State Of Washington v. Anthony Stephen Aquiningoc ( 2015 )

IN THE COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE STATE OF WASHINGTON
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ANTHONY AQUININGOC, ) UNPUBLISHED OPINION vO
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Appellant. ) FILED: July 6,2015
Spearman, C.J. — Anthony Aquiningoc was charged and convicted of
multiple counts of assault, witness tampering, and violation of a no-contact order
following a violent incident involving his wife. The trial court imposed an
exceptional sentence and a no-contact order protecting his daughter, who was
present during the assaults. Aquiningoc appealed and we remanded the case for
vacation of one of two witness tampering convictions, reconsideration of the
exceptional sentence, and consideration of alternatives to the no-contact order.
On appeal from the resentencing hearing, Aquiningoc challenges his
fourth degree assault conviction on double jeopardy grounds. He also challenges
his sentence, arguing that his waiver of the right to counsel at the resentencing
hearing was ineffective, his offender score was improperly calculated, and his
No. 71539-9-1/2
exceptional sentence was improperly based on facts not proved to the jury. He
raises additional issues in a statement of additional grounds. We affirm.
FACTS
On April 11, 2011, Anthony Aquiningoc went to the apartment of his
estranged wife Ashley and their daughter to discuss the possibility of moving into
a new home together. Aquiningoc and Ashley had previously talked about
reconciliation and Ashley had already applied to several apartments for the
family. Initially, the couple interacted calmly. However, after about fifteen
minutes, Aquiningoc confronted Ashley about an old social media profile, which
contained pictures of her and comments from other men. He yelled at her for not
deleting the account. He began to verbally attack her, spewing racially and
sexually charged insults. He also accused her of lying and being unfaithful.
Ashley testified that he was "[v]ery forceful, very upset and angry, and he was
standing in front of me in my face, and when he was yelling, he was basically
spitting in my face." Verbatim Report of Proceedings (VRP) (7/19/11) at 26-27.
Aquiningoc calmed down for a short time and the couple sat down in the
living room to discuss their finances and living situation. While the couple talked,
Aquiningoc held their young daughter in his lap. When the little girl spilled some
milk on Aquiningoc, he became angry again and poured the remainder of the
milk down Ashley's back. Ashley was "in shock" and went into the bedroom to
change her shirt.
A short time later, the couple resumed the discussion of their finances and
living arrangements. When Ashley told Aquiningoc their apartment rental
No. 71539-9-1/3
applications had been unsuccessful, he became angry again. He accused Ashley
of making mistakes on the application, not trying hard enough to find a cosigner,
and lying about her efforts to find housing for the family. Each time she tried to
respond, he interrupted and screamed at her. He called her a liar and a bad
mother.
Ashley moved from the living room to the master bedroom in an effort to
shelter their daughter from the argument. Aquiningoc, who was seated on the
bed, continued to insult Ashley and threatened to take their daughter away from
her. Aquiningoc got up and tried to push Ashley. She tried to push back, but
missed and hit Aquiningoc in the face. In response, Aquiningoc yelled, "You want
to fucking hit me, bitch?" VRP (7/19/11) at 39. He grabbed Ashley by the throat,
pulled the collar of her shirt down, threw her on the bed, and put his hand around
her neck. He got on top of her and strangled her and shook her head up and
down. Aquiningoc squeezed her throat so hard and so long that she blacked out.
Eventually, he released his hold and told Ashley, "I could have killed you." VRP
(7/19/11) at 43.
Aquiningoc left Ashley on the bed and went to the closet, where he began
gathering his clothes. He also threw many of Ashley's belongings around the
room, ripped her clothes, tore photos, and knocked over a television. Ashley
became concerned that their young daughter might get into the items Aquiningoc
had strewn on the floor and began to pick them up. Eventually she made her way
to the master bathroom and sat on the floor.
No. 71539-9-1/4
After some time, Aquiningoc finished packing and left the closet. He went
into the bathroom where Ashley was seated and slapped her in the face, saying,
"You lie to me. This is why I hit you. You lie to me and make me mad, and that's
why I hit you." VRP (7/19/11) at 46. The force of the slap knocked Aquiningoc's
wife backwards and caused her to bang her head on the toilet.
