IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON
STATE OF WASHINGTON, ) No. 75717-2-1
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CLIFFORD WAYNE SNYDER, crs -p-orl
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Appellant. ) FILED: February 26, 2018 4? awl
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SPEARMAN, J. — Clifford Snyder appeals his jury conviction for attempted
second degree rape, contending that his attorney was ineffective for failing to
raise a voluntary intoxication defense. Snyder also asserts that he was deprived
of a fair trial due to the prosecutor's misconduct and challenges the trial court's
authority to impose several conditions of community custody. We accept the
State's concession that one of the conditions of community custody imposed by
the trial court is unconstitutionally vague, and we remand for the trial court to
strike or clarify the condition. In all other respects, we affirm.
FACTS
Clifford Snyder and C.H. were neighbors in Gold Bar for approximately ten
years. They would frequently visit with each other and drink alcohol and smoke
pot. According to C.H., Snyder on "several occasions" told her "that he really
liked me and would like to go out." Verbatim Report of Proceedings(VRP)
No. 75717-2-1/2
(7/19/16) at 97. C.H. would always tell Snyder no, because she had a boyfriend.
C.H. also told Snyder that she would not date him because he was younger than
she was. Snyder said "it didn't make any difference" and "[hie liked older
women." Id. at 98.
On June 20, 2015, Snyder invited C.H. to "[s]top by and have a drink and
relax." Id. at 100. At around 7:00 p.m., C.H. brought over the remainder of a
bottle of wine. Snyder had just finished drinking a beer. C.H. and Snyder finished
the wine. At around 9:00 p.m., they decided to go to a nearby store where C.H.
bought a larger bottle of wine and Snyder bought a case of beer.
Snyder suggested they visit mutual friends in nearby Index, approximately
10 miles away. Snyder drove the two in his pickup truck on Highway 2. While
there, C.H. stated that she had "a couple sips" of the wine and "had a little buzz
but I wasn't drunk." Id. at 104-05.
At around 10:00 p.m., C.H. told Snyder she was tired and wanted to go
home. C.H. testified that Snyder was too intoxicated to drive, but that she was
unable to drive Snyder's truck because it had a manual transmission. C.H. asked
Snyder to return to Gold Bar using Highway 2, but Snyder insisted on using
Reiter Road, a road that C.H. described as "dark" and "scary." Id. at 105. C.H.
stated that it was common practice in the area for people to use Reiter Road
instead of Highway 2 when they had been drinking and wanted to avoid
detection, because there were no lights or houses on the road.
C.H. and Snyder argued about Snyder's driving. Snyder suddenly
slammed on the brakes and told C.H. he needed to relieve himself. Snyder exited
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the truck for a few minutes and C.H. heard him brushing along the side of the
truck. Snyder then opened the driver's side door and told C.H. "I want to lick your
pussy whether you want it or not." Id. at 109. Snyder grabbed C.H.'s arm and
yanked her out of the truck with enough force that C.H. fell on the ground. C.H.
tried to get up but Snyder pinned both of her arms behind her with one hand.
Snyder pressed himself against C.H.'s back and began "fidgeting with his belt"
with the other. Id. at 111-12.
C.H. was able to escape Snyder's grip and ran to the truck. She grabbed
the wine bottle and broke it on the ground to use as a weapon. C.H. began
running down the street. Snyder hit C.H. with the bumper of the truck and she fell
forward. Snyder then backed up and hit C.H. again with the side mirror. Snyder
yelled "I'll take you home." Id. at 116. C.H. was afraid she would not be able to
find her way home and got in the truck, still holding the broken wine bottle.
Snyder drove towards Gold Bar but did not turn onto the road leading back
to C.H.'s house. Instead, Snyder turned into a deserted gravel pit. C.H. texted
her boyfriend "Help Reiter Pit Road." Id. at 132. Snyder took C.H.'s phone and
demanded to know who she was texting. C.H.jumped out of the truck and began
walking towards her house.
