State Of Washington, V. Arbin Upreti ( 2024 )

Filed
Washington State
Court of Appeals
Division Two
May 7, 2024
IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON
DIVISION II
STATE OF WASHINGTON, No. 57496-9-II
Respondent,
v. UNPUBLISHED OPINION
ARBIN UPRETI,
Appellant.
CHE, J. ⎯ Arbin Upreti appeals his conviction for third degree rape of LB. At trial, after
the first witness testified, the trial court raised concerns about juror 4 being inattentive. After
considering the matter further, the trial court observed that juror 4 paid less attention to the
minority women in the courtroom and instructed the parties to observe the juror. The State
observed additional inattentiveness. And the trial court made oral findings that juror 4 paid less
attention to the minorities than Caucasians. The State echoed the court’s concern for the
minority attorneys, the judicial officer, the victim, and the defendant. The court declined to
question the juror individually as individuals are unaware of their implicit biases. Finally, the
court added that “at a minimum juror number four is not paying attention to the evidence so not
doing her job” and excused the juror over Upreti’s objection. 1 Rep. of Proc. (RP) at 125.
Upreti appeals, arguing that (1) the trial court abused its discretion by not conducting
further inquiry before excusing juror 4, and (2) there is insufficient evidence to support the third
degree rape conviction. Upreti’s arguments fail and we affirm.
No. 57496-9-II
FACTS
The State charged Upreti with the second degree rape of LB or, in the alternative, third
degree rape.
I. TRIAL EVIDENCE
In December 2019, LB saw Upreti at the gym on a military base, and they exchanged cell
phone numbers. LB and Upreti ultimately agreed to meet at LB’s apartment. After a couple of
drinks, the two began making out. Upreti performed oral sex on LB. They ended up in LB’s
bedroom.
When Upreti attempted sexual intercourse, LB told Upreti “‘no’” and to “get protection.”
2 RP at 195. LB continued to move her hips side to side to prevent Upreti from vaginally
penetrating her as she told him no and to get protection. LB could feel Upreti continuing to try
to penetrate her. The two grappled while Upreti tried to subdue and penetrate LB. Throughout
the grappling, LB told Upreti to stop and get protection. During this grappling, Upreti asked if
he could perform oral sex again, and LB explicitly said no. Upreti ignored LB’s unwillingness
and performed oral sex and anally penetrated LB with his finger.
Eventually, Upreti was on top of LB and employed a leg lock maneuver. LB tried to
push Upreti backwards, moved her hips in an evasive manner, shook her head no, and continued
repeating, “‘No. You need to go get protection.’” 2 RP at 213.
Upreti performed a different maneuver and ultimately vaginally penetrated LB. After
Upretri released LB’s arms, she fell backwards. Upreti attempted to penetrate her again; LB
resisted and continued to tell him to stop and get protection. Upreti again grappled LB into a
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new position and vaginally penetrated her. LB told Upreti no, “no less than ten times.” 2 RP at
225.
Subsequently, Upreti went to the bathroom, returned, and appeared to fall asleep. LB
also went to the bathroom and then laid back in the bed. LB testified that she was in shock.
About 15 minutes later, Upreti attempted to vaginally penetrate LB again. LB moved her hips
evasively, used her hand to push Upreti away, and told him, “‘No. You need to stop.’” 2 RP at
232. Upreti gave up and fell asleep.
LB texted her friend to call her and pretend that one of LB’s soldiers needed to be picked
up. Her friend did not call. About ten minutes later, LB pretended someone called her telling
her to pick up one of her soldiers. LB and Upreti discussed the call. Upreti attempted to give LB
a hug and left. LB proceeded to the hospital on the military base.
A nurse, Khadijah Bakari, conducted a sexual assault examination on LB. LB initially
chose to file a restricted report. Restricted reports are not sent to military command. LB told the
nurse that she had been sexually assaulted. The nurse found erythema, or redness, on the top of
LB’s cervix. And that redness is consistent both with consensual and nonconsensual intercourse.
The nurse said LB reported pain and some soreness in the area, but no pain elsewhere.
