Court Opinion

ID: 9898558
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-11-14 19:31:30.309793+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T09:16:21.109881
License: Public Domain

Filed
                                                                                        Washington State
                                                                                        Court of Appeals
                                                                                         Division Two

                                                                                          May 16, 2023

    IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON

                                         DIVISION II
 STATE OF WASHINGTON,                                               No. 55986-2-II

                               Respondent,

        v.

 CLAYTON TYRONE KING III,                                     UNPUBLISHED OPINION

                               Appellant.

       GLASGOW, C.J.—After police investigated a sex trafficking operation involving the sale

of sexual encounters with multiple adult women and children, the State charged several members

of the same gang with various crimes. The State charged Clayton Tyrone King III with one count

of conspiracy to commit first degree human trafficking and one count of second degree human

trafficking. Over the course of about three-and-a-half years, the trial court continued King’s trial

12 times. The continuances were largely based on the complexity of the case involving multiple

victims and defendants, the large volume of discovery involved, and the impact of the COVID-19

pandemic on the courts. King’s attorneys requested or agreed to most of the continuances.

       During trial, King repeatedly asked the court to appoint new counsel, but the court declined.

A jury found King guilty of both charges with street gang enhancements. Before closing, King’s

attorney moved to withdraw because King filed a bar complaint against him. The trial court denied

the attorney’s motion. At sentencing, the court imposed maximum sentences for both convictions,
No. 55986-2-II

as well as an additional 60 months for the gang aggravator on the second degree human trafficking

conviction.

       King appeals. He argues that his speedy trial rights under the Sixth Amendment to the

United States Constitution and article I, section 22 of the Washington Constitution were violated.

He also argues that the trial court failed to adequately inquire about his counsel’s alleged conflict

of interest, and that he was deprived of conflict-free counsel when the court denied his attorney’s

motion to withdraw in violation of the Sixth Amendment. We affirm King’s convictions and his

sentence.

                                              FACTS

       In 2016, the Lakewood Police Department began investigating a sex trafficking operation

involving several women and children. The investigation led the State to charge multiple members

of the same gang, including King, with various crimes. On October 2, 2017, the State charged

King with one count of conspiracy to commit first degree human trafficking and one count of

second degree human trafficking. The State originally charged six others as codefendants. It

eventually charged a total of 12 other people as codefendants.

       King’s case was complex. In the beginning, it involved 15 different victims—five of whom

were minors—numerous recorded phone calls, and thousands of pages of discovery. As the case

progressed, the number of defendants and the amount of discovery grew. The case eventually

involved 13 defendants and more than 100,000 pages of documents, hundreds of hours of recorded

calls, “many hours of” taped interviews, and “extensive phone extraction data.” Clerk’s Papers

(CP) at 227. Adding to the complexity, the first attorney representing King was appointed to a

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No. 55986-2-II

superior court commissioner position shortly before King’s trial was set to begin, so a second

attorney began representing King.

                                     I. TRIAL CONTINUANCES

A.     Pre-COVID-19 Continuances

       King was arraigned in October 2017, and his jury trial was initially scheduled for

November 15, 2017.

       On October 31, 2017, the State and some of King’s codefendants moved to continue the

trial to September 2018. King’s first attorney objected to the continuance. He explained that he

had recently been appointed to represent King and had received no discovery, so he could not

determine whether the proposed trial date was appropriate, especially because King was in

custody. The trial court granted the request for a continuance despite King’s attorney’s objection.

       In August and November 2018, King’s first attorney moved to continue the trial over

King’s objections because the attorney needed more time to prepare a defense. The trial court

granted both continuances.

       In January 2019, the State moved to continue the trial, explaining that it expected several

of King’s codefendants to plead guilty and that it anticipated additional discovery. King’s first

attorney agreed to the continuance over King’s objection, echoing the codefendants’ attorneys’

concerns about the amount of discovery that needed review. The trial court granted the motion.

