State Of Washington, Respondent V David William Carson, Appellant (Majority and Dissent)
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If--' 1I E D 010 ? CI APPEALS T 0avIS10?M 1 L 209 MAR 13 AM IP:, l I STATE IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON DIVISION II No. 43359- 1- 11 STATE OF WASHINGTON, Respondent, rW4 PUBLISHED OPINION DAVID WILLIAM CARSON, HUNT, J. David William Carson appeals his jury trial convictions for three counts of first degree child molestation. He argues that ( 1) the trial court violated his right to a unanimous jury verdict by failing to Petrichl provide a unanimity instruction, ( 2) his trial counsel provided ineffective assistance in successfully opposing the trial court' s giving a Petrich unanimity instruction, and ( 3) the trial court violated his right to a public trial by sealing the. jury questionnaires without a SAG), Carson further 1 State v. Bone -Club asserts 2 hearing. In a Statement of Additional Grounds for Review that ( 1) inconsistent testimony during the child hearsay hearing Petrich, 101 Wn.2d 566, 572, 683 P. 2d 173 ( 1984), State v. Kitchen, 110 Wn.2d 403, 405 -06, 756 P. 2d 105 ( 1988). 2 State v. Bone -Club, 128 Wn.2d 254, 906 P. 2d 325 ( 1995). overruled on other grounds by No. 43359 -1 - II and the jury trial unfairly prejudiced him; and ( 2) there was another " David" whom the victim mentioned in the child forensic interview, which suggests that Carson was not the perpetrator. We hold that defense counsel' s objection to a Petrich jury instruction, if error, was invited and that it did not constitute ineffective assistance of counsel. We affirm. FACTS I. CHILD MOLESTATION In 2009, David William Carson their three children C. M, and five- year moved old in CC. 3 with his friend DH, DH' s fiancé TH, and In exchange for housing, Carson paid $250 a month in rent, gave the family part of his food stamp allowance, performed household chores, and watched the children while DH and TH worked. In August 2010, TH was driving the children to a friend' s house when CC repeatedly tried to get her penis attention. in his [ CC' s] butt" When TH responded, CC told her that Carson had " tried to put his 4 and that once Carson had put " string "5 on his hands and tape on his mouth. TH stopped the car and called DH; she called the police when she arrived at her friend' s house. After speaking with a police officer, TH scheduled a forensic interview for CC. 3 To provide some confidentiality in this case, we use initials in the body of the opinion to identify the victim, victim' s family members, and other juveniles. 4 2 Report of Proceedings ( RP) at 164. 5 2 RP at 168. TH testified that the " string" CC refers to is a " zip -tie" of the type they used to fix a recliner in their home. No. 43359 -1 - II On August 26, CC met with Cornelia Thomas, a forensic interviewer at Mary Bridge Child Advocacy During the interview, CC referred to Carson' s6 penis as " business" but Center. clarified that " business" meant " penis" by pointing to his private parts when Thomas asked him to show her what " business" meant.7 CC detailed three occasions when Carson had tried to put his " business" in CC' in TH' s room, ( bottoms : ( 2) when Carson made CC look at a Spiderman blanket in CC' s bedroom, and ( 3) Carson twisted CC' when 1) when Carson tied CCs hands and put duct tape on his mouth s s" business" in the bathroom. 9 Michele Breland, a nurse at Mary Bridge Children' s Hospital, later performed a medical examination on CC, during which CC told her that Carson had tried to punch CC, had put his business in [ CC' s] bottom," had twisted CC' and s penis. 4 Report of Proceedings ( RP) at 389. The physical examination results were inconclusive about whether CC' s condition was indicative of sexual assault. 6 CC was, do initially referred CC replied it nothin' to me, to Carson was " David" v. his " When Thomas asked what CC' s uncle' s name uncle. and clarified he tried fights Forensic Interview, State as with me on that Halo Mulkins," who " doesn' t he had another uncle, " games." Pierce County Superior Court, Wash., Aug. 26, 2010), digital video recording Carson, No. 10 -1- 04754 -1, ( by Mary Bridge Child Advocacy, Center ( on file with Wash. Court of Appeals, Div. II, No. 43349 -1 - II) (Ex. 5), 7 Pierce County at 13 min., 56 13 min., 57 sec. sec. - Superior Court, Wash., Forensic Interview, Ex. 5, supra, at 13 min., 55 sec. - 14 min., 3 sec. 8 In response to Thomas' s question about when Carson put his penis in CC' s bottom, CC initially a fourth incident - in CC' s " new house." Pierce County Superior Court, Wash., mentioned Forensic Interview, Ex. 5, supra, at 13 min, 58 sec, 14 min, 12 sec. CC did not, however, provide any detail about this fourth instance. 9 Pierce County Superior Court, Wash., Forensic Interview, Ex. 5, supra, at 13 min, 58 sec, 13 min., 55 sec.; 13 min., 59 sec.; 14 min., 3 sec.; 14 min., 19 sec. 3 No. 43359 -1 - II Pierce County Sheriff' s Department Detective Thomas Catey investigated the alleged abuse of Carson voluntarily met Catey at the sheriff' s office and told Catey that ( 1) he had CC. moved out of DH and TH' s home after DH accused him of sleeping with TH, and ( 2) he believed DH and TH had fabricated CC' s molestation story in retaliation for leaving their home and placing them in a financial bind. II. PROCEDURE The State charged Carson with three counts of first degree child molestation. Carson requested a jury trial. A. Child Hearsay Hearing; Voir Dire CC' s TH, mother, testified at a pretrial child hearsay hearing to determine the admissibility of CC' s statements to her the first time CC told her about Carson. She related CC' s statements that Carson had tried to sodomize him and had once had taped CC' s mouth and tied his hands. The trial court later ruled these child hearsay statements admissible. After the jurors filled out questionnaires, the trial court conducted voir dire. Based on the completed questionnaires, both counsel decided which jurors to excuse and which jurors to question individually. 