DocketNumber: No. 62831-9
Citation Numbers: 129 Wash. 2d 257
Judges: Madsen, Smith
Filed Date: 5/16/1996
Status: Precedential
Modified Date: 10/19/2024
— The State of Washington petitions for
QUESTIONS PRESENTED
The questions presented in this case are: (1) whether the mere presence of a firearm on the person of a uniformed and armed police officer while committing rape against a prisoner in custody, without additional evidence of a threat to use the firearm, is sufficient to satisfy the "[u]ses or threatens to use a deadly weapon” element of first degree rape under RCW 9A.44.040(1)(a); and (2) whether the respondent is entitled to attorney fees under RAP 18.1(j) for answering the State’s petition for review, where the petition was granted, and where respondent had not been awarded attorney fees by the Court of Appeals.
STATEMENT OF FACTS
At approximately 2:00 a.m. in the dark and early morning of June 11, 1991, Colville Confederated Tribes Police Officer Fred D. Bright (Respondent) arrested Ms. L.
During the trip from Nespelem to Okanogan, Respondent and Ms. L. started a conversation. After a while, Respondent stopped the automobile and asked Ms. L. if she wanted to move from the back seat to the front seat.
Based upon a complaint made by Ms. L. that Respondent had sexually violated her during the trip, Respondent was charged on June 12, 1991 by information filed in the Okanogan County Superior Court with two counts of rape in the first degree for engaging in sexual intercourse by forcible compulsion and threatening to use a deadly weapon, a "pistol.”
On November 15, 1991, the prosecutor amended the information again, dropping the special deadly weapon al
COUNT NO. I
RAPE IN THE FIRST DEGREE
That on or about the 11th day of JUNE, 1991, in the County of Okanogan, State of Washington, then and there being said defendant did engage in oral sexual intercourse by forcible compulsion with . . . [Ms. L.], where said perpetrator used or threatened to use a deadly weapon, or what appeared to be a deadly weapon to-wit: a Glock 9mm handgun or a 7.62 caliber semi automatic rifle
All contrary to the form of the Statute 9A.44.040(1), the maximum penalty for which is life in a State penal institution and a fine of fifty thousand dollars, in such cases made and provided and against the peace and dignity of the State of Washington.
COUNT NO. II
RAPE IN THE FIRST DEGREE
That on or about the 11th day of JUNE, 1991, in the County of Okanogan, State of Washington, then and there being said Defendant did engage in sexual intercourse by forcible compulsion with . . . [Ms. L.], where said perpetrator used or threatened to use a deadly weapon, or what appeared to be a deadly weapon to-wit: a Glock 9mm handgun or a 7.62 caliber semi automatic rifle
All contrary to the form of Statute 9A.44.040(1), the maximum penalty for which is life in a State penal institution and a fine of fifty thousand dollars, in such cases made and provided and against the peace and dignity of the State of Washington.11
The case was retried on November 18, 1991 before a
What actually happened after Ms. L. moved to the front seat of the patrol car was disputed at trial. Ms. L. testified that shortly after moving to the front seat, Respondent began to fondle her breasts with one hand, while driving with the other.
According to Ms. L., at all times during the encounter Respondent was armed with the handgun he carried in a holster strapped to his waist, and his rifle was on the back seat of the patrol car. Ms. L. stated she was aware of the presence of both weapons during the encounter, but at no
Respondent Bright’s testimony about the encounter was quite different from Ms. L.’s. In the police investigation following Ms. L.’s complaint, Respondent denied that anything happened. When later confronted by investigators with incriminating physical evidence against him, he then admitted the two sex acts, but impressed it with his own version. He testified at trial and admitted both acts. But, according to him, his sexual activity with Ms. L. was consensual. Indeed, he testified it was both initiated and invited by Ms. L.,
Respondent appealed his convictions to the Court of Ap
DISCUSSION
First Degree Rape
Where there is ambiguity in the language of a statute, this court is the ultimate authority to determine its meaning and purpose.
First degree rape is codified in RCW 9A.44.040, which provides in relevant part that:
(1) A person is guilty of rape in the first degree when such person engages in sexual intercourse with another person by forcible compulsion where the perpetrator or an accessory: (a) Uses or threatens to use a deadly weapon or what appears to be a deadly weapon; or (b) Kidnaps the victim; or (c) Inflicts*266 serious physical injury; or (d) Feloniously enters into the building or vehicle where the victim is situated.29
(Emphasis added).
