State Of Washington v. Jonathan Samuel Sage ( 2017 )

FILED
q0U.IiI-OF APPEALS DIV I
, STATE OF WASHINGTON
2011 DEC 18 All 8:51
IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON
DIVISION ONE
STATE OF WASHINGTON, ) No. 75279-1-1
)
Respondent, )
)
v. )
)
JONATHAN SAMUEL SAGE, ) PUBLISHED OPINION
)
Appellant. ) FILED: December 18, 2017
)
VERELLEN, C.J. — Jonathan Sage was convicted of four counts of second
degree rape of a child. The trial court did not instruct the jury that it must find each
count required a "separate and distinct" act. But because the State clearly elected
separate acts for each count in closing argument, testimony supported those
separate acts, and the court gave a unanimity instruction, it was manifestly
apparent to the jury that the State was not seeking multiple punishments against
Sage for the same act. There was no double jeopardy violation.
Sage's challenge to the admission of "other bad acts" evidence fails
because the court performed a detailed ER 404(b) analysis and properly
concluded the evidence of other bad acts was relevant to the charges.
No. 75279-1-1-2
One victim glared at Sage as he entered the courtroom, and the trial court
properly instructed the jury to disregard the behavior. Sage does not establish
prejudice, and the trial court did not err when it denied Sage's motion for mistrial.
The State concedes the community custody conditions restricting Sage's
daily travel, prohibiting him from possessing drug paraphernalia, prohibiting
Internet access, and requiring him to participate in substance abuse treatment are
unconstitutionally vague or insufficiently crime related and thus should be stricken.
We agree.
After the jury entered special verdict forms unanimously finding the alleged
aggravating circumstances were established beyond a reasonable doubt, the trial
court concluded those aggravating circumstances were a substantial and
compelling reason for imposing an exceptional sentence. Because the judge has
no fact-finding role, the sentencing judge was not required to enter any additional
findings of fact or conclusions of law.
Therefore, we affirm the conviction and remand with instructions to strike
the disputed community custody conditions.
FACTS
Between 2011 and 2014, Jonathan Sage engaged in sexual acts with J.M.
and E.M.1 Sage came into contact with the two brothers because he owned a
company at which J.M. and E.M.'s mother worked.
1 Because the victims in this case were minors, they will be identified by their
initials.
2
No. 75279-1-1-3
Sage took the mother and her two sons into his home after the mother and
her husband divorced. They lived with Sage for a few months when the boys were
eight and nine years old, and again in 2010. When Sage moved to a home on
Cattail Lane in Langley, Washington, the mother, J.M., and E.M. moved into their
own home on Whidbey Island. Sage continued his relationship with J.M. and
E.M., including hikes and dinners. Sage bought food and clothing for them and
took them to doctor's appointments.
In 2011, after J.M. started seventh grade, he and Sage started spending
more time together. Around that same time, E.M. began spending more time at
Sage's house than at his mother's house. When E.M. was around 11 years old,
he often slept over at Sage's house, and Sage would take him to school. E.M.
said that by age 12, he and Sage began to drink alcohol together. During that
time, E.M. would drink "almost every night."2
E.M. testified about his first sexual encounter with Sage at the Cattail Lane
house. E.M. was "more inebriated than usual," and he and Sage were watching
pornography together.3 E.M. and Sage touched each other and then went into
Sage's bedroom, where Sage had sexual intercourse with him. The first
encounter with E.M. happened when he was 12 years old, toward the end of his
sixth grade school year. E.M. said after that first time "it was fairly frequent, but 1
2 Report of Proceedings(RP)(Apr. 7, 2016) at 600.
3 RP (Apr. 7, 2016) at 606.
3
No. 75279-1-1-4
can't remember specifically." E.M. testified, "Alcohol had to be involved really in
order to[]get me to comply with it, I guess you could say."5 "[lin most cases," the
sexual encounters between E.M. and Sage involved E.M. sexually touching
Sage's dog.6 Sage instigated those contacts with the dog. E.M. testified that
Sage made videos of some of their sex acts, recording them on E.M.'s phone and
on Sage's digital camera. The videos would end up on Sage's laptop computer.
By the time J.M. was in seventh grade, he started staying at the Cattail
Lane house more often. J.M. testified that around that time, he had sexual
intercourse with Sage for the first time. One evening, J.M. saw E.M. drinking
alcohol, and J.M. said he also wanted some. It was the first time J.M. had
consumed alcohol, and a single drink made him "drunk."7 Later in the evening,
J.M. and Sage went into Sage's home office, where J.M. discussed issues he was
having "fitting in" at schoo1.5 That discussion led to Sage having sexual
intercourse with J.M.
Days later, J.M. and Sage had intercourse again. J.M. testified that for the
next year, he and Sage had intercourse "a few days a week."9 During that time, at
RP (Apr. 7, 2016) at 610.
