People v. Laws CA2/4

BACKGROUND

This is the fourth time we have addressed this case. Our summary of the factual and procedural background is taken from our prior opinions, People v. Laws (June 30, 1994, B075311) [nonpub. opn.] (Laws I), in which we affirmed Laws’s conviction, and People v. Laws (Apr. 22, 2020, B296014) [nonpub. opn.] (Laws II) and People v. Laws (May 17, 2021, B307911) [nonpub. opn.] (Laws III), in which we affirmed the summary denial of prior section 1170.95 petitions for resentencing. In June 1991, Laws shot and killed a clerk of a convenience store after demanding and receiving money from the clerk. (Laws II, supra, at p. 2, citing Laws I, supra, at pp. 3–4, 9–10.) He was charged by information with first degree murder (§ 187, subd. (a)) and second degree robbery (§ 211). The information also included a special circumstances allegation that the murder was committed in the course of a robbery (§ 190.2, subd. (a)(17)), and a personal use of a firearm allegation (§§ 12022.5, subd. (a), 1203.06, subd. (a)(1)). (Laws II, supra,

Further undesignated statutory references are to the Penal Code.

2 at p. 2.) A jury convicted Laws on both the murder and robbery counts and found that…