State Of Washington v. Steve Whitcher

F ILED
COURT OF APPEA S
01VICMIM 1i

2013 MAR 1.
2 AMA 8: 39
I
S TAr =' N

Al'
E MARY

IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF THE STATE OF WASHING

DIVISION II

STATE OF WASHINGTON, No. 42185 2 II
- -

Respondent,

V.

STEVE DALE WHITCHER, UNPUBLISHED OPINION

Steve Dale Whitcher appeals the superior court's revocation of his Special Sex
HUNT, J. —

Offender Sentencing Alternative ( SOSA).He argues that (1) State violated his due process
S the

rights by failing to provide him with adequate notice.of the grounds for revocation; ( )the
2

reasons for which the superior court revoked his suspended sentence do not constitute grounds

for revocation under the S SOSA statute, RCW 9.1 and 3; --
670( 4A. ) -
1
9 e mec ineffective

assistance of counsel. In his Statement of Additional Grounds (SAG),
Whitcher appears to assert

that the superior court erroneously revoked his suspended sentence based on issues not relevant

to his suspended sentence revocation, such as failure to maintain law abiding behavior when he
was arrested for other offenses. We affirm.
No. 42185 2 II
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FACTS

I. IMPOSITION AND VIOLATION OF SSOSA AND CONDITIONS

The superior court sentenced Steve Dale Whitcher to 131 months to life in prison for
child rape and 89 months to life in prison for child molestation, to run concurrently. After

finding Whitcher eligible for a SSOSA suspended sentence under RCW 9. the superior
670,
94A.

court imposed 6 months of confinement and suspended the remaining 125 months, to be served

in community custody, on condition that Whitcher (1).
comply with all rules, regulations, and

requirements of the "[ ndergo and successfully complete "
Department of Corrections; 2)u]
( an

outpatient sex offender treatment program; and (3)comply with all other conditions of his

judgment and sentence, including the conditions listed in appendixes G and H. Appendixes G

and H of Whitcher's judgment and sentence required that he (1)attend and complete sexual
"

deviancy treatment " with Comte & Associates,.2) "
( follow all rules set forth by [his] treatment

provider,"3) c] with all recommended treatment" of his treatment provider, (4)
( "[ omply

maintain law abiding behavior, and (5) have any contact with his victim or any minor child
not

without prior written authorization from his treatment provider and his community corrections

officer ( CO).Clerk's Papers (CP)at 15, 18.
C

Whitcher's judgment and sentence also explained that the superior court could revoke his

SSOSA at any time during his period of community custody if he violated the conditions of his

suspended sentence or if the court found that he was failing to make satisfactory progress in his

1
Clerk's Papers (CP)at 10 (emphasis added.)

2 CP at 15 (emphasis added).

4
No. 42185 2 II
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treatment. Represented by counsel, Whitcher signed his judgment and sentence, acknowledging

that he understood the conditions of his SSOSA and suspended sentence.

After serving the confinement portion of his sentence, Whitcher was released, to

community custody and assigned to CCO Lynne Hudson. Hudson instructed Whitcher to attend

sexual deviancy treatment with therapist Jeanglee Tracer, a therapist who had recently broken off
from Comte & Associates. Whitcher quickly became "very defiant,"demanded to know

Hudson's qualifications"to supervise him, and stated that he did not want to go to treatment
"

with Tracer. 1 Verbatim Report of Proceedings (VRP)at 13, 52. Over the next couple months,

Whitcher continued to question Hudson's authority on "every little thing," he. argued with
and

her several times about receiving treatment from Tracer. 1 VRP at 28.

Hudson eventually told Whitcher that his sexual deviancy treatment with Tracer was "not

up for discussion." 1 VRP at 15. Whitcher responded that he felt " acked into a corner"and he
b
did not think it " air"
f that he had to attend treatment and had to "pay"for it. 1 VRP at 15. Joe

Sofia, a neighboring CCO, overheard several of Whitcher's conversations with Hudson.

