CALCRIM No. 220 properly instructed the jury concerning the burden of proof. Appellant was arrested for the murder of his mother. He told arresting officers that he did something terrible and wanted to die, and made further statements in the police car. Later, following Miranda The court properly rejected appellant’s requested special instruction regarding his confession. Appellant also argued that the trial court erred when it refused to instruct the jury with appellant’s requested special jury instruction that the jury had to determine whether appellant’s confession was a product of coercion. The appellate court rejected the argument, finding that CALCRIM No. 358 adequately advised the jury to consider the circumstances surrounding the confession. Further the record showed no evidence of undue pressure amounting to coercion.
Case Summaries