Maldonado

Defendants and appellants Paul Hernandez Adame and Jeremy Raymond Maldonado appeal after each was convicted of the first degree premeditated murder of Jose Canchóla. Defendant Adame raises several issues concerning instructions on lesser offenses, corroboration of accomplice testimony, and the propriety of street gang enhancements. Defendant Maldonado joins in these contentions, and argues that (1) the court should have given voluntary manslaughter instructions, and (2) it was improper to use the testimony of an accomplice, while giving the accomplice favorable sentencing treatment. We find that none of the contentions has' merit, and we affirm.

Facts and Procedural History

Michael Moreno was a member of the West Side Rivas, a gang in west Riverside. In March of 1996, Moreno and five friends were in the Rubidoux area when they were attacked by several other young men. The attackers were members of a tagging crew known as “Bom Ruthless.” Moreno suffered numerous serious stab wounds in the attack and was hospitalized for several weeks.

Moreno was released from the hospital sometime around May 22, 1996. In the early morning hours of June 8, 1996, Moreno was riding with…