State of Washington v. William John Wright ( 2017 )

FILED
MAY 2, 2017
In the Office of the Clerk of Court
WA State Court of Appeals, Division III
IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON
DIVISION THREE
STATE OF WASHINGTON, ) No. 33217-9-111
)
Respondent, )
)
V. ) UNPUBLISHED OPINION
)
WILLIAM JOHN WRIGHT, )
)
Appellant. )
LAWRENCE-BERREY, J. - William J. Wright appeals his convictions for one count
of possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance-methamphetamine, and four
counts of possession of a stolen vehicle. He argues the trial court erred in several
respects. His primary arguments challenge the veracity of the disclosed informant, the
adequacy of the affidavit in support of the search warrant, the particularity of the search
warrant, and the State's failure to preserve the recording of the informant's interview that
lead to the search warrant. We disagree with these and other arguments and affirm.
No. 33217-9-III
State v. Wright
FACTS
A. PREARRESTFACTS
Facts included in the affidavit for the search warrant
On October 17, 2013, Deputy Jordan Bowman arrested Charles Castro in
Newport, Washington, for an outstanding Department of Corrections warrant. Deputy
Bowman advised Castro about the methamphetamine pipe and firearms he saw in
Castro's truck. Castro responded that he had information about where methamphetamine
was coming from in the Newport area and wanted to talk about it.
Deputy Bowman took Castro to the sheriff office's interview room, provided
Castro his Miranda I warnings, and advi~ed him that the interview was being video-audio
recorded. Deputy Bowman later testified that unless one requested a copy of the
recorded interview within 45 days, the system automatically recorded over the old
interview.
Castro said he and a friend purchased methamphetamine from William Wright on
or about October 14, that the three of them smoked the purchased methamphetamine in
Wright's shop that day, and that Wright lived in an apartment above the shop. Castro
provided specific details of the purchase, including that he went upstairs on the day of the
purchase and saw Wright with a grapefruit sized rock of methamphetamine. Castro said
1
Miranda v. Arizona, 384 U.S. 436, 86 S. Ct. 1602, 16 L. Ed. 2d 694 (1966).
2
1
No. 33217-9-III
State v. Wright
Wright usually kept methamphetamine behind and to the right of a black recliner chair in
the upstairs living room. Castro also said there is a cabinet behind the recliner where he
had personally observed and handled a 7 mm rifle, a .45 caliber revolver, and a .30-06
rifle. Deputy Bowman's affidavit in support of probable cause noted that Wright was a
convicted felon. Castro further stated there are always methamphetamine pipes, scales,
and bindle "baggies" on the coffee table in the living room.
Castro said he had purchased methamphetamine from Wright for several years.
Castro admitted he had a longtime methamphetamine addiction, but said he did not like
to buy from Wright because Wright was a "predator." Clerk's Papers (CP) at 144.
Castro admitted to having purchased methamphetamine from Wright six to seven times in
the past 30 days.
Castro also described his observations of illegal activity on Wright's property. He
said he had purchased and smoked methamphetamine in a trailer on Wright's property
where Monty Radan and Ellen Dailey lived. He also said he had smoked
methamphetamine at a remote location on Wright's property near a concrete slab.
Castro, based on his belief that Wright walked to this remote location daily, thought
Wright might keep his money at that location. Castro also described a vehicle junkyard
400 to 500 yards west of Wright's residence where he and Wright would shoot guns and
3
No. 33217-9-III
State v. Wright
smoke methamphetamine. Castro believed that drugs and firearms might be stored in the
junkyard.
Castro also mentioned another location, 50 to 75 yards north of Wright's
residence, where a stolen Dodge pickup was possibly located. Castro said he overheard a
conversation between Wright and Justin Ackaret about replacing an ignition on the stolen
pickup.
In the affidavit in support of the search warrant, Deputy Bowman partially
corroborated the information provided by Castro. Deputy Bowman noted that law
enforcement arrested Ackaret on Wright's property five or six months before. He also
noted that Ackaret had multiple felony convictions, including two convictions for
possession of a stolen vehicle, and had a history of stealing Dodge pickups.
Also in the affidavit, Deputy Bowman disclosed that Castro has six felony
convictions: two counts of possession of a stolen vehicle, two counts of possession of a
controlled substance, and an attempt to elude, all from 2012; and a separate conviction
for possession of a stolen vehicle in 2011.
