Court Opinion

ID: 5175704
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2022-01-03 21:15:21.673525+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T08:26:17.372397
License: Public Domain

IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON

 STATE OF WASHINGTON,
                                                    No. 80873-7-I
                      Respondent,
                                                    DIVISION ONE
               v.
                                                    UNPUBLISHED OPINION
 TARAILLE DUJUAN CHESNEY,

                      Appellant.

       COBURN, J. — A jury convicted Taraille Dujuan Chesney of custodial

interference in the first degree, attempting to elude a police vehicle (with a

special finding of endangerment by eluding), theft in the third degree, driving

while under the influence, and two counts of reckless endangerment. Chesney

appeals his convictions and claims the trial court violated his constitutional right

to a speedy trial when it granted numerous “largely unjustified continuances” over

his objections while he was incarcerated for 18 months awaiting trial. But all of

the continuances were requested by defense counsel and necessary for defense

preparation, the delay was not extreme, and Chesney does not articulate

particularized prejudice. The delay did not violate Chesney’s constitutional

speedy trial rights and the claims Chesney asserts in his pro se statement of

additional grounds lack merit. We affirm Chesney’s convictions.

Citations and pin cites are based on the Westlaw online version of the cited material.
No. 80873-7-I/2

                                        FACTS

         Taraille Chesney’s convictions stem from events that occurred on March

28, 2018, after he arrived unexpectedly at the Lake Forest Park home of Leslie

Dempsey, the grandmother and custodian of his two children. Chesney ignored

Dempsey’s requests to leave. Chesney gave the children a pruning saw from the

garage and instructed them to use it for protection. Dempsey called 911.

Although Chesney was not allowed unsupervised visits with his children, he

eventually left with his five-year-old child, speeding away in a vehicle without a

child car seat installed. When he left Dempsey’s home, Chesney took

Dempsey’s cell phone without her permission. Lake Forest Park police officers

located Chesney nearby, but were unable to stop him as he drove at high speeds

through residential streets. Police initiated an “Amber Alert” for Chesney’s minor

child.

         Seattle police officers eventually located Chesney in Seattle, but he again

avoided detention by driving away when officers approached his car. Chesney

approached a nearby intersection in the bike lane and on the sidewalk, and when

a police officer tried to block his vehicle, he drove into the officer’s patrol car.

Chesney then tried to escape by driving into oncoming traffic, and in the process,

collided with two more patrol cars. Chesney’s vehicle was eventually

immobilized, and officers removed Chesney’s child from the vehicle and took

Chesney into custody.

         The State charged Chesney with five crimes that arose from law

enforcement’s attempts to apprehend him in Seattle: attempt to elude a pursuing

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No. 80873-7-I/3

police vehicle, reckless endangerment, and three counts of assault in the third

degree. The trial court arraigned Chesney on April 12, 2018. In April and May of

2018, Chesney’s counsel sought two initial continuances to enable review of in-

car video (ICV) evidence she requested and received from the State. The State

joined and Chesney agreed with those requests. The court set trial for July 17,

2018.

        Between June 2018 and April 2019, the court granted six substantial

continuances. Three months after the State filed charges, on June 29, 2018, the

State and defense counsel jointly requested that the court continue the trial until

August 14. The prosecutor explained that the underlying crimes were

investigated separately by the Seattle Police Department (SPD) and the Lake

Forest Park Police Department (LFPPD). She further explained that two weeks

before the hearing, following the referral of the case from the LFPPD, the

prosecutor’s office notified defense counsel that the State intended to add

charges and provided “significant discovery” to the defense. Defense counsel

informed the court that she was reluctantly requesting a continuance over

Chesney’s objection because she needed additional time to review the new

discovery. The court granted the request, explaining that defense counsel could

not effectively represent Chesney without examining all the evidence.

