tV 1t APPEALS
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JAS,! 14 i
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BY
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IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON
DIVISION II
STATE OF WASHINGTON,
Respondent. No. 43658 -2 -II
Consolidated with
No. 43748 -1 - II
V.
UNPUBLISHED OPINION
JOEL ERNEST LEWIS and RICHARD
MICKELSON,
Appellants.
MAXA, J. — Joel E. Lewis and Richard Mickelson each appeal their convictions for
second degree assault while armed with a deadly weapon, arguing that the prosecutor made
improper arguments during closing argument, counsel was ineffective for failing to object to the
prosecutor' s arguments, and the cumulative effect of the claimed errors denied them a fair trial.
In his statement of additional grounds for review ( SAG), Mickelson also argues that his counsel
was ineffective for failing to offer x - ays of Mickelson' s ribs as evidence of self defense and that
r -
the bailiff violated Mickelson' s due process rights by allegedly checking the crime scene and
communicating her findings to the jury. We hold that ( 1) although the prosecutor' s arguments
were improper in three instances, the defendants waived any errors because they could have been
cured with an appropriate instruction; ( 2) counsel was not ineffective because not objecting to
the prosecutor' s arguments may have been a legitimate trial strategy; ( 3) the cumulative effect of
No. 43658 -2 -II, consolidated with No. 43748 -1 - II
the claimed errors did not warrant reversal; and ( 4) there is no evidence in the record that allows
review of the errors claimed in Mickelson' s SAG. Accordingly, we affirm.
FACTS
Nathaniel Abbett, Misty Rasmussen, Jaime Hadley, Lewis and Mickelson were friends
who had known each other from the time they were in school together. Abbett and Rasmussen
had two children together as the result of a seven -year romantic relationship. They eventually
separated and Rasmussen and the children moved in with Hadley, Rasmussen' s stepsister. Lewis .
and Mickelson also lived in Hadley' s home.
On the evening of December 22, 2011, Abbett argued over the telephone with
Rasmussen. Around midnight, Hadley drove Lewis and Mickelson to Abbett' s house. Abbett
was outside and recognized Hadley' s car as it passed by his house. He decided to follow it in his
own vehicle. Eventually the vehicles stopped, and Lewis and Mickelson jumped out of Hadley' s
car and assaulted Abbett. Mickelson swung a baseball bat through Abbett' s partially rolled
down driver -
side window and then crawled through the window and hit Abbett with his fists.
Lewis broke the passenger -side window and struck Abbett with a baseball bat. Eventually,
Lewis told Mickelson to stop and warned that the police were coming. Lewis and Mickelson
returned to Hadley' s car and left. As a result of the incident, Abbett suffered numerous
lacerations to his face and there were significant amounts of glass in his left ear.
The State charged Lewis and Mickelson with second degree assault with a deadly
weapon. In a joint trial Lewis and Mickelson both presented a self -
defense theory, arguing that
Abbett had attempted to hit Mickelson with his car after Lewis and Mickelson approached him.
Mickelson testified that his attack on Abbett was an attempt to stop Abbett' s car to ensure he was
not hit again. Lewis testified that he broke the passenger window with his elbow in an attempt to
No. 43658 -2 -II, consolidated with No. 43748 -1 - II
pull Abbett away from Mickelson and get Mickelson out of Abbett' s car. Lewis and Mickelson
both denied using a baseball bat to assault Abbett.
Trial testimony showed that Lewis and Mickelson had been drinking the day of the
assault, neither had a steady job, and neither Mickelson nor Hadley initially told police the
version of events that they presented at trial. In rebuttal argument, the prosecutor referred to
Lewis and Mickelson and their witnesses as the " underbelly of society," and stated that they
were the " type of people" who don' t have jobs, drink all day, and don' t like " cops." Report of
Proceedings ( RP) at 1477 -78. The prosecutor also attempted to undermine defendants' self -
defense theory by stating that the defendants' trial testimony was the " first time anyone heard
this story," " they' ve never said it before," and " they never gave statements." RP at 1483 -84.
