State Of Washington, V. Earnest Hamilton

• Court: Court of Appeals of Washington
• Decided: November 24, 2025
• Docket: 87272-9
• Status: Unpublished

Opinion

IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON

STATE OF WASHINGTON, No. 87272-9-I

Respondent, DIVISION ONE

v. UNPUBLISHED OPINION EARNEST LEE HAMILTON, aka EARNEST L. HAMILTON,

Appellant.

SMITH, J. — Ernest Hamilton lived in Apartment 102 at Prairie Oaks

Apartments in Lakewood, Washington. On March 24, 2023, Lakewood Police

Department officers responded to an active shooter report at Prairie Oaks. When

the officers arrived, a babysitter, T. Hale, was outside the apartment complex,

holding L.A., a three-month-old infant who lived in Apartment 101. L.A. was

bleeding from three different locations on the right side of their head. Hale

reported that bullets hit the child’s swing when the apartment was shot at multiple

times. Officers observed blood inside and outside of Apartment 101, and

damage to the apartment’s windows and exterior door. After searching the

complex, officers found rifle magazines, parts of a gun, and rounds in Hamilton’s

apartment. Hamilton was found guilty of three counts of assault in the first

degree and unlawful possession of a firearm in the first degree. Hamilton

appeals.

Finding no error, we affirm. No. 87272-9-I/2

FACTS

In March 2023, Ernest Hamilton lived in Apartment 102 at Prairie Oaks

Apartments in Lakewood, Washington. On March 24, 2023, at approximately

5:45 p.m., Lakewood Police Department officers responded to an active shooter

report at Prairie Oaks. When the officers arrived at the scene, a babysitter,

T. Hale, was outside the apartment complex, holding L.A., a three-month-old

infant who lived in Apartment 101. L.A. was bleeding from several locations on

the right side of their head. Hale reported that L.A. was shot when bullets hit the

child’s swing, while the apartment was being shot at multiple times. Hale did not

see the shooter. Detective Darin Sale observed fired cartridge cases in the

hallway between Apartments 101 and 102, bullet holes on Apartment 101’s

exterior walls, and bullet holes in Apartment 101’s exterior door. Detective Sale

also observed bullet holes in Apartment 101’s windows.

Officers searched Apartment 102, and Officer Kaybree Cooper testified

she observed a M4 magazine with four live rounds on a bar stool that was next to

the bedroom and the living room. Sometime during or after the secondary

clearing of the apartment complex, Officer Sean Urckfitz collected the magazine,

and it was booked into evidence. Officers then obtained a search warrant for

Apartments 101 and 102. Inside Apartment 102, officers found shell casings,

several rifle magazines, and parts to an AR rifle. Detective Sale testified that a

small bag with several magazines was in a chest of drawers. Hamilton’s wallet,

along with his identification, was on top of the chest of drawers. The rounds in

the magazines found in the apartment were the same style of ammunition found

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at the scene. The cartridges found outside Apartment 101 and the rounds found

in Hamilton’s apartment both had the same red coloring on the headstamp.

Hamilton’s Statements

Shortly after the shooting, Hamilton called 911, claiming that he heard

shots in the hallway while he was in his apartment. While on the phone with

dispatch, he mentioned that he needed to call his girlfriend. Hamilton then left

the scene, asking a neighbor, Nicole Schultes, for a ride to his girlfriend’s

apartment. While on route to his girlfriend’s apartment, Hamilton told Schultes

that people were watching and listening to him in the apartment, and that he

feared for his life. Hamilton also stated that he could hear “them” through the

walls.

When Hamilton was at his girlfriend’s apartment, the mother of Hamilton’s

girlfriend called 911 and reported that Hamilton punched his girlfriend and

threatened to kill her. When officers arrived, Hamilton was on the phone with

911. Hamilton told dispatch he was going to hurt someone or himself and talked

about trying to fight people. Hamilton also mentioned that “they” were throwing

stuff at his windows, and that he needed to go hurt the neighbors. Hamilton

threatened to beat up his girlfriend if he could not beat up the neighbors. Officers

detained Hamilton and placed him in the back of their patrol car. Officer Natalie

Zieber testified that Hamilton’s demeanor was “a little bit paranoid about people

being after him.” Hamilton stated that people were recording him and there was

a hit on his life. After he was taken into custody, Hamilton told detectives that

earlier that day, he heard his neighbors on both sides “cocking guns,” and that

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his neighbors conducted surveillance on him. Hamilton stated that he heard

people saying, “it had to be a head shot.”