Washington State Patrol Trooper James Parzych encountered C.H.
walking along the road at approximately 11:40 p.m. C.H. appeared frightened
and upset and told Parzych that Snyder had attacked her. Trooper Parzych
testified that C.H. appeared intoxicated and was still holding the broken wine
bottle.
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The following day, June 21, 2015, Snyder came to C.H.'s house and
returned her phone. C.H. refused to speak to him. Snyder texted C.H., asking
"Can you tell me what happened? I'm so sorry." Id. at 127. C.H. told Snyder that
he had attempted to rape her and hit her with his truck. Snyder texted "Whoa.
Very sorry. VVTF. I'm very sorry to you. I don't know what to say. I was in and out.
It's hard to know. I hope you are O.K. I never meant anything to happen." Id. at
130.
On June 24, 2015, Deputy Jon Barnett of the Snohomish County Sheriff's
Office went to Snyder's house and took the following statement from Snyder:
I came home from work on Saturday and had a few beers with
friend up the street.[C.H.] came by and parked in my yard as she
did not want to see her boyfriend across the street. She wanted to
drink instead and brought a couple bottles of wine out. We drank
some wine, there was some pot. At some point we went to get
more wine and beer in my pickup. She wanted to go to Index to see
Louie and Brian so we went. My memory of getting there or how
long we stayed is very blurry. Everything seemed fine. We came
home on Reiter Road, I was having a very hard time driving so I
pulled over to sleep. I thought she was sleeping also. We had an
argument, but I cannot remember why. I think she was angry I was
not driving home. She started walking down the road into the dark
as I stopped to try to talk her back in the truck to drive home. She
got mad and said the mirror hit her. I remember the wine bottle she
was holding hitting the ground. I drove home and did not get in the
turn lane we were still arguing. I stopped to turn around and she got
out, she wanted to walk. 1 drove to my friend's house. Next morning
I was bleeding a little and had her phone. I took her phone to her
and she did not want to talk. Later I texted to ask her what
happened and she said I went crazy. I apologized and do not
remember the things she said I did. I never meant to argue or harm
her. We have been friends and neighbors for about 4 years. Her
boyfriend and I have been friends. I have stayed at her house
several times.
Exhibit (Ex.) 1. Snyder denied intentionally hitting C.H. with his truck, stating "I
stopped to pick her up and did not mean for the mirror to hit her." Ex. 1. When
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Deputy Barnett asked Snyder if he (1) told C.H. he wanted to lick her pussy,(2)
held C.H.'s arms behind her back,(3)took C.H.'s phone or (4) pulled C.H. out of
the truck, Snyder said that he did not remember.
The State charged Snyder by amended information with attempted second
degree rape. C.H., Trooper Parzych and Deputy Barnett testified at trial. Snyder
did not testify. A jury convicted Snyder as charged. Snyder appeals.
ANALYSIS
Voluntary Intoxication Instruction
Snyder first contends that he was denied effective assistance of counsel
because his attorney did not propose a voluntary intoxication instruction.
The Sixth Amendment to the United States Constitution guarantees the
right to effective assistance of counsel. Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. 668,
685-86, 104 S. Ct. 2052, 80 L. Ed. 2d 674(1984). To establish ineffective
assistance of counsel, a defendant must demonstrate both that counsel's
conduct was deficient and that the deficient performance resulted in prejudice.
State v. Nichols, 161 Wn.2d 1, 8, 162 P.3d 1122(2007). To show that counsel's
performance was deficient, the defendant must establish that it fell below an
objective standard of reasonableness given the circumstances. State v.
McFarland, 127 Wn.2d 322, 334-35, 899 P.2d 1251 (1995). If counsel's conduct
can be characterized as a legitimate trial strategy or tactic, performance is not
deficient. State v. Grier, 171 Wn.2d 17, 33, 246 P.3d 1260(2011). To show that
the deficient performance was prejudicial, the defendant must show that there is
a reasonable probability that but for counsel's errors, the result of the proceeding
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would have been different. McFarland, 127 Wn.2d at 334-35. Failure to make the
required showing of either deficient performance or sufficient prejudice defeats
the ineffectiveness claim. Strickland, 466 U.S. at 700. We engage in a strong
presumption that counsel's representation was effective. McFarland, 127 Wn.2d
at 335.
