IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON
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NAAMAN JAMAL WASHINGTON, UNPUBLISHED
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Appellant. FILED: August 11, 2014
Cox, J. - Naaman Jamal Washington appeals his conviction of first degree
unlawful possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver (marijuana),
unlawful possession of a controlled substance (hydrocodone), and first degree
unlawful possession of a firearm. He fails in his burden to show that his trial
counsel was ineffective. The evidence was sufficient to prove unlawful
possession of a firearm. And the evidence was also sufficient to show his ability
to pay nonmandatory legal financial obligations at the time of sentencing. His
claims asserted in his statement of additional grounds do not warrant relief. We
affirm.
On May 22, 2011, Washington was a passenger in the front seat of a car
that was driven by California Smith-Usher on Interstate 5. Washington State
Patrol Trooper, James Meldrum, conducted a random license plate check on the
car and saw that its owner's license was suspended.
The description of the car's owner matched that of Smith-Usher, the
driver. Accordingly, the trooper pulled the car over in a no-park, tow-away zone
on the busy interstate. When he approached the vehicle, the trooper told Smith-
No. 71966-1-1/2
Usher and Washington that the stop was being audio and video recorded by
equipment in the trooper's car. The video recording of the events that followed
was admitted into evidence at the suppression hearing in this case.
When Trooper Meldrum first spoke to the driver, he smelled the odor of
marijuana and saw a bag filled with "pre-packaged baggies of marijuana" sitting
at Washington's feet. Washington acknowledged that the bag contained
marijuana. He claimed that his possession of the drugs was legally authorized
because he was a designated provider for a medical marijuana patient. He gave
the trooper two documents to support his claim. They, too, were admitted into
evidence at the trial that followed.
Trooper Meldrum stated that he believed the documents did not prove that
Washington's possession of the marijuana was authorized. He arrested
Washington for possession of marijuana. During a search incident to arrest,
Trooper Meldrum found a bottle with no label containing hydrocodone pills in
Washington's pocket.
Other troopers arrived at the scene. Trooper Meldrum retrieved
Washington's wallet, cell phone, and the bag of marijuana from the front
passenger's side of the car. Trooper Collin Overend-Pearson assisted Trooper
Meldrum in preparing the car for impound.
Jerry Clark, a private tow truck operator, impounded the car. Clark
conducted an impound inventory of the car and found two handguns. One gun
was inside the locked glove box, and the other gun was in the pocket of a jacket
No. 71966-1-1/3
on the rear seat. When Clark reported this to the authorities, Trooper Meldrum
came to where Clark was and seized the guns pursuant to a warrant.
By amended information, the State charged Washington with unlawful
possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver (marijuana), unlawful
possession of a controlled substance (hydrocodone), and two counts of first
degree unlawful possession of a firearm, one for the gun in the glove
compartment and the other for the gun in the jacket.
Washington's counsel moved to suppress the marijuana arguing that it
was the fruit of an unlawful search. The trial court denied this motion. It
concluded that the "troopers validly impounded defendants' [sic] car and they
lawfully conducted a pre-impound inventory search of the car."
At trial, Washington's counsel moved to dismiss all of the charges after the
State rested. The trial court dismissed the unlawful possession of a firearm
charge for the gun in the glove compartment but submitted the other charges to
the jury.
After the close of the evidence and before the jury began its deliberations,
the trial court read a stipulation to the jury. The stipulation was that Washington
"had previously been convicted of a felony, which is a serious offense." Among
the court's instructions to the jury was one on Washington's affirmative defense
regarding designated providers for medical marijuana patients.
The jury convicted on all remaining charges. The trial court sentenced
Washington to confinement and imposed mandatory and nonmandatory legal
financial obligations.
No. 71966-1-1/4
Washington appeals.
INEFFECTIVE ASSISTANCE OF COUNSEL
Washington argues that his trial counsel was ineffective. Because he fails
in his burden to show that counsel's performance fell below an objective standard
of reasonableness, we disagree.