       In August 2019, King’s first attorney agreed to another continuance in order to align King’s

trial date with his codefendants’. King objected. The court agreed to the continuance, setting a new

trial date for December 3, 2019.

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No. 55986-2-II

       In October 2019, King’s first attorney moved to withdraw from King’s case. He explained

that he had been appointed to a superior court commissioner position with a December 9, 2019

start date. Because his new position required him to wind down his law practice, if the trial court

were to require him to continue representing King, he would not have income until the case

concluded, which counsel anticipated would take several months. Under these circumstances,

representing King would be “a huge financial burden.” Verbatim Rep. of Proc. (VRP) (Oct. 31,

2019) at 31.

        At the conclusion of a second hearing on the motion, the court granted the motion to

withdraw, reasoning that requiring the attorney to continue representing King would put “an

unreasonable financial burden on” him under RPC 1.16(b)(6).1 VRP (Nov. 1, 2019) at 12. The

court then appointed King’s second attorney, who moved to continue the trial so he could prepare.

The trial court granted the continuance, noting the “extensive discovery” the case involved and

setting the trial for May 4, 2020. CP at 30. King refused to sign the order continuing the trial date.

B.     Post-COVID-19 Continuances

       In March 2020, the Pierce County Superior Court suspended criminal jury trials “until at

least April 24, 2020.” CP at 277. In early April 2020, King’s second attorney moved to continue

the trial over King’s objection. He stated that in his “professional opinion, after 43 years of

experience in major felony crimes,” he was “not adequately prepared to provide effective

assistance of counsel.” VRP (April 9, 2020) at 19. The trial court granted the motion, adding that

1
  RPC 1.16(b)(6) states that “a lawyer may withdraw from representing a client if . . . the
representation will result in an unreasonable financial burden on the lawyer.”

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No. 55986-2-II

the COVID-19 pandemic had made the May 4, 2020, trial date unfeasible. The trial court continued

King’s trial to September 14, 2020.

         In April and May 2020, Pierce County Superior Court suspended criminal jury trials again

due to COVID-19, with the May suspension lasting until July 6, 2020. In August 2020, King’s

second attorney emailed the trial court about an “agreed continuance,” explaining that he was in

trial at a different court and that court had ordered him to declare himself unavailable for other

trials. CP at 517. The trial court continued King’s trial to October 27, 2020.

         In October 2020, the trial court continued King’s case again upon the agreement of King’s

second attorney and the State. The trial court noted that the parties were negotiating and needed

additional time to get the case ready for trial. The case was continued two more times because

Pierce County Superior Court suspended criminal trials from November 23, 2020, until March 1,

2021, due to the COVID-19 public health emergency.

         On February 25, 2021, King’s second attorney made the twelfth and last motion to continue

the trial. The attorney explained that he needed time to get a second COVID-19 vaccine. The trial

court granted a continuance of six days. When the trial court asked King if he had an objection to

the trial date, he replied, “I’ve been ready to go, Your Honor, since 2017.” VRP (Feb. 25, 2021)

at 20.

         At the same hearing, King asked the trial court to remove his second attorney and appoint

a new one. He said that his conversations with the second attorney were “always arguments.” Id.

at 5. He added that he was “still fighting for [his] full discovery.” Id. He explained that while he

understood that getting a new attorney would push his trial date back again, he felt that a

substitution would ultimately benefit him because the second attorney did not have his “best

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No. 55986-2-II

interests at heart.” Id. at 5-6. The second attorney replied that his responsibility was “to inform and

advise,” but King “becomes upset with [his] analysis and . . . discontinues the conversation.” Id.

at 6. He added that COVID-19 hampered his ability “to engage in regular and consistent meetings

with” King. Id. at 6-7. The trial court asked, “Do you feel that communications have broken down

to the extent that you’re not able to effectively represent [King]?” Id. at 8. The attorney said, “Well,

yes, because he basically won’t talk to me.” Id. But the trial court denied King’s request to

substitute counsel, finding that there was no legal basis for doing so.

