State of Washington v. Jose Carlos Quiroga Ledesma ( 2021 )

FILED
JULY 15, 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. 37987-6-III
)
Respondent, )
)
v. ) UNPUBLISHED OPINION
)
JOSE CARLOS QUIROGA LEDESMA, )
)
Appellant. )
LAWRENCE-BERREY, J. — Jose Carlos Quiroga Ledesma appeals his three first
degree child molestation convictions. We conclude there was no reversible error and
affirm.
FACTS
N.B.1 and her family moved from Florida to Washington in September 2017.
In February 2018, N.B.’s family joined a church where they met Jose Carlos Quiroga
Ledesma and his family. N.B. went to Bible study on Tuesdays and regular church
services on Fridays and Sundays. N.B. became good friends with Ledesma’s daughter,
1
To protect the privacy interests of the child victim, we use her initials throughout
this opinion. Gen. Order 2012-1 of Division III, In re the Use of Initials or Pseudonyms
for Child Victims or Child Witnesses, (Wash. Ct. App. June 18, 2012),
https://www.courts.wa.gov/appellate_trial_courts/?fa=atc.genorders_orddisp&ordnumber
=2012_001&div=III.
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K.Q., and their families became very close. N.B. spent a lot of time with K.Q. at her
home and referred to Ledesma as “Tio,” a Spanish term for family member. 3 Report of
Proceedings (RP) (Aug. 20, 2019) at 353.
In August 2018, N.B. told her youth ministry pastor, Yessica Marenco, that
Ledesma had been touching her. The topic came up after a pastor gave a sermon
discussing abuse. While Ms. Marenco drove N.B. and K.Q. home from the sermon,
N.B. said she thought she was being abused. She was very nervous. Later in the evening,
N.B. told Ms. Marenco more details. The next morning, Ms. Marenco told church
leaders, who told N.B.’s mother and later notified the police. N.B.’s mother took her to
the hospital when she found out about the abuse. N.B. eventually told her mother what
happened herself.
The State charged Ledesma with three counts of child molestation in the first
degree based on allegations of abuse between May 1 and August 18, 2018. Counts 2 and
3 accused Ledesma of the molestation “and/or a crime based on the same conduct or on a
series of acts connected together or constituting parts of a single scheme or plan, and/or
so closely connected in respect to time, place and occasion that it would be difficult to
separate proof of one charge from proof of the others . . . .” Clerk’s Papers (CP) at 3-4.
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Trial
State’s witnesses
The State called N.B., N.B.’s mother, Ms. Marenco, K.Q., the church pastor, and a
Tacoma Police Department detective assigned to the case.
N.B.
N.B. was 11 years old when Ledesma touched her inappropriately several times.
The first incident happened when she and her parents were at Ledesma’s apartment with a
few other people. Everyone was eating outside on the patio. N.B. asked Ledesma’s wife
for a jacket and went inside to get it from a closet. She got hot later and, when she went
to put the jacket back, she said: “I was having a difficult time putting it back and I asked
for help, and then that’s when [Ledesma] put his hands in my pocket.” 3 RP (Aug. 20,
2019) at 356. She told him to “‘please help me put the jacket back,’” but he would not.
3 RP (Aug. 20, 2019) at 358. His hands were in her front pants pockets, and she thought
“[h]e was trying to touch my private area.” 3 RP (Aug. 20, 2019) at 359. His fingers
were on her thigh and could not reach her vagina but were close. N.B. was
uncomfortable but she did not say anything to anyone. After the jacket was on the
hanger, N.B. went back to spend time with K.Q. N.B. and her parents left a few minutes
later.
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The next incident happened when N.B. and K.Q. were sleeping on Ledesma’s
living room floor. She testified, “I couldn’t go to sleep, and then when I was able to
sleep, he woke me up. It was around 3:00 in the morning and he pulled my shirt to wake
[me] up.” 3 RP (Aug. 20, 2019) at 367. She “got up thinking something was wrong,”
and then Ledesma started touching her. 3 RP (Aug. 20, 2019) at 369. He grabbed her by
her back, put his arms around her, and started kissing her with his tongue in her mouth.
He touched her buttocks over her clothes while their bodies were touching. He also put
her hand on his erect penis over his clothes. After she moved her hand, he went back to
his room. K.Q. did not wake up, and N.B. did not tell her because she did not want to be
a “snitch” or break up their friendship. 3 RP (Aug. 20, 2019) at 379.
N.B. could not fall back asleep afterward. Around 6:00 a.m., Ledesma gestured to
her to come to the hallway. He touched N.B.’s buttocks, put his tongue in her mouth, and
told her he wanted to sleep with her. N.B. answered, “‘No,’” and walked back to the
couch. 3 RP (Aug. 20, 2019) at 382. K.Q. woke up when N.B. got back to the couch.
