State of Washington v. Tyler Lee Jamison

FILED
MAY 20, 2014
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. 31175-9-111
Respondent, )
)
v. )
)
TYLER L. JAMISON, ) UNPUBLISHED OPINION
)
Appellant. )
FEARING, A.CJ. - Tyler Jamison choked, smothered, squeezed, and bounced his
infant daughter, SJ., on multiple occasions, in an attempt to stop the baby's crying.
Jamison fractured his daughter's ribs, bruised much of her body, and caused her severe
brain damage. As a result of the horrific acts, S.J. is now blind. A feeding tube sustains
her. She is "nonresponsive."
In a case that engenders many tears, ajury found Tyler Jamison guilty on two
counts of first degree assault ofa child for assaulting S.J. on or about AprilS, 2010 in
violation ofRCW 9A.36.120(1)(b)(i) and RCW 9A.36.l20(1)(b)(ii). On appeal, Jamison
argues these two convictions stem from the same criminal conduct, violating his right to
be free of double jeopardy. In the alternative, Jamison argues that his two convictions
arose from the same criminal conduct for purposes of sentencing under RCW 9.94A.589
and must run concurrently. We reject both of his arguments, affirm both convictions, and
No. 31175-9-111
State v. Jamison
affirm the sentences.
FACTS
Kelsey Goble and Tyler Jamison are the parents ofS.1. Goble lived in foster care
much of her life because her parents were in prison. Defendant Tyler Jamison and she
became friends during their sophomore year of high school, and Goble moved to
Jamison's mother's home, where the three lived together. Within a year, Goble became
unexpectedly pregnant. Goble moved into her own apartment, and Jamison followed.
Kelsey Goble gave birth to S.1. on February 8, 2010, on which date both Goble and
Jamison were 18 years old.
The beginnings of Tyler Jamison's abuse of his infant daughter is sketchy, but
began at least by mid-March 2010. Jamison later told law enforcement officers, "[T]here
were times where he would be tired from staying up all night playing video with his
friends and that he could just not figure out how to get her [S.1.] to stop crying and that's
why he started doing these things." Report of Proceedings (RP) at 906. "These things"
included pressing his fingernails on S.1.'s throat. RP at 880. He noticed that after
applying pressure for 15 seconds, S.1. turned pale. By late March, Jamison stopped using
fmgernails on S.1.' s throat because of cuts caused to the throat. Jamison switched to
smashing S.1.'s nose and covering her mouth until she turned pale.
On some occasions, Tyler Jamison squeezed S.1. ,tightly until she stopped crying.
When she would not cease crying, Jamison repeated the squeezing. Tyler Jamison
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sometimes placed SJ. on the couch, placed his hands on either side of her, and bounced
on the couch cushion. SJ. bounced off the couch cushion, her head snapped back and
forth, sometimes with her chin making contact with her chest, other times with the back
of her head striking her back or the arm of the couch. The arm ofthe couch had padding,
but was solid wood.
The frequency of the abuse ofSJ. by Tyler Jamison is unknown. Kelsey Goble
apparently first noticed physical ailments in S.J. on March 17,2010. On that date, Goble
and Tyler Jamison brought S.J. to the emergency room at Spokane's Holy Family
Hospital because SJ. had a weak cry and was spitting. Jamison told Dr. Timothy
Veenstra that SJ. seemed to be turning pale, but had not stopped breathing. Veenstra
examined SJ. and found her well nourished, well hydrated, and in generally good health.
On April 3, Kelsey Goble took SJ. to Jamison's mother, Michelle Jamison, who
baby-'sat SJ. for the night. At trial, Michelle testified that during the night S.J. vomited,
appeared lethargic, and her eyes rolled back into her head while feeding.
On April 4, Michelle Jamison and Kelsey Goble met at a family friend's home,
where Michelle returned SJ. to Goble. On the way to the friend's home, SJ. vomited.
Upon her arrival at the home, Goble noticed a bruise on SJ.'s left eyelid. To clean the
vomit, Kelsey Goble and the friend, Hope Belieu, bathed SJ. Belieu did not notice any
marks or bruises on SJ.'s body.
