People v. Mataele

Summary

The California Supreme Court affirmed the conviction, death sentence, and all rulings of the trial court, including the excusal of two prospective jurors, the denial of a motion to dismiss based on pre‑filing delay, and various evidentiary rulings. The Court held that the substantial‑impairment standard for juror bias is constitutionally sound and that the trial court’s errors, where found, were harmless. It remanded for the trial court to consider exercising its discretionary authority under Senate Bills 620 and 1393 to strike the firearm and prior serious felony enhancements.