State v. Avington

FILE THIS OPINION WAS FILED
FOR RECORD AT 8 A.M. ON
SEPTEMBER 28, 2023
IN CLERK’S OFFICE
SUPREME COURT, STATE OF WASHINGTON
SEPTEMBER 28, 2023
ERIN L. LENNON
SUPREME COURT CLERK

IN THE SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON

)
STATE OF WASHINGTON, )
) No. 101398-1
Respondent, )
)
v. ) En Banc
)
DOMINIQUE JAMES AVINGTON, )
) Filed: September 28, 2023
Petitioner. )
_______________________________)

YU, J. — This case asks whether the trial court properly exercised its

discretion when it declined to instruct the jury on first degree manslaughter as a

lesser included offense of first degree murder by extreme indifference. Consistent

with State v. Coryell, 197 Wn.2d 397, 483 P.3d 98 (2021), the answer is yes.

We recognize that a trial court’s decision to instruct the jury on a lesser

included offense involves a fact-intensive analysis pursuant to the two-pronged test

of State v. Workman, 90 Wn.2d 443, 584 P.2d 382 (1978). While this analysis can

be difficult to apply in practice, this case illustrates that a lesser included offense
State v. Avington, No. 101398-1

instruction is not automatically required. Instead, when evaluating the factual

prong of the Workman test, the trial court must review all of the evidence to

determine whether, “based on some evidence admitted, the jury could reject the

greater charge and return a guilty verdict on the lesser.” Coryell, 197 Wn.2d at

407. As we stated in Coryell, genuine questions of credibility should be

determined by the jury. Id. at 414.

In this case, Dominique James Avington argues that his own trial testimony

was sufficient to require a lesser included offense instruction for the shooting death

of Terrance King. Specifically, Avington testified that although he fired his gun,

he was not aiming directly at anyone, and he argues that his credibility should have

been determined by the jury. This may appear to be a close call, but, in fact, there

was no credibility determination to be made on any relevant issue. To the

contrary, Avington’s testimony was irrelevant to the actual charges and the

undisputed facts.

The undisputed evidence at trial showed that the bullet that killed King did

not come from Avington’s gun. As a result, Avington’s testimony about the

direction of his aim did not create a question of fact for the jury as to whether he

participated in King’s death under circumstances manifesting an extreme

indifference to human life. In other words, contrary to Avington’s argument, it

simply did not matter whether Avington was aiming directly at anyone or not.

2
State v. Avington, No. 101398-1

The record shows that the trial court carefully reviewed all of the evidence

admitted at trial in light of the charged offenses, properly instructed the jury on

accomplice liability, and properly exercised its discretion in declining to instruct

the jury on a lesser included offense of first degree manslaughter. We affirm.

FACTUAL BACKGROUND AND PROCEDURAL HISTORY

A. Underlying facts regarding the shooting incident, law enforcement
investigation, and the criminal charges filed

The following facts were established by the evidence presented at trial. On

October 20, 2018, Avington traveled from Portland, Oregon, to the Seattle area to

meet up with some friends. Avington ultimately went to a nightclub called the

New World VIP Lounge with several people he knew from Portland, including

Kenneth Davis and Darry Smalley.

That night, the New World VIP Lounge was “packed” with “well over 100

people” in attendance. 15 Rep. of Proc. (RP) (Oct. 14, 2020) at 2319; 9 RP (Oct.

5, 2020) at 1361. The nightclub entrance was staffed by security officers, who

were frisking people for weapons as they came in. Nevertheless, Avington was

able to bring a .40 caliber gun into New World VIP Lounge. Once inside, some

members of Avington’s group ended up at the bar, and others were nearby on the

dance floor.

Perry Walls was also at the New World VIP Lounge that night, attending a

birthday party for one of his friends in the “VIP section” of the nightclub. 9 RP

3
State v. Avington, No. 101398-1

(Oct. 5, 2020) at 1364. The VIP section is an area removed from the bar and dance

floor with its own table and lounge area, which people can reserve for a dedicated

group.

Shortly after 1 a.m., Walls’s friend Natosha Jackson approached him in the

VIP section. Jackson was bartending at the nightclub that night, and she told Walls

that “a couple of guys or a group of guys were disrespecting her” at the bar. 11 RP

(Oct. 7, 2020) at 1724. Jackson asked Walls to “watch out for her because she felt

uncomfortable,” and she pointed out the “area where the group of gentlemen” were

standing. Id.; 9 RP (Oct. 5, 2020) at 1368. Walls left the VIP section, went down

to the area where Jackson was working, and made a “general announcement” to

whoever was disrespecting her. 11 RP (Oct. 7, 2020) at 1725.

Avington’s group was nearby when Walls was making his announcement,

but it was not readily apparent to Avington or his friends that Walls was talking to

them. However, it eventually became clear that Walls was “directing his attention”

toward Avington’s group. 16 RP (Oct. 15, 2020) at 2474. The encounter became

“heated,” and people from Avington’s group started to “exchang[e] words” with

Walls. 15 RP (Oct. 14, 2018) at 2342. Soon after, the verbal confrontation

became physical, and a “fight erupt[ed]” between Walls’s group and Avington’s

group. Id. at 2346.

4
State v. Avington, No. 101398-1

The fight escalated and eventually moved out to the foyer, next to the

nightclub’s entrance. At that point, Avington exited the nightclub, walked about

“20 or 30 feet” toward the parking lot, and then returned to the doorway with his

right hand in his pocket. 16 RP (Oct. 15, 2020) at 2494. Avington stood behind

some of his friends and pushed them away from the door as the group started

“walking away” toward “where [they] parked.” Id. at 2498.

At that time, Walls came outside and continued to argue with Avington’s

group. Avington continued to walk away, but he saw that Walls was “still yelling”

and “coming towards [them].” Id. at 2499. Walls was about “five [to] six feet”

outside the nightclub when Avington and his group started shooting toward Walls.

11 RP (Oct. 7, 2020) at 1732. When the “shots rang out,” Walls ran back inside

and “realized [that he] was shot” in the foot. Id. Avington and his group then

dispersed throughout the parking lot.

Three other people were struck by bullets that night: Terrance King, Denzel

McIntyre, and Pearl Hendricks. King and McIntyre were at the nightclub to pick

up Jackson, who was King’s girlfriend. While King and McIntyre were standing

outside the nightclub, the “fight [broke] out outside” and “shots rang out.” 8 RP

(Oct. 1, 2020) at 1214. Both King and McIntyre were shot as they fled inside the

nightclub to “duck[ ] for cover.” Id. at 1217. McIntyre was shot in his

5
State v. Avington, No. 101398-1

“leg/buttocks area.” Id. at 1219. King died from a “gunshot wound to the chest.”

11 RP (Oct. 7, 2020) at 1599.

Hendricks was at the nightclub that night, and she tried to leave when she

saw the fight start between “two groups out on the dance floor.” 13 RP (Oct. 12,

2020) at 1983. However, she never made it to her car; within “a couple [of]

seconds” of walking outside, she started “hearing shots.” Id. at 1984. Hendricks

was shot four times and was paralyzed from the chest down.

