State Of Washington, V Timothy A. Hockley

CourtCourt of Appeals of Washington
DecidedMarch 25, 2014
Docket44051-2
StatusUnpublished

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State Of Washington, V Timothy A. Hockley, (Wash. Ct. App. 2014).

Opinion

FILED 102T 11c. APPEALS OF 01 \ 11 4

20111, KA R 25 AN S: 53 ST

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IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF THE STATE OF WASIIIN( E

DIVISION II

STATE OF WASHINGTON,

Respondent, No. 44051 -2 -II

V.

TIMOTHY ANDREW HOCKLEY, JR., UNPUBLISHED OPINION

Appellant.

MAXA, J. — Timothy Hockley, appeals his conviction of attempting to elude a pursuing

police vehicle. He argues that ( 1) there is insufficient evidence to support his conviction and ( 2)

the case should be remanded so the trial court can enter a written order regarding the oral

dismissal of count two, driving with a suspended or revoked license. There is sufficient evidence

that Hockley willfully failed to immediately stop his vehicle after being given visual and audible

signals to do so and continued to drive in a reckless manner while attempting to elude a pursuing

police vehicle. Accordingly, we affirm Hockley' s conviction. We deny Hockley' s request for

remand or a written order dismissing count II because he did not raise the issue below.

FACTS

On December 24, 2011, while driving with his girlfriend Charlene Massey, Hockley

tailgated and then passed another vehicle. Hockley entered the oncoming lane of traffic and

nearly collided with Pierce County Deputy Sheriff Matthew Smith' s vehicle. Smith then turned No. 44051 -2 -II

his sheriff' s vehicle around and began following Hockley. As Smith approached Hockley' s

vehicle he activated his overhead lights. Hockley continued driving. Smith then activated his

siren, but Hockley still continued to drive. Smith continued to follow the vehicle with both his

lights and siren activated.

During the pursuit, Hockley proceeded through a stop sign without stopping and made a

left hand turn at 35 miles per hour, causing sparks to come from the vehicle' s front left tire.

Hockley also accelerated to approximately 60 miles per hour and entered the oncoming traffic

lane in order to pass another vehicle. Finally, after driving approximately one to two miles and

making a number of turns, Hockley stopped in the driveway of Massey' s mother' s house.

Hockley exited the car and agreed to speak with Smith. Hockley told Smith that he saw

the emergency lights but was looking for a safe place to park. Smith informed Hockley there

were a number of safe places to pull over during the pursuit. Hockley then stated that he messed

up and thought if he got the car to Massey' s mother' s house, law enforcement could not tow it

away. When Smith again asked Hockley why he did not stop, Hockley stated he thought there

might be a warrant out for his arrest.

The State charged Hockley with felony attempting to elude a pursuing police vehicle

count I) and driving with a suspended or revoked license ( count II). The State also filed a

special allegation of endangerment. Prior to trial, the court orally dismissed count II upon an

oral motion by the State and without objection from either party.

A jury found Hockley guilty of attempting to elude a pursuing police vehicle and

answered yes on the special verdict form alleging endangerment. The court left blank the line on

the judgment and sentence providing for dismissed charges. Hockley appeals.

2 No. 44051 -2 -II

ANALYSIS

A. SUFFICIENCY OF THE EVIDENCE

Hockley argues that there was insufficient evidence to support his attempting to elude a

pursuing police vehicle conviction. Specifically, Hockley argues the State did not prove he drove

his vehicle in a reckless manner or that he was attempting to elude a pursuing police vehicle. We

disagree.

Evidence is legally sufficient to support a guilty verdict if any rational trier of fact,

viewing the evidence in the light most favorable to the State, could find the elements of the

charged crime beyond a reasonable doubt. State v. Montgomery, 1.63 Wn.2d 577, 586, 183 P. 3d

267 ( 2008). We interpret all reasonable inferences in the State' s favor. State v. Hosier, 157

Wn.2d 1, 8, 133 P. 3d 936 ( 2006). Direct and circumstantial evidence carry the same weight.

State v. Varga, 151 Wn.2d 179, 201, 86 P. 3d 139 ( 2004). "[ C] redibility determinations are for

the trier of fact and are not subject to review." State v. Cantu, 156 Wn.2d 819, 831, 132 P. 3d

725 ( 2006).

Under RCW 46. 61. 024( 1);

a] ny driver of a motor vehicle who willfully fails or refuses to immediately bring his or her vehicle to a stop and who drives his or her vehicle in a reckless manner while attempting to elude a pursuing police vehicle, after being given a visual or audible signal to bring the vehicle to a stop, shall be guilty of a class C felony.

