Opinion
Appellant Harry R. Palmer appeals the judgment following his conviction for continuous sexual abuse and misdemeanor molestation of his grandsons. After review, we reverse and remand for resentencing and affirm in all other respects.
Factual and Procedural Background
In accord with the usual rules of appellate review, we state the facts in the light most favorable to the judgment.
(People
v.
Ochoa
(1993)
In December 1999, an information was filed against appellant. It alleged appellant had committed misdemeanor child molestation of A between October 1, 1996, and November 30, 1997 (count 2) and between October 1, 1996, and September 30, 1997 (count 3) (Pen. Code, § 647.6, subd. (a)). 1 The information also alleged appellant had continuously sexually abused B and C between January 1, 1994, and December 31, 1997, while the boys were younger than 14 years old and during a time when appellant either lived with, or had recurring access to, them (§ 288.5, subd. (a)) (counts 4 and 5). Finally, the information specially alleged as to both B and C that appellant had “substantial sexual conduct” with them while they were younger than 14 years old (§ 1203.066, subd. (a)(8)), his offenses against them involved multiple victims (§ 667.61, subds. (c)(7), (e)(5)), and the crimes involved more than one victim at the same time (§ 1203.066, subd. (a)(7)).
*443 Appellant pleaded not guilty and denied the allegations. He was tried by a jury, which convicted him on all counts and found true the special allegations. The court sentenced appellant to state prison for 17 years to life, consisting of a base term of 15 years to life for continuous sexual abuse of B (count 4) and a concurrent 15-year-to-life term for continuous sexual abuse of C (count 5). In addition, the court imposed two 1-year consecutive terms for appellant’s misdemeanor molestation of A (counts 2 and 3). This appeal followed.
Discussion
1. No Prosecutorial Misconduct *
2. Remand for Resentencing
California’s “One Strike” law requires a sentence of 15 years to life for a person convicted of certain enumerated sexual offenses under particular aggravating circumstances. (§ 667.61, subd. (b).) The prosecutor urged the One Strike law applied to appellant. The court agreed and sentenced appellant to 15 years to life for his continuous sexual abuse (§ 288.5) of B and imposed a current 5 term of 15 years to life for his continuous sexual abuse of C. Appellant contends the court erred because he was not convicted of an enumerated offense. We agree.
The One Strike law does not include continuous sexual abuse (§ 288.5) among its enumerated offenses. (§ 667.61, subd. (c).) Respondent contends the One Strike law nevertheless applies because it includes among its enumerated offenses violation of section 288 6 for lewd and lascivious acts against a child under age 14. Respondent notes that one way (although we note it is not the only way) of violating section 288.5 is by engaging in three or more “acts of lewd or lascivious conduct under section 288.” (See § 288.5.) Respondent thus argues the jury “implicitly . . . found appellant guilty of a violation of section 288” when it convicted him of violating section 288.5. (Italics added.)
*444 Respondent’s effort to refashion appellant’s conviction fails because it ignores that three or more acts of lewd or lascivious conduct is not the only way of engaging in continuous sexual abuse. Continuous sexual abuse also occurs from three or more acts of “substantial sexual conduct.” (§ 288.5, subd. (a).) Substantial sexual conduct is not the same as lewd or lascivious conduct. For example, one can engage in substantial sexual conduct by masturbating in a child’s presence. (§ 1203.066, subd. (b).) To be lewd and lascivious conduct, however, the masturbator must touch the child’s clothing or skin (§ 288). Thus, it does not necessarily follow that a conviction for continuous sexual abuse means the jury found appellant engaged in lewd or lascivious conduct. Indeed, the verdict forms contained special findings of “substantial sexual conduct” as to both B and C, but no special finding as to “lewd or lascivious conduct.” The jury’s verdict thus compels a conclusion exactly opposite of that urged by respondent—in convicting appellant of continuous sexual abuse, the jury convicted him under the “substantial sexual conduct” prong, instead of the “lewd or lascivious” prong.
Changing tack somewhat (following our request for supplemental briefing on the issue), respondent alternatively argues the jury was instructed it must specially find whether appellant “committed in violation of Penal Code section 288, subdivision (a), lewd acts upon a child under the age of 14 against more than one victim . . . .” The jury thereafter found appellant had abused multiple victims, although it made no finding of violating section 288 or of lewd and lascivious conduct—and, indeed, was never instructed on the elements of section 288. Based on the multiple victims finding, respondent renews its argument that the jury implicitly convicted appellant of violating section 288, thus triggering the One Strike law.
Respondent’s alternative approach fails for several reasons. First, it ignores that sentence enhancements are not offenses and a true finding as to an enhancement is not a conviction of a substantive crime. (See
People
v.
Morris
(1988)
Second, respondent ignores that the jury was never instructed on the elements of section 288. It violates fundamental notions of due process to deem a defendant convicted of an offense on which the jury was never instructed.
(United States v. Gaudin
(1995)
But in the end—and this applies to both theories urged by respondent—respondent’s efforts to turn a conviction of continuous sexual abuse (§ 288.5) into a conviction for lewd and lascivious conduct (§ 288) must ultimately fail because respondent ignores the One Strike law’s plain language. The One Strike law includes lewd and lascivious conduct among its enumerated offenses; it does not include continuous sexual abuse in that category. (See § 667.61, subd. (c).) Appellant was charged and convicted of violating section 288.5; he was not charged or convicted with violating section 288. Sections 288 and 288.5 are not, as respondent urges, interchangeable statutes. The Legislature enacted section 288.5 to deal with the particular evidentiary problems associated with child molesters who live with or have easy access to their victims. Under such living arrangements, the victim often cannot recall the number and dates of specific instances of molestation. The victim’s hazy memory may create problems for the prosecution. (See, e.g.,
People
v.
Johnson
(1995)
3. Evidence of Uncharged Sexual Misconduct *
Disposition
The matter is reversed and remanded for resentencing without application of the One Strike law. (§ 667.61.) After resentencing, the clerk of the superior court shall prepare and send to the Department of Corrections a corrected abstract of judgment. In all other respects, the judgment is affirmed.
Turner, P. J., and Grignon, J., concurred.
Appellant’s petition for review by the Supreme Court was denied April 18, 2001.
Notes
All further statutory references are to the Penal Code unless indicated otherwise.
See footnote, ante, page 440.
Respondent contends a concurrent sentence for the continuous abuse of C was error because the One Strike law requires consecutive sentences when there are multiple victims during a single occasion. (§ 667.61, subd. (g).) Because we find the One Strike law does not apply, respondent’s contention is moot.
Section 288, subdivision (a) provides, “Any person who willfully and lewdly commits any lewd or lascivious act [upon] ... a child who is under the age of 14 years, with the intent of arousing, appealing to, or gratifying the lust, passions, or sexual desires of that person or the child, is guilty of a felony . . . .”
See footnote, ante, page 440.