State v. R. Deavila

04/23/2024

DA 22-0378
Case Number: DA 22-0378

IN THE SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF MONTANA

2024 MT 83N

STATE OF MONTANA,

Plaintiff and Appellee,

v.

RALPH DEAVILA,

Defendant and Appellant.

APPEAL FROM: District Court of the Thirteenth Judicial District,
In and For the County of Yellowstone, Cause No. DC-20-1575
Honorable Rod Souza, Presiding Judge

COUNSEL OF RECORD:

For Appellant:

Laura Reed, Attorney at Law, Missoula, Montana

For Appellee:

Austin Knudsen, Montana Attorney General, Roy Brown, Assistant
Attorney General, Helena, Montana

Scott Twito, Yellowstone Couty Attorney, Hallie Bishop, Kelsey
Hendricks, Deputy County Attorneys, Billings, Montana

Submitted on Briefs: January 24, 2024

Decided: April 23, 2024

Filed:

q.,-6.--,f
__________________________________________
Clerk
Justice Laurie McKinnon delivered the Opinion of the Court.

¶1 Pursuant to Section I, Paragraph 3(c), Montana Supreme Court Internal Operating

Rules, this case is decided by memorandum opinion and shall not be cited and does not

serve as precedent. Its case title, cause number, and disposition shall be included in this

Court’s quarterly list of noncitable cases published in the Pacific Reporter and Montana

Reports.

¶2 Ralph Deavila (Deavila) appeals his conviction for felony DUI entered in the

Montana Thirteenth Judicial District Court, Yellowstone County. We affirm.

¶3 On November 3, 2020, Deavila, after attempting an illegal turn in the “Authorized

Vehicles Only” section of I-90, was rear-ended by another car as Deavila pulled onto the

interstate. Deavila had just finished with an off-duty trooper who observed him make the

unauthorized turn-around but decided not to issue Deavila a citation. However, another

trooper responding to the crash, Jared Delaney (Delaney), became suspicious Deavila

might be intoxicated based on his driving behavior and an open alcoholic drink in the center

console of Deavila’s vehicle. Before Deavila was transported to the hospital for medical

assistance, Delaney noted Deavila had “red, watery, bloodshot eyes,” a “dazed expression,”

and “slightly slurred” speech. Delaney asked Deavila if a blood test would “prove his

innocence” and Deavila said that it would. Trooper Jason Frendenberg (Frendenberg) was

called to the hospital for purposes of administering a blood test, but Deavila refused after

having his rights explained to him. Consequently, Frendenberg and Delaney obtained a

warrant for Deavila’s blood draw. However, when they returned to the hospital, they found

Deavila had left the hospital against medical advice. Delaney tried to reach Deavila for

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several days to no avail until Deavila came to the police station willingly on November 10,

2020. When confronted about why he had refused the blood test, Deavila admitted he did

not want the test and had been drinking earlier that day. Deavila was charged with four

misdemeanors and felony DUI. Deavila pled guilty to Count II, driving while suspended,

and proceeded to a jury trial on the other counts.

¶4 During voir dire, the prosecutor told prospective jurors they would hear at trial about

the defendant refusing a blood test and stated a refusal of a blood or breath test meant the

law would presume a person to be under the influence. During trial, the State played a

video of Delaney questioning Deavila when he came to the police station about why he had

refused the blood test. In the video, Delaney made statements to Deavila such as “that’s

kind of your opportunity to prove you weren’t impaired” and “[t]he opportunity to prove

you weren’t under impairment was given to you and then you ran out before we could do

that.” During closing rebuttal, the prosecutor reiterated Delaney’s testimony that he had

asked Deavila if a blood test would prove his innocence and Deavila confirming it would.

The prosecutor then stated Deavila had the whole ambulance ride to think about “whether

that blood draw would actually prove his innocence.” Defense counsel did not object to

any of these statements. Deavila chose not to testify at trial.

¶5 Additionally, during closing, the prosecutor stated, “there is one person in this

courtroom who knows how much the Defendant had to drink on October 3rd of 2020, think

about who that is and why that is” and shortly after, similarly stated, “the Defendant, the

only person in this room who knows how much he had to drink on November 3rd,

considered the consequence while he was in the ambulance . . . .” The State also drew

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attention to Deavila’s refusal to submit to a blood test and that a refusal created a rebuttable

inference that a person was under the influence. The State pointed out the Defendant had

not rebutted that inference. Defense counsel did not object to these comments at trial.

¶6 In the Defense’s closing, counsel criticized the State for failing to have the

passenger who was with Deavila in the car during the accident testify. In the State’s

rebuttal to the Defense’s closing, the prosecutor addressed and criticized the defense’s

failure to call the passenger, stating “the one person who could testify to whether the

Defendant was drinking only earlier in the day is not here . . . [a]sk yourself, who should

that witness testify on behalf?” Defense objected to this comment as an impermissible

shift of the burden of proof. The court overruled it indicating the State can point out facts

that were at issue that could have been controverted by someone other than the defendant

but were not.