Scope of the search warrant
A judicial officer reviewed the affidavit and then issued a search warrant. The
warrant granted authorization to search, among other things, four contiguous parcels
belonging to Wright, one of which had his shop and residence on it, one of which had a
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No. 33217-9-III
State v. Wright
trailer on it, and two of which contained no buildings. The warrant authorized officers to
search for a white mid-90s Dodge Ram pickup, all firearms including but not limited to a
.45 caliber revolver, a 7 mm rifle, a .30-06 rifle, and all other things by means of which
the crimes of manufacturing, delivering, or possessing a controlled substance have or
reasonably appear to have been committed.
Execution of the search warrant and items found
Deputies knocked and announced their presence at Wright's shop. A male's voice
from inside the shop said "' [j]ust a minute.'" Report of Proceedings (RP) at 165. The
deputies heard furtive movement in the upstairs portion of the shop. After nearly two
minutes, deputies pried open the door and found Wright and three others in the shop.
Deputies found a small amount of methamphetamine, two small digital scales with
methamphetamine residue, 75 hydrocodone pills in separate unlabeled bottles, $230 in
cash, and hundreds of small unused sealable I-inch by I-inch bindle baggies with designs
on them. Drug dealers often use small bindle baggies to distribute illegal drugs,
including methamphetamine. Many of the baggies bore a red smiley face.
Deputies also searched the travel trailer in which Radan and Dailey lived. Both
residents gave consent to search. Deputies found a drug kit with Dailey's name on it and
two firearms. The drug kit contained drug paraphernalia and a single used bindle baggie
with a red smiley face, just like those found in Wright's residence. The firearms
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No. 33217-9-III
State v. Wright
belonged to Radan. Elsewhere on Wright's property, the deputies found three stolen
vehicles and a stolen all-terrain vehicle.
B. POST ARREST FACTS BEFORE TRIAL
The State charged Wright with one count of possession with intent to deliver a
controlled substance-methamphetamine, one count of possession with intent to deliver a
controlled substance-hydrocodone, and four counts of possession of a stolen vehicle.
In December 2013, defense counsel sought a copy of the recording of Castro's
video-audio interview. However, the recording no longer existed because no one had
requested a copy within 45 days.
On March 17, 2014, defense counsel interviewed Castro. The purpose of the
interview was to question Castro about the information he gave Deputy Bowman that led
to the s~arch warrant. Through this interview, defense counsel learned of information
Castro told Deputy Bowman that was not included in his affidavit. For instance, Castro
told Deputy Bowman that he wanted to do heinous things to Wright because Wright was
a pedophile, gave drug cocktails to women, and fried the mind of his child's mother. In
addition, Castro told Deputy Bowman that his dislike for Wright was so intense that he
considered shooting him, that he was out for vigilante justice, and that revenge was one
of his reasons for providing information that could lead to Wright going to jail.
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No. 33217-9-111
State v. Wright
Castro provided defense counsel information that was different from what was in
Deputy Bowman's affidavit. The different information, however, was not exculpatory;
rather, it generally consisted of how often and when Castro had purchased
methamphetamine from Wright.
Prior to trial, Wright requested a Franks 2 hearing. Wright argued that Deputy
Bowman intentionally omitted information about Castro's hatred toward Wright in the
warrant affidavit. In denying Wright's request for a Franks hearing, the trial court
determined that Wright failed to make the required showing that Deputy Bowman's
omissions were material and were intended to mislead or deceive the judicial officer who
signed the warrant. The trial court found that the omissions were not material because it
would be reasonable to presume that Castro had an ulterior motive for sharing
unfavorable information about Wright with law enforcement.
Wright later filed a motion to suppress the evidence obtained from the search
warrant. Wright argued that the search warrant was deficient because it failed the
Aguilar/Spinelli3 test. The trial court denied the motion, and found that Castro had met
the basis of knowledge and veracity prongs of the Aguilar/Spinelli test. The knowledge
2
Franks v. Delaware, 438 U.S. 154, 98 S. Ct. 2674, 57 L. Ed. 2d 667 (1978).
3
Aguilar v. Texas, 378 U.S. 108, 84 S. Ct. 1509, 12 L. Ed. 2d 723 (1964); Spinelli
v. United States, 393 U.S. 410, 89 S. Ct. 584, 21 L. Ed. 2d 637 (1969), abrogated by
Illinois v. Gates, 462 U.S. 213, 103 S. Ct. 2317, 76 L. Ed. 2d 527 (1983), but adhered to
by State v. Jackson, 102 Wash. 2d 432, 688 P.2d 136 (1984).
