State Of Washington, V Samuel F. Valdez
Opinion
Filed Washington State Court of Appeals Division Two
June 27, 2017
IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON
DIVISION II STATE OF WASHINGTON, No. 48740-3-II
Respondent,
v.
SAMUEL F. VALDEZ, UNPUBLISHED OPINION
Appellant.
LEE, J. — Samuel Valdez was convicted of solicitation to commit first degree murder, first
degree arson, delivery of marijuana, and possession with intent to manufacture or deliver
marijuana. On appeal, Valdez argues: (1) the trial court erred in denying his motion to change
venue; (2) the State did not present independent evidence of the corpus delicti of arson; (3) the
State did not present sufficient evidence to convict him of possession with intent to manufacture
or deliver marijuana; (4) the trial court erred in admitting certain evidence; (5) the prosecutor
committed misconduct by (a) misstating the burden of proof; (b) professing a personal opinion on
the testimony of defense witnesses; (c) impugning defense counsel; and (d) improperly alerting
the jury that Valdez had been incarcerated; (6) he received ineffective assistance of counsel when
his attorney failed to object to (a) the admission of Valdez’s statements regarding the arson; (b)
the admission of the evidence he claims was erroneously admitted; and (c) the claimed
prosecutorial misconduct; (7) the cumulative effect of the errors denied him a fair trial; (8) the trial No. 48740-3-II
court erred in its imposition of discretionary legal financial obligations (LFOs); and (9) this court
should decline to award appellate costs to the State should this appeal fail.
We affirm Valdez’s convictions, but we reverse the imposition of discretionary LFOs and
remand for the superior court to make the proper inquiry under State v. Blazina, 182 Wn.2d 827,
838, 344 P.3d 680 (2015), before imposing discretionary LFOs.
FACTS
A. EVENTS LEADING TO VALDEZ’S ARREST
1. Marriage and Divorce
Valdez married Elizabeth Robbins in 2002. Valdez filed for divorce in the fall of 2012. A
trial was held on the division of property from the marriage in 2014. Neighbors of Valdez’s and
Robbins’s, the Cantrells and the Bruneaus, supported Robbins in the divorce. The dissolution trial
court issued its judgment on the separation of property on July 1, 2014.
2. Friendship with Christopher Horton
In the late summer or early fall of 2012, Christopher Horton moved into the neighborhood
in Wahkiakum County where Valdez and Robbins had built a shop with an apartment attached.
Valdez and Horton developed a friendship, and they spent time together almost daily. One of the
common interests Valdez and Horton shared was the cultivation and consumption of marijuana.
Valdez had a medical marijuana card and had been in the marijuana business since before
he and Robbins were married. Valdez grew an unknown number of marijuana plants and did not
try to keep his marijuana activities secret.
2 No. 48740-3-II
Valdez bought a machine that converted marijuana plant material into marijuana oil. The
marijuana oil was a “tarry substance” with the “[c]onsistency of honey.” Verbatim Report of
Proceedings (VRP) (Feb. 16, 2016) at 287. Horton helped Valdez unpack the machine in Valdez’s
shop. Valdez would run about 10 pounds of dried and cured marijuana through the machine every
24 hours. Ten pounds of marijuana plant material would yield one pound of marijuana oil.
Horton helped Valdez market the marijuana oil product by introducing Valdez to several
people who either had licenses, or were applying for licenses, to produce and sell marijuana
products. Horton also introduced Valdez to individuals who bought marijuana oil from Valdez or
was interested in purchasing the marijuana oil for “the black market” and “taking it across the
country.” VRP (Feb. 16, 2016) at 300.
Valdez frequently discussed his divorce from Robbins with Horton. Horton testified that
Valdez was “very, very upset” with Robbins and anyone who “was on [her] side,” so much so that
Valdez “would talk about wanting to blow holes in people’s properties.” VRP (Feb. 16, 2016) at
270-71. The “people’s properties” that Valdez was referring to belonged to Robbins, the Cantrells,
and the Bruneaus. VRP (Feb. 16, 2016) at 271.
On July 7 or 8, 2014, Valdez went to Horton’s house with matchsticks, cotton, and a soda
bottle, along with ground hamburger and rat poison that he said was to silence the Cantrell’s dogs.
On July 9, 2014, in the early morning hours, the Cantrell’s house burned down.
Sometime after 7:30 that morning, Valdez drove to what remained of the Cantrell’s house.
Valdez asked a neighbor who was also there if anyone was killed. The neighbor told Valdez that
the Cantrells were alive, but their pets had died. Valdez nodded and then drove away. The same
morning, Valdez went to Horton’s house and told Horton:
3 No. 48740-3-II
[t]hat he [Valdez] gave them what they deserved. He burned their house down. And that he watched the fire keep—he was all worked up and antsy about it. He was very full of adrenaline and very full of anger and satisfaction in an eerie way and was essentially bragging about it, but also very concerned about being quiet, making sure there was nobody in my house, to keep it quiet. He described to me where he was. He was up all night. He stood in his boat and watched the fire trucks go by the house. He thought that was funny.
VRP (Feb. 16, 2016) at 330.
Horton testified that Valdez told him on “numerous occasions” that “[h]e [Valdez] burned
their [Cantrell’s] house down,” and would comment about “another barbecue in the neighborhood”
and “[s]moking out the neighborhood,” as code for arson. VRP (Feb. 16, 2016) at 327. An
investigation did not reveal enough information to determine the cause of the Cantrell fire, and the
cause was labeled “undetermined.” VRP (Feb. 23, 2016) at 1089.
Also during the summer of 2014, and after the dissolution trial court issued its judgment in
the divorce, Valdez took his kayak from the beach where Horton lived and paddled to the front of
the Bruneaus’s property. Horton accompanied Valdez. In front of the Bruneaus’s property, Valdez
took pictures of the property and the Bruneaus’s catamaran. Valdez told Horton he “wanted to
catch their catamaran on fire.” VRP (Feb. 16, 2016) at 332.
During the winter months, in late 2014 or early 2015, Valdez told Horton he “was wanting
to blow the Bruneaus up.” VRP (Feb. 17, 2016) at 349. At the time, the area was expected to
receive five or more inches of rain, and Valdez told Horton that his plan was to clog the culvert
above the Bruneaus’s house, so that the water would “raise above and essentially wipe out their
whole property below.” VRP (Feb. 17, 2016) at 350. Horton unclogged the culvert on two
separate occasions after Valdez told Horton he was going to clog it.
4 No. 48740-3-II
3. Investigation of Valdez by Law Enforcement
Horton reported Valdez to law enforcement in April or May of 2015. He told law
enforcement that Valdez planned to kill Robbins, had burned down the Cantrell’s house, and
intended to burn the Bruneaus’s catamaran.
Horton also reported that he told Valdez that he had an uncle in the mafia who lived in
Michigan and who could be hired to kill someone. Horton testified that he told Valdez this because
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Filed Washington State Court of Appeals Division Two
June 27, 2017
IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON
DIVISION II STATE OF WASHINGTON, No. 48740-3-II
Respondent,
v.
SAMUEL F. VALDEZ, UNPUBLISHED OPINION
Appellant.
LEE, J. — Samuel Valdez was convicted of solicitation to commit first degree murder, first
degree arson, delivery of marijuana, and possession with intent to manufacture or deliver
marijuana. On appeal, Valdez argues: (1) the trial court erred in denying his motion to change
venue; (2) the State did not present independent evidence of the corpus delicti of arson; (3) the
State did not present sufficient evidence to convict him of possession with intent to manufacture
or deliver marijuana; (4) the trial court erred in admitting certain evidence; (5) the prosecutor
committed misconduct by (a) misstating the burden of proof; (b) professing a personal opinion on
the testimony of defense witnesses; (c) impugning defense counsel; and (d) improperly alerting
the jury that Valdez had been incarcerated; (6) he received ineffective assistance of counsel when
his attorney failed to object to (a) the admission of Valdez’s statements regarding the arson; (b)
the admission of the evidence he claims was erroneously admitted; and (c) the claimed
prosecutorial misconduct; (7) the cumulative effect of the errors denied him a fair trial; (8) the trial No. 48740-3-II
court erred in its imposition of discretionary legal financial obligations (LFOs); and (9) this court
should decline to award appellate costs to the State should this appeal fail.
We affirm Valdez’s convictions, but we reverse the imposition of discretionary LFOs and
remand for the superior court to make the proper inquiry under State v. Blazina, 182 Wn.2d 827,
838, 344 P.3d 680 (2015), before imposing discretionary LFOs.
FACTS
A. EVENTS LEADING TO VALDEZ’S ARREST
1. Marriage and Divorce
Valdez married Elizabeth Robbins in 2002. Valdez filed for divorce in the fall of 2012. A
trial was held on the division of property from the marriage in 2014. Neighbors of Valdez’s and
Robbins’s, the Cantrells and the Bruneaus, supported Robbins in the divorce. The dissolution trial
court issued its judgment on the separation of property on July 1, 2014.
