State Of Washington v. Gary Cole ( 2015 )

FILED
COURT OF APPEALS
DIVISION 11
2015 MAR 31 API 8 : 3n
STATE 0 SNI ON
BY
DEP
IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON
DIVISION II
STATE OF WASHINGTON, No. 45668 -1 - II
Respondent,
v.
UNPUBLISHED OPINION
GARY R. COLE,
Appellant.
MAXA, J. — Gary Cole appeals his conviction of second degree burglary for taking a
wood stove and other items from vacant buildings. He argues that ( 1) the evidence was
insufficient to support his conviction because the only evidence that he unlawfully entered the
buildings was his own statement, ( 2) the trial court erred in denying his motion for a mistrial
after the arresting officer testified that Cole had misdemeanor warrants, and ( 3) the prosecutor
engaged in misconduct by stating that the jury could convict Cole even if the owner of the
buildings had given him permission to enter. Cole also asserted additional arguments in a
statement of additional grounds ( SAG).
We hold that ( 1) the State produced sufficient circumstantial evidence that Cole
unlawfully entered the buildings apart from his statement, ( 2) the trial court did not abuse its
discretion in denying Cole' s motion for a mistrial even though the officer' s reference to Cole' s
warrants was inappropriate, and ( 3) the prosecutor did not commit misconduct. We also find no
merit in Cole' s SAG assertions. Accordingly, we affirm Cole' s conviction.
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FACTS
In December 2012, Jeffrey Berg inspected property in Moclips that he was interested in
buying. The property consisted of an old tavern, a residence, and a well house. In January 2013,
he entered into a purchase and sale agreement with the owner who lived in Minnesota. A few
days before the transaction was scheduled to close and after he had deposited his purchase price
in escrow, Berg drove to the property. He noticed that the door to the well house appeared
damaged. He then got a key from the caretaker and went into the tavern. He noticed that
someone had removed wiring and stainless steel panels from behind the stoves, damaged the
stoves, and taken the fire suppression equipment. Berg called the sheriff.
Deputy Robert Wilson responded and the two inspected the residence and well house.
They noted that someone had broken a large window out of the residence and removed a wood
stove. And someone had taken the well pump, pressure tank, electrical box, and wiring from the
well house. They found another wood stove and other parts along a trail leading away from the
property. After some investigation, Deputy Wilson learned that Teresa Bushman had purchased
the wood stove from Cole, and Deputy Wilson located it at the residence of Teresa' s husband
Steve Bushman in Hoquiam.
Deputy Wilson then contacted Cole. After first denying any involvement in the burglary,
Cole admitted that he had taken the wood stove. However, he said that Steve and Teresa
Bushman owned it and had paid him $ 100 to bring it to them. He also said that he awoke one
morning to find the well pump on his property and that he took it to his friend Donald Waugh' s
home.
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The State charged Cole with second degree burglary. At trial, Teresa Bushman testified
that she had purchased the wood stove from Cole for $150. She stated that Cole had the wood
stove in the place where he lived and that she did not know that it was stolen. After she
purchased it, her husband picked it up and took it to Hoquiam. Steve Bushman testified that his
wife told him that she had purchased the wood stove and that it was not stolen.
Deputy Wilson testified regarding his investigation, his observations at the building, and
his communications with Cole. The State also introduced a written statement Cole made out for
Deputy Wilson. It stated:
About three weeks ago, Steve and Teresa told me to go to the house next to the
Moclips Tavern and take the wood stove. They said they would give me $ 100. 00
to get it for them. They told me the lady that lived there before but had moved out
about two weeks prior left their stove at the house. They told me this lady had
borrowed the stove and didn' t give it back. The house was vacant as the new
owners were not living I down
there. went before dark. I entered the
there just
house through the back sliding glass door. I found it to be unlocked. I went inside
and dismantled the wood stove. I put it on a dolly and wheeled it across the highway
and down a trail towards the 208 Mill. I took it down the trail about halfway and
put [ it] in the brush on the trail. Then I walked down to the 208 Mill to Teresa
Bushman' s trailer and told her where I left it. She gave me $ 50 in cash and $ 50
worth of methamphetamines. The reason I know where the well pump was at is
that I found the pump on the ground next to my truck when I woke up about three
weeks ago. I didn' t want it at my place so I took it to Donald Waugh, Jr[.]' s house
on the reservation.
