State Of Washington v. Charles Peters ( 2021 )

IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON
STATE OF WASHINGTON,
DIVISION ONE
Respondent,
No. 79348-9-I
v.
PUBLISHED OPINION
CHARLES T. PETERS,
Appellant.
DWYER, J. — Charles Peters appeals from his nine convictions of
promoting prostitution in the second degree. He raises numerous claims of error,
asserting that: (1) the charging document was constitutionally inadequate, (2)
insufficient evidence supported his conviction, (3) the prosecution violated his
First Amendment rights, (4) the promoting prostitution statute is unconstitutionally
vague as applied to him, and (5) prosecutorial misconduct denied him a fair trial.
Because none of Peters’ contentions are meritorious, we affirm.
I
Charles Peters began purchasing sexual activity regularly in 2010 or 2011.
Peters identified himself as a “hobbyist”—a sex buyer who sought an emotional
experience as well as a sexual experience. Peters sought out female sex
workers who provided “the girlfriend experience,” a short-term simulation of a
No. 79348-9-I/2
romantic relationship. He was primarily interested in Korean sex workers.
Peters was a frequent sex buyer—he engaged sex workers once or twice a week
while trying to “limit” his spending on these episodes to $2,400 per month.
Peters located information concerning which sex workers were available
for hire and which services they offered on a review website called “The Review
Board.” Because he wanted to “give something back,” Peters also wrote and
posted reviews about his own experiences with various sex workers. Peters’
reviews included detailed and graphic narratives describing his encounters with
the particular sex worker he was reviewing, as well as booking information and
an Internet hyperlink to that sex worker’s online advertisement.
Peters was also a founding member of another, smaller group of
enthusiasts called “The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen.” This group
focused its collective attention specifically on Korean sex workers in the greater
Seattle area. The League began as an e-mail chain but eventually grew into a
private discussion board website. Peters served as a moderator to the online
discussion board and was able to invite new members into the group. The
members of the League also held occasional, informal, in-person meetings,
which were often organized by Peters.
Peters regularly helped to connect various actors within the sex trade to
one another. Peters introduced independent sex workers who wanted to work
with agencies or bookers to pertinent agency representatives or bookers. He
recommended specific sex workers and explained the screening process to
2
No. 79348-9-I/3
would-be customers. He made appointments for other customers and “vouched”
for new customers to help them pass through screening processes.
Peters was also one of several creators of an advertising website for
Korean sex workers in the greater Seattle area, KGirlDelights.com. Peters paid
the website hosting fee for KGirlDelights.com and also purchased the .net and
.org versions of the same domain name. Agency owners and independent sex
workers sent Peters advertisements, which he posted on the website.
In the spring of 2015, the King County Sheriff’s Office and the Bellevue
Police Department began a joint investigation into the Internet sex trade in the
greater Seattle-Bellevue area. Detective Luke Hillman, working undercover as
“LucasK1973,” created an account on The Review Board and noticed that
Peters, under the name “Peter Rabbit,” 1 was a frequent poster and appeared to
be “kind of a leader.” Eventually, Peters invited Detective Hillman to join the
League of Extraordinary Gentlemen. This proved unwise.
Peters was ultimately charged with nine counts of promoting prostitution in
the second degree. Prior to trial, Peters moved the court to dismiss the charges
as unconstitutionally vague and brought in violation of his First Amendment
rights. The trial court denied the motion. A jury convicted Peters on all counts.
He now appeals.
II
Peters contends that the fourth amended information charging him with
promoting prostitution, upon which he was tried, was constitutionally deficient
1 Peters also went by “TomCat007” and “ManTraveling4@gmail.com.”
3
No. 79348-9-I/4
because it did not adequately set forth the essential elements of the crime. But
the language Peters avers was necessary is language that explains what an
element means, not language that states what an element is. Thus, it is
definitional. Because a charging document need not include definitions of
essential elements, his contention fails.
