State Of Washington v. D'angelo A. Saloy ( 2017 )

IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON
THE STATE OF WASHINGTON, ) No. 72467-3-1
)
Respondent, )
) DIVISION ONE
v. )
)
D'ANGELO A. SALOY, ) UNPUBLISHED OPINION
)
Appellant. )
) FILED: February 27, 2017
MANN, J. — In October 2008, 16-year-old D'Angelo Saloy was involved in a drive-
by shooting near Seattle's Garfield High School that killed one youth and injured
another. In 2012, after a lengthy investigation, the State charged Saloy with the
shootings. A jury convicted Saloy of first degree murder with a firearm enhancement for
the death of Quincy Coleman. The jury also convicted Saloy of first degree attempted
murder with a firearm enhancement for shooting Demario Clark. The trial court imposed
a standard range sentence of 712 months imprisonment. Saloy will be over 80 years
old before eligible for release.
Saloy raises multiple issues on appeal including:(1)the validity of the intercept
order,(2) prosecutorial misconduct for comments made at trial,(3) the admission of
gang related evidence,(4) preaccusatorial delay resulting in prejudice, and (5)the
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imposition of mandatory legal financial obligations. We affirm the trial court on these
five issues and affirm Saloy's conviction.
Saloy also challenges the trial court's imposition of a de facto life-without-parole
sentence without conducting a Millerl hearing to consider mitigating circumstances
related to Saloy's age at the time of the crime. As our Supreme Court recently
confirmed:"When a juvenile offender is sentenced in adult court, youth matters on a
constitutional level. Even for homicide offenses,'mandatory life-without-parole
sentences for juveniles violate the Eight Amendment.' State v. Ramos, No. 92454-6,
slip op. at 1 (Wash. Jan. 12, 2017)(quoting Miller v. Alabama, 567 U.S. , 132 S. Ct.
2455, 2464, 183 L. Ed. 2d 407(2012)). Because the trial court imposed a de facto life-
without-parole sentence, the sentencing court must conduct an individualized Miller
hearing and "take into account how children are different, and how those differences
counsel against irrevocably sentencing them to a lifetime in prison." Ramos, slip op. at
1 (quoting Miller, 132 S. Ct. at 2469).
We vacate Saloy's sentence and remand for resentencing.
FACTS
On the evening of October 31, 2008,five teenagers affiliated with the Central
District(CD)gang: Quincy Coleman, Gary Thomas, Demario Clark, Frank Graves, and
Cleden Jimerson, were standing on the stairs leading to the Garfield High School
baseball fields. A car pulled up and shooting began. Two bullets struck Coleman,
killing him. Clark suffered two gunshot wounds but survived.
1 Miller v. Alabama, 567 U.S. , 132 S. Ct. 2455, 2464, 183 L. Ed. 2d 407(2012).
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The police found a single .40 caliber shell casing at the scene. Both bullets
recovered from Coleman's body were .38 caliber. Clark's wounds were "through and
through," so the police were unable to identify the type of gun used to shoot him. The
case was assigned to Detective Dana Duffy and her partner. Although there were
numerous bystanders, no witnesses were able or willing to identify the shooters.
Clark was uncooperative and hostile with the police when they spoke with him at
the hospital; he refused to provide a statement, or participate at trial. Jimerson told the
police only that the car was a light-colored Ford Taurus. Graves agreed to an interview
with the police a week after the shooting. However, the only information he provided
was that he believed the car involved was a silver Ford Taurus and that he saw a dark-
skinned arm with a gun.
Detective Duffy initially focused on a South End gang member named Monroe
Ezell and a Samoan male named "Ramsey." Duffy interviewed Ezell in November
2008. Ezell claimed that around the time of the crime, he was at the Union Gospel
Mission to pick up community service paperwork. Ezell gave conflicting accounts of
where he went afterwards. Robert Martin, who worked at the Union Gospel Mission,
later confirmed that Ezell had been at the Mission around the time of the shooting.
Martin also informed Duffy that Ezell told him that "a guy named D'Angelo Saloy" and
"Ramsey" had done the shooting. Duffy was able to identify "Ramsey" as Ramsey Fola.
Detectives learned that one of Fola's family members owned a gray Ford Taurus that
Fola sometimes drove.
When the detectives interviewed Fola, he told the police that he was at his friend
Kenneth Woods' house on the night of the shootings. In December 2008, Woods and
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his mother told detectives that Fola and Saloy were at their home the night of the
shooting. Woods did not remember what time they came over. Because Fola had
turned off his cell phone during the time of the shooting, police were unable to confirm
his location at that time.
Duffy interviewed Dewaun Miller on March 9, 2009. Miller stated that Saloy had
told him that he shot Coleman and that Fola was driving. On March 10, 2009, the police
went to a possible address for Saloy and left a message for him to contact them. Saloy
called Duffy the next day and said that he would arrange a meeting the following week;
however, Saloy did not call back or answer his phone.
On June 30, 2009, Gang Unit detectives alerted Duffy that they were holding
Saloy at police headquarters for an unrelated incident. Duffy interviewed Saloy about
Coleman's murder for the first time. Saloy told her that he was at Woods' house with
Fola and estimated that he left before it got "real dark." Saloy did not recall how he got
to or left Wood's house. He believed that he walked or that his sister picked him up.
On September 29, 2009, police arrested Wendell Downs on an unrelated matter.
Downs informed police that he heard Saloy bragging about shooting Coleman. Downs
told police that Saloy said he had a .38 caliber revolver and Ramsey had a .40 caliber
semiautomatic handgun. Downs also claimed that he heard Fola talking about how he
was driving his brother's Ford Taurus while Saloy shot at Coleman and his friends.
In December 2009, Downs contacted Duffy and arranged to meet at Mount Baker
Park on the shore of Lake Washington. Once at the lake, Downs pointed out the
location where Saloy told Downs he had thrown the guns. Downs reported that two
days earlier, Saloy brought Downs with him to retrieve the guns but the water was too
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cold. Duffy called the Harbor Patrol to look for the weapons but due to the hours of
daylight and dense foliage, they were unable to locate them.
Based on her investigation and communications with Downs, on January 4,
2010, Duffy applied for and received an order authorizing Duffy and the Seattle Police
Department to intercept and record conversations of Saloy and Fola with Downs.
Downs was unable to make contact with either Fola or Saloy prior to the expiration of
the order.