5 RP (Apr. 7, 2016) at 611.
6 RP (Apr. 7, 2016) at 614.
7 RP (Apr. 6, 2016) at 372.
8 RP (Apr. 6, 2016) at 374.
9 RP (Apr. 6, 2016) at 390.
4
No. 75279-1-1-5
the Cattail Lane house, J.M. walked in while Sage was having intercourse with
E.M. when E.M. was 12 years old.
For most of the 2012-13 school year, Sage lived on Bercot Road in
Freeland, Washington with the mother, J.M., and E.M. J.M. was in ninth grade
that year, and he testified that he continued to have intercourse with Sage. E.M.,
who was in eighth grade, testified that he and Sage regularly had intercourse.
Next, Sage moved to a house on Coles Road, where he continued to have
intercourse with J.M. and E.M. J.M. also walked in on E.M. and Sage having
intercourse at the Coles Road house. E.M. said that when he first started to resist
intercourse with Sage,"he would get angry at that."1°
E.M. testified that during the later period of abuse, he became unhappy.
At that point, I wouldn't say I was happy. I mean, at that time I
started to contemplate suicide more. There was a Smith and
Wesson M&P 9, 9 millimeter polymer framed pistol, and there was a
very loose lock on it. It's a very tall lock, and I could open the case
while the lock was still on it and reach in and pull out the handgun,
and the ammunition was there, too. So I knew at any time I could kill
myself and I could take him with me, but I decided against it because
I was thinking of my own family, biological family.[111
The father of J.M. and E.M. had limited interaction with Sage and "thought
everything was all good and well."12 In the summer of 2014, the mother asked the
father to take custody of J.M. and E.M. because she was being evicted from her
home.
10 RID (Apr. 8, 2016) at 650.
11 RP (Apr. 8, 2016) at 652.
12 RP (Apr. 7, 2016) at 506.
No. 75279-1-1-6
E.M. and J.M. moved into their father's home. He allowed J.M. and E.M. to
continue visiting Sage and allowed E.M. to occasionally spend weekends with him.
The father felt Sage was a good mentor and role model for J.M. and E.M.
On December 5, 2014, Sage picked up E.M.from the father's house for a
sleepover. That evening, J.M. told his father about the sexual conduct with Sage.
The father testified that he decided not to call Sage or drive to Whidbey to retrieve
E.M. that evening. He explained, "I didn't think it would be smart to call the police
and have them either[]pull him over in a traffic stop or come to his house. I knew
he owned a firearm and I thought it may result in a hostage situation."13
When confronted, Sage justified the sexual abuse, telling the father "people
had been doing this for a long time" and it was "strange that it's looked down upon
as far as a relationship between a man and a boy."14 Sage told the father,"You
could call the police and have me arrested. But that wouldn't do anyone any good,
and a lot of people would lose their jobs."15
The State charged Sage with four counts of rape of a child in the second
degree. Counts 1 and 2 each alleged that Sage raped J.M. between September 1,
2011 and June 30, 2012. Each count included allegations of two aggravating
circumstances that would justify an exceptional sentence under RCW 9.94A.535(3)(g)
and RCW 9.94A.535(3)(n).
13 RP (Apr. 7, 2016) at 517.
14 RP (Apr. 7, 2016) at 521-22.
15 RP (Apr. 7, 2016) at 521.
6
No. 75279-1-1-7
Counts 3 and 4 each alleged Sage raped E.M. between December 19,
2011 and December 19, 2012. Those counts included the same aggravating
factors as counts 1 and 2 and that Sage "knew that the victim of the current
offense was a youth who was not residing with a legal custodian and the
Defendant established or promoted the relationship for the primary purpose of
victimization, contrary to RCW 9.94A.535(3)(j)."16
The court gave separate to convict instructions for each count. After each
to convict instruction, the court gave a corresponding unanimity instruction
requiring that "one particular act" of the charged crime must be proven for each
count.17
The jury was also instructed "A separate crime is charged in each count.
You must decide each count separately. Your verdict on one count should not
control your verdict on any other count."18 But the jury was not instructed that
each count required a separate and distinct act.
The jury convicted Sage on all four counts and, by special verdict, found the
alleged aggravating circumstances had been established. The court concluded
the aggravating circumstances were substantial and compelling reasons to impose
an exceptional sentence under RCW 9.94A.535.
Sage appeals his conviction and his exceptional sentence.
16 Clerk's Papers(CP)at 86.
17 CP at 54, 56, 58, 60.
18 CP at 45.
7
No. 75279-1-1-8
ANALYSIS
Double Jeopardy
Sage contends the jury instructions violated his right to be free from double
jeopardy because they exposed him to multiple punishments for the same offense.
We review a double jeopardy claim de novo, and it may be raised for the
first time on appea1.19 The constitutional guarantee against double jeopardy
protects a defendant against multiple punishments for the same offense.2° We
"may consider insufficient instructions in light of the full record' to determine if the
instructions 'actually effected a double jeopardy error."21
Where multiple counts charge the same crime against the same victim
occurring during the same time period, juries should be instructed that each count
requires proof of a separate and distinct act.22 But the absence of a separate and
distinct act instruction is not fatal; it only creates the potential for a double jeopardy
violation.23
There is no double jeopardy violation where the information, instructions,
testimony, and argument make it "manifestly apparent" to the jury that the "State
19State v. Land, 172 Wash. App. 593, 598, 295 P.3d 782(2013).