Prosecutor’s Closing Argument

During the trial’s closing arguments, the prosecutor stated, “so, in your

deliberations, you might just ask yourself, based on the evidence that was

presented or lack of evidence, what was—what suggests Mr. Hamilton was not

the shooter?” Hamilton objected, claiming the statement shifted the burden of

proof. The court overruled Hamilton’s objection. The State then continued,

“what I'm suggesting to you is the evidence proves beyond a reasonable doubt

that he was the shooter. And that's not just based on one thing. It's based on

many pieces of circumstantial evidence working together for you to form that

conclusion.” The State finished its closing argument, and the jury was excused

for deliberation. Hamilton was found guilty of three counts of assault in the first

degree and unlawful possession of a firearm in the first degree. Hamilton

ANALYSIS

Sufficiency of the Evidence

Hamilton asserts that the State’s evidence was insufficient to prove

identity and intent.

Under a sufficiency of the evidence claim, the court must assess whether

“after viewing the evidence in the light most favorable to the State, any rational

trier of fact could have found the essential elements of the crime beyond a

reasonable doubt.” State v. Brooks, 107 Wn. App. 925, 928, 29 P.3d 45 (2001).

4 No. 87272-9-I/5

Evidence is sufficient to support a conviction if, viewed in the light most

favorable to the State, “any rational trier of fact could have found guilt beyond a

reasonable doubt.” State v. Salinas, 119 Wn.2d 192, 201, 829 P.2d 1068 (1992).

This court draws all reasonable inferences from the evidence in the State’s favor

and “interprete[s] most strongly against the defendant.” Salinas, 119 Wn.2d

at 201. A defendant claiming insufficiency admits the truth of the State's

evidence and all reasonable inferences drawn in favor of the State, with

circumstantial evidence and direct evidence being equally reliable. State v.

Pedro, 148 Wn. App. 932, 951, 201 P.3d 398 (2009) (citing Salinas, 119 Wn.2d

at 201). We will only reverse “where no rational trier of fact could find that all

elements of the crime were proved beyond a reasonable doubt.” State v. Smith,

155 Wn.2d 496, 501, 120 P.3d 559 (2005).

Sufficient Evidence that Hamilton was the Shooter

Hamilton asserts that the State’s evidence was insufficient to prove that he

was the shooter.

When the shooting occurred, Hamilton was in his apartment. Hamilton’s

girlfriend was not at home at the time of the shooting. Police body worn camera

footage showed Hamilton exiting the building after the shooting.1 Furthermore,

1 Because this court was unable to play exhibit 140 in its submitted format, the State moved to return the exhibit to the trial court so the issue could be addressed. The request was made after the parties could not reach an agreement on supplementing the record with a copy of exhibit 140. A sufficiently complete record does not necessarily require “ ‘a complete verbatim transcript.’ ” State v. Waits, 200 Wn.2d 507, 510, 520 P.3d 49 (2022) (internal quotation marks omitted) (quoting State v. Tilton, 149 Wn.2d 775, 72 P.3d 735 (2003)). When an appellate court is faced with a defective or incomplete record,

5 No. 87272-9-I/6

officers found shell casings, several rifle magazines, and parts to an AR rifle in

Hamilton’s apartment. Hamilton’s wallet and identification were on top of the

chest of drawers that contained several magazines. The magazines found in the

apartment were the same style of ammunition found at the scene. Additionally,

the rifle cartridges found outside Apartment 101 had similar red headstamps to

the rounds found in Hamilton’s apartment. Given the circumstantial evidence,

any rational trier of fact could have found Hamilton guilty beyond a reasonable

doubt. The court did not err.

