IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON

DIVISION II

In re the Matter of the Personal Restraint 

Petition of

No. 35195-1-II

MICHAEL LOUIS RHEM,

Petitioner.

UNPUBLISHED OPINION

JOHANSON, C.J. — Michael Rhem seeks relief from personal restraint imposed following 

his 2003 jury trial convictions of two counts of first degree assault, each with firearm sentencing 

enhancements, and one count of first degree unlawful possession of a firearm (UPF). He argues 

that (1) the trial court violated his public trial right1under the Washington State Constitution by 

excluding his family members and others during jury voir dire and during trial without first 

 

1 Rhem mentions the public’s public trial right under art. I, § 10 of the Washington State 

Constitution in his original personal restraint petition, but he does not analyze whether he may 

assert the public’s right and his argument’s focus is on his own public trial rights under art. I, § 22. 

Accordingly, we address only Rhem’s rights under art. I, § 22. See In re Pers. Restraint of Coggin, 

182 Wn.2d 115, 116 n.3, 340 P.3d 810 (2014) (plurality opinion) (limiting analysis to petitioner’s 

public trial right when petitioner fails to fully analyze public’s right).

Filed

Washington State

Court of Appeals

Division Two

December 22, 2015
No. 35195-1-II

2

considering the Bone-Club2factors,3(2) the trial court’s orders in limine were violated several 

times when witnesses and counsel referred to Rhem’s possession of a firearm not involved in the 

current offenses and to his first jury trial, and (3) the admission of his co-defendant’s statements 

were improper under Bruton.

4

 In an amended petition, he raises several sentencing issues and 

argues that imposing the firearm enhancements on the assaults constitutes double jeopardy because 

the use of a firearm was an element of the assaults. Respondent argues that we should remand for 

the trial court to correct certain scrivener’s errors on Rhem’s judgment and sentence. We deny 

Rhem’s personal restraint petition (PRP) and deny Respondent’s request to remand for correction 

of the judgment and sentence.

FACTS

I. BACKGROUND FACTS

The two first degree assaults and the UPF conviction arose out of an alleged retaliatory 

gang-related shooting that took place in an alley behind Ash Street in Tacoma on August 21, 1999. 

State v. Wynn, noted at 126 Wn. App. 1008, 2005 WL 470049, at *1-2; State v. Rhem, noted at 

112 Wn. App. 1034, 2002 WL 1481272, at *1. The two assault victims were Michael Rollins and 

Kimberly Matthews. 

Based on the Ash Street shooting, the State charged Rhem and Kimothy Wynn each with 

two counts of first degree assault and one count of drive-by shooting. Rhem, 2002 WL 1481272,

 

2

State v. Bone-Club, 128 Wn.2d 254, 258-59, 906 P.2d 325 (1995).

3 Rhem does not argue that he received ineffective assistance of appellate counsel because his 

appellate counsel failed to raise this issue.

4 Bruton v. United States, 391 U.S. 123, 88 S. Ct. 1620, 20 L. Ed. 2d 476 (1968).
No. 35195-1-II

3

at *1. It also charged Rhem with two counts of first degree UPF and three additional counts of 

first degree assault based on the events that preceded the Ash Street shooting. Rhem, 2002 WL 

1481272, at *1.

The State’s theory was that the Ash Street shooting was among a string of shootings that 

were in retaliation for Rollins’s failure to assist Rhem and Digno DeJesus, both Crip gang 

members, during a fight with Rodney Hebert and Chris Meza, both Blood gang members, that 

occurred in late July 1999. According to the State, after the July incident, on the afternoon of 

August 21, Hebert and Rollins were driving near South 23rd and Wilkeson Streets when Rhem 

shot at Hebert’s car. Randall Henderson, who was also a Crip, and DeJesus stated that Rhem told 

them he had done the Wilkeson Street shooting. 

At about 9:25 PM that same night, several shots were fired into a crowd attending a barbecue 

at Wynn’s aunt’s house; Wynn and Rhem were among the barbecue attendees. The Ash Street 

shooting then occurred at about 11:15 PM. A few hours later, Rhem and Wynn were injured in 

another shooting at a local gas station. The State also asserted that Rhem and Wynn shot at Larry 

Glover’s home on September 28. 

II. FIRST TRIAL AND FIRST APPEAL

Rhem pleaded guilty to one of the first degree UPF charges.5 Rhem and Wynn went to 

trial on the remaining charges. Rhem, 2002 WL 1481272, at *2.

 

5 This charge stemmed from Rhem’s possession of a firearm at the time of his arrest. 
No. 35195-1-II

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In July 2000, a jury convicted Rhem and Wynn each of two counts of first degree assault 

and one count of first degree UPF.6 Rhem, 2002 WL 1481272, at *1. We reversed these 

convictions and remanded for further proceedings. Rhem, 2002 WL 1481272, at *1. We affirmed 

the UPF conviction to which Rhem had pleaded guilty. Rhem, 2002 WL 1481272, at *11.

During the first trial, the defendants had moved to exclude any references to the fact they 

were known to always carry guns. Rhem, 2002 WL 1481272, at *6. Citing ER 404(b) and ER 

406, the trial court admitted testimony from DeJesus and Henderson that they had seen the 

defendants with “‘a gun on a regular basis.’” Rhem, 2002 WL 1481272, at *6.

On appeal, we characterized this evidence as “evidence of habit” and held that admission 

of this evidence was harmful error.7 Rhem, 2002 WL 1481272, at *7-8. We did not consider 

whether evidence of individual instances of firearm possession would be admissible.

III. SECOND TRIAL AND SECOND APPEAL

On remand, the State recharged Rhem and Wynn each with two counts of first degree 

assault with firearm sentencing enhancements and one count of first degree UPF. Wynn, 2005 WL 

470049, at *2. The case proceeded to a joint jury trial in January 2003. 

