State of Washington v. Jeffery Allan Ehart ( 2013 )

FILED
JULY 30, 2013
In the Office of the Clerk of Court
WA State Court of Appeals, Division III
IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON
DIVISION THREE
STATE OF WASHINGTON, ) No. 30577-5-III
)
Respondent, )
)
v. ) UNPUBLISHED OPINION
)
JEFFERY ALLAN EHART, )
)
Appellant. )
KULIK, J. — A jury found Jeffery Ehart guilty of first and second degree child
molestation against his stepdaughters, B.E.(1) and B.E.(2).1 The jury also found Mr.
Ehart guilty of communication for immoral purposes against B.E.(1). On appeal, Mr.
Ehart contends the admission of videotaped testimony of his sister, T.E., violated Mr.
Ehart’s right of confrontation and ER 804. Mr. Ehart also asserts the court abused its
discretion by allowing the testimony of T.E. as part of a common scheme and plan that
included the fondling of B.E.(1) and B.E.(2). Mr. Ehart contends that the trial judge
treated him with unfair prejudice and that he received ineffective assistance of counsel.
1
Both victims, sisters, share the same initials so the parties refer to them as
“B.E.(1)” and “B.E.(2).” B.E.(2) is the older sister.
No. 30577-5-III
State v. Ehart
We examine each of Mr. Ehart’s assertions of error and conclude they are without merit.
Therefore, we affirm the convictions.
FACTS
Mr. Ehart was charged with first and second degree child molestation against two
of his stepdaughters, B.E.(1) and B.E.(2), and with communication with a minor for
immoral purposes against B.E.(1).
The State sought to introduce testimony of two women, A.E. and T.E., who said
that they had been sexually abused by Mr. Ehart. The State also sought to introduce Mr.
Ehart’s prior conviction for possession of child pornography related to T.E.’s allegations.
The allegations of A.E. were the subject of prior charges against Mr. Ehart that were
dismissed, except for the possession of child pornography charge. The trial court ruled
that the conviction for possession of child pornography was inadmissible, but the court
allowed the State to present testimony from A.E. and T.E. about the prior incidents,
finding that they showed a common scheme or plan. Ultimately, the State elected not to
present A.E.’s testimony.
T.E.’s Videotaped Deposition. The State moved to take the videotaped deposition
of T.E. because she was moving out of state and it would be expensive to bring her back
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to testify live at trial. The court had granted numerous continuances of Mr. Ehart’s trial at
his request.
In her deposition, T.E. testified that Mr. Ehart, who is her brother, began molesting
her when she was 15 years old. According to T.E., Mr. Ehart would take her onto his lap
and touch her genitals while viewing pornography on a computer. T.E. said that Mr.
Ehart would make her look at the images on the computer. T.E. described Mr. Ehart
straddling her on a computer chair while touching her genitals. T.E. said that shortly after
she turned 16, Mr. Ehart began to take her into his room, remove her clothes, and rape
her.
Sometimes Mr. Ehart would masturbate and ask T.E. to play with his penis. T.E.
said that sometimes Mr. Ehart would peek in on her, but not touch her, while she was in
the shower. T.E. said that on other occasions, Mr. Ehart took her under a bridge near the
Yakima River under the pretense of going fishing. T.E. estimates that Mr. Ehart raped
her 50 times over the course of several years. She also said that Mr. Ehart bought a dildo
and used it on her. T.E. also said that on another occasion, Mr. Ehart purchased bras so
that he could wear them in front of her, which made her feel “grossed out.” Report of
Proceedings (RP) at 357.
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According to T.E., Mr. Ehart frequently told her she was beautiful. T.E. never told
anyone because Mr. Ehart threatened to hurt their mother, or told her that she would be
placed in foster care and would never see her father again. T.E. also testified that Mr.
Ehart threatened to leave her at the bridge if she told anyone. He would also put T.E. in a
headlock and choke her so that she could not breathe.
