State Of Washington v. Robert Maddaus

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IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON
DIVISION II
STATE OF WASHINGTON, No. 41795 2 II
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Respondent,
V.
ROBERT JOHN MADDAUS, UNPUBLISHED OPINION
HUNT, J. —Robert John Maddaus appeals his jury trial convictions for first degree felony
murder, first degree attempted kidnapping, second degree assault, and four counts of witness
tampering; he also appeals his Persistent Offender Accountability Act' POAA)life sentence and
(
the firearm sentencing enhancements for his murder, attempted kidnapping, and assault
convictions. He argues that ( ) warrant based search of his residence was illegal; 2) trial
1 the - ( the
court violated his due process rights by allowing him to be restrained during trial; 3) trial
( the
court committed several evidentiary errors (4)his counsel rendered ineffective assistance for
RCW 9.
570.
94A.
2
More,specifically Maddaus challenges the trial court's restricting his cross -examination of a
State witness (which he further asserts violated his right to confrontation),failure to hold an
evidentiary hearing to address alleged governmental misconduct had occurred, and admission of
recorded jail phone conversations.
No. 41795 2 II
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several reasons 3 ;5)some
( of the trial court's jury instructions were erroneous 4 ;6)the State
(
committed misconduct during closing argument (7)his two witness tampering convictions
constituted double jeopardy, with insufficient evidence to support one of them; and (8)several
sentencing errors warrant resentencing.
In his Statement of Additional Grounds (SAG),
Maddaus asserts that (1) trial court
the
erred in denying his request for new appointed counsel; 2) trial judge was unfairly biased
( the
against him; 3) State committed prosecutorial misconduct by displaying a Microsoft Power
( the
Point slide containing a photograph of Maddaus wearing a wig, with a circle and a slash
superimposed over it and the word " UILTY"written beneath it,CP at 978 ;
G and (4)cumulative
3
More specifically, Maddaus contends that his trial counsel rendered ineffective assistance in
failing to object to (1) trial court's requiring that he wear restraints in court; 2)
the ( admission of
recorded jail phone conversations; ( )
3 prosecutorial misconduct during closing arguments; ( ) 4
jury instructions on "substantial step" and "deadly weapon "; and (5)a detective's statement
bolstering Abear's testimony.
4 More specifically, Maddaus challenges the trial court's refusal to instruct the jury on the lesser
degree offense of third -
degree assault, failure to instruct the jury that it must be unanimous about
the alternative method used in committing the charged second degree assault and the first degree
attempted kidnapping, and giving instructions on second degree assault and first degree
attempted kidnapping that relieved the State of its burden to prove the essential elements of each
crime.
s
More specifically, Maddaus alleges that the prosecutor disparaged defense counsel; called the
defense testimony "poppycock,"unreasonable
" and " crazy ";
under the law," suggested that
Maddaus had " uped"the defense investigator; and presented prejudicial power point slides. Br.
d
of Appellant at 50 52.
-
6
More specifically, Maddaus contends that his firearm sentencing enhancements violated his due
process rights because the information charged him with only deadly weapon enhancements; the
State failed to establish that he had two prior "
strike"convictions for POAA purposes; and his
POAA life sentence violated his equal protection and due process rights to a jury determination
beyond a reasonable doubt that he had two prior qualifying convictions.
2
i
No. 41795 2 II
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error violated his right to a fair trial.
We remand to the trial court to vacate and to dismiss either Count VI or Count VII ( oth
b
witness tampering) with prejudice. We affirm Maddaus's other convictions and sentencing
enhancements.
FACTS
I. CRIMES
A. First Degree Murder; Second Degree Assault
In the evening of November 13, 2009, Jessica Abear was sleeping in Maddaus's
residence when a group of three to four persons kicked down the door and entered. One of the
intruders ordered Abear to "[
f]reeze and held a gun to her head. 7 Verbatim Report of
Proceedings (VRP)at 647. The intruders stole roughly $ 40, 00 in drugs and cash.
1 0
When he returned home and learned about the robbery, Maddaus appeared "in a rage"
and suspected that Abear had been involved. 7 VRP at 653. Attempting to elicit a confession,
he hit her on the head with the butt of a firearm, sprayed her three times with mace, ripped off
her clothes, and shot her ten times with a paintball gun. Maddaus then pointed the firearm at
Abear's foot and threatened to shoot; but when he pulled the trigger, the firearm .did not
discharge. Abear told Maddaus that she thought his drug supplier might be a suspect in the
robbery. Maddaus called his supplier, relayed what Abear had said, and mentioned that he
Maddaus)needed to " ind someplace for [ Abear] to go so that they [(
f Maddaus and his supplier)]
could get the information out of [her]" that he (Maddaus) was going to torture it out of
and "
her]. 7 VRP at 656. Abear managed to run out and take shelter in a neighbor's house until she
was able to leave safely.
3
No. 41795 2 II
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The next day, Maddaus discovered a tape recording that contained a recorded phone
conversation of the persons involved in the robbery. Although most of the voices were
unrecognizable, Maddaus believed that one was Shaun Peterson. Late the next evening,
November 15, Maddaus met with Peterson and several friends (Matthew Tremblay, Jesse Rivera,
Daniel Leville, and Falyn Grimes) to question Peterson about his involvement in the robbery.
Peterson was handcuffed, and Maddaus was armed with a firearm and a knife. Nobody else was
armed. While questioning Peterson, Maddaus played the recorded phone conversation. Peterson
eventually walked out the front door; Maddaus followed him outside, after which Maddaus's
friends reported hearing five rapid gunshots. Immediately following the shots, Matthew
Tremblay saw Maddaus standing outside, pointing a firearm at Peterson,'
who ran a short distance
before collapsing on the ground.
Early the following morning, November 16, Olympia police responded to a report of
gunshots. They found Peterson on his back, having bled to death from multiple gunshot wounds.
Police found four empty bullet casings and a cell phone near Peterson's body. The cell phone
began to ring; the caller identified herself as Randi Henn, Peterson's girlfriend. Henn told the
police that Peterson was involved in selling methamphetamine, that his drug source was
Maddaus, and that Maddaus had recently been robbed and had asked to meet Peterson that night.
Several days later, police arrested Tremblay, who was believed to have been involved or
to have knowledge about Peterson's murder. Tremblay told the police that ( ) he was placing
1 as
items into Maddaus's vehicle, he had seen Peterson speaking with Maddaus outside the house
and they had begun to argue; 2)
( Maddaus fired roughly five rounds from a firearm; 3) the
( as
firing stopped, Tremblay looked up and saw Maddaus pointing a smoking firearm at Peterson;
0
No. 41795 2 II
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4)Tremblay and Maddaus fled to Josephine Lundy's residence, where they unloaded items into
a large metal shipping container; and (5)Tremblay did not know what happened to the firearm
that Maddaus had used to kill Peterson.
Tremblay later took the police to Lundy's property, where Lundy consented to a search
of her residence and property; nothing of evidentiary value was found. Lundy also confirmed
many of the details that Tremblay had provided, including that Maddaus had contacted Lundy in
the early morning on the 16th of November.
Emerald Akau, who had been recently dating Maddaus, also spoke with police. She
confirmed Maddaus's home address and stated that she had spent the night with him at his
residence on the evening of November 16, the night after the murder.
The police obtained a search warrant for Maddaus's residence based on the information
obtained during their investigation. This warrant authorized the police to search for: "[ ny
A]
firearms, to include handguns, packaging for handguns, spent casings, new bullets, packaging for
bullets," "paintball guns, paintballs, marbles or items associated with paintball guns,"
any and
handcuffs." Clerks Papers (CP)at 9. Executing the warrant, police found a paintball gun, a
handgun and ammunition, and a set of handcuffs. They also detected the faint odor of pepper
spray.
Meanwhile, Maddaus had acquired a wig and a false passport bearing the name "Chad
Walker Vogt"and a photo of himself wearing a blond wig. 17 VRP at 2003. When asked why
he had the wig, he stated, Because I knew there was a warrant out for my arrest. The police
"
wanted to talk to me. I didn't want to talk to them."15 VRP at 1868. The police found this wig
in Maddaus's vehicle when they arrested him.
5
No. 41795 2 II
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B. Witness Tampering
Theodore Farmer had worked with Maddaus selling methamphetamine. After Farmer
was caught carrying methamphetamine in November 2009, he provided Maddaus's name to the
Thurston County Drug Task Force, became an informant, and agreed to perform three controlled
buys from Maddaus. On November 14 or 15, Farmer called Maddaus to purchase
methamphetamine, but Maddaus did not answer. Maddaus called Farmer back later and stated,
I can't talk. I'l either beI' talk to you in person, or either that, or I'l be in jail." VRP at
l —ll l 10
1240 41.
-
While awaiting trial in jail, Maddaus repeatedly telephoned his niece Chelsea Williams,
Grimes, Leville, and Farmer, whom he called three times, to establish a false alibi. The jail
actively monitored these calls. During a three way phone call with Williams and Farmer,
-
Maddaus stated, Here's the deal, right? These F * *ing
" * phones are recorded all the way."11
VRP at 1476. Although Farmer initially agreed with Maddaus to provide false testimony,
Farmer later changed his mind and contacted the police.
7
Before an inmate initiates a phone call,the phone system explains that the conversation will be
monitored. A similar announcement is given to any party being dialed; that other party can
either accept the phone call or press a button to decline.
8
Farmer later testified that he decided to contact police "[
b] [he]had received a call after
ecause
Maddaus] had gotten arrested from the Thurston County Jail, and I knew that the phones were
recorded."10 VRP at 1247.
0
No. 41795 2 II
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II. PROCFDURE
The State charged Maddaus with first degree murder (alleging both premeditation and
felony murder), degree attempted kidnapping, second degree assault of Abear (assault with
first
a deadly weapon), four counts of witness tampering (two based on his contacts with Farmer
and
from the jail). first degree murder, attempted kidnapping, and assault charges each carried
The
a sentencing enhancement allegation that "[ Maddaus] was armed with a deadly weapon, a
firearm."CP at 21 22.
-
A. Pretrial Motions
1. Search warrant; motion to suppress
Maddaus moved to suppress the search warrant of his residence, arguing lack of probable
cause to authorize a search for firearms." The trial court denied the motion, ruling that there
was a sufficient nexus between the firearm sought and Maddaus's residence.
2. Maddaus's letter
Several weeks before trial, the State received a letter through the mail with no return
address. The prosecutor's receptionist opened the letter, reviewed it, and determined that it
appeared to be correspondence from Maddaus to his defense attorney. The prosecutor's office
9
The first degree murder charge was based on premeditation or, in the alternative, felony murder
during the attempted second degree kidnapping of Peterson).
to
The State also charged Maddaus with two counts of first degree unlawful possession of a
firearm. These separate firearm possession counts are not at issue in this appeal.
11 More specifically, Maddaus stated, W] at I' concerned about is only the gun, nothing else
"[ h m
that was taken out of the trailer."
VRP ( ug. 12, 2010)at 58.
A
11
No. 41795 2 II
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provided a copy of this letter to Maddaus's counsel. Maddaus alleged governmental misconduct,
12
namely that someone at the jail had copied and mailed the letter to the prosecutor's office.
Maddaus moved to continue the trial,to conduct a formal hearing to investigate how the
letter came into the State's possession, and to dismiss. The prosecutor's sworn declaration in
opposition stated:
I directed :.. receptionist ... to not discuss with anyone whatever contents ( f
the o
the letter) he may have seen, and to make a copy and dispatch it to defense
counsel. I further directed that the original be kept, sealed, in the office until
further order. I have not read what may or may not be a letter, or copy of a letter,
written to [ Maddaus's attorney].
CP at 283. At the hearing on Maddaus's motion, the prosecutor further explained,
I told [the mail handler] I don't want to see it. I don't want to hear about it.
Don't talk to anyone about it, and let's just freeze frame this thing, seal it up,
-
copy it,send a copy to [defense counsel] so he knows what's been going on, and
seal it up because it might be ... evidence of wrongdoing....
Now, Your Honor, consider the context of what's going on here. Mr.
Maddaus, no stranger to the criminal justice system, fair to say con wise, and
-
familiar with the ways of manipulation, familiar with tampering with witnesses,
we allege, who has violated court orders, who has been sitting in the jail for a year
and comes up with a gimmick. And the gimmick is all I'e got to do is send a
v
copy of a letter or have somebody do it for me, and I can raise a ruckus and
perhaps derail this prosecution.
VRP (Dec. 21, 2010) at 70. The trial court denied the motions to continue and to dismiss. VRP
Dec. 21, 2010)at 75.
12
Maddaus based this allegation on the envelope's label and the address's having been written
with a felt tip marker. According to Maddaus's counsel, the letter was a copy of correspondence
that Maddaus had sent him months earlier, and it contained information that only Maddaus knew.
At the subsequent hearing, Maddaus's attorney stated, I]' understanding that the inmates
s my
"[ t
do not have access to the white labels. They do have access to those types of envelopes ... but
VRP (
not access to a felt tip pen." Dec. 21, 2010)at 55.
