State of Washington v. Luis A. Avila ( 2016 )


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  •                                                                               FILED
    JULY 14, 2016
    In the Office of the Clerk of Court
    WA State Court of Appeals, Division Ill
    IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON
    DIVISION THREE
    STATE OF WASHINGTON,                          )
    )         No. 32113-4-111
    Respondent,              )
    )
    V.                                     )
    )
    LUIS A. A VILA,                               )         UNPUBLISHED OPINION
    )
    Appellant.               )
    SIDDOWAY, J. - Luis Avila was convicted of second degree rape. At trial,
    Detective Jackie Nichols testified about statements Mr. Avila made to her during an
    interview. No CrR 3.5 hearing had been conducted prior to trial to determine whether her
    statements were admissible. Mr. Avila appealed, and the case was remanded for a CrR
    3.5 hearing, at which the trial court concluded the statements were voluntary and were
    properly admitted at trial. Mr. Avila again appeals, arguing that (1) nine of the findings
    of fact in the court's order lack substantial evidence in the CrR 3.5 hearing record, and
    (2) the trial court erred when it found the interview was not a custodial interrogation.
    Finding no error, we affirm.
    FACTS AND PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND
    On June 13, 2011, Detective Jackie Nichols received a report that Bonnie Larson,
    an elderly woman residing at Sycamore Glen Family Home-an adult care facility-had
    No. 32113-4-III
    State v. Avila
    been raped at the facility by an employee later identified as Luis Avila.
    Upon receiving this report, Detective Nichols called Mr. Avila and "asked if he
    would be willing to come in for an interview." Clerk's Papers (CP) at 99. Mr. Avila
    agreed, and together they "arranged a time which would be mutually convenient." 
    Id. Sharee Kromrei,
    the owner of Sycamore Glen, and a friend of Mr. Avila's, then contacted
    Detective Nichols and asked to be present at the interview. Detective Nichols agreed.
    On June 16, 2011, Ms. Kromrei drove Mr. Avila to the sheriffs office. Detective
    Nichols escorted them to the interview room, which is
    where we conduct all our interviews, victim interviews, child/victim
    interviews, adult interviews. So it's, the setting is conducive to being
    comfortable it's got upholstered chairs, pictures on the walls kind of a
    neutral tone to the paint, carpet, you know, it's like a throw rug type carpet
    on the floor.
    Report of Proceedings (RP) (Jan. 15, 2015) at 9. Once in the interview room, Ms.
    Kromrei and Mr. Avila sat next to each other on the side of the table nearest to the door.
    Nothing blocked Mr. Avila's path to the door.
    Detective Nichols, in full uniform, told Mr. Avila he was free to leave at any time.
    At no time was Mr. Avila handcuffed or physically restrained. Neither Ms. Kromrei nor
    Mr. Avila were searched. Detective Nichols did not inform Mr. Avila of his Miranda 1
    rights before interviewing him.
    1
    Miranda v. Arizona, 
    384 U.S. 436
    , 
    86 S. Ct. 1602
    , 
    16 L. Ed. 2d 694
    (1966).
    2
    No. 32113-4-111
    State v. Avila
    During the interview, which lasted no more than 20 minutes, Mr. Avila appeared
    to understand the questions he was asked and the allegations at issue, never declined to
    answer any questions, never requested an interpreter or a lawyer, and never asked to
    leave. When the interview was over, Mr. Avila and Ms. Kromrei walked out of the
    sheriffs office together.
    Nearly a year later, on May 15, 2012, the State charged Luis Avila with the second
    degree rape of Bonnie Larson. In preparation for trial, defense counsel did not request a
    CrR 3.5 hearing to determine whether Mr. Avila's statements to Detective Nichols had
    been made voluntarily. At trial, Detective Nichols testified about the statements Mr.
    Avila made during the interview. Mr. Avila also testified at trial in his own defense. The
    statements Detective Nichols attributed to Mr. Avila were inconsistent with Mr. Avila's
    trial testimony. At the conclusion of the trial, the jury found Mr. Avila guilty, and the
    court sentenced him to 90 months to life.