To convict a person of first degree rape, then, the State must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the person (1) engaged in sexual intercourse (2) by forcible compulsion and (3) under one of the four possible aggravating circumstances. Because elements one and two are not disputed in this appeal,
The State contends Respondent made an implied threat to use a deadly weapon while committing the rapes and is thus guilty of rape in the first degree. It is undisputed that Respondent did not actually use a weapon
This court has defined "threat,” as used in RCW 9A.44.040(1)(a), as "the expression of an intention to inflict
In both Hentz and Coe the court was concerned that a credible threat to use a deadly weapon made by the perpetrator of a rape could as likely render the victim unable to defend against the rape as it would if the perpetrator actually possessed a deadly weapon.
The State cites State v. Eker in support of its argument on implied threat to use a deadly weapon.
Second Degree Rape
Rape in the second degree is defined by RCW 9A.44.050 as follows:
(1) A person is guilty of rape in the second degree when, under circumstances not constituting rape in the first degree, the person engages in sexual intercourse with another person:
*269 (a) By forcible compulsion;
(2) Rape in the second degree is a class A felony.
The trial court properly instructed the jury on the lesser included offense of second degree rape. Under State v. Workman,
In this case, both parts of the Workman test are satisfied. The legal test is met because it is impossible for a defendant to violate the first degree rape statute, which requires forcible sexual intercourse as a necessary element of the offense, without also violating the second degree rape statute, which simply prohibits sexual intercourse by forcible compulsion.
There is sufficient evidence to support a jury’s finding of guilt where, viewing the evidence in the light most favorable to the State, any rational trier of fact could have found each element of the crime beyond a reasonable doubt.
The particular question here is whether Defendant impliedly threatened Ms. L. with a deadly weapon to meet the requirement that he "use[d] or threatened] to use a deadly weapon” for a conviction of first degree rape under RCW 9A.44.040(1). The Legislature has defined a "threat” for purposes of the criminal code as communicating "directly or indirectly, the intent . . . [t]o cause bodily injury in the future to the person threatened or to any other person . . . .”
This court has considered the type of conduct providing sufficient evidence of an implied threat with a deadly
[I]t is clear from the terms of RCW 9A.44.040 (1) (a) that the threat which [the defendant] made in perpetrating the rape, coupled with the circumstances surrounding that threat which lent it credibility, is the crux of his conviction for first degree rape.[60 ]
While in Coe and Hentz the court reviewed the surrounding facts for evidence of the credibility of false threats, in this case we must consider the surrounding facts for evidence of communication of the threat itself.
Respondent Bright evidenced his intent to use his handgun or rifle by his choice to remain armed with the handgun in the holster around his waist, as part of his larger plan to render Ms. L. helpless. In his version of consensual sexual activity, Respondent explained he decided to remain armed because of the difficulty of removing his gun belt.
In rejecting Defendant’s claim of consent, the jury could also reject his explanation of his choice to wear his weapon during the sex acts. Instead, the jury doubtless believed Ms. L.’s testimony that Defendant wore his guns as a threat:
*272 [The State:] . . . Now, what was your feeling about the guns? Will you share with the jury, please? While—During the sexual contact, and while you were in the patrol car, after you had been assaulted?
[Ms. L.:] Well, I knew that he could use them. I knew they were there. He had a gun on his waist. I didn’t feel safe until I was away from him, and his guns, and his car.[62 ]
There is no dispute that a police officer wears a weapon to indicate the officer’s intent to use it to assure compliance with an order. The officer need not expressly threaten the targeted person with the weapon. Both the target and the officer know the threat to use the weapon is implied and inherent in the authority of the police. Generally, we consider as benign a police officer’s implied threat to use a weapon. That implied threat remains, and even increases, when a police officer wears weapons during commission of a crime.
By his knowing decision to remain armed while he assaulted and raped Ms. L., Respondent Bright communicated to his victim his intent to use his weapon if she resisted.
Respondent Bright testified they engaged in consensual sex. Ms. L. testified he raped her. It is the role of the jury to weigh the credibility of this testimony, along with any surrounding facts and circumstances tending to support or discount the two conflicting accounts.
