State Of Washington, V Robert Thomas Driscoll

FILED
0` OF APPEALS
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2013 SEP 24 AM 9:26

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IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTO

DIVISION II

STATE OF WASHINGTON,
Respondent, No. 42849 1 II
- -

V. UNPUBLISHED OPINION

ROBERT THOMAS DRISCOLL,
Appellant.

FORBES, J. .
T.
P —
Robert T.Driscoll appeals his jury convictions for first degree

unlawful firearm possession and unlawful possession of a controlled substance with

intent to deliver. Driscoll argues that ( ) trial counsel was ineffective, 2) State's
1 his ( the

evidence was insufficient to support his convictions, 3) trial court violated his right
( the

to a public trial when it held an in-
chambers conference regarding jury instructions, and

4)substantial evidence does not support the trial court's legal financial obligations

LFOs)imposed at sentencing. In his statement of additional grounds for review (SAG),
Driscoll asserts that ( ) trial court abused its discretion when it denied his continuance
1 the

motion and (2) prosecutor committed misconduct when he questioned a witness about
the
the witness's arrest warrant. We hold that ( )
1 Driscoll's trial counsel's alleged

1
Judge Jennifer Forbes is serving as judge pro tempore of the Court of Appeals, Division II,
under CAR 21( ).
c
2
RAP 10. 0.
1
No. 42849 1 II
- -

deficiencies did not fall below an objective standard of reasonableness and did not

prejudice him, 2)
( there is sufficient evidence that Driscoll constructively possessed the

methamphetamine and the gun, 3) in-
( the chambers conference to discuss jury

instructions did not violate Driscoll's public trial right, 4)
( Driscoll's challenge to his

LFOs is not ripe, and (5)
Driscoll's SAG arguments have no merit. We affirm Driscoll's
convictions.

FACTS

In February 2011, Driscoll was arrested by his Washington State Department of

Corrections (DOC)Officer Dan Cochran after Cochran discovered a gun and methamphetamine

under the hood of a car associated with Driscoll. Before Driscoll's arrest, Cochran received

information'that Driscoll may have violated his drug offender sentencing alternative conditions

and on February 3, Cochran went to Driscoll's home to obtain a sample for a urinalysis. Driscoll

could not comply with Cochran's request at the time, so Cochran told Driscoll to report to the

DOC office later that day to provide a sample. Driscoll did not comply with Cochran's request.

Cochran then obtained his supervisor's permission to arrest Driscoll and to search his person and

his vehicle for drugs. Four days later, when Driscoll arrived at the DOC office with his

girlfriend, Danielle Neill,Cochran and three other DOC officers arrested Driscoll.
The DOC officers searched the car, which was a white Honda Accord with doors that

opened upwards. Cochran found multiple blue lights, called " ojak light[ ]," be
K s that can

secured to* vehicle's roof. Report of Proceedings (RP)at 28. He also found handcuffs and
a

multiple car keys. Cochran was concerned because the Kojak lights and handcuffs " ould
w

3
Danielle Neill is at times in the record referred to as Danielle Frost,her married name. We
refer to her here as Neill for consistency.

0
No. 42849 1 II
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indicate somebody imitating police and taking people into custody, and the keys are the kinds of

things that people who would be trying to break into cars or to steal cars might have in their

vehicles."RP at 3 L Another officer found a black bag containing a gun, several baggies of

suspected. ethamphetamine, empty plastic baggies, two glass pipes, and an electronic scale
m

bearing Driscoll's thumb print.

The DOC officers contacted the Olympia Police Department, and one of the responding

officers discovered that the Washington State Department of Licensing ( OL)record showed
D

Driscoll as the registered owner of a white 1999 Honda Accord with the same vehicle

registration number as the car in the DOC parking lot. After receiving his Miranda rights,
Driscoll denied knowledge of the contraband. While the officers questioned Driscoll, Cochran

opened Driscoll's wallet— after his arrestand discovered $ 23 in cash.
seized — 3

The State charged Driscoll with first degree unlawful firearm possession under RCW

a)
040(
9.1. having a prior conviction for a serious offense, namely, a 2001 conviction for
1 for
4 )(

unlawful delivery of a controlled substance to a person under the age of 18. The State also
charged Driscoll with unlawful possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver under

RCW 69. 0.
401.
5

4
Miranda v. Arizona, 384 U. . 436, 444, 86 S. Ct. 1602, 16 L.Ed. 2d 694 (1966).
S

5 A person is guilty of first degree unlawful firearm possession "if the person owns, has in his or
her possession, or has in his or her control any firearm after having previously been convicted
of any serious offense as defined in this chapter."RCW 9.1.Driscoll's unlawful
a).
040( 1
4 )(
delivery of a controlled substance conviction was a "serious offense."Former RCW
b)RCW 69. 0.406( ).
010( 6)(
9.1.
1
4 2009); 401, 1
(5
6
RCW 69. 0.
401( 1 provides that " t is unlawful for any person to manufacture, deliver, or
5 ) i
possess with intent to manufacture or deliver, a controlled substance."Methamphetamine is a
controlled substance. RCW 2).
206(
69: 0.
d)(
5
No.42849 1 II
- -

Before trial,Driscoll moved for a continuance to interview two additional witnesses,

Corey Ballard and Laura Forsberg. He also requested more time to obtain certified title transfer

documents showing that Driscoll had transferred the 1999 Honda Accord to Neill before his

arrest. The trial court denied the motion.