In August 2010, Duffy made contact with a confidential witness who informed her
that on the night of the murder he was in his car when a vehicle occupied with a
Samoan male and Saloy pulled up. He reported that Saloy said he had just shot two
CD guys on the stairs at the Garfield Community Center. Saloy reportedly pulled out a
.38 revolver out and showed it to the witness. The witness reported that Saloy said it
was a "CD-Southend" thing, a retaliation shooting for the shooting of a South End
member.
On October 10, 2010, Duffy learned that Homeland Security believed Juan
Sanchez had information about the Coleman murder. Under threat of deportation over
their immigration status, Sanchez's mother informed Homeland Security that Sanchez
told her about the murder and that he knew someone who confessed to being involved.
Sanchez agreed to an interview with Duffy and another detective. During the interview,
Sanchez informed the detectives that he had known Saloy approximately five years and
was a close friend. Sanchez stated that approximately two weeks after the murder,
Saloy confessed that he had shot Coleman with a .38 caliber weapon. Sanchez
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reported that Saloy told him that Fola was also involved and was driving his sister's car,
a Ford Taurus.
Based on her investigation to date, and based on Sanchez's agreement to
cooperate, Duffy prepared a second application for an intercept order to record
conversations between Sanchez, Saloy, and Fola during the period between November
27, 2010 and December 4, 2010. The intercept order was signed on November 22,
2010.
On December 1, 2010, detectives wired Sanchez and his car for both audio and
video. Sanchez picked up Saloy and the two drove around. They drove to Garfield
High School, where they got out of the car at the scene of the shooting. During this
time, Saloy confessed to murdering Coleman and provided significant detail about the
shooting.
In September 2012, the State filed an information charging Saloy with first
degree murder and first degree assault. Following Saloy's decision to go to trial, the
State amended the first degree assault charge to attempted first degree murder. Both
charges included a weapons enhancement and a gang aggravator.
A jury found Saloy guilty of first degree murder with a firearm enhancement for
the death of Coleman. The jury also found Saloy guilty of first degree attempted murder
with a firearm enhancement for shooting Clark. The jury did not reach a unanimous
verdict on the gang aggravators.
On September 10, 2014, the trial court imposed a standard-range sentence of
382 months for the first degree murder, 210 months for the first degree attempted
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murder, and 60 months for each of the two weapons enhancements; a total of 712
months imprisonment.
ANALYSIS
Saloy asserts first that the trial court erred in denying his pretrial motion to
suppress the wire recording because the affidavit for the intercept order was legally
insufficient. He contends also that the trial court erred in not granting him an evidentiary
hearing pursuant to Franks v. Delaware to consider misrepresentations of the evidence
within the affidavit. 438 U.S. 154, 98 S. Ct. 2674, 57 L. Ed. 2d 667(1978). We
disagree.
A
The Washington Privacy Act(WPA), chapter 9.73 RCW,"is considered one of
the most restrictive in the nation." State v. Kipp, 179 Wash. 2d 718, 724, 317 P.3d 1029
(2014). The WPA prohibits the recording of any "[Nrivate conversation ... without first
obtaining the consent of all persons engaged in the conversation." RCW
9.73.030(1)(b). "Evidence obtained in violation of the act is inadmissible for any
purpose at trial." Kipp, 179 Wash. 2d at 724; RCW 9.73.050. Recording of conversations
with only one party's consent is permitted, however, where law enforcement obtains a
judicial order finding probable cause to believe that the nonconsenting party has
committed a felony. RCW 9.73.090(2); State v. Manning, 81 Wash. App. 714, 717-18, 915
P.2d 1162(1996). Such recordings are admissible at trial. RCW 9.73.090(3). In order
to obtain advance court approval, the law enforcement officer must submit an
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application for an intercept order that satisfies several statutory conditions. RCW
9.73.130.
The parties disagree in their briefing on the appropriate standard of review. The
State argues that a judge considering an application for an intercept Order has
considerable discretion to determine whether the statutory safeguards have been
satisfied. State v. Johnson, 125 Wash. App. 443, 455, 105 P.3d 85(2005); State v.
Constance, 154 Wash. App. 861, 880, 226 P.3d 231 (2010). Saloy relies on Kipp for the
proposition that because the facts are undisputed our review is de novo. But Kipp held
only that the question of whether the conversation was private within the meaning of the
WPA could be determined as a matter of law where the facts surrounding the
conversation are undisputed. Kipp, 179 Wash. 2d at 722-23. We do not need to decide in
this case as both the State and Saloy agreed during argument that our review of the
intercept order should be de novo. We will uphold the order "'if the facts set forth in the
application were minimally adequate to support the determination that was made."
State v. D.J.W., 76 Wash. App. 135, 145-46, 882 P.2d 1199(1994)(quoting State v.
Knight, 54 Wash. App. 143, 150-51, 772 P.2d 1042 (1989)).
At issue is whether the affidavit for the intercept order provided a sufficient
"particular statement of facts showing that other normal investigative procedures with
respect to the offense have been tried and have failed or reasonably appear to be
unlikely to succeed if tried or to be too dangerous to employ." RCW 9.73.130(3)(f). The
requirement for a "particular statement of facts" reflects the legislature's desire to allow
electronic surveillance under certain circumstances, but not as routine procedure.
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Manning, 81 Wash. App. at 720. Before the police can acquire an intercept order, they
must have tried or seriously considered other methods and procedures. In addition,
they must inform the issuing judge of the reasons why those other methods and
procedures have been or likely will be inadequate to resolve the particular case.
Manning, 81 Wash. App. at 720. When determining whether to grant an intercept order,
"the court must take into account the nature of the crime and the inherent difficulties in
proving the crime." Constance, 154 Wash. App. at 883. A statement that merely
indicates, "that having a recording to play at trial is advantageous to the State in
obtaining a conviction" is not enough to warrant an intercept order. Manning, 81 Wn.
App. at 720.
Duffy's affidavit included a detailed analysis of the progress of the detectives in
resolving the case between the October 2008 murder and the November 2010
application. Duffy summarized, that given the nature of the crime and parties, it was
unlikely any witness would come forward and testify against a gang member.