A short time later, police officers knocked on the front door of the
apartment, apparently in response to a domestic disturbance call. They arrested
Aquiningoc, who was subsequently charged with second degree assault arising
from these incidents. Prior to trial, the State amended the charges, adding one
count of fourth degree assault and one count of third degree malicious mischief
arising from the April 11, 2011 incidents as well as four counts of violation of a no
contact order, three counts of tampering with a witness, and one count of bribing
a witness arising from subsequent events. The State alleged two aggravating
circumstances with respect to the second degree assault charge: that Aquiningoc
had prior unscored criminal history under RCW 9.94A.535(2)(b) and that the
crime was a domestic violence offense under RCW 9.94A.535(3)(h)(i) and (ii).
The jury found Aquiningoc not guilty on the malicious mischief charge and
one of the three witness tampering charges; he was found guilty as charged on
all other counts. By special verdict, the jury found that the second degree assault
was a domestic violence offense under RCW 9.94A.535(3)(h). At sentencing, the
trial court determined that Aquiningoc's "prior unscored misdemeanor or prior
unscored foreign criminal history results in a presumptive sentence [on the
second degree assault] that is clearly too lenient in light of the purpose of the
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[Sentencing Reform Act of 1981] as expressed in RCW 9.94A.010." CP at 29.
And, in written findings of fact and conclusions of law, the court concluded that
the "aggravating factors found by the court and jury supported] the imposition of
an exceptional sentence above the standard range." Id. Accordingly, the trial
court imposed an exceptional sentence of 102 months confinement on the
second degree assault conviction. The trial court imposed standard range
sentences on the witness tampering convictions, 364 days each on the fourth
degree assault and violation of a no contact order convictions, and entered a no
contact order protecting Aquiningoc's daughter. The terms of confinement were
to be served concurrently.
Aquiningoc appealed the judgment and sentence to this court. Finding
several errors, we remanded for vacation of one of his two witness tampering
conviction, consideration of less restrictive alternatives to the no-contact order,
and reconsideration of the exceptional sentence.
At the resentencing hearing, Aquiningoc maintained that appointed
counsel had not conferred with him sufficiently in preparation for the resentencing
hearing. He also disagreed with defense counsel's advice that he was unlikely to
receive a different sentence on remand and objected to his attorney's alleged
refusal to present mitigating factors to the court. Accordingly, Aquiningoc moved
the court for permission to discharge appointed counsel and proceed pro se. The
court granted Aquiningoc three continuances so that he could either retain
private counsel or prepare to represent himself, as requested. After the last
No. 71539-9-1/6
continuance, Aquiningoc informed the court that he had not been able to retain
private counsel and wished to represent himself.
Before granting Aquiningoc's request to proceed pro se, the trial court
conducted a brief colloquy. The judge cautioned Aquiningoc that certain technical
requirements would govern the proceedings and that appointed counsel would
be better equipped to meet these challenges. At the end of this colloquy, the
court warned Aquiningoc that it "would be better if you have an attorney," but
granted Aquiningoc's request to represent himself. VRP (02/14/14) at 31-32.
Aquiningoc refused to allow appointed counsel to remain as standby counsel.
Following argument from Aquiningoc and the State, the trial court vacated
one witness tampering conviction and modified the no contact order. The trial
court also concluded that the exceptional sentence originally imposed was
justified based solely on the domestic violence aggravating factor found by the
jury. The court entered a new judgment and sentence, which imposed the same
exceptional sentence of 102 months that had been imposed previously.
Aquiningoc appeals.
DISCUSSION
I. Double Jeopardy
The double jeopardy provisions of the federal and state constitutions
"protect a defendant from being punished multiple times for the same offense."
State v. Allen, 150 Wn. App. 300, 312, 207 P. 3d 483 (2009) (citing State v. Adel,
136 Wn.2d 629, 632, 965 P.2d 1072 (1998); see also, U.S. Const, amend. V;
Wash. Const, art. I, § 9. In his first appeal, Aquiningoc unsuccessfully argued that
No. 71539-9-1/7
his convictions for both second and fourth degree assault violated the protections
against double jeopardy because there was no clear finding from the jury that its
verdicts were based on separate acts of assault. We rejected his argument
because the record revealed that the prosecutor had made a clear election to the
jury of which act supported each charge.
On appeal from the resentencing hearing, Aquiningoc asks us to
reconsider our ruling on the double jeopardy issue in light of State v. Villanueva-
Gonzalez, 180 Wn.2d 975, 980-81, 329 P.3d 78 (2014), which the Supreme
Court decided after remand. But the case is unhelpful to Aquiningoc.
