People v. Killebrew

Opinion

CORNELL, J.

This case involves the use of expert testimony about criminal street gangs. Lloyd Glenn Killebrew was convicted of conspiring to possess a handgun, a felony. (Pen. Code, §§ 182, 12031, subd. (a)(2)(C).) Killebrew did not have a handgun in his possession, but it was alleged that he was part of a conspiracy to possess the handgun. At trial, a police officer testified as an expert on gangs to establish not only Killebrew’s membership in a criminal street gang, but his subjective knowledge and intent to possess the handgun.

We conclude that the testimony about Killebrew’s…