State of Washington v. Scott Emerson Evatt

• Court: Court of Appeals of Washington
• Decided: June 6, 2017
• Docket: 34963-2
• Status: Unpublished

Opinion

FILED JUNE 6, 2017 In the Office of the Clerk of Court WA State Court of Appeals, Division III

IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON DIVISION THREE

STATE OF WASHINGTON, ) ) No. 34963-2-111 Respondent, ) ) v. ) ) UNPUBLISHED OPINION SCOTT EMERSON EVATT, ) ) Appellant. )

SIDDOWAY, J. - Scott Evatt was convicted of third degree assault and unlawful

use of drug paraphernalia following a bench trial in which he was allowed to represent

himself. Represented by counsel on appeal, he argues that the trial court erred or abused

its discretion in ( 1) not ordering a second competency examination after the prosecutor

expressed her belief that he might need reevaluation, (2) allowing Mr. Evatt to represent

himself without reevaluation by a Western State Hospital psychologist, and (3) imposing

a sentence in excess of the statutory maximum for third degree assault. In a pro se I i

I No. 34963-2-III State v. Evatt

statement of additional grounds, Mr. Evatt contends that six discrete errors, along with

cumulative error, deprived him of a fair trial.

The State concedes that Mr. Evatt's sentence, including the mandatory community

custody imposed, exceeds the statutory maximum for third degree assault. We affirm the

convictions but remand for resentencing.

FACTS AND PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND

At around 9:30 p.m. on July 6, 2015, two Tacoma police officers traveling

together and one sergeant, traveling separately, responded to a report of a suspicious

individual, later identified as Scott Evatt. They arrived at his location at about the same

time. Mr. Evatt did not initially comply with their verbal commands to stop walking

away from them, but soon did. He dropped to his knees, intentionally dropped a glass

methamphetamine pipe within full view, and submitted to being handcuffed. Mr. Evatt

had been released from jail three days earlier, was struggling with homelessness, and

dropped the pipe with the hope of being arrested for possession of drug paraphernalia.

He was aware it was only a misdemeanor, but expected it would get him to jail and "a

nice place to sleep." Report of Proceedings (RP) (Trial) 1 at 422. He cooperated with the

1 Three independently-paginated verbatim reports of proceedings were provided that we refer to, respectively, as RP (Pretrial) (hearings taking place between July 14 and October 28, 2015), RP (Trial) (trial proceedings taking place between December 10 and 21, 2015), and RP (Sentencing) (the sentencing hearing taking place on December 23, 2015).

2 No. 34963-2-111 State v. Evatt

two patrol officers, allowing them to lead him to their car. At that point the sergeant left

to speak with the party who had called 911 to express concern about Mr. Evatt.

Mr. Evatt was searched by the patrol officers incident to the arrest, was read

Miranda 2 warnings, agreed to speak with the officers, and admitted he had smoked

methamphetamine earlier in the day using the pipe they had seized.

According to Mr. Evatt, the two patrol officers obtained his Qwest card

(presumably during the search), which he later described as his "ID." RP (Trial) at 429.

Mr. Evatt believed that one of the officers made a statement about how, if they took his

ID away, they could make him "disappear." Id. at 425. The trial court would later find

that Mr. Evatt's methamphetamine use could explain delusions Mr. Evatt experienced at

this point and thereafter. Mr. Evatt admitted that in addition to smoking earlier, he

swallowed a sealed baggie of methamphetamine he was carrying when he first saw the

officers' patrol cars approaching, in order to avoid being found in possession and subject

to a felony charge.

Whatever Mr. Evatt's reason for perceiving he was in danger of "disappearing," he

responded to the threat by bracing himself against the exterior of the patrol car and

resisting the officers' verbal and physical efforts to get him into the car. When officers

finally forced him into the back seat through the passenger's side door, he managed to

2 Miranda v. Arizona, 384 U.S. 436, 86 S. Ct. 1602, 16 L. Ed. 2d 694 (1966).

3 No. 34963-2-111 State v. Evatt

roll to the driver's side door, which was open. Both officers ran around to that door to

stop him from escaping, and the first to arrive was kicked in the chest by Mr. Evatt and

stumbled backward. As Mr. Evatt tried to leave through the open door, his legs were

grabbed by one or both of the officers and he fell forward, hitting his face either on the

floor board of the patrol car or the ground. During the melee, one of the officers radioed

for support and the sergeant quickly returned and assisted in restraining Mr. Evatt so that

a hobble could be placed on his legs.

Once hobbled, Mr. Evatt was placed in the back seat of the patrol car, where he

claims to have heard snatches of conversation between the officers about having tracked

him, using something placed in his eye in 2006. The Tacoma Fire Department was

contacted for medical care for Mr. Evatt's injuries from his fall, and he told responding

medics about having swallowed the methamphetamine. He was transported to Tacoma

General Hospital in an ambulance. One of the patrol officers rode along in the

ambulance and, according to Mr. Evatt, continued whispering things to frighten him. Mr.

Evatt was soon cleared by the hospital, after which he was taken to the jail and booked.

Mr. Evatt was charged with third degree assault, obstructing a law enforcement

officer, and unlawful use of drug paraphernalia.

A little over a week after his arrest, in a pretrial hearing before the Honorable Jack

Nevin at which appointed counsel David Shaw, was present, Mr. Evatt moved to

represent himself. Judge Nevin commented that Mr. Evatt had represented himself

4 No. 34963-2-111 State v. Evatt

before the judge on a prior occasion. To address the motion for self-representation, Judge

Nevin read through questions from a prepared Faretta 3 inquiry, in response to which Mr.

Evatt indicated, among other things, that he was aware of the charges against him, had

represented himself in proceedings in the past, and had read through rules of evidence

and criminal procedure more than once. Asked by the court why he wanted to represent

himself, Mr. Evatt answered that he had some type of proceeding pending against the

Pierce County Department of Assigned Counsel (DAC) that gave rise to a conflict with

anyone with the DAC. He also identified two lawyers from outside DAC whose

representation he had found objectionable. He said he would prefer to represent himself

until the court could assign counsel that did not have a conflict of interest.

At this point, Mr. Shaw suggested to the court that a "1077" was needed, referring

to chapter 10.77 RCW, which deals with criminal insanity, including examinations to

determine competency to stand trial. RP (Pretrial) at 7. Mr. Shaw pointed out that Mr.