10 B. Trial Testimony At trial, CC identified Carson RP io at The 103. parties as " Uncle David," who had lived with his ( CC' s) family. 2 CC testified that Carson had touched his ( CC' did not designate the jury voir dire as part of s) the bottom record record before us fails to show that voir dire did not occur in open court. I with his ( Carson' s) on appeal. Thus, the No. 43359 -1 - II business " in his 11 in DH' s his office, " where mother' s room; and in his dad' 12; computer games are" s " old room "; in CC' s room; in the bathroom; CC also described an incident in his mother' s room when Carson had tied CC' s hands with plastic strings and put duct tape on CC' s mouth. On cross -examination, CC testified that he did not remember Carson having touched his ( CC' s) business" 13 at all. 2 RP at 126. TH testified that ( 1) Carson lived with her family during the summer of 2009 and took DH care of the Carson moved out after an argument with tried to put children while she and his penis in his [ CC' worked; ( 14 s] butt, " 2) the day before Memorial Day weekend 2010, DH; ( 3) on August 13, 2010, CC told her " that David after putting " string "15 on CC' s hands and tape on his mouth; and (4) after that day, CC did not want to get dressed in front of family members, stopped leaving the restroom door open, and became more aggressive. Detective Catey testified that Carson told him he had moved out of TH' s home after DH accused him of sleeping with TH, denied any sexual contact with CC, and believed DH and TH had fabricated CC' s molestation story in retaliation for his leaving them in a financial bind. 11 CC clarified that " business" is "[ s] omething that you use to go to the bathroom" and that he know any other name for " business." never went inside his bottom. 2 RP at 111. did not 2 RP at 105. CC testified that Carson' s " business" 122RPat109. 13 Much of CC' s trial testimony was inconsistent and confusing. 142RPat164. 2 RP at 168. 5 No. 43359 -1 - II Child forensic interviewer Thomas testified that she had recorded her August 26, 2010 interview with CC approximately two weeks after CC' s disclosure to TH. During this interview, CC disclosed a twisting his " business" ( of which he later identified as a penis by pointing to that body); a time when he was duct taped, had his hands tied with plastic string, and had a area of his penis " going into his bottom "; and identified Carson as the perpetrator. 3 RP at 218. The trial court admitted into evidence CC' s hearsay statements to Thomas and the DVD ( digital video disk) recording of this interview, , hich Thomas had labeled with her initials; the jury viewed w this DVD during trial. Carson testified that he had known DH since 1996 and had moved in with DH and TH in 2009 after would also Carson had pay TH and mentioned pornography DH an altercation with rent, give that DH once. owned his brother. them $ 150 Carson mentioned an agreement that he of his food stamps, and watch the children. Carson pornography and that he ( Carson) had caught CC watching Carson further testified that in May 2010, DH accused him of sleeping with TH, which prompted Carson to move out, which then upset DH and TH because they had no one to watch their children. - Carson denied bathing the children, helping CC in the bathroom, touching CC' s penis, tying up CC, or having access to zip -ties. Mary Bridge Children' s Hospital nurse Breland testified that when she performed a physical examination of CC on August 26, 2010, CC had asked her whether she was going to check his " business" ( put " his business in [ CC' had tried to twist CC' nothing pointing to his penis) and told her that Carson had tried to punch him and unusual on s" CC' s] bottom," business." s penis and which made 4 RP at him feel like he had to " poop," and that Carson 390, 389, 391. testicles; his Breland found no sign of trauma and anus appeared normal. Based on CC' s physical No. 43359 -1 - II examination, Breland could not conclusively say that CC' s condition was indicative of sexual assault. C. Jury Instructions The trial court and counsel discussed whether to give a Petrich jury instruction. The State had included in its proposed jury instructions the following Petrich instruction: To convict the defendant on any count of Child Molestation in the First Degree, one particular act of Child Molestation in the First Degree must be proved beyond a reasonable doubt, and you must unanimously agree as to which act has been proved. You need not unanimously agree that the defendant committed all the acts of Child Molestation in the First Degree. Clerk' s Papers ( CP) at 38 ( Jury Instruction 3). Carson' s counsel, however, explained that he had purposefully not proposed a Petrich instruction because he did not think one was necessary for the three "separate and distinct incidents hand. Instead, he believed that ( 1) a Petrich instruction was required only when the at child talks about five or six incidents and just one is charged; and ( 2) more importantly, a Petrich instruction would the confuse jury. The next day, Carson' s counsel reiterated that he had deliberately omitted a Petrich instruction from his proposed instructions because he saw no need for one and a Petrich instruction " becomes a problem" because it would " confuse the heck out of this jury" and potentially mislead the jury. 4 RP' at 405, 406. When the trial court asked Carson' s counsel if he was objecting to giving a Petrich instruction, he objected 16 to responded WPIC16 in the affirmative. When the trial court asked if Carson' s counsel 4. 