Sufficient Evidence of Specific Intent

Hamilton argues that even if the State proved that Hamilton fired the gun,

the State proved insufficient evidence that Hamilton had specific intent to harm

someone inside Apartment 101.

In determining whether a defendant intended to inflict great bodily harm, “a

jury may consider the manner in which the defendant exerted the force and the

nature of the victim's injuries to the extent that it reflects the amount or degree of

“alternative methods are permissible if they permit effective review.” Waits, 200 Wn.2d at 510. The issue is whether the record is sufficient to permit effective review. In its brief, the State cites to exhibit 140 to assert that the apartment surveillance footage showed four points: (1) no one entered or exited the apartment’s main entrance right before the shooting, (2) no one was seen entering or exiting Hamilton’s apartment from the rear door prior to or after the shooting, (3) Hamilton left his apartment approximately nine minutes after the shooting, and (4) when Hamilton left, he was alone. Although the court is unable to review exhibit 140, the State’s assertions about the exhibit are supported by the testimony of Brittney Stricklan and Detective Latimer. In addition, the photo exhibits 131 and 132 and the video exhibit 136 provide similar views addressed by the testimony and exhibit 140. The record contained an equivalent report of the events and was sufficient to permit effective review by this court. Therefore, the State’s motion to supplement the record is denied.

6 No. 87272-9-I/7

force necessary to cause the injury.” State v. Alcantar-Maldonado, 184 Wn. App.

215, 225, 340 P.3d 859 (2014) (citing State v. Pierre, 108 Wn. App. 378, 385, 31

P.3d 1207 (2001)). While the court cannot presume specific intent, “it can be

inferred as a logical probability from all the facts and circumstances.” State v.

Pedro, 148 Wn. App. at 951. “Specific intent is defined as intent to produce a

specific result, as opposed to intent to do the physical act that produces the

result.” State v. Elmi, 166 Wn.2d 209, 215, 207 P.3d 439 (2009). “Once the

specific intent to inflict great bodily harm is established, this intent may transfer to

any unintended victim.” Elmi, 166 Wn.2d at 217.

Hamilton knew a family lived in Apartment 101. After Hamilton was

detained, he mentioned to multiple law enforcement officers that people were

after him and his life was in danger. Hamilton thought his neighbors were doing

surveillance on him and heard them “cock[] guns” earlier that day. Hamilton also

mentioned wanting to hurt his neighbors and his girlfriend, and wanting to commit

a crime so he could go to jail. The evidence supports that Hamilton had the

specific intent to inflict great bodily injury. Hamilton’s specific intent to harm his

neighbor transferred to L.A. when he was shot. The trial court did not err.

Prosecutor’s Statement in Closing Arguments

Hamilton claims his right to a fair trial was violated because the prosecutor

committed misconduct during closing argument.

“Allegations of prosecutorial misconduct are reviewed under an abuse of

discretion standard.” State v. Brett, 126 Wn.2d 136, 174, 892 P.2d 29 (1995).

When the defendant claims prosecutor misconduct, “the defendant must

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establish ‘that the prosecutor's conduct was both improper and prejudicial.’ ”

State v. Thorgerson, 172 Wn.2d 438, 442, 258 P.3d 43 (2011) (internal quotation

marks omitted) (quoting State v. Magers, 164 Wn.2d 174, 191, 189 P.3d 126

(2008) (plurality opinion)). To prevail on this claim, “a defendant is required to

show that in the context of the record and all of the circumstances of the trial, the

prosecutor's conduct was both improper and prejudicial.” In re Pers. Restraint of

Glasmann, 175 Wn.2d 696, 704, 286 P.3d 673 (2012) (plurality opinion). A

statement is prejudicial if it “had a substantial likelihood of affecting the jury's

verdict.” State v. Emery, 174 Wn.2d 741, 760, 278 P.3d 653 (2012). Our

Supreme Court has held that “it is improper for the prosecutor to argue that the

burden of proof rests with the defendant.” Thorgerson, 172 Wn.2d at 453. Our

court has found that it is improper for a prosecutor to misstate the reasonable

doubt standard and impermissibly undermine the presumption of innocence.

