Tapia (D) was accused of committing first-degree murder on February 12, 1989. Prop. 115 took effect on June 6, 1990. Voir dire had not been started on D's prosecution by that date, but the trial judge ruled that he could do the voir dire as mandated under Prop. 115. D objected and petitioned the Court of Appeal for a writ of mandate. That relief was denied. D appealed.

This section contains the nature of the case and procedural background.

The legal issues presented in this case will be displayed here.

The court's holding and decision will be displayed here.

Legal analysis from Dean's Law Dictionary will be displayed here.