People v. Walker
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CHP officers saw Walker’s vehicle weaving onto the shoulder and over the double yellow lines into opposing traffic. Two CHP patrol cars activated their lights and sirens. Walker “began to speed away.” The 24-minute, 18-mile pursuit and subsequent arrest were recorded on video. Walker reached speeds of 85 miles per hour in a 55 mile per hour zone, crossed into oncoming traffic, and drove in the wrong direction on the highway. CHP placed a spike strip. Although all four of his tires began deflating, Walker drove more than three miles before stopping. After Walker pulled over, he complied with some commands but appeared extremely confused. A bag containing more than 11 grams of methamphetamine was found next to the driver’s seat. A sample of his blood contained methamphetamine at the highest level that could be accurately reported. A criminalist testified high doses of methamphetamine can cause “meth psychosis,” similar to schizophrenia.
Walker was convicted of felony evasion of a peace officer (Vehicle Code 2800.2), misdemeanor DUI (23152(f)), and misdemeanor possession of methamphetamine (Health & Saf. Code 11377(a)). He admitted a prior serious felony conviction and was sentenced to a six-year aggregate term. The court of appeal affirmed, rejecting arguments that reckless driving is a lesser included offense of felony evasion, that the court should not have admitted a recording of Walker’s statements, and that Walker’s counsel was ineffective.
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