The next incident happened when Ledesma drove N.B. and K.Q. home from a
friend’s house after a sleepover. Ledesma’s truck had a lot of stuff in the back seat, so
K.Q. told N.B. to sit in the front where there was more space. During the ride, Ledesma
grabbed N.B.’s left thigh, over her pants, with his right hand. She felt uncomfortable and
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crossed her legs. He put his hand back on her thigh and touched her vagina before she
moved his hand. He tried again and when she moved his hand, he squeezed her hand
forcefully. He told her to pull her sleeves up because it was “‘too hot,’” and pushed
them up with his hand. 3 RP (Aug. 20, 2019) at 394. Then he told K.Q. to look for
something in the back, and he pretended to look for something in the passenger door and
reached over and touched N.B.’s breast for a couple seconds. On cross-examination,
N.B. said that she and K.Q. had been talking throughout the whole car ride.
When N.B., K.Q., and Ledesma arrived home from the truck ride, K.Q. and her
mother went to choose outfits in the bedroom and left N.B. in the living room. Ledesma
called to N.B. from the kitchen, and he “kind of like cornered [her] where the table was.”
3 RP (Aug. 20, 2019) at 395. She said, “I backed away and then he grabbed me by my
waist and pulled me toward him. He tried to kiss me, but I kept moving away and moving
away. And then [K.Q.] came out, and then I moved.” 3 RP (Aug. 20, 2019) at 395.
The final incident occurred a few days later at the church Ledesma and N.B.
attended. There are two Sunday services and church members eat lunch together in the
downstairs area between services. At lunch time, Ledesma told N.B. to go to the back of
the church, where there is an alleyway. N.B. was not eating with everyone. N.B.’s
mother tried to get her to eat, and Ledesma offered to drive her to get food. She said
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“‘no’” to both. 3 RP (Aug. 20, 2019) at 404. She went outside because she thought
Ledesma would tell her that “this was going to stop” or “that he was sorry.” 3 RP
(Aug. 20, 2019) at 404. When she walked to the back of the church, Ledesma was
already in the alley. She said he “grabbed me and he tried to kiss me but I faced away.”
3 RP (Aug. 20, 2019) at 402. He kissed her cheek because she moved her face. She told
him to stop and he kept trying to grab her. Then, a “girl popped up in the window” facing
the alleyway and the girl said “Hey.” 3 RP (Aug. 20, 2019) at 409. N.B. said hello and
walked away.
On cross-examination, N.B. testified that she wants to move back to Florida. She
knew her parents were still friends with Ledesma and his wife, but she was not friends
with K.Q. anymore. She was not aware that their parents had planned a winter vacation
for their families.
Cristina Arreche
N.B.’s mother, Cristina Arreche, described how her family became close with
Ledesma’s family when they moved to Washington. She did not recall the night when
N.B. asked for a jacket and only knew what N.B. said about it.
After learning of the accusations and talking with police, Ms. Arreche continued
seeing Ledesma and his wife, but infrequently. She loved Ledesma’s wife very much and
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tried to forgive Ledesma. Ledesma told her “he didn’t know why he had done it.”
3 RP (Aug. 20, 2019) at 466. Ms. Arreche forgave him because, “If I want God to
forgive me, I also have to forgive.” 3 RP (Aug. 20, 2019) at 478. The families no longer
have contact.
K.Q.
K.Q. testified that she never saw her father with N.B. near the closet. She
remembers a night when her mother grabbed a jacket from the closet and gave it to Ms.
Arreche. Ms. Arreche then gave it to N.B., who took it home with her when her family
left.
N.B. spent the night in K.Q.’s living room one time. K.Q. did not recall seeing
N.B. on her phone on the couch in the early morning and she did not see Ledesma come
into the room. K.Q. is a light sleeper and wakes up when her parents go to the bathroom
and when her pet birds chirp.
K.Q. remembered when Ledesma picked her and N.B. up from a sleepover. She
sat in the back seat of Ledesma’s truck because she is smaller and fit better. K.Q. did not
fall asleep during the ride and could see and talk to N.B. the whole time. She did not see
Ledesma touch N.B., try to roll up her sleeves, lean across her to get something out of the
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door, or do anything unusual. She could not remember what happened after the truck
ride.
When N.B. told K.Q. and Ms. Marenco about the abuse, K.Q. was angry and sad
because she was “losing a friend right there.” 4 RP (Aug. 21-22, 2019) at 535. K.Q.
“knew [N.B.] was lying and she didn’t understand at the time.” 4 RP (Aug. 21-22, 2019)
at 536.
Dr. Kallas
Dr. Robin Kallas, an emergency pediatric medicine physician, treated N.B. upon
her arrival at the hospital. She described the hospital’s protocol for patients who allege
sexual assault:
Typically, the physician will present, speak to the parent, medically clear
the patient. And then if there’s no emergent medical condition, we will
have the social worker go speak with the family. And once the social
worker is complete, we’ll go back in and complete the physical exam.
4 RP (Aug. 21-22, 2019) at 587. The following exchange took place:
[THE STATE:] . . . Prior to the examination, what kinds of
information do you need, as a physician, in order to figure out what kind of
examination you’re going to do?
[DR. KALLAS:] I’ll speak with the social worker. She will tell me
the circumstances of the concern. Typically, if it’s a teenager and we
expect physical findings, there is a [SANE2] nurse that will come in and
assist with the exam.
2
Sexual assault nurse examiner.
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No. 37987-6-III
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....
[THE STATE:] Okay. And you said that person gets summoned if
you expect physical findings?
[DR. KALLAS:] Yes.
[THE STATE:] What kinds of criteria or information do you use
when making that determination?