¶7 Before deliberations, the court instructed the jury that Deavila had a constitutional

right not to testify and they were not to infer anything from the defendant’s failure to testify.

The court also instructed that Deavila was not required to prove his innocence or present

any evidence as it was the State’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. Lastly,

the court also instructed the jury that refusal of a blood or breath test was admissible

evidence and that they may infer from the refusal the person was under the influence, but

the inference is rebuttable. The jury found Deavila guilty of all counts and he was

sentenced to eight years for felony DUI. Deavila appeals his conviction, arguing the

prosecutor’s comments were improper and shifted the burden of proof, depriving Deavila

of his right to a fair trial.

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¶8 “If a prosecutor’s improper comments prejudice a defendant’s right to a fair trial,

then the proper remedy is reversal.” State v. Slade, 2008 MT 341, ¶ 18, 346 Mont. 271,

194 P.3d 677. “We use a two-step analysis to determine whether improper comments have

prejudiced a defendant’s right to a fair trial. We first determine whether the prosecutor

made improper comments and, if so, we then determine whether those comments

prejudiced the defendant’s right to a fair trial.” State v. Byrne, 2021 MT 238, ¶ 18, 405

Mont. 352, 495 P.3d 440 (citing State v. Sanchez, 2008 MT 27, ¶ 51, 341 Mont 240, 177

P.3d 444). The defendant bears the burden of showing the comment violated his substantial

rights. State v. Ritesman, 2018 MT 55, ¶ 21, 390 Mont. 399, 414 P.3d 261.

¶9 Generally, we do not address issues raised for the first time on appeal that were not

objected to at trial. State v. Favel, 2015 MT 336, ¶ 13, 381 Mont. 472, 362 P.3d 1126.

“However, we may choose to exercise discretionary plain error review where the alleged

error may result in a manifest miscarriage of justice, leaves unsettled questions of

fundamental fairness, or compromises the integrity of the judicial process.” State v. Wells,

2021 MT 103, ¶ 13, 404 Mont. 105, 485 P.3d 1220. Plain error review is discretionary,

and we apply it on a case-by-case basis. State v. Reim, 2014 MT 108, ¶ 29, 374 Mont. 487,

323 P.3d 880.

¶10 Deavila argues the state’s comment in closing that Deavila did not call the passenger

to testify violated the presumption of innocence and impermissibly shifted the burden of

proof to him. However, this Court in Kolb explained the prosecutor’s comment about the

defense not calling certain witnesses was not improper because it was in response to the

defense criticizing the prosecution for failing to call specific witnesses. State v. Kolb, 2009

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MT 9, ¶¶ 27-28, 349 Mont. 10, 200 P.3d 504. The situation is similar here, the prosecution

only critiqued the defense’s choice to not call the witness after the defense had brought up

the prosecution not calling the specific witness, and the jury was properly instructed that

the State must prove the case beyond a reasonable doubt and the defendant was under no

obligation to present any evidence or testimony. We conclude the State’s comment, when

considered in context, was not improper or a violation of the defendant’s substantial rights.

¶11 As for Deavila’s other claims of prosecutorial misconduct, he can only obtain

review under the plain error doctrine because the comments were not objected to at trial.

Wells, ¶ 13. Plain error is used sparingly for a narrow class of cases. State v. Lackman,

2017 MT 127, ¶ 9, 387 Mont. 459, 395 P.3d 477. The appealing party must “(1) show that

the claimed error implicates a fundamental right and (2) ‘firmly convince’ this Court that

failure to review the claimed error would result in a manifest miscarriage of justice, leave

unsettled the question of the fundamental fairness of the trial or proceedings, or

compromise the integrity of the judicial process.” Favel, ¶ 23 (quoting State v. Daniels,

2011 MT 278, ¶ 32, 362 Mont. 426, 265 P.3d 623). Under the Fourteenth Amendment

Due Process Clause, a criminal defendant has a fundamental right to the presumption of

innocence and every element of the charged offense must be proven beyond a reasonable

doubt. State v. Miller, 2022 MT 92, ¶ 21, 408 Mont. 316, 510 P.3d 17 (citing Estelle v.

Williams, 425 U.S. 501, 503 (1976); In re Winship, 397 U.S. 358, 363-64 (1970)). Deavila

claims the burden of proof was shifted and he was denied his right to a fair trial based on

the prosecutor’s comments indirectly addressing Deavila’s decision not to testify and his

refusal to take a blood or breath test.

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¶12 First, criminal defendants have a constitutional right against compelled

self-incrimination and cannot be made to testify at trial against their will. Miller, ¶ 21

(citing U.S. Const. amends. V and XIV; Mont. Const. Art. II, § 25). A prosecutor cannot

directly or indirectly suggest the defendant has the burden of proving his innocence or

disproving the state’s evidence. Miller, ¶ 28. A prosecutor’s comment is not improper if

“the comment does not, under the totality of the circumstances, necessarily pertain or refer

specifically to the defendant’s failure to testify, or to testimony that necessarily could come

only from the defendant.” Miller, ¶ 29. “During closing argument, a prosecutor may

comment on ‘the gravity of the crime charged, the volume of evidence, credibility of

witnesses, inferences to be drawn from various phases of evidence, and legal principles

involved, to be presented in instructions to the jury . . . .’” State v. Green, 2009 MT 114,

¶ 33, 350 Mont. 141, 205 P.3d 798 (quoting State v. Staat, 251 Mont. 1, 10, 822 P.2d 643,

648 (1991).

