State of Washington v. JD Miller , 197 Wash. App. 180 ( 2016 )

FILED
DECEMBER 20, 2016
In the Office of the Clerk of Court
WA State Court of Appeals, Division Ill
IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON
DIVISION THREE
STATE OF WASHINGTON, )
) No. 33183-1-III
Respondent, )
)
v. )
)
JD MILLER, ) OPINION PUBLISHED IN PART
)
Appellant. )
KORSMO, J. - JD Miller challenges his conviction for first degree assault and
ensuing persistent offender sentence. We affirm the conviction and sentence, but remand
for reconsideration of the legal financial obligations (LFOs).
FACTS
The charge arose from a confrontation outside the home of Markham Welch in
Clarkston. Christopher Bennett and his ex-wife, Stacy Bennett, drove to her home on the
evening of May 20, 2014, and noticed a white BMW idling in her neighbor Welch's
driveway. The Bennetts suspected Welch of drug dealing and had seen the BMW at the
location before. Welch was not home at the time; the building was dark. 1 Christopher
Bennett went over to the BMW to confront the driver.
1 Power to the building had been shut off earlier that day.
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Demanding to know what the driver, Dustin Pearson, was doing there, Christopher
Bennett threatened to call the police. While Bennett went to retrieve his cell phone,
Pearson drove away. Mr. Miller then emerged from Welch's house. He and Bennett
exchanged words. Miller then struck Bennett once in the abdomen, stabbing him with a
utility knife. Stacy Bennett drove Christopher to the hospital where he underwent
emergency surgery.
Miller was arrested at a residence in Lewiston, Idaho, two days later. Pearson was
arrested on May 20 at his girlfriend's house where he had been hiding in the basement
crawlspace. Pearson eventually testified as a witness for the prosecution. When he
testified that he fled the Welch property because he feared that Bennett was returning
with a weapon, the prosecutor entered into evidence several items found in the back seat
of Pearson's vehicle that he admitted keeping for protection-a tire iron with a taped
handle, two knives, brass knuckles, and a starter pistol. The items were admitted over
defense relevance and undue prejudice objections.
Welch testified for the prosecution that JD Miller's cousin lived in the house with
him. A television from his house was discovered outside the home after the incident.
When Welch testified that Mr. Miller had not taken the television, he was impeached
with a note he had written to Stacy Bennett indicating that he believed the Bennetts had
interrupted a burglary of his house. He testified to the jury that while he initially believed
that Miller had burglarized the house, he later learned someone else had done so.
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Mr. Miller testified on his own behalf that he had gone to Welch's house to see his
cousin on her birthday. He walked into the house and discovered that no one was home.
He did not remove the television or anything else. After the brief visit, he walked out and
saw Pearson drive away from Christopher Bennett. Bennett came at him and Miller
pulled his knife and stabbed Bennett once. The injured man backed off and the fight was
over.
The prosecutor argued that Mr. Bennett's version of the events was more credible
and that Mr. Miller should be found guilty of first or second degree assault. The defense
argued that Mr. Miller had permission to be on the property and was merely defending
himself. The jury subsequently returned a guilty verdict on the charge of first degree
assault.
The only contested issue at sentencing was whether a prior Idaho conviction for
aggravated assault was the equivalent of Washington's second degree assault. The trial
court concluded that the two offenses were legally equivalent. The court then sentenced
Mr. Miller to life in prison as a persistent offender. The court also imposed total legal
financial obligations of $2,150; mandatory assessments constituted $800 of that figure.
Mr. Miller timely appealed to this court. A panel considered the case without
argument.
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ANALYSIS
This appeal presents two primary issues. 2 In the published_portion we consider
Mr. Miller's contention that the court erred in determining that the Idaho aggravated
assault conviction was the equivalent of a Washington second degree assault. He also
contends that the trial court erred in admitting irrelevant and prejudicial testimony.
Finally, he argues that the court erred in imposing LFOs without making a sufficient
inquiry into his ability to pay. We address first the equivalency argument before
addressing his other claims.
Equivalency
The sole issue argued at sentencing concerned the legal equivalency of the prior
Idaho conviction for aggravated assault. We agree with the trial court that the Idaho
offense was legally comparable to Washington's second degree assault.
