State Of Washington v. Llewellyne v. Holcomb ( 2018 )

Filed
Washington State
Court of Appeals
Division Two
November 14, 2018
IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON
DIVISION II
STATE OF WASHINGTON, No. 49730-1-II
Respondent,
v.
LLEWELLYNE V. HOLCOMB UNPUBLISHED OPINION
Appellant
LEE, J. — Llewellyne V. Holcomb appeals his convictions and sentence for first degree
assault with a firearm enhancement, second degree assault with a firearm enhancement, tampering
with a witness, and three counts of violation of a no-contact order. Holcomb argues that the trial
court (1) violated the time for trial rule, (2) violated his constitutional speedy trial right, (3) erred
in denying his CrR 8.3 motion to dismiss, and (4) abused its discretion in ordering his firearm
enhancements to run consecutive to each other. We affirm Holcomb’s convictions, but we reverse
Holcomb’s sentence and remand for resentencing.
FACTS
A. CHARGES AND ARRAIGNMENT
On October 8, 2015, the State charged Holcomb with two counts of first degree assault
with firearm enhancements after Holcomb fired several shots into an occupied house. The trial
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court set an initial trial date of November 30, 2015. The trial court then set bail, but Holcomb did
not post bail and remained in custody.
B. CONTINUANCES
Holcomb’s case was continued several times over the next 11 months. From November
2015 to February 2016, Holcomb’s case was continued three times by agreement of both parties.
On March 10, 2016, the State moved for a continuance. The prosecutor was in trial in another case
and would be unavailable the next two weeks. Defense counsel asked that trial be set on March
24 and acknowledged that the trial court had an upcoming recess in April. Defense counsel noted
Holcomb’s objection to the continuance. The trial court found good cause for a continuance
because the prosecutor and the trial court were both in trial, granted the motion, and continued the
trial date to March 24.
On March 22, Holcomb filed a CrR 3.6 motion to suppress the shell casings found in his
home. On March 24, the State amended the information to include two counts of first degree
assault with firearm enhancements, one count of tampering with a witness, and three counts of
violation of a no-contact order.
That same day, the State moved for a continuance. The State had just received Holcomb’s
motion to suppress and needed time to respond. Also, one of the State’s witnesses was unavailable
that day. A defense witness was also unavailable until later in the day and additional forensic
testing needed to be completed. Defense counsel proposed setting trial for April 25 after he
returned from a conference. Defense counsel also noted Holcomb’s objection to continuing the
trial date. The trial court stated that it was starting trial in a different case that was 348 days old,
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as compared to Holcomb’s 168-day-old case. The trial court also stated that it had inquired into
sending the case to another courtroom but none were available. The trial court found good cause
for a continuance, granted the motion, and continued the trial date to April 28.
On April 28, the State moved for a continuance. The prosecutor represented that several
officers were unavailable and that those officers were essential to responding to Holcomb’s motion
to suppress and for the State’s case in chief. But the prosecutor said that he could make the case
work without one of the deputies being available. Defense counsel objected to the motion for
continuance. The trial court found good cause for a continuance because of the severity of the
charges, the previous requests for continuances were from the defense, and the State’s witnesses’
unavailability. The trial court granted the motion and continued the trial date to June 1.
On June 1, Holcomb’s defense counsel moved for a continuance because counsel was in
trial on another case. Holcomb objected to the continuance. The State noted that it now believed
that the deputy the State previously thought was not necessary was now a necessary witness and
that deputy would not return from military leave until June 27. The trial court found good cause,
granted the motion, and continued the trial date to June 2.
On June 2, the State moved for a continuance. The prosecutor represented that after
interviewing another officer the prior week, he now believed a deputy the State previously thought
was not a necessary witness was now a necessary witness. But that deputy would not be available
until July 1. The prosecutor proposed continuing the trial date to July 1 or starting trial that day
and completing as much of it as possible, then recessing until the deputy became available. The
prosecutor noted that he attempted to have the deputy video call in but because of his military
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status, that was not possible. Also, the prosecutor stated he was going to be in trial in another case
before the trial court. The trial court confirmed that it was calling the prosecutor’s other case for
trial. The trial court noted that it had checked other courtrooms and that none were available, and
there were a limited number of jurors. The trial court found good cause because the prosecutor
was in trial in another matter before the trial court, granted the motion, and continued the trial date
to June 16.
