FILED January 7, 2025 In the Office of the Clerk of Court WA State Court of Appeals, Division III
IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON DIVISION THREE
STATE OF WASHINGTON, ) No. 39661-4-III ) Respondent, ) ) v. ) UNPUBLISHED OPINION ) I.A.A-C.† ) ) Appellant. )
LAWRENCE-BERREY, C.J. — I.A.A.-C. appeals his adjudication of guilt for second
degree burglary, second degree malicious mischief, third degree theft, and minor in
possession of alcohol. We conclude the trial court committed one harmless evidentiary
error, reject I.A.A.-C.’s other arguments, and affirm.
FACTS
The owner of a small family-owned convenience store called law enforcement
after being awakened in the middle of the night when the store’s alarm sounded. The
store provided surveillance video to assist in law enforcement’s investigation. The video
† To protect the privacy interests of I.A.A.-C., who was a minor at the time the crimes were committed, we use his initials throughout this opinion. Gen. Order for Court of Appeals, In re Changes to Case Title (Wash. Ct. App. Aug. 22, 2018) (effective September 1, 2018), http://www.courts.wa.gov/appellate_trial_courts. No. 39661-4-III State v. I.A.A.-C.
showed three subjects, who appeared to be teenaged males, driving into the area in a
sport utility vehicle, throwing a cinderblock brick into the store’s glass front door until it
shattered, and grabbing tobacco products and a case of beer.
I.A.A.-C.’s mother viewed the video and identified I.A.A.-C. and D.W., her
nephew. At trial, she testified that she was 90 percent sure that the video depicted her
son and D.W.
The deputy then interviewed D.W., who confessed to the break in. D.W. agreed to
testify truthfully for the State in exchange for the State’s promise to recommend a lighter
sentence for his eventual guilty plea.
The State charged I.A.A.-C. with first degree burglary and other offenses related
to the break in. At trial, the State asked Deputy Rubi Ramirez whether she obtained a
confession by a coconspirator. She answered that D.W. made such a confession. The
State then asked whether D.W. had identified his coconspirator. I.A.A.-C. objected on
the basis of hearsay. The State responded that the answer was admissible as a statement
of a coconspirator. The trial court commented about the limited nature of the question,
and overruled the objection. The deputy then testified that D.W. said I.A.A.-C. had
committed the burglary with him. Prior to this testimony, D.W. testified that I.A.A.-C.
committed the burglary with him.
2 No. 39661-4-III State v. I.A.A.-C.
I.A.A.-C.’s mother also testified. After the parties asked her their questions, the
trial court asked the mother whether she had any reason to doubt D.W.’s testimony that
her son, I.A.A.-C., committed the burglary with him. The mother responded, “No.”
Rep. of Proc. (Feb. 8, 2023) at 145.
The trial court took the matter under advisement and later issued a written decision
containing findings of fact and conclusions of law. The court found I.A.A.-C. guilty of
second degree burglary, second degree malicious mischief, third degree theft, and minor
in possession of alcohol.
I.A.A.-C. appealed.
ANALYSIS
I.A.A.-C. raises three arguments why his convictions must be reversed. We
address each argument in the order raised.
PURPORTED CHARACTER EVIDENCE
I.A.A.-C. first argues the trial court erred by eliciting and admitting improper
character evidence when it asked his mother whether she had any reason to doubt D.W.’s
testimony that I.A.A.-C. was involved in the burglary. We disagree that the trial court’s
question sought or elicited an opinion of D.W.’s truthfulness.
“The trial court has broad discretion in propounding questions to witnesses in
order that it may gain all the information possible to aid in correctly determining the
3 No. 39661-4-III State v. I.A.A.-C.
disputed questions presented by the respective parties.” Jarrard v. Seifert, 22 Wn. App.
