State Of Washington, Resp/x-app v. David Zachery Morgan, App/x-resp ( 2018 )

IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON
STATE OF WASHINGTON, No. 75072-1-1
Respondent, DIVISION ONE
V.
DAVID ZACHERY MORGAN, UNPUBLISHED
Appellant. FILED: May 29, 2018
Cox, J. — David Morgan appeals his convictions for one count of first
degree attempted murder, first degree arson, and first degree assault, all crimes
of domestic violence. The trial court did not abuse its discretion in declining to
dismiss these charges following Morgan's mistrial motion. And double jeopardy
did not bar retrial of these charges. But police authorities seized Morgan's
clothing from bags inside his hospital room without authority of law. The State
failed to prove by clear and convincing evidence that exigent circumstances
existed. That clothing was later admitted into evidence at trial. Accordingly, we
reverse and remand for a new trial.
David Morgan and Brenda Welch were divorced and shared custody of
their eight-year old daughter, K. Morgan spent three weekends per month with
K. Welch would pick her up at Morgan's house on Sunday evenings.
No. 75072-1-1/2
On Saturday night, November 15, 2014, Morgan left K. with his mother.
Morgan claims to have been sick. He was supposed to pick up K. before Welch
arrived at his home on Sunday evening. But he told officers who interviewed him
that he fell asleep.
Welch left her house around 6:25 p.m. on Sunday, November 16, 2014, to
pick up K. from Morgan's. Around 7:00 p.m., a neighbor saw that Morgan's
house was on fire. Firefighters arrived within minutes and found Morgan on the
ground, in the driveway. A lieutenant, the first firefighter to arrive, repeatedly
asked Morgan if anyone else was in the house. Morgan mumbled the word
"garage," and handed the garage door opener to the lieutenant.
The door opener did not work because a bin was blocking the door. After
getting inside, firefighters found Welch on her back, in a pool of blood. She had
severe burns on her upper body. She also smelled strongly of gasoline. She
was taken to Harborview Medical Center for observation and treatment.
Welch had a skull fracture with a pattern of head lacerations that
resembled a garden tool found by the front door of Morgan's home. She suffered
permanent injuries. She did not remember how she got hurt.
Morgan had blood on his hands and clothing but no lacerations. He had a
small wound on his forehead and his hair was singed. He was taken to Swedish
Edmonds Hospital for observation and treatment.
Officer Christopher Breault of the Lynnwood Police Department went to
the hospital, where Morgan was in a room being treated for smoke inhalation.
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No. 75072-1-1/3
He asked Morgan what had occurred that evening. Morgan spoke freely with the
officer regarding his memory of events.
Later that same evening, two other police officials arrived at the hospital
room to interview Morgan. During this interview, Morgan declined to give a
recorded statement. Sometime during this interview, police seized his clothing,
which was stored in several plastic bags located on the back counter of his
hospital room.
Police arrested Morgan the next day, upon his release from the hospital.
The State charged him with attempted first degree murder, first degree
assault, and first degree arson. Each charge included an allegation that it
constituted a crime of domestic violence.
On the fourth day of Morgan's first jury trial, the trial court granted a
mistrial due to prosecutorial misconduct. At the second trial that followed a short
time later, the jury convicted Morgan on all counts. The trial court sentenced him
accordingly.
Morgan appeals.
DISMISSAL UNDER CrR 8.3(b) AND CrR 4.7(h)(7)(I)
Morgan first claims that he was entitled to dismissal of the charges with
prejudice under CrR 8.3(b) and CrR 4.7(h)(7)(i) due to the prosecution's allegedly
outrageous and prejudicial conduct. The court did not abuse its discretion in
declining to dismiss the charges with prejudice on these grounds.
CrR 8.3(b) authorizes dismissal "due to arbitrary action or governmental
misconduct when there has been prejudice to the rights of the accused which
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No. 75072-1-1/4
materially affect the accused's right to a fair trial." CrR 4.7(h)(7)(i) authorizes the
trial court to impose sanctions, including dismissal for discovery violations.
A trial court will only order dismissal of charges under CrR 8.3(b) if the
defendant shows by a preponderance of evidence, arbitrary action or
government misconduct and prejudice affecting the defendant's right to a fair
trial.' Likewise, dismissal pursuant to CrR 4.7(h)(7)(i) is an extraordinary remedy
that is only available if a defendant can show actual prejudice.2
This court reviews the trial court's decision for manifest abuse of
discretion.3 A trial court abuses its discretion if its decision is manifestly
unreasonable or based on untenable grounds.4
Here the prosecutor elicited an opinion from an expert witness that had
not been disclosed in pretrial discovery. The State properly concedes that this
constitutes "government misconduct."5 However, Morgan still bears the burden
to show that his right to a fair trial was prejudiced in a manner that could not be
remedied by a new tria1.6 But the trial court specifically determined that Morgan
could be given a fair trial. And he fails to point to anything in the record of the
second trial to show he did not get a fair trial.
1 State v. Puapuaga, 164 Wash. 2d 515, 520, 192 P.3d 360(2008).
2 See State v. Krenik, 156 Wash. App. 314, 320, 231 P.3d 252(2010).
3 Puaduada, 164 Wash. 2d at 520-21; Krenik, 156 Wash. App. at 320.
4 State v. Michielli, 132 Wash. 2d 229, 240, 937 P.2d 587 (1997).
5 See id. at 239-40.
6 State v. Whitney, 96 Wash. 2d 578, 580,637 P.2d 956 (1981).
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No. 75072-1-1/5
Instead, he argues that he was prejudiced by the loss of the jury selected
in his first trial, especially since the media coverage of his case made it
particularly difficult for him to obtain a second unbiased jury. But he fails to point
to anything in this record to show why the original jury selected would have been
any fairer than the jury selected at his second trial.