On June 16, the State moved for a continuance because the prosecutor and trial court were
still in another trial. Defense counsel objected to a continuance. The trial court granted the motion
and continued the trial date to June 21 because the prosecutor was in trial.
On June 21, the State moved for another continuance because the prosecutor and trial court
were still in the other trial. Holcomb objected to a continuance. The trial court noted that the other
trial was anticipated to end on June 23, granted the motion, and continued the trial date to June 23.
C. TRIAL AND RECESSES
On June 23, the trial court made numerous attempts to reassign the case to the Criminal
Division Presiding Judge because the trial could not be completed before the trial court’s scheduled
July recess, but there were no courtrooms available. Thus, the trial court called the case for trial
and began hearing pre-trial motions in Holcomb’s case, noting that recesses may be necessary to
accommodate scheduling. The trial court held a CrR 3.6 hearing to suppress the shell casings
found in Holcomb’s home. The trial court concluded the CrR 3.6 hearing and other pretrial
motions on June 29 and then recessed the trial due to the trial court’s prescheduled July recess.
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On July 18, the parties reconvened for a status conference. The prosecutor represented that
he was starting trial in another murder case that day that was anticipated to last two weeks and he
had a prescheduled vacation from August 4 to 6. Defense counsel noted that the CrR 3.6 hearing
was not completed. Holcomb expressed his desire to begin trial that day. The trial court found
that in the interests of justice, the murder case took precedence over Holcomb’s case and that
Holcomb would not be prejudiced in any way. The trial court continued Holcomb’s case to August
8.
On August 8, the trial court set trial for September 7 because the trial court was out on
“medical.” Verbatim Report of Proceedings (VRP) (Sept. 12, 2016) at 296. On September 7, the
trial court set the case over one day because the prosecutor was out sick. Defense counsel
expressed Holcomb’s continuing objection. The next day, the prosecutor was still out sick and
requested the matter be set over until the following Monday, September 12. Defense counsel again
expressed Holcomb’s continuing objection. The trial court set the matter over to September 12.
On September 12, the State represented that it was ready to proceed without the deputy
because the deputy’s military leave was extended until October 2016. Holcomb waived his right
to a jury trial.
Holcomb moved to dismiss the case under CrR 8.3 based on prosecutorial mismanagement
of the case and the number of continuances. The trial court denied Holcomb’s motion to dismiss
finding that the State’s representations to the trial court were in good faith and that Holcomb was
not prejudiced. However, the trial court excluded the deputy’s testimony. The trial court also
denied Holcomb’s CrR 3.6 motion.
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Before resting its case in chief, the State moved to amend the information to include one
count of second degree assault with a firearm enhancement—domestic violence, one count of first
degree assault with a firearm enhancement—domestic violence, one count of tampering with a
witness—domestic violence, and three counts of violation of a no-contact order pre-sentence—
domestic violence. The trial court granted the State’s motion to amend.
The trial court found Holcomb guilty as charged in the information amended at trial.
D. SENTENCING
The trial court sentenced Holcomb to low-end standard range sentences on all counts. The
trial court suspended the sentence for the three violation of a no-contact order convictions for two
years. The trial court also ordered the firearm enhancement sentences to run consecutive to the
sentence on the felony convictions and to each other, stating, “I can’t even do anything about that,
so they are 60 months and they are consecutive because they’re flat time on those.” VRP (Dec. 2,
2016) at 17.
Holcomb appeals.
ANALYSIS
A. TIME FOR TRIAL
Holcomb argues that the trial court violated the time for trial rule by continuing his trial
due to court congestion. Specifically, Holcomb raises issue with the continuances granted on
March 24, April 28, and June 1, 2, 16, and 21.1 We disagree.