In Villanueva-Gonzalez, the Court held that when the acts underlying two
assault convictions occur as part of the same course of conduct, they are part of
the same unit of prosecution and may not be separately punished. Id. at 984.
Multiple convictions for such a course of conduct violates the state and federal
prohibitions against double jeopardy, jd. at 986.
The Court identified several factors to be considered in determining
whether a defendant's multiple assaultive acts constituted one course of conduct,
including:
- The length of time over which the assaultive acts took place,
- Whether the assaultive acts took place in the same location,
- The defendant's intent or motivation for the different assaultive
acts,
- Whether the acts were uninterrupted or whether there were any
intervening acts or events, and
- Whether there was an opportunity for the defendant to reconsider
his or her actions.
Id. at 985. Applying these factors to the facts of the case, the Court reasoned:
No. 71539-9-1/8
First, the assaultive actions for which [Villanueva-Gonzalez] was
charged—head butting the victim and then grabbing her neck and
holding her against some furniture—took place in the same
location. Second, the record implies (although does not clearly
state) that the actions took place over a short time period, and there
is no indication in the record of any interruptions or intervening
events. Similarly, there is no evidence that would suggest that he
had a different intention or motivation for these actions or that he
had an opportunity to reconsider his actions. Based on the
evidence in the record before us, we conclude that Villanueva-
Gonzalez's actions constituted a single course of conduct.
Therefore, we affirm the Court of Appeals and hold that his two
assault convictions violated double jeopardy.
Id at 985-86.
In contrast to Villanueva-Gonzalez, the assaultive acts in this case
occurred over a relatively long period of time, during which Aquiningoc and his
victim moved to several locations throughout the apartment. And, unlike the
continuous and uninterrupted assault in Villanueva-Gonzalez, Aquiningoc's
attack was punctuated by several instances of relative calm, during which his
focus turned to packing clothing, destroying Ashley's belongings, trashing her
apartment, and arguing. These interruptions in the violence show that Aquiningoc
had opportunities to reconsider his actions after the first assaultive acts in the
living room. Finally, unlike the assault in Villanueva-Gonzalez, there was
evidence here that each of the acts underlying Aquiningoc's assault convictions
had a separate motive. The jury heard testimony that Aquiningoc told Ashley he
strangled her in order to punish her for attempting to defend herself against his
attacks and that he slapped Ashley in the bathroom because he believed she lied
to him when she denied his allegations of infidelity.
No. 71539-9-1/9
The facts of this case distinguish it from Villanueva-Gonzalez. Because
the holding in Villanueva-Gonzalez does not clearly necessitate a different
resolution of Aquiningoc's double jeopardy claim than that reached in his first
appeal, the interests of justice do not demand discretionary review of the claim in
this appeal from the resentencing hearing.
II. Waiver of the Right to Counsel
Criminal defendants have a federal and state constitutional right to waive
assistance of counsel and represent themselves. Faretta v. California, 422 U.S.
806, 819, 95 S. Ct. 2525, 2533, 45 L Ed. 2d 562 (1975); State v. Woods, 143
Wn. 2d 561, 585, 23 P.3d 1046, 1061 (2001). "When an accused manages his
own defense, he relinquishes ... many of the traditional benefits associated with
the right to counsel. For this reason, in order to represent himself, the accused
must 'knowingly and intelligently' forgo those relinquished benefits." Faretta, 422
U.S. at 835 (citing Johnson v. Zerbst, 304 U.S. 458, 464-65, 58 S.Ct. 1019, 1023,
82 L.Ed. 1461 (1938)). "[H]e should be made aware of the dangers and
disadvantages of self-representation, so that the record will establish that 'he
knows what he is doing and his choice is made with eyes open.'" Id. (quoting
Adams v. United States ex rel. McCann, 317 U.S. 269, 279, 63 S.Ct. 236, 242,
87 L.Ed. 268 1942)). Additionally, a criminal defendant's request to proceed pro
se must be (1) voluntary, (2) timely made, and (3) stated unequivocally. kL at
807; Woods, 143 Wn.2d at 585. We review a trial court's determination that a
defendant has validly waived the right to counsel for abuse of discretion. In re
Rhome, 172 Wn.2d 654, 667, 260 P.3d 874 (2011).
