P. v. Alaniz CA5
Margaret Jeanette Alaniz and Anthony Gilbert Nunez were each convicted of the second degree murder of Oscar Seja and the torture of a victim referred to in the record as D. or Jane Doe. Both defendants now argue the trial court erred when it denied a defense request to allow D. to be referred to by her real name during the trial. They also argue they received incomplete advisements of their rights before the trial court accepted their admissions regarding prior offenses. Nunez further argues the evidence was insufficient to support his conviction of torture.
The People concede the trial court failed to advise defendants that by admitting to the prior offenses, they were giving up their rights to remain silent and confront witnesses. We agree with the People, however, that defendants were sufficiently made aware of these rights under the totality of the circumstances.
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