1
Holcomb also argues that the trial court erred by granting the continuances from late June through
September. But these continuances are not subject to CrR 3.3. The trial court called Holcomb’s
case for trial on June 23 and began hearing pretrial motions. This satisfies the CrR 3.3 time for
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“ ‘[T]he decision to grant or deny a motion for a continuance rests within the sound
discretion of the trial court.’ ” State v. Flinn, 154 Wn.2d 193, 199, 110 P.3d 748 (2005) (alteration
in original) (quoting State v. Downing, 151 Wn.2d 265, 272, 87 P.3d 1169 (2004)). We will not
disturb the trial court’s decision unless there is a clear showing that the trial court’s discretion was
manifestly unreasonable, or exercised on untenable grounds, or made for untenable reasons. Id. at
200.
Under CrR 3.3(a)(1), “It shall be the responsibility of the court to ensure a trial in
accordance with this rule to each person charged with a crime.” A defendant who is detained in
jail shall be brought to trial within 60 days of arraignment. CrR 3.3(b)(1)(i). Certain periods are
excluded from the time for trial including (1) unavoidable or unforeseen circumstances affecting
the time for trial beyond the control of the court or of the parties and (2) continuances granted by
the court. CrR 3.3(e)(3), (8). “A charge not brought to trial within the time limit determined under
this rule shall be dismissed with prejudice.” CrR 3.3(h).
Under CrR 3.3(f), a trial court may grant a continuance “when such continuance is required
in the administration of justice and the defendant will not be prejudiced in the presentation of his
trial requirement. State v. Vermillion, 112 Wn. App. 844, 855, 51 P.3d 188 (2002), review denied,
148 Wn.2d 1022 (2003). Holcomb further argues that not subjecting the recesses after June 23 to
CrR 3.3 allows the trial court to subvert the CrR time for trial rules. However, the test for
determining whether recesses taken after trial begins requires showing the recess was requested or
granted in bad faith and the recess prejudiced the defendant. State v. Andrews, 66 Wn. App. 804,
811-12, 832 P.2d 1373 (1992), review denied, 120 Wn.2d 1022 (1993); see also State v. Edwards,
68 Wn.2d 246, 258, 412 P.2d 747 (1966). Because Holcomb fails to make any argument regarding
bad faith or prejudice regarding the recesses following June 23, we decline to address them as part
of Holcomb’s time for trial argument. RAP 10.3(a)(6); Cowiche Canyon Conservancy v. Bosley,
118 Wn.2d 801, 809, 828 P.2d 549 (1992).
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No. 49730-1-II
or her defense.” Court congestion is not good cause for a continuance beyond the time for trial
period. State v. Kenyon, 167 Wn.2d 130, 137, 216 P.3d 1024 (2009). But “a showing of specific
additional circumstances [may] warrant a contrary result.” See State v. Smith, 104 Wn. App. 244,
252, 15 P.3d 711 (2001).
Holcomb’s argument fails because the continuances were not based solely on court
congestion. The March 24 continuance was granted to allow the attorneys to prepare for trial. The
April 28 continuance was granted because of officer unavailability. And the continuances granted
in the beginning of June were because the attorneys were in trial on other cases. Because there
were specific circumstances in addition to court congestion, the trial court did not violate CrR 3.3
by improperly granting continuances.
B. CONSTITUTIONAL SPEEDY TRIAL RIGHT
Holcomb also argues that his constitutional speedy trial right was violated because of the
delay caused by the continuances issued in his case. We disagree.
We review an alleged constitutional speedy trial right violation de novo. State v. Ollivier,
178 Wn.2d 813, 826, 312 P.3d 1 (2013). “If a defendant’s constitutional right to a speedy trial is
violated, the remedy is dismissal of the charges with prejudice.” State v. Iniguez, 167 Wn.2d 273,
282, 217 P.3d 768 (2009).
We use the balancing test set out in Barker2 to determine whether a constitutional speedy
trial right violation has occurred. Ollivier, 178 Wn.2d at 827. The analysis is fact-specific and
dependent upon the specific circumstances of the case. Id. None of the factors are sufficient or
2
Barker v. Wingo, 407 U.S. 514, 530-31, 92 S. Ct. 2182, 33 L. Ed. 2d 101 (1972).