At trial, Kelsey Goble testified that SJ. appeared unusually drowsy on April 4. In
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No. 31175-9-III
State v. Jamison
the evening, Kelsey Goble, Tyler Jamison, and S.1. returned to their home. Goble
planned to begin classes at community college the next day. So Jamison cared for S.1. in
their living room while Goble slept. Around 4:15 a.m., Goble awoke to S.1. screaming.
Goble changed S.1.'s diaper and fed her. S.1. ate without trouble, and returned to ,sleep.
During the morning of AprilS, Tyler Jamison watched S.1. while Kelsey Goble
prepared for school. At 7:10 a.m., Goble tried to place S.1. in a car seat so that Jamison
could drive Goble to school. But S.1.'s legs locked in place. Goble later testified:
A. Her legs locked when we were trying to put her in the car seat,
which is really weird. I'd never had that happen before.
Q. And what do you mean, "locked"?
A. Like they were out and they were straight and stiff, and I couldn't
get them to bend. I had to wait until her body did it itself, and they were
locked for like five minutes.
1
RP at 592. Goble asked Jamison to call their doctor and make an appointment, which he
made for 1:00 p.m that day. Jamison and S.1. dropped Goble off at school around
7:30 a.m. Jamison and S.1. returned home.
On the morning of AprilS, Tyler Jamison repeatedly choked, smothered,
squeezed, and bounced his infant daughter S.1., because of her crying. S.1.'s eyes went
different directions after her smothering. The left eye looked straight ahead and the right
eye looked up. When S.1. shut her eyes, they popped back to normal. S.1. began a
swimming motion with both of her arms that did not stop for the rest of the morning. S.1.
encountered problems breathing, so Jamison bounced S.J. on the couch in an attempt to
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No. 31175-9-111
State v. Jamison
revive her. S.1. struck her head on the arm of the couch at least twice. In order to revive
S.1., Jamison also placed her on his thighs, laid her on her back, and poked her in the
chest. Jamison pressed down hard enough to actually feel in between her ribs so he could
help get S.J.'s "breath out." RP at 903. S.1. began a sipping sound and became
unresponsIve.
Tyler Jamison and S.1. retrieved Kelsey Goble from school around 11: 15 a.m.
Goble then noticed that S.1. "was doing a swimming motion with her arms." RP at 593.
Jamison told Goble that S.1. had been moving her arms like that since around 8:00 a.m.
Goble also noticed that S.1.'s breathing was shallow. Jamison, Goble, and S.1. went to
the bank for Goble to cash her financial aid check. When Goble returned to the car, S.1.
still performed the swimming motion but her breathing seemed shallower. Goble
contacted the doctor's office to check for an earlier appointment. Following the office's
advice, Goble and Jamison took S.1. to the emergency room.
Kelsey Goble, Tyler Jamison, and S.1. arrived at Holy Family Hospital's
emergency room at 12:19 p.m. S.1. breathed quickly and her heart beat rapidly. A
computed tomography (CT) scan showed internal bleeding in her skull, recent rib
fractures, and rib fractures "from an earlier injury." RP at 336. Emergency room
physician Dr. Todd Ewert arranged for S.1.'s transfer to Sacred Heart Children's
Hospital's pediatric intensive care unit. Ewert suspected child abuse and ordered that
Child Protective Services (CPS) be called.
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No. 31175-9-III
State v. Jamison
At Sacred Heart, police approached Kelsey Goble and Tyler Jamison. Both agreed
to accompany Detectives Mark Burbridge and Neil Gallion to a police station for
interviews. The detectives interviewed Kelsey Goble first and she provided a timeline for
SJ.'s activities. Detectives Burbridge and Gallion next interviewed Jamison. He told
the detectives he suspected his mother of abusing SJ., and repeatedly denied hurting SJ.
On April 6, Tyler Jamison called Detective Mark Burbridge. Jamison told
Burbridge that he wanted to come to the police station and talk with him. After Jamison
arrived at the station, Detective Neil Gallion asked Jamison what he wanted to say.
Jamison responded, "I am the one who did it." RP at 894.
On April 6, Detectives Burbridge and Gallion interviewed Tyler Jamison for 30-45
minutes, beginning around 4:30 p.m. The detectives did not record the interview.
Detective Burbridge then asked Jamison to consent to a second videotaped interview and
Jamison consented. Over the course of the interviews, the detectives heard Tyler
Jamison describe his abuse ofS.J.