20 id. (citing U.S. CONST. amend. V; WASH. CONST. art. I, § 9; State v. Mutch,
171 Wash. 2d 646, 661, 254 P.3d 803(2011)).
State v. Pena Fuentes, 179 Wash. 2d 808, 824, 318 P.3d 257(2014)(quoting
21
Mutch, 171 Wash. 2d at 664).
22 Mutch, 171 Wash. 2d at 663.
23 Id.
8
No. 75279-1-1-9
[was] not seeking to impose multiple punishments for the same offense.'"24 "A
defendant charged with multiple counts is adequately protected from any risk of
double jeopardy when the evidence is sufficiently specific as to each of the acts
charged."25 Courts have also looked to whether the jury was instructed that it must
be unanimous on each count and whether "different evidence is introduced to
support each count."26 Courts have acknowledged that a single instruction
encompassing multiple counts rather than separate to convict instructions for each
count can compound double jeopardy concerns.27
Sage contends it was not manifestly apparent that his conviction was based
on separate and distinct acts.28
Here, the sexual acts occurred at three different houses, sometimes many
times per week. J.M. testified in detail about the first time he had intercourse with
Sage in the office of the Cattail Lane house. J.M. was almost 13 years old.29 J.M.
testified the second time they had sexual intercourse was in the garage of the
Id. (alteration in original)(quoting State v. Berg, 147 Wash. App. 923, 931,
24
198 P.3d 529(2008)).
25 State v. Hayes, 81 Wn. App. 425,439, 914 P.2d 788 (1996).
28 Id. at 439-40.
27 State v. Borsheim, 140 Wash. App. 357, 368, 165 P.3d 417(2007).
28 See Mutch, 171 Wn.2d at 665("Mutch's case presents a rare
circumstance where, despite deficient jury instructions, it is nevertheless manifestly
apparent that the jury found him guilty of five separate acts of rape to support five
separate convictions.").
29 J.M. said he could remember his exact age because he was "looking
forward to [his] birthday." RP (Apr. 6, 2016) at 385.
9
No. 75279-1-1-10
same house several days later. J.M. also described having intercourse with Sage
in the living room, Sage's bedroom, and his truck.
In closing argument, the State identified count 1 and walked the jury
through the evidence presented at trial:
And Count I is focusing on p.M.1's first sexual intercourse with
Jonathan Sage. And what did you hear about that from [J.M.]? You
heard [J.M.] describe how he was having trouble at school. He was
emotional. He saw [E.M.] and the defendant drinking. He drank. He
became emotional. The defendant was there to console him. They
went in the office. They hugged. Things happened in the chair.
They went to the floor. And [J.M.] described how Jonathan Sage,
the defendant, had anal intercourse with [J.M.]... That was the first
time he had ever had sex. He said he lost his virginity then. That's
Count I. That's what I want you to consider to be Count I.E30]
The State then discussed count 2, describing it as the same elements, same
actors, but a distinct event:
[J.M.] said the second time was roughly a week later, about that
much time, in the defendant's finished heated garage, kind of like a
room but it was a garage. He talked about that. They again had .. .
intercourse in that garage. Again, he was drinking.[311
E.M. also testified about his first time having sexual intercourse with Sage
at the Cattail Lane house. E.M. described how he and Sage were watching
pornography together, which led to Sage having intercourse with E.M. E.M.
testified the first time stood out in his mind and it was "fairly frequent" after that.32
30 RP (Apr. 8, 2016) at 753(emphasis added).
31 RP (Apr. 8, 2016) at 754.
32 "I'd say weekly." RP (Apr. 7, 2016) at 610.
10
No. 75279-1-1-11
E.M. described incidents where sexual contact with Sage's dog was initiated as a
prelude to the sexual intercourse with E.M. E.M. said he also had intercourse with
Sage at the Coles Road and Bercot Road houses.
In closing argument, the State discussed counts 3 and 4 and referred to
E.M.'s testimony, emphasizing details of his first time having sex with Sage: "At
age 12,[E.M.] describes that the first time they ever had sexual contact or
intercourse with each other they were sitting on the futon. Mr. Sage suggest[ed]
they watch some pornography together."33 And for count 4, the State noted:"And
count IV is again [E.M.]. [E.M.] described that they had sex often in the beginning
after it first started. Sometimes multiple times a week but at least every week."34
Sage counters that J.M. and EM. had "fuzzy memories" and gave
"ambiguous evidence" about the timing and detail of the encounters.35 But the
State presented different evidence to support each count and walked the jury
through that evidence in closing: count 1, J.M.'s first encounter in the office, count
2, J.M.'s encounter one week later in the heated garage, and count 3, E.M.'s first
encounter on the futon. Even if E.M. vaguely described his subsequent sexual
encounters with Sage, none could be confused with E.M.'s first encounter. As
argued by the State in closing, E.M.'s first encounter on the futon, count 3, was
necessarily separate and distinct from any of his subsequent encounters "after it
33 RP (Apr. 8, 2016) at 759.
34 RP (Apr. 8, 2016) at 755-56(emphasis added).
35 Appellant's Br. at 15.
11
No. 75279-1-1-12
first started"36 which the jury may have relied on to support count 4.