B.E.(2)’s Testimony. B.E.(2) testified that initially she did not say anything to law
enforcement because it sounded like they were saying that her mother had done
something wrong. B.E.(1) too initially told police that nothing happened. Later, both
girls described instances of sexual behavior directed at them. The two girls are sisters and
Mr. Ehart was their stepfather. B.E.(1) was 10 years old when the incidents began;
B.E.(2) was 12 years old.
B.E.(2) testified about an occasion when Mr. Ehart told the girls to take a shower.
Mr. Ehart then came into the bathroom and began to wash B.E.(1) first on her back and
then between her legs. When Mr. Ehart went to wash B.E.(2), she told him to leave, and
he did.
B.E.(2) described another incident when Mr. Ehart took her to Yakima to get fish
for her birthday. On this trip, Mr. Ehart suggested buying her a thong. B.E.(2) refused,
and they left the store. On the way home, Mr. Ehart took her under a bridge, backed her
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up to it by putting his hands on both sides of her. B.E.(2) slipped out from under his arm
and ran back to the truck. Mr. Ehart got back in the truck, and they went home.
B.E.(2) described incidents when Mr. Ehart took B.E.(1) into his bedroom and
locked the door. She heard what sounded like B.E.(1) crying. Other times, B.E.(2) said
she saw Mr. Ehart touching B.E.(1) between her legs or on her chest when they were in
the bathroom. According to B.E.(2), Mr. Ehart told B.E.(1) that he would love to marry
her.
B.E.(2) testified that Mr. Ehart would come up to the girls’ bedroom while they
were dressing, and he would watch her. Mr. Ehart would squeeze her breasts when
nobody was home. When other people were home, Mr. Ehart would put B.E.(2) on his
lap and rub her leg. Sometimes when B.E.(2) had friends over, Mr. Ehart would sit next
to them, and B.E.(2) would sit between them so he would not hurt them. B.E.(2) said that
sometimes when she went into her mother’s room where the computer was, Mr. Ehart
would be on the computer and would quickly close it so that she did not see what was on
it.
B.E.(2) also testified that she never told anyone about Mr. Ehart’s actions because
she was afraid that she would get into trouble. B.E.(2) was afraid that her mother would
be unhappy if she told, and she wanted her mother to be happy. B.E.(2) said that Mr.
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Ehart would hurt her when she made him really mad, including one time when he twisted
her arm and almost sprained it. Sometimes he would play with a butterfly knife when she
made him mad.
B.E.(1)’s Testimony. B.E.(1) also testified at trial. She described Mr. Ehart
coming into the bathroom to wash her chest when she was 10 years old. She did not
mention any touching between her legs. When she was 11 years old, Mr. Ehart asked her
about having oral sex. He asked her every other Sunday when they made Avon
deliveries. He asked if she wanted him to give her oral sex. Mr. Ehart later asked her if
she would marry him, and he asked for regular sex. According to B.E.(1), Mr. Ehart
would come up the stairs to watch the girls while they got dressed in their bedroom.
B.E.(1) described an incident when Mr. Ehart took her to his bedroom, locked the door,
and showed her pictures of bathing suits on the computer for one hour. He also talked
about the swim team.
B.E.(1) testified that Mr. Ehart kept a knife behind the seat of his truck. He told
her that if she said anything he would kill her family and then her. B.E.(1) also described
gifts he would buy for her, like Hannah Montana things.
At trial, Mr. Ehart again objected to the introduction of T.E.’s videotaped
deposition. The trial court admitted the videotape and allowed it to be played for the jury.
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Mr. Ehart testified. He denied having sexual contact with the girls. He also
presented evidence that the girls’ mother signed his name to benefit checks on his account
without his permission while he was in jail. Mr. Ehart claims that once the checks
stopped coming, the mother stopped visiting him in jail with the girls, and the allegations
of abuse followed.
The jury convicted Mr. Ehart on three counts. He was sentenced to a term of 175
months to life. He appeals.