On April 6, pediatric neurologist James Reggin, examined S.J. Dr. Reggin found
bruising on SJ.'s eyelid, sternum, cheek, back, and ears. "And her soft spot, the anterior
fontanelle, was tense and bulging." RP at 222. Dr. Reggin saw bleeding into the back
lining of the eye into the retina. A CT scan showed progressive cerebral edema, or
swelling in the brain, resulting from a lack of blood flow and oxygen. Reggin testified at
trial, "She was critically ill. She had a very severe neurological dysfunction with very
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No. 31175-9-II1
State v. Jamison
i minimal appropriate responses but still showing some preserved brain stem responses."
I
~
RP at 223.
Many physicians testified at trial about the severe injuries to SJ. Multiple doctors
testified that a lack of oxygen and blood flow caused brain damage. Pediatrician
Michelle Messer testified that SJ.'s swimming motions signaled "a very bad brain
injury." RP at 677. Pediatric ophthalmologist Caroline Shea testified that a concussive
injury likely caused damage to SJ.'s eyes.
At trial, Dr. James Reggin opined that SJ. suffered most of her injuries within 24
hours of April 5, but noted "there were other signs that there'd been other injuries at a
different time." RP at 257. Radiologist Trent Sanders estimated that SJ. bore earlier rib
I fractures about two weeks prior to April 5.
SJ.'s tragic condition has not improved since April 2010. SJ. lives "essentially in
1
a vegetative state." RP at 279. As of September 17, fluid had replaced much ofSJ.'s
brain tissue. Her brain lost the ability to "control hormones." RP at 377. At 10 months
old, SJ. showed signs of puberty, including growing of breasts. SJ. cannot swallow. A
feeding tube sustains her. SJ.'s gag reflex no longer functions to protect her airways.
She is blind. She will never recover.
PROCEDURE
On May 5, the state of Washington charged Tyler Jamison with first degree assault
ofa child along with three aggravating factors: (1) SJ. was a vulnerable victim, (2)
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No. 3117S-9-III
State v. Jamison
Jamison abused a position oftrust, and (3) Jamison's conduct had a destructive and
foreseeable impact on persons other than S.1. The State alleged Jamison intentionally
assaulted S.1. "on or about AprilS, 2010," either in violation ofRCW 9A.36.120(l)(b)(i)
or, in the alternative, RCW 9A.36.l20(l)(b)(U). Clerk's Papers (CP) at 1-2.
Two years later, the State amended the information and split the alternative means
for violating RCW 9A.36.120 into separate counts. The State thereby charged Jamison
with two counts of first degree assault of a child. Each count alleged the assault occurred
"on or about AprilS, 2010." CP at SI-S2.
The trial court gave separate jury instructions for counts one and two of first
degree assault of a child. Jury instruction 11 addressed the first count and read:
To convict the defendant of the crime of assault of a child in the
first degree as charged in count I, each of the following elements must be
proved beyond a reasonable doubt:
(1) That on or about the Sth day of April 2010, the defendant
intentionally assaulted [S.J.] and recklessly inflicted· great bodily harm;
(2) That the defendant was eighteen years of age or older and
[S.1.] was under the age ofthirteen; and
(3) That this act occurred in the State of Washington.
CP at 161 (emphasis added). The instruction is based upon 11 WASHINGTON PRACTICE:
WASHINGTON PATTERN JURY INSTRUCTIONS: CRIMINAL 3S.3S.02 (3d ed. 2008) (WPIC).
In a separate jury instruction, the trial court defined "great bodily harm" as "bodily injury
that creates a probability of death, or that causes significant serious permanent
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No. 31175-9-III
State v. Jamison
disfigurement, or that causes a significant permanent loss or impairment of the function
of any bodily part or organ." CP at 175.
Jury instruction 12 covered count two and read:
To convict the defendant of the crime of assault of a child in the first
degree, as charged in count II, each ofthe following four elements must be
proved beyond a reasonable doubt:
(1) That on or about 5th day of April 2010, the defendant
intentionally assaulted [8.1.] and caused substantial bodily harm;
(2) That the defendant was eighteen years of age or older and
[8.1.] was under the age ofthirteen; and
(3) That the defendant had previously engaged in a pattern or
practice of assaulting [8.1.] which had resulted in bodily harm that was
greater than transient physical pain or minor temporary marks; and
(4) That any of these acts occurred in the State of Washington.
