State Of Washington v. James Ellis Thomas

• Court: Court of Appeals of Washington
• Decided: October 3, 2016
• Docket: 73654-0
• Status: Unpublished

Opinion

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IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON

STATE OF WASHINGTON, No. 73654-0-1

Respondent, DIVISION ONE

v.

JAMES ELLIS THOMAS, UNPUBLISHED

Appellant. FILED: October 3. 2016

Cox, J. — James Ellis Thomas seeks reversal of his jury conviction for

one count of first degree robbery. The improper opinion testimony of a State's

witness was not so egregious that it could not be cured with an instruction and

the trial court promptly gave a proper curative instruction. Accordingly, the trial

court did not abuse its discretion in denying Thomas' motion for a mistrial. And

the issues raised by Thomas in his statement of additional grounds lack merit.

We affirm.

On December 14, 2013, Patti Owens, a loss prevention officer at Fred

Meyer, saw Thomas shopping in the hardware section. She saw him take three

flashlight packages, remove some of the plastic packaging with a tool he had in

his pocket, and put the flashlights into his backpack. Thomas then went to the

shoe department where he tried on a pair of mostly black Fila running shoes with

red letters and red soles. He used his tool to take the security tag off the shoes No. 73654-0-1/2

and put the all black shoes that he had been wearing into the empty shoe box.

Wearing the Fila shoes, he took the security tag from a pair of girl's sneakers and

put the sneakers into his backpack. Thomas then went to the grocery section

where he put a gallon of milk and two packages of hot dogs into a shopping cart

and walked toward the exit.

As soon as Thomas was outside, Owens identified herself and confronted

him about taking merchandise without paying for it. Patric Trattles, another loss

prevention officer, was standing close to Owens and Thomas. Owens grabbed

Thomas' backpack and told him to push the shopping cart back inside the store.

Once Thomas was back in the store, he pushed the cart away and said "[y]ou

can have the stuff. I'm leaving." He was still wearing the Fila shoes and he

began demanding that Owens return his backpack. Owens refused because it

contained stolen merchandise, and Thomas ran back outside the store.

Outside the store, Thomas spoke briefly with Trattles, started to walk

away, and then abruptly turned around and approached Owens at a fast pace.

Trattles positioned himself between Thomas and Owens, and Thomas repeatedly

bumped into Trattles' chest. Thomas told Trattles, "I'm going to knock your ass

out," and then put himself into a "boxer's stance" with his hands in closed fists.

Thomas swung his arm towards Trattles' face and Trattles attempted to

block the blow with his hand. Thomas struck three fingers on Trattles' hand

causing them to bend back. Trattles testified that Thomas' punch was "about an

eight" in strength on a scale of one to ten, and the punch caused him to feel pain No. 73654-0-1/3

and numbness in his fingers. Thomas told Trattles, "I hit you, I hit you" before he

heard the approaching sirens and left.

Police officers found Thomas about three blocks from the Fred Meyer

store. He had a pair of wire cutters and box cutter, and he was wearing the Fila

shoes. Thomas told Officer Matthew McCourt that he had not been to Fred

Meyer that day. He said he had used the wire and box cutters to repair his truck

and he had taken a bus from his truck's location back to his home in Everett.

When asked about the shoes, Thomas told Officer McCourt that his girlfriend had

picked them up about two weeks earlier.

Officer Michael Keith drove Thomas back to the Fred Meyer store and,

when he took Thomas out of the car, he noticed that Thomas was not wearing

any shoes, but only socks. The Fila shoes were on the floorboard in the back

seat of the patrol car. Keith asked Thomas why he was no longer wearing the

shoes, and Thomas said he did not know what Keith was talking about. Thomas

insisted that he had been wearing white tennis shoes and the police must have

planted the black and red ones.

Thomas was charged with first degree robbery. At the beginning of trial,

the defense conceded that "this is simply a case of shoplifting, no more." It

acknowledged that Thomas stole items from Fred Meyer but claimed "there is

reasonable doubt that no force or threat of force was used by [Thomas] against

anyone there at Fred Meyer."

Officer McCourt testified and on cross examination, the defense

questioned him about his failure to investigate Thomas' claim that his girlfriend No. 73654-0-1/4

gave him the shoes and his claim that he had not been to Fred Meyer on the day

in question. During redirect, the State asked Officer McCourt why he did not

confirm Thomas' address, review the bus information, or call Thomas' girlfriend.

