State Of Washington v. Daniel Sparks, Jr. ( 2019 )

Filed
Washington State
Court of Appeals
Division Two
June 4, 2019
IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON
DIVISION II
STATE OF WASHINGTON, No. 51198-3-II
Respondent,
v.
DANIEL WARREN SPARKS, JR., UNPUBLISHED OPINION
Appellant.
MELNICK, J. — Daniel Warren Sparks, Jr. argues insufficient evidence supports his
conviction for assault in the third degree on a police officer. Sparks provides additional arguments
in a statement of additional grounds (SAG). We affirm.
FACTS
I. INCIDENT
In June 2017, Longview police responded to a domestic violence 911 call made by Kayla
Sparks. When Officers Adam Surface and Ralph Webb arrived, they saw Kayla 1 standing in the
street physically shaking and screaming that she needed to get her kids back. Before the police
could get any information from her, they saw Daniel Sparks, III2 coming out of a residence
screaming at Kayla.
1
To prevent confusion, we refer to Kayla and her husband, Daniel Sparks, III, by their first names.
We intend no disrespect.
2
Daniel Sparks, Jr. is the defendant in this case and the father of Daniel Sparks, III.
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Daniel screamed, “‘Don’t lie to them,’” pointing at Kayla. Report of Proceedings (RP)
(Sept. 26, 2017) at 80. He had “fresh red scratch marks” on his arm. RP (Sept. 26, 2017) at 80.
Daniel yelled profanities at the police and Kayla. He said the police should not be there because
it was not a domestic violence issue. Surface tried to question Daniel, but he turned and began
walking up a ramp back toward the house.3 Surface told Daniel he was not free to go but Daniel
ignored him and continued toward the house.
Surface and Webb tried to detain Daniel and handcuff him, but he resisted. As a result,
Surface, Webb, and Daniel fell through the railing on the ramp, onto the grass in the front yard.
During the struggle, Webb had his back to the bottom of the ramp.
While the officers tried to restrain Daniel, Sparks approached Webb from behind. Surface
yelled at Sparks, “‘Hey, get back or you’ll be under arrest.’” RP (Sept. 26, 2017) at 109. Sparks
then grabbed Webb in the upper shoulder area. Webb testified, “[a]long the leg [sic] I could feel
pressure or a strike kind of thing on the right side of my head.” RP (Sept. 26, 2017) at 110. Sparks
tried to pull Webb off Daniel. Later, Webb had a small cut and red mark on his scalp. The jury
viewed a picture of Webb’s injuries.
Officer Matthew Hartley arrived after the other officers. He saw Sparks go up the ramp.
After Sparks grabbed Webb, Hartley grabbed Sparks from behind and forcefully threw him to the
ground through the railing on the other side, breaking it. Hartley ordered Sparks to his stomach,
but Sparks instead picked up a piece of wood from the broken railing and raised it as if he planned
to use it as a weapon.
3
The residence in this case had a ramp up to the front door rather than steps. It had a railing on
both sides. As discussed below, many of the events in this case occurred on the ramp.
2
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Sparks testified that he had been outside when the police first arrived and began interacting
with Daniel. He said the police “came in, in full force” without questioning or introductions, and
immediately attempted to place Daniel in handcuffs. RP (Sept. 27, 2017) at 21. Sparks’s wife,
also outside the residence, began having a panic attack. Sparks, attempting to get her medication
from the residence, walked up the ramp. He said he felt safe taking this action because Daniel was
“already on the ground with three cops on him, way off in the grass” and was no longer on the
ramp. RP (Sept. 27, 2017) at 23.
Sparks said that, when he got about halfway up the ramp, he was “blind sided and pulled
back and taken through the ramp.” RP (Sept. 27, 2017) at 23. He testified that, due to health
problems that require him to carry a cane, he was unable to stand. He took a board from the now-
broken ramp railing and used it to try to stand.