[DR. KALLAS:] If the family members have told the social worker
that there was recent penetration or sexual activ[ity] or unexpected rape.
[THE STATE:] That’s penetration of the vagina or anus?
[DR. KALLAS:] Right. And if it’s been within three days, is when
we will typically collect evidence.
[THE STATE:] Okay. Why is your protocol such that you don’t
speak with the patient yourself?
[DR. KALLAS:] We don’t want to influence anything that they
have to say. . . .
[THE STATE:] Okay. So the social worker speaks with the parent,
usually, or the child?
[DR. KALLAS:] Usually the social worker will speak with the
parent.
4 RP (Aug. 21-22, 2019) at 589-90.
The prosecutor then asked, “[W]hat information did you have prior to your
examination that was relevant to your examination?” 4 RP (Aug. 21-22, 2019) at 591.
The court overruled Ledesma’s objection. Dr. Kallas answered: “I was told by the social
worker that the event had occurred more than three days prior. I was told that there was
alleged fondling over clothing.” 4 RP (Aug. 21-22, 2019) at 592. Based on that
information, Dr. Kallas did not call the SANE nurse and conducted the exam herself.
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No. 37987-6-III
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After completing a full exam of N.B., including her genitals, she determined N.B. was
healthy.
The court sent out the jury and the defense explained its objection to Dr. Kallas’s
testimony regarding what the social worker told her:
[T]his witness is testifying to statements that were made either by [N.B.] or
by her mother. This witness doesn’t know. So it’s a double hearsay
statement. The information that this witness was testifying to came from
the social worker. That’s one level of hearsay. Then there’s a second level
of hearsay, either from [N.B.] or from her mother in giving that information
about what sexual assault might have occurred there. That’s why I think
it’s objectionable. And the foundation was not laid to overcome that
objection.
Secondly, is that because the witness testified that she was following
protocols that were done in connection with the police and the prosecutor’s
office, it is clearly to collect—to preserve testimonial evidence, which
means that it does not meet the standard necessary for a medical records
exception because this information was not necessarily given to the social
worker for the purposes of the exam, but for many purposes, including law
enforcement purposes. And the doctor specifically avoids taking that
information, which probably would meet the hearsay exception for that,
because of the procedures that have been set up in conjunction with law
enforcement. So I don’t think that was appropriate to come in.
4 RP (Aug. 21-22, 2019) at 597-98. The court disagreed:
I think it was for medical diagnosis and for her—she testified about—it was
obviously very vague, she didn’t say anything specific about what [N.B.]
said, just what the general nature of the allegations were. And if that was
prejudicial in any way, I don’t believe it was. I think it’s probative and it is
through the medical exception to hearsay that she needed it in order to
determine what she was going to do next, in terms of her exam.
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4 RP (Aug. 21-22, 2019) at 598.
Defense witnesses
The defense called Ledesma’s wife and two family friends who had been present
during the jacket incident.
Judith Saavedra
Judith Saavedra, Ledesma’s wife, confirmed that she was close with N.B.’s family.
She remembered the night of the alleged jacket incident: they were having coffee at the
dining room table with N.B.’s parents and another couple. When N.B. and her parents
were getting ready to leave, it had gotten cold outside so Ms. Saavedra retrieved a jacket
from the closet and lent it to N.B.’s mother. Ms. Arreche said it was best if N.B. wore the
jacket, so N.B. put it on, and they left. N.B. did not get the jacket out of the closet nor did
she put the jacket back. Ledesma was in the dining room the whole time, and Ms.
Saavedra did not see Ledesma touch N.B.
N.B. spent the night at Ms. Saavedra’s home twice. The second time, N.B. and
K.Q. slept in the living room. Ms. Saavedra went to bed around 12:30 a.m. that night,
and Ledesma was already asleep. She did not hear anything unusual.
Ms. Saavedra remembered the day of the alleged church incident because she went
outside to get heartburn medication from her car. Ledesma was picking up garbage
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outside, which he did every other Sunday between services. She saw N.B. walking
nearby, talking on her cell phone. N.B. and Ledesma were not interacting. Ledesma and
Ms. Saavedra went back inside together after she got the medication from her car.
Even after the allegations, N.B.’s parents socialized with Ms. Saavedra and
Ledesma. On one occasion, N.B. was in Ms. Saavedra and Ledesma’s home and was not
acting uncomfortable. In November, after the allegations, N.B.’s mother invited K.Q.,
Ms. Saavedra, and Ledesma to go on a trip, but they did not go. The families are no
longer friends.
Beatriz Hernandez and Cergio Hinojosa
Beatriz Hernandez was at Ledesma’s house on the night of the jacket incident.
She saw Ms. Arreche give the jacket to N.B., who put it on before they all left. She could
not recall whether Ms. Arreche asked for the jacket or if Ms. Saavedra offered it. She did
not see Ledesma near N.B. nor did she see N.B. try to put the jacket away. She had
known Ledesma and Ms. Saavedra for 15 years, and they never had coffee or dinner on
the patio.
Cergio Hinojosa, Ms. Hernandez’s husband, testified similarly. On the night of the
jacket incident, he saw Ms. Arreche give the jacket to N.B. before they left.