Moreover, while Morgan claims that he was subject to adverse pretrial
publicity, the trial court disagreed. Morgan fails to present anything other than
speculation to show that the trial court was wrong in its assessment of this issue.
Morgan also argues that the mistrial, followed by retrial, worked to the
State's benefit. We see no persuasive explanation why, given the eleven-day
delay between termination of his first trial and commencement of his second trial.
Morgan relies on State v. Martinez, as support for his contention that
dismissal was appropriate due to the prosecution's allegedly "outrageous"
conduct.7 His reliance is misplaced.
In Martinez, the prosecution kept exculpatory evidence from Alexander
Martinez until the middle of tria1.8 The exculpatory evidence was revealed right
before the State rested.8 The jury voted 10 to 2 to acquit, and the trial court
declared a mistria1.10
7 121 Wash. App. 21, 86 P.3d 1210(2004).
8 Id. at 32-35.
9 Id. at 32-33.
18 Id. at 24, 29.
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No. 75072-1-1/6
When the State moved to refile the charges, Martinez moved to dismiss
based on double jeopardy and CrR 8.3(b).11 The trial court agreed with Martinez,
dismissed the charges, and the State appealed.12
This court affirmed. We noted that "dismissal under CrR 8.3(b) is an
extraordinary remedy that is improper except in truly egregious cases of
mismanagement or misconduct that materially prejudice the rights of the
accused."13 We then held that the prosecutor's withholding of exculpatory
evidence until the middle of trial was "so repugnant to principles of fundamental
fairness" that the trial court did not abuse its discretion in dismissing the
charges."
Here, the undisclosed evidence was not exculpatory. Rather, it supported
the State's theory that Morgan was guilty of arson. It is true that the trial court
found that the prosecution intentionally elicited an opinion that should have been
disclosed earlier, but Morgan has failed to cite to any authority equating such
conduct with a failure to produce exculpatory material or with other outrageous
behavior. Moreover, dismissal pursuant to CrR 8.3(b) is a discretionary decision.
Thus, affirming in this case is consistent with this court's decision to affirm in
Martinez. In both cases, this court defers to the trial court's exercise of
discretion.
"Id.
12 Id.
13 Id. at 30.
14 Id. at 35-36.
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No. 75072-1-1/7
Finally, Morgan argues in his opening brief that he was prejudiced
because the mistrial forced him to waive his speedy trial rights. But he concedes
in his reply brief that this argument was in error. Specifically, the last day for trial
pursuant to CrR 3.3 was Monday, March 21 and trial began on that day. We
need not further address this argument.
Morgan fails to show that he either could not receive a fair trial, or that he
suffered actual prejudice that could not be remedied by retrial. Accordingly, the
trial court did not abuse it discretion by refusing to dismiss the charges with
prejudice.
DOUBLE JEOPARDY
Morgan next argues that double jeopardy precluded a second trial,
notwithstanding that he sought the mistrial that the court granted. He further
claims that the prosecutor acted in bad faith by intentionally and repeatedly
eliciting highly prejudicial testimony from the State's expert in violation of the trial
court's discovery order. We disagree.
Both the federal and Washington constitutions protect persons from being
put into jeopardy twice for the same offense.15 Jeopardy attaches once a jury is
sworn in.16 In general, double jeopardy principles do not preclude retrial if the
15 State v. Turner, 169 Wash. 2d 448, 454, 238 P.3d 461 (2010).
16 State v. Corrado, 81 Wash. App. 640, 646, 915 P.2d 1121 (1996).
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No. 75072-1-1/8
mistrial was granted upon the defendant's motion.17 This is true even if the
defendant sought a mistrial due to prosecutorial error.18
Federal cases recognize one exception to the usual rule. If the prosecutor
intended to goad the defense into seeking a mistrial, re-trial is precluded.19 Other
bad faith actions by the prosecutor are not enough.20
Washington courts have recognized the possibility of a slightly broader
exception based on the Oregon Supreme Court's interpretation of its state
constitution.21 Under the "Oregon standard," double jeopardy precludes retrial if
the prosecutor "knows that the conduct is improper and prejudicial and either
intends or is indifferent to the resulting mistrial or reversal."22 The difference
between the federal and Oregon standards is quite narrow with the latter
including cases where the prosecutor "harass[es] the defendant with what the
prosecutor knows to be prejudicial error."23 Washington courts have not yet
decided whether this broader rule applies under the Washington constitution.24
17 Oregon v. Kennedy, 456 U.S. 667, 673, 102 S. Ct. 2083, 72 L. Ed. 2d 416
(1982); State v. Hopson, 113 Wash. 2d 273, 280, 778 P.2d 1014 (1989).
18 Hopson, 113 Wash. 2d at 280.
19 Kennedy, 456 U.S. at 676.
29 Id. at 675-76.
21Hopson, 113 Wash. 2d at 280 (citing State v. Kennedy, 295 Or. 260, 276, 666
P.2d 1316, 1326(1983)).
22 Id. (quoting Kennedy, 295 Or. at 276).
23 Id. (quoting Kennedy, 295 Or. at 272).
24 Id. at 277-78; State v. Lewis, 78 Wash. App. 739, 743, 898 P.2d 874(1995).
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No. 75072-1-1/9
Whether the prosecutor intended to goad the defendant into seeking a
mistrial is an issue of fact for the trial court.25 Likewise, a finding whether the
prosecutor intended or was indifferent to the possibility of a mistrial is factual, and
"[t]he trial court may infer its finding from objective facts and circumstances."26
We will not disturb the trial court's factual findings that are "supported by
substantial evidence."27 We review de novo any questions of law.28
Snohomish County Deputy Fire Marshall Edwin Hardesty investigated to
determine the cause of the fire. He submitted a report characterizing the cause
as "undetermined," and stating that he "could not rule out it was an incendiary
fire" and he could rule out all natural and accidental causes. The report was
provided to the defense.
