Court Opinion

ID: 4349319
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2018-12-11 18:58:00.691209+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:21:47.371158
License: Public Domain

Filed
                                                                                           Washington State
                                                                                           Court of Appeals
                                                                                            Division Two

                                                                                          December 11, 2018

       IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON

                                            DIVISION II
    In re the Personal Restraint of:                                   No. 51106-1-II

    ROBERT ANDRE FRAZIER,
                                                                UNPUBLISHED OPINION
                                   Petitioner.

          Lee, J. — Robert A. Frazier filed a personal restraint petition (PRP) challenging the actions

of the Indeterminate Sentence Review Board (ISRB) in revoking his parole for a third time. Frazier

argues that he was not afforded due process at his parole revocation hearing because (1) the ISRB

considered evidence that had been suppressed in a separate criminal prosecution due to the

government’s failure to comply with its Brady1 obligations, (2) the ISRB should not have been

able to consider his assault of an arresting officer as the basis for his parole violation, (3) he was

provided ineffective assistance of counsel at his parole revocation hearing, and (4) the ISRB

member who presided over his case was not fair and impartial. We deny Frazier’s petition.

                                                 FACTS

          In 1981, Frazier was convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to the maximum term

of life in prison. The ISRB granted Frazier parole for the third time2 on August 11, 2015.

1
    Brady v. Maryland, 373 U.S. 83, 83 S. Ct. 1194, 10 L. Ed. 2d 215 (1963).
2
 Frazier was first released from custody on parole in November 2009. The ISRB revoked his
parole in September 2011 after finding him guilty of attempting to possess a stolen vehicle and
No. 51106-1-II

A.     THE INVESTIGATION

       Shortly after Frazier’s release on parole in 2015, a confidential informant (CI) contacted

the Washington Department of Corrections (DOC) with information that Frazier was violating the

conditions of his parole. The CI met with Community Correction Specialist (CCS) Kris Rongen

and Community Corrections Officer Leslie O’Conner on November 6, 2015. The informant told

the officers that a homicide had taken place a few days earlier and that Frazier was in possession

of a firearm and seeking retribution for the victim’s death.

       A few days later, on November 15, the CI contacted CCS Rongen and told him that Frazier

was staying at a motel in south Seattle. The next day, CCS Rongen set up surveillance at the motel

and saw Frazier loading a black SUV in the motel parking lot. Had Frazier been residing at the

motel, this would have violated the terms of his parole.

       On November 17, CCS Chad Winfrey accompanied CCS Rongen and CCS Conaty to

apprehend Frazier for suspected parole violations. The officers arrived at the motel and saw

Frazier backing his vehicle into a parking stall. CCS Rongen and CCS Conaty positioned their

vehicle in front of Frazier’s in order to block him. CCS Winfrey then pulled his marked vehicle

toward Frazier in order to assist the other officers. Frazier responded by driving his vehicle into

the driver’s side door of CCS Winfrey’s vehicle. Frazier then got out of his vehicle and ran, but

was quickly apprehended.

conspiring to deliver methamphetamine and cocaine. He was paroled again September 2012, and
the ISRB revoked his parole again in August 2013 after finding him guilty of two counts of
possession of a deadly weapon.

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No. 51106-1-II

         After Frazier was in custody, the officers searched Frazier’s vehicle. They found a

backpack in the backseat with a loaded handgun wrapped in a towel. Later that evening, CCS

Winfrey returned to the motel and searched the room where Frazier had allegedly been staying.

There, he found a substance he believed to be methamphetamine.

B.       FEDERAL CHARGES

         Frazier was subsequently charged in federal court with one count of Felon in Possession

of a Firearm.3 On the eve of trial, the Government produced evidence showing that the CI who

had provided information about Frazier was also on community custody, had been suspected of

violating his community custody conditions, and had failed a polygraph test during the

investigation of Frazier. This evidence also showed that the CI had admitted to lying to his

supervising CCO and had admitted to ongoing criminal activity.

         Following this late disclosure, Frazier moved to suppress any evidence derived from the

CI. Finding that the Government had “plainly suppressed” evidence related to the CI until the eve

of trial and well after the CI’s death, the trial court granted Frazier’s motion. Pers. Restraint

Petition (PRP) Ex. B at 6. The order suppressing the evidence characterized the Government’s

conduct as “unabashedly negligent” and in violation of its Brady obligations. PRP Ex. B at 7.

Because all of the Government’s proffered evidence against Frazier was derived from the CI, the

trial court dismissed the federal indictment.

3
    18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1) (2012).