According to Sofia, Whitcher's willingness to heed to authority was " nonexistent "; he was

disobedient to ...
defiant" and " Hudson ... from day one." 1 VRP at 51, 53. When Sofia

intervened, Whitcher tried to intimidate him by staring him down.

3
According to Hudson, the SSOSA rules did not allow Comte & Associates to conduct
Whitcher's treatment because the company had previously conducted his sexual deviancy
evaluation. RCW 9.3).
670( 4A. Whitcher does not argue that his seeing Tracer was improper
1
9
under the conditions of his judgment and sentence; therefore, we do not further consider this
issue here.

3
No. 42185 2 II
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Whitcher eventually began sexual deviancy treatment with Tracer, but his progress was

poor to say the least."1 VRP at 27. At his first counseling session, Whitcher received a packet

of Tracer's treatment rules, which prohibited him from lying,prohibited him from having contact

with minors without prior approval, and required him to attend and to pay for all treatment at

each session; Whitcher signed a written acknowledgment that he had read and understood these

rules. Whitcher did not bring any money to pay for his first counseling session. Tracer

reminded him that he was required to pay at each session. He missed his second counseling

session because he was in jail for unrelated theft and criminal trespass charges. He attended his
third counseling session with Tracer, but he brought only a "minor"portion of his payment ($
100

of the $
375), he continued to carry an account balance, contrary to Tracer's rules. 2 VRP at
and

65. Thereafter, Tracer placed Whitcher in group counseling sessions; Whitcher attended two

sessions, but he did not.'
participate in them. Whitcher was also terminated from the Department

of Correction's Getting it Right program for lack of attendance." 1 VRP at 23.
"
During a visit to Whitcher's home, Hudson and fellow CCO Hilary Williams saw him

seated at a computer. When they viewed the computer's cookies, they discovered that Whitcher

had recently opened a Facebook account, which he had not previously disclosed, and that he had

recently visited the site. The Facebook account was registered under the name "Eve Whitcher"

as opposed to Steve),and it featured a woman's profile picture. 1 VRP at 39. When Hudson

and Williams asked about the suspicious Facebook account, Whitcher asserted that the name

Eve"was a typo; and he denied knowing that a female picture had become associated with the

4
These charges were dismissed without prejudice and are not at issue in this appeal.
5
The reasons for Whitcher's dismissal from this program are not at issue in this appeal.

0
No. 42185 2 II
- -

account. 1 VRP at 41. During a later polygraph test, however, he admitted that he had

intentionally posed as a woman on Facebook in order to meet men.

That same month, Whitcher's CCOs also learned that he had had contact with a minor, in

violation of his SSOSA. Whitcher had attended his mother's birthday party at his sister's house,

at which his 24 year old niece
- was present with her infant child. Although Whitcher had no

physical contact with the child, he did not immediately leave the party, as required by his

SSOSA and Tracer's treatment rules.

Tracer learned that Whitcher had come into contact with a minor and that he had stayed

in the room rather than leaving immediately, as required by her treatment rules. She also learned

that he had violated her treatment rules by opening and using a Facebook account and that he had

initially lied to his CCOs about it; she considered his lying and deception about the Facebook

account "a great concern." 2 VRP at 70. Believing that Whitcher was not "amenable to

treatment, " Tracer terminated his treatment. 2 VRP at 85.

II. PROCEDURE

The State petitioned for revocation of Whitcher's SSOSA, alleging four violations:

Violation I: Defendant has been terminated from the DOC Program Getting it
Right due to lack of attendance as directed on 10/ 0/
10[.]
2

Violation II:
Failed to maintain law abiding behavior by being arrested on
2010
10/ 9/for Theft 3rd degree and Criminal Trespass 2nd [ d] by Fife
2 egree.
Police Department] Case # 010004109)[.]
( 2

