State Of Washington, Resp/cross App v. Hector Talavera, App/cross Resp ( 2018 )

IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON
STATE OF WASHINGTON, ) No. 76422-5-1
)
Respondent, ) DIVISION ONE
)
v. )
)
HECTOR HUGO TALAVERA„ ) UNPUBLISHED OPINION
)
Appellant. ) FILED: November 13, 2018
)
SMITH, J. — Hector Talavera appeals the judgment and sentence imposed
pursuant to his jury conviction for first degree rape of a child and first degree
child molestation. Talavera contends (1) defense counsel was constitutionally
ineffective for failing to impeach witnesses with their testimony from an earlier
trial,(2)two of the State's witnesses improperly vouched for the credibility of
other witnesses,(3) the trial court erred in admitting hearsay evidence,(4) he
was denied his right to a unanimous verdict, and (5) cumulative error denied him
a fair trial. We affirm.
FACTS
M.H.S. is Talavera's younger cousin. Talavera lived with M.H.S.'s family
for approximately 10 years, until M.H.S. was 9 or 10 years old. M.H.S.
considered Talavera, who was in his twenties at the time, to be "like a big
brother." Report of Proceedings(RP)(Dec. 13, 2016) at 374.
No. 76422-5-1/2
M.H.S.'s father frequently sent Talavera to buy pan dulce, a type of sweet
bread, from a bakery. Talavera occasionally took M.H.S. with him to the bakery
but refused to allow M.H.S.'s siblings to accompany them. On the way to the
bakery, Talavera would put his hand in between M.H.S.'s legs and rub her
vaginal area over her clothing. M.H.S. testified that this happened on
approximately 10 different occasions and that she was around 9 or 10 years old
at the time.
On another occasion, M.H.S. and her younger sister Kimberly had a
"sleepover" in Talavera's bed. RP (Dec. 13, 2016) at 383. During the middle of
the night, Talavera moved Kimberly over and then pulled down his pants and put
M.H.S.'s hand on his penis. Each time M.H.S. tried to move her hand away,
Talavera put it back on his penis. Talavera stopped after M.H.S. tried to wake up
Kimberly.
M.H.S. testified about another incident with Talavera that happened when
she was 9 years old. M.H.S. was wearing a zippered one piece pajama set.
Talavera told her to change clothes, so M.H.S. went upstairs to her bedroom and
got dressed. However, M.H.S. did not return downstairs "[Necause I didn't want
him to touch me." RP (Dec. 13, 2016) at 386. Talavera went upstairs, picked up
M.H.S. and put her over his shoulder, and carried her to his bedroom. Talavera
pulled down M.H.S.'s pants and his own pants and put his penis into M.H.S.'s
vagina. M.H.S. pretended that she heard her mother calling for her, and Talavera
stopped. M.H.S. testified that it hurt and that she saw blood when she went to the
bathroom.
-2-
No. 76422-5-1/3
After Talavera moved out of M.H.S.'s house, he continued to visit
frequently. M.H.S. testified about two other incidents that occurred in the family's
living room. The first time, M.H.S. was sitting on the couch when Talavera sat
next to her, spread a blanket over them, and touched her vaginal area over her
clothing. M.H.S. moved to a different couch and ultimately to her own room in
order to escape Talavera. The second time, M.H.S. was lying on the floor
underneath a blanket watching television with other members of her family in the
room. Talavera lay down next to M.H.S., underneath the blanket, and touched
her vaginal area over her clothing. M.H.S. testified that she was around 9 or 10
years old at the time of these two incidents.
M.H.S. did not tell her parents what happened because "[t]hey loved him a
lot" and she "felt embarrassed." RP (Dec. 13, 2016) at 389. However, several
years later, M.H.S. received a text message from a friend who told her that he
was in counseling for depression and "how it sucks to have had something that
you know that no one can know." RP (Dec. 13, 2016) at 395-96. This prompted
M.H.S. to tell her mother what had happened with Talavera.
The following day, M.H.S.'s eyes were puffy from crying and she
attempted to hide them with "bruise makeup" and dark sunglasses. RP (Dec. 13,
2016) at 398-99. M.H.S.'s biology teacher "could tell that something was wrong."
RP (Dec. 14, 2016) at 502. She took M.H.S. aside and asked if someone had hit
her. M.H.S initially stated that her boyfriend hit her but ultimately disclosed the
sexual abuse by Talavera. M.H.S. participated in a sexual assault evaluation by
-3-
No. 76422-5-1/4
forensic nurse Colette Dahl and an interview with child interview specialist Gina
Coslett.
