State Of Washington v. Donald Howard Mcelfish ( 2015 )

Filed
Washington State
Court of Appeals
Division Two
October 20, 2015
IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON
DIVISION II
STATE OF WASHINGTON, No. 46216-8-II
Respondent,
v.
DONALD HOWARD McELFISH, UNPUBLISHED OPINION
Appellant.
MAXA, J. – Donald McElfish appeals the trial court’s imposition of discretionary legal
financial obligations (LFOs) without assessing his ability to pay as required under RCW
10.01.160(3). We hold that the trial court erred in imposing LFOs without considering
McElfish’s ability to pay. In a statement of additional grounds (SAG), McElfish challenges his
convictions of attempted second degree rape, first degree kidnapping, and second degree assault
with sexual motivation on various grounds.1 We hold that none of his SAG assertions has merit.
Accordingly, we affirm McElfish’s convictions. But we reverse the trial court’s
imposition of discretionary LFOs and remand for the trial court to conduct an assessment of
1
His SAG challenges his convictions on six grounds: (1) insufficient evidence of kidnapping
and attempted rape, (2) a public trial right violation, (3) an improper accomplice liability
instruction, (4) failure to give a unanimity jury instruction, (5) prosecutorial misconduct, and (6)
ineffective assistance of counsel.
No. 46216-8-II
McElfish’s present and future ability to pay discretionary LFOs and thereby determine whether
the imposition of such LFOs is appropriate under RCW 10.01.160(3).
FACTS
Brandt Jensen accused CM of stealing a bag that belonged to him. With McElfish and
another man present, Jensen displayed a gun and a knife and forced CM to take her clothes off.
He told her that all three men were going to have sex with her. Jensen and the other man then
left CM with McElfish. McElfish then grabbed CM’s breast, tried to touch her vagina, and
blocked her from leaving. She pleaded with him to leave her alone, but he persisted. CM finally
was able to escape.
The State charged McElfish with attempted first degree rape, first degree kidnapping,
second degree assault with sexual motivation, and indecent liberties. A jury found him guilty of
attempted second degree rape, first degree kidnapping, and second degree assault with sexual
motivation, but not guilty of indecent liberties. The trial court sentenced McElfish to 100
months to life in prison.
The trial court imposed LFOs of $4,935.69, including a discretionary LFO of $816.69 for
court-appointed attorney fees. The judgment and sentence includes a boilerplate finding that the
sentencing court considered McElfish’s financial circumstances and present and future ability to
pay before imposing any LFOs. However, the record shows that the trial court did not actually
assess McElfish’s ability to pay. In fact, the record shows that McElfish was 64 years old, was
indigent, and suffered from serious health problems. Defense counsel did not object to the trial
court imposing LFOs without making this assessment.
McElfish appeals his convictions and sentence.
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No. 46216-8-II
ANALYSIS
A. LEGAL FINANCIAL OBLIGATIONS
McElfish argues that the trial court erred in imposing discretionary LFOs without
assessing his present and future ability to pay as required under RCW 10.01.160(3). We agree.
1. No Objection in the Trial Court
McElfish failed to object when the trial court imposed discretionary LFOs without
assessing his ability to pay. Under RAP 2.5(a), we ordinarily do not consider LFO challenges
raised for the first time on appeal. See State v. Lyle, ___ Wn. App. ___, 355 P.3d 327, 329
(2015). However, under special circumstances we will consider an LFO challenge on appeal
despite the defendant’s failure to object at sentencing. See State v. Bertrand, 165 Wash. App. 393,
398, 403-04, 267 P.3d 511 (2011) (considering an unpreserved LFO challenge when the record
showed that the defendant was disabled and unable to work and she was required to start paying
within 60 days).
Here, the record shows that McElfish was 64 years old, indigent, and suffered serious
health problems. In addition, he faced a sentence of 100 months to life. Given these facts, we
exercise our discretion to consider McElfish’s challenge to his discretionary LFOs.
2. Trial Court’s Failure to Assess Ability to Pay
RCW 10.01.160(3) provides that the trial court (1) “shall not order a defendant to pay
costs unless the defendant is or will be able to pay them,” and (2) shall take account of the
defendant’s financial resources and the nature of the burden that payment of costs will impose in
determining the amount and method of payment of costs. “The trial court must decide to impose
LFOs and must consider the defendant’s current or future ability to pay those LFOs based on the
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No. 46216-8-II
particular facts of the defendant’s case.” State v. Blazina, 182 Wash. 2d 827, 834, 344 P.3d 680
(2015).