Finally, the prosecutor argued that the incident represented a second degree assault or self-
defense, and implied that the jury either had to render a verdict based on whether it believed
Abbett or it believed Lewis and Mickelson. Defense counsel for Lewis and Mickelson did not
object to any of these statements.
The jury found Lewis and Mickelson guilty ascharged.- Lewis and Mickelson
unsuccessfully moved. for a new trial. Lewis and Mickelson appeal.
ANALYSIS
A. PROSECUTORIAL MISCONDUCT
To prevail on a claim of prosecutorial misconduct, a defendant must show that " in the
context of the record and all the circumstances of the trial, the prosecutor' s conduct was both
improper and prejudicial." In re Pers. Restraint of Glasmann, 175 Wn.2d 696, 704, 286 P. 3d
673 ( 2012). In assessing whether a prosecutor' s closing argument was improper, we recognize
that the prosecutor has " wide latitude to argue reasonable inferences from the evidence,
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No. 43658 -2 -II, consolidated with No. 43748 -1 - II
including evidence respecting the credibility of witnesses." State v. Thorgerson, 172 Wn.2d 438,
448, 258 P. 3d 43 ( 2011). The prosecutor is permitted to comment on the veracity of a witness as
long as he or she does not express a personal opinion or argue facts not in the record. State v.
Smith, 104 Wn.2d 497, 510 -11, 707 P. 2d 1306 ( 1985).
To establish prejudice, the defendant must show a substantial likelihood that the
misconduct affected the.jury verdict. Thorgerson, 172 Wn.2d at 442 -43. Prejudice is not
determined in isolation but " in the context of the total argument, the issues in the case, the
evidence, and the instructions given to the jury." State v. Warren, 165 Wn.2d 17, 28, 195 P. 3d
940 ( 2008). When the defendant failed to object at trial, the defendant is deemed to have waived
any error unless the prosecutor' s misconduct was " so flagrant and ill intentioned that an
instruction could not have cured the resulting prejudice." State v. Emery, 174 Wn.2d 741, 760-
61, 278 P. 3d 653 ( 2012). If an appropriate jury instruction could have cured the potential
prejudice but the defendant did not request one, the defendant' s prosecutorial misconduct claim
fails. Emery, 174 Wn.2d at 761, 764.
1: Unfavorable Characterization of Defendants -
Lewis and Mickelson argue that the prosecutor' s characterization of defendants and
defense witnesses as part of the " underbelly of society" and the type of people who don' t have
jobs, drink all day, and don' t like cops was ( 1) based on facts not in the record and ( 2)
constituted a personal opinion. We hold that the prosecutor' s comments represented
impermissible personal opinions, but that Lewis and Mickelson' s failure to object waived their
claims because the misconduct was not so flagrant that it could not have been cured by an
instruction.
4
No. 43658 -2 -II, consolidated with No. 43748 -1 - II
a. Improper Arguments
In closing argument, the prosecutor stated:
T] hese people don' t live under the same rules of society, the same way that
most of us This is kind of the underbelly of society. I don' t mean that in
live....
a It' s just a side of society that I' d suspect that most of you don' t see
bad way.
very often. We see it all the time, but you don' t....
These are people that don' t have jobs. They work under the table. They live
hand to mouth. They are engaged in drinking all day. They get upset with one
another. They fight. That is -he type of people that we' re talking about.
t
The other part of that could be ...
is that that part of society doesn' t like cops
I don' t like the cops no matter what. And that' s this part of society.
RP at 1477 -78.
Contrary to Lewis and Mickelson' s argument, most of the prosecutor' s challenged
comments were based on facts in the record. The defendants' drinking habits in general and on
the night of the assault are included in the record. Neither defendant was employed at the time
of the assault in December of 20 1. 1. Testimony at trial indicated that the assault in question
ended only when Lewis warned that the police were coming, which might support the reference
to defendants' distrust of police. The references to the defendants' and witnesses' drinking
habits, employment status, and attitudes toward police were reasonable inferences from these
facts.
However, the prosecutor' s characterization of defendants as belonging to the " underbelly
of society" and a " side of society" that courts and prosecutors " see it all the time" is improper.
