April 28, 2022 – People v. Lopez (4th Dist., Div. 3, G060261)

In an appeal from the prima facie denial of defendant’s PC 1170.95 petition, the Court of Appeal holds that “the term ‘actual killer’ as used in the revised felony-murder rule of [PC 189(e)(1)] refers to someone who personally killed the victim and is not necessarily the same as a person who ’caused’ the victim’s death.” The court finds that defendant made a prima facie case for relief and remands with instructions to issue an OSC and conduct an evidentiary hearing.

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