A. VOIR DIRE/EXCLUSION OF FAMILY AND OTHERS

During some of the preliminary hearings, the State moved to exclude any children from 

the courtroom. Acknowledging that it was an open courtroom, the trial court denied the motion. 

 

6 The jury acquitted Rhem and Wynn of the drive-by shooting charge and acquitted Rhem of the 

three additional first degree assaults. Rhem, 2002 WL 1481272, at *2.

7 We also held that the accomplice liability and the UPF to-convict instructions were defective and 

that these errors were not harmless. Rhem, 2002 WL 1481272, at *1.
No. 35195-1-II

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2 Report of Proceedings (RP) at 74.

8

 But the court also spontaneously announced that when jury 

selection started and the jury panel arrived, the courtroom would be too crowded so the courtroom 

would be “available only for jurors.” 2 RP at 75. The trial court specifically stated that the 

defendant’s “family members” would have to “wait outside” until some of the potential jurors were 

dismissed. 2 RP at 75.

The full jury voir dire has not been transcribed and nothing in the record expressly states 

whether the public was prevented from entering the courtroom during voir dire. But at some point 

during voir dire, a juror complained about noises or “disturbance[s]” coming from the hallway 

outside of the courtroom and jail personnel commented that the defendants’ families were “waving 

hi and holding up the baby through the window.” 2 RP 151-52. Rhem’s and Wynn’s counsels 

told the trial court that they had told the defendants’ family members not to return until the next 

day because the jury would not be impaneled until then. Voir dire continued the next day and was 

not transcribed. The record does not show whether or when the public or the defendants’ families 

were allowed into the courtroom.

Later, after the testimony had begun, the trial court commented that the door to the 

courtroom had been posted with a notice that “people aren’t to be coming in, except at a normal 

break.” 5 RP at 391. The court then directed the unnamed individuals who had just entered the 

courtroom to leave and advised them that they were “welcome at the break.” 5 RP at 391.

 

8 All citations to the Report of Proceedings reference the Report of Proceedings filed in Cause No. 

29958-5-II.
No. 35195-1-II

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B. ORDERS IN LIMINE

In a pretrial hearing, over the defendants’ objections, the trial court ruled admissible

evidence that both defendants had possessed 9 mm and .45 caliber handguns on specific occasions 

before and after the date of the alleged shooting. See Wynn, 2005 WL 470049, at *2. The trial 

court later clarified that it was excluding references to general firearm possession and to evidence 

that either defendant had possessed a 10 mm firearm. 

The parties and the trial court also discussed how to handle potential references to the 

previous trial. The trial court stated that both parties were “prohibited from saying what happened 

in the prior trials” and asked counsel how they wanted to handle any “mention of previous 

testimony.” RP (Jan. 10, 2003) at 45-46. Wynn’s counsel stated that he preferred the phrase 

“[p]revious testimony.” RP (Jan. 10, 2003) at 46. The trial court also asked counsel to admonish 

the witnesses not to say things like “‘[w]ell, at the first trial.’” RP (Jan. 10, 2003) at 46.

C. TESTIMONY

Over the course of seven days, the jury heard testimony from 24 witnesses. Throughout 

the trial, there were numerous references to “earlier proceeding[s]” (4 RP at 342), “prior 

proceeding[s]” (4 RP at 349; 5 RP at 433; 6 RP at 605-06, 622-23), previously “being in court 

testifying” (4 RP at 359), “prior” or “previous[ ]” testimony (5 RP at 379, 429, 452; 6 RP at 627, 

645), and “prior court hearing[s]” (5 RP at 494) as various witnesses either refreshed their 

memories or were impeached with transcripts from prior proceedings. But on three occasions, one 

witness, Henderson, referred to the prior trial. Rhem’s counsel also referred to the “last trial” on 
No. 35195-1-II

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two occasions.9 5 RP at 500; 6 RP at 609. And Wynn’s counsel mentioned prior testimony “in 

this case” once.10 6 RP at 620.

Also throughout the trial, the jury heard testimony about Rhem and Wynn possessing 9 

mm or .45 caliber firearms. The only testimony referring to Rhem possessing a 10 mm firearm 

was Henderson’s testimony that Rhem had possessed and fired “a Smith & Wesson 10 mm” during 

the September 1999 incident at Glover’s home.11 6 RP at 584.

D. WYNN’S REDACTED STATEMENT

Well into the trial, Rhem’s counsel also argued that Wynn’s redacted statement,12 which 

he gave to Detective Tom Davidson, violated Bruton. The trial court approved of the redactions. 

No transcript of the redacted statement was admitted at trial. Instead, Detective Davidson 

testified about Wynn’s statement.13

 

9 We describe these references to the prior trial in more detail below.

10 Much later in the proceedings, after the State had rested, Rhem’s counsel argued that the constant 

references to prior testimony and the references to one or more of the defendants having been “‘in 

custody ever since’” essentially informed the jury that this was a retrial and that the defendants 

had previously been convicted. 9 RP at 1367. The trial court rejected this argument. The trial 

court commented that the references throughout the trial included references to “all sorts of people 

hav[ing] been prosecuted for all sorts of tangential things,” so the jury would not have “a clue 

who’s been tried before under what circumstances.” 9 RP at 1368.

11 In its closing argument, the State also commented on Henderson’s testimony that in the 

September 1999 shooting at Glover’s house, Rhem had possessed and fired a 10 mm firearm. 

12 Rhem’s counsel refers to redactions on “discovery page 76, 3 of 8, to the top of page 76.” 9 RP 

at 1139. That document is not part of our record.

13 We describe this testimony in more detail below.
No. 35195-1-II

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E. VERDICT AND SENTENCE

The jury found Rhem guilty of two counts of first degree assault, each with a firearm 

sentencing enhancement, and one count of first degree UPF. 

At sentencing, the trial court found that Rhem’s offender scores were 9 points for the first 

assault and the UPF conviction; the offender score for Rhem’s second assault conviction was 

zero.14 The court did not consider any of Rhem’s current offenses to be same criminal conduct. 

