People v. Godoy CA4/3

FACTS

Godoy was convicted of second degree murder in 2021 for the killing of his childhood friend. The victim “was found with multiple fractures on the front and back of his skull, and multiple stab wounds to his head . . . .” (People v. Godoy (Dec. 16, 2022, G060340) [nonpub. opn.].) He was sentenced to 16 years to life in prison, which included a one-year enhancement for using a deadly weapon. The Legislature later amended section 1385 to require courts to dismiss an enhancement if it this was in furtherance of justice, giving great weight to certain mitigating circumstances, including mental illness. (§ 1385, subd. (c)(1) & (2), as amended by Stats. 2021, ch. 721, § 1.) It also amended section 1172.1 to allow the sentencing court to recall and sentence a defendant at any time based on a relevant change in sentencing laws. (§ 1172.1, subd. (a)(1), as amended by Stats. 2023, ch. 446, § 2.) Godoy filed a petition in 2025 inviting the sentencing court to recall and resentence him on its own motion. He contended his crime was connected to mental illness and asked the court to consider his rehabilitation

1 All statutory references are to this code.

2 efforts. He invited the court…