2. Friendship with Christopher Horton
In the late summer or early fall of 2012, Christopher Horton moved into the neighborhood
in Wahkiakum County where Valdez and Robbins had built a shop with an apartment attached.
Valdez and Horton developed a friendship, and they spent time together almost daily. One of the
common interests Valdez and Horton shared was the cultivation and consumption of marijuana.
Valdez had a medical marijuana card and had been in the marijuana business since before
he and Robbins were married. Valdez grew an unknown number of marijuana plants and did not
try to keep his marijuana activities secret.
2 No. 48740-3-II
Valdez bought a machine that converted marijuana plant material into marijuana oil. The
marijuana oil was a “tarry substance” with the “[c]onsistency of honey.” Verbatim Report of
Proceedings (VRP) (Feb. 16, 2016) at 287. Horton helped Valdez unpack the machine in Valdez’s
shop. Valdez would run about 10 pounds of dried and cured marijuana through the machine every
24 hours. Ten pounds of marijuana plant material would yield one pound of marijuana oil.
Horton helped Valdez market the marijuana oil product by introducing Valdez to several
people who either had licenses, or were applying for licenses, to produce and sell marijuana
products. Horton also introduced Valdez to individuals who bought marijuana oil from Valdez or
was interested in purchasing the marijuana oil for “the black market” and “taking it across the
country.” VRP (Feb. 16, 2016) at 300.
Valdez frequently discussed his divorce from Robbins with Horton. Horton testified that
Valdez was “very, very upset” with Robbins and anyone who “was on [her] side,” so much so that
Valdez “would talk about wanting to blow holes in people’s properties.” VRP (Feb. 16, 2016) at
270-71. The “people’s properties” that Valdez was referring to belonged to Robbins, the Cantrells,
and the Bruneaus. VRP (Feb. 16, 2016) at 271.
On July 7 or 8, 2014, Valdez went to Horton’s house with matchsticks, cotton, and a soda
bottle, along with ground hamburger and rat poison that he said was to silence the Cantrell’s dogs.
On July 9, 2014, in the early morning hours, the Cantrell’s house burned down.
Sometime after 7:30 that morning, Valdez drove to what remained of the Cantrell’s house.
Valdez asked a neighbor who was also there if anyone was killed. The neighbor told Valdez that
the Cantrells were alive, but their pets had died. Valdez nodded and then drove away. The same
morning, Valdez went to Horton’s house and told Horton:
3 No. 48740-3-II
[t]hat he [Valdez] gave them what they deserved. He burned their house down. And that he watched the fire keep—he was all worked up and antsy about it. He was very full of adrenaline and very full of anger and satisfaction in an eerie way and was essentially bragging about it, but also very concerned about being quiet, making sure there was nobody in my house, to keep it quiet. He described to me where he was. He was up all night. He stood in his boat and watched the fire trucks go by the house. He thought that was funny.
VRP (Feb. 16, 2016) at 330.
Horton testified that Valdez told him on “numerous occasions” that “[h]e [Valdez] burned
their [Cantrell’s] house down,” and would comment about “another barbecue in the neighborhood”
and “[s]moking out the neighborhood,” as code for arson. VRP (Feb. 16, 2016) at 327. An
investigation did not reveal enough information to determine the cause of the Cantrell fire, and the
cause was labeled “undetermined.” VRP (Feb. 23, 2016) at 1089.
Also during the summer of 2014, and after the dissolution trial court issued its judgment in
the divorce, Valdez took his kayak from the beach where Horton lived and paddled to the front of
the Bruneaus’s property. Horton accompanied Valdez. In front of the Bruneaus’s property, Valdez
took pictures of the property and the Bruneaus’s catamaran. Valdez told Horton he “wanted to
catch their catamaran on fire.” VRP (Feb. 16, 2016) at 332.
During the winter months, in late 2014 or early 2015, Valdez told Horton he “was wanting
to blow the Bruneaus up.” VRP (Feb. 17, 2016) at 349. At the time, the area was expected to
receive five or more inches of rain, and Valdez told Horton that his plan was to clog the culvert
above the Bruneaus’s house, so that the water would “raise above and essentially wipe out their
whole property below.” VRP (Feb. 17, 2016) at 350. Horton unclogged the culvert on two
separate occasions after Valdez told Horton he was going to clog it.
4 No. 48740-3-II
3. Investigation of Valdez by Law Enforcement
Horton reported Valdez to law enforcement in April or May of 2015. He told law
enforcement that Valdez planned to kill Robbins, had burned down the Cantrell’s house, and
intended to burn the Bruneaus’s catamaran.
Horton also reported that he told Valdez that he had an uncle in the mafia who lived in
Michigan and who could be hired to kill someone. Horton testified that he told Valdez this because
“if I hadn’t, then he would have found somebody else and we wouldn’t be here.” VRP (Feb. 17,
2016) at 437-38.
Law enforcement decided to “place a wire on” Horton. VRP (Feb. 17, 2016) at 357.
Horton wore a “wire” on three occasions. VRP (Feb. 17, 2016) at 363.
a. First “Wire” Recording
Horton first wore a “wire” on May 20, 2015. VRP (Feb. 17, 2016) at 364-65. The “wire”
recorded:
MR. HORTON: And I told him. He [Horton’s alleged uncle] was like, “Well, how do you know he’s [Valdez’s] clean?” I said, “Well, you know, I witnessed him burning down the neighbors’ house. I witnessed attempted murder there.” You know, I said, “You know, he’s not the type to just talk about shit. He actually does it. I mean, I’ve witnessed it with multiple neighbors and with multiple instances.” And so I said, “He’s solid. He’s a solid guy.” I mean, and that’s just kind of how I told him. I mean, he’s the only one I’ve ever talked to about that shit. But I had to f[***]ing—I had to put it out there. He laughed at me. He thought it was funny. He said, “Attempted, huh?” I said—
THE DEFENDANT: Yeah. It’s going to go—you know, it’s going to go further than that. I’m either going to have to hire a f[***]ing gun or I’m going to have to f[***]ing do it myself.
5 No. 48740-3-II
MR. HORTON: To who? These—these people?
THE DEFENDANT: These people. The list.
MR. HORTON: The list?
THE DEFENDANT: The list. I’m working on—I’m going to work on the f[***]ing list. In fact, I’ve got—you made me laugh, because there was one time you said to me, “Sam, there’s no f[***]ing morning I get up, I don’t take my f[***]ing shower, I think about who the f[***]ing I’m going to kill today.” And that has been the way it has been for me for f[***]ing—two f[***]ing years.
MR. HORTON: Yeah.
THE DEFENDANT: And it’s not f[***]ing going away. And unless— that’s another thing that I want—you know what? The direction we’re headed with this, yeah. I want to send a very clear message to her that I am going to haunt that f[***]ing bitch for the rest of her f[***]ing days if she doesn’t sit down and we square this f[***]ing inequity in the judicial system up. So what has haunted me for the last couple of days since we talked is how do I do that? Do I just send little f[***]ing messages? Do I sit down with her and say, “Hey, Beth, you know, this thing has bugged me for f[***]ing two years and it’ll bug me for the rest of my f[***]ing life unless we sit down and work this f[***]ing thing out to where at least both of us walk away either equally unhappy or equally happy. You, you know, make your choice. But if I don’t walk away from there somewhat—if we don’t— if we don’t work this out some way or another, believe me, there’s not going to be a day that goes by that I don’t think about how I’m going to get back at you.”
MR. HORTON: Yeah.
THE DEFENDANT: I try to be nice about it as I can. But she’s a stupid f[***]ing bitch, you know. I want to tell her, “Well, I’ve tried to send you some messages. By the way, how’s Kathy in her new house doing,” you know?
MR. HORTON: Kathy? Yeah. Gotcha, gotcha. Kathy, and I don’t remember his name.
THE DEFENDANT: Fred.
6 No. 48740-3-II
MR. HORTON: That’s right. Kathy and Fred [Cantrell].
THE DEFENDANT: The f[***]ing two liars in the courtroom. . . .
.....
MR. HORTON: How did that f[***]ing work? You burned their f[***]ing house down and then they go and get insurance money and—
THE DEFENDANT: No. Actually, I think Beth has picked—paid a big chunk on f*** building that house.
....
THE DEFENDANT: You starting to get the picture of what I got to get the message to her? How much carnage do you want to be responsible for is the message I need to f[***]ing get her.
MR. HORTON: But you’re not going to go after those people again, are you? I mean, f[***], that’s a—you got to leave them alone. I could—whatever.
THE DEFENDANT: You don’t know me very f[***]ing—do you?
....