At the sentencing hearing, the trial court announced it was imposing the same sentences 

that the previous court had imposed. The prior judgment and sentence had imposed the following 

sentences: (1) 318 months on the first assault conviction, (2) 123 months on the second assault 

conviction, (3) 116 months on the UPF conviction to which Rhem pleaded guilty, (4) 116 months 

on the second UPF conviction, and (5) two 60-month firearm sentencing enhancements on the 

assault convictions. The first court imposed the second first degree assault sentence consecutive 

to the first assault conviction and imposed the enhancements consecutive to each other and 

consecutive to the sentences on the underlying assaults. The total confinement imposed was 561 

months. 

The judgment and sentence from the second trial was the same as from the first trial, except 

the second judgment and sentence imposed 183 months instead of 123 months on the second 

assault convictions and did not include any sentencing information on the first degree UPF to 

which Rhem had pleaded guilty (although the UPF guilty plea conviction was included in Rhem’s 

criminal history). 

 

14 See former RCW 9.94A.400(1)(b) (1998).
No. 35195-1-II

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F. SECOND APPEAL

We affirmed these convictions in an unpublished decision. Wynn, 2005 WL 470049, at *1. 

This appeal mandated on February 9, 2006. 

IV. PERSONAL RESTRAINT PETITION AND REFERENCE HEARING

In July 2006, less than a year after the direct appeal mandated, Rhem filed a timely pro se 

PRP.15 In this PRP, he argued that (1) the trial court violated his public trial rights under the 

Washington State Constitution by excluding his family members and others during jury voir dire 

and during the trial without first considering the Bone-Club factors, (2) the trial court’s orders in 

limine were violated several times when witnesses and the State referred to Rhem’s possession of 

the 10 mm firearm and when witnesses and counsel referred to his first jury trial, and (3) the 

admission of Wynn’s statement was improper under Bruton. In September 2006, also less than a 

year after the direct appeal mandated, Rhem filed a timely supplemental petition asserting several 

sentencing errors16 and a double jeopardy argument.

In a second supplemental PRP, Rhem, who was then represented by counsel, filed sworn 

statements or declarations from Rhem’s trial counsel and Rhem regarding the closed courtroom 

issue. Trial counsel’s sworn statement stated that (1) the trial court had ordered all members of 

the public to leave the courtroom when the first group of jurors arrived for the jury selection 

process, (2) when the jury panel arrived several people, including Rhem’s friends and family, were 

ordered to sit outside the courtroom, (3) even after the full jury panel arrived, there was room in 

 

15 See RCW 10.73.090.

16 We describe these arguments in more detail below.
No. 35195-1-II

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the courtroom, (4) the trial court never discussed the possibility of moving to a larger courtroom, 

and (5) members of the public were not permitted back into the courtroom until after the jury was 

seated even though space became available during voir dire. Rhem’s declaration was similar. 

After oral argument and several stays pending Supreme Court decisions on various aspects 

of the public trial issue, we remanded the matter back to the trial court for a reference hearing and 

directed the court to make findings on the following issues:

1. Whether and to what extent the trial court closed the courtroom to the public 

during jury voir dire;

2. Whether Petitioner’s family members were excluded; 

3. Whether Petitioner requested or objected to the closure; 

4. Whether the trial court examined the Bone-Club factors before ordering the 

closure; 

5. The duration of the closure; and,

6. If there was a closure and the trial court failed to consider the Bone-Club

factors, whether this closure resulted in actual and substantial prejudice.

Order Lifting Stay and Transferring Pet. to Superior Ct. for Reference Hr’g (Oct. 16, 2013).

Following a reference hearing, the trial court made several findings of fact and conclusions 

of law and answered the above questions as follows:

1. “The courtroom was effectively closed to the public at sometime the 

morning of January 13th, through most, perhaps all of the afternoon of 

January 14th, during the voir dire process.”

2. “Members of [Rhem’s] family and other members of the public were 

effectively excluded during voir dire.”

3. “Petitioner did not request or object to the closure to members of the public 

at any time. No attorney requested or objected to closure.”

4. “The trial court did not examine the Bone-Club factors, and was not 

requested to do so.”

5. “The closure lasted for most, if not all, of the voir dire process.”

6. “No evidence was presented to support any finding of actual and substantial 

prejudice to the outcome of Rhem’s trial. There was no evidence presented 

at the reference hearing to indicate any effect that a closure had on the 

decisions of any members of the jury sworn to decide the case. There is no 

evidence of any closure of the courtroom during any other part of the trial, 

and balancing this prejudice against the trial court’s need to accommodate 
No. 35195-1-II

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and make comfortable the jurors leads to a conclusion that, on balance, such 

prejudice was not substantial.”

Pet’r’s Suppl. Br. re: Coggin and Speight, Attach. at 12-13. The trial court also found that “[t]here 

is no evidence to suggest that after completion of voir dire, there was any closure of the courtroom 

explicit or perceived.” Pet’r’s Suppl. Br. re: Coggin and Speight, Attach. at 9.

After receiving the trial court’s findings and conclusions, we allowed further supplemental 

briefing on the public trial issue. We now address the petition.

ANALYSIS

I. PRP STANDARDS

A PRP is not a substitute for a direct appeal and the availability of collateral relief is limited. 

In re Pers. Restraint of Grasso, 151 Wn.2d 1, 10, 84 P.3d 859 (2004). Generally, to be entitled to 

relief, the petitioner must show either a constitutional error that resulted in actual and substantial 

prejudice or a nonconstitutional error that constituted a fundamental defect that inherently results 

in a complete miscarriage of justice. In re Cook, 114 Wn.2d 802, 812, 792 P.2d 506 (1990); 

Grasso, 151 Wn.2d at 10-11.