A defendant is entitled to a voluntary intoxication instruction only if "the
evidence ... reasonably and logically connect[s] the defendant's intoxication with
the asserted inability to form the required level of culpability to commit the crime
charged." State v. Gabrvschak, 83 Wn. App. 249, 252-53, 921 P.2d 549 (1996).
The defendant must show "(1) the crime charged has as an element a particular
mental state,(2) there is substantial evidence of drinking, and (3)the defendant
presents evidence that the drinking affected [the defendant's] ability to acquire
the required mental state." State v. Evervbodytalksabout, 145 Wn.2d 456,479,
39 P.3d 294(2002)(Footnote omitted).
Here, the first two requirements are satisfied. A person is guilty of an
attempt to commit a crime "if, with intent to commit a specific crime, he or she
does any act which is a substantial step toward the commission of that crime."
RCW 9A.28.020(1). And there was evidence from which a jury could conclude
that Snyder was intoxicated. C.H. testified that Snyder had both beer and wine
that evening, that he did not appear sober, and that he was not driving safely.
Snyder told C.H. he did not remember the evening because he was "in and out"
and told Deputy Barnett that his memory of the evening was "blurry."
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However, leividence of drinking or drug use alone is insufficient to
warrant the instruction; there must be 'substantial evidence of the effects of the
substance use on the defendant's mind or body." Gabrvschak, 83 Wn. App. at
253(quoting Safeco Ins. Co. v. McGrath,63 Wn. App. 170, 179, 817 P.2d 861
(1991)). Snyder fails to show that there was substantial evidence that he was so
intoxicated he could not form the intent to commit the crime. Instead, evidence in
the record showed that Snyder acted in a calculated and deliberate manner. For
example, C.H. testified that Snyder deliberately chose Reiter Road instead of
Highway 2"because he was concerned about getting a DUI." VRP (7/19/16) at
143. Snyder was also aware that C.H. was using her phone to get help,
demanded to know who she was texting, and took her phone away to prevent
further contact. Given the lack of evidence connecting Snyder's intoxication to an
inability to form the requisite level of intent, Snyder cannot show that a voluntary
intoxication instruction would have been given even if his attorney had requested
one at trial.
Even assuming Snyder was entitled to a voluntary intoxication instruction,
Snyder does not meet his burden to show there was no conceivable reason for
not requesting one. Snyder's defense at trial was that the attempted rape never
happened. Snyder attacked C.H.'s credibility, noting that C.H. did not initially
report a sexual assault to law enforcement or the hospital. Snyder's attorney also
noted that the timeframe supported Snyder's version of events — that Snyder and
C.H. went to sleep in the truck — rather than C.H.'s version. In closing argument,
Snyder's attorney argued:
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[T]he only thing that happened that night was an assault took place,
a physical assault, not any attempt to have a sexual assault.
The only thing that happens that night was there was an
argument between two intoxicated individuals over who was going
to drive home, and [C.H.] got hit with the truck.
Id. at 206. It was reasonable for Snyder's attorney to believe that this defense
would have been undermined if Snyder had argued that he was so intoxicated
that he did not know what was happening) Because the decision not to request
an involuntary intoxication jury instruction was a tactical one, we conclude that
Snyder was not deprived of effective assistance of counsel.
Prosecutorial Misconduct
Snyder argues that he was denied his right to a fair trial when the
prosecutor committed misconduct by expressing a personal opinion on Snyder's
guilt.
1 Citing State v. Fernandez-Medina, 141 Wn.2d 448,6 P.3d 1150(2000), Snyder asserts
that he is entitled to an instruction on all defenses that are supported by the evidence, even if the
defenses are inconsistent. In Fernandez-Medina, the trial court refused to instruct the jury on a
lesser included offense, concluding that it was inconsistent with the defendant's alibi defense.
