FILED
COURT OF APPEALS WV I
STATE. CW W/U1:-IGMI
2011 E119 fiti 9:[7
IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON
DIVISION ONE
THE STATE OF WASHINGTON, No. 73954-9-1
Respondent,
V. UNPUBLISHED OPINION
DONNA ELIZABETH GREEN,
Appellant. FILED: June 19, 2017
SCHINDLER, J. — Donna Elizabeth Green seeks reversal of the jury convictions
for one count of theft by color or aid of deception in violation of RCW 9A.56.020(1)(b)
and .030(1)(a) and five counts of forgery in violation of RCW 9A.60.020(1)(b). Green
contends the court erred by(1) refusing to instruct the jury on the statutory defense of
good faith claim of title, (2) rejecting a supplemental jury instruction on knowledge, and
(3) denying motions to substitute counsel. Green also asserts prosecutorial misconduct
in rebuttal argument deprived her of the right to a fair trial. We affirm.
FACTS
Donna Mae Green received Social Security and survivor benefits. Each month,
the Social Security Administration (SSA)deposited approximately $700 directly in her
Bank of America checking account. Donna Mae Green was the only "authorized signer"
on the account.
No. 73954-9-1/2
Donna Mae Green died on May 13, 2012. Donna Mae Green did not designate a
"representative payee" to receive SSA benefits on her behalf. Because SSA was not
notified of her death, SSA continued to deposit approximately $700 in her Bank of
America account.
Donna Elizabeth Green (Green) is the daughter of Donna Mae Green. From May
8, 2012 until January 4, 2014, Green wrote approximately 24 checks to herself using
her mother's Bank of America account. Green signed the checks as "Donna Green"
and Bank of America cashed the checks.
In December 2013, the "death match alert program" notified SSA that Donna
Mae Green died on May 13, 2012. SSA contacted Bank of America to recover the
money deposited in the account after her death. Bank of America informed SSA that
the remaining balance in the account was approximately $2,000.
In May 2014, SSA investigator Scott Henderson met with Green. Green said she
knew SSA continued to deposit money in her mother's account after her mother died.
Green told Henderson that she wrote checks on the account and used the money to pay
expenses.
The State charged Green with one count of theft by color or aid of deception in
the first degree in violation of RCW 9A.56.020(1) and .030(1)(a) and five counts of
forgery in violation of RCW 9A.60.020(1)(b). Green entered a plea of not guilty.
SSA investigator Henderson and Bank of America fraud investigator Paul Lemon
testified at trial on behalf of the State.
Henderson testified that Green told him that she and her mother "both opened
accounts at the same time at Bank of America" and "she wasn't sure whether she was
2
- No. 73954-9-1/3
the signature on her mother's account." Green said she knew SSA continued to deposit
Social Security benefits in the Bank of America account after her mother died and
admitted using the money "for her own personal use." When Henderson asked how
much money she withdrew, Green admitted she withdrew "about $19,000" in Social
Security benefits from her deceased mother's Bank of America account.
Henderson testified that Green told him she thought the Social Security
payments would stop "when they were supposed to stop." When asked whether she
attempted to contact SSA, Green told Henderson that she thought SSA "should have
contacted her."
Bank of America fraud investigator Lemon testified that Donna Mae Green was
the only "authorized signer" on the Bank of America account. Lemon stated that Bank
of America does not allow someone who is not authorized to sign checks on the
account. Lemon said video surveillance footage showed Green cashing one of the
checks on her mother's account. The court admitted still photographs from the
surveillance video into evidence.
Green did not testify or present any other evidence. The court refused to instruct
the jury on the defense of good faith claim of title or give a supplemental instruction on
knowledge. The court used 11 Washington Practice: Washington Pattern Jury
Instructions: Criminal (3d ed. 2008)(WPIC)to instruct the jury on the charged crimes of
theft by deception and forgery and the meaning of "knowledge."
The jury found Green guilty of one count of theft by color or aid of deception in
the first degree and five counts of forgery. The court imposed a first time offender
sentence of 100 hours community restitution and 6 months community supervision.
