State of Washington v. Herbert Elmer Ellsworth ( 2014 )

FILED
OCTOBER 14, 2014
In the Office of the Clerk of Court
W A State Court of Appeals, Division III
IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON
DIVISION THREE
STATE OF WASHINGTON, )
) No. 31543-6-III
Respondent, )
)
v. )
)
HERBERT ELMER ELLSWORTH, ) UNPUBLISHED OPINION
)
Appellant. )
FEARING, J. Police discovered a marijuana grow operation and a plethora of
controlled substances in the home of Herbert Ellsworth after police entered the home
upon Ellsworth's girl friend calling 911. Ellsworth challenges his many convictions by
asserting his trial counsel failed to provide effective assistance of counsel when failing to
move to suppress the evidence of controlled substances. Ellsworth also challenges his
sentence on numerous other grounds. We affirm Herbert Ellsworth's convictions and
sentence.
FACTS
Herbert Ellsworth cohabitated with his girl friend Monica Cooper beginning in
February 2011. On February 4,2012, Ellsworth pushed Cooper twice following an
argument about "the dishes or the hot water heater or something like that." Report of
Proceedings (RP) at 104-05. Ellsworth pushed Cooper in the kitchen, from behind,
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toward rolling chairs. Ellsworth exited their home, threatening to retrieve his family
from next door. Cooper called emergency services, but hung up. Emergency services
called Cooper back. Monica Cooper "told them not to come." RP at 159.
Monica Cooper testified at trial:
Q. What did you do after the defendant told you that he was going
to go get his family?
A. I called the stupid cops.
Q. Okay. And why did you do that?
A. Because I don't want anybody to tell me what I'm going to do
and not do in my home. I paid my rent and it was my place and if I don't
want somebody to be around me, I should have that right. And I'm
stubborn and I think I should-I should have just let it go.
Q. SO you're upset that you called the cops after you were
assaulted?
A. Yes. I lost everything.
RP at 109.
Emergency dispatch reported to law enforcement "a physical domestic in
progress." RP at 334. Within 60 to 90 seconds, Moses Lake Police Officer Kevin Hake
arrived at the home. Jackie Cooper, Monica Cooper's mother, arrived at the home about
the same time and proceeded into the home.
Monica Cooper further testified at trial:
Q. Okay. When-did the police arrive?
A. When did they arrive?
Q. No. Did they arrive?
A. Yeah, they did.
Q. Okay.
A. They walked right in my house.
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Q. Okay. Did you-when the police arrived, did you know exactly
where the defendant was?
A. Yes. I told them that he was not-they asked me ifhe was there
and I said no, he took off, and I went like that.
Q. You need to describe what-for the record, you went like what?
We need to describe that.
A. Like this. He took off. Because the front door was right there
and I was standing outside my bedroom and you just go around the comer
and you can see the door and I said he took off that way.
Q. So-
THE COURT: For the record, the witness is pointing out.
RP at 109-10.
Officer Hake later testified:
I had yelled for Jackie [Monica Cooper's mother] to stop. She didn't
and went through the screen door. So as I got to the door, I announced,
Moses Lake Police Department, Monica, can I talk to you, and she was
screaming that somebody had beat her up.
After I had asked her to come, she turned towards the bedroom, I
again announced, Moses Lake Police Department, Monica, I need to speak
with you. And she headed to the bedroom with Jackie between herself and
the front door where I was. And that's when I again repeated it and went
in.
She had originally made a statement when I was outside that he had
beat her up, and then when I went inside-
After I entered the home, and she was back by the bedroom, I was
talking to her quickly trying to get information, Monica, is he still in here?
What happened? She used the word Herbie or the name Herbie, she said
Herbie beat her up and she's not sure where he was at.
[Monica] was still crying, moving around quickly, speaking very
quickly. She was kind of evasive where she wanted to-appeared to get
away, like she was scared.
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Monica had made statements that she wasn't sure if-if Herbie was
still in the residence. So my concern was locating any unknown threats,
any persons hiding.