7
No. 33217-9-III
State v. Wright
prong was satisfied by: (1) Castro's personal observations of methamphetamine being
sold and possessed by Wright, (2) Castro's own purchase of methamphetamine from
Wright in the recent past and over the last few years, (3) Castro's shooting of firearms
with Wright, (4) Castro's observations of firearms in Wright's residence, (5) Castro's
overhearing a conversation between Wright and a known car thief about a stolen 1990s
Dodge pickup truck, and (6) Castro's observations of abandoned vehicles on Wright's
property. The veracity prong was satisfied by: (1) Castro's numerous statements against
his penal interests-including his use, purchase, and possession of illegal drugs, and his
illegal use and possession of firearms; (2) Castro's willingness to allow himself to be
fully identified and to forgo a confidential status; (3) Castro's detailed knowledge of the
layout of Wright's property; and (4) law enforcement's ability to corroborate some of
Castro's information.
Wright also moved to dismiss the charges on the basis that law enforcement
violated his due process rights when it failed to preserve Castro's recorded interview.
The trial court conducted an evidentiary hearing and heard from witnesses including
Deputy Bowman. In addition, the trial court compared the transcript of defense counsel's
March 17, 2014 interview of Castro with Deputy Bowman's search warrant affidavit.
The trial court found that Castro's omitted statements were not exculpatory. The trial
court also found that the omitted statements were not inconsistent with the statements
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No. 33217-9-III
State v. Wright
contained in the search warrant affidavit. In particular, the affidavit's reference to Wright
as a "predator" was consistent with Castro's omitted statements that Wright was a
pedophile, a rapist, and had wronged "[Castro's] mama's babies." CP at 313. The trial
court further found that Castro's statements to defense counsel supplied defense counsel
"considerably more detail than the [unpreserved] recorded interview with Deputy
Bowman." Id. Finally, the trial court found that Deputy Bowman's failure to request a
copy of the recorded interview was not due to a desire to cover up any statement by
Castro in the interview. Rather, it was because Deputy Bowman did not believe he
needed a copy of the recording. Based upon these findings, the trial court denied
Wright's motion to dismiss the charges.
C. OBJECTIONS DURING TRIAL
The case went to trial on January 20, 2015. Deputy Dan Dice testified that law
enforcement found firearms inside the trailer where Radan and Dailey lived. The State
also sought to admit a picture of the single used red smiley face bindle baggie found in
Dailey's drug kit. Wright objected based on relevancy. The trial court determined that
the baggie has some relevance and overruled the objection.
During closing argument, the State began discussing Castro's criminal history.
Wright objected on the basis that the State was improperly vouching for Castro. The trial
court did not rule on the objection but said it would "bear that in mind." Report of
9
No. 33217-9-III
State v. Wright
Proceedings (RP) at 767. Wright argued in closing that the State would make a "bargain
with the devil." RP at 781. In rebuttal, the State again began to discuss Castro's criminal
history. Wright again raised a vouching objection. The trial court overruled the
objection. The State then admitted that it made a deal with Castro and said, "the deal was
worth it." RP at 802. Wright again objected. The trial court partially sustained the
objection by instructing the jury to disregard the last part of the State's comment.
After the jury left to deliberate, Wright moved for a mistrial based on vouching.
The trial court noted that no vouching had occurred until the ambiguous final comment
and ultimately concluded that not even the final comment was vouching. The trial court
denied Wright's motion for mistrial.
The jury found Wright guilty of possession of a controlled substance with intent to
deliver-methamphetamine, and four counts of possession of a stolen motor vehicle. In
addition to a lengthy sentence and community service, the trial court imposed mandatory
and discretionary legal financial obligations (LFOs ). Wright appealed.
ANALYSIS
A. DENIAL OF FRANKS HEARING
Wright argues the trial court erred when it denied his request for a Franks hearing
to challenge the search warrant affidavit. Wright contends law enforcement intentionally
or recklessly omitted the material statements from Castro to minimize Castro's hatred
10
No. 33217-9-III
State v. Wright
toward him. Wright further contends, if those statements had been included in the search
warrant affidavit, they would have negated probable cause and all evidence would have
been suppressed.
This court reviews denial of a Franks hearing for an abuse of discretion. State v.
Wolken, 103 Wash. 2d 823, 829-30, 700 P.2d 319 (1985). Under the Fourth Amendment to
the United States Constitution, omissions in a warrant affidavit may invalidate the
warrant if the defendant establishes that they are material and made in reckless disregard
for the truth. Franks, 438 U.S. at 155-56; State v. Cord, 103 Wash. 2d 361, 366-67, 693
P .2d 81 (1985).
