FILED
February 2, 2016
In the Office of the Clerk of Court
W A State Court of Appeals, Division III
IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON
DIVISION THREE
STATE OF WASHINGTON, ) No. 32967-4-III
)
Respondent, )
)
v. ) UNPUBLISHED OPINION
)
ZACHERY JOHN SCHERBERT, )
)
Appellant. )
LA WRENCE-BERREY, 1. - Zachery Scherbert appeals his two convictions for
unlawful possession of a firearm in the first degree. He argues that he received
ineffective assistance of counsel, and that various scrivener's errors in the judgment and
sentence should be corrected. We disagree that Mr. Scherbert received ineffective
assistance of counsel, but agree that multiple scrivener's errors in the judgment and
sentence should be corrected. We therefore affirm his two convictions, but remand for
the trial court to strike various preprinted "X's" in the judgment and sentence.
FACTS
On October 3,2014, Zachary Scherbert was pulled over in Franklin County for
improper lane travel and suspected driving under the influence. During the traffic stop,
No. 32967-4-II1
State v. Scher bert
Mr. Scherbert told the state trooper that he had previously been convicted of second
degree murder in Nevada. Mr. Scherbert had a loaded .44 caliber black powder pistol in
the cab of his pickup truck and an unloaded .50 caliber black powder rifle in the canopy.
Based on his prior conviction of "Murder in the Second Degree, NV, Cause
#C139746X," the State charged Mr. Scherbert with two counts of unlawful possession of
a firearm in the first degree. Clerk's Papers (CP) at 91-92.
The case proceeded to a jury trial. Prior to the start of the trial (and outside of the
presence of the jury), Mr. Scherbert's defense counsel told the court the parties stipulated
that Mr. Scherbert's prior Nevada conviction for second degree murder was a "serious
offense" for the two unlawful possession of a firearm charges. Defense counsel
explained that Mr. Scherbert's prior conviction resulted from a guilty plea "with a finding
of some mental illness," and he "was remanded and treated." Report of Proceedings (RP)
(Dec. 15,2014) at 5. Pursuant to Mr. Scherbert's wishes, defense counsel told the court
that the trial strategy was to avoid "any defenses of diminished capacity or that he's not
competent." RP (Dec. 15,2014) at 5-6. Further, defense counsel noted on the record that
he had discussed with Mr. Scherbert the elements the State needs to prove for its case and
the ramifications of stipulating to the predicate "serious offense" element, and that Mr.
Scherbert "appeared to understand." RP (Dec. 15,2014) at 6.
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No. 32967-4-II1
State v. Scherbert
During the trial, the court instructed the jury that in order to find Mr. Scherbert
guilty, the State must prove the following elements beyond a reasonable doubt:
(1) That on or about October 3, 2014, the defendant knowingly
owned a firearm or knowingly had a firearm in his possession or control,
(2) That the defendant had previously been convicted of a serious
offense, and
(3) That the ownership or possession or control of the firearm
occurred in the State of Washington.
RP (Dec. 15,2014) at 62-63. Pursuant to the stipulation, the trial court instructed the jury
that it "shall consider it to be proved beyond a reasonable doubt that prior to the date of
October 3,2014, defendant previously had been convicted ofa serious felony offense."
RP (Dec. 15,2014) at 40.
The defense's brief closing statement appeared to focus on the theory that Mr.
Scherbert did not knowingly possess a "firearm" under Washington law because he did
not believe it was illegal for him to have the black powder weapons. The jury found Mr.
Scherbert gUilty.
The trial court sentenced Mr. Scherbert to 26 months' confinement. The trial court
determined that Mr. Scherbert had an offender score of two based on his prior conviction
of second degree murder in Nevada. The State did not attempt to carry its burden of
proving the prior conviction or that it was comparable to a Washington crime. Defense
counsel did not object to Mr. Scherbert's offender score.
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No. 32967-4-III
State v. Scher bert
The trial court did not impose either community custody or legal financial
obligations (LFOs) on Mr. Scherbert. During the sentencing hearing, Mr. Scherbert
stated that he had been unable to work, and the trial judge responded, "I find that you are
indigent, unable to pay the court costs." RP (Dec. 16,2014) at 7. However, the judgment
and sentence erroneously contains an "X" next to the following provisions: (1) a finding
that the defendant has the ability or likely future ability to pay the LFOs, (2) an order that
the defendant pay costs for collecting unpaid LFOs, (3) a condition of community custody
that the defendant consents to Department of Correction (DOC) home visits to monitor
compliance with community custody, and (4) and another condition of community
custody that the defendant agrees to comply with any and all DOC conditions.