No. 41795 2 II
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3. Potential impeachment
Maddaus moved in limine to be able to cross -examine Leville about his uncharged crimes
to show bias. The trial court ruled that Maddaus could cross -examine Leville about his
uncharged crimes, with or without a formal plea agreement. The trial court reserved ruling on
the scope of cross -examination.
B. Trial
1. Restraints
Over defense counsel's objection and without articulating its reasons, the trial court
ordered Maddaus to wear a shock device and a leg restraint during trial. Before the jury entered,
Maddaus's counsel told the trial court he was concerned that the jury would notice the leg
restraint if Maddaus were asked to walk to the witness stand in the jury's presence. In response,
the trial court allowed Maddaus to take the stand before the jury entered.
The next day, Maddaus's counsel again notified the court that Maddaus was wearing a
shock device and that he was concerned that the jury might notice it. In response, the court
arranged several tables to block the jurors' views of the shock device. Maddaus's counsel agreed
with this arrangement and acknowledged that the jurors would not see his shock device.
The next week, Maddaus's counsel again notified the court that he believed the jurors
could see the device on Maddaus's leg because he was "wearing more constrictive pants." 7
VRP at 628. The trial court placed several pieces of cardboard around Maddaus's table, which
look[ d]like exhibits," block the jurors' views. 7 VRP at 629. Maddaus's counsel again
e to
agreed with this arrangement and acknowledged that the jurors would not see Maddaus's
restraints.
0
No. 41795 2 II
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2. Detective Johnstone's testimony
The State called Detective Chris Johnstone as a witness and asked whether he had
interviewed Abear during his investigations. Johnstone replied that he had. When the State
asked, " nd the facts that she testified about, is that what you [previously] interviewed her
A
Maddaus objected on hearsay grounds, and the trial court sustained the objection. The
about[ ?],"
State then rephrased the question, asking, T] e subject matter of your interview [with Abear],
"[ h
was it similar to her testimony here at trial ?" Johnstone replied, Yes,it was."8 VRP at 825 26.
" -
Maddaus did not object to this rephrasing.
3. Leville's Cross -examination
Maddaus questioned Leville about several of his ( Leville's)
uncharged crimes, including
heroin, methamphetamine, marijuana possession, and identity theft. Leville denied any
knowledge of or involvement with these crimes. The State objected, arguing that these inquiries
involved specific instances of alleged misconduct, contrary to ER 608. The trial court ruled:
Evidence of character or conduct of a witness [f] the purpose of attacking or
or
supporting a witness's credibility] —
[ other than convictions of crime, which you
have done, may not be proved by extenuating evidence. They may, however, in
the discretion of the court, be probative as to truthfulness or untruthfulness. I
have let you go on..... let you go into further specific incidents of
I will not
conduct at this point.
10 VRP at 1129 30 ( mphasis added).
- e
4. Jury instructions
Maddaus requested a lesser degree offense jury instruction for either third or fourth
degree assault. The trial court declined because "there [was] no evidence of criminal negligence
10
No. 41795 2 II
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or assault in the fourth degree, that it' simply assault in the second degree or not guilty." 16
s
VRP at 1952.
For count I,first degree murder, the trial court instructed the jury on both premeditation
and felony murder. For felony murder, Instruction 10 provided, O] or about November 16,
"[ n
2009 ... the defendant was committing or attempting to commit the crime of kidnapping in the
second degree."CP at 426. Instruction 10 further provided:
If you find from the evidence that each of the elements in Alternative A [,
premeditated murder,]or each of the elements in Alternative B [, felony murder,]
has been proven beyond a reasonable doubt, then it will be your duty to return a
verdict of guilty. All of the elements of only one alternative need be proved. You
must unanimously agree as to which one or more of the alternatives, A or B,has
been proved beyond a reasonable doubt.
CP at 426.
For count IV,second degree assault, Instruction 17 provided, An assault is an intentional
"
touching or striking[, shooting of
or] another or an
person," " act ... done with intent to inflict
bodily injury upon another, tending but failing to accomplish it and accompanied with the
or an
apparent present ability," " act ... done with intent to create in another apprehension and
fear of bodily injury, and which in fact creates in another a reasonable apprehension and
imminent fear of bodily injury." CP at 433. The "to convict" instruction provided, O] or
"[ n
about November 13, 2009, the defendant assaulted Jessica R. Abear with a deadly weapon."CP
at 434 ( Instruction 18). Instruction 30 stated, " firearm, whether loaded or unloaded, is a
A
deadly weapon." CP at 446. Finally, the "to convict"instruction for count III,Maddaus's first
degree attempted kidnapping of Abear, provided, "[ n or about November 13, 2009, the
O]
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No. 41795 2 II
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defendant did an act that was a substantial step toward the commission of kidnapping in the first
degree."CP at 437 (Instruction 21).
For counts I,III, and IV,the State sought special verdicts that " he defendant was armed
t
with a deadly weapon at the time of the commission of the crime[
s]." (Instruction 31).
CP at 447
The special verdict instruction provided, A pistol, revolver, or any other firearm is a deadly
"
weapon whether loaded or unloaded."CP at 447 (Instruction 31).Other than requesting a lesser
included offense instruction, Maddaus did not object to the trial court's instructions.
5. Closing arguments
During closing, the State argued:
Y] u can consider the reasonableness of the witness's statements in the context
o
of the other evidence. Consider, for example, Mr.Maddaus's testimony that he—
what did he say? He asked to put the handcuffs on Mr. Peterson? And Peterson
did?I mean, that's poppycock. That's unreasonable under the law. That's crazy.
Nobody voluntarily puts handcuffs on themselves, and besides, we have evidence,
of course, that Mr. Peterson was literally under the gun at the time the cuffs were
put on him.
C] for the accused argued that theythey worked hard, Defense Counsel]
ounsel [
worked real hard at finding witnesses. The evidence, however, ladies and
gentlemen, the evidence about the defense witnesses suggests otherwise. ... I'
m
not suggesting Mr. Wilson of wrongdoing; I' just suggesting that [Defense
m
Counsel],like Chelsea Williams, was duped into being this defendant's agent.
I' got somebody that's got this information.' ` Oh, we' l go talk to that
ve l
person.
Counsel for the accused's argument was a reminder of the distractions that
sometimes people create when they're passengers in a vehicle. You're driving
down the highway, and you're focused] on paying attention to what's going on in
[
front of you and keeping your eye on the rear view mirror, and someone says,
-
Look over there. Look over there."That's what the argument was about. It was
all about everything but the proof of Mr.Maddaus's guilt.
What you heard in the defense case, those witnesses from the defense in the
defense argument, was the last gasp of this defendant, the last gasp, the last effort
12
No. 41795 2 II
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to develop lies to try to convince you ofwhat he's not, that he's innocent, and he's
not. The last gasp.
17 VRP at 1984, 2074 75, 2077 (emphasis added). Maddaus did not object to any of these
-
statements.
The State also presented Microsoft PowerPoint slides during its closing argument. One
slide depicted Maddaus wearing the wig that detectives had recovered from his vehicle.
Surrounding the photo were capitalized captions describing various evidence used by the State,
including: "JAIL PHONE . ALLS," "
C FALSE ALIBI ATTEMPT,"
DISGUISE AND COVER-
UP," "
FUGITIVE,"THREATS TO KILL," "
MOTIVE," "
TELEPHONE RECORDS,"and
EYEWITNESS TO EVENTS." CP at 978. Each caption included an arrow pointing towards
Maddaus's photo at the center, with the word "
GUILTY"superimposed over his face. CP at
978. Maddaus did not object to this slide.
It appears that the State displayed this slide as the prosecutor made the following closing
remarks:
Maddaus] adopted a disguise. He worked on a cover up, and he worked
-
like heck on this false alibi. I was in Tumwater. I was [getting] a tattoo. And the
jail phone calls where he's pumping at Grimes and Leville. He's working on
Theodore Farmer. He's working on Chelsea Williams because he' s guilty and
he's got to get out from underneath all that evidence. This defendant, ladies and
gentlemen, this defendant, is the only one with motive, the only one with the
means and the only one who is guilty of murder in the first degree. He is guilty of
all the crimesalleged in the Information. He is guilty as charged, ladies and
gentlemen, and guilty as proven.
17 VRP at 2015. Maddaus did not object to these statements.
13
No. 41795 2 II
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C. Conviction and Sentence
The jury found Maddaus guilty of ( first degree felony murder, ( )two counts of
1) 2
unlawful possession of a firearm, ( )first degree attempted kidnapping, ( )second degree
3 4
assault, and (5)four counts of witness tampering. The jury returned special verdicts for firearm
enhancements on the first degree murder, attempted kidnapping, and second degree assault
charges.
13
At sentencing, the State provided certified copies of Maddaus's criminal history. When
the court asked if there was any dispute as to his criminal history, Maddaus's attorney replied,
No, Your Honor, there's not." VRP (Feb. 8, 2011) at 124. Because of his prior "strike"
offenses, the trial court sentenced Maddaus under the POAA, RCW 9.
570, life without
94A. to
the possibility of early release. Maddaus appeals his convictions, POAA life sentence, and
firearm sentencing enhancements.
ANALYSIS
I. SEARCH WARRANT
Appellate counsel argues in his brief and Maddaus asserts in his SAG that the State's
14
search of Maddaus's residence was improper under the Fourth Amendment and the
Washington constitution because the affidavit in support of the search warrant lacked probable
13
Among other crimes, Maddaus had previously been convicted of two prior " trike"offenses:
s
possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver while armed with a deadly weapon
and second degree assault while armed with a deadly weapon.
14
U. .CONST. amend. IV.
S
14
No. 41795 2 II
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cause. In the alternative, he argues for the first time on appeal that the search was
unconstitutionally overbroad. These arguments fail.
A. Standard and Scope of Review
We review the issuance of a search warrant for abuse of discretion. State v. Maddox, 152
Wn. d 499, 509, 98 P. d 1199 (2004). But
2 3 we give great deference to the issuing judge or
magistrate's determination of probable cause. State v. Neth, 165 Wn. d 177, 182, 196 P. d 658
2 3
2008).We find no abuse of discretion here.
A defendant waives the right to challenge the admission of evidence gained in an illegal
search or seizure by failing to move to suppress the evidence at trial. See State v. Mierz, 127
Wn. d 460, 468, 901 P. d 286 (1995);
2 2 State v. McFarland, 127 Wn. d 322, 333 34, 899 P. d
2 - 2
1251 (1995).We will not address such unpreserved alleged errors unless he can show that this
issue meets the manifest constitutional exception of RAP 2. ( trial, Maddaus moved
a)( At
3).
5
to suppress only the firearm, alleging lack of probable cause. He did not seek to suppress any
other items of evidence, the admissibility of which he now attempts to challenge for the first time
on
appeal.16 Because he does not meet his burden to show that his new challenge falls within the
15 A defendant may raise an argument for the first time on appeal only if it is a manifest error
affecting a constitutional
right. RAP 2. ( error is manifest if it has practical and
a)( An
3).,
5
consequences or causes actual prejudice to the defendant. State v. Nguyen, 165
identifiable
Wn. d 428, 433, 197 P. d 673 (2008).
2 3
16
Maddaus did not move below to suppress any other items now argued on appeal, such as
clothing; notes and records to establish dominion and control; notes and records that relate to the
distribution or sales of controlled substances; computers; media storage devices; cell phones;
surveillance equipment; packaging for handcuffs and documentation or receipts for handcuffs;
and drugs and paraphernalia.
15
No. 41795 2 II
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RAP 2. (
a)( exception to the preservation requirement, we address only his preserved
3)
5
challenge to the firearm.
A valid search warrant requires probable cause. U. . CONST. amend. IV;WASH. CONST.
S
art. I, sec. 7. In order to establish probable cause, the supporting affidavit must provide
sufficient facts to persuade a reasonable person that the defendant is probably engaged in
criminal activity and that evidence of criminal activity probably can be found at the place to be
searched. State v. Lyons, 174 Wn. d
2 354, 359, 275 P. d 314 (2012). Similarly, the affidavit
3
must identify with particularity the place to be searched and the items to be seized. Lyons, 174
Wn. d at 359. A court evaluates a search warrant affidavit "
2 in a commonsense manner, rather
than hypertechnically, and any doubts are resolved in favor of the warrant." State v. Jackson,
150 Wn. d 251,265, 76 P. d 217 (
2 3 2003).
B. Affidavit of Probable Cause
The search warrant affidavit described Tremblay's account to policethat he had been
—
present at the time of the shooting, that he had seen Maddaus pointing a firearm at Peterson
immediately following the shots, and that he and Maddaus had gone to Lundy's residence. The
affidavit also explained that a police search of Lundy's residence and property did not uncover
any firearms and that Akau had told police that Maddaus had spent the following night after the
shooting at his own residence.
The affidavit then summarized the evidence police expected to find at Maddaus's
residence as follows:
The residence that Maddaus[]went to immediately following the murder ... is
roughly one mile away from [his] residence. ... We did not locate anything of
evidentiary value to this investigation at [ Lundy's residence]. It is believed that
16
No. 41795 2 II
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the evidence of the crime to include the handgun used may be located at
Maddaus' s] address . . .
