ÿWPC: /¨ê³(ä¸6‰Ÿ¾U  ¿jgB/C7\¡Z&Õ‡.‹¿Ø4œŸ°£YoÂåF¶+D¦FÅö²ž¼_-JÜr¹UBËÑáÐÚääA°AÏC‰.ž¯k‘ál®¸P°ª6°1í)n¯³8ðÿ6½%™uƒ)w¼øòÔo¶2zzèÚÞáäáÊ‹2dÙæ“úwž+»·ÿÍŸš˜¤õ‘ëÖ í6>ênØ7óÉ’Uú‚ži FèÑ`1á¤<ê} ñÊkoÚ¯3¥~¡kÃ$ïÃàl}Óæ% a}-ÒZÎdÎ× ?»3öŻˋ\äç:¶ñú›Ø qyسE, ~¼"âÚyÊøË-Qáœu“0ØÀ+ÿ‘WzZ¬†‚O…ÙÆH¹Q;h°]Ôç º 3 FùÖRÉòçóØu²™ÔŽC]ê†x™þÚztó+DHÓùº:j'ò/ ¼ÔÂë© C[¡b8‚áY­t2½c¶AM>Èæ2ßÙƒJt|"§Áe¶‹ð×ôUÜ^}k²ZÈ!ûû &Ôwc"®QÉSø ÄÜõ}\:’­ÀðÔÒåì3þǬ´ëíXI"%-ß]->ÂÀL}„W#!ÂU/Nã %1 0(7U._UN^ Ûw@ç4' ´; ï þ m N ; 1T b… 0 0l½ 0D) !m AŽUNÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏ B˜HP LaserJet 4ÈÈ,,,,ÈÈ0(ÈhH  Z6Times New Roman RegularX($¡¡<þ6X9`(Courier(ÎáA Z‹6Times New Roman Regular<¸:3‰ 9:;<E=>E?@CDDéŒ(3@Þ0Èp…è  pauperis€APPRENDI€ARRESTEEKapadiaBresnickCasconeBenitezAguilar AOBApprendiAlmendarezunwarnedQuarlesMobleyVeilleuxF.Supp B.R.Ill.ApparresteeCarrilloarguendo3|xDÿU‹ÿÀÀÀ 1Ñ#€Xÿÿd#ÑØØ 'Ñ € ÑÙ  ÙØØ- ù- &Ô_ÔÒ°ÒÒ°ÒÓ  ÓÔ‡Šö‹XXÔ2.à0 ` àð ðCTðð€refers€to€the€clerkððs€transcript€which€was€before€the€Court€ofÐ ° ÐAppeal.€€ð ðRTðð€refers€to€the€reporterððs€transcript€which€was€before€theÏCourt€of€Appeal.((3üÝ$¤¤Ý ƒ!ÝÝ  Ýà  àòòÚ  Ú0Ú  Úóó(#Ã$òòÚ  Ú0Ú  Úóó Ô_ÔÒ°ÒÒ°ÒÔ€Šö‹XXÔÓ  Ó1.à0 ` àPetitionerððs€counsel€has€contacted€Mr.€Blackððs€attorney€and€beenÐ ° Ðinformed€that€Mr.€Black€will€be€filing€a€petition€for€writ€of€certiorariÏin€this€court. 7Ô_ÔÒ°ÒÒ°ÒÔ€Šö‹XXÔÓ  Ó1.à0 ` àPetitionerððs€counsel€has€Ô_ÔcontacdedÔ_Ô€Mr.€Blackððs€attorney€and€beenÐ ° Ðinformed€that€Mr.€Black€will€be€filing€a€petition€for€writ€of€certiorariÏin€this€court.(ÈhH  Z6Times New Roman Regular dÝ ƒ!ÝÝ  ÝÔ_ÔÔ‡X6 XXXÔÒ°ÒÒ°ÒÑ€u»ÑÌÔ#†XUdXXX6 +#ÔÔ‡XÑ/XXXUdÔÔ‡Šåž‹XXÑ/ÔÌà@^^ìàNO.€______________________ˆÌÌà@‰‰'ìàIN€THEˆÌÌà@o o ìàSUPREME€COURT€OF€THE€UNITED€STATESˆÌÌà@ìì*ìàˆÌà@ìàòò€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€óóˆÐ x È  ÐÌà@èèìàRICHARD€DIAZ,€Petitioner,ˆÌÌà@EE)ìàVS.ˆÌÌà@XXìàCALIFORNIA,€RESPONDENTˆÌÌà@‹‹ìàòò€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€óóˆÐ xÈ ÐÌà@Ô Ô ìàON€PETITION€FOR€WRIT€OF€CERTIORARIˆÌà@Ë Ë ìàTO€THE€CALIFORNIA€COURT€OF€APPEALˆÌà@!!ìàSIXTH€APPELLATE€DISTRICTˆÌà@HHìàòò€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€óóˆÐ xÈ ÐÌà@ ìàMOTION€FOR€LEAVE€TO€PROCEEDˆÌà@¹¹"ìàIN€FORMA€PAUPERISˆÌà@  ìàòò€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€óóˆÐ xÈ ÐÌÌÓ  ÓSIXTH€DISTRICT€APPELLATE€PROGRAMÌÌEDWARD€DALLAS€SACHERÌAssistant€Director€ÌState€Bar€#100175Ì100€N.€Winchester€Blvd.,€Suite€310ÌSanta€Clara,€CA€95050Ì(408)€241„6171ÌÌCounsel€of€Record€for€Petitioner,ÌRICHARD€DIAZÌÓWÓÌÐ x-È() ÐÑu»Ñâ âÑ8€UdXXdìXXdì8ÑØØâ âÑ  ÑÑu»Ñâ âÑ8€5XXdìXXdì8ÑØØâ âÑ  ÑÑu»Ñâ âÑ8€URXXdìXXdì8ÑØØâ âÑ  ÑÓ  Óà ` àTO€THE€HONORABLE€CHIEF€JUSTICE€OF€THE€SUPREMEÐ ° ÐCOURT€OF€THE€UNITED€STATES€AND€TO€THE€HONORABLEÏASSOCIATE€JUSTICES€OF€THE€COURT:ÌÌÓÓà ` àPursuant€to€Rule€39€of€the€Rules€of€the€Supreme€Court€of€the€UnitedÏStates,€petitioner,€Richard€Diaz,€respectfully€requests€leave€to€file€a€petitionÏfor€writ€of€certiorari€in€forma€pauperis.€€In€making€this€application,€Ô#†Šö‹‹Šª›#ÔÔ#†XURX‹Šöº#ÔÔ‡Šö‹XXURÔpetitionerÔ#†XURX‹ŠöÊ#ÔÔ‡X5XXXURÔÔ‡Šª‹XX5ÔÐ °  Ðnotes€that€he€has€proceeded€in€forma€pauperis€in€state€court€and€has€beenÏrepresented€by€appointed€counsel€in€both€the€California€Court€of€Appeal€andÏthe€California€Supreme€Court.€€These€facts€are€memorialized€in€the€attachedÏdeclaration€of€counsel.Ìà ` àThe€Ô#†Šö‹‹Šª#ÔÔ#†XURX‹Šö5#ÔÔ‡Šö‹XXURÔpetitionerÔ#†XURX‹Šö¹ #ÔÔ‡X5XXXURÔÔ‡Šª‹XX5Ôððs€declaration€in€support€of€this€motion€is€attached€hereto.Ð ° ÐDated:€September€__,€2005Ìà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àRespectfully€submitted,ÌÌÓÓà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àEDWARD€DALLAS€SACHERÌà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àAttorney€for€Ô#†Šö‹‹Šª #ÔÔ#†XURX‹Šö$ #ÔÔ‡Šö‹XXURÔPetitionerÔ#†XURX‹Šöø #ÔÔ‡X5XXXURÔÔ‡Šª‹XX5Ô,Ð ° Ðà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àRICHARD€DIAZÌÐ  °! Ðà@« « ìàòòDECLARATION€OF€EDWARD€DALLAS€SACHERóóˆÐ ° ÐÌÓÓà ` àI€am€an€attorney€licensed€to€practice€in€California.€€I€am€a€member€ofÏthe€bar€of€this€court.€€I€am€the€attorney€of€record€for€Ô#†Šö‹‹ŠªD #ÔÔ#†XURX‹Šöc #ÔÔ‡Šö‹XXURÔpetitionerÔ#†XURX‹Šö+#ÔÔ‡X5XXXURÔÔ‡Šª‹XX5Ô€Richard€Diaz.Ð ° Ðà ` àThe€facts€stated€in€this€declaration€are€within€my€personal€and€firsthandÏknowledge.