The Supreme Court in Blazina made it clear that the trial court must expressly assess, on
the record, a defendant’s ability to pay LFOs.
Practically speaking, this imperative under RCW 10.01.160(3) means that the court
must do more than sign a judgment and sentence with boilerplate language stating
that it engaged in the required inquiry. The record must reflect that the trial court
made an individualized inquiry into the defendant’s current and future ability to
pay. Within this inquiry, the court must also consider important factors . . . such as
incarceration and a defendant’s other debts, including restitution, when determining
a defendant’s ability to pay.
Blazina, 182 Wash. 2d at 838.
Here, the record shows that the trial court failed to assess McElfish’s current or future
ability to pay. Under Blazina, inclusion of boilerplate language in the judgment and sentence
that the trial court made such an assessment is not sufficient. Id. Accordingly, we hold that the
trial court erred in imposing discretionary LFOs in violation of RCW 10.01.160(3).
B. SAG ISSUES
1. Sufficiency of the Evidence
McElfish claims that the State failed to prove the requisite elements of kidnapping and
attempted rape because once Jensen and the other man left his room, he let CM go free. We
disagree.
The test for determining sufficiency of the evidence is whether, after viewing the
evidence in the light most favorable to the State, any rational trier of fact could have found guilt
beyond a reasonable doubt. State v. Rose, 175 Wash. 2d 10, 14, 282 P.3d 1087 (2012). In a
sufficiency of the evidence claim, the defendant admits the truth of the State’s evidence and all
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No. 46216-8-II
reasonable inferences drawn from that evidence. Id. Credibility determinations are made by the
trier of fact and are not subject to review. State v. Miller, 179 Wash. App. 91, 105, 316 P.3d 1143
(2014). Circumstantial and direct evidence are equally reliable. Id.
CM testified that after Jensen left, McElfish grabbed her breast, tried to touch her vagina,
and blocked her from the door. She pleaded with him to leave her alone, but he persisted. Only
after he opened the door to yell for Jensen to help him was she able to escape out a different
door. This evidence supports the elements of first degree kidnapping in that McElfish
intentionally held CM against her will in an attempt to rape her. The evidence also supports the
elements of attempted second degree rape in that McElfish intentionally took a substantial step
toward raping CM.
Taking this evidence in a light most favorable to the State, a rational trier of fact could
have found McElfish guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. Therefore, we hold that sufficient
evidence supported McElfish’s convictions for kidnapping and attempted rape.
2. Public Trial Right
McElfish claims that the trial court violated his public trial rights by not conducting a
Bone-Club2 analysis before allowing the prosecutor to show a PowerPoint presentation to the
jury. But the record shows that the prosecutor used a PowerPoint presentation during closing
argument, in open court, and there was no closure of his trial. A Bone-Club analysis is necessary
only if there is a courtroom closure. State v. Paumier, 176 Wash. 2d 29, 35, 288 P.3d 1126 (2012).
We hold that the trial court did not violate McElfish’s public trial right.
2
State v. Bone-Club, 128 Wash. 2d 254, 906 P.2d 325 (1995).
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No. 46216-8-II
3. Accomplice Liability Instruction
McElfish claims that the trial court gave a faulty accomplice liability instruction. We
disagree.
The trial court gave an instruction based on WPIC 10.51. 11 Washington Practice:
Washington Pattern Jury Instructions: Criminal 10.51, at 217 (3d ed. 2008). We approved an
identical instruction in State v. O’Neal, 126 Wash. App. 395, 418-19, 109 P.3d 429 (2005), aff’d,
159 Wash. 2d 500, 150 P.3d 1121 (2007). Nevertheless, McElfish seems to argue that because his
role as a principal to the kidnapping and rape was vigorously controverted, the trial court erred in
instructing the jury that he could be found guilty as either a principal or an accomplice.
The evidence showed that Jensen instigated the assault, kidnapping, and attempted rape
of CM. But the evidence also showed that when Jensen left the room, McElfish attempted to
rape CM and prevented her from leaving. This evidence was sufficient to support an accomplice
liability instruction stating that McElfish could be both an accomplice and a principal.
Therefore, we hold that the trial court did not err in giving an accomplice liability instruction.
4. Failure to Give Unanimity Instruction
McElfish claims that the trial court erred in not giving a unanimity instruction because
the prosecution argued that he was either an accomplice or a principal with regard to the rape.
We disagree.