Emery, 174 Wn.2d at 759-60.

We consider the alleged prosecutor misconduct in the context of the

State’s closing argument in its entirety. Before making the objected statement,

the State listed the elements of the charges, stating “these are the things that

need to be proved beyond a reasonable doubt, nothing more, nothing less.”

After detailing the evidence that Hamilton was the shooter, the State articulated

its burden of proof So given all of that evidence, both direct and circumstantial evidence, I suggest that you would find and will conclude that Mr. Hamilton is the one who shot those rounds into Apartment 101. And if you do that, you will also find beyond a reasonable doubt that

8 No. 87272-9-I/9

he has committed the charged offenses of Assault in the First Degree and Unlawful Possession of a Firearm in the First Degree.

The State correctly stated its burden of proof before making the objected

statement.

Additionally, Hamilton argued in his closing argument that somebody else

may have been the shooter, stating, “what if somebody else fires the gunshots in

the hallway from [sic] apartment whatever else, manages to leave through

another exit, takes it out some other time, takes it out, puts it in the truck, who

knows, disassembles it.” The State’s phrase, “you might just ask yourself, based

on the evidence that was presented or lack of evidence, what was—what

suggests Mr. Hamilton was not the shooter,” was in response to Hamilton’s

argument that there could have been another shooter. And the State

immediately followed up by stating that it was suggesting to the jury that the

evidence proves beyond a reasonable doubt that Hamilton was the shooter.

Even if the statement was improper, the prosecutor’s statement did not

have a substantial likelihood of affecting the jury’s verdict. At trial, an abundant

amount of evidence supported the State’s contention that Hamilton was the

shooter. Hamilton had shell casings, several rifle magazines, and parts to an AR

rifle in his apartment. The magazines and rifle cartridges found at the scene

outside Hamilton’s apartment were like the magazines and cartridges found in

Hamilton’s apartment. No misconduct occurred in the State’s closing argument

and even if it had, no prejudice would have resulted.

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Statement of Additional Grounds for Review

In Hamilton’s statement for additional grounds, Hamilton contends that the

M4 magazine was seized in violation of his fourth amendment rights, and it was

not a product of the search warrant.

The federal and Washington State constitutions prohibit unreasonable

searches. State v. Muir, 67 Wn. App. 149, 151-52, 835 P.2d 1049 (1992). A

warrantless search may be lawful if exigent circumstances exist. Muir, 67 Wn.

App. at 152. Circumstances include when “ ‘there is strong reason to believe that

the suspect is on the premises’ ” and police “reasonably believe persons are in

imminent danger of death or harm.” Muir, 67 Wn. App. at 152-153 (quoting State

v. Terrovona, 105 Wn.2d 632, 644, 716 P.2d 295 (1986)). Another exception to

a warrantless search is the plain view exception, which requires “(1) a prior

justification for intrusion, (2) inadvertent discovery of incriminating evidence, and

(3) immediate knowledge by the officer that [they] had evidence before [them].”

State v. Kull, 155 Wn.2d 80, 85, 118 P.3d 307 (2005). “The ‘plain view’ doctrine

applies after the officer intrudes into an area or activity where a reasonable

expectation of privacy exists.” State v. Lemus, 103 Wn. App. 94, 102, 11 P.3d

326 (2000) (quoting State v. Seagull, 95 Wn.2d 898, 901, 632 P.2d 44 (1981). “If

the officer has made a justifiable intrusion and sights contraband, [they] can

seize the evidence without a warrant.” State v. Lemus, 103 Wn. App. at 102

(citing Seagull, 95 Wn.2d at 901–902).

Sergeant Ryan Moody testified that when they arrived on the scene,

officers cleared the structure to look for potential victims and find the shooter.

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The warrantless search was lawful under the exigent circumstance exception. In

addition, during the secondary clearance, Officer Cooper testified that she saw

an M4 magazine on a bar stool in Hamilton’s apartment. The magazine was in

plain view when police entered the apartment, therefore it was the result of a

legal search and properly seized. The items seized were the result of a legal

search.

We affirm.

WE CONCUR: