State v. Turner

23 P.3d 499
CourtWashington Supreme Court
DecidedMay 31, 2001
Docket69535-1
StatusPublished
Cited by52 cases

This text of 23 P.3d 499 (State v. Turner) 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. Turner, 23 P.3d 499 (Wash. 2001).

Opinion

23 P.3d 499 (2001)
143 Wash.2d 715

STATE of Washington, Petitioner,
v.
Sergio Jerome TURNER, Respondent.

No. 69535-1.

Supreme Court of Washington, En Banc.

Argued February 15, 2001.
Decided May 31, 2001.

*501 Steven Tucker, Spokane County Prosecutor, Kevin Michael Korsmo, Deputy, Spokane, for Petitioner.

David N. Gasch, Attorney at Law, Spokane, for Respondent.

*500 IRELAND, J.

The State sought review of a Court of Appeals' decision reversing the conviction of Sergio Turner on kidnapping, unlawful imprisonment, attempted murder, and assault charges. At issue is whether the trial court erred by failing to conduct a hearing to examine the factual basis for requiring the defendant to wear restraints during trial. Because we find that the acts necessitating the use of handcuffs and shackles occurred in the presence of the trial judge, and that the trial court made adequate findings to support imposing restraints on the defendant, we reverse the Court of Appeals' decision and reinstate the defendant's conviction.

FACTS

Defendant Sergio Turner (Turner) was charged with two counts of first degree kidnapping, attempted first degree murder, second degree assault of a child, and assault of a law enforcement officer. The charges arose from events that occurred on December 28, 1997. The matter was assigned to the Honorable Salvatore Cozza (Judge Cozza) of the Spokane County Superior Court.

During a pretrial hearing conducted on March 12, 1998, defense counsel Gary Hemingway (Hemingway) noted that Turner was in leg shackles and asked that they be removed. *502 The prosecutor responded that Turner had threatened witnesses and law enforcement officers during earlier appearances in court. In addition, the prosecutor stated:

There is a substantial risk, at least in reviewing the file and also his conduct in jail with numerous fights. He beat up a retarded person [o]n the way up in the elevator on his first appearance.... There's a substantial risk he may assault someone in court. That's the reason for the shackles. It's the jail's position they feel he is a risk to those in the courtroom.
... I would suggest Mr. Turner's threats make him a risk to everyone here. I would ask at least at a minimum the shackles on his legs remain during trial.

Report of Proceedings (RP) at 61-62.

Judge Cozza ruled as follows:

I think that the court can take appropriate notice of difficulties that have arisen in other courtroom settings prior to trial with this defendant.
It is the directive of this court that he will continue to remain in the leg shackles.

RP at 64-65.

At the conclusion of the suppression hearing, Turner became enraged at his attorney. He grabbed Hemingway's tie and said, "I'll kill you, man. You're a liar, man. I'll kill all you motherfuckers, man. Fuck you." RP at 97. Turner swore at Judge Cozza and repeatedly said he would kill Hemingway. The court asked Turner if he wanted to be present for the hearing and the trial. Turner replied, "Fuck the trial, man. I'll kill the motherfucker [Hemingway], man." RP at 98. The court then told Turner he would be removed from the courtroom until he decided to behave and not swear. Turner responded by swearing at the judge and making threats, concluding with, "I'm going to kill him [Hemingway] and you [Judge Cozza], man. I'm going to kill your racial ass. I'll kill that motherfucker." RP at 100. At that point, Turner was physically removed from the courtroom.

During the lunch recess, Hemingway met with Turner at the jail to discuss the State's final plea offer. When Turner appeared with his attorney that afternoon, the court asked him if he wanted to accept the offer or to go to trial. Turner replied, "Either way I'm fucked." RP at 107. Turner was cautioned about his use of four-letter words and asked if he was "going to sit and behave in a dignified and a courteous manner." RP at 108. Turner answered, "Yeah." Id.

The prosecutor then addressed the court:

If we're going to continue, Your Honor, the State is requesting that he [Turner] remain chained hand and legs at this point, based on his outbreak this morning, his prior conduct, and also his conduct while Mr. Hemingway was talking to him. I have security concerns at this point.

Id.

Turner again lost control and was removed from the courtroom. Judge Cozza then stated:

The record will reflect that just now Mr. Turner did grab Mr. Hemingway's tie and had to be forcibly removed from Mr. Hemingway's tie and has now been removed from the courtroom. I will take that as his indication that he is not going to remain in this courtroom in a dignified and courteous manner.

RP at 109.

Hemingway addressed the court, expressing his concerns about continuing to represent Turner in light of the threats and violence by his client.

Judge Cozza responded:

Based on my observations of this defendant from last week and throughout the day today, I have a fairly well-held belief here that this defendant is engaging in a certain chosen course of acting, which I think is deliberately calculated to disrupt the proceedings and to stall things as long as possible. I think that, frankly, he's planning most of it out ahead of time. I think he knows exactly what he's doing, and I think in large part that this morning's temper tantrum, what we saw here this morning, is fairly calculated behavior.

And I'm fairly well convinced that he would do this regardless of whatever counsel ends up representing him. I think he would probably engage in the same tactic.

*503 And to reward him by delaying the proceedings and trying to find another attorney would just postpone this same action. I think it was calculated, frankly, just to stall things.

RP at 110.

Nonetheless, the court granted Hemingway's motion to withdraw the following morning. The matter was continued, allowing time for the assignment of new counsel and trial preparation.

Pursuant to court order, Turner was sent to Eastern State Hospital "for evaluation of legal sanity and competency." Clerk's Papers (CP) at 98. In June 1998, the results of Turner's evaluation were filed. Although Turner was diagnosed with two disorders— polysubstance abuse (cannabis, alcohol, and hallucinogens) and antisocial personality disorder, he was found competent to stand trial and legally sane at the time of his alleged crimes. The report noted, "It is quite possible that Mr. Turner may act out somewhat during the trial but this acting out behavior is under his volitional control and is not due to a mental disease or defect." CP at 100. The report concluded as follows:

It is our opinion that Mr. Turner is a substantial danger to other persons and presents a substantial likelihood of committing felonious acts jeopardizing public safety unless kept under further control of the court or other persons or institutions.
Mr. Turner has an extensive criminal and substance abuse history. He is firmly enmeshed in the gang culture and exhibits little remorse for his actions. Mr. Turner will continue to exhibit a recidivisitic antisocial history.
CP at 101.

When trial resumed before Judge Cozza on July 22, 1998, Turner was represented by John Nollette (Nollette).

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Cite This Page — Counsel Stack

Bluebook (online)
23 P.3d 499, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/state-v-turner-wash-2001.