Furthermore, that "[a]bsent an eye witness, the forensic evidence in this case is
minimal, thus a confession to the crime would be the only likely piece of evidence that
would convict the killer(s) in this case." Duffy explained:
Due to the Gang mentality and their code of ethics it is proven with the
multiple interviews that the victims, witnesses and suspect will not "snitch"
on opposing gang members. Additionally, due to the length of time since
the crime and the already thorough investigation that has been conducted
and not led to charging to date, it is unlikely there will be physical or
documentary evidence which, standing alone, will significantly link Saloy
and/or Fola to the crimes.
Saloy contends that the justifications did not explain why other methods would be
ineffective and instead, simply relied on the assumption that because the crime was
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gang related, nobody would be willing to testify. Saloy compares this language to the
type of "boilerplate" justifications discussed in Manning, 81 Wash. App. at 720. In
Manning, the court rejected "boilerplate" justifications, such as "an [i]nterception and
recording would avoid a one-on-one swearing contest as to who said what, provide
uncontroverted evidence of Manning's criminal intent, minimize factual confusion, and
rebut anticipated allegations of entrapment." Manning, 81 Wash. App. at 720. The court
found that this language had become common in application under the Privacy Act, and
that such "boilerplate language" clearly contradicts the statute's particularity
requirement. Manning, 81 Wash. App. at 720. However, the Manning court determined
that the application was still "adequate because it contains more than boilerplate
recitals." Manning, 81 Wash. App. at 721.
Like Manning, the application here is also adequate. While the affidavit does
include some boilerplate language and assumptions based on the character of the
crime, Duffy's affidavit fully describes the difficulties the detectives had in obtaining
reliable evidence. The affidavit explained that the case had remained open for over two
years and described the limited witness testimony; including that the only witnesses
present during the shooting made it clear they would not cooperate. The affidavit
explained that the detectives had no physical evidence linking anyone to the shooting;
other than a few bullets at the scene, the guns used were never recovered. The
affidavit also explained that the only evidence available were statements from
informants who were not present at the scene and could only testify to having heard
Saloy discuss the crime. Several of these informants asked to remain anonymous;
others were Saloy's friends and fellow gang members.
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Saloy argues that the recording was not necessary because Downs and Sanchez
were willing to work with the police. However, Downs did not witness the shooting and
could only state that Saloy admitted to committing the shooting. While Downs informed
the police that Saloy brought him to Lake Washington to retrieve the guns used in the
shooting, they were unable to do so. Downs could not corroborate that the guns had
been there or that Saloy actually knew where the guns were. Sanchez also did not
witness the shooting. And arguably, Sanchez was only cooperating because of the
threat that his family would be deported if he did not cooperate—an incentive to
potentially exaggerate his knowledge about the crime.
In State v. Platz, the court upheld an application that included statements
indicating the homicide had gone unsolved for over nine months and although other
techniques found some evidence, the application indicated that absent a recording, the
case would be reduced to a one-on-one swearing contest. 33 Wash. App. 345, 350, 655
P.2d 710(1982). While this must be a secondary consideration, it is a consideration.
Manning, 81 Wash. App. at 721; Platz, 33 Wash. App. at 350.
We hold the facts in the affidavit were sufficient to demonstrate a "particularized
statement of facts" that was "minimally adequate to support the determination" that
other methods were inadequate in this particular case.
Saloy argues next that Duffy's affidavit included false statements and omitted
material facts. Consequently, Saloy contends, the trial court should have granted his
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request for a Franks Hearing.2 Franks v. Delaware, 438 U.S. 154, 98 S. Ct. 2674, 57 L.
Ed. 2d 667(1978). We disagree.
In Franks, the Supreme Court held that the Fourth Amendment requires a
hearing be held at the defendant's request where the "defendant makes a substantial
preliminary showing that a false statement[or omission] knowingly and intentionally, or
with reckless disregard for the truth, was included in a warrant affidavit," and the
"allegedly false statement is necessary to the finding of probable cause." Franks, 438
U.S. at 156; United States v. Carneiro, 861 F.2d 1171, 1176 (9th Cir. 1988). A showing
of mere negligence or inadvertence is insufficient. State v. Chenoweth, 160 Wash. 2d 454,
462, 158 P.3d 595 (2007); Franks, 438 U.S. at 171.
Saloy claims that the State's application made several false statements including:
"(1) that Saloy told Sanchez he admitted using a .38 caliber firearm during the shooting,
(2) that Saloy told Sanchez the specific caliber of weapon Fola had used, and (3) that
Saloy told Sanchez he and Fola had been driving a Taurus during the shooting, when
Saloy had just said they used Fola's sister's car."
In this case, it appears that Duffy's affidavit did misstate what Saloy told
Sanchez. However, Saloy also confessed these same facts to other witnesses included
in the affidavit. First, Saloy told Downs that he had a .38 caliber revolver and Fola had
2 The State argues that the Privacy Act is not subject to Franks in accordance with this court's
decision in State v. D.J.W., 76 Wash. App. 135, 145, 882 P.2d 1199(1994). This court held in D.J.W, that
the standard for probable cause was not the constitutional standard of the Fourth Amendment, but simply
required the same deferential review that the facts set forth in the application be "minimally adequate to
support the authorizing court's determinations." D.J.W., 76 Wash. App. at 146. However, on appeal, the
Supreme Court decided "[Necause we hold the conversations here were not private. .. we do not
consider the defendants' arguments that probable cause in the Privacy Act equates to probable cause
under the Fourth Amendment, or that RCW 9.73.090(5) contemplates an individualized probable cause
finding. Clark, 129 Wash. 2d at 223 n.12. As the Supreme Court has yet to determine whether the Fourth
Amendment applies, and because the lower court relied on the Franks analysis, we will review the ruling
under Franks.
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a .40 caliber semiautomatic firearm at the time of the shooting. Second, Graves told
investigators that the car involved appeared to be a silver Ford Taurus. Third, Fola told
investigators that his brother owned a gray Ford Taurus that he sometimes drove. Duffy
then independently verified that Fola's sister-in-law was the registered owner of a gray
Ford Taurus.
Saloy also claims that the application omitted: "(1) Sanchez's criminal history and
(2) the fact that Taray3 David had identified Monroe Ezell as the shooter." But the two
alleged omissions were minor and did not affect the finding of probable cause. First, the
affidavit did state that Sanchez was associated with the same gang as Saloy, and
stated the pressure he was under to cooperate. Second, the affidavit listed several
other witnesses who had identified Monroe Ezell as being one of the shooters, and the
affidavit acknowledged that Ezell was still a suspect.
