State Of Washington, V Jonathan Levi Dunn ( 2015 )

FILED
COURT OF APPEAL S_
DI °VISION IT
2015 MAY 12 AM 8: 41
STA OF / ASH ETON
3y
IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON
DIVISION II
STATE OF WASHINGTON, No. 44572 -7 -II
Respondent,
v.
JONATHAN LEVI DUNN, UNPUBLISHED OPINION
Appellant.
JOHANSON, C. J. — Jonathan Levi Dunn appeals his jury trial convictions for two counts
of unlawful possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver, each with school bus route
stop and firearm sentencing enhancements; two counts of unlawful possession of a controlled
substance; one count of unlawful possession of less than 40 grams of marijuana; and one count of
first degree unlawful possession of a.firearm. He argues that the evidence was insufficient to prove
the firearm sentencing enhancements and that the trial court violated his right to a public trial by
taking peremptory challenges in writing. In a statement of additional grounds for review (SAG), 1
he further argues ( 1) the two firearm sentencing enhancements subjected him to double jeopardy,
2) the jury was .prejudiced because it saw him in shackles, ( 3) the evidence was insufficient to
prove the school bus route stop sentencing enhancements because he had no way of knowing he
1
RAP 10. 10.
No. 44572 -7 -II
was within a protected zone, and ( 4) he received ineffective assistance on various grounds. We
hold that the evidence was sufficient to support the firearm sentencing enhancements and that there
was no public trial violation. We further hold that his SAG issues either have no merit or cannot
be addressed. Accordingly, we affirm.
FACTS
I. BACKGROUND
On August 5, 2012, Longview Police Officers Zachary Ripp and Chris Trevino were on
patrol when they observed Dunn drive by and turn into an alley. Aware that Dunn' s driver' s
license was suspended, the officers followed Dunn, turned on their flashing lights and siren, and
eventually stopped Dunn. The truck stopped approximately 661 feet from a school bus route stop.
After Dunn got out of his car, the officers arrested him for driving with a suspended license.
During a search of Dunn' s person, Officer Ripp found $3, 940 in cash in one of Dunn' s pockets.
During a subsequent search of Dunn' s truck pursuant to a search warrant, the officers found several
diazepam and alprazolam pills in the truck' s glove box. The officers also found a backpack behind
the seat and to the driver' s right. The backpack was visible and within reach from the driver' s
seat. Officer Ripp later testified that the backpack was in a location where the driver could have
reached it or grabbed items out of it.
In the backpack' s main compartment, Officer Ripp found 38. 1 grams of heroin, 27. 1 grams
of methamphetamine, 1. 4 grams of marijuana, a digital scale, and other drug paraphernalia. In the
smaller front pouch, Officer Ripp found a loaded . 380 handgun. Officer Ripp " rendered it safe"
by removing the loaded magazine and the bullet in the chamber. Report of Proceedings ( RP) ( Jan.
8, 2013) ( Trial) at 58.
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II. PROCEDURE
The State charged Dunn with (1) unlawful possession of heroin with intent to deliver (count
I), unlawful possession of methamphetamine with intent to deliver (count II), unlawful possession
of diazepam ( count III), unlawful possession of alprazolam ( count IV), unlawful possession of 40
grams or less of marijuana (count V), and first degree unlawful possession of a firearm (count VI).2
The State also alleged firearm sentencing enhancements and school bus route stop sentencing
enhancements for counts I and II.
Dunn pleaded not guilty. During jury selection, counsel exercised their peremptory
challenges in a sidebar.
The State' s witnesses testified as described above. Dunn presented an unwitting possession
defense. David Allen Holmes admitted that he owned the items the officers found in the backpack
and testified that Dunn had given hint ride on the day of the arrest and allowed him (Holmes) to
use the backpack because his pockets were full.