Officer McCourt answered, "They - honestly, they weren't believable." The

defense objected and the court promptly sustained the objection and told the jury

to disregard the officer's answer. After a discussion off the record and outside of

the presence of the jury, the State questioned the officer without objection:

Q. [D]id you make a decision not to follow up on the information [Thomas] provided you?

A. Yes.

Q. When did you make that decision?

A. [W]hen Officer Keith was getting [] Thomas out of the back of his patrol car.

Q. [W]as it based on something you heard at that point?

A. It was based on something I heard and saw, yes.

Q. [W]hat did [Thomas] say or do at that point that made your decision not to follow through?

A. [He] said that the shoes were not his, and he was wondering what we had done with his actual shoes.

Q. [W]as that inconsistent with what he had told you earlier?

Q. How was it inconsistent?

A. [He] said the black and red Fila shoes that he was wearing were obtained by his girlfriend a few weeks - or a couple weeks prior.[1]

1 Report of Proceedings (March 17, 2015) at 280-81.

4 No. 73654-0-1/5

The defense did not call any witnesses, and Thomas did not testify. During

closing arguments, the defense conceded that Thomas stole the Fila shoes from

Fred Meyer, but argued that the evidence pointed to shoplifting, not robbery.

Neither party mentioned any failure of Officer McCourt to investigate Thomas'

claims or the reason for any such failure.

Pursuant to the defense's request, the jury was instructed on the lesser

included offenses of second degree robbery and third degree theft. The jury

convicted Thomas of first degree robbery.

At the sentencing hearing, Thomas moved for a new trial pursuant to CrR

7.5. He claimed that the officer improperly commented on the credibility of a

witness. He raised an additional evidentiary issue, which is not before us. The

State responded that the improper testimony was only related to the uncontested

theft of the Fila shoes, and Thomas suffered no prejudice by Officer McCourt's

improper statement. The trial court denied the motion deciding that the

prosecutor had not intentionally sought out the comment on Thomas' credibility,

because it came during redirect, and the jury was immediately instructed to

disregard the testimony.

Thomas appeals.

MOTION FOR A NEW TRIAL

Thomas claims he was denied a fair trial because Officer McCourt gave

improper opinion testimony as to Thomas' guilt or veracity. He contends the trial

court violated his constitutional rights by denying his motion for a new trial. We

disagree. No. 73654-0-1/6

As a general rule, a witness may not "'offer testimony in the form of an

opinion regarding the veracity of the defendant' because such testimony" invades

the province of the jury and "is unfairly prejudicial to the defendant."2 Moreover,

"the testimony of a police officer 'may be especially prejudicial because an

officer's testimony often carries a special aura of reliability.'"3

The trial court immediately struck Officer McCourt's improper testimony

and instructed the jury to disregard it. Therefore, a new trial is only warranted if

the statement was "so egregious" it could not be cured with an instruction.4

In considering whether a trial irregularity warrants a new trial, we consider

three factors: "(1) the seriousness of the irregularity; (2) whether the statement

was cumulative of evidence properly admitted; and (3) whether the irregularity

could be cured by an instruction.'"5 This court reviews the trial court's decision to

deny a motion for a new trial for abuse of discretion.6 "An abuse of discretion

occurs only when no reasonable judge would have reached the same

conclusion."7

The State properly concedes on appeal that Officer McCourt's statement

was an improper opinion. However, this testimony, taken in context, was of

limited import because it pertained to something that was not at issue at trial.

2 State v. Haqer. 171 Wn.2d 151, 158-59. 248 P.3d 512 (201H (quoting State v. Kirkman. 159 Wn.2d 918, 927, 155 P.3d 125 (2007)). 3 Haqer, 171 Wn.2d at 159 (quoting Kirkman. 159 Wn.2d at 928-27); State v. Demerv. 144 Wn.2d 753, 765, 30 P.3d 1278 (2001) (recognizing that a police officer's testimony carries an "aura of reliability"). 4 State v. Perez-Valdez. 172 Wn.2d 808, 818, 265 P.3d 853 (2011); see Hager, 171 Wn.2d at 159 (a new trial is not always required when a "witness has invaded the province of the jury" because, even though improper testimony may touch upon a constitutional right, it may still be cured with a proper instruction). 5 Id, at 818 (quoting State v. Post. 118 Wn.2d 596, 620, 826 P.2d 172 (1992)). 6 Jd at 814. 7 Haqer, 171 Wn.2d at 156 (internal quotation marks and citation omitted). No. 73654-0-1/7

Thomas was charged with robbery, and by the time of trial, he was no

longer disputing that he stole the Fila shoes or that he was present in Fred Meyer

earlier that day. Thus, the officer's statement on redirect that he did not believe

Thomas' inconsistent statements about where he got the shoes or where he was

earlier in the day, was no longer relevant to any disputed issue. The core issue

and disputed element was whether Thomas had used force or the threat of force

or whether Trattles suffered bodily injury. The officer never even investigated

these matters and offered no testimony regarding Thomas' interactions with

Owens and Trattles or whether Thomas used or threatened force. Officer

McCourt's statement, while improper, was not a serious irregularity because it

was not relevant to any disputed facts.