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No. 51106-1-II

C.     ISRB PAROLE VIOLATION HEARING

       Frazier’s parole was suspended on November 17, 2015 based on the investigation discussed

above. Frazier allegedly committed the following violations of his parole:

       1.      Failing to reside at DOC approved residence on or about 11-17-2015.
       2.      Failing to obey all laws by having [in] his control a firearm after having
               previously been convicted of a serious offense as defined in per RCW
               9.41.040, on or about 11-17-2015.
       3.      Failing to abide by conditions of release by possessing ammunition on or
               about 11-17-2015.
       4.      Failing to obey all laws by assaulting DOC Specialist Winfrey, while he
               was performing his official duties, per RCW 9a.36.031, on or about 11-17-
               2015.
       5.      Failing to abide by conditions of release by possessing methamphetamine
               on or about 11-17-2015.

PRP Ex. A at 1.

       On October 20, 2016, the ISRB held a parole violation hearing on Frazier’s alleged parole

violations. Because the Chair of the ISRB was married to one of the officers involved in Frazier’s

case, she immediately recused herself. Frazier was present at the hearing and represented by

counsel.

       Frazier moved to suppress evidence supporting violations 1, 2, 3, and 5 based on the same

grounds in his Federal case. The presiding ISRB Member denied Frazier’s motion and ruled that

it would hear all of the evidence against him.

       Frazier entered a guilty plea to violation 4—failing to obey all laws by assaulting DOC

Specialist Winfrey. Frazier pleaded not guilty to the other four alleged violations.

       CCS Conaty, CCS, Rongen, and CCS Winfrey testified at the parole violation hearing to

the facts discussed above. Frazier also testified and denied that he had moved from his approved

residence. Frazier denied ever staying the night at the motel and testified that the car he was

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No. 51106-1-II

driving belonged to a friend. As to his assault of CCS Winfrey, Frazier pleaded guilty with an

explanation. Frazier admitted that he drove his vehicle into CCS Winfrey’s vehicle, but testified

that he had panicked and that he did not notice the van until he hit it.

       The ISRB found Frazier not guilty on alleged violations 1, 2, 3, and 5. As to violation 4,

the ISRB accepted Frazier’s guilty plea. The ISRB concluded that Frazier had violated the

conditions of his parole by failing to obey all laws when he assaulted CCS Winfrey and that it

would be in the best interest of the public for Frazier to be returned to custody with a new minimum

term. In its reasons for decision, the ISRB stated that Frazier was found guilty of a very serious

violation and could have seriously injured CCS Winfrey. The ISRB also stated that Frazier had

demonstrated a repeated lack of prosocial behavior and was not fit for release in the community.

The ISRB concluded, “Until he is willing to live a prosocial lifestyle, follow the law, and stop

blaming others for his predicament, he should remain incarcerated.” PRP Ex. A at page 8.

                                            ANALYSIS

A.     STANDARD OF REVIEW

       To prevail on a PRP challenge of an ISRB decision, a petitioner must show that he is under

restraint and that his restraint is unlawful. RAP 16.4(a). Restraint is unlawful when, “[t]he

conviction was obtained or the sentence or other order . . . was imposed or entered in violation of

the Constitution of the United States or the Constitution or laws of the State of Washington.” RAP

16.4(c)(2).

                                                  5
No. 51106-1-II

B.     SUPPRESSION OF EVIDENCE BASED ON BRADY

       Frazier argues that the ISRB violated his due process rights by revoking his parole based

on evidence that was suppressed in a separate criminal proceeding due to Brady violations. We

disagree.

       1.      Procedural Due Process in a Parole Revocation Hearing

       We have recognized a liberty interest in avoiding revocation of parole. In re Pers. Restraint

of Bush, 164 Wn.2d 697, 703, 193 P.3d 103 (2008); In re Pers. Restraint of Lain, 179 Wn.2d 1,

15, 315 P.3d 455 (2013). This liberty interest arises from the parolee’s justifiable reliance on an

implicit promise that parole will only be revoked if he or she fails to comply with the conditions

of parole. Bush, 164 Wn.2d at 704; Morrissey v. Brewer, 408 U.S. 471, 482, 92 S. Ct. 2593, 33 L.

Ed. 2d 484 (1972).

       The United States Supreme Court has recognized that “the revocation of parole is not part

of a criminal prosecution and thus the full panoply of rights due a defendant in such a proceeding

does not apply to parole revocations.” Morrissey at 480. However, “most States have recognized

that there is no interest on the part of the State in revoking parole without any procedural

guarantees at all.” Id. at 484; See RCW 9.95.120.

