People v. Knox

Introduction

Appellant, Stephen Knox, asserts numerous instances of error in connection with both his conviction of multiple sex crimes and related offenses and his sentence. We shall affirm the judgment in all respects.

Statement of the Case

By an information filed December 20, 1984, the District Attorney of Contra Costa County charged appellant with a total of fifty-five counts, comprised of the following separate counts: ten counts of forcible rape (Pen. Code § 261, subd. (2)); sixteen counts of forcible oral copulation (§ 288a, subd. (c)); four counts of forcible sodomy (§ 286, subd. (c)); fourteen counts of false imprisonment (§ 237); five counts of kidnapping and four counts of kidnapping by force (§§ 207 and 207, subd. (a)); one count of attempted forcible rape (§§ 261, subd. (2) and 664); and one count of child endangering (§ 273, subd. (a)(1).) Each count alleged use of a gun. (§§ 12022.3, 12022.5.) There were eight sets of victims, seven of which contained both the woman victim and a companion. Appellant pleaded not guilty and denied the use allegations.

A jury found appellant guilty of all counts except six charged in connection with one set of victims. It…