In the aftermath, law enforcement recovered “30 different fired cartridge

casings” from the nightclub’s parking lot. 11 RP (Oct. 7, 2020) at 1638. Law

enforcement determined that 8 of the bullets struck four people (Walls, McIntyre,

King, and Hendricks). In addition, 13 bullets “struck areas around the front

entrance” of the nightclub, 1 bullet struck a parked car, and 2 bullets “passed

through the front door” toward the inside of the nightclub. 13 RP (Oct. 12, 2020)

at 2071. Based on a “forensic analysis of the overall scene,” law enforcement

determined that there were likely “three shooters involved,” that the shooters had

used two 9 mm guns and one .40 caliber gun, and that the shooters were firing

from “three different locations.” 14 RP (Oct. 13, 2020) at 2165.

Through subsequent investigation, law enforcement identified Avington,

Smalley, and Davis as suspects in the shooting. Avington was arrested on July 16,

2019 in Portland, Oregon. In connection with King’s death, Avington was charged

6
State v. Avington, No. 101398-1

as a principal or accomplice to first degree murder “under circumstances

manifesting an extreme indifference to human life,” as well as second degree

felony murder predicated on “assault in the first or second degree.” Clerk’s Papers

(CP) at 53-54. Avington was also charged as a principal or accomplice to three

counts of first degree assault for the shootings of Walls, McIntyre, and Hendricks.

Each of Avington’s charges carried an allegation of a firearm and aggravated

circumstance because “the offense involved a destructive and foreseeable impact

on persons other than the victim, and against the peace and dignity of the State of

Washington.” Id. at 53-55.

B. Evidence at trial and Avington’s request for a lesser included offense
instruction on first degree manslaughter

The issue presented for our review is whether the trial court was required to

give a jury instruction on first degree manslaughter as a lesser included offense to

first degree murder by extreme indifference. To provide context for this issue, it is

necessary to review in some depth the trial court’s ruling and the evidence

presented at trial, including Avington’s and Smalley’s testimony.

The State tried Avington jointly with Smalley and Davis. The identity of the

shooters was undisputed because, prior to trial, each defendant stipulated to their

identity in various still photographs taken from multiple surveillance videos from

the nightclub and neighboring businesses. In exchange for the defendants’

stipulations, the State agreed “not to seek the introduction of gang evidence.” 5 RP

7
State v. Avington, No. 101398-1

(Sept. 28, 2020) at 623. The stipulation included several images of Avington and

Smalley, in which they were both “firing multiple rounds from a semi-automatic

handgun.” CP at 70-71. In his trial testimony, Avington confirmed that the

surveillance video showed him standing near Smalley and that both were

“shoot[ing] flatfooted” toward the crowd in front of the nightclub. 17 RP (Oct. 19,

2020) at 2560.

It was also undisputed that the bullet that killed King could not have been

fired by Avington’s gun. Avington testified that he brought a “.40-caliber” gun to

the nightclub, and he “ended up putting [the gun] in [his] pocket.” 16 RP (Oct. 15,

2020) at 2462-63. Avington further testified that when he went outside, the gun

was “[s]till in [his] pocket.” Id. at 2493. Finally, Avington testified that when he

saw Walls “grab his shirt and pull[ ] it up and show[ ] a gun,” Avington “[p]ulled

[his] gun out and shot.” Id. at 2499-500. Avington explicitly confirmed that the

gun he fired “to scare [Walls]” was the same .40 caliber weapon that “was in [his]

pocket.” Id.

After the shooting, law enforcement recovered “a mix of 9mm caliber and

.40 caliber” bullets from outside the nightclub. 13 RP (Oct. 12, 2020) at 2069.

King was killed by a “9mm class of bullet.” Id. Undisputed testimony established

that this bullet “could not have come from a .40 caliber firearm” and was

“[d]efinitely not” fired by Avington’s gun. Id.; 12 RP (Oct. 8, 2020) at 1803.

8
State v. Avington, No. 101398-1

Thus, the undisputed evidence shows that Avington did not personally fire the

bullet that killed King.

Avington provided additional trial testimony about his state of mind leading

up to the shooting. He testified that when he returned to the nightclub’s entrance

doors after initially walking outside, he was trying only to get his friends “out of

th[e] situation.” 16 RP (Oct. 15, 2020) at 2498. However, Avington realized that

not all of his friends were outside, so he started paying more attention “to the front

of the [night]club.” Id. at 2499. At that point, Avington testified that he realized

Walls was still coming toward them, “yelling and still cussing.” Id.

Avington testified that Walls said, “‘I got something for you’” and “‘I’ll kill

all you,’” and that Walls lifted up his “shirt and show[ed] a gun.” Id. That is when

Avington testified that he “defended [him]self” by firing multiple shots “to scare

[Walls].” Id. Avington admitted to shooting “six times” but stated he “wasn’t

aiming at anything in general.” Id. at 2501. Instead, Avington testified that he

aimed “high and to the right” and “away from [Walls].” 17 RP (Oct. 19, 2020) at

2580; 16 RP (Oct. 15, 2020) at 2501.

In contrast to Avington, Smalley testified that he had fired “[s]ixteen or 17”

shots, and that he had “hit and kill[ed] . . . Terrance King for sure.” 16 RP (Oct.

15, 2020) at 2430-31. Additionally, unlike Avington, Smalley testified that he

“wasn’t shooting in the air” or “shoot[ing] at the front of the building,” nor was he

9
State v. Avington, No. 101398-1

“aiming at just anybody.” Id. at 2431. Instead, Smalley testified that he was

specifically “aiming at three people”: “Perry Walls . . . Denzel McIntyre[,] and

Terrance King.” Id. at 2431, 2429.

At the close of evidence, Avington requested a lesser included offense

instruction on the charge of first degree murder by extreme indifference, arguing

that “a jury could find man[slaughter] 1 as opposed to murder 1 based on [a] lack

of extreme indifference.” 17 RP (Oct. 19, 2020) at 2613. The trial court declined

to give an instruction on first degree manslaughter, relying primarily on this court’s

opinion in State v. Henderson, 182 Wn.2d 734, 344 P.3d 1207 (2015), because we

had not yet issued our opinion in Coryell.

In Henderson, the issue was whether the defendant was entitled to a jury

instruction on first degree manslaughter as a lesser included offense of murder by

extreme indifference for “a shooting outside a house party.” Id. at 737. It was

undisputed that the legal prong of the Workman test was satisfied. We held that

the factual prong was also satisfied because the evidence “consisted largely of

eyewitness testimony that varied widely and was often conflicting,” such that a

rational jury could have convicted Henderson of manslaughter instead of murder

by extreme indifference. Id. As a result, we held that a lesser included offense

instruction was required because “the jury should have been allowed to determine

whether Henderson committed the greater or lesser crime.” Id.

10
State v. Avington, No. 101398-1

In Avington’s case, the trial court ruled that the legal prong of the Workman

test was “satisfied as a matter of law,” as it was in Henderson. 17 RP (Oct. 19,

2020) at 2620 (citing Henderson, 182 Wn.2d at 742). However, the trial court

ruled that Workman’s factual prong was not satisfied because the evidence in

Avington’s case was very different from the evidence in Henderson.

First, the trial court noted that in Avington’s case, “there is video

surveillance that shows the shooting sequence from both inside and outside the

[night]club. The case at bar is not fraught with shaky eyewitness testimony and

dubious memories about what happened,” as it was in Henderson. Id. at 2624.

Second, in Henderson, there were “at most three people who apparently

were at great risk.” Id. at 2624. By comparison, in Avington’s case, “there were

well over 20 people” and they were apparently at greater risk because they were

clustered in a small area “outside of the entrance” and “just beyond the doors” to

the nightclub. Id. at 2624. Additionally, “there was a clear unobstructed line of

fire from the shooters” to the people standing outside the nightclub. Id. at 2625.