LB reported the sexual assault to law enforcement when she got home. Detective Julie
Mullen met with LB several days later. LB recounted the details of the rape to the detective.
Upreti testified that LB asked him if he had protection, which he denied having. Upreti
maintained that LB never told him that he needed to get protection. Upreti’s defense was that the
entire sexual encounter was consensual and LB did not ask him to stop, nor did he employ any
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force to control LB. Upreti agreed that he attempted to have sex with LB again after they got
back in the bed, but he stopped when LB moved his hand away.
The jury convicted Upreti of third degree rape.
II. JUROR FITNESS
After nurse Bakari—the first witness—testified, the trial court recounted a sidebar
conversation regarding juror 4 possibly sleeping during the proceeding. The court stated juror 4
closed her eyes during the court’s opening instruction, but she did not appear to be sleeping. The
court further noted that juror 4 appeared to listen to the evidence at times, but she “turn[ed] her
chair completely away from the witness.” 1 RP at 63. But the court could not see juror 4 for
much of the opening arguments. Due to the court’s concerns about juror 4’s body language, the
court asked the three attorneys to particularly observe juror 4 going forward and noted that it
would continue observing juror 4 as well.
Defense counsel Purtzer generally thought juror 4 was paying attention as she was taking
notes. Counsel Shen for the State observed that juror 4 closed her eyes during “a lot of my
opening statement” and some of defense counsel’s opening statement. 1 RP at 64. Counsel
Zhou, also for the State, observed that juror 4 closed her eyes and remained still during the
court’s opening instructions. Counsel Zhou also observed that juror 4 adjusted herself when
counsel Shen gave her opening statement, closed her eyes again, moved her head, and appeared
to be “nodding off.” 1 RP at 65. Then, juror 4 maintained those mannerisms through defense
counsel’s opening, opened her eyes once about halfway through, and closed them again.
After considering the matter overnight, the court was concerned that juror 4’s “body
language was much more attentive to Mr. Purtzer as opposed to myself, Ms. Shen or the witness
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[Bakari], and we are all minority women.” 1 RP at 69. During a recess, counsel Zhou observed
that juror 4 appeared to rest her head on her hand with her eyes closed at points during the
morning proceedings. Counsel Zhou thought juror 4 was napping, but also noted that the juror
was attentive at times to the witness—Detective Mullen. Defense counsel requested that the
court bring in juror 4 to ask her about the nodding off.
The court responded:
I think we may have a more insidious problem. I have been observing juror number
four carefully. She is directing her attention at the lectern consistently. She did that
throughout the testimony of Ms. Bakari. She did that throughout the time that Ms.
Shen was questioning both Ms. Bakari and Detective Mullen. She is, however,
shifting her focus to Mr. Purtzer when he is speaking and she is shifting her focus
to Detective Mullen when she is speaking. So my concern is increasing that—both
for Mr. Upreti and for the minorities here, is I’m not certain that this is something
she is aware of, and I’m not certain that it is simply her posture. I don’t have a
concern that she’s sleeping, but her body language when a minority person is
testifying or directing the questions or even when the court is instructing is very
different. In contrast, the entire panel appears to be making eye contact with the
different speakers or not making eye contact with anyone. At times the panel turns
its direction and attention to me, and number four has not ever done that, has not
made eye contact with me, and generally when I am speaking closes her eyes. So I
am concerned about a more insidious issue which may actually impact Mr. Upreti
as well.
1 RP at 120-21. The State echoed the court’s concern for minority attorneys, the judicial officer,
Upreti, and LB—as a minority woman. The State also observed that juror 4’s eyes were open the
entire time defense counsel engaged in cross-examination. Defense counsel admitted he was “not
as attuned to those problems” and deferred to the court when asked about his opinion on juror 4.
1 RP at 122.
The court said it would dismiss juror 4 citing concerns about the differences between the
juror’s observation style toward Caucasians and other minority groups along with the clear body
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language that juror 4 was not focused on the evidence and did not wish to be there. And the court
decided not to question juror 4 individually reasoning that individuals are unaware of their implicit
biases. Defense counsel objected. The court overruled the objection, adding that “at a minimum
juror number four is not paying attention to the evidence so not doing her job.” 1 RP at 125.