In a case of first degree rape under RCW 9A.44.040 (1) (a), the Legislature has called for the jury as finder of fact to decide not only whether the sexual act was nonconsen
This case personifies the stereotypical rape. Respondent testified he foolishly engaged in consensual sex with an arrested prisoner in his custody, Ms. L. Ms. L. testified he committed forcible rape, threatening her with his authority as a police officer, the evident presence of his service revolver in his holster and a rifle in the back seat of the patrol car, his greater physical size, and the remoteness of the locale where he stopped the car, ordering her to submit to his sexual demand.
The jury obviously believed Ms. L. It properly decided the sum of Defendant’s conduct demonstrated an intent to use his weapons to defeat any resistance by his victim.
Third Degree Rape
We do not agree with the Court of Appeals that the trial court erred in not instructing the jury on third degree rape. RCW 9A.44.060 declares that:
A person is guilty of rape in the third degree when, under circumstances not constituting rape in the first or second degrees, such person engages in sexual intercourse with another person, not married to the perpetrator ....
(Emphasis added).
It is clear from the evidence in this case that Petitioner committed at least rape in the second degree and that third degree rape was not an appropriate consideration for the jury.
Attorney Fees
Respondent asks for award of attorney fees for legal expenses incurred in answering the State’s petition for review. RAP 18.1(j), which authorizes this court to grant such an award of fees, provides:
If attorney fees and expenses are awarded to the party who*274 prevailed in the Court of Appeals, and if a petition for review to the Supreme Court is subsequently denied, reasonable attorney fees and expenses may be awarded for the prevailing party’s preparation and filing of the timely answer to the petition for review.[64 ]
(Emphasis added).
Respondent was not awarded attorney fees by the Court of Appeals. Nor was the State’s petition for review denied by this court. Respondent has not met the conditions required by RAP 18.2 (j).
CONCLUSION
We reverse the Court of Appeals, reinstating the conviction and sentencing of Respondent Fred D. Bright for two counts of rape in the first degree. We deny Respondent Bright’s request for attorney fees.
Durham, C.J., Dolliver, Guy, and Talmadge, JJ., and Pekelis, J. Pro Tern., concur.
qier actual name is not used in order to preserve her privacy.
Verbatim Report of Proceedings, November 19, 1991, at 1005-06.
Id. at 1006.
Verbatim Report of Proceedings, November 20, 1991, at 1305.
Id.
Id. at 1306.
Clerk’s Papers at 221-22.
Id. at 207-09.
Id.
Id. at 111-12.
Id.
Verbatim Report of Proceedings, November 20, 1991, at 1200.
Id. at 1201.
Id. at 1202-03.
Id. at 1203.
Id. at 1206.
Id.
Id. at 1207.
Id. at 1253.
Id. at 1205-06.
Id. at 1309-16.
Id. at 1308.
It is an abuse of formal courtroom protocol to address adult participants by first names only or nicknames without courtesy titles. In this case both counsel for the State and defense throughout the trial addressed or referred to the victim, a 24-year-old woman, by her first name only. In his testimony, Petitioner Bright even referred to his victim by her nickname only, an arrogant depersonalization of the defenseless prisoner, whom he did not know before arresting her, taking her into custody and subjecting her to two sex acts while transporting her to a distant jail in the dark early morning hours. Participants in all court proceedings are entitled to be addressed with courtesy titles, such as
State v. Bright, 77 Wn.App. 304, 309, 890 P.2d 487 (1995).
See State v. Elgin, 118 Wn.2d 551, 555, 825 P.2d 314 (1992).
Id.
See State v. Hentz, 99 Wn.2d 538, 539, 663 P.2d 476 (1983).
See City of Pasco v. Public Employment Relations Comm’n, 119 Wn.2d 504, 507, 833 P.2d 381 (1992).
RCW 9A.44.040.
By finding Respondent "guilty” of two counts of first degree rape, the jury necessarily concluded he twice engaged Ms. L. in sexual intercourse by forcible compulsion. See Clerk’s Paper’s at 65-67. There is sufficient proof of an element of a crime to support a jury’s verdict when, after viewing the evidence in the light most favorable to the prosecution, any rational trier of fact could have found that element beyond a reasonable doubt. State v. Bingham, 105 Wn.2d 820, 823, 719 P.2d 109 (1986). In this case, a rational jury could have found beyond a reasonable doubt that Respondent, by forcible compulsion, twice engaged Ms. L. in sexual intercourse. See generally Verbatim Report of Proceedings, November 20, 1991, at 1176-1281.
