State of Washington v. John Christopher Fox ( 2021 )

FILED
FEBRUARY 4, 2021
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. 36865-3-III
Respondent, ) (consolidated with
) No. 37371-1-III)
v. )
)
JOHN CHRISTOPHER FOX, )
)
Appellant. ) UNPUBLISHED OPINION
)
)
In the Matter of the Personal Restraint of )
)
JOHN CHRISTOPHER FOX, )
)
Petitioner. )
KORSMO, J.P.T.1 — John Fox challenges, by appeal and personal restraint petition
(PRP), convictions for first degree burglary, second degree assault, and felony violation
of a protection order. His appointed counsel filed a motion to withdraw in accordance
with Anders v. California, 386 U.S. 738, 87 S. Ct. 1396, 18 L. Ed. 2d 493 (1967). We
affirm the convictions and dismiss the petition.
1
Judge Kevin M. Korsmo was a member of the Court of Appeals at the time
argument was held on this matter. He is now serving as a judge pro tempore of the court
pursuant to RCW 2.06.150.
No. 36865-3-III (consolidated with 37371-1-III)
State v. Fox; Pers. Restraint of Fox
FACTS
This case arises from a failed relationship. On the date charged, Mr. Fox broke
into the home of the protected person, TM, who fled to the street. Fox grabbed a kitchen
knife and followed her outside, yelling menacingly. Law enforcement was called, Mr.
Fox was apprehended, and the noted charges filed.
Counsel was assigned for Mr. Fox’s first appearance; the attorney suggested the
court order a competency evaluation. A psychologist found Mr. Fox competent to stand
trial and the court entered an order to that effect. Later, Mr. Fox asked to represent
himself, expressing distrust for the court system. After a colloquy, the court accepted his
waiver of counsel. A few months later, Mr. Fox asked that standby counsel take the case
over and the court reappointed counsel.
Defense counsel obtained a continuance to prepare. Two weeks later, Mr. Fox
again asked to represent himself. After a colloquy, the court again accepted a waiver of
counsel. Mr. Fox then represented himself at trial. The trial court granted the State’s
motion in limine to exclude a diminished capacity defense since no expert witness had
been retained. During deliberations, the jury sent out a question concerning “intent,” but
Mr. Fox declined to return to the courtroom. The court responded to the jury in writing,
advising that there would be no further instructions. The jury found Mr. Fox guilty of
burglary, but was unable to decide the other charges.
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No. 36865-3-III (consolidated with 37371-1-III)
State v. Fox; Pers. Restraint of Fox
A second jury trial was held with Mr. Fox again representing himself. Mr. Fox
absented himself from the trial after the State rested its case, complaining that his
medication prevented him from proceeding. The court granted a one hour recess, but
then Mr. Fox continued to refuse to proceed. The trial court, believed Mr. Fox was
playing games, found that Mr. Fox was oriented and responsive to questions, and denied
a request for a mistrial. Acknowledging that he was waiving his right to be present, Mr.
Fox again left the courtroom. The second jury convicted him of assault and felony
violation of a protection order, each while armed with a deadly weapon.
At sentencing, the defense requested that the three offenses be treated as one for
scoring purposes. The trial court declined and imposed concurrent standard range terms.
Mr. Fox then timely appealed to this court. His appointed counsel filed a motion to
withdraw in accordance with Anders. Meanwhile, Mr. Fox filed a CrR 7.8 motion for
resentencing, which the trial court transferred to this court for consideration as a PRP.
Our commissioner then consolidated the two matters and referred them to a panel. A
panel then considered the cases without conducting argument.
ANALYSIS
APPEAL
Appellate counsel ably identified every contested issue in the case and suggested
them as potential issues to which error could properly be assigned. The prosecutor
thoroughly and concisely explained why each issue was without merit. In light of the
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No. 36865-3-III (consolidated with 37371-1-III)
State v. Fox; Pers. Restraint of Fox
nature of the briefing, and with the facts well known to the parties, our answers to the
potential assignments will be rather summary.
Competency to Stand Trial. Appellate counsel suggests that Mr. Fox was not
competent to stand trial. RCW 10.77.060. A person is competent to stand trial if s/he
both (1) understands the nature of the charges filed and (2) is able to assist in the defense.
In re Pers. Restraint of Fleming, 142 Wn.2d 853, 861-862, 16 P.3d 610 (2001).
Determinations of competence to stand trial are reviewed for abuse of discretion. State v.