        On August 3, the State requested a six-week continuance, until October 1,

2018, based on the unavailability of a number of witnesses during the timeframe

of the scheduled trial and because the defense had not yet interviewed

witnesses. The defense joined in the State’s request, again over Chesney’s

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No. 80873-7-I/4

objection. Defense counsel also noted, based on video evidence she had

reviewed, that “a number” of witnesses needed to be interviewed and there was

“some outstanding discovery” that she understood to be “on its way.” Because

“critical” State witnesses were not available, and in order to ensure effective

representation by the defense, the court granted the request.

       Then, on September 14, defense counsel sought to continue the trial for

approximately two months, until December 2018. Defense counsel stated that

since the court granted the previous continuance, she had received more than

400 pages of new discovery. Counsel also said she had learned there were

witnesses to the alleged custodial interference, she needed assistance from the

State to locate some of them, and she was waiting for a finalized witness list and

toxicology results. Counsel also represented that, according to her discussions

with the State, the trial was expected to take approximately three weeks. The

State responded that it was prepared for trial and objected to the continuance.

Chesney also objected.

       In response to the trial court’s questions, the prosecutor estimated there

would be approximately 30 potential witnesses. The court granted the motion to

continue, reasoning that counsel could not adequately defend against the

charges without interviewing the State’s witnesses. The court also ruled that the

State should provide a finalized witness list within a month, by October 12.

       Next, on November 16, the defense requested another continuance of

approximately two months, until February 20, 2019. Defense counsel advised

the court that the State had identified 50 witnesses and that interviews of those

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No. 80873-7-I/5

witness were ongoing, but far from complete. Citing the “volume” of witnesses,

the State did not object. Again, although Chesney objected to a continuance of

any length, the court granted the motion, stating that his right to effective counsel

was as important as his right to a speedy trial.

       On February 8, 2019, defense counsel again moved to continue the trial to

the end of April. Counsel informed the court that the interview process was still

ongoing and she recently realized that she did not yet have toxicology results.

The newly assigned prosecutor confirmed that the day before the hearing, she

had apprised the defense of the ultimate charges the State would pursue. 1

Although Cheney objected to the continuance because he wanted to go to trial

and was not “worried” about new charges, the court granted the motion based on

defense counsel’s representation that she needed additional time to prepare in

order “to be effective.”

        On April 19, 2019, the State sought the last lengthy continuance, to July

8, due to the unavailability of one of the victims. Although the parties had

discussed amendment to the information at several points, the prosecutor also

confirmed that the State would amend the charges if the case went to trial. The

defense joined in the request to continue, noting that there were now over 40

witnesses on the final witness list, several of whom had yet to be interviewed,

partly because the defense was waiting for ICV evidence as to at least four of the

       1 Although the State indicated at this hearing it would amend the custodial
interference charge to first degree kidnapping, it did not ultimately charge
Chesney with kidnapping.

                                          5
No. 80873-7-I/6

victims. 2 The defense also alerted the court that Chesney had not yet received

discovery that he personally wanted to review, although the redacted discovery

had previously been approved and sent to the jail. The State responded that it

was “working” to obtain the outstanding ICV evidence and that the delay was

likely related to damage sustained by the vehicles in question resulting from the

crimes.

       The court granted the continuance, observing that without reviewing the

outstanding ICV evidence, defense counsel could not be prepared for trial. But

the court warned the parties that it was “unlikely” to grant any further

continuances. The combined effect of these six continuances delayed the trial

for a year, from July 2018 to July 2019.

       The trial court granted no further lengthy continuances. However,

between July 2019 and October 2019, the court granted approximately 25 brief

continuances, for the most part because either defense counsel or the prosecutor

was in trial, or because of the lack of judicial availability. Sixteen of these

continuances were for one or two days.