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Ledesma
Outside the presence of the jury, the court asked the defense to make a record on
Ledesma’s decision not to testify. The following exchange took place:
[THE DEFENSE]: . . . Your Honor, I’ve discussed it thoroughly
with my client. I’ve advised him that he has an absolute right to testify and
that he does not have to testify, either. I read him the Jury Instruction that
will be given in light of him not testifying, and so he understands that the
jury cannot draw any conclusions from that, and he’s made a decision not to
testify in this case.
THE COURT: Is what [defense counsel] just told me, is that all
true?
[LEDESMA]: Yes.
THE COURT: You had an opportunity to talk to him about your
Constitutional right to testify?
[LEDESMA]: Yes.
THE COURT: And your absolute right not to testify?
[LEDESMA]: Yes.
THE COURT: And what is your decision about that?
[LEDESMA]: Not to testify.
THE COURT: Okay. Thank you.
5 RP (Aug. 26-27, 2019) at 679-80.
The defense rested and the State did not call any rebuttal witnesses.
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Petrich3 instruction, closing arguments, and verdict
The trial court gave instructions of law to the jury, including a Petrich instruction,
which provided:
The State alleges that the defendant committed multiple acts of child
molestation in the first degree on multiple occasions. To convict the
defendant on any count of child molestation in the first degree, one
particular act of child molestation in the first degree must be proved beyond
a reasonable doubt, and you must unanimously agree as to which act has
been proved. You need not unanimously agree that the defendant
committed all the acts of child molestation in the first degree.
CP at 60.
In closing, the State elaborated on the Petrich instruction:
[N.B.] testified about four different incidents where the defendant touched
her inappropriately. Each incident involved one or more types of sexual
contact.
. . . [A]ny of these incidents may be considered as an incident that
you can convict . . . on, but it has to be agreed by the 12 of you.
For example, all 12 of you have to agree that he kissed her on the
mouth with his tongue. And so you can assign that to Count I. Count II has
to be a different act, but all 12 of you must decide on that particular act.
So with regard to the act of him putting her hand on his penis, that
can be No. 2, if you all agree to that being No. 2. It has to be different than
the other counts and so on.
3
State v. Petrich, 101 Wn.2d 566, 572, 683 P.2d 173 (1984), overruled in part on
other grounds by State v. Kitchen, 110 Wn.2d 403, 406 n.1, 756 P.2d 105 (1988),
abrogated in part on other grounds by In re Pers. Restraint of Stockwell, 179 Wn.2d 588,
316 P.3d 1007 (2014).
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5 RP (August 26-27, 2019) at 685-86. The State recounted the jacket, sleepover, truck,
and church incidents, emphasizing how Ledesma came back after the first sleepover
incident to do the same thing again. He discussed how the truck incident started with
Ledesma’s hand on N.B.’s thigh but later ended up with his hand on her breast.
During deliberations, the jury sent out the following question: “Can multiple
counts arise from [the] same incident?” CP at 67. The court answered, “Please reread the
jury instructions.” CP at 67.
The jury found Ledesma guilty on all three counts of first degree child molestation.
The court imposed a concurrent sentence of 130 months to life for each count, based on
an offender score of 6.
Ledesma appeals.
ANALYSIS
INEFFECTIVE ASSISTANCE OF COUNSEL
Ledesma contends his counsel was ineffective for two reasons. First, his counsel
failed to make a half-time motion that there was insufficient evidence regarding the
jacket, kitchen, and church incidents to convict. Second, his counsel failed to argue same
criminal conduct regarding the truck and sleepover incidents at sentencing.
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We first set forth the applicable standards. Both the federal and state constitutions
guarantee the right to effective assistance of counsel. See U.S. CONST. amend. VI; WASH.
CONST. art. I, § 22. We review claims of ineffective assistance of counsel de novo. State
v. Jones, 183 Wn.2d 327, 338-39, 352 P.3d 776 (2015).
To prevail on an ineffective assistance of counsel claim, a defendant must show
both (1) deficient performance and (2) resulting prejudice. State v. Estes, 188 Wn.2d 450,
457-58, 395 P.3d 1045 (2017) (citing Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. 668, 687,
104 S. Ct. 2052, 80 L. Ed. 2d 674 (1984)). Performance is deficient when it falls
“below an objective standard of reasonableness based on consideration of all the
circumstances . . . .” State v. McFarland, 127 Wn.2d 322, 334-35, 899 P.2d 1251 (1995).
The threshold for deficiency is high; a defendant must overcome a strong presumption
that counsel’s performance was effective. State v. Grier, 171 Wn.2d 17, 33, 246 P.3d
1260 (2011). Prejudice results when, within reasonable probabilities, the outcome of the
proceedings would have differed but for counsel’s deficient performance. Estes, 188
Wn.2d at 458. A defendant must show more than a “‘conceivable effect on the
outcome’” to prevail. Id. (internal quotation marks omitted) (quoting State v. Crawford,
159 Wn.2d 86, 99, 147 P.3d 1288 (2006)).
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1. Half-time motion
Ledesma contends his counsel was ineffective for failing to bring a half-time
motion to dismiss for insufficient evidence that sexual contact occurred during the jacket,
truck, and church incidents. We disagree.