While discussing the unwitting possession defense jury instruction, defense counsel argued
that the instruction applied to the possession with intent to deliver charges because one of the
elements was possession of the controlled substance. The State responded that this was essentially
a request for a lesser included instruction on counts I and II because the possession with intent to
deliver essentially already required a mens rea for the possession element. Defense counsel
responded that the unwitting possession defense applied to all the drug charges. But defense
counsel also asserted that even if the jury were to find Dunn knew the drugs were there, there was
2 The State also charged Dunn with third degree driving while license suspended or revoked (count
VII), but that charge was dismissed without prejudice before trial.
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insufficient evidence of intent to distribute. The trial court agreed with the State. Defense counsel
expressly stated he was not requesting a lesser included instruction.
After the jury reached its verdict, but before the jury delivered the verdict, the trial court
advised the parties that some of the jurors may have inadvertently seen Dunn in shackles because
a bailiff had partially opened the jury room door as Dunn was passing by. The trial court stated
that because the verdict had been reached, it was " not concerned" about this event. RP ( Jan. 10,
2013) at 4.
The jury found Dunn guilty as charged. The jury also found that he was armed with a
firearm and within 1, 000 feet of a school bus route stop when he committed counts I and II. The
trial court imposed 72 -month firearm enhancements and 24 -month school bus route stop
enhancements on counts I and II.
Dunn appeals his convictions and his sentencing enhancements.
ANALYSIS
I. SUFFICIENCY OF EVIDENCE: FIREARM SENTENCING ENHANCEMENTS
Dunn first argues that the State failed to present sufficient evidence to establish the two
firearm sentencing enhancements. Specifically, he argues that the State failed to prove that the
gun was ( 1) easily and readily accessible or (2) operable. We disagree.
A. STANDARD OF REVIEW
We review sufficiency of the evidence claims for whether, when viewing the evidence in
the light most favorable to the State, any rational trier of fact could have found the essential
elements of the charged crime beyond a reasonable doubt. State v. Salinas, 119 Wash. 2d 192, 201,
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No. 44572 -7 -II
829 P.2d 1068 ( 1992). A sufficiency challenge admits the truth of the State' s evidence and all
reasonable inferences drawn from it. Salinas, 119 Wash. 2d at 201.
The trier of fact makes credibility determinations, which we will not review. State v.
Thomas, 150 Wash. 2d 821, 874, 83 P.3d 970 ( 2004). And we defer to the trier of fact on issues of
conflicting testimony and the persuasiveness of evidence. Thomas, 150 Wash. 2d at 874 -75.
B. EASILY ACCESSIBLE AND READILY AVAILABLE
We first address whether there was sufficient evidence to establish that the firearm was
easily accessible and readily available. We hold that it was.
A person is armed with a deadly weapon if it is easily accessible and readily available for
use for either offensive or defensive purposes whether to facilitate the crime' s commission, to
escape the crime scene, to protect contraband, or to prevent investigation, discovery, or
apprehension by the police. State v. Gurske, 155 Wash. 2d 134, 137 -39, 118 P.3d 333 ( 2005). Mere
proximity or mere constructive possession is insufficient to establish that a defendant was armed
at the time he possessed a controlled substance. 3 Gurske, 155 Wash. 2d at 138.
Dunn relies on Gurske, for the proposition that there was insufficient evidence to find that
he had a firearm that was easily accessible and ready for use. Gurske is distinguishable.
In Gurske, the defendant was arrested for driving with a suspended license. 155 Wash. 2d at
136. In a search incident to arrest, the police found a backpack directly behind the driver' s seat
where Gurske had been sitting. Gurske, 155 Wash. 2d at 136. Inside the zipped backpack police
3
Additionally, there must be a nexus between the defendant, the crime, and the weapon. Gurske,
155 Wash. 2d at 140 -41. Dunn does not argue that there was insufficient evidence to establish the
required nexus.
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No. 44572 -7 -II
found a Coleman torch, a holstered handgun under the torch, and three grams of
methamphetamine. Gurske, 155 Wash. 2d at 136. Our Supreme Court held that there was insufficient
evidence to show that the firearm was easily accessible and readily available for use because
Gurske would have had to exit the vehicle or move into the passenger seat to reach the gun.
