State Of Washington v. Tyrone Vashon Van Buren

Filed
Washington State
Court of Appeals
Division Two
February 27, 2018
IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON
DIVISION II
STATE OF WASHINGTON, No. 49866-9-II
Respondent, UNPUBLISHED OPINION
v.
TYRONE VASHON VAN BUREN,
Appellant.
BJORGEN, C.J. — Tyrone Vashon Van Buren appeals his convictions of bail jumping.1
First, Van Buren argues that the State failed to prove he committed the crime of bail jumping as
contemplated by RCW 9A.76.170(1). Second, Van Buren argues that he was denied his
constitutional right to present a defense when the superior court denied a jury instruction on
uncontrollable circumstances and granted the State’s motion in limine. Finally, Van Buren
argues ineffective assistance based on his counsel’s failure to raise the common law defense of
necessity.
1
Although Van Buren “requests this [c]ourt [to] reverse his convictions,” his brief only provides
argument regarding his conviction for the bail jumping that occurred on October 5, 2016. Br. of
Appellant at 28-29. RAP 10.3(a)(6) requires parties to provide “argument in support of the
issues presented for review, together with citations to legal authority and references to relevant
parts of the record.” See Cowiche Canyon Conservancy v. Bosley, 118 Wash. 2d 801, 809, 828
P.2d 549 (1992). Cursory treatment of an issue or lack of reasoned argument is insufficient to
merit judicial consideration. State v. Mason, 170 Wash. App. 375, 384, 285 P.3d 154 (2012).
Accordingly, we do not address his conviction for bail jumping that occurred on July 7, 2016.
No. 49866-9-II
We affirm.
FACTS
The State charged Van Buren by information with attempting to elude a pursuing police
vehicle under RCW 46.61.024. On July 7, 2016, Van Buren failed to appear at a hearing on the
charge, and the State subsequently filed its first amended information adding one count of bail
jumping under RCW 9A.76.170.
On October 3, 2016, the superior court heard pretrial motions. The State filed a motion
in limine that requested the following, among other matters:
No reference to the fact that the Court quashed the bench warrant, or references to
the times or number of times the Defendant did appear after 7/12/16. These facts
are not relevant to whether or not the Defendant bail jumped on 7/7/16 and the jury
could draw inferences from the fact that the Court quashed the warrant which are
improper.
Clerk’s Papers (CP) at 20. The superior court granted each of the State’s motions in limine. The
superior court also directed Van Buren to appear for trial the following morning and cautioned a
bench warrant would be issued if he failed to appear.
On October 4, the superior court noted that all parties were present. It then commenced
voir dire and the jury was sworn and impaneled. The superior court admonished and excused the
jury until the following day at 9:00 a.m. Prior to recess, the following exchange occurred:
The Court: Anything from either side before we break for the day?
Mr. Kibbe: Not from the Defense.
Ms. Goodell: Opening at nine o’clock?
The Court: Yes.
The Defendant: So be here at nine o’clock?
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Mr. Kibbe: Yes.
The Court: So yes, you need to be back here -- Mr. Van Buren, make sure
you coordinate with your attorney, but I expect we will get started in court at nine
o’clock here.
The Defendant: Okay.
Suppl. CP at 111, Ex. 23. The clerk’s minutes recite that “[c]ourt is at recess until tomorrow at
9:00 am.” Suppl. CP at 106, Ex. 22.
On October 5, the clerk’s minutes recite that at 9:09 a.m. court was in session, but noted
that Van Buren was not present at that time. At 9:14 a.m., defense counsel entered the
courtroom and notified the court he could not locate the defendant and requested a brief recess to
which the State agreed. At 9:16 a.m., the court took a brief recess. At 9:26 a.m., court resumed.
At that time, defense counsel reviewed his efforts to contact the defendant with the court. The
State then requested a bench warrant be issued; the State also requested the jury be brought in
and dismissed. Defense counsel requested to look for Van Buren in the hallway, which the court
allowed. At 9:32 a.m., the court asked if Van Buren was present. Because Van Buren was not
present, the court directed the bailiff to retrieve the jury. At 9:35 a.m., the court reviewed Van
Buren’s failure to appear with the jury and dismissed the jury. At 9:38 a.m., Van Buren entered
the courtroom, and the superior court notified him a bench warrant had been issued.
