Court Opinion

ID: 3187405
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2016-03-21 21:22:16.468455+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:35:51.588097
License: Public Domain

IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON
                                        DIVISION ONE

STATE OF WASHINGTON,                          No. 72854-7-1

                           Respondent,

                   v.                         UNPUBLISHED OPINION

SANGTACHAN FONG,

                           Appellant.         FILED: March 21, 2016

      Schindler, J. — Sangtachan Fong filed a motion to withdraw his guilty plea to

one count of rape in the first degree. Fong claimed his guilty plea was involuntary

because he did not have an interpreter during the plea proceedings. Following an

evidentiary hearing, the trial court rejected Fong's testimony as not credible and denied

the motion. Because Fong failed to demonstrate withdrawal of the guilty plea was

necessary to correct a manifest injustice, we affirm.

                                           FACTS

      On November 28, 2012, the State of Washington charged Sangtachan Fong with

one count of rape in the first degree domestic violence and one count of attempted rape

of a child in the third degree domestic violence. The State alleged Fong entered the

bedroom of his 17-year-old stepdaughter, placed a handgun on the pillow next to her
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head, and forcibly raped her. The State also alleged Fong attempted to rape the

stepdaughter when she was 14 years old.

      After the charges were filed, Fong fled. Fong was arrested in Texas and waived

extradition. After Fong returned to King County, his family hired attorney David Gehrke

to represent Fong.

      On March 27, 2013, Fong entered a guilty plea to one count of rape in the first

degree domestic violence. Under the terms of the plea agreement, the State dismissed

the count of attempted rape of a child in the third degree domestic violence.

      At the beginning of the lengthy plea colloquy, the deputy prosecutor questioned

Fong about his ability to review the "Statement of Defendant on Plea of Guilty to Felony

Sex Offense" with his attorney.

             [PROSECUTOR]:         Is it also accurate that you have an eleventh-
       grade education?
              DEFENDANT FONG:          Yes.
             [PROSECUTOR]:       I have in front of me, and you're welcome to
       share with me, a document that is called "Statement of Defendant on Plea
       of Guilty." Have you had the opportunity to go over this document in depth
       with your attorney, Mr. Gehrke?
              DEFENDANT FONG:          Yes. He did last week.
              [PROSECUTOR]:           Okay. And did you read the document
       yourself, or did he read it to you, or a combination of the two?
              DEFENDANT FONG:            He read it to me.
              [PROSECUTOR]:        Did you have any problems understanding him
       when he read this document to you?
              DEFENDANT FONG:            No, no.
              [PROSECUTOR]:        Do you have any problems understanding the
       English language at all?
              DEFENDANT FONG:            No, no.

       The deputy prosecutor then described the nature of the charge, the standard

range and maximum sentences, the State's recommended sentence, the fact that the

trial court was not bound by the parties' recommendations when imposing sentence, the
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nature of the indeterminate sentence, legal financial obligations, and numerous other

conditions of sentence and consequences of entering into a guilty plea, including the

requirement to register as a sex offender. Fong repeatedly acknowledged he

understood the conditions of sentence and the consequences of pleading guilty.

       During the course of the colloquy, Fong initialed various portions of the

Statement of Defendant on Plea of Guilty. At one point, Fong identified his initials on

the plea statement. When advised the guilty plea "can be grounds for deportation or

exclusion from admission to the United States" if he was not a United States citizen,

Fong responded, "I understand." Finally, Fong acknowledged no one had threatened

him or made any other promises to persuade him to sign the plea agreement. Fong

affirmed he had no further questions.

       Fong's attorney David Gehrke informed the court he had reviewed discovery with

Fong and Fong's family and Fong had discussed the plea with his family. Gehrke told

the court he was confident Fong was making a knowing, voluntary, and intelligent

decision to plead guilty. The trial court confirmed with Fong the decision to plead guilty

was his own and he had all the time he needed to talk with Gehrke.