25 ( the " Petrich instruction "), he replied, " I think it' s confusing, yes." 11 WASHINGTON PRACTICE: WASHINGTON PATTERN JURY INSTRUCTIONS: CRIMINAL 4. 25, at 110 ( 3d. ed. 2008) ( WPIC). 7 4 No. 43359 -1 - II RP a at 408. The trial court then asked whether Carson' s counsel thought it would be error to give Petrich instruction, to which he I do." responded, " 4 RP at 409. Based on defense counsel' s strong, repeated objections, the trial court did not give the jury a Petrich instruction. The trial court did, however, instruct the jury that its verdict must be unanimous: As jurors, you have a duty to discuss the case with one another and to deliberate in an effort to reach a unanimous verdict. Each of you must decide the case for yourself, but only after you consider the evidence impartially with your fellow jurors. During your deliberations, you should not hesitate to re- examine your own views and to change your opinion based upon further review of the evidence and these instructions. You should not, however, surrender your honest belief about the value or significance of evidence solely because of the opinions of your fellow jurors. Nor should you change your mind just for the purpose of reaching a verdict. CP at 72 ( charged Jury in Instruction 12). each count. You The trial must should' not control your verdict on court decide any further instructed the each count other count." separately. jury: " A separate crime is Your verdict on one count CP at 63 ( Jury Instruction 3). The trial court also gave the jury a separate " to convict" instruction for each of the three charged counts, listing the following elements of child molestation that the State needed to prove beyond a reasonable doubt: To convict the defendant of the crime of child molestation in the first degree as charged in Count I, [ II, III] each of the following elements of the crime must be proved beyond a reasonable doubt: 1) That between the dates of April 1, 2009, and May 31, 2010, the defendant had sexual contact with C. C.; 2) That C. C. was less than twelve years old at the time of the sexual contact and was not married to the defendant and not in a state registered domestic partnership with the defendant; 3) That C. C. was at least thirty - months younger than the defendant; six and 4) That this act occurred in the State of Washington. If you find from the evidence that each of these elements has been proved beyond a reasonable doubt, then it will be your duty to return a verdict of guilty. No. 43359 -1 - II On the other hand, if, after weighing all the evidence you have reasonable doubt as to any one of these elements, then it will be your duty to return a verdict of not guilty. CP at 67, 68, 69 ( Jury Instructions 7, 8, 9). D. Closing Arguments; Verdict During closing argument, the State focused on the evidence and distinguishing characteristics of three distinct acts of child molestation that occurred on three different dates at three separate locations: ( 1) the incident in the bathroom when Carson twisted CC' s " business," 2) the incident in TH' s room when Carson tied CC' s hands and placed tape over his mouth, and 3) the incident in CC' s bedroom when Carson placed his penis in CC' s anus while making CC look the at a Spiderman blanket. 4 RP evidence of several acts, it was at 427 -30. asking the The State also explained to the jury that despite jury to focus on only three specific acts: Carson' s twisting of CC' s penis as the first act and the incidents in TH' s room and CC' s bedroom as the second and third acts: STATE]: ... and The allegations in this case are that the defendant placed his hand twisted, according to [ CC], his penis on one occasion while he was in the bathroom.... CC], you' ll remember, described several different times the defendant tried to put his penis in his bottom: In his room, in his mom' s room, in the office. He described several different occasions. Some he was able to describe with greater specificity than others, and there' s two that the State is focusing on and would like you to focus on for purposes ofyour deliberations, one that occurred in his room, and the instant one that I' m referring to right now that occurred allegedly in his mother' s room. 4 RP at 424, 428 ( emphasis added). During Carson' s closing argument, his counsel noted the State' s burden to prove its case beyond a reasonable doubt; Carson' s learning disability and his resultant susceptibility to TH and 4 No. 43359 -1 - II DH' s taking advantage of him; their coaching CC to accuse Carson of molestation, in revenge for leaving them in a financial bind without a babysitter, household servant, and rent and food contributor; and the weak merely circumstantial evidence of molestation. In support of his argument to the jury to acquit, counsel stressed CC' s convoluted, contradictory, and " jumbled mess" of "confusing" statements during the forensic interview and at trial. 4 RP at 454. During deliberations, the jury followed defense counsel' s closing argument suggestion and asked to review the DVD of Thomas' s forensic interview of CC, during which he had told her about the same three molestation incidents on which the State had focused during its closing argument. The jury found Carson guilty of all three counts. He appeals. ANALYSIS I. SEALED JURY QUESTIONNAIRES Carson first argues that the trial court violated his right to a public trial by sealing the jury questionnaires without first conducting a closure courtroom - analysis under Bone -Club. As Carson correctly notes in his reply brief, our Supreme Court recently held that the trial court' s sealing of juror questionnaires without a Bone -Club analysis does not violate a defendant' s public trial rights. See Reply Br. of Appellant at 3 ( citing State v. Beskurt, 176 Wn.2d 441, 447, 293 P. 3d 1159 ( 2013)). 