A defendant is considered to have "used” a deadly weapon for purposes of RCW 9A.44.040(l)(a) if the defendant either pointed a firearm at the victim, or actually shot at the person with the firearm. See Hentz, 99 Wn.2d at 541.
Pet. for Discretionary Review at 5.
Hentz, 99 Wn.2d at 541. See also RCW 9A.04.110(25)(a) (defining "threat” as the communication, directly or indirectly, of an intention "[t]o cause bodily injury in the future to the person threatened or to any other person”.).
Hentz, 99 Wn.2d at 541.
Id. at 540.
Id. at 541. The fifth justice concurred only on the conclusion there was some evidence the defendant had a real deadly weapon at the time of the rapes. Hentz, 99 Wn.2d at 546 (Dore, J. concurring).
State v. Coe, 109 Wn.2d 832, 844, 750 P.2d 208 (1988) (Utter and Goodloe, JJ., and Cunningham, J. Pro Tern., concurring with Dolliver, J.; four justices dissented on issues not relevant to this quote).
See Hentz, 99 Wn.2d at 544 ("This type of threat is equally terrifying and effective whether or not the perpetrator actually possesses a deadly weapon, in light of the personal nature of the crime and the inability of a victim to defend against a bullet or other deadly force.”) (Dimmick, J.) and Coe, 109 Wn.2d at 845 ("|T]he effect upon the victim is the same whether the deadly weapon is actually seen or merely described, by removing the possibility of self- defense.”) (Dolliver, J. (citing Hentz, 99 Wn.2d at 544)).
State v. Eker, 40 Wn.App. 134, 697 P.2d 273, review denied, 104 Wn.2d 1002 (1985).
Id. at 136.
Id.
Id.
Id.
Eker, 40 Wn.App. at 136.
Id.
Id. at 139.
State v. Workman, 90 Wn.2d 443, 584 P.2d 382 (1978).
Id. at 447-48.
See State v. Davis, 121 Wn.2d 1, 5-6, 846 P.2d 527 (1993).
State v. Harris, 121 Wn.2d 317, 320, 849 P.2d 1216 (1993).
See RCW 9A.44.040 and ROW 9A. 44.050; see also State v. Brown, 127 Wn.2d 749, 754, 903 P.2d 459 (1995) (first part of the Workman test satisfied where defendant was charged with first degree rape, and jury was instructed on second degree rape as lesser included offense).
State v. Salinas, 119 Wn.2d 192, 201, 829 P.2d 1068 (1992).
State v. Gosby, 85 Wn.2d 758, 766, 539 P.2d 680 (1975).
State v. Delmarter, 94 Wn.2d 634, 638, 618 P.2d 99 (1980).
RCW 9A.04.110(25) (a).
See RCW 9A.04.110 (25) (a); Delmarter, 94 Wn.2d at 638.
109 Wn.2d 832, 844, 750 P.2d 208 (1988).
99 Wn.2d 538, 541, 663 P.2d 476 (1983).
See Coe, 109 Wn.2d at 844; Hentz, 99 Wn.2d at 541.
Hentz, 99 Wn.2d at 545; Coe, 109 Wn.2d at 847; see also State v. Bowman, 36 Wn. App. 798, 804 678 P.2d 1273 (credible threat to use gun sufficient where actually possessed toy gun), review denied, 101 Wn.2d 1015 (1984); State v. Ingham, 26 Wn. App. 45, 52, 612 P.2d 801 (threat of knife to silence victim sufficient despite no use or display), review denied, 94 Wn.2d 1008 (1980).
See Coe, 109 Wn.2d at 844; Hentz, 99 Wn.2d at 541.
8 Verbatim Report of Proceedings at 1281 (Nov. 20, 1991).
See Ingham, 26 Wn. App at 52 (holding express threat with undisplayed knife to gain victim’s silence implied threat of bodily injury to commit rape).
RAP 18.1(j).
See Metzner v. Wojdyla, 125 Wn.2d 445, 452, 886 P.2d 154 (1994) (denying request for attorney fees under RAP 18.1(j) where requesting party had not been awarded attorney fees by Court of Appeals).
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