Morgan moved to compel pursuant to CrR 4.7(a), asking the State to
provide a summary of the opinions of its expert witnesses. The trial court granted
the motion, and the State produced a memorandum summarizing Hardesty's
opinion and stating that he was expected to testify that the exact cause of the fire
was undetermined. In the same memorandum, the State provided that Mikael
Makela, the fire investigator assisting Hardesty, signed off on Hardesty's report,
and "it is expected that he would join in the ultimate conclusions listed above if
called to testify."
25 Lewis, 78 Wash. App. at 744.
26 id.
27 Id.
28 State v. Jackman, 156 Wash. 2d 736, 746, 132 P.3d 136(2006).
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No. 75072-1-1/10
At the first trial, Hardesty testified that, from the nature of the fire, he
concluded that some type of fuel or accelerant had been added to the room to
sustain the fire. Based on Welch's condition and the gasoline on her clothing,
Hardesty testified that he could not rule out that the fire was intentionally set. He
could eliminate all accidental causes in the room of fire origin and could not rule
out an intentionally set fire. He again classified the cause of the fire as
"undetermined."
On cross-examination, Morgan's counsel questioned Hardesty about
NFPA 921, a peer-reviewed manual that rejects a procedure called "negative
corpus" in which the investigator uses a process of elimination to conclude the
fire was intentionally set. Hardesty denied using that procedure.
The State later called Makela who testified that he agreed with Hardesty's
conclusions. Towards the end of his testimony, the following exchange occurred:
Makela:[Reading from the NFPA that]"An incendiary fire is
a fire that is deliberately set with the intent to cause the fire
to occur in an area where the fire should not be.
Prosecutor: And do you believe that's what occurred in this
case?
M: Yes, I do.
P:[Does the NFPA]reiterate anything about ignitable liquid?
M. It does.
P. What does it say?
M: The presence of ignitable liquids may indicate that a fire
was incendiary, especially when [they] are found in areas in
which they are not normally expected.
P: Did you find that in this particular case?
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No. 75072-1-1/11
M. Yes.
P: And the last paragraph?
M: Absence of personal items prior to the fire, the absence
of items that are personal, irreplaceable, or difficult items to
replace should be investigated." Examples include...
photographs, awards,... art, pets [and]the removal of
important documents, e.g., fire insurance policies, business
records, tax records, prior to the fire, should be investigated
and explained.
P: In consideration of all of that, of the standards of what you
both eliminated and what you found, do you have an opinion
as to whether this is an intentionally set fire?
M: Yes, I do.
P: Which is?
M: Yes. It is an incendiary fire.(29]
On cross-examination, Makela testified that he had told the State of his
opinion a few months before trial and had spoken with the prosecutor about his
conclusion "[m]aybe three of four times."3° He did not provide the State with a
written report of his conclusions.
Morgan moved for a mistrial because the prosecution had failed to
disclose in discovery Makela's opinion that the fire was intentionally set. The
prosecutor initially claimed that Makela's testimony was consistent with
Hardesty's. The trial court disagreed, noting that Makela had testified that his
professional opinion was that it was an intentionally set fire.
29 Report of Proceedings Vol. 5(February 29, 2016) at 950-51.
3° Id. at 951-52.
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No. 75072-1-1/12
The prosecutor then claimed that he believed he had provided materials to
the defense about Makela's opinions but would have to check. After a recess,
the prosecutor corrected his earlier statement and informed the court that he had
not intended to elicit this information on direct examination. The trial court
determined that failure to disclose Makela's opinion was a violation of the court's
discovery order and declared a mistrial.
Morgan then moved to dismiss the charges. The prosecutor responded
that he had elicited far more than he intended and acknowledged that his
questioning was "sloppy, inartful [sic], and unfocused."
The trial court disagreed with the prosecutor's version of the facts in its
response. The trial court determined that the prosecutor had asked questions
designed to elicit Makela's opinion that the fire was incendiary and that the "five
minutes or so of testimony that was elicited cannot be attributed to a mistake."
Nonetheless, it did not believe that the prosecutor's misconduct warranted
dismissal but reserved the right to impose sanctions at the conclusion of the
case. At the end of the second trial, the court determined that the mistrial was an
appropriate and sufficient sanction and imposed no others.
Morgan argues that the second trial violated his double jeopardy rights
because his motion for mistrial should not be considered as consent. He is
wrong.
Morgan relies on State v. Rich, as support for this argument that he did
not consent because he was presented with two equally unacceptable choices—
to allow a mistrial or to proceed with a jury that was tainted by the prosecutor's
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No. 75072-1-1/13
misconduct.31 He is wrong because John Rich objected to the trial court's
decision to grant a mistria1.32 If Morgan was correct, no defendant seeking a
mistrial due to prosecutorial error could ever be seen as consenting because he
or she always faces a choice between giving up the first jury or continuing with a
trial tainted by prosecutorial error.33
Morgan also argues that retrial should have been barred because the
prosecutor acted in bad faith to goad him into requesting a mistrial or to prejudice
his prospects for acquittal. He also argues the opposite—that the prosecutor
"took a risk by eliciting testimony he knew he had not provided in discovery,
presuming that the evidence would simply be stricken if defense counsel
objected." He argues that the prosecutor's improper questioning, coupled with
his subsequent false assertions, first that he had provided the information in
discovery and then that he had asked the questions by accident, shows bad faith
and thus the trial court erred in refusing to dismiss the charges. We disagree.
Under either double jeopardy standard, the more narrow one articulated
by the United States Supreme Court in Kennedy or the broader Oregon standard
recognized in Hopson, Morgan was not entitled to dismissal. Both require a "rare
and compelling" set of facts before dismissal is warranted.34
31 63 Wash. App. 743, 821 P.2d 1269(1992).
32 Id. at 745-46, 747.
33 See U.S. v. Dinitz, 424 U.S. 600,609, 96 S. Ct. 1075,47 L. Ed. 2d 267(1976).
34 Hopson, 113 Wash. 2d at 283.
13
No. 75072-1-1/14
The double jeopardy concerns presented in this case are very similar to
those addressed by this court in State v. Lewis.35 Andre Lewis was charged with
second degree murder, and at his first trial the prosecutor repeatedly asked a
witness about whether someone working for the defense had tried to get him to
change his story.36 Lewis objected three times and each time the trial court
sustained the objection.37 The trial court granted a mistrial concluding that the
prosecution "had introduced irrelevant, prejudicial evidence that denied Lewis a
fair trial."35
This court affirmed the trial court's refusal to dismiss the charges based on
double jeopardy.33 Turning first to the federal standard, the court observed that
"the critical factor is the trial court's perception that the State's case is going
badly and the prosecutor was looking for an excuse to start over."43
Here, there is no evidence that the prosecutor wanted to start over. To
the contrary, the trial court specifically found that prior to the improper testimony,
the State's case was strong.
Turning to the slightly broader Oregon standard, the court in Lewis,
observed that retrial was barred if the deliberate misconduct of the prosecutor
35 78 Wash. App. 739, 898 P.2d 874 (1995).
36 Id. at 741-42.
37 id.
38 Id. at 742.
39 Id. at 745-46.
4° Id. at 743.
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No. 75072-1-1/15
created a risk of mistrial, perhaps to avoid the serious danger of acquittal,
perhaps to harass the defense, or maybe just to retaliate against defense
counsel in some way. This court agreed with the trial court that the prosecutor's
misconduct was serious, its questions prejudicial, and that the prosecutor had
wrongfully persisted despite three sustained objections. Nonetheless, this court
deferred to the trial court's "first hand observations and sound judgment" and its
determination that the prosecutor's conduct was insufficient to bar retrial.
In this case, as in Lewis, the trial court did not find that the prosecutor
either intended a mistrial or was indifferent to the possibility. It also recognized
that it had the discretion to "weigh the balance of justice," and it determined that
dismissal would not support the ends of justice.
As in Lewis, we conclude that the trial court did not abuse its discretion in
determining that retrial was not barred by double jeopardy.
SEIZURE OF MORGAN'S CLOTHING
Exigent Circumstances
Morgan argues that the trial court improperly failed to suppress the
evidence obtained from his clothing because the clothing was illegally seized
without a warrant. He further argues that the subsequent warrant to analyze
bloodstain patterns was unlawful because it was obtained based on evidence
from the unlawfully seized clothing. We agree with both arguments.
15
No. 75072-1-1/16
As a general rule, a warrantless seizure is a per se violation of article 1,
section 7 of the Washington Constitution.'" There are a few "carefully drawn
exceptions to the warrant requirement" including exigent circumstances.42
"The exigent circumstances exception to the warrant requirement applies where
'obtaining a warrant is not practical because the delay inherent in securing a
warrant would compromise officer safety, facilitate escape or permit the
destruction of evidence."43 The supreme court has identified five circumstances
from federal cases that "could be termed 'exigent" circumstances.'" They
include "(1) hot pursuit;(2)fleeing suspect;(3) danger to arresting officer or to
the public;(4) mobility of the vehicle; and (5) mobility or destruction of the
evidence."45 However, merely because one of these circumstances exists does
not mean that exigent circumstances justify a warrantless search.46 There must
be a true emergency and a warrantless search is unlawful if other, less intrusive,
options were available.47
41 State v. Tibbles, 169 Wash. 2d 364, 370, 236 P.3d 885(2010).
State v. Garvin, 166 Wash. 2d 242, 249, 207 P.3d 1266(2009)(quoting State v.
42
Duncan, 146 Wash. 2d 166, 171,43 P.3d 513(2002)).
43Tibbles, 169 Wash. 2d at 370 (quoting State v. Smith, 165 Wash. 2d 511, 517, 199
P.3d 386 (2009)).
44 State v. Counts, 99 Wash. 2d 54, 60,659 P.2d 1087(1983)(emphasis added).
46Id. (citations omitted); see also State v. Terrovona, 105 Wash. 2d 632, 644, 716
P.2d 295 (1986).
E.c., Tibbles, 169 Wash. 2d at 370; State v. Patterson, 112 Wash. 2d 731, 735, 774
46
P.2d 10(1989).
47 State v. Cruz, 195 Wash. App. 120, 126-27, 380 P.3d 599(2016).
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No. 75072-1-1/17
In determining whether exigent circumstances exist, the court looks to the
totality of the circumstances.45 Six nonexclusive factors that may aid in
determining whether exigent circumstances exist are:
'(1) the gravity or violent nature of the offense with which the
suspect is to be charged;(2) whether the suspect is reasonably
believed to be armed;(3) whether there is reasonably trustworthy
information that the suspect is guilty;(4) there is strong reason to
believe that the suspect is on the premises;(5) a likelihood that the
suspect will escape if not swiftly apprehended; and (6)the entry
[can be] made peaceably.'[49]
When reviewing the trial court's denial of a motion to suppress, we review
challenged findings of fact for substantial evidence.50 We review de novo
whether exigent circumstances exist to justify the warrantless seizure.51
"The State bears a heavy burden" and "must establish the exception to the
warrant requirement by clear and convincing evidence."52
The issue before us is whether, under article 1, section 7 of the
Washington Constitution, the warrantless seizure of Morgan's clothing from the
storage bags in his hospital room—a per se violation of the constitution—was
done "under authority of law." Specifically, whether the State met its heavy
burden to show that either the "exigent circumstances" or "plain view" exceptions
applies.
