State Of Washington v. Thomasdinh Newsome Bowman ( 2017 )

IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON
DIVISION ONE
STATE OF WASHINGTON, No. 73069-0-1
Respondent,
CO
v.
CO
THOMASDINH NEWSOME BOWMAN, UNPUBLISHED OPINION ''
Appellant. FILED: January 23, 2017
Verellen, C.J. — Thomasdinh Bowman appeals his conviction for first degree
murder. He argues that the State's peremptory challenge of Juror 5, an African-
American woman, violated the equal protection clause. We conclude the trial court
correctly applied the existing legal standards, and the record supports the finding of no
purposeful discrimination.
Bowman also argues his counsel was ineffective for deferring to the client the
final decision whether to pursue lesser offenses. But defense counsel conferred with
Bowman and agreed with the tactical decision not to pursue lesser offenses.
Bowman's other issues are not compelling. His constitutional challenge to the
reasonable doubt instruction has recently been rejected, and the trial court did not
abuse its discretion in sustaining the State's objections to Bowman's closing arguments
misstating the law and referring to facts not in evidence. However, as required by a
recent decision of our Supreme Court, the trial court should have considered his ability
to pay before imposing any discretionary legal financial obligations.
No. 73069-0-1/2
Therefore, we affirm Bowman's conviction and remand with instructions for the
trial court to conduct an on-the-record inquiry consistent with State v. Blazina.1
FACTS
Around 7:30 p.m. on August 31, 2012, witnesses heard five gunshots at the
intersection of 15th Avenue N.E. and N.E. 75th Street in Seattle's Roosevelt
neighborhood. They heard an engine accelerate and saw a silver BMW Z4 convertible
with the top down speed off southbound.
Police responded to reports of multiple gunshots and a male bleeding inside a
red Subaru. The male, identified as Yancy Noll, was sitting in a normal position in the
driver's seat with his hands on the steering wheel. He had four fatal gunshots to the
head. The Subaru's windows were intact, but there was glass in the street on the
Subaru's driver's side. Investigators concluded the glass came from the shooter's car
window.
A description of the silver BMW, a still image of the car taken from a nearby
surveillance video, and a sketch of the suspect BMW driver based on witness
descriptions were released to the public. As a result of a tip, police began investigating
Thomasdinh Bowman, who had a silver BMW in his driveway less than 10 blocks from
the scene of the crime.
On the night of the killing, Bowman turned off his cellphone and purchased a new
one that he registered using a false identity, Peter Nguyen. Using that name, Bowman
called a BMW store and an auto glass company the following morning to ask about
having a window replaced on his 2006 silver BMW Z4. That day, Bowman and his wife
'182 Wash. 2d 827, 832, 344 P.3d 680 (2015).
No. 73069-0-1/3
drove the BMW to Portland and had the passenger window replaced. Bowman paid the
$250 bill in cash.
After the window was replaced, Bowman kept the BMW in his garage. Between
September 12 and September 20, 2012, Bowman spray painted the silver BMW wheels
black. On September 20, Bowman purchased four tires for his BMW from Big O Tires in
Lynnwood, paying in cash. Bowman did not bring the car to the store; he only brought
the wheels. The sales manager was surprised the tires were being replaced because
they were like new.
Police searched Bowman's workplace and found a slide from a Glock handgun
inside a storage container. Forensic experts concluded the cartridge casings found at
the scene of the shooting were fired from that particular Glock slide. Bowman's
workplace computer contained a collection of documents relating to the investigation of
shootings: "Forensic Gunshot Residue Analysis," "Chemical Analysis of Firearms,
Ammunition, and Gunshot Residue," "Gunshot Wounds—Practical Aspects of Firearms,
Ballistics, and Forensic Techniques," "Advances in Fingerprint Technology," "Automated
Fingerprint Identification Systems," "Forensic Interpretation of Glass Evidence," and
'Arrest-Proof Yourself." Two more documents found on the computer were guides to
committing murder.
The State charged Bowman with first degree murder. At trial, Bowman admitted
to shooting Noll in self-defense. He testified that he cut Noll off in traffic; Noll became
angry, pursued Bowman, yelled a threat, and threw a water bottle onto Bowman's car
as they drove onto the freeway. Bowman claimed he tried to get away from Noll, but
Noll pursued him off the freeway and to the intersection where the shooting occurred.