A defendant challenging a warrant on this basis is entitled to a Franks hearing if
he makes a substantial preliminary showing of the materiality of the omissions. Franks,
43 8 U.S. at 155-56. An omission is material if it was necessary to the finding of probable
cause. State v. Copeland, 130 Wash. 2d 244, 277, 922 P.2d 1304 (1996).
An affiant's mere negligence or inadvertence is insufficient. Franks, 438 U.S. at
171; State v. Seagull, 95 Wash. 2d 898, 908, 632 P .2d 44 ( 1981 ). "Recklessness may be
shown by establishing that the affiant actually entertained serious doubts about the
informant's veracity. 'Serious doubts' may be inferred from either (a) an affiant's actual
deliberation or (b) the existence of obvious reasons to doubt the informant's veracity or
11
No. 33217-9-III
State v. Wright
the information provided." State v. Chenoweth, 160 Wash. 2d 454, 479, 158 P.3d 595
(2007) (citations omitted).
If the defendant makes a substantial preliminary showing, the test for probable
cause when the affiant omits information is whether the affidavit remains sufficient to
support a finding of probable cause when the omitted information is inserted. State v.
Atchley, 142 Wash. App. 147, 158, 173 P.3d 323 (2007). If the affidavit supports probable
cause even when the omitted information is inserted, the suppression motion fails and no
hearing is required. Id.
First, Wright fails to explain how the omission was material in finding probable
cause. The trial court presumed that an informant typically has a motive to provide
information to law enforcement. Here, Castro's motivation was revenge against Wright
for the bad things he had done, most of which involved selling methamphetamine to
others. Inclusion of the omitted information-Castro wanting to do heinous things to
Wright because Wright was a pedophile, gave drug cocktails to women, and fried the
mind of his child's mother-would only strengthen probable cause.
Second, law enforcement did not omit information of Castro's dislike for Wright.
The affidavit states that Castro "did not usually like to buy from [Wright], because he
was a predator." CP at 144. Calling a person a predator has obvious and strong
implications of dislike. The level of detail in the affidavit is certainly less than that given
12
No. 33217-9-III
State v. Wright
in Castro's transcribed interview with defense counsel. However, because the affidavit
called Wright a predator, any judicial officer reviewing it could infer that Castro disliked
Wright.
Finally, inclusion of the omitted information does not detract from probable cause
to issue the search warrant. Castro admitted he hated Wright and wanted to shoot him.
Castro stated, "I wanted to do some heinous stuff to [Wright], but I didn't." CP at 100.
Castro also explained his motive for informing on Wright:
[Castro:] I wanted to get vigilante justice, now I [just] wantjustice.
I want to put him in prison where he belongs .
. . . It wasn't-it's not that I'm trying to get even with the dude; it's
what needs to be done. He needs to be put into prison.
. . . I told the police that where my head was at that I was going to
shoot him. That's what I told them. But I didn't so.
CP at 103. Castro later clarified:
... I don't want to get even with Mr. Wright; I want to put him in
prison for what he has done .
. . . He sells methamphetamine to the community and its killing
everybody and including myself.
CP at 105. Although Castro wanted to do heinous things to Wright, his desire to do such
things was because Wright sold methamphetamine to the community and
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No. 33217-9-III
State v. Wright
methamphetamine was killing people. Inclusion of the omitted information does not
detract from probable cause, it adds to probable cause.
We conclude the trial court did not abuse its discretion when it denied Wright's
request for a Franks hearing.
B. SUFFICIENCY OF SEARCH WARRANT
Wright next argues the trial court erred when it denied his motion to suppress.
Wright claims that neither prong of the Aguilar/Spinelli test was met, and the search
warrant lacked particularity. We disagree.
When reviewing the denial of a motion to suppress, this court must determine
whether substantial evidence supports the trial court's findings and, in tum, whether those
findings support the conclusions of law. State v. Russell, 180 Wn.2d 860,866,330 P.3d
151 (2014). Unchallenged findings of fact are verities on appeal. State v. Ross, 141
Wash. 2d 304, 309, 4 P.3d 130 (2000). Probable cause to issue a warrant is established if
the supporting affidavit sets forth "facts sufficient for a reasonable person to conclude the
defendant probably is involved in criminal activity." State v. Huft, 106 Wash. 2d 206, 209,
720 P.2d 838 (1986). This court tests the affidavit in a commonsense rather than hyper-
technical manner. State v. Jackson, 150 Wn.2d 251,265, 76 P.3d 217 (2003). The
existence of probable cause is a legal question that a reviewing court reviews de novo.