Because the officer's statement lacked relevance, we disagree with

Thomas that the decision in State v. Jones,8 is "virtually indistinguishable from

[this] matter." In Jones, the only disputed issue was whether the defendant knew

there was a gun was under his seat. Therefore, "an instruction would not have

cured the harm,"9 when the defendant said he was unaware of the gun and the

officer said he did not believe him.

Turning to the second factor, the officer's statement was cumulative of

other evidence. This officer did not investigate Thomas' claims because he did

not believe that Thomas' girlfriend gave him the Fila sneakers or that Thomas

had not been in Fred Meyer that day. There was ample other evidence before

the trier of fact that Thomas stole the shoes and that he had been present in Fred

8117 Wn. App. 89, 68 P.3d 1153 (2003). 9 Jones. 117 Wn. App. at 92.

7 No. 73654-0-1/8

Meyer that day—including Thomas' own admission, testimony from Owens, and

a videotape showing as much.10

Given the context of Officer McCourt's statement, its lack of relevancy to

any disputed issue, the other evidence, Thomas' own admission on these

matters, and the immediate curative instruction given by the trial court, we

conclude that "the trial court did not abuse its discretion in denying a new trial."11

COSTS

Thomas asks this court to deny the State its appellate costs due to his

continued indigency.12 We note that an order of indigency was filed in the trial

court, and the record does not reflect any findings by the trial court that Thomas'

financial condition has improved. Unless a trial court finds that an indigent

defendant's financial condition has improved, we presume the defendant

continues to be indigent.13 The State has failed to overcome that presumption.

Thomas is 57 years old and has been sentenced to a term of 144 months.

There is no "realistic possibility" that he will be in a position to find gainful

employment once he is released from prison sufficient to pay his appellate

10 See State v. Rafav, 168 Wn. App. 734, 811,285 P.3d 83 (2012) (holding when the jury had substantial evidence about all of the issues upon which the detective had improperly given his opinion, the prompt curative instruction combined with the general instruction that the jury is the sole judge of credibility allowed the jury to decide the case solely on the evidence properly admitted). 11 Perez-Valdez. 172 Wn.2d at 818-19. 12 See RAP 14.2 (costs awarded to party that "substantially prevails on review" unless appellate court directs otherwise in decision terminating review); RCW 10.73.160 (court may order offender to pay appellate costs). 13 RAP 15.2(f).

8 No. 73654-0-1/9

costs.14 We exercise our discretion "to rule that an award to the State of

appellate costs is not appropriate."15

STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL GROUNDS

Sufficiency

Thomas argues there was insufficient evidence to support his conviction

for robbery because there was insufficient evidence that he took property "from a

person." We disagree.

We review a defendant's challenge to the sufficiency of the evidence by

asking whether any rational trier of fact could have found the elements of the

crime beyond a reasonable doubt.16 In answering this question, we view the

evidence in the light most favorable to the State, drawing all reasonable

inferences in favor of the State.17

Thomas argues that there was no evidence that he took property from

anyone at the Fred Meyer store. However, "[a] person commits robbery when he

or she unlawfully takes personal property from the person of another or in his or

her presence against his or her will by the use or threatened use of immediate

force, violence, or fear of injury to that person or his or her property or the person

or property of anyone."18 The evidence shows that Thomas took and refused to

return property belonging to Fred Meyer in the presence of Owens. Thomas

relies on the holding in State v. Nam19 to support his position that there must be

14 State v. Sinclair. 192 Wn. App. 380, 393, 367 P.3d 612 (2016). 15 Id, 16 State v. Finch. 137 Wn.2d 792, 831, 975 P.2d 967 (1999). 17 id 18 RCW 9A.56.190 (emphasis added). 19136 Wn. App. 698, 704-05, 150 P.3d 617 (2007). No. 73654-0-1/10

evidence that he took the property from the victim. We are unpersuaded

because in Nam the State had "omitted the statutory language criminalizing

taking personal property in a victim's presence."20 Because the State had failed

to charge the defendant with the wrongful taking of property in the presence of

another, there was insufficient evidence to convict him of robbery based on his

taking of the victim's purse from the backseat of the car without her knowledge.21

In this case, the jury was properly instructed that robbery includes the

wrongful taking of property in the presence of another. Because Thomas'

conviction for first degree robbery was supported by substantial evidence,22 we

need not address the evidence that would have supported a conviction on the

lesser included offenses of second degree robbery or third degree theft.