       The Fourteenth Amendment of the United States Constitution guarantees that the State will

not deprive a parolee of this protected liberty interest without appropriate procedural safeguards.

Lain, 179 Wn.2d at 18; Bush, 164 Wn.2d at 704. In Morrissey, the United States Supreme Court

outlined the minimal procedures required to satisfy due process in parole revocation proceedings,

which include: (1) written notice of the alleged violation of parole, (2) disclosure of evidence

against the parolee, (3) opportunity to be heard in person and present witnesses, (4) the right to

                                                6
No. 51106-1-II

confront and cross-examine adverse witnesses, unless there is good cause for not allowing

confrontation, (5) “a ‘neutral and detached’ hearing body such as a traditional parole board,

members of which need not be judicial officers or lawyers,” and (6) a written statement of the

factfinders as to the evidence relied upon and the reasons for revoking parole. 408 U.S. at 489.

The Court emphasized that

       there is no thought to equate this second stage of parole revocation to a criminal
       prosecution in any sense. It is a narrow inquiry; the process should be flexible
       enough to consider evidence including letters, affidavits, and other material that
       would not be admissible in an adversary criminal trial.

Id.

       2.      Due Process

       In Brady, the United States Supreme Court articulated the government’s disclosure

requirements in a criminal prosecution—“the suppression by the prosecution of evidence favorable

to an accused upon request violates due process where the evidence is material either to guilt or to

punishment, irrespective of the good faith or bad faith of the prosecution.” 373 U.S. at 87.

Violation of the rule promulgated in Brady is a violation of a defendant’s constitutional due process

rights. State v. Mullen, 171 Wn.2d 881, 893, 259 P.3d 158 (2011).

       Frazier does not ask us to extend the rule promulgated in Brady to parole violation hearings,

nor does he argue that the ISRB failed to disclose the evidence against him prior to his parole

violation hearing. Instead, he argues that due process requires the ISRB to suppress evidence in a

parole violation hearing that was previously suppressed in a separate criminal prosecution due to

the Government’s failure to comply with its Brady obligations. This argument misunderstands the

purpose of Brady and the nature of the government misconduct in his criminal prosecution.

                                                 7
No. 51106-1-II

       “ ‘The animating purpose of Brady is to preserve the fairness of criminal trials.’ ” Mullen,

171 Wn.2d at 895 (quoting Morris v. Ylst, 447 F.3d 735, 742 (9th Cir. 2006)). The Brady rule is

not meant to “ ‘displace the adversary system.’ ” Id.(quoting Morris, 447 F.3d at 742) It only

obligates the prosecutor to disclose “ ‘evidence favorable to the accused, that, if suppressed, would

deprive the defendant of a fair trial.’ ” Id. (emphasis omitted) (quoting Morris, 447 F.3d at 742).

       Frazier does not explain how suppressing the evidence against him in his parole violation

hearing would further the animating purpose of Brady to ensure fairness in criminal trials. Instead,

he argues that “facts that were the basis for a dismissal of criminal charges due to a Brady

violation” cannot be used against him “in a parole revocation hearing regarding the exact same

facts and governmental misconduct.” PRP at 18. But the government misconduct that led to

dismissal of Frazier’s criminal charge was the government’s failure to disclose evidence to Frazier

until the eve of his trial, not the propriety of the search itself. And Frazier does not dispute that

this evidence was disclosed to him well before his parole violation hearing. Moreover, Frazier

fails to show how this evidence was material to his parole violation hearing when, after considering

the evidence, the ISRB actually found him not guilty on all of the violations that this evidence

supported.4

4
  Frazier also appears to argue that his due process rights were violated because he was unable to
cross examine the CI at his ISRB parole violation hearing. The minimal procedural safeguards to
satisfy due process include the right to confront and cross examine adverse witnesses, unless there
is good cause for not allowing such confrontation. Morrissey, 408 U.S. at 489. Given that the CI
had died by the time of his parole violation hearing, there was good cause for not allowing this
confrontation, which satisfies the minimum due process requirements in parole revocation
hearings. See id. Also, even if there was a due process violation, Frazier fails to show any
prejudice because the ISRB found him not guilty on all violations except the violation he admitted
to violating.

                                                 8
No. 51106-1-II

       Because the evidence presented against Frazier in his parole violation hearing was

disclosed well before the hearing and because Frazier fails to explain why procedural due process

demands evidence suppressed in a separate criminal prosecution also be suppressed in an

administrative parole violation hearing, Frazier’s due process claim fails.