The second trial commenced on November 28, 2016; but was recessed, due to the lack of
jurors, until December 12. On December 12, the State filed its third amended felony complaint.
The complaint charged Van Buren with one count of attempting to elude a pursuing police
vehicle and two counts of bail jumping. Count II was for the bail jumping incident on July 7,
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and count III was for the bail jumping incident on October 5. The State also filed a supplemental
motion in limine “to extend the Court’s prior ruling and prohibit any testimony or argument
regarding what happened after the failure to appear, releasing of the jury, and issuance of a bench
warrant on October 5th.” CP at 38. The supplemental motion argued as follows:
Information regarding the Defendant’s eventual arrival is not relevant to any
element or defense, with the exception of the affirmative defense of uncontrollable
circumstances. While the State recognizes that a criminal defendant has the right
to present a defense, it is also true that he has no constitutional right to have
irrelevant evidence admitted in his defense. Therefore, the State would ask the
Court [to] prohibit such evidence until an offer of proof establishing a prima facie
showing that the affirmative defense will be offered is made.
CP at 38-39.
Defense counsel requested that the superior court deny the State’s supplemental motion
in limine. Counsel argued that RCW 9A.76.170(2) entitled Van Buren to the affirmative defense
of uncontrollable circumstances. He also argued the superior court should instruct the jury
according to 11 Washington Practice: Pattern Jury Instructions: Criminal 19.17 (4th ed. 2016)
(WPIC), which outlines the elements of that statutory defense. As an offer of proof, defense
counsel argued that Van Buren did not have the ability to drive because he had a suspended
license and that Van Buren’s initial ride “fell through.” Verbatim Report of Proceedings (VRP)
at 12. Nevertheless, Van Buren “did get someone else . . . to take him [to court].” Id. at 12-13.
The State argued that counsel failed to make a prima facie showing of an uncontrollable
circumstance.
The superior court agreed with the State and reasoned as follows:
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No. 49866-9-II
I am reviewing the WPIC 19.17, the defense, and it’s conceded by the
defense in the first paragraph that acts of nature, such as flood, earthquake or fire
or medical condition requiring hospitalization doesn’t apply; or the sentence he is
looking at is . . . an act of man, such as an automobile accident or threats of death,
sexual attack or substantial bodily injury.
The Court is not convinced that transportation equates to any serious
defense or serious circumstances outlined in the WPIC.
Id. at 14-15. The superior court orally granted the State’s motion in limine. The superior court
also entered a written order that stated, in relevant part, as follows:
Ordered, Adjudged, and Decreed that no witness shall testify and no
argument shall [b]e made with regard to any bench warrants being quashed. It is
further
Ordered, Adjudged, and Decreed that no witness shall testify and no
argument shall be made with regard to transportation issues that prevented the
Defendant from being present in court at 9:00 a.m. on October 5th, 2016 or July
7th, 2016. It is further
Ordered, Adjudged, and Decreed that no witness shall testify and no
argument shall be made with regard to what time the defendant next appeared in
court after the bench warrants were issued on July 7th, 2016 and October 5th,
2016.
CP at 55.
On December 12, 2016, the jury in Van Buren’s second trial was sworn in and
impaneled. Gloria Bell, a Kitsap County court reporter, testified that on October 4, Van Buren
was present in court and the court advised him that trial would commence the following day at
9:00 a.m. She also testified that on October 5, Van Buren did not appear in court at 9:00 a.m.
The jury found Van Buren not guilty of the crime of attempting to elude a pursuing police
vehicle charged in count I, but found Van Buren guilty of the crime of bail jumping as charged in
counts II and III. The superior court sentenced Van Buren to five months’ total confinement on
both counts.
Van Buren appeals.
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ANALYSIS
I. BAIL JUMPING
Van Buren contends that the State failed to present sufficient evidence to support his
October 5, 2016 bail jumping conviction. Van Buren argues that because “[t]he bail jumping
statute does not specify at which point in time a person’s lack of presence constitutes a ‘failure to
appear as required,’” the statute is ambiguous. Br. of Appellant at 8. Van Buren then asks us to
interpret the statute and to conclude that under it his tardiness on October 5 did not constitute
bail jumping. Consequently, Van Buren would have us conclude that the evidence was
insufficient to show bail jumping on that date.
