State Of Washington v. David Thompson ( 2016 )

IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON
DIVISION ONE
STATE OF WASHINGTON, No. 73325-7-
Respondent,
v.
DAVID D. THOMPSON, UNPUBLISHED OPINION
Appellant. FILED: August 1,2016
Verellen, C.J. — In a prosecution for assault in the second degree,
circumstantial evidence can be sufficient to prove that the defendant assaulted
anotherwith a deadly weapon. Here, the evidence was sufficient to support David
Thompson's conviction of assault in the second degree. Further, Thompson has not
shown actual prejudice from the admission of the deputy sheriff's testimony about the
victim's demeanor. Accordingly, we affirm Thompson's conviction. We vacate
Thompson's sentence and remand for a new sentencing hearing at which the
sentencing court must make an individualized inquiry into Thompson's present and
future ability to pay legal financial obligations.
FACTS
In January 2014, Thompson was living in an apartment above a detached
structure on property owned by Earling Manley. Manley's grandsons, Robert Speers
and Adrian Speers, lived in the basement of Manley's home.
No. 73325-7-1/2
On January 3, 2014, Robert Speers and Adrian Speers and their friend Barry
Sharp were in the Speers' basement living quarters. Sharp's male dog was with
them. Speers and Sharp let Sharp's dog outside, and the dog started playing with
Thompson's female dog which was also outside.1 A few minutes later, Thompson let
his male dog outside, and the two male dogs began fighting. Thompson and Speers
ran outside and separated the dogs. While trying to separate the dogs, one of the
dogs bit Thompson on the hand. Thompson, whose hand was bleeding, took his dog
back to his house, and Sharp and Speers took Sharp's dog back into the basement
of the main house.
About five minutes later, Thompson came down the stairs into the basement.
Speers and Sharp were in the bathroom attending to the injuries Sharp's dog
sustained in the fight. Thompson said he was going to get his gun and shoot Sharp's
dog. Thompson left the basement and returned about five minutes later carrying a
gun.
When Speers heard Thompson returning to the basement, he came out of the
bathroom. When he did, Thompson aimed the gun at Speers. Thompson told
Speers that he was going to kill the dog and that if Speers got in the way, he would
shoot him. When Thompson said this, the end of Thompson's gun was about a foot
and a half away from Speers' chest.
Speers pushed the gun away and hit Thompson in the face. Thompson
grabbed Speers by the throat, and Adrian Speers jumped on Thompson's back to try
1All references to "Speers" are to Robert Speers unless otherwise noted.
No. 73325-7-1/3
to stop Thompson from attacking his brother. Thompson grabbed his gun and went
back up the stairs when he heard a car coming up the driveway.
Speers immediately called an emergency number. While Speers was on the
phone, Thompson came back to the basement and tried to convince Speers that the
gun he brought to the basement was not a firearm, but rather was a pellet gun that
Speers owned when he was younger. Speers, however, was convinced that the gun
Thompson pointed at him was a firearm, not a pellet gun:
Well, when he aimed it level with my chest, I knew it was a real
gun because he pulled the semi-auto action on it. I mean, it had a
wood stock, and it was-it's like seven inches longer in the barrel than
the other gun and twice as thick of a barrel. It didn't have a yellow site
[sic] on it like a pellet gun would.[2]
Sharp also believed that the gun Thompson pointed at Speers was a firearm, not a
pellet gun. Sharp described the gun as a "regular, good-sized" black rifle with a large
or thick barrel.3
Two San Juan County deputy sheriffs responded to Speers' emergency call.
The deputies arrested Thompson.
Thompson was charged with one count of assault in the second degree
(assault with a deadly weapon), domestic violence; one count of felony harassment,
domestic violence; and one count of possession of a dangerous weapon. The
charge of possession of a dangerous weapon was dismissed.
2 Report of Proceedings (RP) (Oct. 21, 2014) at 247.
3 Id. at 322.
No. 73325-7-1/4
Thompson was convicted and moved for a new trial. The court granted his
motion, finding that the State failed to provide exculpatory evidence related to a
witness.
On retrial, the State introduced the pellet gun Speers claimed he owned when
he was younger. Speers testified that he was sure that the pellet gun was not the
weapon Thompson pointed at him. Sharp also testified that the pellet gun the State
introduced into evidence was not the weapon he saw Thompson carrying.