MR. HORTON: No. It’s good. I mean, you got to get it out in the open now. I mean, my uncle said that he’ll be in town. . . . A flight round trip is 450 bucks. You got to pay for rental car, which is $300. And he’ll be in town the beginning week of June. Prior arrangements as—as we spoke are, you know, 10,000 and $5,000 on top of that for each head.
THE DEFENDANT: Now, wait a minute. Is that—so that’s $15,000 for the first head?
MR. HORTON: No. It’s 15 for the two.
THE DEFENDANT: Oh, I see. First one ten and the rest are five.
VRP (Feb. 17, 2016) at 392-96, 401.1
1 After the first recording finished playing at trial, the trial court acknowledge the presence of some reporters in the courtroom, and admonished the jury, “I assume there will be some sort of articles, as we discussed before. Please put them aside until the trial’s over. If anybody wants to talk about
7 No. 48740-3-II
b. Second “Wire” Recording
Horton wore a “wire” a second time on June 16, 2015. During this meeting, Valdez told
Horton that he wanted to hold off on hiring Horton’s alleged uncle to kill anyone, saying instead
that he wanted to “table the matter” because “money is tight right now.” VRP (Feb. 17, 2016) at
507.
c. Third “Wire” Recording
Horton wore a “wire” a third time on June 23, 2015. VRP (Feb. 17, 2016) at 528. On this
recording, Valdez stated that he would pay Horton’s uncle in marijuana oil and that he would give
Horton’s uncle a deal on the value of the marijuana oil at $18 per gram. The following interaction
was also recorded:
MR. HORTON: Once we leave here—once we leave here, the deal’s done. It’s done. It’s solidified. I mean, we’re . . .
THE DEFENDANT: It was f[***]ing done the day I said f[***]ing do it.
MR. HORTON: Okay. Well, it’s a done deal. So I’ll follow you back to your place and grab the oil and I’ll put it in the mail tomorrow for him. And then I’ll go buy the plane ticket, cash.
VRP (Feb. 18, 2016) at 590. Valdez then gave Horton a container of marijuana oil. Horton
testified that Valdez “handed me some cannabis oil in payment for the murder of his wife, and also
pictures of her residence and pictures of her.” VRP (Feb. 17, 2016) at 524. As Horton was leaving,
the following exchange was recorded:
them, tell them you’re under instructions. Make me the bad guy.” VRP (Feb. 17, 2016) at 434- 35.
8 No. 48740-3-II
THE DEFENDANT: . . . It’s like—it’s like buying a lottery ticket, as far as I’m concerned.
MR. HORTON: M-hm.
THE DEFENDANT: I bought my ticket, you know, and what if I really f[***]ing win?
MR. HORTON: You’ll win.
THE DEFENDANT: Oh, yeah.
VRP (Feb. 18, 2016) at 616-17. Horton gave the container of marijuana oil and the pictures that
Valdez had given him to law enforcement the same day.
4. Search Warrant Executed
Law enforcement secured and executed a search warrant on Valdez’s shop and apartment.
Law enforcement found 14 mason jars of marijuana oil in a refrigerator, totaling 4,828 grams; 5
mason jars of marijuana oil in a freezer, totaling 5,808 grams; a bag of marijuana in the bathroom,
weighing 54.4 grams; a bag of marijuana in the shop, weighing 18 grams; a bag of marijuana on a
catwalk, weighing 129.2 grams; 2 containers of marijuana oil on a table in the shop, weighing 513
grams; a box of 73 e-cigarette cartridges with approximately 1 gram of marijuana oil in each in
the shop; “vape pens”; a backpack in the shop that had 77 grams of marijuana oil in cartridges;
another 150 cartridges each loaded with about 1 gram of marijuana oil; syringes; and marijuana
plants outside. Law enforcement testified that the vape pens were for smoking the marijuana oil
contained in the cartridges and that the syringes were likely used for filling the cartridges.
9 No. 48740-3-II
B. PRETRIAL PROCEDURE
Valdez was arrested on July 3, 2015. Valdez was charged with solicitation to commit first
degree murder, first degree arson, delivery of marijuana, and possession with intent to manufacture
or deliver marijuana.
In November 2015, Valdez filed a motion for a change of venue from Wahkiakum County
Superior Court. Attached to the motion were several articles from local media sources regarding
Valdez’s case. The State did not object to the venue being changed. The trial court stated that
before it decided on the motion for a change of venue, it would review the answers given on a
questionnaire to the jury venire to see if it was possible to select an unbiased jury.
The jury venire was comprised of 55 potential jurors. Each member of the venire was
given a “juror questionnaire,”
to determine if you know anything about the allegations in this case and, if so, what you know and from what source you obtained your knowledge. Additionally, the names of potential witnesses are included in this questionnaire, to determine whether you know any of them and how you are acquainted with them.
Clerk’s Papers (CP) at 402.
Five venire members did not answer whether they had heard about the case; five said they
had heard about the case but were not sure or did not have an opinion about the case; eight said
they had heard about the case and could not be impartial; one had fought the fire at the Cantrell’s
home; thirty-one had varying degrees of familiarity with the case but said they could be impartial;
and one had heard about the case but did not answer the remaining questions. Three others
indicated on the questionnaire that they were unavailable on the dates that trial was scheduled.
10 No. 48740-3-II
After excusing some of the venire members who stated they could not be impartial or were
otherwise unable to serve on the jury, the defense renewed its motion for a change of venue, citing
the number of venire members who had heard of the case or knew potential witnesses. The trial
court denied the motion, stating that there were still 40 members of the potential jury pool, and
that while most of the potential jurors indicated they knew something of the case, the court would
attempt to empanel a jury before considering a motion to change venue.
After voir dire concluded, the trial court granted four of the defense’s for-cause challenges.
The defense also joined in the State’s single for-cause challenge, which the trial court granted.
During the for-cause challenges, the defense again moved for a change of venue. The trial court
denied the motion stating that it believed a fair jury could be seated based on the answers given in
voir dire.
The trial court gave each side one extra peremptory challenge. The State waived its fourth,
fifth, and sixth peremptory challenges. The defense waived its sixth peremptory challenge and
accepted the jury. Fourteen members of the venire were selected for the jury, two of which were
designated as alternates. After the jury was empaneled and sworn, the trial court instructed the
jurors to not discuss the case amongst themselves or with others for the duration of the case, to
“not read or listen to any newspaper or radio reports about the case,” and to “keep your mind free
of any influences from outside the courtroom.” VRP (Feb. 16, 2016) at 203.
11 No. 48740-3-II
C. PORTIONS OF THE TRIAL PERTINENT TO THE APPEAL
1. Valdez’s Plane Crash
Horton, when describing the anger that Valdez expressed and the concern he had for
Valdez, testified about an accident where Valdez wrecked his plane. Valdez objected on relevance
grounds. The objection was overruled.
2. Pictures of the Bruneaus’s Property
The State sought to introduce the pictures that Horton testified Valdez had taken of the
Bruneaus’s property. Valdez objected on relevance grounds. The objection was overruled.
Valdez again objected on relevancy grounds when Horton was asked what he thought when Valdez
said he intended to burn down the Bruneaus’s catamaran. This objection was sustained and the
State moved on.
3. Clogging the Bruneaus’s Culvert
When the State asked Horton if the reason Valdez planned to clog the Bruneaus’s culvert
was because he was upset with the Bruneaus, Valdez objected on relevance grounds and as asked-
and-answered. The trial court allowed the question but directed instructed the State “to ensure that
the questions are based on what he’s told by the defendant, not by somebody else.” VRP (Feb. 17,
2016) at 350.
4. Corpus Delicti Challenge to the Arson Charge
After the State rested its case, Valdez brought a half-time motion arguing that the arson
charge should be dismissed because the State failed to establish the corpus delicti for the crime of
arson. The trial court denied the motion. In denying the motion, the trial court stated:
12 No. 48740-3-II
Here we have the fact of the fire, and at this point certainly a lack of information on how it started, but we know the fact of the fire and statements attributable to the defendant in those tapes that’s certainly argued to be equivocal. But I think the common fact of the fire and those statements that can be argued to state his responsibility under that relatively recent Court of Appeals opinion are sufficient. So I’ll deny the motion.
VRP (Feb. 24, 2016) at 1248.
5. Larry Adams’s Testimony
Larry Adams was married to Horton’s aunt. Adams testified that Horton had “no
credibility” in the community. VRP (Feb. 24, 2016) at 1357.
6. Leon Gollersrud’s Testimony
Leon Gollersrud was a neighbor and friend of Valdez. On the State’s cross-examination,
the following exchange took place:
Q. [by the State]: Have you visited the defendant in jail?
A. [by Gollersrud]: Not in 2016. We’ve communicated.
Q. Have you visited him in jail?
A. Yes. Yes. 2015.
VRP (Feb. 24, 2016) at 1286.