ANALYSIS
Admission of the Videotaped Deposition. The Sixth Amendment provides that
“[i]n all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right . . . to be confronted with
the witnesses against him.” U.S. CONST. amend. VI. The primary right of the
confrontation clause is the right to effect cross-examination of the adverse witness. The
standard of review on a confrontation clause challenge is de novo. State v. Mason, 160
Wn.2d 910, 922, 162 P.3d 396 (2007).
“Testimonial statements of witnesses absent from trial [are admissible] only where
the declarant is unavailable, and only where the defendant has had a prior opportunity to
cross-examine.” Crawford v. Washington, 541 U.S. 36, 59, 124 S. Ct. 1354, 158 L. Ed.
2d 177 (2004).
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ER 804(a)(5) requires that the proponent of a hearsay statement must show an
inability to procure the declarant’s attendance “by process or other reasonable means.”
Also, ER 804(b)(1) requires that prior testimony of an unavailable witness is admissible
only if the party against whom it is offered “had an opportunity and similar motive to
develop the testimony by direct, cross, or redirect examination.”
Where former testimony fails to satisfy either the confrontation clause or ER 804,
it is inadmissible. State v. DeSantiago, 149 Wn.2d 402, 411, 68 P.3d 1065 (2003). In
DeSantiago, the court found that the prosecutor used reasonable means to locate
witnesses to secure voluntary attendance of witnesses who could not be located because
they apparently had relocated to Mexico and their relatives refused to reveal their
location. Id.In State v. Hobson, 61 Wn. App. 330, 336, 810 P.2d 70 (1991), the court observed
that whether the State meets its obligation imposed by the confrontation clause to make a
good faith effort is determined by the particular facts of each case.
The facts here comply with the confrontation clause requirements and the
requirements of ER 804. T.E. was available for trial for over two years before the trial
finally commenced. Moreover, the State had flown her to Yakima for an interview and to
be present for a prior trial setting. The State objected to the last two continuances of trial
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and alerted the court and defense counsel that T.E. would be moving to attend school in
another state, which would result in great expense to the State and inconvenience to T.E.
if she had to return for trial.
Here, the videotaped deposition testimony was taken before the court and the
defense had the full opportunity to develop her testimony through cross-examination.
The State made a good faith effort to secure her attendance. But for the repeated delays
sought by the defense, T.E. would have testified in person.
A violation of a defendant’s rights under the confrontation clause does not require
reversal if the error is harmless. State v. Moses, 129 Wn. App. 718, 732, 119 P.3d 906(2005). A confrontation clause violation is considered harmless if the untainted evidence
is so overwhelming that it necessarily leads to a finding of guilt. State v. Koslowski, 166
Wn.2d 409, 431, 209 P.3d 479 (2009). Hence, any error here is harmless.
Testimony of a Common Scheme or Plan. Mr. Ehart contends that the court abused
its discretion by admitting the testimony of the rapes of T.E. as a part of a common
scheme or plan that included the fondling of B.E.(1) and B.E.(2). In contrast, the State
points to the factual similarities between the circumstances of abuse described by T.E.
and those described by B.E.(1) and B.E.(2).
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A trial court may exclude relevant evidence if the danger of unfair prejudice
substantially outweighs its probative value under ER 403. State v. Sexsmith, 138 Wn.
App. 497, 505-06, 157 P.3d 901 (2007). ER 404(b) provides that “[e]vidence of other
crimes, wrongs, or acts is not admissible to prove the character of a person in order to
show action in conformity therewith.”
In reviewing a challenge to the admission of ER 404(b) evidence, this court
considers de novo whether the trial court correctly interpreted the rule and, if so, whether
the trial court abused its discretion in admitting the evidence. State v. Fisher, 165 Wn.2d
727, 745, 202 P.3d 937 (2009). Before admitting ER 404(b) evidence, the trial court must
determine, on the record, (1) that the prior misconduct occurred by a preponderance of the
evidence, (2) that there is a lawful purpose for admitting the evidence, (3) whether the
evidence is relevant to prove any of the charged elements, and (4) that the probative value
outweighs the prejudicial effect. State v. Gresham, 173 Wn.2d 405, 421, 269 P.3d 207(2012) (quoting State v. Vy Thang, 145 Wn.2d 630, 642, 41 P.3d 1159 (2002)).
