State Of Washington v. Jeffrey J. Palmer

Court of Appeals of Washington·Decided February 23, 2021·No. 53376-6·Unpublished

Opinion

Filed

Washington State

Court of Appeals

Division Two

February 23, 2021

IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON

DIVISION II

STATE OF WASHINGTON, No. 53376-6-II

Respondent,

v.

JEFFREY J. PALMER, UNPUBLISHED OPINION Appellant.

LEE, C.J. — Jeffrey J. Palmer appeals the trial court’s judgment and sentence. Palmer argues that 1) the trial court erred by failing to instruct the jury that the government must prove a knowledge element beyond a reasonable doubt in order to establish possession of a controlled substance, 2) there is insufficient evidence to sustain Palmer’s conviction for being a prisoner or inmate in possession of marijuana, and 3) the provision that legal financial obligations (LFOs) shall bear interest until paid in full violates RCW 10.82.090. Palmer also submits a statement of additional grounds (SAG), arguing that the trial court erred by denying Palmer’s request to add the ride-along person to his witness list and the arresting officer’s remarks were improper.

We decline to review Palmer’s challenge to the knowledge element for the possession of a controlled substance conviction. We hold that there is insufficient evidence to sustain Palmer’s conviction for being a prisoner or inmate in possession of marijuana, and the arguments in Palmer’s SAG fail. Accordingly, we affirm Palmer’s conviction for possession of a controlled substance, reverse the conviction for possession of marijuana by a prisoner or inmate, and remand to the trial

court to dismiss the charge of possession of marijuana by a prisoner or inmate with prejudice and to resentence Palmer.1 FACTS

A. BACKGROUND Jeffrey Palmer was arrested after allegedly trespassing on a hospital’s property. During the search incident to arrest, the arresting officer, Deputy Alan Earhart, found a container of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia on Palmer’s person. Deputy Earhart transported Palmer to the Clark County jail. While Deputy Earhart was filling out the booking forms for Palmer, Palmer stated that he needed to use the restroom. Without finishing the forms, Deputy Earhart took Palmer inside the jail to use the restroom. While Palmer was using the restroom, Deputy Earhart and Deputy Luke Hatcher, a correctional deputy, suspected that Palmer was trying to hide something. Deputy Hatcher conducted a strip search and found a small black canister containing marijuana, and a blue glove containing two “baggies” of marijuana. 2 Verified Report of Proceedings (VRP) (May 20, 2019) at 185.

After the strip search, Deputy Earhart was not able to book Palmer into the jail but had to take Palmer back to the hospital because Palmer made statements about allegedly swallowing foreign objects. After confirming Palmer’s statements that he had swallowed foreign objects were false, Deputy Earhart took Palmer back to the Clark County jail for booking.

1 Because we are remanding to the trial court to resentence Palmer, we do not reach the issue of improperly imposed LFOs. On remand, the trial court should consider the imposition of LFOs under the current LFO statutes and State v. Ramirez, 191 Wn.2d 732, 426 P.3d 714 (2018).

Tthe State charged Palmer with possession of a controlled substance by prisoners or jail inmate, possession of a controlled substance—methamphetamine, criminal trespass in the second degree, and obstructing a law enforcement officer. B. JURY TRIAL 1. Defense Request on Day of Trial Before jury selection, Palmer stated to the trial court that a “ride-along,” who was a civilian who spoke limited English, was in the patrol car with Deputy Earhart. 1 VRP (May 20, 2019) at 11. Palmer stated that the parties had agreed that an interview with Earhart would occur before Earhart testified. Palmer asked that he be allowed to add the ride-along person to his witness list, if he wished to do so after speaking to Earhart. The court replied,

Well, the concern is we count on a case being ready for trial and that all discovery, you know, has been developed. So if there’s knowledge of some name or identity of this person who may have been along, then, I mean, you can ask for that, but it’s—we’re here on the day of trial, so we really need to move forward.

1 VRP (May 20, 2019) at 11.

2. Trial Testimony a. McDonald’s testimony Kenneth Scott MacDonald, a safety and security officer at the hospital, testified that he came into contact with Palmer on April 5, 2019. MacDonald stated that his dispatch advised him that an emergency department nurse had requested assistance with a patient who was vacating his room. MacDonald met Palmer as Palmer was walking away from the room he had occupied.

Palmer stated that he wanted to use the restroom. MacDonald showed him the first available bathroom. Palmer “hemmed and hawed” and then decided he did not want to use the

bathroom but wanted to call a cab. 2 VRP (May 20, 2019) at 159. MacDonald walked Palmer to the courtesy phone in the lobby and advised him that there were cab company numbers on the wall that he could use. Palmer again “hemmed and hawed” and decided he did not want to call a cab and wanted to use the bathroom again, but he did not use the bathroom. 2 VRP (May 20, 2019) at 159. Instead, Palmer “hemmed and hawed and delayed and fidgeted,” and then said he wanted to catch the bus. 2 VRP (May 20, 2019) at 160. MacDonald told Palmer that he would help him find a bus stop, but Palmer continued to “hem and haw.” 2 VRP (May 20, 2019) at 160. MacDonald told Palmer that he needed to exit the building.

MacDonald escorted Palmer outside and said, “It’s time to leave. You have no more business here.” 2 VRP (May 20, 2019) at 161. Palmer walked partway into the parking lot and then came back saying he did not want to take the bus. MacDonald told Palmer that he needed to leave or he would be placed under arrest for trespass. Palmer did not leave. MacDonald then told Palmer that he was under arrest and put him in handcuffs. A deputy from the Clark County Sheriff’s Office arrived.

b. Earhart’s testimony Alan Earhart, a deputy sheriff with the Clark County Sheriff’s Office, testified that he was dispatched to the hospital on April 5. Deputy Earhart had his daughter’s fiancé with him at the time as a ride-along.2 When Earhart arrived at the hospital, he spoke with MacDonald and placed Palmer under arrest. The ride-along person did not help out in any way or speak with Palmer.

2 A ride-along is a civilian who sits in the police vehicle.

When Earhart searched Palmer incident to the arrest, Earhart found a glass pipe, a black plastic container from a marijuana dispensary, and some aluminum foil that had burn marks on it. Deputy Earhart then transported Palmer to the Clark County jail parking lot. In the parking lot, Earhart filled out a form called a “Prebook,” which is needed to book someone into the Clark County jail, and a probable cause statement. 2 VRP (May 20, 2019) at 182. To complete the booking process, Earhart needed to walk Palmer into a “sally port” and wait in line for booking. 2 VRP (May 20, 2019) at 182. While Earhart was trying to fill out the forms, Palmer stated that he urgently needed to use the restroom. Earhart asked him if he could wait for 15 minutes, and Palmer stated that he could not. In order to accommodate Palmer’s need to urinate, Earhart did not finish his forms but walked Palmer inside the jail.

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State Of Washington v. Jeffrey J. Palmer, (Wash. Ct. App. 2021).

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