In re Pers. Restraint of Light-Roth

422 P.3d 444

• Court: Washington Supreme Court
• Decided: August 2, 2018
• Docket: 94950-6
• Status: Published

Opinion

MADSEN, J.

¶ 1 Kevin Light-Roth was convicted of second degree murder in 2004, and the trial court sentenced him to 335 months' confinement. In an untimely personal restraint petition (PRP), Light-Roth argued that State v. O'Dell , 183 Wash.2d 680 , 358 P.3d 359 (2015), constitutes a significant and material change in the law that applies retroactively to his sentence, excepting him from RCW 10.73.100 's time bar. In O'Dell , this court held while "age is not a per se mitigating factor," a sentencing court "must be allowed to consider youth as a mitigating factor when" relevant. Id. at 695-96, 358 P.3d 359 .

¶ 2 The Court of Appeals granted Light-Roth's PRP and remanded for resentencing. We reverse the Court of Appeals and hold that O'Dell does not provide an exception to the time bar.

FACTS

¶ 3 On February 5, 2003, Light-Roth, who was 19 years old at the time, shot and killed Tython Bonnett. At that time, Light-Roth was living with Chris Highley and dealing methamphetamine. The evening that he was shot, Bonnett came to Light-Roth and Highley's apartment. Convinced that Bonnett stole his shotgun, Light-Roth confronted Bonnett and subsequently shot him in the chest. Light-Roth then told Curtis Stream, another friend who was present and witnessed the murder, " '[I]f you don't want to be a part of this, you can go ahead and leave. But if you say anything ....' Light-Roth then showed him his gun and made a slicing gesture across his throat." Mot. for Discr. Review, App. at 23 (alterations in original). Moments later Light-Roth enlisted the help of Highley to dispose of Bonnett's body. Highley followed Light-Roth's instruction, though he later testified that he did so only because he feared for his life.

¶ 4 Hoping to avoid any suspicion, the next morning Light-Roth told Bonnett's girlfriend that he believed Bonnett had moved to New Mexico. Bonnett's body was subsequently found and Light-Roth was taken into custody. After detectives interviewed him, Light-Roth attempted to escape by using a pen to remove his leg shackles and handcuffs.

¶ 5 On June 1, 2004, a jury convicted Light-Roth of murder in the second degree while armed with a firearm and unlawful possession of a firearm. At sentencing, the State requested a maximum standard range sentence of 335 months' confinement. In justifying its recommendation the State said,

Here we have a Defendant who basically in cold blood murdered an acquaintance, or perhaps even a friend of his, for really no good reason at all, if ever you could have a good reason for taking the life of another human being.

After doing so, he demonstrated a complete disregard not only for human life but also just a considerable amount of contempt by the manner in which he disposed of Tython Bonnett's body and how he conducted himself in the six to seven days following the murder.

There is absolutely nothing redeeming about this man.

Id. at 45. Defense counsel requested that the court "impose the sentence in the mid to low range." Id. at 50. In support of his request, defense counsel added that Light-Roth was only 21 years old at the time of sentencing and that attention deficit disorder"has plagued him throughout his life." Id. at 50-51.

¶ 6 The court sentenced Light-Roth to 335 months' confinement. The sentencing judge explained his decision, stating,

I am satisfied that Mr. Light-Roth demonstrates classic sociopathic behavior, didn't care about anybody but himself, and I am satisfied he is dangerous. I am satisfied, as I pointed out, if he makes it out of prison and does not somehow change his life, then he is going to get his third strike, or try to escape and be killed by the police or run into somebody who is tougher than him who will take his life.

It is a shame that Mr. Light-Roth at such a young age is basically wasting his life. But at this point I am satisfied, having listened to the trial, and listened to the pre-trial, looking at the record, that Mr. Light-Roth's return to society, if he makes it out, ... needs to be delayed as long as possible.

Id. at 57-58.

¶ 7 The Court of Appeals affirmed that judgment and sentence on direct appeal, and this court denied review on April 30, 2008. The United States Supreme Court subsequently denied a petition for a writ of certiorari on October 6, 2008. In 2016, Light-Roth filed a PRP, arguing that he was entitled to a resentencing under O'Dell. The Court of Appeals granted Light-Roth's PRP in a published decision and remanded for resentencing. In re Pers. Restraint of Light-Roth , 200 Wash. App. 149 , 401 P.3d 459 (2017). The State sought review of the Court of Appeals decision.