3
No. 73954-9-1/4
ANALYSIS
Good Faith Claim of Title
Green contends the court erred in refusing to instruct the jury on the defense of
good faith claim of title. We review de novo the refusal to give an instruction based on a
ruling of law. State v. Walker, 136 Wn.2d 767, 772, 966 P.2d 883(1998); State v.
Sullivan, 196 Wn. App. 277, 291, 383 P.3d 574 (2016).
The theft statute, RCW 9A.56.020(1), "sets out four distinct types of theft,
including theft by taking, embezzlement, theft by deception, and appropriation of lost or
misdelivered property." State v. Ager, 128 Wn.2d 85, 91, 904 P.2d 715(1995). RCW
9A.56.020(1)(b) defines theft by deception as follows:
"Theft" means...[b]y color or aid of deception to obtain control over the
property or services of another or the value thereof, with intent to deprive
him or her of such property or services.
Consistent with the statute, the court instructed the jury on theft by deception in
the first degree. Jury instruction 7 states:
To convict the defendant of the crime of theft in the first degree, as
charged in Count One, each of the following elements of the crime must
be proved beyond a reasonable doubt:
(1) That between May 13, 2012 and February 3, 2014, the
defendant, by color or aid of deception, obtained control over property of
another or the value thereof;
(2) That the property exceeded $5000 in value;
(3) That the defendant intended to deprive the other person of the
property;
(4) That the defendant's acts were part of a common scheme or
plan, a continuing criminal impulse, or a continuing course of criminal
conduct; and
(5) That the acts occurred in the State of Washington.
If you find from the evidence that elements (1),(2),(3),(4), and (5),
have been proved beyond a reasonable doubt, then it will be your duty to
return a verdict of guilty as to Count One.
On the other hand, if, after weighing all of the evidence, you have a
reasonable doubt as to any one of elements (1),(2),(3),(4), or (5)[,] then
4
No. 73954-9-1/5
it will be your duty to return a verdict of not guilty as to Count One.
RCW 9A.56.020(2)(a) sets forth the defense of good faith claim of title. RCW
9A.56.020(2)(a) states:
In any prosecution for theft, it shall be a sufficient defense that ...[t]he
property or service was appropriated openly and avowedly under a claim
of title made in good faith, even though the claim be untenable.
Green proposed a jury instruction based on RCW 9A.56.020(2)(a):
It is a defense to a charge of theft that the property or service was
appropriated openly and avowedly under a good faith claim of title, even if
the claim is untenable. The State has the burden of proving beyond a
reasonable doubt that the defendant did not appropriate the property
openly and avowedly under a good faith claim of title. If you find that the
State has not proved the absence of this defense beyond a reasonable
doubt, it will be your duty to return a verdict of not guilty as to the charge
of Theft in the First Degree.
In State v. Stanton, 68 Wn. App. 855, 868, 845 P.2d 1365(1993), we held a trial
court is not required to instruct the jury on the defense of good faith claim of title where
the charge is "theft by deception." Because the State must prove and the jury must find
that the defendant obtained control of property of another by"'color or aid of
deception,'"such a finding establishes the defendant did not obtain control openly and
avowedly. Stanton, 68 Wn. App. at 868 (quoting RCW 9A.56.020(1)(b)).
The trial court was not required to give the proposed instruction
where the charge was theft by deception. Before the jury can convict on
such a charge, it must find that the defendant obtained control over the
property of another "by color or aid of deception." RCW 9A.56.020(1)(b).
Such a finding necessarily includes an implied finding that the defendant
did not obtain control over the property "openly and avowedly under a
good faith claim of title."[ See RCW 9A.56.020(2)(a).] The jury need not
consider the same finding a second time, and, thus, the court need not
instruct on the defense of good faith claim of title.
Stanton,68 Wn. App. at 868.1
Emphasis in original.