Washington law requires that a persistent offender be sentenced to a term of life
imprisonment without the possibility of release. RCW 9.94A.570. A persistent offender
is one who has been convicted on at least three separate occasions, whether in
2 Mr. Miller filed a pro se statement of additional grounds that does not present
any meritorious issues. He contends first that the attorneys and judge conducted a
chambers hearing that was not recorded, but can point to nothing in the record supporting
the claim, nor can he show that any error occurred. He also argues that his CrR 3.3
timely trial right was violated, but presents no argument establishing why the trial court
erred in granting the two continuances (one to each side) reflected in the record.
Accordingly, we do not further consider the issues. RAP 10.lO(c).
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Washington or elsewhere, of felonies that under the laws of Washington would be
considered most serious offenses. RCW 9.94A.030(38)(a). A "most serious offense"
includes class A felonies, assault in the second degree, robbery in the second degree, and
other assorted violent crimes. RCW 9.94A.030(33).
Foreign convictions from another state or federal court may only count as a most
serious offense if the sentencing court is able to find the offense is legally or factually
comparable to a Washington most serious offense. In re Pers. Restraint ofLavery, 154
Wn.2d 249, 254, 111 P.3d 837 (2005). An appellate court reviews de novo whether an
out-of-state conviction is comparable to a Washington crime. State v. Sublett, 176 Wn.2d
58, 87, 292 P.3d 715 (2012).
To determine comparability, we "first consider if the elements of the foreign
offense are substantially similar to the Washington counterpart. If so, the inquiry ends."
Id. If, however, the elements of the foreign conviction are not substantially similar, or if
Washington defines the offense more narrowly than the foreign jurisdiction, it is
necessary to look to the factual record of the foreign conviction to establish factual
comparability. State v. Latham, 183 Wn. App. 390, 397, 335 P.3d 960 (2014). Offenses
are factually comparable "if the defendant's conduct constituting the foreign offense, as
evidenced by the undisputed facts in the foreign record, would constitute the Washington
offense." Latham, 183 Wn. App. at 397-98. The State must prove factual comparability
by a preponderance of the evidence. Id. at 398.
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Idaho defines assault as "[a]n intentional, unlawful threat by word or act to do
violence to the person of another, coupled with an apparent ability to do so, and doing
some act which creates a well-founded fear in such other person that such violence is
imminent." IDAHO CODE §18-90l(b). An aggravated assault is an assault with "a deadly
weapon or instrument without intent to kill." IDAHO CODE §18-905(a). In Idaho, a knife
is a deadly weapon. State v. Cudd, 137 Idaho 625, 627-28, 51 P.3d 439 (Ct. App. 2002);
State v. Hernandez, 120 Idaho 653, 659, 818 P.2d 768 (Ct. App. 1991).
Washington defines assault according to the common law and recognizes three
alternative means for committing assault: battery, attempted battery, and creating an
apprehension of bodily harm. 13A SETH A. FINE & DOUGLAS J. ENDE, WASHINGTON
PRACTICE: CRIMINAL LA w § 305, at 41 (1998). The third definition is at issue here.
Under that definition, an actor commits assault by "' putting another in apprehension of
harm, whether or not the actor actually intends to inflict'" the harm. State v. Frazier, 81
Wn.2d 628,631,503 P.2d 1073 (1972) (quoting United States v. Rizzo, 409 F.2d 400,
403 (7th Cir. 1969). The actor, however, must act with the intent to create that
apprehension. State v. Krup, 36 Wn. App. 454, 458-59, 676 P.2d 507 (1984). The
conduct must go beyond mere threats; there must be some physical action that, under all
the "circumstances of the incident, are sufficient to induce a reasonable apprehension by
the victim that physical injury is imminent." State v. Maurer, 34 Wn. App. 573, 580, 663
P.2d 152 (1983).
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In Washington, assault in the second degree occurs when a person ( among other
things) "[a]ssaults another with a deadly weapon." RCW 9A.36.02l(c). "Deadly
weapon" means "any ... weapon, device, instrument, [or] article ... which, under the
circumstances in which it is used, attempted to be used, or threatened to be used, is
readily capable of causing death or substantial bodily harm." RCW 9A.04.110(6).