ANALYSIS

¶ 8 In bringing a PRP, "a petitioner is entitled to full collateral review of a conviction or sentence if the petitioner proves actual prejudice from a constitutional error, or nonconstitutional error which inherently results in a complete miscarriage of justice." In re Pers. Restraint of Gronquist , 138 Wash.2d 388 , 396, 978 P.2d 1083 (1999) (citing In re Pers. Restraint of Cook , 114 Wash.2d 802 , 813, 792 P.2d 506 (1990) ).

¶ 9 A PRP must not be "filed more than one year after the judgment becomes final if the judgment and sentence is valid on its face and was rendered by a court of competent jurisdiction." RCW 10.73.090(1). Because Light-Roth filed his PRP more than one year after his judgment and sentence became final, he must assert solely grounds for relief exempt from the one-year limit under RCW 10.73.100. In re Pers. Restraint of Adams , 178 Wash.2d 417 , 422, 309 P.3d 451 (2013).

¶ 10 A petitioner can overcome the one-year time bar under RCW 10.73.100(6) if he can identify "(1) a [significant] change in the law (2) that is material and (3) that applies retroactively." In re Pers. Restraint of Colbert , 186 Wash.2d 614 , 619, 380 P.3d 504 (2016). There is no requirement in statute or case law that these elements must be considered in a specific order. We can resolve this case by deciding whether our decision in O'Dell constitutes a "significant change in the law."

¶ 11 A "significant change in the law" occurs "when an intervening appellate decision overturns a prior appellate decision that was determinative of a material issue." State v . Miller , 185 Wash.2d 111 , 114, 371 P.3d 528 (2016). An "intervening appellate decision that 'settles a point of law without overturning prior precedent' or 'simply applies settled law to new facts' does not constitute a significant change in the law." Id. at 114-15, 371 P.3d 528 (quoting In re Pers. Restraint of Turay , 150 Wash.2d 71 , 83, 74 P.3d 1194 (2003) ). A "significant change in the law" is likely to have occurred if the defendant was unable to argue the issue in question before publication of the intervening decision. Id. at 115, 371 P.3d 528 . The pertinent inquiry here is whether our decision in State v. Ha'mim , 132 Wash.2d 834 , 940 P.2d 633 (1997), precluded Light-Roth from raising or the trial court from considering Light-Roth's youthfulness as a mitigating factor to support an exceptional sentence downward.

¶ 12 In Ha'mim , the defendant, who was 18 years old at the time of her crime, was convicted of first degree robbery. Id. at 836, 940 P.2d 633 . The sentencing court imposed an exceptional sentence below the standard range, taking into "account the Defendant's age and the fact she had no prior offenses." Id. at 837, 940 P.2d 633 . The Court of Appeals reversed. Id. at 838, 940 P.2d 633 . In affirming the Court of Appeals, this court held that the defendant's "age is not alone a substantial and compelling reason to impose an exceptional sentence." Id. at 847, 940 P.2d 633 . While the court held that in general, "[t]he age of the defendant does not relate to the crime or the previous record of the defendant," it also explained that

[ t ] he [ Sentencing Reform Act of 1981 ] does include a factor for which age could be relevant. RCW 9.94A.390 ^[ 1 ^] provides a nonexclusive list of illustrative factors a court may consider when imposing an exceptional sentence and includes as a mitigating factor that the defendant's capacity to appreciate the wrongfulness of his or her conduct or to conform his or her conduct to the requirements of the law was significantly impaired. RCW 9.94A.390(1)(e).

Id. at 847, 846, 940 P.2d 633 (emphasis added).