A unanimity instruction is not required when the State argues that the defendant was
either the principal or an accomplice. State v. Walker, 182 Wash. 2d 463, 484, 341 P.3d 976, cert.
denied, 135 S. Ct. 2844 (2015). The jury need not unanimously agree on the defendant’s manner
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No. 46216-8-II
of participation in the crime. Id. Accordingly, we hold that the trial court did not err when it did
not give a unanimity instruction.
5. Prosecutorial Misconduct
a. Commenting on Failure to Testify
McElfish claims that the prosecutor committed misconduct by commenting on his right to
not testify at trial. We disagree.
The Fifth Amendment bars the prosecution from commenting on a defendant’s failure to
testify to infer guilt. State v. Barry, 183 Wash. 2d 297, 306, 352 P.3d 161 (2015). McElfish argues
that the following was an improper argument: “Now, you cannot hold the defendant not
testifying against him. Don’t do that. It’s the State’s job to prove the case.” Report of
Proceedings (RP) (Mar. 14, 2012) at 57. But this was not a comment on the defendant’s failure
to testify to infer guilt. The prosecutor did not suggest that the jury should draw any inferences,
and in fact told them that it could not draw such inferences. And the prosecutor’s argument
mirrored that in instruction 6, which stated, “The defendant is not required to testify. You may
not use the fact that the defendant has not testified to infer guilt or to prejudice him in any way.”
Clerk’s Papers at 22.
We hold that the prosecutor did not engage in misconduct by commenting on McElfish’s
failure to testify at trial.
b. Misstating the State’s Burden of Proof
McElfish claims that the prosecuting attorney misstated the State’s burden of proof by
comparing that burden with baking a cake. We disagree.
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No. 46216-8-II
Under certain circumstances, a prosecutor commits misconduct if he or she trivializes the
State’s burden of proof by comparing the burden to mundane tasks. State v. Anderson, 153 Wn.
App. 417, 425, 431, 220 P.3d 1273 (2009) (elective surgery, babysitting, and changing lanes on
the freeway); see also State v. Johnson, 158 Wash. App. 677, 684-85, 243 P.3d 936 (2010) (fill in
the blank and a partially completed puzzle). But here, the prosecutor did not make such a
comparison. During opening statements, the prosecutor explained that a deoxyribonucleic acid
(DNA) expert would tell the jury that her tests on the chair from McElfish’s room were
inconclusive because she was able to identify at least five contributors. The prosecutor
explained,
[I]f there’s more than three [contributors], they can’t pull them apart. There’s at
least five. Okay. It’s like when you make a cake and all the ingredients go on the
cake, you can’t pull out those ingredients later because they’re all jumbled up.
That’s what you’re going to hear.
RP (Mar. 12, 2012 Opening Statements) at 14. This comment had nothing to do with the State’s
burden of proof.
We hold that the prosecutor did not misstate the State’s burden of proof.
c. Cumulative Prosecutorial Misconduct
McElfish claims that the cumulative effect of repetitive prejudicial misconduct denied
him a fair trial, citing In re Personal Restraint of Glasmann, 175 Wash. 2d 696, 286 P.3d 673
(2012). He claims that the prosecutor acted unprofessionally and disrespectful toward him and
the prosecutor’s opening and closing statements denigrated defense counsel, misstated the
burden of proof, and expressed the prosecutor’s personal belief as to the defense witnesses’
veracity. We disagree.
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No. 46216-8-II
This case is not like Glasmann where the prosecutor made repeated assertions of the
defendant’s guilt, improperly modified exhibits, and made improper statements that the jury
could only acquit if it believed the defendant. 175 Wash. 2d at 710. McElfish cites no examples in
the record where the prosecutor acted unprofessionally and showed disrespect to him as he is
required to do under RAP 10.10(c). Similarly, he fails to cite any instances in the opening
statement or closing argument where the prosecutor denigrated defense counsel. Id. And, as we
held above, the prosecutor did not comment on McElfish’s failure to testify or misstate the
State’s burden of proof.
We hold that McElfish’s cumulative prosecutorial misconduct claim has no merit.
6. Ineffective Assistance of Counsel
McElfish claims that he was denied his right to effective assistance of counsel in multiple
ways. We disagree that defense counsel was ineffective in any of the ways that McElfish claims.