€€If€called€as€a€witness€in€this€action,€I€could€and€would€testifyÏcompetently€under€oath€to€the€following€facts.Ìà ` àAt€present,€Ô#†Šö‹‹Šªw#ÔÔ#†XURX‹Šö–#ÔÔ‡Šö‹XXURÔpetitionerÔ#†XURX‹Šö#ÔÔ‡X5XXXURÔÔ‡Šª‹XX5Ô€is€incarcerated€in€the€California€state€penitentiaryÐ °  Ðat€Lancaster.€€Petitioner€has€been€in€custody€since€2002.Ìà ` àOn€June€25,€2003,€Ô#†Šö‹‹ŠªT#ÔÔ#†XURX‹Šös#ÔÔ‡Šö‹XXURÔpetitionerÔ#†XURX‹Šöz#ÔÔ‡X5XXXURÔÔ‡Šª‹XX5Ô€filed€a€notice€of€appeal.€€On€March€2,Ð ° Ð2004,€I€was€appointed€by€the€California€Court€of€Appeal€to€representÏÔ#†Šö‹‹ŠªÆ#ÔÔ#†XURX‹Šöå#ÔÔ‡Šö‹XXURÔpetitionerÔ#†XURX‹ŠöË#ÔÔ‡X5XXXURÔÔ‡Šª‹XX5Ô€.€€I€have€remained€Ô#†Šö‹‹Šª#ÔÔ#†XURX‹Šö6#ÔÔ‡Šö‹XXURÔpetitionerÔ#†XURX‹Šö¯#ÔÔ‡Šö‹XXURÔÔ‡Šª‹‹ŠöÔððs€counsel€of€record€to€this€time.€Ð ° ÐPetitioner€has€proceeded€in€forma€pauperis€in€state€court.Ìà ` àI€declare€under€penalty€of€perjury€under€the€laws€of€the€United€StatesÏof€America€that€the€foregoing€is€true€and€correct.Ìà ` àExecuted€this€___€day€of€September,€2005,€at€Santa€Clara,€California.Ìà ` àÓÓà ¸ àà  àà h àà À à________________________________Ìà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àEDWARD€DALLAS€SACHERÌÌÐ  °%!! ÐÔ#†Šö‹‹Šª#ÔÔ#†XURX‹Šöû#ÔÔ‡XVfXXXURÔÑ  ÑÑ€¼ÑÌÔ#†XURXXXVf£#ÔÔ‡X5XXXURÔÔ‡Šª‹XX5ÔÌà@^^ìàNO.€______________________ˆÌÌà@‰‰'ìàIN€THEˆÌÌà@o o ìàSUPREME€COURT€OF€THE€UNITED€STATESˆÌÌà@ìì*ìàˆÌà@ìàòò€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€óóˆÐ x È  ÐÌà@èèìàRICHARD€DIAZ,€Petitioner,ˆÌÌà@EE)ìàVS.ˆÌÌà@XXìàCALIFORNIA,€RESPONDENTˆÌÌà@‹‹ìàòò€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€óóˆÐ xÈ ÐÌà@Ô Ô ìàON€PETITION€FOR€WRIT€OF€CERTIORARIˆÌà@Ë Ë ìàTO€THE€CALIFORNIA€COURT€OF€APPEALˆÌà@!!ìàSIXTH€APPELLATE€DISTRICTˆÌà@HHìàòò€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€óóˆÐ xÈ ÐÌà@ ìàPETITION€FOR€WRIT€OF€CERTIORARIˆÌà@ìì*ìàˆÌà@  ìàòò€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€óóˆÐ xÈ ÐÌÌÓ  ÓSIXTH€DISTRICT€APPELLATE€PROGRAMÌÌEDWARD€DALLAS€SACHERÌAssistant€Director€ÌState€Bar€#100175Ì100€N.€Winchester€Blvd.,€Suite€310ÌSanta€Clara,€CA€95050Ì(408)€241„6171ÌÌCounsel€of€Record€for€Petitioner,ÌRICHARD€DIAZÌÓ³ÓÔ#†Šö‹‹Šª#ÔÔ#†XURX‹Šö##ÔÌÐ d-´() ÐѼÑâ âÑ€ÑÙÙØØâ âÑ  ÑÔ€Šö‹XXURÔà@Ž Ž ìàòòQUESTION€PRESENTED€FOR€REVIEWóóˆÐ ° ÐÌà8 ` àDID€THE€CALIFORNIA€SUPREME€COURT€ERR€INÏòòPEOPLE€V.€BLACK,óó€35€Cal.4th€1238€(2005)€WHEN€IT€HELDÐ ° ÐTHAT€THE€CALIFORNIA€SENTENCING€SCHEME€ISÏSUFFICIENTLY€DISTINGUISHABLE€FROM€THEÏSCHEME€USED€IN€WASHINGTON€STATE€SUCH€THATÏTHE€RULE€OF€òòÔ_ÔBLAKELYÔ_Ô€V.€WASHINGTONóó€542€U.S.€296,Ð °  Ð159€Ô_ÔL.E.Ô_Ô€2d€403€(2004)€DOES€NOT€APPLY€INÏCALIFORNIA?ò òòòñ@ñ׃×ñ@ññ@ñ׃×ñ@ñÝ ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú1Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×óóó óÐ ° ` x` x Ðà@OO#ìàòòóóØØÙÙà@@OO#ìàòòOPINIONS€BELOWóóˆÐ ° ÐÌÓÓà ` àThe€unreported€opinion€of€the€California€Court€of€Appeal,€SixthÏAppellate€District,€affirming€the€judgment€on€appeal€appears€as€Appendix€A.€ÏThe€unreported€order€of€the€California€Court€of€Appeal€denying€a€petition€forÏrehearing€appears€as€Appendix€B.€€The€unreported€order€of€the€CaliforniaÏSupreme€Court€denying€a€petition€for€review€appears€as€Appendix€C.Ìà@Ð Ð ìàòòJURISDICTIONAL€STATEMENTóóˆÐ °  Ðà ` àThe€judgment€of€the€California€Court€of€Appeal,€Sixth€AppellateÏDistrict,€was€entered€on€April€21,€2005.€€A€timely€petition€for€review€wasÏdenied€on€June€29,€2005.€The€jurisdiction€of€this€court€is€invoked€pursuant€toÏ28€U.S.C.€section€1257(a).Ìà@I I ìàòòCONSTITUTIONAL€PROVISIONS€INVOLVEDóóˆÐ ° Ðà ` àFifth€Amendment€to€the€United€States€Constitution:ÌÓÓà8 ` àà ¸ àð ðNo€person€shall€be€held€to€answer€for€a€capital,€orÏotherwise€infamous€crime,€unless€on€a€presentment€orÏindictment€of€a€Grand€Jury,€except€in€cases€arising€in€the€landÏor€naval€forces,€or€in€the€Militia,€when€in€actual€service€in€timeÏof€War€or€public€danger;€nor€shall€any€person€be€subject€for€theÏsame€offence€to€be€twice€put€in€jeopardy€of€life€or€limb;€norÏshall€be€compelled€in€any€criminal€case€to€be€a€witness€againstÏhimself,€nor€be€deprived€of€life,€liberty,€or€property,€without€dueÏprocess€of€law;€nor€shall€private€property€be€taken€for€publicÏuse,€without€just€compensation.