7. Jury Instructions
The trial court instructed the jury, in part:
The State is the party that has the burden of proving each element of each crime beyond a reasonable doubt. The defendant has no burden of proving that a reasonable doubt exists as to these elements.
The defendant is presumed innocent. This presumption continues throughout the entire trial unless during your deliberation you find it has been overcome by the evidence beyond a reasonable doubt. A reasonable doubt is one for which a reason exists and may arise from the evidence or lack of evidence. It is such a doubt as would exist in the mind of a reasonable person after fully, fairly
13 No. 48740-3-II
and carefully considering all the evidence or lack of evidence. If from such consideration you have an abiding belief, you are satisfied beyond a reasonable doubt.
VRP (Feb. 25, 2016) at 1550. The trial court also instructed the jury on how to receive the lawyers’
arguments:
It is important, however, for you to remember that the lawyers’ statements are not evidence. The evidence is the testimony and the exhibits. The law is contained in my instructions to you. You must disregard any remark, statement or argument that is not supported by the evidence or the law and my instructions.
VRP (Feb. 25, 2016) at 1548; CP at 473.
8. State’s Closing Argument and Rebuttal
a. State’s closing argument
During the State’s closing argument, the prosecutor argued that the jury should focus on
the elements of the crimes. The prosecutor then argued:
[I]f everything I just said makes sense and you have an abiding belief in the truth of that charge, that’s guilty. It is not being diverted to other issues like did Chris [Horton] have a bag of weed that he said that he didn’t have bags of weed? Or was Chris a bad guy? Or, you know, he told people that he could get people killed? All of that is a diversion for you, because these are so damning that you have to do something.
....
. . . And even if Chris called the police to get him [Valdez] in trouble—oh. Either Chris called the police to go and steal from his house, or I guess we’re supposed to believe that when he was walking up the driveway. Whatever. It doesn’t change anything. So that is just like throwing a big rock right in the middle of your (inaudible). Hey, be careful cause [sic] Chris might have had a bad motive. It doesn’t matter at all. It doesn’t make anything he said on the stand more [sic] believable.
VRP (Feb. 25, 2016) at 1584, 1589.
14 No. 48740-3-II
b. State’s rebuttal argument
The prosecutor began her rebuttal argument by reminding the jury that the State bore the
burden of proof. She argued,
I said it at the beginning of my opening [sic] that the State has the burden of proof beyond a reasonable doubt. That’s the right burden. That’s as it should be. And I submit in this case that it’s been made. A reasonable doubt is one for which a reason exists, not speculation, whether Chris went into a computer at his house or stole something. A reasonable doubt. Right? Not a possibility. Not a strike of lightning, but a reasonable doubt. One which—for which a reason exists, and may arise from the evidence or lack of evidence. It is such a doubt as would exist in the mind of a reasonable person after what you all are going to do, fully, fairly and carefully consider all of the evidence or lack of evidence. And if from that consideration you have an abiding belief in the truth of the charge, you’re satisfied beyond a reasonable doubt.
VRP (Feb. 25, 2016) at 1615.
The prosecutor then addressed Adams’s testimony. She argued:
It’s shameful. It’s shameful, I suggest, as an uncle to come in here, and whatever his history is with Chris—maybe Chris was—well, he thinks that he treated Chris—he said Chris didn’t have a father. Well, shame on you for coming in here and doing that. Even if it’s true that he’s the most terrible person on earth, shame on you.
VRP (Feb. 25, 2016) at 1617-18.
The prosecutor concluded her rebuttal with:
Well, the defendant—they didn’t prove anything. They say he cropped the pictures, which is evidence. That’s not evidence. He didn’t—apparently you can just say you didn’t do something. You can just take the stand and actually lie and say you didn’t do something and never meant it anyway, and that’s all it takes. That’s not a reasonable doubt. None of that is a reasonable doubt. Thank you for your patience.
VRP (Feb. 25, 2016) at 1622-23.
15 No. 48740-3-II
D. JUDGMENT AND SENTENCING
The jury found Valdez guilty on all charged counts. At Valdez’s sentencing hearing, the
State asked the trial court to inquire into Valdez’s ability to pay LFOs. The trial court responded,
“Based on the testimony already adduced, I would find the defendant has the ability to pay those
costs.” VRP (Mar. 14, 2016) at 1594. Valdez appeals.
ANALYSIS
A. MOTION TO CHANGE VENUE
Valdez argues the trial court abused its discretion in denying his motion to change venue
from Wahkiakum County. In support, Valdez cites the pretrial publicity, the small number of
potential jurors in the county, and the large number of venire members who had heard of the case
and knew the defendant or a witness. We hold that the trial court did not abuse its discretion.
We review a trial court’s ruling on a motion to change venue for an abuse of discretion.
State v. Jackson, 150 Wn.2d 251, 269, 76 P.3d 217 (2003). A trial court abuses its discretion when
it makes a decision that is manifestly unreasonable or based on untenable grounds or reasons, or
when it fails to exercise its discretion, such as when it fails to make a necessary decision. State v.
Stearman, 187 Wn. App. 257, 264-65, 348 P.3d 394 (2015); State v. Flieger, 91 Wn. App. 236,
242, 955 P.2d 872 (1998), review denied, 137 Wn.2d 1003 (1999).
“Appellate courts must independently review the record to determine whether the
probability of prejudice is so apparent that it constitutes error to deny the motion for a change of
venue.” State v. Whitaker, 133 Wn. App. 199, 210-11, 135 P.3d 923 (2006), review denied, 159
Wn.2d 1017, cert. denied, 552 U.S. 948 (2007). In considering the publicity a case receives, the
relevant inquiry is the effect that the publicity had on the potential jurors, not whether
16 No. 48740-3-II
inflammatory publicity existed. Jackson, 150 Wn.2d at 269. “The best way to find out if the jurors
have opinions so fixed that they cannot be impartial is to attempt to empanel a jury.” Whitaker,
133 Wn. App. at 212; see also Irvin v. Dowd, 366 U.S. 717, 723, 81 S. Ct. 1639, 6 L. Ed. 2d 751
(1961) (“It is sufficient if the juror can lay aside his impression or opinion and render a verdict
based on the evidence presented in court.”). “The fact that the ‘great majority of veniremen’
remember a case, without more, is ‘essentially irrelevant. The relevant question is not whether the
community remembered the case, but whether the jurors at [the] trial had such fixed opinions that
they could not judge impartially the guilt of the defendant.’” Jackson, 150 Wn.2d at 269 (quoting
Patton v. Yount, 467 U.S. 1025, 1035, 104 S. Ct. 2885, 81 L. Ed. 2d 847 (1984)) (alteration in
original).
In Jackson, a man was accused of suffocating his daughter in her bed, burying her body in
a shallow grave outside of town, reporting her missing, and then moving her remains to another
shallow grave when the police began investigating. Id. at 257-59. There was “considerable media
coverage” of the girl’s disappearance and the State’s allegations against Jackson. Id. at 258.
Jackson moved several times for a change of venue out of Spokane County as a result of the media
coverage. Id. Our Supreme Court held that the trial court did not abuse its discretion in denying
Jackson’s motions to change venue. Id. at 270.
The Jackson court reasoned:
[A]lthough the publicity was at times extensive, and some of it inflammatory, and the great majority of the veniremen had heard of the case, the care taken by the trial court to ensure an impartial panel leads us to conclude that the Court of Appeals correctly found no abuse of discretion.
17 No. 48740-3-II
Id. The Jackson court also found it “[s]ignificant[ ]” that the defendant did “not identify any
specific members of the seated jury or the alternates as being biased nor d[id] he refer to any of
the questions or responses during voir dire as demonstrating these jurors’ preexisting fixed
opinions about the case.” Id. at 272. Moreover, the court noted, once the jury was empaneled, the
jurors were instructed to avoid media publicity or discussions about the case. Id.
Here, as in Jackson, Valdez fails to show that the publicity created “such fixed opinions
that [the jurors] could not judge impartially the guilt of the defendant.’” Id. at 269 (quoting Patton,
467 U.S. at 1035). While it is true—as it was in Jackson—that many in the venire had heard of
the case, Valdez does not identify any members of the jury who might have had a preconceived
bias or any responses during voir dire that evidenced a bias.