After each elements instruction, the court instructed:
The State of Washington alleges that the defendant committed acts
of Rape of a Child in the Second Degree on multiple occasions. To
convict the defendant on Count [1, 11, Ill, IV] of Rape of a Child in the
Second Degree, one particular act of Rape of a Child in the Second
Degree must be proved beyond a reasonable doubt, and you must
unanimously agree as to which act has been proved. You need not
unanimously agree that the defendant committed all the acts of Rape
of a Child in the Second Degree.(371
The trial court did not give a separate and distinct act instruction, but it did
instruct the jury to decide each count separately: "A separate crime is charged in
each count. You must decide each count separately. Your verdict on one count
should not control your verdict on any other count."38
In view of the prosecutor's election of separate and distinct events in
closing, the victim's supporting testimony, the unanimity instructions given,
together with separate to convict instructions for each count and the separate
consideration instruction, we conclude it was manifestly apparent to the jury that
the State was not seeking multiple convictions based on a single act. Sage does
not establish a double jeopardy violation.
38 RP (Apr. 8,2016) at 755-56.
37 CP at 54, 56, 58, 60.
38 CP at 45; see Haves, 81 Wash. App. at 439-40 (reasoning that the lack of a
"separate and distinct" act instruction is not dispositive, "so long as the jury is
instructed as to the unanimity requirement on each count and different evidence is
introduced to support each count"); see Mutch, 171 Wash. 2d at 663(noting that a
unanimity instruction helps to protect against a double jeopardy violation if it informs
the jury that at least one particular act must be proved beyond a reasonable doubt
for each count).
12
No. 75279-1-1-13
Evidentiary Challenges
(i) Uncharged Conduct
Sage contends the court improperly admitted allegations of uncharged acts,
including uncharged acts occurring after the charging periods.
Before trial, the State moved to admit uncharged incidents of sexual
behavior under ER 404(b). The State also moved to admit evidence that Sage
and E.M. had sexual contact with Sage's dog.
We review the trial court's interpretation of ER 404(b) de novo as a matter
of law.39 If the trial court interprets ER 404(b) correctly, we review the ruling to
admit or exclude evidence of misconduct for an abuse of discretion.4° "A trial court
abuses its discretion where it fails to abide by the rule's requirements."41
"ER 404(b) is a categorical bar to admission of evidence for the purpose of
proving a person's character and showing that the person acted in conformity with
that character."42
The trial court must
"(1) find by a preponderance of the evidence that the misconduct
occurred,(2) identify the purpose for which the evidence is sought to
be introduced,(3)determine whether the evidence is relevant to
prove an element of the crime charged, and (4) weigh the probative
value against the prejudicial effect."[431
39 State v. Fisher, 165 Wash. 2d 727, 745, 202 P.3d 937(2009).
4° Id.
41 Id.
42 State v. Gresham, 173 Wash. 2d 405, 420, 269 P.3d 207(2012).
43 Id. at 421 (quoting State v. Vv Than% 145 Wn.2d 630,642, 41 P.3d 1159
(2002)).
13
No. 75279-1-1-14
One proper purpose for admission of evidence of prior misconduct is to
show a common scheme or plan."
There are two instances in which evidence is admissible to prove a
common scheme or plan: (1)"where several crimes constitute
constituent parts of a plan in which each crime is but a piece of the
larger plan" and (2) where "an individual devises a plan and uses it
repeatedly to perpetrate separate but very similar crimes."[45]
Here, the trial court found by a preponderance of the evidence the
misconduct in the form of sexual acts beyond the charging period actually
occurred, identified the purpose of admitting the evidence, determined the
relevance of the evidence to prove an element of the crime, and weighed its
probative value against its prejudicial effect. Specifically, the court found the
evidence to be "highly probative" because it went to "the heart of the nature of the
State's case."46 The court noted the jury would not likely "give undue prejudicial
effect to this evidence."47
Sage also argues the trial court erred when it allowed testimony about the
uncharged sexual activities with his dog. But the court acknowledged the potential
for prejudice and admitted the evidence with specific limitations: "I first will
exclude any evidence concerning the defendant having sexual contact with the
dog that did not occur in the context of the defendant also having sexual contact
44 Id.
45 Id. at 421-22(quoting State v. Lough, 125 Wash. 2d 847, 854-55, 889 P.2d
487(1995)).
46 RP (Apr. 5, 2016) at 26.
47 RP (Apr. 5, 2016) at 27.
14
No. 75279-1-1-15
with IE.M.I."48 The court found by a preponderance of the evidence that the sexual
contact with the dog did occur. The court concluded the limited evidence was
admissible under the res gestae exception because it occurred in the immediate
time frame of the instances of sexual abuse and it could also be characterized as
part of the common plan, or grooming process," and desensitizing E.M. to sexual
acts.5°
We conclude the trial court correctly applied ER 404(b), and its ruling to
admit the evidence of misconduct was not an abuse of discretion.