RP at 335-39.
Jackie Cooper escorted her daughter Monica outside to the home's front porch.
Officer Kevin Hake remained inside to perform "a protective sweep of the immediate
known area." RP at 339.
Moses Lake Police Officer Kevin Hake "cleared" the kitchen and living room,
searching for Herbert Ellsworth. RP at 339. Hake continued down a hallway. Officer
Hake smelled marijuana. In the first bedroom, Hake found large lamps and marijuana
plants. At trial, witnesses referred to this room as the "purple room," referring to the
color of its walls. The next room down the hallway was Ellsworth's bedroom; it was
locked. Officer Hake "was still concerned about unknown threat behind the door. I
advised over the radio that I had a locked door, I was waiting for another unit, and asked
for the third unit to go to the back of the residence." RP at 342. Corporal Thomas Tufte
soon arrived. Hake and Tufte opened the locked door to enter Ellsworth's bedroom.
They found no one.
The Moses Lake police officers obtained and executed a telephonic warrant to
search the home. In the purple room, police found lights for growing plants indoors,
"Monster Grow" fertilizer, a box containing Herbert Ellsworth's tax documents, and 30
marijuana plants. In Ellsworth's bedroom, police confiscated a scale, multiple sandwich
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bags containing 3 to 4 grams of marijuana each, a sift, a pipe, ajar with 20 grams of
marijuana, and a metal tin containing burnt marijuana. Police also discovered in
Ellsworth's room: 6 small jeweler baggies, some of which tested positive for
methamphetamine; a cigar box, which contained an expired concealed pistol license and
debit card bearing Herbert Ellsworth's name; a pistol and ammunition; and a whiteboard
with two columns, one titled "5" and the other "20," under the larger heading of
"Bills!!!" Corporal Thomas Tufte testified at trial:
Q. Based on your training, education and experience, do the figures
on that white board have any significance in relation to--to your
knowledge of drug activity?
A. Yes.
Q. And what is that significance?
A. In marijuana, in particular, and most drugs that are sold, they are
weighed and measured into quantities and normally those quantities are
based on a dollar amount of value that they tend to get for the drugs when
they sell them. Basically, common amounts are fives, tens, 20s, they don't
want to have to break bills when they're doing transactions, so they'll give
a $5 amount in a bag, they'll do a $20 amount in a bag, a $10 amount in a
bag, and thaCs your nonnal quantities.
RP at 570.
PROCEDURE
The State of Washington charged Herbert Ellsworth with: (1) manufacturing
marijuana in violation ofRCW 69.50.401(1), 69.50.401 (2)(c), and 69.50.204(c)(l4); (2)
possession of marijuana with the intent to manufacture or deliver in violation of RCW
69.50.401(1), 69.50.401(2)(c), and 69.50.204(c)(l4); (3) possession of methamphetamine
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in violation ofRCW 69.50.4013 and 69.50.206(d)(2); (4) assault in the fourth degree in
violation of RCW 9A.36.041 with a sentence enhancement for domestic violence in
violation ofRCW 10.99.020; and (5) use of drug paraphernalia in violation ofRCW
69.50.412(1). The trial lasted four days.
During its closing statement, the State of Washington distinguished count I from
count II. To support its charge of count I of manufacturing marijuana, the State pointed
only to evidence found in the purple room. To support its charge of possession of
marijuana with the intent to manufacture or deliver, the State pointed only to evidence
found in Herbert Ellsworth's room. The State summarized, "The defendant in this matter
is charged with manufacture of marijuana, the purple grow room, possession with intent
to deliver marijuana, that marijuana and those pieces of accoutrement, paraphernalia, if
you will, that were on his dresser in his closet." RP at 685.
The trial court instructed the jury concerning count I-manufacturing of
marijuana:
To convict the defendant of the crime of manufacture ofa controlled
substance as charged in count one, each of the following elements of the
crime must be proved beyond a reasonable doubt:
(1) That on or about February 4,2012, the defendant manufactured a
controlled substance;
(2) That the defendant knew that the substance manufactured was
marijuana; and
(3) That the acts occurred in the State of Washington.
