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IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF THE STATE OF WASHING
DIVISION II
STATE OF WASHINGTON, No. 42897 -1 - II
Respondent,
V.
JOSE VALENCIA- HERNANDEZ, aka UNPUBLISHED OPINION JAIME JOSE LLAMAS, JAIME LLAMAS - HERNANDEZ,
I1
HUNT, J. — Jose Valencia - Hernandez appeals his sentence and jury convictions for first
degree arson, possession of methamphetamine with intent to deliver while armed with a firearm,
and first degree unlawful possession of a firearm. He argues that the trial court erroneously ( 1)
denied his motion for continuance; ( 2) denied his motion to sever counts; ( 3) admitted
surveillance videos; ( 4) allowed Detective Bill Sofianos, whom Valencia -Hernandez asserts was
not a qualified expert, to testify about the significance of a statue of Jesus Malverde; ( 5) denied
his request to impeach Detective Spencer Harris; ( 6) commented on evidence presented; ( 7)
Hernandez' denied his ( Valencia - s) request to relocate custody officers; ( 8) rolled his eyes when
overruling his counsel' s objection; ( 9) overruled his objection during the State' s closing rebuttal
arguments; and ( 10) miscalculated his sentencing range. Valencia - Hernandez also argues that
the evidence is insufficient to support his convictions. We affirm. No. 42897 -1 - II
FACTS
I. CRIMES
A. Arson
Just before 5 AM on March 5, 2010, Richard Cox called 911 to report a fire; he called
back later to add that he had seen a " black SUV" leaving the scene at a high speed. 2 Report of
Proceedings ( RP) at 267. When Deputy Jesse Henschel arrived at the scene, he saw ( 1) a Nissan
Altima and a BMW engulfed in flames a few feet from the residence, which appeared to be in
danger of catching fire; and ( 2) two men attempting to put out the fire. Henschel and Deputy
Justin Messman found two partially melted gas cans and two plastic gas can caps at the scene.
Messman later discovered that a nearby 7 -11 convenience store sold gas cans with labels
and price tag stickers matching those on the gas can caps found at the scene of the fire. Sergeant
Duncan Hoss and Deputy Robin Yakhour followed up by investigating this 7 -11 as a possible
source of the fire -starting items. The 7 -11 store clerk, Bahadur Singh, told them he had sold two
gas cans that morning, and the store manager, Harpreet Kaur, showed them a surveillance video
of two Hispanic males purchasing two one -gallon gas cans, two V8 bottles, and a Bic lighter at
4: 06 AM: One wore a red jacket with white stripes on it and appeared to have a light brown. skin
tone; the other wore a black puffy -ype jacket. Kaur later made a copy of this surveillance video, t
which Yakhour picked up, marked with the case and victim' s names, and gave to Hoss, who
logged it into evidence.
Also on March 5, Hoss and Yakhour investigated a nearby AM / M store as another P
possible source of the fire - starting items. The store manager let Hoss run that store' s
surveillance video, which showed ( 1) a dark - colored Range Rover pulling into the AM / M store P
2 No. 42897 -1 - II
around 4: 12 AM; and ( 2) two men matching the description of the men in the 7 -11 video, carrying
gas cans: one in a red coat with white stripes on it and the other wearing a black, puffy type
jacket, and boots. Hoss copied the relevant portions of the surveillance video onto a computer
thumb drive, which he later copied onto a CD that he entered into evidence.
A few days later, Karissa Courtway, who had been at her boyfriend Jonathan Tapia-
Farias' s residence, the scene of the fire, told Yakhour that ( 1) she used to date Valencia-
Hernandez, ( 2) suspected he had caused the fires because one or two months earlier he had told
her he wanted to light Tapia - Farias' s car on fire, and ( 3) Valencia- Hernandez lived in Meadow
Wood Apartments and owned a Range Rover. Hoss went to the Meadow Woods apartment
where Valencia- Hernandez allegedly lived and saw a dark- colored Range Rover parked outside
the unit, within 1000 feet of a school bus zone.
Hoss obtained and executed a search warrant at Valencia- Hernandez' s apartment to
collect evidence of the earlier arson. Outside the apartment, the officers found work boots
matching those worn by the black-puffy-jacketed suspect in the convenience stores' surveillance
videos. Inside the apartment, Hoss found a red jacket matching the red jacket of the man in the
surveillance videos, a gun case, a receipt from Portland Tire and Wheels made out to " Jose
Valencia "1 at that Meadow Woods Apartment address, a glass bowl containing what appeared to be methamphetamine, a glass smoking pipe, ziplock bags, packaging material, a
methamphetamine test kit, a digital scale, a clear plastic bag containing suspected
methamphetamine, a statue of Jesus Malverde with a photograph of Valencia - Hernandez on the
16RPat885.