RP at 1477 -78. The record does not reflect the existence of any " underbelly of society" nor
whether the prosecutor and court sees "[ this side of society] all the time." RP at 1478.
Therefore, the prosecutor' s statements risk calling the jury' s attention to matters it cannot
consider. See Warren, 165 Wn.2d at 44 ( holding that a prosecutor' s reference to facts not in the
record is improper because it allows the jury to speculate on facts not before it); Smith, 104
5
No. 43658 -2 -II, consolidated with No. 43748 -1 - II
Wn.2d at 510 -11 ( holding that a prosecutor can question the veracity of witnesses, but cannot
express a personal opinion to do so).
Further, it is misconduct for a prosecutor to state a personal belief as to the credibility of
witnesses. Warren, 165 Wn.2d at 30. Instead of being based on the evidence, the prosecutor' s
statements about Lewis, Mickelson and their witnesses represented the prosecutor' s personal
opinions. His characterization that they were part of the " underbelly of society" conveyed his
opinion that Lewis, Mickelson and their witnesses were not credible because of the " type of
people" they were. RP at 1477 -78.
Finally, describing defendants and witnesses as part of an " underbelly of society" also
appears to be the type of "epithetical reference" courts have held improper. In State v. Wilson,
the prosecutor referred to the defendant by a declaration, " ` to call [ defendant] a beast would
insult the entire animal kingdom.' " 16 Wn. App. 348, 357, 555 P. 2d 1375 ( 1976). The court
held that the remark was a derisively epithetical reference and expression of personal belief that
was improper. Wilson, 16 Wn. App. at 357.
Nevertheless, the State argues that the statements Were justified because they were in
direct response to Mickelson' s closing argument." Br. of Resp' t at 11. We disagree. Lewis' s
and Mickelson' s counsel referred to Abbett as a liar several times, which the State argues
prompted the prosecutor' s attack on defense credibility. Just before the allegedly improper
remarks were made by the prosecutor, Mickelson' s defense counsel asked, "[ W]hy does it matter
who has a regular job at Jaime Hadley' s house? Why does that matter ?" RP at 1459. This latter
statement may have permitted the prosecutor to argue inferences from the evidence regarding the
fact the defense witnesses did not have jobs. " Remarks of the prosecutor, even if they are
improper, are not grounds for reversal if they were invited or provoked by defense counsel and
6
No. 43658 -2 -I1, consolidated with No. 43748 -1 - II
are in reply to his or her acts and statements, unless the remarks are not a pertinent reply or are
so prejudicial that a curative instruction would be ineffective." State v. Russell; 125 Wn.2d 24,
86, 882 P. 2d 747 ( 1994). However, an attack on the credibility of the State' s key witness does
not permit the prosecutor to attack defense witnesses' credibility with personal characterizations
regarding the " type of people" they are. RP at 1478.
b. Waiver
Because Lewis and Mickelson did not object to the prosecutor' s statements at trial, they
must show that the misconduct was " so flagrant and ill intentioned" that no curative instruction
could have eliminated any resulting prejudice. Emery, 174 Wn.2d at 760 -761. We hold that the
prosecutor' s comments, although improper, did not rise to the level of reversible misconduct.
Lewis and Mickelson could have proposed an instruction directing the jury to disregard
the prosecutor' s personal opinions. The trial court already had instructed the jury that the
lawyers' statements and arguments were not evidence and that the jury must render its verdict
based solely upon the evidence presented at trial. This instruction helped to minimize any
prejudice the unfounded inferences may have caused. Emery,174 Wn.2d at 764 & n. 14 ( courts
presume that juries follow the court' s instructions); State v. Anderson, 153 Wn. App. 417, 428,
220 P. 3d 1273 ( 2009). Mickelson argues that an instruction would not have cured the prejudice
because of the rampant nature of the misconduct. But the prosecutor' s comments were brief and
isolated, and Lewis and Mickelson do not explain why a curative instruction could not have
eliminated any prejudice resulting from them.
Because Lewis and Mickelson have not shown that the prosecutor' s improper remarks
created prejudice that an appropriate instruction could not have cured, we hold that they waived
7
No. 43658 -2 -II, consolidated with No. 43748 -1 - II
their prosecutorial misconduct claims based on the " underbelly of society" and related
comments.