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No. 49730-1-II
necessary for a violation, but they assist our determination of whether a defendant has been denied
the right to a speedy trial. Id. The nonexclusive factors are (1) the length of the delay, (2) the
reason for the delay, (3) the defendant’s assertion of his right, and (4) the prejudice to the
defendant. Id.
1. Length of Delay
The length-of-delay analysis is a two-part inquiry. Id. The first part requires an allegation
that the delay was more than ordinary and presumptively prejudicial. Id. An eight month delay
has been held to be presumptively prejudicial and sufficient to trigger a Barker analysis. Id. at
828. The second part requires consideration of the “ ‘extent to which the delay stretches beyond
the bare minimum needed to trigger judicial examination of the claim.’ ” Id (quoting Doggett v.
United States, 505 U.S. 647, 651, 112 S. Ct. 2686, 120 L. Ed. 2d 520 (1992)).
Here, Holcomb meets the presumptively prejudicial threshold because the delay from
arraignment to trial was 11 months. See Id. at 828. Thus, the delay is sufficient to trigger a Barker
analysis.
However, the delay did not stretch for a significant amount of time beyond the bare
minimum needed to trigger such analysis. An eight month delay has been held to be sufficient to
trigger a Barker analysis. Ollivier, 178 Wn.2d at 828. But here, the delay was only three months
beyond the bare minimum. Moreover, the first four months of delay were attributable to Holcomb
and the need for additional time to prepare his defense. Thus, this factor weighs against finding a
speedy trial violation.
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2. Reason for Delay
Pretrial delay is often inevitable and justifiable. Id. at 831. As a result, “careful assessment
of the reasons for the delay is necessary to sort the legitimate or neutral reasons for delay from
improper reasons.” Id. We look to each party’s responsibility for the delay, and weigh the
blameworthiness and the impact of the delay on defendant’s right to a fair trial. Id. At one end,
the defendant who requests or agrees to the delay waives his speedy trial rights. Id. At the other
end, when the government deliberately delays the trial to frustrate the defense, such conduct will
be weighed heavily against the State. Id. at 832. “[I]f the delay is due to the government’s
negligence or overcrowded courts,” the delay is also weighed against the State, but to a lesser
extent. Id.Here, Holcomb was responsible for the initial delays. The first four months of delay were
attributable, at least in part, to Holcomb. These initial delays are weighed against finding a speedy
trial violation.
Delays over the next seven months were primarily attributable to the State and the trial
court. These delays were based on witness unavailability, scheduling conflicts, and sickness, and
they appear closer to the middle of the spectrum, rather than towards the end of deliberate delay.
Id. Thus, on balance, this factor weighs against finding a speedy trial violation.
3. Assertion of Right
Assertion of the speedy trial right is important in the inquiry. Id. at 838 Here, Holcomb
consistently objected to continuing his trial. Holcomb’s assertion of his right to speedy trial was
consistent. Thus, this factor weighs in favor of finding a speedy trial violation.
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4. Prejudice
“A defendant ordinarily must establish actual prejudice before a violation of the
constitutional right to a speedy trial will be recognized.” Id. at 840. Such prejudice may consist
of (1) oppressive pretrial incarceration, (2) anxiety and concern, and (3) the possibility of an
impaired defense due to fading memories and loss of exculpatory evidence. Id. Courts have
generally presumed prejudice is sufficient in cases of extraordinary delay lasting at least five years
or when the government’s conduct is more egregious than mere negligence. Id. at 842. “This
analysis requires a showing of particularized prejudice when shorter delays and no government
bad faith are involved.” Id.Here, the period of delay was insufficient to presume actual prejudice. See Id. (Presumed
prejudice is generally found in cases of extraordinary delay lasting at least five years or when the
government’s conduct is more egregious than mere negligence). Thus, prejudice cannot be
presumed, and Holcomb must make a particularized showing.