At trial,Driscoll and the State stipulated to the admission of the judgment and sentence

for Driscoll's convictions on two counts of unlawful delivery of a controlled substance to a

person under age 18. The judgment and sentence showed Driscoll's criminal history including a

1998 conviction for unlawful possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine),
two 1992

second degree theft convictions, and a 1991 second degree theft conviction. At trial,the State

questioned Driscoll about his criminal history, and under jury instruction number 6,the jury was

permitted to consider his criminal history for purposes of credibility. Defense counsel did not

object to this questioning or to the jury instruction.

At trial,Driscoll claimed that he did not own the car when he was arrested because he

had transferred it to Neill on February 1. He claimed that DOL records showed that it was

registered to him because Neill did not file the title transfer documents until March ( fter his
a

arrest).Driscoll unsuccessfully moved under ER 1003 to enter duplicate copies of the title

transfer documents instead of certified copies.

The trial testimony conflicted as to the ownership of the car and who was driving it on

the day of Driscoll's arrest. Juanita Peabody, Neill's friend,testified that on February 7 Neill

showed Peabody her new car, a 1999 Honda Accord with doors that opened vertically. Neill and

Driscoll testified that Neill left Peabody's house in the car and gave Driscoll a ride to the DOC

office. Neill explained that someone left the drugs in her car, she put them in the bag with the

gun, hid them under the hood, and that Driscoll did not know they were there.
11
No.42849 1 II
- -

But the State presented evidence that Driscoll was the car's owner. Cochran testified that

he had encountered Driscoll driving the car on multiple occasions. Matt Frank, a community

corrections officer,testified that he saw Driscoll arrive at the DOC office in the car on the day
Driscoll was arrested and that Driscoll exited and reentered the car on the driver's side. Frank

also testified that he listened to a recorded jail telephone call in which Driscoll told a woman that
his alibi was that he had been dropped off at the DOC office by someone else and that'he was

neither a driver nor a passenger in the white Honda that day.

Driscoll also disputed his ownership of the gun. Corey Ballard,Neill's friend,testified
that he sold the gun to Neill,but that there was no sale documentation. Neill told Ballard she
was buying the gun for Driscoll,but Neill later denied this.
On the second trial day,the trial court released the jury and asked counsel to meet in
chambers to discuss jury instructions. Before the in-
chambers meeting, the trial court stated in
open court that the parties were going to discuss the instruction governing the use of prior
convictions. In particular,the court noted that the standard instruction said that the prior
convictions could be used only for impeachment, but that here, another purpose would be to

prove a prerequisite element of a charged offense.
The jury found Driscoll guilty on both charges and the trial court sentenced him to 102
months' confinement. The trial court ordered that Driscoll pay a total of 2,00 in fees and
$ 0

LFOs. It also found that Driscoll " a[ ] ability or likely future ability to pay the [LFOs]
h d the

imposed herein."Cleric's Papers (CP)at 42. Driscoll did not object to this finding. Driscoll
appeals his convictions and the trial court's finding that he had the current or future ability to pay
LFOs.

5
No. 42849 1 II
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ANALYSIS

I. INEFFECTIVE ASSISTANCE OF COUNSEL

A. Standard of Review

We review claims of ineffective assistance of counsel de novo. State v. Sutherby, 165

Wn. d 870, 883, 204 P. d 916 (2009).To prevail on an ineffective assistance of counsel claim,
2 3

the defendant must show that defense counsel's objectively deficient performance prejudiced

him. State v. McFarland, 127 Wn. d 322, 334 35,899 P. d 1251 (1995).Performance is
2 - 2

deficient if,after considering all the circumstances, it falls below an objective standard of

reasonableness. McFarland, 127 Wn. d at 33435. Prejudice results if the outcome of the trial
2 -

would have been different had defense counsel not rendered deficient performance. McFarland,

127 Wn. d at 337.
2

We give great deference to trial counsel's performance and begin our analysis with a

strong presumption that counsel was effective. Strickland v. Washington, 466 U. .668, 689, 104
S
S. Ct. 2052, 80 L.Ed. 2d 674 (1984);
McFarland, 127 Wn. d at 335. A claim that trial counsel
2
was ineffective does not survive if trial counsel's conduct can be characterized as legitimate trial

strategy or tactics. State v. Hendrickson, 129 Wn.2d 61, 77 78,917 P. d 563 (1996),
- 2 overruled
on other grounds by Carey v. Musladin, 549 U. . 70, 127 S. Ct. 649, 166 L.Ed. 2d 482 (2006).
S
To rebut the strong presumption that counsel's performance was effective, the defendant bears
"
the burden of establishing the absence of any `conceivable legitimate tactic explaining counsel's

performance. "' State v. Grier, 171 Wn. d 17, 42,246 P. d 1260 (2011)emphasis omitted)
2 3 (

quoting State v. Reichenbach, 153 Wn. d 126, 130, 101 P. d 80 (2004)).
2 3
The decision of when or whether to object is a classic example of trial tactics."State v.