Peters was charged with nine counts of promoting prostitution in the
second degree. Each count alleged that Peters knowingly advanced prostitution,
but did not include the statutory definition of the term, “advances prostitution,” as
set forth in RCW 9A.88.060. 2
2 The counts were charged as follows:
Count 1 Promoting Prostitution In The Second Degree
That the defendant Charles T. Peters in King County, Washington,
between August 14, 2014, and January 6, 2016, did knowingly advance
prostitution through the website “K-girl Delights” (aka “KCD”) and the prostitution
of one or more unidentified individuals associated with “K-girl Delights”;
Contrary to RCW 9A.88.080(1)(b), and against the peace and dignity of
the State of Washington.
Count 2 Promoting Prostitution In The Second Degree
That the defendant Charles T. Peters in King County, Washington,
between January 7, 2013, and January 6, 2016, did knowingly advance the
prostitution enterprise “Asian GFE” (aka “Korean GFE”, “Superstar GFE”, “Asian
Superstar”, “Korean Superstar”) and the prostitution of one or more unidentified
individuals associated with “Asian GFE”;
Contrary to RCW 9A.88.080(1)(b), and against the peace and dignity of
the State of Washington.
Count 3 Promoting Prostitution In The Second Degree
That the defendant Charles T. Peters in King County, Washington,
between August 14, 2014, and January 6, 2016, did knowingly advance the
prostitution enterprise “Special Dreamwa” and the prostitution of one or more
unidentified individuals associated with “Special Dreamwa”;
Contrary to RCW 9A.88.080(1)(b), and against the peace and dignity of
the State of Washington.
Count 4 Promoting Prostitution In The Second Degree
That the defendant Charles T. Peters in King County, Washington,
between August 14, 2014, and January 6, 2016, did knowingly advance the
prostitution enterprise “Golden Blossom” and the prostitution of one or more
unidentified individuals associated with “Golden Blossom”;
Contrary to RCW 9A.88.080(1)(b), and against the peace and dignity of
the State of Washington.
4
No. 79348-9-I/5
An accused has a right under both the state and federal constitutions to be
informed of each criminal charge alleged so that the accused may adequately
prepare a defense for trial. U.S. CONST. amend. VI; W ASH. CONST. art. I, § 22
(amend. 10). The State must provide a charging document that sets forth every
material element of each charge made, along with essential supporting
facts. State v. McCarty, 140 Wn.2d 420, 425, 998 P.2d 296 (2000).
Count 5 Promoting Prostitution In The Second Degree
That the defendant Charles T. Peters in King County, Washington,
between August 14, 2014, and January 6, 2016, did knowingly advance the
prostitution enterprise “Fantasy K” (aka “K Studio”) and the prostitution of one or
more unidentified individuals associated with “Fantasy K”;
Contrary to RCW 9A.88.080(1)(b), and against the peace and dignity of
the State of Washington.
Count 6 Promoting Prostitution In The Second Degree
That the defendant Charles T. Peters in King County, Washington,
between January 25, 2013, and January 6, 2016, did knowingly advance the
prostitution enterprise “Asian Fantasy” (aka “Sultry K”) and the prostitution of one
or more unidentified individuals associated with “Asian Fantasy”;
Contrary to RCW 9A.88.080(1)(b), and against the peace and dignity of
the State of Washington.
Count 7 Promoting Prostitution In The Second Degree
That the defendant Charles T. Peters in King County, Washington,
between January 25, 2013, and January 6, 2016, did knowingly advance the
prostitution enterprise “Asian Haven” (aka “Asian Candy” and “House of Asia”)
and the prostitution of one or more unidentified individuals associated with “Asian
Haven”;
Contrary to RCW 9A.88.080(1)(b), and against the peace and dignity of
the State of Washington.
Count 8 Promoting Prostitution In The Second Degree
That the defendant Charles T. Peters in King County, Washington,
between August 14, 2014, and January 6, 2016, did knowingly advance the
prostitution of an unidentified individual known as “Serena”;
Contrary to RCW 9A.88.080(1)(b), and against the peace and dignity of
the State of Washington.
Count 9 Promoting Prostitution In The Second Degree
That the defendant Charles T. Peters in King County, Washington,
between August 14, 2014, and January 6, 2016, did knowingly advance the
prostitution of an unidentified individual known as “Luna”;
Contrary to RCW 9A.88.080(1)(b), and against the peace and dignity of
the State of Washington.
