Denis

A jury convicted appellant Vincent Denis of felony murder (Pen. Code, § 187) and attempted second degree robbery (Pen. *566 Code, §§ 664, 211), and found a principal was armed with a firearm in the commission of the crimes. (Pen. Code, § 12022, subd. (a).) Appellant then admitted four prior felony convictions, for one of which he had served a prior felony prison term. (Pen. Code, § 667.5, subd. (b).) He was sentenced to state prison for a term of 27 years to life. This appeal followed.

The evidence showed the following. On April 6, 1988, appellant, a drug dealer, was plying his trade near a street corner in South Central Los Angeles. After midnight, appellant averred he was “going to jack [steal from] every motherfucking one that moves.” Soon thereafter, the victim, Johnny Johnson, stopped his taxicab at the scene to make a purchase. Kavin Rhodes, Yevette Comeaux, and appellant approached the cab for the ostensible purpose of filling Johnson’s order. Johnson told Comeaux he wanted to make a $20 purchase. Rhodes pulled a handgun from his waistband and shot Johnson. Johnson attempted to drive away. Appellant, who had been leaning into the vehicle, was carried a short…