    Mr. Avila appealed, challenging for the first time the voluntariness of the
    interview statements to which Detective Nichols testified. In response, the State
    requested the matter be remanded to the trial court for a CrR 3 .5 hearing. A
    commissioner of this court granted the State's motion and issued an order remanding the
    case for a CrR 3.5 hearing.
    3
    No. 32113-4-III
    State v. Avila
    The CrR 3.5 hearing occurred on January 15, 2015. The court entered an order
    concluding the interview was not a custodial interrogation and therefore Mr. Avila's
    statements were voluntary and admissible. The order contains the following findings of
    fact:
    1.    On June 12, 2011, Bonnie J. Larson, an elderly resident of the
    Sycamore Glen Family Home, a facility licensed by the state for
    long-term care, told various people at her church that she had been
    forcibly raped by an employee of the home the previous night.
    2.    On June 13, 2011 while at a local hospital for a routine appointment,
    Ms. Larson reported again that she had been raped at Sycamore Glen
    on June 11, 2011 by a caregiver named "Luis." She was given a
    rape examination but there were no overt signs of assault. The
    medical personnel collected "swabs" as part of a standard rape kit,
    which were sent to the Washington State Patrol Crime Lab for
    analysis.
    3.    The medical personnel contacted law enforcement and Detective
    Jackie Nichols of the Asotin County Sheriffs Office was assigned
    the case and responded to the hospital to investigate.
    4.    Detective Nichols interviewed Ms. Larson at the hospital and spoke
    with other potential witnesses.
    5.    The Detective contacted [Sharee] Kromrei, the Administrator of
    Sycamore Glen. Ms. Kromrei told Detective Nichols that the
    employee identified as "Luis" was LUIS A. A VILA. She indicated
    that she was a friend of Mr. AVILA's and that she had heard about
    the report but did not believe it. She told the Detective that she had
    already spoken with Mr. AVILA and that he had told her that the
    accusations were "completely false." Throughout the entire
    investigation Ms. Kromrei advocated for, and assisted Mr. AVILA.
    8.    On June 16, 2011, during regular working hours, LUIS A. AVILA
    and Sharee Kromrei arrived at the Asotin County Sheriffs Office for
    the interview, having driven to that location in a private vehicle.
    4
    No. 32113-4-111
    State v. Avila
    They were met by Detective Nichols in the lobby and escorted to the
    interview room inside of the Sheriffs Office.
    9.       The interview room is regularly used for non-custodial interviews of
    witnesses, victims (including child victims), and persons of interest.
    The room is decorated in a nonthreatening manner with "homey"
    decor which includes muted lighting, upholstered chairs, pictures on
    the walls, and small throw rug on the floor.
    13.      Prior to asking any questions, Detective Nichols told Mr. A VILA
    that he was not under arrest and that he was free to leave at any time.
    At no time during the interview was Mr. AVILA handcuffed or
    physically restrained in any manner. Neither he nor Ms. Kromrei
    was searched nor were they even asked whether they were carrying
    any weapons.
    16.      The Detective began the interview by telling Mr. AVILA about the
    accusations and asked him for his account of the evening in
    question.
    CP at 98-100.
    ANALYSIS
    Mr. Avila appeals, arguing that (1) insufficient evidence supports nine of the trial
    court's findings of fact, and (2) the trial court erred when it concluded the interview with
    Detective Nichols was not a custodial interrogation. Each argument is addressed in tum.
    1. Because we may take judicial notice of the record in the case presently before us,
    substantial evidence supports the trial court's findings
    Mr. Avila argues the court included numerous findings of fact in its order on the
    CrR 3 .5 hearing that were not supported by any evidence in that hearing record.
    5
    No. 32113-4-111
    State v. Avila
    This argument lacks merit. Judicial notice is allowed at any stage of the
    proceeding. ER 201 (f). "We may take judicial notice of the record in the case presently
    before us or 'in proceedings engrafted, ancillary, or supplementary to it.'" In re
    Adoption ofE.T., 150 Wn.2d 409,415, 
    78 P.3d 634
    (2003) (quoting Swakv. Dep't of
    Labor & Indus., 
    40 Wash. 2d 51
    , 53,240 P.2d 560 (1952)). The CrR 3.5 hearing was
    conducted to determine whether certain evidence was admissible at trial and was part of
    the same case. Accordingly, we, like the trial court, may take judicial notice of the trial
    record. It contains substantial evidence for each of the challenged findings of fact.