No. 73954-9-1/6
In State v. Casey, 81 Wn. App. 524, 915 P.2d 587(1996), we adhered to the
decision in Stanton and rejected the argument that the legislature intended to make the
defense of good faith claim of title available for theft by deception.
We do not agree that this statute requires instruction on a defense of a
good faith claim of title in cases where, as here, it is logically impossible to
convict without implicitly rejecting any claim of good faith. A jury cannot
convict on a charge of theft by deception without first rejecting any claim of
good faith by the defendant. We therefore reiterate the conclusion we
reached in Stanton: The good faith claim of title is inapplicable as a
matter of law where the charge is theft by deception.
Casey, 81 Wn. App. at 527.
The cases Green relies on to argue she is entitled to an instruction on the good
faith claim of title defense are inapposite. See Ager, 128 Wn.2d at 92(embezzlement);
State v. Acosta, 101 Wn.2d 612, 616,683 P.2d 1069(1984)(assault); State v.
McCullum, 98 Wn.2d 484, 492,656 P.2d 1064(1983)(murder); State v. Hanton, 94
Wn.2d 129, 132, 614 P.2d 1280(1980)(manslaughter).
We adhere to the analysis in Stanton and Casey and conclude the court did not
err in refusing to instruct the jury on the defense of good faith claim of title.
Jury Instruction on Knowledge
Green claims the trial court erred by refusing to give a supplemental jury
instruction that states the jury must find "actual knowledge." Green's proposed jury
instruction states:
If a person has information that would lead a reasonable person in
the same situation to believe that a fact exists, the jury may only find that
the person acted with knowledge of that fact if based on the evidence the
jury is satisfied that the person had actual knowledge of that fact.
6
No. 73954-9-1/7
The court used WPIC 10.02 to instruct the jury on the meaning of knowledge.
Jury instruction 19 states:
A person knows or acts knowingly or with knowledge with respect
to a fact, circumstance or result when he or she is aware of that fact,
circumstance or result. It is not necessary that the person know that the
fact, circumstance or result is defined by law as being unlawful or an
element of a crime.
If a person has information that would lead a reasonable person in
the same situation to believe that a fact exists, the jury is permitted but not
required to find that he or she acted with knowledge of that fact.
When acting knowingly is required to establish an element of a
crime, the element is also established if a person acts intentionally.
Green concedes WPIC 10.02 does not "misstate the law." We agree. In State v.
Leech, 114 Wn.2d 700, 710, 790 P.2d 160 (1990), the Washington Supreme Court
expressly approved the use of WPIC 10.02 to instruct the jury on the meaning of
"knowledge." See also State v. Allen, 182 Wn.2d 364, 372, 341 P.3d 268(2015)(WPIC
10.02 "correctly stated the law regarding 'knowledge.' ").
Green relies on Allen to argue the court erred in refusing to give the
supplemental instruction on knowledge. In Allen, the State charged the defendant as an
accomplice with aggravated murder in the first degree. Allen, 182 Wn.2d at 369-70.
The State had the burden of proving accomplice liability and that the defendant had
"actual knowledge" of the crime. Allen, 182 Wn.2d at 371. The court instructed the jury
on knowledge using WPIC 10.02.2 Contrary to the jury instruction that correctly defined
the meaning of knowledge, in closing argument, the prosecutor "repeatedly and
2 The knowledge instruction in Allen stated:
"A person knows or acts knowingly or with knowledge with respect to a fact or
circumstance when he or she is aware of that fact or circumstance.
"If a person has information that would lead a reasonable person in the same
situation to believe that a fact exists, the jury is permitted but not required to find that he
or she acted with knowledge of that fact."
Allen, 182 Wn.2d at 372.
7
No. 73954-9-1/8
improperly" used the phrase "should have known." Allen, 182 Wn.2d at 371. The court
held the argument was improper and misleading because a juror could misinterpret the
culpability statute and find the defendant should have known. Allen, 182 Wn.2d at 380,
374.
We have recognized that a juror could understandably misinterpret
Washington's culpability statute to allow a finding of knowledge "if an
ordinary person in the defendant's situation would have known" the fact in
question, or in other words, if the defendant "should have known."
Allen, 182 Wn.2d at 374 (quoting State v. Shipp, 93 Wn.2d 510, 514,610 P.2d 1322
(1980)).
Here, unlike in Allen, the culpability statute is not implicated, and the record
shows the prosecutor did not make an improper or misleading argument on the
meaning of knowledge.3 We conclude the court did not err in refusing to give the
defense proposed jury instruction and instructing the jury on the definition of
"knowledge" using WPIC 10.02.
Substitution of Counsel
Green contends the court erred in denying motions to substitute counsel. The
Sixth Amendment to the United States Constitution guarantees in "all criminal
prosecutions, the accused shall. .. have the assistance of counsel for [her] defense."
But a defendant"'does not have an absolute, Sixth Amendment right to choose any
particular advocate.'" State v. Varga, 151 Wn.2d 179, 200,86 P.3d 139(2004)
(quoting State v. Stenson, 132 Wn.2d 668, 733, 940 P.2d 1239 (1997)). The essential
aim of the Sixth Amendment is to guarantee an effective advocate for a criminal
3 We also note that unlike in Allen, the prosecutor did not improperly use the phrase "should have
known" when describing the definition of knowledge. As defense counsel conceded in closing argument,
"I think [the prosecutor] did a very fair and reasonable job of explaining that[knowledge] instruction to
you."
8
No. 73954-9-1/9
. defendant "rather than to ensure that a defendant will inexorably be represented by the
lawyer whom [s]he prefers." Wheat v. United States, 486 U.S. 153, 159, 108 S. Ct.
1692, 100 L. Ed. 2d 140 (1988).
"Whether an indigent defendant's dissatisfaction with [her] court-appointed
. counsel is meritorious and justifies appointment of new counsel is a matter within the
discretion of the trial court." State v. DeWeese, 117 Wn.2d 369, 376, 816 P.2d 1
(1991). To warrant substitution of counsel, a defendant must show good cause: "'such
as a conflict of interest, an irreconcilable conflict, or a complete breakdown in
communication between the attorney and the defendant.'" Varga, 151 Wn.2d at 200
(quoting Stenson, 132 Wn.2d at 734). A general loss of confidence in defense counsel
by itself is not sufficient cause for substitution. Stenson, 132 Wn.2d at 734. The
attorney and the defendant must be "so at odds as to prevent presentation of an
adequate defense." Stenson, 132 Wn.2d at 734. Because the record does not show
either an irreconcilable conflict in interest or a complete breakdown in communication,
the court did not abuse its discretion by denying Green's motions to substitute counsel.
Prosecutorial Misconduct
Green contends prosecutorial misconduct during rebuttal argument deprived her
of the right to a fair trial by shifting and mischaracterizing the burden of proof and
appealing to the passion and prejudice of the jury.
To prevail on a claim of prosecutorial misconduct, a defendant must show that
• the conduct was both improper and prejudicial. State v. Fisher, 165 Wn.2d 727, 747,
202 P.3d 937(2009). We review an allegedly improper comment in the full context of
the arguments, issues, evidence, and instructions. State v. Russell, 125 Wn.2d 24, 85-
9
No. 73954-9-1/10
86, 882 P.2d 747(1994).
Because the defendant has no duty to present evidence, a prosecutor cannot
comment on the defendant's failure to present evidence. State v. Thorgerson, 172
Wn.2d 438, 453, 258 P.3d 43(2011). A prosecutor should not make arguments
calculated to inflame the passion or prejudice of the jury. In re Pers. Restraint of
Glasmann, 175 Wn.2d 696, 704, 286 P.3d 673(2012). However, the prosecutor is
entitled in rebuttal argument to make a fair response to the defense closing argument.
Russell, 125 Wn.2d at 87. Because the prosecutor's remarks during rebuttal argument
were in fair response to the defense closing argument, Green cannot show
prosecutorial misconduct.
We affirm.
WE CONCUR:
t3e
10