¶ 13 Eleven years after Light-Roth's sentencing, this court, in O'Dell , again addressed whether youthfulness may be considered to support a departure from the standard sentencing range. In O'Dell , the defendant was convicted of second degree rape of a child. 183 Wash.2d at 683 , 358 P.3d 359 . At sentencing, the defendant requested an exceptional sentence below the standard range because his youthfulness impaired his " 'capacity to appreciate the wrongfulness of his conduct, or to conform his conduct to the requirements of the law.' " Id. at 685, 358 P.3d 359 . The sentencing judge denied the defendant's request, holding that Ha'mim precluded him from considering age as a mitigating factor. Id. This court reversed, holding that while "age is not a per se mitigating factor automatically entitling every youthful defendant to an exceptional sentence," a trial court is permitted to consider youth as a mitigating factor. Id. at 695-96, 358 P.3d 359 .

¶ 14 Light-Roth argues this holding is a "significant change in the law" because, prior to O'Dell , "the argument that youth relates to the crime was unavailable." Suppl. Br. of Light-Roth at 11. Specifically, he argues that Ha'mim "precluded a sentencing court from considering as a non-statutory mitigating factor a youth's lack of maturity and impulsiveness based on the notion that they do not relate to a defendant's crime or culpability." Id. Light-Roth contends Ha'mim 's cite to State v. Scott , 72 Wash. App. 207 , 866 P.2d 1258 (1993), aff'd sub nom. State v. Ritchie , 126 Wash.2d 388 , 894 P.2d 1308 (1995), shows that Ha'mim adopted the view that youth could never be considered to support an exceptional sentence downward. Suppl. Br. of Light-Roth at 9.

¶ 15 In Scott , the defendant, who was convicted of second degree murder, argued that his youthfulness should have been considered at sentencing. Scott , 72 Wash. App. at 218 , 866 P.2d 1258 . The Court of Appeals rejected this argument. Citing the facts of the crime, the court observed that the defendant's argument, that his age limited his " 'capacity to appreciate the wrongfulness of his conduct or to conform his conduct to the requirements of the law,' " "borders on the absurd." Id. The court added that the defendant's conduct "cannot seriously be blamed on his 'lack of judgment' .... Premeditated murder is not a common teenage vice. " Id. at 219, 866 P.2d 1258 (emphasis added). We think Light-Roth reads Scott too broadly.

¶ 16 In O'Dell , we stated that Ha'mim

did not bar trial courts from considering a defendant's youth at sentencing ; it held only that the trial court may not impose an exceptional sentence automatically on the basis of youth, absent any evidence that youth in fact diminished a defendant's culpability.

183 Wash.2d at 689 , 358 P.3d 359 (emphasis added). We explained that Ha'mim did not preclude a defendant from arguing youth as a mitigating factor but, rather, it held that the defendant must show that his youthfulness relates to the commission of the crime. 132 Wash.2d at 846 , 940 P.2d 633 . In explaining Ha'mim , we pointed out that the defendant in Ha'mim had failed to show that her "capacity to appreciate the wrongfulness of her conduct or to conform it to the requirements of the law were in any way impaired" by her youth. Id. The same is true of the defendant in Scott. Based on the facts there, the court rejected the defendant's argument because his conduct could not " seriously be blamed on his 'lack of judgment.' " Scott , 72 Wash. App. at 219 , 866 P.2d 1258 . Neither Scott nor Ha'mim categorically precludes consideration of youth as a mitigating factor.

¶ 17 In O'Dell , we reiterated the general proposition relied on in Scott and Ha'mim , that "age is not a per se mitigating factor." 183 Wash.2d at 695-96 , 358 P.3d 359 . Contrary to Light-Roth's contentions, RCW 9.94A.535(1)(e) has always provided the opportunity to raise youth for the purpose of requesting an exceptional sentence downward, and mitigation based on youth is within the trial court's discretion. Id. at 698-99, 358 P.3d 359 ("We hold that a defendant's youthfulness can support an exceptional sentence below the standard range ... and that the sentencing court must exercise its discretion to decide when that is."). The fact that Light-Roth misinterpreted Ha'mim is of no consequence in determining whether O'Dell constitutes a "significant change in the law." See Miller , 185 Wash.2d at 116 , 371 P.3d 528 ("A 'significant change in the law' requires that the law, not counsels' understanding of the law on an unsettled question, has changed.")