48 Smith, 165 Wash. 2d at 518.
49 State v. Cardenas, 146 Wash. 2d 400, 406, 47 P.3d 127(2002).
58 Garvin, 166 Wash. 2d at 249.
51 City of Seattle v. Pearson, 192 Wash. App. 802, 811-12, 369 P.3d 194(2016).
52 Garvin, 166 Wash. 2d at 250.
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No. 75072-1-1/18
Here, CrR 3.5 and 3.6 hearings on Morgan's motions to suppress were
held successively on February 4, 2016. There are written findings of fact and
conclusions of law for the CrR 3.5 hearing. For unexplained reasons, the record
contains no written findings or conclusions for the CrR 3.6 hearing that is now at
issue.
Nevertheless, in a careful review of the record, we consider both the
evidence presented at the hearing and the trial court's rationale for its decision to
deny Morgan's motion to suppress the clothing evidence.
We first note that the trial court considered the written statements of
Officer Breault and Officer Brad Reorda that were attached to Morgan's motion to
suppress. It also considered the written statement of Sergeant Curtis Zatylny
that was introduced into evidence at the hearing. The trial court found these
statements insufficient to justify the seizure of the clothing.53 The State does not
contest this finding on appeal.
Thereafter, the State presented the testimony of Officer Breault, the only
person to testify at the CrR 3.6 hearing. He was one of several officers who had
testified at the CrR 3.5 hearing that immediately preceded the CrR 3.6 hearing.
During the CrR 3.6 hearing, Officer Breault testified that he arrived at
Swedish Edmonds Hospital around 8:45 p.m. to obtain information from Morgan
53 Report of Proceedings Vol. 1 (February 4, 2016) at 149-50.
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No. 75072-1-1/19
and provide medical updates to police authorities.54 He spent a couple of hours
with Morgan, in his hospital room, without noticing Morgan's bagged clothing.55
Two detectives arrived to interview Morgan after the officer had been with
him for a couple of hours. Officer Breault first noticed Morgan's bagged clothing
when he left the room following the arrival of the detectives.56 According to this
officer, the clothing was "in several plastic bags that the hospital had provided
and then placed on the back counter" of Morgan's hospital room.57
The record is unclear on who directed the seizure of Morgan's clothing.
The officer testified that it might have been the two detectives or some other
police official not present in the hospital room. What is clear is that he did not
seize the evidence on his own.
He also testified that neither he nor anyone else sought Morgan's
permission to seize the clothing. Moreover, he testified that neither he nor
anyone else sought a telephonic warrant.55
Nevertheless, Officer Breault testified that, when dealing with clothing that
may contain bodily fluids or gasoline, police procedure is to separate these items
and package them properly depending on the type of evidence. He further
testified that substances such as gasoline and chemicals rapidly dissipate and
54 Id. at 158.
55 Id at 159.
56 Id.
57 Id. at 151.
58 Id. at 162.
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No. 75072-1-1/20
such evidence needs to be packaged quickly and efficiently to preserve it for later
testing.
On cross-examination, he testified that he had no knowledge of the timing
of dissipation for anything that might have been on Morgan's clothing.59 He
further testified that he could not testify about what chemicals might have been
on the clothing.69 He also testified that his incident report made no mention of
why he assisted in packaging the clothing into the special arson bags that
another officer brought to the scene.61
A few months after Morgan's clothing was packed, sealed, and taken to
the crime lab, one of the two detectives that interviewed Morgan at the hospital
on the night of the fire visually inspected the clothes and noticed blood spatter on
Morgan's jeans and shirt. The clothing was sent to a forensic scientist with the
Washington State Patrol Crime Lab, who performed a bloodstain pattern
analysis.
Morgan sought to suppress both the clothing and the bloodstain pattern
analysis. The trial court determined that the State had met its burden to establish
exigent circumstances justifying the seizure of Morgan's clothes. However, it
also determined that any testing for purposes other than the presence of
accelerants was not justified by exigent circumstances and thus required a
59 Id. at 161.
6° Id.
61 Id. at 163.
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No. 75072-1-1/21
warrant. The trial court then suppressed the results of the forensic scientist's
bloodstain pattern analysis because exigent circumstances no longer applied.
Morgan moved to reconsider the denial of the suppression motion based
on the absence of any showing by the State that it was impractical to get a
warrant to seize the clothing.62 But the trial court denied the motion. It reiterated
its determination that Officer Breault had to act quickly once he saw the bag of
clothes to preserve any accelerant and avoid cross contamination.
Relying on this court's decision in City of Seattle v. Pearson, Morgan
argues that the warrantless seizure of his clothing was not justified by exigent
circumstances.63 Morgan is correct.
In Pearson, this court determined that the natural rate of dissipation of
THC in Tamisha Pearson's bloodstream did not justify a warrantless blood draw
under the exigent circumstances exception." This court held that the City failed
to show that waiting for a warrant would result in losing evidence of the
defendant's intoxication, and it "failed to show by clear and convincing evidence
that obtaining a warrant would have significantly delayed collecting a blood
sample."65
62 Report of Proceedings Vol. 1 (February 17, 2016) at 191-92.
63 192 Wash. App. 802, 369 P.3d 194(2016).
64 See Missouri v. McNeely, 569 U.S. 141, 152, 133 S. Ct. 1552, 185 L. Ed. 2d
696 (2013).
65 Pearson, 192 Wash. App. at 816.
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No. 75072-1-1/22
Here, the record at the CrR 3.6 hearing is devoid of any evidence showing
that it was impractical to get a telephonic warrant once police noticed the bagged
clothing in Morgan's hospital room. The only evidence from Officer Breault about
telephonic warrants is that no one applied for one. Why the police did not apply
for a warrant is not satisfactorily explained.