Exhibit 1.
During trial, the State asked Deputy Wilson about contacting Cole. He responded, " Well,
at that time I was aware that he had misdemeanor warrants. Report of Proceedings ( RP) at 68.
Cole immediately objected and asked for a mistrial. The trial court denied the motion. The trial
court told the jury that it had sustained the objection and that the jury should disregard Deputy
Wilson' s response.
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During rebuttal closing argument, the prosecutor told the jury:
I have the burden of proof so I get the last word. Is it reasonable to make an
inference that this entry was lawful? The defense would suggest that there is. Oh,
sure, maybe some guy back in Minnesota said it was okay to go in and trash the
place. Even if that were true, whether that' s lawful is still a question for you once
a guy has already put money in escrow.
RP at 127 -28 ( emphasis added). Cole did not object to this statement.
The jury returned a guilty verdict. Cole appeals.
ANALYSIS
A. SUFFICIENCY OF THE EVIDENCE
Cole argues that the State failed to produce sufficient evidence that he unlawfully entered
or remained in a building, one of the elements of second degree burglary under RCW
9A. 52. 030( 1). He argues that the State could not rely on his statement to establish the
unlawfulness of his entry because of the corpus delicti rule, and that there was no other evidence
that he did not have permission to enter. We disagree.
1. Elements of Burglary
The elements of second degree burglary are ( 1) entering or remaining unlawfully in a
building other than a vehicle or dwelling, and (2) so doing with intent to commit a crime against
a person or property therein. RCW 9A. 52. 030( 1); see State v. Brunson, 128 Wash. 2d 98, 104 -05,
905 P.2d 346 ( 1995). RCW 9A. 52. 010( 5) defines the phrase "[ e] nters or remains unlawfully" as
a] person ` enters or remains unlawfully' in or upon premises when he or she is not then
licensed, invited, or otherwise privileged to so enter or remain."
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2. Corpus Delicti
The corpus delicti principle requires that the State prove that some crime actually
occurred. State v. Brockob, 159 Wash. 2d 311, 327, 150 P.3d 59 ( 2006). Under the corpus delicti
rule, the defendant' s incriminating statement alone is not sufficient to establish that a crime took
place. Id. at 328. "[ T] he State must present evidence independent of the incriminating statement
that the crime a defendant described in the statement actually occurred." Id. (emphasis omitted).
Corpus delicti usually consists of an injury or loss caused by someone' s criminal act.
City of Bremerton v. Corbett, 106 Wash. 2d 569, 573 -74, 723 P.2d 1135 ( 1986). The corpus delicti
of second degree burglary is an unlawful entering of a building and with the intent to commit a
crime therein. Proof of the identity of the person who committed the crime is not part of the
corpus delicti, which only requires corroborating evidence that someone committed a crime. Id. .
at574.
In applying the corpus delicti rule, we focus on the sufficiency of the independent
evidence other than the defendant' s incriminating statement. State v. Dow, 168 Wash. 2d 243, 249,
254, 227 P.3d 1278 ( 2010). Our review is de novo. State v. Green, 182 Wash. App. 133, 143, 328
P.3d 988, review denied, 337 P.3d 325 ( 2014). In determining the sufficiency of independent
evidence under the corpus delicti rule, we assume the truth of the State' s evidence and view all
reasonable inferences therefrom in the light most favorable to the State. State v. Aten, 130
Wash. 2d 640, 658, 927 P.2d 210 ( 1996). The independent evidence need not be sufficient to
establish the existence of a crime beyond a reasonable doubt or even by a preponderance of the
evidence. Id. at 656. The evidence only must provide "[ p] rima facie corroboration" that a crime
occurred. Brockob, 159 Wash. 2d at 328.
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Here, ample corroborating evidence existed that someone unlawfully entered the
buildings and removed items. The residence showed signs of forced entry in that a window was
broken out enough for a person to enter, and someone removed a wood stove from the residence.
