Walker

Anthony Steven Walker appeals from the judgment entered on jury verdicts convicting him on a single count of attempted robbery (count 1) and three separate counts of robbery (counts 2-4). The jury also found Walker used a knife in the commission of each offense. We reject Walker’s arguments of trial and sentencing errors and affirm the judgment.

Facts

Walker’s principal contention centers around the trial court’s refusal to admit the expert testimony of Dr. Fay Girsh, a psychologist, concerning factors bearing on the reliability of eyewitness identifications. The legal basis for Walker’s argument rests on People v. McDonald (1984) 37 Cal.3d 351 [ 208 Cal.Rptr. 236 , 690 P.2d 709 ] in which the California Supreme Court held the error in excluding such proffered testimony might require reversal. Because a trial court’s ruling to reject expert testimony on this subject and appellate review of that decision are fact-related, governed by the McDonald criteria, the following detailed factual discussion is necessary.

The offenses Walker was charged with committing occurred on September 26, 1984, between the hours of 10 p.m. and midnight. The victims in the crimes were: Judy…