The jury on retrial found Thompson guilty of assault in the second degree and
harassment and answered "no" on both domestic violence special verdicts. The
court sentenced Thompson to 78 months and imposed both mandatory and
discretionary legal financial obligations (LFOs). Thompson appeals.
ANALYSIS
Sufficiency of the Evidence
Thompson challenges the sufficiency of the evidence to support his conviction
of assault with a deadly weapon. The due process clauses of the federal and state
constitutions require the State to prove every element of the crime charged beyond a
reasonable doubt.4 A claim of insufficiency of the evidence admits the truth of the
State's evidence and all reasonable inferences from that evidence.5 "[T]he relevant
question is whether, after viewing the evidence in the light most favorable to the
prosecution, any rational trier of fact could have found the essential elements of the
4 U.S. Const, amend. XIV; Wash. Const, art. I, § 3; Apprendi v. New Jersey.
530 U.S. 466, 476-77, 120 S. Ct. 2348, 147 L. Ed. 2d 435 (2000).
5 State v. Kintz. 169 Wash. 2d 537, 551, 238 P.3d 470 (2010).
No. 73325-7-1/5
crime beyond a reasonable doubt."6 In determining the sufficiency of the evidence,
circumstantial evidence and direct evidence are equally reliable.7
A person is guilty of assault in the second degree if the person, under
circumstances not amounting to assault in the first degree, assaults another with a
deadly weapon.8 A "deadly weapon" means:
any explosive or loaded or unloaded firearm, and shall include any
other weapon, device, instrument, article, or substance, including a
"vehicle". . . which, under the circumstances in which it is used,
attempted to be used, or threatened to be used, is readily capable of
causing death or substantial bodily harm.[9]
Thompson argues that the State failed to prove that he used a deadly weapon
during the assault because Speers and Sharp testified that the pellet gun the State
introduced into evidence was not the gun Thompson pointed at Speers during the
assault.10 But "[t]he State need not introduce the actual deadly weapon at trial."11
Circumstantial evidence such as a witness's description of the gun and statement
that the witness firmly believed the weapon was a gun may be sufficient, particularly
6 Jackson v. Virginia, 443 U.S. 307, 319, 99 S. Ct. 2781, 61 L Ed. 2d 560
(1979).
7 State v. Delmarter, 94 Wash. 2d 634, 638, 618 P.2d 99 (1980).
8RCW9A.36.021(a), (c).
9RCW9A.04.110(6).
10 Thompson's argument is premised on the contention that the State's
theory was that Thompson assaulted Speers with the pellet gun the State
introduced into evidence. This is incorrect. During closing argument, the State
acknowledged that there was an issue about whether Thompson assaulted Speers
with a firearm or a pellet gun, but argued that "both of those things in this case are
deadly weapons." RP (Oct. 22, 2014) at 425.
11 State v. Bowman, 36 Wash. App. 798, 803, 678 P.2d 1273 (1984).
No. 73325-7-1/6
when coupled with a defendant's threats to use the gun.12 A defendant's express
verbal threat to shoot the victim necessarily implies that the defendant had access to
a firearm capable of killing or seriously injuring the victim.13
Here, both Speers and Sharp described the gun Thompson pointed at Speers,
and both testified that they believed it was a firearm, not a pellet gun. A firearm is
deemed deadly per se, regardless of whether it is loaded.14 Further, both Speers
and Sharp testified that Thompson threatened to shoot Speers. Viewing the
evidence in the light most favorable to the State and drawing all reasonable
inferences in favor of the State, any rational trier of fact could have found the
essential elements of assault with a deadly weapon beyond a reasonable doubt.15
Testimony of Deputy Harvey
On direct examination, San Juan County Deputy Raymond Harvey, one of the
deputy sheriffs who responded to Speers' emergency call, testified about Speers'
demeanor when he encountered him:
Q. What was [Speers'] demeanor?
A. He was breathing heavy and very point blank with his story with
me.
12jo\
13 State v. Hentz, 99 Wash. 2d 538, 541, 663 P.2d 476 (1983).
14 RCW 9A.04.110(6); State v. Taylor, 97 Wash. App. 123, 126, 982 P.2d 687
(1999).
15 Further, we note that there is nothing in the record to suggest that the
pellet gun the State introduced into evidence was not operational. The record
contains sufficient evidence that Thompson threatened to use the pellet gun to
shoot Speers in a way that would have caused substantial bodily harm. Even if the
jury believed that Thompson used the pellet gun in the assault, the evidence was
sufficient to support Thompson's conviction of assault with a deadly weapon. See
Taylor, 97 Wash. App. at 128.