A failure to weigh the evidence is harmless error if the record is sufficient for the
reviewing court to determine that the trial court considered the relative weight of
probative value and prejudice. State v. Carleton, 82 Wn. App. 680, 686, 919 P.2d 128(1996). Also, any error in the admission of prior misconduct is harmless unless the
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reviewing court finds that the outcome of the trial court would have been different had the
error not occurred. State v. Jackson, 102 Wn.2d 689, 695, 689 P.2d 76 (1984).
Evidence of prior bad acts may be admissible to show the existence of a common
scheme or plan. State v. DeVincentis, 150 Wn.2d 11, 19, 74 P.3d 119 (2003); State v.
Lough, 125 Wn.2d 847, 852, 889 P.2d 487 (1995). Under this rule, two types of
circumstances may allow the admission of such evidence: (1) when the prior bad act is
causally related to the current charge, or (2) the prior acts evidence a single plan that is
used repeatedly to carry out separate, but highly similar, crimes. DeVincentis, 150 Wn.2d
at 19. The second analysis is at issue here. The degree of similarity between the conduct
comprising the current charge and the prior bad act must be substantial. Id. at 20.
Here, the court found that the purpose of the ER 404(b) evidence was “very
similar” and was admissible as common scheme or plan. RP at 50-51. Likewise, the
record is sufficient for a reviewing court to determine that the evidence was properly
admitted, and would still have been admitted, even in the absence of the trial court’s full
balancing of ER 404(b) and ER 403.
Mr. Ehart argues that any plan evidenced by the acts against T.E. involved
grooming her by showing her pornography, fondling her, and escalating to the act of
intercourse and mutual masturbation. He asserts that this plan does not appear similar to
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Mr. Ehart’s fondling of B.E.(1) and B.E.(2). Mr. Ehart did not show them pornography
and he did not give T.E. gifts, even though he did give gifts to B.E.(1) and B.E.(2).
The State points out that the court concluded that the cases were related and the
evidence constituted a common scheme, plan, or design. The State argues that the
circumstances were substantially similar. B.E.(1) described that Mr. Ehart, after locking
the door, would show her pictures of bathing suits on the computer, telling her they would
look good on her. T.E. testified that Mr. Ehart would show her pictures of pornography
on the computer while abusing her. T.E. testified that Mr. Ehart would peek at her while
she was showering. Mr. Ehart watched B.E.(1) and B.E.(2) take a shower and washed
B.E.(1) between the legs. Mr. Ehart took T.E. under a bridge to abuse her and purchased
bras to wear in front of her. Mr. Ehart suggested to B.E.(2) that he buy a thong for her.
He also took her to a bridge and placed his hands on either side of her.
These are sufficient to show a common scheme or plan. And even if we presume
there was error, the outcome of the trial would not have been different had the error not
occurred.
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL GROUNDS FOR REVIEW
Mr. Ehart contends that Judge Gavin treated him with unfair prejudice. To support
his claim, Mr. Ehart refers to criminal cases in 1999 and 2008, which apparently were
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also before Judge Gavin. Mr. Ehart complains about the “unproven” testimony given by
A.E. and about having to defend two cases at once. He also maintains that he would have
been acquitted in the 2008 case but for A.E.’s false testimony. Mr. Ehart objects to the
use of the recorded testimony of T.E. He asks us to assume that Judge Gavin was biased
merely because he heard three of Mr. Ehart’s cases. Mr. Ehart also complains, without
providing any reasons, that Judge Gavin failed to declare a mistrial. Mr. Ehart does
acknowledge that some of his complaints were brought up by his attorney.