State v. Chamberlin, 161 Wash. 2d 30, 40, 162 P.3d 389 (2007). However, we afford great
14
No. 33217-9-III
State v. Wright
deference to the issuing magistrate's determination of probable cause. Cord, 103 Wash. 2d
at 366.
1. Aguilar-Spinelli test
Under circumstances where an informant's tips lead to the issuance of a search
warrant, Washington follows the Aguilar/Spinelli test requiring that the affidavit must
demonstrate the informant's (1) basis of knowledge and (2) veracity. State v. Vickers,
148 Wash. 2d 91, 112, 59 P.3d 58 (2002).
a. Basis of knowledge
An informant's personal knowledge and detailed observations support the basis of
knowledge. Wolken, 103 Wash. 2d at 827. If the informant's information is hearsay, the
basis of knowledge prong can be satisfied if there is sufficient information so that the
hearsay establishes a basis of knowledge. Jackson, 102 Wash. 2d at 437-38.
The search warrant affidavit established that Castro had direct knowledge of
Wright's illegal activities involving the sale of methamphetamine, the possession of
firearms, and the possession of stolen vehicles. Castro stated he had purchased
methamphetamine from Wright for years and multiple times in the past 30 days. He gave
details about his personal observations of methamphetamine, methamphetamine use, and
drug paraphernalia both inside Wright's residence and on his property. He also described
15
· No. 33217-9-III
State v. Wright
the precise location and type of firearms he saw inside Wright's residence and how he
and Wright shot firearms at various locations on Wright's property.
Castro also related a conversation he personally overheard between Wright and
Ackaret about a stolen Dodge pickup truck. Deputy Bowman was able to corroborate
Castro's statement because he knew law enforcement recently arrested Ackaret on
Wright's property and he knew Ackaret stole Dodge pickups.
b. Veracity
Named informants are a strong indicator of reliability. Chenoweth, 160 Wash. 2d at
483. A showing of reliability is relaxed when the search warrant discloses the identity of
the informant to the reviewing magistrate. State v. Gaddy, 152 Wash. 2d 64, 72-73, 93 P.3d
872 (2004 ). Willingness to provide an address and police interview are additional
circumstances supporting reliability. Chenoweth, 160 Wash. 2d at 483. "Statements against
penal interest are intrinsically reliable because a person is unlikely to make a self-
incriminating admission unless it is true." Id. A strong motive to be truthful such as
seeking a deal with law enforcement is also an indicator of reliability. State v. Bean, 89
Wn.2d 467,471, 572 P.2d 1102 (1978).
As discussed above, the search warrant affidavit established Castro's veracity. In
addition, Castro was an openly named informant who agreed to give a recorded interview
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No. 33217-9-111
State v. Wright
with law enforcement. Castro also made numerous statements against his penal interest
in the interview.
Wright again argues that Castro had ulterior motives for providing information to
law enforcement, such as revenge. But as explained above, Castro's desire to provide
information to law enforcement was because he knew Wright sold methamphetamine to
people. Such motivation only adds to Castro's veracity.
2. Particularity requirement
A search warrant may be issued only if the affidavit shows probable cause. State
v. Thein, 138 Wash. 2d 133, 140, 977 P.2d 582 (1999). Probable cause exists where the
search warrant affidavit sets forth "facts and circumstances sufficient to establish a
reasonable inference that the defendant is involved in criminal activity and that evidence
of the criminal activity can be found at the place to be searched." State v. Maddox, 152
Wash. 2d 499, 505, 98 P.3d 1199 (2004). Accordingly, '"probable cause requires a nexus
between [the] criminal activity and the item to be seized, and also a nexus between the
item to be seized and the place to be searched."' Thein, 138 Wash. 2d at 140 (quoting State
v. Goble, 88 Wash. App. 503, 509, 945 P.2d 263 (1997)). For drug crimes, this nexus
between criminal activity and the place to be searched requires more than a showing that
the suspect is probably involved in drug dealing and resides at the place to be searched.