Gurske, 155 Wash. 2d at 143.
Here, in contrast, Officer Ripp testified that the backpack was in a location where the driver
could have reached it or grabbed items out of it. This testimony, taken in the light most favorable
to the State, would allow a rational jury to find beyond a reasonable doubt that the firearm in the
backpack was easily accessible and readily available to Dunn.
Citing State v. Ague -Masters, 138 Wn. App. 86, 104, 156 P.3d 265 ( 2007), Dunn further
argues that the evidence was insufficient to show the gun was easily accessible and readily
available because the police had arrested him before they found the gun. Dunn' s reliance on Ague -
Masters is misplaced.
In Ague -Masters, the fact the defendant was already arrested when the law enforcement
officers found the gun was not dispositive. In fact, we stated that although the proximity of the
defendant to the gun may be a factor, " it is possible for a defendant to be armed during a
commission of a crime for purposes of a sentence enhancement even if not arrested in close
proximity to the weapon." Ague -Masters, 138 Wash. App. at 103. Furthermore, the dispositive fact
in Ague -Masters was that the officers found the firearms at issue in a locked safe inside the
defendant' s house, where there was no evidence of a drug lab, and the officers did not find any
firearms or evidence of firearm use inside the shed where the drug lab was located. 138 Wn. App.
No. 44572 -7 -II
at 104 -05. Here, in contrast, the evidence showed that Dunn was near the backpack, the backpack
was accessible to him, and the backpack contained both the gun and the drug evidence.
We hold that there was sufficient evidence that the gun was easily accessible and readily
available to Dunn.
C. OPERABLE WEAPON
Dunn next argues that there was no evidence proving that the firearm was operable because
t] here was no testimony here the gun ... could actually fire a round." Br. of Appellant at 10.
We disagree.
In State v. Recuenco, our Supreme Court acknowledged that to prove a firearm sentencing
enhancement, the State had to " introduce facts upon which the jury could find beyond a reasonable
doubt the weapon in question falls under the definition of a ` firearm:' ` a weapon or device from
which a projectile may be fired by an explosive such as gunpowder. ' 163 Wash. 2d 428, 437, 180
P.3d 1276 ( 2008) ( quoting 11 WASHINGTON PRACTICE: WASHINGTON PATTERN JURY
INSTRUCTIONS: CRIMINAL 2. 10. 01 ( Supp. 2005)). The court also stated, " We have held that a jury
must be presented with sufficient evidence to find a firearm operable under this definition in order
to uphold the enhancement." Recuenco, 163 Wash. 2d at 437 ( citing State v. Pam, 98 Wash. 2d 748,
754 -55, 659 P.2d 454 ( 1983), overruled in part on other grounds by State v. Brown, 111 Wash. 2d
124, 761 P.2d 588, 787 P.2d 906 ( 1988)). Assuming, but not deciding, that Recuenco requires the
jury to find that a firearm is operable, we hold that the evidence here is sufficient to prove that
element.
Operability may be inferred without any direct evidence of operability. State v. Mathe, 35
Wn. App. 572, 581 - 82, 668 P.2d 599 ( 1983), aff'd on other grounds, 102 Wash. 2d 537, 688 P.2d
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859 ( 1984). Officer Ripp described the gun as a . 380 handgun and testified that the gun was
loaded, that he had to unload the gun to " render[ ] it safe," and that the gun had a serial number.
RP ( Jan. 8, 2013) ( Trial) at 58. And the gun, magazine, and cartridges were admitted as evidence
and available to the jury during its deliberations. Taken in the light most favorable to the State,
this was sufficient to show that the firearm was an operable firearm. See Mathe, 35 Wash. App. at
581 -82 ( robbery victims' identifications of the weapon the defendant threatened them with as a
gun was sufficient circumstantial evidence to show it was a real and operable firearm); State v.