Third, the shots fired in Henderson “did not land near people” and “no shots

went inside the house, endangering people that were inside of the house.” Id.

Here, by contrast, there “were 30 rounds fired,” most of which “landed very close

to people.” Id. Moreover, the “unrefuted” evidence showed that “eight shots

11
State v. Avington, No. 101398-1

actually struck people” and “[a]t least one bullet went far into the [night]club.” Id.

at 2625-26.

Fourth, in Henderson, the shooter “was out on the street rather than being

closer to the house when [they] fired rounds.” Id. at 2626. By contrast, “the

photographic evidence,” the “surveillance video,” “the location of [the] shell

casings,” and the testimony presented at trial showed that Avington was standing

“approximately 35 feet in an unobstructed line of fire to where Mr. Walls was

located, approximately 60 feet to the front door of the [night]club.” Id. at 2626-27.

Finally, the trial court considered whether, like in Henderson, the jury

“might have concluded that [Avington] . . . erratically fired his gun with only the

intent to frighten rather than deliberately aiming at the . . . people that were outside

of the [nightclub].” Id. at 2627. As noted above, Smalley testified that “he

deliberately aimed at three people as his intended targets,” but Avington “denied

aiming at anyone in particular.” Id. at 2628.

The trial court noted that “the evidence is unrefuted that multiple bullets,

eight bullets, hit people. . . . [M]ost of the rest of the bullets, the vast majority of

them, struck walls, doors, and other objects that were close to where the crowd was

located.” Id. Moreover, the physical evidence showed that “nearly all of the

shots—were directed towards that crowd.” Id. In light of the video surveillance

footage and physical evidence, the trial court determined that

12
State v. Avington, No. 101398-1

Mr. Avington’s assertion, his testimony that he aimed away
from people, in my view is not credible. The video evidence shows
Mr. Avington holding the gun that he fired in a level fashion. It does
not demonstrate that Mr. Avington was aiming that gun upwards and
away from individuals as he testified he aimed up and to the right.
The video evidence doesn’t support that assertion.

Id.

Thus, the trial court declined to give the lesser included offense instruction,

ruling that the jury could not “rationally conclude that any of these defendants

committed Manslaughter in the First Degree to the exclusion of extreme

indifference murder.” Id. at 2629.

C. Convictions and appeal

Avington and Smalley were each found guilty of one count of first degree

murder, one count of second degree murder, and three counts of first degree

assault; each count included the firearm enhancement and aggravating

circumstance as charged. 1 The jury found Davis not guilty. At sentencing, the

trial court dismissed the second degree murder convictions with prejudice due to

double jeopardy concerns. Avington was sentenced on the remaining charges to

929 months of total confinement.

1
The jury was not asked to specify whether the defendants were convicted as principals
or accomplices. However, in light of the undisputed evidence proving that Avington’s gun could
not have fired the bullet that killed King, Avington’s first degree murder conviction was
necessarily based on accomplice liability.

13
State v. Avington, No. 101398-1

Avington appealed, arguing (among other issues) that the “trial court’s

refusal to instruct the jury on the lesser included offense of first degree

manslaughter requires reversal of [his] conviction for first degree murder by

extreme indifference.” Opening Br. of Appellant at 22 (Wash. Ct. App. No.

55222-1-II (2021)) (capitalization omitted). The Court of Appeals disagreed with

Avington and affirmed the trial court’s ruling. In the published portion of the

opinion, the Court of Appeals held that Avington’s testimony, in support of a lesser

included offense instruction, “was directly contradicted” by the video evidence and

his own stipulation. State v. Avington, 23 Wn. App. 2d 847, 861, 517 P.3d 527

(2022) (published in part). Avington petitioned for this court’s review of multiple

issues. We granted review only on the lesser included offense instruction.

ISSUE

Whether the trial court abused its discretion by declining to instruct the jury

on first degree manslaughter as a lesser included offense of first degree murder by

extreme indifference in light of the evidence presented at trial.

ANALYSIS

A. Background law on lesser included offenses, the Workman test, and the
standard of review

The statutory right to lesser included offense instructions “protect[s]

procedural fairness and substantial justice for the accused.” Coryell, 197 Wn.2d at

412 (citing State v. Condon, 182 Wn.2d 307, 328, 343 P.3d 357 (2015)); RCW

14
State v. Avington, No. 101398-1

10.61.006. As we reaffirmed in Coryell, giving juries the option to convict on a

lesser included offense

“is crucial to the integrity of our criminal justice system because when
defendants are charged with only one crime, juries must either convict
them of that crime or let them go free. In some cases, that will create
a risk that the jury will convict the defendant despite having
reasonable doubts.”

197 Wn.2d at 418 (quoting Henderson, 182 Wn.2d at 736).

Nevertheless, a defendant is not automatically entitled to a lesser included

offense instruction. Instead, the giving of a lesser included offense instruction is

determined by the two-pronged Workman test: “(1) each of the elements of the

lesser offense is a necessary element of the offense charged (legal prong) and

(2) evidence in the case supports an inference that the lesser crime was committed

(factual prong).” Id. at 400 (citing Workman, 90 Wn.2d at 447-48). As noted

above, it is not disputed that the legal prong of the Workman test is satisfied here.

See Henderson, 182 Wn.2d at 742. Therefore, this case concerns only Workman’s

factual prong.

Key to our analysis here is our recent opinion in Coryell, which addressed

the factual prong in depth and resolved the “tension” in our precedent concerning

the appropriate analysis. 197 Wn.2d at 406. We need not repeat Coryell’s analysis

in full, but to briefly summarize, Workman held that to satisfy the factual prong,

“the evidence in the case must support an inference that the lesser crime was

15
State v. Avington, No. 101398-1

committed.” 90 Wn.2d at 448 (emphasis added). However, Coryell acknowledged

that “confusion has arisen after some of our opinions have expressed Workman’s

factual prong as requiring evidence ‘that only the lesser included/inferior degree

offense was committed to the exclusion of the [greater] charged offense.’” 197

Wn.2d at 400 (alteration in original) (quoting State v. Fernandez-Medina, 141

Wn.2d 448, 455, 6 P.3d 1150 (2000)). As a result, the defendant in Coryell argued

“that our cases recognize two inconsistent versions of Workman: the ‘inference’

standard originally established in Workman . . . and the ‘exclusion’ standard first

articulated in Fernandez-Medina.” Id. at 406.

After carefully exploring the history and purposes of lesser included and

lesser degree offenses in Washington, we concluded that “properly understood,

Fernandez-Medina’s ‘to the exclusion of the charged offense’ language does not

alter the Workman test.” Id. at 400. Instead, this “exclusion” language was “an

attempt to state more clearly a principle that is simple in the abstract and often

complicated in the specific: a defendant is entitled to a lesser included instruction

based on the evidence actually admitted.” Id. at 406. As a result, Coryell

concluded that Workman’s factual prong “was never intended to require evidence

that the greater, charged crime was not committed—only that a jury, faced with

conflicting evidence, could conclude the prosecution had proved only the lesser or

inferior crime.” Id. at 414-15.