    "Substantial evidence is evidence in sufficient quantum to persuade a fair-minded person
    of the truth of the declared premise." Holland v. Boeing Co., 
    90 Wash. 2d 384
    , 390-91, 
    583 P.2d 621
    (1978).
    The record shows Ms. Larson was a resident at Sycamore Glen Family Home,
    which is a licensed adult care facility. Ms. Larson testified that she told "several people"
    at church that she had been raped. RP (Oct. 8, 2013) at 96. This report was made "the
    morning after" the rape, on June 12, 2011. 
    Id. at 72.
    Substantial evidence supports
    finding of fact 1.
    There was testimony that on June 13, 2011, Ms. Larson had a routine appointment
    with her counselor at a facility affiliated with St. Joseph's Hospital. The record shows
    that when Ms. Larson told her counselor she had been raped by a caregiver named "Luis"
    6
    No. 32113-4-III
    State v. Avila
    at Sycamore Glen on June 11, 2011, he sent her to the emergency room for a sexual
    assault exam. Detective Nichols testified that the exam found no overt signs of sexual
    assault. The record reflects that the nurse at the hospital collected swabs as part of a
    sexual assault exam, and sent them to the Washington State Patrol Crime Lab for
    analysis. Substantial evidence supports finding of fact 2.
    Detective Nichols testified that the medical personnel at "St. Joseph's Hospital or
    a medical facility affiliated with St. Joseph's" called the Asotin County Sherifrs Office
    to report the sexual assault. RP (Oct. 8, 2013) at 38. Detective Nichols stated she
    responded to the report and went to St. Joseph's to interview Ms. Larson. Detective
    Nichols also said she spoke with other potential witnesses. Substantial evidence supports
    findings of fact 3 and 4.
    Detective Nichols testified she contacted Ms. Kromrei to ask her about Ms.
    Larson's report. The record does not reflect that Ms. Kromrei is the "administrator" of
    Sycamore Glen, but rather that she is the "owner" and "operator" of that facility. RP
    (Oct. 9, 2013) at 232. This difference is inconsequential. Detective Nichols testified that
    Ms. Kromrei identified herself as Mr. Avila's friend. The record reflects that upon
    receiving the report of the rape from one of her caregivers, Ms. Kromrei responded that
    "that couldn't have happened" because Mr. Avila was from her church and had just
    gotten married and had a baby. RP (Oct. 8, 2013) at 82. Testimony shows Ms. Kromrei
    7
    No. 32113-4-III
    State v. Avila
    asked to attend Mr. Avila's interview with Detective Nichols, told Mr. Avila not to worry
    because she would be present and if he were arrested she would be able to help him, and
    then drove him to the interview. The evidence also shows that at the interview Mr. Avila
    consulted Ms. Kromrei about whether to allow Detective Nichols to record the interview.
    This is sufficient evidence to support a finding that Ms. Kromrei advocated for Mr. Avila
    throughout the investigation. Sufficient evidence supports finding of fact 5.
    The record demonstrates that on June 16, 2011, Ms. Kromrei drove Mr. Avila to
    the Asotin County Sheriffs Office for an interview with Detective Nichols. Mr. Avila
    testified they were met by Detective Nichols, who led them to the interview room. There
    is no direct evidence that the interview occurred during "regular working hours," but the
    record shows that Detective Nichols and Ms. Kromrei arranged a time for the interview
    that was "mutually convenient," RP (Jan. 15, 2015) at 11, and that between 5 to 10
    officers were present at the sheriffs office at the time of the interview, which provides
    substantial evidence for that finding. Substantial evidence supports finding of fact 8.