II. PUBLIC TRIAL CLAIM

Rhem first argues that the trial court violated his right to a public trial under the Washington 

Constitution17 when it failed to comply with Bone-Club and Seattle Times Co. v. Ishikawa, 97 

 

17 Rhem did not raise a public trial claim under the federal constitution until after he obtained 

appointed counsel. The brief raising the federal claim was filed more than two years after Rhem’s 

convictions became final when his direct appeal mandated in February 2006. Accordingly, this 

new claim was untimely, see RCW 10.73.090, and we will not consider it. We further decline to 

consider Rhem’s argument that our Supreme Court’s recent decisions, Coggin, 182 Wn.2d at 120-

22, and In re Pers. Restraint of Speight, 182 Wn.2d 103, 107, 340 P.3d 207 (2014), do not apply 

to public trial claims under the federal constitution. 
No. 35195-1-II

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Wn.2d 30, 640 P.2d 716 (1982), before excluding the public from the courtroom during voir dire 

and at some point later during the trial. Art. I, § 22 gives criminal defendants the right to a public 

trial. See also State v. Paumier, 176 Wn.2d 29, 34, 288 P.3d 1126 (2012). Our Supreme Court 

has “repeatedly held that the public trial right applies to jury selection,” including voir dire 

proceedings during which the jurors are questioned. In re Pers. Restraint of Coggin, 182 Wn.2d 

115, 118, 340 P.3d 810 (2014) (plurality opinion).

But this right is not absolute; “a trial court may close the courtroom so long as it considers 

the five criteria outlined in Bone-Club.” Coggin, 182 Wn.2d at 118. Failure to conduct a BoneClub analysis before closing the proceeding is an error. Coggin, 182 Wn.2d at 118 (citing Paumier, 

176 Wn.2d at 35). On direct appeal, because a public trial error is a structural error, prejudice is 

presumed and the defendant is entitled to a new trial without having to establish prejudice on direct 

appeal. Paumier, 176 Wn.2d at 36-37. This presumption does not, however, apply on collateral 

review. Coggin, 182 Wn.2d at 120-22; In re Pers. Restraint of Speight, 182 Wn.2d 103, 107, 340 

P.3d 207 (2014).

Thus, to resolve the public trial issue, we must address three issues: (1) whether there was 

a closure that violated Rhem’s state public trial right, (2) if there was then whether the per se 

prejudice standard that applies on direct appeal also applies to this petition, and (3) if Rhem must 

establish actual and substantial prejudice, whether he meets this burden. Although we hold that 

there was a public trial violation, we further hold that Rhem is required to show actual and 

substantial prejudice on collateral review and that he fails to do so.
No. 35195-1-II

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A. PUBLIC TRIAL VIOLATION

As noted above, we previously determined that Rhem had stated sufficient grounds to 

justify a reference hearing on the public trial issue. Also, as noted above, the trial court determined 

on remand that (1) it had excluded the public during significant portions of jury voir dire, (2) Rhem 

did not request this closure, and (3) the trial court did not conduct the Bone-Club factors before 

closing the courtroom. The trial court did not find any other closure. 

Neither the State nor Rhem challenge these findings. Accordingly, they are verities on 

appeal. State v. Alexander, 125 Wn.2d 717, 723, 888 P.2d 1169 (1995).

Based on these findings, Rhem does not show that there was a closure during trial after 

voir dire was completed; accordingly, we do not address this issue further. The trial court’s 

findings establish, however, that there was a closure during jury voir dire, that this closure was not 

invited, and that the trial court failed to consider the Bone-Club factors before closing the 

courtroom. Thus, we hold that Rhem has established that the trial court closed the courtroom 

during voir dire and that this closure was improper. We next turn to the prejudice issues.

B. ACTUAL AND SUBSTANTIAL PREJUDICE REQUIRED

I. COGGIN AND SPEIGHT

In Coggin and Speight, our Supreme Court held that a petitioner must show actual and 

substantial prejudice to prevail on collateral review of an alleged public trial violation. Coggin, 

182 Wn.2d at 120-22; Speight, 182 Wn.2d at 107 . Rhem argues that Coggin and Speight are not 

binding precedent because they are plurality opinions so they do not establish that actual and 

substantial prejudice standard applies here. 
No. 35195-1-II

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We recently rejected an identical argument in In re Personal Restraint of Schreiber, 189 

Wn. App. 110, 114-15, 357 P.3d 668 (2015).18 And our Supreme Court recently reiterated that 

“[a] principle of law reached by a majority of the court, even in a fractured opinion, is not 

considered a plurality but rather binding precedent.” In re Detention of Reyes, ____ Wn.2d ___, 

358 P.3d 394, 397 (2015) (citing Wright v. Terrell, 162 Wn.2d 192, 195-96, 170 P.3d 570 (2007)).

In Coggin and Speight, four justices joined the lead opinions. And Chief Justice Madsen 

authored a concurring opinion in which she agreed with the lead opinion on the substantial 

prejudiced issue. Therefore, we reject Rhem’s argument that Coggin and Speight are not binding 

precedent. Accordingly, Rhem must establish actual and substantial prejudice unless he can 

establish an exception to this requirement applies.

2. MORE LENIENT STANDARD DOES NOT APPLY

Rhem further argues that a more lenient standard, requiring that he need only show that he 

is under “unlawful restraint,” should apply here. He argues that this was his first opportunity for 

judicial review because this court would not have reviewed the merits of his public trial violation 

argument if he had raised it in a direct appeal, as demonstrated by the need for the reference hearing 

in this matter to develop the necessary facts.19 Rhem is correct that a petitioner may not be required 

to establish actual and substantial prejudice if he has had no prior “opportunity for judicial review.” 

See In re Pers. Restraint of Grantham, 168 Wn.2d 204, 205, 227 P.3d 285 (2010). But we hold 

that he reads this exception to the actual and substantial prejudice requirement too broadly.