17 As in Beskurt, the Finding jury here Beskurt dispositive, completed the 17 we do not further address this issue. questionnaires before voir dire. Moreover, trial counsel did not use the questionnaires as a substitute for voir dire, but instead used them as a screening tool." See Beskurt, 176 Wn.2d at 447. 10 No. 43359 -1 - II II. PETRICH INSTRUCTION Carson next challenges the trial court' s failure to give a Petrich instruction on two grounds ( assistance invited 1) such failure was reversible error, and ( 2) his defense counsel rendered ineffective in objecting to the trial error doctrine bars Carson' 215 P. 3d 177 ( 2009). court' s proposed s first challenge. giving such instruction. We hold that the See State v. Kyllo, 166 Wn. 2d 856, 861 -62, With respect to his second challenge, we hold that Carson fails to show deficient performance and, therefore, fails to meet the test for ineffective assistance of counsel. A. Invited Error Carson first argues that the trial court violated his constitutional right to unanimous jury verdicts by failing to give a Petrich instruction. 18 The State responds that ( 1) a Petrich instruction was not necessary because the prosecutor elected for the jury' s consideration three distinct acts to support the three separate counts of child molestation, and ( 2) Carson invited the error when he objected and asked the trial court not to give a Petrich instruction. We hold that because Carson invited this claimed error, he cannot raise it on appeal. The invited error doctrine is a strict rule that precludes a criminal defendant from seeking appellate review of an error he helped create, even when the alleged error involves constitutional rights. State v. 47, 973 P. 2d 1049 ( 1999); State v. Henderson, 114 Studd, 137 Wn.2d 533, 546 - 18 In Petrich our Supreme Court held, When the evidence indicates that several distinct criminal acts have been committed, but defendant is charged with only one count of criminal conduct, jury must be protected. ... The State may, in its discretion, elect the act unanimity upon which it will rely for conviction. ... When the State chooses not to elect, this jury instruction must be given to ensure the jury' s understanding of the unanimity requirement. Petrich, 101 Wn.2d at 572. 11 No. 43359 -1 - II Wn.2d 867, 870 - 71, 792 P. 2d 514 ( 1990) ( This doctrine applies to alleged failures to provide a Petrich unanimity jury 1151 ( 1979)). instruction. citing State v. Boyer, 91 Wn.2d 342, 344 -45, 588 P. 2d For example, in State v. Corbett, 158 Wn. App. 576, 592, 242 P. 3d 52 ( 2010), we held that where the defendant proposed jury instructions that did not include a Petrich instruction, the invited error doctrine precluded him from challenging on appeal for the first time the trial court' s failure to provide a Petrich unanimity instruction: Corbett argues that the trial court failed to instruct the jury that it must find separate and distinct acts supporting each count and enter unanimous verdicts based on his [ four] he these separate and convictions on now seeks to distinct this challenge[.] acts. Corbett requests that we vacate three of But Corbett proposed the jury instructions Accordingly, Corbett invited any error. ground. Corbett, 158 Wn. App. at 591 -92 ( citing State v. Phelps, 113 Wn. App. 347, 353, 57 P. 3d 624 2002); Henderson, 114 Wn.2d at 870 -71). Carson more overtly invited simply failed to include App. at 585 -86, 591. a omission of a Petrich instruction with Petrich instruction than did Corbett: his proposed instructions. Corbett Corbett, 158 Wn. But Carson deliberately omitted a Petrich instruction from his proposed jury instructions and then repeatedly and strenuously opposed the trial court' s plan to give a Petrich instruction, as the following colloquy illustrates: My understanding is both sides have put together packets of and the only difference is whether or not Washington Pattern THE COURT]: instructions, Instruction 4. 25, WPIC 4. 25, sometimes called the "[ Petrich] instruction," can be given. CARSON' S COUNSEL]: I left it out of mine, Your Honor, and I' ll explain to the Court why. I think I did off the record. So because we have multiple counts here, to me, this child' s testimony was a muddled mess, ... we still have multiple counts, and I think the [ Petrich] instruction wasn' t designed for that. Obviously, Your Honor is going to make the 12 No'. 43359 -1 - II final decision, but I wanted to give you and the State the reason why I didn' t put it in there. THE COURT]: So you' re objecting to giving the [ Petrich] instruction, Mr. Sepe? CARSON' S COUNSEL]: I am for the reasons that I indicated. ... I looked at Petrick] and I looked at the comments that indicate, as I read it, that it should only be used where you' re alleging one count but multiple acts. Here, we' re not doing that. I didn' t feel it was needed. THE COURT]: You' re objecting to 4. 25? CARSON' S COUNSEL]: I think it' s confusing, yes. THE COURT]: You think it would be error to give 4. 25? CARSON' S COUNSEL]: I do. 4 RP 404 -09. at After the trial court sustained Carson' s counsel' s objection and withdrew the Petrich instruction from the stack it was going to read to the jury, the trial court again inquired: THE COURT]: Mr. Sepe, any objections or exceptions? CARSON' S COUNSEL]: We have no objections to the instructions [ to be] given by the Court or the failure to give any instruction of the defense. THE COURT]: And the defense was opposed to giving the [ Petrich] instruction. CARSON' S COUNSEL]: We were, and I think we made a clear record as to why we didn' t think it was necessary. 4 RP at 410. Because Carson affirmatively opposed the trial court' s giving the jury a Petrich unanimity instruction, the invited error doctrine precludes his claiming this as error on appeal. 