No. 73069-0-1/4
Bowman testified that Noll threw another bottle at his BMW that hit Bowman in the back
of the head. Bowman claimed he saw Noll searching for something in the passenger
seat, and it was then that Bowman pulled his Glock handgun out of his bag and shot
Noll.
Bowman admitted going out to dinner with his wife after killing Noll. Later that
night, he disassembled his handgun and disposed of the barrel because he thought it
could be used to link the gun to the killing.2 Bowman claimed he also disposed of the
bottles Noll threw at him.
The jury found Bowman guilty as charged. At sentencing, Bowman argued that
the trial court should consider as mitigation that he acted in self-defense. The court
responded, "The jury rejected it as do I."3 The court observed that Noll had his hands
on the steering wheel when he was shot. It further observed that Bowman's actions
after the shooting were inconsistent with a person who had just escaped serious injury
by an enraged motorist, specifically going out to dinner and disposing of the only
evidence that would support his version of events. The court imposed a sentence within
the standard range.
Bowman's appeal primarily concerns the State's peremptory challenge of Juror 5,
an African-American woman. The court began jury selection by asking the entire panel
of prospective jurors whether they had a friend or close relative accused of a crime,
"either rightly or wrongly."4 Juror 5 responded affirmatively. She said she had a
2 Bowman testified that he kept the slide of the gun because he did not believe it
could be used to match ballistic evidence to the gun.
3 Report of Proceedings (RP) (Jan. 2, 2015) at 42.
4RP(Nov. 18, 2014) at 58-59.
No. 73069-0-1/5
50-year-old nephew in California who had been serving time since he was a teenager
for murder. Juror 5 also replied that this situation would not impact her ability "to judge
this case on its merits."5
The court allowed the State and defense counsel two alternating 30-minute
rounds of questioning. During its first round, the prosecutor asked Juror 5 her reaction
when she heard Bowman's charge. Juror 5 said she did not have a strong reaction.
Then the following exchange occurred:
STATE: Do you believe [your nephew] was rightfully or wrongly
accused?
JUROR 5: That's hard because I don't know.
STATE: Okay.
JUROR 5: I don't know that I'll ever know for sure, know what I'd like
to believe, but I don't know for sure.
STATE: From knowledge of that situation, do you have an opinion
about how the justice system works?
JUROR 5: Not really. Because we were here in the Northwest and it
was—it was in California, so we didn't attend any of the
trials, any of that. But hearing from relatives, of course
you're going to get their side of it. But what it did for me was
that at one time I thought everything was black and white,
and then I see that there are gray areas, you know, because
there has to be an assurance when you make a decision,
you know, there has to be an assurance so you have to look
at it.
So for me, I'm not sure what kind ofjuror I'd make even
because I want to see, you know, let me see, and then let
me experience this and go through the process, because
even coming in saying, yeah, that's even like saying—you
know, making a decision right there. But, yeah, I had that—
that experience. I've talked to that family member and my
5 Id. at 60.
No. 73069-0-1/6
love goes out to him, and, of course, he was quite young.
So—but I don't knowJ®
Bowman's counsel did not talk to Juror 5 during his first round of questioning.
During the State's second round of questioning, the prosecutor asked Juror 5 about her
job. Juror 5 said she was in "administrative consulting" and self-employed.7 She
explained, "Just I call it bringing an order out of chaos.. . . The most recent [client] is a
person who is very close to me and was in hospice at home, in-home, and just putting
everything together for her was a challenge. But it's something I do."8 The prosecutor
then asked about Juror 5's nephew in prison:
STATE: I got the impression, and tell me if this is correct, one of the
things you said was "I know what I'd like to believe," which I
assume you'd like to believe that he's innocent.
JUROR 5: Exactly.
STATE: Okay. But you're not sure?
JUROR 5: One thing, and maybe I should have responded also to your
first question, in that one thing that impacted me quite a bit
yesterday was to put it in my head about the defendant
coming in innocent, not guilty, whichever way you want to
phrase it, and in that the reason I raised my hand about
process—you know, being a prosecutor is the challenge of
maintaining—no, the defendant's attorney maintains his
innocence. The onus is on you to provide evidence to—it's
hard to put into words, but I understood the challenge.
STATE: Uh huh.
JUROR 5: And that is what I haven't seen in my nephew's case. I
haven't seen enough, you know, putting aside Forensic Files
that I watch or whatever.
6 \± at 112-13 (emphasis added).
7 Suppl. RP (Nov. 19, 2014) at 18.
8 Id.
No. 73069-0-1/7
STATE: Which I have to tell you has nothing to do with what happens
in real life.