476, 478, 591 P.2d 809 (1979). Generally, however, no witness may express an opinion
on whether another witness is telling the truth. E.g., State v. Hughes, 118 Wn. App. 713,
725-26, 77 P.3d 681 (2003); State v. Maule, 35 Wn. App. 287, 297, 667 P.2d 96 (1983).
I.A.A.-C. misunderstands the trial court’s question to his mother. The court did
not ask his mother to give her opinion whether she thought D.W. was being untruthful.
Rather, the court asked her whether she knew of any reason to doubt D.W.’s testimony.
The court’s inquiry was about D.W.’s potential bias. Although his mother’s opinion
about D.W.’s untruthfulness would be improper, reasons establishing D.W.’s potential
bias against I.A.A.-C. would be admissible.
Simply put, it is not improper to question one witness about another witness’s
potential bias. State v. Wilder, 4 Wn. App. 850, 854, 486 P.2d 319 (1971) (Mother
permitted to testify why daughter’s claim of rape might be fabricated.); see also 5A KARL
B. TEGLAND, WASHINGTON PRACTICE: EVIDENCE LAW AND PRACTICE § 608.15 at 457
(6th ed. 2016) (ER 608 does not prohibit one witness from testifying about facts why
another witness might be biased.). Here, there may have been any number of reasons
why D.W. might have been sufficiently biased against I.A.A.-C. to falsely accuse him of
the burglary. And, if any witness was motivated to testify about D.W.’s potential bias, it
would have been I.A.A.-C.’s own mother. But the court’s question to I.A.A.-C.’s mother
4 No. 39661-4-III State v. I.A.A.-C.
did not uncover bias. Rather, I.A.A.-C.’s own mother answered she had no reason to
doubt her nephew’s testimony.
INEFFECTIVE ASSISTANCE OF COUNSEL
I.A.A.-C. next argues his counsel was ineffective by not objecting to the trial
court’s question to his mother. We disagree.
To succeed on an ineffective assistance of counsel claim, I.A.A.-C. must show that
(1) his trial counsel’s representation fell below an objective standard of reasonableness,
and (2) there is a reasonable probability that, except for the counsel’s unprofessional
errors, the result of the proceeding would have been different. In re Pers. Restraint of
Davis, 152 Wn.2d 647, 672-73, 101 P.3d 1 (2004). A reasonable probability is one
“‘sufficient to undermine confidence in the outcome.’” Id. at 673 (quoting Strickland v.
Washington, 466 U.S. 668, 694, 104 S. Ct. 2052, 80 L. Ed. 2d 674 (1984)). We strongly
presume defense counsel’s performance was reasonable. State v. Brockob, 159 Wn.2d
311, 345, 150 P.3d 59 (2006). Failure to object to trial testimony only falls below an
objective standard of reasonableness in egregious circumstances, such as failing to object
to testimony central to the State’s case without a valid strategic reason when such an
objection would likely have succeeded. State v. Crow, 8 Wn. App. 2d 480, 508-09, 438
P.3d 541 (2019).
5 No. 39661-4-III State v. I.A.A.-C.
Free access — add to your briefcase to read the full text and ask questions with AI
FILED January 7, 2025 In the Office of the Clerk of Court WA State Court of Appeals, Division III
IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON DIVISION THREE
STATE OF WASHINGTON, ) No. 39661-4-III ) Respondent, ) ) v. ) UNPUBLISHED OPINION ) I.A.A-C.† ) ) Appellant. )
LAWRENCE-BERREY, C.J. — I.A.A.-C. appeals his adjudication of guilt for second
degree burglary, second degree malicious mischief, third degree theft, and minor in
possession of alcohol. We conclude the trial court committed one harmless evidentiary
error, reject I.A.A.-C.’s other arguments, and affirm.