3 No. 42897 -1 - II
base of the statue, three firearms ( two of which contained loaded magazines), a bag with 2 multiple magazines ... generally of rifle caliber, " another bag containing both handgun and
rifle magazines, a temporary identification card bearing the name Jose Valencia - Hernandez, and
a Costco card with a picture of Hernandez Valencia - on the back. Sofianos later discovered a
3 telephone bill addressed to " Jose Valencia, " inside the kitchen, a photograph of Valencia-
Hernandez bare -chested with handguns tucked in his belt, and several vacuum sealed packages
4 containing " large shards " of methamphetamine5 in a hole in the ceiling.
Hoss, Sofianos, and Detective Steven Fox investigated the Range Rover that had been
parked outside Hernandez' Valencia - s apartment. Inside they found two empty V8 juice bottles,
a 7 -11 plastic bag, two Bic lighters, and gas can tags that said " gasoline" on one side and
oil mix" gasoline / on the other side. 3 RP at 447. A DNA test later found a match between
swabs collected from the inside of one of the V8 juice bottles and Valencia - Hernandez.
B. " Kidnapping"
Sometime later in March, Courtway went with Hernandez to Oregon. Valencia - When
Farias Tapia - called Courtway from jail on March 22, she told Tapia - Farias that Valencia-
Hernandez had kidnapped her and wanted to take her to California. A few months later,
Valencia- Hernandez was arrested and booked into Clark County jail on June 10, 2010.
27RPat921.
3 10 RP at 1354.
411 RP at 1368. 5 One package weighed about 1. 8 pounds; another weighed just under 1 pound. A Washington State Patrol Crime Lab later tested these drugs and found them positive for methamphetamine.
i No. 42897 -1 - II
II. PROCEDURE
The State charged Valencia- Hernandez with first degree arson ( count 1), possession of a
controlled substance with intent to deliver —methamphetamine ( count 2), first degree unlawful
possession of a firearm ( counts 3 - 5), felony harassment ( count 6), unlawful imprisonment
domestic violence) ( count 7), intimidating a witness ( count 8), and tampering with a witness
count 9). Valencia- Hernandez remained in custody throughout his trial.
A. Pretrial Motions
Having already continued the trial date seven times, the trial court granted Valencia-
Hernandez' s September 22, 2011 request for an October 31 trial date. On October 12, Valencia-
Hernandez filed a motion to sever counts, which the trial court later denied. On October 27, the
trial court reminded the parties that the trial would go forward on October 31; and both agreed.
Three days before trial, however, Valencia - Hernandez objected to the October 31 trial date and
again moved to continue, stating he needed the time to complete witness interviews. The trial
court denied this motion.
Trial commenced on October 31, at which time Valencia - Hernandez renewed his motion
to continue, which the trial court denied as untimely. Valencia- Hernandez also asked the trial
court to reposition the custody officers, arguing that their presence created an aura that Valencia-
Hernandez " is an extremely dangerous character." 1 RP at 65. The trial court also denied this
request.
B. Trial
The State' s witnesses testified to the facts previously described, with the exception of
her kidnapping to the sheriff' s office and testified instead Courtway, who recanted earlier report No. 42897 -1 - II
that she had made up the story. Courtway also testified that ( 1) she had agreed to go to
California with Hernandez; ( 2) Valencia - on the way to California, they had stayed with his 6 childhood friend Saul Carrillo in Eugene, Oregon; ( 3) she had " freaked out " when they drove
through Eugene and asked to be taken home; and ( 4) Valencia- Hernandez had dropped her at a
car dealership and given her $ 9500 in cash.
1. Surveillance videos
Valencia- Hernandez objected to the State' s offer of the surveillance videos from the 7 -11
and AM / M stores, arguing that they lacked a proper foundation for admission into evidence. P
The State then presented four witnesses who laid foundations. Valencia- Hernandez moved for a
mistrial, arguing that ( 1) the surveillance videos lacked foundation, and ( 2) the trial judge had
appeared to roll [ his] eyes" when Valencia- Hernandez objected to admission of the surveillance
videos. 3 RP at 474. The trial judge expressed surprise because he did not recall rolling his
eyes, asked Valencia- Hernandez' s counsel to check " the logs, "8 and later instructed everyone in
the courtroom, including the jury, to disregard people' s body language.