ððÐ ` x` x ÐÌà ` àSixth€Amendment€to€the€United€States€Constitution:ÌÌà8 ` àà ¸ àð ðIn€all€criminal€prosecutions,€the€accused€shall€enjoy€theÐ °+'' Ðright€to€a€speedy€and€public€trial,€by€an€impartial€jury€of€theÏState€and€district€wherein€the€crime€shall€have€been€committed,Ïwhich€district€shall€have€been€previously€ascertained€by€law,Ïand€to€be€informed€of€the€nature€and€cause€of€the€accusation;€toÏbe€confronted€with€the€witnesses€against€him;€€have€compulsoryÏprocess€for€obtaining€witnesses€in€his€favor,€and€to€have€theÏAssistance€of€Counsel€for€his€Ô_ÔdefenceÔ_Ô.ððÐ ` x` x ÐÌÓÓà ` àSection€1€of€the€Fourteenth€Amendment€to€the€United€StatesÏConstitution:ÌÓÓà8 ` àà ¸ àð ðAll€persons€born€or€naturalized€in€the€United€States,€andÏsubject€to€the€jurisdiction€thereof,€are€citizens€of€the€UnitedÏStates€and€of€the€State€wherein€they€reside.€€No€State€shall€makeÏor€enforce€any€law€which€shall€abridge€the€privileges€orÏimmunities€of€citizens€of€the€United€States;€nor€shall€any€StateÏdeprive€any€person€of€life,€liberty,€or€property,€without€dueÏprocess€of€law;€nor€deny€to€any€person€within€its€jurisdiction€theÏequal€protection€of€the€laws.ððÐ ` x` x ÐÌà@—— ìàòòSTATEMENT€OF€THE€CASEˆÐ ° ÐÌà@¢¢"ìàPROCEDURAL€FACTSóóˆÐ ° ÐÓÓÓÓÌÓ3+Óà ` àOn€November€18,€2002,€petitioner€was€charged€in€an€amendedÏinformation€filed€in€the€Superior€Court€for€Monterey€County.€€(CT€93„96.)ò òòò׃×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú2Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×óóó ó€Ð ° ÐIn€count€1,€petitioner€was€charged€with€second€degree€robbery€(Penal€CodeÏsection€211).€€(CT€93.)€€In€count€2,€petitioner€was€charged€with€grand€theftÏfrom€the€person€(Penal€Code€section€487,€subd.€(c)).€€(CT€94.)€€In€count€3,Ð °%!! Ðpetitioner€was€charged€with€using€a€badge€to€falsely€impersonate€a€policeÏofficer€(Penal€Code€section€538d,€subdivision€(b)(2)).€€(CT€95.)€€It€was€alsoÏalleged€that€petitioner€had€previously€suffered€three€prior€serious€felonyÏconvictions€within€the€meaning€of€Penal€Code€section€1170.12.€€(CT€94.)€ÏFinally,€it€was€alleged€that€petitioner€had€suffered€a€prior€serious€felonyÏconviction€within€the€meaning€of€Penal€Code€section€667,€subd.€(a).€€(CT€94„¼95.)€€Ìà ` àOn€December€2,€2002,€a€jury€trial€commenced.€€(CT€104.)€€On€theÏgovernmentððs€motion,€count€2€was€dismissed.€€(CT€105.)Ìà ` àOn€December€9,€2002,€the€jury€returned€a€guilty€verdict€on€count€3Ï(Penal€Code€section€538d,€subdivision€(b)(2)).€€(CT€119.)€€A€mistrial€wasÏdeclared€as€to€count€1€(Penal€Code€section€211)€since€the€jury€wasÏdeadlocked.€€(CT€119.)Ìà ` àOn€April€7,€2003,€a€second€jury€trial€commenced.€€(CT€139.)€€On€AprilÏ10,€2003,€the€jury€returned€a€guilty€verdict€on€the€robbery€count.€€(CT€147.)€ÏAfter€petitioner€waived€his€right€to€a€jury€trial€on€the€prior€convictionÏallegations,€the€court€returned€true€findings€regarding€the€three€Penal€CodeÏsection€1170.12€prior€convictions€and€the€Penal€Code€section€667,€subdivisionÏ(a)€prior€conviction.€€(CT€147.)Ìà ` àOn€June€20,€2003,€petitioner€filed€a€motion€pursuant€to€òòPeople€v.Ð °*&& ÐSuperior€Court€(Romeroóó),€13€Cal.4th€497€(1996)€and€asked€the€court€toÐ ° Ðdismiss€his€three€strike€priors.€€(CT€179„188.)€€On€June€23,€2003,€theÏgovernment€filed€an€opposition€to€the€motion.€€(CT€189„198.)Ìà ` àOn€June€25,€2003,€the€sentencing€hearing€was€held.€€(CT€199.)€€TheÏcourt€dismissed€two€of€petitionerððs€three€strike€priors.€€(CT€200.)€€The€courtÏimposed€a€sentence€of€15€years€which€included€a€10€year€term€for€the€robberyÏconviction€and€5€years€for€the€Penal€Code€section€667,€subdivision€(a)Ïenhancement.€€(CT€203.)€€A€concurrent€one€year€jail€term€was€imposed€for€theÏPenal€Code€section€538d,€subdivision€(b)(2)€conviction.€€(CT€203.)Ô‡Šª‹‹ŠöÔÐ ° ÐÔ#†Šö‹‹ŠªN5#ÔÔ‡Šª‹‹ŠöÔòòà ` àóóOn€his€direct€appeal€to€the€California€Court€of€Appeal,€Sixth€AppellateÐ ° ÐDistrict,€petitioner€contended€òòinter€alia€óóthat€the€ten€year€sentence€for€hisÐ ° Ðrobbery€conviction€was€imposed€in€violation€of€the€rule€of€òòÔ_ÔBlakelyÔ_Ô€v.Ð ° ÐWashington,€óó542€U.S.€296,€159€L.E.2d€403.€€(Ô_ÔASOBÔ_Ô€1„6.)€€In€its€opinion,€theÐ ° ÐCourt€of€Appeal€rejected€this€contention€on€its€merits.€€(Appendix€A,€pp.€23„¼26.)Ìà ` àSubsequently,€petitioner€filed€a€timely€petition€for€review€in€theÏCalifornia€Supreme€Court.