       The State filed an amended information on October 8, 2019, adding seven

new charges for a total of 12 counts. The new charges included custodial

interference, domestic violence felony violation of a court order, theft in the first

degree, driving under the influence, an additional count of reckless

endangerment, and two additional charges of assault in the third degree. Pretrial

       2 The comments at this hearing suggest that the State may have amended
the final witness list at some point.

                                           6
No. 80873-7-I/7

proceedings and jury selection took place in early October 2019 and trial began

on October 15, 2019. More than 30 witnesses testified over the course of

several weeks and the jury considered more than 50 exhibits. The jury convicted

Chesney of a total of six charges, including the felony charges of attempting to

elude and custodial interference, and four misdemeanor charges: the lesser

included offense of theft in the third degree, driving under the influence, and two

counts of reckless endangerment. The jury acquitted Chesney of theft in the first

degree and three counts of assault in the first degree and was unable to reach a

verdict as to three counts (felony violation of a court order and two charges of

assault in the third degree). The court granted a mistrial as to those three

counts.

       The court sentenced Chesney to a high-end standard range sentence of

29 months on the felony counts, plus 12 months and a day based on aggravating

circumstances found by the jury, for a total sentence of 41 months. 3 In

sentencing Chesney, the court observed that the case was the “most egregious

case of attempting to elude a pursuing police vehicle” the court had ever seen.

Chesney appeals. 4

       3  The court ordered 364-day sentences on the misdemeanor counts,
ordered the sentences to run consecutively with the felony counts, but it
suspended those sentences.
        4 In addition to his claim based on the constitutional right to a speedy trial,

Chesney initially alleged on appeal a violation of double jeopardy based on the
jury’s special finding of endangerment by eluding and his separate convictions of
reckless endangerment. And he alleged error in the judgment and sentence. In
response, the State agreed to voluntarily dismiss Chesney’s reckless
endangerment convictions and to correct the scrivener’s error in the judgment.
This court later stayed Chesney’s appeal, granted his motion to remand for
resentencing in light of State v. Blake, 197 Wn.2d 170, 481 P.3d 521 (2021), and

                                           7
No. 80873-7-I/8

                                   DISCUSSION

       We review an alleged violation of a defendant’s Sixth Amendment right to

a speedy trial de novo. State v. Ollivier, 178 Wn.2d 813, 827, 312 P.3d 1 (2013).

       “[T]he analysis for speedy trial rights under article I, section 22 [of the

Washington Constitution] is substantially the same as the Sixth Amendment

analysis.” Ollivier, 178 Wn.2d at 826 (citing State v. Iniguez, 167 Wn.2d 273, 289,

217 P.3d 768 (2009)). The United States Supreme Court adopted a balancing

test in Barker v. Wingo, 407 U.S. 514, 529-30, 92 S. Ct. 2182, 33 L. Ed. 2d 101

(1972) to analyze alleged speedy trial right violations. Iniguez, 167 Wn.2d at 283

(citing Barker, 407 U.S. at 530). The Barker analysis is “fact-specific” and

necessarily depends on the particular circumstances of the case. Ollivier, 178

Wn.2d at 827. The analysis requires us to weigh the conduct of both the

prosecution and the defendant. Ollivier, 178 Wn.2d at 827.

       Our courts recognize that some amount of pretrial delay is “often

‘inevitable and wholly justifiable.’ ” Iniguez, 167 Wn.2d at 282 (quoting Doggett v.

United States, 505 U.S. 647, 112 S. Ct. 2686, 120 L. Ed. 2d 520 (1992)). To

trigger the Barker balancing test, a defendant must first show that the delay

crossed the line from ordinary to “presumptively prejudicial.” Iniguez, 167 Wn.2d

at 283. If a defendant meets this threshold test, the court then considers a

number of factors to determine if the delay constitutes a constitutional violation:

authorized the trial court to address all sentencing issues raised by the parties.
On remand, the trial court resentenced Chesney to 38 months based on a
reduced offender score and corrected the scrivener’s error in the judgment and
sentence. The State also filed an order voluntarily dismissing the reckless
endangerment counts.

                                          8
No. 80873-7-I/9

(1) the length of the delay, (2) the reason for the delay, (3) whether and to what

extent the defendant asserted his speedy trial rights, and (4) whether the delay

caused prejudice to the defendant. Barker, 407 U.S. at 530-32. While no factor

is necessary or alone sufficient to establish a violation, they assist in our

determination of “whether a particular defendant has been denied the right to a

speedy trial.” Ollivier, 178 Wn.2d at 827.