None of the alleged false statements or omissions were material to a finding of
probable cause; the trial court did not err in denying the Franks hearing and admitting
the recording.
II
Saloy next asserts that the prosecutor committed misconduct when she
impugned the integrity of defense counsel and made an unconstitutional comment
about the defendant's decision not to testify thus violating his rights under the Fifth
Amendment. We disagree.
We review the trial court's denial of a mistrial for abuse of discretion and we find
abuse only "'when no reasonable judge would have reached the same conclusion."
3 For clarification, Taray David is referred to as Tyree David on the record.
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State v. Hopson, 113 Wash. 2d 273, 284, 778 P.2d 1014(1989)(quoting Sofie v.
Fibreboard Corp., 112 Wash. 2d 636, 667, 771 P.2d 711 (1989)). To prevail on a claim for
prosecutorial misconduct, the defendant bears the burden of establishing that the
prosecuting attorney's conduct was improper, prejudicial, and "had a substantial
likelihood of affecting the jury's verdict." State v. Emery, 174 Wash. 2d 741, 756, 760-61,
278 P.3d 653(2012); State v. Warren, 165 Wash. 2d 17, 26, 195 P.3d 940(2008). We
review a prosecuting attorney's allegedly improper remarks in 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. Anderson, 153 Wash. App. 417, 427, 220 P.3d
1273(2009). A trial court should grant a mistrial only when the defendant has been so
prejudiced that nothing short of a new trial could ensure that the defendant receives a
fair trial. Emery, 174 Wash. 2d at 765. State v. Hopson, 113 Wash. 2d at 284.
A
Saloy first moved for a mistrial after the State rested, claiming that the prosecutor
impugned defense counsel by questioning two uncooperative CD gang members. The
prosecutor asked Graves and Jimerson whether they recalled a visit by defense counsel
and her investigator. The prosecutor, however, did not ask Thomas, a cooperative CD
gang member, whether defense counsel visited him. Saloy contends that the
prosecutor's questions suggested Saloy's counsel had acted unethically by visiting only
the uncooperative witnesses. The trial court denied Saloy's motion, finding no error and
finding that an instruction would be confusing.
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1
The State contends that Saloy did not timely object to the prosecutor's
questioning of either witness. For an objection to be timely, "the party must make the
objection at the earliest possible opportunity after the basis for the objection becomes
apparent." See State v. Gray, 134 Wash. App. 547, 557, 138 P.3d 1123(2006)(citing
State v. Jones, 70 Wash. 2d 591, 597, 424 P.2d 665(1967)). Testimony admitted without
objection is not reviewable on appeal. Jones, 70 Wash. 2d at 597. In general, when the
objection is regarding testimony, it "must be made when testimony is offered and an
objection to a question after it has been answered comes too late." Jones, 70 Wash. 2d at
597; Singh v. Edwards Lifesciences Com., 151 Wash. App. 137, 153, 210 P.3d 337
(2009).
Saloy maintains that the delay was legitimate because the implication was not
apparent until the prosecutor had asked both uncooperative witnesses about their
meetings with the defense counsel and then not asked the cooperative witness. It is
questionable whether waiting until the State had rested their case to object was "at the
earliest possible opportunity after the basis for the objection becomes apparent." See
Gray, 134 Wash. App. at 557. However, because it is conceivable that the implication
would take time to become apparent and because the trial court considered and made a
ruling on the objection, this court will consider its merits.
2
A prosecutor is prohibited from impugning the role or integrity of defense
counsel. State v. Lindsay, 180 Wash. 2d 423,432, 326 P.3d 125(2014). "Prosecutorial
statements that malign defense counsel can severely damage an accused's opportunity
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to present his or her case and are therefore impermissible." Lindsay, 180 Wash. 2d at
431-32 (citing Bruno v. Rushen, 721 F.2d 1193, 1195 (9th Cir. 1983)).
Here, however, in considering the entire context of the direct examination, the
questions posed to the witnesses about meeting with defense counsel were unlikely to
create the implication that Saloy suggests. The question to Jimerson was intended to
refresh his memory about a recorded call he made after learning about the case from
defense counsel. The question to Graves was an attempt to get him to testify to
statements he had made to defense counsel during their initial interview, which he was
refusing to acknowledge during trial. Moreover, defense counsel was able to cross-
examine both witnesses and could use that time to clarify the extent of their interviews.
Saloy failed to show "that the prosecutor's misconduct resulted in prejudice that
had a substantial likelihood of affecting the jury's verdict." Emery, 174 Wash. 2d at 760-61.
The trial court did not abuse its discretion in denying the first motion for mistrial.
After the State completed its closing argument, Saloy moved for a mistrial due to
prosecutorial misconduct contending that the prosecutor commented on Saloy's failure
to testify at trial by stating:
So it's possible that there was a third gun there. We can't say that one
way or the other. And since no one except for the defendant can
conclusively say or has conclusively said how many people were in the
car it isn't a possibility that can necessarily be ruled out. But again that's
not something that you have to decide beyond a reasonable doubt.141
The trial court denied the second motion for mistrial finding that the prosecutor's
comment was insignificant when considered in context and had been corrected by the
4 RP (Aug. 6, 2014)at 64(emphasis added).
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prosecutor. The court also declined to issue a clarifying instruction because the
objection did not occur at the time of the statement and would thus be confusing.
1
The State also contends Saloy did not raise a timely objection to the prosecutor's
closing argument by waiting until after the closing had ended. But a motion for a mistrial
due to prosecutorial misconduct directly following the prosecutor's rebuttal closing
argument is sufficient to preserve the objection for appellate review. State v. Lindsay,
180 Wash. 2d 423, 430-31, 326 P.3d 125(2014)See United States v. Prantil, 764 F.2d
548, 555 n.4 (9th Cir.1985)(mistrial motion following the prosecutor's closing is "an
acceptable mechanism by which to preserve challenges to prosecutorial conduct").
Therefore, this motion was timely and we will consider the merits of this objection.
2
Saloy asserts the prosecutor commented on his failure to testify in violation of his
right to remain silent and to due process. The Fifth Amendment bars the prosecution
from commenting on a defendant's failure to testify at trial. Griffin v. California, 380 U.S.
