People v. Martinez 132 Cal. App. 3d 119

Opinion

WIENER, J.

John Elias Martinez appeals the judgment entered following his conviction on two counts of robbery (Pen. Code, § 211)1 and *123a true finding of the armed allegation in reference to each count (§ 12022, subd. (a)).2 Relying upon section 1111,3 Martinez contends his motion for judgment of acquittal (§ 1118)4 should have been granted because there was insufficient evidence before the court at the time the motion was made to support the convictions and true findings. As we shall explain, we have concluded his argument is valid and we therefore reverse the judgment with directions to the trial court to enter a judgment of acquittal.5

I

An information filed November 14, 1979, charged Martinez with 10 counts of robbery and being armed in each robbery within the meaning of section 12022, subdivision (a). Counts one through five involved five different victims in a single transaction which occurred on December 14, 1978. The balance of the counts involved five additional victims in another transaction which occurred two days earlier, December 12, 1978. At the close of all the evidence and before argument, the court *124granted a judgment of acquittal (§. 1118) on eight counts. (Sic.) 6 After argument, the court found Martinez guilty of robbing Inez Olea (count three) and Leonardo Olea (count five) and the armed allegation in each count to be true.

At trial, none of the victims of the December 12 robbery (counts six through ten) could be located. The court refused to admit their testimony from the transcript of the preliminary hearing ruling the People had failed to establish due diligence in attempting to secure the attendance of the missing witnesses. Because of this ruling, the People were able to present only a single victim-witness to the December 14 crimes, 18-year-old Leonardo Olea.

Leonardo testified that in the early morning hours of December 14, he, his brother Inez, and another man were asleep in the bunkhouse at the La Fresa ranch in Vista where they were employed. Three men, two of them with guns, woke them up and demanded money. The robbers took $2 in change from Leonardo’s person. He saw the robbers search his brother’s pockets and take a piece of paper from him which Leonardo assumed was money although he did not clearly see the bill which was taken. The money was stuffed into a white pillowcase type bag the men were carrying. The three robbers then searched the bunkhouse. Although Leonardo did not see them take anything else, his brother later discovered money was missing.

Leonardo could not see the robbers very well because it was dark; he also was unable to see the type of clothing they were wearing. The robbers would not let the victims see their faces. Leonardo did not remember if they wore hats; but they wore something tied over the lower parts of their faces. When first awakened, one of the men put a flashlight beam into Leonardo’s eyes so he would be unable to identify the men at a later time.

Leonardo, however, was able to testify that all three men appeared to be Mexican-American. He believed two of the three were very dark skinned while the third had a lighter complexion and a beard. He was unable to identify Martinez as one of the robbers.

*125Police Officer Burke went to the ranch in response to a radio call about the robbery. Approaching the scene he spotted a green Kawasaki motorcycle parked off the road. About one-half mile beyond the motorcycle, he saw a white 1967 Plymouth Valiant parked at the side of the road. Burke spoke briefly with its occupant, David Brooks Heath, who said he was just “clearing his head.” Heath was not detained and left. During his investigation, Burke found a pillowcase stamped “Specialized Linen Rental Service/Rented, Never Sold” on the ground about one-quarter mile from the parked Valiant.

Later, Heath was located, arrested and charged with the robberies. In exchange for his guilty plea to one count and his promise to testify against Martinez, the remaining counts against him were dismissed. At trial, Heath testified in great detail to the events which occurred between December 11 and December 14.

Heath said he first met Martinez at the Tahitian Village Motel in Downey about 7 p.m. on Monday, December 11, 1978. Heath had just arrived from St. Louis and testified he had a personal need for drugs. Also present at the motel were James Anderson and Eddie Marquez. Martinez told the group it was easy to rob alien farmworkers which he had done before because they did not report the crimes to the police. In exchange for drugs, Heath agreed to drive the trio to Vista.

That evening, Heath drove Marquez and Anderson in his 1967 Plymouth Valiant following Martinez, who led the way to the scene of the robbery on his green Kawasaki motorcycle. Anderson and Marquez had on green navy coats and wool navy caps. Martinez wore a green hooded sweatshirt and carried a .25 automatic. On the outskirts of Vista, they stopped at a 7-Eleven store where Anderson bought a flashlight. Heath continued to follow Martinez to the ranches. Martinez then parked his motorcycle, got into the car and they continued to the top of the hill. Here, all but Heath got out of the vehicle. The three men returned in about one-half hour with a plastic bag filled with wallets and money. Heath then drove Martinez to the motorcycle and all returned to a motel. In the motel parking lot, Anderson, Marquez and Martinez divided $230.

The following day, December 12, they remained in their motel room most of the time. At midnight, they went to another ranch using the same mode of transportation. This time Martinez parked his motorcycle at a gas station. When he got into the car he gave Heath directions. At *126the ranch, Heath again stayed in the car while the other three left with a .25 automatic, a BB gun resembling a .45 which Anderson had purchased that day, and a pillowcase from the motel which Heath had suggested they bring. After one-half hour they came back with wallets, radios and money in the pillowcase. Back at the motel, Anderson, Marquez and Martinez divided about $1,200.

The third day, Wednesday, December 13, Heath wanted to leave the area and return to Los Angeles. He was persuaded, however, to assist his cohorts in one more robbery. Again, Martinez on his motorcycle led the car to the same general area as the first night. After parking the motorcycle, he entered the car. Heath drove the car for about one-half mile. All but Heath got out. Again they were armed with a .25 automatic and the BB gun resembling the .45 caliber pistol. They also carried a flashlight and the pillowcase.

Thirty to forty-five minutes later, Heath was approached by Officer Burke. When Burke finished questioning him, Heath left. He next saw his confederates where he had first met them, the Tahitian Village Motel, on Friday, December 15. They were angry because he had left them without a getaway car.

Heath identified Martinez at trial, but said he had not known his last name, knowing him only as “John.”

Martinez testified on his own behalf. He denied owning a green motorcycle and denied knowing Heath, Anderson or Marquez. When asked at trial (Jan. 23, 1980) whether he robbed anyone near Vista in the late evening or early morning hours of December 13 or 14, 1978, he responded, “Not to my recollection.” He stated he was under the influence of drugs during that period of time. He admitted to having been convicted of “approximately three to four felonies,” including two burglaries and car theft.