(ii) E.M.'s Marijuana and Gun Evidence
Sage also contends he was denied the right to impeach his accuser when
the trial court granted the State's motion to preclude evidence of E.M.'s marijuana
use and access to firearms at his father's house. Sage suggests this evidence
would rebut any implication that Sage introduced E.M. to illicit substances and
guns. But E.M.'s exposure to those items at his father's house does not make a
48 RP (Apr. 5, 2016) at 27(emphasis added).
49 State v. Quigq, 72 Wash. App. 828, 833, 866 P.2d 655(1994)(grooming is
"a process by which child molesters gradually introduce their victims to more and
more explicit sexual conduct.").
RP (Apr. 5, 2016) at 30-31; see State v. DeVincentis, 150 Wash. 2d 11, 22,
99
74 P.3d 119(2003)(evidence admitted under common scheme or plan exception
included evidence that defendant walked around his house in front of preteen
victims wearing nothing but "bikini or g-string underwear... to reduce the children's
natural discomfort or negative reaction"); see State v. Krause, 82 Wash. App. 688,
697, 919 P.2d 123(1996)(evidence of prior uncharged sex abuse of young boys
was admissible to show a common scheme or plan to molest young boys).
15
No. 75279-1-1-16
material element of the crime more or less probable.51 Neither do they call E.M.'s
credibility into question.
Sage suggests his right to confrontation is also implicated. But he waived
any confrontation clause arguments by failing to raise them in the trial court. In
State v. O'Cain,52 this court held confrontation clause objections must be raised in
the trial court, as confirmed in Melendez-Diaz v. Massachusetts.53
Thus, in Melendez-Diaz, the Supreme Court makes two things
clear: (1) a defendant has the obligation to assert the right to
confrontation at or before trial, in compliance with applicable trial
court procedural rules, and (2)this obligation is part and parcel of the
confrontation right itself, the parameters of which are based upon—
and dependent upon—defendants being held to their obligation of
timely assertion. In short, the decision clearly establishes that, when
a defendant's confrontation right is not timely assert, it is lost.I541
In O'Cain, the defendant raised a confrontation clause challenge to the
admission of statements made by an absent witness.55 This court concluded,
"Because [the defendant] did not assert his confrontation clause objection at or
before trial, he cannot obtain appellate relief on that claim."56
51 See ER 401; RP (Apr. 8, 2016) at 674("So I would exclude any evidence
of the photographs or other evidence of[E.M.] being in possession of a firearm at
times other than what he's testified about or the matter that he testified about in his
testimony."); RP (Apr. 8, 2016) at 676 ("And moving to the matter of marijuana,
if. . . it was part of the res gestae, if you will, of the encounters that the defendant
allegedly had with the alleged victims, then I believe I would need to permit that.").
52 169 Wash. App. 228, 279 P.3d 926(2012).
53 557 U.S. 305, 129 S. Ct. 2527, 174 L. Ed. 2d 314(2009).
54 O'Cain, 169 Wn. App. at 240(emphasis added).
55 Id. at 232.
56 Id.
16
No. 75279-1-1-17
In O'Cain, this court also recognized ER 103 is a rule the State is allowed to
adopt governing the exercise of confrontation clause objections.57 Pursuant to
ER 103(a)(1), "[e]rror may not be predicated upon a ruling which admits or
excludes evidence unless... a timely objection or motion to strike is made, stating
the specific ground of objection."58 "A party may only assign error in the appellate
court on the specific ground of the evidentiary objection made at trial."59
Here, Sage failed to argue in the trial court that the confrontation clause
supported his request to admit evidence of E.M.'s use of marijuana in other
settings and E.M.'s experience with his father's guns. He may not raise the
confrontation argument for the first time on appeal.
(iii) Sage's Gun Ownership
Sage argues testimony about guns in his home was unduly prejudicial and
should have been excluded.
There was limited testimony about guns in Sage's home. E.M. testified that
at one point he contemplated suicide and there was a pistol at Sage's house with
a "very loose lock on it."6° E.M. said he contemplated suicide because he was not
happy. E.M.'s father testified, "I knew [Sage]owned a firearm and I thought it
57Id. at 242-43("As noted in Melendez-Diaz,'States may adopt procedural
rules governing the exercise of such [confrontation clause] objections.'
Washington's Evidence Rule(ER)103 is one such rule.")(alteration in original)
(quoting Melendez-Diaz, 557 US. at 314 n.3).
55 Id. at 243.
59 State v. Koepke,47 Wn. App. 897, 911, 738 P.2d 295(1987).
60 RP (Apr. 8, 2016) at 652.
17
No. 75279-1-1-18
might result in a hostage situation."61 But Sage failed to timely object. Sage failed
to preserve this claimed error.