[ as the result of the close location and the fact the
evidence was removed from [ Lundy's residence]. Therefore it is believed to have
been removed and may be concealed in the home, mobile home[,] outbuildings
or
located at [ Maddaus's address].
CPat8.
Relying on State v. Thein, Maddaus argues that generalizations about the habits of
criminals cannot provide sufficient probable cause to authorize a search. Br. of Appellant at 20
citing State v. Thein, 138 Wn. d 133, 148 49,977 P. d 582 (1999)).
2 - 2 Maddaus is correct that ( )
1
the search warrant in Thein "involve[d]
nothing more than generalizations regarding the common
habits of drug dealers and lack[ d]any specific facts linking such illegal activity to the residence
e
searched "; and (2) is not reasonable to infer that evidence is likely to be found in a certain
it
location simply because police do not know where else to look for it. Thein, 138 Wn. d at 148,
2
150. But the facts here are distinguishable from those in Thein, which,thus, does not apply.
Here, the affidavit contained two specific facts that provided probable cause to believe
that the firearm used in the murder could be found at Maddaus's residence: (1)There was close
physical proximity between Maddaus's residence and Lundy's residence, where Maddaus had
visited immediately after the shooting; and (2)Maddaus had spent the night following the
shooting at his residence, providing close proximity of time between the crime and the location
to be searched. Here, the affidavit's provision for a firearm's search was not based on a Zack of
facts, as in Thein; nor was it based solely on an inference that the firearm's absence from one
location ( Lundy's nearby residence) necessarily permitted a search of another location
Maddaus's residence). Thein, 138 Wn. d at 150. On the contrary, the affidavit recited a series
2
of facts about Maddaus's location immediately following the shooting; it was reasonable to
17
No. 41795 2 II
- -
assume that evidence of the crime could be recovered from his residence if not found in Lundy's,
where he had gone before going home.
C. Overbreadth Challenge not Properly before Us
Maddaus argues for the first time on appeal that the search warrant was overbroad in its
use of the term " irearms"because the supporting affidavit did not suggest that " ifles,shotguns,
f r
or other long -
barreled guns were involved in the crime."Reply Br.of Appellant at 9. We do not
address the merits of this challenge because Maddaus failed both to preserve it for appeal and to
establish an exception to RAP 2. (
s
a)(preservation requirements.
3)'
5
At the CrR 3. hearing below, Maddaus argued only that the search warrant authorizing
6
the search for firearms was invalid for lack of probable cause; he did not argue that it was
overbroad, as he now argues here. A defendant's motion to suppress must state a specific ground
of objection. ER 103(
1).the defendant objected at trial, he may assign error in the
a)( if
Even
appellate court. nly on the specific ground of that evidentiary objection. Dehaven v. Gant, 42
o
Wn. App. 666, 669, 713 P. d 149 (1986) citing State v. Guloy, 104 Wn. d 412, 422, 705 P. d
2 ( 2 2
State
1182 (1985); v. Boast, 87 Wn. d
2 447, 451, 553 P. d
2 Thus,
1322 ( 1976)). we do not
address Maddaus's newly raised overbreadth argument unless he meets the preservation
requirements of RAP 2. (Maddaus does not, however, argue that his new overbroad
a)(
3).
5
challenge is a manifest error affecting a constitutional right, justifying departure from the
18
No. 41795 2 II
- -
preservation requirement of RAP a)( Accordingly, we do not address his unpreserved
2. (
3).
5
17
alternative overbreadth challenge to the search warrant.
II. RESTRAINTS IN COURTROOM
Maddaus next argues that the trial court violated his due process rights by allowing him
to be restrained at trial with a leg brace and shock device absent a showing of "
impelling
necessity" and that his counsel was ineffective in failing to object to these restraints. Br. of
Appellant at 27. These arguments fail.
A defendant in a criminal case is entitled to appear at trial free from all bonds or shackles
except in extraordinary circumstances. State v. Finch, 137 Wn. d 792, 842, 975 P. d 967
2 2
1999). Shackling or handcuffing infringes on a defendant's right to a fair trial for several
reasons, including that it violates a defendant's presumption of innocence. Finch, 137 Wn. d at
2
844. In order to protect the defendant's rights, the trial court must exercise discretion in
determining the extent to which restraints are necessary to maintain order and to prevent injury,
supported by a factual basis set forth in the record. Finch, 137 Wn. d at 846 (citing State v.
2
Hartzog, 96 Wn. d 383, 400, 635 P. d 694 (1981)).
2 2 Nevertheless, a claim of unconstitutional
shackling is subject to a harmless error analysis. State v. Jennings, 111 Wn. App. 54, 61,44 P. d
3
1 ( 2002) citing State v. Damon, 144 Wn. d 686, 692, 25 P. d 418, 33 P. d 735 ( 2001)).
( 2 3 3
Although the record does not reflect the trial court's reasons for restraining Maddaus, we
hold that any error in doing so was harmless in light of the trial court's repeated efforts to
17
We note that (1)no long -barreled guns were seized under the warrant, 2)he identifies no
(
other evidence seized under the challenged portion of the warrant that was used to convict him,
and ( )
3 Maddaus does not point to any prejudice that flowed from the challenged language.
19
No. 41795 2 II
- -
prevent any prejudice that might have flowed to Maddaus if the jury had seen these restraints.
On multiple occasions before the jury returned to the courtroom, defense counsel notified the
court about his concern that Maddaus's shock device or leg brace might be visible to the jury.
Each time, the trial court accommodated Maddaus's requests by having him take the stand before .
the jury entered and by arranging the defense table in such a way as to block the jurors' view of
Maddaus's restraints. Consequently, the record contains no evidence that any member of the
jury ever saw these restraints and,thus, no possibility of prejudice to Maddaus.
We hold that,because the jury did not see Maddaus's restraints, there was no prejudice to
him, and any error in ordering Maddaus to wear them was harmless. Jennings, 111 Wn. App. at
61. And because Maddaus fails to show prejudice, he also fails to show ineffective assistance
where defense counsel initially objected to the restraints, persuaded the trial court to recognize a
18
potential problem, and then worked with the court to block the jury's view of the restraints.
III. OTHER EVIDENTIARY ISSUES
Maddaus raises several evidentiary challenges, some for the first time on appeal. In
general, we review a preserved trial court's evidentiary rulings for abuse of discretion. State v.
Darden, 145 Wn. d 612, 619, 41 P. d 1189 (2002).A trial court abuses its discretion when it
2 3
18
We review ineffective assistance of counsel claims de novo. In re Pers. Restraint of
Monschke, 160 Wn. App. 479, 490, 251 P. d 884 (2010). In reviewing claims of ineffective
3
assistance, we begin with a strong presumption that counsel was effective, including that counsel
may have had legitimate strategic reasons for failing to object. See, e. .,
g State v. Grier, 171
Wn. d 17, 32 33,246 P. d 1260 (2011).A person claiming ineffective assistance of counsel has
2 - 3
the burden to establish that counsel's performance both (1)was so deficient that it deprived the
defendant of his constitutional right to counsel and (2)prejudiced the defendant's case. Failure
to establish either prong is fatal to an ineffective assistance of counsel claim. Strickland v.
Washington, 466 U. . 668, 687 88, 104 S. Ct. 2052, 80 L. Ed. 2d 674 (1984);State v.
S -
Hendrickson, 129 Wn. d 61, 77 78,917 P. d 563 (1996).
2 - 2
20
i
No. 41795 2 II
- -
bases its decision on untenable grounds or reasons. State v. Thompson, 173 Wn. d 865, 870, 217
2
P. d 204 (2012). If
3 the defendant failed to preserve an evidentiary challenge with a specific
objection below, we may address its merits for the first time on appeal if he establishes that the
error is manifest and of constitutional magnitude for purposes of the RAP 2. (
a)( exception.
3)
5
We address each evidentiary challenge in turn;ultimately, all fail to provide grounds for reversal.
A. Leville's Cross -examination
Maddaus argues that the trial court violated his right to confrontation by restricting his
cross -examination of Leville about the prosecutor's failure to charge Leville with various crimes.
The cross -examination of a witness to elicit facts that tend to show bias, prejudice, or interest is
generally a matter of right; but the scope or extent of such cross -examination is within the trial
court's discretion. State v. Roberts, 25 Wn. App. 830, 834, 611 P. d 1297 (1980)citing State v.
2 (
Robbins, 35 Wn. d 389, 213 P. d 310 (1950)); also ER 607, 611( ). trial court may, in its
2 2 see b A
discretion, reject cross -examination where the circumstances only remotely tend to show bias or
prejudice, where the evidence is vague, or where the evidence is argumentative or speculative.
Roberts, 25 Wn. App. at 834 (citing State v. Jones, 67 Wn. d 506, 512, 408 P. d 247 (1965)).
2 2
The record does not support Maddaus's contention that the trial court unconstitutionally
restricted his examination. On the contrary, the record shows that, in both its ruling in
cross -
limine and at trial, the court allowed Maddaus to cross -examine Leville about a number of his
uncharged crimes, including drug possession, flight risk, and identity theft. Only after
19 The following is an example of such cross -examination:
Maddaus's counsel]: July you were picked up on a material witness warrant, but
you were also picked up. because Pretrial Services said you were attempting to
take off, correct?You were going to go wherever the wind blew you?
21
No. 41795 2 II
- -
permitting extensive questioning did the trial court sustain the State's objection and curtail
Maddaus's continuing into other specific instances of misconduct for the reason that this
evidence was not relevant under ER 608. Because this reason was not untenable, we hold that
the trial court did not abuse its discretion in its limiting the scope of Leville's cross -examination
during trial.
B. Evidentiary Hearing about State's Handling of Maddaus's Letter
In both his counsel's brief and his SAG, Maddaus contends that the trial court erred in
denying his request for an evidentiary hearing to determine whether the State had engaged in
Leville]:They said I was a flight risk, and that's what I did say to them. I said
something to that effect.
Maddaus's counsel]: And you were arrested at your place, correct?
Leville]:At my home, yes.
Maddaus's counsel]: And when you were arrested, you were found with some
heroin; isn't that true?
Leville]:No.
Maddaus's counsel]: You were found with some methamphetamines; isn't that
true?
Leville] :No.
Maddaus's counsel]: How about some marijuana?
Leville]:No.
Maddaus's counsel]: And identity theft.
Leville]:No.
Maddaus's counsel]:Nothing.
Leville] :I wasn'tI—wasn't arrested. I was at my home. I didn't have anything
on me. I wasn'twhen they pulled up on me, I had justmy friend had just
— —
driven away, and they pulled up. I didn't have anything on me, no.
Maddaus's counsel]: It was in your vehicle though, wasn't it? Volkswagen
A
truck.
Leville] :I believe they found something in my vehicle, yes.
Maddaus's counsel]: Heroin, correct ?"
10 VRP at 1126 27.
-
22
No. 41795 2 II
- -
governmental misconduct after it received a copy of a letter that Maddaus had sent to his
attorney. He also asserts in his SAG that he received ineffective assistance of counsel based on
the trial court's denial of Maddaus's motion to continue to investigate potential governmental
misconduct. We disagree.
We review for abuse of discretion a trial court's denial of an evidentiary hearing to
investigate possible governmental misconduct. See CrR 8. (
a), trial court may abuse its
3 b). (
A
discretion by failing to hold an evidentiary hearing when presented with an issue of fact
requiring a determination of witness credibility. Harvey v. Obermeit, 163 Wn. App. 311, 327,
261 P. d 671 (2011)citing Woodruffv. Spence, 76 Wn. App. 207, 210, 883 P. d 936 (1994)).
3 ( 2
A defendant's right to counsel is protected by the federal and our state constitutions. U. .
S
CONST. amend. V, VI; WASH. CONST. art. I sec. 22. The constitutional right may be violated
when the government wrongfully intercepts protected attorney -client communications. State v.
Cory, 62 Wn. d 371, 377, 382 P. d 1019 (1963).After notice and hearing, the trial court may
2 2
dismiss any criminal prosecution because of arbitrary action or governmental misconduct that
has prejudiced a defendant's right to a fair trial if the defendant has shown governmental
misconduct that resulted in prejudice affecting his right to a fair trial . CrR 8. (
b); v.
3 State
Garza, 99 Wn. App. 291, 295, 994 P. d 868 (2000) citing State v. Michielli, 132 Wn. d 229,
2 ( 2
20 In certain egregious cases, prejudice may be presumed. See, e. .,
g Cory, 62 Wn. d at 372 (jail
2
secretly recorded conversations between the defendant and his attorney);State v. Perrow, 156
Wn. App. 322, 326, 231 P. d 853 ( 2010) state detective wrongfully seized attorney -client
3 (
writings during search of residence and delivered writings to the State's prosecution team);
State
v. Granacki, 90 Wn. App. 598, 600, 959 P. d 667 (1998) state detective read from defense
2 (
counsel's legal pad during a court recess).
23
No. 41795 2 II
- -
Here, there
239 40, 937 P. d 587 (1997)).
- 2 was no showing of governmental wrongdoing or
interference with Maddaus's attorney -client communications.