II

Martinez claims the court erred in denying his section 1118 motion at the close of the prosecution’s case in chief because the only evidence at that stage of the proceedings connecting him with the robbery was the testimony of an accomplice, David Heath. He says by not producing any corroboration of the testimony of the accomplice during its case, *127the prosecution failed to present a prima facie case and therefore we must reverse.

This argument presents three distinct questions which we must answer. Did the form and content of Martinez’ dismissal motion comport with the requirements of section 1118? Is Heath an accomplice? And if so, was there sufficient independent corroboration of his testimony to satisfy the requirements of section 1111? We discuss each separately.

A

At the conclusion of the People’s case, Martinez’ defense counsel said: “At this point, your Honor, before we place any witnesses upon the stand, we move to dismiss the counts against John Elias Martinez on the grounds there is no direct evidence that he committed any robberies at all. At best, there is circumstantial evidence that he committed such robberies based on the evidence before the Court. There is a direct evidence if one chooses to believe the evidence of Mr. Heath; that he was in receipt of stolen property. But he’s not charged with that fact, and as to what the District Attorney wishes to do with that, assuming the Court was to rule in favor of Mr. Martinez, would be mere speculation on my part. I believe, therefore, since the circumstantial evidence rule says if it’s capable of being interpreted either in favor or against the defendant and this circumstantial evidence is capable of being interpreted in such way, I think it requires it be interpreted in favor of the defendant.

“In the particular case so far, there has been no direct evidence on the part of the victim that this individual robbed him, and Mr. Heath didn’t see him rob anybody, and I would ask, therefore, the Court dismiss the 211’s themselves.

“The Court: All right. The motion is denied.”

Conspicuously absent from counsel’s statement is any reference to Heath’s status as an accomplice. Because of tactical considerations or inadvertence, defense counsel not only seems to have ignored this point, but in directing the court’s attention to other considerations, appears to have accomplished just the opposite. Instead of asking the court to search the record for corroboration of Heath’s testimony as an accomplice, counsel focused upon the admitted validity of that testimony as circumstantial evidence, conceding Martinez may *128have been guilty of receiving stolen property but not guilty of robbery.7 Recognizing the inherent unfairness to this exceedingly conscientious trial judge whose mental set was diverted from the issue which we now address, we must nevertheless conclude that under People v. Belton, supra, 23 Cal.3d 516, the motion was procedurally adequate to require the court to determine whether Heath was an accomplice and to search the record for corroboration of his testimony.

In Belton, the California Supreme Court explained the history and legislative development of sections 1118 and 1118.1. It stated: “In enacting present sections 1118 and 1118.1, the Legislature provided the defendant with the benefit of a procedure by which to move for acquittal when the prosecution fails to prove a prima facie case. The bill digest prepared by the Senate Judiciary Committee on the legislation proposing these sections recognized the dilemma a defendant faced without a procedure by which to test the sufficiency of the prosecution’s evidence in its case-in-chief. The bill digest stated in pertinent part, ‘Under present California law, a defendant is not permitted to argue that the prosecution has not made a prima facie case. His alternatives are (1) to rest at the close of the prosecution’s case, gambling that the court shares his opinion, or (2) to proceed with presenting his defense. Proponents acknowledge that there will be very few cases wherein the prosecution will not present a triable issue, however state that it is in these cases that defendant should have the right to terminate the matter at the close of the prosecution’s evidence.’ (Italics added.)

“In giving substance to this right, the Legislature provided that a motion to acquit could be made by either the defendant or the trial court, without any requirement that the motion be made in a particular form. The Attorney General nevertheless contends that appellant’s motion to acquit made pursuant to section 1118 should have included a . statement *129of specific grounds. However, to so construe this section would force a defendant to face the same kind of dilemma from which the Legislature sought to extricate defendants. In effect, a defendant would be forced to choose between: (1) specifying the defects in the prosecution’s case, thereby affording the prosecutor an opportunity to seek to reopen the case in order to cure such defects; (2) making no motion and resting, thereby sacrificing his right to present a defense for fear that later evidence might cure the defects in the prosecution’s case; or (3) making no motion, thereby waiving the right to challenge the prosecution’s case-in-chief, and proceeding to present a defense. Forcing a defendant to elect among these alternatives would deny him the intended protection of the section. Further, to require a defendant to state specific grounds in support of the motion for acquittal would place the burden upon him to point out to the prosecutor, as well as to the court, the gaps in the prosecution’s case. Such a requirement would come perilously close to compelling a .defendant to aid in his own prosecution and would lessen the prosecutor’s burden to prove each and every element of the case beyond a reasonable doubt.” (Id., at pp. 521-522, fns. omitted, italics supplied.)

Thus here, regardless of the questionable form of Martinez’ motion, under Belton it was adequate to require the court to determine whether Heath was an accomplice, and if so, whether there was sufficient evidence to corroborate his testimony.

Before leaving this point, however, we respectfully urge our Supreme Court to reconsider Belton.

A major concern in Belton was that if a defendant were required to specify the defects in the prosecution’s case, the prosecutor would be afforded the opportunity to reopen the case in order to cure the defects. (23 Cal.3d at p. 521.) The thought occurs to us that rather than deprive the trial court of specification of reasons for the motion, a simpler solution, equally fair to the defendant, would be to require the defendant to specify reasons for the motion but deny the People the right to reopen for any reason so specified. In this manner the trial court would be alerted to the issues presented, avoiding sua sponte omniscience and the sandbagging effect of a diversionary argument. Obviously there may be other solutions to this difficult problem. Whatever the solution, there should be a better procedural technique to deal with this issue in order to avoid the injustice resulting in this case where the practical effect of *130defense counsel’s argument was to prohibit trial court consideration of the question so thoroughly briefed and argued in this appeal.