We decline to delve into any statutory interpretation and construction of RCW
9A.76.170(1) because the meaning of the legislative text is plain. Under that plain text, we hold
the evidence was sufficient for the jury to find Van Buren guilty of bail jumping.
A. Statutory Ambiguity
RCW 9A.76.170(1) provides in relevant part that
[a]ny person having been released by court order or admitted to bail with
knowledge of the requirement of a subsequent personal appearance before any court
of this state, . . . and who fails to appear . . . as required is guilty of bail jumping.
Van Buren argues that because “the bail jumping statute does not specify at which point in time a
person’s lack of presence constitutes a ‘failure to appear as required,’” the statute is ambiguous.
Br. of Appellant at 8. We disagree.
We review questions of statutory interpretation de novo. State v. Mandanas, 168 Wash. 2d
84, 87, 228 P.3d 13 (2010). The purpose of statutory interpretation is to give effect to the
legislature’s intent. In re Pers. Restraint of Cruze, 169 Wash. 2d 422, 427, 237 P.3d 274 (2010).
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No. 49866-9-II
Where the meaning of a statute is plain, the legislative intent is derived from the text. State v.
Engel, 166 Wash. 2d 572, 578, 210 P.3d 1007 (2009). Plain meaning is derived from the ordinary
meaning of the words used, the context of the statute, related provisions, and the statutory
scheme as a whole. Engel, 166 Wash. 2d at 578. We avoid a reading that produces absurd results
because the legislature is presumed not to intend them. Engel, 166 Wash. 2d at 579.
“If a statute is susceptible to more than one reasonable interpretation, it is ambiguous and,
absent legislative intent to the contrary, the rule of lenity requires us to interpret the statute in
favor of the defendant.” State v. Coucil, 170 Wash. 2d 704, 706-07, 245 P.3d 222 (2010). Our first
inquiry, therefore, is whether the statute is ambiguous.
The “fails to appear . . . as required” language contained in RCW 9A.76.170(1) is plain
and unambiguous.2 The statute applies when a defendant has been released and knows that he is
required to make “a subsequent personal appearance before any court of this state.” RCW
9A.76.170(1). A defendant commits the crime of bail jumping if he “fails to appear . . . as
required.” RCW 9A.76.170(1). The requirement to “appear . . . as required” plainly refers to the
preceding clause, which requires that the defendant know that he is required to make a personal
appearance before a court.
The legislature’s intent is plain: RCW 9A.76.170(1) bound Van Buren to appear at the
time and date the superior court required. Having concluded that the bail jumping statute is
unambiguous, we now turn to whether the evidence was sufficient for the jury to convict Van
Buren of bail jumping.
2
In State v. Charles, noted at 162 Wash. App. 1071 at *4 (2011) (unpublished), we likewise held
“[t]he bail jumping statute is not ambiguous.”
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B. Sufficiency of the Evidence
Evidence is sufficient to support a guilty verdict if any rational trier of fact, viewing the
evidence in the light most favorable to the State, could find the elements of the charged crime
beyond a reasonable doubt. State v. Longshore, 141 Wash. 2d 414, 420-21, 5 P.3d 1256 (2000).
We interpret all reasonable inferences in the State’s favor. State v. Hosier, 157 Wash. 2d 1, 8, 133
P.3d 936 (2006). Direct and circumstantial evidence carry the same weight. State v. Varga, 151
Wash. 2d 179, 201, 86 P.3d 139 (2004). Credibility determinations are for the trier of fact and are
not subject to review. State v. Camarillo, 115 Wash. 2d 60, 71, 794 P.2d 850 (1990).
“The elements of bail jumping are satisfied if the defendant (1) was held for, charged
with, or convicted of a particular crime; (2) had knowledge of the requirement of a subsequent
personal appearance; and (3) failed to appear as required.” State v. Downing, 122 Wash. App. 185,
192, 93 P.3d 900 (2004). Moreover, “the knowledge requirement is met when the State proves
that the defendant has been given notice of the required court dates.” State v. Fredrick, 123 Wn.