6
Tracer articulated the following reasons for this belief. ( )Whitcher had challenged her
1
treatment rules early in her program, at a time when other participants were normally very
cautious; ( )he had been "deceptive" about his use of Facebook and had refused to see his
2
deception as a treatment issue; 3) had continued to "
( he play[ ]the victim"during treatment; and
4) he had refused to take responsibility for his actions. 2 VRP at 71.
No. 42185 2 II
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I

Violation III: Having contact with a minor [ without] the permission of his
therapist and his CCO on or about 12/ 8 or 12/ 9/
1 2010.
1

Violation IV: Being terminatedfrom sex offender treatment on 12/ 3/
2010[.]
2

CP at 25 26 ( mphasis added).
- e

At the revocation hearing, the State's witnesses testified to the facts set forth in the

preceding section of this opinion. Whitcher testified that ( ) had misinterpreted when he was
1 he

supposed to report to the Getting it Right program and, thus, had not intentionally missed a

meeting; 2) theft and criminal trespass charges were unfounded because he believed he had
( his
permission" to take the property allegedly stolen; ( )he "never came within ten feet of the
3

child"at his sister's house; and (4) was willing to receive sexual deviancy treatment from Dr.
he

Larry Arnholt, a therapist with whom he had briefly met. 3 VRP at 187, 189. Arnholt testified

that Whitcher exhibited a "chronic pattern of psychological maladjustment,"that his use of

Facebook was a "significant concern,"and that Whitcher was still a "viable candidate for

SSOSA treatment."4 VRP at 228 230, 224.

The superior court ruled that Whitcher had violated the conditions of his suspended

sentence based on only the fourth violation alleged in State's revocation petitionthat Whitcher
—

had been "terminated from [sex offender] treatment " and revoked Whitcher's SSOSA on this
—

7
The superior court found that the fourth violation was " true." It agreed with Tracer's
motivations for terminating Whitcher's treatment, namely that Whitcher was "not amenable to
treatment," evidenced by his deception in opening and using a Facebook account, his conduct
as
during treatment, and his failing to heed to his CCOs' authority. 4 VRP at 267.
The superior court also ruled that (1)Whitcher had committed a "technical violation"of
the first ground the State had alleged in its revocation petition (termination from the Getting It
Right program),but it would not revoke his SSOSA on this ground; and (2) Whitcher had not
committed the second and third violations because the State had not produced sufficient evidence
to support these violations. 4 VRP at 256. These rulings are not at issue here.

2
No. 42185 2 II
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ground. 4 VRP at 267. The superior court's written order also stated that Whitcher was "not

amenable to treatment"and that he " ose[ ] danger to others," it did not articulate these as
p da but

grounds for revoking his SSOSA. CP at 93. Whitcher appeals.

ANALYSIS

I. NO DENIAL OF DUE PROCESS

Whitcher argues that his due process rights were violated because (1) superior court
the

revoked his SSOSA based on his "not being amenable to treatment and being a danger to

others," (2) State did not provide him with adequate written notice that his suspended
and the

sentence could be revoked on these grounds. Br. of Appellant at 20. We review alleged due

process violations de novo. State v. Simpson, 136 Wn. App. 812, 816, 150 P. d 1.67 (2007).
3 1

We find no due process violations here.

A. Due Process for Revocation

A superior court may revoke a sex offender's SSOSA suspended sentence at any time if it

is reasonably satisfied that the offender violated a condition of his suspended sentence or failed
to make satisfactory progress in treatment. RCW 9.1) State v. Dahl, 139 Wn. d 678,
670( 4A.
1
9 2

683, 990 P. d 396 ( 1999). Because revocation of a suspended sentence is not a criminal
2

proceeding, the due process rights afforded at a revocation hearing are not the same as those
afforded at trial. Dahl, 139 Wn. d at 683.
2 An offender facing revocation of a suspended

sentence has only "minimal" due process rights similar to the rights afforded to those facing

revocation of probation or parole. Dahl, 139 Wn. d at 683.
2

8
Although the legislature amended this statute in 2009, the amendments did not affect this
statutory provision.

7
No. 42185 2 II
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Such minimal due process rights entail:

a)written notice of the claimed violations; b)disclosure to the parolee of the
(
evidence against him; c) opportunity to be heard; d) right to confront and
( the ( the
cross -examine witnesses ( unless there is good cause for not allowing
confrontation);e) neutral and detached hearing body; and (f)statement by the
( a a
court as to the evidence relied upon and the reasons for the revocation..