B

Section 1111 defines an accomplice as “one who is liable to prosecution for the identical offense charged against the defendant on trial in the cause in which the testimony of the accomplice is given.” This definition includes principals (§ 31) in the criminal act but not accessories (§ 32). (People v. Tewksbury, supra, 15 Cal.3d 953, 960.) “Whether a person is an accomplice is a question of fact for the [trier of fact] unless there is no dispute as to either the facts or the inferences to be drawn therefrom.” (Ibid.) The defendant has the “burden of both producing evidence raising [the accomplice] issue and of proving the accomplice status by a preponderance of the evidence.” (People v. Belton, supra, 23 Cal.3d at p. 523, citing People v. Tewksbury, supra, 15 Cal.3d at pp. 963, 968.) However, when the prosecution introduces evidence during its case in chief which establishes the accomplice status by a preponderance of the evidence, defendant’s burden is satisfied. (People v. Belton, supra, 23 Cal.3d at pp. 523-524.)

The fact that Heath pleaded guilty to one count of robbery after being arrested and charged with the same robberies for which Martinez was tried does not, in and of itself, determine his status as an accomplice. (See People v. Gordon (1973) 10 Cal.3d 460, 467 [110 Cal.Rptr. 906, 516 P.2d 298].) “Criminal liability as a principal attaches to those who aid in the commission of a crime only if they also share in the criminal intent [citations] or ... abet the crime.” (People v. Tewksbury, supra, 15 Cal.3d at p. 960, fn. omitted.) While Martinez need not have demonstrated that Heath had the specific intent to commit a robbery, at a minimum it must be shown that “prior to its commisssion, [Heath] realized that a robbery was being planned and that [he] was facilitating its commission. [Citations.]” (Ibid.) Conceivably, Martinez might be burdened with proving that Heath acted for the purpose of aiding Martinez and his cohorts in the commission of a robbery. (See People v. Petty (1981) 127 Cal.App.3d 255, 263, fn. 2 [179 Cal.Rptr. 413]; People v. Valenzuela (1982) 130 Cal.App.3d 903, 917-918 [182 Cal.Rptr. 160] (dis. opn. of Wiener, J.); see also People v. Yarber (1979) 90 Cal.App.3d 895, 916 [153 Cal.Rptr. 875].)

Under either substantive standard, however, Heath’s actions in this case qualify for accomplice status. It is without dispute that Heath *131participated in two completed robberies driving the getaway car both to and from the scene of the crime. Only on the third day did he ponder, for reasons which are not clear, whether he should continue his participation in another robbery. For whatever reason, he voluntarily decided to stick with his companions, testifying he drove the men to the scene on this third occasion, knowing they were going there again to commit a robbery. It is only after he was approached and questioned by the police that he decided to withdraw. Thus, this record categorically establishes Heath as a wheelman who willingly drove his confederates to an inaccessible location for the purpose of committing robberies, deciding to flee in the getaway car on the third occasion only after he was questioned by the police. To suggest that Heath manifested his intent to withdraw from the crime independently, but only coincidentally with the arrival of the police, stretches credulity. This record cannot support such an implied finding.8 We therefore hold Heath’s testimony established by a preponderance of the evidence that he was an accomplice as a matter of law.9 (People v. Belton, supra, 23 Cal.3d at pp. 523-524.)

*132c

A conviction may not be based on the uncorroborated testimony of an accomplice. (§ 1111; People v. Belton, supra, 23 Cal.3d 516, 526.) ‘“To corroborate the testimony of an accomplice, the prosecution must produce independent evidence which, without aid or assistance from the testimony of the accomplice, tends to connect the defendant with the crime charged. [Citation.] “The evidence need not corroborate the accomplice as to every fact to which he testifies but is sufficient if it does not require interpretation and direction from the testimony of the accomplice yet tends to connect the defendant with the commission of the offense (People v. Szeto, supra, 29 Cal.3d 20, 27 [171 Cal.Rptr. 652, 623 P.2d 213].) “If the sum total of all of the evidence (other than the accomplice’s testimony), connects the defendant to the commission of the offense the requirements of Penal Code section 1111 are satisfied.” (People v. Manson (1977) 71 Cal.App.3d 1, 36 [139 Cal.Rptr. 275].)

After application of these rules in our independent search of the record, we are unable to find any evidence which, absent Heath’s testimony, connects Martinez to the commission of the robberies of which he was convicted. Our conclusion, reached independently, is the same as that of the People. At oral argument the deputy attorney general candidly responded to our questions that if Heath were an accomplice, there was insufficient evidence to support the conviction. Because of our concern with this issue, we asked for additional briefing on this question. Once again, the deputy attorney general, with admirable candor for which we express our appreciation, has responded that “[a]fter reexamination of the record respondent’s position remains unchanged given the current state of the law on corroboration.”10

*133No witness other than Heath identified Martinez as one of the robbers. Leonardo indicated the complexion of “the individual on [defense counsel’s] left” (presumably Martinez) was exactly like that of the robber with the light complexion. However, he also testified the light-complexioned robber had a beard. Both Martinez and Heath denied Martinez had á beard at the time the robberies occurred.

Although certain testimony by both Officer Burke and Olea corroborated Heath’s testimony, it did nothing more than show “the commission of the offense or the circumstances thereof.” By failing to produce any corroborating evidence which would tend in any way to connect Martinez with the commission of the robberies, the prosecution did not present a prima facie case. (People v. Belton, supra, 23 Cal.3d at p. 527; People v. Hornbeck (1933) 128 Cal.App. 649, 650 [18 P.2d 71].) We therefore conclude the trial court erred in denying Martinez’ motion to acquit on counts three and five.

*134III

Martinez also appeals the judgment entered after he pleaded guilty in another case, CR 48564 (the San Diego case; see ante, fn. 2). The sole issue is whether Martinez is entitled to additional credit for the time he served in presentence custody. (See § 2900.5.)11 For our purposes, the relevant chronology is as follows;

1978 November 16 Martinez committed the burglary charged in

this case.

November 20 Arrested for committing an unrelated bur-

glary in Los Angeles.

1979 January ? Allegedly served with a “hold” based on the

San Diego charges while he was awaiting

trial on the Los Angeles offense.

September 6 Sentenced in the Los Angeles case. (16

months with credits of 329 days including

82 days under section 4019 or credit for 247

actual days in custody. The record did not

indicate how the 247 days were determined.)

October 18 Booked into San Diego County jail while

still serving his Los Angeles sentence.

November 14 An information issued in this case.