 

18 Petition for review pending.

19 Respondent does not address this argument.
No. 35195-1-II

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We do not require petitioners to establish actual and substantial prejudice in two 

circumstances. First, when the challenged decision, such as a prison disciplinary decision or 

community custody violation finding by the Department of Corrections (DOC), was not made by 

a judicial officer but, rather, by an “executive officer” and there is no other avenue for judicial 

review of the decision. Grantham, 168 Wn.2d at 205 (addressing prison disciplinary infraction by 

the DOC); In re Pers. Restraint of Dalluge, 162 Wn.2d 814, 817, 177 P.3d 675 (2008) (addressing 

violations of community custody conditions that were found by the DOC). Second, when the issue 

raised did not exist at the time of the appeal, such as when a trial court adds a community custody 

condition to a judgment and sentence after the time to appeal has expired or the petitioner is raising 

an ineffective assistance of appellate counsel claim.20 In re Pers. Restraint of Isadore, 151 Wn.2d 

294, 299, 88 P.3d 390 (2004) (addressing a term of community placement that the trial court added 

to the original sentence after the time for appeal had expired); In re Pers. Restraint of 

D’Allesandro, 178 Wn. App. 457, 469, 314 P.3d 744 (2013) (addressing ineffective assistance of 

appellate counsel claim), review denied, 182 Wn.2d 1021 (2015).

What these types of claims have in common is that there was no opportunity for any judicial 

review of the decision at issue (the infraction, the violation, the new sentence, or the appeal). This 

is not the case here. The decision here was clearly judicial and, unlike the petitioners in Grantham, 

Dalluge, Isadore, and D’Allesandro, Rhem has already had an opportunity for judicial review of 

his convictions and his sentences.

 

20 Rhem also cites Cook, 114 Wn.2d at 810, but Cook does not discuss the prejudice requirement 

on collateral review when there was no prior opportunity for review. Accordingly, we do not 

address Cook.
No. 35195-1-II

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Rhem does not cite, nor can we locate, any cases stating that the actual and substantial 

prejudice standard does not apply on collateral review when the petitioner had a prior opportunity 

for judicial review of his convictions and sentences, but a particular issue could not have been 

resolved based solely on the record before the appellate court. We have, however, located one 

case, In re Personal Restraint of Jensen, 125 Wn. App. 319, 104 P.3d 717 (2005), that suggests 

we have applied a more lenient standard when a petitioner raised an ineffective assistance of trial

counsel claim in a PRP and a reference hearing was required to resolve this issue. But in Jensen, 

we mentioned that this was the petitioner’s first opportunity for judicial review only in the context 

of whether he was entitled to a reference hearing on factual issues related to the ineffective 

assistance of counsel claim, we did not address whether the petitioner had to show actual and 

substantial prejudice in order to obtain relief. 125 Wn. App. at 333 (citing Isadore, 151 Wn.2d at 

299). Although we remanded for a reference hearing, we still required the trial court to find 

prejudice21 before granting relief. Thus, Jensen does not support Rhem’s assertion that he is not 

required to establish actual and substantial prejudice.

We hold that Rhem is required to establish actual and substantial prejudice. We next turn 

to whether Rhem has met that burden.

C. NO ACTUAL AND SUBSTANTIAL PREJUDICE

Following the reference hearing, the trial court determined that Rhem had not established 

actual and substantial prejudice. In his supplemental brief addressing the trial court’s reference 

 

21 Specifically, we required the trial court to find that defense counsel had “an actual conflict of 

interest that adversely affected his representation of Jensen.” Jensen, 125 Wn. App. at 335 

(emphasis added).
No. 35195-1-II

17

hearing findings, Rhem does not challenge the trial court’s findings on this issue. Therefore, these 

findings are verities. Nor does he assert that the trial court misapplied the law when it required 

evidence that the closure had an effect on the members of the jury. He cannot now argue that there 

was actual and substantial prejudice.

In his final supplemental reply, however, Rhem argues that under In re Personal Restraint 

of Orange, 152 Wn.2d 795, 812, 100 P.3d 291 (2004), the prejudice was that (1) the prospective 

jurors could see that Rhem’s family was not participating in the jury selection process, and (2) the 

family could not participate in the process. 

Generally, we will not consider arguments raised for the first time in a responsive brief. 

State v. Chen, 178 Wn.2d 350, 358 n.11, 309 P.3d 410 (2013) (citing Cowiche Canyon 

Conservancy v. Bosley, 118 Wn.2d 801, 809, 828 P.2d 549 (1992)). We decline to do so here.

Accordingly, because Rhem does not establish actual and substantial prejudice, his public 

trial claim fails.22

III. VIOLATION OF ORDER IN LIMINE

Rhem next argues that a trial court order in limine prohibiting evidence related to a 10 mm 

weapon and references to the previous trial were repeatedly violated during the second trial.23 

These arguments fail.

 

22 Rhem also argues that he received ineffective assistance of trial counsel because his trial counsel 

did not object to the public trial violation. Because there is no prejudice, this ineffective assistance 

of counsel argument fails. State v. McFarland, 127 Wn.2d 322, 334-35, 899 P.2d 1251 (1995) (to 

establish ineffective assistance of counsel, the defendant must show both deficient performance 

and prejudice).

23 The State suggests we already addressed the firearm issue in the second direct appeal. Although 

we addressed the admission of evidence about the .45 caliber and 9 mm firearms, we did not 

address any issues involving the 10 mm firearm evidence. Wynn, 2005 WL 470049, at *5-6.
No. 35195-1-II

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A violation of an order in limine can be a trial irregularity, but not all such violations are 

considered so serious as to deprive the defendant of a fair trial. State v. Thompson, 90 Wn. App. 

41, 46-47, 950 P.2d 977 (1998). To determine whether an irregularity deprived a defendant of a 

fair trial, we consider the following factors: (1) the seriousness of the irregularity, (2) whether the 

statement in question was cumulative, and (3) whether the irregularity could be cured by an 

instruction to disregard the remark, an instruction that the jury is presumed to follow. State v. 