Madison, 53 Wn. App. 754, 763, 770 P. d 662 (1989).Thus, we presume "that the failure to
2
2
No. 42849 1 II
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object was the product of legitimate trial strategy or tactics, and the onus is on the defendant to

rebut this presumption."State v. Johnston, 143 Wn. App. 1, 20, 177 P 3d 1127 (2007).Only in
"

egregious circumstances, on testimony central to the State's case, will the failure to object
constitute incompetence of counsel justifying reversal."Madison, 53 Wn. App. at 763. To

establish that counsel's failure to object to evidence constituted ineffective assistance, Driscoll

must show that ( ) 's failure to object fell below prevailing professional norms, 2)
1 counsel ( the
trial court would have sustained the objection if counsel actually had made it,and (3) result
the
of the trial would have differed if the trial court had excluded the evidence. State v. Sexsmith,

138 Wn.'
App. 497, 509, 57 P. d 901 (2007).
1 3

B. Admission of Driscoll's Criminal History

Driscoll argues that his counsel was ineffective because he failed to object to the entry of
his judgment and sentence showing his criminal history instead of stipulating to the serious
offense for purposes of RCW 9.1. for failing to object when the State elicited
a)
040(
1 and
4 )(
testimony regarding Driscoll's criminal history.

To prove the charge of first degree unlawful firearm possession, the State was required to
show that Driscoll hadpreviously been convicted of a "serious offense."RCW 9.1.
a).
040(
1
4 )(
To satisfy the "serious offense"element, the State and Driscoll stipulated to the admission of the
judgment and sentence for Driscoll's 2001 convictions on two counts of unlawful delivery of a
controlled substance. The judgment and sentence also showed that Driscoll had been convicted

of unlawful possession of methamphetamine in 1998 and second degree theft on three different

7
No. 42849 1 II
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occasions between 1991 and 1992.

On cross -examination, Driscoll testified regarding the contents of the judgments and

sentences. He testified, I have three theft seconds when I was a juvenile in Alabama because I
"

stole my dad's grill and his camera. I have a simple possession in 1998, I have the delivery in

2001, and I have a possession of firearm in 2008." at 199 200. The State also referenced
RP -

these convictions to ask Driscoll whether he had a " rug problem," which Driscoll responded,
d to

Off and on,yes." at 201. Finally,the trial court's jury instruction number 6 provided, You
RP "

may consider evidence that the defendant has been convicted of a crime only in deciding what

weight or credibility to give to the defendant's testimony, or.or determining if a prerequisite
f

element of a charged crime has been proved, and for no other purpose."CP at 23 24. Counsel
-

did not object to the State's questions regarding Driscoll's criminal history or to the jury

instruction.

Driscoll argues the judgment and sentence prejudiced him because he could have

stipulated that he had committed a prior offense instead of allowing the jury to see the judgment

and sentence, itself. But there was a conceivable tactical reason to allow the jury to see the type

of crime for which Driscoll was convicted instead of merely a stipulation that he had committed

a serious offense. Had the crime not been specified, the jury could have speculated that the prior

conviction was for a violent offense, which could have been more prejudicial than the actual

drug offense here.

7
Driscoll also stipulated to the admission of his judgment and sentence for the 1998 unlawful
possession of methamphetamine conviction, which showed additional criminal history of two
second degree theft convictions from 1995 and 1993. However, his ineffective assistance
argument is based solely on the admission of his judgment and sentence for the unlawful
delivery to a minor convictions. Accordingly, we address only that stipulation here.
8
No. 42849 1 II
- -

Driscoll further argues that even if his trial counsel properly stipulated to the prior

offense for the purposes of the unlawful firearm possession statute, there was no legitimate

tactical reason to stipulate to the admission of the three other prior convictions because they were

unnecessary to prove any element of the charged crimes. But the jury heard evidence that

Driscoll was under DOC's authority when he was arrested. Thus, instead of allowing jury

speculation as to the age and extent of Driscoll's criminal history, Driscoll's trial counsel may

have sought to introduce the entire judgment and sentence and to allow the State to question him

about it so that Driscoll could appear honest and forthright to the jury.Additionally, by allowing

this history to come in,the jury could see that the offenses were all more than 10 years old,

which could have provided support to Driscoll's argument that he had put the behavior behind

him.

Driscoll nevertheless contends that there was no conceivable legitimate tactical reason to

stipulate to the prior convictions because they were more than 10 years old and, thus, were

inadmissible under ER 609( ).
b Under ER 609( ), unlawful possession conviction and the
b the

three theft convictions would only have been admissible if the court determine[d],
" in the

interests ofjustice, that the probative value of the conviction supported by specific facts and

circumstances substantially outweigh[ed] prejudicial effect."Thus, it is possible that if the
its

State had sought to introduce these convictions and had Driscoll's trial counsel objected, the,

objection would have been sustained. But this was not a situation in which the State introduced

Driscoll's criminal history and Driscoll's trial counsel failed to object. Rather, Driscoll's

counsel stipulated to the admission of the judgment and sentence, demonstrating that doing so

was an affirmative tactical decision. Furthermore, as discussed above, Driscoll's trial counsel

C
No. 42849 1 II
- -

may have had a reasonable tactical reason for allowing the judgment and sentence into evidence.