Ortiz, 104 Wn.2d 479, 482, 706 P.2d 1069 (1985). Deference is given to the trial court’s
determination due to the court’s opportunity to observe the defendant’s behavior and
demeanor. State v. Hanson, 20 Wn. App. 579, 582, 581 P.2d 589 (1978). Discretion is
abused when it is exercised on untenable grounds or for untenable reasons. State ex rel.
Carroll v. Junker, 79 Wn.2d 12, 26, 482 P.2d 775 (1971).
There was no abuse of discretion here. While he had a history of mental health
issues, there was no evidence that Mr. Fox did not understand the nature of the case against
him or was unable to assist in his defense. The expert’s report found that he was
competent to stand trial. Mr. Fox personally has never claimed otherwise. This contention
is without merit.
Self-Representation. Counsel next suggests that the trial court abused its discretion
in permitting Mr. Fox to waive counsel. The trial court properly honored Mr. Fox’s rights
under the constitution.
4
No. 36865-3-III (consolidated with 37371-1-III)
State v. Fox; Pers. Restraint of Fox
Both the United States and Washington Constitutions permit an accused to waive
the right to counsel and engage in self-representation. Faretta v. California, 422 U.S.
806, 95 S. Ct. 2525, 45 L. Ed. 2d 562 (1975); State v. Madsen, 168 Wn.2d 496, 503, 229
P.3d 714 (2010) (citing WASH. CONST. art. I, § 22). The right to self-representation is
implicit in the Sixth Amendment, but explicit in art. I, § 22. Deprivation of this right is
considered to be structural error. Neder v. United States, 527 U.S. 1, 8, 119 S. Ct. 1827,
144 L. Ed. 2d 35 (1999) (listing instances of structural error). In order to exercise this
right, the criminal defendant must knowingly and intelligently waive the right to counsel
after advice about the dangers and disadvantages of self-representation. Faretta, 422
U.S. at 835. A thorough colloquy on the record is the preferred method of ensuring an
intelligent waiver of the right to counsel. City of Bellevue v. Acrey, 103 Wn.2d 203, 211,
691 P.2d 957 (1984). A trial court’s decision to permit self-representation is reviewed for
abuse of discretion. State v. Curry, 191 Wn.2d 475, 483, 423 P.3d 179 (2018).
The record here reflects thorough colloquies on two occasions as well as the
exercise of the right to switch back to counsel. Mr. Fox clearly knew what he was doing
and undertook self-representation twice. In light of the multiple colloquies, the trial court
had very tenable grounds for allowing self-representation.
Time for Trial. Counsel also suggests that the trial court erred in granting a trial
continuance over the objection of the defendant. This argument is easily met. Unless a
defendant objects to a new trial date and files a timely motion to compel a different trial
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No. 36865-3-III (consolidated with 37371-1-III)
State v. Fox; Pers. Restraint of Fox
date, the claim is waived. CrR 3.3(d)(3). That is the situation here. Mr. Fox never filed
a challenge and request for a new trial date. Accordingly, the time for trial rule was not
violated by the continuance.
Exclusion of Diminished Capacity Defense. Counsel next notes the trial court’s
exclusion of a diminished capacity defense. Again, this argument is without merit.
A defendant is entitled to a diminished capacity instruction if (1) the crime
charged includes a particular mental state as an element, (2) the defendant presents
evidence of a mental disorder, and (3) expert testimony logically and reasonably connects
the defendant’s alleged mental condition with the asserted inability to form the mental
state required for the crime charged. State v. Atsbeha, 142 Wn.2d 904, 914, 921, 16 P.3d
626 (2001). The testimony of an expert witness is necessary to present a diminished
capacity defense. State v. Stumpf, 64 Wn. App. 522, 526, 827 P.2d 294 (1992).
Here, the trial court prohibited the diminished capacity defense at the State’s
request because the defendant repeatedly failed to obtain an evaluation and an expert
witness necessary to provide a foundation for the defense. In the absence of expert
support, there is no basis for a diminished capacity defense. Stumpf, 64 Wn. App. 522.
Prosecutorial Misconduct. Mr. Fox alleged at the second trial that the prosecutor
had committed misconduct in opening statement by urging jurors to “send a message” to
Mr. Fox. The court denied the motion, stating that the prosecutor made no such
statement. Report of Proceedings (RP) (May 7, 2019) at 63.
6
No. 36865-3-III (consolidated with 37371-1-III)
State v. Fox; Pers. Restraint of Fox
We review a trial court’s ruling on a motion to declare a mistrial for abuse of
discretion. State v. Weber, 99 Wn.2d 158, 166, 659 P.2d 1102 (1983). “The question is
not whether this court would have decided otherwise in the first instance, but whether the
trial judge was justified in reaching his conclusion.” State v. Taylor, 60 Wn.2d 32, 42,
371 P.2d 617 (1962). Since there was no factual basis for the request, the trial court had
very tenable grounds for denying the motion.
