Geddes

Defendant John M. Geddes appeals from a judgment of conviction after a jury found him guilty on one count of arson. (Pen. Code, § 451, subd. (b).) He has also filed a related petition for writ of habeas corpus challenging the competence of his trial counsel. As we shall explain, we reject his numerous contentions of error and affirm the judgment. We also deny the writ petition.

Factual and Procedural Background

In the fall of 1989, Geddes lived in the same Rancho Peñasquitos condominium complex as Steven McFarland. Approximately 8 o’clock one morning, McFarland was awakened by the sound of loud music and breaking glass coming from Geddes’s condominium. McFarland went outside to investigate and saw Geddes throwing things out of the window.

Fifteen minutes later, smoke began coming out of the windows of Geddes’s apartment. McFarland then saw Geddes on the roof wearing only a pair of shorts and tennis shoes. Blood was smeared on his face, hands and legs. Geddes moved toward McFarland and said, “There is a hostage situation. There are two guns. My wife, my daughter are being held.” Trying to calm Geddes, McFarland told him, “The police have been called. Just try to relax.”…