State Of Washington, V Robert Doug Pierce ( 2015 )

FILED
COURT OF APPEALS
DIVISION II
2015 JAN 27 AM 8: 50
IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON
DIVISION II
STATE OF WASHINGTON, No. 45265 -1 - 1I
Respondent,
v.
ROBERT DOUG PIERCE, UNPUBLISHED OPINION
Appellant.
LEE, J. — Robert Doug Pierce appeals his convictions and sentences for two counts of bail
jumping and one count of third degree theft. Pierce contends that his charging document was
constitutionally deficient because the bail jumping counts did not identify the underlying charge.
He also argues that the trial court abused its discretion by refusing to consider his request for an .
exceptional sentence downward. In a statement of additional grounds ( SAG), Pierce maintains
that ( 1) he received ineffective assistance of counsel, ( 2) the trial court erred by ( a) denying his
requests for new counsel, ( b) granting Pierce' s request to represent himself only if he did not seek
any continuances, and ( c) denying his request for standby counsel; ( 3) the trial court erred by
admitting a court transcript pertaining to " David Doug Pierce" to support one of his bail jumping
No. 45265 -1 - II
convictions; and (4) the prosecutor committed misconduct. We reject Pierce' s claims of error and
affirm his convictions and sentences.
FACTS
On October 17, 2011, Pierce shoplifted a cell phone from the Port Orchard Walmart.
Deputy Sheriff Stephen Argyle arrested Pierce and took him to the Kitsap County Jail. After the
two men entered a jail elevator, Argyle noticed a small baggie of methamphetamine between
Pierce' s feet.
The State charged Pierce on March 30, 2012, with one count of unlawful possession of a
controlled substance under cause number 12 - 1- 00347 -3. After Pierce missed two court
appearances, the State filed an amended information adding two counts of bail jumping and a count
of third degree theft. A second amended information filed on March 4, 2013, added a third count
of bail jumping that was later dismissed.
The trial court appointed attorney Paul Thimons to represent Pierce. At a hearing on
February 7, 2013, Pierce asked for a new attorney after complaining that Thimons had waited too
long to interview witnesses and did not believe Pierce' s version of the events. The trial court
concluded that new representation was unwarranted. At the next hearing on March 4, Pierce asked
to represent himself. Before granting his request, the trial court conducted an extensive colloquy
in which it explained that the court would not be required to delay the trial or to appoint standby
counsel if Pierce waived his right to counsel. Pierce stated that he understood both conditions and
that he was not requesting assistance. At the end ofthe hearing, however, Pierce requested standby
counsel. None was appointed, and Pierce represented himself at trial.
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The jury found Pierce guilty of the two bail jumping charges and the theft charge, but it
could not reach a verdict on the drug charge. Before sentencing, Pierce asked for an attorney, and
the court reappointed Thimons. When Pierce objected, the court substituted attorney Craig Kibbe.
At the beginning of the sentencing hearing, Kibbe explained to the court that there was no
good faith basis to move for a new trial. The State then noted that although consecutive sentencing
was possible because of Pierce' s high offender score, it was recommending concurrent high -end
sentences on the bail jumping counts. During his allocution, Pierce informed the court that he had
just obtained documents supporting his claim that his initial failure to appear was due to external
circumstances; i.e., the theft of his car, which had contained the pertinent court papers. Without
those papers, Pierce explained that he checked a state court website that gave him incorrect
information about the hearing date. He contended that the second failure to appear was due to his
having written the wrong court date on his calendar. Pierce requested an exceptional sentence
downward, but the trial court rejected his request. The trial court imposed concurrent 56 -month
sentences on the bail jumping convictions and suspended the 364 -day sentence on the theft
conviction.
Pierce now appeals his convictions and the trial court' s rejection of his request for an
exceptional sentence downward.
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ANALYSIS
A. CHARGING DOCUMENT
Pierce contends that the charging document was constitutionally deficient for failing to
identify the underlying charge in the bail jumping counts. We review this challenge de novo. State
v. Williams, 162 Wash. 2d 177, 182, 170 P.3d 30 ( 2007).
An information must contain all essential elements of a crime to give the accused proper
notice of the crime charged so that he can prepare an adequate defense. Williams, 162 Wash. 2d at
183; State v. Kjorsvik, 117 Wash. 2d 93, 101, 812 P.2d 86 ( 1991). When a charging document is
challenged for the first time on appeal, as it is here, we must construe it liberally in favor of its
validity. Kjorsvik, 117 Wash. 2d at 105. In applying this liberal construction standard, we read the
words in the charging document as a whole and consider whether the necessary facts appear in any
form. Williams, 162 Wash. 2d at 185; Kjorsvik, 117 Wash. 2d at 109. If they do, we consider whether
the defendant was " nonetheless prejudiced by the inartful language which caused the lack of
notice." Williams, 162 Wash. 2d at 185 ( quoting Kjorsvik, 117 Wash. 2d at 105 -06).