16
State v. Avington, No. 101398-1

Thus, in accordance with Coryell, “the factual requirement for giving a

lesser or inferior degree instruction is that some evidence must be presented—from

whatever source, including cross-examination—that affirmatively establishes the

defendant’s theory before an instruction will be given.” Id. at 415. In cases where

there is relevant “conflicting evidence, this evidence presents a question of fact for

the jury,” which is the sole judge of the weight and credibility of the testimony and

other evidence at trial. Id. at 414.

Today, we reaffirm that Coryell sets forth the correct standard for assessing

Workman’s factual prong. We recognize that the fact-intensive inquiry required by

the factual prong is “often complicated” to apply in practice. Id. at 406. As a

result, a trial court’s decision is reviewed for abuse of discretion if it “‘was based

on a factual determination.’” Id. at 405 (quoting Condon, 182 Wn.2d at 315-16).

However, Avington also raises a question of law, arguing that the trial court

applied an incorrect legal standard when assessing the factual prong in this case.

Therefore, we must first review de novo whether the trial court applied the correct

legal standard. Id. If so, then we review the trial court’s application of the law to

the facts of this case for abuse of discretion. Id.

B. The trial court applied the correct standard of law

Avington argues that the trial court applied the incorrect legal standard by

stating that the relevant inquiry was “whether ‘the jury in this case could rationally

17
State v. Avington, No. 101398-1

conclude that only Manslaughter in the First Degree was committed to the

exclusion of extreme indifference murder.’” Pet’r’s Suppl. Br. at 10 (quoting 17

RP (Oct. 19, 2020) at 2622). According to Avington, Coryell rejected such

“exclusion language” as “a misapplication and misunderstanding of the Workman

test.” Id. However, as discussed above, Coryell’s analysis clarified that the

“exclusion” language, “properly understood, . . . does not alter the Workman test.”

197 Wn.2d at 400 (emphasis added). Thus, to determine whether the trial court

applied the correct legal standard, we cannot rely solely on the trial court’s use of

the “exclusion” language. Instead, we must determine whether the trial court

applied the “exclusion” language in a manner that was inconsistent with Coryell.

We hold that it did not.

As discussed above, Coryell acknowledged that the “exclusion” language

from Fernandez-Medina has caused “confusion,” and we took “the opportunity to

clarify the law.” 197 Wn.2d at 408, 411. However, Coryell did not disavow

Fernandez-Medina nor did we suggest that a trial court’s use of the word

“exclusion,” without more, necessarily indicates that the court applied an incorrect

legal standard. Coryell merely clarified that “the question is not whether the

evidence excludes the greater charged crime. Instead, the question is whether the

evidence raises an inference that the lesser degree or lesser included offense was

18
State v. Avington, No. 101398-1

committed such that a jury might have a reasonable doubt as to which [offense]

was committed.” Id. at 417-18.

The trial court’s ruling in this case predates Coryell, and thus the trial court

did not have the benefit of our clarification of the Workman test. As a result, the

trial court used the “exclusion” language twice in its oral ruling on Avington’s

request for a lesser included offense instruction. Initially, the trial court stated:

So the question I’m going to try to answer here is, does the
current case, the case at bar, present a set of facts that when viewed
most favorably to the defendants such that the jury in this case could
rationally conclude that only Manslaughter in the First Degree was
committed to the exclusion of extreme indifference murder. My
answer is no.

17 RP (Oct. 20, 2020) at 2622 (emphasis added). Then, at the end of its analysis,

the trial court stated:

So for all of these factual reasons I have tried to view this
evidence in a light most favorable to the defendants, but based on all
these facts, I do not believe the jury in this case could rationally
conclude that any of these defendants committed Manslaughter in the
First Degree to the exclusion of extreme indifference murder

Id. at 2629 (emphasis added).

Avington appears to argue that the trial court’s use of the “exclusion”

language necessarily shows that the trial court applied the incorrect legal standard.

We reaffirm that the trial court’s statement is no longer an accurate description of

the factual prong in light of Coryell. However, Coryell explicitly states that the

19
State v. Avington, No. 101398-1

“exclusion” language cannot be “[r]ead in isolation” and must instead be

considered “in context.” 197 Wn.2d at 406.

Thus, Coryell instructs us to consider the trial court’s substantive analysis,

not just isolated words from its oral ruling, to determine whether “the trial court

erred in requiring evidence that would exclude the commission of the charged

crime.” 197 Wn.2d at 419. Except for the statements quoted above, we find no

indication that the trial court erroneously believed Avington was required to

produce evidence excluding a first degree murder conviction. Instead, the trial

court properly engaged in a detailed analysis of the evidence in this case as

compared to Henderson. Coryell did not abrogate Henderson, and we explicitly

reaffirm that Henderson remains good law. Therefore, the trial court applied the

correct legal standard when assessing Workman’s factual prong in this case.

C. Avington does not point to affirmative evidence supporting a lesser included
offense instruction on first degree manslaughter

Finally, Avington argues that the trial court abused its discretion because it

improperly “weighed the evidence and engaged in its own determinations of

credibility” when it applied the factual prong of the Workman test. Pet’r’s Suppl.

20
State v. Avington, No. 101398-1

Br. at 5.2 We reject this argument because Avington takes the trial court’s remarks

out of context.

Avington points only to his own trial testimony to support his request for a

lesser included offense instruction on manslaughter. As discussed above,

Avington testified that he “aimed away from [Walls]” when he fired his gun and

that he intended to aim “high and to the right,” rather than directly at anyone. 16

RP (Oct. 15, 2020) at 2501; 17 RP (Oct. 19, 2020) at 2580. Avington correctly

notes that in its oral ruling, the trial court stated that “the physical evidence

undermines greatly the credibility of Mr. Avington’s assertion that he did not aim

at anybody in particular.” 17 RP (Oct. 20, 2020) at 2628-29 (emphasis added).

We take this opportunity to reaffirm that the members of the jury, not the

trial judge, are “‘the sole and exclusive judges of the evidence.’” Coryell, 197

Wn.2d at 414 (quoting State v. McDaniels, 30 Wn.2d 76, 88, 190 P.2d 705 (1948),

overruled in part on other grounds by State v. Partridge, 47 Wn.2d 640, 289 P.2d

702 (1955)). Thus, genuine questions of credibility must be left to “the jury’s

decision.” Id. at 401. We reaffirm that it is an abuse of discretion for a trial court

2
In his supplemental brief, Avington argues in the alternative that he was “entitled to
manslaughter instructions” because he “need[ed] to act in self-defense, but recklessly or
negligently used more force than was necessary to repel the attack.” Pet’r’s Suppl. Br. at 22
(citing State v. Schaffer, 135 Wn.2d 355, 358, 957 P.2d 214 (1998)). However, Avington’s
petition for review argued only that the trial court relied on an incorrect legal standard for the
factual prong of the Workman test and improperly “weighed the evidence and engaged in its own
determination of credibility.” Pet. for Rev. at 19. Therefore, Avington’s alternative argument
regarding self-defense is not properly before us and we decline to consider it. See RAP 13.7(b).

21
State v. Avington, No. 101398-1

to “weigh[ ] the evidence and deny[ ] a lesser included instruction when the

evidence presented should have been weighed by the jury.” Id. at 415.