Id. at 141. Rather, the probable cause standard requires specific facts from which to
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No. 33217-9-III
State v. Wright
conclude evidence of illegal activity will likely be found at the place to be searched. Id.
at 14 7. A warrant must also be sufficiently definite so that an officer executing the
warrant can identify the property with reasonable certainty. State v. Stenson, 132 Wash. 2d
668, 691-92, 940 P.2d 1239 (1997). If "the precise identity of items sought cannot be
determined when the warrant is issued, a generic or general description of items will be
sufficient if probable cause is shown and a more specific description is impossible." Id.
This court reviews warrants describing physical objects with less scrutiny. State v.
Chambers, 88 Wash. App. 640, 644, 945 P.2d 1172 (1997).
Deputy Bowman's search warrant affidavit is replete with specific facts that
establish a nexus between the items to be seized, places to be searched, and criminal
activity. As discussed above, the affidavit established that Wright had sold and used
methamphetamine in his residence and at numerous specific locations on his property
outside of his own residence. The affidavit notes that Castro had purchased
methamphetamine from Wright for years, and several times in the 30 days preceding
Castro's interview. Castro described methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia as
always being present in Wright's living room, and Wright recently handling a grapefruit
sized ball of methamphetamine. The affidavit also described Castro saw and handled
numerous firearms possessed by Wright in his living room near a black recliner chair.
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No. 33217-9-III
State v. Wright
The affidavit also described a conversation between Wright and a second man
concerning a stolen white Dodge pickup. Deputy Bowman knew the second man, knew
law enforcement recently arrested that man on Wright's property, and knew that man had
a record of stealing Dodge pickups. Castro's statement concerning the stolen pickup,
corroborated by information known to Deputy Bowman, provided sufficient probable
cause to search Wright's property for the Dodge pickup.
We conclude that the Aguilar/Spinelli test is satisfied, that a nexus exists between
the items to be seized, places to be searched, and criminal activity, and that the search
warrant meets the particularity requirement.
C. MOTION TO DISMISS-DESTRUCTION OF EVIDENCE
Wright next contends the trial court erred in denying his motion to dismiss for
destruction of evidence. Wright argues the State destroyed Castro's recorded police
interview, which was material and exculpatory evidence. In the alternative, he argues the
recorded interview was potentially useful evidence that the State destroyed in bad faith.
We disagree.
Due process requires the State to preserve material exculpatory evidence, or courts
must dismiss a defendant's criminal charges. State v. Groth, 163 Wash. App. 548, 557, 261
P.3d 183 (2011). An alleged due process violation is subject to de novo review. State v.
Eckblad, 152 Wash. 2d 515, 518, 98 P.3d 1184 (2004). Material exculpatory evidence is
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No. 33217-9-III
State v. Wright
evidence that: ( 1) possesses an exculpatory value apparent before its destruction, and
(2) the defendant is unable to obtain comparable evidence by other reasonably available
means. Groth, 163 Wash. App. at 557 (quoting State v. Wittenbarger, 124 Wash. 2d 467, 475,
880 P .2d 517 ( 1994)). Destroyed evidence that does not meet both parts of the test is
instead potentially useful evidence, and no due process violation occurs unless the
defendant can show bad faith by the police. Id. Bad faith turns on whether the police
knew the exculpatory value of the evidence at the time it was destroyed or lost. Id. at
558-59. A defendant must therefore show that the destruction was improperly motivated.
Id. at 559. Unchallenged findings of fact are verities on appeal. Robel v. Roundup Corp.,
148 Wash. 2d 35, 42, 59 P.3d 611 (2002).
1. The recording was not material or exculpatory
The recording was not material or exculpatory. The recording was not material
because defense counsel could obtain substantially the same information, or more, by
personally interviewing Castro. As found by the trial court, defense counsel actually
obtained more detailed information than likely was obtained by Deputy Bowman.
Nor was the recording exculpatory. There is no evidence that Castro provided
information to Deputy Bowman that could be helpful to Wright. To the contrary. The
evidence omitted from the deputy's affidavit actually provided greater probable cause for
the search warrant. At most, the recording was potentially useful evidence.
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No. 33217-9-III
State v. Wright
2. The State's failure to preserve the recording was not bad faith
Wright cites the testimony of Deputy Bowman and Deputy Matt McKay as proof
of bad faith. Deputy McKay testified that law enforcement interviews of this nature are
recorded so that law enforcement can later request a copy. Deputy McKay also testified
that it would have been a better police practice to have preserved a recording. Wright's
reference to Deputy Bowman's testimony is similar. The trial court issued an order
denying Wright's motion to dismiss for destruction, and in finding of fact B described the
circumstances of the recording:
Deputy Bowman did tell Mr. Castro he was being audio and video
recorded. Deputy Bowman failed to request a copy of the interview
recording, and it was automatically overridden after 45 days. He did not
think he needed a copy. He was not trying to cover up any statements by
Mr. Castro in the interview. Also, Deputy Bowman did not request that the
interview recording be altered or destroyed prior to the 45 day override.