The State charged Talavera by amended information with one count of
first degree rape of a child and four counts of first degree child molestation,
alleged to have occurred between January 24, 2007, and January 23, 2010,
when M.H.S. was between the ages of 9 and 12. Talavera's first trial took place
from September 20 to September 22, 2016. The jury was unable to agree on a
verdict as to any of the counts, and the trial court declared a mistrial. Talavera's
second trial took place from December 12 to December 15, 2016. A jury
convicted Talavera as charged. Talavera appeals.
DECISION
1. Ineffective Assistance of Counsel
Talavera argues that defense counsel was ineffective for failing to obtain a
complete transcript from his prior trial. He contends that without a transcript, he
was unable to impeach M.H.S. or her sister with inconsistencies in their
testimony.
We review claims of ineffective assistance of counsel de novo. State v.
Estes, 188 Wn.2d 450, 457, 395 P.3d 1045 (2017). In order to establish
ineffective assistance of counsel, a defendant must demonstrate both that
counsel's conduct was deficient and that the deficient performance resulted in
prejudice. State v. Nichols, 161 Wn.2d 1, 8, 162 P.3d 1122(2007). To show that
counsel's performance was deficient, the defendant must establish that it fell
below an objective standard of reasonableness given the circumstances. State v.
-4-
No. 76422-5-1/5
McFarland, 127 Wn.2d 322, 334-35, 899 P.2d 1251 (1995). If counsel's conduct
can be characterized as a legitimate trial strategy or tactic, performance is not
deficient. State v. Grier, 171 Wn.2d 17, 33, 246 P.3d 1260 (2011). To show that
the deficient performance was prejudicial, the defendant must show that there is
a reasonable probability that but for counsel's errors the result of the proceeding
would have been different. McFarland, 127 Wn.2d at 334-35. "Failure to make
the required showing of either deficient performance or sufficient prejudice
defeats the ineffectiveness claim." Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. 668, 700,
104 S. Ct. 2052, 80 L. Ed. 2d 674 (1984). We engage in a strong presumption
that counsel's representation was effective. McFarland, 127 Wn.2d at 335.
a. M.H.S.'s testimony regarding trips to the bakery
During the first trial, the prosecutor asked M.H.S. how many times
Talavera molested her in the car to the bakery.
[PROSECUTOR:] How many times did this happen in the car when
you were going on these trips?
[PROSECUTOR:]Was it more than one?
[M.H.S.:] Yeah.
[PROSECUTOR:]Was it more or less than ten?
[M.H.S.:] More than ten.
[PROSECUTOR:] More or less than 20?
[M.H.S.:] I would say 20.
-5-
No. 76422-5-1/6
RP (Dec. 21, 2016) at 77. During the second trial, M.H.S. testified as
follows.
[PROSECUTOR:]And did this happen more than once?
[M.H.S.:] Yes.
[PROSECUTOR:] Do you know how many times?
[M.H.S.:] I don't know exactly how many times, but it did happen.
[PROSECUTOR:] Did it happen more than five times?
[M.H.S.:] Yeah.
[PROSECUTOR:]Ten, more than ten?
[M.H.S.:] I would say around there.
RP (Dec. 13, 2016) at 378.
b. Kimberly's testimony regarding the "sleepover"
During the first trial, the prosecutor asked M.H.S.'s sister, Kimberly, about
her recollection of the "sleepover" in Talavera's bed.
[PROSECUTOR:] Did you ever spend the night down in Hugo's[11
room?
[KIMBERLY:]There is not really—there is—not that I remember.
Like, there is not a night I remember, but maybe, because I was so
young, probably could have been a time. Like, right now I don't
remember a time sleeping there.
[PROSECUTOR:] Okay. Would it have seemed strange to you?
[KIMBERLY:] Not really. I honestly would have seen it perfectly
fine. I saw him as family that was like an older brother, so I—mostly
see it as a sleepover.
RP (Sept. 21, 2016) at 163-64.
1 Several witnesses testified that Talavera went by his middle name.
-6-
No. 76422-5-1/7
In Talavera's second trial, the prosecutor did not ask Kimberly any
questions about the sleepover, but defense counsel raised the issue during
cross-examination.