13 No. 43359 -1 - II B. Effective Assistance of Counsel Carson next argues that his trial counsel rendered ineffective assistance in that his objection to the trial court' s giving a Petrich instruction constituted deficient representation and the trial court' s prejudice. "' resultant failure to provide this instruction was "` presumed to result in Br. of Appellant at 19 ( quoting State v. Coleman, 159 Wn.2d 509, 512, 150 P. 3d 1126 ( 2007)). The State counters that defense counsel' s objection to the proposed Petrich instruction legitimate trial strategy Resp' t at was 10, 13. and that Carson failed to demonstrate prejudice. Br. of We hold that defense counsel' s objection to the proposed Petrich instruction was legitimate trial strategy, not deficient performance, and thus not ineffective assistance of counsel. 1. Standard of review To prevail on an ineffective assistance of counsel claim, a defendant must show both deficient performance and resulting prejudice; failure to show either prong defeats such claim. State v. McNeal, 145 Wn.2d 352, 362, 37 P. 3d 280 ( 2002). Because Carson fails to satisfy the deficient performance prong, we do not address the second, prejudice prong of the test. McNeal, 145 Wn.2d at 362. We review an ineffective assistance claim de novo, beginning with a strong presumption that trial counsel' s performance was adequate and reasonable and giving exceptional deference when evaluating counsel' s strategic decisions. Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. 668, 689, 104 S. Ct. 2052, 80 L. Ed. 2d 674 ( 1984); State v. Grier, 171 Wn.2d 17, 33, 246 P. 3d 1260 ( 2011) citing Kyllo, 166 Wn. 2d at 862), adhered to in part on remand, 168 Wn. App. 635, 278 P. 3d 14 No. 43359 -1 - II Thus, to establish deficient performance, a defendant must show that counsel' s 225 ( 2012). performance fell below an objective standard of reasonableness. McNeal, 145 Wn.2d at 362. Given deference the representation, the threshold afford we for deficient defense counsel' s decisions in the is high. Grier, 171 Wn.2d performance at course 33. of There is a strong presumption that counsel has rendered adequate assistance and has made all significant decisions by exercising 822 P. 2d 177 ( 1991). strategy or tactics, reasonable professional judgment. State v. Lord, 117 Wn.2d 829, 883, Thus, "[ w]hen counsel' s conduct can be categorized as legitimate trial is performance 19 not deficient. " Kyllo, 166 Wn.2d at 863. Generally, legitimate trial strategy cannot serve as the basis for a claim of ineffective assistance of counsel. Lord, 117 Wn.2d at 883. Such is the case here. 2. Performance not deficient Carson fails to show that his counsel' s performance was deficient. We disagree with him and the dissent that defense counsel declined the Petrich instruction under a mistaken belief that this instruction was unnecessary. On the contrary, the record shows that Carson' s counsel ( 1) had carefully and strategically considered whether it was in his client' s best interest for the trial court to give the jury a Petrich instruction, and ( 2) decided to oppose giving the Petrich instruction to avoid confusing the jury (not simply, as Carson asserts for the first time on appeal; because he avoid 19 jury was under a mistaken confusion was belief about the law). legitimate trial strategy a Defense counsel' s tactical decision to general credibility attack on the victim' s A criminal defendant can rebut the presumption of reasonable performance by showing that his counsel' s representation was unreasonable under prevailing professional norms and that there is " 33 ( no conceivable legitimate tactic" that citations omitted). explains counsel' s performance. Again, such is not the case here. 15 Grier, 171 Wn.2d at No. 43359 -1 - II muddled mess ,20 of coached testimony advanced by defense counsel' s strenuous argument to the trial court that giving the Petrich instruction would result in the very evil that such an instruction is normally intended to jury confusion. prevent. The following colloquy about the proposed jury instructions demonstrates this focal point of counsel' s trial strategy: CARSON' S COUNSEL]: I left [ the Petrich instruction] out of [my proposed instructions], Your Honor, and I' ll explain to the Court why. .. . Generally, when you read the comments to the [ Petrick] instruction, it doesn' t apply, as I understand it, to multi -count cases because the way it' s read could confuse the jury. Normally it' s when you have one count but you have like six possible acts that could have accounted for. Say, for example, hypothetically the State charged him with one count of child molestation and yet the child describes perhaps an incident in one bedroom, something in an Petrick], would something in bedroom. The jury, under have to decide which of those one acts unanimously do they office, and another agree on to support the charge beyond a reasonable doubt. It becomes a problem when you have multiple counts because look what it says in the second sentence: " To convict the defendant on any count of child molestation, one particular act of child molestation in the first degree must be proved beyond a reasonable doubt." The reason that comment is there and even though the jury is given Instruction 3. 01, that each count is to be considered by you separately and your verdict on one doesn' t affect your verdict on the other, the reason that they give you that little warning under the comment is to avoid the possibility that, well, if you find that he committed one act, then he must have committed all the counts. 