A criminal defendant has the right to effective assistance of trial counsel
under the Sixth Amendment to the United States Constitution and article I,
section 22 of the Washington State Constitution.1 To prevail on a claim of
ineffective assistance of counsel, a defendant must show that his counsel's
performance fell below an objective standard of reasonableness and that this
deficient performance prejudiced his trial.2
There is a strong presumption of effective representation of counsel, and
the defendant must show that there was no legitimate strategic or tactical reason
for the challenged conduct.3 To show prejudice, the defendant must show that
but for the deficient performance, there is a reasonable probability that the
outcome would have been different.4 If we conclude that either prong has not
been met, we need not address the other prong.5
1 State v. Hendrickson, 129 Wn.2d 61, 77, 917 P.2d 563 (1996).
2 Strickland v. Washington. 466 U.S. 668, 687, 104 S. Ct. 2052, 80 L. Ed.
2d 674 (1984); State v. McFarland, 127 Wn.2d 322, 334-35, 899 P.2d 1251
(1995).
3 McFarland, 127 Wn.2d at 335-36.
4 In re Pers. Restraint of Pirtle, 136 Wn.2d 467, 487, 965 P.2d 593 (1998).
5 Strickland, 466 U.S. at 700.
No. 71966-1-1/5
Failure to Present Evidence
Washington first argues that his counsel was ineffective because he failed
to present evidence during the suppression hearing that would have established
the "illegality of the marijuana seizure." He contends that this evidence, which
includes portions of a video recording showing the search, supported the
argument that Trooper Meldrum's marijuana seizure was not part of an inventory
search. We disagree.
"Under the Fourth Amendment to the United States Constitution and
article I, section 7 of the Washington State Constitution, warrantless searches
and seizures are per se unreasonable, with few exceptions."6 One of the
exceptions is a "noninvestigatory inventory search" accompanying a lawful
vehicle impound.7 This search must be conducted in good faith.8 It cannot be a
pretext for an investigatory search.9
"The principal purposes of an inventory search are to (1) protect the
vehicle owner's property; (2) protect the police against false claims of theft by the
owner; and (3) protect the police from potential danger."10
Here, the trial court concluded that Trooper Meldrum and Trooper Pearson
"validly impounded defendants' car [sic] and they lawfully conducted a pre-
6 State v. Green, 177 Wn. App. 332, 340, 312 P.3d 669 (2013).
7 State v. Tyler, 177 Wn.2d 690, 701, 302 P.3d 165(2013).
8 JdL
9id,
10 Green, 177 Wn. App. at 340.
No. 71966-1-1/6
impound inventory search of the car." To support this conclusion of law, it
entered the following finding of fact:
Trooper Pearson arrived to assist. The troopers prepared the car
for impound because Smith-Usher's car was in a no-park, tow-away
zone. Trooper Meldrum retrieved defendant's wallet, cell phone,
and the bag from the front passenger's side of the car. The
marijuana was in a Taco Bell bag which held several separate pre
packaged baggies of marijuana.111]
This unchallenged finding is a verity on appeal. Washington correctly argues that
he need not challenge this finding to argue that his trial counsel was ineffective.
Specifically, Washington asserts that his trial counsel was deficient
because he did not point to particular portions of the video recording that would
support the argument that Trooper Meldrum was not conducting a good faith
inventory search when he retrieved the bag of marijuana. He asserts that
Trooper Meldrum was actually conducting an investigatory search when he
seized the bag.
Given the strong presumption of effective representation, Washington fails
to show that his counsel was deficient for failing to point to certain portions of the
video recording. Our review of the record shows that portions of the recording
include the troopers' discussion about whether a warrant was needed; Trooper
Meldrum retrieving a wallet, cell phone, and the bag of marijuana from the car;
and Trooper Pearson separately walking around the car with a clipboard
inventorying the contents of the car.
11
Clerk's Papers at 189.