Escalona, 49 Wn. App. 251, 254, 742 P.2d 190 (1987). We review claims of prejudice against the 

backdrop of all the evidence. Escalona, 49 Wn. App. at 254.

A. 10 MM FIREARM REFERENCES

The trial court ruled that evidence of Rhem’s and Wynn’s possession of any firearms not 

used in the charged offense, a .45 firearm and a 9 mm firearm, was excluded. See Wynn, 2005 

WL 470049, at *2. It later emphasized that this ruling specifically excluded reference to the fact 

either defendant possessed a 10 mm firearm.24 

Rhem contends that the order in limine was violated when “[t]here were several instances 

of mentioning that [he] possessed a .10 [sic] mm firearm.” PRP at 5. But he cites to the portion 

of the record that relates to a motion that was heard outside the jury’s presence. The only 

references to Rhem possessing a 10 mm firearm the jury heard were (1) witness Henderson’s 

testimony that in another shooting incident following the charged incident, Rhem had possessed 

and fired “a Smith & Wesson 10 mm” (6 RP at 584), and (2) the State referring to this testimony 

 

24 Respondent argues that there was no motion in limine relevant to Rhem’s argument. We 

disagree. The record clearly shows that the trial court prohibited references to Rhem and Wynn 

possessing any firearm other than the type of firearm used in the offenses, a 9 mm and a .45 caliber. 
No. 35195-1-II

19

in its closing argument. The evidence at issue here could be characterized as habit evidence under 

ER 406 or as other bad acts evidence under ER 404(b).

This irregularity was not serious and was essentially cumulative. Although it was arguably 

a violation of the order in limine, these were brief comments in a seven-day-long trial amid a 

significant amount of testimony about Rhem and Wynn possessing other weapons. And this 

irregularity could have been cured by an instruction to disregard this evidence and argument or to 

prohibit the use of this evidence as habit evidence.

Furthermore, Rhem does not show that this apparent violation of the order in limine was 

of constitutional magnitude,25 and he fails to show that these errors constituted a fundamental 

defect that inherently results in a miscarriage of justice.26 Henderson’s brief testimony and the 

State’s brief reference to this testimony, although arguably a violation of the order in limine, did 

not inherently result in a complete miscarriage of justice, particularly given the additional evidence 

that demonstrated that Rhem was carrying a gun during other shooting incidents. Accordingly, 

this argument fails.

 

25 Erroneous admission of ER 404(b) evidence is not of constitutional magnitude. State v. 

Mezquia, 129 Wn. App. 118, 131, 118 P.3d 378 (2005). And the risk of admitting ER 406 evidence 

is similar to that encountered when admitting ER 404(b) evidence in that there is a risk that ER 

406 evidence will be seen as character evidence. Norris v. State, 46 Wn. App. 822, 826, 733 P.2d 

231 (1987) (“Caution is essential in dealing with habit evidence, because it verges on inadmissible 

evidence of character.”) 

26 Because Rhem does not establish prejudice, his ineffective assistance of counsel claim based on 

counsel’s failure to propose the proper limiting instruction or object to any testimony about the 10 

mm firearm fails. McFarland, 127 Wn.2d at 334-35.
No. 35195-1-II

20

B. PRIOR TRIAL REFERENCES

Rhem further contends that the mention of a prior “trial” was in violation of the order in 

limine.27 This argument also fails.

The record shows that although the trial court prohibited any mention of the results of the 

prior trial and had asked counsel to refer to prior proceedings rather than a prior trial, there were a 

few instances in which witnesses or Rhem’s counsel referred to Rhem’s “prior trial”28 rather than 

a “prior proceeding.” First, during witness Henderson’s testimony, when discussing his 

obligations under a plea agreement, he mentioned that he had agreed to “be a witness in the prior 

trial to this one -- there was another one -- or a prior whatever.” 6 RP at 587 (emphasis added). 

Second, Henderson again mentioned his testimony at a previous “trial.”29 6 RP at 618. And third, 

when questioning Matthews, Rhem’s counsel asked her, “Do you recall testifying consistent with 

those words at the last trial?” 5 RP at 500. There was, however, no mention of the outcome of the 

prior trial. And throughout the trial there were several references to prior proceedings or hearing 

when the parties attempted to refresh a witness’s recollection or impeach a witness’s testimony. 

 

27 Respondent argues that the record does not show that the trial court ordered “that there be no 

references to the fact of the first trial.” State’s Resp. at 14. Again, we disagree. The record shows 

that the trial court excluded references to the result of the first trial and requested that counsel not 

allow witnesses to refer to the previous trial. 

28 There were also numerous times the parties and witnesses referred to prior proceedings. But

this was within the scope of the order in limine.

29 At one point when questioning Henderson, Rhem’s counsel also referred to Henderson’s “prior 

trial.” 6 RP at 609. Because this was not a reference to Rhem’s prior trial, we do not consider this 

reference.
No. 35195-1-II

21

Taking the record as a whole, these few brief mentions of a prior trial during this sevenday-long trial were de minimis. Additionally, the jury repeatedly heard about prior testimony at 

some type of hearing or proceeding, often in contexts that would suggest it was a prior trial. And 

the jury was also aware that the charged offenses were related to several additional shooting 

incidents that could have resulted in numerous trials. Given these facts, these three references to 

a prior trial, although arguably in violation of the order in limine, were not serious. Furthermore, 

an instruction to disregard these references could have cured any potential prejudice. Escalona, 

49 Wn. App. at 254. Accordingly, Rhem has not shown that this violation of the order in limine 

caused actual and substantial prejudice or a fundamental defect that inherently results in a complete 

miscarriage of justice and this argument fails.30

IV. WYNN’S STATEMENT

Rhem next argues that a violation of his right to a fair trial occurred through the admission 

of Wynn’s statement, apparently through Detective Davidson’s testimony, and that the redactions 

of his name were insufficient.31 We disagree.