20 4 RP at 406. ffst No. 43359 -1 - II So I elected, when reading the comment, when reading and looking at this case, saying we' re going to confuse the heck out of this jury and there' s a possibility they could be misled into thinking that this means to convict him on 21] any count, they must agree on, at least, one act. [ 4 RP at 404 -06 ( emphasis added). When the trial court sought to clarify that defense counsel objected to giving the Petrich instruction, counsel reiterated his trial strategy, again focusing on the confusion it would cause for the jury and asserting it would be error to give such instruction in this case: THE COURT]: So you' re objecting to giving the [ Petrick] instruction, Mr. Sepe? CARSON' S COUNSEL]: one count and you have I am for the multiple reasons alleged acts. that I indicated. I believe there' s When you have something like although this child' s testimony was muddled, inconsistent and confusing as heck, and the tape wasn' t much better, there seems to be something that happened in his bedroom, something that happened involving twisting " the business" in the bathroom, maybe, or an office, depending on which version you believe, something that appears to may have happened in his this, if you look mother' s room. distinct acts here, at So when I looked at that, I said, well, there' s three somewhat albeit confusing. And I looked at [ Petrick] and I looked at the comments that indicate, as I read it, that it should only be used where you' re alleging one count but multiple acts. Here, we' re not doing that. I didn' t feel it was needed. THE COURT]: You' re objecting to 4. 25? CARSON' S COUNSEL]: 21 I think it' s confusing, yes. Counsel also argued: So because we have multiple counts here, to me, this child' s testimony was a muddled mess but assuming that isn' t the case for purposes of argument, we still have multiple counts, and I think the [ Petrich] instruction wasn' t designed for that. Obviously, Your Honor is going to make the final decision, but I wanted to give you and the State the reason why I didn' t put it in there and why I only put it in there when I have a one -count case but there' s a possible six acts to choose from. 4 RP at 406. 17 No. 43359 -1 - II THE COURT]: You think it would be error to give 4.25? CARSON' S COUNSEL]: I do. 4 RP at 408 -09 ( emphasis added). Consistent with this expression of trial strategy, Carson' s counsel avoided discussing specific incidents in his closing argument and argued instead that CC' s testimony and statements were so muddled, inconsistent, and confusing that they created a reasonable doubt about whether Carson had committed any of the acts or the charged crimes, CARSON' S COUNSEL]: ... of old house, new But then on the testimony it was a jumbled mess house, this bathroom. We had more than a dozen I- don' t- knows and I- don' t- remembers. It makes no sense. His testimony, this taped statement, is all over the place. It' s an inconsistent, jumbled, confusing mess, and yet that' s what the State wants you to believe beyond a reasonable doubt is the evidence that proves that my client is guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. A]nd you see that this is as jumbled a mess as to what came from there. And the big question I think you need to ask yourselves in this case is, do I feel comfortable convicting three counts or of any count of a charge like this based on that, that jumbled, confusing mess? 4 RP at 450, 454 -55, 457. We hold that Carson' s counsel' s decision to oppose giving a Petrich instruction was a reasonable trial strategy to avoid jury confusion, that Carson fails to rebut the strong deferential presumption that counsel' s performance was not deficient, and that consequently his ineffective 18 No. 43359 -1 - II assistance of counsel argument fails. 22 III. STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL GROUNDS In his SAG, Carson asserts that ( 1) TH' s testimonies at the child hearsay hearing and at trial were inconsistent, thus prejudicing him; and ( 2) in his interview with Thomas, CC identified another person known as " David." SAG at 1 - 2. These claims fail to require reversal. Carson claims that during the child hearsay hearing, TH testified that when CC told her about kept driving pulled over at a place Carson, that she " she " to her friend['] and s house "; got out and called but during the jury trial, TH testified her [ b] oyfriend." SAG at 2. Carson incorrectly mischaracterizes TH' s testimony. Although TH testified at the child hearsay hearing that she had initially continued driving; she also testified that she had eventually stopped her 22 Because we hold that Carson fails to show deficient performance, we do not address the prejudice prong of the ineffective assistance of counsel test. Both Carson and the dissent cite Coleman for the proposition that omission of a unanimity instruction is presumed to result in But the presumption of prejudice in Coleman was in the context of harmless error prejudice. analysis, Wn.2d at not in the 511. limited to " the of an context complete denial defendant " is denied counsel subject the ineffective assistance of counsel claim. See Coleman, 159 The presumption of prejudice in an ineffective assistance of counsel claim is prosecution' s case of counsel and comparable circumstances" at a critical stage of to his trial "; (2) meaningful adversarial such as ( 1) where a where " counsel entirely fails to testing "; ( 3) where the circumstances are such that " the likelihood that any lawyer, even a fully competent one, could provide effective assistance is so small that a presumption of prejudice is appropriate without inquiry into [ the] actual conduct of the trial "; and ( 4) where " counsel labors under an actual conflict of interest." and Pers. Restraint of Davis, 152 Wn.2d 647, 674, 101 P. 3d 1 ( 2004) ( internal quotation marks footnoted citations omitted) ( quoting Visciotti v. Woodford, 288 F. 3d 1097, 1106 ( 9th Cir.), rev' d In re show on other grounds, that any of these 537 U. S. 19, 123 S. Ct. 357, 154 L. Ed. 2d 279 ( 2002)). circumstances comparable to " complete denial Carson fails to of counsel" are present here. See Davis, 152 Wn.2d at 674. Therefore, there is no presumption of prejudice. 