App. 347, 353, 97 P.3d 47 (2004).
On October 4, 2016, the following colloquy occurred between Van Buren and the
superior court:
The Defendant: So be here at nine o’clock?
Mr. Kibbe: Yes.
The Court: So yes, you need to be back here -- Mr. Van Buren, make sure
you coordinate with your attorney, but I expect we will get started in court at nine
o’clock here.
The Defendant: Okay.
Suppl. CP at 111, Ex. 23.
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The superior court required Van Buren to appear at 9:00 a.m. on October 5. Given Van
Buren’s colloquy with the court on October 4, the record clearly shows that Van Buren knew that
the court required him to appear for trial at 9:00 a.m. on October 5. Van Buren did not appear
until 9:38 a.m. on October 5. Gloria Bell, a Kitsap County court reporter, testified that on
October 4, Van Buren was present in court and the court advised him that trial would commence
the following day at 9:00 a.m. She also testified that on October 5, Van Buren did not appear in
court at 9:00 a.m. Viewing the evidence in the light most favorable to the State, the evidence
established that Van Buren received notice of (and knew of) the required court appearance at
9:00 a.m. on October 5 and that he failed to appear. We hold that the evidence was sufficient to
sustain Van Buren’s conviction for bail jumping.
II. RIGHT TO PRESENT A DEFENSE
Van Buren next argues that the superior court violated his constitutional right to present a
defense by denying a jury instruction on the uncontrollable circumstances affirmative defense
and granting the State’s motion in limine. He also argues that the State’s motion in limine
prevented him from presenting the defense of necessity. The State argues that Van Buren did not
make a prima facie showing of uncontrollable circumstances and, thus, the superior court
properly granted its motion in limine. It similarly argues Van Buren did not make a prima facie
showing of necessity.
We agree with the State that Van Buren failed to make the necessary showing and, thus,
was not entitled to an instruction on the uncontrollable circumstances affirmative defense. We
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also hold that the superior court did not err when it granted the State’s motion in limine. Finally,
we hold that the record does not support Van Buren’s claim of necessity.
A. Legal Principles
RCW 9A.76.170(2) states:
It is an affirmative defense to a prosecution under this section that uncontrollable
circumstances prevented the person from appearing or surrendering, and that the
person did not contribute to the creation of such circumstances in reckless disregard
of the requirement to appear or surrender, and that the person appeared or
surrendered as soon as such circumstances ceased to exist.
RCW 9A.76.010(4) defines “uncontrollable circumstances” as follows:
“Uncontrollable circumstances” means an act of nature such as a flood, earthquake,
or fire, or a medical condition that requires immediate hospitalization or treatment,
or an act of a human being such as an automobile accident or threats of death,
forcible sexual attack, or substantial bodily injury in the immediate future for which
there is no time for a complaint to the authorities and no time or opportunity to
resort to the courts.
A defendant is entitled to have the jury instructed on his theory of the case if evidence
supports that theory. State v. O’Brien, 164 Wash. App. 924, 931, 267 P.3d 422 (2011). However,
a defendant must establish each element of an affirmative defense by a preponderance of the
evidence. Id. Accordingly, the superior court may decline to instruct the jury on an affirmative
defense if a defendant has failed to make the necessary prima facie showing. See id.
We review a claim under the Sixth Amendment involving the right to present a defense
or to confront witnesses through a three-step test. First, the evidence that a defendant desires to
introduce “‘must be of at least minimal relevance.’” State v. Jones, 168 Wash. 2d 713, 720, 230
P.3d 576 (2010) (quoting State v. Darden, 145 Wash. 2d 612, 622, 41 P.3d 1189 (2002)). Second,
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No. 49866-9-II
if the defendant establishes the minimal relevance of the evidence sought to be presented, the
burden shifts to the State “‘to show the evidence is so prejudicial as to disrupt the fairness of the
fact-finding process at trial.’” Jones, 168 Wash. 2d at 720 (quoting Darden, 145 Wash. 2d at 622).
Third, the State’s interest in excluding prejudicial evidence must be balanced against the
defendant’s need for the information sought, and relevant information can be withheld only if the
State’s interest outweighs the defendant’s need. Id.
