State v. Bright

916 P.2d 922
CourtWashington Supreme Court
DecidedMay 16, 1996
Docket62831-9
StatusPublished
Cited by64 cases

This text of 916 P.2d 922 (State v. Bright) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Washington Supreme Court primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
State v. Bright, 916 P.2d 922 (Wash. 1996).

Opinion

916 P.2d 922 (1996)
129 Wash.2d 257

The STATE of Washington, Petitioner,
v.
Fred D. BRIGHT, Respondent.

No. 62831-9.

Supreme Court of Washington, En Banc.

Argued September 27, 1995.
Decided May 16, 1996.

*923 Rick Weber, Okanogan County Prosecutor, Okanogan, for petitioner.

Charles Dorn, Brian O'Brien, Spokane, for respondent.

SMITH, Justice.

The State of Washington petitions for discretionary review of a decision by the Court of Appeals, Division Three, which reversed an Okanogan County Superior Court conviction of Respondent Fred D. Bright on two counts of rape in the first degree. We granted review. We reverse.

QUESTIONS PRESENTED

The questions presented in this case are: (1) whether the mere presence of a firearm on the person of a uniformed and armed police officer while committing rape against a prisoner in custody, without additional evidence of a threat to use the firearm, is sufficient to satisfy the "[u]ses or threatens to use a deadly weapon" element of first degree rape under RCW 9A.44.040(1)(a); and (2) whether the respondent is entitled to *924 attorney fees under RAP 18.1(j) for answering the State's petition for review, where the petition was granted, and where respondent had not been awarded attorney fees by the Court of Appeals.

STATEMENT OF FACTS

At approximately 2:00 a.m. in the dark and early morning of June 11, 1991, Colville Confederated Tribes Police Officer Fred D. Bright (Respondent) arrested Ms. L.[1] on an outstanding tribal warrant for violating a community service requirement imposed upon her conviction for shoplifting. Following the arrest, Respondent transported Ms. L. in his patrol car to a tribal police station in Nespelem, where she was booked on the outstanding warrant. Because the tribal jail did not have separate facilities for women detainees, a woman corrections officer offered to transport Ms. L. to the Okanogan County Jail, where she was to be held until her court appearance.[2] Respondent refused the offer and insisted upon transporting Ms. L. to the Okanogan facility himself in his own patrol car,[3] even though jail rules provided that women prisoners would be transported by women correctional officers.

During the trip from Nespelem to Okanogan, Respondent and Ms. L. started a conversation. After a while, Respondent stopped the automobile and asked Ms. L. if she wanted to move from the back seat to the front seat.[4] Ms. L. responded affirmatively and Respondent allowed her to do so.[5] To make room on the front seat, Respondent moved various articles, including his rifle with bayonet, to the back seat.[6]

Based upon a complaint made by Ms. L. that Respondent had sexually violated her during the trip, Respondent was charged on June 12, 1991 by information filed in the Okanogan County Superior Court with two counts of rape in the first degree for engaging in sexual intercourse by forcible compulsion and threatening to use a deadly weapon, a "pistol."[7] The information was amended by the Prosecuting Attorney on September 24, 1991 to alternatively charge use of either a Glock 9-millimeter handgun or a 7.62-caliber semiautomatic rifle.[8] The amended information also added two special deadly weapon allegations under RCW 9.94A.125.[9] The jury in Respondent's first trial could not reach a verdict and the court, the Honorable James R. Thomas, declared a mistrial on October 16, 1991.

On November 15, 1991, the prosecutor amended the information again, dropping the special deadly weapon allegations.[10] The second amended information in somewhat awkward language charged Respondent [Defendant] Fred D. Bright with two counts of rape in the first degree:

COUNT NO. I

RAPE IN THE FIRST DEGREE

That on or about the 11th day of JUNE, 1991, in the County of Okanogan, State of Washington, then and there being said defendant did engage in oral sexual intercourse by forcible compulsion with ... [Ms. L.], where said perpetrator used or threatened to use a deadly weapon, or what appeared to be a deadly weapon to-wit: a Glock 9mm handgun or a 7.62 caliber semi automatic rifle
All contrary to the form of the Statute 9A.44.040(1), the maximum penalty for which is life in a State penal institution and a fine of fifty thousand dollars, in such cases made and provided and against the peace and dignity of the State of Washington.

*925 COUNT NO. II

RAPE IN THE FIRST DEGREE

That on or about the 11th day of JUNE, 1991, in the County of Okanogan, State of Washington, then and there being said Defendant did engage in sexual intercourse by forcible compulsion with ... [Ms. L.], where said perpetrator used or threatened to use a deadly weapon, or what appeared to be a deadly weapon to-wit: a Glock 9mm handgun or a 7.62 caliber semi automatic rifle
All contrary to the form of Statute 9A.44.040(1), the maximum penalty for which is life in a State penal institution and a fine of fifty thousand dollars, in such cases made and provided and against the peace and dignity of the State of Washington.[11]

The case was retried on November 18, 1991 before a new jury and a new judge, the Honorable Harold D. Clarke. The jury found Respondent "guilty" on both counts of rape in the first degree. On April 21, 1992, the court entered judgment and sentenced Respondent to concurrent terms of 102 months on each count.

What actually happened after Ms. L. moved to the front seat of the patrol car was disputed at trial. Ms. L. testified that shortly after moving to the front seat, Respondent began to fondle her breasts with one hand, while driving with the other.[12] She said this caused her to "feel frozen in [her] spot," and she was at a loss about what she should do.[13] She testified that a short time later Respondent grabbed the back of her neck and forced her to engage in an act of fellatio as he was driving down the highway.[14] She said resistance proved painful and futile, as she was unable to lift her head from Respondent's lap because of the tight grip he had on her neck.[15] According to Ms. L., Respondent then stopped the car on a dirt road, removed what appeared to be a condom from a brief case and got out of the patrol car.[16] She said that a few moments later he opened the passenger door and ordered her to get out, drop her pants and underwear, lean against the car, and face away from him.[17] She testified that, fearing for her safety, she complied with his orders and that Respondent then engaged her in an act of vaginal intercourse.[18]

According to Ms. L., at all times during the encounter Respondent was armed with the handgun he carried in a holster strapped to his waist, and his rifle was on the back seat of the patrol car. Ms. L. stated she was aware of the presence of both weapons during the encounter, but at no time did Respondent directly use or threaten to use either weapon to gain her compliance.[19] However, Ms. L.

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Bluebook (online)
916 P.2d 922, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/state-v-bright-wash-1996.