5
No. 79348-9-I/6
“The standard of review for evaluating the sufficiency of a charging
document is determined by the time at which the motion challenging its
sufficiency is made.” State v. Taylor, 140 Wn.2d 229, 237, 996 P.2d 571 (2000).
When a defendant challenges the sufficiency of the charging document prior to a
verdict, the charging language is strictly construed. Taylor, 140 Wn.2d at 237. If,
however, the defendant challenges the sufficiency of the charging document
following a verdict, then the charging language must be construed liberally in
favor of validity. Taylor, 140 Wn.2d at 237.
Because a challenge to the sufficiency of a charging document involves a
question of constitutional due process (notice), it may be raised for the first time
on appeal. State v. Kjorsvik, 117 Wn.2d 93, 102, 812 P.2d 86 (1991). When an
appellant raises such a challenge, the proper standard of review is the two-
pronged test set forth in Kjorsvik: “(1) do the necessary elements appear in any
form, or by fair construction can they be found, in the information, and if so, (2)
can the defendant show he or she was actually prejudiced by the inartful
language.” McCarty, 140 Wn.2d at 425 (citing Kjorsvik, 117 Wn.2d at 105-06).
The first prong of this test is satisfied when a charging document sets forth
all of the essential elements of the crime charged. McCarty, 140 Wn.2d at 425.
If the required elements are set forth, even if only in vague terms, then the
charging document also satisfies the second prong of the test if the terms used
did not result in any actual prejudice to the defendant. McCarty, 140 Wn.2d at
425.
6
No. 79348-9-I/7
However, if the required elements cannot be found, or even fairly implied,
in the charging document, we do not reach the second prong of the test. Instead,
when the charging document fails to meet the requisites of the first prong of the
test, prejudice to the defendant is presumed and we must declare the charging
document constitutionally deficient. McCarty, 140 Wn.2d at 425. The remedy for
a constitutionally deficient charging document is reversal and dismissal of the
charge without prejudice to the State’s ability to refile the charge. State v.
Quismundo, 164 Wn.2d 499, 504, 192 P.3d 342 (2008).
Here, Peters asserts that the information charging him with promoting
prostitution in the second degree omitted essential elements of the crime set
forth in RCW 9A.88.060. The State responds by asserting that RCW 9A.88.060
merely furnishes a definition of an element of the crime of “promoting prostitution
in the second degree” as set forth in RCW 9A.88.080(1)(b), and that such
definitional terms need not be alleged.
Because Peters raises his challenge for the first time on appeal, we apply
the standard of review announced in Kjorsvik. Hence, to properly resolve the
claim of error, we must first identify the essential elements of the crime of
promoting prostitution in the second degree.
RCW 9A.88.080(1)(b) provides that “[a] person is guilty of promoting
prostitution in the second degree if he or she knowingly . . . [a]dvances
prostitution.” 3
“Advances prostitution” is defined by RCW 9A.88.060(1):
3The alternative means of promoting prostitution occurs if a person knowingly “[p]rofits
from prostitution.” RCW 9A.88.080(1)(a).
7
No. 79348-9-I/8
A person “advances prostitution” if, acting other than as a prostitute
or as a customer thereof, he or she causes or aids a person to
commit or engage in prostitution, procures or solicits customers for
prostitution, provides persons or premises for prostitution purposes,
operates or assists in the operation of a house of prostitution or a
prostitution enterprise, or engages in any other conduct designed to
institute, aid, or facilitate an act or enterprise of prostitution.
Peters asserts that (1) “aiding” 4 and (2) while not acting as a
customer are essential elements because they must be proved in order to
obtain a conviction. Furthermore, he avers, the State was required to
inform Peters that he was being charged with “knowingly not acting as a
customer.” In other words, Peters claims that the State was required to
allege that Peters knew that he was not acting as a customer.
However, definitions of essential elements—which define and limit
the scope of essential elements—are not additional essential elements
that must be alleged in the charging document. State v. Porter, 186
Wn.2d 85, 91, 375 P.3d 664 (2016); State v. Johnson, 180 Wn.2d 295,
302, 325 P.3d 135 (2014); State v. Rattana Keo Phuong, 174 Wn. App.