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No. 71539-9-1/10
At the resentencing hearing, Aquiningoc filed a written motion to dismiss
assigned counsel and proceed pro se. He also made repeated verbal requests to
represent himself. The trial court granted Aquiningoc's request to waive his right
to counsel, but not before conducting a colloquy to ensure that Aquiningoc knew
of the technical requirements of the proceeding and the risks of proceeding pro
se. However, the trial court did not affirmatively advise Aquiningoc of the charges
against him or the potential punishment he faced. Thus, Aquiningoc argues that,
under the circumstances, the trial court abused its discretion when it accepted his
waiver of the right to counsel because he did not make the waiver knowingly,
intelligently and voluntarily. We disagree.
When a defendant unequivocally requests to represent himself, it is the
responsibility of the trial court to assure the "decision[ ] regarding self-
representation [is] made with at least minimal knowledge of what the task
entails." City of Bellevue v. Acrev, 103 Wn.2d 203, 210, 691 P.2d 957 (1984).
The defendant must be apprised of the nature of the charges, the possible
penalties, and the disadvantages of self-representation. Id. at 211; Woods, 143
Wn.2d at 588. "[A] colloquy on the record is the preferred means of assuring that
defendants understand the risks of self-representation." Acrev, 103 Wn.2d at
211. "Nonetheless, in cases where no colloquy exists on the record, [Washington
courts] will look at any evidence on the record that shows defendant's actual
awareness of self-representation." ]d. "In the absence of a colloquy, the record
must somehow otherwise show that the defendant understood the seriousness of
the charges and knew the possible maximum penalty. The record should also
10
No. 71539-9-1/11
show that the defendant was aware of the existence of technical rules and that
presenting a defense is not just a matter of telling one's story." |g\ (Citing
Mavnard v. Meachum, 545 F.2d 273 (1st Cir. 1976)).
In this case, there is no dispute that Aquiningoc timely and unequivocally
requested to represent himself during the resentencing proceedings. The trial
court also engaged in a colloquy to ensure that Aquiningoc's waiver was knowing
and intelligent. The court asked:
So since what we're talking about is what is the appropriate
level of sentence here, at this point in time, have you studied
any case law or any other law about the process of
sentencing? Are you familiar with those guidelines and the
sentencing grid and all those things that are used in the
process of sentencing someone in this state?
VRP (01/14/14) at 30. Aquiningoc responded, "Yes, Your Honor." VRP (01/14/14)
at 30. The court also inquired: "Okay, and do you understand do you think the
legal basis for exceptional sentences as opposed to standard range sentences?"
Resentencing VRP at 30. Aquiningoc responded, "In the professional capacity
Your Honor, I do not, but as just a layman in propria persona representing
myself, I studied enough to understand, yes, Your Honor." VRP (01/14/14) at 30.
The court admonished Aquiningoc that he would not receive assistance from the
court, stating, "I won't assist you this way or that way. That's not going to happen.
You understand that?" VRP (01/14/14) at 31. Aquiningoc said he understood.
Finally, the court advised Aquiningoc of the perils of self-representation, stating:
I think it would be better if you have an attorney to speak for
you and to represent you. [Appointed counsel] is an
experienced criminal defense lawyer. He knows how to
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No. 71539-9-1/12
present information to the Court. He also understands the
intricacies of the law that are involved here.
I don't think it's wise for you to try and represent yourself,
because although you have some familiarity with the law, you
indicated to me that you're not fully aware of it. So I'm going
to urge you to continue to use counsel here. I'm not going to
say you have to. I'm just suggesting that that might be in your
best interest, but it's your decision.
VRP (01/14/14) at 31.
The trial court did not expressly advise Aquiningoc of the nature and
classification of the charges against him and the maximum penalty associated
with those charges. Nevertheless, it is apparent from the record that Aquiningoc
had the requisite knowledge at the time of the waiver. Prior to the resentencing
hearing, Aquiningoc had already been tried, convicted, and sentenced once in
this case. He had been present in the courtroom during trial and for the jury's
verdicts on each count charged against him. And it is clear from Aquiningoc's
written motion to discharge counsel at the resentencing hearing that he had read
the mandate from the first appeal in this case, which lists all the charges he was
convicted of. Thus, the record demonstrates that Aquiningoc had actual
knowledge of the nature and classification of the charges against him.
