State Of Washington v. Paramjit Singh Basra ( 2013 )

IN THE COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE STATE OF WASHINGTON
STATE OF WASHINGTON
No. 68661-5-1
Respondent,
DIVISION ONE
v.
UNPUBLISHED OPINION
PARAMJIT SINGH BASRA,
Appellant. FILED: November 25, 2013
CO
Grosse, J. — Paramjit Basra appeals his first degree murder conviction,
contending the State failed to produce sufficient evidence of premeditation. We
disagree and affirm the conviction. We also reject the issues Basra raises in his
statement of additional grounds as meritless, except as to the community
custody term. We accept the State's concession and remand for the trial court to
correct the period of community custody.
FACTS
On July 27, 2009, Amandeep Basra called 911 screaming, "[M]y father's
killing my mom." When police arrived at the house, Paramjit Basra (hereinafter
Basra) opened the door. An officer immediately put Basra in handcuffs. Basra
said, "Ah, ah, the problem is I killed my wife. She's in the room to the right." As
another officer walked Basra to a patrol car, Basra said, "I have family problems."
Basra also said, "She has problems with men, so I killed her." The police found
Basra's wife, Harjinder, lying unconscious on the bedroom floor, not breathing.
Aid personnel transported Harjinder to the hospital, where she died three days
later.
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The State charged Basra with first degree murder and second degree
felony murder. At trial in February 2012, 24-year-old Amandeep testified that on
the morning of July 27, 2009, she was working on her homework on the
computer in her parents' bedroom while her mother was lying awake on the bed.
Then Basra returned to the house and came into the bedroom looking for his
wallet. Basra and Harjinder began quarreling. Basra told Amandeep to leave the
room. When Amandeep refused, Basra slapped her face. When Harjinder told
Basra to stop, Basra grabbed Harjinder by the neck or shoulders and pushed her
against the wall. As Basra held and pushed on Harjinder's neck, Amandeep
called 911, screaming that Basra was killing her mother, but the call was
disconnected. Amandeep then called her brother on the phone. Amandeep
testified that she then saw Basra with his hands on Harjunder's neck while
Harjinder was lying on the floor near the bedroom door. At some point during the
altercation, Amandeep slapped Basra, knocking off his turban, in an attempt to
make him stop attacking Harjinder. Amandeep then locked herself in the
bathroom to speak to the 911 operator, who had called back. The State also
played a recording of Amandeep's 911 calls, in which she said Basra was
"beating" Harjinder, he tried to kill Harjinder by "pushing her neck," and "he
grabbed a rope and just put it on my mom's neck."
Detective Anna Weller of the Auburn Police Department testified that she
interviewed Amandeep in October 2009. Amandeep told her that Basra's attack
of Harjinder began when "he got mad and started beating her" by "[sjlapping and
pushing" her.
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Dr. Micheline Lubin, of the King County Medical Examiner's Office,
testified that she found two parallel lines across Harjinder's neck, consistent with
ligature strangulation, which she identified as the cause of death. Dr. Lubin
testified that strangulation by ligature takes 10 to 20 seconds to produce
unconsciousness and 30 to 60 seconds to produce irreversible brain damage. Dr.
Lubin also testified that a Global Positioning System (GPS) cord found at the
scene by police was consistent with the ligature impression on Harjinder's neck.
The jury found Basra guilty as charged. The trial court imposed a
standard range sentence on the first degree murder conviction and vacated the
felony murder charge.
Basra appeals.
ANALYSIS
Premeditation
Basra contends the State failed to produce sufficient evidence to
determine that he acted with premeditated intent to kill Harjinder. Evidence is
sufficient to support a conviction if, viewed in the light most favorable to the
prosecution, it permits any rational trier of fact to find the essential elements of
the crime beyond a reasonable doubt.1 "A claim of insufficiency admits the truth
of the State's evidence and all inferences that reasonably can be drawn
therefrom."2 We defer to the trier of fact on issues of conflicting testimony,
credibility of witnesses, and the persuasiveness of the evidence.3
1 State v. Salinas, 119 Wash. 2d 192, 201, 829 P.2d 1068 (1992).
2 Salinas, 119 Wash. 2d at 201.
3 State v. Walton, 64 Wash. App. 410, 415-16, 824 P.2d 533 (1992).
No. 68661-5-1/4
A person is guilty of first degree murder when "[w]ith a premeditated
intent to cause the death of another person, he or she causes the death of such
person."4 Premeditation involves "more than a moment in point of time."5
Premeditation is the deliberate formation of and reflection upon the intent to take
a life. It involves the mental process of thinking beforehand, deliberation,
reflection, and weighing or reasoning for a period of time, however short.6
Premeditation may be proven by circumstantial evidence where the inferences
drawn by the jury are reasonable and the evidence supporting the jury's finding is
substantial.7 A wide range of proven facts will support an inference of
premeditation.8 Factors relevant, but not necessary, to establish premeditation
include motive, procurement ofa weapon, stealth, and method of killing.9
4RCW9A.32.030(1)(a)
5RCW9A.32.020(1).