6
No. 71966-1-1/7
But these portions of the video recording do not support the argument that
Trooper Meldrum was conducting an investigatory search. Rather, the recording
shows that Trooper Meldrum and Trooper Pearson were jointly conducting in
good faith an inventory search prior to the vehicle being impounded. Based on
this record, an argument by counsel to the contrary would not have been
successful. Thus, Washington fails to show that his trial counsel's performance
was deficient for failing to point to certain portions of the recording. Because he
fails to show the first prong of the controlling test, we need not reach the second
prong, prejudice.
Failure to Propose a Jury Instruction
Washington next argues that his counsel was ineffective for failing to
propose a jury instruction that would have supported his sole defense. We again
disagree.
To establish ineffective assistance based on counsel's failure to request a
jury instruction, the defendant must show that he was entitled to the instruction,
counsel was deficient in failing to request it, and failure to request the instruction
caused prejudice.12
Washington argues that his counsel was deficient because he failed to
propose a jury instruction that would have supported his designated provider
defense under the medical marijuana act. He asserts that his counsel "never
proposed an instruction that would have allowed the jury to acquit based on this
12 Strickland, 466 U.S. at 687; State v. Johnston, 143 Wn. App. 1, 21, 177
P.3d 1127(2007).
No. 71966-1-1/8
defense." But Washington's counsel proposed an instruction stating an
affirmative defense to the only marijuana charge. Instruction 11 states:
It is a defense to a charge of delivery of marijuana that:
(1) the defendant is eighteen years of age or older; and
(2) the defendant was designated as a designated provider to a
qualifying patient prior to assisting the patient with the medical use
of marijuana; and
(3) the defendant possessed no more marijuana than necessary for
the qualifying patient's personal, medical use for a sixty-day period;
and
(4) the defendant presented a copy of the qualifying patient's valid
documentation to any law enforcement official who requested such
information; and
(5) the defendant did not consume any of the marijuana obtained
for the personal, medical use of the qualifying patient for whom the
defendant is acting as designated provider; and
(6) the defendant was the designated provider to only one
qualifying patient at any one time.
The defendant has the burden proving this defense by a
preponderance of the evidence. Preponderance of the evidence
means that you must be persuaded, considering all the evidence in
the case, that it is more probably true than not true. If you find that
the defendant has established this defense, it will be your duty to
return a verdict of not guilty as to this charge.1131
While the charge in this jury instruction, "delivery of marijuana," is not the charge
in this case, "possession of marijuana with intent to deliver," the trial court, the
prosecutor, and defense counsel treated this jury instruction as providing
Washington with an affirmative defense to his only marijuana charge.
13 Clerk's Papers at 117 (emphasis added).
8
No. 71966-1-1/9
The trial court stated that the medical marijuana defense instruction
should be given based on the evidence presented at trial. It further explained
that whether Washington "met the required elements on his burden of proof" was
an issue for the jury. During closing argument, both the prosecutor and defense
counsel argued whether Washington met these required elements. Thus,
Washington has failed to show that his trial counsel's performance was deficient
for failing to propose an instruction supporting his affirmative defense.
Washington acknowledges that Instruction 11 is "similarly worded" to the
affirmative defense for possession of marijuana with intent to deliver. But
Washington fails to persuasively explain how a differently worded instruction
would have resulted in a different outcome at trial.
In his opening brief, Washington cites State v. Brown for the elements of
the affirmative defense for possession of marijuana.14 But that case does not
provide all of the elements for the defense. Rather, it merely states the statutory
definition for "designated provider."15
According to the Washington Pattern Jury Instructions: Criminal 52.11, the
medical marijuana defense instruction for "possession," "delivery," and
"manufacture" of marijuana is the same.16 Thus, Washington's counsel proposed
a jury instruction that would have allowed the jury to acquit Washington.
14 Appellant's Opening Brief at 22-23 (citing State v. Brown, 166 Wn. App.
99, 102-03, 269 P.3d 359 (2012)).