494, 545, 299 P.3d 37 (2013). Definitions are not transformed into
essential elements even if they must ultimately be proved at trial to obtain
a conviction. See, e.g., State v. Allen, 176 Wn.2d 611, 626-30, 294 P.3d
679 (2013) (information charging felony harassment was adequate without
4 Peters’ briefing uses “aiding” to refer to “causes or aids a person to commit or engage in
prostitution, procures or solicits customers for prostitution, provides persons or premises for
prostitution purposes, operates or assists in the operation of a house of prostitution or a
prostitution enterprise, or engages in any other conduct designed to institute, aid, or facilitate an
act or enterprise of prostitution.”
8
No. 79348-9-I/9
articulation that only true threats may be charged, although proof of true
threat constitutionally required for conviction).
“Aiding” and “acting other than as a . . . customer” merely define
and limit the scope of the essential element, “advances prostitution.”
Accordingly, “aiding” and “acting other than as a . . .customer” are not
essential elements of promoting prostitution in the second degree and
therefore, the charging document was not required to include them.
Peters avers that State v. Pry, 194 Wn.2d 745, 452 P.3d 536(2019), which held that essential elements set out in RCW 9A.76.050 must
be included in a document charging rendering criminal assistance,
compels a different outcome. However, the Pry court relied on its prior
determination that the contents of the statutory provision at issue were
essential elements. Pry, 194 Wn.2d at 755 (“Fortunately, we have already
opined on this issue. In State v. Budik, we reviewed the sufficiency of the
evidence supporting a conviction for rendering criminal assistance. 173
Wn.2d 727, 736-37, 272 P.3d 816 (2012).”). There is no comparable case
indicating that “aiding” and “acting other than as a . . .customer” are
essential elements of promoting prostitution in the second degree.
We hold that “aiding” and “acting other than as a . . .customer” are not
essential elements of promoting prostitution in the second degree but,
rather, define the element of “advances prostitution.” Thus, the charging
document included all of the essential elements of promoting prostitution
9
No. 79348-9-I/10
in the second degree and, accordingly, adequately informed Peters of the
charges against him. 5
III
Next, Peters contends that a constitutionally insufficient quantum of
evidence was adduced at trial to support his convictions for promoting
prostitution in the second degree. This is so, he claims, because the State failed
to prove that Peters was not acting as a customer. Because a rational trier of
fact could have found that Peters’ actions were beyond those of a customer,
sufficient evidence supports Peters’ convictions.
The due process clauses of the federal and state constitutions require that
the government prove every element of a crime beyond a reasonable
doubt. Apprendi v. New Jersey, 530 U.S. 466, 476-77, 120 S. Ct. 2348, 147 L.
Ed. 2d 435 (2000) (citing U.S. CONST. amend. XIV, § 1); State v. Johnson, 188
Wn.2d 742, 750, 399 P.3d 507 (2017) (citing WASH. CONST. art. I, § 3). After a
verdict, the relevant question when reviewing a challenge to the sufficiency of the
evidence is “whether, after viewing the evidence in the light most favorable to the
prosecution, any rational trier of fact could have found the essential elements of
the crime beyond a reasonable doubt.” Jackson v. Virginia, 443 U.S. 307, 319,
99 S. Ct. 2781, 61 L. Ed. 2d 560 (1979). “A claim of insufficiency admits the truth
of the State’s evidence and all inferences that reasonably can be drawn
therefrom.” State v. Salinas, 119 Wn.2d 192, 201, 829 P.2d 1068 (1992). “[A]ll
5Peters’ derivative assertion that the State was required to allege that he knew that he
was not acting as a customer, necessarily fails as a result of this analysis.
10
No. 79348-9-I/11
reasonable inferences from the evidence must be drawn in favor of the State and
interpreted most strongly against the defendant.” Salinas, 119 Wn.2d at 201.
As we have previously determined, the essential elements of promoting
prostitution in the second degree, by the means charged in this case, are set
forth in RCW 9A.88.080(1)(b):
A person is guilty of promoting prostitution in the second degree if
he or she knowingly . . . [a]dvances prostitution.