       The delay here of a year and a half is sufficient to trigger the Barker

analysis. See State v. Hatt, 11 Wn. App. 2d 113, 153, 452 P.3d 577 (2019) (An

18-month delay in prosecution for first degree murder exceeded the threshold to

require a Barker analysis). We must therefore proceed to balance the Barker

factors.

                                   Length of Delay

       The length of delay for purposes of the Barker analysis is a different

assessment than during the threshold phase. Iniguez, 167 Wn.2d at 293. Here,

Chesney argues that the length of the delay weighs in his favor because he was

incarcerated for 10 months longer than the defendant in Iniguez 5 and did not face

complex charges. Chesney acknowledges that in Ollivier, a 22-month delay did

not weigh in the defendant’s favor but argues that Ollivier is distinguishable

because the evidence involved computer forensic analysis and, in any event, we

should disregard the Supreme Court’s decision in Ollivier because its analysis of

the first factor of Barker is “incorrect and harmful.”

       5 The court in Iniguez determined that an 8-month pretrial delay weighed
“only slightly” against the State. Iniguez, 167 Wn.2d at 293.

                                           9
No. 80873-7-I/10

       As the State points out, we are bound to follow directly controlling

authority of the Supreme Court. State v. Gore, 101 Wn.2d 481, 487, 681 P.2d

227 (1984). And in assessing this factor, the court in Ollivier considered the fact

that the bulk of the continuances were sought by defense counsel to ensure

adequate preparation to be “an extremely important aspect of the balancing

[test].” Ollivier, 178 W.2d at 831. And here, while the delay was significant and

Chesney was incarcerated for the entire time, the defense requests were

primarily responsible for the delay and it was not unduly or unnecessarily long in

light of the relatively complicated factual nature of the case involving different

locations, numerous witnesses, and extensive video and other physical evidence.

See Ollivier, 178 Wn.2d 829 (describing a number of speedy trial challenges

involving delays ranging from 21 months to 58 months as not “exceptionally

long”). The first Barker factor is, at best, neutral.

                                  Reason for Delay

       This factor requires the court to examine each party’s responsibility for the

delay and weigh their respective reasons. Iniguez, 167 Wn.2d at 294. Again, the

majority of continuances were requested to enable defense preparation, while

only approximately 10 days’ of delay was attributable solely to the State.

       All of the continuances granted between June 2018 and April 2019,

including those initiated by State’s motions, were supported by the defense to

further the preparation of Chesney’s trial defense. The delay resulting from

continuances granted in June, August, and September 2018 were also partially

related to the fact that the incidents at Dempsey’s home were investigated

                                           10
No. 80873-7-I/11

separately from those that took place in Seattle, and the materials related to the

LFPPD’s investigation of those events were not available when the State initially

filed charges. The results of the LFPPD’s investigation both provided a basis for

additional serious charges against Chesney and generated a significant amount

of additional discovery provided to the defense in the summer and fall of 2018.

      The delays were also related to the nature of the discovery. In addition to

new documentary evidence defense counsel reported having received in June

and August 2018, because of the number of police officers and police vehicles

involved in the case, both body camera footage and ICV evidence was critical

evidence. Counsel reported receiving new batches of video evidence that

required additional time to review. And recovery of some of the ICV footage was

apparently delayed because of damage to the police vehicles involved.

      The most significant issue underlying all of the continuance requests was

the sheer number of potential witnesses. Not only were there multiple victims,

including Dempsey, Chesney’s child, his passenger, and multiple police officers,

there were a number of police officers involved in the pursuit of Chesney’s

vehicle, witnesses who were “calling in” at the time of the chase, and witnesses

present at Dempsey’s home. Some witnesses required the State’s assistance to

locate. The defense’s requests to continue between September 2018 and April

2019 were expressly based on the need for additional time to interview the

potential witnesses identified by the State, a substantial number of whom testified

                                        11
No. 80873-7-I/12

at trial. 6 Although Chesney was understandably frustrated by the delays,

continuances to enable counsel to investigate or prepare for trial are binding on

the defendant, even if the defendant objects. Ollivier, 178 Wn.2d at 824 (citing

CrR 3.3(f)(2)).