                                               II. TRIAL

       King’s trial began on March 15, 2021, the first day jury trials resumed in Pierce County

Superior Court. In his trial brief, King moved for dismissal, alleging violations of his speedy trial

rights under CrR 3.3, the Sixth Amendment to the United States Constitution, and article I, section

22 of the Washington Constitution.2 King also moved for dismissal on the basis of being denied

effective assistance of counsel, arguing that his attorney had not “been able to spend sufficient

time with [him] to fully advise him of the evidence and discovery.” CP at 110. The trial court

denied “a motion to dismiss for any claim of ineffective assistance of counsel,” stating that it had

no indication that the second attorney was inadequately prepared to represent King. VRP (March

15, 2021) at 23. The trial court also denied “a motion to dismiss based upon any Criminal Rule

3.3, time-for-trial violations.” Id. It did not specifically address King’s federal and state

constitutional speedy trial claims.

2
 Our record indicates that King himself requested that his attorney raise these issues in the trial
brief.

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No. 55986-2-II

       On the second day of trial, King again asked for substitution of counsel, stating that

communication was still difficult and that the attorney was not filing the motions he wanted filed.

The trial court denied King’s request, telling King that his attorney had a duty to refrain from filing

meritless motions. As the trial went on, King continued to ask for a new attorney, eventually

informing the trial court that he had filed a bar complaint with the Washington State Bar

Association against his second attorney.

       Before closing arguments, the second attorney informed the trial court that the bar

association had requested a response to King’s bar complaint. Stating that the request created an

exception to the rule of professional conduct requiring “confidentiality of communication between

client and attorney,” the second attorney requested withdrawal from King’s case. VRP (April 26,

2021) at 1941. He asked the trial court to make a ruling and advise King about the exception to the

confidentiality rule, which would allow the attorney to communicate with the bar association in

his own defense but would not otherwise affect his duty of confidentiality. The trial court declined

to grant the motion to withdraw, noting that the attorney had yet to respond to King’s bar complaint

and that closing arguments were about to begin.

       After the trial concluded, the jury found King guilty of conspiracy to commit first degree

human trafficking and second degree human trafficking, both with street gang sentencing

enhancements.

                                           III. SENTENCING

       Prior to sentencing, the second attorney filed a written motion to withdraw, arguing that

because the bar association had asked for a detailed response to King’s grievance, he did not

believe he could continue to ethically represent King. At a hearing on the motion, the second

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No. 55986-2-II

attorney contended that he could no longer honor his professional obligations to maintain

confidentiality, zealously advocate for his client, and maintain candor with the court. He added

that he would be able to “more fully explain that in an in-camera proceeding.” VRP (July 2, 2021)

at 5.

        The trial court denied the second attorney’s motion to withdraw without conducting an in-

camera hearing. It concluded that while the Rules of Professional Conduct recognize the difficulty

an attorney faces when a client they are actively representing files a bar complaint against them,

appointing a new attorney “would create an even greater question of whether there was effective

assistance of counsel” at sentencing. CP at 231. It added that because it had “discretion in deciding

whether to impose an exceptional sentence,” participating “in the proposed ex-parte in-camera”

proceeding would create “an appearance of fairness issue.” CP at 230.

        The trial court found that the second attorney’s obligation to the court at sentencing and

his obligation to King were “not at odds” because the attorney was “able to make argument based

on the evidence presented at trial, the statutory factors regarding the defendant and his prior

history, and other relevant information.” CP at 231. And the trial court concluded the record

reflected that King had “chosen to attack his attorneys rather than work with them.” CP at 230.

        At sentencing, the second attorney recommended a sentence at the low end of the standard

range. For the conspiracy to commit first degree human trafficking conviction, the trial court

imposed the maximum sentence of 120 months. For the second degree human trafficking

conviction, the standard range was 240 to 318 months, and the trial court imposed the maximum

sentence of 318 months plus “an additional 60 months for the gang aggravator.” VRP (July 16,

2021) at 2068; see also CP at 236. The trial court said the exceptional sentence was “appropriate .