(iv) Pornography
E.M. testified that he and Sage would watch pornography together, which
would lead to intercourse. Sage argues the evidence that he watched
pornography and recorded sex acts with E.M. was unduly prejudicial, but Sage did
not object to this testimony at trial. Sage may not raise this claimed error for the
first time on appeal.
E.M. testified that Sage made video recordings of their sex acts. During the
State's investigation, an Island County detective conducted a forensic examination
of Sage's laptop. Sage's counsel and the State addressed the detective's
testimony about the laptop and alleged videos of E.M. and Sage during motions in
limine. The detective testified that during the investigation, they did not encounter
any video recordings of these sex acts, but they found a laptop that was
encrypted, therefore, they could not gain access to its files. Sage's counsel
agreed to the admissibility of such testimony.62
61 RP (Apr. 7, 2016) at 517.
62 RP at 925-26(Defense counsel said, "I actually spoke to Detective
Wallace and Detective Peabody during interviews, and I have no objection with
them testifying to what they've done... with computers and things of that nature.
What I'm concerned about is them making expert opinion as to why it's encrypted.");
see State v. Powell, 166 Wash. 2d 73, 84, 206 P.3d 321 (2009)("Defense counsel
specifically agreed that the State could introduce testimony from [the defendant's
roommate] regarding Powell's drug use on the day of the attempted burglary.").
18
No. 75279-1-1-19
Further, this evidence was germane to the State's theory of the case and
the timeline of its investigation. We conclude the evidence's probative value
outweighed any potential prejudicial effect and was properly admitted.
Sage's Motion for Mistrial
On the third day of trial, the State called E.M. as a witness.63 The court
reporter documented the following exchange:
[STATE]: Next witness will be [EM.], Your Honor....
[COURT]: All right.
(Witness enters the well of the courtroom, leans over, and glares at
Defendant while walking in to be sworn.)[641
Defense counsel objected and moved for a mistrial, characterizing the exchange
as
[E.M.] walked past defense counsel and hissed at the Defendant,
bent down, and made an aggressive stare. As best as I could tell,
the jurors looked horrified. Their reaction is clear that the stance or
that moment is going to live in their minds as opposed to what he
testifies to. My client has a right to a fair trial, to be presumed
innocent,[]and I don't know that he can get a fair trial with this jury
after that behavior.(661
The trial court sustained the objection but denied the motion for mistrial, ruling
[t]he next witness, who I presume is [E.M.], walked into the
courtroom, came through the door of the bar, as it were. And as he
did so, turned his head so as to look in the direction of the
Defendant. He kind of craned his neck toward the Defendant and
appeared to be staring at the Defendant for a couple of seconds.
63 RP at 573.
64 RP at 573.
65 RP at 574.
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No. 75279-1-1-20
[Defense counsel] made an objection at that point. And at that point,
the Court took a recess without ruling on the objection.1661
The court also noted, "I personally did not hear any hissing. I did not
particularly observe the jurors' reactions except when I looked over at them after
hearing the word 'objection'from [defense counsel]. I did not observe personally
any untoward reactions on the part of the jury at that point?" The court gave a
curative instruction agreed to by Sage's counse1.68
Sage argues his motion for a mistrial should have been granted because
E.M.'s courtroom behavior prejudiced the jury.
We review the denial of a motion for mistrial for abuse of discretion.69 The
trial court should only grant a mistrial "when the defendant has been so prejudiced
that nothing short of a new trial can ensure that the defendant will be fairly tried."70
To determine the effect of the irregularity, we examine: (i) its seriousness; (ii)
whether it involved cumulative evidence; and (iii) whether the trial court properly
instructed the jury to disregard it.71
66 RP at 575-76.
67 RP at 576.
68 "Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, I instruct you to disregard the events
that occurred just prior to the last recess involving the next witness coming into the
courtroom and what you may have observed in that regard." RP (Apr. 7, 2016) at
578.
69 State v. Emery, 174 Wash. 2d 741, 765, 278 P.3d 653(2012)(quoting State
v. Hopson, 113 Wash. 2d 273, 284, 778 P.2d 1014 (1989)).
70 Id. at 764.
71 Id.
20
No. 75279-1-1-21
In State v. Emery, our Supreme Court held the defendant was not entitled
to a mistrial because his codefendant's courtroom outbursts that Emery was
"Iying"72 were not the type of irregularities that have warranted mistrials in other
cases, such as a police officer's sworn testimony about a defendant's past
crimes,73 (ii) the outbursts were consistent with his later testimony, and (iii) the trial
court excused the jury and properly instructed it to disregard the outbursts.74 And
in State v. Bourgeois, our Supreme Court held two instances of spectator
misconduct, glaring and making gun-mimicking gestures toward witnesses, though
serious, did not warrant a new tria1.75
Here, E.M. entered the courtroom and glared at Sage. The trial court
denied Sage's motion for mistrial and entered a detailed ruling on the record.
Unlike a verbal outburst or threatening gesture, E.M. glared at Sage. The court
gave a curative instruction. E.M. did not repeat the behavior after the trial court
instructed the jury to disregard the behavior. We conclude the trial court did not
abuse its discretion.