In addition, someone stripped wiring and stainless steel from the tavern, and dismantled the well
house. And Berg testified that he found other stove parts and pieces from the house and tavern
on the trail leading away from the property.
We hold that the corroborating evidence independent of Cole' s written statement was
sufficient to show that the crime of second degree burglary occurred. Accordingly, under the
corpus delicti rule we can consider Cole' s written statement in assessing the sufficiency of the
evidence.
3. Sufficiency of the Evidence
Cole argues that because the State did not present testimony from the property owner or
the caretaker and because Berg did not yet own the property, there was insufficient evidence that
Cole did not have permission to enter the buildings. We disagree.
The test for determining sufficiency of the evidence is whether, after viewing the
evidence in the light most favorable to the State, any rational trier of fact could have found guilt
beyond a reasonable doubt. State v. Rose, 175 Wash. 2d 10, 14, 282 P.3d 1087 ( 2012). In a
sufficiency of the evidence claim, the defendant admits the truth of the State' s evidence and all
reasonable inferences drawn from that evidence. Id. Credibility determinations are made by the
trier of fact and not subject to review. State v. Miller, 179 Wash. App. 91, 105, 316 P.3d 1143
2014). Circumstantial and direct evidence are equally reliable. Id.
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Cole admitted that he entered the residence and removed the wood stove. However, he
argues that there is no evidence that the owner in Minnesota did not grant him permission to
enter the buildings. We hold that there was sufficient evidence for a jury to infer that Cole had
no permission.
First, Cole' s explanation that the Bushmans solicited him to retrieve the wood stove, even
though contradicted by the Bushmans' testimony, allows an inference that he did not have
permission from the owner to enter. Second, Cole stated that he knew the house was vacant and
that he went to remove the wood stove just before dark, suggesting surreptitious behavior. Third,
the residence showed evidence of forced entry —a window was broken out enough for a person
to enter. Taking this evidence in the light most favorable to the State, we hold that a reasonable
jury could find beyond a reasonable doubt that Cole did not have permission to enter the
residence.
We hold that there was sufficient evidence to support a finding that he entered the
residence unlawfully with an intent to commit a crime therein. Therefore, we reject Cole' s
sufficiency of the evidence argument.
B. MOTION FOR MISTRIAL
Cole claims that the trial court abused its discretion when it denied his motion for a
mistrial following Deputy Wilson' s testimony that Cole had outstanding misdemeanor arrest
warrants. He argues that the trial court did not properly assess the prejudicial impact this
evidence had on the jury. We disagree.
We review a trial court' s denial of a mistrial for abuse of discretion. State v. Emery, 174
Wash. 2d 741, 765, 278 P.3d 653 ( 2012). Our Supreme Court has stated that abuse of discretion
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will be found for denial of a mistrial only when no reasonable judge would have reached the
same conclusion. Id. at 765. Further, we will overturn a trial court' s denial of a mistrial motion
only when there is a substantial likelihood that the error affected the jury' s verdict. State v.
Rodriguez, 146 Wash. 2d 260, 269 -70, 45 P.3d 541 ( 2002). A mistrial should be ordered " only
when the defendant has been so prejudiced that nothing short of a new trial can ensure that the
defendant will be fairly tried." Emery, 174 Wash. 2d at 765.
We examine three factors —the Hopson factors —when determining whether an
irregularity warrants a mistrial: " `( 1) its seriousness; ( 2) whether it involved cumulative
evidence; and ( 3) whether the trial court properly instructed the jury to disregard it.' " Emery,
174 Wash. 2d at 765 ( quoting State v. Hopson, 113 Wash. 2d 273, 284, 778 P.2d 1014 ( 1989)). We
consider these factors with deference to the trial court because the trial court is in a better
position to evaluate the effect of an irregularity on the trial proceedings. See State v. Perez -
Valdez, 172 Wash. 2d 808, 818 -19, 265 P.3d 853 ( 2011).
