State Of Washington v. Jeremy P. Bakke

CourtCourt of Appeals of Washington
DecidedFebruary 9, 2016
Docket46696-1
StatusUnpublished

This text of State Of Washington v. Jeremy P. Bakke (State Of Washington v. Jeremy P. Bakke) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Court of Appeals of Washington primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
State Of Washington v. Jeremy P. Bakke, (Wash. Ct. App. 2016).

Opinion

Filed Washington State Court of Appeals Division Two

February 9, 2016 IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON

DIVISION II STATE OF WASHINGTON, No. 46696-1-II

Respondent,

v.

JEREMY P. BAKKE, UNPUBLISHED OPINION

Appellant.

MELNICK, J. — Jeremy Bakke appeals his convictions for assault in the third degree,

possession of methamphetamine, and possession of stolen property in the third degree, arguing

that the trial court accepted an invalid waiver of his right to a jury trial and violated his Fourteenth

Amendment right to due process because he stood trial in shackles without a hearing. He also

argues that the trial court erred by imposing LFOs without conducting an individualized inquiry.

In his Statement of Additional Grounds (SAG), Bakke asserts insufficient evidence supported his

assault in the third degree conviction. Because Bakke waived his right to a jury trial, the trial court

committed harmless error by not conducting a hearing on Bakke being restrained during trial, and

because sufficient evidence supports his assault in the third degree conviction, we affirm the trial

court. We also exercise our discretion and decline to consider Bakke’s LFO argument because he

did not preserve the issue for appeal.

FACTS

During the evening of November 29, 2013, police officers approached Bakke after

receiving a call to search the area for a suspect connected to an “auto prowl.” Report of

Proceedings (RP) (July 21, 2014) at 157. The victim reported items missing from her car, 46696-1-II

including her purse and phone. She also described a car she saw leaving the scene. Officer Tom

Topaum approached the driver’s side of a car that matched the description the victim provided,

tapped on the window, and ordered Bakke to show his hands. After Topaum’s repeated

instructions, Bakke exited the car and was handcuffed. The police arrested Bakke on outstanding

warrants.

Bakke became “very upset” when the officers told him he was under arrest. RP (July 21,

2014) at 198. Topaum stated that Bakke screamed, yelled, cussed, and failed to obey police orders.

The officers started to put Bakke in the patrol car. Topaum grabbed Bakke’s shoulder and head

and pushed him down into the backseat. Bakke sat back, lifted his right foot up, and kicked toward

Topaum, kicking the officer in the right arm. Topaum stated that Bakke kicked him so hard that

the force pushed him two or three steps backwards. Topaum felt his arm dislocate. Officer Janell

Cusick, who witnessed the incident, said she saw Topaum grab his arm and back away while

another officer closed the patrol car door. Topaum stated he thought Bakke was trying to kick him

a second time.

Topaum realized at the time that he should have the injury checked out, but he did not seek

medical attention. He felt like the arm had “popped back in.” RP (July 21, 2014) at 195. He

finished his shift and did not take any pictures of his arm.

Topaum found a phone on Bakke’s person. Another officer collected an earring and a tube

of eyeliner from a search of the car, which the victim identified as her own. The same officer also

found methamphetamine in the trunk of the car.

The State charged Bakke by information with assault in the third degree, unlawful

possession of methamphetamine, and possession of stolen property in the third degree.

2 46696-1-II

Prior to trial, Bakke waived his right to a jury trial. The waiver form lists his charges in

paragraph 1. Paragraph 2 states:

I have been informed and fully understand that in a jury trial I have the following rights: (a) The right to remain silent before and during trial, and the right to refuse to testify against myself; (b) The right at trial to hear and question the witnesses who testify against me; (c) The right at trial to testify and to have witnesses testify for me. These witnesses can be made to appear at no expense to me; (d) The right to appeal the jury's verdict.

Supplemental Clerk’s Papers (Suppl. CP) at 74. The waiver also included paragraph 3 that states,

“I freely and voluntarily waive my right to a jury trial. No one has threatened harm of any kind to

me or to any other person and no one has made promises of any kind to cause me to make this

waiver.” Suppl. CP at 74-75. Paragraph 4 states, “[t]he court without a jury will consider the

factual basis of the charges listed in paragraph 1. The court will decide whether the facts provide

substantial and compelling reasons to find me guilty of the charges listed in paragraph 1.” Suppl.

CP at 75. Bakke and his lawyer signed the waiver. Above the defense attorney’s signature, the

waiver states, “I have read and discussed this Waiver of Jury Trial on Aggravating Circumstances

with the defendant and believe that the defendant is competent and fully understands the waiver.”

Suppl. CP at 75.

When counsel handed the waiver forward, the court engaged in a colloquy with Bakke

about his knowledge of the right to a jury trial and his intent to waive the right. The court read

through the form on the record and asked Bakke if he understood the charges against him and his

rights. Bakke answered that he understood the charges and wished to waive his right. The court

then said, “[Y]ou have a constitutional right to have a jury trial and that would be a jury of 12

persons who would be selected at random from the community and examined by the attorneys to

3 46696-1-II

determine that they would be fair and impartial.” RP (July 17, 2014) at 5. The court went on to

ask, “[D]o you wish to waive that right and to proceed to a trial solely decided by the judge?” RP

(July 17, 2014) at 5. Bakke stated that he understood his right and wished to waive it. The State

objected to Bakke waiving a jury trial and the court noted the objection. The court accepted

Bakke’s waiver.

Before opening statements, Bakke’s lawyer advised the court that her client was “asking

that he be unshackled so that he [could] take notes during his own trial and participate.” RP (July

21, 2014) at 76. The State argued that Bakke should be kept in restraints because one of the charges

was assault on a police officer, the judge already knew that Bakke was in custody, and it would

not inhibit Bakke’s ability to take notes. Bakke’s attorney stated in response, “He doesn’t have

any objection to being shackled,” and clarified that the request was only to remove the handcuffs.

RP (July 21, 2014) at 77. The court ruled,

At this point in time, I do believe it’s an officer safety issue. Also, with respect to the fact that I know he’s in custody, it doesn’t affect me one way or the other. I’m as impartial as they come, so it’s not an issue with me. He can take notes while he’s restrained with the handcuffs. I’ll allow him additional breaks if we need to take a break so that he can kind of relax his hands for a little bit. I don’t mind a l0-minute break every hour or so—a five-minute break every hour or so not a problem with me. I’ll accommodate.

RP (July 21, 2014) at 77-78.

Bakke remained in restraints throughout the bench trial with seemingly one exception.

During Bakke’s testimony, his lawyer requested that Bakke be unshackled and the handcuffs

moved to behind his back so he could demonstrate the officers putting him in the patrol car.

Although the record is unclear, it appears the request was granted because Bakke was able to lie

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