CP at 311. Wright does not specifically challenge the finding that Deputy Bowman did
not think a copy of the tape was necessary. Instead, he simply asserts that bad faith exists
because both deputies admitted that the better police practice would have been to request
a copy of the recording. However, the exculpatory value of the tape, if any, was not
apparent. Wright does not persuade us that the trial court's finding that Deputy Bowman
did not think a copy of the recording was necessary. We therefore decline to overturn
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No. 33217-9-111
State v. Wright
this finding. Because the exculpatory value of the recording was not apparent to
Bowman, Wright has failed to establish bad faith.
D. TRIAL COURT'S DISCRETIONARY ADMISSION OF BAGGIE NOT IMPROPER
Wright next contends that the trial court erred when it admitted Deputy Dan
Dice's testimony about the firearms and the smiley face baggies found inside Radan and
Dailey's trailer. Wright contends the evidence was irrelevant.
The determination of relevance is within the broad discretion of the trial court and
will not be disturbed absent a manifest abuse of discretion. State v. Swan, 114 Wash. 2d
613, 658, 790 P.2d 610 (1990). "Abuse exists when the trial court's exercise of
discretion is 'manifestly unreasonable or based upon untenable grounds or reasons.'"
State v. Darden, 145 Wn.2d 612,619, 41 P.3d 1189 (2002) (quoting State v. Powell, 126
Wn.2d 244,258, 893 P.2d 615 (1995)).
Generally, all relevant evidence is admissible and all irrelevant evidence is
inadmissible. ER 402. "Relevant evidence" is any "evidence having any tendency to
make the existence of any fact that is of consequence to the determination of the action
more probable or less probable than it would be without the evidence." ER 401. "The
threshold to admit relevant evidence is very low. Even minimally relevant evidence is
admissible." Darden, 145 Wash. 2d at 621. A party must object at trial to preserve this
22
No. 33217-9-111
State v. Wright
issue for review. RAP 2.5(a); State v. Perez-Cervantes, 141 Wn.2d 468,482, 6 P.3d
1160 (2000).
Wright did not object to Deputy Rice's testimony about the firearms found inside
the trailer. Because Wright did not preserve this issue for review, we decline to address
it.
The State sought to have a photograph of the used bindle baggie found inside
Dailey's drug kit admitted. The trial court permitted Wright to ask questions of Deputy
Dice in aid of a potential objection. Deputy Dice admitted to Wright there was no
evidence the used baggie belonged to him. Wright then objected based on relevance, and
stated that baggies with smiley faces are mass-produced. The State noted that the used
baggie with the smiley face was identical to the baggies with smiley faces found in
Wright's residence. The trial court determined that the similarity between the baggies
made the photograph somewhat relevant and overruled Wright's objection. We agree.
Here, the State charged Wright with possession with intent to deliver-
methamphetamine. A reasonable juror could find the delivery aspect of the charge more
likely proved by the fact that the used smiley face baggie in Dailey's drug kit was the
same as the baggies found in Wright's residence. We find no abuse of discretion.
23
No. 33217-9-III
State v. Wright
E. MOTION FOR MISTRIAL-NO PROSECUTORIAL MISCONDUCT
Wright next contends the State engaged in prosecutorial misconduct during
closing argument and reversal is required. Here, Wright preserved the issue of
prosecutorial misconduct by objecting during the State's closing arguments and by
moving for a mistrial after the parties concluded oral arguments.
A prosecutorial misconduct inquiry consists of two prongs: (1) whether the
prosecutor's comments were improper and (2) if so, whether the improper comments
caused prejudice. State v. Warren, 165 Wash. 2d 17, 26, 195 P.3d 940 (2008). We review a
trial court's rulings of whether prosecutorial conduct occurred or not for an abuse of
discretion. State v. Lindsay, 180 Wash. 2d 423, 430, 326 P.3d 125 (2014).
1. First prong: The prosecutor's first two statements were not
improper
Wright contends the State improperly vouched for Castro during closing
argument.
Improper vouching occurs when the prosecutor expresses a personal belief
in the veracity of a witness or indicates that evidence not presented at trial
supports the testimony of a witness. Whether a witness testifies truthfully
is an issue entirely within the province of the trier of fact.