       When the deputy prosecutor asked Fong whether he remembered the specific

rights he was giving up when pleading guilty, Fong responded, "Guilty." At this point,

the trial court intervened. Fong acknowledged his attorney told him he was waiving the

right to a speedy and public trial by an impartial jury. But Fong replied, "I don't

remember" when asked if he recalled the other specific rights he was waiving. The

court emphasized to Fong how important it was that he understand the rights he was

giving up. Gehrke then reviewed with Fong on the record the specific rights he was
No. 72854-7-1/4

waiving, including the right to remain silent, right to testify and present witnesses, and

the right to cross-examine witnesses. Fong acknowledged he understood the rights.

       After confirming Fong understood his rights and had no further questions, the trial

court accepted Fong's guilty plea as knowing, intelligent, and voluntary. On August 2,

2013, the court sentenced Fong to an indeterminate standard-range sentence of 123

months to life imprisonment.

       On August 1, 2014, the attorney who was representing Fong in a subsequent

prosecution for child molestation filed a motion to withdraw Fong's guilty plea to the

November 28, 2012 charge of rape. Fong did not submit a declaration in support of the

motion. His attorney alleged Fong's first language was Mien and he had trouble

understanding English. The attorney claimed that because Fong did not have a Mien

interpreter during plea negotiations, he "did not understand the ramifications of his guilty

plea, the rights that he was waiving, or, even, the fact that he was pleading guilty."

       The trial court conducted an evidentiary hearing on the motion to withdraw the

guilty plea in December 2014. Fong's attorney for the 2012 charges, David Gehrke,

testified he spent 10 to 12 hours discussing the case with Fong before entry of the guilty

plea. Gehrke said that during their discussions, Fong spoke in full sentences, asked

clarifying and appropriate questions, and seemed to comprehend the answers. During

the course of the discussions, Gehrke never thought Fong needed an interpreter. Nor

did Fong or any family member ever suggest Fong needed an interpreter. Gehrke

testified that he would have arranged for an interpreter if he ever thought Fong needed

one.
No. 72854-7-1/5

       Gehrke stated Fong never said he wanted to go to trial. Rather, he indicated he

wanted to plead guilty because of the strength of the State's evidence and to avoid a

five-year firearm enhancement. Because Fong was not a citizen, Gehrke told him the

rape charges "would be an aggravated felony . . . and that I didn't see any way to make

this immigration-safe and that it could be very adverse in terms of citizenship and could

affect his ability to stay here." When asked if Fong understood he would be deported,

Gehrke explained:

      I made it clear to him, and I'm confident he understood, that a plea to this
      would have negative consequences.
            I'm not sure that I told him he would definitely be deported. I told
       him that he had serious issues there, and I also told him that if he had
      further questions, he could talk to an immigration attorney.

       Community Corrections Officer (CCO) John Pioli spent nearly two hours

interviewing Fong in April 2013 for the court-ordered presentence investigation (PSI).

CCO Pioli testified that Fong did not ask for an interpreter and CCO Pioli did not think

Fong needed one.

       It was a very pleasant interview. [Fong] was very cooperative. He
       answered every question I asked of him. He gave me a lot of detail
       regarding his early life before he came to the United States. He gave me
       a lot of information about when he was here in the United States. He
      talked to me about his past relationships, a little bit about his children, his
      work history and education history.
             He was very cooperative. It was a very good interview.

       Fong spoke in English to CCO Pioli, spoke in complete sentences, gave

appropriate answers, and asked for clarification if he did not understand the question.

CCO Pioli testified Fong provided all of the information attributed to him in CCO Pioli's

lengthy PSI report in English.
No. 72854-7-1/6

       Fong's younger brother Naichiew Saechao testified he and Fong were born in

Laos and came to the United States in 1990. Fong's native language is Mien and he

had only a minimal introduction to the English language before arriving in the United

States. After arriving in the United States, Fong enrolled in high school but dropped out

after about a year and a half. After leaving school, Fong worked at a series of jobs

where many of his coworkers spoke Mien.

      According to Saechao, Fong speaks "some" English and "reads a little bit" of

English. Saechao never expressed any concern to Fong's attorney about Fong's ability

to understand English. Saechao believed Fong would have asked for help if he needed

it.