       Chesney nevertheless argues the continuances are not chargeable to him

in these circumstances because his counsel did not seek continuances for

“legitimate trial preparation purposes” and because the State’s “abusive tactics

and untimely disclosures” were the underlying cause of counsel’s requests. We

disagree. The record does not support Chesney’s characterization of the State’s

conduct or the causes of delay. There is nothing in the record to suggest that the

government deliberately delayed the trial to obstruct the defense. See Barker,

407 U.S. at 531. Specifically, the record does not demonstrate that defense

counsel was forced to seek continuances because of the State’s delay in

providing a finalized witness list or the toxicology report. Although the State did

not provide a final witness list until October 2018, defense counsel’s statements

at the August 2018 and September 2018 hearings indicate that defense counsel

already knew the identity of many potential witnesses and the issue was the time

required to locate and interview potential witnesses, not disclosure of their

identity. Similarly, it does not appear that the failure to timely provide the

toxicology report significantly impaired the defense investigation, especially given

that Chesney admitted to police officers at the time of his arrest that he had

       6The number of witnesses, and availability of those witnesses for trial,
was also the primary reason the State advocated for continuances in August
2018 and April 2019.

                                          12
No. 80873-7-I/13

consumed methamphetamine, crack, and alcohol and testified at trial that he

consumed drugs the day before. Although delay in reviewing ICV evidence

related to four named victims, as of April 2019, may have slowed the progress of

the defense investigation to some extent, as explained, the missing evidence

was connected to vehicles damaged during the crimes. Chesney fails to

establish that the State’s conduct was the cause for delay in providing this

discovery. 7

       The record also does not support the claim that the State deliberately

“blindside[d]” the defense by promising a witness list of no more than 30

individuals and then, without explanation, identifying approximately 50 individuals

as witnesses. The State promised only to finalize the witness list by a certain

date. And it appears that the estimated number of witnesses simply evolved as

the case developed. No authority supports Chesney’s apparent position that

identifying a large number of witnesses was an abusive tactic, especially in a

case involving numerous charges, victims, eye witnesses, physical locations and

different investigating law enforcement agencies. 8

       Chesney suggests that even if the State did not deliberately attempt to

delay his trial, the circumstances, at best, indicate delay resulting from

       7  To the extent that Chesney claims his trial counsel “acquiesced” in the
State’s delay tactics and thereby behaved inconsistently with counsel’s “ethical
obligations,” Chesney does not contend that he was deprived of effective
assistance of counsel with respect to counsel’s trial preparation.
        8 The fact that the trial court at one point remarked that the trial testimony

presented by the State had become repetitive does not suggest impropriety in
the number of witnesses the State identified. The prosecution is generally
entitled to prove its case with “full evidentiary force.” State v. Taylor, 193 Wn.2d
691, 444 P.3d 1194 (2019).

                                          13
No. 80873-7-I/14

“institutional dysfunction.” For instance, while the defense sought a continuance

in June 2018 primarily to review discovery related to the LFPPD’s investigation,

Chesney points out that the State was aware of the “Amber Alert” issued by the

LFPPD when it filed the initial charges on March 30, 2018, two days after the

incident. Therefore, he claims it was unnecessary for the State to wait until June

2018, more than two months later, to obtain and turn over discovery from the

LFPPD. But of course, the LFPPD had to conduct an investigation before the

State and the defense could obtain the results. And we cannot determine that

institutional dysfunction was involved here solely based on the fact that the SPD

provided the results of its investigation before the LFPPD. Moreover, even

where present, “institutional dysfunction” is attributable, but weighs less heavily,

against the State than deliberate delay. Ollivier, 178 Wn.2d at 837.