In Pearson, this court acknowledged that exigent circumstances may exist
"only if the party seeking to introduce evidence of a warrantless blood test can
show that waiting to obtain a warrant would result in losing evidence of the
defendant's intoxication."66 But absent such evidence, the natural dissipation of
THC for example in a suspect's bloodstream, will not, by itself, constitute exigent
circumstances.67
Applying that rationale here, we see no reason to relieve the State of its
burden to show that applying for a warrant in this case would have resulted in the
loss of whatever evidentiary value was in the bagged clothing. There is simply
nothing in the record of the CrR 3.6 hearing on this critical evidentiary issue.
Notably, the record of the CrR 3.5 hearing shows that one of the two
detectives who interviewed Morgan at the hospital on the night of the fire, during
a break in questioning, contacted the on-duty homicide deputy prosecutor to
determine how to proceed." Thus, to the extent consideration of material
outside the record of the CrR 3.6 hearing is proper, it appears that the means of
66 192 Wash. App. at 812-13.
67 Id.
68 Report of Proceedings Vol. 1 (February 4, 2016) at 103.
22
No. 75072-1-1/23
seeking a telephonic warrant were readily available. In our view, this buttresses
the absence of evidence that exists at the CrR 3.6 hearing to show that
application for a warrant was impractical.
We turn again to Officer Breault's testimony in support of the warrantless
seizure. In Pearson, there was testimony that obtaining a warrant would typically
take 60 to 90 minutes and the dissipation window was at least three to five
hours.69 Here, there was no testimony about what chemicals might have been
on Morgan's clothing or what the dissipation rates for such chemicals were.
Simply saying dissipation was likely is patently insufficient to support this seizure.
There was also testimony about the risk of cross contamination of the
clothing evidence. While we do not dismiss this general concern, this record
does not appear to support the argument. The bagged clothing remained
undisturbed for hours on a shelf in the hospital room, while Morgan was almost
constantly in the presence of police officers. He was not going anywhere. There
simply is no evidence to support the view that anyone would have been
successful in contaminating the evidence without the police being able to stop
them.
The assessment of exigency requires a "careful case-by-case" analysis,
and the seriousness of the crime being investigated is a factor." Here, the
seriousness of the crime weighs in favor of exigency. But that alone is not
enough to overcome the need for a warrant. If officers could reasonably obtain a
69 192 Wash. App. at 815-16.
70 McNeely, 569 U.S. at 152; Smith, 165 Wash. 2d at 518.
23
No. 75072-1-1/24
warrant before seizing Morgan's clothing without significantly undermining the
seizure, they had to do so.71
The State relies on State v. Welker to support its argument.that the
potential loss of evidence provided exigent circumstances justifying a warrantless
seizure of Morgan's clothes." Its reliance is misplaced.
In Welker, officers pursued Kenneth Welker shortly after responding to a
reported rape in the neighborhood." They knew Welker from previous
investigations and came to his house to speak with him.74 The officers were
invited into the house by Welker's mother and wife but denied entrance to the
basement." They went down anyway and found Welker, cowering naked under
the stairs." They arrested him.77
The court held that exigent circumstances justified the warrantless entry
into the basement because officers had a reasonable belief Welker was hiding
there and was likely to quickly destroy any evidence of the rape that remained on
his body." The rape had been reported at 1:47 a.m., and an officer testified that
71 McNeely, 569 U.S. at 152.
72 37 Wn. App. 628,683 P.2d 1110 (1984).
73 Id. at 630.
74 1d.
75 Id. at 631.
76 id.
77 Id.
75 Id. at 633-34.
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No. 75072-1-1/25
trace evidence usually present in rape cases such as hair, fibers, bodily
secretions and scratches is transient and short lived.79 The court noted that
"keeping the house under surveillance while a warrant was obtained at 3:30 a.m.
.. . was not a practical alternative."80 Specifically, because Welker had easy
access to facilities inside the house "[m]erely preventing [his] escape would not
preserve or prevent the loss of evidence which he carried on his person."81
Here, there was no such exigency, on this record. How Morgan,
hospitalized for smoke inhalation while almost constantly in the presence of
police officers interviewing him, could destroy the clothing evidence in his room is
left unexplained. And the record shows that detectives were in telephonic
contact with a deputy prosecutor, through whom they presumably could have
applied for a warrant to seize the clothing. In short, this case is of no assistance
to the State.
The State has failed to meet its burden to show that applying for a warrant
would have resulted in lost evidence.82 And the State failed to prove by clear and
convincing evidence that exigent circumstances existed.
The State does not argue that this error was harmless. On this record, it
could not so argue.
79 Id. at 634.
8° Id.
81 Id.
82 See Pearson, 192 Wash. App. at 816.
25
No. 75072-1-1/26
Plain View
The State asserts in its cross-appeal that even if the warrantless seizure
was not justified by exigent circumstances, it was justified under the "plain view"
doctrine. It argues that the trial court erred in believing that this doctrine did not
apply because the seizure was not inadvertent. We again disagree.
Under the plain view exception, if an officer is conducting a lawful search
and comes across an item "the incriminating character of[which] is immediately
recognizable, that item may be seized."53 The plain view exception to the
warrant requirement imposed by article 1, section 7 requires "prior justification for
intrusion," "inadvertent discovery of incriminating evidence," and immediate
knowledge of the incriminating nature of the evidence.84
Here, Officer Breault did not decide to seize the clothing bag when he
entered Morgan's room or at any time during the next few hours. Instead, he
testified that he may have been directed by other officers—none of whom
testified at the hearing—to seize the bag. His testimony shows that instead of
making the independent decision to seize incriminating evidence in plain view, he
assisted another officer who came to collect the clothing in a special arson bag.
None of the authorities of which we are aware apply to this factual pattern.