Dahl, 139 Wn. d at 683 (citing Morrissey v. Brewer, 408 U. .471, 92 S. Ct. 2593, 33 L.Ed. 2d
2 S

484 (1972)).
These requirements exist to ensure that the finding of a violation of a term of a

suspended be based upon verified facts.
sentence will . Dahl, 139 Wn. d
2 at 683. Whitcher's

minimal due process rights were not violated here.

B. Adequate Notice

The State provided Whitcher with written notice that it would seek revocation of his

SSOSA based on his having committed four violations of his suspended sentence; the fourth

violation specially alleged that he had been "terminated from sex offender treatment."CP at 26.

The State disclosed the evidence against Whitcher by giving him a copy of the "Court-
Notice of

Violation"form. CP at 29. The superior court then conducted a full revocation hearing, during

which Whitcher had the opportunity to testify and to confront and to cross examine witnesses.

And at the conclusion of this hearing, the superior court made an oral ruling and issued a written

order, revoking Whitcher's SSOSA based on his being " erminated from sex offender treatment"
t

and having committed " iolation [ umber] 4" the State's petition for a revocation hearing. CP
v n of

at 26, 93.

C. Superior Court's Grounds for Revocation

Whitcher nevertheless asserts that his due process rights were violated because the

superior court's written order also stated that he was not "amenable to treatment" and was a
No. 42185 2 II
- -

danger to others,"
which grounds were not included in the State's revocation petition..Br. of

Appellant at 20. This argument fails because it is based on a misunderstanding of the superior

court's ruling.

The superior court's oral ruling and written order clearly stated that it revoked Whitcher's

SSOSA based on his having committed only the fourth violation alleged in the State's revocation

petition ( . that he had been terminated from sex offender treatment). Although the superior
ie.,

court also commented on Tracer's testimony that Whitcher was not amenable to treatment and

her reason for terminating Whitcher's treatment, the superior court did not rely on Tracer's

conclusion about Whitner's not being amenable to treatment as an independent SSOSA

violation; rather, the court mentioned it as supporting the underlying violation that he had been

terminated from treatment.

We hold that ( ) State provided adequate written notice that it would seek revocation
1 the

of Whitcher's SSOSA based on the fourth alleged violationbeing terminated from sex offender
—

treatment; 2) superior court revoked Whitcher's SSOSA suspended sentence based on its
( the

finding that he had committed this fourth violation alleged in the State's notice for a revocation

hearing; and (3) superior court did not violate Whitcher's minimal due process rights by also
the

revoking his SSOSA after finding a violation of this suspended sentence condition.
II. NO ABUSE OF DISCRETION

Whitcher next argues that the superior court abused its discretion in revoking his SSOSA

because RCW 9.1)
670( 4A. provides only two grounds under which a superior court may
1
9

9
Similarly the superior court's statement.that Whitcher posed a "danger to others" was not a
ground on which it relied for revoking his SSOSA. CP at 93.

Gt
No. 42185 2 II
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revoke a suspended sentence, neither of which were reasons the court used for his revocation.

Whitcher misapprehends the ground on which the superior court revoked his SSOSA, and his

argument fails.

We review a superior court's decision revoking a SSOSA for violations under an abuse of

discretion standard. State v. McCormick, 166 Wn. d 689, 705 06, 213 P. d 32 (2009);
2 - 3 State v.