Defendant’s Presence. Mr. Fox stopped taking part in each trial as they reached
the end. Appellate counsel suggests that his right to be present might have been violated.
However, the trial court correctly concluded that Mr. Fox voluntarily absented himself in
each instance.
A defendant has a right to appear at his trial. WASH. CONST. art. I, § 2. A
defendant may waive this right and the trial court’s decision to proceed with the trial in
the defendant’s absence is reviewed for abuse of discretion. State v. Thurlby, 184 Wn.2d
618, 624-625, 359 P.3d 793 (2015). When a defendant fails to appear for trial, the trial
court must ascertain whether the defendant’s absence is voluntary. State v. Thomson, 123
Wn.2d 877, 881, 872 P.2d 1097 (1994). Our courts traditionally perform a three step
analysis that includes:
(1) [make] sufficient inquiry into the circumstances of a defendant’s
disappearance to justify a finding whether the absence was voluntary,
(2) [make] a preliminary finding of voluntariness (when justified), and
(3) [afford] the defendant an adequate opportunity to explain his absence
when he is returned to custody and before sentence is imposed.
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No. 36865-3-III (consolidated with 37371-1-III)
State v. Fox; Pers. Restraint of Fox
Id. The court must consider all reasonable presumptions that the defendant did not
voluntarily waive his rights. State v. Garza, 150 Wn.2d 360, 367, 77 P.3d 347 (2003).
While useful for confirming voluntariness when a defendant inexplicably fails to appear,
this framework is not essential if the defendant informs the court he wishes to absent
himself. State v. Davis, 6 Wn. App. 2d 43, 55, 429 P.3d 534 (2018). The third analytical
prong is primarily meant to ensure the defendant an opportunity to explain the absence to
the court. Thurlby, 184 Wn.2d at 629.
Mr. Fox knowingly and intelligently chose to depart trial (or not return) rather than
participate and informed the court of those wishes. The absences were voluntary. Davis,
6 Wn. App. 2d 43. The trial court did not err in continuing without him.
Mistrial Motion. Counsel also suggests that the trial court erred in denying Mr.
Fox’s motion for a mistrial near the conclusion of the second trial. When the State rested,
Mr. Fox stated that his medication prevented him from going forward. After a recess, the
court ultimately concluded that Mr. Fox was playing games and declined to stop the trial.
Mr. Fox then left the courtroom for the duration of the trial.
The court again did not abuse its discretion by denying the mistrial motion. A
voluntary decision to stop taking part in his trial is not a basis for declaring a mistrial.
The court’s reasoning was quite tenable. There was no error.
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No. 36865-3-III (consolidated with 37371-1-III)
State v. Fox; Pers. Restraint of Fox
Jury Question. Counsel next suggests that the trial court erroneously sent back a
response to the jury in the first trial without first consulting the parties in violation of CrR
6.15(f)(1). In light of Mr. Fox’s refusal to take part in the trial, we are uncertain whether
the trial court erred by declining to have communication solely with the prosecution. We
are certain that any error was harmless.
Typically, the court must consult with the parties before answering a jury question.
CrR 6.15(f)(1); State v. Jasper, 174 Wn.2d 96, 121, 271 P.3d 876 (2012). A “negative”
communication between the court and the jury is one that conveys no information. State
v. Safford, 24 Wn. App. 783, 794, 604 P.2d 980 (1979) (citing cases). It long has been
settled that a negative communication to the jury is harmless error. State v. Colson, 9
Wn.2d 424, 426-427, 115 P.2d 677 (1941); State v. Russell, 25 Wn. App. 933, 948, 611
P.2d 1320 (1980); Safford, 24 Wn. App. at 794.
The court’s answer to the jury inquiry was a “negative” communication that
merely informed the jury that no further instruction would be forthcoming. If there was
error in so responding in the absence of the parties, the error was absolutely harmless.
Colson, 9 Wn.2d 424; Russell, 25 Wn. App. 933; Safford, 24 Wn. App. 783.
Scoring. On multiple theories, some of which are repeated in the PRP, appellant
argues that his sentence was wrongly calculated. None of the claims have merit.
Double jeopardy is violated when, among other things, a person is convicted of
multiple crimes for the same behavior in the absence of legislative authorization for the
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No. 36865-3-III (consolidated with 37371-1-III)
State v. Fox; Pers. Restraint of Fox
multiple punishments. State v. Leming, 133 Wn. App. 875, 881-882, 138 P.3d 1095 (2006),
review denied, 160 Wn.2d 1006 (2007). The merger doctrine, similarly, prohibits multiple
convictions when the degree of one offense is raised by another crime. Id. at 890.