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No. 55986-2-II

. . to reflect the jury’s finding that” King’s actions directly contributed to the gang’s activities,

benefited the gang, and benefited King’s stature in the gang. VRP (July 16, 2021) at 2068.

        King appeals.

                                             ANALYSIS

                             I. CONSTITUTIONAL SPEEDY TRIAL RIGHTS

        King argues that a “trial delay of” about three-and-a-half years, “due in large part to the

trial court’s decision to allow [his] original defense counsel to withdraw on the eve of the scheduled

trial in 2019, violated [his] right to a speedy trial.” Opening Br. of Appellant at 8. The State

responds that we should decline to review this claim, contending that King did not properly

preserve it below because his attorneys did not object to most of the continuances. We conclude

that King preserved his claim and hold that his constitutional speedy trial rights were not violated.

A.      Issue Preservation

        We “may refuse to review any claim of error [that] was not raised in the trial court.” RAP

2.5(a). But here, King repeatedly objected to motions for continuances. He also argued in his trial

brief that his federal and state constitutional speedy trial rights were violated. King therefore raised

the constitutional issue he asks us to address on review, and the trial court had the opportunity to

consider King’s constitutional speedy trial rights and correct any alleged error. See State v.

O’Hara, 167 Wn.2d 91, 98, 217 P.3d 756 (2009).

B.      Constitutional Speedy Trial Rights

        The Sixth Amendment to the United States Constitution and article I, section 22 of the

Washington Constitution guarantee a criminal defendant the right to a speedy trial. State v. Ross,

8 Wn. App. 2d 928, 932, 441 P.3d 1254 (2019). The “analysis for speedy trial rights under article

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No. 55986-2-II

I, section 22 is substantially the same as the Sixth Amendment analysis.” State v. Ollivier, 178

Wn.2d 813, 826, 312 P.3d 1 (2013). We review de novo whether a defendant’s constitutional

speedy trial rights were violated. Ross, 8 Wn. App. 2d at 941.

         To show a violation of constitutional speedy trial rights, the defendant must first “make a

threshold showing that the time between the filing of charges and trial exceeded the ordinary

interval for prosecution and crossed into presumptively prejudicial delay.” Id. at 942. Washington

courts have generally held that a delay approaching one year is presumptively prejudicial. Id. at

942-43; Ollivier, 178 Wn.2d at 828. In Ollivier, the Washington Supreme Court found a 23-month

delay presumptively prejudicial despite complex pretrial discovery and suppression issues. 178

Wn.2d at 828, 835-36.

         If the defendant makes a threshold showing of presumptively prejudicial delay, we use the

balancing test from Barker v. Wingo3 to determine if the delay violated the defendant’s

constitutional speedy trial rights. Id. at 827. “Among the nonexclusive factors to be considered are

the ‘[l]ength of delay, the reason for the delay, the defendant’s assertion of [their] right, and

prejudice to the defendant.’” Id. (first alteration in original) (quoting Barker, 407 U.S. at 530). The

analysis is fact-specific and dependent “on the particular circumstances of the case.” Ross, 8 Wn.

App. 2d at 942. Thus, while the four Barker factors guide the analysis, no one factor “is sufficient

or necessary” for finding a violation. Id.

         Here, King has made a threshold showing of presumptively prejudicial delay. The delay in

King’s case was almost twice as long as the delay in Ollivier, where there was complex pretrial

discovery. Here, the State filed charges on October 2, 2017, and the trial started on March 15,

3
    407 U.S. 514, 92 S. Ct. 2182, 33 L. Ed. 2d 101 (1972).

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No. 55986-2-II

2021, so King experienced a delay of more than 41 months, or about three years and five months.

This presumptively prejudicial delay triggers the four-factor Barker analysis.