[DEFENSE COUNSEL:]Was there ever a time that you remember
having a sleepover with [M.H.S.], you and Hugo and you slept on
his bed?
[KIMBERLY:] Yeah, I don't know if it was—I don't know if it was the
ground floor or the bed. I don't remember.
[DEFENSE COUNSEL:]You remember that?
[KIMBERLY:] But I do remember the sleepover.
[DEFENSE COUNSEL:] Okay. Do you remember I asked that you
in a different hearing and you said no?
[KIMBERLY:]What do you mean?
[DEFENSE COUNSEL:] I asked you the exact same question in a
different hearing and you said that you could not remember a night
that you had a sleepover with Hugo.
[KIMBERLY:] Well, we did.
[DEFENSE COUNSEL:]So was that true or was what you are
saying today true?
[KIMBERLY:] What I am saying today is true.
[DEFENSE COUNSEL:] On that occasion you said it under oath.
RP (Dec. 14, 2016) at 490.
The prosecutor objected. Outside the presence of the jury, the prosecutor
stated:
Your Honor, there is no transcript of the prior testimony from the
prior hearing.[Defense counsel] is, in essence, making herself a
witness. What she is saying is not my recollection. My recollection
-7-
No. 76422-5-1/8
is that this witness said that she didn't remember, and then on
redirect she said that it wouldn't have been unusual if that
happened. Nevertheless, I don't think this is proper impeachment
when it is just purely based on defense counsel who is not a
witness and not on a witness' memory.
RP (Dec. 14, 2016) at 491. Defense counsel responded:
I could do a transcript, Your Honor, but it's just going to take longer.
My notes say I cannot remember a night I slept in Hugo's room,
quotation sleepover, and I do have that she said that that would not
be unusual as well. ...
... I was going to ask her if she remembers saying that. If you want
me to have the transcript made, I can do that, Your Honor. I will
recall her in defense case.
RP (Dec. 14, 2016) at 491-92. The trial court stated:,
Without a transcript, if the witness' statement is either I didn't say
that or I don't remember saying that, or what have you, the
questioning needs to stop there in the Court's view, because there
is nothing further that you can offer since you don't have a
transcript at this time.
... I don't have any qualms you asking that last question
that you want to ask, so the State's objection to that is overruled.
But whatever her answer is, it needs to stand, unless there is some
further objective evidence as to what her testimony was at that trial.
RP (Dec. 14, 2016) at 492-94.
When the jury returned, defense counsel continued as follows:
[DEFENSE COUNSEL]Thank you, Kimberly. Do you ever recall
telling us before that you don't remember ever having a sleepover
in Hugo's bedroom on the bed?
[KIMBERLY:] I guess, but I was probably nervous, because I did
get nervous.
[DEFENSE COUNSEL]Are you nervous now?
[KIMBERLY]A little.
-8-
No. 76422-5-1/9
[DEFENSE COUNSEL]Okay. Does you being nervous change
your memory?
[KIMBERLY:] I mean, yeah. . . .
RP (Dec. 14, 2016) at 495.
Talavera contends, without citation to authority, that it is per se deficient
for an attorney to fail to request transcripts of a prior trial ending in a mistrial. But
it is unnecessary to address this claim because Talavera does not establish
prejudice. Under the circumstances, the inconsistencies in M.H.S.'s testimony
were minimal. It was clear in both trials that M.H.S. was unsure of the actual
number of incidents and was estimating broadly. Moreover, M.H.S. remembered
fewer incidents in the second trial than she did in the first. Despite Talavera's
claims to the contrary, it was not unreasonable that defense counsel chose not to
highlight the higher number from the first trial.
Nor does Talavera establish prejudice with regard to Kimberly's testimony.
During the first trial, Kimberly testified that while she did not specifically
remember a sleepover occurring, there "probably could have been a time." RP
(Sept. 21, 2016) at 164. Kimberly testified that such an occurrence would not be
unusual because Talavera was like an older brother to her. During the second
trial, Kimberly testified that she did remember a sleepover occurring. However,
such an inconsistency was not significant because Kimberly did not give any
details about what happened at the sleepover. Furthermore, defense counsel
successfully impeached Kimberly's credibility even without the transcript. In
response to defense counsel's questioning, Kimberly admitted that she gave a
-9-
No. 76422-5-1/10
different statement at the first trial. She also testified that testifying made her
nervous and that being nervous could "change [her] memory." RP (Dec. 14,
2016) at 495. Talavera fails to establish a reasonable probability that the
outcome of the trial would have been different had defense counsel obtained a
transcript of the first tria1.2
2. Vouching
For the first time on appeal, Talavera contends that he was denied his
right to a fair trial because two of the State's witnesses—child interview specialist
Gina Coslett and Detective Susan Eviston—vouched for the credibility of other
witnesses.