FACTS
The owner of a small family-owned convenience store called law enforcement
after being awakened in the middle of the night when the store’s alarm sounded. The
store provided surveillance video to assist in law enforcement’s investigation. The video
† To protect the privacy interests of I.A.A.-C., who was a minor at the time the crimes were committed, we use his initials throughout this opinion. Gen. Order for Court of Appeals, In re Changes to Case Title (Wash. Ct. App. Aug. 22, 2018) (effective September 1, 2018), http://www.courts.wa.gov/appellate_trial_courts. No. 39661-4-III State v. I.A.A.-C.
showed three subjects, who appeared to be teenaged males, driving into the area in a
sport utility vehicle, throwing a cinderblock brick into the store’s glass front door until it
shattered, and grabbing tobacco products and a case of beer.
I.A.A.-C.’s mother viewed the video and identified I.A.A.-C. and D.W., her
nephew. At trial, she testified that she was 90 percent sure that the video depicted her
son and D.W.
The deputy then interviewed D.W., who confessed to the break in. D.W. agreed to
testify truthfully for the State in exchange for the State’s promise to recommend a lighter
sentence for his eventual guilty plea.
The State charged I.A.A.-C. with first degree burglary and other offenses related
to the break in. At trial, the State asked Deputy Rubi Ramirez whether she obtained a
confession by a coconspirator. She answered that D.W. made such a confession. The
State then asked whether D.W. had identified his coconspirator. I.A.A.-C. objected on
the basis of hearsay. The State responded that the answer was admissible as a statement
of a coconspirator. The trial court commented about the limited nature of the question,
and overruled the objection. The deputy then testified that D.W. said I.A.A.-C. had
committed the burglary with him. Prior to this testimony, D.W. testified that I.A.A.-C.
committed the burglary with him.
2 No. 39661-4-III State v. I.A.A.-C.
I.A.A.-C.’s mother also testified. After the parties asked her their questions, the
trial court asked the mother whether she had any reason to doubt D.W.’s testimony that
her son, I.A.A.-C., committed the burglary with him. The mother responded, “No.”
Rep. of Proc. (Feb. 8, 2023) at 145.
The trial court took the matter under advisement and later issued a written decision
containing findings of fact and conclusions of law. The court found I.A.A.-C. guilty of
second degree burglary, second degree malicious mischief, third degree theft, and minor
in possession of alcohol.
I.A.A.-C. appealed.
ANALYSIS
I.A.A.-C. raises three arguments why his convictions must be reversed. We
address each argument in the order raised.
PURPORTED CHARACTER EVIDENCE
I.A.A.-C. first argues the trial court erred by eliciting and admitting improper
character evidence when it asked his mother whether she had any reason to doubt D.W.’s
testimony that I.A.A.-C. was involved in the burglary. We disagree that the trial court’s
question sought or elicited an opinion of D.W.’s truthfulness.
“The trial court has broad discretion in propounding questions to witnesses in
order that it may gain all the information possible to aid in correctly determining the
3 No. 39661-4-III State v. I.A.A.-C.
disputed questions presented by the respective parties.” Jarrard v. Seifert, 22 Wn. App.
476, 478, 591 P.2d 809 (1979). Generally, however, no witness may express an opinion
on whether another witness is telling the truth. E.g., State v. Hughes, 118 Wn. App. 713,
725-26, 77 P.3d 681 (2003); State v. Maule, 35 Wn. App. 287, 297, 667 P.2d 96 (1983).
I.A.A.-C. misunderstands the trial court’s question to his mother. The court did
not ask his mother to give her opinion whether she thought D.W. was being untruthful.
Rather, the court asked her whether she knew of any reason to doubt D.W.’s testimony.
The court’s inquiry was about D.W.’s potential bias. Although his mother’s opinion
about D.W.’s untruthfulness would be improper, reasons establishing D.W.’s potential
bias against I.A.A.-C. would be admissible.