                1.      Length of delay

        The first Barker factor, length of delay, “focuses on the extent to which the delay stretches

past the bare minimum needed to trigger the Barker analysis.” State v. Iniguez, 167 Wn.2d 273,

283-84, 217 P.3d 768 (2009). Reviewing federal cases, the court in Ollivier noted that federal

courts of appeal found that delays lasting between 21 and 58 months were not exceptionally long,

“particularly when the delay was attributable to the defense.” 178 Wn.2d at 828.

        Under our case law, the 41-month delay King experienced was not exceptionally long,

especially because—as we explain below—most of the delays took place after King’s attorneys

requested or agreed to continuances. Thus, the length of the delay weighs against finding violations

of King’s constitutional speedy trial rights.

                2.      Reason for delay

        The second Barker factor, the reason for the delay, is the main focus of our inquiry. Id.at

831. When determining whether the reason for the delay weighs in favor of finding a violation of

constitutional speedy trial rights, we look “to each party’s responsibility for the delay,” assessing

“the impact of the delay on [the] defendant’s right to a fair trial.” Id. For example, if the State

“deliberately delays the trial to frustrate the defense,” the second Barker factor weighs heavily in

favor of finding a violation. Id. at 832. If the delay is due to the State’s negligence or overcrowded

courts, this factor weighs in favor of finding a violation, but to a lesser extent. Id.

        At the other “end of the spectrum is the situation where the defendant requests or agrees to

the delay and therefore ‘is deemed to have waived [their constitutional] speedy trial rights as long

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No. 55986-2-II

as the waiver is knowing and voluntary.’” Id. at 831 (quoting Iniguez, 167 Wn.2d at 284). Where

the defendant objects to their attorney’s requests for continuances, the delay is still attributed to

the defendant if the attorney sought the continuances to provide better representation. See id. at

834-35.

        Here, the reasons for the delay weigh against finding that King’s constitutional rights were

violated. Of the twelve continuances, nine were proposed or agreed to by King’s defense attorneys

to allow time for trial preparation or to address concerns around in-person gatherings during

COVID-19. Although King repeatedly objected to the continuances his attorneys sought or agreed

to for trial preparation purposes, the Supreme Court’s analysis in Ollivier supports the conclusion

that, under these circumstances, King waived his constitutional speedy trial rights. See id. at 834-

35. And neither party was responsible for the delays associated with COVID-19, so these delays

do not weigh in favor of finding a violation.

        Additionally, none of the delays that were requested for other reasons weigh in favor of

finding a violation. Both King and his first attorney objected to the first continuance, but the record

does not indicate that the State requested it because it wanted to frustrate King’s defense or because

it acted negligently. Rather, the State requested the continuance because the case involved

extensive discovery and numerous victims. King’s first attorney agreed to one continuance because

he wanted to align King’s trial date with his codefendants’ trial dates. And King’s second attorney

requested a continuance because a different trial court ordered him to declare himself unavailable

for any trial.

        Given that most of the continuances took place because King’s attorneys needed to prepare

for trial or because of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the remaining continuances were reasonable

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No. 55986-2-II

and necessary, the second Barker factor weighs against finding a violation of King’s constitutional

speedy trial rights.

                3.       Assertion of rights

        The third Barker factor requires us to examine “‘the defendant’s assertion of or failure to

assert’” their constitutional speedy trial rights. Ollivier, 178 Wn.2d at 837 (quoting Barker, 407

U.S. at 528). Where a defendant asserts the rights but their attorney seeks continuances to prepare

for trial, this factor is neutral. See id. at 839-40.

        Here, King repeatedly objected to his attorneys’ requests for continuances. In King’s trial

brief, his second attorney noted King’s claim that his right to a speedy trial was violated under the

United States Constitution and the Washington Constitution. But because the majority of the

continuances occurred to allow King’s attorneys to prepare for trial, the third Barker factor weighs

neither for nor against finding that King’s constitutional speedy trial rights were violated.