A. ADDITIONAL FACTS

According to Detective Davidson’s testimony, Wynn’s statement to Detective Davidson 

contained the following sentence regarding the Wilkeson Street shooting: “[Wynn] said that he 

 

30 Rhem also raises a related ineffective assistance of trial counsel claim. Because he does not 

establish prejudice, this ineffective assistance of counsel claim also fails. McFarland, 127 Wn.2d 

at 334-35.

31 Although we addressed an issue related to Wynn’s statement in the second appeal, the challenge 

in the appeal was to a different part of Wynn’s statement and was not a Bruton issue. See Wynn, 

126 Wn. App. 1008, at *9-10. Accordingly, Rhem is not prevented from raising this issue in his 

PRP.
No. 35195-1-II

22

heard a gunshot and saw [Rhem] in the front yard of the house next door.” 9 RP at 1140. The 

redacted sentence replaced the reference to Rhem with “someone.” 9 RP at 1140. The trial court 

found the redactions appropriate. 

Detective Davidson testified about Wynn’s statement:

Well, Mr. Wynn stated that he had been at a person by the name of Shawn the 

Mechanic’s house and that he had been out in the front yard talking with a person 

by the name of Chris Heads and that he heard a gunshot and saw a person standing 

in the yard to the south of where he was at, shooting at Rodney Hebert’s white 

Caprice Classic as it traveled northbound on Wilkeson Street and then westbound 

on South 23rd Street.

9 RP at 1147-48 (emphasis added).

After the State asked Detective Davidson if Wynn had made any statements about where 

he might have been at the Ash Street shooting, the detective further testified,

Well, yes, he stated that he had been at his aunt’s house, at the barbecue. At about, 

approximately, 45 to 60 minutes after the shooting at the barbecue, he stated that 

Latron Swearington had come over and picked him up in his blue Caprice. He 

stated that they drove up to the AM/PM at South 12th and Sprague to see if anybody 

knew -- if anybody up there knew who had shot at them. When we asked why they 

chose to go up there to find that out, he stated that that was just where everybody 

hung out. He stated that they had been there about five minutes when he, again, 

was shot at and actually was grazed in the thigh.

He stated that, after that particular shooting, Latron Swearington dropped 

him back off at his aunt’s house and that he then drove his own car, the one that 

had been shot up earlier in the barbecue shooting, to pick up his girlfriend by the 

name of Alisha Rorie at her place of employment.

9 RP at 1149-50. It is not clear from the record what portions of this testimony were redacted to 

exclude references to Rhem.

Later, the detective testified,

Well, I wanted to make sure of what [Wynn] was telling me, so I asked him 

specifically, I said, “Is what you’re saying is that, from the time Mr. Swearington 

picked you up 45 to 60 minutes after the shooting at the barbecue, until the time 

you were shot at at the AM/PM and grazed, that you were with Latron Swearington 
No. 35195-1-II

23

and other’s in Latron’s car that entire time period?” And he said that was correct, 

that’s what he was saying.

9 RP at 1153. It is also not clear from the record what portion of this testimony was redacted to 

exclude references to Rhem.

B. ANALYSIS

We review de novo alleged violations of the confrontation clause. State v. Larry, 108 Wn. 

App. 894, 901-02, 34 P.3d 241 (2001). Under Bruton, a defendant may be deprived of his 

confrontation rights under the Sixth Amendment if he is incriminated by a pretrial statement of a 

codefendant who does not take the stand. Larry, 108 Wn. App. at 902. But such a confession that 

is redacted to omit all references to the codefendant and not “‘incriminating on its face’” is not a 

violation of the defendant’s confrontation rights. Larry, 108 Wn. App. at 902 (quoting Richardson 

v. Marsh, 481 U.S. 200, 208, 107 S. Ct. 1702, 95 L. Ed. 2d 176 (1987)). This is so even if the 

statement may become incriminating when linked with other evidence introduced at trial. Larry, 

108 Wn. App. at 902 (quoting Richardson, 481 U.S. at 208).

Redacted statements must be (1) facially neutral, i.e., not identify the nontestifying 

defendant by name, (2) free of obvious deletions such as blanks or a placeholder such as an “X,” 

and (3) accompanied by a limiting instruction. Larry, 108 Wn. App. at 905. Here, the statements, 

as introduced through Detective Davidson’s testimony, were facially neutral and were free from 

any obvious deletions.32 And although the record before us does not contain any limiting 

instruction related to Wynn’s statements, Rhem does not allege that the trial court failed to give 

 

32 In fact, even knowing that there were alterations, it is difficult to tell when reading the record 

exactly where these alterations occurred.
No. 35195-1-II

24

the jury a proper limiting instruction. Because this is a PRP, Rhem has the burden of establishing 

actual and substantial prejudice, and he has failed to do so.

Furthermore, Wynn’s statement, as described by Detective Davidson, in no way directly 

implicated Rhem. The only possible prejudice was that other witness testimony and statements 

implicated Rhem. But a statement does not violate Bruton even if the statement may become 

incriminating when linked with other evidence introduced at trial. Larry, 108 Wn. App. at 902 

(quoting Richardson, 481 U.S. at 208). Thus, Rhem does not establish that the admission of 

testimony about Wynn’s redacted statement was actually and substantially prejudicial. 

Accordingly, Rhem’s Bruton argument fails.

V. SENTENCING ISSUES

A. SAME CRIMINAL CONDUCT: CURRENT OFFENSES

Rhem next argues that the trial court erred by treating his current offenses as separate 

offenses for purposes of his sentence and his offender score. We disagree.