In fact, the record does not support an inference of juror bias. First, the attempt to empanel
a jury was successful. Whitaker, 133 Wn. App. at 212 (“The best way to find out if the jurors have
opinions so fixed that they cannot be impartial is to attempt to empanel a jury”); see also Irvin,
366 U.S. at 723 (“It is sufficient if the juror can lay aside his impression or opinion and render a
verdict based on the evidence presented in court.”). Second, Valdez identified only six members
of the venire whom he requested be excused for-cause after voir dire, and the trial court excused
five of those for-cause. Third, Valdez did not use a peremptory challenge to excuse the remaining
juror he requested be excused for-cause. Fourth, Valdez did not use all of the peremptory
challenges he was given. Fifth, Valdez accepted the jury while there were still many members of
the venire who had not been dismissed. Finally, the trial court instructed the jury on more than
one occasion to avoid media coverage about the case and to avoid discussions about the case until
18 No. 48740-3-II
jury deliberations. Therefore, Valdez fails to show evidence of juror bias. We hold that Valdez
fails to show the trial court abused its discretion in denying his motion to change venue.
B. CORPUS DELICTI—ARSON
Valdez argues that the corpus delicti of arson was not established because the State failed
to present independent evidence that the burned structure was the result of “‘the willful and
criminal act of some person.’” Br. of Appellant at 41 (quoting State v. Zuercher, 11 Wn. App. 91,
93, 521 P.2d 1184, review denied, 84 Wn.2d 1004 (1974)). We disagree.
1. Legal Principles
We review a superior court’s decision under the corpus delicti rule de novo. State v. Green,
182 Wn. App. 133, 143, 328 P.3d 988, review denied, 181 Wn.2d 1019 (2014). Under the corpus
delicti rule:
“The confession of a person charged with the commission of a crime is not sufficient to establish the corpus delicti, but if there is independent proof thereof, such confession may then be considered in connection therewith and the corpus delicti established by a combination of the independent proof and the confession.
The independent evidence need not be of such a character as would establish the corpus delicti beyond a reasonable doubt, or even by a preponderance of the proof. It is sufficient if it prima facie establishes the corpus delicti.”
State v. Aten, 130 Wn.2d 640, 656, 927 P.2d 210 (1996) (quoting State v. Meyer, 37 Wn.2d 759,
763-64, 226 P.2d 204 (1951)).
“The corpus delicti can be proved by either direct or circumstantial evidence.” Id. at 655.
And the evidence does not need to be sufficient to support a conviction or even enough to send the
case to a jury. Id. at 656. But the independent evidence must be sufficient to provide prima facie
corroboration of the crime allegedly committed. State v. Brockob, 159 Wn.2d 311, 328, 150 P.3d
59 (2006).
19 No. 48740-3-II
In evaluating the independent evidence, we assume the truth of the State’s evidence and
consider the logical and reasonable inferences flowing from that evidence in the light most
favorable to the State. Aten, 130 Wn.2d at 658. Prima facie corroboration exists where the
independent evidence, and its logical and reasonable inferences, support the charge sought to be
proven based on the crime described in the defendant’s incriminating statement. Brockob, 159
Wn.2d at 328.2 The independent corroborating evidence “‘must be consistent with guilt and
inconsistent with a[ ] hypothesis of innocence.’” Id. at 329 (quoting Aten, 130 Wn.2d at 660)
(alteration in original). Where no such evidence exists, the defendant’s statement cannot be used
to prove the defendant’s guilt at trial. Aten, 130 Wn.2d at 656.
“The corpus delicti of the crime of arson consists of two elements: (1) that the building in
question burned; and (2) that it burned as the result of the willful and criminal act of some person.”
Zuercher, 11 Wn. App. at 93. In Zuercher, the court held that “ill will and anger toward the
building owner as a result of a divorce action; direct threats to burn the building in question;
presence of the defendant in the general area shortly before the fire was discovered; and the fire
itself” was sufficient prima facie evidence to establish the corpus delicti of arson. Id. at 94. Valdez
2 As our Supreme Court in Brockob noted:
[W]e are among a minority of courts that has declined to adopt a more relaxed rule used by federal courts. Under the federal rule, the State need only present independent evidence sufficient to establish that the incriminating statement is trustworthy. Under the Washington rule, however, the evidence must independently corroborate, or confirm, a defendant’s incriminating statement.
Brockob, 159 Wn.2d at 328-29 (internal citations omitted).
20 No. 48740-3-II
does not contest that the Cantrell’s home was burned; he only challenges the evidentiary support
for the burning being a result of a willful and criminal act.
2. Corpus Delicti of Arson Established
Here, the evidence presented against Valdez is similar to that presented against the
defendant in Zuercher and is similarly sufficient to establish prima facie corroboration of arson.
As in Zuercher, the evidence established that Valdez harbored “ill will and anger toward the
building owner[s],” in that Valdez was “very, very upset” with the Cantrells “as the result of a
divorce action” between Robbins and Valdez, and that Valdez talked about “blow[ing] holes” in
the Cantrell’s property. Id.; VRP (Feb. 16, 2016) at 270-71. Where the evidence in Zuercher
showed the defendant was in the area of the arson shortly before the fire was discovered, the
evidence here showed that Valdez (1) went to Horton’s the day before with matchsticks, cotton,
and a soda bottle, as well as ground hamburger and rat poison to silence the Cantrell’s dogs; (2)
went to the property the morning of the fire and asked if anyone was killed; and (3) bragged to
Horton about burning the house down numerous times. Therefore, just as the evidence in Zuercher
was sufficient to establish prima facie corroboration of arson, the evidence here also was sufficient
to establish the corpus delicti of arson.
C. SUFFICIENCY OF THE EVIDENCE—MARIJUANA
Valdez argues that the State presented insufficient evidence to convict him of possession
with intent to manufacture or deliver marijuana. Valdez’s argument rests on the fact that he no
longer possessed the machine he used to refine the marijuana into oil and the possession of a large
quantity of marijuana is insufficient to establish his intent to deliver. We hold that Valdez’s
challenge fails.
21 No. 48740-3-II
Sufficient evidence supports a conviction if any rational trier of fact, when viewing the
evidence in the light most favorable to the State, could have found the essential elements of the
charged crime proved beyond a reasonable doubt. State v. Owens, 180 Wn.2d 90, 99, 323 P.3d
1030 (2014). A claim of insufficiency admits the truth of the State’s evidence. State v. Brown,
162 Wn.2d 422, 428, 173 P.3d 245 (2007). This court reviews challenges to the sufficiency of the
evidence by drawing all reasonable inferences in favor of the State and interpreting those
inferences strongly against the defendant. Id.
“The intent to deliver must logically follow as a matter of probability from the evidence.”
State v. Campos, 100 Wn. App. 218, 222, 998 P.2d 893, review denied, 142 Wn.2d 1006 (2000).
This means that possession of a controlled substance, alone, is insufficient to infer the intent to
deliver. Id. Additionally, if the intent to deliver is to be inferred from the possession of a large
quantity of the controlled substance, a police officer’s opinion that the amount is more than normal
for personal use is insufficient, and some additional factor must be present. Id. Those additional
factors can be scales, baggies or packaging material, and pieces of paper with potential customer
information. Id. at 223.
Here the evidence showed that a large quantity of marijuana and marijuana products was
discovered during the execution of the search warrant. The evidence also showed that packaging
materials such as mason jars, bags, vape pens, e-cigarette cartridges, and syringes were found.
Furthermore, the evidence showed that Valdez intended to pay Horton’s uncle with marijuana oil.
Finally, Valdez conceded that he had previously delivered marijuana products to others, and
Valdez was recorded negotiating deliveries of marijuana products to Horton.
22 No. 48740-3-II
Viewing this evidence in the light most favorable to the State and drawing reasonable
inferences in the State’s favor, a rational trier of fact could have found Valdez possessed the
marijuana and marijuana products with intent to distribute. Therefore, we hold that Valdez’s
challenge to the sufficiency of the evidence to convict him of possession with intent to manufacture
or deliver marijuana fails.
D. EVIDENTIARY ADMISSIONS
Valdez argues that the trial court abused its discretion in admitting evidence of Valdez
wrecking his plane, intending to burn the Bruneaus’s catamaran, and clogging the Bruneaus’s
culvert. Valdez argues that these were instances of prior bad acts and the trial court should have
excluded them under ER 404(b).3 We hold that Valdez did not preserve this argument for appeal.
Generally, a party who objects to evidence on one ground may not raise a different ground
for that objection on appeal. State v. Mason, 160 Wn.2d 910, 933, 162 P.3d 396 (2007), cert.
denied, 553 U.S. 1035 (2008). An objection at trial based on “relevance” is insufficient to preserve
for appeal an assignment of error under ER 404(b). Id. at 933.