JUROR 5: I understand that. I understand that.
STATE: So...
JUROR 5: But that's what I mean, is that the challenge is to be sure.
STATE: Uh huh.
JUROR 5: And about life experience, this might seem a little asinine,
but what comes to my mind is that old commercial, Apple
commercial, where this person, this woman comes in with
this ball of some sort and just breaks down whatever it is
that's been held in, for example, my origin to that I should
have an attitude about life, but then there's that -- that
moment that comes where it breaks down all of those things.
You know, breaks down even traditions sometimes.
So you have to be optimistic about life, be open to whatever
it is that comes in front of you. And that's where you have to
be unbiased.
STATE: So do you believe that there's a chance that your nephew is
in prison unjustly?
JUROR 5: / don't believe that. I don't. I don't believe that.[9]
The prosecuting attorney also asked Juror 5 what she meant the prior day when
she said, "I'm not sure what kind of juror I'd make":
STATE: Okay. Now, yesterday when [co-counsel] was talking to you
about case proof, you said "I'm not sure I'd make a good
juror." And the reason was you said "I need to see." Can
you expand on that a little bit more?
JUROR 5: What did I say?
STATE: You need to see is what you said. And just I'm not saying
specifically that sentence because in context it doesn't make
a lot of sense, but were you concerned about your ability to
sit? What do you think about having to see things?
]d. at 19-21 (emphasis added).
No. 73069-0-1/8
JUROR 5: Well, maybe it is I have to believe. So that's why
prosecution is so—I mean, the role of a prosecutor is so
important because it has to be enough evidence and
collective input in order to make a good decision. And I'm
not sure.
STATE: About what?
JUROR 5: About my ability. I think I better be honest.
STATE: Uh huh, please do.
JUROR 5: Okay. Because I did think about it last night. The defense
attorney had mentioned that. And that is because—/ think
my nephew is a good example of me not being able to say,
well, for sure because there are times that I say he should
be where he is if all of this is right, and then my heart says
that's not what I would want for his life or anyone's life. But
then I've been through grief. So I understand the part of a
person who's lost someone.
STATE: So it would be-it sounds what you're saying, I don't want to
put words in your mouth, but that it would be difficult foryou
to sit in judgment?
JUROR 5: Thank you.
STATE: To make that—
JUROR 5: That's correct.™
During the defense's second round of questioning, Bowman's counsel addressed
Juror 5 about her reluctance to sit in judgment:
DEFENSE: [The State] asked you whether you'd feel uncomfortable
judging a person, and you said after some thought yes,
right?
JUROR 5: Yes.
DEFENSE: Yeah. There's no—I'm just remembering what you said.
Right? Is it clear to you, and this is probably the most
important question, from my perspective, of course, that
you'll hear in this whole process, do you think you are here
10
Id, at 21-22 (emphasis added).
8
No. 73069-0-1/9
to judge Dinh Bowman, or do you think you're here to judge
their case? . . .
JUROR 5: I think I'm here to judge to the best of my ability the evidence
that's presented about the young man and—and to
determine whether I feel he did it or if there are extenuating
cir—I don't know. You'd have to put it all together.!111
During a sidebar conference after the defense's second round of questioning, the
State indicated it intended to exercise a peremptory challenge to Juror 5. Bowman's
counsel responded that he needed to think about whether he would raise a Batson v.
Kentucky12 challenge. At a subsequent sidebar, Bowman's counsel indicated he
wanted to make a record as to a Batson challenge, and the court excused the jurors.
Without prompting from the court, the State set forth its reasons for requesting
the challenge:
She has a nephew ... in prison for murder. She would like to believe that
he's innocent. In which case she believes she has an innocent nephew in
prison for murder.
Her statement yesterday was "I'm not sure I would make a good
juror." She said today that she wasn't sure about her ability to follow
things and it will be difficult for her to sit in judgment.
She—frankly, we have found it a little hard to track what she was
saying in a lot of cases. Her sentences stopped halfway, but she talked
about the old Apple commercial where a woman comes in in a ball and
breaks the ball and that seemed to have nothing to do with anything. She
defined herself as being an administrative consultant, but she was not—
the way she described that was that she pulls things together and puts a
system together, and the example she gave was helping someone who is
in hospice. . . . We are not exactly sure what she does. We have
concerns about her ability to track in a whole.