There is no RCW 4.12.040(1) motion in the record. If a party complies with the
statutory requirements, prejudice is established and the judge is divested of authority to
proceed further into the merits of the case. State v. Hawkins, 164 Wn. App. 705, 712-13,
265 P.3d 185 (2011) (quoting State v. Cockrell, 102 Wn.2d 561, 565, 689 P.2d 32(1984)). “We presume that a judge acts without bias or prejudice.” In re Pers. Restraint
of Swenson, 158 Wn. App. 812, 818, 244 P.3d 959 (2010).
Under the appearance of fairness doctrine, evidence of a judge’s actual or potential
bias must be shown before an appearance of fairness claim will succeed. State v.
Chamberlin, 161 Wn.2d 30, 37, 162 P.3d 389 (2007). Under the Washington Code of
Judicial Conduct, which is designed to provide guidance for judges and candidates for
judicial office, “[j]udges should disqualify themselves in a proceeding in which their
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impartiality might reasonably be questioned.” Former CJC Cannon 3(D)(1) (2002). The
right to a fair hearing under the federal due process clause prohibits actual bias and the
probability of unfairness. Chamberlin, 161 Wn.2d at 38 (quoting Withrow v. Larkin, 421
U.S. 35, 47, 95 S. Ct. 1456, 43 L. Ed. 2d 712 (1975)).
The matter before the trial judge was a jury trial. Here, Mr. Ehart fails to show
actual bias, potential bias, or the probability of unfairness. Mr. Ehart makes no citations
to the record and many of his complaints concern matters in other cases. As a pro se
litigant, Mr. Ehart is held to the same standard as an attorney. Batten v. Abrams, 28 Wn.
App. 737, 739 n.1, 626 P.2d 984 (1981).
Mr. Ehart also claims that he received ineffective assistance of counsel. To prevail
on his ineffective assistance of counsel claim, Mr. Ehart must show his counsel’s
representation fell below an objective standard of reasonableness and prejudice from that
conduct. Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. 668, 687, 104 S. Ct. 2052, 80 L. Ed. 2d 674(1984). If Mr. Ehart fails to establish either prong, we need not inquire further. See State
v. Hendrickson, 129 Wn.2d 61, 78, 917 P.2d 563 (1996).
We strongly presume trial counsel provided effective assistance. State v. Tilton,
149 Wn.2d 775, 784, 72 P.3d 735 (2003). If defense counsel’s trial conduct can be
characterized as legitimate trial strategy or tactics, it cannot provide a basis for a claim of
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ineffective assistance of counsel. State v. Aho, 137 Wn.2d 736, 745-46, 975 P.2d 512(1999).
We hold a pro se litigant to the same standard as an attorney. Batten, 28 Wn. App.
at 739 n.1. An appellant’s brief must contain “argument in support of the issues
presented for review, together with citations to legal authority and references to relevant
parts of the record.” RAP 10.3(a)(6). And “[p]assing treatment of an issue or lack of
reasoned argument is insufficient to merit judicial consideration.” Holland v. City of
Tacoma, 90 Wn. App. 533, 538, 954 P.2d 290 (1998).
Mr. Ehart contends that he received ineffective assistance of counsel. Specifically,
he asserts trial counsel was deficient because he failed to provide Mr. Ehart with 24 sets
of records. He also maintains that his attorney instructed him to lie but there is no
indication whether or not Mr. Ehart did lie or, if he did, what effect this had on his trial.
Mr. Ehart also contends that his third attorney did not attempt to get 3 sets of statements
admitted. He maintains that these statements proved that the alleged victim lied.
Mr. Ehart fails to establish either prong of the Strickland test.
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We affirm the convictions for first and second degree child molestation and
communication for immoral purposes.
A majority of the panel has determined this opinion will not be printed in the
Washington Appellate Reports, but it will be filed for public record pursuant to
RCW 2.06.040.
Kulik, J.
WE CONCUR:
Korsmo, C.J. Siddoway, J.
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