with [defendant] how the [disciplinary] proceedings already might have affected Toton’s guilt phase strategy.” Defendant fails to show, however, how Toton’s assurances or perspective would have assisted him in determining whether he wanted to waive the conflict, or how Toton would have provided him with a better explanation than that given by the court about the potential drawbacks of Toton’s continued representation.

Defendant next asserts that the trial court failed in its duty to ensure that he knowingly and intelligently waived any conflict with counsel. “When a trial court knows or should know that defense counsel has a possible conflict of interest with his client, it must inquire into the matter [citations] and act in response to what its inquiry discovers [citation].” (Jones, supra, 53 Cal.3d at p. 1136.) If the court determines that a waiver of a conflict is necessary, it must satisfy itself that ‘“(1) the defendant has discussed the potential drawbacks of [potentially conflicted] representation with his attorney, or if he wishes, outside counsel, (2) that he has been made aware of the dangers and possible consequences of [such] representation in his case, (3) that he knows of his right to conflict-free representation, and (4) that he voluntarily wishes to waive that right.’ ” (Bonin, supra, 47 Cal.3d at p. 837, quoting People v.

Mroczko (1983) 35 Cal.3d 86, 110 [197 Cal.Rptr. 52, 672 P.2d 835].) A trial court’s failure to inquire into the conflict or to adequately respond to its inquiry amounts to reversible error if the defendant can show “that an actual conflict of interest existed and that that conflict adversely affected counsel’s performance.” (Bonin, supra, 47 Cal.3d at pp. 837-838; cf.

Strickland, supra, 466 U.S. at p. 692 [80 L.Ed.2d at pp. 696-697].) Defendant asserts that the trial court “never asked [defendant] in clear, unambiguous language whether he was willing to waive his right to unimpaired counsel.” He also complains of the court’s failure to “determine whether [Toton’s] alleged misuse of client funds might indicate that Toton had financial difficulties which might affect his work or handling of funds in [defendant’s] case, [nor did the court] ask Toton about the timetable of state bar proceedings [or ask] how the bar proceeding might affect, or might have affected, Toton’s conduct of [defendant’s] case.” In deciding whether a defendant understands the nature of a possible conflict of interest with counsel, the trial court need not explore each foreseeable conflict and consequence. (Jones, supra, 53 Cal.3d at p. 1137.) Nor does a defendant’s waiver of conflict-free counsel extend merely to matters discussed on the record. (Ibid.) As we observed in Maxwell v.

Superior Court (1982) 30 Cal.3d 606, 621 [180 Cal.Rptr. 177, 639 P.2d 248, 18 A.L.R.4th 333], “[r]ules that are that strict seem neither necessary nor workable.” (See also People v. Clark (1992) 3 Cal.4th 41, 140 [10 Cal.Rptr.2d 554, 833 P.2d 561] [waiver found adequate even though all conceivable ramifications of conflict not explained].) Thus, looking at the whole record, we must determine whether defendant was aware of the potential drawbacks and possible consequences of retaining Toton, and whether he understood his right to conflict-free counsel and knowingly waived that right.

It is clear that the record belies defendant’s argument. The court’s response to the asserted conflict of interest was appropriate under the circumstances; it was immediate and informed petitioner of his rights under the facts. As the record indicates, the court discussed the conflict with the parties, was careful to ensure defendant was aware that a conflict existed, and confirmed that his waiver of the conflict was voluntary and knowing. (Ante, at pp. 37-40.) Defendant even declined the court’s invitation to make a motion for mistrial, emphasizing that he was satisfied with the state of the record.

Thus, in light of all the circumstances, we conclude the court gave defendant an opportunity to declare a mistrial, to relieve counsel, and to voice his objections on the record. In our view, the trial court conducted an adequate inquiry into the conflict, and we are satisfied that defendant’s waiver was knowing and voluntary. (See Jones, supra, 53 Cal.3d at pp. 1137-1138.) 5. Reporter Immunity Under the California Shield Law a. Background As observed in the statement of facts (ante, at p. 21), following his arrest, defendant was interviewed by Michael Trihey, a reporter for the Bakersfield Californian.

The newspaper published an

article based on Trihey’s five interviews with defendant. The article, entitled Accused Asks for Own Death, System Says No, was published on April 25, 1988. The

article observed that “Ted Sanchez says he’s a murderer, a triple murderer,” and that all three victims “were killed for their social security checks.” The

article also revealed defendant’s feelings of guilt: “I am not an innocent man. If a man feels guilty he should be allowed to plead guilty,” and revealed that he wanted to die in the gas chamber: “I want to do the right thing. I should go straight to the gas chamber. I don’t need no appeals. I deserve to die.” In addition, the

article noted that defendant reenacted the crimes for Trihey by “raising one arm, covered with the tattoos he got in prison, to show

[…]