CP at 162 (emphasis added). This instruction arises from WPIC 35.35.03. In another
instruction, the trial court defmed "substantial bodily harm" as "bodily injury that
involves a temporary but substantial disfigurement, or that causes a temporary but
substantial loss or impairment of the function of any bodily part or organ, or that causes a
fracture of any bodily part." CP at 176.
The trial court further instructed the jury, "A separate crime is charged in each
count. You must decide each count separately. Your verdict on one count should not
control your verdict on the other count." CP at 159.
The jury found Jamison guilty on both counts, with three aggravating factors for
each. Jamison argued at sentencing that his convictions for both count one and count two
violate his right against double jeopardy. Jamison also argued that count one and count
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No. 31 175-9-III
State v. Jamison
two are the same criminal conduct for purposes ofRCW 9.94A.589. In its "Findings of
Fact and Conclusions of Law Regarding Exceptional Sentence," the trial court found,
"These offenses occurred over a several hour period of time and count II also included
assaults that had occurred repeatedly in the weeks prior. The types of assaults on April 5,
20 I 0 were distinct and caused different types of harm. Count II occurred over the course
of several weeks." CP at 252. The court thus concluded, "The offenses in counts I and II
are separate courses of conduct and the defendant shall be sentenced for each of these
convictions." CP at 252. The trial court imposed an exceptional sentence of 180 months'
confinement on each count and ordered the sentences to run consecutively under RCW
9.94A.589(1)(b), for a total sentence of30 years.
LAW AND ANALYSIS
Double Jeopardy
The jury convicted Tyler Jamison of two assaults committed "on or about April 5,
2010." CP at 51. Jamison admits to several actions against SJ. on that date. But he
argues that each discrete action does not constitute a new assault, and that, when mUltiple
actions are taken against the same victim within a short time span, only one assault
occurs. In short, Jamison argues that his assault ofSJ. amounts to one "unit of
prosecution." We disagree.
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No. 31175-9-III
State v. Jamison
I Despite charging Tyler Jamison with two counts, the state of Washington charged
both counts under one statute, RCW 9A.36.120, which criminalizes assault against a
child. The statute provides:
(1) A person eighteen years of age or older is guilty of the crime of
assault of a child in the first degree if the child is under the age of
thirteen and the person:
(a) Commits the crime of assault in the first degree, as defined in
RCW 9A.36.011, against the child; or
(b) Intentionally assaults the child and either:
(i) Recklessly inflicts great bodily harm; or
(ii) Causes substantial bodily harm, and the person has
previously engaged in a pattern or practice either of (A) assaulting the
child which has resulted in bodily harm that is greater than transient
physical pain or minor temporary marks, or (B) causing the child physical
pain or agony that is equivalent to that produced by torture.
(2) Assault of a child in the first degree is a class A felony.
(Emphasis added.) Note that under subsection (b), the perpetrator may commit the crime
in two alternate ways: (1) intentionally assaults the child and recklessly inflicts great
bodily harm, or (2) intentionally assaults the child and causes substantial bodily harm,
while the accused has engaged in a pattern ofpractice of assaults or torture. The trial
court instructed the jury on the alternate means of convicting Tyler Jamison under the
statute and the jury convicted on both.
One flaw in Tyler Jamison's argument is that he assumes he can be convicted only
for his conduct on April 5. Both counts encompass assaults beyond April 5. The State
charged Jamison with two counts of first degree assault of a child to account for the
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No. 31175-9-III
State v. Jamison
magnitude of harm caused and the ongoing pattern of abuse. Our analysis extends
further, however.
Tyler Jamison contends that his two convictions for assault of a child in the fIrst
degree under RCW 9A.36.l20(1)(b)(i) and RCW 9A.36.l20(1)(b)(ii) violate his right
against douhle jeopardy. This court reviews claims of double jeopardy de novo. State v.
Smith, 177 Wn.2d 533,545,303 P.3d 1047 (2013).
The United States Constitution provides that a person may not be subject for the
same offense to be twice put in jeopardy oflife or limb. U.S. CONST. amend. V.