609,609-15, 85 S. Ct. 1229, 14 L. Ed. 2d 106 (1965). A prosecutor violates a
defendant's Fifth Amendment rights if the prosecutor makes a statement "of such
character that the jury would 'naturally and necessarily accept it as a comment on the
defendant's failure to testify." State v. Ramirez, 49 Wash. App. 332, 336, 742 P.2d 726
(1987)(quoting State v. Crawford, 21 Wash. App. 146, 152, 584 P.2d 442(1978)).
At trial, a "prosecutor may say that certain testimony is undenied as long as he or
she does not refer to the person who could have denied it." State v. Fiallo-Lopez, 78
Wash. App. 717, 729, 899 P.2d 1294(1995)(citing Ramirez, 49 Wash. App. at 336)). In
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Fiallo-Lopez, the court found the prosecutor had improperly commented on the
defendant's silence when the prosecutor argued, "there was no attempt by the
defendant to rebut the prosecution's evidence regarding his involvement in the drug
deal." 78 Wash. App. at 729. Here, the prosecutor specifically stated,"no one except for
the defendant can conclusively say or has conclusively said how many people were in
the car." Although the prosecutor attempted to clarify the statement by adding "or has
conclusively said," the prosecutor specifically stated that the defendant was the only
one who could provide that evidence. Therefore, the argument improperly commented
on the defendant's constitutional right not to testify and was misconduct.
While the statement constituted constitutional error, "[it is well established that
constitutional errors may be so insignificant as to be harmless." State v. Nq, 110 Wash. 2d
32, 37, 750 P.2d 632(1988). A constitutional error is harmless "if the appellate court is
convinced beyond a reasonable doubt that any reasonable jury would have reached the
same result in the absence of the error." State v. Gulov, 104 Wash. 2d 412, 425, 705 P.2d
1182(1985). In Washington, we determine whether the error was harmless by applying
the "overwhelming untainted evidence" test, meaning,"we look at the untainted
evidence to determine if it is so overwhelming that it necessarily leads to a finding of
guilt." State v. Ramirez, 49 Wash. App. 332, 339, 742 P.2d 726(1987)(citing Gulov, 104
Wash. 2d at 426).
The improper comment occurred after an hour of closing argument. The
prosecutor was in the middle of making an argument about the number of guns and
shooters at the scene. The comment was made in order to make the point that
regardless of how many people were in the car, Saloy was still guilty of murder and
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attempted murder. The prosecutor did not argue that Saloy was guilty because he did
not deny the allegations at trial. Nor did the prosecutor argue that Saloy's lack of
testimony indicated guilt. Thus, despite the improper comment, the comment was
merely transitory and had no effect on the evidence presented against Saloy.
The primary evidence used to convict Saloy was the recording of Saloy's
confession that he had actively participated in the shooting. This confession was not
affected by the possibility that there may have been a third person in the car. Even if
another person in the car had been the one to fire the shots that had killed and
wounded the victims, Saloy would still be liable as an accomplice.5 See Sarausad v.
State, 109 Wash. App. 824, 39 P.3d 308(2001)(Accomplice liability for a murder, an
assault, or both, can be based on a determination that an ordinary person would know
that a drive-by shooting is likely to result in death or injury of one or more people). The
improper comment on Saloy's Fifth Amendment right would only taint evidence of
whether there had been another person in the car, it does not invalidate Saloy's
confession that he and Fola had been in the car. The untainted evidence of guilt is
sufficient to convince this court beyond a reasonable doubt that the improper argument
did not affect the jury verdict and hold that the error was harmless.
Ill
Saloy argues next that the trial court abused its discretion in admitting evidence
including photographs, images, video clips related to gang activity, and evidence that
5 ROW 9A.08.020:(3) A person is an accomplice of another person in the commission of a crime
if:(a) With knowledge that it will promote or facilitate the commission of the crime, he or she:(i) Solicits,
commands, encourages, or requests such other person to commit it; or (ii) Aids or agrees to aid such
other person in planning or committing it; or(b) His or her conduct is expressly declared by law to
establish his or her complicity.
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No. 72467-3-1/20
Saloy had urinated at or near the location where Coleman was shot and killed. We
disagree.
We review the trial court's decision to admit evidence for abuse of discretion and
will not overturn the trial court's decision unless it is manifestly unreasonable or based
upon untenable grounds. State v. Athan, 160 Wash. 2d 354, 382, 158 P.3d 27(2007);
State v. Powell, 126 Wash. 2d 244, 258, 893 P.2d 615(1995). A trial court abuses its
discretion only when no reasonable person would have decided the issue as the trial
court did. State v. Russell, 125 Wash. 2d 24, 78, 882 P.2d 747(1994).
Evidence must be relevant to be admissible at trial. ER 402. Relevant evidence
is "evidence having any tendency to make the existence of any fact that is of
consequence to the determination of the action more probable or less probable than it
would be without the evidence." ER 401. Besides being relevant, a trial court must also
determine on the record whether the danger of undue prejudice substantially outweighs
the probative value of the evidence, "in view of the other means of proof and other
factors." ER 403; Powell, 126 Wash. 2d at 264. "When evidence is likely to stimulate an
emotional response rather than a rational decision, a danger of unfair prejudice exists."
State v. Beadle, 173 Wash. 2d 97, 120-21, 265 P.3d 863(2011)(citing Powell, 126 Wash. 2d
at 264)). "Nonconstitutional error requires reversal only if, within reasonable
probabilities, it materially affected the outcome of the trial." Beadle, 173 Wash. 2d at 120-
21.
A
Saloy contends that the trial court abused its discretion when it allowed:(1)59
photographs, including a collection from Saloy's Myspace website showing Saloy with
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his friends posing next to graffiti and displaying gang signs;(2) photographs of the
tattoos on Saloy's body, and (3) images of writings and drawings made by Saloy. Saloy
also contends the trial court abused its discretion in allowing an approximately 25-
second video that Detective Hughey collected from Saloy's Myspace page. In the
video, Saloy discusses his loyalty to the South End, expresses his hatred of the CD,
refers to his murdered friend, calls out and mocks Clark and other CD gang members,
and threatens to shoot them. The trial court allowed the video to be shown to the jury.