Offenses constitute same criminal conduct if the offenses require the same criminal intent, 

are committed at the same time and place, and involve the same victim. Former RCW 

9.94A.400(1)(a) (1998). Here, however, each first degree assault involved a different named 

victim and the victim of the UPF offense was the general public. See State v. Haddock, 141 Wn.2d 

103, 110-11, 3 P.3d 733 (2000) (“[T]he victim of the offense of [UPF] is the general public. 

Because the victims are all different, these offenses are not same criminal conduct and this 

argument fails.
No. 35195-1-II

25

B. CONSECUTIVE SENTENCES NOT EXCEPTIONAL SENTENCES

Rhem next argues that running his two assault sentences consecutively amounted to an 

exceptional sentence and that this sentence was improper because the trial court failed to support 

the consecutive sentences with written findings of fact and conclusions of law as required in former 

RCW 9.94A.120(3) (1998), and the facts supporting the exceptional sentences were not found by 

a jury. But our Supreme Court has held that consecutive sentences for serious violent offenses are 

not exceptional sentences. State v. Cubias, 155 Wn.2d 549, 556, 120 P.3d 929 (2005). And the 

statute requiring that these sentences be consecutive, former RCW 9.94A.400(1)(b),

33 did not 

require the trial court to make findings. Accordingly, this argument fails.

C. SAME CRIMINAL CONDUCT: PRIOR OFFENSES

Rhem next argues that the trial court erred by failing to consider some of his prior offenses 

to be same criminal conduct when calculating his offender scores. Specifically, he asserts that the 

prior first degree possession of stolen property and felony attempting to elude convictions were 

 

33 Former RCW 9.94A.400(1)(b) provided, in part,

Whenever a person is convicted of two or more serious violent offenses, as defined 

in [former] RCW 9.94A.030 [1998] arising from separate and distinct criminal 

conduct, the sentence range for the offense with the highest seriousness level under 

[former] RCW 9.94A.320 [1998] shall be determined using the offender’s prior 

convictions and other current convictions that are not serious violent offenses in the 

offender score and the sentence range for other serious violent offenses shall be 

determined by using an offender score of zero. The sentence range for any offenses 

that are not serious violent offenses shall be determined according to (a) of this 

subsection. All sentences imposed under (b) of this subsection shall be served 

consecutively to each other and concurrently with sentences imposed under (a) of 

this subsection.

(Emphasis added.)
No. 35195-1-II

26

same criminal conduct because the stolen property was the vehicle in which he attempted to elude 

law enforcement. 

Because Rhem stipulated that each of these offenses counted as one point in his offender 

score, he has waived his right to challenge this aspect of his offender score calculation. See In re 

Pers. Restraint of Shale, 160 Wn.2d 489, 494-95, 158 P.3d 588 (2007) (citing In re Pers. Restraint 

of Goodwin, 146 Wn.2d 861, 873-74, 50 P.3d 618 (2002); State v. Nitsch, 100 Wn. App. 512, 997 

P.2d 1000 (2000)). Accordingly, this argument fails.

D. USE OF JUVENILE ADJUDICATIONS IN OFFENDER SCORES

Rhem next argues that the trial court erred by including his prior juvenile adjudications in 

his offender scores because juvenile adjudications do not allow for jury trials, were not 

“convictions,” and were not facts that were submitted to the jury. Our Supreme Court rejected 

these arguments in State v. Weber, 159 Wn.2d 252, 262-64, 149 P.3d 646 (2006). Accordingly, 

this argument fails.

E. NO PRE-15 JUVENILE ADJUDICATION INCLUDED IN OFFENDER SCORE

Rhem next argues that the trial court erred by including a prior juvenile adjudication that 

he committed before he turned 15 years old in his offender scores. Specifically, he asserts that his 

judgment and sentence includes a 1990 juvenile burglary. 

Rhem’s judgment and sentence does not refer to a juvenile burglary committed in 1990.34 

The earliest prior offense noted is a second degree theft committed in October 1990, after Rhem 

 

34 Rhem’s prior judgment and sentence does appear to include this offense; but that judgment and 

sentence is not at issue here. 
No. 35195-1-II

27

turned 15 in September 1990. Thus, the trial court did not include any offenses committed before 

Rhem turned 15 in his offender scores. Accordingly, this argument fails.

VI. DOUBLE JEOPARDY CLAIM

Rhem argues that imposing the firearm sentencing enhancements on the two assaults 

constituted double jeopardy because the use of a firearm was an element of the offense. Our 

Supreme Court has rejected this argument in State v. Kelley, 168 Wn.2d 72, 84, 226 P.3d 773 

(2010). Accordingly, this argument fails.

VII. RESPONDENT’S REQUEST FOR REMAND TO CORRECT JUDGMENT AND SENTENCE

Finally, Respondent asserts that the judgment and sentence contains errors that should be 

corrected. 

First, Respondent asserts that the 183-month sentence the trial court appeared to impose on 

count II, the second assault conviction, erroneously included the 60-month firearm sentencing 

enhancement and that the trial court instead intended to impose a 123-month sentence with a 60-

month enhancement. But this issue was resolved when the trial court entered an order correcting 

the judgment and sentence on July 17, 2012. Accordingly, this issue is now moot.

Second, Respondent asserts that the first degree UPF charge to which Rhem pleaded guilty 

should be included in the 2003 judgment and sentence. Respondent is correct that the 2003 

judgment and sentence does not include a sentence for the UPF guilty plea conviction, although it 

does include this offense in Rhem’s criminal history. But this issue is beyond the scope of this 

petition and we decline to address it. Respondent should, however, ensure that a proper judgment 

and sentence addressing the UPF guilty plea conviction is filed.
No. 35195-1-II

28

Accordingly, we deny this petition and deny Respondent’s request to remand for correction 

of the judgment and sentence.

A majority of the panel having determined that this opinion will not be printed in the 

Washington Appellate Reports, but will be filed for public record in accordance with RCW 2.06.040, 

it is so ordered.

JOHANSON, C.J.

We concur:

MAXA, J.

MELNICK, J.