Mr. Scherbert appeals.
ANALYSIS
1. Whether Mr. Scherbert was denied his right to effective assistance ofcounsel
The Sixth Amendment to the United States Constitution guarantees a criminal
defendant the right to effective assistance of counsel. Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S.
668,684-85, 104 S. Ct. 2052,80 L. Ed. 2d 674 (1984). "A claim of ineffective assistance
of counsel is an issue of constitutional magnitude that may be considered for the first time
on appeal." State v. Kyllo, 166 Wn.2d 856,862,215 P.3d 177 (2009). This court reviews
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No. 32967~4~III
State v. Scherbert
ineffective assistance of counsel claims de novo. State v. Birch, 151 Wn. App. 504, 518,
213 P Jd 63 (2009).
A defendant carries the burden of demonstrating ineffective assistance of counsel,
and must show "(1) counsel's representation as deficient, that is, it fell below an objective
standard of reasonableness and (2) there was prejudice, measured as a reasonable
probability that the result of the proceeding would have been different." State v.
Humphries, 181 Wn.2d 708, 720, 336 P.3d 1121 (2014); accord State v. McFarland, 127
Wn.2d 322, 334~35, 899 P.2d 1251 (1995). "If either part ofthe test is not satisfied, the
inquiry need go no further." State v. Hendrickson, 129 Wn.2d 61, 78, 917 P.2d 563
(1996).
"There is a strong presumption that trial counsel's performance was adequate, and
exceptional deference must be given when evaluating counsel's strategic decisions."
State v. McNeal, 145 Wn.2d 352,362,37 PJd 280 (2002). "When counsel's conduct can
be characterized as legitimate trial strategy or tactics, performance is not deficient."
Kyllo, 166 Wn.2d at 863. "A fair assessment of attorney performance requires that every
effort be made to eliminate the distorting effects of hindsight, to reconstruct the
circumstances of counsel's challenged conduct, and to evaluate the conduct from
counsel's perspective at the time." Strickland, 466 U.S. at 689. Further, the defendant is
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No. 32967-4-II1
State v. Scherbert
prejudiced only if"'the result of the proceeding would have been different but for
counsel's deficient representation.'" Birch, 151 Wn. App. at 518 (quoting McFarland,
127 Wn.2d at 337).
A. Stipulation ofpredicate "serious offense" element
The first issue is whether Mr. Scherbert's right to effective assistance of counsel
was violated based on the stipulation that Mr. Scherbert had previously been convicted of
a "serious offense." Under RCW 9.41. 040( 1)( a), a person commits unlawful possession
of a firearm in the first degree "if the person owns, has in his or her possession, or has in
his or her control any firearm after having previously been convicted ... in this state or
elsewhere of any serious offense as defined in this chapter." '" The existence of a
constitutionally valid prior conviction is an essential element of the offense, one the State
must prove beyond a reasonable doubt. '" State v. Lopez, 107 Wn. App. 270, 276, 27 P.3d
237 (2001) (quoting State v. Reed, 84 Wn. App. 379, 384, 928 P.2d 469 (1997».
Typically, the trial court conducts a comparability analysis where "[0Jut-of-state
convictions are classified according to the comparable offense definitions and sentences
provided in Washington law." State v. Stevens, 137 Wn. App. 460, 465, 153 P.3d 903
(2007) (citing RCW 9.94A.525(3». The comparability analysis for the predicate "serious
offense" element for unlawful possession of a firearm is the same comparability analysis
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No. 32967-4-III
State v. Scherbert
used for classifying prior out-of-state convictions in determining a defendant's offender
score. RCW 9.94A.525(3); see Stevens, l37 Wn. App. at 465 (unlawful possession of a
firearm); see also State v. Arndt, 179 Wn. App. 373, 378-79, 320 P.3d 104 (2014)
(offender score).
The key inquiry for determining comparability of an out-of-state conviction is
whether the defendant could have been convicted under a Washington statute for the
same conduct. State v. Thiefault, 160 Wn.2d 409,414-15, 158 P.3d 580 (2007)
(classifying out.of-state convictions for purposes of persistent offender sentencing). A
comparability analysis covers (1) "legal comparability," and (2) "factual comparability."
Arndt, 179 Wn. App. at 378-79. For "legal comparability," the court will compare the
elements of the out-of-state crime to the relevant Washington crime to determine if they
are "substantially similar." Thiefault, 160 Wn.2d at 415. "If the elements of the foreign
offense are broader than the Washington counterpart, the sentencing court must then
determine whether the offense is factually comparable-that is, whether the conduct
underlying the foreign offense would have violated the comparable Washington statute."