But the two main reasons, Your Honor, are the relationship to
someone in her family who is in prison for murder, which is what this crime
is, that she would like to believe that he's innocent. She thinks he
11 Id. at 44-45 (emphasis added).
12 476 U.S. 79, 106 S. Ct. 1712, 90 L. Ed. 2d 69 (1986).
No. 73069-0-1/10
probably isn't, but she would like to believe that. And that means that she
believes that there are innocent people in prison for murder in her family.
The second thing is that she would find it difficult to sit in judgment,
and in talking to her it was clear, it seemed clear to us that she would be
probably unable to reach a verdict at all. Certainly a verdict of guilty
because that would be sitting in judgment. And it would be sitting in
judgment on someone who is charged with the same thing her nephew is
in prison for. I think that's far and away enough to validate the fact that we
are not excusing her based on her race in any way, that's the bottom line
question, and I would note that there are numerous minorities on this
panel.
There are one or two in the box itself. Therefl [are] several who are
going to be coming up. This has nothing to do with Juror 5's race. I
actually think she's a pleasant and intelligent woman, but given her
perspective on the world and criminal justice system, we cannot keep
her.™
Neither defense counsel nor the trial judge disputed the State's observation that
there were other potential jurors who were minority members; one or two were in the
box already and several were in position to join the panel when peremptory challenges
were exercised. Defense counsel's argument was brief. Counsel criticized the State for
saying Juror 5 was not intelligent, and the trial court clarified that the State had said she
was intelligent. Defense counsel noted the Apple computer commercial Juror 5
referenced "was basically about how your world changes when you learn things."14
Because Juror 5 "could be only an African-American woman even close to being seated
in this case has a relative who is in prison perhaps wrongfully," Bowman's counsel
questioned the prosecutor's motive.
13 Suppl. RP (Nov. 19, 2014) at 66-68.
14 Id. at 69.
10
No. 73069-0-1/11
The trial court noted the seriousness of excluding jurors based on race:
[l]t's been particularly disturbing because . . . there's a high percentage of
minority people that are charged with crimes and yet predominantly we
have nonminorities sitting on juries. So the Court is certainly sensitive to
the issue.1151
The court also noted the distinction between whether the court agrees with the State's
doubts about Juror 5 versus whether "the grounds that are being given are a pretext for
what is essentially a challenge based on race."16 The court concluded that "the reasons
that have been provided by the State ... are not racially-based and . . . they're not a
pretext for race."17 It identified as the most important factor Juror 5's statement that
she would have trouble sitting in judgment of somebody . . . And it seems
to me that a completely race neutral reaction to that statement would be
this is a person who might have difficulty finding a judgment of guilt
against Mr. Bowman regardless of the evidence. That is a legitimate
concern.[18]
As to the juror's feelings about her nephew, the court noted Juror 5 "never said that she
thought her nephew was innocent. She said she would like to think he's innocent."19
The court observed that it probably would not be as bothered by that, but "it's not a
pretext for racial challenge . . . reasonable people could differ about what inferences
they drew from that statement."20 Juror 5 was excused from the jury panel.
15 JU at 70.
16 JU
17JU
18 id. at 70-71.
19 id at 71.
20 Id.
11
No. 73069-0-1/12
ANALYSIS
/. Batson Challenge
Bowman assigns error to the trial court's determination that the State did not
engage in purposeful discrimination. Bowman fails to demonstrate reversible error.
We review Batson challenges "for clear error, deferring to the trial court to the
extent that its rulings are factual."21 "Clear error exists when the court is left with a
definite and firm conviction that a mistake has been committed."22
The United States Supreme Court in Batson established the test to determine
whether a juror was peremptorily challenged pursuant to discriminatory criteria. First,
the defendant must establish a prima facie case of purposeful discrimination;23 second,
the burden shifts to the State to articulate a race-neutral explanation for challenging the
juror;24 and third, the trial court must decide whether the defendant has demonstrated
purposeful discrimination.25 The ultimate burden of persuasion that there has been
purposeful discrimination rests with the defendant.26
In State v. Saintcalle, our Supreme Court recognized a need to change the
existing Batson procedures in Washington but declined to do so on the briefing before
21 State v. Saintcalle, 178 Wash. 2d 34, 41, 309 P.3d 326 (2013); accord State v.
Luvene, 127 Wash. 2d 690, 699, 903 P.2d 960 (1995); Hernandez v. New York, 500 U.S. 352,
364, 111 S. Ct. 1859, 114 L Ed. 2d 395 (1991)).