When reviewing a claim of insufficiency, we view the evidence and reasonable
inferences drawn therein in the light most favorable to the State. State v. Salinas, 119
Wn.2d 192, 201, 829 P.2d 1068 (1992). We then ask whether any rational trier of fact
could have found the State proved the elements of the crime beyond a reasonable doubt.
Id. The weight and credibility of the evidence is left to the trier of fact and cannot be
reviewed on appeal. State v. Goodman, 150 Wn.2d 774, 781, 783, 83 P.3d 410 (2004).
We review the sufficiency of the evidence de novo. State v. Berg, 181 Wn.2d 857, 867,
337 P.3d 310 (2014).
To convict Ledesma of child molestation in the first degree, the State had
to prove that: (1) Ledesma had sexual contact with a N.B., (2) N.B. was less than
12 years old at the time of the contact and was not married to Ledesma, (3) N.B. is
at least 36 months younger than Ledesma, and (4) this contact occurred in Washington.
See RCW 9A.44.083.
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Ledesma argues the State failed to prove sexual contact. “Sexual contact” means
“any touching of the sexual or intimate parts of a person done for the purpose of
gratifying sexual desire of either party.” RCW 9A.44.010(2). Contact is sexual “if the
conduct is of such a nature that a person of common intelligence could fairly be expected
to know that, under the circumstances, the parts touched were intimate and therefore the
touching was improper.” State v. Jackson, 145 Wn. App. 814, 819, 187 P.3d 321 (2008).
The statute protects “parts of the body in close proximity to the primary erogenous areas
which a reasonable person could deem private with respect to salacious touching by
another.” In re Welfare of Adams, 24 Wn. App. 517, 521, 601 P.2d 995 (1979).
Whether contact is sexual may be determined as a matter of law when it involves
direct contact to the genitals or breasts. Id. at 520. Conversely, whether contact with
other body parts is sexual must be left to the trier of fact. Jackson, 145 Wn. App. at 819.
Even over-the-clothing touching may be sexual contact if it is not susceptible of an
innocent explanation. State v. Harstad, 153 Wn. App. 10, 22, 218 P.3d 624 (2009).
Ledesma first claims the jacket incident, when he put his hands in N.B.’s pants
pockets, did not constitute sexual contact. He next claims the kitchen and church
incidents, when he grabbed N.B. by her waist, pulled her toward him, and tried to kiss
her, were not sexual contact. He relies on State v. R.P., 67 Wn. App. 663, 838 P.2d 70118
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(1992), aff’d in part, rev’d in part, 122 Wn.2d 735, 862 P.2d 127 (1993), and State v.
Marcum, 61 Wn. App. 611, 811 P.2d 963 (1991), to support his position.
In R.P., the defendant picked up, hugged, and kissed a classmate before placing a
“‘hickey’” on her neck. 67 Wn. App. at 665. R.P. appealed his indecent liberties
conviction, arguing insufficient evidence of sexual contact. Division One of this court
affirmed: R.P. forcibly contacted the victim’s neck with his lips, which are associated
with sexually intimate acts, and the contact lasted long enough to bruise. Id. at 669.
The Supreme Court reversed on that count. Its two-paragraph opinion read, in
part: “After examining the record and the facts of this case, we find that there was
insufficient evidence of sexual contact to sustain count 1 (indecent liberties).” R.P.,
122 Wn.2d at 736.
In Marcum, the defendant argued the evidence that he put his hands down the
inside of the victim’s pants (count 2) and kissed the victim’s face and rubbed his chest
(count 3) was insufficient to prove first degree child molestation. 61 Wn. App. at 612
n.1. In a footnote, Division Two held that evidence of the defendant’s hands in the
victim’s pants was “enough to raise an inference that he did so for sexual gratification.”
Id. Without explanation, it reversed on count 3, holding that evidence of kissing and
chest rubbing were insufficient to convict. Id.
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Neither of these cases contain sufficient facts on the circumstances of the contact
nor do they provide analysis as to why the contact was not sexual. We find Adams is
more helpful to our analysis, where the court held the defendant’s contact with the
victim’s hips was sexual because, under the circumstances, the touching was improper.
24 Wn. App. at 520. The Adams court explained that a jury can determine whether
conduct is improper using “commonly accepted community sense of decency, propriety
and morality.” Id.Here, the jury determined Ledesma’s contact with N.B. was sexual. Because
Ledesma touched N.B. over her clothes on her thighs and waist, and not her genitals or
breasts, the nature of the contact was a question for the jury. The State’s evidence, which
we take as true, sufficiently supports the jury’s finding. Ledesma offered no innocent
explanation for the challenged incidents—putting his hands deep inside an 11-year-old
girl’s front pockets, later cornering the same girl and trying to kiss her, and still later
trying to kiss her on the lips while she resisted. These incidents are all improper
according to a commonly accepted community sense of decency and morality, and any
reasonable person in Ledesma’s situation should have known as much. The evidence
sufficiently supported a finding of sexual contact for all three challenged incidents.
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Because the evidence was sufficient to prove sexual contact, Ledesma’s counsel
was not ineffective for not moving to dismiss on those grounds. A reasonable attorney
would not make a failing motion; thus, the performance did not fall below an objective
standard of reasonableness.