Evatt had "had several" 1077s. Id Asked to respond, Mr. Evatt said "I've already done

this like over ten times, your Honor," and characterized the request for a 1077 as a DAC

"stall tactic." RP (Pretrial) at 7-8. After hearing from Mr. Evatt and Mr. Shaw, the judge

ordered a competency examination by Western State Hospital.

3 Faretta v. California, 422 U.S. 806, 95 S. Ct. 2525, 45 L. Ed. 2d 562 (1975).

5 No. 34963-2-111 State v. Evatt

Dr. Mark Duris conducted the evaluation of Mr. Evatt several days later, on July

17. His single-spaced, five-page report indicated that he reviewed Mr. Evatt's history of

hospitalization at Western State, his history of contacts with the Pierce County Regional

Support Network, and, among other materials, reviewed four other forensic mental health

evaluations of Mr. Evatt performed by Western State Hospital between 2007 and 2015,

all of which had found him competent to stand trial. Mr. Evatt's diagnoses had ranged

from "Bipolar 1 Disorder, Antisocial Personality Disorder, 'Refusal of Treatment,'

Cocaine Dependence, Drug Dependence, and Drug Abuse." Clerk's Papers (CP) at 12.

Dr. Duris described Mr. Evatt's thought processes as "grossly normal," with "no

thought derailment," and with a "rate of ... thought ... within normal limits and ...

without thought blocking." Id. On issues related to delusion, his report stated:

He reported no current experience of auditory or visual hallucinations but gave evidence of some delusional thinking by his claiming, "they did a movie about me called RETRO". He further evidenced paranoia of the police based on his alleging that several officers in 2006 kidnapped and tortured him. His recall for this alleged incident appeared vague, saying that he lost memory for a period and attributes this loss of time to the police who conspired with the help of his brother. Aside from this, the overall content of his thought was not delusional. No obsessive thought content was noted. His insight and judgment based on responses to questions related to everyday social problems, and daily living activities, and as assessed by questions related to this interview was intact.

Id.

Dr. Duris's report stated that Mr. Evatt confirmed, as he had reported in the past,

that cocaine and meth "cause him to experience psychotic symptoms inclusive of

6 l No. 34963-2-111 State v. Evatt

paranoia." Id. at 13. He concluded that a diagnosis of Substance Induced Psychotic

Disorder was indicated for the psychotic-like symptoms (delusions and paranoia)

reported by Mr. Evatt, and while Mr. Evatt had a significant history of substance abuse

disorders, "what is important for the purpose of this competency evaluation is that his

diagnoses do not appear to impair significantly his behavior, knowledge, and reasoning I ; * ability." Id. For reasons explained in more detail in his report, he concluded that Mr.

Evatt "possess[ ed] the basic and fundamental capacity to rationally participate in his own

I i defense with or without counsel." Id. at 14 (emphasis added).

Following receipt of Dr. Duris's report, Judge Nevin entered an order on July 29 I finding Mr. Evatt competent to stand trial.

I The issue of whether Mr. Evatt would be allowed to proceed prose was taken up

again by Judge Nevin at a hearing on August 5. The judge repeated the Faretta inquiry

he had begun on July 14 and this time, completed it. At its conclusion, he orally ruled

that Mr. Evatt knowingly, intelligently, and voluntarily waived the right to counsel and

would be allowed to represent himself. Although Mr. Evatt initially objected to Mr.

Shaw serving as his standby counsel, he eventually agreed to accept his help "just until I

get an investigator assigned to me." RP (Pretrial) at 29.

At a hearing two days later, Judge Nevin heard the State's request that he

reconsider his order granting Mr. Evatt's request to proceed prose. The prosecutor

argued at length that whether Mr. Evatt was competent to stand trial was different from

7 l I I No. 34963-2-III State v. Evatt

l J whether he was competent to represent himself. When the court had the opportunity to

respond, it made clear that it fully understood they were two different issues. RP

(Pretrial) at 44 ("[W]hat we're talking about here is Mr. Evatt's competen[ce] to

represent himself, which is, you're correct, a different question than is he competent to

assist counsel."). While Judge Nevin stated he disagreed with "the trend of the law in the

State of Washington" on the right of even mentally ill criminal defendants to represent

themselves, he acknowledged that a "veritable [tidal] wave of cases in the State of

Washington" recognized the self-representation right. Id. at 44-45. He also took into

consideration Dr. Duris's report and conclusion that Mr. Evatt was capable of rationally

participating in his own defense without counsel.

The prosecutor then expressed her view that Dr. Duris might only have been

repeating Mr. Evatt' s report that he had represented himself in the past rather than

expressing his own view. Id. at 45. Judge Nevin expressed willingness to consider a

clarifying affidavit or supplemental report from Dr. Duris or to hear testimony from him

at a hearing to be held in Mr. Evatt's case the following Wednesday, all of which the

prosecutor identified as evidence she might procure. But the judge also stated, "As we sit

here today, Mr. Evatt is appearing prose." Id. at 48-49; 55.

On the following Wednesday, August 12, the court entered a number of orders on

pending motions. Dr. Duris was not present, nor had he provided anything to clarify his

statement that Mr. Evatt was capable of rationally participating in his own defense

8 No. 34963-2-111 State v. Evatt

iI without counsel. The prosecutor represented that she had been in touch with the doctor,

provided him with some of Mr. Evatt's filings in the case, "which caused him to wish to

' reevaluate his position as well as mentioning to him that this court has presided over a

prior trial." Id. at 60. She concluded, "I will need to coordinate that with Western State

and obtain an order from the court," later adding that the State "is reserving the motion

regarding revisiting [Mr. Evatt's] ability to [proceed] prose." Id. at 60; 62. Judge Nevin

made no comment on the prosecutor's proposed course of action.

Mr. Evatt had filed a prose opposition to the State's challenge to his self-

representation in which he stated, in part, "It[ i]s illegal, to keep me from defending

myself, with no proof, of me being unable to defend myself, or to voluntarily waive

assigned counsel." CP at 21. He claimed, "I ... have successfully, defended myself, for

over fifteen years, on over 10 dropped felonies, that officers in Pierce County have

illegally, put on me." Id. at 23 (emphasis omitted). Inasmuch as the State was not

requesting relief on the self-representation issue on August 12, the court did not hear

argument from Mr. Evatt.

Trial of Mr. Evatt's case was continued several times and was eventually set to

begin on December 10, 2015. The State filed no further request that the court reevaluate

Mr. Evatt' s self-representation nor did the State raise any further concern at a hearing

before Judge Nevin on October 28, 2015. The case was assigned for trial to Judge Kitty-

Ann Van Doorninck.