21
Unlike the facts in Garza, Maddaus made no offer of proof to the trial court identifying
any wrongdoing by the State in the prosecutor's receptionist's handling of his letter after
receiving it in the mail. Rather, he asserts only that it was unlikely that he could have been
22
responsible for his letter's reaching the prosecutor's office. And although the trial court did not
hold a full evidentiary hearing into the matter, it did conduct a hearing on Maddaus's motions,
which revealed that, after the prosecutor's office discovered the letter was apparently from
Maddaus to his attorney, the prosecutor sealed the original, without reading it,and turned over a
copy to Maddaus's counsel.
We find no abuse of discretion in the trial court's handling of this issue. With respect to
Maddaus's ineffective assistance of counsel claim, he fails to provide any facts or reasons about
21 In Garza, jail officials seized and examined several defendants' legal documents after the
defendants had attempted escape. One inmate witnessed one of the officers reading these legal
materials. The trial court denied the defendants' motion to dismiss. Garza, 99 Wn. App. at 293-
95. Division Three of our court held that the trial court had abused its discretion by denying the
motion to dismiss without first holding an evidentiary hearing to determine whether the security
concerns justified such an extensive intrusion into the defendants' attorney -client
communications. Garza, 99 Wn. App. at 301. Division Three remanded for the trial court to
conduct an evidentiary hearing, with instructions that if the defendants were able to establish that
the jail officers' actions violated their right to counsel, the trial court "should fashion an
appropriate remedy, recognizing that dismissal is an extraordinary remedy, appropriate only
when other, less severe sanctions will be ineffective."Garza, 99 Wn. App. at 301 02.
-
22
See, e. .,
g Reply Br.of Appellant at 21:
The attendant circumstances —including [ Maddaus's] lack of access to a copy
machine, the type of pen used, or the kind of envelope used, combined with the
sheriff department's access to the letter—
suggest that the action was not taken by
Maddaus] .
Emphasis added).
24
No. 41795 2 II
- -
23
why his counsel's performance was deficient or how counsel's performance prejudiced him.
Thus, this claim also fails.
C. Recorded Phone Conversations
For the first time on appeal Maddaus argues that the trial court erred in admitting
recorded phone conversations between him and several individuals he had contacted through the
in violation of the Washington "Privacy Act ", chapter 9.3
7
jail's telephone system, allegedly
RCW. Maddaus also argues that his trial counsel provided ineffective assistance in failing to
object to the admission of these recorded phone conversations.
1. Failure to preserve issue for direct appeal
The Washington Privacy Act provides a statutory, not a constitutional, right. Because
Maddaus failed to object to admission of these phone conversations at trial, he does not meet the
manifest constitutional error exception to the preservation requirement of RAP 2. (
a)(
3).
5
Therefore, we do not further consider this issue directly. See State v. Sengxay, 80 Wn. App. 11,
15, 906 P. d 368 (1995)citing State v. Riley, 121 Wn. d 22, 31, 846 P. d 1365 (1993)).
2 ( 2 2
2. Ineffective assistance of counsel
Maddaus also collaterally challenges this evidence by alleging that his counsel's
performance was deficient in failing to object to the admission of these recorded phone
conversations, which, he claims violated Washington's Privacy Act. See Strickland, 466 U. . at
S
687 88; Hendrickson, 129 Wn. d at 77 78.
- 2 - In assessing whether counsel's performance was
deficient; Maddaus must show that (1)counsel's failure to object fell below an objectives
23
Strickland, 466 U. .at 687 88;Hendrickson, 129 Wn. d at 77 78.
S - 2 -
25
No. 41795 2 II
- -
standard of reasonableness, 2) proposed objection would have been sustained, and (3)
( the the
result of the trial would have differed. In re Pers. Restraint ofDavis, 152 Wn. d 647, 714, 101
2
P. d 1 ( 2004).
3
Under Washington's Privacy Act, it is unlawful for any " individual, partnership,
corporation, association, or the state of Washington ... to intercept or record any [p]
rivate
communication transmitted by telephone ... between two or more individuals ... without first
obtaining the consent of all the participants in the communication. RCW 9.3.
030(
1 2).
7 ), (
Our
Supreme Court has recently held that recording an inmate's telephone conversations does not
violate Washington's Privacy Act, which, by its own terms, applies only to "` [ p]
rivate
communications." State v. Modica, 164 Wn. d 83, 186 P. d 1062 ( 2008) quoting RCW
2 3 (
a)).
030(
9.3.A " ommunication is private (1)
1)(
7 c when parties manifest a subjective intention
that it be private and (2)where that expectation is reasonable." Modica, 164 Wn. d at 88. Our
2
Supreme Court concluded that, even if Modica had intended that his jail-
recorded conversations
be private, such expectation was not reasonable:
First, we have already held that inmates have a reduced expectation of privacy.
Second, both Modica and his grandmother knew they were being recorded and
that someone might listen to those recordings. ... He and his grandmother had
to listen to an automated system's warning that the call will be " ecorded and [is]
r
subject to monitor at any time."
B]
ecause Modica was in jail, because of the need for jail security, and because
Modica's calls were not to his lawyer or otherwise privileged, we conclude he had
no reasonable expectation of privacy.
Modica, 164 Wn. d at 88 89 (nternal citations omitted).
2 - i
The jail phone system plays a recorded announcement to both the party dialing and the
party receiving a phone call that all conversations are monitored. Maddaus was aware of this
26
No. 41795 2 II
- -
fact: During a three way phone call with Williams and Farmer, Maddaus stated, " ere's.
- H the
deal, right? These F * * ing
* phones are recorded all the way."12 VRP at 1476. In a separate
phone call, Maddaus spoke with Williams, who in turn handed the phone to Grimes, who then
handed it to Leville. Maddaus argues that because the phone system did not replay the recorded
message to Farmer, Leville, and Grimes, they did not consent to the State's recording these
conversations.
This argument is not a persuasive reason for excluding these conversations under the Act.
Regardless of who heard or did not hear the warnings, Maddaus, as well as the other parties he
j oined into the conversation, had no reasonable expectation of privacy. Modica, 164 Wn.2d at
89. All parties knew that Maddaus was phoning them from jail. Because the reasonableness test
is an objective one, we hold that any general expectation that jail-
initiated phone calls would be
private was not reasonable. See Modica, 164 Wn. d at 89.
2 In particular, before engaging
Farmer in this phone. call from jail, Maddaus expressly put him on notice that their phone
conversation was being recorded. Williams, Leville and Grimes each knew that Maddaus was
calling from jail; but even if they did not hear Maddaus's admonition to Farmer that the
24
Maddaus cites State v. Williams, 94 Wn. d 531, 548, 617 P. d 1012 (1980), support his
2 2 to
arguments that (1) "[ accused person has standing to object to the admission of any illegally
a]
n
recorded conversation, even if his or her privacy rights were not personally violated "; and (2)
because certain parties to the recorded conversation did not hear the recorded "monitoring"
message, Maddaus had standing to object to admission of these conversations on their behalf.
Br. of Appellant - We reject Maddaus's contention that he has standing to assert a
at 45 47.
violation of the Privacy Act on behalf of Williams, Leville; Grimes, or Farmer; moreover, the
facts here show clearly that Maddaus invited these people into the conversation, knowing that the
phone calls were being recorded. Thus, we do not further address whether their rights were
violated.
27
No. 41795 2 II
- -
conversation was being recorded, the participation of multiple parties diminished the privacy of
this second call. See State v. Christensen, 153 Wn. d 186, 193, 102 P. d 789 (2004).
2 3
Because none of the phone conversation participants had reasonable expectations of
privacy, the conversations did not violate Washington's Privacy Act and Maddaus's counsel's
performance was not deficient when he failed to object to the conversations' admission into
evidence on these grounds. We hold, therefore, that Maddaus fails to establish that his counsel
rendered ineffective assistance. Strickland, 466 U. .at 687 88.
S -
D. Detective Johnstone's Testimony
Maddaus next argues that he received ineffective assistance from his counsel when he
failed to object to Detective Johnstone's testimony, which Maddaus claims was inadmissible
hearsay that bolstered Abear's testimony. This argument fails.
First,Maddaus fails to show the deficient performance prong of the ineffective assistance
counsel test because the challenged testimony was not hearsay. Hearsay is an out ofcourt
- -
statement offered to prove the truth of the matter asserted. ER 801( ).
c Generally, hearsay is not
admissible. ER 802. Here, the State asked Johnstone, T] e facts that [Abear] testified about,
"[ h
is that what you [previously] interviewed her about[ ?]" 8 VRP at 825 26. When Maddaus
-
objected on hearsay grounds, and the trial court sustained the objection, the State rephrased the
25
When determining whether an expectation of privacy is reasonable, we consider several
factors, including but not limited to: ( the duration and subject matter of the communication,
1)
2)the location of the parties, 3)the potential presence of third parties, ( )the role of the
( 4
interloper, and (5)the interloper's relationship to the nonconsenting party. Christensen, 153
Wn. d at 193 (citing State v. Clark, 129 Wn. d 211, 225, 916 P. d 384 (1996)).
2 2 2 Here, there was
no reasonable expectation of privacy for several of these reasons, including the actual known
presence and participation of third parties.
28
No. 41795 2 II
- -
question to ask, "[ he subject matter of your interview [with Abear],was it similar to her
T]
testimony here at trial ?" Johnstone replied, Yes, it was."8 VRP at 826.
"
Defense counsel did not again object that this rephrased question and response involved
hearsay because they neither elicited nor presented an out ofcourt statement offered to prove the
- -
truth of Abear's testimony. Instead, the rephrased question and answer focused on whether there
was overlap between the subject of Johnstone's interview of Abear and her trial testimony. Nor
did this rephrased question and answer invite Johnstone to corroborate Abear's testimony.
Because there was no hearsay involved, defense counsel's performance was not deficient for
failing to object on this ground.
IV. JURY INSTRUCTIONS
Maddaus next asserts reversible error on several instructional grounds, none of which we
find persuasive. Some issues he has preserved for appeal; some he has not. We address each in
f
A. General Standard of Review
In general,jury instructions are proper if they permit the parties to argue their theories of
the case, do not mislead the jury, and properly inform the jury of the applicable law. State v.
Hayward, 152 Wn. App. 632, 641, 217 P. d 354 (2009).It is generally reversible error for the
3
trial court to refuse a proposed instruction that states the proper law and that the evidence
supports. State v.Ager, 128 Wn. d 85, 93,904 P. d 715 (1995);
2 2 State v. Staley, 123 Wn. d 794,
2
803, 872 P. d 502 (1994).We review de novo alleged errors of law injury instructions. State v.
2
Porter, 150 Wn. d 732, 735, 82 P. d 234 (2004);
2 3 Boeing Co. v. Key, 101 Wn. App. 629, 632, 5
P. d 16 ( 2000).
3 We analyze a challenged jury instruction by considering the instructions
i
29
i
No. 41795 2 II
- -
together as a whole and reading the challenged portions in context. Hayward, 152 Wn. App. at
642. Failure to object below, however, usually waives an issue on appeal, including
instructional error issues. RAP 2. (
a);v. Williams, 159 Wn. App. 298, 312 13, 244 P. d
5 State - 3
1018, review denied, 171 Wn. d 1025 (2011).
2
B. Lesser Degree Assault Instruction
Maddaus unsuccessfully argues that the trial court erred in refusing to instruct the jury on
the lesser degree offense of third degree assault. An instruction on an inferior degree offense is .
proper when
1)the statutes for both the charged offense and the proposed inferior degree
proscribe but one offense "; ( the information charges an offense that is
offense " 2)
divided into degrees, and the proposed offense is an inferior degree of the charged
offense; and (3) there is evidence that the defendant committed only the inferior
offense.
State v. Fernandez-
Medina, 141 Wn. d 448, 454, 6 P. d 1150 (2000)quoting State v. Peterson,
2 3 (
133 Wn. d 885, 891, 948 P. d 381 (1997)). State concedes, and we agree, that third degree
2 2 The
assault is an inferior degree of second degree assault.
Our focus then is whether the evidence raised an inference that Maddaus committed only
the lesser degree offense. Medina, 141 Wn. d at 455. "[T] e
Fernandez- 2 h evidence must
affirmatively establish the defendant's theory of the case it is not enough that the jury might
—
disbelieve the evidence pointing to guilt."Fernandez-
Medina, 141 Wn. d at 456 (citing State v.
2
26 See also State v. Teal, 117 Wn. App. 831, 837, 73 P. d 402 (2003)citing State v. Haack, 88
3 (
Wn. App. 423, 427, 958 P. d 1001 (1997),
2 review denied, 134 Wn. d 1016 (1998)), d, 152
2 aff
Wn. d 333, 96 P. d 974 ( 004).
2 3 2
27
Maddaus does not challenge the trial court's denial of Maddaus's request for an instruction on
fourth degree assault.
0
i
No. 41795 2 II
- -
Fowler, 114 Wn. d 59, 67, 785 P. d 808 (1990),
2 2 overruled on other grounds by State v. Blair,
117 Wn. d
2 RCW
479, 816 P. d 718 (1991)).