Driscoll's claim fails.

C. Failure To Object to Hearsay Statement

Driscoll also argues that his counsel was ineffective for failing to object to hearsay

testimony. We disagree.

Driscoll contends that his trial counsel should have objected to the following testimony

by Cochran explaining his reason for investigating Driscoll for drug -related activity:

I had received a phone call from an employee here at the ... Thurston County
Jail, and [the jail] had informed me that they were listening to the [offenders']
phone And
calls.... they had overheard a conversation with ... Driscoll who was
on the outside talking to an offender who was locked up at the time, and they let
me know that they had heard a conversation where they were referring to .. .
Driscoll several times ... participating in drug activity.

RP at 20 21.
-

Driscoll argues that the testimony was "nherently prejudicial"because it improperly
i

allowed the jury to consider the drug -related testimony as propensity evidence. Br. of Appellant

at 24. Although Driscoll argues that this statement was hearsay, the record shows that it was

offered to explain the basis for the probable cause for Cochran's investigation of Driscoll's

activities and not the truth of the matter asserted. See ER 803(
3).a)(
Accordingly, Driscoll has

failed to show that had his counsel objected to the statement, the objection likely would have

been sustained. Davis, 152 Wn. d at 714. Moreover, Driscoll mentioned his drug use multiple
2

times during trial, and Driscoll has failed to show how the additional reference to his

involvement with drugs would have changed the outcome of the trial. McFarland, 127 Wn. d at
2

337. Additionally,trial counsel may have chosen to refrain from objecting to the testimony in

10
No. 42849 1 II
- -

order to avoid drawing additional attention to it;thus, the failure to object could have been a

legitimate trial strategy or tactic. Grier, 171 Wn. d at 42. Driscoll's claim fails.
2

D. Statement of Additional Grounds for Review

In his SAG, Driscoll makes two additional arguments in support of his ineffective

assistance of counsel claim. First,he argues that his counsel was ineffective.for fail[ng]to
" i

object to the trial court not allowing into evidence the title and bill of sale [for the 1999 Honda

Accord]."
SAG at 8. But defense counsel moved to admit duplicates of the title transfer

documents at trial,making extensive arguments as to their admissibility. Thus, defense counsel

effectively preserved a claim that the documents should have been admitted for our review, and,
y

while a claim for ineffective assistance of counsel can be made alleging trial counsel's failure to

make a particular motion, no such claim can be made where, as here, trial counsel merely made

an unsuccessful motion. Driscoll has failed to show how his trial counsel's performance fell

below an objective standard of reasonableness, and his claim fails.
Second, Driscoll argues that his counsel was ineffective for failing to object to Cochran's

testimony regarding the handcuffs, car keys, and Kojak lights. But Driscoll fails to cite a likely

successful ground for such objection. Moreover, defense counsel could have reasonably decided

not to object to avoid calling unnecessary attention to the evidence. See, e. .,
g State v. Gladden,

8 But even if we were to review the substance of the trial court's decision to exclude the copies
of the title transfer documents, a decision to which Driscoll has not assigned error, the trial court
did not abuse its discretion when it denied Driscoll's motion to admit them. Driscoll sought to
admit the documents as duplicates under ER 1003, which provides, A duplicate is admissible to
"
the same extent as an original unless a genuine question is raised as to the authenticity of the
original." at 123. In response to Driscoll's motion to admit the duplicates, the State pointed
RP
out that a different pen had been used to write the February 1 transfer date on the documents, and
the trial court noted that the documents were not self -authenticating such that the date could be
verified. Accordingly, the trial court did not abuse its discretion when it declined to admit the
duplicate title transfer documents under ER 1003.
11
No. 42849 1 II
- -

116 Wn. App. 561, 568, 66 P. d 1095 (2003)failure to object to witness's unsolicited remark
3 (

could be described as legitimate trial tactic to avoid drawing attention to information defense

counsel sought to exclude).Because no viable basis for the objection appears and because the

failure to object to the testimony could have been a legitimate trial tactic,Driscoll's claim fails.

II. SUFFICIENCY OF THE EVIDENCE

Driscoll next argues that insufficient evidence supports his convictions because the State

failed to prove that he possessed either the gun or the methamphetamine. We disagree.

Sufficient evidence exists to support a conviction if any rational trier of fact could find

the essential elements of the crime beyond a reasonable doubt when viewing the evidence in the

light most favorable to the State. State v. Hosier, 157 Wn. d 1, 8, 133 P. d 936 (2006).A
2 3

defendant claiming insufficiency of the evidence admits the truth of the State's evidence and all

inferences that reasonably can be drawn from that evidence. State v. Salinas, 119 Wn. d 192,
. 2

201, 829 P. d 1068 (1992).Circumstantial evidence and direct evidence are equally reliable.
2

State v. Delmarter, 94 Wn. d 634, 638, 618 P. d 99 (1980).We defer to the trier of fact on
2 - 2

issues of conflicting testimony, credibility of witnesses, and the persuasiveness of the evidence.