9 No. 34963-2-III State v. Evatt

Mr. Evatt waived a jury and the bench trial took place over a period of five trial

days. On December 10, Judge Van Doorninck heard motions. In providing the judge at

the outset with a brief history of proceedings, the prosecutor stated that Mr. Evatt was

found competent to proceed to trial but "[w ]e have never truly fleshed out or addressed

the issue of how that may or may not differ from the issue of being competent to

represent one's self." RP (Trial) at 3-4. Based on the record before us on appeal, this

was not a fair characterization of prior proceedings. Judge Nevin never exhibited

confusion over the difference between competence to stand trial and the ability to

knowingly and intelligently waive representation by counsel. He always addressed them

separately in argument and in his orders, and even candidly expressed his unhappiness

with controlling law that allows competent mentally ill defendants to knowingly and

intelligently waive their right to counsel.

After the prosecutor's passing reference to the self-representation issue, she did

not request a reevaluation of Mr. Evatt or reconsideration of the order permitting him to

appear prose. In fact, after Judge Van Doorninck reviewed Mr. Evatt's long-standing

request to fire Mr. Shaw as his standby counsel, the judge asked the prosecutor if she had

any objection to the judge excusing Mr. Shaw, to which the prosecutor responded, "I

follow where the Court is going. I don't think the Court can impose stand-by counsel,

therefore the State does not object." Id. at 22.

10 I I I' No. 34963-2-III State v. Evatt

Opening statements and testimony began on the morning of December 15 and

continued on the 16th, 17th, and 21st. The court heard from five witnesses: the three

officers; Dr. Miguel Balderrama, who had attended to Mr. Evatt at the jail; and Mr. Evatt.

Judge Van Doorninck heard closing arguments on the morning of the 21st and announced

oral findings.

Mr. Evatt's version of events at trial was that he was always compliant with the

officers up until he became fearful about being placed in the car and taken someplace to

"disappear." He denied that he was ever in the back seat of the patrol car before being

injured and hobbled. According to him, as soon as the sergeant left the scene of his

arrest, the two patrol officers assaulted him. He contended that city police and county

sheriffs in Pierce County do not like him and continually harass him. He argued that he

could have proved the harassment if his investigator had obtained records of over 100

arrests that he had hoped to present as evidence. He further contended the patrol officers

made up the allegation that he kicked one of them in order to explain to their sergeant

why, when the sergeant returned to the scene of what had been a peaceable arrest, Mr.

Evatt was being held down and had injuries to his face.

Virtually all of Mr. Evatt's testimony, questioning, and argument focused on this

11 l l I No. 34963-2-111 State v. Evatt

defense theory and on his effort to show inconsistencies in the three responding officers'

versions of events. 4

At several points in pretrial proceedings and at trial, Mr. Evatt exhibited delusional

and paranoid thinking about having been kidnapped and tortured by police in 2006, as he

had reported to Dr. Duris. On August 5, he evidently filed a motion asking to be

transported to a hospital for a blood test and an X-ray of his skull, which he contended

would reveal that when he was kidnapped in 2006 the police had stitched something into

his right eye that they later used to track him. He spoke on a couple of occasions about

his belief that an alleged "temporary filling" placed in one of his teeth following his July

2015 arrest was something else, because it was square and had been placed in a healthy

tooth. RP (Trial) at 406-07. He claimed that a glucose shot given to him in the

ambulance following his arrest had caused abscesses on his lower back.

4 Hammering on inconsistencies in the testimony of State witnesses was also Mr. Evatt's favored trial strategy in a trial before Pierce County Judge Timothy P. Larkin, who allowed Mr. Evatt to represent himself after finding that he knowingly, intelligently, and voluntarily waived his right to counsel. See State v. Evatt, noted at 150 Wn. App. 1012 (2009). The unpublished decision is not cited as precedent; we simply take note of the adjudicative fact that Mr. Evatt was allowed to represent himself and employed a similar strategy. Under ER 201 (c), courts may take judicial notice of adjudicative facts. There is a distinction between consulting the record of another case to determine whether it contains something and consulting the record to determine whether disputed facts were found to be true. 5 KARL B. TEGLAND, WASHINGTON PRACTICE: EVIDENCE LA w AND PRACTICE§ 201.9 (6th ed. 2016).

12 No. 34963-2-III State v. Evatt

While he claimed to believe these things, he also appears to have understood that

no one else believed them, acknowledging to Judge Van Doorninck at one point, "I know

it sounds crazy, but I'm telling you. I know it for a fact, I'll stake my life on it, that

there's something stitched in my eye cavity." Id. at 404. He even stated, "[I]f I have to

pop my eyeball out to prove it to the Court, I will. I will go with one eye before I go out

there any more and deal with these cops tracking me." Id. at 403-04.

For the most part, however, Mr. Evatt heeded the court's instruction to focus on

what happened on the night of July 6, 2015. His delusional statements about other

matters, although a focus of Mr. Evatt's appeal, appear in no more than 20 pages of the

620-page trial transcript. 5 He focused instead on what he argued was the implausibility

of the patrol officers' story, emphasizing the facts that (1) he wanted to be arrested, (2) he

would not have taken the chance of assaulting officers armed with tasers and guns, and

(3) two large, able-bodied, officers could not possibly have had as much trouble with a

handcuffed suspect as they claimed to have had with him.

At the conclusion of trial, the court dismissed the obstruction charge but found Mr.

Evatt guilty of the uncontested use of drug paraphernalia charge and the charge of third

degree assault. The judge orally ruled that she did not believe the officers ever made

threatening statements about making Mr. Evatt disappear, but Mr. Evatt believed they

5 See RP (Trial) at 13-18, 35, 39, 403-04, 406-07, 428-34, 601.

13 No. 34963-2-III State v. Evatt

did, was frightened, and his fear explained why he did not want to get into the patrol

vehicle. After she announced her decision, Mr. Evatt repeatedly expressed frustration

that she believed the officers rather than him until she cut him off, saying "I'm not going

to argue with you anymore," and recessed. RP (Trial) at 619.

At sentencing two days later, Mr. Evatt appeared in a suicide smock and with a

bandaged left eye. The prosecutor reported to the court that according to jail staff, Mr.