In addition, the plain view exception requires that the officer immediately
know that the evidence is incriminating.85 The exception only applies if police
83 State v. Hudson, 124 Wash. 2d 107, 114, 874 P.2d 160(1994).
84 State v. Kull, 155 Wash. 2d 80, 85, 118 P.3d 307(2005).
85 Id.
26
No. 75072-1-1/27
officers have probable cause to believe the object or evidence is contraband
"without conducting some further search, that is, the incriminating character must
be immediately apparent."86
Here, the record shows that Morgan's clothing was inside apparently
opaque hospital bags. And there was no testimony that Officer Breault detected
the scent of gasoline or any other type of accelerant before he seized the bag.
Therefore, as found by the trial court, the incriminating character of the evidence
was not in plain view because neither blood nor other relevant crime information
could be seen through the plastic bag. Officer Breault was not justified in seizing
Morgan's bag of clothes as an item immediately recognized as incriminating
evidence.
Accordingly, we reject the State's argument that the seizure of Morgan's
clothing was justified under the plain view exception to the warrant requirement.
There simply is no basis in this record to affirm on this basis.
Bloodstain Pattern Analysis
After the trial court suppressed the bloodstain pattern analysis results, the
State obtained a warrant and Kim Duddy performed a second bloodstain pattern
analysis. These results were admitted at trial. Morgan argues that the trial court
erred in admitting these results because the initial seizure of his clothing was
unlawful. He argues that "the results of the pattern analysis were not obtained
independently of the unlawful seizure." We agree.
86 Hudson, 124 Wash. 2d at 118.
27
No. 75072-1-1/28
It is well-established that when an unconstitutional seizure occurs, "all
subsequently uncovered evidence becomes fruit of the poisonous tree and must
be suppressed."87 Here, the search warrant was based on the affidavit of
Detective Jorgensen. Detective Jorgensen stated that he "conducted a visual
examination of Morgan's clothing" when it was sealed in the evidence bags.
Based on that visual examination, Detective Jorgensen sought the warrant so
that a bloodstain pattern analysis could be performed. Because the seizure was
unlawful, the results of the bloodstain pattern analysis should have been
suppressed.
Harmless Error
This court applies a harmless error analysis when the trial court
erroneously admits evidence that is the product of a warrantless search.88 A
constitutional error is harmless if the untainted evidence is so overwhelming as to
necessarily lead to a finding of guilt.88
Morgan argues that the error here was not harmless because there were
no witnesses to the crime, and the bloodstain pattern analysis was the only
evidence indicating that he was in close proximity to Welch when she suffered
her head injuries.
The State does not argue otherwise.
87 State v. Ladson, 138 Wash. 2d 343, 359, 979 P.2d 833(1999).
88State v. Guloy, 104 Wash. 2d 412, 425-26, 705 P.2d 1182(1985), cert. denied,
475 U.S. 1020, 106 S. Ct. 1208, 89 L. Ed. 2d 321 (1986).
89 Id. at 426.
28
No. 75072-1-1/29
The denial of the suppression motion constitutes reversible error.
Because we reverse on the bases explained, we only address those
remaining issues that may recur at trial on remand. It is unnecessary to address
the other issues raised in this appeal.
MIRANDA
Morgan argues that his statements to the detectives who interviewed him
in his hospital room should have been suppressed because they failed to advise
him of his Miranda rights.° We disagree.
"Miranda warnings were designed to protect a defendant's right not to
make incriminating statements while in police custody."91 They are required
"when an interrogation or interview is (a) custodial (b) interrogation (c) by a state
agent."92
Whether an interrogation is "custodial" depends on whether the suspect's
movement was restricted at the time of questioning.93 The test is "whether a
reanable person in the individual's position would believe he or she was in
police custody to a degree associated with formal arrest."94
We review a trial court's findings of fact following a CrR 3.5 hearing for
substantial evidence and review de novo whether the findings support the
99 See Miranda v. Arizona, 384 U.S. 436, 86 S. Ct. 1602, 16 L. Ed. 2d 694
(1966).
91 State v. Lorenz, 152 Wash. 2d 22, 36, 93 P.3d 133(2004).
92 Id.
93 Id.; see State v. Sargent, 111 Wash. 2d 641, 649, 762 P.2d 1127(1988).
94 Lorenz, 152 Wash. 2d at 37.
29
No. 75072-1-1/30
conclusions of law.95 Unchallenged findings of fact are verities on appea1.96 We
review de novo whether an interrogation was custodia1.97
Morgan only challenges the statements he made to the detectives, not to
Officer Breault. The following testimony was introduced at the CrR 3.5 hearing.
Around 10:40 p.m., two detectives arrived at Swedish Edmonds to
question Morgan. They were wearing civilian clothes, but they had badges.
Officer Breault went into the hallway to give them privacy.
The detectives questioned Morgan until 11:30. They then left the room
while a nurse provided medical treatment and assisted Morgan with the
bathroom. The detectives resumed their questioning at 12:05 a.m. and
questioned Morgan until around 12:45 a.m.
Morgan told the detective that he had come home from work and fallen
asleep. He awakened by being struck on the head. He heard a voice that he
thought might belong to Welch. He went downstairs through thick smoke and
found the house on fire with Welch against the back wall. She was on fire so he
ripped off her burning sweater and tried to pat out the flames. He ran outside
and only then realized that Welch was not with him. At some point, he realized
she was in the garage.
95 State v. Radcliffe, 164 Wash. 2d 900, 907, 194 P.3d 250(2008); Lorenz, 152
Wash. 2d at 30.
66 Lorenz, 152 Wash. 2d at 30, 36.
97 Id.
30
No. 75072-1-1/31
One detective testified that he did not immediately suspect Morgan but
this quickly changed once Morgan began answering the detectives' questions
because his story did not match up with the physical evidence. For example,
despite saying that he tried to put out the flames on Welch's burning sweater,
Morgan's hands were not burnt. When the detectives returned to Morgan's room
at 12:05 a.m., the conversation became "a little more confrontational." The
detectives told Morgan that they believed he had assaulted Welch and started
the fire. Morgan was arrested the next evening when he left the hospital.