Here, Valdez objected to the testimony regarding the wrecking of his plane, the intent to
burn the catamaran, and the desire to clog the culvert on relevance grounds only. Therefore, we
hold that Valdez did not preserve this argument for appeal.4
3 ER 404(b) provides that “[e]vidence of other crimes, wrongs, or acts is not admissible to prove the character of a person in order to show action in conformity therewith.” However, this evidence may be admissible “for other purposes, such as proof of motive, opportunity, intent, preparation, plan, knowledge, identity, or absence of mistake or accident.” ER 404(b). 4 Valdez also contends that it was error to admit testimony about his truck being wrecked. Valdez’s brief fails to cite any portion of testimony that addresses the truck being wrecked. Thus, this argument is not addressed. RAP 10.3(b); Cowiche Canyon Conservancy v. Bosley, 118 Wn.2d 801, 809, 828 P.2d 549 (1992). Even if citations were provided, a review of the record shows that
23 No. 48740-3-II
E. PROSECUTORIAL MISCONDUCT
Valdez argues that the prosecutor committed misconduct. Specifically, Valdez argues that
the prosecutor (1) misstated the burden of proof; (2) professed a personal opinion on the testimony
of defense witnesses; (3) impugned defense counsel; and (4) improperly alerted the jury that
Valdez had been incarcerated. We hold that Valdez failed to preserve these arguments for appeal.
1. Legal Principles
To prevail on a claim of prosecutorial misconduct, a defendant must show that the
prosecutor’s conduct was both improper and prejudicial. State v. Emery, 174 Wn.2d 741, 756, 278
P.3d 653 (2012). First, we determine whether the prosecutor’s conduct was improper. Id. at 759.
If the prosecutor’s conduct was improper, the question turns to whether the prosecutor’s improper
conduct resulted in prejudice. Id. at 760–61. Prejudice is established by showing a substantial
likelihood that the prosecutor’s misconduct affected the verdict. Id. at 760.
However, if a defendant does not object at trial, he or she is deemed to have waived any
error unless the prosecutor’s misconduct was so flagrant and ill intentioned that an instruction
could not have cured any resulting prejudice. Id. at 760–61. Under this heightened standard of
review, the defendant must show that “(1) ‘no curative instruction would have obviated any
prejudicial effect on the jury’ and (2) the misconduct resulted in prejudice that ‘had a substantial
likelihood of affecting the jury verdict.’” Id. at 761 (quoting State v. Thorgerson, 172 Wn.2d 438,
455, 258 P.3d 43 (2011)). In making a prejudice determination, this court “focus[es] less on
Valdez never objected to the evidence of the truck as inadmissible under ER 404(b). Therefore, as with the other evidentiary challenges Valdez makes, the challenge was not preserved for appeal. RAP 2.5(a).
24 No. 48740-3-II
whether the prosecutor’s misconduct was flagrant or ill intentioned and more on whether the
resulting prejudice could have been cured.” Id. at 762.
Prosecutors are afforded wide latitude to draw and express reasonable inferences from the
evidence in closing argument. State v. Reed, 168 Wn. App. 553, 577, 278 P.3d 203, review denied,
176 Wn.2d 1009 (2012). Prosecutors may not rely on facts outside the evidence or use arguments
calculated to inflame the passions or prejudices of the jury. In re Pers. Restraint of Glasmann,
175 Wn.2d 696, 705, 286 P.3d 673 (2012); State v. Jones, 71 Wn. App. 798, 808, 863 P.2d 85
(1993), review denied, 124 Wn.2d 1018 (1994). We do not look at the comment in isolation but
in the context of the total argument, the issues in the case, the evidence, and the instructions given
to the jury. State v. Yates, 161 Wn.2d 714, 774, 168 P.3d 359 (2007), cert. denied, 554 U.S. 922
(2008). And we presume the jury follows the trial court’s instructions. State v. Southerland, 109
Wn.2d 389, 391, 745 P.2d 33 (1987); State v. Anderson, 153 Wn. App. 417, 428, 220 P.3d 1273
(2009), review denied, 170 Wn.2d 1002 (2010).
2. Misstating the Burden of Proof and Reasonable Doubt
Valdez argues the prosecutor misstated its burden of proof and reasonable doubt when the
prosecutor argued that beyond a reasonable doubt was not akin to “a strike of lightning,” and when
the prosecutor said Valdez “didn’t prove anything” and Valdez’s “lie” on the stand did not create
a reasonable doubt. Br. of Appellant at 50-51; VRP (Feb. 25, 2016) at 1622-23. Valdez did not
object to the prosecutor’s statements at trial. On appeal, Valdez fails to show how a curative
instruction to the claimed errors would not have obviated any resulting prejudice. Valdez contends
that the statements were flagrant and ill-intentioned, and that he was likely prejudiced by the
statements, without further argument or citation to authority for the assertions. Therefore, we hold
25 No. 48740-3-II
Valdez waived the arguments for appeal. “‘Where no authorities are cited in support of a
proposition, the court is not required to search out authorities, but may assume that counsel, after
diligent search, has found none. ’” State v. Dow, 162 Wn. App. 324, 331, 253 P.3d 476 (2011)
(quoting State v. Logan, 102 Wn. App. 907, 911 n.1, 10 P.3d 504 (2000)).
3. Professing a Personal Opinion
Valdez also argues that the prosecutor’s statement “You can just take the stand and actually
lie and say you didn’t do something and never meant it anyway, and that’s all it takes. That’s not
reasonable doubt,” and the prosecutor’s characterization of the testimony of Horton’s uncle,
Adams, as “shameful,” were improper personal opinions. VRP (Feb. 25, 2016) at 1623. Valdez
did not object to the prosecutor’s statements at trial. On appeal, Valdez fails to show how a
curative instruction to either claimed error would not have obviated any resulting prejudice.
Valdez contends that the statements were improper and “particularly prejudicial,” without further
argument or citation to authority for the assertions. Br. of Appellant at 52. Therefore, we hold
Valdez waived the error for appeal. Emery, 174 Wn.2d at 760–61; Dow, 162 Wn. App. at 331.
4. Impugning Defense Counsel
Valdez argues that the prosecutor impugned defense counsel when she made the following
statements: (1) “All of that [the negative aspects of Horton’s character] is a diversion for you [the
jury], because these [recordings] are so damning that you have to do something”; (2) “So that
[whether Horton’s motives for turning Valdez in to the police were pure] is just “like throwing a
big rock right into the middle of your (inaudible)”; and (3) “Not a possibility. Not a strike of
lightning, but a reasonable doubt.” VRP (Feb. 25, 2016) at 1584, 1589, 1615; Br. of Appellant at
53. Valdez did not object to any of the prosecutor’s statements at trial. On appeal, Valdez fails to
26 No. 48740-3-II
show how a curative instruction to the claimed errors would not have obviated any resulting
prejudice. Valdez contends that the statements “were improper and highly prejudicial, given the
facts in this case” without further argument or citation to authority for the assertions. Br. of
Appellant at 54. Therefore, we hold Valdez waived any error for appeal. Emery, 174 Wn.2d at
760–61; Dow, 162 Wn. App. at 331.
5. Disclosure of Valdez’s Prior Incarceration
Valdez argues that the prosecutor committed misconduct by eliciting from Gollersrud that
Valdez had been incarcerated. Valdez did not object. On appeal, Valdez fails to show how a
curative instruction to the claimed error would not have obviated any resulting prejudice.
Therefore, we hold Valdez waived any error for appeal. Emery, 174 Wn.2d at 760–61; Dow, 162
Wn. App. at 331.
F. INEFFECTIVE ASSISTANCE OF COUNSEL
Valdez argues he received ineffective assistance of counsel when his attorney failed to
object to (1) the admission of Valdez’s statements regarding the arson of the Cantrell’s home; (2)
the admission of the evidence he claims should have been excluded under ER 404(b); and (3) the
claimed prosecutorial misconduct. We hold that Valdez’s arguments fail.
1. Legal Principles
Criminal defendants are afforded the right to effective assistance of counsel by the Sixth
Amendment to the United States Constitution and article I, section 22 of the Washington
Constitution. Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. 668, 685–86, 104 S. Ct. 2052, 80 L. Ed. 2d 674
(1984); State v. Thomas, 109 Wn.2d 222, 225-26, 743 P.2d 816 (1987). To establish ineffective
assistance of counsel, Valdez must show both deficient performance and resulting prejudice. State
27 No. 48740-3-II
v. McFarland, 127 Wn.2d 322, 334-35, 899 P.2d 1251 (1995). Deficient performance occurs when
counsel’s performance falls below an objective standard of reasonableness. State v. Stenson, 132
Wn.2d 668, 705, 940 P.2d 1239 (1997), cert. denied, 523 U.S. 1008 (1998). To show prejudice,
Valdez must demonstrate that there is a reasonable probability that, but for counsel’s deficient
performance, the result of the proceeding would have been different. McFarland, 127 Wn.2d at
337. If Valdez fails to satisfy either prong, we need not inquire further. State v. Hendrickson, 129
Wn.2d 61, 78, 917 P.2d 563 (1996).
There is a strong presumption of effective assistance, and Valdez bears the burden of
demonstrating the absence of a legitimate strategic or tactical reason for the challenged conduct.
