From Casetext: Smarter Legal Research

People v. Burney

California Court of Appeals, Fourth District, First Division
Jun 14, 2024
No. D082655 (Cal. Ct. App. Jun. 14, 2024)

Opinion

D082655

06-14-2024

THE PEOPLE, Plaintiff and Respondent, v. TIFFANY NICOLE BURNEY, Defendant and Appellant.

Michael C. Sampson, under appointment by the Court of Appeal, for Defendant and Appellant. No appearance for Plaintiff and Respondent.


NOT TO BE PUBLISHED

APPEAL from a judgment of the Superior Court of San Diego County Super. Ct. No. SCD238174, Eugenia A. Eyherabide, Judge.

Michael C. Sampson, under appointment by the Court of Appeal, for Defendant and Appellant.

No appearance for Plaintiff and Respondent.

HUFFMAN, Acting P. J.

In 2015, Tiffany Nicole Burney was convicted of first degree murder (Pen. Code, § 187, subd. (a)). The jury found true an allegation that Burney personally and intentionally discharged a firearm causing death (§ 12022.53, subd. (d)). After a second trial, a jury found Burney was sane at the time of the offense. The court sentenced Burney to a term of 50 years to life in prison.

All statutory references are to the Penal Code.

Following an appeal, this court affirmed the conviction but ultimately remanded the case to the trial court with directions to exercise its discretion under People v. Tirado (2022) 12 Cal.5th 688 to decide whether to strike or modify the firearm enhancement.

On remand, the trial court held a hearing. The court reviewed the factors for and against striking the enhancement. It considered the totality of the evidence regarding Burney's mental health issues and the circumstances surrounding the offense. The court determined the interests of justice did not justify striking or modifying the term for the use of a firearm. The court reinstated the 50 years to life sentence.

Burney filed a timely notice of appeal.

Appellate counsel has filed a brief pursuant to People v. Wende (1979) 25 Cal.3d 436 (Wende) indicating counsel has not been able to identify any arguable issues for reversal on appeal. Counsel asks the court to independently review the record for error as mandated by Wende. We offered Burney the opportunity to file her own brief on appeal, but she has not responded.

DISCUSSION

The facts underlying the offense and the use of a firearm have previously been discussed in the earlier appeal. There is no need to repeat that discussion here.

We have independently reviewed the record for error as required by Wende. We have not discovered any arguable issues for reversal on appeal. Competent counsel has represented Burney on this appeal.

DISPOSITION

The judgment is affirmed.

WE CONCUR: IRION, J. KELETY, J.


Summaries of

People v. Burney

California Court of Appeals, Fourth District, First Division
Jun 14, 2024
No. D082655 (Cal. Ct. App. Jun. 14, 2024)
Case details for

People v. Burney

Case Details

Full title:THE PEOPLE, Plaintiff and Respondent, v. TIFFANY NICOLE BURNEY, Defendant…

Court:California Court of Appeals, Fourth District, First Division

Date published: Jun 14, 2024

Citations

No. D082655 (Cal. Ct. App. Jun. 14, 2024)