Upreti appeals.
ANALYSIS
I. JUROR FITNESS
A. Inattention and Bias
Upreti argues that the trial court abused its discretion by excusing juror 4 without
conducting additional investigation and because there was insufficient evidence of bias. We
disagree.1
“We review a trial court’s decision to excuse a juror for abuse of discretion.” State v.
Jorden, 103 Wn. App. 221, 226, 11 P.3d 866 (2000). The judge has the obligation “to excuse
1
Upreti also generally argues that excusing juror 4 violated his due process right to have a jury
of his peers and violated his due process rights because the judge made the decision to dismiss
the juror too early without sufficient information of bias. Upreti does not develop either of his
general contentions and he cites only to the general right to a trial by jury and the right for the
jury to be unprejudiced and free from misconduct. RAP 10.3(a)(6) requires “argument in
support of the issues presented for review, together with citations to legal authority and
references to relevant parts of the record.” “Passing treatment of an issue or lack of reasoned
argument is insufficient to merit judicial consideration.” Brownfield v. City of Yakima, 178 Wn.
App. 850, 876, 316 P.3d 520 (2014). Similarly, “Where a petitioner makes a due process
challenge, ‘[n]aked castings into the constitutional seas are not sufficient to command judicial
consideration and discussion.’” State v. Johnson, 179 Wn.2d 534, 558, 315 P.3d 1090 (2014)
(internal quotation marks omitted) (quoting State v. Blilie, 132 Wn.2d 484, 493 n.2, 939 P.2d 691(1997)). His passing argument based on general due process concerns is insufficient to merit our
consideration. Also notable, there is “no right to be tried by a jury that includes a particular
juror.” State v. Jorden, 103 Wn. App. 221, 229, 11 P.3d 866 (2000).
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from further jury service any juror, who in the opinion of the judge, has manifested unfitness as a
juror by reason of bias, prejudice, indifference, inattention or any physical or mental defect or by
reason of conduct or practices incompatible with proper and efficient jury service.” RCW
2.36.110 (emphasis added). Juror bias issues generally relate to an event or the relationship
between a juror and a party.2 State v. Elmore, 155 Wn.2d 758, 769, 123 P.3d 72 (2005).
Under CrR 6.5, the trial court may replace a juror found unfit with an alternate juror
before the case is submitted to the jury. “CrR 6.5 does not explicitly require a hearing even after
the case has been given to the jury.” Jorden, 103 Wn. App. at 227. Under RCW 2.36.110,
[t]he test is whether the record establishes that the juror engaged in misconduct. We
are unwilling to impose on the trial court a mandatory format for establishing such
a record. Instead the trial judge has discretion to hear and resolve the misconduct
issue in a way that avoids tainting the juror and, thus, avoids creating prejudice
against either party.
Id. at 229. When the trial court exercises its fact-finding discretion to this end, we defer to its
factual determinations. Id.“[T]he rights implicated by the erroneous dismissal of an impaneled juror lie between the
rights implicated by the erroneous dismissal of a potential juror and the erroneous dismissal of a
deliberating juror.” Sassen Van Elsloo, 191 Wn.2d at 814. “[R]acial bias is a common and
2
In his reply brief, Upreti argues that the trial court erred by not applying the test for actual bias
for impaneled jurors in State v. Sassen Van Elsloo, 191 Wn.2d 798, 815-16, 425 P.3d 807 (2018)
(holding that the voir dire actual bias test—“the challenging party must prove (1) that the
impaneled juror has formed or expressed a biased opinion and (2) that ‘from all the
circumstances, that the juror cannot disregard such opinion and try the issue impartially’”—
applies to impaneled jurors). Reply Br. of Appellant at 5. As stated in the body, actual bias
challenges focus on the relationship between a juror and a party, which is not at issue here. We
determine that the actual bias test is the improper test to analyze dismissal of an impaneled juror
for implicit racial bias.