2. Reference to Absence of Statements
Lewis and Mickelson argue that the prosecutor violated their right to remain silent by
commenting on their failure to give statements. We hold that the prosecutor' s comments
represented an impermissible reference to silence, but also hold that Lewis and Mickelson were
required to show prejudice because the prosecutor did not suggest that silence should be used as
substantive evidence of guilt. We further hold that Lewis and Mickelson' s failure to object
waived their claims because the misconduct was not so flagrant that it could not have been cured
by an instruction.
a. ' Improper Arguments
The Fifth Amendment to the United States Constitution states that "[ n] o person ... shall
be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself." Article I, section 9 of the
Washington State Constitution states that "[ n] o person shall be compelled in any criminal case to
give evidence against himself." Both provisions guarantee a defendantthe right to be free from
self incrimination, including the right to silence. State v. Knapp, 148 Wn. App. 414, 420, 199
-
P. 3d 505 ( 2009). The State violates this right when it uses the defendant' s constitutionally
permitted silence as substantive evidence of guilt. State v. Burke, 163 Wn.2d 204, 217, 181 P. 3d
1 ( 2008). More specifically, the State cannot elicit comments from witnesses or make closing
arguments that infer guilt from the defendant' s silence. State v. Easter, 130 Wn.2d 228, 236, 922
P. 2d 1285 ( 1996).
Nevertheless, under certain circumstances a defendant' s silence can be used for
impeachment purposes. Easter, 130 Wn.2d at 237. When the defendant testifies at trial he or
8
No. 43658 -2 -II, consolidated with No. 43748 -1 - II
she can be impeached based on silence under certain circumstances. Burke, 163 Wn.2d at 217.
Common law traditionally has allowed witnesses to be impeached by their previous failure to
state a fact in circumstances in which that fact naturally would have been asserted. "' Jenkins v.
Anderson, 447 U. S. 231, 239, 100 S. Ct. 2124, 65 L. Ed. 2d 86 ( 1980). However, in Burke, our
Supreme Court held that only the defendant' s silence before arrest and before issuance of
Miranda' warnings can be used for impeachment. Burke, 163 Wn.2d at 217. Further, our
Supreme Court has cautioned that a defendant' s testimony at trial does not automatically mean
that commentary on his or her pre -arrest silence constitutes impeachment. Burke, 163 Wn.2d at
215 -16.
If the State improperly refers to a defendant' s silence, the type of reference determines
the standard of review. Burke, 163 Wn.2d at 216. Our Supreme Court has distinguished
between a " comment[ ]" on the constitutional right to remain silent and a " mere reference[ ]" to
silence. Burke, 163 Wn.2d at 216. A comment involves use of silence either as substantive
evidence of guilt or to suggest that the defendant' s silence was an admission of guilt. State v.
Letivis, 130 Wn.2d 700, 707, 927 P. 2d 235- (1996). Such a comment violates the -
United States
and Washington constitutions, Conversely, a prosecutor' s statement will not be considered a
comment on the right to remain silent if " standing
` alone, [ it] was so subtle and so brief that [ it]
did not naturally and necessarily emphasize defendant' s testimonial silence.' " Burke, 163
Wn.2d at 216 ( alterations in original) ( internal quotation marks omitted) ( quoting State v. Crane,
16 Wn.2d 315, 331, 804 P. 2d 10 ( 1991)). A mere reference to silence is not reversible error
absent a showing of prejudice. Burke, 163 Wn.2d at 216.
Miranda v. Arizona, 384 U. S. 436, 444, 86 S. Ct. 1602, 16L. Ed. 2d694 ( 1966).
9
No. 43658 -2 -II, consolidated with No. 43748 -1 - II
Lewis and Mickelson both testified at length at trial in support of their self -
defense
theory. During rebuttal, the prosecutor pointed out that Lewis and Mickelson (and Hadley) had
never given statements to the police:
Think about the violence of the scene. Think about the mindset of Mr.