Id.
Stipulation to the predicate "serious offense" element for unlawful possession of a
firearm in the first degree "may not be made over the defendant's known and express
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No. 32967-4-III
State v. Scher bert
objection." Humphries, 181 ~n.2d at 714. "When the parties stipulate to the facts that
establish an element of the charged crime, the jury need not find the existence of that
element, and the stipulation therefore constitutes a waiver of the 'right to a jury trial on
that element,' ... as well as the right to require the State prove that element beyond a
reasonable doubt." Id. at 714-15 (quoting United States v. Mason, 85 F.3d 471, 472 (lOth
Cir. 1996)). Therefore, when the defendant expressly objects, "[t]he decision to stipulate
to an element implicates more than merely trial tactics." Id. at 714.
However, in the event the defendant does not expressly object to the stipulation of
the predicate "serious offense" element, the decision to stipulate to certain facts is an
example of a tactical decision to prevent the jury from learning the nature of the
defendant's prior conviction. See State v. Mierz, 127 Wn.2d 460,476,901 P.2d 286
(1995) ("A stipulation as to facts may represent a tactical decision which mayor may not
bear fruit. "); see also Humphries, 181 Wn.2d at 720 ("Where an attorney does not request
a limiting instruction regarding a prior conviction, courts have applied a presumption that
the omission was a tactical decision to avoid reemphasizing prejudicial information."). If
defense counsel failed to stipulate to the predicate "serious offense" element and the State
attempted to prove the element, there would be a "significant risk that the jury would
declare gUilt ... based upon an emotional response to the [prior] conviction rather than
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No. 32967-4-III
State v. Scher bert
make a rational decision based upon the evidence." State v. Johnson, 90 Wn. App. 54,
63,950 P.2d 981 (1998) (the State must accept an "Old Chiefstipulation"); see Old Chief
v. United States, 519 U.S. 172, 185, 117 S. Ct. 644, 136 L. Ed. 2d 574 (1997) ("there can
be no question that evidence of the name or nature of the prior offense [necessary to
establish a prior qualifying conviction] generally carries a risk of unfair prejudice to the
defendant"); see also ER 403.
Here, defense counsel's use of the "Old Chief stipulation" was a legitimate trial
strategy. First, because Mr. Scherbert's prior Nevada conviction was for second degree
murder, it was reasonable to stipulate to the predicate "serious offense" element to avoid
the possibility of prejudicing Mr. Scherbert in the eyes of the jury. Defense counsel
indicated on the record that he told Mr. Scherbert the legal effects of the stipulation and
that Mr. Scherbert "appeared to understand." RP (Dec. 15,2014) at 6. Second, Mr.
Scherbert bears the burden of proving ineffective assistance of counsel, and nothing in the
record indicates that the State would have been unable to establish comparability.!
! A "serious offense" includes any "crime of violence." Former RCW
9.41.010(18)(a) (2013). Second degree murder in Nevada in 1986 included murder
committed with "implied malice," which'" signifies general malignant recklessness of
others' lives and safety or disregard of social duty.'" McCurdy v. State, 107 Nev. 275,
278,809 P.2d 1265 (1991) (quoting Thedford v. Sheriff, Clark County, 86 Nev. 741, 744,
476 P.2d 25 (1970)). This offense is comparable to first degree manslaughter in
Washington, which includes (as it did in 1986) recklessly causing the death of another
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No. 32967-4-III
State v. Scher bert
Finally, "any defenses of diminished capacity or that [Mr. Scherbert is] not competent"
were not presented at trial based on Mr. Scherbert's wishes. RP (Dec. 15,2014) at 5-6.
The jury's knowledge of Mr. Scherbert's prior conviction involving some findings of
mental illness would have undermined this defense.
Mr. Scherbert has not overcome the strong presumption that defense counsel's
stipulation to the predicate "serious offense" element, with his consent, was a legitimate
trial tactic. Accordingly, since defense counsel did not perform deficiently, we do not
address whether Mr. Scherbert was prejudiced.
B. Inclusion ofprior out-of-state conviction in offender score without
comparability analysis
Under the Sentencing Reform Act of 1981 (SRA), chapter 9.94A RCW, the
standard range sentence is established by the current offense seriousness score and the
defendant's offender score. RCW 9.94A.530(1); State v. Ford, 137 Wn.2d 472,479,973
P.2d 452 (1999). The defendant's offender score is based on the defendant's criminal
history, including prior convictions. RCW 9.94A.525; State v. Ross, 152 Wn.2d 220,
229,95 P.3d 1225 (2004). In determining criminal history based on out-of-state
convictions, the sentencing court must determine that the out-of-state crime is comparable
person. First degree manslaughter in Washington is a crime of violence and, thus, a
serious offense. RCW 9.41.010(3)(a).