December 30 Paroled from Los Angeles.12

1980 January 10 Pleaded guilty in the San Diego case.

February 22 Sentenced in the San Diego case. (The plea

bargain form states in part, “ . . . concurrent

time, credit for time served.”)

July 3 Credit of 82 days granted in the San Diego

case. (See ante, fn. 2.)

*135Martinez ties his argument of entitlement to credit for time spent in custody before December 30, 1979, when he was paroled on the Los Angeles case, to the terms of his plea bargain. He explains the phrases “concurrent time, credit for time served” in his plea bargain were hinged to his expectation that he had bargained for credit for all time served in the Los Angeles case. He says although he received a concurrent sentence, the balance of his bargain was not kept because he has not received appropriate credit.

It is helpful to separate Martinez’ incarceration before December 30, 1979, into two periods. The first starts in January 1979 when Martinez was allegedly served with a hold arising from the San Diego case and continues until sentencing in Los Angeles on September 6, 1979; the second is from September 6, 1979, until December 30, 1979.

Absent his plea bargain, In re Rojas (1979) 23 Cal.3d 152 [151 Cal.Rptr. 649, 588 P.2d 789] is dispositive of his claim for credit for any time after September 6, 1979. Once the prison term started in the Los Angeles case, the pending San Diego case had no effect upon his liberty. (Id., at p. 156.) Here, however, Martinez argues his plea bargain represents a negotiated exception to this rule.

Examining his contention in the light most favorable to his argument, we conclude otherwise. It is not too much to assume that if Martinez really thought his bargain included credit for all the time served in the Los Angeles case, approximately 15 months including conduct credits, that an express statement to this effect would have been set out in the plea bargain to reflect the reality that his punishment in the San Diego case would be only about 6 months in custody for the unrelated burglary he committed in San Diego. It is also not too much to assume that had he wanted to escape the application of Rojas, decided about a year earlier, his plea bargain would have contained something more articulate than the generalized phrases which were used. Martinez is thus not entitled to credit for the second period referred to above.

The first period—January 1979 to September 6, 1979—presents a different problem, however. Where more than one judicial proceeding is pending against a defendant simultaneously creating a dual basis for custody, credit is appropriately applied unless consecutive sentences are imposed.13 (People v. Brown (1980) 107 Cal.App.3d 858, 863 *136[166 Cal.Rptr. 144].) Although the record does not reflect the “hold” to which Martinez has made reference, his claim at sentencing was sufficient notice to the trial court on this issue. (See § 2900.5, subd. (d).) Here, where his administrative claim was also unavailing, we believe we must remand this case to allow the trial court to determine whether a hold was imposed and the effective date of any such hold.14 (Cf. People v. Brown, supra, 107 Cal.App.3d 858, 861.) Upon remand, the trial court shall also determine the conduct credits to which Martinez may be entitled. (People v. Sage (1980) 26 Cal.3d 498, 509 [165 Cal.Rptr. 280, 611 P.2d 874].)

Disposition

Judgment reversed in case No. CRN 6044 with instructions to the trial court to enter a judgment of acquittal. Judgment affirmed in case *137No. CR 48564; remanded solely for the purpose of redetermination of presentence credit consistent with this opinion.

Langford, J.,* concurred.

STANIFORTH, Acting P. J.

I respectfully dissent.

This case involves the calculated and systematic mass robbery of helpless migrant farm workers by professional bandits. The many victims were attacked in their isolated rural bunk house in the middle of the night, terrorized, robbed at gunpoint of their meager possessions. Martinez had predicted to his coconspirators that few if any of the migrant workers would remain to complain or testify. He was almost correct. Many of these victims—as Martinez knew—were undocumented aliens. Their fear of contact with authorities was an article of faith. Rather than come forward as a victim-witness and risk deportation, they disappeared. Such characteristics made these poor human beings, particularly vulnerable, easy prey for a conscienceless brigand. Before committing these robberies, Martinez told three members of his gang it would be “easy” to rob alien farm workers. He had done so before. The victims would not report the crimes. He was almost correct. Only one brave victim, Olea, remained to testify.

The trial court dismissed eight counts against Martinez because the victims could not be located. The majority opinion now reverses Martinez’ conviction on the remaining two counts (and by this decision will free him). The basic reason assigned? There is not enough evidence as a matter of law to convict him.

Several legally and factually flawed predicates are assumed by the majority in order to reach this patently unjust result.

Discussion

I

First, the majority err in holding that, as a matter of law, Heath was Martinez’ accomplice. Whether a person is an accomplice is a question of fact for the jury unless there is no dispute as to either the facts or the inferences to be drawn therefrom. (People v. Tewksbury (1976) 15 *138Cal.3d 953, 960 [127 Cal.Rptr. 135, 544 P.2d 1335].) Here, there is a dispute as to the inferences to be drawn from Heath’s testimony. As the following discussion makes clear, a reasonable trier of fact could have found (had the issue been presented to it) that Heath was not an accomplice as to the two robberies of which Martinez was convicted.1 Therefore, the majority err in holding he was an accomplice as a matter of law.

The fact that Heath was prosecuted for the same offense as Martinez does not by itself establish him to be an accomplice as a matter of law. (People v. Gordon (1973) 10 Cal.3d 460, 467 [110 Cal.Rptr. 906, 516 P.2d 298].) Nor is Heath necessarily an accomplice merely because he was held to answer for the same crimes as Martinez and then granted immunity.

Nor did Heath necessarily become an accomplice if it be deemed that he aided in the commission of the crimes. “Criminal liability as a principal attaches to those who aid in the commission of a crime only if they also share in the criminal intent ... or, in the language of section 31, abet the crime.” (People v. Tewksbury, supra, 15 Cal.3d at p. 960.) Heath was thus an accomplice only if at the time he acted he had guilty knowledge and intent with regard to the commission of the crime. (People v. Duncan (1960) 53 Cal.2d 803, 816 [3 Cal.Rptr. 351, 350 P.2d 103].) The burden of proof of the issue is on the defendant. (People v. Tewksbury, supra, at p. 968; People v. Belton (1979) 23 Cal.3d 516, 523 [153 Cal.Rptr. 195, 591 P.2d 485].)