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pervasive evil that causes systemic harm to the administration of justice.” State v. Berhe, 193
Wn.2d 647, 657, 444 P.3d 1172 (2019). “[I]mplicit racial bias can affect the fairness of a trial as
much as, if not more than, ‘blatant’ racial bias.” Id. at 663 (quoting State v. Monday, 171 Wn.2d
667, 678, 257 P.3d 551 (2011)). “Implicit racial bias . . . primarily exists at an unconscious
level, such that the biased person is unlikely to be aware that it even exists.” State v. Gutierrez,
22 Wn. App. 2d 815, 820, 513 P.3d 812 (2022).
In the context of a motion for a new trial based in part on implicit racial bias, our
Supreme Court examined whether the trial court failed to conduct a sufficient inquiry before
denying the motion. Berhe, 193 Wn.2d at 656. When implicit racial bias is alleged to be a factor
in the jury verdict, our Supreme Court held:
The ultimate question for the court is whether an objective observer (one who is
aware that implicit, institutional, and unconscious biases, in addition to purposeful
discrimination, have influenced jury verdicts in Washington State) could view race
as a factor in the verdict. If there is a prima facie showing that the answer is yes,
then the court must hold an evidentiary hearing.
Id. at 665.
We examined in Jorden, whether the trial court abused its discretion by excusing an
impaneled juror for inattentiveness without individually questioning the juror. 103 Wn. App. at
224. The State moved to disqualify a juror on the first day of trial because the State maintained
that the juror was sleeping. Id. The trial court instructed the bailiff to observe the juror. Id.The State moved to disqualify the juror again the next day, “inform[ing] the court that the
bailiff had twice given the juror water in an attempt to wake her up.” Id. Recognizing that “the
juror was not ‘as attentive as the other jurors,’” the court denied the motion but moved the juror
to the front of the jury box. Id. at 225. “On the sixth day of trial, the court learned that the
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juror’s mother was in the hospital, possibly in need of life support.” Id. But the juror told the
court that this did not prevent her from serving. Id.That day, the trial court heard argument and witness testimony from the State about
excusing the juror. Id. Jorden requested a hearing to question the juror. Id. at 226. The court
declined the request and gave its observations that the juror “was yawning, dozing, and sitting
with her eyes closed.” Id. We determined that the trial court did not abuse its discretion in
excusing the juror—noting that the juror’s unfitness was supported by the trial court’s own
observations, the testimony of the bailiff and the detective, and the fact that the challenged
conduct spanned several days. Id. at 230.
i. Additional Investigation Was Not Required under These Circumstances
Further investigation, like an evidentiary hearing, was not required under the
circumstances because the judge gave the parties notice of its concerns with juror 4, an
opportunity to observe the juror over two days, and the court and the attorneys corroborated the
underlying observations and concerns.
In the context of a pre-deliberation challenge to a juror for inattention, we have
previously held that there was no “mandatory format” the trial court had to engage in to establish
sufficient evidence of inattention. Jorden, 103 Wn. App. at 229. There is no comparable
authority for the pre-deliberation challenge to a juror for implicit racial bias. While Berhe—
pertaining to a challenge to a juror for implicit racial bias raised postverdict—is instructive, it is
not controlling as the challenge in that case was raised postverdict. Berhe involves facts that
could not be observed by the trial court as the challenged conduct occurred during the
deliberations, so the court had to consider affidavits as the basis for determining whether a prima
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facie showing of racial bias influencing the verdict had been made. 193 Wn.2d at 654. If the
prima facie showing was made, the court would then have to hold an evidentiary hearing. Id.Here, the judge and all the interested parties directly observed the conduct by juror 4 over
two days. Two attorneys corroborated the court’s observations and concerns. The defense
attorney, while ultimately objecting to the court’s decision not to inquire further of juror 4, for
the most part, did not disagree with the observations about juror 4, and defense counsel
acknowledged that he was “not as attuned to those problems.” 1 RP at 122. Additional concerns
or questions, if any, could be made known to the judge and by the three attorney observers
during the observation period.3 Even if the trial court held a hearing to investigate the allegation
and required juror 4 to testify, such testimony would likely be unhelpful due to the unconscious
nature of implicit racial bias. 193 Wn.2d at 657. So, the juror’s own insight into whether their
bias affected their behavior is likely not going to be instructive in this situation. Further, these
types of questions would potentially bias the juror against one side or the other.