Evatt had become very agitated the night before about something placed in his eye and

had injured it. RP (Sentencing) at 4-5. Asked by Judge Van Doorninck what was going

on with his eye, Mr. Evatt explained that he had tried to pull it out because no one

believed that something had been implanted in it by police. Id. at 6-8. While Judge Van

Doorninck commented on why she believed Mr. Evatt was "competent to proceed, as you

have been all throughout these proceedings," she took a break to have him meet with the

jail's mental health professional. Id. at 13. After the jail mental health professional

reported to Judge Van Doorninck that he believed Mr. Evatt could proceed with

sentencing, the judge explored sentencing options with Mr. Evatt at length. She

ultimately sentenced him to 51 months' confinement and 12 months of community

custody for the assault conviction, observing, "I'm worried for you. And frankly, I think

you need the structure of the Department of Corrections." CP at 77-78; RP at 44. She

entered a separate 90-day sentence for the misdemeanor use of drug paraphernalia

conviction.

14 No. 34963-2-111 State v. Evatt

Mr. Evatt appeals his conviction for third degree assault and the length of his

sentence.

ANALYSIS

I. Competency to stand trial and knowing and intelligent self-representation

Represented by counsel on appeal, Mr. Evatt first argues that his due process

rights were violated when the trial court allowed him to proceed to trial and represent

himself without ordering a competency reevaluation "once the court learned ... that Dr.

Duris wished to reevaluate Evatt." Br. of Appellant at 24.

Competency to stand trial

"No incompetent person shall be tried, convicted, or sentenced for the commission

of an offense so long as such incapacity continues." RCW 10.77.050; State v. Reddrick,

166 Wn.2d 898,903,215 P.3d 201 (2009). A defendant "is competent to stand trial ifhe

has the capacity to understand the nature of the proceedings against him and if he can

assist in his own defense." State v. Ortiz, 104 Wn.2d 479,482, 706 P.2d 1069 (1985);

RCW 10.77.010(15). Whenever there is reason to doubt a defendant's competency,

RCW 10.77.060(l)(a) requires the trial court to order a qualified expert or professional to

evaluate and report on the defendant's mental condition.

A determination of competency (or here, a redetermination) is not required merely

because a request for such a determination is made, and the request is not sufficient in

and of itself to raise a doubt concerning competency. State v. Lord, 117 Wn.2d 829, 901,

15 No. 34963-2-111 State v. Evatt

822 P.2d 177 (1991), ajf'd, 161 Wn.2d 276, 165 P.3d 1251 (2007) (citing Seattle v.

Gordon, 39 Wn. App. 437,441,693 P.2d 741 (1985)). A motion for such a

determination or redetermination must be supported by a factual basis; only then will the

court inquire to verify the facts. Id. A trial court decision that need for a competency

hearing has not been shown is reviewed for abuse of discretion. Id. at 901, 903-04.

Judge Nevin granted Mr. Shaw's request for a competency examination even

though Mr. Evatt objected that "I've already done this like over ten times, your Honor,"

and even though the judge recalled that Mr. Evatt had been found competent to stand trial

the year before, when Mr. Evatt faced charges in his court. RP (Pretrial) at 7. After

receiving Dr. Duris's forensic report, Judge Nevin entered an order on July 29 finding

Mr. Evatt competent to stand trial-an order that Mr. Evatt does not challenge. He

argues only that after the prosecutor raised her concern and Dr. Duris's alleged concern

thereafter, the trial court abused its discretion by continuing to rely on what Mr. Evatt

refers to as Dr. Duris's "outdated" report prepared several weeks earlier. Br. of

Appellant at 3 1.

Even the prosecutor never questioned Mr. Evatt's competency to stand trial

following Judge Nevin's July 29 order. She merely asked the judge to revisit Mr. Evatt's

self-representation. We do not read the record, as Mr. Evatt claims to, as revealing that

Judge Nevin continued to doubt Mr. Evatt's competency. No one ever asked the judge to

16 No. 34963-2-III State v. Evatt

order a reevaluation of Mr. Evatt's competency to stand trial. Mr. Evatt fails to

demonstrate any reason why the judge should have done so sua sponte.

Knowing and voluntary self-representation

The United States Constitution's Sixth Amendment right to counsel carries with it

the implicit right to self-representation. Faretta, 422 U.S. at 832. Article I, section 22 of

the Washington Constitution creates an explicit right to prose representation. State v.

Madsen, 168 Wn.2d 496, 503, 229 P.3d 714 (2010). "The existence of two competing

and contradictory rights [to counsel and to self-representation] often leaves trial judges in

a very difficult position." State v. Lawrence, 166 Wn. App. 378, 390, 271 P.3d 280

(2012). "When the would-be prose defendant also suffers from mental illness issues, the

trial court is presented an even more difficult problem." Id. Nevertheless, well settled

law respects the right of a mentally ill individual to make a knowing and voluntary

decision to represent himself in a criminal trial.

A defendant whose competency to stand trial has been questioned must knowingly

and intelligently waive the right to counsel. In re Pers. Restraint ofRhome, 172 Wn.2d

654, 663, 260 P.3d 874 (2011). Whether there has been an intelligent waiver of counsel

is an ad hoc determination that depends on the particular facts and circumstances of the

case, including the background, experience and conduct of the accused, which may

include a history of mental illness. Id. A thorough colloquy on the record is the

17 No. 34963-2-III State v. Evatt

preferred method of ensuring an intelligent waiver of the right to counsel. City of

Bellevue v. Acrey, 103 Wn.2d 203,211,691 P.2d 957 (1984).

"A court may not deny a motion for self-representation based on grounds that self-

representation would be detrimental to the defendant's ability to present his case or

concerns that courtroom proceedings will be less efficient and orderly than if the

defendant were represented by counsel." Madsen, 168 Wn.2d at 505. It may only deny a

motion to proceed prose when the request is equivocal, untimely, involuntary, or made

without a general understanding of the consequences. Id. at 504-05.

We review decisions on self-representation for an abuse of discretion, reversing

only when the decision was "' manifestly unreasonable'" because the court applied the

wrong legal standard or based its decision on facts not supported by the record. Rhome,

172 Wn.2d at 668 (quoting State v. Rafay, 167 Wn.2d 644, 655, 222 P.3d 86 (2009)).

"Because the trial court has the opportunity to observe a defendant's demeanor and

nonverbal conduct, appellate courts owe considerable deference to a trial court's

finding." State v. Floyd, 178 Wn. App. 402,410,316 P.3d 1091 (2013). The burden of

proof is on a defendant who contends his right to counsel was not competently and

intelligently waived. State v. Hahn, 106 Wn.2d 885, 901, 726 P.2d 25 (1986).

