State Of Washington v. K.a.b.

Filed
Washington State
Court of Appeals
Division Two
October 27, 2020
IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON
DIVISION II
STATE OF WASHINGTON, No. 51051-1-II
(consolidated with No. 52921-1-II)
Respondent,
v.
K.A.B., ORDER GRANTING MOTION TO
PUBLISH AND PUBLISHING OPINION
Appellant.
APPELLANT K.A.B. filed a motion to publish this court’s opinion filed on August 25,
2020. After consideration, the court grants the motion. It is now
ORDERED that the final paragraph in the opinion which reads “A majority of the panel
having determined that this opinion will not be printed in the Washington Appellate Reports, but will
be filed for public record in accordance with RCW 2.06.040, it is so ordered.” is deleted. It is further
ORDERED that the opinion will now be published.
PANEL: Jj. Worswick, Lee, Cruser
FOR THE COURT:
_________________________________________
CRUSER, J.
Filed
Washington State
Court of Appeals
Division Two
August 25, 2020
IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON
DIVISION II
STATE OF WASHINGTON, No. 51051-1-II
(consolidated with No. 52921-1-II)
Respondent,
v.
K.A.B., UNPUBLISHED OPINION
Appellant.
CRUSER, J. — K.A.B. seeks reversal of her custodial assault conviction, both through a
personal restraint petition and a direct appeal, which we have consolidated for review.
In her direct appeal, K.A.B. argues that the juvenile court erred because (1) it
misapprehended the law on juvenile capacity, (2) the juvenile court’s finding that K.A.B. had the
capacity to commit a crime was not supported by substantial evidence, (3) the finding that K.A.B.
had the intent to commit custodial assault was not supported by substantial evidence because
K.A.B. suffered from diminished capacity due to the dosage of fluoxetine (Prozac) she was taking
at the time of the custodial assault, (4) the conclusion that the detention officer was acting within
the scope of her “official duties” was not supported because the restraints she used against K.A.B.
were excessive under the circumstances, and (5) the juvenile court should have considered whether
K.A.B. was acting in self-defense.
Consolidated Nos. 51051-1-II/52921-1-II
In a personal restraint petition (PRP), K.A.B. raises a claim of ineffective assistance of
counsel based on various instances of alleged deficient performance, including that counsel failed
to adequately prepare and present a diminished capacity defense. She argues that no legitimate
trial strategy can account for counsel’s errors and that she suffered prejudice. K.A.B. also claims
that the juvenile court erred in finding capacity, and that the juvenile court judge violated the
appearance of fairness doctrine and should have recused himself.
With regard to her direct appeal, we hold that the juvenile court misapprehended the law
on juvenile capacity and applied an incorrect standard when it determined that K.A.B. had capacity
to commit a crime under RCW 9A.04.050. On remand, the juvenile court is instructed to hold a
new capacity hearing applying the correct standard. We further hold that (1) on the record before
the juvenile court, the evidence is sufficient to sustain the finding that K.A.B. had the intent to
commit custodial assault, (2) the conclusion that the detention officer was acting within the scope
of her official duties was supported by the unchallenged finding of fact, and (3) the juvenile court
had no duty to sua sponte consider whether K.A.B. was acting in self-defense.
With regard to her PRP, we hold that K.A.B. received ineffective assistance of counsel
because her trial counsel failed to adequately prepare and present a diminished capacity defense.
Accordingly, we reverse K.A.B.’s conviction and remand to a different judge for further
proceedings consistent with this opinion.
FACTS
I. BACKGROUND
K.A.B. lived with her maternal grandmother who became her adoptive parent after
K.A.B.’s biological parents had their parental rights terminated. K.A.B.’s early childhood was
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“marred by her parents’ problems with mental illness, substance abuse, and domestic violence.”
Clerk’s Papers (CP) at 52. Since 2013, K.A.B. has received mental health counseling. In 2016,
K.A.B. was admitted to Grays Harbor Community Hospital on several occasions related to
behavioral issues that included threatening conduct and suicidal ideations. K.A.B. had previously
“exhibited severe, recurrent temper outbursts [that] manifested verbally,” and these outbursts were
“inconsistent with her developmental level.” Id. at 53. After an inpatient stay at Seattle Children’s
Hospital, K.A.B. was diagnosed with oppositional defiant disorder (ODD), attention-
deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and possible posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
stemming from her “history of abuse and neglect while living with her biological parents.” Id.
K.A.B. was prescribed a 40 mg dose of fluoxetine, commonly known by its brand-name Prozac,
and guanfacine.
On January 31, 2017, when K.A.B. was 11 years old, she was charged with two counts of
second degree assault against her maternal grandmother, each with deadly weapon enhancements.
K.A.B. was placed in the Grays Harbor Juvenile Detention facility to await adjudication of these
charges.
While in detention, K.A.B.’s mental health condition continued to affect her. She had
approximately 11 incident reports filed on her for behaviors that included name calling, throwing
food, and not following directions. K.A.B. had also experienced suicidal episodes while in the
detention center on at least five occasions where mental health professionals were involved. At a
pretrial hearing on April 20, 2017, the State informed the juvenile court that detention center staff
were worried about K.A.B.’s behavior and asked that the juvenile court set up a psychiatric
appointment for her.
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II. MARCH 3 INCIDENT
During class time at the detention center, K.A.B. was not cooperating with Linda Hayes,
the detention center teacher, because she did not want to do her online schoolwork but wanted to
work on a crossword puzzle instead. Hayes attempted to redirect K.A.B. to do the online
schoolwork, but K.A.B. refused and “became angry.” Verbatim Report of Proceedings (VRP)
(June 16, 2017) at 70-71. K.A.B. was writing swear words on her paper, refused to give her pencil
to Hayes, and “[h]er general body language said that she was not happy.” Id. at 71. Hayes asked
K.A.B. to leave the room, but K.A.B. refused. After a short attempt to get K.A.B. to leave the
room, Hayes called the detention staff to remove K.A.B. from the classroom because she “was
concerned that [K.A.B.] was going to continue to get upset.” Id.
Detention Officer (DO) Georgia Peterson arrived at the classroom with another DO and
saw that “it was pretty quiet, [K.A.B] was playing with some papers on her desk.” Id. at 86. K.A.B.
continued to refuse to leave the classroom or to make any attempt to stand up and leave on her
own, and K.A.B. told Peterson that her voice “was the last voice she wanted to hear.” Id. at 86-87.
Hayes asked the other students in the classroom to move to the other side of the room for safety,
and Peterson and the other DO each grabbed one of K.A.B.’s arms, holding K.A.B. in the escort
position, and escorted her out of the classroom. When they arrived at the intake room, Peterson
and the other DO placed K.A.B. on the bench in one handcuff and cuffed her to the cuff bar.
After Peterson and the other DO restrained K.A.B. at the cuff bar, they left K.A.B. alone
in the intake area. Detention staff were working on other tasks when Peterson saw on the security
camera that K.A.B. was not on the bench and had gotten out of the handcuff.
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When Peterson went back into the intake room with DO Joshua Dick, K.A.B. was holding
something in her hand and the detention officers verbally directed K.A.B. to set the object down
and sit back on the bench. K.A.B. was in the storage area when Dick and Peterson returned to the
intake room. The security video confirmed that K.A.B. had been calmly walking about the intake
room and had wandered into the storage area shortly before the DOs arrived.
While in the storage area, both Dick and Peterson grabbed K.A.B.’s arms and moved
K.A.B. to the bench where they restrained K.A.B. in cuffs behind her back. While Dick attempted
to apply the leg restraints, K.A.B. was kicking and resisting the restraints. Peterson held K.A.B.’s
legs by the knees and had pulled her close to prevent her kicking. K.A.B.’s face was about one and
a half feet away from Peterson’s when K.A.B. spit on Peterson’s face. Peterson then pushed
K.A.B.’s face away toward the wall and a third DO came to assist in restraining K.A.B.’s head
against the bench. Peterson retrieved a spit mask that completely shrouded K.A.B.’s face and
applied it to K.A.B. to prevent her from spitting again.