A comparison of the major elements of the two statutes:
Idaho: Washington:
Aggravated Assault Assault in the second degree
Idaho Code 18-905(a) RCW 9A.36.021(c)
Intent of actor Intend to threaten violence but do Intend to create apprehension of
not intend to kill harm
Result in Create a well-founded fear that Induce a reasonable apprehension
victim violence is imminent that violence is imminent
Additionally ... With a deadly weapon or With a deadly weapon
instrument
The trial court concluded that the two crimes were equivalent and, therefore, did
not address the question of whether Mr. Miller's conduct would factually have
constituted second degree assault in Washington. 3 As the above chart suggests, we agree
that the offenses are equivalent.
Both crimes share the same intent. Idaho's "threaten violence" standard is
equivalent to Washington's "create apprehension of harm." Both states use the common
law definitions of assault that include both assault and battery. As critical here, both
3
The Idaho charging document alleged that Mr. Miller threatened a woman with a
large butcher knife. Clerk's Papers at 77.
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states recognized that threatened use of force constitutes an assault. The Idaho statute is
somewhat narrower in that the threat need not rise to the level of a threat to kill, while
Washington's includes no limitation. The level of threatened harm in the two states is
equivalent.
Similarly, both definitions require that the victim apprehend the threat and be
affected by it. In Idaho, the victim needs to have a well-founded fear that violence is
imminent. In Washington, the threat needs to induce a reasonable apprehension of
imminent violence. We believe a well-founded fear of imminent violence is the
equivalent of a reasonable apprehension of imminent violence.
Finally, both offenses must be committed with a "deadly weapon." While Idaho's
assault statute encompasses "instruments" along with a deadly weapon, Washington's
definition of deadly weapon also includes an "instrument." RCW 9A.04.110(6). A knife,
Mr. Miller's weapon of choice in both cases, constitutes a deadly weapon in both states.
Again, this element is shared by the two statutes.
The two statutes are virtually identical. An aggravated assault in Idaho, which
constitutes an assault with a deadly weapon, is the equivalent of Washington's second
degree assault by means of an assault with a deadly weapon. Both statutes use the same
definition of assault and the same definition of deadly weapon. In each instance, the
statutes require that the victim have either a "well-founded fear" or "reasonable
apprehension" of imminent violence.
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Agreeing with the trial court, we hold that an Idaho aggravated assault is the legal
equivalent of Washington's second degree assault. The trial court properly characterized
the prior Idaho conviction as a "strike" when it sentenced Mr. Miller as a persistent
offender.
A majority of the panel having determined that only the foregoing portion of this
opinion will be printed in the Washington Appellate Reports and that the remainder
having no precedential value shall be filed for public record pursuant to RCW 2.06.040, it
is so ordered.
Evidentiary Arguments
Mr. Miller contends that the trial court erred in admitting into evidence
information about Pearson's flight from the police and the weapons found in his car, as
well as erred in admitting evidence that the television was found in the bushes outside
Welch's house and that Welch initially suspected Miller of burglary. The defense
challenged this evidence at trial on the basis of ER 401 and ER 403.
Properly preserved evidentiary objections are largely governed by the Rules of
Evidence and are subject to well understood standards of review. Evidence is relevant if it
makes "the existence of any fact that is of consequence to the determination of the action
more probable or less probable." ER 401. Relevant evidence is generally admissible at
trial, but can be excluded where its value is outweighed by other considerations such as
misleading the jury or wasting time. ER 402; ER 403. Trial court decisions to admit or
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exclude evidence are entitled to great deference and will be overturned only for manifest
abuse of discretion. State v. Luvene, 127 Wn.2d 690, 706-07, 903 P.2d 960 (1995).
Discretion is abused where it is exercised on untenable grounds or for untenable reasons.
State ex rel. Carroll v. Junker, 79 Wn.2d 12, 26,482 P.2d 775 (1971). A court also
abuses its discretion when it applies the wrong legal standard. State v. Rafay, 167 Wn.2d
644, 655, 222 P.3d 86 (2009).
The failure to raise an evidentiary objection to the trial court waives the objection.
State v. Guloy, 104 Wn.2d 412, 422, 705 P.2d 1182 (1985); State v. Boast, 87 Wn.2d 447,
451-52, 553 P .2d 1322 (1976). As explained in Guloy:
A party may only assign error in the appellate court on the specific ground
of the evidentiary objection made at trial. Since the specific objection
made at trial is not the basis the defendants are arguing before this court,
they have lost their opportunity for review.
