People v. Edwards CA1/2

BACKGROUND

As Edwards acknowledges, the facts of his crimes are not relevant to the challenges raised in this appeal. As to the proceedings involved, they began in March, 2021 when the District Attorney filed an amended information charging Edwards with Count 1, conspiracy to commit murder (Pen. Code2, §§ 182, subd. (a)(1), 187), Count 2, murder (§ 187), and Count 3, felon in possession of firearm (§ 29800, subd. (a)(1)). Counts 1 and 2 both included firearm allegations pursuant to section 12022.53, subdivision (d) and (e)(1) and gang benefit allegations pursuant to section 186.22, subdivision (b)(5). Count 2 also included two special circumstance allegations, lying in wait (§ 190.2, subd. (a)(15)) and gang benefit murder (§ 190.2, subd. (a)(22).) In April, 2021 a jury convicted Edwards of all counts and found true findings on the allegations. And in August the trial court (the Honorable Theresa Canepa) sentenced Edwards on Count 2 to life without the possibility of parole for murder (§ 187) with the special circumstance of lying in wait (§ 190.2, subd. (a)(15)), with the term of life without the possibility of parole for gang murder (§ 190.2, subd. (a)(22)) to run concurrent,…