Partee, 141 Wn. App. 355, 361, 170 P. d 60 (2007).A superior court abuses its discretion if its
3

decision is "`mainfestly unreasonable, or exercised on untenable grounds, or for untenable

reasons. "' McCormick, 166 Wn. d at 706 (quoting State.ex rel. Carroll v. Junker, 79 Wn. d 12,
2 2

26, 482 P. d 775 (1971)).
2 RCW 9.1)
670( 4A.provides:
1
9

The court may revoke the [ SSOSA] suspended sentence at any time during the
period of community custody and order execution of the sentence if: a)The
(
offender violates the conditions of the suspended sentence, or (b) court finds
the
that the offender is failing to make satisfactory progress in treatment.

Emphasis added.) As we have already explained, Whitcher's SSOSA suspended sentence

specifically required that he " attend and complete sexual deviancy treatment." CP at 15

emphasis added)._____

Whitcher violated this condition of his suspended sentence when Tracer terminated him

from treatment based on his (1)being deceptive about his use of Facebook, 2)
( breaking several

of her treatment rules, and (3)failing to take responsibility for his actions and failing to

participate in his treatment program in a meaningful way. The superior court orally ruled that

the fourth alleged SSOSA violation —Whitcher's termination from sex offender treatmentwas
—

true"and that it agreed with Tracer's reasons for terminating his treatment. 4 VRP at 267. The

evidence supports the superior court's factual findings about Whitcher's

10
No. 42185 2 II
- -

treatment termination. We hold that the trial court did not abuse its discretion in ruling that

Whitcher had violated the treatment -completion condition of his suspended sentence and in

revoking his SSOSA on this ground under RCW 9. 1)(
670( 4A. a).
1
9

III. EFFECTIVE ASSISTANCE OF COUNSEL

Last, Whitcher argues that he received ineffective assistance of counsel because his

counsel did not ask the superior court to impose a lesser sanction of 60 days confinement in jail

under RCW 9.
c)
040( 4B.instead of revoking his SSOSA. This argument fails.
3)(
9

To prove ineffective assistance of counsel, a defendant must show that (1) counsel's
his

performance was deficient, and (2)the deficient performance prejudiced him. Strickland v.

Washington, 466 U. .
6% S. Ct. 2052, 80 L.Ed. 2d 674 (1984);
S 687, 694, 104 State v. Thomas,
109 Wn. d 222, 225 26, 743 P. d 816 (1987). To
2 - 2 prove deficient performance, a defendant

must overcome "` strong presumption that counsel's performance was reasonable."'State v.
a

Grier, 171 Wn. d 17,33, 246 P. d 1260 (2011) quoting State v. Kyllo, 166 Wn. d 856, 862,
2 3 ( 2

215 P. d 177 (2009)),
3 adhered to in part on remand, 168 Wn. App. 635, 278 P. d 225 (2012).
3

10
The case that Whitcher cites in his Statement of Additional Authority does not apply. In State
v. Peterson, 69 Wn. App 143, 847 P. d 538 (1993),
2 Division Three of our court reversed the
superior.court's finding that Peterson had failed to comply with a condition of his community
custody because ( 1) Peterson's community custody condition stated only that he would
participate in crime related treatment or counseling services" as directed by his CCO; 2)( the
specific treatment program that his CCO directed him to attend and the only program available in
the area would not accept him, despite his having driven 60 miles for his first appointment; and
3)therefore, the superior court could not base its finding of " olitional" noncompliance on
v
Peterson's failure to comply" with the conditions of his community custody term under these
"
circumstances (even though the program had partially refused Peterson admission based on his
denial that he had a problem requiring treatment).Peterson, 69 Wn. App at 144- 7..
4
Whitcher, in contrast, did enter the treatment program required by his CCO. But he

failed to complete it and was terminated from the program for noncompliance with program rules
and non participation, all volitional acts of noncompliance on his part.

