People v. Jimenez

Opinion

ROBXE, Acting P. J. —

“What people say behind your back is your standing in the community in which you live.” On the other hand, what people do not say about you may also shed light on your reputation in the community and, in turn, your character. That is the principle behind an optional part of CALCRIM No. 105 — the standard instruction on witness credibility — which informs the jury that “[i]f the evidence establishes that a witness’s character for truthfulness has not been discussed among the people who know him or her, you may conclude from the lack of discussion that the witness’s…