22 Saintcalle, 178 Wash. 2d at 41; accord Ass'n of Rural Residents v. Kitsap County,
141 Wash. 2d 185, 196, 4 P.3d 115 (2000).
23 Batson, 476 U.S. at 93-96.
24 Id, at 97-98.
25 JU at 98.
26 Rice v. Collins, 546 U.S. 333, 338, 126 S. Ct. 969, 163 L. Ed. 2d 824 (2006) (citing
idj.
12
No. 73069-0-1/13
it.27 The court found that "Batson ... is failing us" because modern day racism is not
overt but rather is embodied in "stereotypes that are ingrained and often unconscious."28
"Unconscious stereotyping upends the Batson framework," which is "equipped to root
out only 'purposeful discrimination, which many trial courts probably understand to
mean conscious discrimination."29
Nonetheless, the lead opinion applied Batson, leaving it as the controlling
authority we must follow. The lead opinion confirmed the deference a reviewing court
must give to the trial court under the existing Batson "purposeful discrimination"
standard:
A trial court's decision that a challenge is race-neutral is a factual
determination based in part on the answers provided by the juror, as well
as an assessment of the demeanor and credibility of the juror and the
attorney. Batson, 476 U.S. at 98 n.21. The defendant carries the burden
of proving purposeful discrimination, id, at 93. The trial judge's findings
are "accorded great deference on appeal" and will be upheld unless
proved clearly erroneous. Hernandez [v. New York, 500 U.S. 352, 364,
111 S. Ct. 1859, 114 L. Ed. 2d 395 (1991)]. Deference to trial court
findings is critically important in Batson cases because the trial court is
much better positioned than an appellate court to examine the
circumstances surrounding the challenge. Further, deference is important
because trial judges must have some assurance that the rest of the trial
will not be an exercise in futility if it turns out an appellate court would
have ruled on a Batson challenge differently.1301
Under the existing Batson standard, where the State articulates a race-neutral
explanation for its challenge, the trial court is not required to analyze the first step
27 178 Wash. 2d 34, 52-55, 309 P.3d 326 (2013).
28 id, at 46.
29 Id, at 48.
30 Id. at 55-56.
13
No. 73069-0-1/14
whether the defendant established a prima facie case of purposeful discrimination.31
Here, the State mentioned four grounds for challenging Juror 5: she would not be able
to sit in judgment of others; she would like to believe her nephew in prison for murder is
innocent and therefore believes he is innocent; it was a "little hard to track what she was
saying," noting her reference to the Apple computer commercial; and the State did "not
feel like she was being completely forthcoming" about her job.32 The State believed
Juror 5 was "a pleasant and intelligent woman," but was concerned about "her
perspective on the world and criminal justice system."33
The second step of the process does not demand an explanation that is
persuasive or plausible:
"At this [second] step of the inquiry, the issue is the facial validity of
the prosecutor's explanation. Unless a discriminatory intent is inherent in
the prosecutor's explanation, the reason offered will be deemed race
neutral."!341
Bowman's argument that the State's proffered reasons were pretextual and mere
proxies for race concerns the third step, which requires the trial court to consider the
State's explanations and determine whether the defendant has demonstrated
purposeful discrimination.35 The State's explanations "must be viewed in the totality of
31 State v. Luvene, 127 Wash. 2d 690, 699, 903 P.2d 960 (1995) (citing Hernandez, 500
U.S. at 359).
32 Suppl. RP (Nov. 19, 2014) at 66-68.
33 Id, at 68.
34 Purkett v. Elem, 514 U.S. 765, 768, 115 S. Ct. 1769, 131 L. Ed. 2d 834 (1995)
(alteration in original) (quoting Hernandez, 500 U.S. at 360).
35 Batson, 476 U.S. at 98; see also Reed v. Quarterman, 555 F.3d 364, 368 (5th Cir.
2009); Purkett, 514 U.S. at 768 ("implausible or fantastic justifications may (and probably
will) be found to be pretexts for purposeful discrimination").
14
No. 73069-0-1/15
the prosecutor's comments."36 The reviewing court considers the overall
circumstances, including any red flags of a discriminatory motive.37
If a State's proffered reason for striking a minority panelist applies just as well to
an otherwise similar nonminority panelist who is permitted to serve, "that is evidence
tending to prove purposeful discrimination to be considered at Batson's third step."38
Here, however, there is no meaningful record of the makeup of the jury panel or the
ultimate jury other than the prosecutor's mention that several members of the panel
were minorities, including "one or two in the box itself."39 Therefore, on this record, it is
not possible to conduct any comparability analysis.