The elements of bail jumping are met if the defendant ( 1) was held for, charged with, or
convicted of a particular crime, ( 2) was released by court order or admitted to bail with the .
requirement of a subsequent personal appearance, and ( 3) knowingly failed to appear as required.
RCW 9A.76. 170( 1); Williams, 162 Wash. 2d at 183 -84.
The second amended information set forth Pierce' s initial bail jumping charge as follows:
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Count II
Bail Jumping
On or about April 9, 2012, in the County of Kitsap, State of Washington,
the above -named Defendant, having been released by court order or admitted to
bail with knowledge of the requirement of a subsequent personal appearance before
a court of this state or of the requirement of a subsequent personal appearance
before a court of this state or of the requirement to report to a correctional facility
for service of sentence, did fail to appear or did fail to surrender for service of
sentence in which a Class B or Class C felony has been filed, to wit: Kitsap County
Superior Court Cause No. 12 -1- 00347 -3; contrary to Revised Code of Washington
9A.76. 170.
MAXIMUM PENALTY (Failure to appear in Class B or Class C felony case) —
Five ( 5) years imprisonment and /or a $ 10, 000 fine pursuant to RCW 9A.76. 170 and
RCW 9A.20. 021( 1)( c), plus restitution and assessments.)
Clerk' s Papers ( CP) at 16. Count III, the second bail jumping charge, was worded identically
except for the date of the alleged offense: August 7, 2012.
Count I charged Pierce with possession of a controlled substance ( methamphetamine) and
listed the maximum penalty of five years' imprisonment as well as the possible fines. Count IV
charged Pierce with third degree theft, punishable by up to 364 days in jail. The cause number of
12 -1- 00347 -3 was included in the information' s caption.
Pierce contends that this charging document was deficient because the bail jumping counts
did not identify the underlying crime, " but rather made inadequate reference to the underlying
cause number." Br. of Appellant at 9. The above -cited language shows, however, that the counts
referred to both the cause number and class of the underlying felony. This court upheld a charging
document under the liberal construction standard where it stated that the defendant failed to appear
after being charged with a class B or C felony. State v. Spiers, 119 Wash. App. 85, 91, 79 P.3d 30
2003).
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No. 45265 -1 - II
Pierce adds that the Washington Supreme Court held that charging language must identify
the particular offense underlying a bail jumping charge. Williams, 162 Wash. 2d at 185. In doing
so, however, the court cited with apparent approval the holding in Spiers. Williams, 162 Wash. 2d at
185; see also State v. Gonzalez-Lopez, 132 Wn. App. 622, 633, 132 P.3d 1128 ( 2006) ( pleading
either the underlying offense or the class of the underlying offense would be sufficient to apprise
defendant of essential elements of bail jumping).
Count I of the second amended information charged Pierce with possession of a controlled
substance ( methamphetamine) under cause number 12 -1- 00347 -3. The subsequent bail jumping
counts referred to this felony by cause number and class. When read as a whole, the second
amended information clearly identified the felony that supported the bail jumping charges and
provided Pierce with sufficient notice to prepare a defense. Also, Pierce makes no showing of
prejudice. We reject his challenge to this charging document.
B. SENTENCING
Pierce next argues that the trial court abused its discretion by refusing to consider
nonstatutory factors in support of an exceptional sentence downward.
Generally, a trial court must impose a sentence within the standard range, and a defendant
may not appeal that sentence. State v. Law, 154 Wash. 2d 85, 94, 110 P.3d 717 ( 2005); State v. Cole,
117 Wn. App. 870, 881, 73 P.3d 411 ( 2003), review denied, 151 Wash. 2d 1005 ( 2004). Where a
defendant has requested an exceptional sentence below the standard range, review is limited to
circumstances where the court has refused to exercise discretion at all or has relied on an
impermissible basis for refusing to impose the exceptional sentence requested. State v. Garcia -
Martinez, 88 Wn. App. 322, 330, 944 P.2d 1104 ( 1997), review denied, 136 Wash. 2d 1002 ( 1998).
No. 45265 -1 - II
Pierce contends that the trial court relied on an impermissible basis in refusing to impose a
mitigated sentence because the court would not consider nonstatutory factors supporting such a
sentence. See Law, 154 Wash. 2d at 94 ( Sentencing Reform Act sets forth nonexclusive " illustrative"
factors that court may consider in exercising its discretion to impose an exceptional sentence).