Similarly, the Washington State Constitution provides that a person may not be twice put
injeopardy for the same offense. CONST. art. I, § 9. The double jeopardy clauses of the
United States and Washington State Constitutions protect a defendant from multiple
convictions for the same crime. State v. Tvedt, 153 Wash. 2d 705, 710, 107 P.3d 728
(2005); State v. Green, 156 Wash. App. 96, 99, 230 P.3d 654 (2010).
A defendant's double jeopardy rights are violated ifhe or she is convicted of
offenses that are identical both in fact and in law. State v. Calle, 125 Wash. 2d 769, 777,
888 P.2d 155 (1995); State v. Johnson, 96 Wn.2d 926,933,639 P.2d 1332 (1982). In the
case on appeal, the convictions are neither identical in law or fact. We focus on the lack
of factual identify.
In keeping with the purpose of the double jeopardy clause, if each count arises
from a separate and distinct act, the defendant is not potentially exposed to multiple
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No. 31175-9-111
State v. Jamison
punishments for a single act. State v. Fuentes, 179 Wash. 2d 808, 318 P.3d 257 (2014);
State v. Mutch, 171 Wash. 2d 646, 662, 254 P.3d 803 (2011). An illustrative decision is
Mutch, 171 Wash. 2d 646. Richard Mutch was convicted of five separate counts of rape
based on five acts that occurred with the same victim over the course of one night and the
following morning. Mutch admitted to engaging in multiple sex acts, and he did not
argue insufficiency of evidence as to the number of alleged criminal acts or question the
victim's credibility regarding the number of rapes. The court found that the jury knew
that each count represented a separate act and that no double jeopardy violation occurred.
Jamison's two convictions do not offend the double jeopardy prohibition because
he committed more than one offense, act, or transaction. He committed multiple attacks
or intrusions on the safety of his daughter. Moreover, each count required proof of a
legal element, which the other does not. Count one required the jury find Jamison
"recklessly inflicted great bodily harm," whereas count two only required that Jamison
"caused substantial bodily harm." The court's instructions to the jury defined "great
bodily harm" as more severe than "substantial bodily harm." Count two uniquely
required the jury fmd that the defendant had previously engaged in a pattern or practice
of assaulting SJ., which resulted in bodily harm that was greater than transient physical
pain or minor temporary marks. While count one refers to a singular "act," count two
refers to multiple "acts."
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No. 3117S-9-III
State v. Jamison
Count two required the State to show that Jamison caused temporary injuries. The
State met this burden by showing Jamison fractured SJ.'s ribs. For count one, the State
needed to show Jamison recklessly inflicted "great bodily harm," defined as "bodily
injury that creates a probability of death, or that causes significant serious permanent
disfigurement, or that causes a significant permanent loss or impairment of the function
of any bodily part or organ." The State needed to show more than fractured ribs. To
meet this higher burden, the State showed that Jamison choked, smothered, and bounced
S.J., thus denying her oxygen to the point of causing permanent, irreparable brain
damage.
Count two required the State to show that Jamison "engaged in a pattern or
practice of assaulting" SJ. To meet this burden, the State showed Jamison fractured
SJ.'s ribs about two weeks prior to AprilS, about mid-March, Jamison switched from
choking to smothering S.J. to avoid detection; and Jamison smothered S.J. in this way
"several times in the past." Count one did not require proof of any pattern.
Tyler Jamison contends he suffers double jeopardy because both convictions
concern the same statute. He argues because assault is not defined in terms of each
physical act against a victim, his actions on April S constituted one single assault. This
contention is already answered by our mention that the charges included language of acts
prior to April S. We analyze the argument further, nonetheless.
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No. 31175-9-111
State v. Jamison
When a defendant is convicted of multiple violations of the same statute, the
double jeopardy question focuses on what "unit of prosecution" the legislature intends as
the punishable act under the statute. State v. Westling, 145 Wash. 2d 607, 610, 40 P.3d 669
(2002). Tyler Jamison's contention fails because RCW 9A.36.120(1)(b)(i) and RCW
9A.36.120(1)(b)(ii) are functionally different statutory provisions, and thus different units
of prosecution.