"[N]o witness may give an opinion on another witness' credibility." State v.
Carlson 80 Wn. App. 116, 123, 906 P.2d 999 (1995). Such testimony invades
the province of the jury as the ultimate arbiter of credibility of the witness. State v.
Warren, 134 Wn. App. 44, 52-53, 138 P.3d 1081 (2006), aff'd, 165 Wn.2d 17,
195 P.3d 940(2008). However, where a defendant did not object below, he or
she may only raise an error on appeal if it is manifest constitutional error. State v.
Kirkman, 159 Wn.2d 918, 934, 155 P.3d 125(2007). Improper opinion testimony
constitutes a manifest constitutional error only if the witness made "an explicit or
almost explicit witness statement on an ultimate issue of fact." Kirkman, 159
Wn.2d at 936.
2 Talaveraargues that defense counsel could also have used the
transcript to impeach M.H.S. "potentially on her other vague and guessed-at
answers." Br. of Appellant at 19. Talavera does not identify any portions of the
record relevant to this claim, and we decline to review it.
-10-
No. 76422-5-1/11
a. Gina Coslett's testimony
Coslett explained "the rules" for conducting a child interview, including that
the child not guess at answers, that the child ask for clarification of anything he or
she does not understand, and that the child "promise [to] tell the truth." RP (Dec.
14, 2016) at 604. Coslett testified that if a child "appears they're not following the
rules" that she "might go over the rules again." RP (Dec. 14, 2016) at 605.
Coslett stated that she did not "have the need to reiterate the rules" with M.H.S.
RP (Dec. 14, 2016) at 607.
When the prosecutor asked about M.H.S.'s demeanor during the
interview, Coslett testified that during the initial introductions, M.H.S."was able to
talk about her feelings and you could see that in her demeanor." But when
Coslett began asking questions about Talavera,[M.H.S.]"got quiet . . . she was
careful to think about her answer and give me the information." RP (Dec. 14,
2016) at 606-07.
The prosecutor asked Coslett to define "a good interview."3 RP (Dec. 14,
2016) at 608. Coslett testified that "good interviews or an interview is being able
to bring in the research with also the developmental knowledge, asking the open-
ended questions and waiting for the information to be able to build upon that in
getting more detail." RP (Dec. 14, 2016) at 609. She stated that she considered
M.H.S.'s interview "a good interview." RP (Dec. 14, 2016) at 609.
3 Talavera objected to this question at trial on relevance grounds, not on
the grounds he now raises on appeal.
-11-
No. 76422-5-1/12
Here, Coslett's statements about "the rules" of the interview did not
constitute a comment on M.H.S.'s credibility. Coslett agreed during cross-
examination that she had "no way of knowing" if the child she was interviewing
was being truthful and explicitly stated that her role was not to determine the truth
of the allegations. RP (Dec. 14, 2016) at 612. The testimony did not infringe on
the jury's role as the ultimate judge of M.H.S.'s credibility. Nor were Coslett's
comments on M.H.S.'s demeanor during the interview improper. A witness may
describe the manner and demeanor of a child at the time the child is making
statements and state inferences from these observations. State v. Madison, 53
Wn. App. 754, 760, 770 P.2d 662(1989). And Coslett explained that a "good
interview" meant that the interviewer correctly followed standard protocols; it did
not refer to whether the interviewee was telling the truth. Coslett's testimony did
not give rise to manifest constitutional error reviewable for the first time on
appeal.
b. Detective Susan Eviston's testimony
Detective Eviston testified about the steps she took in her investigation.
When the prosecutor asked why Detective Eviston chose to use a child interview
specialist despite the fact that M.H.S. was 17, Detective Eviston responded:
For me personally you heard Ms. Coslett and her level of expertise
is just unquestionable, so I don't want to make mistakes, because a
lot of these cases, and especially this case, these disclosure [sic]
come later, usually when someone's life is falling apart than we
hear what's caused them to be the way they are, and I don't want to
make mistakes. And, so I want the professional forensic interviewer
to do the interview .. ..