15 Brown, 166 Wn. App. at 102-03 (citing RCW 69.51A.010(1)).
1611 Washington Practice: Washington Pattern Jury Instructions:
Criminal 52.11 (3d ed. 2008) (citing RCW69.51A.040(3); RCW69.51A.010(1)).
No. 71966-1-1/10
Moreover, given the way the parties treated Instruction 11, there is no reason to
believe that the jury did not consider whether Washington met the elements for
the affirmative defense to the marijuana charge.
The State contends that Washington failed to put forth sufficient evidence
to show that he was entitled to the affirmative defense instruction. Because of
our resolution of the ineffective assistance of counsel issue, we need not address
this argument.
SUFFICIENCY OF EVIDENCE
Washington argues that there was insufficient evidence to support his first
degree unlawful possession of a firearm conviction. Specifically, he contends
that a limiting instruction prevented the jury from considering a stipulation to
prove that Washington had been previously convicted of a serious offense. He is
mistaken.
"Jury instructions, when not objected to, become the law of the case."17 "A
defendant may assign error to elements added under the law of the case
doctrine, and that assignment 'may include a challenge to the sufficiency of
evidence of the added element.'"18
17 State v. Ortega, 134 Wn. App. 617, 622, 142 P.3d 175 (2006), review
denied, 160 Wn.2d 1016 (2007).
18 jdL (quoting State v. Hickman, 135 Wn.2d 97, 102, 954 P.2d 900
(1998)).
10
No. 71966-1-1/11
In State v. Ortega, this court considered whether a limiting instruction
prevented the jury from considering a stipulation regarding prior convictions.19
There, the parties agreed that "prior convictions were elements that had to be
proved to the jury."20 Consequently, the State "introduced proof in the form of a
stipulation informing the jury that [Reynaldo] Ortega had been convicted in 1997
on two counts of protection order violations."21
During the trial, the court gave a limiting instruction because it admitted
evidence of a 2004 conviction.22 The limiting instruction stated, "Evidence that
the defendant has previously been convicted of a crime is not evidence of the
defendant's guilt. Such evidence may be considered by you in deciding what
weight or credibility should be given to the testimony of the defendant and for no
other purpose."23
This court concluded that "[e]ven if the limiting instruction became the law
of this case as to the 1997 convictions, it did not deprive the jury of sufficient
evidence upon which to find that Ortega had been twice convicted in the past."24
The court explained:
19134 Wn. App. 617, 621-22, 142 P.3d 175 (2006), review denied, 160
Wn.2d 1016 (2007).
20 id, at 621.
21JU
22 JU
23 jd,
24 Id. at 622.
11
No. 71966-1-1/12
The limiting instruction required the jury to consider "evidence of a
prior conviction" for no purpose other than evaluating the weight
and credibility of Ortega's testimony. To use the prior convictions
for the purpose of evaluating Ortega's testimony, the jury would first
have to find that those prior convictions existed. The jury could
properly consider the stipulation as evidence of the existence of the
two prior convictions. This is the finding they made when they filled
out the special verdict form. Having found that the 1997
convictions did exist, the jury would then follow the limiting
instructions and not consider the 1997 convictions as evidence of
Ortega's guilt on the three charges for which he was on trial.[25]
Here, a similar conclusion is appropriate. The parties entered into a
written stipulation that Washington "had previously been convicted of a felony,
which is a serious offense." The trial court read this stipulation to the jury before
it read the jury instructions. The jury instructions included a limiting instruction
that stated, "You 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, and for no other purpose." To use the prior conviction for the purpose
of evaluating Washington's testimony, the jury would first have to find that the
prior conviction existed. The jury could properly consider the stipulation as
evidence that Washington had been previously convicted of a serious offense to
prove that element of unlawful possession of a firearm. Then, the jury would
follow the limiting instruction and not consider the prior conviction for any other
purpose.
Washington argues that Ortega should not control this case because it is
factually distinguishable and logically infirm. We disagree and conclude that
Ortega controls.
25
Id.
12
No. 71966-1-1/13
While Ortega involved multiple prior convictions and this case involved
only one prior conviction, this factual distinction does not change the result.