If you find from the evidence that each of these elements has been
proved beyond a reasonable doubt, then it will be your duty to return a
verdict of guilty.
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On the other hand, if, after weighing all the evidence, you have a
reasonable doubt as to anyone of these elements, then it will be your duty
to return a verdict of not gUilty.
The defendant is charged in count one with manufacture of
marijuana. If, after full and careful deliberation on this charge, you are not
satisfied beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant is guilty, then you
will consider whether the defendant is guilty of the lesser crime of
possession of marijuana, more than 40 grams.
Clerk's Papers (CP) at 215,218.
The trial court instructed the jury concerning count II-possession of marijuana
with intent to deliver or manufacture:
To convict the defendant of the crime of possession with intent to
deliver marijuana as charged in count two, each of the following elements
of the crime must be proved beyond a reasonable doubt:
(1) That on or about February 4,2012, the defendant possessed
marIJuana;
(2) That the defendant possessed the substance with the intent to
deliver marijuana; and
(3) That the acts occurred in the State of Washington.
If you find from the evidence that each of these elements has been
proved beyond a reasonable doubt, then it will be your duty to return a
verdict of gUilty.
On the other hand, if, after weighing all the evidence, you have a
reasonable doubt as to anyone of these elements, then it will be your duty
to return a verdict of not guilty.
The defendant is charged in count two with possession with intent to
deliver marijuana. If, after full and careful deliberation on this charge, you
are not satisfied beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant is guilty, then
you will consider whether the defendant is gUilty of the lesser crime of
possession of marijuana, less than 40 grams.
CP at 221, 223. The jury found Herbert Ellsworth guilty on all counts.
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In a victim impact statement for purposes of sentencing, Monica Cooper wrote,
"I'm asking for ... Restitution for suffering ... [and] Restitution for things he Stole &
destroyed in the fight." CP at 251. During the sentencing hearing, the trial court
imposed a total of$I,450 in legal financial obligations (LFOs), but lined out $2,094.09
restitution to Monica Cooper. The court indicated, "[x] The above total does not include
all restitution or other legal financial obligations, which may be set by later order of the
court. An agreed restitution order may be entered. RCW 9.94A.753. A restitution
hearing [x] shall be set by the prosecutor." CP at 259. At the sentencing hearing, the
State agreed to set a later hearing to determine restitution. The appellate record contains
no record of a restitution hearing or restitution order. The trial court's judgment and
sentence shows restitution of $2,094.09 for Monica Cooper but the figure is lined out as
"$2,094.09."
The trial court calculated Herbert Ellsworth's offender score as two for counts I
through III. The trial court ordered four months' confinement for counts I through III to
run concurrently to each other, but consecutively to count IV. The court said, "I'll follow
the State's recommendation-four months on Counts I, II and III. Those run by
operation oflaw concurrently." RP (Mar. 26, 2013) at 52.
The trial court ordered 300 days' confinement for count IV, with 270 of those days
conditionally suspended for two years. The trial court ordered zero days' confinement
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for count V, accepting the State's concession that count V is double jeopardy to counts I
through III.
LAW AND ANALYSIS
On appeal, Herbert Ellsworth contends that he did not receive the effective
assistance of counsel because defense counsel (1) failed to request a erR 3.6 hearing to
suppress the State's evidence, (2) failed to challenge restitution, (3) failed to argue double
jeopardy, and (4) failed to argue same criminal conduct. Ellsworth additionally raises his
restitution, double jeopardy, and same criminal conduct claims independent of counsel's
effectiveness. We agree to directly address his restitution, double jeopardy, and same
criminal conduct arguments. We will review his suppression of evidence assignment of
error only through the filter of his claim of ineffective assistance of counsel.