Regarding the first factor, Cole argues that Deputy Wilson' s comment was a serious
irregularity because it introduced highly prejudicial evidence that likely swayed the jury in
assessing his credibility and it was inadmissible evidence under ER 404( b). The improper
admission of a defendant' s prior misconduct can be a serious irregularity. See State v. Babcock,
145 Wn. App. 157, 163 -64, 185. P. 3d 1213 ( 2008). But here, the evidence of Cole' s guilt was
overwhelming, thus minimizing the seriousness of the statement. Cole admitted to the Deputy
that he had entered the residence and taken the wood stove. As a result, there is no substantial
likelihood that Deputy Wilson' s statement affected the jury' s verdict or that Cole was prejudiced.
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With regard to the second factor, Deputy Wilson' s comment was not cumulative. There
was no other evidence admitted at trial about Cole' s criminal history.
Third, the trial court instructed the jury that it was sustaining Cole' s objection and that it
should disregard the testimony. Cole' s prompt objection to Deputy Wilson' s statement and the
trial court' s verbal instruction to the jury cured any irregularity. And we presume that the jury
followed the trial court' s instruction and considered only the evidence that was properly before
it. Perez- Valdez, 172 Wash. 2d at 818 -19.
Our analysis of the Hopson factors indicates that the trial court did not abuse its
discretion in concluding that Deputy Wilson' s comment did not warrant a mistrial. Therefore,
we hold that the trial court did not err when it denied Cole' s mistrial motion.
C. PROSECUTORIAL MISCONDUCT
Cole claims that the prosecutor' s closing rebuttal argument improperly told the jury that
it could disregard the elements of the offense and still return a guilty verdict. We disagree.
To prevail on a claim of prosecutorial misconduct, a defendant must show that the
prosecutor' s conduct was both improper and prejudicial. In re Pers. Restraint of Glasmann, 175
Wash. 2d 696, 704, 286 P.3d 673 ( 2012). We review the prosecutor' s conduct and whether
prejudice resulted therefrom " by examining that conduct in the full trial context, including the
evidence presented, ` the context of the total argument, the issues in the case, the evidence
addressed in the argument, and the instructions given to the jury.' " State v. Monday, 171 Wash. 2d
667, 675, 257 P.3d 551 ( 2011) ( internal quotation marks omitted) ( quoting State v. McKenzie,
157 Wash. 2d 44, 52, 134 P.3d 221 ( 2006)).
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Here, the prosecutor' s argument was not improper. The prosecutor' s argument was made
in response to Cole' s claim that the only way the State could prove an unlawful entry was to
have the owner testify that he had not given Cole permission to enter. On rebuttal, a prosecutor
is entitled to make a fair response to the arguments of defense counsel." State v. Russell, 125
Wash. 2d 24, 87, 882 P.2d 747 ( 1994). Although the language used may have been unartful, the
prosecutor simply was arguing that the jury could infer a lack of permission from the evidence
presented even if the owner did not testify. This was not improper argument and was not
prosecutorial misconduct. Cole' s claim fails.
D. SAG ARGUMENTS
In his SAG Cole asserts that Deputy Wilson did not read him his Miranda1 rights, his
offender score is incorrect, his attorney did not call any of his witnesses, the sheriff planted pills
on him so the State could coerce him into a guilty plea, and every one of his constitutional rights
was violated. We find no merit to these claims.
First, the record shows that Deputy Wilson advised Cole of his Miranda rights. Second,
Cole fails to show what error exists in the offender score calculation. And the record shows that
the State presented extensive evidence of Cole' s criminal history. Third, we cannot address
whether his attorney failed to call witnesses or whether the sheriff falsified evidence because
these claims rely on matters outside the record and are not reviewable in a direct appeal. State v.
McFarland, 127 Wash. 2d 322, 335, 899 P.2d 1251 ( 1995). And fourth, Cole fails to explain how
his constitutional rights were violated or how the record demonstrates these violations.
1 Miranda v. Arizona, 384 U.S. 436, 86 S. Ct. 1602, 16 L. Ed. 2d 694 ( 1966).
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Therefore, we need not address them. RAP 10. 10( c). Accordingly, we reject Cole' s SAG
claims.
We affirm.
A majority of the panel having determined that this opinion will not be printed in the
Washington Appellate Reports, but will be filed for public record in accordance with RCW
2. 06. 040, it is so ordered.
We concur:
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