“Advances prostitution” is defined by statute:
A person “advances prostitution” if, acting other than as a prostitute
or as a customer thereof, he or she causes or aids a person to
commit or engage in prostitution, procures or solicits customers for
prostitution, provides persons or premises for prostitution purposes,
operates or assists in the operation of a house of prostitution or a
prostitution enterprise, or engages in any other conduct designed to
institute, aid, or facilitate an act or enterprise of prostitution.
RCW 9A.88.060(1).
Thus, to prove that Peters was guilty of promoting prostitution, the State
was required to establish that Peters knowingly advanced prostitution, meaning
that he engaged in some conduct designed to institute, aid, or facilitate an act or
enterprise of prostitution, other than his conduct as a customer.
Peters claims that the proffered evidence shows only that he acted as a
customer. However, the fact that Peters was a customer does not immunize his
noncustomer conduct. Indeed, several decades ago we rejected a contention
similar to that advanced by Peters.
The statute was drafted so that one acting as a prostitute would
not, by virtue of that activity alone, be guilty of advancing
prostitution. A reasonable construction consistent with the
legislative intent is that one acting as a prostitute can also be guilty
11
No. 79348-9-I/12
of advancing prostitution based on evidence of activities other than
her own act of prostitution
State v. Kees, 48 Wn. App. 76, 79, 737 P.2d 1038 (1987). That which applies to
the prostitute also applies to the customer.
At trial, evidence was presented that Peters referred sex buyers to specific
sex workers and agencies, scheduled appointments for sex buyers, vouched for
would-be customers, and gave them detailed instructions about how to get
through screening processes. Peters also advised enterprise owners with regard
to specific apartment complexes to use and connected individual sex workers
with bookers and agencies. In addition, Peters created and ran a website on
which agencies and individual sex workers could post advertisements.
From this evidence, a reasonable finder of fact could determine that
Peters knowingly advanced prostitution, regardless of his personal sex-
purchasing behaviors. These acts could be determined by a rational finder of
fact to advance prostitution even if Peters had never personally purchased
sexual activity, and they are not immunized under the law merely because he
was also a customer.
Accordingly, sufficient evidence supports the jury’s determinations that
Peters advanced prostitution.
IV
Peters next contends that his prosecution violated the First Amendment by
punishing him for protected speech. He is wrong.
The First Amendment prevents the government from restricting speech
based on its content. Ashcroft v. Am. Civil Liberties Union, 535 U.S. 564, 573,
12
No. 79348-9-I/13
122 S. Ct. 1700, 152 L. Ed. 2d 771 (2002). However, this limitation is not
absolute. Ashcroft, 535 U.S. at 573-74. Speech that is intended to “incit[e] or
produc[e] imminent lawless action and is likely to incite or produce such action” is
not protected by the First Amendment. Brandenburg v. Ohio, 395 U.S. 444, 447,
89 S. Ct. 1827, 23 L. Ed. 2d 430 (1969). Our Supreme Court has determined
that “the only kind of speech punished” by the prohibition of advancing
prostitution, as defined by RCW 9A.88.060, is “[s]peech directed toward the
persuasion of another to enter into an illegal arrangement.” State v. Cann, 92
Wn.2d 193, 195-96, 595 P.2d 912 (1979). Because such speech is intended to
incite imminent lawless action (i.e., engaging in prostitution) and is likely to do so,
it is not protected by the First Amendment. See Brandenburg, 395 U.S. at 447.
Peters asserts that his case is factually distinguishable from Cann
because the speech for which he was prosecuted was not an offer to enter into
an illegal arrangement but, rather, “the fact that he wrote detailed positive
reviews describing his experiences with prostitutes, and referred others to sex
workers upon his recommendation.” In support, Peters cites to Hess v. Indiana,
414 U.S. 105, 94 S. Ct. 326, 38 L. Ed. 2d 303 (1973). In Hess, the Supreme
Court determined that a remark by an anti-war protestor could not be punished
as disorderly conduct because, as the protestor’s words were not directed to
anyone in particular, there was no evidence that the protestor’s words were
intended and likely to produce “imminent disorder.” Hess, 414 U.S. at 108-09.