Ineffective Assistance and Motion to Suppress
Herbert Ellsworth contends that he did not receive the effective assistance of
counsel because his defense counsel did not move to suppress the drug-related evidence
as the fruit of an unconstitutional search. A claim of ineffective assistance of counsel
requires a showing that (1) counsel's performance was deficient and (2) the deficient
performance prejudiced the defendant. State v. Thomas, 109 Wash. 2d 222, 225-26, 743
P .2d 816 (1987). Deficient performance occurs when counsel's performance falls below
an objective standard of reasonableness. State v. Stenson, 132 Wash. 2d 668, 705, 940 P.2d
1239 (1997). This court presumes that counsel was effective. Strickland v. Washington,
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466 U.S. 668, 689-90, 104 S. Ct. 2052, 80 L. Ed. 2d 674 (1984); State v. McFarland, 127
Wash. 2d 322, 335, 899 P.2d 1251 (1995). To rebut the strong presumption that counsel's
performance was effective, the defendant bears the burden of establishing the absence of
any conceivable legitimate tactic explaining counsel's performance. State v. Hamilton,
179 Wash. App. 870, 879-80, 320 P.3d 142 (2014).
We decline to address whether Herbert Ellsworth's trial counsel violated the
standard of care, because we can decide the appeal based upon the failure to show
prejudice. If one prong of the test fails, we need not address the remaining prong. State
v. Hendrickson, 129 Wash. 2d 61, 78, 917 P.2d 563 (1996). Prejudice occurs when, but for
the deficient performance, the outcome would have differed. In re Pers. Restraint of
Pirtle, 136 Wn.2d 467,487,965 P.2d 593 (1998); McFarland, 127 Wash. 2d at 337. In
order to establish actual prejudice, Ellsworth must show that the trial court likely would
have granted a motion to suppress the seized evidence based on an unlawful warrantless
search of the home. Hamilton, 179 Wash. App. at 882. We believe otherwise.
Article I, section 7 of the Washington State Constitution provides, "No person
shall be disturbed in his private affairs, or his home invaded, without authority of law."
Under the Washington State Constitution, the home receives heightened constitutional
protection. State v. Kull, 155 Wn.2d 80,84, 118 P.3d 307 (2005). For this reason, the
closer officers come to intrusion into a dwelling, the greater the constitutional protection.
State v. Ferrier, 136 Wash. 2d 103, 112,960 P.2d 927 (1998). The heightened protection
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afforded state citizens against unlawful intrusion into private dwellings places an onerous
burden upon the government to show a compelling need to act outside of our warrant
requirement. State v. Chrisman~ 100 Wash. 2d 814~ 822,676 P.2d 419 (1984).
Moses Lake Officers Thomas Tufte and Kevin Hake obtained a search warrant,
but both entered the house and discovered evidence of a crime before obtaining the
warrant. Thus, we analyze the appeal based upon information gained by the officers
before issuance of the warrant.
As a general rule, warrantless searches and seizures are per se unreasonable, in
violation of the Fourth Amendment and article I, section 7 of the Washington State
Constitution. State v. Duncan~ 146 Wash. 2d 166, 171,43 P.3d 513 (2002). Washington
allows a few jealously and carefully drawn exceptions to the warrant requirement~ which
include exigent circumstances, searches incident to a valid arrest, inventory searches,
plain view searches, and Terry investigative stops. Terry v. Ohio, 392 U.S. 1, 88 S. Ct.
1868, 20 L. Ed. 2d 889 (1968); State v. Garvin, 166 Wash. 2d 242, 249, 207 P.3d d 1266
(2009). The State bears the burden of demonstrating that a warrantless seizure falls into a
narrow exception to the rule. State v. Doughty, 170 Wash. 2d 57, 61, 239 P.3d 573 (2010).
On appeal, the State relies on the emergency aid exception, as a form of exigent
circumstances. State v. Schultz, 170 Wash. 2d 746, 754-55, 248 P.3d 484 (2011).