2. Jesus Malverde statue; attempted impeachment
Detectives Harris and Sofianos testified about the relevance of finding the Jesus
Malverde statue at Hernandez' Valencia - s apartment. During his years of experience, executing
614 RP at 1681.
7 At the start of trial, out of the jury' s presence, the trial judge had mentioned he had sciatica ( a pinched nerve) that could fidgeting, standing up, and grimacing facial expressions. He lead to
later explained to the jury that his grimacing and fidgeting was not a comment on what the attorneys did in court.
s 3 RP at 474.
on No. 42897 -1 - II
search warrants, and extensive training on clues to look for in narcotics trafficking, Sofianos had
learned that Jesus Malverde was known as the " patron saint" of drug smugglers in Latino drug
sub -culture and that Jesus Malverde was a narcotics trafficking clue. 10 RP at 1225.
During recess, Valencia -Hernandez stated his intention to impeach Harris about an
IAD "9 investigation that had resulted in his suspension " for failing to deliver certain required information to the department." 13 RP at 1628. Valencia - Hernandez .represented that he had
actual documented suspension for [ Harris' s] failing to be truthful to the department "; but when
the trial court asked for this documentation, Valencia - Hernandez responded that he could not
prove it up by extrinsic evidence." 13 RP at 1630. The trial court denied the impeachment
3. Recorded jail conversation
The State played for the jury the recorded jail cell conversation between Courtway and
Farias. Tapia - Because part of the recording appeared unintelligible, the trial court ( 1) told the
jury that although the transcript of the recorded conversation read, " It' s not a big deal," the trial
court had heard, " It' s not a good deal," 15 RP at 1835; and ( 2) stressed to the jury, " I reinforce
with you, it' s what you heard that' s the evidence, it' s not that printed page, okay ?" 15 RP at
1835. Valencia- Hernandez did not object.
4. Motion to dismiss; verdict
Valencia - Hernandez later moved to dismiss the charges of intimidating a witness and
tampering with a witness on grounds that the State did not present evidence of his having
attempted to change or to influence Courtway' s testimony or of his knowledge that Courtway
9 The record does not state the basis for this acronym.
7 No. 42897 -1 - II
would serve as a witness. The trial court dismissed the intimidating charge but denied the
motion to dismiss the tampering charge ( count 9). The State withdrew the felony harassment
charge ( count 6).
The jury acquitted Hernandez Valencia - of unlawful imprisonment ( count 7) and
tampering with a witness ( count 9). It convicted him of the remaining counts, finding him guilty
of first degree arson ( count 1), possession of a controlled substance —methamphetamine with
intent to deliver while armed with a firearm and within 1000 feet of a school zone ( count 2), and
first degree unlawful possession of a firearm (counts 3, 4, and 5).
C. Sentencing
At sentencing, the State recommended ( 1) 36 to 48 months of incarceration for first
degree arson ( count 1), based on an offender score of three; ( 2) 152 to 184 months for his level
three possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver methamphetamine ( count 2),
which recommendation included an additional 60 months for having committed this crime while
armed with a firearm and an additional 24 months for having committed this crime within 1, 000.
feet of a school zone; and ( 3) 31 -41 months for first degree unlawful possession of a firearm
counts 3 to 5), based on an offender score of three. Valencia-Hernandez objected to the State' s
recommendation for count 2, arguing that ( 1) possession of methamphetamine with intent to
distribute is a Class B, not a Class A, felony; ( 2) thus, the firearm enhancement should be 36, not
60, months; and ( 3) consequently, the sentencing range should be 128 to 160 months.
The State also recommended that Valencia - Hernandez receive 171 days credit for time
served. Hernandez did Valencia - not propose a different credit for time served. No. 42897 -1 - II
The trial court imposed concurrent sentences of 48 months in prison for count 1, 160
months for count 2 ( including the special firearm and school zone enhancements), and 41 months
for counts 3, 4, and 5, with 171 days credit for time served. Valencia - Hernandez now appeals
every portion of the Felony Judgment and Sentence." Spindle ( Notice of Appeal).
ANALYSIS
I. CONTINUANCE
Valencia - Hernandez argues that the trial court abused its discretion in denying his motion
to continue the October 31 trial date because this ruling rendered him unable to complete witness
interviews before trial. We disagree.
A defendant is not " entitled to a continuance as a matter of right." State v. Early, 70 Wn.
App. 452, 457 -58, 853 P. 2d 964 ( 1993), review denied, 123 Wn.2d 1004 ( 1994). Whether to
grant continuance is discretionary with the trial court, whose decision we will not overturn unless
the trial court abused that discretion. State v. Downing, 151 Wn.2d 265, 272, 87 P. 3d 1169
2004).
Valencia- Hernandez concedes that he had eight and a half months to prepare for trial.