Chapter 9A.36 RCW and the legislative history for RCW 9A.36.120 do not
expressly indicate whether the legislature intended for RCW 9A.36.120(1)(b)(i) and
RCW 9A.36.120(1)(b)(ii) to be punishable as distinct crimes. But implicitly, the
language ofRCW 9A.36.l20 shows the legislature intended different units of prosecution
for RCW 9A.36.l20(1)(b)(i) and RCW 9A.36.120(1)(b)(ii), rendering each a distinct
crime. Each provision within RCW 9A.36.120 addresses a unique concern. RCW
9A.36.120(1)(a) incorporates the definition of first degree assault in RCW 9A.36.011,
allowing prosecutors to differentiate between assault of an adult and assault of a child.
See, e.g., State v. Marchi, 158 Wash. App. 823, 832,243 P.3d 556 (2010). RCW
9A.36.120(1 )(b)(i) criminalizes the intentional assault of a child that recklessly inflicts
great bodily harm. This provision thus addresses the legislature's concern for the
"particular vulnerability of young victims" by imposing a higher harm requirement than
RCW 9A.36.l20(1)(b)(ii) but lower intent requirement than RCW 9A.36.011. Last, of
the three, RCW 9A.36.120(1)(b)(ii) addresses the legislature's concern for "ongoing
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No. 31175-9-111
State v. Jamison
abuse of a child" by imposing steeper penalties for an ongoing "pattern or practice" of
assault. Thus, in the same way RCW 9A.36.l20(l)(b)(i) and RCW 9A.36.120(1)(b)(ii)
differ in law, the unit of prosecution also differs. These unique statutory provisions
create unique crimes with unique units ofprosecution.
SAME CRIMINAL CONDUCT IN SENTENCING
Tyler Jamison asserts a related, but distinct, argument on concerning his sentence
as with his convictions. The trial court imposed consecutive, not concurrent, sentences of
the two convictions. Jamison contends the sentences violate, not the double jeopardy
clause, but the Sentencing Reform Act of 1981, chapter 9.94A RCW, because the
convictions were not treated as the same criminal conduct resulting in concurrent
sentences.
RCW 9.94A.589(1)(a), the pertinent provision of the sentencing reform act,
provides:
Except as provided in (b) or (c) of this subsection, whenever a person is to
be sentenced for two or more current offenses, the sentence range for each
current offense shall be determined by using all other current and prior
convictions as if they were prior convictions for the purpose of the offender
score: PROVIDED, That if the court enters a finding that some or all of the
current offenses encompass the same criminal conduct then those current
offenses shall be counted as one crime. Sentences imposed under this
subsection shall be served concurrently. Consecutive sentences may only
be imposed under the exceptional sentence provisions ofRCW 9.94A.535.
"Same criminal conduct," as used in this subsection, means two or more
crimes that require the same criminal intent, are committed at the same time
and place, and involve the same victim.
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No. 31175-9-III
State v. Jamison
(Emphasis added.) RCW 9.94A.589(l)(b) creates an exception to subsection (l)(a) for
serious violent offenses. RCW 9.94A.589(l)(b) provides:
Whenever a person is convicted of two or more serious violent offinses
arising from separate and distinct criminal conduct, the standard sentence
range for the offense with the highest seriousness level under RCW
9.94A.515 shall be determined using the offender's prior convictions and
other current convictions that are not serious violent offenses in the
offender score and the standard sentence range for other serious violent
offenses shall be determined by using an offender score of zero. The
standard sentence range for any offenses that are not serious violent
offenses shall be determined according to (a) of this subsection. All
sentences imposed under (b) of this subsection shall be served
consecutively to each other and concurrently with sentences imposed under
(a) of this subsection.
(Emphasis added.) We hold that, under RCW 9.94A.589, the trial court did not err
when imposing consecutive sentences. We repeat some of the analysis used to determine
if Tyler Jamison's double jeopardy rights were violated.
A judge, rather than a jury, may find the facts necessary to impose consecutive,
rather than concurrent, sentences for multiple offenses. Oregon v. Ice, 555 U.S. 160, 129
S. Ct. 711, 172 L. Ed. 2d 517 (2009). This court reviews a same criminal conduct claim
for an abuse of discretion or a misapplication of the law. State v. Grantham, 84 Wn.
App. 854, 857,932 P.2d 657 (1997).
Tyler Jamison concedes first degree assault of a child is a serious violent offense.
RCW 9.94A.030(45)(a)(viii) expressly includes first degree assault of a child within its
definition of "serious violent crime." So subsection (b) ofRCW 9.94A.589(1) applies.