Neither of these doctrines are implicated here. Merger has no play because none
of the offenses were elevated by any of the other crimes. Double jeopardy is not
implicated because the crimes do not share any elements in common. The protection
order charge was predicated on the commission of prior protection order violations, not
any of the contemporaneous offenses. The burglary was committed by entering the house
while armed with a deadly weapon; the assault charge occurred outside the house when
Mr. Fox threatened TM with a knife. Moreover, the burglary antimerger statute shows
express legislative intent to punish burglary in addition to any related crimes. RCW
9A.52.050.
Mr. Fox also suggests that the offenses constituted the same criminal conduct,
RCW 9.94A.589(1). They did not. When imposing sentence under that subsection,
courts are required to include each other current offense in the offender score unless one
or more of those offenses constitute the same criminal conduct, in which case they shall
be “counted as one crime.” The statute then defines that particular exception to the
scoring rule: “‘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.” Id.
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No. 36865-3-III (consolidated with 37371-1-III)
State v. Fox; Pers. Restraint of Fox
It is the defendant’s burden to establish that offenses constitute the same criminal
conduct. State v. Graciano, 176 Wn.2d 531, 540-541, 295 P.3d 219 (2013). The trial
court’s same criminal conduct ruling is reviewed for abuse of discretion because it
involves a factual inquiry. Id. at 535-536, 541. In addition, the burglary antimerger
statute also gives trial courts the authority to treat burglary offenses separately even when
the underlying crime would otherwise constitute the same criminal conduct. State v.
Lessley, 118 Wn.2d 773, 781-782, 827 P.2d 996 (1992).
These offenses did not occur at quite the same time, nor did they share the same
criminal intent. The burglary was completed when Mr. Fox unlawfully entered the
house, the protection order violation was completed when he contacted TM, and the
assault occurred afterward when he chased TM down the street. The trial court
considered the sentencing argument and rejected the contention. The court did not err.
With the antimerger statute permitting the court to treat the burglary separately from the
other offenses, the only remaining question is whether the protection order and assault
crimes were the same conduct. Under the facts of this case, as charged, they were not.
Lastly, the contention that the weapons enhancements are improper because they
do not overlap is without merit. The enhancements were required to be served
consecutively to each other. RCW 9.94A.533(4).
The appeal is without merit. Counsel’s motion to withdraw is granted.
11
No. 36865-3-III (consolidated with 37371-1-III)
State v. Fox; Pers. Restraint of Fox
PERSONAL RESTRAINT PETITION
The PRP argues that the offender score was wrongly calculated, a presentence
report was not completed, and that domestic violence enhancements were applied. The
last two allegations are contrary to the record. The presentence report was completed
and, according to the record, shared with Mr. Fox. RP (June 7, 2019) at 226-228. No
domestic violence findings were made, nor was the sentence enhanced in such a manner.
To prevail on a PRP, a petitioner must show there is constitutional error that
caused substantial actual prejudice or a nonconstitutional error that resulted in a
fundamental defect constituting a complete miscarriage of justice. In re Pers. Restraint
of Woods, 154 Wn.2d 400, 409, 114 P.3d 607 (2005). It is the petitioner’s burden to
establish this “threshold requirement.” Id. To do so, a PRP must present competent
evidence in support of its claims. In re Pers. Restraint of Rice, 118 Wn.2d 876, 885-886,
828 P.2d 1086, cert. denied, 506 U.S. 958 (1992). If the facts alleged would potentially
entitle the petitioner to relief, a reference hearing may be ordered to resolve the factual
allegations. Id. at 886-887.
This PRP does not demonstrate any error. The offender score for both the
burglary and assault convictions was five points, while the score on the protection order
count was four points. The defendant had two points of prior criminal history on each of
the current charges due to past convictions for felony harassment and second degree
possession of stolen property. When scoring both the assault and burglary convictions,
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No. 36865-3-III (consolidated with 37371-1-III)
State v. Fox; Pers. Restraint of Fox
the trial court correctly added two points for the other violent offense and one point for
the protection order violation, resulting in the score of five points each. RCW 9.94A.525,
.533. With respect to the protection order charge, each of the other two offenses only
counted a single point, resulting in the offender score of four. Id.
The PRP is without merit. The convictions are affirmed and the petition is
dismissed.
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.
_________________________________
Korsmo, J.P.T.
WE CONCUR:
_________________________________
Fearing, J.
_________________________________
Lawrence-Berrey, J.
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