The undisputed facts disclose Heath was Martinez’ accomplice as to the first two of the series of robberies—those on which Martinez was acquitted—the charges were dismissed for lack of witnesses. However, on the third night, Heath’s attitude, intent changed. After two nights of robberies, Heath “just wanted to leave the area.” He no longer wanted to commit any robberies, but the group wanted to commit one more. With this state of mind, Heath drove the trio to the area where they had committed robberies the first night. Heath was aware of the crimi*139nal intent of Martinez and his cohorts to return again to a ranch near Vista and rob helpless aliens. As in the earlier robberies, his function in that illegal scheme was to be “wheelman,” the driver of the getaway car. However, as Heath awaited to perform that duty, fate intervened in the form of Officer Burke, who stopped and questioned him. Heath then left the area and returned to Los. Angeles. He did not wait to pick up the robbing trio; he did not aid in the asportation of the loot. He did in fact abandon his agreed upon unlawful duties as getaway driver. He left the three robbers to return to the motel or to Los Angeles as best they could.2 Thus there is uncontroverted evidence of Heath’s in fact physical withdrawal from actual participation in the crime. The effect of Heath’s withdrawal from participation was to impede, by denial of the means of escape, the fulfillment of the crime of robbery. From these facts, the trial judge could, if he believed Heath’s testimony, reasonably conclude Heath had withdrawn from participation in the crime and therefore did not have the requisite intent to abet a robbery by driving the getaway car.

It was said in an early California case dealing with the law of withdrawal from criminal activity and avoidance thereby of criminal responsibility “[Responsibility of an accessory ‘does not cease simply, because after starting the ball, he changes his mind, and tries, when too late, to stop it. To emancipate him from the consequences, not only must he have acted in time, and done everything practicable to prevent the consummation, but the consummation, if it takes place, must be imputable to some independent cause.’ [Citation.]” (People v. Ortiz (1923) 63 Cal.App. 622, 670 [219 P. 1024]; see People v. King (1938) 30 Cal.App.2d 185, 204 [85 P.2d 928]; People v. Jones (1961) 197 Cal.App.2d 503, 508 [17 Cal.Rptr. 252].) However, the California Supreme Court in People v. Zamora (1980) 18 Cal.3d 538, 558 [167 Cal.Rptr. 573, 615 P.2d 1361], criticized this rule, saying the elimination of the withdrawal defense is “certainly not calculated to encourage the abandonment of criminal associations or goals.”

If we accept without question the Ortiz rule (and give no heed to the People v. Zamora criticism of the rule), then there is substantial evidence to warrant the trier of fact finding that Heath, within time, acted *140in such fashion as to indicate an intent to withdraw. He did “everything practicable to prevent the consummation,” i.e., the escape, of the robbers from the crime scene with the loot. Heath agreed (conspired) to take part in a criminal group activity; he was not to participate in the act of robbing but rather his function was to aid and abet by driving the getaway car. However, Heath did not in fact carry out his agreed upon duty. His departure for Los Angeles immediately hindered the robbers in the fulfillment of the criminal act—escape from the scene. Heath could have done no more to prevent the successful culmination of the robbery other than to confess the real purpose for his presence to the questioning officer. This latter act is not required under People v. Zamora, supra, 18 Cal.3d at pages 557-559. Heath’s departure, his absence when needed most, was a most forceful communication—by action rather than words—to Martinez and his band of robbers of an intent to withdraw from participation in the crime.

Sound public policy requires the encouragement of withdrawal from participation in crime at any stage of completion of the misdeed. Such policy should apply with greater force where the crime contemplated— as here—is yet in the conspiracy stage, where the substantive crime— the object of the conspiracy—has not yet commenced its evil course. As a matter of sound policy, Heath’s acts with his declared intent—if believed—should be sufficient to establish the defense of withdrawal from participation in the crime of robbery. The law encourages the abandonment of criminal objectives at an early stage by cutting off liability at the point of withdrawal. In contrast, the majority’s “in for a penny, in for a pound” approach only encourages the continuation to consummation of criminal activity once started. Here, the trial court, had the question been presented to it, could reasonably have, on the uncontradicted facts, found Heath was not an accomplice because he withdrew from participation before commencement or completion of the projected crime by use of the most graphic and most effective means possible to notify Martinez of his intent to withdraw. On the other hand, the court could have found Heath was an accomplice (if it disbelieved Heath’s testimony as to his acts and intent), concluding he did not intend to withdraw from participating in the crime. The critical point is: the resolution of this fact question was for the trial court, not this court. (People v. Tewksbury, supra, 15 Cal.3d 953.) The majority’s first error is in deciding Heath was an accomplice as a matter of law and refusal to imply findings in support of the judgment.

*141II

If we pretend there was no evidence to support Heath’s acts and claim of an intent to withdraw from participation, no evidence that he in fact returned tp Los Angeles, no evidence that he deliberately refused to act as the driver of a getaway car and assume, arguendo, that Heath was Martinez’ accomplice, yet Heath’s testimony was adequately corroborated as required by law. The majority wrongly conclude it was not, however, by the process of restricting their examination of the record to the evidence presented by the prosecution in its case-in-chief. This is a fallacious conclusion because it rests upon an unsound legal foundation. It is grounded upon the majority’s conclusion that Martinez effectively moved for acquittal under Penal Code section 1118 at the close of the People’s case, thus imposing on the trial judge the burden of ferreting out and deciding the accomplice and corroboration issues at that point in the trial. This factual assumption is wrong, belied by the cold record. Martinez’ motion made at the conclusion of the People’s case-in-chief was not brought under section 1118. Consequently, the question of the sufficiency of the evidence to corroborate Heath’s testimony was not presented to the trial court at the conclusion of the People’s case-in-chief. This court is therefore required to examine the entire trial record in determining whether Heath (assuming he was an accomplice) was corroborated. When this is done, it becomes abundantly clear that Heath’s testimony was sufficiently corroborated.

As the majority opinion openly confesses, Martinez’ motion did not expressly ask for acquittal under section 1118 for prosecutorial failure to present a prima facie case. Nor did it do so by implication. Neither the form nor the substance of a section 1118 motion can be intuited from the words used or the court’s response. Rather, Martinez moved to dismiss “on the grounds there is no direct evidence that he committed any robberies at all. At best there is circumstantial evidence that he committed such robberies . . .. ” (Italics added.)