State v. Walton, 64 Wn. App. 410, 415 16,824 P. d 533 (1992).
- 2

Both of the crimes for which Driscoll was convicted required the State to prove beyond a

reasonable doubt that he possessed the items in questiona gun and methamphetamine. RCW
—

a); Driscoll challenges the sufficiency of the State's evidence on
040(
9.1.
1 RCW 69.
4 )( 50.
401.

the "possession"element of both of these crimes. Br. of Appellant at 9.

Possession may be actual or constructive. State v. Staley, 123 Wn. d 794, 798, 872 P. d
2 2

502 (1994).A defendant has actual possession when he or she has physical custody of the item
"

and constructive possession if he or she has dominion and control over the item. Dominion and
12
No. 42849 1 II
- -

control means that the object may be reduced to actual possession immediately."State v. Jones,

146 Wn. d 328, 33,45 P. d 1062 (2002)internal citation omitted).This control need not be
2 3 3 ( "

exclusive, but the State must show more than mere proximity."State v. Raleigh, 157 Wn. App.

728, 737, 238 P. d 1211 (2010),
3 review denied, 170 Wn. d 1029 (2011).We "ook at the
2 l

totality of the situation to determine if there is substantial evidence tending to establish

circumstances from which the jury can reasonably infer that the defendant had dominion and
control of the [contraband items] and thus was in constructive possession of them."State v.

Partin, 88 Wn. d 899, 906, 567 P. d 1136 (1977)emphasis omitted),
2 2 ( overruled on other

grounds by State v. Lyons, 174 Wn. d 354, 365, 275 P. d 314 (2012).Constructive possession
2 3

may be proved by circumstantial evidence. State v. Sanders, 7 Wn.App. 891, 893, 503 P. d 467
2

1972).

Having dominion and control over premises where contraband is found raises a rebuttable

inference of dominion and control over contraband inside the premises. State v. Cantabrana, 83

Wn.App. 204, 208, 921 P. d 572 (1996).But dominion and control over the premises alone is
2
not a crime in and of itself;rather, it is only one factor to be considered in determining whether

the defendant constructively possessed the contraband. Cantabrana, 83 Wn. App. at 208. A

vehicle can be considered premises "' over which a defendant can exercise dominion and
a "`

control for the purposes of constructive possession. State v. Mathews, 4 Wn. App. 653, 656, 484

P. d 942 (1971).
2

Because the State concedes that Driscoll was not in actual possession of the gun and the

methamphetamine at the time of his arrest, we focus on constructive possession. We have held

that there was sufficient evidence to submit the question of constructive possession of a gun to

the jury where there was evidence that the defendant owned the vehicle and knowingly
13
No. 42849 1 II
- -

transported the gun. State v. Turner, 103 Wn.App. 515, 524, 13 P. d 234 (2000);
3 State v.

McFarland, 73 Wn.App. 57, 70, 867 P. d 660 (1994), d,
2 aff' State v. McFarland, 127 Wn. d
2

322;State v. Reid, 40 Wn. App. 319, 326, 698 P. d 588 (1985).And we have held that there was
2

sufficient evidence of constructive possession of a gun and drugs where the defendant was the

owner of the vehicle or had the keys to the vehicle and was the vehicle's driver and sole

occupant. State v. Bowen, 157 Wn. App. 821, 828, 239 P. d 1114 (2010);
3 State v. Potts, 1 Wn.

App. 614, 617, 464 P. d 742 (1969).But because the control need not be exclusive, it is not
2

necessary that'the person be the sole occupant in order to prove constructive possession. See

Raleigh, 157 Wn. App. at 731, 737. Thus, we have also held that sufficient evidence supported

the jury's finding of constructive possession of a gun when there were two occupants of a vehicle

in which the gun was found but the defendant was the vehicle's owner and knew the gun was in

the vehicle. Turner, 103 Wn. App. at 521 22.
-

Viewed in the light most favorable to the State, the record establishes that Driscoll was

the car's owner and driver on the date the contraband was discovered inside it;and further that

he had dominion and control over it. The DOL record showed Driscoll's name on the

registration of a white 1999 Honda Accord that had the same vehicle registration number as the

car in the DOC parking lot. Cochran testified that he recognized the car because he had

encountered Driscoll driving it on multiple occasions. He also testified that when Driscoll first

purchased the car, Cochran took photographs of the car and Driscoll gave him a copy of the

registration. Cochran said that he would look for the car when he drove by Driscoll's home

because "if it was there, he would be there"and that the vehicle was at Driscoll's house when

Cochran contacted him there on February 3. And a community corrections officer testified that
he saw Driscoll exit the car on the driver's side when he arrived at the DOC office and that he

14
No. 42849 1 II
- -

entered on the driver's side when he returned to the car to smoke a cigarette. RP (11/ 6/at
11)
1

57 59. Finally, the bag containing the gun and methamphetamine also contained a scale bearing
-

Driscoll's thumb print.