Bowman, 36 Wash. App. 798, 803, 678 P.2d 1273 ( eyewitness testimony describing a real gun and
recounting the threat to use it was sufficient to establish the existence of a real, operable gun in
fact), review denied, 101 Wash. 2d 1015 ( 1984). Accordingly, this argument fails.
II. No PUBLIC TRIAL VIOLATION
Dunn next argues that the trial court violated his Sixth Amendment to the United States
Constitution and article I, section 22 of the Washington State Constitution guarantees to a public
trial by allowing the parties to exercise their peremptory strikes in writing without first conducting
Club4
a Bone - analysis. We have previously held in State v. Dunn, 180 Wash. App. 570, 575, 321
P.3d 1283 ( 2014), review denied, 181 Wash. 2d 1030 ( 2015), and State v. Marks, 184 Wash. App. 782,
789, 339 P.3d 196 ( 2014), that exercising peremptory challenges in writing does not implicate a
defendant' s public trial rights. Accordingly this argument fails.
III. SAG IssuEs
Dunn also raises several issues in his pro se SAG.
4 State v. Bone -Club, 128 Wash. 2d 254, 906 P.2d 325 ( 1995).
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No. 44572 -7 -II
A. DOUBLE JEOPARDY
Dunn first argues that he was subject to double jeopardy because each possession with
intent to deliver included a firearm sentencing enhancement. We have 'repeatedly rejected this
argument. In re Pers. Restraint of Delgado, 149 Wash. App. 223, 240, 204 P.3d 936 ( 2009)
imposing multiple firearm sentencing enhancements does not constitute double jeopardy); State
v. Nguyen, 134 Wash. App. 863, 866, 142 P.3d 1117 ( 2006) ( same), review denied, 163 Wash. 2d 1053,
cent. denied, 555 U.S. 1055 ( 2008); State v. Ward, 125 Wash. App. 243, 251 - 52, 104 P.3d 670 (2004)
same), abrogated in part on other grounds by State v. Grier, 171 Wash. 2d 17, 35 -38, 246 P.3d 1260
2011). Accordingly, this argument fails.
Dunn also appears to argue that he was subject to double jeopardy because he was
convicted of the firearm enhancements and first degree unlawful possession of a firearm. This
argument also fails.
The double jeopardy clause of the Fifth Amendment to the United States Constitution
provides that "[ n] o person shall ...
be subject for the same offense to be twice put in jeopardy of
life or limb. "5 The double jeopardy clause bars multiple punishments for the same offense. State
v. Villanueva -Gonzalez, 180 Wash. 2d 975, 980, 329 P.3d 78 ( 2014). We review double jeopardy
claims de novo. Villanueva -Gonzalez, 180 Wash. 2d at 979 -80.
In order to be the same offense for purposes of double jeopardy[,] the offenses must be
the same in law and in fact. ' State v. Calle, 125 Wash. 2d 769, 777, 888 P.2d 155 ( 1995) ( internal
5
Article I, section 9 of the Washington State Constitution provides that "[ n] o person shall ... be
twice put in jeopardy, for the same offense." The two clauses provide the same protection. In re
Pers. Restraint of Borrero, 161 Wash. 2d 532, 536, 167 P.3d 1106 ( 2007), cent. denied, 552 U.S.
1154 ( 2008).
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No. 44572 -7 -II
quotation marks omitted) ( quoting State v. Vladovic, 99 Wash. 2d 413, 423, 662 P.2d 853 ( 1983)).
If there is an element in each offense which is not included in the other, and proof of one offense
would not necessarily also prove the other, the offenses are not constitutionally the same and the
double jeopardy clause does not prevent convictions for both offenses. ' Calle, 125 Wash. 2d at 777
quoting Vladovic, 99 Wash. 2d at 423).
Application of these principles makes clear that the firearm enhancements and the crime
of unlawful possession of a firearm are not the same offenses for purposes of the double jeopardy
clause. In order to convict Dunn of first degree unlawful possession of a firearm, the jury was
required to find that he had knowingly possessed a firearm and that he was previously convicted
or found not guilty by reason of insanity of a serious offense. RCW 9. 41. 040( 1)( a). In contrast,
the firearm sentencing enhancements required the jury to determine that Dunn had committed the
substantive crimes —unlawful possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver —and that
he was armed with a firearm during the commission of those offenses. RCW 9. 94A. 533( 3).