However, the jury is required to weigh only relevant evidence. Therefore,

we decline to automatically reverse Avington’s conviction based on the trial

court’s inartful wording. To the contrary, as this court has observed when applying

the abuse of discretion standard in various contexts, a trial court’s ruling “will not

be reversed simply because the trial court gave a wrong or insufficient reason for

its determination.” State v. Markle, 118 Wn.2d 424, 438, 823 P.2d 1101 (1992)

(discretionary evidentiary ruling) (citing Pannell v. Thompson, 91 Wn.2d 591, 603,

589 P.2d 1235 (1979)); see also In re Est. of Beard, 60 Wn.2d 127, 134-35, 372

P.2d 530 (1962) (discretionary ruling removing executor of an estate). Applying

the same reasoning here, we consider the trial court’s remarks in the context of the

charged offenses and the undisputed evidence presented at trial. Doing so, we

conclude that Avington’s testimony did not create any relevant factual dispute for

the jury’s determination.

Avington argues that he was entitled to an instruction on first degree

manslaughter as a lesser included offense instruction to first degree murder by

extreme indifference because he testified that he was not aiming at anybody when

he fired his gun. We assume that Avington’s testimony on this point was both

22
State v. Avington, No. 101398-1

truthful and credible. See Coryell, 197 Wn.2d at 414. However, it was irrelevant

to a lesser included offense instruction relating to King’s death.

To be entitled to a lesser included offense instruction on first degree

manslaughter, Avington must point to evidence that King was killed “recklessly,”

that is, under circumstances where the shooter “knew of and disregarded a

substantial risk that a homicide may occur.” RCW 9A.32.060(1)(a); Henderson,

182 Wn.2d at 743. Avington attempts to make this showing by pointing to his

testimony about where he aimed his own gun. However, as discussed above, the

undisputed evidence shows that Avington’s gun could not have fired the bullet that

killed King. As a result, Avington could be convicted for King’s death only as an

accomplice.

Thus, the direction in which Avington aimed his own gun is simply not

relevant to his request for a lesser included offense instruction on manslaughter.

The proposed instruction would have required the jury to find that “King died as a

result of defendant’s reckless acts.” CP at 86. It would be impossible for the jury

to hold that King died as a result of Avington’s reckless acts, because it is

undisputed that Avington did not cause King’s death. Instead, the jury would need

to decide whether the person who actually shot and killed King acted recklessly.

Avington fails to point to any evidence about the aim or mental state of the person

who actually shot and killed King.

23
State v. Avington, No. 101398-1

Moreover, as discussed above, Smalley testified that he was the one who

shot and killed King. Smalley further testified that he fired over a dozen shots

while aiming at three specific people, including King. This evidence cannot

support a lesser included offense instruction for manslaughter. Instead, Smalley’s

testimony can be construed only as evidence that King was killed “‘[u]nder

circumstances manifesting an extreme indifference to human life . . . [where the

shooter] engages in conduct which creates a grave risk of death,’” as required for

first degree murder. Henderson, 182 Wn.2d at 743 (first and second alteration in

original) (quoting RCW 9A.32.030(1)(b)).

Because Avington’s testimony was irrelevant to his request for a lesser

included offense instruction, the credibility of Avington’s testimony was not a

genuine question of fact that should have been decided by the jury. In other words,

even if Avington’s testimony was credible, it could not have “affirmatively

establish[ed] the defendant’s theory of the case.” Coryell, 197 Wn.2d at 415.

Therefore, although the trial court used inartful language, there was no

genuine factual issue for the jury to resolve in determining Avington’s guilt as an

accomplice to King’s death. Moreover, the trial court methodically reviewed all

the evidence admitted at trial to determine whether a rational jury could conclude

that King was killed recklessly, rather than under circumstances manifesting an

extreme indifference to human life. The trial court reasonably determined that it

24
State v. Avington, No. 101398-1

could not and therefore properly exercised its discretion in denying Avington’s

request for a lesser included offense instruction.

CONCLUSION

Today, we reaffirm the analysis of Workman’s factual prong as set forth in

Coryell. Lesser included offense instructions are not required in every case.

Instead, “some evidence must be presented—from whatever source, including

cross-examination—that affirmatively establishes the defendant’s theory before an

instruction will be given.” Id. at 415. We recognize that this standard can be

difficult to apply in practice. However, in this case, the trial court properly

exercised its discretion because Avington does not point to any relevant evidence

to support his request for an instruction on first degree manslaughter as a lesser

included offense to first degree murder by extreme indifference. We affirm.

25
State v. Avington, No. 101398-1

WE CONCUR:

Melnick, J.P.T.

26
State v. Avington (Dominique James), No. 101398-1
(Gordon McCloud, J., dissenting)

No. 101398-1

GORDON McCLOUD, J. (dissenting)—I agree with the majority that State

v. Coryell, 197 Wn.2d 397, 483 P.3d 98 (2021), controls and that it bars the trial

court from making credibility determinations that should be left for the jury. I

agree with the majority that the trial court in this case erred by making a credibility

determination that should have been left for the jury and that that error affected the

trial court’s decision to reject the proffered lesser included offense instruction.

I disagree with the majority, however, on its analysis of the impact of that

error. The majority states that the trial court’s erroneous credibility determination

was irrelevant to Dominique James Avington’s legal liability for first degree

murder by extreme indifference because the jury’s conclusion was obviously based

on accomplice liability—and the trial court’s error had no bearing on Avington’s

liability as an accomplice. In other words, the majority concludes that the error

was harmless because the jury must have chosen the only legally correct basis for

conviction—accomplice liability—rather than the legally incorrect basis for

conviction—principal liability.

This result conflicts with controlling United States Supreme Court

precedent. The Supreme Court ruled, over 50 years ago, that if a jury is presented

1
State v. Avington (Dominique James), No. 101398-1
(Gordon McCloud, J., dissenting)

with two different legal theories on which to base a conviction of a single crime—

one legally permissible theory and one legally impermissible theory—then on

review of any resulting conviction, we cannot presume that the jury chose the

legally permissible theory. Yates v. United States, 354 U.S. 298, 77 S. Ct. 1064, 1

L. Ed. 2d 1356 (1957), overruled in part on other grounds by Burks v. United

States, 437 U.S. 1, 8-10, 98 S. Ct. 2141, 57 L. Ed. 2d 1 (1978). The jury is simply

not equipped to make that legal (rather than factual) determination. Yates, 354

U.S. at 311-12. Adopting such a presumption, as the majority does, violates due

process clause protections of the United States Constitution. Id.; see also Skilling v.

United States, 561 U.S. 358, 414, 130 S. Ct. 2896, 177 L. Ed. 2d 619 (2010)

(applying Yates’ holding that “constitutional error occurs when a jury is instructed

on alternative theories of guilt and returns a general verdict that may rest on a

legally invalid theory”); U.S. CONST. amend. VI.

As a result, under that binding United States Supreme Court precedent and

its progeny, it is our duty as a reviewing court to determine whether the trial

court’s error in instructing the jury that it could base its conviction on a legally

erroneous theory was harmless. As discussed below, the answer to that question is

no. The error is not harmless because the State has not shown “‘beyond a

reasonable doubt that the error complained of did not contribute to the verdict

obtained.’” Neder v. United States, 527 U.S. 1, 15, 119 S. Ct. 1827, 144 L. Ed. 2d

2
State v. Avington (Dominique James), No. 101398-1
(Gordon McCloud, J., dissenting)

35 (1999) (quoting Chapman v. California, 386 U.S. 18, 24, 87 S. Ct. 824, 17 L.

Ed. 2d 705 (1967)). We should therefore reverse.