We further note that ( 1) the trial court had already granted seven continuances; and ( 2) a month
before trial, at a September 22 hearing, Valencia - Hernandez did not object to the October 31 trial
date, did not request an alternate trial date, and pushed the trial court to hear the case sooner.
Instead, he waited until only three days before trial to ask for this continuance to interview
witnesses. We hold that the trial court did not abuse its discretion in denying this last minute
motion for continuance.
we No. 42897 -1 - II
II. SEVERANCE
Valencia- Hernandez next argues that the trial court erred in denying his motion to sever
counts because none of the charges shared a single element of proof. Because the evidence for
various counts was cross admissible and Valencia- Hernandez fails to show prejudice from their
joinder, we hold that the trial court did not abuse its discretion in denying his motion for
severance.
Washington law does not favor separate trials. State v. Dent, 123 Wn.2d 467, 484, 869
P. 2d 392 ( 1994). We review a trial court' s decision on a motion for severance for manifest
abuse of discretion. State v. Bythrow, 114 Wn. 2d 713, 717, 790 P. 2d 154 ( 1990). Defendants
seeking severance must show that a trial involving multiple counts would be so manifestly
prejudicial as to outweigh the concern for judicial economy. Bythrow, 114 Wn.2d at 718. To
determine whether the potential prejudice requires severance, the trial court considers four
factors: ( 1) the strength of the State' s evidence on each count, ( 2) the jury' s ability to
compartmentalize the evidence, ( 3) the ability to instruct the jury to consider each count
separately, and ( 4) the cross admissibility of evidence among various counts. State v.
MacDonald, 122 Wn. App. 804, 815, 95 P. 3d 1248 ( 2004).
Valencia - Hernandez argues that ( 1) other than Valencia- Hernandez' s identity, the
remaining counts that went to trial did not share elements of proof; (2) except for the jacket and
boots, the evidence was not cross admissible; ( 3) the kidnapping evidence was weak; ( 4) the
jury' s exposure to all charges during a single trial prejudiced him; and ( 5) repetition of witnesses
hampered judicial economy. We disagree.
10 No. 42897 -1 - II
First, Valencia - Hernandez cites no authority for the proposition that the charges must
share other elements of proof besides his identity. Second, evidence was cross admissible to
establish Valencia- Hernandez' s identity and mens rea for multiple counts; and a majority of the
same witnesses testified about more than one count, such as Courtway, Sofianos, and Hoss.
Third, the trial court properly instructed the jury to compartmentalize the evidence and to decide 1; each count separately for example, jury instruction 3 stated, " A separate crime is charged in
each count. You must decide each count separately. Your verdict on one count should not
control your verdict on any other count." Clerk' s Papers ( CP) at 405 ( Instruction No. 3). Fourth,
10 Hernandez fails to Valencia - show that trying these " three disparate cases " together was so
manifestly prejudicial as to outweigh the concern for judicial economy. We hold that the trial
court did not manifestly abuse its discretion in denying the motion to sever.
III. CUSTODY OFFICERS IN COURT
Valencia-Hernandez also argues that the trial court erred in refusing his request to have
his two custody officers sit in a more neutral location in the courtroom." We will not review
issues that a party inadequately briefs or treats in passing. State v. Thomas, 150 Wn.2d 821, 868-
69, 83 P. 3d 970, abrogated in part on other grounds by Crawford v. Washington, 541 U.S. 36,
124 S. Ct. 1354, 158 L. Ed.2d 177 ( 2004). Passing treatment of an issue or lack of reasoned
argument is insufficient to merit judicial consideration. State v. Johnson, 119 Wn.2d 167, 171,
10 Br. of Appellant at 22.
11 Hernandez Valencia - contends that ( 1) during his trial, two heavily armed officers wearing bulletproof vests, holding guns and tasers, sat directly behind him, one to each side; and ( 2) this created the impression that he was highly dangerous, which violated his constitutionally protected presumption of innocence.
11 No. 42897 -1 - II
829 P. 2d 1082 ( 1992). Generally we will not review an assignment of error without argument
and citation to authority. State v. Cox, 109 Wn. App. 937, 943, 38 P. 3d 371 ( 2002). Contrary to
RAP 103( a)( 6), Valencia - Hernandez fails to support his factual assertions with citation to the
12 record and fails to support his legal argument with citation to authority in his appellant' s brief.
Therefore, we do not further consider this argument.
IV. EVIDENCE
Hernandez Valencia - next challenges several of the trial court' s evidentiary rulings. The
admissibility of evidence is within the sound discretion of the trial court, which decisions we
review with great deference under a manifest abuse of discretion standard. State v. Ureen, 143
Wn.2d 923, 932, 26 P. 3d 236 ( 2001). Such is not the case here.