Likewise, the record indicates that Aquiningoc was aware of the potential
jeopardy he faced on resentencing. Before trial, he had signed the written
defendant's acknowledgment of rights form, which listed the second degree
assault charge against him along with the maximum penalty of "10 yrs/$20,000
for the Class B Felony." CP at 146. The maximum penalty on this charge, which
was the most significant Aquiningoc faced, was reiterated in the trial court's first
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No. 71539-9-1/13
judgment and sentence in this case. That document also listed the standard
ranges associated with each of the charges against him. Thus, it is beyond
reasonable dispute that Aquiningoc was well aware of the jeopardy he faced.
Because the record shows that Aquiningoc timely and unequivocally
asserted his right to represent himself with knowledge of the seriousness of the
charges, the maximum standard range penalty, and the existence of technical
rules that governed the proceedings, the trial court did not abuse its discretion by
concluding that he validly waived the right to counsel.
III. Sentence
On remand, the trial court resentenced Aquiningoc based on the same
criminal history presented at the initial sentencing hearing and the State's
unchallenged offender score calculations. Aquiningoc challenges the sentence
for several reasons, which we find have no merit.
First, Aquiningoc renews his argument, advanced for the first time at the
resentencing hearing, that the State presented insufficient evidence of the prior
convictions included in his offender scores. This argument is not properly before
us on appeal.
A trial court's discretion to resentence on remand is limited by the scope of
the appellate court's mandate. State v. Kilqore. 167 Wn.2d 28, 42, 216 P.3d 393(2009). And where a trial court exercises no discretion on an issue, it is not
properly before this court on review. State v. Barberio, 121 Wn.2d 48, 50-51, 846
P.2d 519 (1993); accord, Kilgore, 167 Wn.2d at 43; State v. Parmelee, 172 Wn.
App. 899, 905, 292 P.3d 799, review denied, 172 Wn.2d 1027 (2013).
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No. 71539-9-1/14
In this case, the mandate empowered the trial court to three ends: (1)
vacation of one witness tampering conviction; (2) consideration of alternatives to
the no contact order concerning Aquiningoc's daughter; and (3) consideration
whether the exceptional sentence was properly based on the one aggravating
factor found by the jury. The mandate affirmed the judgment and sentence "[i]n
all other respects," and did not authorize the trial court to reconsider the validity
of Aquiningoc's criminal conviction history. CP at 45. Given the scope of the
mandate, the resentencing court properly declined Aquiningoc's invitation to
review his conviction history. And because the trial court exercised no discretion
on this issue, it is not properly before this court.
Next, Aquiningoc argues that after following our mandate to vacate one of
his two witness tampering charges, the trial court improperly counted the charge
as a "current offense" in his offender score. We review the calculation of
Aquiningoc's offender score de novo. State v. Roche. 75 Wn. App. 500, 513, 878
P.2d 497 (1994).
In calculating a defendant's offender score for purposes of identifying the
standard range sentence for a felony conviction, courts consider both the
defendant's current offenses and prior convictions in the defendant's criminal
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No. 71539-9-1/15
history. See, RCW 9.94A.589(1)(a).1 Aquiningoc's criminal history showed three
adult felony convictions and eight juvenile felony convictions between 1985 and
2007, none of which washed out under RCW 9.94A.525.2 The State represented
that based on this history, Aquiningoc's offender score was eight on the sole
remaining witness tampering charge and nine on the second degree assault.
Standby counsel agreed with the State's offender score calculation and the court
accepted it as accurate.
Aquiningoc is understandably chagrined because according to the State's
calculation, his offender scores on remand—eight on the witness tampering
charge and nine on the second degree assault—remained the same as they
were before the trial court vacated the second witness tampering conviction.
However, independent review of Aquiningoc's conviction history reveals that, to
1 RCW9.94A.589(1)(a) provides:
Except as provided in (b) or (c) of this subsection, whenever a person is to be
sentenced for two or more current offenses, the sentence range for each current
offense shall be determined by using all other current and prior convictions as if
they were prior convictions for the purpose of the offender score: PROVIDED,
That if the court enters a finding that some or all of the current offenses
encompass the same criminal conduct then those current offenses shall be
counted as one crime. Sentences imposed under this subsection shall be served
concurrently. Consecutive sentences may only be imposed under the exceptional
sentence provisions of RCW 9.94A.535. "Same criminal conduct," as used in this
subsection, means two or more crimes that require the same criminal intent, are
committed at the same time and place, and involve the same victim. This
definition applies in cases involving vehicular assault or vehicular homicide even
if the victims occupied the same vehicle.