                4.       Prejudice

        The fourth Barker factor requires us to determine “whether the delay has prejudiced the

defendant.” Ross, 8 Wn. App. 2d at 955. Generally, “a defendant must show actual prejudice to

establish” a violation of their constitutional speedy trial rights, but we presume prejudice when the

State’s negligence causes the delay and the delay itself is extraordinary. Id. at 956.

        A showing of actual prejudice “may consist of (1) oppressive pretrial incarceration, (2) the

defendant’s anxiety and concern, and (3) the possibility that dimming memories and loss of

exculpatory evidence will impair the defense.” Id. at 955. The last interest is the most serious,

because a defendant’s inability to adequately prepare their case “‘skews the fairness of the entire

system.’” Id. (quoting Barker, 407 U.S. at 532).

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No. 55986-2-II

       We cannot presume prejudice here because the record does not indicate that the State’s

negligence caused the delay. Additionally, King does not argue on appeal that he faced oppressive

pretrial incarceration, that he experienced undue anxiety and concern, or that the delay impaired

his defense. See Opening Br. of Appellant at 18-19. The fourth Barker factor thus weighs against

finding a violation of King’s constitutional speedy trial rights.

       The first, second, and fourth Barker factors weigh against King’s claim. The third factor

points in neither direction. Accordingly, we hold that the State did not violate King’s constitutional

speedy trial rights under the United States and Washington Constitutions.

                                     II. MOTION TO WITHDRAW

       King argues that the “trial court failed to adequately inquire into counsel’s request to

withdraw based on an irreconcilable conflict.” Opening Br. of Appellant at 19. We conclude that

reversal of King’s convictions and sentence is not required.

       “A trial court has a duty to determine whether an actual conflict exists before it may grant

a motion to withdraw and substitute counsel.” State v. Vicuna, 119 Wn. App. 26, 30, 79 P.3d 1

(2003). The determination of whether a conflict requiring withdrawal exists is a question of law

that we review de novo. Id. “If a conflict creates a legal duty to withdraw, denying withdrawal is

an abuse of discretion.” State v. O’Neil, 198 Wn. App. 537, 543, 393 P.3d 1238 (2017).

       The Sixth Amendment to the United States Constitution guarantees the right to effective

assistance of counsel. In re Pers. Restraint of Gomez, 180 Wn.2d 337, 350, 325 P.3d 142 (2014).

The guarantee consists of two related rights: the right to reasonably competent counsel and the

right to counsel’s undivided loyalty. McMann v. Richardson, 397 U.S. 759, 771, 90 S. Ct. 1441,

25 L. Ed. 2d 763 (1970); Wood v. Georgia, 450 U.S. 261, 271-72, 101 S. Ct. 1097, 67 L. Ed. 2d

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No. 55986-2-II

220 (1981). Accordingly, “the right to effective assistance of counsel includes the right to conflict-

free counsel.” Gomez, 180 Wn.2d at 348. “But a conflict of interest is not a per se violation of the

right” to effective assistance of counsel. Id. To establish a violation, a defendant must show that

“defense counsel ‘actively represented conflicting interests’” and that “the ‘actual conflict of

interest adversely affected’” defense counsel’s performance. Id. at 348-49 (quoting Cuyler v.

Sullivan, 446 U.S. 335, 350, 100 S. Ct. 1708, 64 L. Ed. 2d 333 (1980)). The defendant bears the

burden of proof as to both an actual conflict and an adverse effect on counsel’s performance. State

v. Dhaliwal, 150 Wn.2d 559, 573, 79 P.3d 432 (2003).

