Edwards

A jury convicted Thomas Ellis Edwards of petty theft with a prior and possessing a controlled substance. It also found he had suffered two prior strike convictions and served three prior prison terms. On appeal, he contends the court erred by: (1) denying him the opportunity to challenge the admissibility of his confession outside the presence of the jury; (2) refusing to sever the charges; (3) instructing with CALJIC No. 2.15; and (4) sentencing him to 25 years to life in prison. He also contends the prosecutor committed misconduct in closing argument, and the “Three Strikes” law is unconstitutional. Finding no merit to these contentions, we affirm the judgment.

Late one evening, Fullerton Patrol Officer William Kendrick, Jr., saw Edwards driving in a strip mall with his lights off. Because all of the stores in the mall were closed, Kendrick contacted him to see what he was up to. While they were talking, Edwards consented to a search of his vehicle. In it, Kendrick found two knives, an axe, a flashlight, a cutting torch, and an Uzi-style toy gun. He also found a variety of tools, including a sledgehammer, a prying device, and two pairs of bolt cutters.

Further…