€€The€òòÔ_ÔBlakelyÔ_Ôóó€claim€was€raised.€€(Petition€forÐ °$  ÐReview,€pp.€2,€27„30.)€€On€June€29,€2005,€the€California€Supreme€CourtÏsummarily€denied€the€petition€with€a€citation€to€òòPeople€v.€Black,€óó35€Cal.4thÐ °($$ Ð1238.€€(Appendix€C.)Ð °*&& ЇòòÔ#†Šö‹‹Šª¥5#ÔÓ  ÓSTATEMENT€OF€FACTSóóÐ ° ÐÓ»9Óà ` àArthur€Peralta€offered€three€distinct€versions€of€the€alleged€robbery€inÏthis€case.€€The€versions€were€as€follows.Ìà ` àAt€trial,€Mr.€Peralta€testified€that€he€traveled€to€the€Ô_ÔLððAmourÔ_Ô€adultÏbookstore€at€approximately€10€p.m.€on€the€evening€of€September€3,€2002.€Ï(RT€267„268.)€€Mr.€Peralta€planned€to€visit€with€his€friend,€Alfonso€Reyes,Ïwho€worked€at€the€store.€€(RT€267„268.)€€Mr.€Peralta€intended€to€set€up€anÏappointment€to€have€Mr.€Reyes€cut€his€hair.€€(RT€509„510.)€€However,€Mr.ÏPeralta€did€not€go€inside€Ô_ÔLððAmourÔ_Ô€since€he€realized€that€Mr.€Reyes€had€got€offÏwork€at€5€p.m.€€(RT€268,€509„510.)Ìà ` àAfter€abandoning€his€visit€to€Ô_ÔLððAmourÔ_Ô,€Mr.€Peralta€drove€to€LongððsÏDrugstore€in€order€to€buy€some€napkins.€€(RT€268.)€When€he€saw€that€LongððsÏwas€closed,€Mr.€Peralta€parked€on€the€street.€€(RT€269.)Ìà ` àAt€that€point,€a€car€populated€with€two€women€drove€up€to€Mr.€Peralta.€Ï(RT€269„270.)€€The€woman€in€the€passengerððs€seat€asked€Mr.€Peralta€if€heÏwanted€to€have€sex.€€(RT€271„272.)òòò òó óóó€€Although€he€was€not€interested€in€havingÐ °" Ðsex,€Mr.€Peralta€agreed€to€follow€the€women.€€(RT€272,€512.)Ìà ` àThe€two€vehicles€traveled€to€a€school€where€they€parked€on€the€street.€Ï(RT€273.)€€At€the€school,€four€women€alighted€from€the€car.€€(RT€273.)€€AÏblond€woman€approached€Mr.€Peraltaððs€vehicle€and€asked€him€if€he€had€anyÐ °*&& Ðmoney.€€(RT€274.)òòò òó óóó€€After€Mr.€Peralta€said€that€he€had€money,€he€followed€theÐ ° Ðblond€woman€to€the€back€of€the€building.€€(RT€274„277.)€€As€he€did€so,€theÏother€three€women€drove€away.€€(RT€276.)Ìà ` àWhen€Mr.€Peralta€arrived€at€the€back€of€the€school,€he€saw€petitionerÏand€a€second€man.€€(RT€277.)€€Petitioner€displayed€a€ð ðpolicemanððs€badgeðð€andÏsaid€ð ðIððm€a€policeman.€€I€want€your€ID.ðð€€(RT€279.)€€When€Mr.€Peralta€tookÏout€his€wallet,€petitioner€seized€it.€€(RT€280.)€€When€Mr.€Peralta€attempted€toÏretrieve€his€wallet,€petitioner€hit€him€on€the€head€with€a€ð ðhard€object.ðð€€(RTÏ280.)€€Presumably,€the€ð ðobjectðð€was€a€flashlight€which€Mr.€Peralta€saw€inÏpetitionerððs€hands.€€(RT€280„281.)Ìà ` àDuring€the€confrontation,€the€blond€woman€shot€Mr.€Peralta€with€a€stunÏgun.€€(RT€282.)€€When€Mr.€Peralta€fell€to€the€ground,€the€three€assailants€fled.€Ï(RT€282.)€€During€the€fight,€Mr.€Peralta€lost€his€dentures.€€(RT€288.)Ìà ` àAs€petitioner€ran,€he€dropped€a€knife€and€Mr.€Peraltaððs€wallet.€€(RTÏ284.)€€Mr.€Peralta€picked€up€the€knife€and€petitioner€seized€the€wallet.€€(RTÏ285„286.)€€Petitioner€tossed€the€wallet€to€the€blond€woman€who€was€on€theÏother€side€of€a€fence.€€(RT€286.)€€The€three€assailants€then€left€the€scene.€€(RTÏ287„288.)Ìà ` àMr.€Peralta€went€to€his€vehicle€and€drove€to€Ô_ÔAlisalÔ_Ô€Street€to€obtain€help.€Ï(RT€289.)€€On€Ô_ÔAlisalÔ_Ô€Street,€Mr.€Peralta€flagged€down€Officer€James€Godwin.€Ð °*&& Ð(RT€290,€528.)Ìà ` àOfficer€Godwin€testified€that€Mr.€Peralta€was€suffering€from€a€scrapedÏright€knee€and€a€bump€on€his€head.€€(RT€530.)€€Officer€Godwin€accompaniedÏMr.€Peralta€to€the€school€where€they€found€Mr.€Peraltaððs€dentures€and€ATMÏcard€on€the€ground.€€(RT€541„542.)Ìà ` àOfficer€Godwin€issued€a€be„on„the„lookout€bulletin€(Ô_ÔBOLÔ_Ô)€for€theÏrobber€described€by€Mr.€Peralta.€€(RT€531.)€€Mr.€Peralta€described€hisÏassailant€as€being€ð ða€Hispanic€male,€30's€to€40's€with€a€thick€mustache,Ïwearing€a€black€or€gray€long„sleeved€shirt€and€blue€jeans.ðð€€(RT€531.)Ìà ` àMr.€Peralta€told€Officer€Godwin€a€story€which€was€distinctly€differentÏfrom€the€one€which€he€offered€at€trial.€€In€his€version€to€Officer€Godwin,€Mr.ÏPeralta€made€no€mention€of€going€to€Ô_ÔLððAmourÔ_Ô€or€Longððs.€€(RT€568„569.)€ÏRather,€Mr.€Peralta€indicated€that€he€had€been€driving€on€Wood€Street€whenÏa€woman€flagged€him€down.€€(RT€565.)€€After€Mr.€Peralta€stopped,€threeÏwomen€came€up€to€his€window.€€(RT€565„566.)€€While€he€was€still€sittingÏinside€his€vehicle,€Mr.