¶ 18 Light-Roth also argues that O'Dell constitutes a "significant change in the law" because the court in O'Dell disavowed Ha'mim 's reasoning to the extent that it was inconsistent with our decision. Suppl. Br. of Light-Roth at 11. Specifically, O'Dell explained that youth

is far more likely to diminish a defendant's culpability than this court implied in Ha'mim ; and that youth can, therefore, amount to a substantial and compelling factor, in particular cases, justifying a sentence below the standard range.

183 Wash.2d at 696 , 358 P.3d 359 . While O'Dell broadened our understanding of youth as it relates to culpability, it did not alter the court's interpretation of RCW 9.94A.535. Whether there has been a "significant change in the law" primarily rests on whether the defendant " 'could have argued this issue before publication of the decision.' " In re Pers. Restraint of Lavery , 154 Wash.2d 249 , 258-59, 111 P.3d 837 (2005) (quoting In re Pers. Restraint of Stoudmire , 145 Wash.2d 258 , 264, 36 P.3d 1005 (2001) ).

¶ 19 It is also significant that, in O'Dell , we found the trial court's "failure to exercise discretion is itself an abuse of discretion subject to reversal." 183 Wash.2d at 697 , 358 P.3d 359 . A trial court cannot abuse discretion it does not have. If Ha'mim precluded trial courts from considering youth as a mitigating factor, we would have ruled that it was an error of law for the trial court to refuse to consider youth in O'Dell. 2 See Williams v. Tilaye , 174 Wash.2d 57 , 61, 272 P.3d 235 (2012) ("Statutory interpretation is a question of law reviewed de novo"). Here, Light-Roth could have argued youth as a mitigating factor, as he was permitted to do so under Ha'mim. 3

¶ 20 Because O'Dell does not constitute a "significant change in the law," we do not reach whether it applies retroactively or is material to Light-Roth's case.

CONCLUSION

¶ 21 We reverse the Court of Appeals, and hold that Light-Roth's PRP is time barred, as it was filed more than one year after his judgment became final and he is not exempt from the one-year time limit.

WE CONCUR:

Fairhurst, C.J.

Johnson, J.

Owens, J.

Stephens, J.

Wiggins, J.

Van Deren, J.P.T.

Yu, J.

González, J. (concurring in result)

¶ 22 I concur with the majority that Kevin Light-Roth is entitled to relief only if he can show his personal restraint petition falls within an exception to the one-year time bar. See RCW 10.73.090. One exception to the time bar is a significant, material, retroactive change in the law. RCW 10.73.100(6). Light-Roth contends that the rule we articulated in State v . O'Dell , 183 Wash.2d 680 , 358 P.3d 359 (2015) meets these requirements. O'Dell is significant and retroactive. However, since it is not material to Light-Roth's conviction, I concur in result only.

¶ 23 In O'Dell , we held that a sentencing court "must be allowed to consider youth as a mitigating factor when" relevant. Id. at 695-96, 358 P.3d 359 . This directly abrogated State v. Ha'mim , where we held age was not a mitigator. 132 Wash.2d 834 , 847, 940 P.2d 633 (1997).

¶ 24 In Ha'mim , we decided the "age of the defendant does not relate to the crime or the previous record of the defendant," and held a defendant's youth cannot justify imposing a more lenient sentence. 132 Wash.2d at 846-47 , 940 P.2d 633 (quoting State v . Scott , 72 Wash. App. 207 , 218-19, 866 P.2d 1258 (1993), aff'd sub nom. State v . Ritchie , 126 Wash.2d 388 , 894 P.2d 1308 (1995) ). In O'Dell , we disavowed Ha'mim because it "contains reasoning that some ... have understood as absolutely barring any exceptional downward departure sentence below the range on the basis of youth. That reasoning has been thoroughly undermined by subsequent scientific developments." O'Dell , 183 Wash.2d at 698 , 358 P.3d 359 (emphasis added); see also Alexandra O. Cohen et al., When Does a Juvenile Become an Adult? Implications for Law and Policy, 88 TEMPLE L. REV. 769, 786 (2016). 1

