Opinion ID: 2626387
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Did the commission of the included crime have an independent purpose or effect from the other crime?

Text: ¶ 30 Finally, we turn to a well established exception that may operate to allow two convictions even when they formally appear to be the same crime under other tests. These offenses may in fact be separate when there is a separate injury to the the person or property of the victim or others, which is separate and distinct from and not merely incidental to the crime of which it forms an element. Frohs, 83 Wash.App. at 807, 924 P.2d 384 (citing Johnson, 92 Wash.2d at 680, 600 P.2d 1249). This exception is less focused on abstract legislative intent and more focused on the facts of the individual case. For example, when the defendant struck a victim after completing a robbery, there was a separate injury and intent justifying a separate assault conviction, especially since the assault did not forward the robbery. See Prater, 30 Wash.App. at 516, 635 P.2d 1104. However, this exception does not apply merely because the defendant used more violence than necessary to accomplish the crime. The test is not whether the defendant used the least amount of force to accomplish the crime. The test is whether the unnecessary force had a purpose or effect independent of the crime. ¶ 31 There is no evidence in the record to support a conclusion that the violence used by Freeman to complete the robbery was gratuitous, or done to impress Freeman's friends, or had some other and independent purpose or effect. Using force to intimidate a victim into yielding property is often incidental to the robbery. Prater, 30 Wash.App. at 516, 635 P.2d 1104. The grievousness of the harm is not the question. See Read, 100 Wash.App. at 791-92, 998 P.2d 897. While the trial court noted in his oral ruling that Freeman may have shot Pitchford to impress his friends, it was not found by the jury. Based on the crime charged and proved, Freeman shot Pitchford to facilitate the robbery. This exception would not apply. ¶ 32 Similarly, this exception would not apply in Zumwalt's case. We are not without sympathy to the fact Zumwalt inflicted severe harm on his victim. However, the decision on what to charge is vested with the prosecutor, and the fact the violence used was excessive even in relation to the crime charged is not an appropriate basis for avoiding merger, although it may of course be considered in sentencing or in seeking an exceptional sentence.