€Peralta€was€approached€by€petitioner.€€(RT€566.)€€WhenÏpetitioner€displayed€his€badge€and€asked€for€Mr.€Peraltaððs€ID,€Mr.€Peralta€tookÏout€his€wallet€and€petitioner€grabbed€it.€€(RT€566.)€€Petitioner€ran€into€theÏschoolyard€and€Mr.€Peralta€pursued€him.€€(RT€569.)€€In€reciting€this€version,ÏMr.€Peralta€inconsistently€indicated€that€he€seized€a€knife€from€petitionerððsÐ °*&& Ðwaistband€and€petitioner€hit€him€over€the€head€with€the€knife.€€(RT€566„567.)Ìà ` àWhen€he€was€subsequently€interviewed€on€November€5,€2002€byÏDistrict€Attorney€Investigator€William€Jenkins,€Mr.€Peralta€offered€yet€a€thirdÏversion€of€the€events.€€(RT€762.)€€In€this€version,€Mr.€Peralta€indicated€that€heÏhad€gone€to€Ô_ÔLððAmourÔ_Ô€where€he€met€four€women.€€(RT€763.)€€He€thenÏfollowed€the€women€to€Sherwood€School.€€(RT€764„765.)€€From€that€pointÏforward,€Mr.€Peraltaððs€story€to€Mr.€Jenkins€matched€that€which€he€told€at€trial.€Ï(RT€765„766.)Ìà ` àWhile€Officer€Godwin€was€debriefing€Mr.€Peralta,€Officer€ErnestoÏSanchez€saw€petitioner€walking€on€South€Wood€Street.€€(RT€584.)€€OfficerÏSanchez€believed€that€petitioner€matched€the€description€of€the€Ô_ÔBOLÔ_Ô€sent€byÏOfficer€Godwin.€€(RT€584.)òòò òó óóó€€Petitioner€entered€the€Western€Sky€Lodge€Motel.€Ð ° Ð(RT€586.)€€Petitioner€was€wearing€a€security€officerððs€badge€around€his€neck.€Ï(RT€588.)€€When€Officer€Sanchez€told€him€that€another€officer€wanted€toÏspeak€to€him,€petitioner€agreed€to€go€outside.€€(RT€587.)€€The€two€men€walkedÏtoward€the€corner€of€East€Ô_ÔAlisalÔ_Ô€Street€and€South€Wood€Street.€€(RT€587.)€€AsÏthey€walked,€petitioner€moved€his€badge€under€his€sweatshirt.€€(RT€588„589.)€Ï€When€the€duo€arrived€at€the€corner,€they€were€joined€by€Officer€Vance.€€(RTÏ610.)€€€Ìà ` àWhile€the€men€were€waiting€at€the€corner,€Officer€Sanchez€askedÐ °*&& Ðpetitioner€why€he€was€sweating.€€(RT€590.)€€Petitioner€indicated€that€he€hadÏjust€walked€from€his€girlfriendððs€house€in€South€Salinas.€€(RT€591.)Ìà ` àOfficer€Godwin€brought€Mr.€Peralta€to€the€corner€where€petitioner€wasÏstanding.€€(RT€534„535.)€€Mr.€Peralta€identified€petitioner€as€ð ðthe€man€whoÏtook€my€money.ðð€€(RT€535.)€€After€the€identification€was€made,€OfficerÏGodwin€told€Officer€Vance€to€arrest€petitioner.€€(RT€536.)Ìà ` àWhile€Officer€Vance€was€placing€petitioner€under€arrest,€petitioner€saidÏð ðI€only€have€my€wallet.ðð€€(RT€613„614.)€€Prior€to€petitionerððs€comment,€no€oneÏhad€mentioned€the€fact€that€a€wallet€had€been€stolen.€€(RT€614.)€€When€he€wasÏplaced€in€the€patrol€car,€petitioner€admitted€that€he€had€witnessed€the€robberyÏand€that€ð ðit€was€Freddy€Moreno,€.€.€.€his€brother€and€a€blond€girl€that€did€theÏrobbery.ðð€€(RT€614.)Ìà ` àWhen€petitioner€arrived€at€the€police€station,€he€waived€his€òòMirandaóóÐ ° Ðrights.€€(RT€544„545.)€€Initially,€petitioner€told€Officer€Godwin€that€he€hadÏð ðseen€the€robbery,€and€that€Freddy€Moreno,€his€brother€Juan,€and€a€blond€girlÏhad€committed€it.ðð€€(RT€545.)€€Petitioner€said€that€he€was€in€the€vicinity€of€theÏschool€since€he€works€at€Western€Sky€Lodge€which€is€100€feet€away€from€theÏschool.€€(RT€546.)Ìà ` àPetitioner€stated€that€he€had€been€working€at€the€motel€for€eightÏmonths.€€(RT€546„547.)€€For€the€first€three€months€of€this€period,€petitionerÐ °*&& Ðsaid€that€he,€ð ðFreddy€Moreno,€and€his€brother€Juan€would€ððjack€jags.ðððð€(RTÏ547.)€€ð ðJagsðð€are€Hispanics.€€(RT€547.)€€The€methodology€for€ð ðððjacking€jagsððððÏwas€that€two€men€ð ðwould€work€together€with€a€girl,€and€they€would€offerÏsomeone€a€date€or€a€soda.ðð€€(RT€547„548.)€€Once€the€victim€was€enticed€by€theÏgirl,€petitioner€ð ðwould€use€a€badge€so€as€not€to€use€force€to€take€the€property.ðð€Ï(RT€548.)Ìà ` àUpon€further€questioning,€petitioner€admitted€that€he€had€struck€Mr.ÏPeralta.€€(RT€550.)€€Petitioner€said€that€he€saw€Mr.€Peralta€behind€the€schoolÏwith€petitionerððs€retarded€18€year€old€daughter.€€(RT€550.)€€When€Mr.€PeraltaÏreached€for€his€daughter€with€a€wallet€in€one€hand€and€money€in€another,Ïpetitioner€ran€up€and€struck€him€with€a€flashlight.€€(RT€550.)€During€theÏassault,€petitionerððs€knife€fell€out€of€his€pocket.€€(RT€551„552.)òòò òó óóó€€While€runningÐ ° Ðaway,€petitioner€may€have€thrown€Mr.€Peraltaððs€wallet.€€(RT€552,€555.)