¶13 Twice during closing, the prosecutor commented that only the defendant knew how

much he drank that night. This comment was improper because the comment itself

acknowledged that such a defense could only be proven by the defendant. We have

previously held similar prosecutor’s comments to be improper when the evidence

referenced could have only come from the non-testifying defendant. See Town of

Columbus v. Harrington, 2001 MT 258, ¶¶ 18-21, 307 Mont. 215, 36 P.3d 937

(prosecutor’s comment about no evidence contradicting the State’s evidence was improper

and implicated the non-testifying defendant’s right to remain silent when missing evidence

could have only come from the defendant); State v. N. Hart, 154 Mont. 310, 312-16, 462

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P.2d 885, 887-89 (1969) (prosecutor’s comment about defense counsel failing to offer any

evidence contradicting a state’s witness was improper when evidence could have only

come from the non-testifying defendant).

¶14 Although the prosecutor’s comment was improper, it does not merit plain error

review. In Favel, we held a prosecutor’s comment that the defendant could have “proven

her innocence” by taking a breath test in a DUI case was improper, but it did not warrant

plain error review because the jury was properly instructed on the State’s burden of proof

and the presumption of innocence. Favel, ¶¶ 27-28. The situation is similar here, where

the jury was correctly instructed that the defendant did not have to testify or present any

evidence and the state had to prove the offense beyond a reasonable doubt. Deavila argues

Favel is distinguishable because in that case, there was a breath test offered as evidence.

Here, the State still presented ample evidence that Deavila was driving while intoxicated—

Deavila’s erratic driving, his appearance before going to the hospital, his own admission

to drinking that day, his refusal to take a blood test, and his evasion of law enforcement

once they obtained a warrant for a blood test. We therefore conclude that the record does

not warrant plain error review.

¶15 Next, we will address the testimony of Trooper Delaney that was offered by the

State that included Delaney talking to Deavila about “proving his innocence” and the

prosecutor recalling those comments in closing. A prosecutor may offer the defendant’s

refusal to take a sobriety test as probative evidence and that refusal can be used to argue

the defendant’s consciousness of guilt. Favel, ¶ 24. However, we have previously held

multiple references to the defendant having the chance to “prove their innocence” by the

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prosecutor is improper as it blurs the distinction between the defendant’s state of mind and

the State’s burden of proof. Favel, ¶ 26. Here, assuming the comments at closing by the

prosecutor were improper because it was another reference to Deavila proving his

innocence, they nonetheless do not warrant plain error review.1 Deavila has not shown

how the comment prejudiced his case. Considering the evidence produced by the State and

that the jury was instructed correctly, the comment did not result in a manifest miscarriage

of justice, affect the fundamental fairness of the trial, or compromise the integrity of the

judicial process.

¶16 Next, we address the prosecutor’s misstatements during voir dire. During the

questioning of potential jurors, the prosecutor twice stated the law would presume one to

be under the influence if they refused a blood or breath test. The statute in question

provides “[t]he trier of fact may infer from the refusal that the person was under the

influence.” Section § 61-8-404(3), MCA (2019) MCA (renumbered as 61-8-1018(2),

MCA (2023)). The prosecutor’s comments were an incorrect statement of the law.

However, the prosecutor’s statement was referenced in hypothetical questions before the

start of the trial. During trial, the prosecutor stated the law correctly as did defense counsel,

and the jury was given the correct instructions regarding an inference rather than a

presumption. There is little danger this misstatement affected the defendant’s substantial

rights, and we decline to exercise plain error review.

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The State’s reference to Delaney’s conversation with Deavila did not suggest the State had a
lower burden of proof and it offered other important probative evidence.
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¶17 Lastly, the improper statements taken together do not warrant review under

cumulative error. The defendant must show the cumulative errors taken together resulted

in actual prejudice. State v. Cunningham, 2018 MT 56, ¶ 32, 390 Mont. 408, 414 P.3d 289.

“[T]he cumulative effect of errors will rarely merit reversal.” Cunningham, ¶ 33. Deavila

has failed to show prejudice from any individual claims or from the combination of the

alleged errors.

¶18 We have determined to decide this case pursuant to Section I, Paragraph 3(c) of our

Internal Operating Rules, which provides for memorandum opinions. In the opinion of the

Court, the case presents a question controlled by settled law or by the clear application of

applicable standards of review.

¶19 Affirmed.

/S/ LAURIE McKINNON

We Concur:

/S/ MIKE McGRATH
/S/ JAMES JEREMIAH SHEA
/S/ INGRID GUSTAFSON
/S/ DIRK M. SANDEFUR

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