Bowman argues the trial court erred by accepting the prosecutor's challenge of
Juror 5 based on her inability to sit in judgment of others. He emphasizes that Juror 5
repeatedly said she was capable of being a juror, describing herself as "analytical," not
in a "rush," and that she "would be as fair as I know how to be," and that she had no
concern over her nephew's conviction.40
But Juror 5's exact statements about her ability to sit as a juror provided a race-
neutral basis for the State a to exercise a peremptory challenge: "I'm not sure ....
[ajbout my ability. I think I better be honest."41 Using her nephew as an example,
36 State v. Cook, 175 Wash. App. 36, 43, 312 P.3d 653 (2013).
37 See id, at 43-44 (prosecutor's peremptory challenge based in part on defense
counsel's use of the term "brother" when speaking to an African-American juror and
prosecutor's purportedly "confusing" one African-American juror with another "raises a red
flag that there is some discriminatory intent").
38 Miller-El v. Dretke, 545 U.S. 231, 241, 125 S. Ct. 2317, 162 L. Ed. 2d 196 (2005).
39 Suppl. RP (Nov. 19, 2014) at 68.
40 Suppl. RP (Nov. 18, 2014) at 115.
41 Suppl. RP (Nov. 19, 2014) at 21-22 (emphasis added).
15
No. 73069-0-1/16
Juror 5 noted, "he should be where he is," but on the other hand, "my heart says that's
not what I would want for his life or anyone's life."42 She agreed it would be difficult for
her to sit in judgment. Therefore, the record does not support Bowman's argument.
Bowman also argues the State distorted Juror 5's statements about her nephew
into a conclusion that she did believe her nephew was innocent. But the trial court
clearly recognized that Juror 5 had merely stated she wanted to believe her nephew
was innocent.
The State's other concerns relating to the ability to communicate with Juror 5
here do not appear to be race-based. While Juror 5's statements about the Apple
commercial ultimately led to a conclusion about the importance of not being biased, the
path to that conclusion was meandering. Thus, the State's difficulty in being able to
track her responses was not a remark on her intelligence but rather her communication
skills. And while the State's concern that Juror 5 was not being forthcoming about her
job is perhaps strained, it also suggests the State was concerned about communicating
well with Juror 5. We conclude the State's concerns were not on their face racially-
motivated observations.
Bowman argues the amount of time spent questioning Juror 5 reveals the State
was on a fishing expedition for pretextual reasons to exercise a peremptory challenge.
Although Saintcalle recognized that prosecutors cannot go fishing for race-neutral
42 Id. at 22.
16
No. 73069-0-1/17
reasons for using a peremptory strike and then hide behind the legitimate reasons they
do find,43 that does not mean that merely asking follow up questions is a red flag for
purposeful discrimination.
Although implicit bias in jury selection of minority jurors in the criminal setting is
problematic, Bowman does not establish that the trial court applied the wrong standard
or should not be entitled to deference when analyzing whether the State purposefully
discriminated. The trial court had the opportunity to observe the prosecutors'
demeanor, and there were no red flags suggesting racial motives as were present in
State v. Cook.44 The record supports the trial court's determination that the reasons
offered by the State for exercising a peremptory challenge of Juror 5 were race-neutral.
//. New Standard
Bowman alternatively proposes an entirely new limitation on peremptory
challenges exercised by the State, to be applied retroactively to his case. Although our
Supreme Court in Saintcalle advocated a change to the existing Batson procedures in
Washington, it has not made any such change.45 The lead Saintcalle opinion applied
Batson, leaving it as the controlling authority we must follow.46
43 Saintcalle, 178 Wash. 2d at 43.
44 175 Wash. App. 36, 43, 312 P.3d 653.
45 Efforts are pending to dramatically alter the standard applied to the exercise
of peremptory challenges of minority panel members. We note the proposed rule
would preclude the type of opening questioning made by the court here. See
Proposed adoption of GR 36 cmt. 4(c), Wash. St. Reg. 16-23-014 (Nov. 2, 2016),
http://lawfilesext.leg.wa.gov/law/wsr/2016/23/16-23MISC.pdf.
46 State v. Pedro, 148 Wash. App. 932, 950, 201 P.3d 398 (2009) ("It is error for the
Court of Appeals not to follow directly controlling authority by the Supreme Court.").