The emergency aid exception emerges from the police's community caretaking
function and allows for the limited invasion of constitutionally protected privacy rights
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when it is necessary for police officers to render aid or assistance. State v. Thompson,
151 Wn.2d 793,802,92 P.3d 228 (2004); State v. Kinzy, 141 Wash. 2d 373, 386,5 P.3d 668
(2000). Our Supreme Court adopted a six factor test for the emergency aid exception in
State v. Schultz:
Under this court's cases, to justify intrusion under the emergency aid
exception, the government must show that (1) the officer subjectively
believed that someone likely needed assistance for health or safety
concerns; (2) a reasonable person in the same situation would similarly
believe that there was need for assistance; ... (3) there was a reasonable
basis to associate the need for assistance with the place being searched. (4)
there is an imminent threat of substantial injury to persons or property, (5)
state agents must believe a specific person or persons or property is in need
of immediate help for health or safety reasons, and (6) the claimed
emergency is not a mere pretext for an evidentiary search.
170 Wash. 2d at 746 (citation omitted) (internal quotation marks omitted) (quoting Kinzy,
141 Wash. 2d at 386-87).
Officers Hake and Tufte entered the quintessential volatile situation of domestic
violence. Domestic violence holds distinct problems because a battered woman often
recants complaints of violence in order to protect a boyfriend or husband, only to return
to more violence. For this and other reasons, a Washington statute compels a law
enforcement officer to arrest anyone engaged in domestic violence. RCW 10.31.100(2)
provides:
A police officer shall arrest and take into custody, pending release
on bail, personal recognizance, or court order, a person without a warrant
when the officer has probable cause to believe that:
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(c) The person is sixteen years or older and within the preceding four
hours has assaulted a family or household member as defined in RCW
10.99.020 and the officer believes: (i) A felonious assault has occurred; (ii)
an assault has occurred which has resulted in bodily injury to the victim,
whether the injury is observable by the responding officer or not; or (iii)
that any physical action has occurred which was intended to cause another
person reasonably to fear imminent serious bodily injury or death. Bodily
injury means physical pain, illness, or an impairment of physical condition.
When the officer has probable cause to believe that family or household
members have assaulted each other, the officer is not required to arrest both
persons. The officer shall arrest the person whom the officer believes to be
the primary physical aggressor. In making this determination, the officer
shall make every reasonable effort to consider: (i) The intent to protect
victims of domestic violence under RCW 10.99.010; (ii) the comparative
extent of injuries inflicted or serious threats creating fear of physical injury;
and (iii) the history of domestic violence of each person involved, including
whether the conduct was part of an ongoing pattern of abuse.
(Emphasis added.)
State v. Schultz also entailed domestic violence. Our high court further held:
[T]he fact that police are responding to a situation that likely
involves domestic violence may be an important factor in evaluating both
the subjective belief of the officer that someone likely needs assistance and
in assessing the reasonableness of the officer's belief that there is an
imminent threat of injury.
170 Wash. 2d at 756. The Schultz court further wrote:
Domestic violence presents unique challenges for law enforcement.
Domestic violence situations can be volatile and quickly escalate into
significant injury. Domestic violence often, ifnot usually, occurs within
the privacy of a home. Our legislature has recognized that the risk of
repeated and escalating acts of violence is greater in the domestic context.
RCW 1O.99.040(2)(a). The legislature has sought to provide "maximum
protection" to victims of domestic violence through a policy of early
intervention. RCW 10.99.010. The Court of Appeals has recognized that
"[p]olice officers responding to a domestic violence report have a duty to
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No. 31543-6-III
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ensure the present and continued safety and well-being of the occupants."
[State v.] Raines, 55 Wn. App. [459,] 465[, 778 P.2d 538 (1989)].
Schultz, 170 Wash. 2d at 755.
Officer Kevin Hake subjectively and reasonably believed that someone in the
home might be in need of immediate assistance. As Hake arrived, Jackie Cooper ran into
the home, Monica Cooper cried, and Monica appeared frightened. Dispatch had reported
"a physical domestic in progress." RP at 334. As noted in Schultz, "[ d]omestic violence
situations can be volatile and quickly escalate into significant injury." 170 Wash. 2d at 755.
