State v. Wilson

782 P.2d 224, 56 Wash. App. 63, 1989 Wash. App. LEXIS 359
Court of Appeals of Washington·Decided November 21, 1989·No. 9678-5-III·Published·Cited by 21 cases

Opinion

Green, J.

Paul L. Wilson was convicted of two counts of indecent liberties following a bench trial. He appeals contending the court erred by (1) granting the State's motion to amend the information by adding an additional count on the day of trial; (2) denying his motion for mistrial or dismissal based on the State's failure to disclose evidence discovered by it prior to trial; and (3) admitting a hearsay statement. He also contends the evidence was insufficient to support the convictions. We affirm.

On August 12, 1988, Mr. Wilson was charged with two counts of indecent liberties involving L, a 5-year-old girl, and J, Mr. Wilson's 4-year-old daughter. Based upon additional interviews by the State with the child witnesses the weekend before trial, the State moved to amend the information on the day of trial to include a third count of indecent liberties by forcible compulsion involving L. The court granted the motion over Mr. Wilson's objection. The incidents allegedly took place in the neighborhood where L *65 lived and where J visited her father on weekends. Five neighborhood children who witnessed the incidents and J's mother testified at trial. Several of Mr. Wilson's acquaintances and relatives testified on his behalf. Mr. Wilson in his testimony denied the charges. The court acquitted him on count 1 and found him guilty on counts 2 and 3. He appeals.

First, Mr. Wilson contends the court erred in granting the State's motion to amend the information by adding a third count of indecent liberties. We find no error.

CrR 2.1(e) permits an amendment "at any time before verdict or finding if substantial rights of the defendant are not prejudiced." Amendments are addressed to the sound discretion of the trial court. State v. Collins, 45 Wn. App. 541, 551, 726 P.2d 491 (1986), review denied, 107 Wn.2d 1028 (1987). To prove an abuse of that discretion, the defendant must demonstrate he was prejudiced. Collins, at 551. Mr. Wilson argues that addition of the third count added a new theory that prejudiced him, citing State v. Russell, 101 Wn.2d 349, 678 P.2d 332 (1984). Russell is not applicable here because it dealt with the issue of whether the State can amend the information on retrial pursuant to CrR 4.3(c)(3). Since no specific evidence was offered to support a claim of prejudice, it must fail. Moreover, Mr. Wilson could have requested a continuance, but did not. State v. Laureano, 101 Wn.2d 745, 762, 682 P.2d 889 (1984). His failure to do so was a waiver of his claimed error.

Second, Mr. Wilson contends the court erred in denying his motion for mistrial or dismissal of count 2 based upon the State's alleged failure to disclose evidence discovered by it before trial.

CrR 4.7(a) (l)(i) requires the prosecutor to disclose to the defendant the names and addresses of persons intended to be called at trial and their written or oral statements. The duty to disclose is a continuing one. CrR 4.7(h)(2). The failure to comply with these rules may result in a continuance, dismissal, or "such other order as [the court] deems *66 just under the circumstances." CrR 4.7(h)(7)(i); State v. Jones, 33 Wn. App. 865, 869, 658 P.2d 1262, review denied, 99 Wn.2d 1013 (1983). The trial court's power to dismiss is discretionary and reviewable only for a manifest abuse. State v. Burri, 87 Wn.2d 175, 550 P.2d 507 (1976).

Here, the prosecutor asked one of the child witnesses, without objection, whether the child knew what an erection was, followed by a question whether Mr. Wilson had an erection when he touched J. After cross examination of the witness, Mr. Wilson moved to dismiss count 2, or alternatively for a mistrial. The court denied the motions stating it would disregard not only the objectionable portion of the testimony, but all of the witness' testimony on count 2.

The State contends it did not intentionally withhold information and the testimony was merely an elaboration of the statement already made and provided to Mr. Wilson. The claimed error, if any, was waived by failing to make a timely objection. Notwithstanding, prejudice, if any, to Mr. Wilson was obviated by the court's decision to disregard the witness' testimony. The court is not limited to the sanctions listed in CrR 4.7 (h) (7) (i), but may enter such order as it deems just under the circumstances. State v. Jones, supra at 869.

The argument that the evidence affected the court as to counts 1 and 3 may not be raised on appeal when his objection at trial was limited to its effect on count 2. Smith v. Shannon, 100 Wn.2d 26, 37, 666 P.2d 351 (1983). Further, Mr. Wilson was acquitted of count 1. As to count 3, the court is presumed to disregard the excluded evidence and consider only that evidence properly before the court. In re Wilson, 91 Wn.2d 487, 490, 588 P.2d 1161 (1979). We find no abuse of discretion.

Third, Mr. Wilson contends he was denied his right of confrontation by the admission of a hearsay statement by L. We find no error.

Near the close of trial, the prosecution informed the court and defense counsel he intended to offer the testimony of one of the child witnesses that L, upset and crying, *67 told the witness Mr. Wilson had touched her in her private areas immediately after one of the incidents. This testimony was offered as an excited utterance. Defense counsel objected on the basis of hearsay and stated, "Well, it doesn't sound like an excited utterance to me. It is certainly within the ball park if the Court finds it as admissible. If the court doesn't, it sounds to me like it's hearsay." The court permitted the witness to testify as to L's statement.

Here, L was not produced as a witness but her statement was admitted as an excited utterance under ER 803:

(a) Specific Exceptions. The following are not excluded by the hearsay rule, even though the declarant is available as a witness:
(2) Excited Utterance. A statement relating to a startling event or condition made while the declarant was under the stress of excitement caused by the event or condition.

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State v. Wilson, 782 P.2d 224, 56 Wash. App. 63, 1989 Wash. App. LEXIS 359 (Wash. Ct. App. 1989).

782 P.2d 224 (State v. Wilson) — published by Counsel Stack Legal Research, free access to 12M+ legal documents.

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