Ìà ` àAs€the€interrogation€continued,€petitioner€offered€a€slightly€differentÏstory.€€Petitioner€said€that€he€saw€Mr.€Peralta€and€his€daughter€drive€up€andÏwalk€behind€the€school.€€(RT€555.)€€Believing€that€Mr.€Peralta€was€going€toÏsolicit€his€daughter€for€prostitution,€petitioner€flashed€his€badge€at€him.€€(RTÏ556.)€€Then,€petitioner€became€upset€and€struck€Mr.€Peralta.€€(RT€557.)Ìà ` àPetitioner€advised€Officer€Godwin€that€his€daughterððs€name€is€VictoriaÏÔ_ÔSandovalÔ_Ô.€€(RT€557.)€€He€indicated€that€Victoria€lived€with€him€at€6€SouthÐ °*&& ÐWood,€number€2€and€that€her€mother€lived€at€4€South€Wood€Street.€€(RT€557.)Ìà ` àOfficer€Godwin€went€to€petitionerððs€residence€and€knocked€on€theÏdoor.€€(RT€559.)€€When€no€one€answered,€Officer€Godwin€went€into€theÏbackyard€and€looked€through€a€window.€€(RT€559„560.)€€Officer€Godwin€sawÏa€stun€gun€lying€on€a€bed.€€(RT€560.)€€Officer€Godwin€did€not€return€with€aÏsearch€warrant€to€seize€the€gun.€€(RT€577„578.)Ìà ` àOfficer€Godwin€spoke€to€Victoria€Ô_ÔSandovalÔ_Ô€at€her€motherððs€apartment.Ï(RT€561.)€€When€he€was€given€an€opportunity€to€view€Ms.€Ô_ÔSandovalÔ_Ô,€Mr.ÏPeralta€was€ð ðunsureðð€as€to€whether€she€was€the€woman€who€had€participatedÏin€the€incident.€€(RT€564„565.)òòò òó óóóÐ ° Ðà@ÔÔ"ìàòòThe€Defense€CaseóóˆÐ ° Ðà ` àThe€defense€presented€the€prior€testimony€of€District€AttorneyÏInvestigator€William€Jenkins.€€(See€p.€8,€òòsupraóó.)€€During€his€closing€argument,Ð ° Ðdefense€counsel€presented€a€two€prong€theory.Ìà ` àFirst,€counsel€contended€that€the€jury€should€disregard€Mr.€PeraltaððsÏtestimony€since€it€included€numerous€inconsistencies€regarding€what€he€hadÏbeen€doing€prior€to€the€incident€and€the€manner€in€which€the€theft€occurred.€Ï(RT€786„798.)€€Second,€counsel€argued€that€petitioner€had€told€the€truth€whenÏhe€said€that€he€struck€Mr.€Peralta€ð ðbecause€he€was€angry€at€[him]€for€hisÏconduct€toward€his€daughter.ðð€€(RT€799.)€€Thus,€counsel€asked€the€jury€toÐ °*&& Ðreturn€guilty€verdicts€on€the€lesser€offenses€of€assault€and€theft.€€(RT€799.)Ô‡Šª‹‹ŠöÔÐ ° ÐÔ#†Šö‹‹Šª¹d#ÔÔ‡Šª‹‹ŠöÔÓ  ÓI.Ð ° ÐÓÓÓ  Óà8 ` àTHIS€COURT€SHOULD€GRANT€REVIEW€SINCE€THEÏCALIFORNIA€SUPREME€COURT€ERRED€BY€FAILING€TOÏAPPLY€THIS€COURTððS€DECISION€IN€òòÔ_ÔBLAKELYÔ_Ô.а ` x` x ÐÌóóÓÓà0 ` àPetitioner€was€sentenced€under€Californiaððs€determinate€sentencing€law€Ð° ` Ð ` Ð  Ð(Ô_ÔDSLÔ_Ô).€€Under€Ô_ÔDSLÔ_Ô,€the€trial€court€has€the€authority€to€impose€a€specifiedÏsentence€for€either€the€lower,€middle€or€upper€term.€€Penal€Code€section€1170,Ïsubdivision€(b).€€However,€the€middle€term€is€the€presumptive€sentence€absentÏevidence€which€supports€the€upper€term.€€In€this€regard,€Penal€Code€sectionÏ1170,€subdivision€(b)€provides€in€material€part:ÌÓÓà8 ` àà ¸ àð ðWhen€a€judgment€of€imprisonment€is€to€be€imposed€andÏthe€statute€specifies€three€possible€terms,€the€court€òòshall€orderÐ ° Ðóóimposition€of€the€middle€term,€unless€there€are€circumstances€inÐ ° Ðaggravation€or€mitigation€of€the€crime.ðð€€(Emphasis€added.)Ð ` x` x ÐÌÓÓà ` àIn€determining€which€of€the€three€terms€is€to€be€imposed,€the€trial€courtÏis€to€be€guided€by€numerous€sentencing€factors€which€are€specified€in€variousÏrules€of€court.€€California€Rules€of€Court,€rules€4.401„4.480.€€These€rulesÏspecify€both€factors€in€aggravation€and€mitigation.€€California€Rules€of€Court,Ïrules€4.421€and€4.423.Ìà ` àIn€the€case€at€bar,€petitioner€was€convicted€of€second€degree€robbery.€ÏPursuant€to€Penal€Code€section€213,€subdivision€(a)(2),€the€usual€sentencingÏrange€for€robbery€is€2,€3€or€5€years.€€However,€petitioner€was€sentenced€underÐ °+'' Ðthe€Three€Strikes€Law€(Penal€Code€section€1170.12)€as€a€second€strikeÏoffender€since€he€had€a€qualifying€prior€serious€felony€conviction.€€Thus,€theÏapplicable€sentencing€range€was€doubled€to€4,€6€or€10€years.€€See€Penal€CodeÏsection€1170.12,€subdivision€(c)(1).Ìà ` àThe€trial€court€elected€to€impose€the€upper€term€of€10€years.€€InÏselecting€the€upper€term,€the€court€cited€five€factors€in€aggravation:€(1)Ïpetitioner€used€great€violence;€(2)€the€crime€was€sophisticated€andÏprofessional€in€nature;€(3)€petitioner€has€engaged€in€a€pattern€of€violence;€(4)€Ïpetitioner€has€ð ðnumerousðð€prior€convictions;€and€(5)€petitioner€has€previouslyÏbeen€on€probation€and€parole.