Pierce argued during sentencing that he was entitled to an exceptional sentence downward
because, after the car containing his court paperwork was stolen, he checked a court website that
did not contain the April 9 hearing date that he missed. He also explained that he missed an August
7 hearing because he wrote the wrong date in his calendar. The trial court responded to his
argument as follows: " The information you have given me, none of them are statutorily mitigating
factors. There' s not enough evidence for me to give you an exceptional sentence downward. So
I' m denying that request." Report of Proceedings ( RP) ( Aug. 16, 2013) at 27.
We do not view this conclusion as a refusal to consider the nonstatutory mitigating factors
that Pierce presented to support his request for an exceptional sentence downward. The court
considered Pierce' s explanation for missing two court dates and then exercised its discretion by
denying his request for an exceptional sentence based on the evidence presented. We see no abuse
of discretion on this record.
C. SAG
1. Ineffective Assistance of Counsel
Pierce argues in his SAG that he received ineffective assistance of counsel from the
attorneys who represented him before trial and during sentencing. Whether a defendant received
ineffective assistance of counsel is a mixed question of fact and law that we review de novo. State
v. McLean, 178 Wn. App, 236, 246, 313 P.3d 1181 ( 2013), review denied; 179 Wash. 2d 1026 ( 2014).
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No. 45265 -1 - II
To prove ineffective assistance, a defendant must show that his attorney' s performance was
deficient and that the deficiency was prejudicial. State v. Hendrickson, 129 Wash. 2d 61, 77 -78, 917
P.2d 563 ( 1996).
Counsel' s performance is deficient if it falls below an objective standard of reasonableness
and cannot be characterized as legitimate trial strategy or tactics. State v. Kyllo, 166 Wash. 2d 856,
863, 215 P.3d 177 ( 2009). Prejudice occurs when there is a reasonable probability that the trial' s
result would have differed had the deficient performance not occurred. Hendrickson, 129 Wash. 2d
at 78. A failure to satisfy either prong is fatal to a claim of ineffective assistance of counsel.
McLean, 178 Wash. App. at 246.
Pierce contends that his initial attorney, Paul Thimons, was ineffective because he did not
conduct an adequate investigation and failed to obtain evidence regarding Pierce' s stolen car that
would have supported an " uncontrollable circumstances" defense. Uncontrollable circumstances
that prevented a defendant from appearing in court may constitute an affirmative defense to the
crime of bail jumping. RCW 9A.76. 170( 2). The scope of this defense is defined by statute:
Uncontrollable circumstances" means an act of nature such as a flood, earthquake,
or fire, or a medical condition that requires immediate hospitalization or treatment,
or an act of a human being such as an automobile accident or threats of death,
forcible sexual attack, or substantial bodily injury in the immediate future for which
there is no time for a complaint to the authorities and no time or opportunity to
resort to the courts.
RCW 9A.76. 010( 4).
The State argued before trial that Pierce should not be able to offer testimony supporting
an uncontrollable circumstances defense. The State noted that the superior court did not post
hearing dates on the state court website that Pierce allegedly checked about the April hearing date,
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and that the website contained several disclaimers about the reliability of its information. The
State added that there was no evidence that Pierce had contacted the court directly about the April
hearing date. Pierce responded that his inability to find the correct date on the website constituted
a defense to his failure to appear at the April 9 hearing, and that his mistake in recording the date
constituted a defense to his failure to appear at the August 7 hearing. The court ruled that testimony
that Pierce was forgetful, confused, or misled by non -reliable sources concerning his hearing dates
did not establish an uncontrollable circumstances defense and would be excluded.
Pierce represented himself during this hearing and did not refer to his car being stolen.
Even if he had, Pierce' s reasons for not having his paperwork were largely immaterial to his
proposed defense of uncontrollable circumstances. Because any evidence about Pierce' s stolen
car was irrelevant to any proposed uncontrollable circumstances defense, Pierce is unable to show
that counsel' s performance was deficient. The claim of ineffective assistance of counsel based on
his attorney' s failure to investigate this defense, therefore, fails.
Pierce makes the related argument that his attorney at sentencing, Craig Kibbe, was
ineffective because he failed to move for a new trial based on newly discovered evidence
consisting of documentation about Pierce' s stolen car and did not present this evidence to the trial
court. Pierce' s earlier assertion that Thimons could have obtained this evidence before trial shows
that it did not constitute newly discovered evidence. See State v. Moran, 181 Wash. App. 316, 324,
324 P.3d 808 ( evidence is not newly discovered, for purpose of granting new trial, if it could have
been discovered before trial by due diligence), review denied, 337 P.3d 327 ( 2014). Furthermore,
as explained above, the fact that Pierce' s car was stolen was irrelevant to the subsequent bail
jumping charge. We see no deficient performance by defense counsel during sentencing.