The trial court properly instructed the jury on the elements of this offense.

First, Hockley argues that there was insufficient evidence to show he drove his vehicle in

a reckless manner. Because there was evidence that Hockley sped through a residential area

while running stop signs, drove in the oncoming lane of traffic, and took a turn at high speed, we

3 No. 44051 -2 -II

To establish that an individual drove in a reckless manner, it must be shown that the

person was " ` driving in a rash or heedless manner, indifferent to the consequences.' " State v.

Hunley, 161 Wn. App. 919, 926, 253 P. 3d 448 ( 2011) ( internal quotation marks omitted)

quoting State v. Roggenkamp, 153 Wn.2d 614, 621 -22, 106 P. 3d 196 ( 2005)), aff'd, 175 Wn.2d

901, 287 P. 3d 584 ( 2012). Driving in a " ` reckless manner' does not mean [ driving with] a

willful or wanton disregard for the lives or property of others.' " State v. Naillieux, 158 Wn.

App. 630, 644, 241 P. 3d 1280 ( 2010) ( internal quotation marks omitted) ( quoting State v. Ratliff,

140 Wn. App. 12, 15, 164 P. 3d 516 ( 2007)).

The State offered testimony at trial that Hockley drove through a residential

neighborhood at speeds in excess of 50 miles per hour while a police vehicle, with lights and

siren activated, followed him. While being followed, Hockley passed another vehicle by

entering the opposing lane of traffic at 60 miles per hour. Hockley failed to stop at two stop

signs. Hockley conducted a left hand.turn at approximately 35 miles per hour causing sparks to

emit from the vehicle' s tire. This is sufficient evidence for a rational trier of fact to conclude that

Hockley drove the vehicle- in a '- rash or heedless manner, indiff6refitto the consequences.' "

Hunley, 161 Wn. App. at 926 ( internal quotation marks omitted) ( quoting Roggenkamp, 153

Wn.2d at 621 -22).

Second, Hockley argues that there is insufficient evidence to show that he attempted to

elude a pursuing police vehicle. Because there was sufficient evidence that Hockley attempted to

avoid being stopped by Smith, we disagree.

Intent is not a component in establishing the element of " ` attempting to elude a police

vehicle.' " State v. Gallegos, 73 Wn. App. 644, 650, 871 P. 2d 621 ( 1994) ( quoting RCW

0 No. 44051 -2 -II

46. 61. 021( a)). Based on the construction of the statute, attempt is given its ordinary meaning of

to try.' " Gallegos, 73 Wn. App. at 650. "' To elude' means ` to avoid slyly or adroitly (as by

artifice, stratagem, or dexterity) : evade.' " Gallegos, 73 Wn. App. at 650 n. 1 ( quoting

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Related

State v. Carpenter
388 P.2d 537 (Washington Supreme Court, 1964)
State v. Priest
997 P.2d 452 (Court of Appeals of Washington, 2000)
State v. Gallegos
871 P.2d 621 (Court of Appeals of Washington, 1994)
State v. Naillieux
241 P.3d 1280 (Court of Appeals of Washington, 2010)
State v. Roggenkamp
106 P.3d 196 (Washington Supreme Court, 2005)
State v. Montgomery
183 P.3d 267 (Washington Supreme Court, 2008)
State v. Hosier
133 P.3d 936 (Washington Supreme Court, 2006)
State v. Varga
86 P.3d 139 (Washington Supreme Court, 2004)
State v. Ratliff
164 P.3d 516 (Court of Appeals of Washington, 2007)
Presidential Estates Apartment Associates v. Barrett
917 P.2d 100 (Washington Supreme Court, 1996)
State v. Varga
151 Wash. 2d 179 (Washington Supreme Court, 2004)
State v. Roggenkamp
153 Wash. 2d 614 (Washington Supreme Court, 2005)
State v. Cantu
132 P.3d 725 (Washington Supreme Court, 2006)
State v. Hosier
157 Wash. 2d 1 (Washington Supreme Court, 2006)
State v. Hunley
287 P.3d 584 (Washington Supreme Court, 2012)
State v. Ratliff
164 P.3d 516 (Court of Appeals of Washington, 2007)
State v. Naillieux
158 Wash. App. 630 (Court of Appeals of Washington, 2010)
State v. Hunley
253 P.3d 448 (Court of Appeals of Washington, 2011)

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