Under the circumstances, Officer Hake was justified in entering the home to assist
Monica Cooper.
Concluding that Moses Lake Officer Hake had the right to enter the home doe,s not
end our inquiry. We must further ask whether Hake could remain in the home and search
for Herbert Ellsworth, thereby coming upon the evidence of marijuana.
The testimony of Monica Cooper conflicted with that of Officer Kevin Hake as to
whether Herbert Ellsworth could be found in the home. Monica Cooper testified that
when Officer Hake arrived in the house, she told the officer that Ellsworth fled the home.
Officer Kevin Hake testified that Cooper was crying, scared, and evasive and stated that
"Herbie" beat her up and she did not know "where he was." RP at 338.
If Herbert Ellsworth had brought a motion to suppress the evidence found in the
home, the trial court would need to decide whose version of what Monica Cooper told
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No. 31543-6-111
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Officer Hake, in the home, was true. We are unable to determine which version the trial
court would adopt, so we must conclude that, at the least, the trial court was as likely to
accept Kevin Hake's testimony as true as accepting Monica Cooper's testimony as true.
The trial court could have even found that Monica Cooper told Officer Hake that Herbert
Ellsworth was not in the house, but that Hake could have reasonably disbelieved Cooper
because of her emotional condition and the nature of domestic violence. Under either
Kevin Hake's testimony or Monica Cooper's testimony, the trial court could have
determined that an emergency situation existed that justified Officer Hake's search of the
home. Herbert Ellsworth holds the burden of showing that the motion to suppress
evidence likely would have been granted. Based upon our analysis, Ellsworth does not
meet his burden of probabilities. He has not shown the outcome of the prosecution would
have been different.
Restitution
Herbert Ellsworth assigns error to the trial court ordering restitution without
sufficient evidence to support its order. We find no indication in the record that the trial
court ordered restitution.
In his reply brief, Herbert Ellsworth writes that the original judgment and sentence
ordered restitution, and thus infers that the court amended its judgment and sentence off
the record. Ellsworth notes that the trial court has the authority to correct clerical
mistakes under either CrR 7.8(a) or RAP 7.2(e), but writes, "Whatever procedure was
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No. 31543-6-III
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used, it does not appear that any record was made of when the change occurred." Reply
Br. of Appellant at 3. Ellsworth asks this court to condemn the amendment and correct
any error. In its present form, Herbert Ellsworth's judgment and sentence does not order
restitution, if it ever did. There is thus no error for this court to address. Given the
limited record, we find no cause to reprimand the trial court.
Double Jeopardy
Herbert Ellsworth contends that his convictions for count I, manufacturing
marijuana, and count II, possessing marijuana with the intent to distribute, violate
constitutional prohibitions against double jeopardy. In other words, the jury convicted
him twice of the same conduct. RCW 69.50.401 controls both crimes and reads, in
relevant part:
Except as authorized by this chapter, it is unlawful for any person to
manufacture, deliver, or possess with intent to manufacture or deliver, a
controlled substance.
Any other controlled substance [not listed in (2)(b) or (2)(c)]
classified in Schedule I, II, or III, is guilty of a class C felony punishable
according to chapter 9A.20 RCW.
(Emphasis added.) RCW 69.50.101 defines "deliver" and "manufacture":
(f) "Deliver" or "delivery," means the actual or constructive transfer
from one person to another of a substance, whether or not there is an
agency relationship.
(q) "Manufacture" means the production, preparation, propagation,
compounding, conversion, or processing of a controlled substance, either
directly or indirectly or by extraction from substances of natural origin, or
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No. 31543-6-III
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independently by means of chemical synthesis, or by a combination of
extraction and chemical synthesis, and includes any packaging or
repackaging of the substance or labeling or relabeling of its container.