This was sufficient evidence from which a jury could reasonably infer that Driscoll had

dominion and control over the car and that he constructively possessed the gun and the

methamphetamine. Although Driscoll presented evidence that he was neither the car's owner

nor driver, we do not make credibility determinations or weigh evidence. Walton, 64 Wn.App.

at 415 16. And although Driscoll argues that he did not know the items were under the hood of
-

the car, a reasonable jury could have inferred that he knew the items were there. While the items

were not in plain view and could not be easily reached from the driver's seat,they were in'a car

owned and driven by Driscoll over a period of time, and the jury could have reasonably found

that he could have accessed them easily when the car was parked. See State v. Echeverria, 85

Wn. App. 777, 783, 934 P. d 1214 (1997)gun's location under driver's seat within plain sight
2 (

and within the defendant's reach raises inference that he knew it was there).In addition, the

evidence of Driscoll's thumb print on the scale demonstrates that Driscoll had, in the past, had

access to the property in the bag. Accordingly, we hold that there was sufficient evidence from

which a reasonable jury could have inferred that he constructively possessed the gun and the

methamphetamine.

9 In his SAG, Driscoll raises duplicative sufficiency of the evidence arguments, and we decline
to address them separately.
15
No. 42849 1 II
- -

III. PUBLIC TRIAL RIGHT

Driscoll next argues that the in-
chambers jury instruction discussion between counsel and

the trial court violated his right to an open and public trial under the state and federal

constitutions. We disagree.

During trial,the trial court requested an in-
chambers conference with counsel:

I would like to talk with counsel for a few minutes in chambers about the
jury instructions.... I'l talk with counsel ...
And l as we look at jury instructions.
No longer need an instruction about the defendant choosing not to testify so the
issue would be what we tell a jury about considering prior convictions. There
would be two purposes: One purpose would be for impeachment. That's the
standard jury instruction. The other purpose would be as a prerequisite element of
a charged offense, and that is the prior conviction for.delivery to a person under
the age of 18.

RP at 212 13. After a brief discussion about an unrelated matter, the trial court stated, We'll be
- "
in recess and I'l see counsel in chambers."RP at 215. The record does not indicate that
l

Driscoll was a part of the in-
chambers meeting.

Driscoll argues that this conference violated his constitutional right to a public trial

The Sixth Amendment to the federal constitution and article I,section 22 of the Washington

State Constitution guarantee a defendant the right to a public trial. State v. Brightman, 155

Wn. d 506, 514, 122 P. d 150 (2005).The issue of whether a defendant's right to a public trial
2 3

has been violated is a question of law that we review de novo. Brightman, 155 Wn. d at 514.
2

Before determining whether a public trial right violation occurred, we must first consider

whether the proceeding at issue implicates the public trial right, thereby constituting a closure at
,

all."
State v. Sublett, 176 Wn. d 58, 71, 292 P. d 715 (2012).In Sublett, our Supreme Court,
2 3

applying the " xperience and logic"test, held that an in-
e chambers conference to discuss a jury

question seeking clarification of a jury instruction did not implicate the right to a public trial.

16
No. 42849 1 II
- -

176 Wn. d at 75 77. The court reasoned, Because the jury asked a question concerning the
2 - "

instructions, we view this as similar in nature to proceedings regarding jury instructions in

general. Historically, such proceedings have not necessarily been conducted in an open

courtroom."Sublett, 176 Wn. d at 75.
2

Sublett resolves Driscoll's challenge to the in-
chambers conference to discuss the jury

instructions here because such conferences fail the experience prong of the Sublett test and do

not constitute a " losure"for the purposes of a public trial right analysis. 176 Wn. d at 77.
c 2

Accordingly, we hold that the trial court's in-
chambers conference to discuss jury instructions

did not violate Driscoll's or the public's right to a public trial.

IV. LEGAL FINANCIAL OBLIGATIONS

Driscoll next argues that substantial evidence does not support the trial court's finding

that he had the current or future ability to pay LFOs. Because a trial court is prohibited from

imposing LFOs only when the record shows that there is no likelihood that the defendant's

indigency will end and because there is no evidence in the record that Driscoll will be unable to

pay LFOs in the future, we hold that the trial court's finding was not clearly erroneous.

A trial court may not order a defendant to repay court costs unless the defendant " s or
i

will be able to pay them."
RCW 10. 1.160( ).
0 3 RCW 10. 1.
160(
3 further provides, In
0 ) "

determining the amount and method of payment of costs, the court shall take account of the

financial resources of the defendant and the nature of the burden that payment of costs will

impose."

Although neither RCW 10. 1. the constitution requires the trial court to enter
160(
3 nor
0 )

formal, specific findings about a defendant's ability to pay LFOs, if the trial court makes such an

unnecessary finding, we review it under the clearly erroneous standard. State v. Lundy,No.