17
No. 73069-0-1/18
///. Lesser Included Offenses
Bowman next argues his counsel was ineffective for deferring to the client the
decision whether to pursue lesser offenses. We disagree.
We review ineffective assistance of counsel claims de novo.47 To prevail, a
defendant must show that his counsel's performance fell below an objective standard of
reasonableness and that the deficient performance prejudiced his trial.48
The decision not to request a lesser included offense instruction is a tactical one.
"Although risky, an all or nothing approach was at least conceivably a legitimate
strategy to secure an acquittal."49 Here, Bowman's counsel consulted with Bowman on
this issue "many times in depth," advised Bowman the defense could offer the jury
lesser included offense options, and acknowledged the decision not to seek lesser
included offenses "could be characterized easily as a tactical decision" and "I agree with
it."50
Defense counsel's approach is appropriate under State v. Grier:
Even where the risk is enormous and the chance of acquittal is minimal, it
is the defendant's prerogative to take this gamble, provided her attorney
believes there is support for the decision.... [A] criminal defendant who
genuinely believes she is innocent may prefer to avoid a compromise
verdict, even when the odds are stacked against her. Thus, assuming that
defense counsel has consulted with the client in pursuing an all or nothing
approach, a court should notsecond-guess that course of action.[51]
47 State v. Sutherbv, 165 Wash. 2d 870, 883, 204 P.3d 916 (2009).
48 Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. 668, 687, 104 S. Ct. 2052, 80 L. Ed. 2d 674
(1984); State v. Nichols. 161 Wash. 2d 1, 8, 162 P.3d 1122 (2007).
49 State v. Grier, 171 Wash. 2d 17, 42, 246 P.3d 1260(2011).
50RP(Dec. 9, 2014) at 5.
51 Grier, 171 Wash. 2d at 39 (emphasis added).
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There is nothing in the record to suggest that defense counsel believed Bowman's
decision was unreasonable in this case. And the fact that the strategy proved
unsuccessful is irrelevant because "hindsight has no place in an ineffective assistance
analysis."52 Defense counsel's performance here was not deficient.
IV. Reasonable Doubt Instruction
Bowman claims the jury instruction defining "reasonable doubt" used at his trial is
constitutionally defective.53 But in State v. Lizarraga,54 State v. Bennett,55 and State v.
Kalebaugh,56 the use of the instruction has been affirmed. Because controlling authority
approves the use of this standard instruction, we reject Bowman's claim.
V. Objections to Defense Closing Argument
Bowman next claims the trial court erred in sustaining an objection to the
defense's closing argument that "[t]he State has the burden of proving beyond a
reasonable doubt that the homicide was notjustifiable. If you find, and keep in mind this
is all subjective, because you have to view things from Mr. Bowman's standpoint."57 But
52 id, at 43.
53 See 11 Washington Practice: Pattern Jury Instructions: Criminal 4.01, at 93
(4th ed. 2016).
54 191 Wash. App. 530, 567, 364 P.3d 810 (2015), review denied, 185 Wash. 2d 1022
(2016).
55 161 Wash. 2d 303, 318, 165 P.3d 1241 (2007).
56 183 Wash. 2d 578, 585-86, 355 P.3d 253 (2015).
57 RP (Dec. 9, 2014) at 104 (emphasis added).
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No. 73069-0-1/20
the justifiable homicide standard is not all subjective.58 Because the defense's
statement was misleading,59 we conclude the trial court did not abuse its discretion.
We also conclude the trial court did not abuse its discretion in sustaining an
objection to defense counsel's closing argument about Bowman's books:
So I'm going to somehow arrange for Mr. Noll to have this road rage
incident with me. And then he's going to go on . . . and do what the State
believes he did as a student of murder. The thrill kill concept makes no
sense in light of the facts. And I don't mean to be condescending because
I'm not at all. . . . But if we can—if you can focus on the facts. The thrill kill
thing makes no sense at all.
If Dinh Bowman was a student of murder because he possessed
this manual, and this book, he certainly did not follow the lessons, all the
lessons prescribed in those booksJ6°i Don't do anything in broad daylight.
Two, don't do anything in heavy traffic. Three, don't do anything in a
flashy ca/".[61]
Because the portions of those books admitted into evidence did not include the lessons
defense counsel listed as "prescribed in those books," the defense's argument
improperly relied on information outside the record.62
VI. Discretionary Legal Financial Obligations
Bowman argues that the trial court imposed $665 in discretionary legal financial
obligations without considering his present or future ability to pay. Based on our
Supreme Court's recent decision in Blazina, which held that "RCW 10.01.160(3)
58 See State v. Walden. 131 Wash. 2d 469, 474, 932 P.2d 1237 (1997) (the defense of
justifiable homicide includes both objective and subjective elements).