Washington asserts that "evidence was introduced here as to only one
conviction, and the limiting instruction therefore cannot be interpreted to apply to
anything but the evidence of that one conviction." But, as just discussed, the
limiting instruction can apply after the jury considers the stipulation as evidence
that Washington had been previously convicted of a serious offense.
Washington fails to cite any authority that casts doubt on Ortega's analysis.
Thus, Ortega controls this case, and we reject Washington's challenge to the
sufficiency of the evidence.
The State argues that Washington is "precluded from bringing a claim that
there was not sufficient evidence of that element" because he stipulated that he
had been previously convicted of a serious offense. Thus, the State contends
that Washington waived his right to hold the State to its burden of proof as to that
element. But given the previous discussion, we need not address this argument.
LEGAL FINANCIAL OBLIGATIONS
Washington challenges the trial court's imposition of $250 in
nonmandatory legal financial obligations. In the judgment and sentence, the trial
court made a finding that Washington "has the ability or likely future ability to pay
the legal financial obligations imposed herein." Washington argues that this
finding is not supported by sufficient evidence in the record. We disagree.
"Under RCW 10.01.160(3), '[t]he court shall not order a defendant to pay
costs unless the defendant is or will be able to pay them. In determining the
13
No. 71966-1-1/14
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.'"26
Here, the trial court made the following finding:
ABILITY TO PAY LEGAL FINANCIAL OBLIGATIONS. The court
has considered the total amount owing, the defendant's past,
present and future ability 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 9.94A.753.[27]
First, we question whether Washington can raise this issue for the first
time on appeal under RAP 2.5(a).28 But even if he can raise this issue, sufficient
evidence supports the trial court's finding.
In State v. Calvin, this court explained that "[w]e review the trial court's
decision to impose discretionary financial obligations under the clearly erroneous
standard."29 "'A finding of fact is clearly erroneous when, although there is some
26 State v. Calvin, Wn. App. , 316 P.3d 496, 507 (2013) (alteration
in original) (quoting RCW 10.01.160(3)), petition for review filed, No. 89518-0
(Wash. Nov. 12,2013).
27 Clerk's Papers at 170.
28 See Calvin, 316 P.3d at 507 ("[T]he sentencing court's consideration of
the defendant's ability to pay is not constitutionally required. Accordingly, the
issue raised by Calvin is not one of constitutional magnitude that can be raised
for the first time on appeal under RAP 2.5(a).") (citations omitted); State v.
Blazina, 174 Wn. App. 906, 911, 301 P.3d 492 ("While we addressed the finding
of current or future ability to pay in Bertrand for the first time on appeal under
RAP 2.5(a), that rule does not compel us to do so in every case."), review
granted, 178 Wn.2d 1010 (2013).
29 Wn. App. , 316 P.3d 496, 508 n.1 (2013).
14
No. 71966-1-1/15
evidence to support it, review of all the evidence leads to a 'definite and firm
conviction that a mistake has been committed.'"30
Here, Washington testified at trial that he was a mechanic and owned his
own mechanic business. He presented no evidence of any disability that would
limit his ability to work in the future. Additionally, at the sentencing hearing, the
trial court determined that Washington had retained, not appointed, counsel at
trial. These facts are sufficient to support the challenged finding under the clearly
erroneous standard.31
We also note that the trial court must again consider Washington's ability
to pay when the State seeks to enforce the payment of the legal financial
obligations.32 Thus, Washington will have the ability to raise the issue again, if
appropriate.
Washington relies on an earlier version of State v. Calvin to request that
we strike the finding that Washington had the ability to pay the nonmandatory
obligation.33 But that version was amended on reconsideration.34 Accordingly,
we reject this argument.
30 Id (quoting Schrvvers v. Coulee Cmtv. Hosp., 138 Wn. App. 648, 654,
158P.3d 113(2007)).
31 See Calvin, 316 P.3d at 507.
32 State v. Blank, 131 Wn.2d 230, 242, 930 P.2d 1213 (1997); State v.
Baldwin, 63 Wn. App. 303, 310-11, 818 P.2d 1116 (1991).