We hold that further investigation, like an evidentiary hearing, was not required under the
circumstances because the judge gave the parties notice of its concerns with juror 4, an
opportunity to observe the juror over two days, and the court and the attorneys corroborated the
observations and concerns—as explored more below.
3
“Upon admission to practice, an attorney takes an oath to abide by the laws of the State of
Washington and in their professional conduct employ those means consistent with truth and
honor.” In re Disciplinary Proc. Against Cramer, 168 Wn.2d 220, 232, 225 P.3d 881 (2010).
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ii. There Was Sufficient Evidence of Inattentiveness and Implicit Bias
The next question before us is whether the record establishes that juror 4 was unfit under
RCW 2.36.110. There are two bases upon which the trial court appeared to rely on to find the
juror unfit—implicit racial bias and inattention.
We first address implicit racial bias. While implicit racial bias is not an explicit category
under RCW 2.36.110, the judge has the obligation “to excuse from further jury service any juror,
who in the opinion of the judge, has manifested unfitness as a juror . . . by reason of conduct or
practices incompatible with proper and efficient jury service.” Implicit racial bias is
incompatible with proper and efficient jury service.
The trial court found—after the first day of trial—that juror 4’s “body language was
much more attentive to Mr. Purtzer as opposed to myself, Ms. Shen or the witness, and we are all
minority women.” 1 RP at 69. The following day, the court again found that juror 4 was paying
less attention to the racial minorities—nurse Bakari, counsel Shen, and the judge. The trial court
contrasted juror 4’s habit of shifting her focus away from minority speakers and her inattentive
body language towards minority speakers with the habits of other jurors. Counsel Shen and
Zhou provided corroborating observations regarding juror 4’s body language.
We defer to the trial court’s factual determinations, and here, those factual determinations
support the conclusion that juror 4 was unfit to serve on Upreti’s jury by reason of implicit racial
bias.
As to inattention, after the first day, the trial court observed juror 4 closed her eyes during
the court’s opening instruction, but she did not appear to be sleeping. The trial court further
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noted that juror 4 appeared to listen to the evidence at times, but she “turn[ed] her chair
completely away from the witness.” 1 RP at 63.
While defense counsel thought juror 4 was paying attention as she was taking notes, the
State observed that juror 4 closed her eyes during “a lot of my opening statement,” some of
defense counsel’s opening statement, generally remained still, and appeared to be “nodding off.”
1 RP at 64-65. The next day, the State observed that juror 4 appeared to rest her head on her
hand with her eyes closed at points during the morning proceedings. The State thought juror 4
was napping, but also noted that the juror was attentive at times to Detective Mullen.
While the trial court was not concerned that juror 4 was sleeping, the trial court observed
that juror 4 shifted her focus away from certain witnesses, failed to make eye contact, and closed
her eyes when the trial court judge was speaking. The trial court concluded “at a minimum juror
number four is not paying attention to the evidence.” 1 RP at 125.
Under the circumstances, the record also establishes that juror 4 was unfit by reason of
inattention under RCW 2.36.110. In sum, when making determinations regarding juror fitness, it
is the judge who has the obligation “to excuse from further jury service any juror, who in the
opinion of the judge, has manifested unfitness as a juror by reason of bias, prejudice,
indifference, inattention or any physical or mental defect or by reason of conduct or practices
incompatible with proper and efficient jury service.” RCW 2.36.110 (emphasis added). The
judge is in the best position to observe the jurors, and they have wide discretion under RCW
2.36.110. Here, the record supports that juror 4 was unfit to serve on this trial and the court did
not abuse its discretion by excusing the juror without an evidentiary hearing or further
investigation given the circumstances.