Saloy relies on State v. DeLeon, where our Supreme Court recently urged
"courts to use caution when considering generalized gang evidence" because "[s]uch
evidence is often highly prejudicial, and must be tightly constrained to comply with the
rules of evidence." State v. DeLeon, 185 Wn.2d 478,491, 374 P.3d 95 (2016). This
case, however, is distinguishable from DeLeon. The evidence in DeLeon consisted of
generalized statements about gangs and their activities indicating, "the defendants were
part of a pervasive gang problem and were criminal-types with a propensity to commit
the crimes charged." DeLeon, 185 Wash. 2d at 491. In this case, the prosecutor moved to
admit the gang evidence in order to demonstrate that Saloy was in a gang, and to
demonstrate his behavior relating to the gang.
The trial court did not abuse its discretion in allowing the challenged evidence.
While the evidence had a significant chance of being prejudicial, it was relevant and
probative to the gang aggravator attached to the crime, and Saloy declined to stipulate
to the aggravator at trial. The evidence was also relevant to Saloy's motive and intent
to commit the crime. Since a reasonable person could conclude under these
circumstances that the prejudicial nature of this evidence did not outweigh its probative
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No. 72467-3-1/22
value, we find no abuse of discretion under ER 401 and ER 403. The court also
provided a limiting instruction to the jury on the proper use and consideration of the
evidence before admitting it. If the trial court gives a limiting instruction, we presume
jurors have followed that instruction, absent evidence proving the contrary. State v.
Montgomery, 163 Wash. 2d 577, 596, 183 P.3d 267(2008). As the jury did not find Saloy
guilty of the gang aggravator, there is no indication that the evidence materially affected
the outcome of the trial.
Saloy also asserts that the trial court erred in admitting evidence that Saloy
urinated near where Coleman had died, arguing that the danger of unfair prejudice
outweighed the probative value. The wire recording, which was played for the jury,
includes the conversation between Sanchez and Saloy as they arrived at the scene of
the shooting. They got out and smoked, at which time Saloy urinated near or on the
stairs where Coleman died.6 The video does not visually depict this event occurring.
Saloy then pointed out where Coleman had fallen, where the other people had been
standing, and talked about how Clark had screamed and ran.
The court determined that the evidence was clearly probative and engaged in an
ER 403 analysis.7 While the court recognized it was prejudicial because the incident
occurred while Saloy was describing the events of the crime, and indicated his state of
6 Saloy calls this Coleman's memorial. Although there was reference to a "memorial" in the
argument of the parties, the tape only indicated that Saloy urinated near the area where Coleman had
died; there was no testimony in the recording regarding a "memorial." RP (July 28, 2014)at 62, 81.
7 "It's clearly probative, it's clearly somewhat prejudicial because—I mean it's compelling, right?
All evidence is somewhat prejudicial. The question is, is it unduly prejudicial." RP (Apr. 7, 2014)at 154.
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No. 72467-3-1/23
mind about the crime, the court found the evidence had substantial probative value. We
agree.
The statement that Saloy was urinating on the ground where Coleman was shot
was linked with evidence that he knew a substantial amount about the facts of the
crime, such as where the victims had been standing before they were shot. While the
evidence was prejudicial, it was also highly relevant and probative. Since a reasonable
person could conclude that the prejudicial nature of this evidence did not outweigh its
probative value, the trial court did not abuse its discretion under ER 401 and ER 403.
IV
Saloy argues next that because he was 16 years old at the time of the shooting,
but 20 years old when the State charged him, his right to due process was violated by
the State's intentional or negligent prosecutorial delay. Saloy bases this claim on his
assertion that Washington's "automatic decline" statue, RCW 13.40.030, is
unconstitutional and therefore, if he had been charged while still a minor, the juvenile
court might have determined it was appropriate to retain jurisdiction. We disagree.
This court reviews a due process claim based on preaccusatorial delay de novo.
State v. Maynard, 183 Wash. 2d 253, 259, 351 P.3d 159(2015). This means we examine
the entire record to determine prejudice and to balance the delay against the prejudice.
State v. Oppelt, 172 Wash. 2d 285, 290, 257 P.3d 653(2011).
A
A court will dismiss a prosecution for preaccusatorial delay if the State's
intentional or negligent delay violates a defendant's due process rights. Oppelt, 172
Wash. 2d at 288-89. In determining this issue we apply a three-pronged test:(1)the
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No. 72467-3-1/24
defendant must show he or she was actually prejudiced by the delay,(2) if the
defendant shows actual prejudice, the court must determine the reasons for the delay,
and (3)the court must weigh the reasons for delay and the prejudice to determine
whether fundamental conceptions of justice would be violated by allowing the
prosecution. Maynard, 183 Wash. 2d at 259 (citing Oppelt, 172 Wash. 2d at 295).
Although a defendant has no constitutional right to be tried as a juvenile, we
recognize that juvenile court offers an offender important benefits. Maynard, 183 Wash. 2d
at 259; see State v. Dixon, 114 Wash. 2d 857, 860, 792 P.2d 137(1990). By statute, a
juvenile defendant loses the benefits of the juvenile court if the court does not extend
jurisdiction before the defendant turns 18. RCW 13.40.300(1)(a). A defendant may
meet his or her burden to show actual prejudice when the preaccusatorial delay causes
the loss of juvenile jurisdiction. Maynard, 183 Wash. 2d at 259-260; State v. Salavea, 151
Wash. 2d 133, 139, 86 P.3d 125(2004).
In this case, Saloy was 16 years old at the time of the shooting, but was 20 years
old when the State charged him. Thus, by the time Saloy was charged, he was no
longer within the jurisdiction of the juvenile courts. Generally, this would be sufficient to
demonstrate prejudice. However, Saloy was subject to RCW 13.04.030—the
"automatic decline statute," which automatically transfers proceedings of 16 or 17 year
olds who commit serious violent offenses to the exclusive jurisdiction of the adult
criminal court. First degree murder is defined as a serious crime by RCW 9.94.030.
Thus, even if the State had filed charges before Saloy turned 18, his case would have
automatically transferred into the jurisdiction of the adult criminal court. The State,
therefore, argues that Saloy cannot demonstrate prejudice caused by the delay.
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No. 72467-3-1/25
In order to demonstrate prejudice, Saloy contends that the automatic decline
statute, RCW 13.04.030, is unconstitutional. Saloy relies on the reasoning in Miller v.