19 No. 43359 -1 - II 23 Contrary to Carson' s claim, the record shows that TH' s child hearsay hearing vehicle. testimony was not inconsistent with her jury trial testimony. Carson also appears to assert that CC identified the wrong defendant by alleging that during CC' forensic interview s David" Mulkins. SAG at with Thomas, CC Again, Carson 1. mentioned a " mischaracterizes the Mulkins," who happens to be record. The recording of this interview shows that when CC mentioned Mulkins, it was in response to Thomas' s asking CC what his uncle' s name was, to which CC responded, " David.... My other [ uncle] is Mulkins and he doesn' t do nothin' to me, he tried fights with me on Halo games. "24 When Thomas asked if Uncle David" was the one who had put his penis in CC' s bottom and twisted CC' s business, CC nodded affirmatively. 25 The record thus shows that when CC mentioned Mulkins, he was merely distinguishing between his other uncle, " two uncles " Uncle David" ( Carson), who had molested him; and his Mulkins" ( David Mulkins), who had not molested him. 23 In Report of Proceedings ( Vol. 1) at 61: THE STATE]: Did you continue driving? TH]: Yes. THE STATE] : Was that difficult for you? TH] : Yes. THE STATE]: At some point did you stop the vehicle or pull over? TH]: Yes. 24 Pierce County Superior Court, Wash., Forensic Interview, Ex. 5, supra, at 13 min., 56 sec., 13 min., 57 sec. ( emphasis added), 25 Pierce County Superior Court, Wash., Forensic Interview, Ex. 5, supra, at 13 min., 57 sec. 20 No. 43359 -1 - II Moreover, at trial, CC accurately identified Carson as " Uncle David," the perpetrator: THE STATE]: And who is David? CC]: My Uncle David. Do you see your Uncle David anywhere in the courtroom today? THE STATE]: CC]: Right there. THE STATE]: And, Your Honor, I would ask that the record reflect that the witness has identified the defendant. 2 RP atl03. This part of the record shows that even if CC knew another " David" in addition to Carson, CC accurately identified Carson as the person who had molested him. Contrary to Carson' s assertions, nothing in the record supports Carson' s allegation of mistaken identity. We affirm. Hunt, P. J. T rnnriir 21 No. 43359- 1- 11 WORSwICK, J. ( Carson' dissenting) I disagree with the majority' s holding that David William s counsel was not Petrich 26 In my opinion, defense counsel' s decision to decline a ineffective. instruction cannot be characterized as a legitimate trial tactic, and, therefore, his deficient. Further, performance was counsel' s error was prejudicial. Carson has met his burden to show ineffective assistance of counsel, and I disagree with the majority' s opinion holding Accordingly, I would reverse Carson' s convictions for three counts of first degree otherwise. child molestation. I. DEFICIENT PERFORMANCE Defense counsel' s performance is deficient if it falls below an objective standard of State reasonableness. v. McFarland, 127 Wn.2d 322, 334 7- 35, 899 P. 2d 1251 ( 1995). To overcome the presumption that counsel' s performance was reasonable, counsel' s conduct must be devoid of any conceivably legitimate trial strategy. State v. Grier, 171 Wn.2d 17, 42, 246 P. 3d 1260 ( 2011). In some instances failing to request a jury instruction may be a legitimate trial tactic. See State Yarbrough, 151 Wn. a limiting decision v. instruction for not to reemphasize evidence to v. 66, 90, 210 P. 3d 1029 ( 2009) ( "[ F] ailure to request admitted damaging under evidence. "). In Washington, defendants have State App. ER 404( b) Such is not the case here. a constitutional right Badda, 63 Wn.2d 176, 181 -82, 385 P. 2d 859 ( 1963). protect a defendant' s right to a unanimous jury may be a legitimate tactical verdict. to a unanimous jury verdict. See A Petrich instruction is necessary Petrich, 101 Wn.2d at 569. When defense counsel rejected the proposed Petrich instruction, defense counsel unilaterally waived Carson' s right to a unanimous verdict. Although a defendant may waive the right to a 12- person 26 State v. Petrich, 101 Wn.2d 566, 683 P.2d 173,( 1984). 22 No. 43359 -1 - II jury, or to a jury altogether, a defendant may not waive his right to a unanimous verdict should the defendant elect a jury trial. State v. Noyes, 69 Wn.2d 441, 446, 418 P. 2d 471 ( 1966) ( When a hung jury stands 11 to 1 for acquittal, defendant is not permitted to waive a unanimous verdict and accept the vote of 11 jurors Accordingly, defense counsel' s waiver of as a valid verdict.) Carson' s right to a unanimous verdict is per se unreasonable. Second, defense counsel declined the Petrich instruction under the mistaken belief that a Petrich instruction was unnecessary in this case. When asked about the Petrich instruction defense counsel stated: I didn' t [ propose Petrich instruction], a and the reason I didn' t, obviously, testimony it was all jumbled up. I don' t know what happened, where, and new, old, or whatever, but from the videotape at some point there from [ C. C.' s] seemed to be three separate and distinct incidents, one in his room, one in his mother' s room, and one in the bathroom. Normally Petrich instructions come up where the child talks about five or six incidents and one of them is charged, and then Petrich says, well, you have to agree on whatever act it is. Here, I didn' t feel that there was a need for that because even though it was a jumbled mess, there were, at least, three separate and distinct incidents referred to, and I didn' t think Petrich was necessary, but that' s certainly the Court' s discretion. 