When purified of all sophistic content, the majority come to this remarkable conclusion: If a criminal defendant, at the close of the prosecution’s case, moves to dismiss on the ground that the only evidence of his guilt is circumstantial (a ground that as a matter of law is unmeritorious on its face and concedes lack of merit to a § 1118 motion if made), the trial court must intuit or divine that the defendant moved instead for acquittal under Penal Code section 1118 (for prosecutorial failure to prove a prima facie case) and must scour the record for de*142fects in the prosecution’s case which the movant’s very words have first assured the court are not present.

Here, the majority reverse the conviction because the trial court did not do so (without request to do so) and sua sponte determine (1) Heath was an accomplice and (2) the corroboration of his testimony was insufficient. The majority hold this to be trial court error even though the defendant (whether tactically or inadvertently we do not know) diverted the court’s attention from the precise questions that would be raised by a Penal Code section 1118 motion by conceding the validity of Heath’s testimony and not raising the question of Heath’s status as an accomplice. Mattinez’ concession that “[a]t best there is circumstantial evidence” and circumstantial evidence pointed to Martinez as one of the robbers invited the trial court not to search the record as it should have, had it been informed that a Penal Code section 1118 motion was being made.

The majority decision invites gamesplaying at least, a cynical sandbagging of the trial judge at most. Error if any was clearly invited. This fact further critically distinguishes this case from the one on which the majority rely, People v. Belton (1979) 23 Cal.3d 516 [153 Cal.Rptr. 195, 591 P.2d 485]. Belton held a defendant who moves for acquittal under Penal Code section 1118 need not specify his grounds. The Supreme Court did not by any stretch of imagination sanction a kind of gamesmanship/sandbagging the majority opinion would invite.

The majority’s approach imposes an unfair and unrealistic burden on trial judges. The law requires the trial judge to determine an accomplice’s status and the sufficiency of the corroboration of his testimony when made aware by some intelligible signal, a proper section 1118 motion is brought. No statute or decision has as yet been found that requires him to do so when no section 1118 motion is brought at all and his attention is, in fact, affirmatively diverted from a Penal Code section 1118 quest by the defendant’s representations. Trial judges are not required to assume the role of defense counsel and to make all appropriate motions on behalf of a defendant. The majority here comes dangerously close to imposing a Pope-type duty on the trial court to conduct an effective defense for the criminal defendant. The majority has created a new, an unwise and unneeded procedural rule to reach a socially abhorrent result.3

*143III

The record here compels this conclusion: The corroboration issue was not placed before the trial court at the close of the prosecution’s casein-chief. Therefore, the question of the sufficiency of the corroboration of Heath’s testimony must be determined by examining the entire trial record. Here, in addition to the corroborative testimony of the victim and the police (which it is argued is insufficient under the law as it now stands—but see discussion infra) the rational inferences from Martinez’ own trial testimony independently connect him with the crime and corroborate Heath’s testimony.

A defendant’s own testimony, statements and admissions may afford corroboration, proof, sufficient to sustain a verdict. (People v. Wade (1959) 53 Cal.2d 322, 329 [1 Cal.Rptr. 683, 348 P.2d 116]; 7 Wigmore on Evidence (Chadbourn rev. ed. 1978) § 2059, p. 421; People v. Rissman (1956) 154 Cal.App.2d 265, 277, 278 [316 P.2d 60].) In his direct testimony Martinez was able to recall that in the late evening hours of December 13, 1978, he was in Los Angeles with a girlfriend (who could not be located). Yet when asked if he was in the company of Mr. Heath on the 11th, 12th or 13th of December 1978, he replied “not to my recollection.” Did he rob anyone near Vista in the early morning hours of December 14, 1978? He answered “not to my recollection.” Did he rob anyone on the evening of December 13, 1978? He again replied “not to my recollection.” Martinez’ remarkable lack of memory followed closely upon a most detailed and memory-refreshing account by Heath and Olea of the not-too-forgettable events of December 11 through 14, 1978.

3A Wigmore on Evidence (Chadbourn rev. ed. 1970) section 1042, page 1056 sets forth this premise: “A failure to assert a fact, when it would have been natural to assert it, amounts in effect to an as*144sertion of the non-existence of the fact. This is conceded as a general principle of evidence (§ 1071 infra). There may be explanations, indicating that the person had in truth no belief of that tenor; but the conduct is ‘prima facie’ an inconsistency.” And Wigmore further observes an “unwilling witness often takes refuge in a failure to remember .. ..” (Id., p. 1061; fn. omitted.) Thus Martinez’ repeated refrain non mi ricordo in contexts where a direct affirmative or negative was patently called for warrants an inference not favorable to his assertion of innocence.

The rule is well established that “[w]here a statement is made within the presence and hearing of an accused, which is incriminatory or accusatory in character, and such statement is not denied by him, the statement and the fact of his failure to deny are admissible as an admission of the statement’s truth.” (3 Wharton, Criminal Evidence (1973) § 700, pp. 501-502; fn. omitted.) And “[a]n evasive or unresponsive reply to an incriminatory or accusatory statement is tantamount to silence, in which case the statement and the reply are admissible as an admission of the statement’s truth.” (Wharton, supra, p. 505; fn. omitted.) If such conduct—evasive, nonresponsive answers—given in an extrajudicial setting may under certain circumstances constitute an admission of the accusatory statement’s truth then certainly that same conclusion follows where the non mi recordo responses are given in. court.

Under California law, inferences from the testimony of the defendant may be considered in corroboration of an accomplice’s testimony (People v. Allen (1951) 104 Cal.App.2d 402, 411 [231 P.2d 896]; People v. Malone (1947) 82 Cal.App.2d 54, 63 [185 P.2d 870]) and the making of false or evasive or contradictory statements may constitute an admission. (People v. Wayne (1953) 41 Cal.2d 814, 822-823 [264 P.2d 547]; People v. Wright (1949) 94 Cal.App.2d 70, 80 [210 P.2d 263]; People v. Simmons (1946) 28 Cal.2d 699, 712 [172 P.2d 18].) The trial court could and did see Martinez’ evasive, nonresponsive answers. The trial court was clearly entitled to draw as inference of deception, falsity, and admission of the truth of the accusatory facts implicit in Martinez’ repeated non mi ricordo responses. Martinez’ own evasive, nonresponsive answers thus supplied the independent corroboration of Heath’s testimony required by Penal Code section 1111. (Cf. People v. Sullivan (1904) 144 Cal. 471, 473 [77 P. 1000].)