Here, as with the challenge to the competency finding, Mr. Evatt focuses not on

Judge Nevin's original decision granting him prose status but on a reevaluation he

contends was required in early August because of the prosecutor's concern, Dr. Duris's

18 No. 34963-2-111 State v. Evatt

ostensible concern, and Judge Nevin's own lingering concern that mentally ill criminal

defendants should be represented by counsel.

The prosecutor never presented an affidavit or supplemental report from Dr. Duris

or brought him to court to testify; she only told Judge Nevin on August 12 that copies of

filings she provided to the doctor "caused him to wish to reevaluate his position" and that

the doctor "seems to be of [the] opinion [that a reevaluation seems prudent]." RP

(Pretrial) at 60. Yet in Hahn, our Supreme Court rejected the notion that expert input was

needed to determine whether a mentally ill individual's waiver of counsel is knowing and

intelligent. 106 Wn.2d at 896 (noting the court of appeals' mention of further psychiatric

or psychological testimony and "declin[ing] this suggestion"). Mr. Evatt provides no

legal authority that required Judge Nevin to take action based on the prosecutor's hearsay

report of Dr. Duris's thinking or her mention of her plan (a plan she later abandoned) to

file a motion for another evaluation.

As for Judge Nevin's expressed reservations about the law, we read his comments

as those of a jurist carefully following controlling law that he does not like, but to which

he has given a great deal of thought and intends to follow, as evidenced by the following

comments on August 5:

I don't like, with due respect to the higher courts in our land, this edict I follow as best I can. I don't like the current state of the law in the State of Washington as it relates to the seemingly unfettered ability [of criminal defendants] to represent themselves. But with due respect to Mr. Evatt, and due respect to you, sir, Mr. Evatt tried a case in my court, totally

19 No. 34963-2-III State v. Evatt

appropriate, wrote briefs, oral argument, it is okay, I believe he is ill. And if ever there was a case where I have had consternation about whether something is knowing, intelligent, and voluntary, and where I have been tempted to go against what seems to be an overwhelming [tidal] wave from the appellate courts, it is in his case. I'm still open to being persuaded to the contrary. But this is just something that I've reflected upon after having seen Mr. Evatt again. So if you were to note a motion and you wish to explore this, I am more than willing to listen to this.

RP (Pretrial) at 28.

We do not assume, as the dissent does, that Judge Nevin failed to read cases and

does not understand the law. It is unsurprising, wanting Mr. Evatt to be well defended,

that the judge was somewhat frustrated by the following principles he was constrained to

apply:

• The grounds that allow a court to deny a defendant the right to self- representation are limited to a finding that the defendant's request is equivocal, untimely, involuntary, or made without a general understanding of the consequences. Madsen, 168 Wn.2d at 504-05.

• Such a finding must be based on some identifiable fact. Id. at 505 (emphasis added).

• A court may not deny a motion for self-representation based on grounds that self-representation would be detrimental to the defendant's ability to present his case. Id.

• Similarly, concern regarding a defendant's competency alone is insufficient; if the court doubts the defendant's competency, the necessary course is to order a competency review. Id.

• While the law provides for judges to be sensitive to mental health issues when considering whether to allow a waiver of counsel, "this does not translate into a heightened standard for waiver of counsel and pro se

20 I <

1 j ii J No. 34963-2-111

I State v. Evatt

II • representation when there are mental health issues present." Rhome, 172 Wn.2d at 666.

If a lengthy colloquy with a defendant establishes an intelligent waiver of the right I to counsel and the trial court denies a request for self-representation, "it would

I [be] subject to reversal under the Faretta standards." Hahn, 106 Wn.2d at 901.

I • "Under Faretta and [State v.] Coristine, forcing an unwanted defense on a criminal defendant may in many cases slip into a violation of the Sixth Amendment. State v. Floyd, 178 Wn. App. 402, 412, 316 P.3d 1091 (2013) (citing Faretta, 422 U.S. at 819-21; State v. Coristine, 177 Wn.2d 370, 376-77, 300 P.3d 400 (2013)).

• The unjustified denial of this right [to self-representation] requires reversal. State v. Stenson, 132 Wn.2d 668, 737, 940 P.2d 1239 (1997).

We also disagree with the dissent's inference that Judge Nevin felt bound to take

his lead from Dr. Duris. A more reasonable inference is that the judge knew from the

foregoing authority that he had to have an identifiable reason for finding Mr. Evatt' s

request was equivocal, untimely, involuntary, or made without a general understanding of

the consequences, and-given the judge's own history with Mr. Evatt and Dr. Duris's

evaluation-he was at a loss to identify a reason.

The dissent contends that a defendant's right of self-representation "is far from

absolute," relying heavily on settled law that all reasonable inferences must be indulged

against waiver of the right to counsel. Dissent at 2. It sometimes seems to be saying "all

reasonable inferences must be indulged against self-representation." That is clearly not

the case; as observed in Madsen, "[T]he presumption [against waiver of the right to

counsel] does not go so far as to eliminate the need for any basis for denying a motion for

21 No. 34963-2-111 State v. Evatt

prose status. Were it otherwise, the presumption could make the right itself illusory."

168 Wn.2d at 505.

The dissent also makes the unwarranted assumption that it was Judge Nevin who

dropped the ball on an open question of Mr. Evatt's competency to represent himself,

rather than the prosecutor who dropped the issue. If this were a personal restraint petition

supported by some evidence that Judge Nevin dropped the ball, it would be a different

matter. But this is a direct appeal, with a record suggesting the issue was abandoned by

the State. We should not speculate otherwise.

Judge Nevin's candor does not cause us concern that he misunderstood the law or

abused his discretion. It convinces us that he was scrupulous in applying the law.

We also have a factual disagreement with the dissent's characterization of Mr.

Evatt as so severely mentally ill and incapable of presenting his defense that his trial

became the type of humiliating spectacle that the United States Supreme Court tells us

can justify a trial court's refusal to accept a waiver of counsel. Indiana v. Edwards, 554

U.S. 164, 176-78, 128 S. Ct. 2379, 171 L. Ed. 2d 345 (2008). In Rhome, the petitioner

supported his collateral attack with expert testimony that his mental illness led him to

engage in incoherent and intimidating questioning and to fail to regulate his emotions or

behavior in an appropriate manner. Our Supreme Court still denied relief. The only

expert testimony in our record, that of Dr. Duris, reached an opposite conclusion about

Mr. Evatt.

22 No. 34963-2-III State v. Evatt

The dissent exaggerates Mr. Evatt's deficits. Judge Nevin stated that Mr. Evatt's

"demeanor in trial" in an earlier case in which he represented himself "by and large was

appropriate" even though symptoms of mental illness manifested themselves during trial.