    Detective Nichols testified that the interview room at the sheriffs office is used
    for all interviews, including victim, child victim, and adult interviews. She stated the
    room has upholstered chairs, pictures on the wall, and "a throw rug type carpet on the
    floor." RP (Jan. 15, 2015) at 12. She said the room was more like a home than a jail.
    The record does not reflect that the lighting is muted, but rather that the paint on the walls
    8
    No. 32113-4-111
    State v. Avila
    is neutral in tone. Neither does the record reflect that the throw rug is "small." However,
    the remainder of the evidence supports the finding that the room is nonthreatening and
    comfortable. Substantial evidence supports finding of fact 9.
    Before asking any questions in the interview, Detective Nichols testified she told
    Mr. Avila he was free to leave at any time. The record does not reflect that Detective
    Nichols told Mr. Avila that he was not under arrest. But the record shows Mr. Avila was
    not handcuffed or restrained in any manner, and neither he nor Ms. Kromrei were
    searched. The record contains no evidence whatsoever about whether they were asked if
    they had weapons. Though substantial evidence supports only part of finding of fact 13,
    the unsupported portions do not affect our ultimate conclusion and need not be stricken.
    Detective Nichols testified she began the interview by telling Mr. Avila she knew
    he was aware of the allegations, and then asked him to tell her what happened on the
    night of June 11, 2011. The record does not reflect that Detective Nichols told Mr. Avila
    about the allegations, but it does reflect that Mr. Avila knew of the allegations. Again,
    though substantial evidence supports only part of finding of fact 16, this does not affect
    our ultimate conclusion and the unsupported portion need not be stricken.
    2. The interview was not custodial
    Mr. Avila argues the court should not have allowed Detective Nichols to testify at
    trial about the statements he made to her during the interview on June 16, 2011, because
    9
    No. 32113-4-III
    State v. Avila
    the interview was a custodial interrogation and he was not informed of his Miranda
    rights.
    The Fifth Amendment to the United States Constitution provides: "No person ...
    shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself." U.S. CONST.
    amend. V. To protect this right and to ensure a defendant's statements are voluntary,
    Miranda warnings are required whenever a defendant is subjected to a custodial
    interrogation by a state agent. 
    Miranda, 384 U.S. at 439
    ; State v. Lorenz, 
    152 Wash. 2d 22
    ,
    36, 
    93 P.3d 133
    (2004). The failure to administer Miranda warnings when the defendant
    is in custodial interrogation renders the defendant's statements involuntary and
    inadmissible at trial. State v. Lozano, 
    76 Wash. App. 116
    , 118-19, 
    882 P.2d 1191
    (1994)
    (citing Oregon v. Elstad, 
    470 U.S. 298
    , 307, 
    105 S. Ct. 1285
    , 
    84 L. Ed. 2d 222
    (1985)).
    A trial court's custodial determination is reviewed de novo. 
    Lorenz, 152 Wash. 2d at 36
    .
    "[T]he term 'interrogation' under Miranda refers not only to express questioning,
    but also to any words or actions ... that the police should know are reasonably likely to
    elicit an incriminating response from the suspect." Rhode Island v. Innis, 
    446 U.S. 291
    ,
    301, 
    100 S. Ct. 1682
    , 
    64 L. Ed. 2d 297
    (1980) (footnote omitted); State v. Sargent, 
    111 Wash. 2d 641
    , 649, 
    762 P.2d 1127
    (1988).
    The State concedes Detective Nichols's interview of Mr. Avila was an
    "interrogation." We, therefore, need only consider whether it was "custodial."
    10
    No. 32113-4-III
    State v. Avila
    An interrogation is "custodial" if the defendant's freedom of movement is
    curtailed. 
    Sargent, 111 Wash. 2d at 649-50
    . "An objective test is used to determine
    whether a defendant was in custody-whether a reasonable person in the individual's
    position would believe he or she was in police custody to a degree associated with formal
    arrest." 
    Lorenz, 152 Wash. 2d at 36
    -37 (citing Berkemer v. McCarty, 468 U.S. 420,440,
    
    104 S. Ct. 3138
    , 
    82 L. Ed. 2d 317
    (1984)). The "freedom of movement, not the
    atmosphere or the psychological state of the defendant, is the determining factor in
    deciding whether an interview is 'custodial."' 