K.A.B. apparently continued to swear, refused to comply with verbal instructions, and
struck the back of her head against the wall behind her while fully restrained and with the mask
covering her face. The three DOs then moved K.A.B. from the bench to a restraint chair. Peterson
testified that K.A.B. made threats to kill her while the three DOs were moving K.A.B. from the
bench to the restraint chair. Dick also testified that while K.A.B. was sitting back on the bench
after the second attempt to restrain her, K.A.B. made threats towards staff and threats of self-harm.
K.A.B. was unable to recall what happened in the time between Peterson and Dick retrieving her
from the storage room and placing her in the restraint chair. On March 8, the State charged K.A.B.
with custodial assault under RCW 9A.36.100(1)(a).
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II. PRETRIAL EVENTS
A. CAPACITY DETERMINATION
The juvenile court held a capacity hearing on the custodial assault charge. Defense counsel
retained Dr. Fran Lexcen from the Child Study and Treatment Center (CSTC) to conduct a forensic
evaluation on K.A.B.’s juvenile capacity. Dr. Lexcen described K.A.B.’s background as including
a “home environment of neglect, abuse[,] and domestic violence,” and she acknowledged that there
was “an ongoing conflict about who will be [K.A.B.’s] guardian and where she will live if she is
released. Thus, [K.A.B.] has lived and is living in an environment of stress and persistent
uncertainty.” CP 56. The report described K.A.B.’s behavioral problems that “date back to at least
early elementary school and are extraordinary in that they are so extreme and violent. It appears
that she has limited control of her conduct when she is upset.” Id.
Dr. Lexcen evaluated factors from the Supreme Court’s decision in State v. J.P.S., 135
Wn.2d 34, 37, 954 P.2d 894 (1998), that bear on whether a child has capacity to commit a crime.
She determined that while some of the factors (such as whether the child exhibited a desire for
secrecy or admonished the victim not to tell) were not relevant to this case, the others tended to
demonstrate that K.A.B. was aware of the wrongfulness of her conduct. In particular, Dr. Lexcen’s
report noted that K.A.B.’s academic performance and cognitive functioning were consistent for
her age, though she may have some limitations in language processing and social communication.
However, these limitations did not reveal any delayed or immature development. In addition,
K.A.B. had previously been suspended from school for spitting, and records indicate she had
previously attempted to spit on hospital staff. Finally, K.A.B. stated during the incident that “she
would rather go to prison than be moved to Arizona,” which Dr. Lexcen interpreted as
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demonstrating awareness “that her behaviors were likely [sic] result in punishment.” CP at 60.
However, when asked to describe the incident, “[K.A.B.] spontaneously offered the information
that she had merely been sent to the hospital after she had been charged with assault in the past.”
Id. Dr. Lexcen explained that this statement indicates that K.A.B. expected an outcome less severe
than an assault charge.
The parties stipulated to admission of Dr. Lexcen’s report. Defense counsel argued that
“custodial assault requires an intent” and “it’s unclear on whether she did have the required intent
to commit the act in general.” VRP (Apr. 6, 2017) at 33. In addition, defense counsel argued that
K.A.B.’s prior consequences for similar conduct included suspension from school, which K.A.B.
might have interpreted as being a reward as opposed to a negative consequence, and therefore, she
lacked an ability to understand that her conduct was wrongful.
The juvenile court disagreed and stated that it believed that criminal intent is not relevant
to capacity findings. Rather, the juvenile court believed that it was required to determine only
whether the child was able to appreciate the wrongful quality of the act when it was committed.
Noting specifically that K.A.B.’s thought processes, as described by Dr. Lexcen, were “logical and
linear” and that K.A.B. had been suspended for spitting previously, the juvenile court agreed with
Dr. Lexcen’s conclusion and ruled that there was clear and convincing evidence that K.A.B. had
capacity to commit a crime. Id. at 41.
B. DESIGNATING DR. JOHN HOLTTUM AS AN EXPERT WITNESS
While in detention, K.A.B.’s maternal grandmother was referred to a psychiatrist, Dr. John
Holttum, by a relative, and K.A.B. had begun to receive psychiatric care from him. K.A.B.’s
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Consolidated Nos. 51051-1-II/52921-1-II
counsel, Amanda Kleespie, filed a witness list designating Dr. Holttum as an expert witness.
Attached to the witness list, Kleespie provided a declaration from Dr. Holttum.
Dr. Holttum’s declaration contained information about his qualifications, the fact that he
had met with K.A.B., and the fact that his only sources of information were K.A.B. and her
maternal grandmother. Dr. Holttum confirmed that he diagnosed K.A.B. with ADHD and PTSD
and that he believed K.A.B.’s dosage of fluoxetine, which began at 10 mg, was increased too
rapidly to 40 mg. Due to this rapid increase, “the previously reported benefit vanished and [K.A.B.]
seemed more volatile than she did before the medication was started. This is a possible side effect
of high doses of fluoxetine in children.” CP 96. He recommended a dose reduction to test the
possibility that the 40 mg dosage of fluoxetine was making K.A.B. experience heightened
volatility.
At a hearing on May 11, the State sought a continuance because the State needed time to
speak to Dr. Holttum and to determine whether it would need an expert of its own. The juvenile
court asked whether Dr. Holttum had provided a report, and Kleespie referred the court to the
declaration she filed along with her witness list. Referring to Dr. Holttum’s declaration, the
juvenile court stated, “[T]his doesn’t express any opinions that would be admissible at trial. Does
he have some other opinions that you intend to illicit [sic] from him? Why are you calling him as
a witness?” VRP (May 11, 2017) at 58. Kleespie replied that she intended to call Dr. Holttum as a
witness “[f]or his opinions, based on the reaction now that he has met with [K.A.B.], has changed
her medication. . . . And how the medication would have affected her at the time of the trial [1] --
1
Counsel perhaps meant to say “at the time of the incident” rather than “at the time of the trial.”
VRP (May 11, 2017) at 58-59.
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or --” Id. at 58-59. The court interrupted, “[T]his doesn’t say that.” Id. The juvenile court
elaborated,
[Y]ou need to come up with more information than that. You can’t expect the State
to deal with that kind of a defense without letting them know what your expert’s
opinions -- there are no opinions in here. This is all about treatment. If you want
this doctor to be permitted to testify at trial, you need a report from him where he
states, in a proper legal format, opinions that would be admissible at trial, that in
some relevant way, address an element of the crime.
Id. at 59. Kleespie confirmed that she could obtain such an opinion in one week, and so the juvenile
court granted the State’s motion to continue.
However, by the time the juvenile court reconvened on the matter three weeks later,
Kleespie had not obtained a forensic report. Instead, Kleespie provided two progress notes from
Dr. Holttum’s appointments with K.A.B. Kleespie requested a continuance of the trial until Dr.
Holttum was available to testify over the phone. In addressing counsel’s request, Kleespie and the
juvenile court had the following exchange:
THE COURT: What do you expect to be the primary issue that Dr. Holttum will
address in his testimony?
KLEESPIE: It’s anticipated that he will testify regarding her medications that she
was on at the time of the incident. He has since changed her medication based on
the levels that she was having. He has indicated in his those reports that I provided
to the State, that the medication that she was on at the time, the levels that she was
on at the time, would have caused additional aggression and hostility, and so that’s
the testimony that we intend to illicit [sic].
THE COURT: How is that a defense to this charge?
KLEESPIE: Because by having the extra hostility for the medication, would have
exacerbated the situation on [K.A.B.’s] part.