The Washington Supreme Court held that the trial court erred because a defendant is permitted
to present inconsistent defenses. But the Court did not address whether it would have been
ineffective for defense counsel to make a tactical decision not to propose an instruction
inconsistent with the defense.
Snyder also analogizes this case to State v. Thomas, 109 Wn.2d 222, 743 P.2d 816
(1987)and State v. Kruger, 116 Wn. App. 685,67 P.3d 1147(2003), which held that it was
ineffective for defense counsel to fail to request a voluntary intoxication instruction when it was
supported by the evidence. But Thomas and Kruger did not involve inconsistent defenses; the
defendants admitted to the offenses but argued that they were too intoxicated to have formed the
requisite intent. See, e.g., Kruger, 116 Wn. App. at 690("Kruger did not deny that the event
occurred; just that if it did, it was not intentional.") Here, as discussed above, Snyder denied that
he sexually assaulted C.H. Because a voluntary intoxication defense was potentially inconsistent
with Snyder's denial, it was a tactical choice whether to request an instruction on that issue.
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No. 75717-2-1/9
During rebuttal closing argument, the prosecutor explained to the jury
what constituted a "substantial step" in order to convict Snyder of attempted
second degree rape:
And if it wasn't happening like she described, why would she
be texting her boyfriend to come help her in the middle of
nowhere? When he yanks her out of that car and opened the
door and told her what he was going to [sic] do to her and
what he wanted to do to her, that was a substantial step, and
that's why I charged him.
VRP (7/19/16) at 219-220(emphasis added). Snyder's attorney did not
contemporaneously object. However, the following morning, Snyder's attorney
moved for a mistrial.
There was something that 1 immediately thought about
after the jury had gone out as to what — something that[the
prosecutor] said during his rebuttal argument about a
substantial step and that's why I charged him.
I think that that is improper. It is considered vouching. An
objection was not made at the time, but I feel that to preserve
the issue, the best thing for me to do at this point would be to
make the motion for a mistrial, pursuant to case law, to
preserve the issue for any future proceedings.
VRP (7/20/16) at 225. The trial court denied the motion.2
Well, I'm disinclined to give some limiting instruction. Of
course, none has been offered. But, also, there was no objection
made at the time of the comments during rebuttal argument. And
that seems to me to be one of the burdens that lawyers have is to
make a timely, seasonal objection if they feel that there is some
comment that's inappropriate. The instructions already indicate to
the jury that they're not to consider the filing of the Information or its
contents as proof of the matters.
I don't know that I would characterize the comment as
vouching for anyone's credibility. I would agree that it probably is
2 Snyder does not argue the trial court abused its discretion in denying his motion
for a mistrial.
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No. 75717-2-1/10
inappropriate. But I don't think it's sufficient today, when the issue is
raised, to go back and revisit a comment to which no objection was
taken seasonably at the time or to give a limiting instruction.
I think the instructions are adequate, and the jury will focus
on the evidence and make a decision as they choose.
Id. at 226.
Prosecutorial misconduct may deprive a defendant of the right to a fair
trial. State v. Davenport, 100 Wn.2d 757, 762,675 P.2d 1213(1984). To prevail
on a claim of prosecutorial misconduct, a defendant must show the prosecutor's
conduct was both improper and prejudicial. State v. lsh, 170 Wn.2d 189, 195,
241 P.3d 389(2010). Misconduct is prejudicial where there is a substantial
likelihood the improper conduct affected the jury's verdict. State v. Yates, 161
Wn.2d 714, 774, 168 P.3d 359(2007). We review alleged prosecutorial
misconduct "'in the context of the total argument, the issues in the case, the
evidence addressed in the argument, and the instructions given to the jury."
State v. Monday, 171 Wn.2d 667, 675, 257 P.3d 551 (2011 (quoting State v.
McKenzie, 157 Wn.2d 44, 52, 134 P.3d 221 (2006)).