No. 73325-7-1/7
Q. What do you mean by point blank?
A. Meaning there wasn't any hesitation in what he relayed to me.
Q. Why is that significant?
A. Generally, somebody making a story up has some hesitation
because they actually have to think about what they are saying
rather than recalling the information from memory.
Q. Are you saying that based on your experience as a law
enforcement officer?
A. I amJ16]
Defense counsel did not object to Deputy Harvey's testimony about Speers'
demeanor. Thompson argues that Deputy Harvey's testimony invaded the province
of the jury and, accordingly, admission of the testimony was a manifest error affecting
a constitutional right that he may raise for the first time on appeal.
"A witness's expression of personal belief about the veracity of another
witness is inappropriate opinion testimony in criminal trials."17 The admission of such
testimony may be reversible error because such evidence violates the defendant's
constitutional right to a jury trial.18 Here, Deputy Harvey testified that a person who is
making up a story generally hesitates when telling the story because the person has
to "think about what they are saying rather than recalling the information from
memory."19 He testified that Speers did not hesitate when relating what had
16 RP (Oct. 21, 2014) at 291.
17 State v. Perez-Valdez. 172 Wash. 2d 808, 817, 265 P.3d 853 (2011); see
also State v. Montgomery, 163 Wash. 2d 577, 591, 183 P.3d 267 (2008) (among the
areas which are "clearly inappropriate for opinion testimony in criminal trials" is an
expression of personal belief as to the veracity of a witness).
18 Perez-Valdez, 172 Wash. 2d at 817.
19 RP (Oct. 21, 2014) at 291.
No. 73325-7-1/8
happened. The obvious inference from Deputy Harvey's testimony is that he did not
believe Speers was making up his story about the assault, but rather was telling the
truth. Deputy Harvey's testimony amounted to improper opinion testimony about
Speers' veracity.
Because Thompson did not object at trial to Deputy Harvey's testimony about
Speers' demeanor, we must determine if Thompson can raise this issue for the first
time on appeal. Generally, we do not consider issues raised for the first time on
appeal.20 An exception to this rule allows a party to raise for the first time on appeal
a manifest error affecting a constitutional right.21 We construe this exception to
RAP 2.5(a) narrowly.22
A constitutional error is "manifest" if it actually affected the defendant's rights
at trial.23 With regard to witness opinion testimony, manifest error "requires a nearly
explicit statement by the witness that the witness believed the accusing victim.24
Further, "manifest" requires a showing of actual prejudice.25 To show actual
prejudice, the defendant must make a plausible showing that the error had practical
and identifiable consequences in the trial of the case.26
20 RAP 2.5(a); State v. Stoddard. 192 Wash. App. 222, 226, 366 P.3d 474
(2016).
21 RAP 2.5(a)(3).
22 State v. WWJ Corp., 138 Wash. 2d 595, 603, 980 P.2d 1257 (1999).
23 State v. Kirkman. 159 Wash. 2d 918, 926-27, 155 P.3d 125 (2007).
24 ]g\ at 936.
25 State v. Walsh, 143 Wash. 2d 1, 8, 17 P.3d 591 (2001).
26 WWJ Corp., 138 Wash. 2d at 603.
8
No. 73325-7-1/9
Important to determining whether the defendant was actually prejudiced by
witness opinion testimony is whether the jury was properly instructed.27 The courts in
State v. Kirkman28 and State v. Montgomery29 found no prejudice from improper
opinion testimony on witness credibility where the jury was instructed that jurors are
the sole judges of the credibility of witnesses and are not bound by expert witness
opinions.30 The jury in this case was given virtually identical instructions. We
presume the jury followed the court's instructions where, as here, there is no
evidence to the contrary.31 Thompson has not shown actual prejudice from the
admission of Deputy Harvey's testimony about Speers' demeanor.
Further, a manifest constitutional error is subject to a harmless error
analysis.32 We employ the "overwhelming untainted evidence test" to determine if
the error was harmless beyond a reasonable doubt.33 Under that test, we examine
whether the untainted evidence is so overwhelming that it leads necessarily to a
finding of guilt.34 We presume that constitutional errors are prejudicial, and the State
27 Montgomery, 163 Wash. 2d at 595.
28159 Wash. 2d 918, 155 P.3d 125 (2007).
29 163 Wash. 2d 577, 183 P.3d 267 (2008).