Both the federal and state constitutions prohibit a person from being punished
twice for the same offense, although within constitutional constraints the legislature is
free to define crimes and punishments as it sees fit. State v. Smith, 177 Wash. 2d 533, 545,
303 P.3d 1047 (2013); State v. Calle, 125 Wn.2d 769,776,888 P.2d 155 (1995).
Washington's double jeopardy clause offers the same protection as the federal
constitution. State v. Womac, 160 Wash. 2d 643, 650, 160 P.3d 40 (2007).
To analyze a double jeopardy claim, we first examine the statutory language to see
if the applicable statutes expressly permit punishment for the same act or transaction.
State v. Hughes, 166 Wn.2d 675,681,212 P.3d 558 (2009). When the relevant statutes
do not expressly disclose legislative intent to treat the charged crimes as the same
offense, we determine whether the charged crimes are the same in law and fact, termed
the same evidence test. State v. Marchi, 158 Wash. App. 823, 829,243 P.3d 556 (2010);
State v. Adel, 136 Wn.2d 629,632,965 P.2d 1072 (1998). The same evidence test
mirrors the federal "same elements" standard adopted in Blockburger v. United States,
284 U.S. 299, 304,52 S. Ct. 180,76 L. Ed. 306 (1932). Adel, 136 Wash. 2d at 632. The
Blockburger test is a rule of statutory construction used to discern legislative purpose.
Marchi, 158 Wash. App. at 829. The applicable rule is that, where the same act or
transaction constitutes a violation of two distinct statutory provisions, the test to be
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applied to determine whether there are two offenses or only one is whether each
provision requires proof of an additional fact which the other does not. Blockburger, 284
U.S. at 304; In re Pers. Restraint o/Orange, 152 Wn.2d 795,820, 100 P.3d 291 (2004).
This appeal resembles the circumstances underlying State v. Maxfield, 125 Wash. 2d
378, 886 P.2d 123 (1994). In Maxfield, our state high court addressed whether double
jeopardy protections precluded convictions for both manufacturing marijuana and
possessing marijuana with intent to distribute. Law enforcement officers seized 5,200
grams of marijuana found growing in a garage near a house rented by Mark Maxfield. In
addition to the marijuana found growing under artificial lights in the garage, officers also
found in the house triple beam scales and a quantity of packaged marijuana contained in
ziplock bags. The trial court concluded that the growing marijuana in the garage proved
that the defendant manufactured marijuana and that the marijuana bundled up in packages
in the house proved that the defendant was possessing marijuana with the intent to
deliver. The trial court found Mark Maxfield guilty of both manufacturing marijuana and
possessing marijuana with the intent to deliver it.
Our Supreme Court responded to and rejected Mark Maxfield's double jeopardy
argument as follows:
The applicable rule is that where the same act or transaction
constitutes a violation of two distinct statutory provisions, the test to be
applied to determine whether there are two offenses or only one, is whether
each provision requires proof of a fact which the other does not. This test
focuses primarily on whether or not each offense contains an additional
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No. 31543-6-III
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element not included in the other. Count 1 (manufacture) includes the
element that the controlled substance be manufactured which includes
planting, cultivation, growing, or harvesting. Count 2 includes the element
that the defendant possessed the substance with the intent to deliver.
Therefore, in this case, each offense contained an element not contained in
the other; hence, they are not the "same offence" and double jeopardy is not
violated.
Maxfield, 125 Wash. 2d at 401 (citations omitted). RCW 69.50.401 thus defines four
separate crimes: manufacturing a controlled substance, delivering a controlled substance,
possessing a controlled substance with the intent to manufacture it, and possessing a
controlled substance with the intent to deliver it. The facts of this case demonstrate the
distinctness of two of these crimes.
Herbert Ellsworth manufactured marijuana in the purple room. To secure that
conviction, the State pointed only to evidence found in the purple room. Ellsworth could
have manufactured marijuana for his own use, without committing the separate crime of
possessing with an intent to deliver. But Ellsworth went further. In his own bedroom,
the scales, the firearm, the whiteboard, and the packaged marijuana displayed Ellsworth's
intent to also deliver the marijuana he manufactured. To secure the conviction for
possession of marijuana with the intent to deliver it, the State pointed only to evidence
found in Herbert Ellsworth's room. These two convictions are both legally and factually
distinct.