THE COURT: But what’s the legal defense? I don’t understand, is it insanity?
What’s the defense?
KLEESPIE: The defense would essentially be a type of diminished capacity, as far
as the medication caused exacerbation of the situation.
THE COURT: But he doesn’t say that in here.
KLEESPIE: But that’s what the medication result would be, though.
THE COURT: But it doesn’t say that in the report. You have asked for a
continuance several weeks ago, and all I have been provided, are what amount to
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notes from patient visits that he has had, not any kind of a forensic analysis, one is
dated April four, one is dated May ten, and here we are June 7, and you don’t have
any kind of a report that sets forth opinions that are relevant to the charge pending
against [K.A.B.] that you are able to provide to the prosecutor. I don’t know how
you -- why should I continue this case based on a progress note that’s two months
old?
KLEESPIE: The progress note, the key that we are focusing on, is actually the last
page of the progress note, the 606, which is why he changed the medication, which
was because of the additional hostility. And so that’s what we -- what I planned on
eliciting during testimony, was the effects of the medication.
VRP (June 7, 2017) at 3-4. The juvenile court agreed to continue the trial one week to allow for
Dr. Holttum’s testimony, but it admonished counsel that unless Dr. Holttum testified to “legal
opinions that he is prepared to offer on a more probable than not basis that go to a material element
of the crime charged,” then his testimony will not be relevant. Id. at 5. If, however, Dr. Holttum
did present relevant testimony, then the court would continue the trial further to allow the State to
respond.
III. TRIAL
Dr. Holttum testified at K.A.B’s trial, explaining that K.A.B. met diagnostic criteria for
PTSD and “the history [he] got had a timeline of increased volatility, embolden [sic] behavior,
explosive rages,” which “seemed to have gotten worse since [K.A.B.] reached the higher dose of
[f]luoxetine,” which increased from 10 mg to 40 mg in about three months. VRP (June 21, 2017)
at 106. He further explained that approximately 10 percent of young people experience these
symptoms when taking fluoxetine, so Dr. Holttum “performed the hypothesis that the [f]luoxetine
was increased too quickly, and got to a dose that made those symptoms worse.” Id. Dr. Holttum
had a follow-up appointment with K.A.B. the day before giving his testimony and saw that K.A.B.
appeared to be stabilizing; there had been no significant outbursts since he reduced K.A.B.’s
fluoxetine dose back to 10 mg. Because he had not had enough time to see K.A.B. on the lower
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dose, he could not make a more firm conclusion regarding his hypothesis until he had an
opportunity to observe K.A.B. outside the detention setting for a longer period of time.
Dr. Holttum also explained that limit setting or demands tend to be a trigger for K.A.B.
However, the triggers that set off a reaction in K.A.B. are separate from “the reason that they are
so intense and irrational” because “[f]luoxetine and all the [selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors]
make explosiveness, agitation, mood swings, those sorts of things worse in about ten percent of
kids.” Id. at 111. So while Dr. Holttum could not testify that the fluoxetine dosage was “entirely
responsible” for K.A.B.’s conduct, because “[K.A.B] had a history of oppositional behavior and
PTSD symptoms extending back before the Prozac was ever started,” he clarified his hypothesis
that the medication was making K.A.B.’s outbursts “worse, more frequent, and more intense.” Id.
The distinction between the guanfacine that Dr. Holttum increased, and the fluoxetine, which he
reduced, is that “the frequency of the outbursts is more likely to be affected by the [g]uanfacine,
and the intensity of the ones that do happen is more likely to be a by-product of reducing the
[f]luoxetine.” Id. at 113. When the State asked whether, “with a reasonable degree of medical
certainty . . . the [f]luoxetine caused respondent to spit in an officer’s face,” Dr. Holttum began to
explain that he did not think that could be determined when the State interrupted his response and
ended the questioning. Id. at 113-14.
On redirect, Kleespie asked Dr. Holttum whether it could be determined that the higher
dose of fluoxetine “could have caused increase [sic] volatility, which could have amounted to the
spitting?” Id. at 114. Dr. Holttum explained that “it’s very likely that it contributed to the intensity
of that episode, but whether it’s the thing that made her express anger in that particular way,
nobody can determine that.” Id. at 114-15.
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In rendering its decision, the juvenile court recognized that no one disputed the fact that
K.A.B. spit on the DO. But as to the issue of diminished capacity, the juvenile court identified
K.A.B.’s failure to produce any testimony from Dr. Holttum that was relevant to her charge. The
juvenile court explained that Dr. Holttum “simply did not address whether or not she had a
diminished capacity to form a criminal intent by reason of the medication she was taking.” Id. at
123. The juvenile court also found that at the time of the assault, Peterson was performing her
official duties as a detention officer. Because the juvenile court was “not convinced that [K.A.B.]
suffered from diminished capacity at the time that the assault was committed” and because “[t]here
is no other defense being offered,” the juvenile court found K.A.B. guilty of custodial assault under
RCW 9A.36.100(1)(a). Id.
K.A.B. was sentenced to 30 days confinement, which she had already served by disposition
of the case, and 12 months community supervision. In addition to other community supervision
conditions, K.A.B. was ordered to obtain a mental health evaluation and to comply with the
treatment plan. K.A.B. will be eligible for administrative sealing of her record on January 11, 2024.
IV. DIRECT APPEAL AND PERSONAL RESTRAINT PETITION
K.A.B. appeals the juvenile court’s finding of capacity and the finding of guilt. In addition,
K.A.B. filed a PRP asserting that she received ineffective assistance of counsel, that the juvenile
court erred in finding capacity, and that the juvenile court judge violated the appearance of fairness
doctrine and should have recused himself. We consolidated K.A.B.’s direct appeal with her PRP.
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In support of her PRP, K.A.B. attached a memorandum2 from Professor John Strait from
Seattle University School of Law to her petition. The memorandum from Strait contains his legal
opinion that K.A.B. was deprived of effective assistance of counsel.
In addition, K.A.B. provided a declaration from Dr. Eric Trupin, a child clinical
psychologist, who is also the Director of the Division of Public Behavioral Health and Justice
Policy and a Professor and Vice Chair for the Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences at
the University of Washington School Of Medicine. Dr. Trupin reviewed records, including (1) the
video recording of the incident, (2) the report of proceedings at trial, (3) the forensic mental health
evaluations conducted by Dr. Lexcen,3 and (4) Dr. Holttum’s declaration that was submitted to the
juvenile court. Dr. Trupin concluded that K.A.B. did not have capacity to reflect on the
consequences of her behavior due to a mental disorder, this mental disorder prevented K.A.B. from
forming intent to commit a felony, and Grays Harbor detention staff violated the center’s own
policies when they restrained K.A.B. by cuffing her to the cuff bar.
K.A.B. also included a declaration from Dr. Holttum in her PRP in which he discussed his
pretrial communications with Kleespie, K.A.B.’s counsel. Dr. Holttum could not recall
communicating with Kleespie either by e-mail, on the phone, or in person, and Kleespie did not
provide him with any records to review before he gave his testimony, including any of the CSTC
2
As we note elsewhere, the document prepared by Strait is not a declaration. It is not made under
the penalty of perjury and does not comply with RCW 9A.72.085. As such, it is neither competent
nor admissible evidence.
3
Dr. Lexcen conducted a competency evaluation in addition to the capacity evaluation and
concluded that K.A.B. was competent to stand trial. K.A.B. stipulated to the conclusions in that
report.
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reports or the video recording of the incident. Dr. Holttum also described the progression of his
visits with K.A.B. both before and after trial, noting that after he reduced K.A.B.’s dosage of
fluoxetine to 10 mg, K.A.B. did not experience any incidents of explosive anger. Dr. Holttum was
provided with Dr. Trupin’s declaration before he wrote his own, and he agreed with all of Dr.