RP (Pretrial) at 10. And Judge Van Doorninck commented during sentencing that Mr.

Evatt had understood the proceedings, had been capable of understanding what was going

on and advocating for himself, and described him as an "excellent advocate for himself."

RP (Sentencing) at 18.

Finally, like Mr. Evatt, the dissent attaches great significance to Mr. Evatt's self-

inflicted injury after he was found guilty. Mr. Evatt's report of what he attempted to do

was disturbing to Judge Van Doorninck and is disturbing to us, although, to be clear, the

sentencing transcript provides almost no information on the extent of the injury. For

obvious reasons, reversing a conviction based on an offender's mentally ill behavior after

an adverse verdict is problematic.

Judge Nevin's Faretta inquiries were sufficient. The judge had experienced Mr.

Evatt's self-representation firsthand. Mr. Evatt occasionally referred before trial and

during trial to what everyone but him believes are delusions about things that have been

done to him by law enforcement in Pierce County. He had referred to the delusions when

being evaluated by Dr. Duris as well, and the doctor concluded that Mr. Evatt suffered a

"Substance Induced Psychotic Disorder" that did "not appear to impair significantly his

behavior, knowledge, and reasoning ability." CP at 13. Mr. Evatt had a rational theory

23 No. 34963-2-III State v. Evatt

of defense, was able to track and respond to questions and directions from the court and

objections by the State, seldom interrupted, and almost always tried to be respectful. His

difficulty in questioning witnesses was typical of pro se parties. At issue is only whether

Mr. Evatt did not knowingly and intelligently waive his right to counsel. Mr. Evatt fails

to meet his burden of demonstrating that he did not.

II. Excessive sentence

Mr. Evatt argues, and the State concedes, that the trial court imposed a sentence

that exceeds the statutory maximum.

Under RCW 9A.20.021(1), a defendant's sentence cannot exceed the statutory

maximum term for the class of crime for which the offender was convicted. The terms of

confinement and community custody are both included in the calculation of the statutory

maximum term, and it is the combination that must fall within the maximum. RCW

9.94A.505(5); State v. Boyd, 174 Wn.2d 470, 473, 275 P.3d 321 (2012). Trial courts

must reduce the community custody term "whenever an offender's standard range term of

confinement in combination with the term of community custody exceeds the statutory

maximum for the crime as provided in RCW 9A.20.021." RCW 9.94A.701(9).

The statutory maximum for third degree assault, a class "C" felony, is 60 months.

RCW 9A.36.031(2); RCW 9A.20.02l(c). Mr. Evatt's combined prison time and

community custody is 63 months, which exceeds the limitation. Resentencing is

required.

24 No. 34963-2-III State v. Evatt

III. Waiver of appellate costs

Mr. Evatt asks us to waive appellate costs if the State substantially prevails, based

on his indigence and mental illness. We decline to address the issue, without prejudice to

Mr. Evatt's opportunity under RAP 14.2 to demonstrate his current and likely future

inability to pay to our court commissioner.

STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL GROUNDS

In a prose statement of additional grounds (SAG), Mr. Evatt raises six. Some rely

on trial exhibits that are the subject of a RAP 9.6(a) motion to supplement the record,

which we grant.

Deficient investigative support. 6 Mr. Evatt contends his court-appointed

investigator "sold him out" by not using questions Mr. Evatt gave him to use in deposing

the three officers and by not obtaining Mr. Evatt's complete arrest history. SAG at 2. To

demonstrate ineffective assistance, Mr. Evatt must show what he requested and when;

what the investigator did or attempted to do; and that the investigative efforts, if

performed, would in fact have provided usable or admissible information that could have

changed the outcome. None of this information is in the record of this appeal; all that

appears in the record are Mr. Evatt's complaints. If Mr. Evatt is able to obtain evidence

on these issues of deficient performance and prejudice, his remedy is to seek relief by

6 Mr. Evatt's first and second assignments of error are combined.

25 I 1

l No. 34963-2-111 State v. Evatt

I personal restraint petition. See State v. Norman, 61 Wn. App. 16, 27-28, 808 P.2d 1159

(1991). f

Prosecutorial misconduct. Mr. Evatt claims the prosecutor committed

prosecutorial misconduct by providing late discovery. He argues that the refusal to

provide him with original X-rays and the State's failure to deliver other requested

discovery until four days before trial deprived him the opportunity to prepare a defense

and violated his Fifth, Sixth, and Fourteenth Amendment rights under the United States

Constitution and his rights under article I, sections 3 & 22 of the Washington

Constitution. He also argues that his booking photo, requested in discovery, was

purposely overexposed in order to hide his injuries.

Mr. Evatt raised the same objections in the trial court, requesting sanctions and a

continuance. Judge Van Doominck did not order production of the original X-ray

because she would be unable to read it, but she did order the State to produce the X-ray

report. She ruled that no continuance was necessary given the four months Mr. Evatt had

to prepare for trial and the four days before trial he had to review the medical records and

booking photo. The booking photo was admitted into evidence during the testimony of

one of the patrol officers, who testified that it accurately and fairly depicted Mr. Evatt as

he appeared at the time of his booking. RP (Trial) at 163.

"A trial court exercises discretion when deciding how to deal with a discovery

violation." State v. Barry, 184 Wn. App. 790, 796, 339 P.3d 200 (2014). Mr. Evatt does

26 No. 34963-2-111 State v. Evatt

not demonstrate an abuse of discretion. As for the booking photo, witnesses disagreed as

to whether it was an accurate and fair depiction. Mr. Evatt was free to testify to his belief

that it was not. i

I ~ Motion regarding false statements. One of the motions dealt with by Judge Van

Doominck at the outset of trial was Mr. Evatt's "Motion to Show to the Court that I I officers are falsefully [sic] making Statements, according to the (CAD) 7 report." CP at

42-4 7. The remedy sought was dismissal of the third degree assault charge under CrR I 8.3(b ). He complains on appeal that the judge refused to rule on the motion and thereby

denied him a fair trial.

Judge Van Doominck ruled that whether the officers' statements were false would

be "for the jury to decide and that's something that you can cross-examine the witnesses

about," effectively denying the motion. RP (Trial) at 30 (the ruling preceded Mr. Evatt's

waiver of jury trial). She told Mr. Evatt that motion practice was not a forum for

resolving factual disputes, but she did not refuse to consider his motion. She did not err.