Herbert Ellsworth argues that this court should utilize the "unit of prosecution"
analysis set forth in State v. Adel, 136 Wash. 2d at 632, because both count I and count II
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No. 31543-6-II1
State v. Ellsworth
were in violation of the same statute. Washington courts have recognized, however, the
legislature's ability to define separate offenses with a single statute. See, e.g., State v.
Duffey, 97 Wash. App. 33, 37, 981 P.2d 1 (1999); see also State v. Leach, 113 Wash. 2d 679,
684, 782 P.2d 552 (1989). That each count required the State prove distinct elements
with distinct facts further demonstrates the inappropriateness of applying the "unit of
prosecution" analysis in this case.
We deem State v. Maxfield, 125 Wash. 2d 378, controlling. Herbert Ellsworth's
convictions for manufacturing marijuana and possessing marijuana with the intent to
deliver do not violate constitutional prohibitions against double jeopardy.
Same Criminal Conduct
Herbert Ellsworth also contends that his convictions for count I, manufacturing
marijuana, and count II, possessing marijuana with the intent to distribute, constitute the
"same criminal conduct" for purposes of calculating his offender score under RCW
9.94A.589. A trial court's determination of what constitutes the same criminal conduct
for purposes of calculating an offender score will not be reversed absent an abuse of
discretion or misapplication of the law. State v. Tili, 139 Wash. 2d 107, 122,985 P.2d 365
(1999). A trial court abuses its discretion when its decision is manifestly unreasonable or
based on untenable grounds or reasons. State v. Mehrabian, 175 Wash. App. 678, 710, 308
P.3d 660, review denied, 178 Wash. 2d 1022 (2013).
RCW 9.94A.589(1)(a) provides:
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No. 31543-6-111
State v. Ellsworth
Except as provided in (b) or (c) of this subsection, whenever a
person is to be sentenced for two or more current offenses, the sentence
range for each current offense shall be determined by using all other current
and prior convictions as if they were prior convictions for the purpose of
the offender score: PROVIDED, That if the court enters a finding that some
or all of the current offenses encompass the same criminal conduct then
those current offenses shall be counted as one crime. Sentences imposed
under this subsection shall be served concurrently. Consecutive sentences
may only be imposed under the exceptional sentence provisions of RCW
9.94A.S3S. "Same criminal conduct," as used in this subsection, means
two or more crimes that require the same criminal intent, are committed at
the same time and place, and involve the same victim.
(Emphasis added.)
Our Supreme Court's holding in Maxfield disposes of this additional assignment
of error. Addressing the same argument, the court held:
Focusing on the extent to which the criminal intent, as objectively
viewed, changed from the crime of manufacture of a controlled substance
to the crime of possession with intent to deliver, we conclude that the trial
court here did not abuse its discretion in concluding these crimes did not
constitute the same criminal conduct. In this case, the objective criminal
intent is not the same for the two crimes defendant committed; there was a
change in the criminal objective. In manufacturing, the objective intent is
to produce the drug and the crime is complete without any showing of an
intent to deliver.
In this case, there were different "objectives"; one was to grow the
drug, the other was to deliver it to third persons. There was evidence in the
stipulated findings of fact supporting each offense. The growing marijuana
in the garage showed intent (in the past and present) to "manufacture" a
controlled substance, whereas the marijuana found in the house in plastic
baggies showed the defendant's intent to deliver the drugs in the future.
Hence, the trial court did not abuse its discretion in refusing to treat the two
crimes as the "same criminal conduct" for sentencing purposes.
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State v. Ellsworth
Maxfield, 125 Wash. 2d at 403 (citations omitted). Likewise, the sentencing court in this
case did not abuse its discretion.
CONCLUSION
We affirm Herbert Ellsworth's convictions and sentence.
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.
WE CONCUR:
Brown, A . . .
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