McFarland, 127 Wn.2d at 336. Decisions on whether and when to object are “classic example[s]
of trial tactics.” State v. Madison, 53 Wn. App. 754, 763, 770 P.2d 662, review denied, 113 Wn.2d
1002 (1989). “Only in egregious circumstances, on testimony central to the State’s case, will the
failure to object constitute incompetence of counsel justifying reversal.” Id.; see also State v.
Johnston, 143 Wn. App. 1, 19, 177 P.3d 1127 (2007) (quoting the same). It is a legitimate trial
tactic to forego an objection in circumstances where counsel wishes to avoid highlighting certain
evidence. In re Pers. Restraint of Davis, 152 Wn.2d 647, 714, 101 P.3d 1 (2004). Where a
defendant bases his ineffective assistance of counsel claim on trial counsel’s failure to object, the
defendant must show that the objection would likely have succeeded. State v. Gerdts, 136 Wn.
App. 720, 727, 150 P.3d 627 (2007).
2. Statements Regarding the Arson of the Cantrell’s Home
Valdez argues he received ineffective assistance of counsel when his attorney did not object
to admitting his statements regarding the arson prior to trial, but rather waited to move to dismiss
28 No. 48740-3-II
on corpus delicti grounds after the State rested. Valdez argues this was prejudicial because the
jury heard his statements “and could consider them when deliberating on the other counts.” Br. of
Appellant at 56.
As explained above, the admission of Valdez’s confession was proper because the corpus
delicti was established. Because the corpus delicti was established, an earlier objection on corpus
delicti grounds would not have succeeded. Valdez’s ineffective assistance argument for failure to
object earlier necessarily fails. Gerdts, 136 Wn. App. at 727; Hendrickson, 129 Wn.2d at 78.
3. Alleged ER 404(b) Evidence
Valdez argues he received ineffective assistance of counsel when his attorney did not object
to admitting evidence of “the plane crash, car crash, allegations about wanting to burn the
Bruneaus’s catamaran, and clog a culvert” under ER 404(b). Br. of Appellant at 56. Valdez does
not argue that an objection to this evidence under ER 404(b) would have likely succeeded.5 Failure
to do so is fatal to Valdez’s claim that his attorney provided ineffective assistance. Gerdts, 136
Wn. App. at 727. Therefore, we reject Valdez’s claim that failure to object under ER 404(b)
constituted ineffective assistance of counsel.
4. Alleged Prosecutorial Misconduct
Valdez argues he received ineffective assistance of counsel when his attorney did not object
to the prosecutor’s misconduct. Valdez contends that defense counsel should have objected when
5 Even if Valdez had argued that an objection would likely have succeeded, and we agreed with his argument, Valdez does not argue that but-for counsel’s failure to object, the result of the proceeding would have been different. McFarland, 127 Wn.2d at 335. Failure to make this argument is fatal to Valdez’s claim for reversal under ineffective assistance of counsel. Hendrickson, 129 Wn.2d at 78.
29 No. 48740-3-II
the prosecutor (1) misstated the burden of proof; (2) professed a personal opinion on the testimony
of defense witnesses; (3) impugned defense counsel; and (4) improperly alerted the jury that
Valdez had been incarcerated. We hold that Valdez’s arguments fail.
a. Misstating the Burden of Proof
Valdez argues that his counsel provided ineffective assistance by failing to object when the
prosecutor misstated its burden of proof by arguing beyond a reasonable doubt was not akin to “a
strike of lightning” and when the prosecutor said Valdez “didn’t prove anything” and Valdez’s
“lie” on the stand did not create a reasonable doubt. Br. of Appellant at 50-51; VRP (Feb. 25,
2016) at 1622-23. We disagree.
i. “Strike of lightning”
Valdez argues that the “strike of lightning” example was improper because the State argued
that reasonable doubt is not speculation and the State “improperly conflates a strike of light[ning]
with the real possibility that Mr. Horton . . . was able to get a photo off of Mr. Valdez’s computer
to frame him.” Br. of Appellant at 50. Valdez asserts that “[i]f a jury finds that it was possible
that Mr. Horton might have obtained the photo from Mr. Valdez’s computer, that would create a
reasonable doubt.” Br. of Appellant at 50-51.
Valdez’s argument fails because it relies on the incorrect assumption that the State had to
prove how Horton came into possession of the photo. This assumption is incorrect because the
State’s burden was “to prove ‘beyond a reasonable doubt . . . every fact necessary to constitute the
crime with which [a defendant] is charged.’” State v. W.R., 181 Wn.2d 757, 762, 336 P.3d 1134
(2014) (alteration in original) (quoting In re Winship, 397 U.S. 358, 364, 90 S. Ct. 1068, 25 L. Ed.
2d 368 (1970)). And how Horton came into possession of the photo is not a fact necessary to
30 No. 48740-3-II
constitute the crime of solicitation to commit murder. Therefore, Valdez’s argument that the
“strike of lightning” statement was improper fails, and Valdez fails to establish that an objection
to that statement would have been successful. VRP (Feb. 25, 2016) at 1615; Gerdts, 136 Wn. App.
at 727.
ii. “Didn’t prove anything” and “take the stand and actually lie”
Valdez argues that the prosecutor’s statement that “the defendant—they didn’t prove
anything. . . . [A]apparently you can just say you didn’t do something. You can just take the stand
and actually lie and say you didn’t do something and never meant it anyway, and that’s all it takes.
That’s not reasonable doubt,” was improper because it misstated the burden of proof. VRP (Feb.
25, 2016) at 1622-23. We agree that this argument was improper because it incorrectly implied
that the defendant had a burden to prove something. See W.R., 181 Wn.2d at 762 (holding that the
State has the burden to prove every element of the charged crime). Thus, an objection to this
statement would have succeeded. Gerdts, 136 Wn. App. at 727.
Despite this, Valdez fails to establish prejudice from his attorney’s failure to object. “A
jury is presumed to follow the instructions of the court.” Southerland, 109 Wn.2d at 391. The
jury was properly instructed on the State’s burden of proof, and was instructed that the attorney’s
arguments were not the law and that the jury should disregard any remark or statement by the
attorneys that was contrary to the instructions given by the court.
Moreover, Valdez cannot show there was a reasonable probability that the result of the
proceeding would have been different because the evidence against Valdez was overwhelming.
At trial, the State presented evidence of the conversations recorded on Horton’s wire where Valdez
agreed to pay for Horton’s alleged uncle to kill Robbins, talked about burning down the Cantrell’s
31 No. 48740-3-II
house and Bruneaus’s catamaran, discussed his possession marijuana, and discussed
manufacturing the marijuana oil and his delivery of that marijuana oil. The State further presented
testimony that Valdez was angry at Robbins, the Cantrells, and the Bruneaus, decided to have
Robbins killed, showed preparation to burn down the Cantrell’s house, bragged about burning
down the Cantrell’s house, showed up at the Cantrell’s a few hours after it burned down asking if
anyone had died, articulated plans to burn down the Bruneaus’s catamaran, and made and sold
marijuana oil. On this record, we hold that Valdez’s assertions of ineffective assistance of counsel
for failing to object to the prosecutor’s misstating the burden of proof fail because Valdez cannot
establish prejudice. McFarland, 127 Wn.2d at 335; Hendrickson, 129 Wn.2d at 78.
b. Professing a Personal Opinion
Valdez argues that his counsel provided ineffective assistance by failing to object when the
prosecutor improperly argued based on her personal opinion. Specifically, Valdez argues the
prosecutor’s statement, “You can[ ] just take the stand and actually lie and say you didn’t do
something and never meant it anyway, and that’s all it takes. That’s not reasonable doubt,” and
the prosecutor’s characterization of the testimony of Horton’s uncle, Adams, as “shameful,” were
improper personal opinions. Br. of Appellant at 52-53. We disagree.
The Rules of Professional Conduct prohibit lawyers from “stat[ing a] personal opinion as
to the justness of a cause, the credibility of a witness, . . . or the guilt or innocence of an accused.”
RPC 3.4(e). Similarly, our Supreme Court has stated that the prosecution may not assert its
personal opinion as to a witness’s credibility. State v. Reed, 102 Wn.2d 140, 145, 684 P.2d 699
(1984); State v. Lindsay, 180 Wn.2d 423, 438, 326 P.3d 125 (2014).