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No. 32967-4-III
State v. Scherbert
to a Washington crime. RCW 9.94A.525(3). "Only if the convictions are comparable can
the out-of-state conviction be included in the offender score." Arndt, 179 Wn. App. at
378. As mentioned above, the offender score comparability analysis for prior out-of-state
convictions is the same as the comparability analysis for the predicate "serious offense"
element for unlawful possession of a firearm. Stevens, l37 Wn. App. at 465 (unlawful
possession of a firearm); Arndt, 179 Wn. App. at 378-79 (offender score).
In the typical situation, '" the State bears the burden to prove by a preponderance
of the evidence the existence and comparability of a defendant's prior out-of-state
conviction.'" Birch, 151 Wn. App. at 516 (quoting Ross, 152 Wn.2d at 230). During the
sentencing hearing, "the trial court may rely on no more information than is admitted by
the plea agreement, or admitted, acknowledged, or proved in a trial or at the time of
sentencing." RCW 9.94A.530(2) (emphasis added). Therefore, when the defendant
stipulates to the comparability of a prior out-of-state conviction as an element of a crime,
the trial court can rely on that stipulation for sentencing purposes.
Mr. Scherbert relies on Thiefault for the argument that he received ineffective
assistance of counsel based on his attorney not objecting to the inclusion of his prior out
of-state conviction in his offender score without a comparability analysis. However,
Thiefault held that the defendant received ineffective assistance of counsel when the
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No. 32967-4-111
.State v. Scherbert
defense attorney failed to object to a deficient comparability analysis conducted by the
trial court during the sentencing hearing. See Thiefault, 160 Wn.2d at 416-17. Mr.
Scherbert's situation is more analogous to Birch, where the defendant did not receive
ineffective assistance of counsel because "unlike Thiefault, the trial court did not
undertake a comparability analysis because [the defendant] affirmatively acknowledged
the California robbery conviction was properly included in his offender score." Birch,
151 Wn. App. at 519-20 (the defendant "fail[ed] to overcome the strong presumption that
defense counsel's representation was effective").
Here, the defense stipulated that Mr. Scherbert "had been convicted in this State or
elsewhere of a serious felony offense" for purposes of the predicate "serious offense"
element for unlawful possession of a firearm. CP at 80. By stipulating to the
comparability of Mr. Scherbert's prior Nevada second degree murder conviction for
purposes of the predicate "serious offense" element, Mr. Scherbert also stipulated to the
comparability of the prior conviction for sentencing purposes. See RCW 9.94A.530(2)
(trial court during sentencing may rely on facts "admitted, acknowledged, or proved in a
trial"). As discussed above, this was a completely reasonable trial strategy by the defense.
Mr. Scherbert does not argue, nor does the record indicate, that defense counsel failed to
explain that stipulating to the element at trial would result in the stipulation being used for
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No. 32967-4-111
State v. Scherbert
sentencing. Therefore, Mr. Scherbert has "fail [ed] to overcome the strong presumption
that defense counsel's representation was effective" during the sentencing hearing as
well. Birch, 151 Wn. App. at 520. We conclude that Mr. Scherbert did not receive
ineffective assistance of counsel.
2. Whether the judgment and sentence should be remanded so the trial court can
correct the scrivener's errors
Although the trial court orally found that Mr. Scherbert did not have the ability or
future ability to pay LFOs, it failed to strike through the preprinted "X" next to the
language that indicated otherwise, and the preprinted "X" requiring Mr. Scherbert to pay
collection costs for unpaid LFOs. Moreover, although the trial court correctly did not put
an "X" next to the community custody box-as the present convictions do not entail
imposition of community custody-a preprinted "X" appears on two community custody
provisions. The State concedes that the judgment and sentence should be amended to
correct the aforementioned LFO provisions, but argues that the conditions of community
custody are irrelevant and do not need to be corrected. Because remand is necessary to
strike the aforementioned LFO provisions, we deem it prudent for the trial court also to
strike the two aforementioned community custody provisions.
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No. 32967-4-II1
Staie v. Scherbert
Affirmed, but remanded for striking scrivener's errors in judgment and sentence.
A majority of the panel has determined this opinion will not be printed in the
Washington Appellate Reports, but it will be filed for public record pursuant to
RCW 2.06.040.
Lawrence-Berrey, J.
WE CONCUR:
~ :r
Feari~t
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