       In sum, most of the continuances here were sought by defense counsel to

provide for adequate investigation and preparation for trial. And defense counsel

required additional preparation time, not because of abusive litigation tactics, but

largely due to the complexity of the facts and the investigation process, the

number of potential witnesses that the defense needed to interview, and the

considerable volume of evidence. This factor weighs against Chesney. See

Ollivier, 178 Wn.2d at 831.

                                 Assertion of Right

       This factor requires the court to consider the extent to which the defendant

asserted his speedy trial right. Iniguez, 167 Wn.2d at 294-95. It is undisputed

that Chesney objected to each lengthy continuance granted between June 2018

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No. 80873-7-I/15

and April 2019. On the other hand, Chesney’s counsel acted as his agent and

was responsible for investigating the evidence and his potential defenses and, as

the trial court explained to Chesney, his counsel’s requests furthered his right to

effective representation. Ollivier, 178 Wn.2d at 838-40. This factor is, therefore,

also neutral.

                                      Prejudice

       The fourth Barker factor requires the court to consider prejudice the

defendant suffered on account of delay. Barker, 407 U.S. at 532. “Prejudice is

judged by looking at the effect on the interests protected by the right to a speedy

trial: (1) to prevent harsh pretrial incarceration, (2) to minimize the defendant’s

anxiety and worry, and (3) to limit impairment to the defense.” Iniguez, 167

Wn.2d at 295.

       Defendants must generally demonstrate “actual” prejudice, and prejudice

within the Barker framework is only presumed when delay is extraordinary or the

State acted in bad faith. Ollivier, 178 Wn.2d at 840, 842. A delay of 18 months

is not extreme. See Ollivier, 178 Wn.2d at 843 (noting delays of 22 months and

45 months not considered to be extreme). We do not presume prejudice.

       As here, where prejudice is not presumed, the defendant must make a

“particularized” showing of prejudice which may consist of (1) oppressive pretrial

confinement, (2) anxiety and concern, and/or (3) possible impairment of the

defense due to fading memories and loss of evidence. Ollivier, 178 Wn.2d at

840. A particularized showing is distinct from the “theoretical underpinnings” of

presumed prejudice and is required when delay is not the result of bad faith and

                                         15
No. 80873-7-I/16

is not long enough for the presumptive prejudice to arise. Ollivier, 178 Wn.2d at

840.

       Chesney provides no authority suggesting that a period of incarceration of

18 months is oppressive, in the absence of uncommon conditions of

confinement. See Ollivier, 178 Wn.2d at 844 (noting that courts have not found

periods of incarceration of 22 months and longer to be oppressive). And

because anxiety and concern are “often experienced” to some extent, prejudice

based on these conditions requires an “unusual” showing. Ollivier, 178 Wn.2d at

845. Prejudice stemming from possible impairment to the defense is the most

important type of prejudice “because the inability of a defendant adequately to

prepare his case skews the fairness of the entire system.” Barker, 407 U.S. at

532. Where continuances are granted at the request of the defense, any

impairment of the defense must be “weighed against the benefits obtained via

the continuances.” Ollivier, 178 Wn.2d at 845.

       Chesney does not explain how the delay affected his defense or point to a

loss of exculpatory evidence. Instead, he accuses the State of “bullying” by

disclosing “unnecessary” witnesses and withholding critical evidence. But again,

the State’s identification of some witnesses who did not ultimately testify at trial

does not, in of itself, demonstrate bullying or bad faith. And the record indicates

that the State continued to provide discovery, ultimately provided a final witness

list, was actively working to obtain all video evidence, and that the delay in

disclosing some evidence may have been outside of its control due to damage

caused by the collisions with Chesney’s vehicle. There is nothing in the record to

                                          16
No. 80873-7-I/17

indicate that the delay caused any witnesses to become unavailable or evidence

to disappear. 9 Chesney makes no particularized showing of prejudice stemming

from the delay.