Trupin’s conclusions.
DISCUSSION
I. DIRECT APPEAL
A. JUVENILE CAPACITY
K.A.B. argues that the juvenile court misapprehended the law on juvenile capacity when it
explained that a child’s ability to entertain criminal intent is not relevant to its determination. We
hold that the juvenile court misinterpreted the law on juvenile capacity and therefore applied an
incorrect standard when it found K.A.B. had capacity to commit a crime. Although the State is not
required to prove that the child had actual knowledge of the legal consequences of her conduct,
the State must show that the child is able to entertain criminal intent. State v. Ramer, 151 Wn.2d
106, 115, 86 P.3d 132 (2004).
A child over 8 years old and under 12 years old is presumed incapable of committing a
crime. RCW 9A.04.050. Known as “the infancy defense,” this presumption serves to “‘protect
from the criminal justice system those individuals of tender years who are less capable than adults
of appreciating the wrongfulness of their behavior.’” Ramer, 151 Wn.2d at 114 (quoting State v.
Q.D., 102 Wn.2d 19, 23, 685 P.2d 557 (1984)). This presumption may be rebutted by evidence
that the child had capacity to (1) understand the act charged and (2) to know that it was wrong.
RCW 9A.04.050.
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The State bears the burden of overcoming the presumption by clear and convincing
evidence. J.P.S., 135 Wn.2d at 37. Clear and convincing evidence exists when the evidence shows
the ultimate fact at issue to be highly probable. In re Dependency of K.S.C., 137 Wn.2d 918, 925,
976 P.2d 113 (1999).
In determining capacity, the juvenile court engages in a fact-specific inquiry that “must be
in reference to the specific act charged.” Ramer, 151 Wn.2d at 114. The child must be aware that
the act was wrongful at the time it was committed; it is not enough to show that the child
appreciated the wrongfulness of their conduct after the fact. J.P.S., 135 Wn.2d at 37-38.
Courts weigh seven factors to determine whether a child knew that the act charged was
wrong:
(1) the nature of the crime; (2) the child’s age and maturity; (3) whether the child
showed a desire for secrecy; (4) whether the child admonished the victim not to
tell; (5) prior conduct similar to that charged; (6) any consequences that attached to
the conduct; and (7) acknowledgment that the behavior was wrong and could lead
to detention.
Id. at 38-39. In J.P.S., our Supreme Court reversed the appellate court’s holding that the child must
not only appreciate that the act was wrongful but must also understand that the act is punishable
in court. Id. at 38. Drawing on the language of former RCW 9A.04.050 (1975), the court held that
the legislature did not impose an additional requirement on the State to demonstrate that the child
knew their act was illegal. Id. The relevant inquiry is only whether the child had capacity to know
that what they did was wrong, following from a consideration of the seven factors. Id.But later, in Ramer, the court held that
[c]apacity requires the actor to understand the nature or illegality of his acts. In
other words, he must be able to entertain criminal intent. A “sense of moral guilt
alone, in the absence of knowledge of legal responsibility, is not sufficient,”
although actual knowledge of the legal consequences is not necessary.
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151 Wn.2d at 115 (quoting 43 C.J.S. Infants § 197 (1978)).
Ramer and J.P.S. both involved allegations of sexual misconduct by the juvenile defendant,
and, as the Supreme Court has observed, “it is more difficult for the State to prove the child
understood the conduct was wrong” in such cases. Ramer, 151 Wn.2d at 115 (quoting J.P.S., 135
Wn.2d at 38). The court in Ramer held that as a result, where a child is charged with a sex crime,
“the State carries a greater burden of proving capacity, and must present a higher degree of proof
that the child understood the illegality of the act.” Id. While it may be more difficult for the State
to meet its burden in sexual misconduct cases, this language does not limit application of this
requirement to sexual misconduct cases. Rather, the court described this requirement in the context
of sexual misconduct cases because the nature of that crime creates a greater chance that the child
may not have understood that the actions were wrongful unless the State also shows that the child
could entertain criminal intent at the time. Id.Following the court’s holding in Ramer, the State must demonstrate, by clear and
convincing evidence, that a child not only knew the act was wrong in a moral sense, but in a legal
sense as well. Id. at 114-15. The child “must be able to entertain criminal intent.” Id at 115. There
remains no requirement that the State show that the child understands the specific legal
consequences they face for committing the act; for example, that there may be court proceedings
or that the act is a felony as opposed to a misdemeanor. Nor does the State have a burden to prove
that the child actually acted with criminal intent at this stage in the proceedings. However, a
showing that the child understood her actions were merely morally wrong is insufficient to sustain
a capacity finding.
When the juvenile court announced its decision on capacity, it stated,
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The legal test is really pretty simple on capacity. And, that is whether or not the
juvenile appreciated the wrongful quality of the act at the time that it was
committed. It doesn’t require the Court to engage in determining whether there is
proof beyond a reasonable doubt of any of the elements of the crime, intent has --
criminal intent has nothing to do with capacity findings, it’s strictly a matter of
whether or not a child less than 12 years old had an appreciation of the wrongful
quality of the act at the time that it was committed.
VRP (Apr. 6, 2017) at 39. The juvenile court made this statement in response to K.A.B.’s counsel’s
comment during argument that in order to commit custodial assault, K.A.B. must have criminal
intent, and it is unclear “whether she did have the required intent to commit the act in general.” Id.
at 33.
While the juvenile court was correct to state that it is not required to determine whether
K.A.B. actually acted with criminal intent at this stage of the proceedings, it erred when it said that
“criminal intent has nothing to do with capacity findings.” Id. at 39. This assertion runs counter to
the Ramer court’s holding that a child must be shown to have an ability to form criminal intent.
151 Wn.2d at 115.
Accordingly, the juvenile court misapprehended the law in light of the rule announced in
Ramer. Id. The juvenile court should have considered whether the State provided clear and
convincing evidence that K.A.B. was able to form criminal intent and had a general knowledge of
legal responsibility.
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B. THE EVIDENCE, ON THIS RECORD, IS SUFFICIENT TO SUSTAIN THE JUVENILE COURT’S FINDING
THAT K.A.B. HAD THE REQUISITE INTENT TO COMMIT CUSTODIAL ASSAULT4
K.A.B. argues that the evidence is insufficient to sustain the juvenile court’s finding that
she had the requisite intent to commit custodial assault. This is so, she argues, because she suffered
from diminished capacity due to her mental health condition and the dosage of fluoxetine she was
taking at the time. She argues that the fluoxetine magnified the intensity of her reaction to the
officers’ attempt to restrain her and she did not act with intent when she spit on Peterson. K.A.B.
asserts that Dr. Holttum’s testimony was sufficient to substantiate a diminished capacity finding
and the juvenile court erred in rejecting her defense.
We hold that based on the record before us, we cannot say that the juvenile court
improperly rejected K.A.B.’s diminished capacity defense or that the evidence was insufficient to
sustain the juvenile court’s finding that K.A.B. acted with intent. While Dr. Holttum testified
regarding the possible effects of fluoxetine on K.A.B., Dr. Holttum never established a connection
between the side effects of the medication and K.A.B.’s ability to form intent to commit custodial
assault. Nor did Dr. Holttum present any testimony regarding the impact of K.A.B.’s mental health
condition on her ability to form intent.
When determining whether the evidence presented at trial is sufficient to support a criminal
conviction, we will consider “‘whether, after viewing the evidence in the light most favorable to
the prosecution, any rational trier of fact could have found the essential elements of the crime
beyond a reasonable doubt.’” State v. Scanlan, 193 Wn.2d 753, 770, 445 P.3d 960 (2019) (internal
4
Although we reverse and remand for a new trial, we address this argument because if the evidence
is insufficient, the remedy is reversal and dismissal. State v. DeVries, 149 Wn.2d 842, 853, 72 P.3d
748 (2003) (“A defendant whose conviction has been reversed due to insufficient evidence cannot
be retried.”) (citing State v. Anderson, 96 Wn.2d 739, 742, 638 P.2d 1205 (1982)).