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2, Denying requests for new counsel, continuance, and standby counsel
Pierce argues that the trial court erred in denying his requests for new counsel on February
7 and March 4, 2013. We review this decision for abuse of discretion. State v. Varga, 151 Wash. 2d
179, 200, 86 P.3d 139 ( 2004). As support for this claim, Pierce cites potential conflicts of interest
with Thimons that he did not mention to the trial court when requesting a new attorney on February
7. Rather, Pierce argued that Thimons had delayed interviewing witnesses and did not believe
what Pierce was telling him. The court found that Thimons had interviewed Pierce' s witnesses
and prepared for trial, and was a qualified attorney. We see no abuse of discretion in the court' s
denial of Pierce' s request for new counsel. On March 4, Pierce asked to represent himself and did
not request a new attorney. We need not address this claim of error further.
Pierce also argues that the trial court erred by warning him that it would grant his request
to represent himself only if Pierce did not request any further continuances. Pierce was charged
with possession of methamphetamine on March 30, 2012, and did not go to trial until March 4,
2013. After Pierce asked to represent himself, the trial court informed him that if it granted his
request, it would not give him a continuance. The following exchange occurred:
MR. PIERCE: That' s fine.
THE COURT: You are ready to go tomorrow?
MR. PIERCE: I will be.
THE COURT: We are picking a jury starting tomorrow.
MR. PIERCE: I will have to be.
1 RP at 5. Pierce then explained that he wanted several witnesses to be called, and that if they
could be in court the next day, he would be ready.
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No. 45265 -1 - II
Pierce now contends that he did not have adequate time to review the trial binder that
Thimons left him, but he expressed no such difficulty during trial. We see no abuse of discretion
in the trial court' s warning that it would not grant additional continuances if Pierce represented
himself.
Pierce further argues that the trial court erred in denying his request for standby counsel
because he needed counsel to help him obtain evidence pertinent to his uncontrollable
circumstances defense. This evidence appears to be documentation regarding his stolen car.'
After the trial court granted his request to represent himself, Pierce stated that he was not
asking for standby counsel. At the close of that hearing, Pierce explained that he did want standby
counsel, but not Thimons. The trial court asked the prosecuting attorney to determine whether an
attorney was available to assist Pierce, and the hearing ended. The record contains no further
discussion of standby counsel, and Pierce represented himself during trial without any additional
request for assistance.
There is no absolute right for a self represented
- defendant to have standby counsel, and we
review a trial court' s refusal to appoint standby counsel for abuse of discretion. State v. DeWeese,
117 Wash. 2d 369, 379, 816 P.2d 1 ( 1991); Locks v. Sumner, 703 F.2d 403, 407 -08 ( 9th Cir.), cert.
denied, 464 U.S. 933 ( 1983). Pierce did not state on the record that he needed assistance in
obtaining evidence, and the evidence he now describes would not have furthered his defense. The
record does not show that the trial court refused to appoint standby counsel or abused its discretion
by not appointing standby counsel. If Pierce has evidence outside the record to support this claim
1 Pierce attempted to attach these documents to his SAG, but we rejected them as evidence outside
the record on review. RAP 10. 3( a)( 8).
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of error, he may submit it in a personal restraint petition. State v. McFarland, 127 Wash. 2d 322,
335, 899 P.2d 1251 ( 1995).
3. Admission of court transcript
Pierce contends that the trial court erred in admitting a transcript pertaining to " David Doug
Pierce" to support one of his bail jumping convictions. SAG at 14 ( some capitalization omitted).
The transcript at issue was from the August 7 court hearing that Pierce missed and was admitted
as exhibit 32. During deliberations, the jury sent the trial court this statement: " Exhibit 32 has a
name other than that of the defendant." CP at 65. The trial court instructed the jury to consider
the exhibit in its entirety and in conjunction with all of the other evidence. This exhibit is not part
of the appellate record, but even if it did contain an incorrect name, Pierce admitted that he missed
the August 7 court hearing. We see no error in the trial court' s instructions to the jury and no
prejudice from any error in the exhibit.
4. Prosecutorial Misconduct
Finally, Pierce alleges that the prosecuting attorney committed misconduct by withholding
evidence about his stolen car from the court during sentencing. The prosecutor had no duty to
assist Pierce in seeking an exceptional sentence downward, and the documents at issue were
extraneous to that request. We reject Pierce' s claim of prosecutorial misconduct. See State v.
Fisher, 165 Wash. 2d 727, 747, 202 P.3d 937 ( 2009) ( misconduct occurs when State' s action is both
improper and prejudicial).
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We affirm.
A majority of the panel having determined that this opinion will not be printed in the
Washington Appellate Reports, but will be filed for public record in accordance with RCW 2. 06.040,
it is so ordered.
We concur:
e
Johanson, ;. J.
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