That holding does not aid Peters. Here, by contrast to Hess, Peters’ speech—
detailed reviews meant to serve as advertisements and referrals to specific sex
13
No. 79348-9-I/14
workers—was intended to and was likely to produce imminent violation of
prostitution laws.
Because Peters’ speech was both intended to produce and likely to
produce unlawful activity, prosecution based on this speech does not violate the
First Amendment.
V
Peters next postulates that RCW 9A.88.060 and RCW 9A.88.080, which,
respectively, define “advances prostitution” and prohibit promoting prostitution in
the second degree are unconstitutionally vague as applied to him. This is so, he
argues, because ordinary people would not understand that his conduct was
prohibited. We disagree.
“The due process clause of the Fourteenth Amendment requires that
citizens be afforded fair warning of proscribed conduct.” City of Spokane v.
Douglass, 115 Wn.2d 171, 178, 795 P.2d 693 (1990) (citing Rose v. Locke, 423
U.S. 48, 49, 96 S. Ct. 243, 46 L. Ed. 2d 185 (1975)). A defendant challenging a
statute as being unconstitutionally vague must show that the statute either (1)
does not define the criminal offense with sufficient definiteness that ordinary
people can understand what conduct is proscribed, or (2) does not provide
ascertainable standards of guilt to protect against arbitrary
enforcement. Douglass, 115 Wn.2d at 178. Due process does not require
impossible standards of linguistic certainty because “[s]ome degree of vagueness
is inherent in the use of our language.” State v. Smith, 130 Wn. App. 721, 726,
123 P.3d 896 (2005). A statute is presumed to be constitutional, and the party
14
No. 79348-9-I/15
challenging its validity must prove that it is unconstitutional beyond a reasonable
doubt. Haley v. Med. Disciplinary Bd., 117 Wn.2d 720, 739, 818 P.2d 1062(1991).
A statute can be challenged as being facially vague or vague as
applied. Smith, 130 Wn. App. at 727. To evaluate a challenge to a statute as
being vague as applied, we look at the actual conduct of the party challenging
the statute, not to any hypothetical situation at the periphery of the rule’s
scope. Smith, 130 Wn. App. at 727.
Peters asserts that an ordinary person would not understand that posting
online reviews of sex workers and making referrals to sex workers would be
prohibited because it falls within customer activity. Not so. An ordinary person
would understand “advanc[ing] prostitution,” as defined by RCW 9A.88.060, to
include all activities that promote prostitution other than the acts of buying or
selling sexual activity. See Kees, 48 Wn. App. at 79 (“It is obvious that the
legislative intent in enacting the criminal statute prohibiting the promotion of
prostitution is to punish those who assist others to commit prostitution.”).
Accordingly, an ordinary person would understand that the conduct here at
issue—writing detailed reviews including booking information, recommending
specific sex workers to customers, making appointments for other customers,
advising new customers with regard to agency screening processes, introducing
sex workers to agencies, and creating advertising and review platforms—was
prohibited.
15
No. 79348-9-I/16
Peters also contends that the statutory scheme fails to establish standards
to ensure that enforcement will be applied in a nonarbitrary manner. His claim in
this regard is premised on his assertion that it fails to “provide an ascertainable
standard for determining whether given conduct is innocent, or criminal.”
Our Supreme Court addressed a similar challenge 6 to the same statute
and explained:
The statute must be given a reasonable construction to
avoid absurd consequences. It is plain that the legislature meant
this clause to apply only to conduct which is designed and intended
to advance prostitution. Furthermore, a statute is not rendered
unconstitutional by reason of the fact that its application may be
uncertain in exceptional cases, as long as the general area of
conduct against which it is directed is made plain.
Cann, 92 Wn.2d at 195.
Accordingly, because only conduct that is designed and intended to
advance prostitution is prohibited, sufficient standards to determine whether
given conduct is innocent or criminal exist. RCW 9A.88.060 and RCW 9A.88.080
are not unconstitutionally vague as applied to Peters.
VI
Finally, Peters contends that the State committed misconduct in its closing
argument by misstating the law, requiring reversal. We disagree. Although the
prosecutor misstated the law during his rebuttal, Peters fails to demonstrate a
substantial likelihood that the misstatement impacted the jury’s verdict.