17
No.42849 1 II
- -

42886 5,2013 WL 4104978, at *3 Wash. Ct. App.Aug. 13, 2013).A finding of fact is
- ( "`

clearly erroneous when, although there is some evidence to support it,review of all of the

evidence leads to a definite and firm conviction that a mistake has been committed."'
Lundy,

2013 WL 4104978, at * internal quotation marks omitted)quoting Schryvers v. Coulee Cmty.
3 ( (

Hosp.,138 Wn. App. 648, 654, 58 P. d 113 (2007)).
1 3

As a preliminary matter, we note that Driscoll does not distinguish between mandatory

LFOs, for which the trial court need not consider the defendant's ability to pay, and discretionary

LFOs, which are subject to the requirements of RCW 10. 1.See Lundy, 2013 WL
160(
3
0 ).

4104978, at * . A $ 00 victim assessment is required by RCW 7.8.irrespective of the
2 5 035,
6

defendant's ability to pay. State v. Curry, 62 Wn.App. 676, 681, 814 P. d 1252 (1991), d,.
2 aff'

118 Wn. d 911, 829 P. d 166 (1992).A $00 deoxyribonucleic acid collection fee is required
2 2 1

by RCW 43. 3.
7541,
4 also irrespective of the defendant's ability to pay. State v. Thompson, 153

Wn. App. 325, 336, 223 P. d 1165 (2009).A $ 00 criminal filing fee is required by RCW
3 2

h). 4104978, at * .And a $ 00 crime lab fee is required by
020(
36. 8.
2)(
1 Lundy, 2013 WL 2 1

RCW 43. 3.Because" legislature has mandated imposition of these legal financial
690(
1
4 ). the

obligations, the trial court's finding' of a defendant's current or likely future ability to pay them
`

is surplusage."Lundy, 2013 WL 4104978, at *2. Accordingly, the requirement that a trial court

consider the defendant's current or future ability to pay only applies to discretionary LFOs.

Lundy, 2013 WL 4104978, at *
3.

The only non-
mandatory fees at issue here were the $ 000 drug enforcement fund of
1,

Thurston County fee and the $
100 Thurston County drug court fee,which are LFOs that the trial

court may impose under RCW 9.
760.Therefore,we review the trial court's finding on
94A.

Driscoll's ability to pay only as it relates to these discretionary LFOs.

18
No. 42849 1 II
- -

Driscoll assigns error to the trial court's finding number 2. on his judgment and
5

sentence:

The court has considered the total amount owing, the defendant's past, present
and future ability to pay legal financial obligations, including the defendant's
financial resources and the likelihood that the defendant's status will change. The
court finds that the defendant has the ability or likely future ability to pay the
legal financial obligations imposed herein. RCW 9.
753.
94A.

CP at 42. He argues that substantial evidence does not support this finding because the trial

court failed to first consider Driscoll's financial resources, relying on our decision in State v.,

Bertrand, 165 Wn. App. 393, 404, 267 P. d 511 (2011),
3 review denied, 175 Wn. d 1014 (2012).
2

In Bertrand,we held that in order to uphold such a finding on appeal, the record must be

sufficient for us to review whether `the trial court judge took into account the financial

resources of the defendant and the nature of the burden' imposed by LFOs."165 Wn. App. at

404 (quoting State v. Baldwin, 63 Wn. App. 303, 312, 818 P. d 1116, 837 P. d 646 (1991))
2 2

But in Bertrand, the defendant had disabilities that may have reduced or possibly

eliminated her future ability to pay LFOs and the trial court ordered the defendant to pay the

LFOs within 60 days of the judgment and sentence while still incarcerated. 165 Wn. App. at 404

n.5. Here, the record does not show that there was an issue of Driscoll's ability to pay, that any
1

alleged inability to pay would continue indefinitely, or that the trial court ordered Driscoll to pay

the LFOs shortly after sentencing while still incarcerated. Accordingly, we hold that the trial

court's finding that Driscoll had the current or future ability to pay LFOs was not clearly

19
No. 42849 1 II
- -

10
erroneous. See Lundy,2013 WL 4104978 at * ( "
4 Although the trial court at sentencing did

not specifically address Lundy's future ability to pay [LFOs,]
there is nothing in the record

suggesting that Lundy's indigency (if present) would extend indefinitely. Because a showing of

indigence is Lundy's burden, the record suggests that Lundy will have the ability to pay these
fees in the future. ").

V. STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL GROUNDS FOR REVIEW

A. Motion for Continuance

Driscoll first argues that the trial court abused its discretion when it denied his motion for

a continuance. We disagree.

We review a trial court's ruling on a continuance motion for an abuse of discretion. State

v. Downing, 151 Wn. d 265, 272, 87 P. d 1169 (2004).A trial court abuses its discretion if its
2 3

decision is manifestly unreasonable, based on untenable grounds, or made for untenable reasons.

