People v. Edmond CA2/7
B333724
Cal. Ct. App.Jul 23, 2025Background
- Michael Edmond, a youth sports coach, was convicted by a jury in Los Angeles County of three counts of committing a lewd act on a child under 14.
- The victims, three girls aged between 9 and 12 during the abuse, spent significant time at Edmond’s home during summer 2019.
- The allegations surfaced after two girls confided in a parent, prompting police investigation, forensic interviews, and medical examinations.
- At trial, the prosecution presented testimony and forensic evidence; Edmond denied sexual abuse but admitted to some inappropriate behavior (e.g., watching pornography when children were present).
- The jury convicted Edmond on three counts related to the three main victims and acquitted him on other counts; he was sentenced to 15 years to life on each count (concurrent).
Issues
| Issue | Plaintiff's Argument | Defendant's Argument | Held |
|---|---|---|---|
| Admission of genital photographs | Photos document physical condition, corroborate crime | Photos prejudicial, not probative | Admission was error but harmless; conviction affirmed |
| Failure to instruct jury on CSAAS (expert evidence) | Expert testimony aids jury on victim credibility | Jury should be instructed limiting expert testimony | No sua sponte duty to give CALCRIM No. 1193; not reversible |
| Sufficiency of the evidence | Victim testimony sufficient to sustain conviction | Testimony was improbable; insufficient evidence | Substantial evidence supports convictions |
| Calculation of custody credits | None specifically argued | Credits were miscalculated; should be increased | Credits modified; sentence otherwise affirmed |
Key Cases Cited
- People v. Watson, 46 Cal.2d 818 (Cal. 1956) (sets the standard for harmless error review under state law)
- People v. Martinez, 11 Cal.4th 434 (Cal. 1995) (touching for lewd act determined by intent, not body part touched)
- People v. Young, 34 Cal.4th 1149 (Cal. 2005) (testimony of a single witness sufficient to support conviction)
- People v. Shockley, 58 Cal.4th 400 (Cal. 2013) (section 288 covers any touching if done with sexual intent)
- People v. Mendez, 7 Cal.5th 680 (Cal. 2019) (reviewing courts cannot reweigh witness credibility or resolve conflicts in evidence)