19
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quotation marks omitted) (quoting State v. Green, 94 Wn.2d 216, 221, 616 P.2d 628 (1980)
(plurality opinion) (emphasis omitted)). All reasonable inferences arising from the evidence are
drawn in favor of the State and interpreted against the defendant. Id.A defendant who intends to pursue a diminished capacity defense must present testimony
from an expert that demonstrates “a mental disorder, not amounting to insanity, impaired the
defendant’s ability to form the culpable mental state to commit the crime charged.” State v.
Atsbeha, 142 Wn.2d 904, 921, 16 P.3d 626 (2001). Evidence that the defendant suffered from a
mental disorder is insufficient to establish diminished capacity. Id. Rather, “[t]he diagnosis must,
under the facts of the case, be capable of forensic application in order to help the trier of fact assess
the defendant’s mental state at the time of the crime. The opinion concerning a defendant’s mental
disorder must reasonably relate to impairment of the ability to form the culpable mental state to
commit the crime charged.” Id.Dr. Holttum’s testimony did not satisfy the requirement to maintain a diminished capacity
defense set forth in Atsbeha. Id. He testified that K.A.B. suffered from a mental disorder and that
K.A.B.’s volatility and explosive rages were likely aggravated by the high dosage of fluoxetine.
But it is not enough to show that K.A.B. suffered from a mental disorder or that she suffered from
intensified rage due to her medication; the expert must provide an opinion that allows the trier of
fact to determine whether these conditions affected K.A.B.’s ability to form the culpable mental
state at the time of the crime. See Atsbeha, 142 Wn.2d at 421. Dr. Holttum did not provide such
testimony. Consequently, we cannot say that the juvenile court erred in rejecting her diminished
capacity defense.
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Based on this record, a rational finder of fact could have found that K.A.B. intentionally
spit on Peterson. See Scanlan, 193 Wn.2d at 770. The evidence before the juvenile court was
therefore sufficient to support K.A.B.’s conviction. However, as we discuss below, K.A.B.
received ineffective assistance of counsel due to her counsel’s failure to adequately prepare and
present the diminished capacity defense.
C. THE UNCHALLENGED FACTUAL FINDING SUPPORTS THE JUVENILE COURT’S CONCLUSION THAT
THE DO WAS ACTING WITHIN THE SCOPE OF HER OFFICIAL DUTIES
K.A.B. assigns error to the juvenile court’s conclusions of law 2a, 2b, and 2c, arguing that
the evidence demonstrates that the DO was not acting within the scope of her official duties during
the assault because the use of restraints on K.A.B. was excessive under the circumstances.
Conclusion of law 2a states,
That on or between March 3, 2017, the Respondent assaulted Juvenile Detention
Officer (JDO) Georgia Peterson.
Conclusion of law 2b states,
That at the time of the assault, Georgia Peterson was a Juvenile Detention Officer
at a local detention facility.
Conclusion of law 2c states,
That at the time of the assault, JDO Peterson was performing her official duties as
a Juvenile Detention Officer.
CP 167.
Following a bench trial, appellate review of the juvenile court’s conclusions of law is
limited to whether they are supported by the findings of fact. State v. Homan, 181 Wn.2d 102, 105-
06, 330 P.3d 182 (2014). Where, as here, the findings of fact are not challenged, they are verities
21
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on appeal. Id. at 106. The conclusions of law K.A.B. challenges are amply supported by the
unchallenged finding of fact.
In State v. Mierz, 127 Wn.2d 460, 479, 901 P.2d 286 (1995), the court defined “official
duties” as “encompass[ing] all aspects of a law enforcement officer’s good faith performance of
job-related duties.” Whether an officer acted within the scope of their “official duties” does not
turn on “the propriety or impropriety of an officer’s actions in the performance of those duties.”
State v. D.E.D., 200 Wn. App. 484, 497 n.12, 402 P.3d 851 (2017). So long as Peterson was acting
pursuant to her professional role and was not engaged in a “frolic of . . . her own” when the assault
occurred, she was performing her official duties. See State v. Hoffman, 116 Wn.2d 51, 100, 804
P.2d 577 (1991).
We reject K.A.B.’s challenge to the juvenile court’s conclusions of law because the
conclusions of law are supported by the unchallenged finding of fact. The relevant finding of fact
establishes that Peterson was “a Juvenile Detention Officer (JDO) at the Grays Harbor County
Juvenile Detention Facility and was serving in that capacity on March 3, 2017.” CP 165. The
juvenile court did not find anything that would indicate Peterson was engaged in a “frolic of . . .
her own” when she restrained K.A.B. during the assault. See Hoffman, 116 Wn.2d at 100.
Consequently, the unchallenged finding supports the juvenile court’s conclusion that Peterson was
acting in her official capacity at the time of the assault.5
5
To the extent that K.A.B. bases her challenge to these conclusions of law on information outside
the record, specifically on state and national correctional policies regarding the use of restraints on
juvenile detainees, this is not a basis on which to undermine a conclusion of law in a direct appeal.
None of this information was presented to the juvenile court during the fact-finding phase below.
Moreover, we do not consider evidence outside the trial record in a direct appeal. State v.
McFarland, 127 Wn.2d 322, 335, 899 P.2d 1251 (1995).
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D. THE JUVENILE COURT DID NOT ERR WHEN IT DID NOT CONSIDER, SUA SPONTE, WHETHER
K.A.B. WAS ACTING IN SELF-DEFENSE
K.A.B. claims that “even though the defense attorney did not assert self-defense, the court
should have considered it.” Br. of Appellant at 40. A defendant is required to point to at least some
evidence of self-defense to satisfy the burden of production and merit consideration of the
affirmative defense by the trier of fact. State v. Fisher, 185 Wn.2d 836, 850-51, 374 P.3d 1185(2016). However, K.A.B. did not ask the juvenile court to consider self-defense by pointing to
evidence below that would have satisfied the burden of production. The only defense K.A.B.
offered was diminished capacity.
When a party fails to raise an issue at trial, that party waives their right to challenge the
issue on appeal unless the alleged error was a “‘manifest error affecting a constitutional right.’”
State v. Kirwin, 165 Wn.2d 818, 823, 203 P.3d 1044 (2009) (internal quotation marks omitted)
(quoting McFarland, 127 Wn.2d at 333). In State v. Bertrand, we held that the appellant had not
met her burden of demonstrating manifest error where “she neither argue[d] nor show[ed]” that
the alleged error was manifest, and she thus failed to show that the alleged error had practical and
identifiable consequences at trial. 165 Wn. App. 393, 400, 267 P.3d 511 (2011) (citing State v.
Grimes, 165 Wn. App. 172, 190, 267 P.23d 454 (2011)). Here, K.A.B. does not attempt to make
this required showing.
Moreover, K.A.B. has not provided any authority demonstrating that a juvenile court is
required to consider self-defense sua sponte. Where a party does not provide a citation to authority
in support of a proposition, we may assume that none exists. State v. Arredondo, 188 Wn.2d 244,
262-63, 394 P.3d 348 (2017). K.A.B. has therefore failed to demonstrate that the juvenile court
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erred when it did not, of its own accord, consider whether she may have been acting in self-defense
during the assault.
II. PERSONAL RESTRAINT PETITION6
A. PRP PRINCIPLES
To prevail in a PRP, a petitioner must establish (1) a constitutional error that resulted in
actual and substantial prejudice or (2) a fundamental defect of a nonconstitutional nature that
inherently resulted in a complete miscarriage of justice. In re Pers. Restraint of Dove, 196 Wn.