First, Holcomb fails to show that the 11 months he spent incarcerated was oppressive. See
Id. at 844 (periods of incarceration 19, 22, and 27 months are not oppressive). Second, Holcomb
fails to show that he experienced any unusual anxiety or delay. With delay, anxiety and concern
“ ‘is always present to some extent, and thus absent some unusual showing is not likely to be
determinative in defendant’s favor.’ ” Id. at 845 (quoting Wayne R. LaFave, Jerold H. Israel,
Nancy J. King & Orin S. Kerr, Criminal Procedure §18.2(e) (3d ed. 2007) (footnote omitted).
Third, Holcomb fails to show that his defense was impaired. Holcomb argues that the delay
impaired his defense because he was unable to question the deputy before the court decided his
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motion to suppress and that the delay caused him to waive his right to a jury trial. However, the
deputy was unavailable due to military service and there is no evidence in the record supporting
Holcomb’s claim he waived his right to a jury trial because of the delay.
5. Balancing Factors
Balancing the Barker factors clearly weighs against finding a speedy trial violation.
Although Holcomb may have consistently asserted his right to speedy trial, the delay was not
unduly long; the reasons for the delay were either attributable to the defense for trial preparation,
legitimate, or neutral; and Holcomb fails to show actual prejudice. Therefore, we hold that
Holcomb’s constitutional right to speedy trial was not violated.
C. PROSECUTORIAL MISMANAGEMENT
Holcomb argues that the trial court erred when it denied his CrR 8.3 motion to dismiss
because of prosecutorial mismanagement. We disagree.
We review a trial court’s decision on a motion to dismiss a criminal prosecution due to
governmental misconduct for an abuse of discretion. State v. Brooks, 149 Wn. App. 373, 384, 203
P.3d 397 (2009). A trial court abuses its discretion when its decision is manifestly unreasonable,
based on untenable grounds, or made for untenable reasons. Id.Under CrR 8.3(b), “The court, in the furtherance of justice, after notice and hearing, may
dismiss any criminal prosecution due to arbitrary action or governmental misconduct when there
has been prejudice to the rights of the accused which materially affect the accused’s right to a fair
trial.” The defendant must also show that the mismanagement actually prejudiced his right to a
fair trial, which may include his right to a speedy trial. Brooks, 149 Wn. App. at 384. However,
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“dismissal under CrR 8.3 is an extraordinary remedy, one that the trial court should use only as a
last resort.” Id.; see, e.g., State v. Michielli, 132 Wn.2d 229, 245-45, 937 P.2d 587 (1997).
Here, even if the State mismanaged the case in terms of the deputy’s availability, Holcomb
fails to show actual prejudice. Holcomb argues that he was prejudiced because his right to a speedy
trial was violated. But as explained above, Holcomb’s right to a speedy trial was not violated.
Therefore, Holcomb fails to show prejudice required under CrR 8.3. Accordingly, the trial court
did not abuse its discretion in denying Holcomb’s CrR 8.3 motion.
D. EXCEPTIONAL SENTENCE
Holcomb argues that the trial court abused its discretion in imposing his sentence because
it misunderstood its sentencing authority. We agree.
In State v. McFarland, 189 Wn.2d 47, 55, 399 P.3d 1106 (2017), our Supreme Court held
that when multiple firearm enhancements result in a presumptive sentence that is clearly excessive,
the trial court may run the firearm enhancements concurrently as part of an exceptional mitigated
sentence under RCW 9.94A.535(1)(g). And even in cases where a defendant did not request an
“exceptional, mitigated sentence,” remand is appropriate when the “record suggests at least the
possibility that the sentencing court would have considered imposing concurrent firearm-related
sentences had it properly understood its discretion to do so.” McFarland, 189 Wn.2d at 59.
Here, the trial court indicated that it “can’t even do anything about” running the firearm
enhancements consecutively. VRP (Dec. 2, 2016) at 17. Therefore, the record suggests that, had
the trial court understood that it had the discretion to run the firearm enhancements concurrently
as part of an exceptional, mitigated sentence, it may have done so. Accordingly, remand to the
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trial court is the appropriate remedy despite Holcomb never requesting an exceptional, mitigated
sentence.
We affirm Holcomb’s conviction, but we reverse his sentence and remand to the trial court
for resentencing.
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.
Lee, J.
We concur:
Maxa, C.J.
Worswick, J.
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