We review de novo a defendant’s claim that his Sixth Amendment right to present a
defense was violated. Jones, 168 Wash. 2d at 719. On the other hand, we generally review a
superior court’s evidentiary rulings for an abuse of discretion. State v. Strizheus, 163 Wash. App.
820, 829, 262 P.3d 100 (2011); see also State v. Lee, 188 Wash. 2d 473, 488-89, 396 P.3d 316
(2017); Darden, 145 Wash. 2d at 619. A superior court abuses its discretion when its decision is
manifestly unreasonable or exercised on untenable grounds or for untenable reasons. State v.
Lord, 161 Wash. 2d 276, 283-84, 165 P.3d 1251 (2007). Such is the case when the superior court
relies on unsupported facts, takes a view that no reasonable person would take, applies an
incorrect legal standard, or bases its ruling on an erroneous legal view. Id. at 284.
We need not attempt to sort out how these two standards of review are applied where the
defendant alleges a violation of the right to present a defense based on the exclusion of evidence
in these circumstances. For the following reasons, the superior court did not err under either
standard of review.
B. Denial of the Instruction on Uncontrollable Circumstances Did Not Deprive Van Buren
of the Right to Present a Defense
During pretrial motions, defense counsel argued that RCW 9A.76.170(2) entitled Van
Buren to the affirmative defense of uncontrollable circumstances. He also argued the superior
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No. 49866-9-II
court should instruct the jury according to WPIC 19.17, which outlines the elements of that
statutory defense. As an offer of proof, defense counsel argued that Van Buren did not have the
ability to drive because he had a suspended license and that Van Buren’s initial ride “fell
through.” VRP (Dec. 12, 2016) at 12. The superior court was “not convinced that transportation
equates to any serious defense or serious circumstances outlined in the WPIC.” Id. at 15. We
agree.
Van Buren argues that his ride falling through was “an act of a human being” that
amounts to an uncontrollable circumstance. However, RCW 9A.76.170(2) and RCW
9A.76.010(4) contemplate only more serious circumstances beyond one’s control: for example,
an automobile accident or threats of death, forcible sexual attack, or substantial bodily injury.
Without this sort of circumstance, the method or mode of transportation (or lack thereof) to court
does not amount to an uncontrollable circumstance as contemplated by the statute. Further, the
record does not show that alternative modes of transportation were unavailable to Van Buren or
that he was unable to use those that were available.
Accordingly, because Van Buren failed to make a prima facie showing of uncontrollable
circumstances, the superior court did not err when it denied instruction on the same. Under
either standard of review, denial of the instruction did not deprive Van Buren of the right to
present a defense under Jones, 168 Wash. 2d at 720.
C. The Superior Court Did Not Deprive Van Buren of the Right to Present a Defense When
It Granted the State’s Motion in Limine
Van Buren argues that the superior court violated his constitutional right to present a
defense by granting the State’s motion in limine. As noted, that order barred evidence of
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No. 49866-9-II
“transportation issues” that prevented Van Buren from being present in court and evidence of his
appearances after issuance of the bench warrants. CP at 55.
Van Buren failed to make a prima facie showing of uncontrollable circumstances, and the
circumstances surrounding his failure to appear as required constituted inadmissible evidence.
The excluded evidence was not at least minimally relevant, and, under either standard of review,
its exclusion did not deprive Van Buren of the right to present a defense under Jones, 168 Wash. 2d
at 720.
D. Van Buren Not Entitled to Necessity Defense
Van Buren argues he was entitled to the common law defense of necessity because he
believed he had to be late to avoid the greater harm of driving with a suspended license. He
claims the superior court’s order in limine effectively deprived him of the ability to present this
defense. For the following reasons, we hold that Van Buren was not entitled to present a
necessity defense.
“Necessity” is a common law defense with limited application. State v. White, 137 Wn.
App. 227, 230-31, 152 P.3d 364 (2007); see also State v. Jeffrey, 77 Wash. App. 222, 224-25, 889
P.2d 956 (1995); State v. Diana, 24 Wash. App. 908, 913-14, 604 P.2d 1312 (1979). “Generally,
necessity is available as a defense when the physical forces of nature or the pressure of
circumstances cause the accused to take unlawful action to avoid a harm which social policy
deems greater than the harm resulting from a violation of the law.” Diana, 24 Wash. App. at 913.