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II. SUFFICIENCY OF THE EVIDENCE
Upreti argues that there is insufficient evidence to support the third degree rape
conviction because it was “based on nothing more than Ms. [LB]’s . . . statements.” Br. of
Appellant at 24. We disagree.
We review whether there is sufficient evidence to support a conviction de novo. State v.
Rich, 184 Wn.2d 897, 903, 365 P.3d 746 (2016). If the evidence viewed in the light most
favorable to the State allows any rational trier of fact to find the defendant guilty beyond a
reasonable doubt, sufficient evidence supports that conviction. State v. Mares, 190 Wn. App.
343, 355-56, 361 P.3d 158 (2015). “On appeal, we draw all reasonable inferences from the
evidence in favor of the State and interpret them most strongly against the defendant.” Id. at
356. We defer to the jury regarding issues of conflicting testimony. Id.
Third degree rape occurs where a “person engages in sexual intercourse with another
person: (a) Where the victim did not consent as defined in *RCW 9A.44.010(7), to sexual
intercourse with the perpetrator.” RCW 9A.44.060(1)(a). And “‘Consent’ means that at the time
of the act of sexual intercourse or sexual contact there are actual words or conduct indicating
freely given agreement to have sexual intercourse or sexual contact.” Former RCW
9A.44.010(7) (2007). And “sexual intercourse” means,
(a) has its ordinary meaning and occurs upon any penetration, however
slight, and
(b) Also means any penetration of the vagina or anus however slight, by an
object, when committed on one person by another, whether such persons are of the
same or opposite sex, except when such penetration is accomplished for medically
recognized treatment or diagnostic purposes, and
(c) Also means any act of sexual contact between persons involving the sex
organs of one person and the mouth or anus of another whether such persons are of
the same or opposite sex.
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Former RCW 9A.44.010(1) (2007). “‘Sexual contact’ means any touching of the sexual or other
intimate parts of a person done for the purpose of gratifying sexual desire of either party or a
third party.” Former RCW 9A.44.010(2) (2007).
Viewing the evidence in the light most favorable to the State, there is clearly sufficient
evidence to support Upreti’s third degree rape conviction. LB repeatedly told Upreti to stop and
get protection before intercourse. LB repeatedly moved her hips to avoid vaginal penetration
and used her hands to prevent Upreti from vaginally penetrating her. These words and the
aforementioned conduct demonstrate that LB no longer consented to have sexual intercourse.
LB consistently testified to this end. And Upreti vaginally penetrated her anyway. LB relayed
these events to a nurse and a detective.
Additionally, Upreti later performed oral sex and anally penetrated LB with his finger
without consent, and each of those acts constitute sexual intercourse under former RCW
9A.44.010(2). Thus, those two acts independently meet the basis for the third degree rape
conviction. There was more than enough evidence from which the jury could find LB did not
consent to any further sexual intercourse as clearly expressed by her words and conduct.
Upreti argues there is insufficient evidence because the conviction is based on LB’s
unsupported assertions about the rape and because LB’s testimony is diametrically opposed to
Upreti’s. But LB’s testimony does not have to be corroborated. See RCW 9A.44.020(1).
LB and Upreti are the only direct witnesses. While we recognize their testimony is diametrically
opposed, we defer to the jury who found LB more credible. Mares, 190 Wn. App. at 356.
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Upreti also seems to argue that the jury could not have found that Upreti engaged in
unlawful conduct because LB’s actions afterward may have been inconsistent with having been
raped. But the question before the jury was whether the sex was consensual. The State
presented abundant direct testimony from LB that after the first consensual act, the remaining
sexual encounter was not consensual. The rationality of LB’s actions after the fact does not
make the evidence constitutionally insufficient. We hold that sufficient evidence supports the
third degree rape conviction.
CONCLUSION
We affirm.
A majority of the panel having determined that this opinion will not be printed in the
Washington Appellate Reports, but will be filed for public record in accordance with RCW
2.06.040, it is so ordered.
Che, J.
We concur:
Maxa, J.
Veljacic, A.C.J.
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