       Fong testified through an interpreter. Fong described his ability to read and write

English as minimal at best. He identified "eat," "water," and "shower" as the only

English words he knew.

       Fong explained he wanted to withdraw his guilty plea because he did not

understand "anything written" on the Statement of Defendant on Plea of Guilty. Fong

claimed he met with Gehrke for no more than three hours before entering the plea,

"didn't understand a word" his attorney explained about the plea statement, and

repeatedly told Gehrke he did not understand. Fong also asserted he twice asked

Gehrke for an interpreter and Gehrke never provided one.

       Fong was unable to recall any significant details about what he said during the

plea colloquy or during the interview with CCO Pioli. Fong insisted he did not know he

could tell the judge he did not understand the plea statement. Fong said he eventually
No. 72854-7-1/7

signed the plea documents only because his attorney told him to do so. Fong claimed

he did not even know he had pleaded guilty until he went to jail after the plea hearing.

       The trial court denied the motion to withdraw the guilty plea, finding "[t]here was

no credible evidence to support [Fong]'s claim that his plea was not knowing, voluntary

and intelligently made." The court noted Fong's statements during the plea colloquy,

the extensive details Fong provided to CCO Pioli during the PSI interview, and the

credible testimony of Fong's attorney Gehrke all flatly contradicted Fong's claim that he

understands only a few words of English.

       Fong appeals.

                                        ANALYSIS

       Fong contends the trial court erred in denying his motion to withdraw his guilty

plea. He argues the evidence was insufficient to establish a knowing, intelligent, and

voluntary guilty plea. Fong also argues that his attorney provided constitutionally

deficient assistance of counsel during the plea process. Fong separately contends the

trial court's failure to appoint a Mien interpreter during the guilty plea proceedings

violated his right to due process. Fong's due process argument rests on the factual

claim that he needed an interpreter to understand the plea process. Because the court

necessarily considered and rejected this claim following the evidentiary hearing, our

review is limited to the order denying Fong's motion to withdraw his guilty plea.

       Under CrR 4.2(f), the court must permit the defendant to withdraw a guilty plea

"whenever it appears that the withdrawal is necessary to correct a manifest injustice."

This is a "demanding standard" and requires the defendant to demonstrate " 'an

injustice that is obvious, directly observable, overt, not obscure.'" State v. Branch, 129
No. 72854-7-1/8

Wn.2d 635, 641, 919 P.2d 1228 (1996) (quoting State v. Saas. 118 Wn.2d 37, 42, 820

P.2d 505 (1991)). An involuntary guilty plea and denial of effective assistance of

counsel during the plea process may constitute a manifest injustice. State v. Taylor, 83

Wn.2d 594, 597, 521 P.2d 699 (1974). We review the trial court's denial of Fong's

motion to withdraw his guilty plea for an abuse of discretion. State v. Olmsted, 70

Wn.2d 116, 118, 422 P.2d 312 (1966). To prevail on appeal, Fong must demonstrate

the trial court exercised its discretion "upon grounds clearly untenable or manifestly

unreasonable." Olmsted, 70 Wn.2d at 119.

       Fong asserts his guilty plea was not knowing, intelligent, and voluntary because

he was unable to understand the plea proceedings without a Mien interpreter. The

record does not support his assertion.

       Fong's signature on the written Statement of Defendant on Plea of Guilty in

compliance with CrR 4.2(g), and the acknowledgment that his attorney read the

statement to him and he understands it, provides " 'prima facie verification of the plea's

voluntariness.'" Branch. 129 Wn.2d at 642 n.2 (quoting State v. Perez. 33 Wn. App.

258, 261, 654 P.2d 708 (1982)). Where, as here, the trial court then conducts an

extensive colloquy establishing "the existence of the various criteria of voluntariness,

the presumption of voluntariness is well nigh irrefutable." Perez. 33 Wn. App. at 262.