A. Surveillance Videos
Valencia- Hernandez argues that the trial court erred in admitting the 7 -11 and AM / M P
surveillance videos over his objection and without proper foundation. We agree with the State
that it properly authenticated both the videos and that the trial court did not abuse its discretion in
allowing the videos into evidence.
ER 901 requires proper authentication of videos as a condition precedent to admissibility.
For authentication purposes, courts treat video tape recordings like photographs, which
Washington courts have a policy of liberally admitting. State v. Newman, 4 Wn. App. 588, 593,
484 P. 2d 473, review denied, 79 Wn.2d 1004 ( 1971). To lay a proper foundation for admitting a
12 Valencia - Hernandez' s citation to Holbrook v. Flynn, 475 U.S. 560, 569, 106 S. Ct 1340, 89 L. Ed. 2d 525 ( 1986) in his reply brief, ( in response to the State' s citing this case in its brief of respondent), comes too late. We do not consider arguments raised forthe first time in a reply brief. See Johnson v. Phoenix Assur. Co. ofNew York, 70 Wn.2d 726, 729, 425 P. 2d 1 ( 1967).
12 No. 42897 -1 - II
video tape recording, some witness, not necessarily the photographer, must be able ( 1) to show
when, where, and under what circumstances the video tape recording was taken; and ( 2) to
testify that the video accurately portrays the subject illustrated. State v. Tatum, 58 Wn.2d 73, 75,
360 P. 2d 754 ( 1961). If these two criteria are met, the video tape recording is admissible at the
trial court's discretion. Newman, 4 Wn. App. at 593.
1. 7 -11 video
Multiple witnesses testified about the circumstances under which the video recording was
taken and that the copy offered at trial accurately portrayed the subject illustrated. Bahadur
Singh testified that he was the store clerk in the 7 -11 video who sold two gas cans to two men on.
March 5, 2010. Store manager Harpreet Kaur testified that ( 1) this 7 -11 took and kept
surveillance videos on a daily basis in the regular course of business, ( 2) she had viewed the
surveillance video with Deputy Robin Yakhour and had made a copy for her, and ( 3) the video
accurately depicted the front clerk area of the store and what she had viewed with Yakhour.
Yakhour testified that she had picked up a copy of the video from the 7 -11, put it in a CD case on
which she had handwritten the case name and victim' s name, and given the copy to Sergeant
Duncan Hoss. And Hoss testified that he had watched the original 7 -11 surveillance video and
that State' s exhibit 134 was an accurate depiction of that video and of the copy Yakhour had
given him and which he had logged into evidence. We hold that the State properly authenticated
the 7 - 11 video ( State' s exhibit 134) and that the trial court did not abuse its discretion in
admitting it into evidence.
13 No. 42897 -1 - II
2. AM / M video P
Sergeant Hoss testified that on the morning of March 5, 2010, ( 1) he had gone to the
AM/PM station; ( 2) the store manager had escorted him to the backroom and shown him how to
run the surveillance video; ( 3) he had personally reviewed the surveillance video and observed
two men in the video carrying gas cans, which men matched the general description of the men
in the 7 -11 video; ( 4) he had copied this portion of the surveillance onto his thumb drive and
later copied his thumb drive onto a CD, which he entered into evidence; and ( 5) State' s exhibit
133 accurately depicted the surveillance video he had viewed at the AM / M P station. We hold
that the State properly authenticated the AM/PM video ( State' s exhibit 133) and that the trial
court did not abuse its discretion in admitting it into evidence.
B. Detective Sofianos' Expert Testimony
Valencia - Hernandez argues that the trial court erred in allowing Detective Bill Sofianos
to testify as an expert about the drug -culture significance of Jesus Malverde because Sofianos
admitted on cross -examination that he was not an expert and because his testimony was highly
prejudicial. We disagree. At the outset, we note that Valencia- Hernandez misreads the record:
Sofianos did not admit on cross that he was not an expert. Thus, we focus our analysis on the
prejudice part of Valencia- Hernandez' s argument.
We review a trial court' s decision to admit expert testimony for abuse of discretion.
Tatum, 58 Wn.2d at 76. The admissibility of expert testimony under ER 702 depends on
whether ( 1) the witness qualifies as an expert, ( 2) the opinion is based upon an explanatory
theory generally accepted in the scientific community, and ( 3) the expert testimony will be
helpful to the trier of fact. State v. Allery, 101 Wn.2d 591, 596, 682 P. 2d 312 ( 1984). To qualify
14 No. 42897 -1 - II
as an expert, a witness need not possess academic credentials; practical experience may suffice.