Simply put, it is not improper to question one witness about another witness’s
potential bias. State v. Wilder, 4 Wn. App. 850, 854, 486 P.2d 319 (1971) (Mother
permitted to testify why daughter’s claim of rape might be fabricated.); see also 5A KARL
B. TEGLAND, WASHINGTON PRACTICE: EVIDENCE LAW AND PRACTICE § 608.15 at 457
(6th ed. 2016) (ER 608 does not prohibit one witness from testifying about facts why
another witness might be biased.). Here, there may have been any number of reasons
why D.W. might have been sufficiently biased against I.A.A.-C. to falsely accuse him of
the burglary. And, if any witness was motivated to testify about D.W.’s potential bias, it
would have been I.A.A.-C.’s own mother. But the court’s question to I.A.A.-C.’s mother
4 No. 39661-4-III State v. I.A.A.-C.
did not uncover bias. Rather, I.A.A.-C.’s own mother answered she had no reason to
doubt her nephew’s testimony.
INEFFECTIVE ASSISTANCE OF COUNSEL
I.A.A.-C. next argues his counsel was ineffective by not objecting to the trial
court’s question to his mother. We disagree.
To succeed on an ineffective assistance of counsel claim, I.A.A.-C. must show that
(1) his trial counsel’s representation fell below an objective standard of reasonableness,
and (2) there is a reasonable probability that, except for the counsel’s unprofessional
errors, the result of the proceeding would have been different. In re Pers. Restraint of
Davis, 152 Wn.2d 647, 672-73, 101 P.3d 1 (2004). A reasonable probability is one
“‘sufficient to undermine confidence in the outcome.’” Id. at 673 (quoting Strickland v.
Washington, 466 U.S. 668, 694, 104 S. Ct. 2052, 80 L. Ed. 2d 674 (1984)). We strongly
presume defense counsel’s performance was reasonable. State v. Brockob, 159 Wn.2d
311, 345, 150 P.3d 59 (2006). Failure to object to trial testimony only falls below an
objective standard of reasonableness in egregious circumstances, such as failing to object
to testimony central to the State’s case without a valid strategic reason when such an
objection would likely have succeeded. State v. Crow, 8 Wn. App. 2d 480, 508-09, 438
P.3d 541 (2019).
5 No. 39661-4-III State v. I.A.A.-C.
Here, the trial court’s question, properly understood, was appropriate. Trial
counsel’s failure to object suggests that counsel hoped that the mother had reasons to
doubt D.W.’s testimony and would disclose her reasons to the trial court. It is not
ineffective for trial counsel to not object to an appropriate question, especially a question
that might produce evidence favorable for the defense.
HEARSAY
I.A.A.-C. lastly argues the trial court committed reversible error by overruling his
objection to the State’s question to the detective, whether D.W. identified his
coconspirator. As explained below, we agree the trial court erred, but conclude that the
error was harmless.
We review a trial court’s decision to admit or exclude testimony for abuse of
discretion. State v. Barr, 123 Wn. App. 373, 380, 98 P.3d 518 (2004). A trial court
abuses its discretion if its decision is manifestly unreasonable or based on untenable
grounds or untenable reasons. In re Marriage of Littlefield, 133 Wn.2d 39, 46-47, 940
P.2d 1362 (1997). A court’s decision is manifestly unreasonable if it is outside the range
of acceptable choices, given the facts and the applicable legal standard; it is based on
untenable grounds if the factual findings are unsupported by the record; it is based on
untenable reasons if it is based on an incorrect standard or the facts do not meet the
requirements of the correct standard. Id. at 47.
6 No. 39661-4-III State v. I.A.A.-C.
Deputy Ramirez testified that D.W. had confessed to her and had identified a
coconspirator to the crimes. I.A.A.-C.’s counsel objected on hearsay grounds, and the
State argued that the statement was not hearsay because it was a statement of a
coconspirator. The court commented that the State did not seek information to prove the
truth of the assertion, but only sought to show a confession was obtained from D.W.
After the court overruled the objection, Deputy Ramirez answered that D.W. identified
I.A.A.-C. as his coconspirator.