¶ 25 For many years, Ha'mim effectively foreclosed mitigation arguments based on the age of a defendant, particularly the availability of exceptional downward sentences. 2 See, e.g., State v. Wright , No. 44821-1-II, slip. op. at 7, 2014 WL 5685535 (Wash. Ct. App. Nov. 4, 2014) (unpublished) ("[T]he trial court concluded that Wright's lack of judgment due to her age and inexperience significantly impaired her capacity to conform to the requirements of the law. This conclusion is similar to the reasoning that the Supreme Court rejected in Ha'mim. "), http://www.courts.wa.gov/opinions/pdf/D2% 2044821-1-II% 20Unpublished% 20Opinion.pdf. When Ha'mim was decided, mitigation arguments at sentencing were routinely denied. See State v. Freitag , 127 Wash.2d 141 , 148, 896 P.2d 1254 , 905 P.2d 355 (1995) (Madsen, J., dissenting) ("In sharp contrast to [the court's] findings regarding nonstatutory aggravating factors, this court has rarely found mitigators to be justified unless statutorily provided"); Nick Straley, Miller's Promise: Re-Evaluating Extreme Criminal Sentences for Children , 89 WASH. L. REV. 963, 985 (2014) (describing the state of juvenile sentencing under the Sentencing Reform Act of 1981 (SRA) ).

¶ 26 As Light-Roth served his sentence, "the law of juvenile sentencing changed dramatically." State v. Scott , 190 Wash.2d 586 , 589, 416 P.3d 1182 (2018) (citing O'Dell , 183 Wash.2d at 696 , 358 P.3d 359 ). 3 A significant change in the law means that an argument that was previously unavailable is now available. In re Pers. Restraint of Yung-Cheng Tsai , 183 Wash.2d 91 , 104-05, 351 P.3d 138 (2015) (quoting In re Pers.Restraint of Greening , 141 Wash.2d 687 , 697, 9 P.3d 206 (2000) ). Relying on O'Dell , the Court of Appeals reversed a trial court that had (before O'Dell was announced) concluded it could not impose an exceptional sentence based on youthfulness despite " 'incredibly compelling' " evidence on juvenile brain development. State v. Ronquillo , 190 Wash. App. 765 , 773-74, 361 P.3d 779 (2015). A similar result occurred in State v. Houston-Sconiers , where the "trial court ... did not have the benefit of the O'Dell decision at the time of petitioners' sentencing, and that accounts for its belief that its exceptional sentence below the SRA range on the case crimes was technically illegal under state law. " 188 Wash.2d 1 , 24, 391 P.3d 409 (2017) (emphasis added); see also State v. Solis-Diaz , 194 Wash. App. 129 , 138, 376 P.3d 458 (2016) ("the trial court here decided that under Ha'mim it could not consider the defendant's youth as a mitigating factor in sentencing"), rev'd in part on other grounds , 187 Wash.2d 535 , 387 P.3d 703 (2017). Our decision in O'Dell substantially changed how sentencing courts consider a defendant's youthfulness. See In re Pers. Restraint of Light-Roth , 200 Wash. App. 149 , 160, 401 P.3d 459 (2017) ("It would be disingenuous to suggest that O'Dell merely clarified Ha'mim' s holding or applied settled law to new facts."). In O'Dell we revisited the " same question this court considered in" Ha'mim , but arrived at a different conclusion. 183 Wash.2d at 689, 358 P.3d 359 (emphasis added). Plainly, it is a significant change in the law.

¶ 27 Further, because O'Dell reinterpreted a provision of the SRA, its holding is retroactive. "Once the Court has determined the meaning of a statute, that is what the statute has meant since its enactment." In re Pers. Restraint of Johnson , 131 Wash.2d 558 , 568, 933 P.2d 1019 (1997) (citing In re Pers. Restraint of Vandervlugt , 120 Wash.2d 427 , 436, 842 P.2d 950 (1992) ); see also In re Pers. Restraint of Hinton , 152 Wash.2d 853 , 859-60, 100 P.3d 801 (2004).

¶ 28 Nonetheless, Light-Roth fails to show O'Dell was material to his sentence. While Light-Roth could not successfully argue his youthfulness entitled him to an exceptionally lenient sentence until O'Dell , he did argue his age justified a sentence at the bottom of the range. His argument was rejected. The sentencing court had no cause to consider the disavowed portion of Ha'mim , making the applicability of O'Dell immaterial. 4

¶ 29 O'Dell will be material for others, and I hope O'Dell 's significance will become clear to the court before irreparable damage is done. Since O'Dell is a significant and retroactive change in the law, but not material to Light-Roth's conviction, I concur in result only.

