People v. Williams CA2/8

BACKGROUND

A jury convicted appellant Mali Williams of two counts of attempted kidnapping to commit robbery in violation of sections 664 and 209, subdivision (b)(1); two counts of attempted second- degree robbery in violation of sections 664 and 211; and one count of illegal possession of a firearm by a person adjudged a ward of the juvenile court in violation of former section 12021, subdivision (e). The jury also found true that Williams had personally used a firearm within the meaning of section 12022.53, subdivision (b). Williams waived jury trial and admitted a prior strike conviction within the meaning of the Three Strikes Law, sections 667 subdivision (b) through (i) and 1170.12, subdivisions (a) through (d). On March 1, 2012, the trial court sentenced Williams to 21 years and four months in prison. Williams apparently filed a pro se petition for writ of habeas corpus, which is not in our record on appeal. At a May 8, 2024, status conference attended by appointed counsel for Williams and the prosecutor, the trial court acknowledged that it had appointed counsel to assist Williams upon receiving the petition for writ of habeas corpus. Specifically, the trial court stated:…