    Sargent, 111 Wash. 2d at 649-50
    (citing
    California v. Beheler, 
    463 U.S. 1121
    , 1125, 
    103 S. Ct. 3517
    , 
    77 L. Ed. 2d 1275
    (1983)).
    Mr. Avila makes a number of arguments as to why a person in his position would
    not believe he had a right to leave the interview with Detective Nichols. First, he argues
    he has limited English comprehension and nothing is known about his education.
    However, though Mr. Avila is Guatemalan, Detective Nichols testified he appeared to
    understand her questions and that his answers to the questions were appropriate.
    Moreover, Mr. Avila prepared a written statement that he read to the court at the CrR 3.5
    hearing that demonstrated his high level of English proficiency. His ability to understand
    sophisticated legal concepts is also demonstrated by his first statement of additional
    grounds for review (SAG). There is strong evidence that Mr. Avila had a sufficient grasp
    of English to understand that his participation in the interview was not compulsory.
    11
    No. 32113-4-III
    State v. Avila
    Moreover, his experience with the legal system is some evidence that he was
    aware of what a custodial law enforcement environment looks like. He was arrested
    twice in 2006, twice in 2007, and once in both 2008 and 2010. The trial court could
    reasonably consider whether, after six arrests, Mr. Avila had enough experience to
    understand that the interview with Detective Nichols was not a custodial interrogation.
    Second, Mr. Avila argues he understood Detective Nichols's "asking" him to
    come to the sheriffs office as an order and not a request. The trial court's unchallenged
    findings weaken this argument. The court found that Detective Nichols "asked" Mr.
    Avila ifhe would be "willing" to come down for an interview, and that they agreed to a
    time that was "mutually convenient." CP at 99. Additionally, the court found that Ms.
    Kromrei drove Mr. Avila to the interview-he was not transported there by law
    enforcement. These facts are indicative of a request, rather than an order, to come to the
    interview.
    Third, Mr. Avila argues he did not understand he could leave because the
    interview room was behind locked doors at the stationhouse, and Detective Nichols was
    in uniform when she questioned him. However, the court found that before beginning the
    interview, Detective Nichols told Mr. Avila he was free to leave at any time. The court
    also found that Mr. Avila was not searched, handcuffed, or restrained in any way, that he
    sat on the side of the table nearest the door, and that no obstacle blocked his path to the
    12
    l
    No. 32113-4-111
    State v. Avila
    door. Moreover, the interview only lasted 20 minutes and when it was over Mr. Avila
    simply walked out. A reasonable person in Mr. Avila's position would have known he
    was free to leave.
    Fourth, Mr. Avila argues the court improperly placed great weight on the fact that
    Ms. Kromrei was present during the interview. Mr. Avila states he was never asked ifhe
    would allow Ms. Kromrei to be present, and that no information suggests she would be
    qualified to help him. Mr. Avila's own testimony at the hearing undercuts these
    arguments:
    When I agreed about the interview that was after talking to [Sharee] and I
    explain her what I was afraid of and she is the one that told me not to be
    afraid because she was going to talk to Det. Nichols and she asked if she
    could be with me during the interview and she said that if I would have
    been arrested then she would have been able to help me. That's the reason
    why [Sharee] was present during the interview.
    RP (Jan. 15, 2015) at 27. This shows Mr. Avila knew Ms. Kromrei was going to be at the
    interview, and that he wanted her there. In addition, he conferred with her about whether
    to allow the interview to be recorded, which not only shows that she helped him, but that
    he knew he had the right to refuse. The simple fact of Ms. Kromrei's presence shows Mr.
    Avila was not isolated and indicates a noncustodial environment. See 
    Miranda, 384 U.S. at 461
    (noting that isolation may be used in a custodial interrogation to compel the
    witness to speak).
    13
    No. 32113-4-111
    State v. Avila
    Fifth, Mr. Avila argues that his choice to attend the interview was constrained
    because he thought the interview might concern working for Ms. Kromrei "under the
    table," and because he knew he was suspected of raping Ms. Larson. Appellant's Supp.