App. 148, 154, 381 P.3d 1280 (2016). The petitioner must make this showing by a preponderance
of the evidence. Id.RAP 16.7(a)(2) requires a petitioner to specifically identify the evidence available to
support the factual allegations in the PRP. In re Pers. Restraint of Wolf, 196 Wn. App. 496, 503,
384 P.3d 591 (2016). The petitioner must show that she has competent, admissible evidence to
establish facts that would entitle her to relief. In re Pers. Restraint of Yates, 177 Wn.2d 1, 18, 296
P.3d 872 (2013). Conclusory allegations are insufficient. Wolf, 196 Wn. App. at 503. In addition,
the factual allegations must be based on more than speculation and conjecture. Yates, 177 Wn.2d
at 18.
We have three options when considering a PRP. First, if a petitioner does not show actual
prejudice for constitutional errors or a fundamental defect resulting in a miscarriage of justice for
nonconstitutional errors, the petition must be denied. See id. at 17; In re Pers. Restraint of
6
Under RAP 16.4(d), we may only reach K.A.B.’s PRP if other remedies available to her are
inadequate under the circumstances. Because we do not reverse K.A.B.’s conviction on any of the
grounds raised in her direct appeal, her direct appeal does not provide an adequate remedy, and we
reach the issues raised in K.A.B.’s PRP. See RAP 16.4(d).
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Consolidated Nos. 51051-1-II/52921-1-II
Schreiber, 189 Wn. App. 110, 113, 357 P.3d 668 (2015). Second, if the petitioner has proved actual
prejudice or a fundamental defect resulting in a miscarriage of justice, the petition should be
granted. Yates, 177 Wn.2d at 18. Third, if the petitioner makes at least a prima facie showing but
the merits of his or her contentions cannot be resolved solely on the record, we will remand for a
full hearing on the merits or a reference hearing. Id.B. ANALYSIS
1. INEFFECTIVE ASSISTANCE OF COUNSEL
K.A.B. identifies multiple areas of deficient performance by trial counsel including (1)
counsel’s failure to adequately present a diminished capacity defense, (2) counsel’s failure to
request a timely hearing on capacity in her original, dismissed assault case, (3) counsel’s failure to
obtain an independent expert or present testimony supporting her position on capacity, (4)
counsel’s decision to file a motion to preclude K.A.B. from seeing her mental health counselor
and her grandmother, (5) counsel’s offer to discuss a plea agreement with the State prior to
receiving any discovery on the case, (6) counsel’s failure to investigate the case by not interviewing
the detention school teacher and not viewing the video of the incident, (7) counsel’s failure to raise
self-defense, (8) counsel’s failure to challenge the “official duties” element of custodial assault,
and (9) counsel’s failure to seek the judge’s recusal. K.A.B. identifies trial counsel’s excessive
workload as the cause of her deficient performance and argues that none of these actions can be
attributed to tactical decision making. As a result of counsel’s performance, K.A.B. claims that her
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trial lacked the necessary assurances of fairness, demonstrating that she suffered actual and
substantial prejudice and entitling her to collateral relief.7
We hold that K.A.B. received ineffective assistance of counsel because her counsel failed
to adequately prepare and present the diminished capacity defense. Although K.A.B.’s counsel
informed the court of her intent to present a diminished capacity defense, she failed to follow the
court’s instructions and did not otherwise take the steps necessary to meaningfully present this
defense. The deficiencies identified cannot be attributed to trial strategy given counsel’s declared
intent. K.A.B. was prejudiced by this deficient performance because this was the only defense
offered, and there is a reasonable probability that had the juvenile court been presented with an
expert opinion demonstrating that K.A.B. lacked criminal intent due to her mental health condition
and her dosage of fluoxetine, the result would have been different. Because we resolve this claim
on the basis of trial counsel’s failure to adequately prepare and present K.A.B.’s diminished
capacity defense, we need not consider the additional instances of alleged deficient performance.
7
In support of her ineffective assistance of counsel claims, K.A.B. attaches several items to her
petition that we are prohibited from considering because they are neither competent nor admissible
as evidence. See Yates, 177 Wn.2d at 18. This material includes the memorandum written by
Professor Strait, the hearsay on which it relies including e-mail correspondence between K.A.B.’s
appellate counsel and her trial attorney, and policies that either contain no indication regarding
what they pertain to or that do not appear to have been in effect at a time relevant to this incident.
Additionally, even if the memorandum from Strait constituted a sworn declaration, the opinion it
offers on whether K.A.B. was denied effective assistance of counsel is not admissible. “Legal
opinions on the ultimate legal issue before the court are not properly considered under the guise of
expert testimony.” Wash. State Physicians Ins. Exch. & Ass’n v. Fisons Corp., 122 Wn.2d 299,
344, 858 P.2d 1054 (1993) (emphasis omitted).
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a. LEGAL PRINCIPLES
Criminal defendants have a constitutionally guaranteed right to effective assistance of
counsel. U.S. CONST. amend. VI; WASH. CONST. art. I, § 22; State v. Lopez, 190 Wn.2d 104, 115,
410 P.3d 1117 (2018). “Where a defense attorney makes ‘errors so serious that counsel was not
functioning as the “counsel” guaranteed the defendant by the Sixth Amendment,’ the attorney’s
performance is constitutionally deficient.” In re Pers. Restraint of Yung-Cheng Tsai, 183 Wn.2d
91, 99, 351 P.3d 138 (2015) (quoting Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. 668, 687, 104 S. Ct.
2052, 80 L. Ed. 2d 674 (1984)). To determine whether counsel’s performance was deficient, “[t]he
court must engage in a fact-specific inquiry into the reasonableness of an attorney’s actions,
measured against the applicable prevailing professional norms in place at the time.” Id.Review of counsel’s performance is highly deferential and we will “strongly presume
reasonableness” in order to “combat the biases of hindsight.” In re Pers. Restraint of Lui, 188
Wn.2d 525, 539, 397 P.3d 90 (2017). The presumption of reasonableness may be rebutted when a
criminal defendant demonstrates “an absence of any legitimate trial tactic that would explain
counsel’s performance.” Id. “‘[S]trategic choices made after thorough investigation of law and
facts relevant to plausible options are virtually unchallengeable; and strategic choices made after
less than complete investigation are reasonable precisely to the extent that reasonable professional
judgments support the limitations on investigation.’” Id. (quoting Wiggins v. Smith, 539 U.S. 510,
521, 123 S. Ct. 2527, 156 L. Ed. 2d 471 (2003) (alteration in original) (internal quotation marks
omitted)).
If counsel’s performance was deficient, we next consider whether the deficient
performance caused prejudice. Lopez, 190 Wn.2d at 116. “Prejudice exists if there is a reasonable
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probability that ‘but for counsel’s deficient performance, the outcome of the proceedings would
have been different.’” Id. (quoting State v. Estes, 188 Wn.2d 450, 458 395 P.3d 1045 (2017)). A
reasonable probability is one that is sufficient to undermine confidence in the trial’s outcome, and
it is a lower standard than a preponderance standard. Id.An ineffective assistance of counsel claim presents mixed questions of law and fact that
we review de novo. State v. Linville, 191 Wn.2d 513, 518, 423 P.3d 842 (2018). If the petitioner
fails to satisfy one prong of this two-part test, we need not consider the other prong. In re Pers.