59 See State v. Perez-Cervantes, 141 Wash. 2d 468, 474, 6 P.3d 1160 (2000) (closing
argument by counsel "must be restricted to the facts in evidence and the applicable law, lest
the jury be confused or misled").
60 The "books" defense counsel referenced were the two guides to committing
murder found on Bowman's work computer.
61 RP (Dec. 9, 2014) at 117 (emphasis added).
62 See Perez-Cervantes, 141 Wash. 2d at 474.
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requires the record to reflect that the sentencing judge made an individualized inquiry
into the defendant's current and future ability to pay before the court imposes [legal
financial obligations]," we agree.63 We remand for a hearing limited to this issue.
VII. Cumulative Error
Finally, Bowman asserts that cumulative error deprived him of a fair trial. But the
cumulative error doctrine applies only when there have been several errors that
standing alone, may not justify reversal, but in combination, have the effect of denying
the defendant a fair trial.64 Here, because Bowman has not shown several errors, the
cumulative error doctrine does not apply.
VIII. Statement of Additional Grounds
Bowman filed a 41-page single-spaced pro se statement of additional grounds.
Many of his challenges are to the sufficiency of the evidence and credibility claims. He
ignores that this court reviews a sufficiency challenge viewing the record in the light
most favorable to the State and that credibility determinations are for the trier of fact and
not subject to review.65 And when viewed in the light most favorable to the State, there
was sufficient evidence to support his conviction.
Bowman raises several challenges to the admissibility of evidence. Bowman
ignores that "[decisions involving evidentiary issues lie largely within the sound
discretion of the trial court."66 He also raises several other issues related to the court's
63182 Wash. 2d 827, 839, 344 P.3d 690 (2015) (emphasis added).
64 State v. Davis, 175 Wash. 2d 287, 345, 290 P.3d 43 (2012).
65 State v. Green, 94 Wash. 2d 216. 221. 616 P.2d 628 (1980): State v. Thomas, 150
Wash. 2d 821, 874-75, 83 P.3d 970 (2004) (the panel defers "to the trier of fact on issues of
conflicting testimony, credibility of witnesses, and the persuasiveness of the evidence").
66 State v. Nava, 177 Wash. App. 272, 311 P.3d 83 (2013).
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No. 73069-0-1/22
discretionary rulings, including impeachment, lack of proper foundation, and relevance.
But he fails to establish that any of the challenged rulings were unreasonable or based
on untenable grounds.67
Bowman makes several prosecutorial misconduct claims. Prosecutorial
misconduct allegations are reviewed for an abuse of discretion.68 Where a defendant
fails to object to the challenged conduct, he must show that the conduct was so flagrant
and ill-intentioned that a jury instruction could not have cured any resulting prejudice.69
Bowman fails to make such a showing here.
Finally, Bowman argues ineffective assistance of counsel, but only as a general
proposition.70 He thus fails to inform the court of the nature and occurrence of counsel's
alleged errors.71 Further, he ignores that ineffective assistance claims do not relate to
counsel's tactical decisions, and that this court strongly presumes counsel's conduct
constituted sound trial strategy.72 Further, if Bowman "wishes to raise issues on appeal
that require evidence or facts not in the existing trial record, the appropriate means of
doing so is through a personal restraint petition."73
67 See Falkv.KeeneCorp.. 53 Wash. App. 238, 247, 767 P.2d 576 (1989).
68 State v. Thorqerson. 172 Wash. 2d 438, 460, 258 P.3d 43 (2011).
69 State v. Russell, 125 Wash. 2d 24, 86, 882 P.2d 747 (1994).
70 Statement of Additional Grounds at 4 (arguing that "an [ineffective [assistance of
[c]ounsel claim will be held for all issues of this case as the record should have been
protected").
71 RAP 10.10(c).
72 Grier, 171 Wash. 2d at 33 (quoting State v. Thomas, 109 Wash. 2d 222, 225-26, 743
P.2d 816 (1987)).
73 State v. McFarland. 127 Wash. 2d 322, 335, 899 P.2d 1251 (1995).
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Accordingly, we affirm and remand to the trial court to make an individualized
finding on Bowman's ability to pay the discretionary legal financial obligations.
WE CONCUR:
^Y>\M*j A^J
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