The State charged Sparks with two counts of assault in the third degree on a law
enforcement officer,4 one each against Webb and Hartley, and one count of obstructing a law
enforcement officer.5 The case proceeded to a jury trial.
II. MEDICAL CONDITION TESTIMONY
Sparks tried to testify about a heart condition that had caused him two heart attacks in the
past. He said this condition would have limited his ability to engage police in a fight. Sparks
began to testify that “one-third of [his] heart [was] dead” and he had congestive heart failure. RP
(Sept. 27, 2017) at 27. The State objected based on relevance and foundation. The court sustained
the objection as to foundation. Sparks’s attorney then asked Sparks whether he had been diagnosed
with a heart condition by a physician and the State objected “to foundation to a diagnosis without
4
RCW 9A.36.031(1)(g).
5
RCW 9A.76.020(1).
3
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a medical witness to provide that foundation or that testimony.” RP (Sept. 27, 2017) at 27. The
court sustained the objection, ruling it was “all hearsay at this point.” RP (Sept. 27, 2017) at 27.
Sparks argued that the diagnosis would fall into the hearsay exception for statements made
for purposes of medical diagnosis or treatment, such that “once it’s established that [Sparks had]
received this as a medical diagnosis from a physician, he can certainly say what his diagnosis is
under that exception.” RP (Sept. 27, 2017) at 28. The State responded that the hearsay exception
did not apply to a doctor’s diagnosis; just statements made to a doctor for purposes of diagnosis.
It also argued that Sparks did not “have the foundation to give his own diagnosis because he’s not
qualified to make that, and a doctor would be but they haven’t called a doctor as a witness to make
that diagnosis.” RP (Sept. 27, 2017) at 30.
The court sustained the objection “on foundation as a—kind of an extension of the hearsay
rule,” ruling that Sparks could not testify as to “what the doctor’s diagnosis was” because that
would be hearsay, but he could “certainly describe symptoms of [sic] they’re relevant.” RP (Sept.
27, 2017) at 32. It ruled that “the diagnosis is part of whether—what the impact of that diagnosis
is, is all part of the expert testimony.” RP (Sept. 27, 2017) at 33. The court specified that it
sustained the objection on the basis of foundation and that hearsay was the reason there was no
foundation.
Sparks then testified that he owned a defibrillator for use in case his heart gave out and that
the defibrillator limited his physical movements. He also testified that his heart is generally not
“in good shape.” RP (Sept. 27, 2017) at 34-35.
The jury found Sparks guilty of assault against Webb and of obstructing a law enforcement
officer, but not guilty of assault against Hartley. Sparks appeals.
4
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ANALYSIS
Sparks contends “substantial evidence” does not support his assault conviction.6 Br. of
Appellant at 9. He claims the State’s theory that Sparks hit Webb in the back of the head is
unsupported by the evidence. We disagree.
To determine whether sufficient evidence supports a conviction, we view the evidence in
the light most favorable to the State and determine whether any rational fact finder could have
found the elements of the crime beyond a reasonable doubt. State v. Engel, 166 Wn.2d 572, 576,
210 P.3d 1007 (2009). “In claiming insufficient evidence, the defendant necessarily admits the
truth of the State’s evidence and all reasonable inferences that can be drawn from it.” State v.
Drum, 168 Wn.2d 23, 35, 225 P.3d 237 (2010). Any inferences “‘must be drawn in favor of the
State and interpreted most strongly against the defendant.’” State v. Homan, 181 Wn.2d 102, 106,
330 P.3d 182 (2014) (quoting State v. Salinas, 119 Wn.2d 192, 201, 829 P.2d 1068 (1992)).
To convict Sparks of assault in the third degree as charged in this case, the jury had to find
beyond a reasonable doubt, “(1) That on or about the June 24, 2017 [sic], [Sparks] assaulted Ralph
Webb; (2) That at the time of the assault Ralph Webb was a law enforcement officer who was
performing his official duties; and (3) That the acts occurred in the State of Washington.” CP at
38; RCW 9A.36.031(1)(g). An “assault” is
[A]n intentional touching or striking of another person that is harmful or offensive
regardless of whether any physical injury is done to the person. A touching or
striking is offensive if the touching or striking would offend an ordinary person
who is not unduly sensitive.