6 The appellant argued that “advances prostitution” could be construed to “forbid innocent
conduct which might incidentally advance prostitution. A neighbor gratuitously shoveling snow
from the sidewalks of a house of prostitution, or a taxicab driver taking a prostitute to meet a
client are cited as examples.” Cann, 92 Wn.2d at 195.
16
No. 79348-9-I/17
Prosecuting attorneys are quasi-judicial officers who have a duty to ensure
that defendants receive a fair trial. State v. Boehning, 127 Wn. App. 511, 518,
111 P.3d 899 (2005). Prosecutorial misconduct violates this duty and can
constitute reversible error. Boehning, 127 Wn. App. at 518.
For a conviction to be reversed, the defendant must establish both that (1)
the State committed misconduct by making inappropriate remarks, and (2) those
remarks had a prejudicial effect. State v. Allen, 182 Wn.2d 364, 373, 341 P.3d
268 (2015). A prosecuting attorney commits misconduct by misstating the
law. Allen, 182 Wn.2d at 373. When the defendant objected at trial, if we
determine that the prosecutor’s statement was improper, the defendant must
show that the prosecutor’s misconduct resulted in prejudice that had a
substantial likelihood of affecting the jury’s verdict in order to obtain appellate
relief. State v. Emery, 174 Wn.2d 741, 760-61, 278 P.3d 653 (2012).
Here, the prosecutor made the following statement in his closing
argument:
This instruction gives you folks further guidance. “If a person has
information that would lead a reasonable person in the same
situation to believe that a fact exists, the jury is permitted, but not
required, to find that he or she acted with knowledge of that fact.”
And this is a reasonable person, not a reasonable hobbyist, what
would a reasonable person think? Would they think that if they are
advertising, soliciting, encouraging, directing, finding customers,
helping agencies, would a reasonable person think they are,
indeed, promoting prostitution? Of course. It’s not rocket science.
The defense attorney also addressed the issue in her closing argument
and explained that, while the jury could consider what a reasonable person would
know, to find Peters guilty the jury must find that Peters himself knew that he was
17
No. 79348-9-I/18
promoting prostitution. The State objected and, after a sidebar discussion, the
trial court overruled the objection. Upon the request of defense counsel, the trial
court informed the jury that the objection had been overruled. The defense
attorney continued:
Thank you. As I was saying, under the knowing, you can consider
what a reasonable person would do. But at the end of the day,
you’re ultimately going to have to decide unanimously, beyond a
reasonable doubt, that Charlie himself knew he was not acting as a
customer. It’s subjective. It’s a subjective standard.
During rebuttal, the prosecutor returned to the subject:
The question in this case is—and let me talk to you a little bit
more about this idea that he didn’t know what he was doing. There
is a legal disclaimer on the website. When Mr. Emmanuel sends
him money, he says, “Burn it.” The standard is whether a
reasonable person doing this stuff would know that they’re
promoting, and the answer is yes, this is common sense.
Defense counsel objected to this as a misstatement of the law and the trial
court overruled the objection.
The prosecutor’s reference to “the standard” is somewhat unclear. To the
extent that it indicates that the jurors could convict Peters, even if they did not
believe that he subjectively knew that he was promoting prostitution, because a
reasonable person would have known that fact, it misstated the law. See State v.
Shipp, 93 Wn.2d 510, 514-15, 610 P.2d 1322 (1980). In determining Peters’
mental state, the jury was allowed to consider what a reasonable person would
know under the circumstances but not to the exclusion of determining what the
defendant’s actual subjective state of mind was proved to be.
Here, however, the prosecutor had already accurately explained the law to
the jury, the defense attorney had accurately explained the law to the jury with
18
No. 79348-9-I/19
the explicit approval of the trial court, and the jury instructions accurately stated
the law. In this context, there is no substantial likelihood that the misstatement
affected the jury’s verdict.
As Peters does not show that there is a substantial likelihood that the
prosecuting attorney’s reference to “the standard” affected the jury’s verdict, he
fails to establish reversible error.
Affirmed.
WE CONCUR:
19