State v. Godsey

127 P.3d 11
CourtCourt of Appeals of Washington
DecidedJanuary 24, 2006
Docket23369-3-III
StatusPublished
Cited by16 cases

This text of 127 P.3d 11 (State v. Godsey) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Court of Appeals of Washington primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
State v. Godsey, 127 P.3d 11 (Wash. Ct. App. 2006).

Opinion

127 P.3d 11 (2006)
131 Wash.App. 278

STATE of Washington, Respondent,
v.
Ray Allen GODSEY, Appellant.

No. 23369-3-III.

Court of Appeals of Washington, Division Three.

January 24, 2006.
Reconsideration Denied March 24, 2006.

*13 Jason B. Saunders, Susan F. Wilk, Washington Appellate Project Seattle, WA, for Appellant.

Kevin M. Korsmo, Andrew J. Metts, Attorneys at Law, Spokane, WA, for Respondent.

BROWN, J.

¶ 1 Ray Godsey was convicted for various crimes in Spokane County. On appeal, Mr. Godsey contends the trial court erred in allowing evidence of statements he made when arrested and while later receiving medical care, and in refusing to give his proposed attempted third-degree assault instruction. Further, he contends his convictions for both resisting arrest and third-degree assault violate double jeopardy principles. Lastly, he contends the evidence is insufficient to support his convictions for possessing drug paraphernalia and making a false statement. We reject Mr. Godsey's contentions except one. We hold the trial court erred in allowing statements violating Mr. Godsey's physician-patient privilege. Accordingly, we reverse Mr. Godsey's conviction for possessing drug paraphernalia, but otherwise affirm.

FACTS

¶ 2 On May 17, 2004, an undercover task force sought Ray Godsey on warrants. A person suspected to be Mr. Godsey was seen by United States Deputy Marshall Kevin Kilgore leaving a Spokane convenience store. Deputy Kilgore reported his observation to Spokane County Deputy Craig Pannell. Deputy Pannell exited his vehicle and yelled, "Police! Ray Godsey! Stop!" Report of Proceedings (RP) at 294. Mr. Godsey ran and climbed a nearby fence. Deputy Pannell followed and again ordered him to stop. Mr. Godsey stopped, turned around and faced Deputy Pannell with his fists up. He said, "Come on," and took a step toward Deputy Pannell. RP at 402. To keep Mr. Godsey at a distance, Deputy Pannell kicked Mr. Godsey twice in the midsection. Mr. Godsey resumed a defensive stance. Deputy Kilgore struck him in the face with his fist.

¶ 3 Mr. Godsey was wrestled to the ground, struggling against the attempts to handcuff him. He was told he was under arrest for assaulting a police officer and for warrants. At that time, Deputy Pannell informed Mr. Godsey he had the right to remain silent and the right to an attorney. Deputy Pannell asked Mr. Godsey, "Are you Ray Godsey?"; Mr. Godsey responded, "I am not Ray, I have never been called that." RP at 407. In a search of Mr. Godsey's person subsequent to arrest, officers found two clear pipes with burn marks, a syringe, and two zip lock baggies. Subsequent tests on the baggies revealed 1/10 gram of methamphetamine residue.

¶ 4 On the way to the Spokane County Jail, Mr. Godsey was belligerent and threatened the officers. Specifically, he stated, "[y]ou are going to pay for this," to Deputy Pannell. RP at 308. When Deputy Pannell asked if he was threatening him, Mr. Godsey reportedly responded, "[t]ake it for what you want, but I know where you and a lot of other cops live." RP at 308.

¶ 5 Prior to being booked into jail, Mr. Godsey was transported to Deaconess Hospital for injuries to his lip and chin. In the presence of law enforcement, medical personnel questioned Mr. Godsey about drug use. Mr. Godsey eventually admitted using methamphetamine regularly for the past year, including the day before.

¶ 6 The State charged Mr. Godsey with resisting arrest, third-degree assault with intent to prevent or resist lawful apprehension or detention, making a false or misleading statement, possession of drug paraphernalia, and possession of methamphetamine.

¶ 7 In a CrR 3.5 hearing, Mr. Godsey challenged certain post-arrest statements, including his denial he was Ray Godsey, statements allegedly threatening Deputy Pannell, and questioning by medical personnel. He argued the statements were not voluntary and obtained in violation of his Miranda[1] rights. The court held all statements were admissible. At trial, officers testified to Mr. *14 Godsey's admissions of drug use made at the hospital without further objection.

¶ 8 At trial, Mr. Godsey requested the court instruct the jury on the lesser-included offense of attempted third-degree assault. The court refused to give the instruction and held, "there is no such thing . . . as an attempted [assault.]" RP at 461.

¶ 9 Mr. Godsey was convicted of all counts. He appealed.

ANALYSIS

A. Statement Issues

¶ 10 The issue is whether the court erred in allowing the State to present statements made by Mr. Godsey when arrested and while receiving medical treatment.

¶ 11 "Miranda warnings must be given before custodial interrogations by agents of the State; otherwise, the statements obtained are presumed to be involuntary." State v. Willis, 64 Wash.App. 634, 636, 825 P.2d 357 (1992) (citing State v. Sargent, 111 Wash.2d 641, 647-48, 762 P.2d 1127 (1988)). "[T]he term `interrogation' under Miranda refers not only to express questioning, but also to any words or actions on the part of the police . . . that the police should know are reasonably likely to elicit an incriminating response from the suspect." Sargent, 111 Wash.2d at 650, 762 P.2d 1127 (quoting Rhode Island v. Innis, 446 U.S. 291, 301, 100 S.Ct. 1682, 64 L.Ed.2d 297 (1980)).

¶ 12 However, "[v]olunteered statements of any kind made to police are not barred by the Fifth Amendment." Miranda v. Arizona, 384 U.S. 436, 86 S.Ct. 1602, 16 L.Ed.2d 694 (1966). Further, "[a] voluntary in-custody statement does not become the product of an `in-custody interrogation' simply because an officer in the course of appellant's narration, asks the defendant to explain or clarify something he has already said voluntarily." Berna v. State, 282 Ark. 563, 568, 670 S.W.2d 434 (1984) (relying on the definition of interrogation from Innis, 446 U.S. at 300-01, 100 S.Ct. 1682).

¶ 13 Here, Mr. Godsey mainly contends Deputy Pannell's follow-up question asking what he meant by the statement, "[y]ou are going to pay for this," constituted interrogation because it was designed to solicit an incriminating response. RP at 308. However, Mr. Godsey was not charged for threatening Deputy Pannell. Thus, the prejudicial effect is unclear. Further, Mr. Godsey's original "threat" was a voluntary, unsolicited statement, not subject to Fifth Amendment protection. Deputy Pannell's follow-up query asking Mr. Godsey if his statement was a threat should be interpreted as a neutral inquiry merely intended to clarify what had already been said. Mr. Godsey's response may be viewed as a continuation of his previously volunteered statement. See Stone v. Arkansas, 321 Ark. 46, 900 S.W.2d 515 (1995) (finding officer's request for clarification after a defendant's voluntary admission of guilt to not constitute interrogation for Miranda purposes). In sum, the trial court did not err.

¶ 14 But, the admission of Mr. Godsey's drug use confessions made during his hospital treatment and reported by the law enforcement officers at trial violated his right to physician-patient confidentiality under RCW 5.60.060

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Bluebook (online)
127 P.3d 11, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/state-v-godsey-washctapp-2006.