Harris v. Groth, 99 Wn.2d 438, 449, 663 P. 2d 113 ( 1983). A witness may qualify as an expert
by virtue of knowledge, skill, experience, training, or education. ER 702; Harris, 99 Wn.2d at
449. The trial court must evaluate both the relevance of the testimony and its prejudicial impact,
excluding unnecessarily cumulative or unfairly prejudicial testimony. State v. Petrich, 101
Wn.2d 566, 575, 683 P. 2d 173 ( 1984). 13
The record shows that Sofianos possessed the requisite practical experience, knowledge,
skill, and training to testify about Jesus Malverde. Sofianos' knowledge of Jesus Malverde
stemmed from his experience with Latino drug subculture and extensive training on clues to look
for in narcotics trafficking, such as Jesus Malverde. Sofianos testified that he had executed
search warrants that were consistent with his training and knowledge of Jesus Malverde.
Sofianos had also trained in narcotics investigations through the Drug Enforcement Agency, the
El Paso Intelligence Center, " ATF ", and the Coast Guard, to name a few. 11 RP at 1373.
Sofianos provided the trial court with supplemental reading material about Jesus Malverde, to
which Valencia- Hernandez did not object. We hold that Sofianos qualified as an expert in the
significance of Jesus Malverde in narcotics investigations.
13 Abrogated on other grounds by State v. Kitchen, 110 Wn.2d 403, 756 P. 2d 105 ( 1988).
15 No. 42897 -1 - II
14 We also hold that Sofianos' testimony was not unduly prejudicial. To minimize
prejudice, the trial court specifically limited the scope of Sofianos' testimony about Jesus
Malverde to the specific purpose of supporting the identity and intent elements at issue.
Consistent with this limitation, the State used the Jesus Malverde shrine evidence sparingly,
keeping within the trial court' s limits. The State also proved identification and intent with an
array of other evidence, such as surveillance equipment, police scanner, digital scale, packaging
materials, bags of methamphetamine, a methamphetamine testing kit, and three functional and
loaded firearms, all discovered inside Valencia- Hernandez' s locked bedroom. The bedroom also
contained a Washington identification card and a Costeo card bearing Valencia- Hernandez' s
name and photograph, and a red jacket that matched the jacket worn by Valencia - Hernandez,
which also matched the suspect in the 7 -11 and AM / M P surveillance videos. In light of this
other evidence and the trial court' s limitations on Sofianos' Jesus Malverde testimony, we hold
that this latter testimony did not significantly prejudice or impact the outcome of the case to
warrant reversal.
14 Valencia - Hernandez also argues that Sofianos' testimony, coupled with information that Jesus Malverde was not accepted by " any church," branded Valencia -Hernandez as a drug dealer with no respect for religion. Br. of Appellant at 24. Valencia- Hernandez mischaracterizes Sofianos'
testimony: Sofianos did not testify that Jesus Malverde by any church; was " not accepted"
rather, he said, "[ T]hough not recognized as a saint by any churches, he' s commonly referred to as the saint of drug trafficking." 11 RP at 1384 ( emphasis added).
Vol No. 42897 -1 - II
C. Recorded Jailhouse Conversation
Valencia - Hernandez argues that the trial court violated his constitutional rights and " ER
15 605( 4) " by impermissibly commenting on the jailhouse recording of the conversation between
Courtway and Farias Tapia - by providing his own interpretation of what Courtway said. But
Valencia - Hernandez makes no reference to the record to support this assertion, contrary to RAP
10. 3( a)( 6); nor does the record before us show what portion of the recorded conversation the trial
court played for the jury. Because Valencia- Hernandez neither cites nor provides " those portions 16 of the verbatim report of proceedings necessary to present the issues raised on review, "
contrary to RAP 9. 2( b), we cannot adequately evaluate the context in which the trial court made 17 the challenged comment. Accordingly, we do not further consider this argument.
V. REQUEST To IMPEACH DETECTIVE HARRIS
Valencia- Hernandez next argues that the trial court erred in' denying his request to
impeach Detective Harris with his suspension for a breach of Department policy." Br. of
Appellant at 24. This argument fails because Valencia- Hernandez did not proffer foundational
evidence of Detective Harris' s suspension. When Valencia- Hernandez asked to impeach
Detective Harris with the " actual documented suspension," the trial court required, " Then bring
15 Br. of Appellant at 26. There is no such " ER 605 ( 4) "; ER 605 addresses the competency of a judge as a witness at trial.