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State v. Jamison
We ask whether the trial court abused its discretion when concluding that Jamison's two
convictions arose from "separate and distinct criminal conduct."
Although "separate and distinct criminal conduct" is not statutorily defined, it is
well established that when an offense does not constitute the "same criminal conduct,"
the offense is necessarily separate and distinct. State v. Cubias, 155 Wash. 2d 549, 552, 120
P.3d 929 (2005). "A court will consider two or more crimes the 'same criminal conduct'
ifthey: (1) require the same criminal intent, (2) are committed at the same time and
place, and (3) involve the same victim." State v. Price, 103 Wash. App. 845, 855, 14 P.3d
841 (2000). "All three prongs must be met." State v. Vike, 125 Wn.2d 407,410, 885
P.2d 824 (1994).
"Ifthe intents are different, the offenses will count as separate crimes. If they are
the same, we next 'objectively view' the facts usable at sentencing to determine whether
a defendant's intent was the same or different with respect to each count." State v.
Hernandez, 95 Wash. App. 480, 484,976 P.2d 165 (1999). Where a defendant has the time
to "pause, reflect, and either cease his criminal activity or proceed to commit a further
criminal act," and the defendant proceeds, he or she forms a new criminal intent.
Grantham, 84 Wash. App. at 859.
Tyler Jamison intentionally assaulted SJ. repeatedly over the course of several
weeks. He began by choking her, pressing his fingers against her throat. Fearing that he
might be discovered, Jamison switched to smothering SJ. with his hand. He admitted to
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No. 31175-9-111
State v. Jamison
bouncing SJ. on the couch on at least two occasions. For each of these acts, Jamison
formed a new criminal intent. And while both counts encompass Jamison's conduct on
April 5, only count two includes those other assaults.
As for "same time and place," simultaneity is not required. State v. Porter, 133
Wash. 2d 177, 182,942 P.2d 974 (1997). Tyler Jamison assaulted SJ. on April 5, between
8:00 a.m. and 11: 15 a.m. at their home. Jamison's actions that morning may constitute
the "same criminal conduct." But as noted in State v. Kiser, 87 Wash. App. 126, 130,940
P.2d 308 (1997), RCW 9A.36.120(1)(b)
requires proof of a principal intentional assault which causes substantial
bodily harm, and a previous pattern or practice of causing pain. The crime
thus is defined not by a single act, but by a course ofconduct. The
definition ofthe crime permits the State to charge an entire episode of
assaultive conduct as one count. The jurors must all find a principal act
resulting in substantial bodily harm preceded by a pattern or practice of
other assaultive acts.
(Emphasis added.) Thus, as discussed above, count two encompasses more than just the
morning ofthe 5th. Count two includes when Jamison bounced S.J. on the couch
previously, when Jamison fractured SJ.'s ribs about two weeks prior, and when Jamison
first choked SJ. prior to her March 17 emergency room visit. These assaults occurred at
different times other than April 5.
As for "same victim," there is no clear answer. For both counts, the jury found by
special verdict that the crime had "a destructive and foreseeable impact on persons other
than the victim." CP at 194, 196. SJ. was the primary victim throughout. Her mother,
19
No. 31175-9-111
State v. Jamison
Kelsey Goble, was also the victim because she has the devastating loss of a child. At any
rate, count one and count two encompass "separate and distinct criminal conduct" for
purposes ofRCW 9.94A.589, because count two includes intents and times that count
one does not.
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL GROUNDS
In his statement of additional grounds, Tyler Jamison bolsters his claim that both
counts constitute the same course of conduct by emphasizing the prosecutor's comment
at his arraignment, "I mean, it's the same course of conduct for all intents and purposes
regarding the act on that date. It's just a matter of if they find both, I believe it's going to
be merged for sentencing purposes." RP at 141. This comment implicates, but does not
change, our ruling above. The comment was made before the State amended its
complaint to include the two separate counts based upon the alternative means of
committing first degree assault of a child.
Tyler Jamison also claims prosecutorial misconduct, pointing to a sarcastic
question asked in trial and comments made in closing arguments. "A defendant claiming
prosecutorial misconduct must show that the prosecutor's conduct was both improper and
prejudicial in the context ofthe entire record and circumstances at trial." State v. Miles,
139 Wash. App. 879, 885, 162 P.3d 1169 (2007). "A defendant establishes prejudice if
there is a substantial likelihood the misconduct affected the jury's verdict." State v.