Alabama and the dissent in Division Two's recent decision in State v. Houston-Sconiers,
to argue that the juvenile court must hold a hearing to consider the age and vulnerability
of the juvenile before it can transfer the case to a jurisdiction with harsher penalties and
less leniency. Miller, 132 S. Ct. at 2471; State v. Houston-Sconiers, 191 Wash. App. 436,
447, 365 P.3d 177, 182(2015), review granted, 185 Wash. 2d 1032, 377 P.3d 737(2016).8
Our Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of the automatic decline statute in
In re Boot, 130 Wash. 2d 553, 925 P.2d 964(1996). The Boot Court found that "[b]efore
any scrutiny of a punishment under Eighth Amendment standards can occur... there
must be a punishment." 130 Wash. 2d at 569. Thus, according to the Court, a successful
Eighth Amendment challenge to the automatic decline statute requires a showing that
automatic transfer to adult court jurisdiction "in and of itself, is punishment." Boot, 130
Wash. 2d at 569. Boot was issued substantially before the U.S. Supreme Court began
considering how the Eighth Amendment's ban on cruel and unusual punishment applies
to the sentencing of juveniles.8 In 2015, Division Two of this court reconsidered the
issue in Houston-Sconiers and affirmed the Supreme Court's decision and analysis in
Boot. Houston-Sconiers, 191 Wash. App. at 443.
The dissent in Houston-Sconiers maintained that the automatic transfer to adult
court did violate the Eight Amendment. 191 Wash. App. at 452. The dissent argued,"the
declining of juvenile court jurisdiction faces the defendant with a much harsher world of
8 The Supreme Court heard oral argument on October 18, 2016.
9 See Roper v. Simmons, 543 U.S. 551, 568, 125 S. Ct. 1183, 161 L. Ed. 2d 1(2005); Graham v.
Florida, 560 U.S. 48, 76, 130 S. Ct. 2011, 176 L. Ed. 2d 825 (2010); Miller v. Alabama, 132 S. Ct. at
2469.
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No. 72467-3-1/26
potential punishment—specifically when considering mandatory firearm enhancements,
which cannot be reduced even with consideration of mitigating factors, such as age.
Houston-Sconiers, 191 Wn. App. at 452(Bjorgen, J. dissenting). Miller reasoned that a
sentence of life in prison alters the remainder of the juvenile's life "by a forfeiture that is
irrevocable." Miller, 132 S. Ct. at 2466 (quoting Graham, 560 U.S. at 69, 130 S. Ct.
2011). The dissent, therefore, would interpret Miller to find that the Eighth Amendment
does not allow even "the possibility of forfeitures of such magnitude to be raised
automatically for crimes committed by children." Houston-Sconiers, 191 Wash. App. at
454.
The sentencing of juveniles is a currently developing area of law that is heading
towards allowing discretion and consideration at all phases of the prosecution. Miller,
however, does not support finding RCW 13.04.030 unconstitutional on its face. Indeed,
Miller acknowledged that "many [s]tates use mandatory transfer systems" where a
"juvenile of a certain age who has committed a specified offense will be tried in adult
court, regardless of any individualized circumstances" and never indicated that such
systems were also a violation of the Eighth Amendment. Miller, 132 S. Ct. at 2474. The
Supreme Court found that the discretion available for a judge at the transfer stage often
presents "a choice between extremes: light punishment as a child or standard
sentencing as an adult" which cannot substitute for discretion at posttrial sentencing in
adult court. Miller, 132 S. Ct. at 2474. While Miller requires discretion in sentencing of
juveniles, the Court did not conclude that that all automatic decline statutes are
unconstitutional.
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No. 72467-3-1/27
We hold that RCW 13.04.030 does not violate the Eight Amendment and
therefore Saloy failed to meet his burden of demonstrating he was prejudiced by any
preaccusatorial delay.
V
Saloy argues next that the trial court violated his rights under the Eighth
Amendment by imposing a standard range,"de facto life sentence," of 712 months—
nearly 60 years—without conducting an individualized evaluation of Saloy's age and
circumstances surrounding his youth. Saloy contends the de facto life sentence is
contrary to Miller and this court's decision in State v. Ronquillo, 190 Wash. App. 765, 784,
361 P.3d 779 (2015). Consistent with our Supreme Court's recent decision in Ramos,
we agree.
Miller is the latest of three United States Supreme Court cases to address the
Eighth Amendment's prohibition against cruel and unusual punishment in the context of
sentencing persons for crimes committed as juveniles. Each case relies on the
fundamental proposition that juveniles "are constitutionally different from adults for
purposes of sentencing."1° Miller, 132 S. Ct. at 2464. In Miller, the Court concluded
that mandatory sentencing schemes that require the imposition of life without parole on
juvenile offenders are constitutionally impermissible because it "precludes consideration
of his chronological age and its hallmark features—among them, immaturity,
impetuosity, and failure to appreciate risks and consequences." Miller, 132 S. Ct. at
2468. Imposing a mandatory life sentences further "prevents taking into account the
10 See also Roper v. Simmons, 543 U.S. 551, 125 S. Ct. 1183, 161 L. Ed. 2d 1(2005)(Eighth
Amendment prohibits the imposition of the death penalty for juveniles); Graham v. Florida, 560 U.S. 48,
130 S. Ct. 2011, 176 L. Ed. 2d 825(2010)(Eighth Amendment forbade the imposition of a life sentence
on a juvenile offender who did not commit a homicide).
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No. 72467-3-1/28
family and home environment that surrounds him—and from which he cannot usually
extricate himself." Miller, 132 S. Ct. at 2468. While the Miller decision does not
categorically bar a penalty of life without parole for a juvenile defendant, it does
mandate that the sentence take "into account how children are different, and how those
differences counsel against irrevocably sentencing them to a lifetime in prison." Miller,
132 S. Ct. at 2469; In re McNeil, 181 Wash. 2d 582, 588, 334 P.3d 548(2014)."
In Ramos, our Supreme Court confirmed that juvenile offenders are entitled to a
"Miller hearing," and consideration of an exceptional sentence downward, when facing
literal or de facto life-without-parole sentences. The court summarized its holding:
We hold that while not every juvenile homicide offender is
automatically entitled to an exceptional sentence below the standard
range, every juvenile offender facing a literal or de facto life-without-parole
sentence is automatically entitled to a Miller hearing. At the Miller hearing,
the court must meaningfully consider how juveniles are different from
adults, how those differences apply to the facts of the case, and whether
those facts present the uncommon situation where a life-without-parole
sentence for a juvenile offender is constitutionally permissible. If the
juvenile proves by a preponderance of the evidence that his or her crimes
reflect transient immaturity, substantial and compelling reasons would
necessarily justify an exceptional sentence below the standard range
because a standard sentence would be unconstitutional.