An assault is also an act done with intent to inflict bodily injury upon
another, tending but failing to accomplish it and accompanied with the apparent
present ability to inflict the bodily injury if not prevented.
6
Sparks argues that due process requires that his convictions be supported by “substantial
evidence” which is lacking in this case. We evaluate this argument as a challenge to the sufficiency
of the evidence.
5
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An assault is also an act done with the intent to create in another
apprehension and fear of bodily injury, and which in fact creates in another a
reasonable apprehension and imminent fear of bodily injury even though the actor
did not actually intend to inflict bodily injury.
CP at 35; State v. Elmi, 166 Wn.2d 209, 215 & n.3, 207 P.3d 439 (2009). In this case, Sparks
contends the State presented insufficient evidence that he hit Webb in the head and that an ordinary
person who was not unduly sensitive would not find his “incidental contact” with Webb’s shoulder
offensive. Br. of Appellant at 13.
The State presented evidence in this case that, while Webb struggled with Daniel, Sparks
approached him from behind and grabbed him by the shoulders. Webb felt “pressure or a strike
kind of thing on the right side of [his] head” and later had a small cut and red mark on his scalp.
RP (Sept. 26, 2017) at 110.
In challenging the sufficiency of the evidence, Sparks “necessarily admits the truth of the
State’s evidence and all reasonable inferences that can be drawn from it.” Drum, 168 Wn.2d at
35. A reasonable jury could have inferred from the evidence in this case that Sparks hit Webb in
the head. Additionally, many witnesses testified that they saw Sparks grab Webb’s shoulders and
try to pull him, which a reasonable juror could find offensive to an ordinary person. Sufficient
evidence supports Sparks’s conviction.
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL GROUNDS
I. SPEEDY TRIAL RIGHTS
Sparks contends that the trial court “violated [his] rights to waive rights to speedy trial”
because a “last minute plea deal for misdemeanor was offered” by the prosecutor. SAG at 1. He
claims this “would have changed the outcome and no felony conviction would have ever
occurred.” SAG at 1.
6
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These statements do not amount to a claim for relief. The record does not contain any
information about any plea negotiations or Sparks’s attempts to waive his speedy trial rights.
Sparks may raise matters outside the record in a personal restraint petition. State v. McFarland,
127 Wn.2d 322, 338, 899 P.2d 1251 (1995).
II. POLYGRAPH REQUEST
Sparks contends that all parties, including himself, the police, and all attorneys in the case,
should “be compelled to undergo a lie detector test to establish the real truth in this case.” SAG at
1.
Courts have “consistently recognized” polygraph tests “as unreliable and, unless stipulated
to by all parties, inadmissible.” In re Det. of Hawkins, 169 Wn.2d 796, 802, 238 P.3d 1175 (2010).
Polygraph tests are also intrusive and implicate privacy concerns. Hawkins, 169 Wn.2d at 802-
03. Sparks acknowledges a lack of legal authority for his request, stating that he asks “the courts
to implement this.” SAG at 1. We decline to do so.
III. MEDICAL CONDITION TESTIMONY
Sparks contends that the trial court erred by refusing to let him testify about his heart
condition diagnosis without a medical expert witness.