2Aquiningoc set forth a different version of his criminal history. He asserted that only two
prior convictions from 1991, one from 1995, and one from 2007 counted toward his offender
scores in this case. However, it is clear from the record that Aquiningoc mistakenly omitted
several felony convictions, such as the eight convictions he sustained between 1985 and 1988. It
is also clear that Aquiningoc improperly counted at least one misdemeanor conviction from 1991.
Thus, the trial court properly declined to rely on Aquiningoc's offender score calculations.
15
No. 71539-9-1/16
the extent that there was error in calculating Aquiningoc's offender score, that
error appears to have occurred at the initial sentencing hearing, not on remand.
RCW 9.94A.525(7) and (8) set forth the method for assigning points to
each of Aquiningoc's current offenses and prior convictions to calculate his
offender score. Under those provisions, we calculate Aquiningoc's witness
tampering offender score by counting one half point for each of Aquiningoc's
eight juvenile felony convictions, three points for each adult felony conviction,
and one point for the current offense of second degree assault. The resulting
score is eight for the witness tampering charge. RCW 9.94A.525(7) requires
double scoring of Aquiningoc's 1995 second degree assault conviction for
purposes of calculating his second degree assault offender score. Counting one
point for each of his two remaining adult felonies, four points for his juvenile
felonies, and one point for his witness tampering current offense results in a
score of nine on the second degree assault. Thus, we find no error in the trial
court's offender score calculations on remand.
Aquiningoc also challenges the exceptional sentence imposed on remand,
arguing that the trial court relied on factors not properly found by the jury. In
reviewing an exceptional sentence, we engage in a three-part analysis. First, we
asks whether the factors listed by the trial court for an exceptional sentence are
supported by the underlying record. We apply a "clearly erroneous" standard to
this review. Second, we determine whether the factors used by the trial court are
valid as a matter of law. Finally, we determine, under an "abuse of discretion"
standard, whether the sentence is clearly too lenient or clearly too excessive.
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No. 71539-9-1/17
State v. Cardenas, 129Wn.2d 1. 5-6. 914 P.2d 57 (1996) (citing State v. Solberq,
122 Wn.2d 688, 705, 861 P.2d 460 (1993); State v. Batista. 116 Wn.2d 777, 792,
808P.2d 1141 (1991)).
Trial courts have discretion to impose a sentence outside the standard
range ifthe current offense "involved domestic violence, as defined in RCW
10.99.0203" and the offense "occurred within sight or sound of the victim's or the
offender's minor children under the age of eighteen years. RCW
9.94A.535(3)(h)(i). Aquiningoc does not challenge the trial court's discretion to
impose an exceptional sentence on his second degree assault conviction based
on this aggravating circumstance. Rather, he contends that the trial court relied
on entirely separate facts to justify its exceptional sentence. The argument lacks
merit.
At the resentencing hearing the trial court heeded our directive in the
mandate that the uncharged criminal history aggravating factor must be vacated
because it was not found by the jury. The court then considered the State's
recommendation and reviewed the transcripts of the first sentencing hearing in
order to refresh its recollection regarding its original reasons for imposing an
exceptional sentence. Ultimately, the court concluded that the domestic violence
aggravating factor alone justified the exceptional sentence imposed in this case.
It explained:
Itwas my belief [at the first sentencing hearing] and the court of
appeals has asked this Court to determine what it was that was the
3The statute defines "domestic violence" as, among other things, second degree assault
committed by one family or household member against another. RCW 10.99.020(5)(b).
17
No. 71539-9-1/18
basis for the aggravating factor, and it was my belief at that time,
and this language refreshes my recollection of that, but it was
always my belief that because the jury had clearly found a domestic
violence aggravator on the assault second charge, they clearly
made that finding, it's the determination in the special verdict form
that under those circumstances that alone was sufficient for an
aggravator factor as an aggravating factor for an exceptional
sentence.
I believe that it was compounded by the other things that were
brought to the Court by Ms. Bracke, and the court of appeals has
said the Court may not consider the Canadian conviction, and so I
will not consider that, and with that out of the mix, it's still my belief
that the aggravating factor found by the jury is such that it is a basis
for the exceptional sentence in this case, with or without the other.
