Tomorrow morning, the Supreme Court will file its opinion in People v. Carney. (Briefs here; oral argument video here.)
This will be the sixth opinion in the nine cases argued in early-May. Two of the remaining cases should be decided by August 7. Because of post-argument briefing, the opinion in the other case — People v. Martinez — isn’t due until August 28. Additionally, opinions in the six cases on the late-May calendar are expected by August 21.
When the court granted review in Carney in March 2020, it limited the issues to: “Does the ‘substantial concurrent causation’ theory of liability of People v. Sanchez (2001) 26 Cal.4th 834 permit a conviction for first degree murder if the defendants did not fire the shot that killed the victim? What impact, if any, do People v Chiu (2014) 59 Cal.4th 155 and Senate Bill No. 1437 (Stats. 2018, ch. 1015, § 1, subd. (f)) have on the rule of Sanchez?” (Link added.) In October 2021, the court asked for supplemental briefing to address “the significance, if any, of Senate Bill No. 775 (Stats. 2021, ch. 551) to the issues presented in this case.” (Link added.) SB 775 codifies in part and clarifies in part the Supreme Court’s decision in People v. Lewis (2021) 11 Cal.5th 952. (See here.)
The opinion can be viewed tomorrow starting at 10:00 a.m.