Community Custody Conditions
Sage argues unconstitutionally vague or impermissible community custody
conditions must be stricken. The State concedes the following conditions should
72 174 Wash. 2d 741, 750, 278 P.3d 653(2012).
73 Id. at 765-66 (discussing State v. Miles, 73 Wash. 2d 67, 436 P.2d 198
(1968)).
74 Id. at 766.
75 133 Wash. 2d 389, 411, 945 P.2d 1120(1997).
21
No. 75279-1-1-22
be vacated: (i) condition 6 restricting daily travel at the community corrections
officer's discretion, (ii) condition 12 prohibiting possession of drug paraphernalia,
(iii) condition 15 prohibiting any Internet access, and (iv) condition 18 requiring
Sage to participate in substance abuse treatment. We agree these conditions are
unconstitutionally vague or insufficiently crime related, and thus should be stricken
on remand.
Statement of Additional Grounds for Review
In a statement of additional grounds, Sage argues the absence of the
separate and distinct act jury instruction violated double jeopardy. But as
discussed, this argument fails. He also makes various arguments about J.M. and
E.M.'s credibility, but those determinations are for the trier of fact.
Exceptional Sentence
Sage argues the trial court judge engaged in prohibited fact finding
regarding the exceptional sentence, violating his right to trial by jury.
The Sixth Amendment to the United States Constitution guarantees criminal
defendants a right to trial by jury. Seventeen years ago, the United States
Supreme Court directed that "[o]ther than the fact of a prior conviction, any fact
that increases the penalty for a crime beyond the prescribed statutory maximum
must be submitted to a jury, and proved beyond a reasonable doubt."76 Thirteen
76 Apprendi v. New Jersey, 530 U.S. 466, 490, 120 S. Ct. 2348, 147 L. Ed.
2d 435(2000).
22
No. 75279-1-1-23
years ago, the United States Supreme Court reaffirmed the prohibition on judicial
fact finding in enhanced sentencing hearings."
A series of statutory amendments and Washington cases have addressed
the standards for exceptional sentences consistent with a defendant's
constitutional right to jury trial.
RCW 9.94A.537(3) directs that "[t]he facts supporting aggravating
circumstances shall be proved to a jury beyond a reasonable doubt. The jury's
verdict on the aggravating factor must be unanimous, and by special
interrogatory." RCW 9.94A.537(6) provides that if a jury unanimously finds beyond
a reasonable doubt the existence of "one or more of the facts alleged by the state
in support of an aggravated sentence," the court may impose an exceptional
sentence "if it finds, considering the purposes of this chapter, that the facts found
[by the jury] are substantial and compelling reasons justifying an exceptional
sentence."78 RCW 9.94A.535 authorizes a court to impose an exceptional
sentence "if it finds. . . there are substantial and compelling reasons justifying an
exceptional sentence."79
Washington cases recognize that once the jury by special verdict makes the
factual determination whether aggravating circumstances have been proven
beyond a reasonable doubt, "[t]he trial judge [is] left only with the legal conclusion
77 Blakely v. Washington, 542 U.S. 296, 124 S. Ct. 2531, 159 L. Ed. 2d 403
(2004).
78 (Emphasis added.)
79(Emphasis added.)
23
No. 75279-1-1-24
of whether the facts alleged and found were sufficiently substantial and compelling
to warrant an exceptional sentence."8° Sage disputes this authority, arguing a
judge's determination whether an aggravating circumstance is substantial and
compelling necessarily involves factual questions. While the authority he disputes
is plentiful and longstanding, a fog lingers.
Despite the seemingly clear delineation of the limited role of the judge to
determine whether jury findings are sufficiently substantial and compelling to
warrant an exceptional sentence, sentencing judges face uncertainty. Not only do
the statutes continue to refer to "findings" to be made by the judge on exceptional
sentences,81 our Supreme Court in State v. Friedlund emphasized that written
rather than oral findings of fact by the judge are "essential" for an exceptional
sentence.82
80 State v. Suleiman, 158 Wash. 2d 280, 290-91 & 291 n.3, 143 P.3d 795(2006)
("In the context of discussions about standard of review, this court has held that
whether a court's stated reasons are sufficiently substantial and compelling to
support an exceptional sentence is a question of law. [State v. Cardenas, 129
Wn.2d 1,6 n.1, 914 P.2d 57(1997);] State v. Chadderton, 119 Wash. 2d 390, 399, 832
P.2d 481 (1992); State v. Grewe, 117 Wash. 2d 211, 215-16, 813 P.2d 1238 (1991);
State v. Nordby, 106 Wash. 2d 514, 418, 723 P.2d 1117(1986). In contrast, whether
an aggravating factor is present in a particular case, in other words, whether a
stated reason is supported by the record, is a factual determination. Nordby, 106
Wash. 2d at 517-18; see also Cardenas, 129 Wash. 2d at 5 (applying a clearly erroneous
standard to this question); State v. Fisher, 108 Wash. 2d 419, 423, 739 P.2d 683
(1987); State v. Woody, 48 Wash. App. 772, 776, 742 P.2d 133(1987). Thus,
whether a particular aggravating factor is supported by the record is a question of
fact, while the question of whether the found factors are sufficiently substantial and
compelling is a matter of law.").