Having been previously convicted or found not guilty by reason of insanity of a serious offense is
not an element of the firearm enhancements, and possession of a controlled substance with intent
to deliver is not an element of unlawful possession of a firearm. Accordingly, each offense
contains an element that the other does not, and the first degree unlawful possession of a firearm
charge and the firearm enhancements are not the same in law and in fact; thus, imposing the firearm
enhancements does not amount to double jeopardy. Calle, 125 Wash. 2d at 777.
B. SHACKLES
Dunn next argues that the jury was prejudiced because it saw him in shackles. " The mere
fact that a
jury sees an inmate wearing shackles does not mandate reversal." State v. Rodriguez,
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146 Wash. 2d 260, 270 -71, 45 P.3d 541 ( 2002). The defendant must show prejudice, namely that
seeing him in shackles influenced the jury' s verdict. State v. Elmore, 139 Wash. 2d 250, 274, 985
P.2d 289 ( 1999), cent. denied, 531 U.S. 837 ( 2000). The record shows that the incident during
which the jury may have seen Dunn in shackles was after the jury had reached its verdict. Thus,
this event could have no impact on the verdict and any potential error is clearly harmless.6
C. SUFFICIENCY OF EVIDENCE FOR THE SCHOOL BUS ROUTE STOP ENHANCEMENTS
Dunn further argues that he had no knowledge that he was in a school bus route stop zone
and had no way of knowing he was in a school bus route stop zone because school was not in
session. But a defendant' s actual knowledge of school bus route stops designated by the school
district is irrelevant if information about the location of school bus route stops is available through
objective means, such as contacting the school district' s director of transportation. State v. Becker,
132 Wash. 2d 54, 62, 935 P.2d 1321 ( 1997) ( citing State v. Coria, 120 Wash. 2d 156, 167, 839 P.2d 890
1992)). Dunn has not shown that he could not have determined whether he was near a school bus
route stop zone by contacting the director of transportation or other means. Accordingly, this
argument also fails.
D. INEFFECTIVE ASSISTANCE OF COUNSEL
Finally, Dunn argues that he received ineffective assistance on several grounds. This
argument also fails.
6 Dunn may also be arguing that the fact he was shackled every time he was escorted to the
courtroom was prejudicial. But any evidence related to this assertion is outside the record, so we
will not consider this issue. State v. McFarland, 127 Wash. 2d 322, 335, 899 P.2d 1251 ( 1995)
appropriate means of raising issues that require evidence or facts from outside the record is to file
a personal restraint petition).
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No. 44572 -7 -II
1. STANDARD OF REVIEW
We review claims of ineffective assistance of counsel de novo. State v. White, 80 Wn.
App. 406, 410, 907 P.2d 310 ( 1995), review denied, 129 Wash. 2d 1012 ( 1996). To demonstrate he
received ineffective assistance of counsel, Dunn must show that
1) defense counsel' s representation was deficient, i. e., it fell below an objective
standard of reasonableness based on consideration of all the circumstances; and ( 2)
defense counsel' s deficient representation prejudiced the defendant, i.e., there is a
reasonable probability that, except for counsel' s unprofessional errors, the result of
the proceeding would have been different.
State v. McFarland, 127 Wash. 2d 322, 334 -35, 899 P.2d 1251 ( 1995). " A failure to establish either
element of the test defeats the ineffective assistance of counsel claim." In re Pers. Restraint of
Davis, 152 Wash. 2d 647, 673, 101 P.3d 1 ( 2004).
We presume that counsel' s representation was effective. Grier, 171 Wash. 2d at 33. Dunn
can overcome " the presumption of reasonable performance by demonstrating that ` there is no
conceivable legitimate tactic explaining counsel' s performance. "' Grier, 171 Wash. 2d at 33
quoting State v. Reichenbach, 153 Wash. 2d 126, 130, 101 P.3d 80 ( 2004)).