16 RAP 9.2( b).
17 Similarly, we lack an adequate record on which to decide whether to accept the State' s concession that the trial court improperly commented on the evidence. The State, however,
rebuts any presumed prejudice by demonstrating from the record that no prejudice could have resulted. State v. Levy, 156 Wn.2d 709, 723, 132 P. 3d 1076 ( 2006).
17 No. 42897 -1 - II
me, bring me the information, and I don' t mean some article from the Columbian, before I' ll let
it in." 13 RP at 1630. Despite claiming to have the actual documented suspension, Valencia-
Hernandez did not produce such documentation; instead, his counsel said, " Well, Judge, I mean,
I can' t, I can' t prove it up by extrinsic evidence." 13 RP at 1630.
Admission of extrinsic evidence of a witness' s character may be allowed, in the court' s
discretion. ER 608. Here, the trial court asked for documentation of the alleged suspension that
Hernandez Valencia - wanted to use to impeach Harris. But Valencia- Hernandez did not provide
it. We hold, therefore, that the trial court did not abuse its discretion in denying Valencia-
Hernandez' s request to impeach Harris with this unsupported alleged misconduct.
VI. MISTRIAL
Valencia - Hernandez argues that the trial court denied his Sixth and Fourteenth
Amendment rights18
by refusing to grant a mistrial after the judge rolled his eyes and gave a look
of surprise while ruling on Valencia- Hernandez' s motion to strike the convenience store
surveillance videos. But Valencia- Hernandez' s Brief of Appellant cites neither to the record nor
to legal authority to support this assertion, contrary to RAP 103( a)( 6). Thus, we do not further
19 consider this argument.
18 U. S. CONST. amends. VI, XIV.
19 Even if we considered the merits of Valencia -Hernandez' s argument, he does not show that the trial court abused its broad discretion in refusing to grant a mistrial and instead, electing to instruct the jury (and everyone in the courtroom) to disregard his body language.
18 No. 42897 -1 - II
VII. CLOSING ARGUMENT
Valencia - Hernandez argues that the trial court erred in preventing him from objecting
fully during the State' s rebuttal closing argument and by " cut[ ting] him off sharply and
refus[ ing] to allow him to make a full record." Br. of Appellant at 29. But he provides no
citation to the record to support this argument, contrary to RAP 10. 3( a)( 6). Accordingly, we do
not further consider this argument.
VIII. SENTENCING
Valencia -Hernandez argues that the trial court erred in accepting the State' s proposed
sentencing range by ( 1) elevating count 2; possession of methamphetamine with intent to deliver,
to a class A felony; and ( 2) failing to give him proper credit for time served. These arguments
fail because the trial court properly applied sentencing enhancements and sentenced Valencia-
Hernandez within the standard range and gave Valencia- Hernandez proper credit for time served.
A. Standard /Scope of Review
A defendant may appeal a standard range sentence only if the sentence ( 1) fails to comply 20; with the procedural requirements of the " Sentencing Reform Act ( SRA) " or ( 2) raises a
21 constitutional issue. State v. Osman, 157 Wn.2d 474, 481 -82, 139 P. 3d 334 ( 2006) ( citing State
v. Mail, 121 Wn.2d 707, 711 - 13, 854 P. 2d 1042 ( 1993)). To appeal under this first criterion, the defendant must show that the sentencing court failed to follow a duty to follow some specific
20 RCW 9. 94A.585.
21 Valencia- Hernandez raises no sentence -related constitutional issues.
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SRA procedure. Absent such a showing, the clear rule of RCW 9. 94A.585 applies and- appeal of
a standard range sentence is not allowed. Mail, 121 Wn.2d at 712.
B. Possession of Methamphetamine with Intent To Deliver While Armed with Firearm
More specifically, Valencia - Hernandez argues that the trial court erred in elevating his
possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute to a class A felony, instead of a class B
felony, thus, increasing his sentencing range by 48 months. We disagree.
RCW 9. 94A.518 provides that seriousness level " III" drug offenses include: "[ a] ny
felony offense under chapter 69. 50 "; " Possession of Ephedrine, Pseudoephedrine, or Anhydrous
Ammonia with intent to manufacture methamphetamine," delivery by a person "[ o] ver 18" of
methamphetamine ... to someone under 18 "; and "[ m] ufacture of methamphetamine." RCW
9. 94A. 517' s" Drug Offense Sentencing Grid" provides that an offender score of 3 to 5 with a
seriousness level of "III" has a sentence range of " 68+ to 100 months" of confinement.22 RCW 23 9. 94A. 533( 6) adds an additional school zone enhancement of 24 months to the standard
sentence range. Under RCW 9. 94A.533( 3)( a), committing a felony while armed with a firearm
adds five years to the standard sentence range for any Class A felony or a felony with a statutory
maximum sentence of at least 20 years.