2 031
9A. 6.provides, in relevant part, that a
3
person commits third degree assault when he, with criminal negligence, causes bodily harm to
another person by means of a weapon or other instrument or thing likely to produce bodily harm,
or causes bodily harm accompanied by substantial pain that extends for a period sufficient to
cause considerable suffering. RCW 9A. 6.
d),
031(
1)(
3 f). (
At trial, Maddaus testified that he grabbed the mace from Abear's hands and that it
inadvertently went off, spraying them both. In his appellate brief, Maddaus denies that he
assaulted Abear with a handgun or a paintball gun;he then argues that his trial testimony did not
mention the use of any firearm or paintball gun against Abear. In short, Maddaus's theory of the
case is that there was no assault, not that he committed only the inferior degree offense.
Moreover, his argument relies entirely on the jury's disbelieving certain parts of Abear's
testimony that pointed to second degree assault but accepting other parts of her testimony that
would point to third degree assault. The Supreme Court previously rejected this analysis in
Medina, 141
Fernandez- Wn. d at 456 ( The evidence must affirmatively establish the
2
defendant's theory of the case; it is not enough that the jury might disbelieve the evidence
pointing to guilt).Thus, we hold that the trial court did not err in denying Maddaus's request for
an inferior degree instruction.
28
The legislature has since amended RCW 9A. 6.in ways that are not relevant to this case.
031
3
Accordingly, we cite the current version of the statute, LAWS of 2011, ch. 238, § l;LAWS of
2013, ch. 256, § 1.
31
No. 41795 2 II
- -
C. Unanimity on Elements
Maddaus also argues that the trial court unconstitutionally relieved the State of its burden
to prove the essential elements of each crime when it failed to instruct the jury that it must be
unanimous about (1) weapon used in the second degree assault sentencing enhancement, and
the
2) victim
the in the first degree attempted kidnapping charge . These arguments also fail.
Maddaus first argues that he was entitled to an instruction that the jury had to be
unanimous about the weapon used in the second degree assault for the sentencing enhancement
special weapon verdict because some jurors could have voted for the enhancement based on his
assaulting Abear with mace and others could have focused on either the paintball gun or the
handgun. This argument contravenes the clear jury instructions, which stated that Maddaus
assaulted Abear with a "deadly weapon,"
defined as a "firearm, whether loaded or unloaded."
CP at 434 (Instruction 18), (Instruction 30).Because we presume the jury followed the trial
446
30
court's instructions, they could not have considered the non -firearm mace or paintball gun as
deadly weapons.
29
Generally, when the State offers evidence of multiple acts, and any of those acts could support
one count, either " he State must designate the acts upon which it relies to prove its case"or " he
t t
court may instruct the jury to agree unanimously as to which acts support a specific count."
State v. Fisher, 165 Wn. d 727, 755, 202 P. d 937 (2009) citing State v. Petrich, 101 Wn. d
2 3 ( 2
566, 570, 683 P. d 173 (1984),
2 modified on other grounds by State v. Kitchen, 110 Wn. d 403,
2
756 P. d 105 (1988)).
2
But a unanimity instruction is not required when the State offers evidence of multiple acts
in a "continuing course of conduct."State v. Crane, 116 Wn. d 315, 326, 804 P. d 10 (1991).
2 2
A continuing course of conduct requires an ongoing enterprise with a single objective."State v.
Love, 80 Wn. App. 357, 361, 908 P. d 395 (1996).This determination requires a commonsense
2
evaluation of the facts. State v. Handran, 113 Wn. d 11, 17, 775 P. d 453 (1989).
2 2
30
State v. Perez -Valdez, 172 Wn. d 808, 818 19,265 P. d 853 (2011).
2 - 3
32
No. 41795 2 II
- -
Second, Maddaus argues that because the first degree attempted kidnapping charge did
not name Abear as the victim, the jury could have convicted Maddaus of second degree assault
based on his attempted kidnapping of Peterson instead of Abear. The record, however, does not
support this possibility: During closing, the State argued,
The judge also tells you what the completed crime of kidnapping in the first
degree is. Keep in mind, ladies and gentlemen, the charge is attempted
kidnapping. Jessica Abear was not kidnapped, but the evidence shows that that's
what the defendant had in mind, and he took a substantial step towards the
commission of that crime. ... The issue is what did the defendant have in mind
when he confronted, and I submit, tortured Jessica Abear.
17 VRP at 1992. We hold, therefore, that that Maddaus fails to show reversible error in the trial
court's burden of proof instructions.
D. State's Burden To Prove Each Element
Maddaus next argues for the first time on appeal that (1) trial court failed to define
the
deadly weapon" for his second degree assault charge, 2)the trial court gave an erroneous
(
instruction on "substantial step" on his first degree attempted kidnapping charge, and (3)these
errors unconstitutionally relieved the State of its burden of proof at trial. Br. of Appellant at 75,
77. He also argues that his counsel's failure to object below constituted ineffective assistance.
These arguments also fail, both in meeting the RAP 2. (
a)(preservation exception and on the
3)
5
merits (which latter issue overlaps with the "manifest"component of the preservation exception
test and the prejudice prong of the ineffective assistance of counsel test).
Due process requires the State to prove every element of an offense beyond a reasonable
doubt. U. . CONST. amend. XIV;In re Winship, 397 U. .358, 364, 90 S. Ct. 1068, 25 L.Ed. 2d
S S
368 (1970). Jury instructions that relieve the State of its burden to prove every element of an
33
No. 41795 2 II
- -
offense violate due process. State v. Thomas, 150 Wn. d 821, 844, 83 P. d 970 (2004),
2 3
abrogated in part on other grounds by Crawford v. Washington, 541 U. . 36, 124 S. Ct. 1354,
S
158 L. Ed. 2d 177 (2004).Thus, such errors affect a constitutional right and may be raised for
the first time on appeal if the defendant also shows the errors were "manifest" under RAP
a)(
2. (
3).
5
The defendant must identify a constitutional error and show how,in the context of
the trial, the alleged error actually affected the defendant's rights; it is this
showing of actual prejudice that makes the error " anifest."
m
McFarland, 127 Wn. d at 333 (emphasis added). Maddaus fails to meet this "
2 manifest"prong
of the RAP 2. (
a)(test.
3)
5
1. " eadly weapon"
D
As we have already discussed, the trial court adequately instructed that in order to convict
on Count IV, the jury was required to find that "on or about November 13, 2009, [Maddaus]
assaulted Jessica R.Abear with a deadly weapon."CP at 434 (Instruction 18)emphasis added).
(
The trial court also narrowed the jury's consideration of deadly weapon in Instruction 30 to a
firearm,whether loaded or unloaded."CP at 446 (Instruction 30).Again, we presume the jury
31
followed these instructions. Therefore, we hold that, in narrowing the jury's consideration to
the firearm, the jury instructions did not relieve the State of its burden to prove Maddaus
31 Perez -Valdez, 172 Wn. d at 818 19.
2 -
34
No. 41795 2 II
- -
assaulted Abear with a deadly weapon 32 ;thus, Maddaus shows neither error nor prejudice.
2. Substantial step"
"
Similarly, Maddaus fails to show that the trial court's instructions about the "substantial
step" element of first degree attempted kidnapping relieved the State of its burden to prove each
element of this crime. Br. of Appellant at 77. In addition, an instruction on the definition of
substantial step,"
Instruction 22 provided, A substantial step is conduct that strongly indicates
"
a criminal purpose and that is more than mere preparation." CP at 438 (emphasis added).
Maddaus argues that this definition is a lower standard than that in State v. Workman, which
stated, I] order for conduct to be a substantial step it must be strongly corroborative of the
"[ n
actor's criminal purpose." State v. Workman, 90 Wn. d 443, 452, 584 P. d 382 (1978)
2 2
emphasis added). Maddaus argues that " orroborative" is a stronger word than "
c indicates"and
that "the"criminal purpose is a more narrow consideration than "a"criminal purpose. Br. of
Appellant at 77 78.
-
Washington courts have used the terms " corroborative of and " indicates"
interchangeably without criticism; and Maddaus cites no cases to the contrary. See, e. .,
g State v.
Dent, 67 Wn. App. 656, 660, 840 P. d 202 (1992),
2 affd, 123 Wn. d 467, 869 P. d 392 (1994)
2 2
32
For the first time in his reply brief,Maddaus also argues that "[
n] in this case established
othing
that the weapon allegedly used to assault Abear was a real gun, as opposed to a toy gun."Reply
Br. of Appellant at 42. We do not consider an issue raised and argued for the first time in a reply
brief. Cowiche Canyon Conservancy v. Bosley, 118 Wn. d 801, 809, 828 P. d 549 (1992).
2 2
Moreover, Maddaus provides no further argument or authority to support this claimed error.
RAP 10.a)( Saunders v. Lloyd's of London, 113 Wn. d 330, 345, 779 P. d 249 (1989)
6);
3( 2 2
courts need not consider issues unsupported by adequate argument and authority). Thus, we do
not consider its merits.
35
No. 41795 2 II
- -
indicates
using " a criminal purpose "); State v. Aumick, 126 Wn. d 422, 427 28, 894 P. d 1325
2 - 2
1995)using " orroborative of the actor's criminal purpose ").
( c
Furthermore, Maddaus incorrectly reads Instruction 22 in isolation, contrary to the well-
settled rule that we must read jury instructions together as a whole. Hayward, 152 Wn. App. at
642; State v. Teal, 117 Wn. App. 831, 837, 73 P. d 402 (2003). Instruction 20 provides, A
3 "
person commits the crime of attempted kidnapping in the first degree when, with intent to
commit that crime, he or she does any act that is a substantial step toward the commission of that
crime." CP at 436 (Instruction 20) emphasis added). Read together, these two instructions
(
clearly required the jury to find evidence demonstrating that Maddaus took a substantial step
toward committing first degree attempted kidnapping in order to convict him of that charge.
Thus, Maddaus cannot show deficient performance by defense counsel in failing to object to the
trial court's proper instructions. We hold that the trial court's instructions did not relieve the
State of its burden of proof and that defense counsel did not provide ineffective assistance in
failing to object to these instructions.
V. PROSECUTORIAL MISCONDUCT
Maddaus next argues that the State committed various acts of prosecutorial misconduct
during closing argument. He did not, however, preserve any of these arguments with timely
objections below. Some he now casts in the context of ineffective assistance of counsel
arguments. We address each of Maddaus's claims in each turn; none provide grounds for
reversal.
01
No. 41795 2 II
- -
33
A. Standards of Review
A defendant has a fundamental right to a fair trial, secured by the right to counsel,
guaranteed by the Sixth and Fourteenth Amendments and article I,section 22 of the Washington
34
State Constitution. Estelle v. Williams, 425 U. . 501, 503, 96 S. Ct. 1691, 48 L.Ed. 2d 126S
1976);
State v. Finch, 137 Wn. d 792, 843, 975 P. d 967 (1999).Generally, a prosecutor has
2 2
wide latitude to argue reasonable inferences from the evidence. State v. Thorgerson, 172 Wn. d
2
438, 448, 258 P. d 43 (2011).Nevertheless, prosecutorial misconduct may deprive a defendant
3
of his constitutional right to a fair trial. State v. Davenport, 100 Wn. d 757, 762, 675 P. d 1213
2 2
1984).The term " air trial"implies a trial in which the prosecuting attorney does not throw the
f
prestige of his public office or the expression of his own belief of guilt into the scales against the
accused. In re Pers. Restraint of Glasmann, 175 Wn. d 696, 704, 286 P. d 673 (2012) citing
2 3 (
State v. Monday, 171 Wn. d
2 667, 677, 257 P. d 551 ( 2011)).
3 For example, the prosecutor
should not use arguments calculated to inflame the passions or prejudice of the jury. Glasmann,
175 Wn. d at 704.
2
A defendant must satisfy two requirements to prevail on a claim of prosecutorial
misconduct: He must establish that (1)the prosecutors conduct was improper, and (2)the
conduct was prejudicial in the context of the entire record and the circumstances at trial.
Thorgerson, 172 Wn. d at 438. To establish prejudice, the defendant must show a substantial
2
33 We have previously stated the applicable standard of review for ineffective assistance of
counsel claims. See n.8.
1
34
U. .CONST. amend. VI and XIV;WASH. CONST. art. I, 22.
S §
37
i
No. 41795 2 II
- -
likelihood that the misconduct affected the jury verdict. Glasmann, 175 Wn. d at 704 (citing
2
Thorgerson, 172 Wn. d at 438).
2
A party's failure to object to improper prosecutorial statements at trial constitutes a
waiver on appeal unless that party shows the statement was "` flagrant and ill-
so intentioned that
it causes an enduring and resulting prejudice that could not have been neutralized by a curative
instruction to the jury. "' State v. Dhaliwal, 150 Wn. d 559, 578, 79 P. d 432 (2003) quoting
2 3 (
State v. Brown, 132 Wn. d 529, 561, 940 P. d 546 (1997)).
2 2 Even if the trial court could have
cured the prejudice with a jury instruction, if the defense did not request such an instruction,
reversal is not automatically required. State v. Russell, 125 Wn. d 24, 85, 882 P. d 747 (1994).