Accordingly, the defense is available “‘when circumstances cause the [defendant] to take
unlawful action in order to avoid a greater injury.’” White, 137 Wash. App. at 231 (alteration in
original) (quoting Jeffrey, 77 Wash. App. at 224). The defendant must not have caused the
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No. 49866-9-II
threatened harm, and there must be no reasonable legal alternative to breaking the law. White,
137 Wash. App. at 231. The defendant must prove the defense by a preponderance of the
evidence. White, 137 Wash. App. at 231.
On the record, Van Buren could not make a prima facie showing of necessity. There is
no evidence that the physical forces of nature caused him to choose between taking unlawful
action (i.e., failing to appear as required) in order to avoid a greater injury (i.e., driving on a
suspended license). The pressure of the circumstances likewise did not cause Van Buren to take
unlawful action to avoid some greater harm. As discussed above, the record does not show that
alternative modes of transportation were unavailable to Van Buren or that he could not use the
alternatives that were available. Accordingly, his argument fails because there were reasonable
legal alternatives to breaking the law. See White, 137 Wash. App. at 231. The evidence that Van
Buren sought to introduce was not at least minimally relevant under Jones, 168 Wash. 2d at 720.
Therefore, the superior court did not effectively deny Van Buren his right to present a defense
when it granted the State’s motion in limine.
III. INEFFECTIVE ASSISTANCE OF COUNSEL
Van Buren argues that he was denied effective assistance of counsel because counsel
only raised the affirmative defense of uncontrollable circumstances, but failed to raise the
common law defense of necessity. We disagree.
We review claims of ineffective assistance of counsel de novo. State v. Sutherby, 165
Wash. 2d 870, 883, 204 P.3d 916 (2009). To demonstrate ineffective assistance of counsel, Van
Buren must satisfy the two-pronged test laid out in Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. 668, 687,
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No. 49866-9-II
104 S. Ct. 2052, 80 L. Ed. 2d 674 (1984). If Van Buren fails to establish either prong of the test,
we need not inquire further. State v. Foster, 140 Wash. App. 266, 273, 166 P.3d 726 (2007).
Under the first prong, Van Buren must show that counsel’s performance fell below an
objective standard of reasonableness. State v. McFarland, 127 Wash. 2d 322, 334, 899 P.2d 1251
(1995). To demonstrate deficient performance, the record must show no legitimate strategic or
tactical rationale for the trial attorney’s decisions. McFarland, 127 Wash. 2d at 336. Second, Van
Buren must show prejudice. Id. at 335. Prejudice exists if there is a reasonable probability that,
but for counsel’s errors, the result of the proceeding would have differed. State v. Grier, 171
Wash. 2d 17, 34, 246 P.3d 1260 (2011).
We must be “highly deferential” in evaluating a challenged attorney’s performance.
Strickland, 466 U.S. at 689. We strongly presume that the attorney performed reasonably. State
v. Brett, 126 Wash. 2d 136, 198, 892 P.2d 29 (1995).
In White, 137 Wash. App. at 231, the court stated that the statutory defense of
uncontrollable circumstances “appears to displace the need to give a general necessity defense
instruction.” Similarly, the comment to WPIC 19.17, which involves the affirmative defense of
uncontrollable circumstances, notes that the statutory defense of uncontrollable circumstances
“most likely supplants the common law defense of necessity.” On the other hand, State v. Kurtz,
178 Wash. 2d 466, 309 P.3d 472 (2013), held that medical necessity remained an available defense
to a marijuana prosecution.
Whether or not the defense of necessity remains available, counsel’s failure to raise it did
not constitute ineffective assistance. As shown above, on the record before us Van Buren was
not entitled to raise the defense of necessity. His counsel was not deficient for failing to raise a
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defense that Van Buren legally could not raise. Because Van Buren fails to establish deficiency,
he cannot succeed on his claim of ineffective assistance.
CONCLUSION
We affirm the superior court.
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.
Bjorgen, C.J.
We concur:
Johanson, J.
Sutton, J.
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