People v. Taylor CA2/1

BACKGROUND

The following facts from the appellate opinion following the judgment of conviction are undisputed.

1. People v. Taylor et al. Taylor had tattoos suggesting that he was a member of the Crip gang and admitted membership in the Crip gang. (People v. Taylor (Nov. 25, 2002, B152885) [nonpub. opn.] (Taylor I).) The Crip gang was “at war” with the Hollyhood Bloods. (Ibid.) On October 24, 1998, as Raymond Brown was leaving the house of a Hollyhood Bloods gang member, Taylor and his confederate, Terrell Curry, shot multiple times at Raymond Brown. Sheriff’s Deputies Jacob Sanchez and Jacob Scuoler heard the gunshots and followed Taylor, who was driving Curry in a Buick. Eventually Taylor spun out of control and turned to face the deputies’ patrol car. “The deputies saw two muzzle flashes coming from the Buick as shots were fired at them. Both deputies returned fire. The Buick then began accelerating toward the deputies’ patrol car. It passed the car and continued driving away. When it reached the intersection of Myrrh Street and Atlantic Avenue, it spun out of control again and crashed

Undesignated statutory citations are to the Penal Code.

2 into a pole. When…