2 2
Rather, the burden on the defendant heightens to show that the misconduct was so flagrant and
ill-
intentioned that an instruction would not have cured the prejudice. Thorgerson, 172 Wn. d at
2
438.
r
This heightened standard of review requires the defendant to show that (1) curative
no
instruction would have cured any prejudicial effect on the jury, and (2) misconduct resulted
the
in prejudice that "`
had a substantial likelihood of affecting the jury verdict. "' State v. Lindsay,
171 Wn. App. 808, _, 288 P. d 641,650 ( 012)quoting State v. Emery, 174 Wn. d 741, 761,
3 2 ( 2
278 P. d 653 (2012)). assess the claimed misconduct by the effect likely to have flowed
3 We
from it,focusing more on whether an instruction could have cured the misconduct. Emery, 174
Wn. d at 762.
2 In so doing, we inquire whether the misconduct engendered "` feeling of
a
prejudice "' that would have prevented a fair trial absent a curative instruction. Emery, 174
Wn. d at 762 (quoting Slattery v. City ofSeattle, 169 Wn. 144, 148, 13 P. d 464 (1932)).
2 2
38
No. 41795 2 II
- -
B. Disparaging Defense Counsel
Maddaus argues, also for the first time on appeal, that the prosecutor infringed on his
constitutional right to counsel by disparaging the role of defense counsel and impugning
counsel's integrity when the prosecutor (1)claimed that defense counsel's investigator had been
duped," ( compared defense counsel's argument to "the distractions that sometimes people
2)
create when they're passengers in a vehicle," (3)stated that what the jury heard from the
and
defense's witnesses were "the last effort to develop lies."Br. of Appellant at 50, 51. Maddaus
further argues that he received ineffective assistance based on his counsel's failure to object to
this alleged prosecutorial misconduct. Maddaus correctly notes that it is improper for the
prosecutor to comment disparagingly on defense counsel's role or to impugn the defense
lawyer's integrity. Thorgerson, 172 Wn. d at 451. But this did not happen here.
2
Here, the State neither disparaged counsel nor accused him of wrongdoing when it
suggested that defense counsel's investigator had been "duped" into being Maddaus's agent.
There was no insinuation of misconduct or lack of integrity on the part of defense counsel; nor
did this statement impugn defense counsel. Rather, the statement focused on the defense
investigator; and even then, it did not actually disparage him by suggesting that he had been
duped" by some external event or person. The same holds true for the prosecutor's second
challenged statementthat defense's witnesses had engaged in a "last effort to develop lies."17
VRP at 2077. This statement similarly did not call defense counsel's integrity into question. .
35
Thorgerson held it was improper for the prosecutor to describe defense counsel's tactics as
sleight of hand"because it "mplies wrongful deception or even dishonesty in the context of a
i
court proceeding."Thorgerson, 172 Wn. d at 451 52.
2 -
39
No. 41795 2 II
- -
Rather, the State was articulating reasons why the jury should find that the defense witnesses
were not telling the truth.
The record does not support Maddaus's argument that the prosecutor committed
misconduct in this way. In short, he shows no prejudice; thus, Maddaus also fails to establish
both reversible error and ineffective assistance of counsel for failing to object to these comments.
C. Poppycock," "
" Unreasonable," "
Crazy," "
Duped"
Maddaus next argues that the State committed prosecutorial misconduct during closing
arguments by calling defense testimony "` oppycock, "' unreasonable under the law, "' and
p "`
and suggesting that Maddaus
crazy, "' had "`
duped "' the defense investigator. Br. of Appellant
at 49 ( quoting 17 VRP at 1984, 2074). We find State v. Copeland instructive: There, the
prosecutor told the jury, Y] u' find as a jury that [Copeland] lied when he took the stand,"
ll
"[ o
and he suggested that Copeland was "lying"when he made several other statements (based on
contradictory testimony from other witnesses). State v. Copeland, 130 Wn. d 244, 291 92, 922
2 -
P. d 1304 (1996).Our Supreme Court held the prosecutor's argument was not improper because
2
he was arguing inferences from the evidence; it also held that " curative instruction would have
a
neutralized any prejudice."Copeland, 130 Wn. d at 291 92.
2 -
The statements at issue here were more flagrant and ill-
intentioned than those in
Copeland, but Maddaus fails to show that they rose to the level of being "so flagrant and ill-
intentioned"that they, too, could not have been neutralized by a curative instruction. Dhaliwal,
150 Wn. d at 578. Thus, we do not further consider the merits of his challenge for the first time
2
on appeal.
40
No. 41795 2 II
- -
To the extent that Maddaus also argues that his trial counsel was ineffective for failing to
object to these comments, we note that defense counsel may have had strategic reasons for not
objecting to these comments, such as preferring not to draw the jury's attention to them. See
Grier, 171 Wn. d at 32 33;State v. Madison, 53 Wn. App. 754, 763, 770 P. d 662 (1989) The
2 - 2 ("
decision of when or whether to object is a classic example of trial tactics. ")
D. PowerPoint Slide
Maddaus also argues for the first time on appeal that ( 1)the State engaged in
prosecutorial misconduct when it displayed a Microsoft PowerPoint slide containing a
photograph of Maddaus wearing a wig police had found in his vehicle, the word "GUILTY"
written beneath it,and other similar words surrounding it;and (2) counsel was ineffective in
his
failing to object. These arguments also fail:
Our Supreme Court recently reversed a guilty verdict and remanded for a new trial after
the prosecuting attorney made a sequential electronic slide presentation to the jury graphically
displaying his personal opinion that the defendant was "guilty, guilty, guilty" of the charged
crimes. Glasmann, 175 Wn. d at 699. The Supreme Court described these slides as follows:
2
In one slide, the booking photo appeared above the caption, DO YOU BELIEVE
"
HIM?" another booking photo slide the caption read, WHY SHOULD YOU
In "
BELIEVE ANYTHING HE SAYS ABOUT THE ASSAULT?"
Near the end of
the presentation, the booking photo appeared three more times: first with the
word "GUILTY"superimposed diagonally in red letters across [the defendant]'
s
battered face. In the second slide the word "
GUILTY"was superimposed in red
letters again in the opposite direction, forming an " X"shape across [ the
defendant]'
s face. In the third slide, the word "GUILTY,"
again in red letters,
was superimposed horizontally over the previously superimposed words.
Glasmann, 175 Wn. d at 701 02 (
2 - internal citations omitted). Glasmann failed to object,just as
Maddaus failed to object to here. Glasmann, 175 Wn. d at 700, 702.
2
41
I
No. 41795 2 II
- -
Nonetheless, on appeal, the Supreme Court held that the prosecutor's including
"
alterations of [the defendant]'
s booking photograph by addition of highly inflammatory and
prejudicial captions constituted flagrant and ill intentioned misconduct."Glasmann, 175 Wn. d
2
at 714. The Court further noted, S]
"[ howing Glasmann's battered face and superimposing red
capital letters" added to the prejudice. Glasmann, 175 Wn. d at 708 (citing State v. Gregory,
2
158 Wn. d
2 - The Court believed there was a substantial
759, 866 67, 147 P. d 1201 ( 2006)).
3
likelihood that the misconduct affected the jury because "[ ] mental state required for the
the
charged offenses, specifically intent, was critically important" and the nuanced distinctions
posed a "serious danger that the nature and scope of the misconduct here may have affected the
jury."
Glasmann, 175 Wn. d at 708, 710.
2
The circumstances in Glasmann, however, differed significantly from those here.
Glasmann was charged with first degree assault, attempted first degree robbery, first degree
kidnapping, and obstruction. Glasmann, 175 Wn. d at 700. Glasmann did not deny culpability;
2
rather, he disputed the degree of the crimes charged. Glasmann, 175 Wn. d at 700. Maddaus
2
was charged with first degree murder; but, in contrast with Glasmann, Maddaus adamantly
denied culpability. Maddaus's theory of the case was that he did not commit the murder, not,
like Glasmann, that he committed only a lesser degree of the charged crime.
Moreover, the center of this single slide included a photograph of Maddaus (not a mug
shot, as in Glasmann) wearing a wigto remind the jury that Maddaus had intentionally
—
obtained a false passport and had been using a disguise on the days leading to his arrest. In
contrast, nothing in the record here suggests that the State used this slide to trigger " n emotional
a
reaction" from the jury, as was the case in Glasmann, where mulitiple PowerPoint slides
42
No. 41795 2 II
- -
repeatedly displayed Glasmann's mug shot, displaying him as unkempt and bloody. Glasmann,
175 Wn. d at 706; 710 n. .
2 4
Applying the heightened standard of scrutiny for unpreserved errors, we hold that
Maddaus has failed to show that a curative instruction would not have overcome any prejudicial
effect from the State's use of this single slide showing him in a wig that he had used to evade
arrest. Moreover, as with the previous claim, defense counsel could have strategically elected
not to object to this slide to avoid emphasizing it further; this point, coupled with Maddaus's
failure to show prejudice, defeats his ineffective assistance claim on this basis.
VI. WITNESS TAMPERING
Maddaus next argues that ( ) two witness tampering convictions, Counts VI and VII,
1 his
based on his multiple contacts with Farmer to persuade him to provide a false alibi, constituted,
at most)one unit of witness tampering"and, consequently, double jeopardy under the Fifth and
36
Fourteenth amendments and the Washington constitution, art. I, sec. 9; and (2)there was
insufficient evidence to support his witness tampering convictions on Counts VI and VII because
the State failed to prove that Farmer was a witness, was about to be called as a witness, or was in
possession of information relevant to a criminal investigation at the time of the alleged
tampering. Br. of Appellant at 54. The State concedes, and we agree, that these two counts
constituted one unit of prosecution. We further hold that the evidence is sufficient to show that
Farmer was a potential witness; therefore, Maddaus's challenge on this ground fails.
36 U. :CONST. amend. V;XIV.
S
43
No. 41795 2 II
- -
A. Double Jeopardy; Single Unit of Prosecution
An appellant may raise a double jeopardy claim for the first time on appeal; and we
review it de novo. State v. Jackman, 156 Wn. d 736, 746, 132 P. d 136 (2006) citing RAP
2 3 (
a));
2. (
5 State v. Turner, 169 Wn. d 448, 454, 238 P. d 461 (2010) citing State v. Kelley, 168
2 3 (
Wn. d 72, 76, 226 P. d 773 (2010)). defendant may face multiple charges arising from the
2 3 A
17
same conduct, but double jeopardy prohibits multiple convictions for the same offense. State V.
Hall, 168 Wn. d 726, 729- 0, 3d 1048 (2010).
2 230 P.
3Washington's witness tampering statute provides in relevant part:
1) person is guilty of tampering with a witness if he or she attempts to induce a
A
witness or person he or she has reason to believe is about to be called as a witness
in any official proceeding ... to:
a)Testify falsely or, without right or privilege to do so, to withhold any
testimony.
RCW 9A. 2.
120(
1 a).
7 ), ( this statute in Hall, our Supreme Court held that ( )a]
Addressing 1 "[
unit of prosecution can be either an act or a course of conduct "; and (2) evil the legislature
the
has criminalized is the attempt " o induce a witness"not to testify or to testify falsely, rather than
t
the number of attempts, whether it takes 30 seconds, 30 minutes, or days."Hall, 168 Wn. d at
" 2
731. We have similarly held that a defendant's numerous telephone calls to a potential witness
to recant her testimony was a continuing course of conduct aimed at the same witness in a single
proceeding, amounting to only one unit of witness tampering. State v. Thomas, 158 Wn. App.
797, 802, 243 P. d 941 ( 2010). The State concedes, and we agree, that Maddaus's repeated
3
phone calls to persuade Farmer to testify falsely constituted one unit of prosecution and should
37 The Fifth Amendment of the United States Constitution and Washington Constitution article I,
section 9 guarantee that "[ o person shall be ...
n] twice put in jeopardy"for the same offense.
44
No. 41795 2 II
- -
result in only one conviction for witness tampering based on his contacts with Farmer in order to
prevent double jeopardy.
B. Sufficient Evidence To Support Single Count
In determining the sufficiency of the evidence to support Maddaus's challenged witness
tampering convictions, we view the evidence in the light most favorable to the State and
determine whether any rational trier of fact could have found the essential elements of the crime .
beyond a reasonable doubt. State v. Townsend, 147 Wn. d 666, 679, 57 P. d 255 (2002). A
2 3
challenge to the sufficiency of the evidence admits the truth of the State's evidence. State v.
Salinas, 119 Wn. d 192, 201, 829 P. d 1068 (1992). Applying these standards here, we hold
2 2
that the evidence is sufficient to show that Farmer was a potential witness.
Farmer had previously agreed to act as an informant for Thurston County and to perform
three controlled buys; he had provided the drug unit with Maddaus's name, and he had called
Maddaus on November 15, 2009, to purchase methamphetamine in a controlled buy. Police
obtained phone records of all calls placed and received from Maddaus's cell phone, which
included a record of his phone call to Farmer. We agree with the State that, in this context,
Farmer was a potential witness by virtue of his prior arrangements with the police to set up a
controlled buy with Maddaus and Farmer's subsequent phone calls to Maddaus's cell phone for
38
We note that the legislature has since amended the tampering statute, adding subsection (3),
which states, For purposes of this section, each instance of an attempt to tamper with a witness
"
constitutes a
separate offense." RCW 9A. 2. LAWS
120.