For these reasons, I respectfully dissent.

FACTS

As the majority accurately explains, on October 20, 2018, Avington and

some friends visited the New World VIP Lounge in Lakewood, Washington.

Majority at 3. Avington carried a .40 caliber gun hidden in his sweat pants. 16 Rep.

of Proc. (RP) (Oct. 15, 2020) at 2463. A fistfight broke out inside the club after

Perry Walls approached Avington and his friends and accused them of

disrespecting a bartender. 15 RP (Oct. 14, 2018) at 2342-46.

Avington and his friends left the club. Once outside, Avington saw Walls

leave the club too, “still yelling” and “coming towards [them].” 16 RP (Oct. 15,

2020) at 2499. Avington testified that Walls said, “‘I got something for you’” and

“‘I’ll kill all you’” and then lifted his “shirt and show[ed] a gun.” Id. Avington then

fired six shots from his .40 caliber gun. Id. Avington testified that he was not

aiming at anyone and was shooting to try to scare Walls off. 17 RP (Oct. 19, 2020)

at 2580; 16 RP (Oct. 15, 2020) at 2501. Avington’s friend Darry Smalley began

shooting also. Unlike Avington, however, Smalley testified that he intentionally

aimed toward Walls and others. 16 RP (Oct. 15, 2020) at 2429-31.

3
State v. Avington (Dominique James), No. 101398-1
(Gordon McCloud, J., dissenting)

Terrance King was killed in the shooting. Three other individuals were

wounded, one very seriously. Police later recovered “30 different fired cartridge

casings” from the club’s parking lot. 11 RP (Oct. 7, 2020) at 1638. Police

determined that 8 bullets struck four people, 13 bullets “struck areas around the

front entrance” of the nightclub, 1 bullet struck a parked car, and 2 bullets “passed

through the front door” toward the inside of the nightclub. 13 RP (Oct. 12, 2020) at

2071. Forensic analysis showed that there were likely three shooters involved and

that they had used two 9mm guns and one .40 caliber gun. 14 RP (Oct. 13, 2020) at

2165. As the majority explains, a 9mm bullet killed King. “Undisputed testimony

established that this bullet ‘could not have come from a .40 caliber firearm’ and

was ‘[d]efinitely not’ fired by Avington’s gun.” Majority at 8-9 (alteration in

original) (quoting 13 RP (Oct. 12, 2020) at 2069; 12 RP (Oct. 8, 2020) at 1803)).

Avington, Smalley, and Kenneth Davis were later identified as suspects and

arrested.

PROCEDURAL HISTORY

Avington was charged with one count of murder in the first degree, in

violation of RCW 9A.32.030(1)(b), for the death of King. Clerk’s Papers (CP) at

53 (am. information). 1 The charging instrument need not specify whether it

1
The amended information also charged Avington with one count of second
degree murder and three counts of first degree assault. CP at 53-55. Each count included
4
State v. Avington (Dominique James), No. 101398-1
(Gordon McCloud, J., dissenting)

charges the defendant as a principal or accomplice, State v. Davenport, 100 Wn.2d

757, 764-65, 675 P.2d 1213 (1984), and this charging instrument did not so

specify.

RCW 9A.32.030(1)(b) provides that a person is guilty of first degree murder

when, “[u]nder circumstances manifesting an extreme indifference to human life,

he or she engages in conduct which creates a grave risk of death to any person, and

thereby causes the death of a person.”

Before trial, Avington stipulated that he was one of the people pictured in

six still photographs taken from surveillance video. CP at 67. As to two of those

still photographs, which depicted the exterior of the New World VIP Lounge from

different angles, Avington stipulated that he “was at that time firing multiple

rounds from a semi-automatic handgun.” Id. at 70. Avington did not make any

stipulations regarding the interpretation of the still photos—for example, he did not

stipulate that he was standing in any particular way nor did he make any

stipulations about the direction he was aiming or firing.2 The videos from which

a firearm enhancement and the aggravating circumstance that the offense involved a
destructive and foreseeable impact on persons other than the victim. Id.
2
The majority states, “In his trial testimony, Avington confirmed that the
surveillance video showed him standing near Smalley and that both were ‘shoot[ing]
flatfooted’ toward the crowd in front of the nightclub.” Majority at 8 (alteration in
original) (quoting 17 RP (Oct. 19, 2020) at 2560). This statement could be misleading.
Although Avington confirmed that he was pictured in the surveillance video, Avington
never testified or stipulated that he was shooting “toward the crowd in front of the
5
State v. Avington (Dominique James), No. 101398-1
(Gordon McCloud, J., dissenting)

the still photographs were taken were admitted into evidence, along with numerous

other videos.

Avington then testified at trial. He stated that Walls showed his gun and

threatened to kill Avington. 16 RP (Oct. 15, 2020) at 2499. Avington testified that

he shot to “scare [Walls] and prevent him from shooting or killing me like he said

he would.” Id. Avington continued that he never aimed at anyone and that he shot

“high and to the right” of the crowd. E.g., 16 RP (Oct. 15, 2020) at 2501 (“I wasn’t

aiming at anything in general.”); 17 RP (Oct. 19, 2020) at 2580 (“I shot high and to

the right. I didn’t shoot at anybody. I didn’t aim for anybody.”, “I specifically

aimed away from everybody in general.”), 2581 (“Q[:] You then bring your gun

up, ‘I don’t want to hit people,’ you bring it above them, ‘I’m going to shoot over

them.’ Do I have that right? A[:] That wasn’t my thought, but that’s what I did,

yes.”).

And, as the majority explains, the undisputed evidence showed that the 9mm

bullet that killed the victim could not have come from Avington’s .40 caliber

firearm. Majority at 7-9.

Given this evidence, Avington asked the trial court to instruct the jury on the

lesser included offense of first degree manslaughter. Avington argued that a

nightclub.” Rather, Avington maintained in his testimony that he never aimed at anyone
and that he shot “high and to the right” of the crowd. 17 RP (Oct. 19, 2020) at 2580.

6
State v. Avington (Dominique James), No. 101398-1
(Gordon McCloud, J., dissenting)

reasonable jury “could find man[slaughter] 1 as opposed to murder 1 based on lack

of extreme indifference but just on a negligence type standard, or reckless

standard.” 17 RP (Oct. 20, 2020) at 2613.

The trial court refused the instruction. It reviewed the evidence in the case,

including Avington’s testimony, and determined that Avington’s testimony “that

he aimed away from people, in my view is not credible.” Id. at 2628. The court

continued with its credibility determination:

The video evidence . . . does not demonstrate that Mr. Avington was aiming
that gun upwards and away from individuals as he testified he aimed up and
to the right. . . .

The physical evidence in this case that I’ve been referring to
demonstrates that all of the shots—well, nearly all of the shots—were
directed towards that crowd. So the physical evidence undermines greatly
the credibility of Mr. Avington’s assertion that he did not aim at anybody in
particular because the gunfire landed very close to or directly into the crowd.

Id. at 2628-29. The court then used this credibility determination to refuse the

requested lesser included instruction. As the court itself explained, “This is not [a]

case where the jury could rationally conclude that only Manslaughter 1 was

committed.” Id. at 2622.

The majority acknowledges that the trial court erred. But it states that none

of this matters because Avington was “necessarily” convicted as an accomplice,

rather than a principal, and the trial court’s credibility determination had no effect

on that basis for conviction. Majority at 13 n.1.