-12-
No. 76422-5-1/13
RP (Dec. 14, 2016) at 624-25. Detective Eviston observed the child interview
through a one-way mirror. When asked about M.H.S.'s demeanor during the
interview, she described M.H.S. "just a really shattered little girl." RP (Dec. 14,
2016) at 627.
However, Detective Eviston gave Coslett's expertise as only one reason
for her decision; she also testified that having Coslett conduct the interview gave
her more freedom to observe a child's demeanor and determine whether the
statutory elements for a crime were met. And Detective Eviston's comments that
M.H.S. appeared traumatized were permissible comments on M.H.S.'s
demeanor. See e.q., State v. Magers, 164 Wn.2d 174, 190, 189 P.3d 126(2008)
(police officer's testimony that victim was "'obviously traumatized" and
"something was terribly wrong" were permissible comments on victim's
demeanor, not opinions about the victim's credibility or the defendant's guilt)
(internal quotation marks omitted), quoting Answer to Pet. for Review at 15. None
of the challenged statements by Detective Eviston constitute manifest
constitutional error.
3. Hearsay
Talavera argues that the trial court erred in admitting statements that
M.H.S. made to forensic nurse Colette Dahl. Specifically, he challenges M.H.S.'s
statement "1 was bleeding. . . . I was so scared" and her identification of Talavera
as the person who sexually abused her. RP (Dec. 14, 2016) at 573. He argues
that the statements were hearsay and were not admissible pursuant to ER
803(a)(4), the exception for medical treatment or diagnosis.
-13-
No. 76422-5-1/14
But Talavera did not object to the statements below.4 It is well settled that
objections to evidence cannot be raised for the first time on appeal. See
RAP 2.5(a); ER 103(a)(1); State v. Leavitt, 111 Wn.2d 66, 71-72, 758 P.2d 982(1988). Because Talavera did not challenge the testimony below on hearsay
grounds, he has waived the claim on appeal.
4. Jury Unanimity
Talavera contends that his right to a unanimous verdict was violated when
the prosecutor failed to elect specific acts for the jury's consideration. He argues
that M.H.S. testified about approximately 13 acts of sexual abuse but that the
State failed to elect the 4 acts on which the jury should rely to support the four
counts of first degree child molestation.
The constitutional right to a jury trial requires that the jury be unanimous
about the specific acts the defendant committed for each crime. State v. Petrich,
101 Wn.2d 566, 572,683 P.2d 173(1984). To ensure jury unanimity in multiple
acts cases, either (1) the State must elect the particular criminal act on which it
will rely for conviction or (2) the trial court must instruct the jury that all jurors
must agree that the same underlying criminal act has been proved beyond a
4 In a pretrial motion, the State sought to admit Dahl's testimony regarding
"the victim's description of the crime" as "evidence of diagnosis or treatment."
Clerk's Papers(CP)at 226; RP (Sept. 21, 2016) at 54. Defense counsel informed
the court she had no objection to the State's motion. During Dahl's testimony,
defense counsel made only one hearsay objection, to Dahl's recitation of the
family's home address, arguing that it "[d]oesn't fall within the exception that we
discussed for the purposes of medical." RP (Dec. 14, 2016) at 574.
-14-
No. 76422-5-1/15
reasonable doubt. State v. Kitchen, 110 Wn.2d 403, 411, 756 P.2d 105(1988)
(citing Petrich, 101 Wn.2d at 572).
Here, the trial court instructed the jury that "[t]o convict the defendant on
any count of Child Molestation in the First Degree, one particular act of Child
Molestation in the First Degree must be proved beyond a reasonable doubt, and
you must unanimously agree as to which act has been proved." CP at 170.
Because the jury was so instructed, there was no requirement that the State elect
the specific acts it relied on for conviction.
5. Cumulative Error
Talavera argues that cumulative error denied him a fair trial. "Under the
cumulative error doctrine,[an appellate court] may reverse a defendant's
conviction when the combined effect of errors during trial effectively denied the
defendant[of his or] her right to a fair trial, even if each error standing alone
would be harmless." State v. Venecias, 155 Wn. App. 507, 520, 228 P.3d 813(2010). Because Talavera cannot show multiple errors affected the outcome at
his trial, his cumulative error claim fails.
Affirmed.
- cn t=
co —4=
rrsc:,
.tc
WE CONCUR:
biA,A, ,
• tn rrt m
••
=3>°
1:=3
<
11••••I
-15-