€€(RT€1008.)Ìà ` àIn€the€California€courts,€petitioner€contended€that€the€trial€court€hadÏerred€in€relying€on€the€cited€factors€since€the€jury€had€not€been€asked€to€passÏon€the€factors.€€In€addition,€petitioner€argued€that€the€trial€court€had€erredÏsince€it€employed€the€preponderance€of€the€evidence€standard€rather€than€theÏstandard€of€proof€beyond€a€reasonable€doubt.€€California€Rules€of€Court,€ruleÏ4.420(b)€(ð ð[Ô_Ôc]icumstancesÔ_Ô€Ô#†Šö‹‹Šªe#Ôin€aggravation€and€mitigation€shall€be€establishedÐ °" Ðby€a€preponderance€of€the€Ô_Ôevidence.ððñCñ].ñCñ)ñDñ.ñDñÔ_Ô€€Without€doubt,€petitionerððs€argumentÏis€well€taken€under€this€courtððs€precedent.Ìà ` àIn€òòApprendi€v.€New€Jersey,€óó530€U.S.€466€(2000),€this€court€held€that€aÐ °($$ Ðdefendant€has€a€federal€constitutional€right€to€a€jury€trial€and€application€of€theÐ °*&& Ðproof€beyond€a€reasonable€doubt€standard€as€to€ð ðany€fact€that€increases€theÏpenalty€for€a€crime€beyond€the€prescribed€statutory€maximum€.€.€.€.ðð€€òòIdóó.€atÐ ° Ð490.€€The€sole€exception€to€the€òòApprendióó€rule€is€that€ð ðthe€fact€of€a€priorÐ ° Ðconvictionðð€need€not€be€tried€by€a€jury.€€òòIbid.Ð °  Ðà ` àóóIn€òòÔ_ÔBlakelyÔ_Ô€v.€Washingtonóó,€159€L.E.2d€403,€this€court€clarified€that€theÐ °  Ðð ðrelevant€ððstatutory€maximumðð€is€not€the€maximum€sentence€a€judge€mayÏimpose€after€finding€additional€facts,€but€the€maximum€he€may€imposeÏòòwithoutóó€any€additional€findings.ðð€€òòIdóó.€at€413„414,€emphasis€in€original.€€GivenÐ ° Ðthis€principle,€there€is€no€doubt€that€the€California€sentencing€scheme€requiresÏa€jury€trial€and€application€of€the€proof€beyond€a€reasonable€doubt€standardÏbefore€an€upper€term€sentence€may€be€imposed.Ìà ` àAs€was€noted€above,€Penal€Code€section€1170,€subdivision€(b)€providesÏthat€the€middle€term€ð ðshallðð€be€imposed€ð ðunless€there€are€circumstances€inÏaggravation€.€.€.€.ðð€€Thus,€as€a€matter€of€definition,€the€statute€requiresÏð ðadditional€findingsðð€in€order€to€justify€imposition€of€the€upper€term.€€òòÔ_ÔBlakelyÔ_Ôóó,Ð °  Ð159€L.E.2d€at€413„414.Ìà ` àRecently,€the€California€Supreme€Court€held€to€the€contrary€in€òòPeopleÐ °$  Ðv.€Black,óó€35€Cal.4th€1238.€€At€the€outset€of€its€analysis,€the€courtÐ °&"" Ðacknowledged€that€the€ð ðmandatory€language€of€section€1170,€subdivision€(b)ððÏprovided€ð ðsome€supportðð€for€the€claim€that€Californiaððs€scheme€falls€withinÐ °*&& Ðthe€òòÔ_ÔBlakelyÔ_Ôóó€rule.€€òòId.óó€at€1254.€€Nonetheless,€the€court€reasoned€that€òòÔ_ÔBlakelyÔ_Ôóó€didÐ ° Ðnot€apply€since€ð ðthe€provisions€of€the€California€determinate€sentence€lawÏsimply€authorize€a€sentencing€court€to€engage€in€the€type€of€Ô_ÔfactfindingÔ_Ô€thatÏtraditionally€has€been€incident€to€the€judgeððs€selection€of€an€appropriateÏsentence€within€a€statutorily€prescribed€sentencing€range.ðð€€òòIbidóó.€€Based€onÐ °  Ðthñ ññ ñeñ ññ ññ ñis€premiseñ ñ,€the€court€ññheldññññconcludedññ€that€ð ðeven€though€section€1170,€subdivisionÏ(b)€can€be€characterized€as€establishing€the€middle€term€sentence€as€aÏpresumptiñ ñonñ ññ ñveñ ñ€sentence,€the€upper€term€is€the€ððstatutory€maximumðð€for€purposeññsññÏof€Sixth€Amendment€analysis.ðð€€òòIdóó.€at€1257.Ð ° Ðà ` àWith€all€due€respect€for€the€California€Supreme€Court,€its€analysis€isÏcompletely€at€odds€with€the€rule€which€was€formulated€in€òòApprendióó€andÐ ° Ðapplied€in€òòÔ_ÔBlakelyÔ_Ôóó.€€As€this€court€made€crystal€clear€in€òòApprendióó,€there€is€noÐ ° Ðconstitutional€distinction€ð ðbetween€an€ððelementðð€of€a€felony€offense€and€aÏððsentencing€factorðððð€insofar€as€the€right€to€a€jury€trial€is€concerned.€€òòApprendióó,Ð ° Ð530€U.S.€at€478.€€Thus,€a€trial€courtððs€sentencing€discretion€is€ññlimited€ð ðto€theÏfacts€reflectññññññtññññññed€in€ññthe€jury€verdict€alone.ðð€€òòIdóó.€at€483,€n.€omitted.Ð °" Ðà ` àUnder€section€1170,€subdivision€(b),€the€trial€court€is€presumptivelyÏrequired€to€impose€the€middle€term€based€on€the€facts€found€by€the€jury€(i.e.Ïproof€of€the€elements€of€the€offense).€€In€order€to€go€beyond€the€juryððs€finding,Ïthe€court€must€find€additional€facts€on€its€own€as€identified€in€the€sentencingÐ °*&& Ðrules.€€California€Rules€of€Court,€rule€4.421€(specifying€factors€inÏaggravation.)€€Plainly,€this€system€violates€the€defendantððs€right€to€a€jury€trialÏas€explained€in€òòApprendióó€and€òòÔ_ÔBlakelyÔ_Ô.