2. Not arguing same criminal conduct at sentencing
Ledesma next contends his counsel was ineffective for failing to argue at
sentencing that the two molestations during the sleepover and the two molestations during
the truck ride were the same criminal conduct. We agree that it was deficient
performance not to make the argument, but we conclude that Ledesma has not shown his
sentence would have differed had counsel done so.
Failure to argue same criminal conduct at sentencing may constitute ineffective
assistance of counsel, State v. Rattana Keo Phuong, 174 Wn. App. 494, 547, 299 P.3d 37(2013), but it is only prejudicial if Ledesma can show that his sentence would have
differed had counsel made the argument. State v. Munoz-Rivera, 190 Wn. App. 870, 887,
361 P.3d 182 (2015).
If separate offenses involve the same criminal conduct, they are counted as a single
offense for purposes of calculating an offender score. RCW 9.94A.589(1)(a). Separate
offenses constitute the same criminal conduct when three elements are present: “(1) same
21
No. 37987-6-III
State v. Ledesma
criminal intent, (2) same time and place, and (3) same victim.” State v. Porter, 133
Wn.2d 177, 181, 942 P.2d 974 (1997). Unless all the elements are met, the offenses are
counted separately. State v. Chenoweth, 185 Wn.2d 218, 220, 370 P.3d 6 (2016). Where
the evidence supports either conclusion, the matter lies in the trial court’s discretion.
State v. Graciano, 176 Wn.2d 531, 538, 295 P.3d 219 (2013). The defendant bears the
burden of proving same criminal conduct. Id. at 539.
Ledesma argues the two acts that occurred during the sleepover and the two acts
that occurred in the truck involve two, not four, instances of criminal conduct because his
intent did not change. Multiple acts may have the same criminal intent if they constitute a
“continuing, uninterrupted sequence of conduct.” Porter, 133 Wn.2d at 186. When an
offender has time between the acts to “pause, reflect, and either cease his criminal activity
or proceed to commit a further criminal act,” and chooses the latter, new criminal intent
has been formed to commit the second act. State v. Grantham, 84 Wn. App. 854, 859,
932 P.2d 657 (1997).
We agree with Ledesma that the truck acts were the same criminal conduct.
Ledesma first put his hand on N.B.’s upper thigh and touched her vagina through her
pants. When she moved his hand, he squeezed it and he then leaned over and touched her
breast. These acts occurred within moments of one another and were a “continuing,
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State v. Ledesma
uninterrupted sequence.” This scenario is like Porter, where the defendant made two
back-to-back drug sales in the same place to the same undercover officer. 133 Wn.2d at
183.
However, we disagree with Ledesma that the sleepover incidents were the same
criminal conduct. Ledesma relies on Phuong, 174 Wn. App. at 548, where the defendant
dragged the victim from her car, up the stairs, and into his bedroom before attempting to
rape her. Phuong was convicted of unlawful imprisonment and attempted rape. Id. at
501. At sentencing, counsel did not argue same criminal conduct, which was ineffective
assistance because the court could have found Phuong’s criminal purpose was the same
for both the unlawful imprisonment and the attempted rape. Id. at 548.
Phuong is distinguishable. Notably, Ledesma first touched N.B. around 3:00 a.m.
He then left the living room and came back, three hours later, to molest N.B. a second
time. This is dissimilar from the unlawful imprisonment prior to the rape scenario that
was a continuous sequence of events. It is more like Grantham, where the defendant
raped the victim, kicked her, threatened her, ignored her requests to be brought home,
then used new physical force to rape her again. 84 Wn. App. at 856. Ledesma had
sufficient time—much more than Grantham had—to reflect on his first act before
deciding to proceed with a second act. Thus, while we agree that Ledesma intended
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No. 37987-6-III
State v. Ledesma
sexual contact with N.B. for both acts, they were sufficiently distinct in time so that
Ledesma had ample time between the incidents to pause and reflect.
In total, there were six instances of criminal conduct: (1) the jacket incident,
(2) the truck incident, (3) the kitchen incident, (4) the first sleepover incident, (5) the
second sleepover incident, and (6) the church incident. Because of how the State charged
the three counts and argued them, it was not possible for the trial court (or us) to know
which of the six instances of criminal conduct the jury’s three convictions were based on.
Out of the seven touchings, only the two truck touchings involved the same criminal
conduct. The odds are therefore less than 50 percent that the jury erred by basing two of
its three convictions on the two truck touchings. For this reason, we cannot conclude that
the trial court would have found that two of the convictions were based on the same
criminal conduct. Because Ledesma cannot establish he was prejudiced by his counsel’s
failure to raise the same criminal conduct argument at sentencing, we reject his
ineffective assistance of counsel claim.
DR. KALLAS’S TESTIMONY
Ledesma argues the trial court erred by allowing Dr. Kallas to testify about what
the social worker told her. Ledesma contends the testimony was inadmissible triple
hearsay—N.B. to her mother, her mother to the social worker, and the social worker to
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No. 37987-6-III
State v. Ledesma
Dr. Kallas. The State contends the testimony was admissible under a hearsay exception,
ER 803(a)(4)’s statement for purposes of medical diagnosis or treatment. Alternatively,
the State argues that error, if any, is not reversible. We agree with the second, alternative
argument.