Denial of motions for continuance. Mr. Evatt argues that by denying his several

requests for continuance, the trial court abused its discretion and violated his Fifth, Sixth,

and Fourteenth Amendment rights under the United States Constitution and his rights

under article I, sections 3 & 22 of the Washington Constitution. He asserts he was

7 Computer aided dispatch.

27 No. 34963-2-111 State v. Evatt

entitled to a continuance because (1) Judge Nevin removed Mr. Evatt from court and

failed to rule on his motions, (2) Mr. Evatt's investigator did not provide Mr. Evatt with

his arrest history or depose the officers, (3) the prosecutor provided Mr. Evatt with

untimely discovery, and (4) the trial court denied Mr. Evatt the right to call and question

the jail's mental health professional.

We have already rejected Mr. Evatt's argument that discretion was abused when

the court failed to grant a continuance for the late production of discovery. As for the

jail's mental health professional, toward the end of the evidence the judge engaged in a

long colloquy with Mr. Evatt as to what the jail's mental health professional could testify

about. Most of what Mr. Evatt wanted her to say was inadmissible, either because it was

irrelevant or not a matter of her personal knowledge. The only conceivably admissible

evidence he could identify was her treatment of him. He could not identify why that

mattered to his defense despite the judge suggesting that he take a lunch hour to think

about it and let her know. The court did not abuse its discretion.

A trial court's decision to grant or deny a continuance will not be disturbed absent

a showing of manifest abuse of discretion. State v. Campbell, 103 Wn.2d 1, 14, 691 P .2d

929 (1984). Given that Mr. Evatt had four months to prepare for trial, the trial court did

not abuse its discretion in denying Mr. Evatt's other motions for a continuance.

Evidence sufficiency. Mr. Evatt argues that, without the officers' perjured

testimony, insufficient evidence existed to convict him of third degree assault. When a

28 No. 34963-2-111 State v. Evatt

defendant raises insufficiency of evidence on appeal, he "admits the truth of the State's

evidence and all inferences that reasonably can be drawn therefrom." State v. Salinas,

119 Wn.2d 192,201, 829 P.2d 1068 (1992). That means that we view the officers'

testimony as true. Viewing their testimony as true, the evidence was sufficient.

Cumulative error. Mr. Evatt argues that while no one of the foregoing alleged

errors may require reversal, collectively they deprived him of a fair trial. Since we have

found no error, the cumulative error doctrine does not apply.

We affirm Mr. Evatt's convictions and remand for resentencing.

A majority of the panel has determined this opinion will not be printed in the

Washington Appellate Reports, but it will be filed for public record pursuant to RCW

2.06.040.

I CONCUR:

29 II I No. 34963-2-111

PENNELL, J. (dissenting) - Scott Evatt is a mentally ill man who so believed law

enforcement had planted a tracking chip in his eye that he attempted to gouge out his eye

as proof. Prior to trial on charges of assaulting police officers--who Mr. Evatt believed

were conspiring against him--Mr. Evatt requested self-representation. Judge Jack Nevin

was familiar with Mr. Evatt and expressed doubt at a pretrial hearing over whether Mr.

I Evatt had capacity to represent himself. Nevertheless, Judge Nevin granted Mr. Evatt's

request, lamenting that our case law provides defendants "seemingly unfettered" ability j to demand self-representation. Verbatim Report of Proceedings (VRP) (Aug. 5, 2015) at

28.

Judge Nevin's legal analysis was mistaken. Our cases permit courts to deny a

mentally ill defendant's request for self-representation. Because the trial court failed to

recognize this discretionary authority, I would reverse Mr. Evatt's conviction.

As noted by the majority, a judge's decision regarding whether to grant a

defendant's motion for self-representation is reviewed for abuse of discretion. State v.

Lawrence, 166 Wn. App. 378, 394, 271 P.3d 280 (2012). This is a deferential standard.

It typically results in affirmance on appeal. But not always. A judge abuses discretion

when the judge relies on the wrong legal standard or incorrectly believes only one

outcome is available. See State v. O'Dell, 183 Wn.2d 680, 696-97, 358 P.3d 359 (2015).

That is what happened here. No. 34963-2-111 State v. Evatt

A criminal defendant's right of self-representation is far from absolute. This is

partly because the right to self-representation and the right to counsel are two sides of the

same coin: exercising the right to self-representation necessarily requires waiving the

right to counsel. While the rights to self-representation and to counsel must compete for

recognition, their weights are not equal. As between the right of self-representation and

the right to counsel, the latter is stronger. For this reason, our courts apply a presumption

against waiver of the right to counsel, and all reasonable inferences must be indulged

against waiver. State v. Madsen, 168 Wn.2d 496, 504, 229 P.3d 714 (2016).

The question of whether the presumption against waiver of counsel has been

overcome in the context of a mentally ill defendant can be complex. A defendant who is

competent to stand trial is not automatically competent to waive assistance of counsel.

Indiana v. Edwards, 554 U.S. 164, 178, 128 S. Ct. 2379, 171 L. Ed. 2d 345 (2008).

Mental illness expresses itself in different ways and in different contexts. Id. at 17 5.

Constitutional concerns for a defendant's dignity, due process rights, and the appearance

of fairness may militate in favor of allowing a defendant to proceed to trial but not to

represent himself. Id. at 17 5-77. Accordingly, a court assessing whether a defendant has

knowingly and intelligently waived the right to counsel may take a defendant's mental

illness into account and consider what impact, if any, it has on the validity of the

defendant's waiver of counsel. In re Pers. Restraint ofRhome, 172 Wn.2d 654, 665-66,

260 P.3d 874 (2011).

2 No. 34963-2-III State v. Evatt

In granting Mr. Evatt's motion to waive counsel, the court failed to recognize the

presumption against waiver of counsel and the nuanced approach applicable in the case

of a mentally ill defendant. Contrary to the comments made at a pretrial hearing,

defendants do not have a "seemingly unfettered ability to represent themselves."