A statement is not hearsay if it is “offered against a party and is . . . a statement
by a coconspirator of a party during the course and in furtherance of a conspiracy.”
ER 801(d)(2)(v). Statements made after the conspiracy has ended or following the arrest
of one of the alleged coconspirators are not within this exemption. State v. St. Pierre,
111 Wn.2d 105, 119, 759 P.2d 383 (1988). D.W.’s statement was made after his arrest,
and thus was not in furtherance of the conspiracy. Therefore, the coconspirator hearsay
exemption does not apply.
The State advances two primary alternate arguments: (1) the answer was not
admitted to prove the truth of D.W.’s assertion, and (2) the answer was a prior consistent
statement by D.W. to rebut a charge that he had recently fabricated his testimony. For
the reasons discussed below, neither argument is persuasive.
7 No. 39661-4-III State v. I.A.A.-C.
Truth of the assertion
“‘Hearsay’ is a statement, other than one made by the declarant while testifying
at the trial or hearing, offered in evidence to prove the truth of the matter asserted.”
ER 801(c). The answer the State sought from Deputy Ramirez was that D.W. identified
I.A.A.-C. as his coconspirator. This identification was the ultimate fact at issue in the
case. The State’s question certainly sought the evidence for the purpose of its truth. The
trial court’s rationale for overruling the objection was based on an untenable ground, and
therefore was an abuse of discretion.
Prior consistent statement to rebut a claim of recent fabrication
The prior consistent statement exemption states, “A statement is not hearsay
if . . . [t]he declarant testifies at the trial or hearing and is subject to cross examination
concerning the statement, and the statement is . . . consistent with the declarant’s
testimony and is offered to rebut an express or implied charge against the declarant of
recent fabrication or improper influence or motive.” ER 801(d)(1)(ii). “[A] charge of
recent fabrication can be rebutted by the use of prior consistent statements only if those
statements were made under circumstances indicating that the witness was unlikely to
have foreseen the legal consequences of his or her statements.” State v. Makela, 66 Wn.
App. 164, 168-69, 831 P.2d 1109 (1992). “The State, as proponent of admission of the
prior consistent statement, must demonstrate that it was made before the time that the
8 No. 39661-4-III State v. I.A.A.-C.
supposed motive to falsify arose.” State v. Osborn, 59 Wn. App. 1, 5, 795 P.2d 1174
(1990).
Here, D.W.’s statements were made to the deputy during his investigation of the
crimes. They were thus made at a time when he knew they could be used in court and are
thus not admissible.
Because the statement was hearsay and no exception or exemption applies, the
trial court abused its discretion by admitting the deputy’s testimony that D.W. identified
his coconspirator as I.A.A.-C. Nevertheless, as explained below, we conclude that this
error was harmless, and reversal is unwarranted.
“Nonconstitutional error is harmless if, within reasonable probability, it did not
affect the verdict.” State v. Pavlik, 165 Wn. App. 645, 656, 268 P.3d 986 (2011). At
trial, D.W. testified that I.A.A.-C. committed the burglary and related offenses with him.
This testimony was proper and made the later improper hearsay evidence merely
cumulative. In addition, I.A.A.-C.’s own mother testified she was 90 percent sure that
her son and D.W. were two of the three persons in the surveillance video. We conclude,
within reasonable probability, that the trial court’s evidentiary error was harmless.
9 No. 39661-4-111 State v. IA.A. -C.
Affirmed.
A majority of the panel has determined this opinion will not be printed in the
Washington Appellate Reports, but it will be filed for public record pursuant to
RCW 2.06.040.
l .....,.,.....,.,,. ..Q;,...._..._ , L~ Lawrence-Berrey, C.J. 1 WE CONCUR:
/)a A • h f ~~<..d ::r, P.T. Cooney, J. . J.P.T. t Melmck,
t Richard A. Melnick, a retired judge of the Washington State Court of Appeals, is serving as a judge pro tempore of this court pursuant to RCW 2.06.150(1).