7
State v. Avington (Dominique James), No. 101398-1
(Gordon McCloud, J., dissenting)

But the record tells a different story about whether the jury “necessarily”

convicted Avington on the only legally permissible basis, that is, on the basis of

accomplice liability.

First, the closing arguments do not allow us to conclude that Avington was

convicted only as an accomplice. The State’s closing argued both principal and

accomplice liability as bases for convicting Avington and his codefendants on all

charges. 18 RP (Oct. 21, 2020) at 2690-91 (“The actors, with extreme indifference,

assaulted, shot and caused the death of someone, in this case Terrance King.”).

Avington certainly responded that he could not be guilty of first degree murder as a

principal because he was not the legal cause of King’s death, given that Avington’s

bullet did not kill King. Id. at 2762. He also argued there was insufficient evidence

to convict him as an accomplice. Id. But the State did not concede either point.

Second, the instructions do not allow us to conclude that the jury convicted

Avington only as an accomplice. The court gave the following jury instruction on

the elements of the crime of first degree murder by extreme indifference:

To convict defendant Avington of the crime of murder in the first
degree, as charged in Count I, each of the following elements of the crime
must be proved beyond a reasonable doubt:
(1) That on or about October 21, 2018, defendant Avington or an
accomplice created a grave risk of death to another person;
(2) That defendant Avington or an accomplice knew of and
disregarded the grave risk of death;

8
State v. Avington (Dominique James), No. 101398-1
(Gordon McCloud, J., dissenting)

(3) That defendant Avington or an accomplice engaged in that
conduct under circumstances manifesting an extreme indifference to human
life;
(4) That Terrence [sic] King died as a result of the acts of defendant
Avington or an accomplice; and
(5) That any of these acts occurred in the State of Washington.

CP at 202 (instruction 11). The court also instructed the jury on accomplice

liability. CP at 199 (instruction 8). Together, these instructions allowed the jury to

convict Avington as either a principal or an accomplice. The court did not

otherwise instruct the jury on the causation element of extreme indifference

murder.

These instructions did not ensure that the jury convicted only on the legally

permissible basis of accomplice liability. No jury interrogatory ensured that the

jury convicted only on the legally permissible basis of accomplice liability, either.

In fact, during deliberations, the jury submitted two questions to the court about

what accomplice liability meant. The first one asked, “Are accomplices in all

matters pertaining to the instructions limited to the defend[a]nts?” CP at 187. The

court answered, “Please see instructions 8 and 18. An accomplice need not be a

defendant.” Id. The second one asked, “If person A is determined to be an

accomplice to person B, is person B automatically considered an accomplice to

person A?” Id. at 188. The court responded, “In applying instruction 8, you are to

consider each defendant individually.” Id.

9
State v. Avington (Dominique James), No. 101398-1
(Gordon McCloud, J., dissenting)

The jury convicted Avington as charged. The court vacated the second

degree murder conviction to avoid double jeopardy problems. CP at 315. The court

sentenced Avington to 929 months of confinement on the remaining counts. Id. at

317-18.

Avington appealed, arguing in part that the “trial court’s refusal to instruct

the jury on the lesser included offense of first degree manslaughter requires

reversal of [his] conviction for first degree murder by extreme indifference.”

Opening Br. of Appellant at 22 (Wash. Ct. App. No. 55222-1-II (2021))

(capitalization omitted). The Court of Appeals affirmed. State v. Avington, 23 Wn.

App. 2d 847, 861, 517 P.3d 527 (2022) (published in part). Avington petitioned for

review in this court, and we granted review of the lesser included offense jury

instruction issue only. Ord., State v. Avington, No. 101398-1 (Feb. 8, 2003).

ANALYSIS

The majority holds that RCW 9A.32.030(1)(b) requires the State to prove

that the defendant who is charged with “extreme indifference” murder is the direct

cause of the resulting death in order to convict that defendant as a principal. I

completely agree with that holding.

The majority also holds that following our recent decision in Coryell, the

trial court cannot refuse a request for a lesser included offense instruction based on

its own determination of the credibility of the witnesses—credibility

10
State v. Avington (Dominique James), No. 101398-1
(Gordon McCloud, J., dissenting)

determinations are reserved for the jury. I completely agree with that holding,

also.

But the majority continues that since Avington could not be convicted on the

legally incorrect and inapplicable theory of principal liability, then the jury must

have convicted him based on the legally correct and applicable theory of

accomplice liability; in other words, the majority holds that the jury must have

convicted Avington as an accomplice because conviction as a principal is legally

unsupportable in this case. Majority at 23.

That conclusion does not follow from the first two holdings. And it does not

follow from the record in this case, either. The majority ignores the critical fact

that the trial court told the jury that it could convict Avington on a legally

erroneous basis—as a principal actor. Following that erroneous instruction, there is

simply no way to tell whether the jury actually convicted Avington as a principal

or as an accomplice. Rather, the charging information, the parties’ arguments, the

jury instructions, and the verdict forms show that the jury might have convicted

him under a legally acceptable theory of accomplice liability; but they also show

that the jury might have convicted him under the legally unacceptable theory of

principal liability. Under Yates and its progeny, this violates the due process clause

of the United States Constitution. Applying the appropriate harmless error

analysis, we should reverse.

11
State v. Avington (Dominique James), No. 101398-1
(Gordon McCloud, J., dissenting)

I. Yates and its progeny control the due process clause issue presented
by the majority’s approach to this case

As discussed above, uncontroverted evidence showed that Avington’s bullet

did not kill King. This means that Avington could not have been legally liable as a

principal for the first degree murder of King because Avington did not “cause[]”

King’s death. RCW 9A.32.030(1)(b); see also majority at 13 n.1.

Jury instructions must be supported by substantial evidence. State v.

Clausing, 147 Wn.2d 620, 626, 56 P.3d 550 (2002) (citing State v. Riley, 137

Wn.2d 904, 908 n. 1, 909, 976 P.2d 624 (1999)). Since no evidence supported this

instruction, the trial court erred in instructing the jury that it could convict

Avington as a principal for first degree murder. Id. at 627 (citing State v.

Fernandez-Medina, 141 Wn.2d 448, 455, 6 P.3d 1150 (2000)); State v. Hughes,

106 Wn.2d 176, 191, 721 P.2d 902 (1986); Albin v. Nat’l Bank of Com. of Seattle,

60 Wn.2d 745, 754, 375 P.2d 487 (1962)).

This instructional error told the jury that it could convict Avington of first

degree murder on a legally permissible basis, accomplice liability, but also that it

could convict him on a legally impermissible basis, principal liability. The United

States Supreme Court held that this type of trial error violates the constitutional

right to due process of law in Yates. 354 U.S. 298. The Yates Court held that

where there is one legally permissible basis and one legally impermissible basis for

12
State v. Avington (Dominique James), No. 101398-1
(Gordon McCloud, J., dissenting)

conviction, and the record makes it impossible to tell whether the jury rested its

decision to convict on the permissible or the impermissible basis, then the

conviction must be reversed. Id. at 311-12.

In that case, the defendants were charged with conspiracy to (1) “advocate”

the violent overthrow of the government and (2) to “organize, as the Communist

Party of the United States, a society of persons who so advocate.” Id. at 300-01.

The jury was instructed that in order to convict, it must find “an overt act which

was ‘knowingly done in furtherance of an object or purpose of the conspiracy

charged in the indictment.’” Id. at 311.