Restraint of Crace, 174 Wn.2d 835, 847, 280 P.3d 1102 (2012). In the context of a PRP, a
petitioner who successfully demonstrates prejudice in an ineffective assistance of counsel claim
has necessarily shown actual and substantial prejudice sufficient to obtain collateral relief. Id. at
846-47.
b. FAILURE TO ADEQUATELY PREPARE AND PRESENT THE DIMINISHED
CAPACITY DEFENSE
K.A.B. offers two examples of Kleespie’s performance in raising the diminished capacity
defense that fell below an objective standard of reasonableness. First, K.A.B. claims that Kleespie
failed to utilize Dr. Holttum, the expert counsel retained specifically to present the diminished
capacity defense, by inadequately preparing him for his testimony and by failing to request that he
explain the effect of a high dose of fluoxetine on K.A.B.’s ability to form criminal intent. Second,
K.A.B. asserts that Kleespie’s performance was deficient because she failed to have an expert
witness, whether Dr. Holttum or someone else, conduct an independent forensic evaluation of her
mental health condition and explain its impact on her ability to form the culpable mental state.
We hold that K.A.B. received ineffective assistance of counsel because Kleespie failed to
understand the legal requirements for presenting a diminished capacity defense, this failure was
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not the product of legitimate trial strategy, and the deficient performance prejudiced K.A.B.
because diminished capacity was the only defense Kleespie presented to rebut the State’s charges.
i. FAILURE TO UTILIZE DR. HOLTTUM AS AN EXPERT WITNESS TO
ESTABLISH DIMINISHED CAPACITY
Kleespie had an affirmative duty to conduct an investigation of K.A.B.’s case sufficient for
her to determine which experts she needed to consult. In re Pers. Restraint of Brett, 142 Wn.2d
868, 881, 16 P.3d 601 (2001). Upon determining that a given expert was necessary, Kleespie also
had a duty to provide the expert with relevant information that would allow the expert to draw a
conclusion. Id.But here, Kleespie failed to provide Dr. Holttum with relevant information he would need
in order to make a conclusion regarding K.A.B.’s diminished capacity. Dr. Holttum stated in a
declaration provided to the juvenile court that his only sources of information were K.A.B. and
her guardian. In the declaration K.A.B. attached to her PRP, Dr. Holttum states that Kleespie did
not provide him with the CSTC reports, the report from Columbia Wellness, any records from the
juvenile detention facility, or the video of the incident.
During the hearing in which Kleespie sought a continuance of the trial until Dr. Holttum
would be available to testify, she stated that she intended to elicit testimony from Dr. Holttum that
the high dosage of fluoxetine K.A.B. was prescribed caused K.A.B. to experience excessive
aggression and hostility. When pressed by the court as to what the legal defense would be, Kleespie
responded, “The defense would essentially be a type of diminished capacity, as far as the
medication caused exacerbation of the situation.” VRP (June 7, 2017) at 3-4. Prior to this hearing,
the juvenile court admonished Kleespie that she must obtain a forensic report from Dr. Holttum
that contained an opinion relevant to an element of the crime. At the following hearing, the juvenile
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court informed Kleespie that the information she provided, which consisted of two progress notes
from K.A.B.’s visits with Dr. Holttum and no forensic analysis, lacked any kind of conclusion
relevant to diminished capacity.
The juvenile court explained,
[Y]ou don’t have any kind of a report that sets forth opinions that are relevant to
the charge pending against [K.A.B] that you are able to provide to the prosecutor.
I don’t know how you -- why should I continue this case based on a progress note
that’s two months old?
....
At this point, I will tell you, unless Dr. Holttum comes up with something a whole
lot different than what’s in this report, his testimony isn’t going to take very long,
because I am not going to allow him to simply testify about what’s in this progress
report, because it’s not relevant. If he doesn’t have legal opinions that he is prepared
to offer on a more probable than not basis that go to a material element of the crime
charged in this case, he is not testifying.
Id. at 4-5. Although specifically informed by the juvenile court on two separate occasions that Dr.
Holttum’s testimony would be irrelevant unless he could offer a legal opinion on a material
element of the crime, Kleespie never asked Dr. Holttum to opine on K.A.B.’s ability to form
criminal intent either before or during trial.
Although Kleespie asked Dr. Holttum about K.A.B.’s medication and whether Dr. Holttum
had any concerns related to the dosage during his direct examination, she did not ask whether the
medication had any impact on K.A.B.’s ability to form criminal intent. On redirect, Kleespie asked,
“[I]s it able to be determined that the higher dose could have caused increase [sic] volatility, which
could have amounted to the spitting?” VRP (June 21, 2017) at 114. This framing does not pertain
to a disputed element of the charged offense nor does it elicit a response that would establish
whether K.A.B. could form the culpable mental state.
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Counsel’s strategic choices will be upheld when they are made after a thorough
investigation of the law and facts. Lui, 188 Wn.2d at 539. But from the record here, it is apparent
that counsel failed to recognize that in order “[t]o maintain a diminished capacity defense, a
defendant must produce expert testimony demonstrating that a mental disorder, not amounting to
insanity, impaired the defendant’s ability to form the culpable mental state to commit the crime
charged.” Atsbeha, 142 Wn.2d at 914.
Kleespie expressly stated that she intended to raise a diminished capacity defense.
Therefore, this is not a situation where the defendant made a deliberate choice to validly waive an
available defense. See State v. Coristine, 177 Wn.2d 370, 379, 300 P.3d 400 (2013) (holding that
while “failure to recognize and raise an affirmative defense can fall below the constitutional
minimum for effective representation,” the decision to forgo a defense may also be a valid strategic
decision). Had counsel made a strategic choice to waive the diminished capacity defense, there
would be no reason to call Dr. Holttum as an expert witness or to question him regarding whether
the dosage of fluoxetine caused K.A.B. to experience increased volatility.
Rather, though counsel attempted to raise the diminished capacity defense, she failed to do
so correctly—despite having been instructed by the juvenile court on the requirements of the
defense. There is no strategic justification for trial counsel’s failure to provide Dr. Holttum with
relevant information or to ask that he opine on K.A.B.’s ability to form intent given the law on
diminished capacity and the juvenile court’s repeated guidance to Kleepsie about what was
required to lay the foundation for this defense. “The Sixth Amendment right to effective assistance
of counsel includes expert assistance necessary to an adequate defense.” State v. Punsalan, 156
Wn.2d 875, 878, 133 P.3d 934 (2006). Here, counsel’s failure to utilize Dr. Holttum’s expertise in
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conducting K.A.B.’s defense fell “well below prevailing professional norms and therefore
constitutes deficient performance.” See Lopez, 190 Wn.2d at 123.
ii. FAILURE TO SEEK A FORENSIC MENTAL HEALTH EVALUATION TO
ESTABLISH DIMINISHED CAPACITY
Counsel’s performance was also deficient when she failed to obtain an expert evaluation
of K.A.B.’s mental health and did not otherwise investigate its impact on K.A.B.’s ability to form
the culpable mental state. In State v. Fedoruk, 184 Wn. App. 866, 881-82, 339 P.3d 233 (2014),
this court held that an attorney’s performance was deficient where counsel did not retain an expert
to opine on the defendant’s mental health condition until the day before jury selection. Counsel’s
performance fell below an objective standard of reasonableness due to the presence of extensive
evidence of the defendant’s history of mental illness that was available from the beginning of the
representation. Id. at 882.
Similarly here, Kleespie was aware of K.A.B.’s history of mental health issues. In the
CSTC forensic report created for the initial juvenile capacity determination, Dr. Lexcen noted that
K.A.B. had been in counseling since 2013, that she had been diagnosed with ODD, possible PTSD,
and ADHD. The report detailed that K.A.B. had previously threatened to commit suicide and was
hospitalized at Seattle Children’s Hospital on several occasions for “behavioral problems.” CP at
52. Dr. Lexcen further noted that K.A.B.’s behavioral problems “are extraordinary in that they are
so extreme and violent. It appears that she has limited control of her conduct when she is upset.”
Id. at 56.