It is improper for a prosecuting attorney to apply the "weight and influence
of the personal character of counsel for the state" in order to "[call] upon the jury
to support his judgment." State v. Susan, 152 Wash. 365, 380, 278 P. 149
(1929). The State concedes that the prosecutor's statement "that's why I
charged him" was improper for this reason. We accept the State's concession as
well taken.
Nonetheless, even though the prosecutor's statement was improper,
Snyder cannot establish prejudice. The trial court instructed the jury that they
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were the sole judges of credibility and that the attorneys' arguments did not
constitute evidence. We presume that jurors follow the instructions they are
given. State v. Emery, 174 Wn.2d 741, 766, 278 P.3d 653(2012). Moreover, the
prosecutor's reference to the charging decision was not significant in the context
of the total argument. The prosecutor was explaining how Snyder's conduct
amounted to a "substantial step" towards the crime of second degree rape.
Snyder did not dispute that the challenged conduct was a substantial step, but
instead argued that the conduct never happened. We conclude that reversal is
not required because there is not a substantial likelihood that the statement
affected the verdict.3
Conditions of Community Custody
Snyder contends that the trial court erred by imposing conditions of
community custody that were not related to the offense. He challenges the
following four conditions:
7. Do not associate with known users or sellers of illegal drugs.
8. Do not possess drug paraphernalia.
9. Stay out of drug areas, as defined in writing by the supervising
Community Corrections Officer.
13. Participate in substance abuse treatment as directed by the
supervising Community Corrections Officer.
3 In the alternative, Snyder argues his attorney was ineffective for failing to object to the
improper statement. Because we conclude that Snyder does not demonstrate prejudice, his
ineffective assistance claim necessarily fails.
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No. 75717-2-1/12
Clerk's Papers(CP)at 34. Snyder contends that, while the evidence of his
alcohol use was overwhelming, there was no evidence that he used drugs the
night of the crime.
A trial court may impose, as conditions of community custody, a "crime-
related prohibition," defined as an order prohibiting conduct that relates to the
circumstances of the crime. RCW 9.94A.703(3)(f); RCW 9.94A.030(10). Although
the trial court's prohibition on "conduct ... during community custody must be
directly related to the crime, it need not be causally related to the crime." State v.
Letourneau, 100 Wn. App. 424, 432, 997 P.2d 436 (2000). We review whether a
community custody prohibition is crime-related for abuse of discretion. State v.
Armendariz, 160 Wn.2d 106, 110, 156 P.3d 201 (2007).
Snyder told Deputy Barnett that, on the night of the crime,"We drank
some wine, there was some pot." Ex. 1. Snyder argues that this statement is
insufficient to demonstrate that he used marijuana; he contends it merely
establishes that marijuana was present. But C.H. testified that she and Snyder
had regularly smoked marijuana together in the past. 7/19/16RP 104. It was
reasonable for the trial court to conclude from Snyder's statement that Snyder
had smoked marijuana on the night of the crime. Accordingly, the trial court did
not abuse its discretion in imposing the drug related conditions.
Snyder also challenges a community custody condition requiring him to
"[e]nter and successfully complete identified interventions to assist you to
improve your skills, relationships, and ability to stay crime free." CP at 18. Snyder
contends that this condition is unconstitutionally vague. A condition is
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unconstitutionally vague if it fails to (1) provide ordinary people fair warning of
proscribed conduct, or (2) have standards that are definite enough to protect
against arbitrary enforcement. State v. Irwin, 191 Wn. App. 644, 652, 364 P.3d
830(2015). The State concedes that this condition is unconstitutionally vague.
We accept the State's concession of error and remand for the trial court to strike
or clarify the condition.
Snyder asks this court to deny an award of appellate costs based on his
indigency. Where, as here, a trial court makes a finding of indigency, that finding
remains throughout review "unless the commissioner or clerk determines by a
preponderance of the evidence that the offender's financial circumstances have
significantly improved since the last determination of indigency." RAP 14.2. If the
State has evidence of significant improvement in Snyder's financial
circumstances since the trial court's finding, it may file a motion for costs with the
commissioner.
Affirmed and remanded.
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WE CONCUR:
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