The Yates Court ruled that the charge of “organizing” was barred by a three-

year statute of limitations. Id. at 312. Thus, the Court concluded the charging

instrument and instructions showed that there was one permissible basis for

conviction, advocacy, and one impermissible basis, organizing. Id. After

examining the record, the Court found that it had “no way of knowing whether the

overt act found by the jury was one which it believed to be in furtherance of the

‘advocacy’ rather than the ‘organizing’ objective of the alleged conspiracy.” Id. at

311-12. Based on principles of due process, the Court held that the “verdict [must]

be set aside in cases where the verdict is supportable on one ground, but not on

another, and it is impossible to tell which ground the jury selected.” Id. at 312

(citing Stromberg v. California, 283 U.S. 359, 367-68, 51 S. Ct. 532, 75 L. Ed.

13
State v. Avington (Dominique James), No. 101398-1
(Gordon McCloud, J., dissenting)

1117 (1931); Williams v. North Carolina, 317 U.S. 287, 291-92, 63 S. Ct. 207, 87

L. Ed. 279 (1942); Cramer v. United States, 325 U.S. 1, 36 n. 45, 65 S. Ct. 918, 89

L. Ed. 1441 (1945)); see also Skilling, 561 U.S. at 414 (applying Yates’ holding

that “constitutional error occurs when a jury is instructed on alternative theories of

guilt and returns a general verdict that may rest on a legally invalid theory”).

This case is just like Yates in all relevant respects. The record in this case,

just like the record in Yates, makes it “impossible to tell which ground the jury

selected.” 354 U.S. at 312. As discussed above, the charging instrument shows that

the State charged Avington as a principal (though it was certainly free to seek a

conviction on the additional ground that Avington acted as an accomplice). The

trial court told the jury what the information charged at the beginning of the trial,

the jury was told nothing to the contrary during the trial, and the trial court told the

jury again—in its final instructions—after the close of evidence that Avington

could be liable as either a principal or an accomplice.3 We presume the jury

3
I therefore disagree with the majority’s conclusion that Avington’s testimony
about his aim and mental state was “was irrelevant to the actual charges.” Majority at 2.
Rather, that testimony was highly relevant to first degree murder by extreme indifference,
a crime for which Avington was charged as a principal. I further disagree that such
testimony could not have “‘affirmatively establish[ed] the defendant’s theory of the
case.’” Majority at 24 (alteration in original) (quoting Coryell, 197 Wn.2d at 415). To the
contrary, Avington’s testimony could have persuaded the jury that he did not possess the
requisite mental state or did not create a “grave risk” of death when he fired shots. The
majority agrees that testimony about the mental state and aim of the person guilty as a
principal for the death of King would be relevant to determining whether a lesser
included offense instruction must be given. But the majority does not acknowledge that
14
State v. Avington (Dominique James), No. 101398-1
(Gordon McCloud, J., dissenting)

follows the instructions of the court. State v. Grisby, 97 Wn.2d 493, 499, 647 P.2d

6 (1982) (citing State v. Kroll, 87 Wn.2d 829, 558 P.2d 173 (1976)).

Nothing cured this error of instructing the jury that it could still convict

Avington under a theory of principal liability. The State argued both principal and

accomplice liability in closing. The jury was not asked by special verdict or

interrogatory to specify whether it chose principal or accomplice liability. No jury

instruction defined the causation element of first degree murder as requiring that

the defendant’s own bullet cause the victim’s death. And during deliberations, the

jury submitted two questions to the court; both questions showed confusion about

accomplice liability.

This record does not support the conclusion that the jury must have

convicted Avington as an accomplice. Instead, it shows that the jury could have

convicted Avington as an accomplice. But it also could have convicted him

(impermissibly) as a principal.

This is precisely the situation that Yates called reversible, due process clause

error. As discussed further below, however, Yates’ automatic reversal standard has

now been changed. But its holding that this sort of error violates the due process

clause has not.

Avington himself was facing conviction as a principal for that crime, making his
testimony highly relevant to that charge.
15
State v. Avington (Dominique James), No. 101398-1
(Gordon McCloud, J., dissenting)

II. The instructional error—allowing the jury to convict on the basis of
principal liability rather than accomplice liability—was not harmless

Yates was decided before the Court “concluded in Chapman . . . , that

constitutional errors can be harmless.” Hedgpeth v. Pulido, 555 U.S. 57, 60, 129 S.

Ct. 530, 172 L. Ed. 2d 388 (2008). Thus, Yates didn’t address “whether the

instructional errors they identified could be reviewed for harmlessness, or instead

required automatic reversal.” Id.

The Supreme Court, however, has since clarified that most instructional

errors are subject to harmless error review. Id.; see also Arizona v. Fulminante, 499

U.S. 279, 306, 111 S. Ct. 1246, 113 L. Ed. 2d 302 (1991). As a result, this court

typically applies Chapman/Neder constitutional harmless error review to most jury

instruction errors. State v. Brown, 147 Wn.2d 330, 340, 58 P.3d 889 (2002) (citing

Neder, 527 U.S. at 9). Under that standard, a constitutional error is harmless if the

State shows “‘beyond a reasonable doubt that the error complained of did not

contribute to the verdict obtained.’” Neder, 527 U.S. at 15 (quoting Chapman, 386

U.S. at 24).

On the other hand, our court has applied a more protective standard of

review in instructional error cases like this one. We have consistently stated, since

at least the 1950s, and even after Chapman and Neder, that “[i]t is prejudicial error

to submit an issue to the jury that is not warranted by the evidence.” Clausing, 147

16
State v. Avington (Dominique James), No. 101398-1
(Gordon McCloud, J., dissenting)

Wn.2d at 627 (citing Fernandez-Medina, 141 Wn.2d at 455); Hughes, 106 Wn.2d

at 191; Albin, 60 Wn.2d at 754; Reynolds v. Phare, 58 Wn.2d 904, 905, 365 P.2d

328 (1961); White v. Peters, 52 Wn.2d 824, 827, 329 P.2d 471 (1958).

It is not entirely clear which of these standards should apply here.

Obviously, the instructional error of allowing the jury to convict Avington based

on principal liability would amount to reversible error under the

Clausing/Fernandez-Medina line of Washington Supreme Court decisions cited

above.

But even if the Chapman standard applies, the State has not carried its

burden to show that the instructional error in this case is harmless beyond a

reasonable doubt. I cannot conclude that the jury would have reached the same

verdict without the instructional error because it is impossible to tell from the

record whether the jury convicted Avington as a principal or as an accomplice.

Because so much other evidence gave the jury the impression that it could convict

Avington as a principal, and because the jury further showed its confusion about

accomplice liability in its two questions to the court, both the permissible and

impermissible grounds for conviction seem equally likely. Therefore, the error was

not harmless, and we should reverse Avington’s conviction for first degree murder

on this basis.

17
State v. Avington (Dominique James), No. 101398-1
(Gordon McCloud, J., dissenting)

CONCLUSION

The majority’s decision violates Yates and its progeny. Those controlling

United States Supreme Court decisions hold that “constitutional error occurs when

a jury is instructed on alternative theories of guilt and returns a general verdict that

may rest on a legally invalid theory.” Skilling, 561 U.S. at 414 (citing Yates, 354

U.S. 298). The State has not carried its burden to show that this constitutional

error was harmless. We should therefore reverse.

18