VRP (Aug. 5, 2015) at 28. There is no "overwhelming [tidal] wave from the appellate

courts" compelling a trial court to disregard concerns about a defendant's ability to waive

counsel. Id. Our case law holds the presumption against waiver always applies. And, in

the case of a mentally ill defendant, "[t]rial judges have permissive authority to deny self-

representation" altogether. Lawrence, 166 Wn. App. at 389; see also State v. Englund,

186 Wn. App. 444, 456-57, 345 P .3d 859 (2015) (affirming denial of self-representation

based on mental illness ). 1

Not only did Judge Nevin misapprehend his authority to deny Mr. Evatt's request

to waive counsel, he also failed to appreciate his ability to disagree with Dr. Duris's

opinion regarding Mr. Evatt's capacity to represent himself. During the pretrial

proceedings, Judge Nevin was very candid, admitting his findings regarding Mr. Evatt's

capacity to waive counsel were based entirely on the forensic evaluation report from

1 The prosecuting attorney attempted to submit authorities advising the court of its discretion to deny Mr. Evatt's request for self-representation. VRP (Aug. 7, 2015) at 34- 41. The judge indicated he would review the cases. Id. at 48. However, as noted by the prosecutor at the commencement of trial (1 VRP (Dec. 10, 2015) at 3-4), there was never any follow-up, presumably because there was a change in the presiding judicial officer.

3 1 No. 34963-2-111

l ~ I I . State v. Evatt

Dr. Duris. VRP (Aug. 7, 2015) at 48. He stated he did not agree with Dr. Duris's

l assessment. Id. at 44-45. 2 Judge Nevin even went so far as to state it was "profoundly I difficult to fathom on any level" that Mr. Evatt was competent to waive counsel. Id. at

48.

Judge Nevin should have had more confidence in his instincts. Contrary to his

assessment, the issue of whether a defendant is competent to stand trial or waive counsel

is not something courts simply leave to the opinion of mental health professionals.

See, e.g., State v. Sisouvanh, 175 Wn.2d 607,622,290 P.3d 942 (2012) (a mental health

professional's opinion "is only one consideration among many in a trial court's

determination of the defendant's competency to stand trial"). Competence is not a

clinical determination or a diagnosis located in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of

Mental Disorders. It is a legal construct, governed by specific rules. Drope v. Missouri,

420 U.S. 162, 176, 96 S. Ct. 896, 43 L. Ed. 2d 103 (1975). While information gathered

from psychologists and other experts is relevant to a judge's competency decision, the

ultimate conclusion that a defendant is or is not competent is one for a judge to make

independently. It is not a task that can be delegated to a mental health professional.

See Lawrence, 166 Wn. App. at 388-89.

2 Significantly, Judge Nevin was familiar with Mr. Evatt due to a prior criminal case. VRP (July 14, 2015) at 9.

Based on the foregoing, I agree with the prosecutor's observations that the issue of

whether Mr. Evatt was competent to waive counsel, as opposed to competent to stand

trial, was never fully resolved prior to trial. 1 VRP (Dec. 10, 2015) at 3-4. Judge Nevin

failed to recognize his ability to deny Mr. Evatt's request for self-representation, and no

one followed up on the prosecutor's suggestion to gather additional information. The

result was that Mr. Evatt waived his right to ajury, 3 fired standby counsel, 4 and then

proceeded through trial in an unfocused, 5 haphazard manner, 6 peppered with rebuffed

requests for X-rays or medical records that could prove he was the victim of police

abduction and the implanting of a tracking chip. 7 While the assistance of counsel may

not have changed the outcome of Mr. Evatt's trial, it would have protected his

3 Mr. Evatt opted not to have a jury based on his distrust of the court system and his belief he had been wrongly convicted in the past. 1 VRP (Dec. 10, 2015) at 46-48, 54-55. 4 Mr. Evatt demanded the trial judge, Judge Kitty-AnnVan Doominck, remove standby counsel because counsel had not subpoenaed dental and eye X-rays. 1 VRP (Dec. 10, 2015) at 8, 22. 5 Judge Van Doominck had to intervene and provide redirection at every step of

the trial. See, e.g., 2 VRP (Dec. 15, 2015) at 86-90 (opening statement); 4 VRP (Dec. 17, 2015) at 425-27 and 5 VRP (Dec. 21, 2015) at 598,600, 604, 611 (defense testimony); 2 VRP (Dec. 15, 2015) at 155, 3 VRP (Dec. 16, 2015) at 319, 329, 389, 4 VRP (Dec. 17, 2015) at 413,418 and 5 VRP (Dec. 21, 2015) at 569 (witness testimony); and 5 VRP (Dec. 21, 2015) at 604,608,611 (closing argument). 6 Mr. Evatt repeatedly stated he was not prepared for trial or to question the State's witnesses. 1 VRP (Dec. 10, 2015) at 20, 32-33, 2 VRP (Dec. 15, 2015) at 72, 90, 143, 154-55, 161 and 3 VRP (Dec. 16, 2015) at 380, 383. During trial, he expressed confusion over whether the court would be holding a CrR 3 .5 hearing or a trial. 2 VRP (Dec. 15, 2015) at 73, 218-19. He later voiced a desire to negotiate an agreed resolution of his case, such as drug court. 4 VRP (Dec. 17, 2015) at 396-97.

5 I No. 34963-2-III State v. Evatt

constitutional rights to dignity and the appearance of fairness. See Edwards, 554 U.S. at

176-77. More needed to be done to ensure the court's procedures recognized the full

array of Mr. Evatt's constitutional rights.

I realize Mr. Evatt's request for self-representation placed the trial court in a

difficult position. Mr. Evatt refused to work with any attorneys contracted by the

department of assigned counsel because he believed they had all conspired against him.

Had the court denied Mr. Evatt's request for self-representation, Mr. Evatt undoubtedly

I would have complained vociferously and incessantly. But if, as the record suggests, 8 the

basis for the conflict between counsel and Mr. Evatt was that counsel refused to

investigate allegations that existed only as a result of Mr. Evatt's delusions, then the

court's recourse should have been to find Mr. Evatt not competent, not to deny counsel.

A defendant who, because of a mental disorder, is unable to work with counsel is not

competent to stand trial. Dusky v. United States, 362 U.S. 402, 80 S. Ct. 788, 4 L. Ed. 2d

824 (1960); see also State v. Ortiz, 104 Wn.2d 479, 482, 706 P.2d 1069 (1985);

RCW 10.77.010(15). A defendant in such circumstances might be referred for

competency restoration, but it is not appropriate simply to avoid the problem by

removing counsel.

7 1 VRP (Dec. 10, 2015) at 34-36, 39; 4 VRP (Dec. 17, 2015) at 403-07, 433. 8 See, e.g., 1 VRP (Dec. 10, 2015) at 7-8, 22, 26-28.

6 No. 34963-2-111 State v. Evatt

Mr. Evatt represented himself at a felony trial based on the trial court's

misunderstanding of the standards applicable to a mentally ill defendant's request to

proceed pro se. I would reverse a conviction imposed in such circumstances.

Pennell, J.