State v. Ramos, slip op. at 9.
11 Since Miller, the Washington State Legislature responded by enacting RCW 10.95.030 and
RCW 9.94A.730, or the "Miller fix." McNeil, 181 Wash. 2d at 588. RCW 10.95.030 gives the judge discretion
to impose life without parole for youths who commit aggravated first degree murder at age 16 or 17 so
long as the court takes into account the mitigating factors as provided in Miller. RCW 10.95.030 is not
applicable because Saloy was convicted of first degree murder, not aggravated first degree murder. First
degree murder still requires a sentencing range that is the functional equivalent of life in prison without
parole. RCW 9.94A.730(1) allows "any person convicted of one or more crimes committed prior to the
person's 18th birthday may petition the indeterminate sentence review board for early release after
serving no less than twenty years of total confinement, provided the person has not been convicted for
any crime committed subsequent to the person's eighteenth birthday." As the State concedes, Saloy was
convicted of additional crimes after his 18th birthday therefore; he is not eligible for the 20-year release.
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No. 72467-3-1/29
As the court further explained, "it is difficult to imagine any reason for an
exceptional sentence downward that could be more substantial and compelling than the
fact that a standard range sentence would be unconstitutional." Ramos, slip op. at 19.
The court then concluded,
Given these principles, it is clear that in order to give effect to
Miller's substantive holding, every case where a juvenile offender faces a
standard range sentence of life without parole (or its functional equivalent)
necessarily requires a Miller hearing. The juvenile cannot forfeit his or her
right to a Miller hearing merely by failing to affirmatively request it, and all
doubts should always be resolved in favor of holding a Miller hearing.
Ramos, slip op. at 20.
The Supreme Court did not determine precisely how long a potential sentence
must be in order to be considered a de facto life sentence and trigger the requirement
for a Miller hearing. Ramos, slip op. at 15, n.5. In Ronquillo, we considered whether
imposition of a 51.3 year sentence was a de facto life sentence for a 16 year old and
concluded that it was. We explained "Ronquillo's sentence contemplates that he will
remain in prison until the age of 68. This is a de facto life sentence. It assesses
Ronquillo as virtually irredeemable. This is inconsistent with the teachings of Miller and
its predecessors." Ronquillo, 190 Wash. App. at 775. Here, Saloy was sentenced to
nearly 60 years for a crime he committed as a 16 year old. Under the sentence, Saloy
will remain in prison until the age of 81. Like Ronquillo, Saloy's sentence is a de facto
life sentence.
Consistent with Ramos, Saloy's sentence must be vacated, and he must be
given a Miller hearing before resentencing. At Saloy's required Miller hearing, the trial
court must do "far more" than an ordinary sentencing hearing. Ramos, slip op. at 20.
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No. 72467-3-1/30
The court must do "far more than simply recite the differences between juveniles and
adults and make conclusory statements that the offender has not shown an exceptional
sentence downward is justified." Ramos, slip op. at 20.
The court must receive and consider relevant mitigation evidence
bearing on the circumstances of the offense and the culpability of the
offender, including both expert and lay testimony as appropriate. The
court and counsel have an affirmative duty to ensure that proper
consideration is given to [Saloy's]"chronological age and its hallmark
features—among them, immaturity, impetuosity, and failure to appreciate
risks and consequences." It is also necessary to consider [Saloy's]
"family and home environment" and "the circumstances of the homicide
offense, including the extent of his participation in the conduct and the way
familial and peer pressures may have affected him." And where
appropriate, the court should account for "incompetencies associated with
youth" that may have had an impact on the proceedings, such as [Saloy's]
"inability to deal with police officers or prosecutors (including on a plea
agreement) or his incapacity to assist his own attorneys."
When making its decision, the court must be mindful that a life-
without-parole sentence is constitutionally prohibited for juvenile homicide
offenders whose crimes reflect "unfortunate yet transient immaturity"
rather than "irreparable corruption." Moreover, due to "children's
diminished culpability and heightened capacity for change... appropriate
occasions for sentencing juveniles to this harshest possible penalty will be
uncommon." The sentencing court must thoroughly explain its reasoning,
specifically considering the differences between juveniles and adults
identified by the Miller Court and how those differences apply to the case
presented.
Ramos, slip op. at 20-22 (quoting Miller, 132 S. Ct. at 2468-69). If at the Miller
hearing, Saloy proves by a preponderance of the evidence that his crimes reflect
transient immaturity, he "has necessarily proved that substantial and compelling
reasons necessarily justify an exceptional sentence below the standard range."
Ramos, slip op. at 19.
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No. 72467-3-1/31
VI
Saloy finally challenges the trial court's imposition of mandatory legal financial
obligations(LFO)arguing that the imposition conflicts with State v. Blazina, 182 Wash. 2d
827, 344 P.3d 680 (2015), and that the imposition of mandatory LFOs violates his right
to due process. We disagree.
When any defendant is convicted of a felony, several fees, costs, and penalties
are imposed. The court is required to impose a mandatory $100 DNA fee and a
mandatory $500 Victim Penalty Assessment(VPA). RCW 43.43.7541; RCW 7.68.035.
The trial court complied and imposed the two mandatory LFOs. The trial court waived
"all other fines, fees and costs, based on the Defendant's indigency."
Saloy maintains that the trial court erred in assessing any LFOs without a
determination of whether Saloy had the future ability to pay. Saloy relies on Blazina,
which requires an individualized inquiry for discretionary LFOs. The trial court here did
not impose discretionary LF05. Blazina did not address the imposition of mandatory
LFOs. We have previously held that Blazina does not apply to mandatory LFOs, and
that a challenge to whether a LFO violates due process is not ripe for review until the
State attempts to collect the obligation. State v. Shelton, 194 Wash. App. 660, 674, 378
P.3d 230(2016). The trial court did not err in assessing mandatory LF05.
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No. 72467-3-1/32
CONCLUSION
We vacate Saloy's sentence and remand for a new sentencing hearing during
which the trial court must consider the factors laid out in Miller and exercise its
discretion to considering a sentence below the standard adult range.
WE CONCUR:
Ot
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-32-