Alexander

Larry Curtis Alexander appeals from a judgment upon a jury verdict finding him guilty of murder with special circumstances (Pen. Code, §§ 187, 190.2, subd. (a)(17)(i)) and robbery (Pen. Code, § 211). The jury also found that he used a gun (Pen. Code, § 12022.5). He was sentenced to life imprisonment without possibility of parole on the murder count and to the upper term of five years on the robbery count, which was enhanced by two years for the gun use. The two latter sentences were stayed pursuant to Penal Code section 654.

Appellant raises many issues on appeal which we will consider seriatim after summarizing the facts.

Facts

Sharon Mack met Larry Alexander, appellant, in mid-June 1981. A week or two later, appellant asked Ms. Mack to move in with him. About a month later, the victim, Larry Tyler (Tyler), moved in with appellant and Ms. Mack. Shortly before Tyler moved in, appellant asked Ms. Mack to come to the window of his apartment and look at Tyler’s 1973 Dodge Challenger automobile; appellant stated that he wanted the car and that he “would do anything to get it.” After Tyler moved in, appellant and Ms. Mack discussed a plan to get the car. Appellant told Ms.…