7 of 2011, ch. 165, § 3. Because the
statute was amended after Maddaus attempted to persuade Farmer to testify falsely, it does not
apply here.
45
No. 41795 2 II
- -
this purpose on the days immediately preceding or following the murder. Taking this evidence
in the light most favorable to the State, as we must, we hold that the evidence and the double
jeopardy prohibition support a single conviction for witness tampering based on Maddaus's
attempt to persuade Farmer to provide false testimony, namely either Count VI or Count VII,but
not both.
VII. SENTENCING
A. Firearm Enhancements
Maddaus next argues, for the first time on appeal, that his firearm sentencing
enhancements on Counts I,III,and IV violated his due process rights because the fifth amended
information charged him with only deadly weapon enhancements. We disagree.
When a defendant challenges the charging document for the first time on appeal, we
40
liberally construe the document in favor of validity. State v. Witherspoon, 171 Wn. App. 271,
294, 286 P. d 996 (2012)citing State v. Winings, 126 Wn. App. 75, 84, 107 P. d 141 (2005))..
3 ( 3
We will find the charging document sufficient if the necessary elements appear in any form or,if
by fair construction, we may find them on the face of the document. State v. Nonog, 169 Wn. d
2
220, 227, 237 P. d 250 (2010). We review the information as a whole, according to common
3
39
Maddaus does not challenge his other two witness tampering counts on these grounds; nor do
we address them. Thus, our holding here does not affect any witness tampering counts other
than Counts VI and VII.
40 As our Supreme Court recently explained, Liberal interpretation `balances the defendant's
" .
right to against the risk of ... ` sandbagging'that is, that a defendant might keep quiet
notice —
about defects in the information only to challenge them after the State has rested and can no
longer amend it. "'State v. Zillyette, 2013 WL 39460664 (2013) quoting State v. Nonog, 169
(
Wn. d 220, 227, 237 P. d 250 (
2 3 2010)).
we
No. 41795 2 II
- -
sense and including implied facts,determine (1)whether the information reasonably apprised
the defendant of the elements of the crime charged; and (2)whether the defendant can show that
the inartful or vague language in the charging document actually prejudiced him if the
information does not include all necessary elements . State v. Kjorsvick, 117 Wn. d 93, 105 06,
2 -
2d 86
812- . (1991); also State v. Williams, 162 Wn. d 177, 182, 170 P. d 30 ( 007).
P see 2 3 2
We analyze a sentencing enhancement as if it were an element of an offense because the
enhancement increases the sentence beyond the maximum otherwise authorized for the
underlying offense. State v. Recuenco, 163 Wn. d 428, 434, 180 P. d 1276 (2008).Thus, the
2 3
State must include sentencing enhancements, such as deadly weapon and firearm allegations, in
the information. State v. Crawford, 159 Wn. d 86, 94, 147 P. d 1288 .( 006) State must set
2 3 2 (
forth in information its intent to seek enhanced penalties); re Bush, 95 Wn. d 551, 554, 627
In 2
P. d 953 (1981).
2
Here, the information alleged that ( ) the time Maddaus committed first degree murder
1 at
and attempted kidnapping (Counts I and III), "was armed with a deadly weapon, a firearm ";
he
and (2)while committing second degree assault (Count IV),
Maddaus "was armed with a deadly
weapon, a firearm, to wit: a semi -
automatic pistol." CP at 21 22. The information also cited
-
41
Under the first analytical prong, if we can neither find nor fairly imply an essential element of
the crime in the charging document, we presume prejudice and reverse without considering
whether the omission prejudiced the defendant. State v. Goodman, 150 Wn. d 774, 788, 83 P. d
2 3
410 (2004).In such cases, we reverse the conviction even if the defendant had actual knowledge
of all the essential elements of the alleged crime. State v. Kjorsvick, 117 Wn. d 93, 101 02,812
2 -
P. d 86 (1991).But if the necessary facts appear, or are implied, in some form in the charging
2
document, we then consider the second analytical prong, prejudice. Goodman, 150 Wn. d at
2
788. Maddaus fails to meet this test here.
47
No. 41795 2 II
- -
RCW 9. ) Counts f and IV (murder and assault),giving Maddaus express notice
533( 4A.for
3
9
that the State was seeking a firearm sentencing enhancement for those two counts. CP at 21 22.
-
Although Count III of the information did not similarly cite this firearm sentencing enhancement
43
statute, the information expressly alleged that Maddaus had been armed with a firearm while he
was attempting the kidnapping. Looking at the information "according to common sense, and
includ[ ng] facts which are necessarily implied," we must on a first time post-
i as - conviction
42 RCW 9. )
533( 4A.provides in part:
3
9
The following additional times shall be added to the standard sentence range for
felony crimes committed after July 23, 1995, if the offender or an accomplice was
armed with a firearm as defined in RCW 9.1. and the offender is being
010 4
sentenced for one of the crimes listed in this subsection as eligible for any firearm
enhancements based on the classification of the completed felony crime. If the
offender is being sentenced for more than one offense, the firearm enhancement
or enhancements must be added to the total period of confinement for all offenses,
regardless of which underlying offense is subject to a firearm enhancement. If the
offender or an accomplice was armed with a firearm as defined in RCW 9.1.
010
4
and the offender is being sentenced for an anticipatory offense under chapter
9A. 8 RCW to commit one of the crimes listed in this subsection as eligible for
2
any firearm enhancements, the following additional times shall be added to the
standard sentence range determined under subsection (2) this section based on
of
the felony crime of conviction as classified under RCW 9A. 8.
020:
2
a)Five years for any felony defined under any law as a class A felony or with a
statutory maximum sentence of at least twenty years, or both, and not covered
under ( ) this subsection;
f of
b) Three years for any felony defined under any law as a class B felony or with a
statutory maximum sentence of ten years, or both, and not covered under (f) of
this subsection;
c) Eighteen months for any felony defined under any law as a class C felony or
with a statutory maximum sentence of five years, or both, and not covered under
f) this subsection.
of
43
But it did cite the deadly weapon enhancement statute, RCW 9. recently recodified as
602,
94A.
825.LAWS
9.
94A. of 2009, ch. 28, §41.
No. 41795 2 II
- -
challenge to the information, we hold that the information's allegation that Maddaus was armed
with a deadly weapon, a firearm," Count III "easonably appris[ d]" that the State was
" on r e him
seeking a firearm sentencing enhancement for this attempted kidnapping charge. CP at 22. See
Kjorsvick, 117 Wn. d at 109.
2
44
Furthermore, in contrast with Recuenco, the jury instructions here defined " irearm"as
f
a weapon or device from which a projectile may be fired by an explosive such as gunpowder."
CP at 448 (Instruction 32).Each of the challenged special verdict forms also asked the jury to
determine whether Maddaus was "armed with a firearm at the time of the commission of the
crime."CP at 452, 455, 457 (
emphasis added).
45
Contrary to Maddaus's focus on the "operative language of the [i]
nformation, , rather
than on citation to a particular statutory authority, we conclude that the charging document
reasonably apprised Maddaus that the State was seeking firearm sentencing enhancements and
44
In Recuenco, the information charged second degree assault committed,with a deadly weapon,
to wit:
= handgun "'; but the special verdict form asked the jury to find only whether
a
Recuenco had been armed with
" a deadly weapon. "' The jury returned a special verdict finding
that Recuenco had been armed with a deadly weapon while committing the assault; but the trial
court imposed a firearm sentencing enhancement rather than a deadly weapon enhancement.
Recuenco, 163 Wn. d at 431 32. The Supreme Court vacated Recuenco's firearm sentencing
2 -
enhancement, holding that ( ) trial court had erred in imposing a sentence enhancement that
1 the
had not been charged and the jury had not found; and (2)the trial court had exceeded its
authority in enhancing the sentence based on a fact not found by the jury. Recuenco, 163 Wn. d
2
at 442. The Court based its holding in part on (1) trial court's failure to define "firearm"in
the
the jury instructions, and (2) lack of any jury finding that the defendant had been armed with
the
a firearm during commission of the underlying offense. Recuenco, 163 Wn. d at 431 32;see
2 -
also In re Pers. Restraint ofDelgado, 149 Wn.App. 223, 236 37,204 P. d 936 (2009)applying
- 3 (
Recuenco where information failed to allege firearm sentencing enhancements and jury
instructions failed to define "
firearm ").
45
Reply Br. of Appellant at 48.
No. 41795 2 II
- -
that the charging document matched the special verdict forms, which clearly asked the jury to
decide whether Maddaus had been "armed with a firearm,"
during the commission of Counts I,
III,and IV.CP at 452, 455, 457. Maddaus fails to show that the language in his fifth amended
information actually prejudiced him. Accordingly, his claim fails. See Kjorsvik, 117 Wn. d at
2
101 02.
-
B. Prior " trike"Convictions
S
Maddaus next argues, for the first time on appeal, that the prosecution failed to prove his
two prior " trike"convictions. Br. of Appellant at 97. This argument lacks merit.
s
To calculate a defendant's offender score and sentence properly, the Sentencing Reform
Act of 1981, chapter 9. RCW, requires sentencing courts to determine a defendant's criminal
94A
history based on his prior convictions and the level of seriousness of the current offense. RCW
505;
9.
94A. State v. Ross, 152 Wn. d 220, 229, 95 P. d 1225 (2004). The State must prove a
2 3
defendant's criminal history by a preponderance of the evidence. State v. Hunley, 161 Wn. App.
919, 927, 253 P. d 448, aff'd, 175 Wn: d 901, 287 P. d 584 (2012). The best evidence of a
3 2 3
prior conviction is a certified copy of the judgment. State v. Mendoza, 165 Wn. d 913, 920, 205
2
P. d 113 (2009) quoting State v. Lopez, 147 Wn. d 515, 519, 55 P. d 609 (2002)). is the
3 ( 2 3 It
State's obligation to ensure that the record before the sentencing court supports the criminal
history determination. State v. Ford, 137 Wn. d 472, 480, 973 P. d 452 (1999).
2 2
I 46 We also reject Maddaus's argument that a firearm enhancement cannot be imposed unless the
State proved he had been armed with a working We have previously held that this
firearm.
language from Recuenco is non -
binding dicta. See State v. Raleigh, 157 Wn. App. 728, 735, 238
P. d 1211 (2010).
3
50
No. 41795 2 II
- -
A defendant waives the right to object to inclusion of a prior conviction when he
affirmatively acknowledges that the conviction was properly included in his offender score.
Ross, 152 Wn. d at 229 32. But a defendant's silence on the issue is not sufficient to constitute
2 -
such a waiver. Hunley, 161 Wn.App. at 928 29.
-
Here, the State provided certified copies of Maddaus's prior judgment.and sentences: A
1993 jury verdict of guilty for two counts of second degree assault while armed with a deadly
weapon; and a 1995 guilty plea conviction for unlawful possession with intent to deliver while
armed with a deadly weapon. Both offenses are "most serious offenses"under the POAA. RCW
9.2)( A "[ ost serious offense" includes "[ ] y other felony with a deadly
b),
030( 4A.t).
3
9 m] ( an
weapon verdict under RCW 9.
825." 9.2)(
94A. RCW 030( 4A.
t).3
9
Maddaus argues that his 1995 drug possession conviction was not a "` ost serious
m
offense "' under the POAA because he "pled guilty to the offense and the enhancement; thus,
there was no `verdict'," required by RCW 9.2)( of Appellant at 100. In the
as t).
030( 4A. Br.
3
9
alternative, he argues that his 1995 deadly weapon enhancement for this crime was entered
under [ former] RCW 9.
125 "
94A. rather than RCW 9.
825,thus disqualifying it for
94A.
consideration under the POAA. Br. of Appellant at 101. Maddaus's first argument lacks merit
because a plea of guilty is equivalent to conviction and has the same effect as a jury verdict of
guilty. In re Williams, 111 Wn. d 353, 357, 759 P. d 436 ( 1988). Maddaus's alternative
2 2
argument also fails because the language from former RCW 9.
125 is identical to that in
94A.
RCW 9.
825;and RCW 9.2)(
94A. t) 3
9 125. These
030( 4A. references former RCW 9.
94A.
47
The statute was recodified as 825 in 2008. LAWS of
RCW 9.94A. 2009, ch. 28, §41.
51
No. 41795 2 II
- -
portions of the SRA have changed only in their numbering, not in their substance. Thus,
Maddaus's argument on this point also lacks merit.
C. POAA Sentence
Finally, Maddaus challenges his life sentence, arguing that (1) classification of prior
the
convictions as "elements"in some circumstances and "sentencing factors"in others violates his
state and federal equal protection rights; 2) trial court's imposition of a life sentence violated
( the
his Sixth and Fourteenth Amendment rights to a jury determination beyond a reasonable doubt
that he had two prior qualifying convictions; and (3) life sentence without the possibility of
his
parole violates his state constitutional due process rights. Br. of Appellant at 107. These
arguments also fail.
