Bishop

Defendant Mary Ann Bishop appeals from the judgment of conviction for violating Penal Code section 4534. 1 Resolution of this appeal necessitates an examination of that statute’s reach, the sufficiency of evidence necessary for such a conviction, as well as how it is to be punished.

Background

In June of 1986, Robert Danielson was being tried for murder at the Mendocino County courthouse at Ukiah. Defendant is his mother.

*277 At approximately 8 a.m. on June 12, Mendocino Deputy Sheriffs Larry Arnold and Frank Noyes were escorting Danielson from the county jail to the courthouse. As they parked their vehicle on the street, Arnold saw defendant standing in front of the courthouse. The deputies accompanied Danielson through the courthouse doors. Danielson, whose hands were cuffed in front of him, pushed open the door. He was closely followed by Noyes and then Arnold. Defendant approached the trio from the area of some chairs placed outside an office. Danielson halted. Defendant had her left hand inside her coat (“[ljike . . . Napoleon” in Arnold’s words); her right hand remained at her side. She came so close to Danielson that Arnold believed she and Danielson “actually…