Nonconstitutional evidentiary error is reversible only if it is reasonably probable
that the error materially affected the outcome of the proceeding. State v. Neal, 144 Wn.2d
600, 611, 30 P.3d 1255 (2001). Here, the evidentiary error, if any, did not materially
contribute to the jury’s guilty verdicts.
N.B. testified at length about Ledesma’s conduct and the State relied almost
exclusively on her testimony to prove its case. In contrast, Dr. Kallas testified the social
worker told her “there was alleged fondling over clothing” that “occurred more than three
days prior.” 4 RP (Aug. 21-22, 2019) at 592. This brief testimony was admitted by the
State to explain why Dr. Kallas—rather than a SANE nurse—examined N.B. Compared
to N.B.’s extensive testimony, Dr. Kallas’s testimony was generalized and brief. Thus,
the purported hearsay did not materially contribute to the jury’s guilty verdicts. We
conclude that evidentiary error, if any, is not reversible.
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No. 37987-6-III
State v. Ledesma
ER 403
Ledesma argues for the first time on appeal that, even if Dr. Kallas’s testimony
was admissible under the medical exception, it should have been excluded under ER 403
because it was unfairly prejudicial.4 The State argues this court should not address this
issue because it was not raised below. We agree.
On appeal, a party may only assign error to a trial court’s evidentiary ruling if they
objected on those grounds at trial. State v. Guloy, 104 Wn.2d 412, 421, 705 P.2d 1182(1985). In other words, we will not reverse “where the trial court rejected the specific
ground upon which the defendant objected to the evidence and then, on appeal, the
defendant argues for reversal based on an evidentiary rule not raised at trial.” State v.
Powell, 166 Wn.2d 73, 82, 206 P.3d 321 (2009).
Ledesma did not raise an ER 403 objection to Dr. Kallas’s testimony. He instead
argued it was hearsay. Because his objection did not sufficiently allow the trial judge to
4
ER 403 provides: “Although relevant, evidence may be excluded if its probative
value is substantially outweighed by the danger of unfair prejudice, confusion of the
issues, or misleading the jury, or by considerations of undue delay, waste of time, or
needless presentation of cumulative evidence.”
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No. 37987-6-III
State v. Ledesma
assess the proffered evidence under ER 403, he cannot now do so on appeal.
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL GROUNDS FOR REVIEW (SAG)
Ledesma raises several additional arguments in his SAG. We address each issue in
turn.
SAG #1: Contradictions in testimony
Ledesma contends that much of N.B.’s testimony was contradicted by her own and
other witnesses’ testimony. He lists dozens of instances where N.B.’s testimony changes
slightly and points to facts and other testimony to undermine N.B.’s version of events. He
also emphasizes that N.B.’s parents remained friends with him even after the allegations,
inviting him on trips and not worrying about N.B. being near him—that, he claims,
indicates they knew the abuse did not happen. He finally contends that N.B. made false
accusations so that her family would move back to Florida.
While we can understand Ledesma’s frustration, it is not the role of the appellate
court to weigh evidence or engage in fact finding. State v. Bennett, 180 Wn. App. 484,
489, 322 P.3d 815 (2014). And we cannot review the jury’s credibility determinations on
appeal. Morse v. Antonellis, 149 Wn.2d 572, 574, 70 P.3d 125 (2003). The jury heard
evidence from numerous witnesses, some of whom contradicted and undermined portions
of N.B.’s testimony. The jury heard that N.B.’s parents stayed in touch with Ledesma
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No. 37987-6-III
State v. Ledesma
even after N.B. came forward about the abuse, and N.B. testified that she wished to live
in Florida. The jury is free to believe or disbelieve witnesses and weigh the evidence
before coming to a factual determination. Here, the jury found the State, through N.B.
and other witnesses, proved beyond a reasonable doubt that Ledesma molested N.B. on
three occasions. We cannot disturb a valid jury verdict on the grounds Ledesma raises.
SAG #2: Ledesma prevented from testifying
Ledesma next contends he requested to testify in his own defense, but his attorney
advised against it and told him he did not need to because “everything would be just
fine.” SAG at 1.
Defendants have a constitutional right to testify on their own behalf. Rock v.
Arkansas, 483 U.S. 44, 51, 107 S. Ct. 2704, 97 L. Ed. 2d 37 (1987). This right is
protected by both the federal and state constitutions. Id.; State v. Robinson, 138 Wn.2d
753, 758, 982 P.2d 590 (1999); U.S. CONST. amend. V; U.S. CONST. amend. VI;
U.S. CONST. amend. XIV; WASH. CONST. art. I, § 22. This fundamental right “cannot be
abrogated by defense counsel or by the court.” Robinson, 138 Wn.2d at 758. Only a
defendant can decide whether to exercise the right to testify, and a defendant’s waiver of
that right must be knowing, voluntary, and intelligent. Id. at 758-59.