Ð ° Ðà ` àóóThe€Supreme€Court€of€New€Jersey€agrees€with€petitionerððs€position.€Ð °  ÐIn€the€course€of€applying€òòÔ_ÔBlakelyÔ_Ôóó€to€the€New€Jersey€sentencing€scheme,€theÐ °  Ðcourt€expressly€rejected€ð ðthe€California€approachðð€stated€in€òòBlackóó€since€ð ðitÐ °  Ðappears€to€be€in€direct€conflict€with€òòÔ_ÔBlañ-ñkelyÔ_Ôóóñ-ññ.ñ€.€.€.€.ðð€€òòñ.ññ/ñSñ/ññ0ññ/ñatñ/ññ0ññ1ñtate€v.€Ô_ÔNataleÔ_Ô,€óóñ1ññ2ñ184€N.J.Ð °  Ð458,€482„483,€878€A.2d€724,€738€(2005ñ2ññ3ññ2ñ.)ñ2ññ3ññ4ñ).ñ4ññ1ññ1ññ5ñÐ ° Ðñ5ññ1ñòòñ1ññ.ññ-ñòòñ-ññ.ññ6ñÐ  ° ÐÌñ6ñà ` àóóPetitioner€will€not€belabor€his€point.€€òòBlackóó€was€wrongly€decided.€€ThisÐ ° Ðcourt€should€grant€review€in€order€to€rectify€the€erroneous€analysis€of€theÏCalifornia€Supreme€Court.Ìà ` àOne€final€point€is€worthy€of€discussion.€€Prior€to€the€sentencingÏhearing,€petitioner€was€facing€a€sentence€of€25€years€to€life€for€his€robberyÏconviction.€€This€is€so€since€the€court€had€found€that€petitioner€had€three€priorÏserious€felony€convictions.€€As€a€result,€a€life€sentence€was€authorized€underÏthe€Three€Strikes€law€(Penal€Code€section€1170.12).Ìà ` àPursuant€to€Penal€Code€section€1385,€the€trial€court€exercised€itsÏdiscretion€to€strike€two€of€the€prior€convictions.€€See€òòPeople€v.€Superior€CourtÐ °&"" Ð(Romero)óó,€13€Cal.4th€497.€€Having€stricken€two€of€the€three€prior€convictions,Ð °($$ Ðthe€court€was€then€authorized€to€sentence€petitioner€under€Ô_ÔDSLÔ_Ô€as€a€two€strikeÐ °*&& Ðoffender.Ìà ` àGiven€this€record,€the€California€Court€of€Appeal€held€that€òòÔ_ÔBlakelyÔ_Ôóó€didÐ ° Ðnot€apply€since€the€juryððs€findings€allowed€for€a€life€sentence.€€(Appendix€A,Ïpp.€25„26.)€€Since€the€subsequently€imposed€sentence€of€10€years€was€lessÏthan€life,€the€ñ7ñcñ7ññ8ñCñ8ñourtñ9ñ€of€Appealñ9ñ€reasoned€that€the€ñ:ñtrial€ñ:ñcourt€did€not€impose€aÏsentence€beyond€the€ð ðstatutory€maximumðð€allowed€by€the€juryððs€verdict.€€òòIbidóó.€Ð °  ÐThis€analysis€cannot€be€sustained.Ìà ` àThe€òòratio€Ô_ÔdecidendiÔ_Ôóó€of€òòÔ_ÔBlakelyÔ_Ôóó€is€that€ð ð[Ô_Ôw]henÔ_Ô€a€judge€inflictsÐ ° Ðpunishment€that€the€juryððs€verdict€ñ<ññ;ñslonñ;ññ<ññ>ññ=ñslonñ=ññ>ññ?ñalone€ñ?ñdoes€not€allow,€the€jury€has€not€foundÏall€the€facts€ððwhich€the€law€makes€essential€to€the€punishment,ðð€[citation]€andÏthe€judge€exceeds€his€proper€authority.ðð€€òòÔ_ÔBlakelyÔ_Ôóó,€159€L.E.2d€at€€414.€€GivenÐ ° Ðthis€rationale,€the€proper€lens€for€the€examination€of€a€òòÔ_ÔBlakelyÔ_Ôóó€claim€is€theÐ ° Ðdefendantððs€maximum€exposure€at€the€time€that€sentence€is€imposed.Ìà ` àIn€this€case,€it€is€indisputable€that€the€trial€court€imposed€the€upper€termÏbased€on€at€least€several€facts€which€were€never€pled€and€proven€to€the€jury.€ÏThus,€under€òòÔ_ÔBlakelyÔ_Ô,€óóerror€occurred€since€it€was€the€court,€and€not€the€jury,Ð °" Ðwhich€made€the€requisite€findings€of€fact.Ìà ` àIn€the€Court€of€Appealððs€view,€this€reality€should€be€overlooked€sinceÏpetitioner€was€originally€eligible€for€a€life€sentence€prior€to€the€granting€ofÏòòRomeroóó€relief.€€However,€the€courtððs€position€rests€on€a€false€foundation€sinceÐ °*&& Ðthe€granting€of€òòRomero€óórelief€removed€petitionerððs€case€from€one€statutoryÐ ° Ðscheme€(i.e.€indeterminate€sentencing)€into€a€separate€scheme€(i.e.€determinateÏsentencing).€€Since€the€latter€scheme€requires€factual€findings€and€the€formerÏdoes€not,€òòÔ_ÔBlakelyÔ_Ôóó€error€clearly€occurred€when€the€trial€court€made€factualÐ °  Ðfindings€which€should€have€been€made€by€the€jury.ò òÐ °  Ðó óà ` àAs€has€been€shown€above,€the€California€Supreme€Court€has€failed€toÐ °  Ðfollow€binding€Ô_ÔprecendentÔ_Ô€from€this€court.€€Review€should€be€granted.ÌÓ  ÓòòCONCLUSIONÐ ° ÐóóÓ  Óà ` àFor€the€reasons€expressed€above,€a€writ€of€certiorari€should€issue€toÐ ° Ðreview€the€judgment€of€the€California€Court€of€Appeal,€Sixth€AppellateÏDistrict.ÌÓÓDated:€September€____,€2005à0 À àà0ÀÐ ÀÐ àRespectfully€submitted,аРР ÐÌÌÌà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  à___________________________Ìà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  àEDWARD€DALLAS€SACHERÌà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  àAttorney€for€Petitioner,Ìà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  àRichard€Diazà  à