       On balance, the Barker factors weight against Chesney. As in Ollivier,

continuances were largely the result of defense requests to ensure adequate

representation at trial. Although Chesney objected to the delay and was subject

to detention, the delay was not unduly long, and he has not shown any

particularized prejudice resulting from the delay. Accordingly, the court’s rulings

did not violate Chesney’s constitutional right to a speedy trial.

                         Statement of Additional Grounds

       Finally, in a pro se statement of additional grounds for relief, Chesney

claims he was deprived of effective assistance of counsel. In particular, Chesney

contends that defense counsel encouraged the jury to find him guilty of theft,

even though he maintained his innocence as to all charges.

       To establish ineffective assistance of counsel, a defendant must show

both deficient performance and resulting prejudice. Strickland v. Washington, 466

U.S. 668, 687, 104 S. Ct. 2052, 80 L. Ed. 2d 674 (1984). “Deficient performance

is that which falls below an objective standard of reasonableness.” State v.

Weaville, 162 Wn. App. 801, 823, 256 P.3d 426 (2011). Prejudice is established

       9 To the extent that Chesney contends in his statement of additional
grounds that the delay prevented him from presenting a witness who was no
longer employed by the Department of Corrections at the time of trial, it is unclear
why the witness’s current employment affected the admissibility or availability of
that testimony. And, more importantly, as explained infra, this claim cannot be
raised on direct appeal because it depends on alleged facts outside of the
appellate record.

                                         17
No. 80873-7-I/18

when there is a reasonable probability that the outcome of the proceeding would

have been different had counsel’s performance not been deficient. State v.

McFarland, 127 Wn.2d 322, 335, 899 P.2d 1251 (1995).

       There is a strong presumption of effective assistance and the defendant

bears the burden of demonstrating an absence of a strategic basis for the

challenged conduct. McFarland, 127 Wn.2d at 335. An attorney’s performance

is not deficient if it constitutes a legitimate trial strategy or tactic. State v. Grier,

171 Wn.2d 17, 33, 246 P.3d 1260 (2011).

       Conceding guilt on a particular count can be a sound trial tactic when the

evidence on that count is overwhelming. State v. Silva, 106 Wn. App. 586, 596,

24 P.3d 477 (2001). This approach can secure the jury’s confidence and

preserve the defendant’s credibility when a more serious charge is at stake.

State v. Hermann, 138 Wn. App. 596, 605, 158 P.3d 96 (2007); Silva, 106 Wn.

App. at 597-98. There is no requirement that defense counsel must consult with

the client before making this strategic choice. Silva, 106 Wn. App. at 596 (citing

Underwood v. Clark, 939 F.2d 473, 474 (7th Cir. 1991)).

       Here, defense counsel made a reasonable tactical decision to concede

guilt as to the lesser included misdemeanor charge of theft in the third degree, in

light of the evidence. It was a legitimate strategy to gain credibility with the jury

when Chesney faced many more serious charges. Chesney does not suggest

any defense he might have mounted to theft in the third degree. He cannot

demonstrate that the strategy was prejudicial. He avoided a significant risk of

conviction on an additional felony charge of theft in the first degree, and the jury

                                            18
No. 80873-7-I/19

acquitted him of four charges and failed to reach a verdict on three charges.

Chesney’s ineffective assistance claim fails.

       Chesney also challenges the trial court’s denial of his motion to suppress

and the court’s finding that police officers advised him of his rights in accordance

with Miranda v. Arizona, 384 U.S. 436, 86 S. Ct. 1602, 16 L. Ed. 2d 694 (1966).

But, the testimony of officers at the CrR 3.5 hearing and body-worn video

evidence supported the court’s finding. To the extent that Chesney raises other

claims, the facts allegedly supporting those claims are not contained in the

record before the court, and we cannot consider them. See State v. McFarland,

127 Wn.2d 322, 335, 899 P.2d 1251 (1995) (“If a defendant wishes to raise

issues on appeal that require evidence or facts not in the existing trial record, the

appropriate means of doing so is through a personal restraint petition.”).

       Affirmed.

WE CONCUR:

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