Abbett in that situation. He says he didn' t hit anyone really. These guys don' t
have any injuries. Now, he gave two statements to the police and did a defense
interview. So [ Mickelson' s defense counsel] wants to criticize, why did I spend
so much time with these defendants dissecting what they said. Because they' ve
never said it before. I don' t have something to pin them down on, do I? I don' t
have a transcript to go, didn' t you say at page 3, line 12, six months ago that this
happened? Did I have that ability? I didn' t. Why didn' t I? Because they never
gave statements.
Hadley never gave a statement. Mickelson never gave a statement. These
witnesses never gave a statement to the police, either. So he wants to criticize
that. But it is my job to pin down their And I have to do that in my
statements.
job, because they never spoke about these events. Because this was the first time,
wasn' t it? The first time anyone heard this story.
RP at 1483 -84 ( emphasis added).
These arguments did touch on Lewis' s and Mickelson' s right to remain silent.' But the
prosecutor was not arguing that the absence of statements should be used as substantive evidence
of guilt or that guilt could be inferred from the silence. Instead, he was suggesting that Lewis' s
and Mickelson' s testimony was not credible because it was invented for trial. The prosecutor
compared the credibility of the victim, who told a consistent version of facts to the police and to
defense counsel, with the credibility of Lewis and Mickelson, who presented their self defense
-
story for the first time on the stand. As a result, this argument was akin to using silence for
impeachment purposes.
However, Burke indicates that even impeachment is improper for silence occurring after
Miranda warnings are given, even if the defendant testifies at trial. 163 Wn.2d at 217. Here, the
The prosecutor did not explicitly mention Lewis. But the prosecutor used the pronoun " they"
referring to the defendants and stated that " they never gave statements." RP at 1483 -84.
10
No. 43658 -2 -II, consolidated with No. 43748 -1 - II
reference to the failure to give statements was not limited to the pre -arrest period. Accordingly,
we hold that the prosecutor' s argument was improper. On the other hand, because the prosecutor
did not invite the jury to use the absence. of statements as substantive evidence of guilt and
because the argument was subtle and brief, we hold that the prosecutor' s argument was a " mere
reference" to silence rather than a comment.
b. Waiver
Because the prosecutor constrained his argument to impeachment purposes and did not
invite the jury to conclude.that Lewis and Mickelson were guilty because they invoked their right
to silence, his misconduct is not reversible error absent a showing of prejudice. Bunke, 163
Wn.2d at 216. As discussed above, in the context of prosecutorial misconduct not objected to at
trial, a defendant waives any argument unless the misconduct was so flagrant or ill intentioned
that no curative instruction could have eliminated the prejudice. Emery, 174 Wn.2d at 760 -761.
We hold that the prosecutor' s comments, although improper, did not rise to the level of
reversible misconduct.
Tirst, the prosecutor' s remarks about the failure to give statements were not particularly
flagrant. The prosecutor did not emphasize Lewis' s and Mickelson' s silence, and his reference
to silence was indirect, subtle, and brief. Placed in the context of the entire argument, the
statements were very close to being innocuous.
Second, Mickelson argues that a curative instruction would not have cured any prejudice
because the misconduct was rampant, but as discussed above we do not find this misconduct to
be flagrant. Other than this argument, Lewis and Mickelson have not attempted to explain why
an appropriate instruction could not have cured any potential prejudice. A curative instruction
would be particularly effective in this context, where "[ m] ost jurors know that an accused has a
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No. 43658 -2 -II, consolidated with No. 43748 -1 - II
right to remain silent and, absent any statement to the contrary by the prosecutor, would probably
derive no implication of guilt from a defendant' s silence." Lewis, 130 Wn.2d at 706.
Because Lewis and Mickelson have not shown that the prosecutor' s improper remarks
created prejudice that an appropriate instruction could not have cured, we hold that they waived
their prosecutorial misconduct claims based on the reference to their silence.