        An actual conflict is one that affects counsel’s performance rather than “‘a mere theoretical

division of loyalties.’” Id. at 570 (quoting Mickens v. Taylor, 535 U.S. 162, 171, 122 S. Ct. 1237,

152 L. Ed. 2d 291 (2002)). Consistent with the right to counsel’s undivided loyalty, under the RPC,

“a lawyer shall not represent a client if . . . there is a significant risk that the representation . . . will

be materially limited . . . by a personal interest of the lawyer.” RPC 1.7(a)(2). While the RPC “do

not ‘embody the constitutional standard for effective assistance of counsel,’” they serve as “guides

for determining what is reasonable.” Gomez, 180 Wn.2d at 349 (quoting State v. White, 80 Wn.

App. 406, 412-13, 907 P.2d 310 (1995)).

        For purposes of RPC 1.7, a lawyer’s personal interest includes “an interest arising out of

the lawyer’s exposure to culpability.” In re Pers. Restraint of Stenson, 142 Wn.2d 710, 740, 16

P.3d 1 (2001). However, in State v. Sinclair, the court held that bar complaints create potential

rather than actual conflicts of interest, reasoning that if a bar complaint were “sufficient to

disqualify court-appointed counsel . . . a defendant could force the appointment of a new attorney

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No. 55986-2-II

simply by filing such a complaint, regardless of its merit.” 46 Wn. App. 433, 437, 730 P.2d 742

(1986).

          Here, King fails to articulate an actual conflict of interest. Even though his second counsel

had to defend against the bar complaint that King brought against him, the trial court emphasized

counsel’s obligation to continue to represent King to the best of his ability, stating that while the

RPC recognize the difficulty a bar complaint presents, they concurrently recognize “ongoing

obligations to the tribunal to continue in representation of a client who has been through a trial

and” is about to undergo sentencing. VRP (July 2, 2021) at 13. The trial court also emphasized the

depth of counsel’s experience. And while King’s second counsel repeatedly referred to his need to

reveal client confidences and strategies to the bar association when defending himself against the

bar complaint, counsel and the trial court were scrupulous to avoid the disclosure of confidential

information to the court or the State.

          Nor does the record show a reversible failure to inquire. The trial court heard King’s second

attorney’s basis for withdrawal at a hearing and concluded, as we do above, that there was no

actual conflict of interest. Counsel at that hearing did not articulate a conflict other than a potential

lack of enthusiasm for representing King after the bar complaint and a concern about his need to

disclose confidential information to the bar association. Counsel failed to explain how the

disclosure of confidential information to the bar would undermine counsel’s ability to represent

King in court. Further, the trial court was appropriately cautious and declined to risk becoming

aware of confidential information before sentencing. See id. at 15 (trial court stated that if it learned

about King’s allegations, found them frivolous, and developed “some level of personal animosity

because of that belief, that would not be fair to [King] for purposes of sentencing”).

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No. 55986-2-II

       Moreover, the record does not show adverse performance or prejudice. After the State’s

attorney described at sentencing his own interactions with victims in the case, King’s second

attorney asked the trial court to “strike and disregard” those details, pointing out that they were

“not based on the testimony presented at trial and [were] therefore not real facts.” VRP (July 16,

2021) at 2059. He argued that although King was convicted of conspiracy, the court “should take

into account individual behavior and individual responsibility,” noting testimony about the fact

that King did not participate in some of the more violent actions other gang members took. Id. at

2060. He pointed out that codefendants accused of more violent behavior took plea deals and

maintained that, “subject to the limitations of the standard ranges in each charge,” the court should

not sentence King more severely than those codefendants simply because he exercised his right to

a jury trial. Id. at 2061. Finally, he argued that “the gang aggravator should not be used to

significantly increase the level of the offense because . . . the charge of . . . conspiracy covers the

same conduct.” Id. at 2062.

       The record does not support reversal either because the trial court did not further inquire

about a potential conflict or because King’s second counsel was not allowed to withdraw. And to

the extent King seeks to rely on evidence outside this record, a personal restraint petition is the

appropriate vehicle for such a claim.

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No. 55986-2-II

                                       CONCLUSION

       We affirm King’s convictions and his 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.

                                                  Glasgow, C.J.
 We concur:

 Maxa, J.

 Che, J.

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