K.A.B. continued to exhibit symptoms of her mental health condition while she was in
detention, including five occasions during which K.A.B. threatened to commit suicide and mental
health professionals had to be called for assistance. At a pretrial hearing that took place several
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months before trial, the State informed the juvenile court that staff at the juvenile detention facility
reported being “extremely concerned about [K.A.B.]’s behavior.” VRP (Apr. 20, 2017) at 49. The
extent of this history should have alerted Kleespie to look further into whether it may have
impaired K.A.B.’s ability to form the culpable mental state during the incident.
Given Kleespie’s intention to pursue a diminished capacity defense, her decision to limit
investigation by not seeking a forensic mental health evaluation fell below an objective standard
of reasonableness. Defense counsel has an affirmative duty to conduct a reasonable investigation
that enables counsel to make informed decisions about how to best represent the client. In re Pers.
Restraint of Davis, 152 Wn.2d 647, 721, 101 P.3d 1 (2004). Counsel’s decisions made after a less
than complete investigation are reasonable only if the decision to limit the investigation was itself
a product of reasonable professional judgment. Lui, 188 Wn.2d at 539. Kleespie made the strategic
choice to pursue a “type of diminished capacity, as far as the medication caused exacerbation of
the situation.” VRP (June 7, 2017) at 3-4. The decision to pursue this diminished capacity theory
was made without seeking confirmation from a mental health professional that K.A.B.’s ability to
form intent was impaired by the dosage of fluoxetine. But corroboration by an expert witness is
required to maintain a diminished capacity defense. Atsbeha, 142 Wn.2d at 921. The juvenile court
noted this deficiency twice, stating that there was no forensic analysis of any kind that was relevant
to a material element of the pending charges.
“To provide constitutionally adequate assistance, ‘counsel must, at a minimum, conduct a
reasonable investigation enabling [counsel] to make informed decisions about how best to
represent [the] client.’” Brett, 142 Wn.2d at 873 (alterations in original) (quoting Sanders v.
Ratelle, 21 F.3d 1446, 1456 (9th Cir. 1994). Counsel here failed to engage in a reasonable
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investigation regarding K.A.B.’s mental health condition. This failure prevented counsel from
gathering information that would enable her to make informed decisions regarding defensive
strategy and from obtaining evidence critical to supporting the argument she did present.
Reasonable professional judgment does not support counsel’s failure to investigate K.A.B.’s
mental health history and counsel’s performance was deficient.
iii. PREJUDICE
Counsel’s deficient performance in failing to adequately investigate and present a
diminished capacity defense prejudiced K.A.B. There is a reasonable probability that had Kleespie
not made these errors, the result of the proceedings would have been different. See Crace, 174
Wn.2d at 840.
The only defense offered by Kleespie was diminished capacity. The juvenile court
specifically identified the fact that Dr. Holttum’s testimony had “no relevance and materiality at
all” to diminished capacity because Dr. Holttum did not state whether K.A.B.’s dosage of
fluoxetine prevented her from forming criminal intent. VRP (June 21, 2017) at 122. The juvenile
court explained,
The testimony of an expert witness when opinions are being offered requires that
the opinions be stated in terms of probability; what is reasonably certain, and what
is reasonably probable in the opinion of the expert. . . . There was no testimony
from Dr. Holttum that the dosage of Fluoxetine that [K.A.B] was taking prevented
her from forming a criminal intent; not even in terms of a possibility. His testimony
simply did not address whether or not she had a diminished capacity to form a
criminal intent by reason of the medication she was taking.
Id.Dr. Holttum did not address whether K.A.B. was able to form the culpable mental state
because Kleespie did not ask him to offer an opinion on that matter. But an expert opinion that
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would have addressed this deficiency was available if Kleespie had taken the steps to obtain a
forensic analysis prior to trial and to ask an expert the correct questions.
Dr. Trupin concluded that “KB had a mental disorder that impaired her ability to form the
intent to commit a felonious custodial assault.” Pers. Restraint Pet., App. C at 6 (Declaration of
Dr. Eric Trupin). Dr. Trupin explained,
KB had a bona fide mental illness. She has been impacted by multiple traumas
which have intensified the manner in which she responds to interactions she
perceived as threatening. KB’s previous trauma has made her more likely to
perceive the overaggressive behavior from detention staff as a serious threat to her
well-being.
KB did not have the cognitive capacity to effectively self-regulate her behavior
because her emotional disorder has created a circumstance where she responds
impulsively. Her lack of insight undermines her capacity to reflect on the
consequences of her behavior. Effective treatment interventions can reduce the
likelihood that a child would respond in a non-compliant manner. Those effective
interventions were absent from the Grays Harbor response to this child’s behavior.
Children of her age, (particularly children who have experienced trauma and have
co-occurring mental health problems) are developmentally prone to experience
conflictual and threatening circumstances intensely and respond with intense
displays of emotion.
Id. at 5-6. With regards to the incident on March 3, Dr. Trupin noted that “KB was not able to act
rationally when she was handcuffed to a wall by the detention staff, left alone for a period of time,
and then confronted by the staff who again handcuffed and restrained her.” Id. at 10. Dr. Trupin
repeated his conclusion, “In my opinion, to a reasonable psychological certainty, KB was not able
to form the criminal intent required to be guilty of custodial assault under RCW 9A.36.100.” Id.
at 11.
In Dr. Holttum’s declaration, he explains that he was provided with Dr. Trupin’s
declaration and agrees with its conclusions and would have so testified if he had the opportunity.
Dr. Holttum stated that Dr. Trupin’s conclusions went further than his own because Dr. Trupin’s
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conclusions were based on information that Dr. Holttum did not have access to prior to giving his
testimony.
Kleespie could have elicited expert testimony that made a connection between either the
dosage of fluoxetine or K.A.B.’s underlying mental health condition and K.A.B.’s ability to form
the culpable mental state as required to maintain a diminished capacity defense. The juvenile court
warned Kleespie of the deficiencies in her argument, but she made no attempt to rectify them. Had
Kleespie taken reasonable steps to adequately prepare and present the diminished capacity defense,
there is a reasonable probability that the result of the proceeding would have been different. See
Crace, 174 Wn.2d at 840. The juvenile court remarked prior to issuing its ruling that “[t]here was
no testimony from Dr. Holttum that the dosage of Fluoxetine that [K.A.B] was taking prevented
her from forming a criminal intent; not even in terms of a possibility.” VRP (June 21, 2017) at
123. Had Kleespie taken reasonable steps to adequately prepare and present the diminished
capacity defense, Dr. Holttum or a different expert could have supplied that testimony. As a result,
we conclude that K.A.B. was deprived of effective assistance of counsel.
CONCLUSION
We reverse K.A.B.’s conviction because she received ineffective assistance of counsel. We
hold that her counsel’s performance was deficient in preparing and presenting the diminished
capacity defense. Counsel’s performance prejudiced K.A.B. because diminished capacity was the
only defense offered and, but for counsel’s unprofessional errors, there is a reasonable probability
the outcome of the proceeding below would have been different.
We also reverse the finding of juvenile capacity because the juvenile court misapprehended
the law when it stated that the ability to form criminal intent is irrelevant to a juvenile capacity
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determination. On remand, we order the juvenile court to hold a new capacity hearing employing
the correct legal standard.
We remand this matter to be heard before a different judge.8
A majority of the panel having determined that this opinion will not be printed in the
Washington Appellate Reports, but will be filed for public record in accordance with RCW 2.06.040,
it is so ordered.
CRUSER, J.
We concur:
WORSWICK, J.
LEE, C.J.
8
K.A.B. did not bring her claim that the DOs engaged in misconduct when they restrained her to
the trial judge’s attention though she makes this assertion now in her direct appeal. Because the
trial judge serves as the juvenile court administrator and because this case is being remanded, his
impartiality might reasonably be questioned in renewed proceedings in the juvenile court.
Furthermore, the alleged victim in this case is a DO. As such, remand before a different trial judge
is appropriate. We do not mean to suggest that the trial judge acted without impartiality in the
proceedings below.
37