3 Report of instruction is Proceedings ( RP) required testimony" regarding in at cases 334 -35. where the But defense State charges counsel multiple prolonged and consistent sexual abuse. was mistaken. A Petrich based on " generic counts State v. Hayes, 81 Wn. App. 425, 430 -31, 914 P. 2d 788 ( 1996). In Hayes, Division One of this court stated: In sexual abuse cases where multiple counts are alleged to have 'occurred within the same charging period, the State need not elect particular acts associated with each count so long as the evidence " clearly delineate[ s] specific and distinct incidents of sexual abuse" during the charging periods. The trial court must also instruct the jury that they must be unanimous as to which act constitutes the count 23 No. 43359 -1 - II charged and that they are to find " separate and distinct acts" for each count when the counts are identically charged. 81 Wn. App. at 431 ( footnotes omitted). Here, the State charged Carson with three counts of rape of a child. C. C.' s testimony establishes some distinct acts of sexual abuse, but also includes generic testimony" regarding ongoing abuse. Therefore, a Petrich instruction was required. I cannot be convinced that basing a decision on an erroneous view of the law can be characterized as a legitimate trial tactic. Third, defense counsel declined the Petrich instruction based on his assertion that the instruction would needlessly confuse the jury. Jury instructions are proper when they permit the parties to argue their theories of the case, do not mislead the jury, and properly inform the jury of the applicable law. State v. Barnes, 153 Wn.2d 378, 382, 103 P. 3d 1219 ( 2005). Therefore, it stands to reason that defense counsel may decline, or the trial court may reject, a jury instruction that is misleading. However, it is unreasonable to believe that the jury will be misled or confused by an instruction that is an accurate statement of applicable law required to protect a specific constitutional right. In my opinion, defense counsel' s conduct is as unreasonable as declining a reasonable doubt instruction on the theory that the definition of reasonable doubt may confuse the jury. Here, defense counsel' s reasons for declining the Petrich instruction are fundamentally unreasonable. When defense counsel' s actions are unreasonable or based on misunderstandings of the law, I do not believe they can be characterized as legitimate trial tactics or strategies. Accordingly, I would hold the defense counsel' s performance was deficient. 24 No. 43359 -1 - II II. PREJUDICE To prevail on his claim of ineffective assistance of counsel, Carson must also show When the State presents evidence of multiple acts that could each form the basis of prejudice. one charged crime, " or the court must either the State must elect which of such acts is relied upon for a conviction instruct the jury to agree on 150 P. 3d 1126 ( 2007). " Wn.2d 509, 511, a specific criminal act." State v. Coleman, 159 Where there is neither an election nor a unanimity instruction in a multiple acts case, omission of the unanimity instruction is presumed to result in 27 Coleman, 159 Wn.2d at 512 prejudice. , Failure to give the Petrich instruction, when required, violates the defendant' s constitutional right to a unanimous jury verdict and is reversible error, unless the error is harmless." State v. Bobenhouse, 166 Wn.2d 881, 894, 214 P. 3d 907 ( 2009) ( Camarillo, 115 Wn.2d 60, 64, 794 P. 2d 850 ( 1990)). citing State v. Specifically, in cases where the trial court failed to give a required Petrich instruction " the standard of review for harmless error is whether The State clearly chose not to elect. During the discussion regarding the Petrich instruction the State asserted: Your honor, I need to go back and look at the case law. My understanding of Petrich is the State needs to either elect a specific date, incident time per charge or if they failed to elect, a Petrich instruction is required. We have not elected. What we have done is we have charged three counts of identical offenses during the same period of time, so I, frankly, think, and I just wanted to speak with [ defense counsel] about this to see if he and I were of like mind, I think [ the Petrich instruction] is required, frankly, but that would be the only difference between my instructions] . proposed [ instructions] and the defense proposed The State later confirmed that it was not electing during a second conversation regarding the use of the proposed Petrich instruction. 3 RP at 335 -36 ( emphasis added). 25 No. 43359 -1 - II a ` rational trier of fact could find that each incident was proved beyond a reasonable doubt."' Camarillo, 115 Wn.2d at 65 ( quoting State v. Gitchel, 41 Wn. App. 820, 823, 706 P.2d 1091 1985)). Reviewing courts have held that failure to give a Petrich instruction is harmless when the evidence presented was sufficient to establish that each crime had occurred, there was no conflicting Wn.2d testimony, and the victim provided specific 894 ( citing Camarillo, 115 Wn.2d at His testimony detailed testimony. Carson testified convinced and that the at was vague, specifically denied the error was 70). detailed testimony." Here, the victim did not provide specific confusing, allegations harmless beyond Bobenhouse, 166 and, at of a reasonable times, inconsistent. abuse. doubt. Further, Accordingly, I am not Because the error was not harmless, this court presumes that the error was prejudicial to Carson, and he has met his burden under the second prong of the ineffective assistance of counsel test. Carson is required to show both counsel' s performance was deficient and counsel' s deficient had no performance prejudiced legitimate tactical reason him. Defense counsel' s performance was deficient because he to justify declining a Petrich instruction. Carson has also met his burden to show prejudice because the failure to give a Petrich is presumed to be prejudicial, and, here, the error was not harmless beyond a reasonable doubt. Therefore, I believe that Carson has met his burden to prove ineffective assistance of counsel and I would reverse. 26
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