6
State v. Gentry. 125 Wash. 2d 570, 597-98, 888 P.2d 1105 (1985); State v.
Hoffman. 116 Wash. 2d 51, 82-83, 804 P.2d 577 (1991).
7 State v. Pirtle. 127 Wash. 2d 628, 643, 904 P.2d 245 (1995); Hoffman. 116 Wash. 2d
at 83.
8 Gentry, 125 Wash. 2d at 598-99; State v. Finch, 137 Wash. 2d 792, 831, 975 P.2d
967 (1999); see, e^, State v. Ollens. 107 Wash. 2d 848, 850-53, 733 P.2d 984
(1987) (sufficient evidence of premeditation where defendant stabbed victim
multiple times and then slashed the victim's throat, defendant procured a knife,
struck victim from behind, and had motive to kill); State v. Gibson. 47 Wash. App.
309, 312, 734 P.2d 32 (1987) (where victim suffered three blunt force injuries to
the head before ligature strangulation by long, thin rope or cord-like object, brief
lapse of time was sufficient for jury to find premeditation beyond reasonable
doubt).
9 Pirtle. 127Wn.2d at 644: see also State v. Ortiz. 119Wn.2d 294, 297, 312-13,
831 P.2d 1060 (1992) (sufficient evidence of premeditation without discussion of
motive or stealth); see also State v. Sherrill. 145 Wash. App. 473, 485, 186 P.3d
1157 (2008) (sufficient evidence of premeditation despite lack of evidence of
motive, procurement of a weapon, or stealth).
No. 68661-5-1/5
Relying on State v. Bingham.10 Basra argues that evidence of ligature
strangulation, alone, does not support an inference of premeditation. Basra first
claims that the State failed to produce evidence of manual strangulation because
Dr. Lubin testified that she did not find physical evidence of manual strangulation.
Basra also claims that the State proved nothing beyond a "quick act of
strangulation," whether manual or ligature, resulting in Harjinder's death, thereby
demonstrating intent, but not premeditation.
But Bingham, in which the State presented nothing more than physical
evidence suggesting that a manual strangulation took 3 to 5 minutes to prove
premeditation, is easily distinguished from the facts here, which include
testimony and statements of an eyewitness to the murder, Amandeep, as well as
physical evidence and the opinion of the medical examiner. Viewed in the light
most favorable to the State, the evidence showed different methods of attack.
Basra began by slapping and pushing Harjinder, then grabbed her neck and held
her against the wall, where he continued to manually strangle her. Then
Harjinder somehow moved from standing against the wall to lying on the floor
near the bedroom door. Finally, while Amandeep was screaming at him and
slapping him, and calling 911 and repeatedly screaming at the operator that he
was killing her mother, Basra changed his hold on Harjinder's neck, obtained the
GPS cord, and then wrapped it around her neck where he held it tightly for at
least 30 to 60 seconds. Shortly after the killing, Basra volunteered to police that
he had killed his wife because she had problems with men.
10
105 Wash. 2d 820, 719 P.2d 109 (1986).
No. 68661-5-1/6
Thus, in addition to his admitted motive, Basra had several opportunities
to deliberate and reflect before he continued with the killing, given Amandeep's
attempts to stop him and screams for help, the change in Harjinder's position,
and his decision to release her neck and then wrap the cord around it. A rational
trier of fact could find beyond a reasonable doubt that Basra acted with
premeditation.
Statement of Additional Grounds
In his statement of additional grounds, Basra contends that his conviction
of both first degree murder and second degree felony murder violate his right
against double jeopardy, that the trial court should have instructed the jury on
"separate acts" to support the two charges, and that charging the two crimes
violated legislative intent and the applicable "unit of prosecution." But the State
may properly file and prosecute multiple counts where the evidence supports the
charges, as long as convictions are not entered in violation of double jeopardy
protections.11 Because the trial court properly vacated the second degree felony
murder conviction, Basra fails to identify any error.12
Basra next argues that the trial court erroneously admitted his statements
to the officers as evidence in violation of his constitutional rights. In particular, he
claims that he could not have voluntarily and knowingly waived his rights,
because he was "completely unable to understand the arresting/detaining
officersf] statements." But the trial court held a CrR 3.5 hearing and found that
11 State v. Calle, 125 Wash. 2d 769, 777 n.3, 888 P.2d 155 (1995).
12 See, e^L, State v. Womac, 160 Wash. 2d 643, 660, 160 P.3d 40 (2007) (multiple
convictions entered in violation of double jeopardy principles must be vacated).
No. 68661-5-1/7
Basra's statements, which Basra made in English and which the officers clearly
understood, were spontaneous and not in response to police interrogation.
Under these circumstances, the trial court properly admitted the statements as
voluntary and Basra fails to establish grounds for relief.13
Basra also claims that the arresting officer violated his right to an attorney
by failing to put him in contact with an attorney immediately upon his request.