3. Alleged " False Choice" Statement
Lewis3
argues that the prosecutor improperly created a "[ f]alse [ c] hoice" by implying that
the jury had to choose between believing Abbett or believing Lewis and Mickelson, and that the
jury could find Lewis not guilty only if it did not believe Abbett. Br. of Appellant (Lewis) at 11-
13. He also argues that the prosecutor misstated the jury' s role and minimized the State' s burden
of proof by implying that the jury' s role was to determine which witnesses were telling the
truth" and decide which version of the events is more likely true. Br. of Appellant (Lewis) at
13. We hold that the prosecutor' s comments were improper, but that Lewis' s failure to object
waived his claim because the misconduct was not so flagrant that it could not have been cured by
an instruction.
a. Improper Arguments
It is improper for a prosecutor to argue that in order to acquit a defendant, the jury must
find that the State' s witnesses are either lying or mistaken. State v. Fleming, 83 Wn. App. 209,
213, 921 P. 3d 1076 ( 1996). A "false choice" argument misrepresents the role of the jury and the
burden of proof by telling jurors they must decide who is telling the truth and who is lying in
order to render a verdict. State v. Wright, 76 Wn. App. 811, 825 -26, 888 P.2d 1214 ( 1995). 4 The
3 Mickelson did not make this argument in his brief.
4
Wright was superseded by statute on grounds not relevant to this case.
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No. 43658 -2 -II, consolidated with No. 43748 -1 - II
choice is false because the jury' s task is not to choose between competing stories, but to
determine whether the State met its burden of proof. The jury may find that the State has not met
its burden of proof regardless of whether the jury believes the State' s witnesses or disbelieves the
defense witnesses, but the State' s " false choice" improperly suggests otherwise.
Lewis relies on State v. Miles, 139 Wn. App. 879, 162 P. 3d 1169 ( 2007) to support his
argument that the prosecutor' s argument was improper. In Miles, the prosecutor argued that the
State and the defense had presented mutually exclusive versions of events and that, essentially,
the jury would have to decide which version of events was more credible. 139 Wn. App. at 889-
90. This court held that " to the extent the prosecutor' s argument presented the jurors with a false
choice, that they could find Miles not guilty only if they believed his evidence, it was
misconduct." Miles, 139 Wn. App. at 890.
Here, the prosecutor presented a false choice argument similar to that in Miles. The
prosecutor argued:
Either you folks believe that this was an Assault in the Second Degree or it was
defense.
self - And you shouldn' t consider any other charge. Because either it
happened the way that they said it happened, or it happened the way that Nate
Abbett told you. There' s no in between.
RP at 1392. Later, the prosecutor argued, " If you do not believe Mr. Abbett and you believe Mr.
Mickelson and Mr. Lewis, that they were acting in self -
defense, then you are equally obligated to
find them not guilty of anything. That' s this case." RP at 1485 -86.
We hold that the prosecutor' s statements were improper. First, the prosecutor told the
jury that they must choose between second degree assault and self -
defense ( which would be a
not verdict). But the prosecutor ignored the third choice —that Lewis and Mickelson did
guilty
not act in self -
defense but the State did not prove all of the elements of second degree assault.
This type of argument is improper because it minimizes the State' s burden of proof.
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No. 43658 -2 -II, consolidated withNo. 43748 -1 - II
Second, the prosecutor improperly argued that the jury' s only choice was to believe
Abbett' s testimony or to believe Lewis and Mickelson' s testimony that they were acting in self-
defense. The prosecutor essentially told the jury that its role was to determine who was telling
the " truth" and base its verdict on that choice. However, the jury' s role is to determine whether
the State has met its burden of proof. Wright, 76 Wn. App. at 826. It is misleading and unfair to
make it appear that an acquittal requires the jury to conclude that the State' s witnesses are lying.
Wright, 76 Wn. App. at 824 -26. The jury is entitled to conclude that it did not necessarily
believe Lewis and Mickelson but that the State did not prove its case beyond a reasonable doubt.
See Miles, 139 Wn. App. at 890. And likewise, the jury is entitled to believe the State' s
witnesses but conclude that the State did not prove its case beyond a reasonable doubt. Wright,
76 Wn. App. at 824 -25.
b. Waiver
Because Lewis did not object to the prosecutor' s statements at trial, he must show that the
misconduct was so flagrant and ill intentioned that no curative instruction could have eliminated
the prejudice. Emery, 174 Wn.2d at 760 -761. We hold that the prosecutor' s comments, although
improper, did not rise to the level of reversible misconduct.