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No. 37987-6-III
State v. Ledesma
A defendant may be entitled to an evidentiary hearing if counsel actually prevented
the defendant from testifying. State v. Thomas, 128 Wn.2d 553, 557, 910 P.2d 475(1996). However, an allegation that counsel advised against taking the stand, without
“substantial factual evidence” is insufficient to warrant such a hearing. Robinson, 138
Wn.2d at 770; see In re Pers. Restraint of Lord, 123 Wn.2d 296, 316-17, 868 P.2d 835(1994). “The defendant must ‘allege specific facts’ and must be able to ‘demonstrate,
from the record, that those ‘specific factual allegations would be credible.’” Robinson,
138 Wn.2d at 760 (internal quotation marks omitted) (quoting Passos-Paternina v. United
States, 12 F. Supp. 2d 231, 239 (D.P.R. 1998), aff’d, 201 F.3d 428 (1st Cir. 1999)).
Ledesma has not alleged specific facts nor pointed to any place in the record to
show his counsel prevented him from testifying. Counsel told the court that he advised
Ledesma of his absolute right to testify, as well as his absolute right not to testify. The
court asked Ledesma whether this conversation occurred and Ledesma confirmed that it
had. When the court asked what his decision was, Ledesma answered, “Not to testify.”
5 RP (Aug. 26-27, 2019) at 680. In light of this record, Ledesma’s bare assertion that
counsel advised him against testifying does not warrant an evidentiary hearing on the
issue.
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No. 37987-6-III
State v. Ledesma
SAG #3: Ineffective assistance of counsel
Ledesma takes issue with several decisions made by his trial counsel. He does not
present these arguments as ineffective assistance of counsel but instead lists them as
bullet points on the first page of his SAG. While this court generally refuses to review
issues without argument and citation to authority, RAP 10.3(a)(5); State v. Olson, 126
Wn.2d 315, 320-21, 893 P.2d 629 (1995), we can dispose of these issues easily.
Ledesma first contends defense counsel “deliberately ignored” his request to
remove two venire jurors 15 and 225 from the pool. SAG at 1. We first note that
peremptory challenges fall within counsel’s ambit; they are not designated as a
defendant’s right. State v. Lawler, 194 Wn. App. 275, 285, 374 P.3d 278 (2016). But
because juror bias affects a defendant’s constitutional right to a fair trial, id. at 281, we
briefly review the record.
Venire juror 15 worked for the Department of Corrections and is married to a
Tacoma police officer. She understood the reasonable doubt standard and the importance
of keeping jury deliberations private. Ledesma does not point to specific instances of bias
or develop any argument as to why venire juror 15 should not have been empaneled.
5
Venire juror 22 was excused for cause, so that issue is moot.
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No. 37987-6-III
State v. Ledesma
Ledesma next contends his counsel deliberately ignored his request to call a
witness. In general, “the decision whether to call a particular witness is a matter for
differences of opinion and therefore presumed to be a matter of legitimate trial tactics.”
In re Pers. Restraint of Davis, 152 Wn.2d 647, 742, 101 P.3d 1 (2004). Tactical
decisions such as these are left to defense counsel. Grier, 171 Wn.2d at 31.
Ledesma states that his desired witness, Mariana Barajas, brought N.B. from
soccer games to Ledesma’s home and knew N.B.’s relationship with her father. He
otherwise does not explain how Ms. Barajas’s testimony would have aided his defense.
There are numerous reasons why counsel may not have called this witness and without
more information, we cannot determine whether this decision was unreasonable. And of
course, we cannot determine whether the absence of Ms. Barajas’s testimony caused
prejudice because we do not know what she would have testified about.
Without a developed argument or citation to the record, we cannot adequately
address Ledesma’s ineffective assistance of counsel claims. If material facts on this issue
exist outside of the record, Ledesma must seek relief through a personal restraint petition.
RAP 16.4; State v. Alvarado, 164 Wn.2d 556, 568-69, 192 P.3d 345 (2008).
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No. 37987-6-III
State v. Ledesma
SAG #4: Ledesma’s back problems
Ledesma contends the judge was negligent in not providing information to the jury
about his back problems.6 During trial, defense counsel addressed the court:
My client wants you to understand that he was in apparently an
accident a couple years ago and he’s been moving around a lot in his seat
and he’s adjusting to get comfortable. He has lower back issues. We got
him an extra pillow. Hopefully that will take care of it. He doesn’t want
you to think he’s being disrespectful or anything.
3 RP (Aug. 20, 2019) at 450. The court responded, “No problem. Thanks for the
explanation.” 3 RP (Aug. 20, 2019) at 450. The record does not contain any other
references to Ledesma’s back problems. Again, without any specific argument or
citations to the record, this court cannot review this issue. See RAP 10.10(c) (We will not
consider an argument made in a statement of additional grounds if it does not inform us of
the nature and occurrence of the alleged error.).
Most of Ledesma’s contentions involve issues this court is unable to review. The
remaining claims are undeveloped and lack merit.
6
Ledesma’s SAG reads: “I had requested that my attorney let the Judge and the
jurors know of my back problems, (that situation came up in court about me, moving
consistently), the judge was negligent to provide this information to the jurors.” SAG at
1. It seems he meant to write that the judge was negligent in not providing this
information to the jurors.
32
No. 37987-6-III
State v. Ledesma
Affirmed.
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.
Lawrence-Berrey, J . \
j
WE CONCUR:
O)dow~. A-c6=
Siddoway, A.C.J.
`` ,.::r.
Fearing, J.
33