People v. Johnson

CUÉLLAR, J.,

Concurring.—It is well and widely known in legal circles— and codified in the statutes of this state—that only relevant evidence is admissible. (Evid. Code, § 350.) The rationale for the rule is as simple as it is important: Excluding irrelevant evidence furthers the goal of rational, impartial factfinding and decisionmaking by the jury.

Where the defendant’s life is at stake, the need for reliability is heightened. (Caldwell v. Mississippi (1985) 472 U.S. 320, 340 [86 L.Ed.2d 231, 105 S.Ct. 2633].) Courts must take special care in capital cases to ensure that the evidence offered…