11
No. 42185 2 II
- -

To show prejudice, the defendant must establish that "`
there is a reasonable probability that, but

for counsel's deficient performance, the outcome of the proceedings would have been

different."'
Grier, 171 Wn. d at 34 (quoting Kyllo, 166 Wn. d at 862).A failure to prove either
2 2

prong ends our inquiry. State v. Hendrickson, 129 Wn. d 61, 78, 917 P. d 563 (1996).
2 2
When a sex offender sentenced under a SSOSA violates conditions of his suspended

sentence, the superior court has discretion to revoke the offender's suspended sentence or to

impose confinement under RCW 9. which governs probation violations. Partree, 141
040
94B.
Wn. App. at 360. We have held that a superior court has authority under RCW 9. )(
c)
040( 4B.
3
9

to impose consecutive 60 day confinement terms for multiple probation violations in lieu of
-

revoking a SSOSA. Partree, 141 Wn. App. at 361. Assuming, without deciding, that

Whitcher's counsel was deficient in failing to request a 60 day confinement sanction instead of
-

SSOSA revocation, Whitcher demonstrates no prejudice.

After considering all of the evidence, the superior court agreed with Tracer's assessment

that Whitcher was "not amenable to [sex offender] treatment." 4 VRP at 267. The superior

court specifically disagreed with Arnholt that Whitcher was still a good candidate for treatment;
and, based on Whitcher's problems heeding authority, the court expressed doubt about whether a

11 Partree cites RCW 9. for this principle. But the legislature has since recodified RCW
634
94A.
9.
94A. 94A. See LAWS
634 as RCW 9.
040. of 2008, ch. 231 § 56.

12
No. 42185 2 II
- -

12
SSOSA had ever been appropriate for Whitcher. Whitcher fails to establish a reasonable

probability that the court would not have revoked his SSOSA even if his counsel requested the

lesser sanction of 60 days in jail. Accordingly, his ineffective assistance of counsel claim fails.
IV. SAG ISSUES

In his SAG and in his pro se Supplemental Statement of Additional Authority, Whitcher

also appears (1) assert that the superior court erroneously revoked his SSOSA based on his
to

failure to maintain law abiding behavior, and (2) challenge portions of the superior court's oral
to
13
ruling that are not relevant to the court's reasons for revoking his SSOSA. Both claims fail.

As we previously explained, the superior court revoked Whitcher's SSOSA because he had been

terminated from sex offender treatment, not because he had failed to maintain law abiding

behavior. Moreover, the superior court's comments that Whitcher apparently challenges were

12
More specifically, the superior court stated:
S]
omebody who is amenable to treatment [is]that kind of person ... who says, I
accept authority. I' willing to take care of the problem or at least try. I don't
m
think thatis . what Mr. Whitcher is about. I do thank we [the court] have been
fooled to some extent.
4 VRP at 267 (emphasis added).

13 In his SAGSupplemental Statement of Additional Authority, Whitcher asserts that the
/
superior court revoked his SSOSA based on its incorrect " elief'that he "`
b did neither' of the two
options suggested regarding concerns over a legitimate treatment provider."SAG at 3 (quoting 4
VRP at 263). We note that Whitcher's judgment and sentence provided that he would receive
sexual deviancy treatment from Comte & Associates; but he was eventually was ordered to see
therapist Tracer, who was no longer affiliated with Comte & Associates. In discussing this
deviation from the technical terms of his judgment and sentence, the superior court noted that
Whitcher could have accepted this change in his therapist assignment or he could have worked
with his counsel to challenge the validity of his therapist assignment. Instead, he "did neither,"
refused to participate in his treatment, and acted in an insubordinate manner toward his CCOs. 4
VRP at 263. The superior court's statements ultimately did not affect either its determination
that Whitcher violated his judgment and sentence by being terminated from treatment or its
revocation of his SSOSA on this basis.

13
No. 42185 2 II
- -

irrelevant to his treatment termination and,thus, also irrelevant to his SSOSA revocation.

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 in accordance with RCW

040,
2.6.it is so ordered.
0

r
Hunt, J.
We concur:

Mk ' )/
Worswick, C. .
J

J.
Yrg

14