81 RCW 9.94A.535; RCW 9.94A.537(6).
82 182 Wash. 2d 388, 393-95, 341 P.3d 280 (2015).
24
No. 75279-1-1-25
The only permissible "finding of fact" by a sentencing judge on an
exceptional sentence is to confirm that the jury has entered by special verdict its
finding that an aggravating circumstance has been proven beyond a reasonable
doubt.83 Then it is up to the judge to make the legal, not factual, determination
whether those aggravating circumstances are sufficiently substantial and
compelling to warrant an exceptional sentence.
Here, the jury entered special verdict forms setting out specific findings that
the aggravating circumstances had been proven beyond a reasonable doubt. The
court made "findings of fact" noting that those special verdicts had been entered.
Then the judge concluded that the jury findings presented "substantial and
compelling" grounds for an exceptional sentence. Notably, at sentencing, the
court recited the evidence that supported the jury findings. The court considered
the purposes of the Sentencing Reform Act of 1981 and imposed an exceptional
sentence, setting forth its written "findings of fact and conclusions of law" for an
83 Whether a jury has entered a special verdict and the contents of the
special verdict is normally apparent from the record on appeal, but it is not
inappropriate for a judge to identify the process relied on in arriving at a decision.
Weyerhaeuser v. Pierce County, 124 Wash. 2d 26, 35-36, 873 P.2d 498(1994)("The
purpose of findings of fact is to ensure that the decision maker 'has dealt fully and
properly with all the issues in the case before he [or she] decides it and so that the
parties involved' and the appellate court'may be fully informed as to the bases of
his [or her] decision when it is made.' Findings must be made on matters 'which
establish the existence or nonexistence of determinative factual matters. The
process used by the decision maker should be revealed by findings of fact and
conclusions of law.")(alterations in original)(quoting In re LaBelle,107 Wn.2d 196,
218-19, 728 P.2d 138 (1986)).
25
No. 75279-1-1-26
exceptional sentence as an appendix to the judgment and sentence.84 It also
found the exceptional sentence was "justified by each and every one of the special
verdicts."85 We conclude the trial court properly analyzed and articulated the basis
for the exceptional sentence without engaging in prohibited fact finding.86
Finally, Sage argues that the State did not give adequate notice that the
aggravating circumstances could be based on acts occurring outside the charging
period and that the jury was permitted to find aggravating circumstances without
unanimously agreeing the aggravating circumstances occurred within the charging
period. But the premise of his argument is inaccurate. Inherent in each of the
statutory aggravating circumstances is the requirement that the circumstances
were part of the commission of the crime charged." And the jury was instructed
84 Clerk's Papers at 25-26.
85 RP (May 12, 2016) at 882.
86 Sage cites the United States Supreme Court decision in Hurst v. Florida,
136 S. Ct. 616, 193 L. Ed. 2d 504(2016) in support of his argument that the judge
engaged in prohibited fact finding. In Hurst, the Supreme Court held Florida's death
penalty procedure violated the defendant's Sixth Amendment right to a jury trial
because the jury's findings of aggravating factors were advisory, resulting in
prohibited fact finding by the judge. But the Florida statute at issue expressly stated
that the jury findings were "advisory." FLA. STAT.§ 921.141 (2004). By contrast,
under Washington procedure here, the jury exclusively resolves the factual question
whether the aggravating circumstances have been proven beyond a reasonable
doubt.
87 Here, the jury answered "Yes" to special verdict form inquiries regarding
special aggravating circumstances found in RCW 9.94A.535(3)(g)("The offense
was part of an ongoing pattern of sexual abuse of the same victim under the age of
eighteen years manifested by multiple incidents over a prolonged period of time."),
RCW 9.94A.535(3)(j)("The defendant knew that the victim of the current offense
was a youth not residing with a legal custodian and the defendant established or
promoted the relationship for the primary purpose of victimization."), and
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No. 75279-1-1-27
they had to be unanimous beyond a reasonable doubt as to each of the
aggravating factors. Sage relies on cases that do not apply to these facts, these
instructions, and these aggravating circumstance special verdict forms.88
We also reject Sage's argument of cumulative error because there were not
multiple errors capable of a cumulative impact.
We affirm and remand with instructions to strike community custody
conditions 6, 12, 15, and 18.
WE CONCUR:
i
RCW 9.94A.535(3)(n)("The defendant used his or her position of trust, confidence,
or fiduciary responsibility to facilitate the commission of the current offense.").
88 Sage cites State v. Williams-Walker, 167 Wash. 2d 889, 897-98, 225 P.3d
913(2010)(limits exceptional sentence to the findings by the jury) and State v.
Severns, 13 Wash. 2d 542, 548, 125 P.2d 659(1942)(bars charging under one
alternative means but instructing on another).
27