Jury Bias

Thomas contends that he was deprived of a fair trial because juror 7 was

biased. We disagree.

"Actual bias is a ground for challenging a juror for cause,"23 and the trial

court has the duty to excuse any juror who is unfit by reason of bias.24 The mere

fact that a juror expresses or forms an opinion is not in itself sufficient to sustain

a challenge based on actual bias.25 Instead, "the court must be satisfied, from all

20 Id at 703-04. 21 jd at 702-06. 22 See State v. Richie. 191 Wn. App. 916, 926, 365 P.3d 770 (2015) (holding that the evidence was sufficient to support a robbery conviction when the victim was a store employee who tried to stop the theft of store merchandise). 23 State v. Lawler. 194 Wn. App. 275, 281, 374 P.3d 278 (2016). 24 RCW 2.36.110. 25 RCW 4.44.190.

10 No. 73654-0-1/11

the circumstances, that the juror cannot disregard such opinion and try the issue

impartially."26

"The trial judge is in the best position upon observation of the juror's

demeanor to evaluate the responses and determine ifthe juror would be

impartial."27 We review its determination for abuse of discretion.28

The defense questioned the jury pool and asked if anyone thought police

officers were more believable just because they're police. This exchange

followed:

Juror 7: I think so ... .

Defense: [J]ust by getting up on the witness stand you're automatically believing them more than you would a civilian, someone not a police officer? Do you agree with that statement?

Juror 7: I'd say that's fair.

Defense: It's fair?^

Defense counsel then turned to Juror No. 8.

Defense: I know you were a police officer for many years. I am interested to hear your perspective on that question.

Juror 8: Well, it's not believability. It's bias. And there are police officers . . . that are just as biased as any other person .... So I don't have any more believability of the police officer as anybody else on the witness stand.

Defense: [Y]ou don't give it more weight just by the fact [that the witness is a police officer]?

Juror 8: Absolutely not. . . . I've seen bias in police work .... I think that pretty much says it all right there.[Z0]

26 Id 27 State v. Brett. 126Wn.2d 136, 158, 892 P.2d 29 (1995). 28 jd 29 Report of Proceedings (March 16, 2015) at 110-11. 30 \& at 111-12.

11 No. 73654-0-1/12

After considering the responses of jurors 7 and 8, defense counsel elected

to excuse juror 8 and keep juror 7. Trial counsel's decision on whether to accept

or dismiss a juror is often based on counsel's strategy, experience, and

discretion, and there may be legitimate, tactical reasons to forego challenging a

juror whose responses might suggest some bias.31 Any action by the trial court

to sua sponte excuse a juror "runs the risk of disrupting trial counsel's jury

selection strategy."32

The trial court was in the best position to evaluate the potential jurors'

demeanor and manner, including juror 7's demeanor in response to the

statements of juror 8, and it determined that juror 7 could be fair. The trial court's

determination was apparently shared by defense counsel. There was no abuse

of discretion in its determination.

Perjury

Finally, Thomas argues that Owens and Trattles committed perjury when

they testified that they could identify products that were being sold at Fred Meyer

because the UPC labels were scanned into their inventory system. Thomas

claims that the UPC labels only give information about the manufacturer, and

they are in no way associated with Fred Meyer.

Thomas' challenge on this issue is unavailing for two reasons. First, he

has failed to indicate anywhere in the record where defense counsel challenged

either Owens or Trattles with regards to this testimony. Second, our review of

31 Lawler. 194 Wn. Add, at 282-83: State v. Johnston. 143 Wn. App. 1, 17, 177 P.3d 1127 (2007) (observing that counsel's failure to challenge a juror for cause despite some evidence of potential bias could be a legitimate trial strategy). 32 Lawler. 194 Wn. App. at 285.

12 No. 73654-0-1/13

the record has not uncovered any such challenge. Therefore, we need not

consider this issue on its merits.33 Moreover, Thomas' contentions involve

credibility determinations, which this court will not review.34 Therefore, we

decline to address this issue on appeal.

We affirm the judgment and sentence. No appellate costs will be

awarded.

Ccr*t J".

WE CONCUR:

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33 See RAP 10.10(c) (court is "not obligated to search the record in support of claims made in a defendant's statement of additional grounds for review"). 34 State v. Thomas. 150 Wn.2d 821, 874-75, 83 P.3d 970 (2004) (appellate court defers to trier of fact on questions of conflicting testimony and witness credibility). 13