To prevail on an ineffective assistance of counsel claim, the defendant must show both
that (1) defense counsel’s representation was deficient, and (2) the deficient representation
prejudiced the defendant. State v. Grier, 171 Wash. 2d 17, 32-33, 246 P.3d 1260 (2011). To
demonstrate deficient performance the defendant must show that, based on the record, there are
no legitimate strategic or tactical reasons for the challenged conduct. State v. Emery, 174 Wash. 2d
741, 755, 278 P.3d 653 (2012). The law affords trial counsel wide latitude in the choice of
tactics. In re Pers. Restraint of Stenson, 142 Wash. 2d 710, 736, 16 P.3d 1 (2001). Legitimate trial
strategy or tactics cannot serve as the basis for a claim of ineffective assistance of counsel. State
v. Kyllo, 166 Wash. 2d 856, 863, 215 P.3d 177 (2009).
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No. 46216-8-II
a. Vouching For Witnesses
McElfish claims that his defense counsel should have objected when the prosecutor
vouched for the credibility of the State’s witnesses. We disagree.
It is misconduct for a prosecutor to personally vouch for the credibility of a witness.
State v. Thorgerson, 172 Wash. 2d 438, 462, 258 P.3d 43 (2011). Improper vouching generally
occurs if the prosecutor expresses his or her personal belief about the veracity of a witness, or if
the prosecutor indicates that evidence not presented at trial supports the witness’s testimony. Id.
However, prosecutors are afforded wide latitude during closing argument to argue from the
evidence and reasonable inferences from the evidence. State v. Reed, 168 Wash. App. 553, 577,
278 P.3d 203 (2012).
Here, the prosecutor explained during closing argument why the jury should find the
State’s witnesses credible and the defense witnesses not credible. The prosecutor discussed the
testimony presented and explained how that supported the State’s position. At one point, the
prosecutor argued that CM was not out to get anyone in trouble and there was “[n]o evidence or
motive for her to lie.” RP (Mar. 14, 2012) at 47. The prosecutor later argued that “[t]he defense
witnesses are not reliable.” RP (Mar. 14, 2012) at 58. She then explained why the jury should
find them unreliable.
There was nothing objectionable about the prosecutor’s arguments. The prosecutor did
not express her personal beliefs about the veracity of any witnesses. Therefore, as a legitimate
tactical decision, defense counsel could have decided to not object to avoid being overruled by
the trial court in front of the jury. And had defense counsel objected, the trial court would have
overruled the objection. McElfish’s claim has no merit.
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No. 46216-8-II
b. Admission of Prior Bad Acts
McElfish claims that defense counsel should have objected or proposed a limiting
instruction before the trial court admitted evidence that he had a prior sodomy conviction.
However, the record shows that the sodomy conviction was introduced at sentencing well after
the jury had rendered its verdicts. Further, defense counsel objected to the State introducing it at
all. McElfish’s claim has no merit.
c. “Cloak of Righteousness”
McElfish claims that his attorney should have objected when the prosecutor stopped
acting impartially and drew a “‘cloak of righteousness’” around herself in closing. SAG at 3.
But McElfish does not explain this claim with any reference to the record or provide any basis
for his assertion. Without any such explanation informing us of the nature and occurrence of the
alleged error, we do not consider it. RAP 10.10(c).
d. Comment on Defendant’s Silence
McElfish claims that defense counsel should have objected when the prosecutor
improperly commented on his decision not to testify. As we discussed above, the prosecutor did
not improperly comment on McElfish’s decision not to testify. Therefore, defense counsel’s
failure to object was not unreasonable or prejudicial. McElfish’s claim has no merit.
e. Failure to Present Defense Witnesses
McElfish claims that defense counsel failed to interview or call witnesses on his behalf.
But he does not support his claim by explaining who these witnesses are or what testimony they
would have given. Therefore, we do not consider this claim. RAP 10.10(c).
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No. 46216-8-II
f. Failure to Argue for Exceptional Sentence Downward
McElfish claims that defense counsel failed to argue for an exceptional sentence below
the standard sentencing range. Former RCW 9.94A.535 (2011) provides that the trial court may
impose a sentence outside the standard range if there are substantial and compelling factors
justifying an exceptional sentence. But McElfish does not articulate what substantial and
compelling factors would support an exceptional sentence downward under the facts of this case.
Therefore, we do not consider this claim. RAP 10.10(c).
We affirm McElfish’s convictions. However, we reverse the trial court’s imposition of
discretionary LFOs and remand for the trial court to conduct an assessment of McElfish’s present
and future ability to pay discretionary LFOs and thereby determine whether the imposition of
such LFOs is appropriate under RCW 10.01.160(3).
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.
MAXA, J.
We concur:
BJORGEN, A.C.J.
LEE, J.
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