33 Appellant's Opening Brief at 34 (citing State v. Calvin, 176 Wn. App. 1,
302 P.3d 509, amended on recons., Wn. App. , 316 P.3d 496 (2013)).
34 See Calvin, 316 P.3d at 507-08.
15
No. 71966-1-1/16
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL GROUNDS
Washington raises several issues in his statement of additional grounds.
None have merit.
First, Washington argues that his counsel was ineffective because he
failed to call witnesses and present evidence to support Washington's affirmative
defense for the unlawful possession of marijuana charge. But Washington's
counsel submitted into evidence the documentation that Washington had to
support the defense, and the trial court admitted this evidence. Moreover,
Washington testified about the validity of these documents. Washington fails to
specify what other witnesses should have been called and how they would have
further supported his defense. "'Generally the decision whether to call a
particular witness is a matter for differences of opinion and therefore presumed to
be a matter of legitimate trial tactics.'"35 Such tactics do not amount to deficient
performance.
Additionally, Washington asserts that his counsel failed to move to dismiss
Washington's marijuana charge. But defense counsel moved to dismiss the
marijuana charge, and the trial court denied this motion for this charge.
Given this record, Washington fails to show that his counsel's
performance fell below an objective standard of reasonableness and that this
prejudiced his trial. Thus, these claims fail.
35 In re Pers. Restraint of Morris, 176Wn.2d 157, 171.288P.3d 1140
(2012) (quoting In re Pers. Restraint of Davis, 152 Wn.2d 647, 742, 101 P.3d 1
(2004)).
16
No. 71966-1-1/17
Second, Washington contends that his two 2009 convictions for
conspiracy to commit a violation and violation of the Uniform Controlled
Substance Act encompassed the same criminal conduct and should have
counted as one conviction in his offender score. Although a criminal defendant
may challenge an offender score for the first time on appeal, a defendant waives
that right when the alleged error is based on a factual dispute or trial court
discretion.36 Where a defendant is convicted of more than one crime, the trial
court must make both factual and discretionary decisions in determining whether
those crimes arose from the same criminal conduct.37 Thus, by failing to raise
the issue of same criminal conduct at sentencing, a defendant waives the right to
argue that issue on appeal.38 Because Washington did not argue at sentencing
that his offenses constituted the same criminal conduct, he cannot raise this
issue for the first time on appeal.
Third, Washington asserts that there was insufficient evidence to support
his first degree unlawful possession of a firearm conviction. Specifically, he
contends, without citation to authority, that there was no evidence proving that he
had prior notice that he was prohibited from possessing a firearm. The failure to
cite authority in support of this argument would generally warrant no further
consideration of it. Nevertheless, in State v. Breitung, the supreme court
36 State v. Graciano, 176 Wn.2d 531, 538-39, 295 P.3d 219 (2013); Inre
Pers. Restraint of Goodwin, 146 Wn.2d 861, 874, 50 P.3d 618 (2002).
37 State v. Nitsch, 100 Wn. App. 512, 523, 997 P.2d 1000 (2000).
38 State v. Jackson, 150 Wn. App. 877, 892, 209 P.3d 553 (2009); Inre
Pers. Restraint of Shale, 160 Wn.2d 489, 496, 158 P.3d 588 (2007).
17
No. 71966-1-1/18
explained that RCW 9.41.047(1) "requires a convicting court to give notice of the
prohibition of the right to possess firearms."39 But it also stated that "[l]ack of
notice under RCW 9.41.047(1) is an affirmative defense, which [a defendant]
must establish by a preponderance of the evidence."40 Here, Washington did not
assert this affirmative defense at trial. Thus, we will not consider this claim any
further.
We affirm the judgment and sentence.
fexx.
WE CONCUR:
\f\ cXqn( ^ T
39 173 Wn.2d 393, 401, 267 P.3d 1012 (2011).
40 Id, at 403.
18