2. PHOTOGRAPHIC EVIDENCE
Dunn argues that he received ineffective assistance of counsel because his counsel failed
to ask for a continuance to allow counsel time to speak to Dunn about certain photographs. Dunn
asserts that these photographs were taken 10 to 15 minutes before the officers pulled him over and
showed another man with a backpack getting in and out of his truck. He contends that these
photographs would have assisted with his defense.
At the start of the trial, defense counsel advised the court that he had received " a number
of photos" 20 minutes prior from the State. RP ( Jan. 8, 2013) at 14. Defense counsel stated that
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No. 44572 -741
these photographs were apparently taken by an Officer Scott McDaniel and that he ( counsel)
wanted to " endorse Officer McDaniel" as a defense witness to authenticate the photographs if he
later chose to admit them after talking to Dunn. RP ( Jan. 8, 2013) at 14.
The record suggests that defense counsel intended to talk to Dunn about these photographs.
Whether counsel in fact talked to Dunn and what Dunn then told him about these photographs is
outside the record. Additionally, although Dunn attaches copies of photographs to his SAG, they
are not part of the official record on appeal. Because the photographs, information about these
photographs, and whether defense counsel talked to Dunn about the photographs are all outside
the record, we cannot determine if defense counsel should have moved for a continuance and we
decline to further address this issue. McFarland, 127 Wash. 2d at 335 ( burden is on the appellant
alleging ineffective assistance of counsel to establish deficient representation based on the record
established in the proceedings below; appropriate means of raising issues that require evidence or
facts from outside the record is to file a personal restraint petition).
3. FAILURE TO REQUEST A LESSER INCLUDED INSTRUCTION
Dunn also appears to assert that his trial counsel should have requested a lesser included
instruction, apparently on the two unlawful possession with intent to deliver charges.
Whether to request a jury instruction on a lesser included offense is a tactical decision.
Grier, 171 Wash. 2d at 39. " Thus, assuming that defense counsel has consulted with the client in
pursuing an all or nothing approach, a court should not second -guess that course of action, even
where, by the court' s analysis, the level of risk is excessive and a more conservative approach
would be more prudent." Grier, 171 Wash. 2d at 39. The record shows that defense counsel
considered whether to seek a lesser included offense instruction so he could pursue an unwitting
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No. 44572 -7 -II
possession defense to counts I and II and that counsel chose not to request the lesser included
instruction because of the lack of evidence of intent to distribute the drugs found in the backpack.
The record does not, however, show whether defense counsel consulted with Dunn about whether
to seek a lesser included offense instruction. But even if we assume defense counsel did not consult
with Dunn, counsel' s all or nothing approach appears reasonable given that his counsel could
choose to tactically defend on the possibility that the State could not prove to the jury the " intent
to deliver" element of the charges. Accordingly, this argument fails.
4. SENTENCING
Dunn next argues that his counsel made no argument at sentencing and left it up to the
State to " explain" the sentencing guidelines. But Dunn does not explain what difference it would
have made if his counsel had presented argument at sentencing, and we are not required to search
the record for any possible issues regarding Dunn' s sentencing. RAP 10. 10( c) ( appellant' s SAG
issues must advise the court of the nature and occurrence of the alleged errors). Accordingly, we
do not address this issue further.
5. CHOICE NOT To TESTIFY
Finally, Dunn states that he chose not to testify because he did not want to be prejudiced
by his history and argues that his counsel did not warn him that if he did not testify it would look
like he was admitting to the crimes. What defense counsel advised or did not advise Dunn about
when he was considering whether to testify is outside the record. Accordingly, we do not address
this issue further.
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No. 44572 -7 -II
In summary, we hold that the evidence was sufficient to support the firearm sentencing
enhancements and that there was no public trial violation. We further hold that Dunn' s SAG issues
either have no merit or cannot be addressed. Accordingly, 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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