Downing, 151 Wn. d at 272. " n exercising discretion to grant or deny a continuance, trial
2 I

courts may consider many factors, including surprise, diligence, redundancy, due process,

materiality, and maintenance of orderly procedure."Downing, 151 Wn. d at 273.
2

to
Although Driscoll challenges the trial court's finding that he had the current or future ability to
pay LFOs, he does not challenge the trial court's decision to impose them. Generally,
challenges to orders establishing legal financial sentencing conditions that do not limit a
defendant's liberty are not ripe for review until the State attempts to curtail a defendant's liberty
by enforcing them." Lundy, 2013 WL 4104978, at *4 emphasis omitted).See also Bertrand,
(
165 Wn. App. at 405 ( "` [ he
T] meaningful time to examine the defendant's ability to pay is when
the government seeks to collect the obligation."' ( emphasis omitted) quoting Baldwin, 63 Wn.
(
App. at 310)). Because the State has not yet attempted to collect Driscoll's LFOs, any challenge
to the trial court's imposition of the LFOs at this time would not be ripe. Lundy, 2013 WL
4104978, at * .But because a party can challenge a finding of fact at any time, Driscoll's
4
challenge to the trial court's finding here is properly before us. Lundy,2013 WL 4104978, at * 3
n. .
6
20
No. 42849 1 II
- -

Driscoll moved for a continuance because Neill had provided contact information for two

additional witnesses, Ballard and Forsberg, only a week before trial and defense counsel had not

yet interviewed them. Defense counsel informed the trial court that the witnesses would testify

regarding the ownership of the gun. He also requested a continuance to obtain the Honda's
official title transfer documents. The trial court denied the motion.

Driscoll argues that he was prejudiced by defense counsel's inability to more thoroughly

interview the witnesses and that he was deprived of the opportunity to introduce exculpatory

evidence because the trial court prevented him from introducing certified copies of the title

transfer documents. But Driscoll fails to explain how he was prejudiced by any alleged inability

to prepare with respect to witnesses Ballard and Forsberg. Ballard testified at trial regarding the

gun, and Driscoll has failed to show how Forsberg's testimony would have been more than

duplicative of Ballard's or to otherwise allege what the content of her testimony would have

been. And Driscoll's contention that the certified copies of the title transfer documents were

exculpatory"is incorrect. Although Neill's ownership of the Honda at the time of Driscoll's

arrest would have been evidence favorable to Driscoll's case, Driscoll was nevertheless the

driver of the car on the date he was arrested, which could have led a reasonable jury to conclude

that the car was within his dominion and control at the time of arrest. We hold that the trial court

did not abuse its discretion when it denied Driscoll's motion for a continuance.

B. Prosecutorial Misconduct

Finally, Driscoll argues that the prosecuting attorney committed misconduct on cross-

examination of Neill when he suggested that she had a warrant for her arrest when no such

warrant existed. We disagree.

21
No. 42849 1 II
- -

A defendant claiming.prosecutorial misconduct must show both improper conduct and

resulting prejudice. State v. Fisher, 165 Wn. d 727, 747, 202 P. d 937 (2009).Prejudice exists
2 3
when there is a substantial likelihood that the misconduct affected the verdict. State v.

McKenzie, 157 Wn. d 44, 52, 134 P. d 221 (2006).Because Driscoll did not object to the
2 3

prosecutor's allegedly improper conduct at trial,we must ascertain whether the prosecutor's

misconduct was " o flagrant and ill-
s intentioned"that it caused an "enduring and resulting

prejudice"incurable by a jury instruction. State v. Stenson, 132 Wn. d 668, 719, 940 P. d 1239
2 2

1997).Under this heightened standard of review, Driscoll has the burden to show that "( no `
1)
curative instruction would have obviated any prejudicial effect on the jury' and (2)the

misconduct resulted in prejudice that ` ad a substantial likelihood of affecting the jury verdict. "'
h

State v. Emery, 174 Wn. d 741, 761, 278 P. d 653 (2012)quoting State v. Thorgerson, 172
2 3 (

Wn. d 438,455, 258 P. d 43 (2011)).
2 3

During the State's cross -examination of Neill,the following exchange took place:

STATE:]. Isn't it true that you have a warrant out for your arrest right now?
NEILL:] No, it' not.
s
STATE:] It' not?
s
NEILL:] No.

STATE:] Okay.

RP at 153. Driscoll argues that the prosecutor's question regarding the warrant amounted to

reversible error because Neill denied the existence of the warrant. But Driscoll has failed to

show that the prosecutor was incorrect in his assertion that there was a warrant for Neill's arrest

at that time and,thus,he has failed to show that a curative instruction would even have been

appropriate. Moreover,the suggestion that there was a warrant for Neill's arrest, even if

inaccurate, was not so prejudicial that a curative instruction would not have obviated the

22
No.42849 1 II
- -

prejudicial effect on the jury. Accordingly, Driscoll's prosecutorial misconduct claim fails, and
we affirm Driscoll's convictions.

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

040,
2.6.it is so ordered.
0

T
Fo , T.
J. .
P
IIJ, t
I concur:

1
quiNN-
BRINTNALL, J.

23
No. 42849 1 II
- -

JOHANSON, A. .concurring) —I
J.
C ( concur with the majority opinion but write separately

regarding Driscoll's legal financial obligation (LFO) challenge because I would follow our

analysis in State v. Blazina, 174 Wn. App. 906, 301 P. d 492 (2013),
3 petition for review filed,
No. 89028 5 ( ash. July 8,2013).I would decline to reach the merits of the LFO issue because
- W

Driscoll did not object when the trial court found that he had a present or future ability to pay the

LFOs. Accordingly, I would hold that Driscoll did not properly preserve the issue for appellate

review. RAP 2. (
a).
5

IM