*145The fundamental rule is: Corroborative evidence, direct or circumstantial, is sufficient if it tends to connect the defendant with the crime, even though it is slight and entitled, if standing alone, to little weight. (People v. Wade (1959) 53 Cal.2d 322 [1 Cal.Rptr. 683, 348 P.2d 116]; People v. Negra (1929) 208 Cal. 64, 69, 70 [280 P. 354].) Martinez’ guilt-admitting responses on the witness stand were more than sufficient to corroborate Heath—if corroboration was necessary.

IV

In addition to the inferences derived from Martinez’ evasive nonresponses to questioning, a mass of evidence affirms the truthfulness of Heath’s testimony. At least 10 important facts of the crimes testified to by the victim Olea and Officer Burke mirrored in exact detail those provided by Heath. Heath’s testimony as to the number of the robbers, their race, their sex, the time of the robbery, the place of the robbery, the robbers’ use of two handguns, one larger than the other, the robbers’ use of a pillowcase stolen from a hotel, the robbers’ use of a single flashlight, and the green Kawasaki motorcycle was confirmed with exactitude by the testimony of Olea and Burke.

The large number of points of agreement between Heath and the nonaccomplice witnesses, and the complete absence of any contradictory points, renders virtually inescapable the conclusion that Heath is a believable witness and was telling the truth about Martinez’ involvement in the robberies. Nevertheless, as the law presently stands, does this evidence by itself sufficiently corroborate Heath’s testimony so as to support the verdict? Does it independently connect Martinez to the robberies? ‘“To corroborate the testimony of an accomplice, the prosecution must produce independent evidence which, without aid or assistance from the testimony of the accomplice, tends to connect the defendant with the crime charged.’” (People v. Szeto (1981) 29 Cal.3d 20, 27 [171 Cal.Rptr. 652, 623 P.2d 213].) Martinez argues the testimony of Olea and Burke, despite its obvious probative force in making Heath’s testimony absolutely believable, connects Martinez with the robberies only when read in conjunction with Heath’s testimony. Martinez argues it is therefore to be deemed valueless.

Counsel for Martinez conceded in open court “circumstantial” evidence connected Martinez with the Olea robberies. The majority opinion bursts with the admission there is no doubt that Martinez is *146guilty as charged. Why such concessions from the majority as well as defense counsel?

First, the testimony of Heath has such realism, such color, such detail as would require the word skills, the imagination of a Shakespeare or a Faulkner to fabricate such a story. Secondly Heath’s story has at least ten points of absolute congruence with the testimony of two totally believable witnesses.

A single thread from the white pillow case found on Martinez or a key in his pocket that would fit the door of the bunkhouse, or a shoe print at the robbery site of the same size, make as Martinez’ would meet the ritualistic requirement of tending to connect the defendant with the crime. We have no such talismanic bits of evidence here. However, the 10 points of agreement are analogous to the requirement of a minimum number of points of similarity required before a “scientific” opinion can be given as to the identity of a depositor of a questioned fingerprint. The same unanswerable reasoning (an astronomical degree of mathematic improbability of error is present where there are 10 or more points of congruence found on a questioned fingerprint) assures us that Heath is telling the truth. Martinez was one of the three robbers identified by Olea.

The code requires “such other evidence as shall tend to connect the defendant with the commission of the offense ....” As to the matter of that evidence requirement, the Supreme Court in People v. Henderson (1949) 34 Cal.2d 340, 342-343 [209 P.2d 785], said: “[Corroborating evidence ... is sufficient if it connects] the defendant with the commission of the crime in such a way as reasonably to satisfy the fact finding body that the accomplice is telling the truth.” For the same rule see People v. Medina (1974) 41 Cal.App.3d 438, 460 [116 Cal.Rptr. 133] (hg. den. by Supreme Ct.); People v. Randono (1973) 32 Cal.App.3d 164, 173 [108 Cal.Rptr. 326] (hg. den. by Supreme Ct.).

In Henderson, supra, the Supreme Court in discussing the mode of proof, the nature of the evidence that would constitute corroborative evidence said: “The testimony of Roberts that he held the black pistol and that the defendant held the shotgun at the time of its discharge has some corroboration in the testimony of the victims in the cafe who stated that one of the culprits had a shotgun and the other a black pistol.

*147“The testimony of the victims in the cafe that both men wore flesh-colored stockings as hoods with slits cut in them for eye holes shows circumstances in substantiation of the testimony of Roberts that he and the defendant wore hoods so described by him at the time of the commission of the crime.

“We are satisfied that the cumulative effect of the testimony of the women companions of the two men, the testimony of Roberts’ sister and the testimony of the victims in the cafe, none of whom could be deemed accomplices, point sufficiently to the establishment of the fact that the defendant was the other participant in the crime, and that the code requirements of evidence tending to connect the defendant with the commission of the crime have been sufficiently met.” (Id., at p. 346.) (See also People v. Sullivan, supra, 144 Cal. at p. 472, where similar “mirror image” testimony was held corroborative.) Thus the evidence received from Olea and Officer Burke was of the exact same type as approved by the Supreme Court. This specie of evidence patently fulfills the primary reason for the requirement of corroboration—distrust of accomplice testimony. (People v. Robinson (1954) 43 Cal.2d 132, 141 [271 P.2d 865].) Olea and Burke’s evidence made Heath’s believable. If corroboration was necessary, it was present in the required quantum in the People’s case-in-chief.

V

At common law, the uncorroborated testimony of an accomplice could sustain a conviction. (See 7 Wigmore (Chadbourn ed. 1978) Evidence, § 2056.) A practice gradually developed, however, of having the trial judge comment to the jury upon the weight and credibility of the accomplice’s testimony and the desirability of corroboration, and in roughly half of the jurisdictions in the United States this customary practice has become a fixed rule of law by statute.