First, the prosecutor' s arguments were not particularly flagrant. The prosecutor did not
expressly misstate the State' s burden of proof and confirmed that the State had to meet its burden
of proof for the jury to find Lewis and Mickelson guilty. The reference to the jury having to
choose between believing Abbett and believing Lewis and Mickelson was brief and subtle and
was not the focus of the prosecutor' s argument.
Second, Lewis does not show why an instruction would not have cured any prejudice
resulting from the prosecutor' s arguments. Here, a curative instruction could have clarified the
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No. 43658 -2 -II, consolidated with No. 43748 -1 - II
burden of proof and the jury' s role. See Emery, 174 Wn.2d at 763 -64; Anderson, 153 Wn. App
at 432. Accordingly, we hold that Lewis waived his prosecutorial misconduct claim based on the
false choice arguments.
B. INEFFECTIVE ASSISTANCE OF COUNSEL
Lewis and Mickelson argue that their counsel was ineffective for failing to object to the
prosecutor' s improper reference to their testimonial silences We disagree.
We review claims of ineffective assistance of counsel de novo. State v. Sutherby, 165
Wn.2d 870, 883, 204 P. 3d 916 ( 2009). To prevail on an ineffective assistance of counsel claim,
the defendant must show both ( 1) that defense counsel' s representation was " deficient" and ( 2)
that the deficient representation prejudiced the defendant. Strickland v. Washington, 466 U. S.
668, 687, 104 S. Ct. 2052, 80 L. Ed. 2d 674 ( 1984); State v. Grier, 171 Wn.2d 17, 32 -33, 246
P. 3d 1260 ( 2011). The failure to show either element ends our inquiry. Grier, 171 Wn.2d at 33.
Representation is deficient if, after considering all the circumstances, it falls below an objective
standard of reasonableness. Grier, 171 Wn.2d at 33. Prejudice exists if there is a reasonable
probability that except for counsel' s errors, the result of the proceeding wou ave been
different. Grier, 171 Wn.2d at 34.
We give great deference to trial counsel' s performance and begin our analysis with a
strong presumption that counsel' s performance was reasonable. Grier, 171 Wn.2d at 33. A
5 In the heading of his brief's section on ineffective assistance of counsel, Mickelson (and Lewis
adopting by reference the arguments of Mickelson) also allege that counsel' s failure to object to
the prosecutor' s closing remarks appealing to " bias" constituted ineffective assistance of counsel.
However, we do not address the allegation because they did not assign error to it, did not develop
the argument, and did not cite to the record or authority for support. See RAP 10. 3( a)( 6). Such
passing treatment of an issue without reasoned argument does not merit judicial consideration.
Joy v. Dep' t of Labor & Indus., 170 Wn. App. 614, 629, 285 P. 3d 187 ( 2012), review denied,
176 Wn.2d 1021 ( 2013). Neither Lewis nor Mickelson argued that the failure to object to the
false choice" argument constituted ineffective assistance.
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No. 43658 -2 -II, consolidated with No. 43748 -1 - II
claim that trial counsel provided ineffective assistance does not survive if trial counsel' s conduct
can be characterized as legitimate trial strategy or tactic. Grier, 171 Wn.2d at 33. 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.' " Grier, 171 Wn.2d at 42 ( emphasis in original) ( quoting State v. Reichenbach,
153 Wn.2d 126, 130, 101 P. 3d 80 ( 2004)).
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. 2d 662 ( 1989). For example, counsel may decide not to
object to avoid the risk of emphasizing damaging evidence. In re Pers. Restraint ofDavis, 152
Wn.2d 647, 714, 101 P. 3d 1 ( 2004). Therefore, we presume that " the failure to 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). In order to show
that defense counsel was ineffective for failing to make a particular objection, the defendant
must show that not objecting " fell below prevailing professional norms." Davis, 152 Wn.2d at
Lewis and Mickelson argue that their counsel was ineffective for failing to object to the
prosecutor' s improper closing argument that referenced their testimonial silence. We have held
that the prosecutor' s reference to the absence of statements from Lewis and Mickelson
arguments was improper. However, we hold that counsel' s failure to object to the absence of
statements was not deficient because it may have involved legitimate trial strategy.
