California, United States of America
The following excerpt is from People v. Zumot, H037652 (Cal. App. 2013):
The cases cited by defendant are inapposite. In each case, the incorrect definition of malice was specifically given in conjunction with a murder charge, not in association with a separate offense that required the jury to find the defendant acted maliciously. (See People v. Shade (1986) 185 Cal.App.3d 711, 714 [defendant charged with murder only]; People v. Price (1965) 63 Cal.2d 370, 374 [defendant charged with murder, robbery, and auto theft]; People v. Chavez (1951) 37 Cal.2d 656, 666-667 [defendant charged with murder only].)
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In sum, we find no instructional error concerning the term malice.
Defendant contends the trial court committed several errors at the sentencing hearing. Defendant contends the trial court should have (1) held a Marsden hearing (People v. Marsden (1970) 2 Cal.3d 118) when he indicated he wanted to replace his retained attorneys, (2) ruled on his motion for a new trial, and (3) replaced retained counsel with appointed counsel or granted a continuance so he could retain a new attorney.
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