State v. Thorgerson, 172 Wn.2d 438,443, 258 P.3d 43 (2011) (citation omitted).
The allegation of improper vouching concerns the State's discussion of Castro's
criminal history and the deal the State made with Castro. Wright's first and second
24
No. 33217-9-III
State v. Wright
objections came when the State discussed Castro's criminal history. Castro's criminal
history was a fact in the case; it was not the prosecutor's personal belief of Castro's
believability. The trial court did not err when it permitted such argument.
In Wright's closing argument, he argued Castro made a deal with the devil. In
rebuttal, the State argued:
[State]: As the evidence showed, we made a deal with Mr. Castro.
After looking at all those things, I made a deal with Mr. Castro. In looking
at his criminal history and looking [at] what he was charged with and
looking at the multiple felonies and looking at what he was potentially
facing, and then we looked at Mr. Wright and I made a deal with Mr.
Castro. And the deal was worth it. I would ask that all of you-
[Defense counsel]: Your Honor, that's vouching.
THE COURT: I'll ask the jury to disregard the last comment ....
RP at 802. After rebuttal, the jury left to deliberate. Wright promptly made a motion for
mistrial based on the above three comments. The trial court denied the motion, and
reasoned:
Well, Counsel, the Court overruled two objections prior to the third and
indicated that there was no vouching, and there was none. . . . The only aberration
was at the very end there where it was worth it, or words to those-that effect by
[the State], but that language I did direct the jury to disregard.
I think it's an ambiguous comment. I think it was meant to be a response to
the defense, and a response in the sense that the-this is a common police
investigative tactic, this is a common position for this kind of trial to be in at the
end, namely arguing over the credibility of a witness, but [the State] was careful to
not say anything directly about the believability, if you will, of Mr. Castro
according to his own personal belief. That's not what I heard him say. I heard
him say that this agreement overall was part of traditional and everyday police
procedure and that's what occurred. So that's how I see it. I did direct the jury to
25
No. 33217-9-111
State v. Wright
disregard it. It was a brief comment and it came in the context, again, of
absolutely no vouching at any time prior to this comment.
RP at 811-12. We agree with the trial court's assessment.
The State never vouched for the veracity of Castro. The State simply responded to
Wright's argument about its deal with Castro. Those are facts that the jury already knew.
The only statement by the State that one might construe as improper vouching was
the prosecutor's statement that the deal was worth it. We are uncertain whether that
statement was improper vouching. Because we are uncertain, we conclude the trial court
did not abuse its discretion in its assessment of that statement and in denying Wright's
motion for a mistrial.
2. Second prong: The prosecutor's final statement was not prejudicial
Although we need not address the second prong, we wish to provide an alternative
basis to affirm the trial court's denial of Wright's motion for a mistrial.
To show prejudice, a defendant must show a substantial likelihood that the
prosecutor's statement affected the jury's verdict. Lindsay, 180 Wash. 2d at 440.
The prosecutor's statement is improper vouching only if one could reasonably
construe the statement as the prosecutor's opinion that Castro was believable. Even if
one so construed the statement, the trial court instructed the jury to disregard it. We
presume the jury adheres to the trial court's instructions when the trial court instructs the
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No. 33217-9-III
State v. Wright
jury to disregard an improper question or argument. Swan, 114 Wash. 2d at 661-62. Given
this presumption, we conclude the questionable statement could not have affected the
jury's verdict and, therefore, it was not prejudicial.
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL GROUNDS FOR REVIEW: IMPOSITION OF LFOS NOT
ERRONEOUS
In his statement of additional grounds for review, Wright argues the trial court
erred by imposing mandatory and discretionary LFOs without performing an
individualized inquiry into his current or future ability to pay. We disagree.
The trial court did engage in an individualized inquiry into Wright's current or
future ability to pay. The trial court stated on the record that Wright probably had made
substantial money by selling illegal drugs. The trial court also stated that Wright
probably found his chosen business quite lucrative and benefitted financially despite the
proceedings against him. The trial court was satisfied that Wright had the current ability
to pay the assessed LFOs. Because the trial court's comments were based on the
evidence presented at trial, we find no error.
27
No. 33217-9-III
State v. Wright
Affirmed.
A majority of the panel has determined this opinion will not be printed in the
Washington Appellate Reports, but it will be filed for public record pursuant to
RCW 2.06.040.
Lawrence-Berrey, J.
j
WE CONCUR:
Fearing, CJ.
28