    Br. at 14. This argument is not persuasive because Detective Nichols told him he was
    free to leave at any time. Mr. Avila's psychological state of mind does not show the
    interview was custodial in the absence of any indication that his freedom of movement
    was restricted.
    Finally, Mr. Avila argues the trial court improperly took judicial notice of the
    setup of the interview room. As discussed above, sufficient evidence supports the court's
    finding about the environment of the interview room.
    Nothing about the interview suggested a custodial interrogation. The record
    supports the trial court's finding that the interview was not a custodial interrogation. The
    court did not err in concluding Mr. Avila's statements in the interview were voluntary
    and admissible at trial.
    STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL GROUNDS FOR REVIEW
    In a prose statement of additional grounds for review (SAG), as well as a
    supplemental SAG, Mr. Avila raises four grounds for review.
    14
    No. 32113-4-111
    State v. Avila
    1. Expert Testimony on DNA 2
    Mr. Avila argues that the DNA expert's testimony about his genotype being
    unique in the population, and the testimony that under the "product rule" there was a 1 in
    400 quadrillion chance that the DNA would match another person, was inadmissible.
    Mr. Avila cites State v. Cauthron, 
    120 Wash. 2d 879
    , 
    846 P.2d 502
    (1993) and State
    v. Buckner, 125 Wn.2d 915,890 P.2d 460 (1995) for support. However, the Supreme
    Court overruled Cauthron, and reversed Buckner in State v. Buckner, 
    133 Wash. 2d 63
    , 941
    P .2d 667 ( 1997). There the court stated that the "product rule" is a generally accepted
    method of calculating statistical probabilities and that experts may give their opinion that
    a DNA profile is unique within the population. 
    Buckner, 133 Wash. 2d at 67
    . "Briefly
    restated, the product rule ( or 'multiplication rule') ... means that the probability of a
    genetic profile occurring in the population is the product of the probabilities of each
    individual allele's occurrence in the population." State v. Copeland, 
    130 Wash. 2d 244
    ,
    264-65, 
    922 P.2d 1304
    (1996).
    The DNA expert described his application of the product rule, by which he
    concluded there was a 1 in 400 quadrillion chance that the DNA could have come from
    someone other than Mr. Avila:
    2
    Deoxyribonucleic acid.
    15
    No. 32113-4-III
    State v. Avila
    So, each number has what's called a probability or a chance that it is
    supposed to occur within the U.S. population. That program then takes
    each of those numbers I obtain and multiplies them together. And so since
    you have a lot of numbers, you get a very low probability because I :400
    quadrillion is actually a very small chance that it will happen again.
    RP at 184. The expert's testimony was therefore proper.
    Mr. Avila also objects to the DNA evidence in general, arguing it is susceptible to
    laboratory error, mishandling, mislabeling, and contamination.
    [O]nce DNA evidence is determined to be generally admissible, then both
    proponents and opponents of a particular test should be able to garner the
    necessary information to present both sides of the issue to the factfinder
    when there is a challenge to the validity of a given laboratory procedure.
    State v. Kalakosky, 
    121 Wash. 2d 525
    , 541, 
    852 P.2d 1064
    (1993). Only where laboratory
    error is so serious that the results will not be helpful to the jury can the trial court, in its
    discretion, rule the evidence inadmissible. 
    Id. In Mr.
    Avila's case, defense counsel had
    an opportunity to cross-examine the expert, and the only issue about the validity of the
    tests was whether the results were compromised by the length of time (six months) that
    the sample sat in the laboratory before testing. The delay was due to backlogging and
    does not appear to have compromised the evidence. Accordingly, where Mr. Avila has
    failed to identify any evidence to suggest laboratory error in this specific case, the trial
    court did not abuse its discretion when it admitted the evidence. To the extent Mr. Avila
    16
    No. 32113-4-111
    State v. Avila
    challenges the credibility of the evidence, it is the province of the jury to determine what
    weight to assign that evidence. 