32 No. 48740-3-II
Here, the prosecutor improperly asserted her personal opinion on the justness and
credibility of Adams and Valdez by stating that Adams’s testimony was “shameful” and Valdez
had “lie[d].” VRP (Feb. 25, 2016) at 1617, 1623. However, Valdez fails to provide any argument
that but-for counsel’s failure to object, the result of the proceeding would have been different, and
Valdez’s failure to make that argument is fatal to his claim for reversal under ineffective assistance
of counsel. McFarland, 127 Wn.2d at 335; Hendrickson, 129 Wn.2d at 78. As discussed above,
the evidence against Valdez was overwhelming. We hold that Valdez’s challenge fails.
c. Impugning Defense Counsel
Valdez argues that his counsel provided ineffective assistance by failing to object when the
prosecutor impugned defense counsel. Valdez argues that the prosecutor impugned defense
counsel by “implying that the defense was trying to trick the jury, divert their attention, and raise
impossible defenses because the evidence was so harmful.” Br. of Appellant at 54. In support,
Valdez likens these comments to the prosecutors’ comments in Thorgerson, 172 Wn.2d at 451,
and Lindsay, 180 Wn.2d at 433. We disagree.
During closing argument in Thorgerson, the prosecutor “accused the defense of engaging
in ‘sl[e]ight of hand’ tactics and used disparaging terms like ‘bogus’ and ‘desperation’ to describe
the defense.” 172 Wn.2d at 450 (quoting the record). The court held that the prosecutor’s
reference to the defense’s case “as ‘bogus’ and involving ‘sleight of hand’” was improper because
it impugned defense counsel’s integrity and “implie[d] wrongful deception or even dishonesty in
the context of a court proceeding.” Id. at 451-52. “Nonetheless,” the Thorgerson court held that
“this misconduct was not likely to have altered the outcome” and “a curative instruction would
have alleviated any prejudicial effect.” Id. at 452.
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In Lindsay, the prosecutor referenced the defenses closing argument by saying, “‘This is a
crock. What you’ve been pitched for the last four hours is a crock.’” 180 Wn.2d at 433 (quoting
the record). The court held that the prosecutor impugned defense counsel by calling the closing
arguments a “crock,” reasoning that the term was short for an explicitly vulgar phrase, was at least
as bad as “bogus” and “sleight of hand,” and implied deception and dishonesty. Id.
Here, the statements by the prosecutor did not rise to the level of impropriety that the court
confronted in Thorgerson and Lindsay because the statements did not imply that defense counsel
was deceptive or dishonest nor did they otherwise comment on defense counsel’s integrity. The
prosecutor argument that the defense’s focus on the negative aspects of Horton’s character “is a
diversion” from the issues in the case was a fair argument that the jury should “not be[ ] diverted
to other issues like did Chris [Horton] have a bag of weed . . . . Or was Chris a bad guy? Or, you
know, he told people that he could get people killed?” VRP (Feb. 25, 2016) at 1584. And the
prosecutor’s comment, “Not a possibility. Not a strike of lightning, but a reasonable doubt,” was
not addressing the defense’s character or integrity. VRP (Feb. 25, 2016) at 1615. Rather, the
prosecutor’s statements directed the jury to focus on whether it had proven that Valdez committed
the charged crimes. Therefore, we hold that the prosecutor’s statements did not impugn defense
counsel, and Valdez fails to establish that an objection to that statement would have been
successful. Gerdts, 136 Wn. App. at 727.6
6 Additionally, Valdez does not argue that but-for counsel’s failure to object, the result of the proceeding would have been different, and Valdez’s failure to make that argument is fatal to his claim for reversal under ineffective assistance of counsel. McFarland, 127 Wn.2d at 335; Hendrickson, 129 Wn.2d at 78.
34 No. 48740-3-II
d. Disclosure of Valdez’s Prior Incarceration
Valdez argues that his counsel provided ineffective assistance by failing to object when the
prosecutor questioned Gollersrud about seeing Valdez in jail. We disagree.
Valdez does not cite any law for the proposition that the prosecutor’s question referencing
Valdez’s incarceration was improper. Instead, Valdez cites cases holding that appearing in
shackles and showing booking photos to be reversible error. However, Valdez does not explain
how those cases apply to a reference to incarceration during cross-examination. Dow, 162 Wn.
App. at 331. As such, Valdez fails to show that the prosecutor committed misconduct warranting
an objection when she asked a question of Gollersrud about visiting Valdez in jail. Accordingly,
Valdez fails to show his objection would have been successful. Gerdts, 136 Wn. App. at 727.7
G. CUMULATIVE ERROR
Valdez argues that the cumulative effect of the errors that occurred during his trial
prevented him from receiving a fair trial. We disagree.
“Under the cumulative error doctrine, a defendant may be entitled to a new trial when
cumulative errors produce a trial that is fundamentally unfair.” Emery, 174 Wn.2d at 766. In
Emery, the court held that the prosecutor committed misconduct by impermissibly implying that
the defense had a burden to prove some aspect of the case and by mischaracterizing the role of the
jury. Id. at 759-60. But the court held that the prosecutorial misconduct did not warrant reversal
because the defendants had not shown the requisite prejudice. Id. at 760-64.
7 Valdez does not argue that but-for counsel’s failure to object, the result of the proceeding would have been different. Valdez’s failure to make that argument is fatal to his claim for reversal under ineffective assistance of counsel. McFarland, 127 Wn.2d at 335; Hendrickson, 129 Wn.2d at 78.
35 No. 48740-3-II
The Emery court also held that the cumulative effect of the errors at trial did not warrant a
new trial. Id. at 766. The court reasoned that the defense was only affected by the prosecutorial
misconduct error, and it failed to demonstrate the requisite prejudice for that error to be reversed.
Id.
Similarly, here, the prosecutor committed misconduct by misstating the burden of proof
and improperly asserting her personal opinion, but Valdez fails to show the requisite prejudice to
warrant reversal. Valdez also cannot show there was a reasonable probability that the result of the
proceeding would have been different because the evidence against Valdez was overwhelming.
Therefore, we hold that Valdez has not shown that the cumulative effect of the errors at his trial
require reversal.
H. LEGAL FINANCIAL OBLIGATIONS
Valdez argues the trial court erred when it imposed discretionary LFOs without considering
his “indigency and lenthgy [sic] incarceration into consideration, and relied on assets Mr. Valdez
previously had, without considering his outstanding debts and legal fees.” Br. of Appellant at 62.
Despite Valdez’s failure to preserve this issue for appeal, we address the merits of the argument.8
We review a decision to impose discretionary LFOs for abuse of discretion. State v. Clark,
191 Wn. App. 369, 372, 362 P.3d 309 (2015). A decision is an abuse of discretion when it is
exercised on untenable grounds or for untenable reasons. Id.
8 Valdez did not object to the imposition of LFO’s at sentencing. The Blazina court affirmed that a defendant must object to LFOs below to preserve the issue for appellate review, but indicated that review of unpreserved challenges will often be appropriate due to systemic problems related to the imposition of LFOs. Blazina, 182 Wn.2d at 834-35. In light of Blazina, as well as our Supreme Court’s decision to review unpreserved challenges to LFOs, in State v. Lyle, 184 Wn.2d 1040, 365 P.3d 1263 (2016), and State v. Marks, 185 Wn.2d 143, 368 P.3d 485 (2016), we exercise its discretion under RAP 2.5(a) and review Valdez’s challenge to the LFOs imposed.
36 No. 48740-3-II
Before imposing discretionary LFOs, the trial court must make an individualized inquiry
into the defendant’s present and future ability to pay. RCW 10.01.160(3); Blazina, 182 Wn.2d at
838. The trial court’s inquiry should consider factors such as incarceration and the defendant’s
other debts, including restitution. Id.
Here, the record does not reflect that the trial court made an individualized inquiry into
Valdez’s present and future ability to pay LFOs. The entirety of the trial court’s inquiry was a
one-sentence finding that did not appear to consider Valdez’s incarceration and other debts, as
Blazina suggests the inquiry should consider. The trial court ruled, “Based on the testimony
already adduced, I would find the defendant has the ability to pay those costs.” VRP (Mar. 14,
2016) at 1594. There is nothing in the record showing what “testimony already adduced” the trial
court relied on. VRP (Mar. 14, 2016) at 1594. Therefore, the record does not sufficiently reflect
the basis for the trial court’s decision. Blazina, 182 Wn.2d at 838. Accordingly, we reverse the
imposition of discretionary LFOs and remand for the superior court to consider Valdez’s present
and future ability to pay LFOs in light of Blazina.
I. APPELLATE COSTS
Valdez requests that we decline to impose appellate costs against him if the State prevails
on this appeal and makes a proper request. We refer to a commissioner of this court the
determination of appellate costs under RAP 14.2 if the State files a cost bill and Valdez objects.
37 No. 48740-3-II
We affirm Valdez’s convictions, but we reverse the imposition of discretionary LFOs and
remand for the superior court to make the proper inquiry under State v. Blazina, 182 Wn.2d at 838,
before imposing discretionary LFOs.
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.
Lee, J. We concur:
Maxa, A.C.J.
Sutton, J.
State Of Washington, V Samuel F. Valdez (State Of Washington, V Samuel F. Valdez) — published by Counsel Stack Legal Research, free access to 12M+ legal documents.