A debate arose early as to the nature of the corroborative evidence required. Some English jurists took the position corroboration of the facts of the crime which did not independently implicate the defendant would not do. As stated by Lord Abinger, C.B., in R. v. Fawler (1837) 8 Car. & P. 106, 108: “A man who has been guilty of a crime himself will always be able to relate the facts of the case, and if the confirmation be only on the truth of that history, without identifying the person, that is really no corroboration at all.” Chief Baron Joy, however, was of the opposite view: “The correct and accurate manner in which an ac*148complice details the circumstances of the transaction shows that he was cool and collected, that he possessed observation, that his recollection is fresh, that he was an observer, not an inventor of facts and incidents; and if we find that in every point in which the evidence of other witnesses can be brought into contact with his, they fit into one another and correspond exactly, it is good ground for presuming that his entire narrative is correct. ... The accomplice, who must be supposed to know the whole details, is expected to relate them, and is thus exposed to detection in a variety of ways.” (Joy, Evidence of Accomplices (1844) p. 10; italics added.)

In California, the debate was resolved by statute. Penal Code section 1111, as originally enacted, provided: “A conviction cannot be had on the testimony of an accomplice, unless he is corroborated by other evidence which in itself, and without the aid of the testimony of the accomplice, tends to connect the defendant with the commission of the offense; and the corroboration is not sufficient, if it merely shows the commission of the offense, or the circumstances thereof.” Accordingly, the early California cases, without exception, and in conformity with this express legislative provision, held that corroborating evidence, to be sufficient, must tend to connect the defendant to the crime without the aid of the testimony of the accomplice. (See, e.g., People v. Morton (1903) 139 Cal. 719, 727 [73 P. 609].)

In 1911, however, the Legislature amended the statute to delete the phrase “which in itself, and without the aid of the testimony of the accomplice.” The section now reads: “A conviction can not be had upon the testimony of an accomplice unless it be corroborated by such other evidence as shall tend to connect the defendant with the commission of the offense; and the corroboration is not sufficient if it merely shows the commission of the offense or the circumstances thereof.”

In 1915, the Supreme Court had occasion to rule on the meaning of the section as amended. In a decision which can fairly be described as surprising, the court held (but not without dissent) that the amendment did not change the meaning of the section “at all.” (People v. Robbins (1915) 171 Cal. 466, 473-474 [154 P. 317].) The court cited none of the familiar canons of statutory construction, nor did it cite any evidence of legislative intent.4

*149The Robbins rule—the inclusion of a mode of proof excluded by the Legislature—has been questioned. “In view of the more recent decisions of the Supreme Court we conclude the test suggested in People v. Morton, supra, [139 Cal. 719] and followed by People v. Reingold, supra, (1948) 87 Cal.App.2d 382 (197 P.2d 175)] is not an exclusive method of analyzing the sufficiency of evidence corroborative of the testimony of an accomplice.” (People v. Griffin (1950) 98 Cal.App.2d 1, 28 [219 P.2d 519]; People v. Allen (1951) 104 Cal.App.2d 402, 413 [231 P.2d 896], and cases cited.)

The rule requiring corroboration of an accomplice’s testimony is somewhat an anachronism in modern evidence law. As a general rule, a criminal conviction can rest on the uncorroborated testimony of witnesses whose veracity is suspect. Those who have an interest in the case need not be corroborated; nor do those who have been convicted of crime. Yet an accomplice must be. The rule requiring corroboration has been widely criticized (see 7 Wigmore, Evidence (Chadbourn rev. ed. 1978) § 2057) and roughly half the jurisdictions in the country have never adopted it. Moreover, some of those states that do have the rule have sought to repeal it. (See, e.g., N.Y. Com. on the Admin, of J., 3d Supplemental Rep., p. 16 (Leg. Dec. 1937, No. 77) quoted in Wigmore, supra, at p. 420. )5

*150The reason for the rule requiring corroboration of an accomplice’s testimony is said to be this: An accomplice’s veracity is suspect because he may have secured a promise of leniency in exchange for his testimony. (Wigmore, supra, at p. 417.) The rule is not based on the notion that one who was involved in a criminal enterprise is, by virtue of that fact, inherently untrustworthy. As Wigmore notes: “We have passed beyond the stage of thought in which [an accomplice’s] commission of crime, self-confessed, is deemed to render him radically a liar.... The extreme case of the wretch who fabricates merely for the malicious desire to drag others down in his own ruin can be no foundation for a general rule.” (Ibid.) The problem with the rule, of course, is that even the promise of immunity is not always present. If that element is lacking in a particular case, so is the element of distrust. And even where present, its influence will be highly variable. This has led Wigmore and others to conclude that the rule requiring corroboration of accomplice testimony in all cases is unsound.

The section’s legislative purpose, if it is to assure an accomplice’s veracity, would be amply served by allowing the requisite corroborative evidence to refer to the accomplice’s testimony in order to be meaningful. The fact that the accomplice has told the truth about some aspects of the crime is some evidence that he can be believed as to other aspects. And this is especially true where, as here, the accomplice’s testimony is highly detailed and verified in every respect. Olea’s and Officer Burke’s detailed verification of Heath’s testimony should be more than enough to satisfy the legislative purposes expressed in Penal Code section 1111.

The corroborative evidence admitted here does independently connect the defendant to the crime scene, it independently establishes the truthfulness of the accomplice “testimony.” (People v. Henderson, supra, 34 Cal.2d 340.)

Judicial recognition of the fact that accomplices are really no less reliable than convicted felons or interested witnesses is already evidenced by the rule that the required corroborative evidence, if in the correct form, will satisfy the statute even when “slight, and entitled to little consideration when standing alone.” (People v. Wade (1959) 53 Cal.2d 322, 329 [1 Cal.Rptr. 683, 348 P.2d 116].)

The majority remand case No. CR 48564 to the superior court for a redetermination of Martinez’ entitlement to presentence credit. This *151task should be delegated to the Department of Corrections and not be imposed on an already overburdened trial judge. (See People v. Sage (1980) 26 Cal.3d 498, 507, fn. 7 [165 Cal.Rptr. 280, 611 P.2d 874].)

I would affirm the trial court judgment.

Respondent’s petition in No. 11727 for a hearing by the Supreme Court was denied July 28, 1982. Richardson, J., was of the opinion that the petition should be granted.