Counsel may not have wanted to object to the prosecutor' s reference to the absence of
statements in order to avoid emphasizing the fact that Lewis and Mickelson did not tell the police
that they acted in self -
defense. An objection may have called the jury' s attention to their silence
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No. 43658 -2 -II, consolidated with No. 43748 -1 - II
and triggered the type of negative inference of guilt that the prosecutor did not argue. Because
the prosecutor' s reference to silence was subtle and so brief, counsel may have hoped that Lewis
and Mickelson' s testimonial silence would escape the jury' s attention. We hold that counsel
performance was not deficient in failing to object. Accordingly, Lewis' s and Mickelson' s
ineffective assistance of counsel claims fail.
C. CUMULATIVE ERROR
Lewis and Mickelson next argue that they are entitled to relief under the cumulative error
doctrine. They argue that even if each of the alleged are does not support reversal, the
accumulation of the errors denied their right to a fair trial. We disagree.
The cumulative error doctrine applies where " there have been several trial errors that
standing alone may not be sufficient to justify reversal but when combined may deny a defendant
a fair trial." State v. Greiff, 141 Wn.2d 910, 929, 10 P. 3d 390 ( 2000). " The defendant bears the
burden of proving an accumulation of error of sufficient magnitude that retrial is necessary."
State v. Yarbrough, 151 Wn. App. 66, 98, 210 P. 3d 1029 ( 2009). " Where no prejudicial error is
shown to have occurred, cumulative error cannot be said to have deprived the- defendant of a fair
trial." State v. Price, 126 Wn. App. 617, 655, 109 P. 3d 27 ( 2005).
Here, we have found that the prosecutor' s arguments were improper in three instances,
but that Lewis and Mickelson waived their prosecutorial misconduct claims. Moreover, they
have not shown that the improper arguments prejudiced them. And even taken together, the
improper arguments are not of sufficient magnitude to deny Lewis and Mickelson a fair trial.
Therefore, we hold that Lewis and Mickelson failed to show cumulative error warranting
reversal of their convictions.
17
No. 43658 -2 -II, consolidated with No. 43748 -1 - II
D. MICKELSON' S SAG
In his SAG, Mickelson alleges that there were x -rays of his ribs taken at the Thurston
County jail, " key evidence" in his opinion, which should have been produced at trial but was not.
He appears to suggest that his counsel' s failure to offer these x -
rays as evidence in support his
self -
defense theory constitutes ineffective assistance of counsel. We reject this argument.
As noted above, to prevail on an ineffective assistance of counsel claim, the defendant
must show that defense counsel' s performance was objectively deficient and that the
performance prejudiced him. Grier, 171 Wn.2d at 32 -33. Mickelson asserts that the x -
rays were
taken for an injury that occurred when Abbett hit him with his car, but there is no evidence in the
record that the x -
rays exist, show any such injury, or would have favored Mickelson' s self-
defense theory. Because there is no evidence in the record upon which to base review of
Mickelson' s allegation, we cannot consider it on direct appeal. State v. We, 138 Wn. App. 716,
729, 158 P. 3d 1238 ( 2007) ( claims based on evidence outside the record must be pursued
through a personal restraint petition); see also State v. McFarland, 127 Wn.2d 322, 335, 899
P. 2d -
1251 ( 1995). - -
Mickelson also alleges that the trial court' s bailiff violated due process by checking the
crime scene for glass at the request of the jury during their deliberations. We cannot consider
matters outside the record on direct appeal. McFarland, 127 Wn.2d at 335; We, 138 Wn. App. at
729. The record does not reflect any indication that the bailiff checked on the crime scene and
then communicated her findings to the jury. Mickelson' s allegation in this part of the SAG
appears to have no basis in the record, so we cannot review it.
18
No. 43658 -2 -II, consolidated with No. 43748 -1 - 11
We affirm.
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 pursuant to RCW 2. 06. 040, it is
so ordered.
MAxA, J.
it
We concur:
OHANSON, A.U. J.
19