    Copeland, 130 Wash. 2d at 270
    .
    2. Improper Closing Argument
    Mr. Avila claims the State improperly vouched for its witness's credibility when
    the prosecutor said during closing arguments: "She told the truth." SAG at 4. This is a
    slight misquote of the prosecutor's actual words, which were: "Old lady, told the truth
    every time." RP (Oct. 10, 2013) at 349.
    "It is improper for a prosecutor personally to vouch for the credibility of a
    witness." State v. Brett, 
    126 Wash. 2d 136
    , 175, 
    892 P.2d 29
    (1995). "Prosecutors may,
    however, argue an inference from the evidence, and prejudicial error will not be found
    unless it is 'clear and unmistakable' that counsel is expressing a personal opinion." 
    Id. (quoting State
    v. Sargent, 
    40 Wash. App. 340
    , 344, 
    698 P.2d 598
    (1985)). Where, as here,
    defense counsel did not object to the prosecutor's statements, reversal is required only if
    the "' misconduct is so flagrant that no instruction can cure it.'" State v. Belgarde, 
    110 Wash. 2d 504
    , 508, 
    755 P.2d 174
    (1988), ajf'd, 
    119 Wash. 2d 711
    , 
    837 P.2d 599
    (1992)
    (quoting State v. Case, 
    49 Wash. 2d 66
    , 74, 
    298 P.2d 500
    (1956)).
    In this case, it is clear from the context that the prosecutor did not offer a personal
    opinion, but instead summarized all of the evidence and made an inference from that
    evidence that Ms. Larson-who he also described as having "some bad mental problems"
    17
    No. 32113-4-III
    State v. Avila
    and "get[ting] confused sometimes"-told the truth. RP (Oct. 10, 2013) at 348.
    Accordingly, the prosecutor's comment was not improper. See State v. Jackson, 150 Wn.
    App. 877, 884-85, 
    209 P.3d 553
    (2009) (finding that the prosecutor did not vouch for a
    witness's credibility where he reminded the jury that it was the sole judge of credibility,
    outlined the evidence and the reasonable inferences from it, and concluded that the jury
    could find the witness credible).
    Furthermore, the trial court instructed the jury that counsel's statements were not
    evidence and should be disregarded if not supported by the evidence. This instruction
    was sufficient to limit any prejudice. See State v. Castro, 
    32 Wash. App. 559
    , 567, 
    648 P.2d 485
    (1982) (finding prosecutor's statement that a witness told the truth was not
    prejudicial error because the court told the jury to disregard any statements not supported
    by the evidence).
    3. Ineffective Assistance o(Counsel
    Mr. Avila argues defense counsel provided ineffective assistance when he moved
    to dismiss charges rather than for a mistrial. Here, though, the record shows the court
    considered a motion for mistrial. The court first stated: "Your motion for mistrial is
    respectfully denied." RP (Oct. 9, 2013) at 228. The court then said: "And so for the
    record the motion to dismiss and/or mistrial are both denied." 
    Id. Mr. Avila
    cannot
    complain that defense counsel did not move to dismiss when the court clearly understood
    18
    No. 32113-4-111
    State v. Avila
    the motion was for dismissal or mistrial. Mr. Avila did not receive ineffective assistance
    of counsel.
    4. Due Process
    Mr. Avila argues the State violated his due process right to gather evidence in his
    own defense, alleging the State withheld evidence. Specifically, he alleges the State did
    not disclose that some of the DNA sample remained and could have been tested. 
    Id. at 216.
    This claim fails. The record shows it was not the raw DNA sample that remained,
    but the DNA extract that was left over after the DNA had been tested. In addition, the
    defense was notified that this extract existed in the crime lab report of June 27, 2012.
    Where the prosecution did not withhold any evidence, there was no violation of the
    discovery rules and no violation of due process.
    Affirmed.
    A majority of the panel has determined this opinion will not be printed in the
    Washington Appellate Reports, but it will be filed for public record pursuant to RCW
    2.06.040.
    dzd,LoW615 t , .
    Siddoway, J.
    WE CONCUR:
    Pennell, J.
    19