Sanchez

I. FACTUAL AND PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND

A. El Hoyo Palmas and Affiliated Gangs Over defendants’ objections, John Mendoza testified as an expert in the area of Nuestra Familia, Nuestra Raza, and Norteño criminal street gangs. Mendoza, a former member of the Nuestra Raza and Nuestra Familia gangs, testified in exchange for a reduction in his sentence. According to Mendoza, Norteños (or Northerners) are members of street gangs that identify with Northern California. Nuestra Familia began as a prison gang and is at the top of the Norteño gang hierarchy. Nuestra Raza, also a prison gang, is subordinate to Nuestra Familia. Norteño street gangs, including El Hoyo Palmas (Palmas), fall under the Nuestra Familia umbrella. In prison, all Northerners report to Nuestra Familia. Mendoza testified that gang members gain respect by committing acts of violence, which they may brag about in custody. Sureños, or Southerners, and Norteños are rivals. Norteños refer to Sureños as “scraps,” and “scrap hunting” refers to going out to attack or kill Sureños. Evidence was presented that defendants were Palmas members. For example, witnesses identified photographs in which defendants could be seen…