22 The legislature amended RCW 9. 94A.517 in 2013. LAWS of 2013, ch. 14, § 1. The
amendments did not alter the statute in any way relevant to this case; accordingly, we cite the current version of the statute.
23 The legislature amended RCW 9. 94A. 533 in 2011, 2012 and 2013. LAWS of 2013, ch. 270, § 2; LAWS of 2012, ch. 42, § 3; LAWS of 2011, ch. 293, § 9. The amendments did not alter the
statutes in any way relevant to this case; accordingly, we cite the current version of the statute.
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The jury returned special verdicts finding that Valencia - Hernandez ( 1) had used a firearm
in committing a Violation of the Uniform Controlled Substances Act (VUCSA)24; and ( 2) had committed this VUCSA violation within 1000 feet of a school zone. His conviction for
possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver methamphetamine while armed with a
firearm fit within seriousness level " III". With an offender score of 3, the sentencing range of
68 months to 100 months" conformed with RCW 9. 94A.517 and RCW 9. 94A. 518. CP at 542.
The school zone and firearm sentencing enhancements added 24 months and 60 months,
respectively, to the standard sentence range of 68 - 100 months; with these enhancements,
Hernandez' Valencia - s sentence range for count 2 totaled 152 -184 months of confinement. The
trial court, therefore, did not err in sentencing Valencia - Hernandez to 160 months for count 2.
C. Credit for Time Served
For the first time on appeal, Valencia- Hernandez challenges the amount of credit the trial
court gave him for time served. Generally, a party cannot raise an issue for the first time on
appeal unless it is a " manifest error affecting a constitutional right." RAP 2. 5( a). See also State
v. Munguia, 107 Wn. App. 328, 340, 26 P. 3d 1017 ( 2001). This exception to the general rule
does not automatically mandate review whenever a criminal defendant identifies some
constitutional issue not raised below. State v. McFarland, 127 Wn.2d 322, 333 -34, 899 P. 2d
1251 ( 1995). Rather, the appellant must show actual prejudice in order to establish that the error
is " manifest." McFarland, 127 Wn.2d at 333. Valencia- Hernandez fails to meet these tests.
24 RCW 69. 50. 401 and RCW 69. 50. 435. The legislature amended RCW 69. 50. 401 in 2013. LAWS of 2013, ch. 3, § 19. The amendment did not alter the statute in any way relevant to this case; accordingly, we cite the current version of the statute.
21 No. 42897 -1 - II
Valencia- Hernandez fails to show that the alleged error is " manifest." At the sentencing
hearing, the State recommended that Valencia- Hernandez receive 171 days credit for time
served. Not only did Valencia -Hernandez fail to propose a different number of days of credit
below, but also he fails to establish actual prejudice on appeal in that he fails to show on the
record before us that he was entitled to additional credit days. Accordingly, we do not further
consider this issue.
IX. STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL GROUNDS
In Valencia- Hernandez' s Statement of Additional Grounds ( SAG), he asserts that the
25 State erred in " deviating " from the standard sentencing range because ( 1) the State did not
present sufficient evidence to support his convictions, and ( 2) the trial court failed to issue a
Stipulated Agreement" to support imposing an " exceptional sentence." Statement of Additional
Grounds ( SAG) at 3. Valencia- Hernandez' s assertion that the jury lacked sufficient evidence to
convict him outside the [ sentencing] guidelines" has no bearing on the correctness of the
imposed standard - range sentence. SAG at 3. Thus, we do not further address this point.
Similarly, his challenge to an " exceptional sentence" without a " stipulated agreement" is 26 unsupportable. Not only is there no such rule requiring a " stipulated agreement" to justify an
exceptional sentence, but also the trial court here did not impose any exceptional sentences.
Thus, we do not further consider this point.
25 Statement of Additional Grounds ( SAG) at 3.
26 We first note that Valencia- Hernandez' s sentence was within the standard range, not an exceptional" sentence. SAG at 3. Second, he cites RCW 9. 94A. 105 ( now recodified as RCW 9. 94A.480), which has no bearing on his claims: Instead, this statute addresses delivery of a judgment and sentence document to the " caseload forecast council "; it has nothing to do with
requiring a stipulated agreement. SAG at 3.
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We affirm Valencia - Hernandez' s convictions and sentences.
A majority of the panel having determined that this opinion will not be printed in the
Washington Appellate Reports, but will be filed for public record in accordance with RCW
2. 06. 040, it is so ordered.
J. I -`/