Edvalds, 157 Wn. App. 517,522,237 P.3d 368 (2010).
20
No. 31 175-9-III
State v. Jamison
Tyler Jamison first assigns error to the prosecution's cross-examination of his
expert witness, which proceeded:
Q. Tell me about [SJ.]. How did she appear when you saw her?
A. She appeared in the pictures. Is this a sarcastic question? [B]ecause
you know I didn't actually see [SJ.]
Q. Pretty much. I mean-
A. So it is a sarcastic question. Then of course I didn't see her. I saw
pictures of her.
Q. You didn't actually examine [SJ.]?
A. No, I didn't.
RP at 976.
Defendant Jamison did not object to the questioning. "If the defendant fails to
object to an improper remark it is considered waived unless the remark is 'so flagrant and
ill-intentioned that it evinces an enduring and reSUlting prejudice that could not have been
neutralized by an admonition to the jury.'" State v. Finch, 137 Wn.2d 792,839,975 P.2d
967 (1999) (quoting State v. Stenson, 132 Wash. 2d 668, 719, 940 P.2d 1239 (1997)). The
prosecutor wished to emphasize that Jamison's expert did not personally examine SJ.
This is a permissible method of impeachment. The sarcasm may have harmed the State
more than Tyler Jamison.
Tyler Jamison last assigns errors to multiple remarks in the State's closing
argument. Jamison points to the statement, "She's never going to date; she's never going
to school." RP at 1068. In context, the prosecution was explaining that Kelsey Goble,
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No. 31175-9-III
State v. Jamison
because of her youth, did not understand the gravity ofS.1.'s injuries and downp1ayed the
seriousness of her daughter's condition.
Tyler Jamison complains about the prosecution saying, "So [S.1.] will be forever
blind based upon this injury. That's probably the least of her worries at this point." CP
at 1079. But Dr. Reggin testified, "We have discussions with her caregivers about, you
know, end-of-life issues, should she be supported or resuscitated." RP at 250. The
prosecutor wanted to remind the jury of testimony of the possibility of S.1.'s premature
death.
Tyler Jamison assigns error to the prosecutor commenting, "And heaven forbid if
that was something that all parents needed to worry about. You better start getting your
kid in for an examination every time you knock their head." RP at 1085. In context, the
prosecutor argued that.an earlier incident, where S.J. bumped her head entering a car, was
not the cause of her brain damage.
Tyler Jamison protests the prosecution's remarks, "We have Kelsey Goble who
will never have her beautiful perfect first child back. We have Michelle Jamison who
will never have her beautiful, perfect first granddaughter back." RP at 1119. With this
comment, the prosecution sought to meet its burden of showing that these assaults had a
"destructive and foreseeable impact on persons other than the victim" for purposes of that
sentence enhancement. RP at 1119. The comments were appropriate.
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No. 31175-9-III
State v. Jamison
Tyler Jamison assigns error to, "You can't let your emotion or your prejudices
guide you in making this decision. And that's going to be extremely hard, because in this
case you started out with a little baby who seemed fine." RP at 1108. The prosecution
stated this when imploring the jury to follow the court's instructions. In a horrifically
emotional trial, the comments would benefit, not prejudice, Jamison.
Tyler Jamison protests the prosecution remarking, "This was during one of the few
times-this is her first birthday. She didn't get to eat cake." RP at 1109. The remarks
emphasized evidence in the record that S.J. now eats via feeding tube, showing the extent
of harm caused, an element of the crime. And last, Jamison assigns error to, "And if you
have any, any doubt, I always thought a videotape meant beyond all doubt." RP at 1109.
This comment connects admitted evidence to the burden of proof.
In short, Tyler Jamison shows no misconduct nor harm from prosecutorial
comments. The prosecutor professionally and effectively performed her role, tying
admitted evidence to elements of the crimes charged and to the burden of proof.
CONCLUSION
We affirm the convictions of Tyler Jamison and his consecutive sentences.
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I
1
1
I
J
No. 3117S-9-II1
J State v. Jamison
I A majority of the panel has determined this opinion will not be printed in the
I Washington Appellate Reports, but it will be filed for public record pursuant to RCW
I
I
!
2.06.040.
WE CONCUR:
Brown, J.
24