       Fong's responses during the plea colloquy strongly support the determination of

voluntariness. The record shows Fong was able to respond in complete sentences, ask

questions, and seek clarification when necessary. Contrary to Fong's assertion on

appeal, Fong did not claim during the plea colloquy that he was unable to read the

Statement of Defendant on Plea of Guilty. Rather, Fong told the court his attorney read

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No. 72854-7-1/9

the plea statement to him. As the trial court noted, Fong provided an answer in a

complete sentence in response to the deputy prosecutor's compound question.

      The trial court also considered extensive testimony from Gehrke, the attorney

who represented Fong, and CCO Pioli, who interviewed Fong for the PSI shortly after

the plea hearing. Gehrke spent 10 to 12 hours with Fong and never believed Fong

needed the assistance of an interpreter. Gehrke testified that Fong answered his

questions appropriately and in complete sentences, and neither Fong nor his family

ever indicated Fong needed an interpreter.

      CCO Pioli interviewed Fong for nearly two hours. Fong provided CCO Pioli with

extensive and detailed information about his life, education, relationships, and work

history. Fong gave appropriate answers to questions, spoke in complete English

sentences, and never indicated the need for an interpreter.

       Fong insisted he knew only approximately three words in English. Fong claimed

he did not understand anything on the written plea statement, did not understand any of

his attorney's explanations, did not understand anything at the plea hearing, and did not

even understand he was pleading guilty. Fong also claimed Gehrke ignored his

requests for an interpreter. The trial court rejected Fong's conclusory allegations as not

credible. We defer to the trial court on credibility. See State v. Walton. 64 Wn. App.

410, 415-16, 824 P.2d 533 (1992) (appellate court defers to trier of fact on issues of

conflicting testimony, credibility of witnesses, and the persuasiveness of the evidence).

       Substantial evidence supports the trial court's finding that Fong failed to present

any credible evidence that his guilty plea was not knowing, intelligent, and voluntary.
No. 72854-7-1/10

Because Fong failed to demonstrate a manifest injustice, the trial court did not abuse its

discretion in denying Fong's motion to withdraw his guilty plea.

       Fong also contends he should be permitted to withdraw his guilty plea because

he was denied effective assistance of counsel. Fong argues Gehrke's advice about the

immigration consequences of his guilty plea was inadequate.

      We review claims of ineffective assistance of counsel de novo. State v.

Sutherbv. 165 Wn.2d 870, 883, 204 P.3d 916 (2009). Fong bears the burden of

demonstrating both deficient performance and resulting prejudice. Strickland v.

Washington, 466 U.S. 668, 687, 104 S. Ct. 2052, 80 L. Ed. 2d 674 (1984). The scope

of counsel's duty to advise a client about the immigration consequences of a guilty plea

depends on the immigration law applicable to the specific circumstances of the case.

See State v. Sandoval. 171 Wn.2d 163, 249 P.3d 1015 (2011): Padilla v. Kentucky. 559

U.S. 356, 130 S. Ct. 1473, 176 L. Ed. 2d 284 (2010).

       Gehrke testified he advised Fong the offense was an aggravated felony, there

was no way to make the plea "immigration-safe," and the plea could have "very

adverse" consequences. On appeal, Fong asserts that he learned of the "immigration

consequences" of his plea "[a]t some point after his conviction." But Fong does not

provide a citation to the record to support his assertion or otherwise explain the specific

immigration consequences. Nor does Fong provide any support for the allegation that

he "would not have taken a guilty plea and risked deportation, had he understood the

risks to his refugee immigration status."

       Fong did not raise his claim of ineffective assistance in the motion to withdraw his

guilty plea or allege counsel's immigration advice was constitutionally deficient under

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No. 72854-7-1/11

the circumstances. Fong did not mention the immigration advice or consequences in

his testimony. Rather, he flatly denied understanding anything during the plea

proceeding, a claim the trial court rejected as not credible.

       Based on the record before us, Fong fails to demonstrate that counsel's

performance was constitutionally deficient or that Fong was prejudiced by inadequate

advice on immigration consequences.

      Affirmed.

                                                  ScQ^iWePQ
WE CONCUR:

    ' fi f i /^~ ^       I XJ

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