I think in and of itself, it was always my belief that that was
sufficient. My belief was that was as I said enhanced, if you will, by
the other, but that was the basis for the determination.
So the Court would find specifically that the jury-determined
aggravator factor was the basis, the primary basis for the Court to
sentence the first time and will continue to be so now.
VRP (01/14/14) at 54-55. It is evident from the trial court's oral ruling that it
thought the domestic violence aggravating circumstance found by the jury on its
own justified the exceptional sentence imposed on remand. Given the facts
surrounding the crimes in this case, we cannot find the trial court's reliance on
this factor alone clearly erroneous.
Aquiningoc also seems to argue that the domestic violence aggravating
circumstance relied on by the trial court was invalid as a matter of law because
the jury was encouraged to premise its finding on either of two alternatives and
was not asked to specify which alternative means it found. Thus, according to
Aquiningoc, the jury's special verdict finding the domestic violence aggravating
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No. 71539-9-1/19
circumstance violated his right to a unanimous jury verdict. This argument also
lacks merit.
"If the evidence is sufficient to support each of the alternative means
submitted to the jury, a particularized expression of unanimity as to the means by
which the defendant committed the [charged act] is unnecessary to affirm a
conviction because we infer that the jury rested its decision on a unanimous
finding as to the means." State v. Ortega-Martinez. 124 Wn.2d 702, 707-08, 881
P.2d 231 (1994). In this case, the State charged and proved this domestic
violence aggravating circumstance based on two alternative statutory means: (1)
"pattern of abuse" and (2) "presence of a minor child" (RCW 9.94A.535(3)(h)(ii)).
VRP (07/22/11) at 211-12. Accordingly, at trial the State elicited testimony from
the victim regarding repeated incidents of psychological and physical abuse that
she endured at Aquiningoc's hands over a period of about two years, as well as
testimony that the assaults charged in this case were committed in the sight or
sound of her two-year-old daughter. Viewed in the light most favorable to the
State, this evidence was more than sufficient to support a finding by the jury that
the domestic violence aggravating circumstance was present in this case under
either theory alleged.
Since we conclude that the domestic violence aggravating circumstance
was not invalid as a matter of law and the trial court's decision to rely on that
factor was not clearly erroneous, we are left to determine whether the sentence
is clearly too excessive. In determining whether a sentence is clearly excessive,
we apply an abuse of discretion standard, upholding the decision unless no
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No. 71539-9-1/20
reasonable judge would have imposed the exceptional sentence. Cardenas, 129
Wn.2d at 13. Based on the facts of the case, we find the imposition of 102
months incarceration, which is 18 months lower than the maximum allowable
term and the State's recommendation, was not unreasonable.
IV. Statement of Additional Grounds
Aquiningoc raises several issues in a statement of additional grounds.
These issues run the gamut of constitutional and evidentiary challenges, but they
arise from three events: (1) the alleged failure of appointed counsel in his
Bellingham Municipal Court assault IV action4 to communicate a favorable plea
offer; (2) the State's alleged mischaracterization of police reports not admitted in
evidence during motions in limine; and (3) the trial court's denial of the
deliberating jury's request to see the original victim's summary.
As discussed previously, the appellate court's mandate determines the
scope of a remand order. Kilqore, 167 Wn.2d at 49. The trial court, on remand,
has discretion to act only insofar as it is authorized by the appellate court's
mandate. Id. And "[o]nly if the trial court, on remand, exercised its independent
judgment, reviewed and ruled again on [an] issue does it become an appealable
question. Barberio. 121 Wn.2d at 50 (interpreting RAP 2.5(c)(1)).
In this case, our mandate empowered the trial court to take three actions
on remand: "vacation of one witness tampering conviction, reconsideration of the
exceptional sentence, and consideration of alternatives to the no-contact order
4 According to Aquiningoc, the municipal court action was dismissed shortly after review.
The appellate record contains no information on the disposition of the municipal court action.
20
No. 71539-9-1/21
concerning the defendant's daughter." CP at 45. The trial court had no authority
on remand to consider the issues raised in Aquiningoc's statement of additional
grounds. Because the trial court did not purport to exercise discretion on these
matters, they are not appealable.
Affirm.
WE CONCUR:
Op-Cc/T^e^C^
-J~X^ /^ /
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