Hearsay is “a statement, other than one made by the declarant while testifying at the trial
or hearing, offered in evidence to prove the truth of the matter asserted.” ER 801(c). Hearsay is
generally inadmissible unless it comes within an exception. ER 802; State v. Mohamed, 186
Wn.2d 235, 241, 375 P.3d 1068 (2016). “[T]his court reviews whether or not a statement was
hearsay de novo.” State v. Hudlow, 182 Wn. App. 266, 281, 331 P.3d 90 (2014). We review
evidentiary decisions for an abuse of discretion. State v. Christopher, 114 Wn. App. 858, 861, 60
P.3d 677 (2003).
7
51198-3-II
ER 803(a)(4) provides a hearsay exception for “[s]tatements made for purposes of medical
diagnosis or treatment and describing medical history, or past or present symptoms, pain, or
sensations, or the inception or general character of the cause or external source thereof insofar as
reasonably pertinent to diagnosis or treatment.” This rule exempts statements made to a physician
for purposes of receiving a diagnosis; not a diagnosis itself. A doctor’s medical conclusions often
evade hearsay concerns under the business records exception. RCW 5.45.020; see, e.g., State v.
Ziegler, 114 Wn.2d 533, 537-38, 789 P.2d 79 (1990); 5C KARL B. TEGLAND, WASHINGTON
PRACTICE: EVIDENCE LAW AND PRACTICE §§ 803.19-20, at 70-74 (6th ed. 2016) (“The [medical
diagnosis] exception is for statements made for purposes of medical diagnosis or treatment, not
statements simply describing medical diagnosis or treatment. Thus, the instant hearsay exception
is not the appropriate vehicle for introducing a patient’s medical records. Medical records are
normally admissible but under the business records exception.” (footnote omitted)).
The trial court excluded Sparks’s description of his own medical diagnosis “on the
foundation basis,” concluding that “hearsay is the reason there’s no foundation.” RP (Sept. 27,
2017) at 33. It concluded that any actual diagnosis of a medical condition would have to come
from a medical expert qualified to give that diagnosis, because Sparks’s statements about his
medical diagnosis were not based on personal knowledge but on hearsay from a doctor. The court
allowed Sparks to testify about his symptoms, just not about any diagnosis he had received.
8
51198-3-II
Any statements a doctor may have made to Sparks about a medical diagnosis would have
been hearsay within the meaning of ER 801(c). The trial court did not abuse its discretion by
rejecting Sparks’s argument that his diagnosis was admissible under ER 803(a)(4) because a
diagnosis itself is not a statement made for purposes of a diagnosis.7
IV. EXAGGERATED OFFICER TESTIMONY
Sparks contends that the officers fabricated the truth regarding Daniel’s size to “instill an
exaggerated fear on the jury.” SAG at 3. He claims the officer’s testimony that Daniel was six
foot five was exaggerated because Daniel is actually only six feet tall. Sparks argues that the
“fabricated fear was transferred to the jury,” resulting in “an unjust verdict of guilty” and an unfair
trial. SAG at 3.
“A conviction obtained by the knowing use of perjured testimony is fundamentally unfair
and must be set aside if there is any reasonable likelihood that the false testimony could have
affected the judgment of the jury.” State v. Larson, 160 Wn. App. 577, 594, 249 P.3d 669 (2011).
Surface testified that Daniel was about the same size as Surface and that Surface was six
foot five. Sparks testified that Daniel was “six-foot, two thirty.” RP (Sept. 27, 2017) at 22.
Nothing in the record suggests that Surface’s testimony was intentionally false. We leave
credibility determinations to the trier of fact and will not disturb them on review. State v. O’Neal,
126 Wn. App. 395, 412, 109 P.3d 429 (2005). We deny relief on this claim.
7
Sparks also claims it was unfair that the court let Webb testify about the injuries he sustained in
the incident without a medical expert. Webb did not testify about any medical diagnosis about his
injuries, but only the injuries themselves, much as the court allowed Sparks to testify about his
symptoms but not the underlying diagnosis.
9
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CONCLUSION
We affirm Sparks’s conviction.
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.
Melnick, J.
We concur:
Maxa, C.J.
Sutton, J.
10