But nothing in the record supports his claim.
Basra also contends that the prosecutor improperly "coached" State
witnesses in violation of ER 612.14 A prosecutor may not "urge a witness to
create testimony . . . under the guise of refreshing the witness's recollection
under ER 612."15 Prosecutorial misconduct is grounds for reversal if the
prosecutor's conduct was both improper and prejudicial.16 Without a timely
objection, reversal is required only if the prosecutor's conduct is so flagrant and
13 See, osl, State v. Ortiz. 104 Wash. 2d 479, 484, 706 P.2d 1069 (1985)
(spontaneous statement is voluntary and therefore admissible if not solicited and
not the product of custodial interrogation).
14 ER 612, "WRITING USED TO REFRESH MEMORY," provides in pertinent
part:
If a witness uses a writing to refresh memory for the purpose of testifying,
either: while testifying, or before testifying, if the court in its discretion
determines it is necessary in the interests of justice, an adverse party is
entitled to have the writing produced at the hearing, to inspect it, to cross-
examine the witness thereon, and to introduce in evidence those portions
which relate to the testimony of the witness.
15 State v. McCreven. 170 Wash. App. 444, 475, 284 P.3d 793 (2012), review
denied. 176 Wash. 2d 1015 (2013).
16 State v. Monday. 171 Wash. 2d 667, 675, 257 P.3d 551 (2011) (internal quotation
marks omitted and citations omitted).
No. 68661-5-1/8
ill-intentioned that it causes an enduring and resulting prejudice that could not
have been neutralized by a curative jury instruction.17
Although his citations to the record are incomplete and/or inaccurate and
he does not indicate that he objected to any particular incident on these grounds
at trial, Basra contends that the prosecutor attempted to improperly supplement
the testimony of several witnesses rather than merely refresh recollections. He
claims that there is "no question of the prejudicial effects" and that "prejudice is
clearly now established" when officers were invited to review their reports and
Amandeep was directed to review an interview transcript in the jury's presence.
But Basra fails to actually articulate an enduring prejudice resulting from any
such incident that could not have been neutralized by a curative jury instruction.
Basra also contends that the prosecutor's closing argument was improper
because he urged the jury to find him guilty of two counts of murder for one death.
He also claims the prosecutor misstated the facts and improperly appealed to the
passions and prejudices of the jury. But Basra's descriptions of the prosecutor's
arguments are not supported by the record and his claims of error are meritless.
Basra claims that the prosecutor added the first degree murder charge to
punish him for exercising his right to a jury trial. He claims that the fact that the
prosecutor considered lesser charges during plea negotiations and added the
more serious charge without the benefit of any new evidence after he rejected
17 State v. Warren. 165 Wash. 2d 17, 43, 195 P.3d 940 (2008).
8
No. 68661-5-1/9
the plea offers demonstrates vindictiveness. But his bare assertion is insufficient
to support a claim ofvindictiveness.18
Basra argues he was denied a fair trial when the trial court failed to ensure
that he had no conflicts with his trial attorney. Although Basra's attorney
indicated on the record during pretrial hearings that counsel and Basra had
disagreements over strategy, Basra did not make a motion to discharge his
attorney and defense counsel did not move to withdraw. Because Basra did not
request new counsel and the record shows nothing more than a disagreement
over strategy, Basra fails to demonstrate error.19
Basra next claims that his attorney provided ineffective assistance by
failing to investigate evidence regarding his mental health. On the contrary, the
record reveals that trial counsel presented the testimony of a forensic
psychologist and argued to the jury that Basra's mental health issues prevented
him from forming the intent to kill his wife. Basra's reliance on matters outside
the record, including blood tests and homeopathic medicines, is misplaced in this
direct appeal.20 Likewise, Basra claims the trial court and his attorney interfered
with his right to testify by limiting the scope of his direct examination and
providing an interpreter to translate his testimony from his native language. But
Basra testified at trial, and again, we cannot consider matters outside the record
in a direct appeal.
18 State v. Terrovonia, 64 Wash. App. 417, 422-23, 824 P.2d 537 (1992).
19 See State v. Stenson. 132 Wash. 2d 668, 734, 940 P.2d 1239 (1997) (defendant
dissatisfied with appointed counsel must show good cause to warrant substitution
of counsel; general loss of confidence or trust alone is not sufficient).
20 State v. McFarland, 127 Wash. 2d 322, 338 n.5, 899 P.2d 1251 (1995).
No. 68661-5-1/10
Also, because Basra fails to identify any trial error, he is not entitled to
relief under the doctrine of cumulative error.
Finally, Basra contends, and the State concedes, that the sentencing court
improperly imposed 36 months of community custody for a "sex offense," instead
of a "serious violent offense." Although the trial court later entered an order to
correct the scrivener's error with regard to the type of offense, the term of
community custody must also be corrected to reflect a range of 24 to 36 months.
We therefore remand for correction of the term of community custody.
Affirmed and remanded.
tn/U- J
WE CONCUR:
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