30 Kirkman. 159 Wash. 2d at 937; Montgomery. 163 Wash. 2d at 595-96.
31 Montgomery. 163 Wash. 2d at 596.
32 Kirkman. 159 Wash. 2d at 927.
33 State v. Gulov. 104 Wash. 2d 412, 426, 705 P.2d 1182(1985).
34 Id.
No. 73325-7-1/10
must convince us beyond a reasonable doubt that any reasonable jury would have
reached the same result absent the error.35
Here, we are convinced beyond a reasonable doubt that any reasonable jury
would have reached the same result absent Deputy Harvey's testimony about
Speers' demeanor. The unrebutted testimony of Robert Speers, Adrian Speers, and
Sharp was that Thompson pointed a gun at Robert Speers and threatened to shoot
him. Any error arising from the admission of Deputy Harvey's testimony was
harmless beyond a reasonable doubt.
Thompson argues the prosecutor committed misconduct by arguing to the jury
that Deputy Harvey had determined that Speers was telling the truth. Thompson
does not, however, cite to any specific statements by the prosecutor on which he
bases his claim of misconduct. During closing argument, the prosecutor argued:
Now, how do we know that Robbie [Speers] is telling the truth?
That's for you to decide. You saw his demeanor on the stand, what he
was like when he was speaking to you. And we know that Deputy
Harvey, who saw Robbie Speers that day, he testified that when Robbie
told him that the Defendant pointed a gun at him and threatened to kill
him, that when he said that, he said it in a way that sounded truthful to
Deputy Harvey based on his law enforcement experience.1361
Thompson did not object to these statements. Accordingly, to prevail on his
claim of prosecutorial misconduct, Thompson must establish "'that the misconduct
35 State v. Watt. 160 Wash. 2d 626, 635, 160 P.3d 640 (2007); State v. Hudson.
150 Wash. App. 646, 656, 208 P.3d 1236 (2009).
36RP(Oct. 22, 2014) at 421.
10
No. 73325-7-1/11
was so flagrant and ill-intentioned that it caused an enduring and resulting prejudice
that could not have been neutralized by an admonition to the jury.'"37
Thompson has not met his burden. A prosecutor does not commit misconduct
any time he or she mentions credibility.38 "[A] prosecutor may comment on a
witness's veracity as long as a personal opinion is not expressed and as long as the
comments are not intended to incite the passion of the jury.39 Here, the prosecutor
did not express her personal opinion as to Speers' veracity. Nor do we conclude that
her comments were intended to incite the passion of the jury. Thompson has not
established prosecutorial misconduct.
Legal Financial Obligations
Thompson argues that he is entitled to a new sentencing hearing because the
trial court imposed LFOs without making an individualized inquiry into his ability to
pay. The State argues that because Thompson did not raise this issue below, he is
precluded from raising it on appeal.
In State v. Blazina, the Washington Supreme Court held that "a trial court has
a statutory obligation to make an individualized inquiry into a defendant's current and
future ability to pay before the court imposes LFOs."40 In State v. Duncan, the
defendant did not object at trial to the trial court's imposition of LFOs and, like
Thompson, argued for the first time on appeal that the record did not support a
37 State v. Hecht, 179 Wash. App. 497, 503, 319 P.3d 836 (2014) (quoting ln_re
Pers. Restraint of Glasmann, 175 Wash. 2d 696, 704, 286 P.3d 673 (2012)).
38 State v. Edvalds. 157 Wash. App. 517, 525, 237 P.3d 368 (2010).
39ldL
40 State v. Blazina, 182 Wash. 2d 827, 830, 344 P.3d 680 (2015).
11
No. 73325-7-1/12
finding that he had or would have any likelihood of being able to pay the LFOs.41
Relying on Blazina and its progeny, the court remanded to the trial court "for
resentencing with proper consideration of Duncan's ability to pay LFOs."42
Here, the record does not show that the sentencing judge made an
individualized inquiry into Thompson's current and future ability to pay before
imposing LFOs. Remand for resentencing is appropriate.
CONCLUSION
We affirm Thompson's conviction, vacate the sentence, and remand for a new
sentencing hearing at which the court must make an individualized inquiry into
Thompson's current and future ability to pay LFOs.
WE CONCUR:
\?t
At.AS fV^C*y\^
r-o
o
185 Wash. 2d 430, 435, P.3d (2016).
42 Id. at 437-38.
12