1 Recodified as RCW 9.94A.535.

2 While the concurrence argues that we did rule it was an error of law for the trial court to refuse to consider youth, our opinion in O'Dell contains no such language. Instead, it appears that the concurrence is arguing that the trial court's failure to exercise discretion constituted an error of law. This is a distinction without a difference. The fact that we held the court abused its discretion, as the concurrence concedes, demonstrates that O'Dell did not create a significant change in the law. Indeed, it would be odd to find a significant change in the law in O'Dell , and that the trial court abused its discretion in failing to apply a law that did not yet exist.

3 Notably, in 2005, the United States Supreme Court, in Roper v. Simmons , 543 U.S. 551 , 125 S.Ct. 1183 , 161 L.Ed.2d 1 (2005), held that it was unconstitutional to impose the death penalty on individuals under the age of 18. The Court explained that juveniles have a diminished culpability because they " 'lack ... maturity,' " have " 'an underdeveloped sense of responsibility,' " and are "more vulnerable or susceptible to negative influences and outside pressures," and their character is not as "well formed as that of an adult." Id. at 569-70 , 125 S.Ct. 1183 (quoting Johnson v. Texas , 509 U.S. 350 , 367, 113 S.Ct. 2658 , 125 L.Ed.2d 290 (1993) ). While Roper was published after Light-Roth's sentence, it was published before his 2007 appeal. State v . Light-Roth , noted at 139 Wash. App. 1093 , 2007 WL 2234613 (2007). Even assuming Ha'mim precluded Light-Roth from arguing youth as a mitigating factor, which it did not, Light-Roth still could have raised the argument on appeal by invoking Roper. He did not.

1 Contrary to the majority's claim, we did rule "it was an error of law for the trial court to refuse to consider youth in O'Dell ." Majority at 449; see O'Dell , 183 Wn.2d at 696, 358 P.3d 359 . The trial court's failure to exercise discretion, when it did not know it had discretion, resulted in reversal.

2 Age was among the mitigating factors not considered per se. See, e.g., State v. Law , 154 Wash.2d 85 , 97, 110 P.3d 717 (2005) (exceptional sentences cannot be "based on factors personal in nature to a particular defendant."). O'Dell preserved this aspect of Ha'mim , and this aspect is likely the source of the majority's confusion. O'Dell , 183 Wash.2d at 695, 358 P.3d 359 ("It remains true that age is not a per se mitigating factor automatically entitling every youthful defendant to an exceptional sentence.").

3 The majority, assuming that Ha'mim precluded Light-Roth's ability to argue youth as a mitigating factor, faults Light-Roth for failing to raise Roper v. Simmons , 543 U.S. 551 , 125 S.Ct. 1183 , 161 L.Ed.2d 1 (2005) in his 2007 appeal to make the argument eventually adopted in O'Dell. The briefs on the direct appeal were not provided to this court, so it is also unclear if this is true. It should be noted, however, that earlier attempts to raise Roper have had inconsistent results. Compare State v. Ramos , No. 30279-2-III, slip op. at 30, 2013 WL 1628255 (Wash. Ct. App. Apr. 16, 2013) (unpublished) ("The SRA does not require courts to be more lenient to juveniles or even encourage it."), http://www.courts.wa.gov/opinions/pdf/302792.pdf, with In re Pers. Restraint of Solis-Diaz , noted at 170 Wash. App. 1039 , 1042, 2012 WL 5348865 , at *6 (remanding in light of Roper because the court " 'cannot say that the sentencing court would have imposed the same sentence had it known an exceptional sentence was an option.' " (internal quotation marks omitted) (quoting In re Pers. Restraint of Mulholland , 161 Wash.2d 322 , 334, 166 P.3d 677 (2007) ) ). Whether Roper undermined the generalizations underlying Ha'mim supports the proposition that O'Dell was a significant change in the law.

4 A prudent option would be to decide this case on materiality, and leave the question of O'Dell 's significance for another day. I regret the majority's decision not to do so.