1. Equal protection
Maddaus argues that the POAA violates his state and federal equal protection rights
because his prior convictions allegedly elevated the offense from one category to another. He
argues that when proof of a prior conviction elevates a crime, ( )the State must prove the
1
conviction beyond a reasonable doubt, but (2) POAA violates equal protection because it
the
permits the State to prove his prior crimes by a mere preponderance of the evidence. We
disagree.
Equal protection guarantees that persons similarly situated with respect to the legitimate
purposes of the law must receive equal treatment. State v. Williams, 156 Wn. App. 482, 496, 234
P. d 1174, review denied, 170 Wn. d 1011( 010); S.CONST. amend. XIV;WASH. CONST. art.
3 2 2 U.
1, § 12. We recently analyzed the same issue in Witherspoon, holding that the defendant's equal
protection challenge to his POAA sentence failed because there is a rational basis to distinguish
52
No. 41795 2 II
- -
between a recidivist charged with a serious felony and a person whose conduct is felonious only
because of a prior conviction for a similar offense. Witherspoon, 171 Wn. App. at 304 05;see
-
also State v. Langstead, 155 Wn. App. 448, 454 57, 228 P. d 799, review denied, 170 Wn. d
- 3 2
1009 (2010);
Williams, 156 Wn. App. at 496 99. Adhering to our rationale in Witherspoon, we
-
reject Maddaus's equal protection challenge here.
2. Prior convictions
Maddaus next argues that the trial court violated his Sixth and Fourteenth Amendment
rights when it failed to prove his prior qualifying convictions by a jury determination beyond a
reasonable doubt. Again, we recently rejected this same argument in Witherspoon. We
recognized that current Washington Supreme Court case law interpreting the POAA has
consistently continued to hold that a judge can determine a prior conviction for POAA
sentencing purposes and that a jury determination is not required." Witherspoon, 171 Wn. App.
at 317 (citing State v. Smith, 150 Wn. d 135, 143, 75 P. d 934 (2003),
2 3 cent. denied, 541 U. .
S
909, 124 S. Ct. 1616, 158 L.Ed. 2d 256 (2004); re Pers. Restraint ofLavery, 154 Wn. d 249,
In 2
25657, 111 P. d 837 (2005);
- 3 State v. Mutch, 171 Wn. d 646, 659, 254 P. d 803 (2011)).
2 3 We
further noted that all three divisions of the Washington Court of Appeals have also rejected this
argument. Witherspoon, 171 Wn. App. at 317 (citing State v. Rivers, 130 Wn. App. 689, 692,
128 P. d 608 (2005) Division One),
3 ( review denied, 158 Wn. d 1008 (2006),
2 cent. denied, 549
U. . 1308 (2007);
S State v. McKague, 159 Wn. App. 489, 515 17,246 P. d 558 (Division Two),
- 3
affd, 172 Wn. d 802, 262 P. d 1225 (2011);
2 3 State v. O'onnell, 137 Wn. App. 81, 90 91, 152
C -
P. d 349 (Division Three),
3 review denied, 162 Wn. d 1007 (2007)).
2 Again adhering to existing
case law,we hold that Maddaus's argument also fails here.
53
No. 41795 2 II
- -
3. Due process balancing test
Finally, Maddaus argues that the imposition of a life sentence without parole violates due
process under article 1, section 3 of the Washington constitution when analyzed under the civil
liberties deprivation test outlined by the United States Supreme Court in Mathews v. Eldridge,
424 U. .319, 333, 96 S. Ct. 893,47 L.Ed. 2d 18 (1976). disagree.
S We
In State v. Heddrick, our Supreme Court explicitly rejected the Mathews test for criminal
matters. State v. Heddrick, 166 Wn. d 898, 904 n. ,215 P. d 201 (2009).Instead, it applied the
2 3 3
due process analysis found in Medina v. California, 505 U. .437, 443, 112 S. Ct. 2572, 120 L.
S
Ed. 2d 353 (1992).Heddrick, 166 Wn. d at 904 n. ( T] e Mathews balancing test does not
2 3 "[ h
provide the appropriate framework for assessing the validity of state procedural rules. ")citing
(
Medina, 424 U. . at 334 35).
S - Nevertheless, our Supreme Court did use Mathews to resolve a
due process challenge in the context of assessing a witness's competency to testify, but only
because the issue (witness competency) might " rise in a civil or criminal proceeding."State v.
a
Brousseau, 172 Wn. d 331, 346 n. ,259 P. d 209 (2011).
2 8 3
Maddaus's due process question focuses on the procedure for determining a criminal
defendant's prior history under the POAAan issue "that is unique to the criminal context."
—
Brousseau, 172 Wn. d at 346 n. . Therefore, in light of our Supreme Court's limited application
2 8
of the Mathews test in Brousseau, we decline Maddaus's invitation to apply the Mathews test
48
In Mathews, the United States Supreme Court held that, in determining what process is due in
a given situation, courts should weigh ( ) private interest at stake; 2) risk of an erroneous
1 the ( the
deprivation of such interest through current procedures, and the probable value of additional or
substitute procedural safeguards; and ( ) government interest, including the additional burden
3 the
of added procedural safeguards. Mathews, 424 U. .at 321.
S
54
No. 41795 2 II
- -
here. Because he presents no other argument in support of his due process claim, we hold that he
has failed to show that existing procedural safeguards under the POAA are insufficient.
VIII. REMAINING ADDITIONAL GROUNDS (SAG)
A. Request for New Appointed Counsel
Maddaus asserts that the trial court erred in denying his request to fire his attorney and
for appointment of new counsel. We disagree.
A defendant has the right to retain his counsel of choice; denial of a request to retain new
counsel may unlawfully deprive the defendant of that right. State v. Chase, 59 Wn. App. 501,
506, 799 P. d 272 (1990).But the right to retain the counsel of one's choice is not unlimited;
2
instead, the request must be made within a reasonable time before trial. Chase, 59 Wn. App. at
506. Absent substantial reasons for delay, a late request will generally be denied, especially if a
continuance may delay trial. Chase, 59 Wn. App. at 506. We review a trial court's denial of a
motion to substitute counsel for abuse of discretion. State v. Stenson, 132 Wn. d 668, 733, 940
2
cent. denied, 523 U. . 1008 ( 1998). To determine whether the trial court
P. d 1239 ( 1997),
2 S
abused its discretion in denying a defendant's request for substitute counsel, we consider the (1)
extent of the alleged conflict, 2)
( adequacy of the trial court's inquiry, and (3)timeliness.of the
request. In re Pers. Restraint ofStenson, 142 Wn. d 710, 724, 16 P. d 1 ( 2001).
2 3
On the third day of trial,Maddaus asked for new counsel, stating,
Yeah, at this time I' like to fire my counsel. I need new counsel. I can't afford
d
to hire [retained counsel] and continue to pay him like this. I'e asked him to do
v
several things. A letter, I don't know, somehow from me to Mr. Woodrow made
it to the prosecutor's office. Now, it might be possible that Mr. Woodrow could
have been the one to send that letter himself. I didn't do it.
55
No. 41795 2 II
- -
3 VRP at 263 64. The trial court responded, I am not going to allow it at this late date....
- " I
have already ruled on the letter."3 VRP at 264. Maddaus did not provide any new substantial
reason to support his request for new counsel, especially in light of the lateness of his request
three days into the trial. Thus, we hold that the trial court did not abuse its discretion in denying
this request.
B. Judicial Bias
Maddaus also asserts that the trial court was biased against him and failed to act
impartially because the trial court denied several of his counsel's requests to be heard outside the
presence of the jury and "ma[ e] a bunch of rulings all in favor of the state." SAG at 46. The
d
record does not support these assertions.
We presume that a judge acts without bias or prejudice. State v. Dominguez, 81 Wn.
App. 325, 330, 914 P. d
2 141 ( 1996). The law requires both actual impartiality and the
appearance of impartiality of a judge. State v. Post, 118 Wn. d 596, 618, 826 P. d 172, 837
2 2
P. d 599 (1992).Having reviewed the record, we find no basis to support Maddaus's claim that
2
the trial judge was either actually or apparently biased against Maddaus. Dominguez, 81 Wn.
App. at 330.
C. Cumulative Error
Finally, Maddaus asserts that we must reverse his convictions under the cumulative error
doctrine. Cumulative error may warrant reversal, even if each error standing alone would
otherwise be considered harmless, when the errors combined denied the defendant a fair trial.
State v. Weber, 159 Wn. d 252, 279, 149 P. d 646 (2006);
2 3 State v. Greiff, 141 Wn. d 910, 929,
2
10 P. d 390 (2000).
3 The defendant, however, bears the burden of proving an accumulation of
56
No. 41795 2 II
- -
error of such magnitude that retrial is necessary. State v. Yarbrough, 151 Wn. App. 66, 98, 210
P. d 1029 (2009).Maddaus has failed to satisfy his burden of demonstrating an accumulation of
3
errors sufficient to require a retrial on all counts; furthermore, most of his alleged errors
considered individually have failed. Thus,the cumulative error doctrine does not apply.
We remand to the trial court to vacate either Count VI or Count VII because these two
witness tampering convictions were based on a single unit of prosecution and should result in a
single conviction at resentencing. We affirm Maddaus's other convictions and his firearm
sentencing enhancements.
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
040,
2.6.it is so ordered.
0
Hunt, I
concur:
i
Ow"
i
0."
J,
57
No. 41795 2 II
- -
BRINTNALL, J. concurring) —
QuiNN- ( I agree with the entirety of the majority opinion
with the exception of its analysis that Robert Maddaus does not have the right for a jury to find
whether he is a persistent offender subject to incarceration for life without the possibility of
parole under the Persistent Offender Accountability Act (POAA), 570. For the
RCW 9.94A.
reasons stated in my opinions in State v. Witherspoon, 171 Wn. App. 271, 306, 286 P. d 996
3
2012)plurality opinion),
( review granted, 177 Wn. d 1007 (2013),
2 State v. McKague, 159 Wn.
App. 489, 525, 246 P. d 558 (Quinn -
3 Brintnall, J.,
concurring in part and dissenting in part),
aff'd,172 Wn. d 802, 262 P. d 1225 (2011), State v. Rudolph, 141 Wn. App. 59, 72, 168
2 3 and
P. d 430 (2007) Quinn -
3 ( Brintnall, J.,
dissenting),review denied, 163 Wn. d 1045 (2008),I
2
continue to question a trial court's constitutional authority to impose a sentence beyond that
supported by a jury verdict based on a trial court's factual finding that a defendant is a persistent
offender. But because of a key factual distinction between the present case and those considered
in my dissenting analyses on this issue in the opinions referenced above, I conclude that any
violation of Maddaus's jury trial rights in this instance is harmless and concur with the
majority's result on the POAA issue.
In both Witherspoon and McKague, I discussed how the trial court's imposed sentence
exceeded the maximum statutory penalty for the offense of conviction established by the
legislature. In both cases, the defendant's third strike" for purposes of the POAA involved a
"
class B felony with a statutory maximum penalty of 10 years confinement. Witherspoon, 171
Wn. App. at 314 (defendant's third strike involved second degree robbery, a class B felony that
normally carries a maximum penalty of 10 years confinement);
McKague, 159 Wn. App. at 527
n.2 (Quinn -
2 Brintnall, J.,
concurring in part and dissenting in part) defendant's second degree
(
58
No. 41795 2 II
- -
assault conviction, a class B felony, had a statutory maximum penalty of 10 years confinement).
And in both cases the trial court sentenced the defendant to a sentence longer than the statutory
maximum of 10 years confinementlife without the possibility of parole—
— without a jury
finding that the defendant was a persistent offender beyond a reasonable doubt. Witherspoon,
171 Wn. App. at 314; McKague, 159 Wn. App. at 527 (Quinn -
Brintnall, J.,
concurring in part
and dissenting in part).In my view, this procedure does not comport with longstanding practice
in Washington nor the Sixth Amendment's protections of a defendant's jury trial rights. See,
g Witherspoon, 171 Wn.
e. ., App. at 305 08.
- By imposing a sentence that exceeds the one
supported by the jury verdict, as in McKague and Witherspoon, a defendant's Sixth Amendment
right to have his sentence supported by a jury's verdict remains unfulfilled.
But here, a jury entered a guilty verdict finding Maddaus guilty of first degree felony
murder. First degree felony murder is a class A felony. RCW 9A. 2. The statutory
030(
2).
3
maximum sentence for class A felonies is confinement for life. RCW 9A. 0:
a).
021(
1)(
2 The trial
court sentenced Maddaus to life without the possibility of parole under the POAA. Our Supreme
Court has previously determined that in the context of the POAA, there is no significant
difference between a life sentence with the possibility of parole and a sentence of life without the
possibility of parole. State v. Thomas, 150 Wn. d 821, 847 48, 83 P. d 970 (2004);
2 - 3 State v.
Rivers, 129 Wn. d 697, 714, 921 P. d 495 (1996).Accordingly, in contrast with McKague and
2 2
Witherspoon, the trial court here imposed a sentence within the permitted statutory maximum of
59
No. 41795 2 II
- -
the offense of conviction. Therefore, Maddaus's sentence is supported by the jury's verdict and
any violation of Maddaus's jury trial rights in this instance is harmless.
wIffil.
W- "
1