Morgan challenges the trial court's statement in its oral ruling that the
conversation between Morgan and the detectives did not rise to the level of an
"interrogation" or "custodial interrogation." This statement is not part of the trial
court's written findings and conclusions. Moreover, it is irrelevant unless the trial
court also determined that Morgan was in custody when the detectives were
interviewing him.98 It did not.
Morgan challenges the trial court's factual findings that he was not under
guard, not restrained, and was not under arrest. He also challenges the trial
court's conclusions that he was not in custody to the degree associated with an
arrest and thus Miranda warnings were not required.
Morgan argues that he was under guard and in police custody because
the room was small, two armed officers were inside, and another uniformed
officer was just outside the door. He further argues that the trial court erred in
finding that he was "unrestrained" given that he was wearing an oxygen mask
98 Id. at 36.
31
No. 75072-1-1/32
and "tethered to medical equipment," making it difficult for him to get out of bed
and to need assistance to use the bathroom. Moreover, he was alone and
without family, friends, or any other persons during the interrogation.
None of these arguments is persuasive in light of the evidence in the
record that supports the trial court's findings and conclusions. First, there was
testimony that law enforcement placed no restrictions on Morgan's movements,
and he could have left the room at any time. Officer Breault testified that he was
outside the door because the room was small and he wanted to give the
detectives privacy, not because he was guarding Morgan.
In addition, to whatever extent Morgan was unable to leave the room
without assistance, his lack of mobility was caused by his injuries, not any
actions on the part of the detectives. In these circumstances, an accused is not
"in custody" for purposes of Miranda because in order to constitute custody, the
restriction on the suspect's freedom of movement must be police-created.99
Although Morgan may have felt alone or that he was restricted by his medical
condition or the presence of law enforcement, his psychological state is not
relevant to the objective determination of whether law enforcement restricted his
freedom of movement.199
Morgan relies on the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals decision in United
States v. Craighead, as support for his argument that he was in custody because
99 See, e.g., State v. Butler, 165 Wash. App. 820, 827-28, 269 P.3d 315(2012).
100 Sargent, 111 Wash. 2d at 649.
32
No. 75072-1-1/33
he did not feel free to leave.101 His reliance is misplaced because Craighead
concerned an interrogation by law enforcement in Ernest Craighead's own
home.102 The court recognized that, "[t]he home occupies a special place in the
pantheon of constitutional rights" and its "the most constitutionally protected
place on earth."103 Also, in Craighead there were eight law enforcement officers
from three different law enforcement agencies present, and the agents put
Craighead in a storage room at the back of his house to interrogate him.'"
Finally, although Morgan cites to the four factors listed in Craighead,
including whether the suspect is isolated from others and whether officers told
the suspect that he was free to leave, and claims that these factors must be
considered under a "totality of circumstances" analysis, he is wrong. The court
specified that those factors apply in determining whether an in-home
interrogation was custodia1.105 In Morgan's case, the test is whether a
reasonable person would feel that they are in custody to the degree associated
with a formal arrest.106 Under that test, Morgan was not in custody. Thus,
Miranda warnings were not required during the interrogation.
101 539 F.3d 1073(9th Cir. 2008).
102 Id. at 1077.
1°3 Id. at 1077, 1083.
104 Id. at 1078.
135 Id. at 1084.
106 Lorenz, 152 Wash. 2d at 37.
33
No. 75072-1-1/34
JURY INSTRUCTIONS
Morgan argues that the trial court committed reversible error when it
refused to instruct the jury that it must presume the fire was the result of accident
or natural causes. We hold there was no abuse of discretion in declining to give
this proposed instruction.
"Jury instructions are sufficient if they are supported by substantial
evidence, allow the parties to argue their theories of the case, and when read as
a whole properly inform the jury of the applicable law."107 This court reviews a
trial court's decision to reject a party's jury instruction for an abuse of
discretion.108
Morgan requested a jury instruction that:
Where a building is burned, the presumption is that the fire was
caused by accident or natural causes rather than by the deliberate
act of the accused.[1091
The jury was properly instructed on the elements of arson, that Morgan
was presumed innocent, and that the State had the burden of proving those
elements beyond a reasonable doubt. In light of these instructions, the trial court
did not abuse its discretion in excluding Morgan's requested instruction.11°
107 State v. Clausina, 147 Wash. 2d 620, 626, 56 P.3d 550(2002).
108 State v. Picard, 90 Wash. App. 890, 902, 954 P.2d 336 (1998).
109 Clerk's Papers at 108.
110 Picard, 90 Wash. App. at 903; see State v. Kindred, 16 Wash. App. 138, 141, 553
P.2d 121 (1976).
34
No. 75072-1-1/35
Morgan relies on State v. Smith, as support for his contention that the
court's refusal to give the requested instruction is reversible error.111 But his
reliance is misplaced because in Smith, the court did not address what other
instructions were given to the jury or whether those instructions would cure any
error.112 As recognized by the court in State v. Picard, the Smith opinion is
"dubious authority for the proposition that failure to give an instruction that a fire
is presumed to be accidental is reversible error."113
In addition, Morgan has cited to no evidence in the record that would
support the presumption that the fire was of accidental or natural causes. The
trial court did not abuse its discretion in refusing to give an instruction that is not
supported by the evidence.114
We reverse the judgment and sentence and remand for a new trial.
WE CONCUR:
111 142 Wash. 57, 252 P. 530(1927).
112 Picard, 90 Wash. App. at 903; see generally, Smith 142 Wash. at 58.
113 90 Wash. App. 890, 903, 954 P.2d 336(1998).
114 State v. Staley, 123 Wash. 2d 794, 803, 872 P.2d 502 (1994); Kindred, 16 Wn.
App. at 141.
35