Guloy, 104 Wn.2d at 422 (citation omitted).
With that background, it is time to tum to Mr. Miller's arguments. Pearson
testified at trial without objection that he had seen police cars with flashing lights and had
pulled over to hide from one of them. Officers then testified, without objection, that they
had knocked at the house where he was hiding and been told that he was not there.
Counsel objected on ER 401 and ER 403 grounds when the prosecutor asked what
happened next. The court permitted the testimony to complete the story and for
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impeachment purposes. When officers started to impound his car, Pearson's girlfriend
had admitted that he was present and he came out of the house.
On appeal, Mr. Miller now argues that this testimony violated ER 404(b ). Since
he did not raise that argument at trial, he cannot do so now. Guloy, 104 Wn.2d at 422.
The initial testimony about the "flight" and concealment at the house went unchallenged,
so any claim is now waived. Id. The "what happened next" testimony completed the
story; the trial court also admitted it as impeachment evidence that conflicted somewhat
with how the officers described the encounter. This was a tenable basis to admit the
evidence. While it was of minor relevance, it also was not prejudicial to Miller.
Of more significant concern was the discussion of the various weapons found in
Pearson's car. The defense challenged this evidence on the basis of ER 401 and ER 403
and received a standing objection on those grounds to each of the items introduced.
Pearson had described his encounter with Bennett to the jury. Pearson denied that
Bennett had said anything about calling the police and was "concerned" about whatever
Bennett had in his hand as he returned to the car. While Pearson admitted he would have
defended himself if on foot, he further testified that he fled solely because his car gave
him the ability to escape safely. The trial court admitted the various items found in the
car to impeach Pearson's claim that he fled due to concerns for his safety rather than
because of fear of arrest. This was a tenable basis for admitting the evidence. Bennett's
and Pearson's versions of their encounter conflicted; the fact that Pearson was well-
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armed contradicted his claim that he needed to flee for personal safety purposes. It
presented the jury with opposing explanations for Pearson disappearing and leaving his
friend Miller to face Bennett alone. To the extent it reflected whose version should be
believed, the evidence was relevant to the respective credibility of Pearson and Bennett.
Mr. Miller also argues on appeal that evidence of the television found in the
bushes and Mr. Welch's note to Stacy Bennett should not have been admitted. At trial,
he again challenged both pieces of evidence on the basis of relevance and undue
prejudice, citing to ER 40 I and 403. The trial court found the evidence relevant. The
relevancy was particularly obvious in light of Welch's apparent backtracking on the
witness stand. While he initially had told Ms. Bennett that he had been the victim of a
burglary, he claimed that he later learned from his cousin4 that she had given permission
for JD Miller to be there and that someone other than Miller or Pearson had put his
television outside the house. Mr. Miller was there helping remodel the building.
The relevancy of the note was obvious. It conflicted with Mr. Welch's testimony
that Mr. Miller had permission to be at the house and was authorized to remodel the
building. The presence of the television in the backyard was consistent with the State's
theory that Miller was present to burglarize the deserted house. The challenged evidence
was relevant. Use of the note to impeach Welch was somewhat prejudicial to Mr. Miller
4 Welch testified that through marriage his roommate was both his cousin and Mr.
Miller's cousin, but the two men were not themselves related.
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in that it alleged burglary, but the note only became admissible once Welch told a
different story that supported Miller. The presence of television in the backyard was not
unfairly prejudicial to Mr. Miller merely because it supported the State's case.
The trial court had tenable grounds for admitting the evidence and did not err in its
determination that the evidence was not unfairly prejudicial. Mr. Miller did not raise ER
404(b) at trial as a basis for excluding the evidence. He cannot do so now.
There was no evidentiary error.
Legal Financial Obligations
Mr. Miller also requests that we remand for consideration of his LFOs due to the
failure of the trial court to conduct the inquiry dictated by State v. Blazina, 182 Wn.2d
827,344 P.3d 680 (2015). In light of our decision upholding Mr. Miller's persistent
offender status, we exercise the discretion accorded us in Blazina to remand for
consideration of the discretionary LFOs. The court may either strike them or conduct a
sentencing hearing on that issue.
Affirmed and remanded.
WE CONCUR:
``('
Pennell, J. ' cf
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