C.     THE EXCLUSIONARY RULE

       Although Frazier expressly asserts that his petition is based solely on his due process and

Brady claims, “not under the exclusionary rule, the Fourth Amendment, or an illegal search and

seizure,” he still argues that any “charges stemming” from his unlawful arrest should have been

suppressed as fruit of the poisonous tree. Reply Br. of Pet’r at 5; PRP at 26. Assuming that Frazier

is actually basing his petition in part on the exclusionary rule, this argument is without merit.

       Evidence obtained during an illegal search is generally suppressed under the exclusionary

rule in a criminal trial. State v. Betancourth, 190 Wn.2d 357, 364, 413 P.3d 566 (2018). This

includes the evidence initially seized and any evidence derived from that illegal search as fruit of

the poisonous tree. Id.

       In the context of parole violation hearings, the United States Supreme Court has held that

the exclusionary rule does not extend to the state parole systems. Pennsylvania Bd. of Prob. and

Parole v. Scott, 524 U.S. 357, 364, 118 S. Ct. 2014, 141 L. Ed. 2d 344 (1998). This is because

application of the exclusionary rule in state parole systems would “alter the traditionally flexible,

administrative nature of parole revocation proceedings.” Id.

       Frazier states that his petition is “not under the Fourth Amendment exclusionary rule,” and

he does not ask us to extend operation of the exclusionary rule to parole revocation proceedings.

Reply Br. of Pet’r at 7. Nonetheless, Frazier argues that the ISRB should have suppressed “all

                                                  9
No. 51106-1-II

actions and evidence stemming” from his arrest after the ISRB determined his arrest was

unconstitutional. PRP at 25.

       Contrary to Frazier’s assertion, the ISRB never ruled that Frazier’s arrest was

unconstitutional. The ISRB similarly never ruled that the arresting officers did not have a well-

founded suspicion to believe that Frazier was violating a condition of his parole. Instead, the ISRB

considered the evidence obtained through the arrest that Frazier claims to be unconstitutional and

ruled that it was insufficient to show that Frazier had changed his residence in violation of his

parole. Thus, the ISRB never suppressed evidence under the exclusionary rule, but instead found

Frazier not guilty of this violation after considering the evidence that Frazier challenges.

       And even if the ISRB had ruled that Frazier’s arrest was unconstitutional, the exclusionary

rule applies to evidence derived from an illegal search, not Frazier’s independent criminal charges.

See State v. Mierz, 127 Wn.2d 460, 473, 901 P.2d 286 (1995) (holding that evidence of the

defendant’s assaultive behavior was properly admitted regardless of any alleged Fourth

Amendment violation); State v. D.E.D., 200 Wn. App. 484, 496, 402 P.3d 851 (2017) (holding

that the defendant’s passive resistance to arrest was consistent with his duty to cooperate, but that

more active resistance could rise to the level of obstructing a public servant). Frazier cites to no

authority allowing him to resist arrest and assault a law enforcement officer because he believes

his arrest is unlawful. Instead, he blames the arresting officers for his actions and claims that he

never would have assaulted them but for their “egregious misconduct.” Reply Br. of Pet’r at 5.

However, this argument also fails because the “egregious misconduct” Frazier refers to is the

State’s subsequent Brady violations, which were unrelated to the propriety of his arrest to begin

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No. 51106-1-II

with. Reply Br. of Pet’r at 5. Thus, Frazier’s argument on this basis is without merit, and we

reject his due process claim on this basis.

D.     INEFFECTIVE ASSISTANCE OF COUNSEL

       Frazier argues that he was denied effective assistance of counsel during his parole violation

hearing because his attorney failed to review documents related to his dismissed criminal case

prior to the parole violation hearing. We disagree.

       1.      Legal Principles

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

Washington Constitution guarantee the accused the right to effective assistance of counsel. State

v. Estes, 188 Wn.2d 450, 457, 395 P.3d 1045 (2017). An ineffective assistance of counsel claim

is a mixed question of law and fact that we review de novo. State v. Jones, 183 Wn.2d 327, 338,

352 P.3d 776 (2015).

       In Strickland v. Washington,5 the United States Supreme Court outlined the prevailing

standard to reverse a criminal conviction based on an ineffective assistance of counsel claim. 466

5
  Even though parole revocation is not a stage of a criminal prosecution, it does result in a loss of
liberty. Gagnon v. Scarpelli, 411 U.S. 778, 782, 93 S. Ct. 1756, 36 L. Ed. 2d 656 (1973). We
have held that if a convicted offender faces an allegation that may result in a return to prison after
being released into the community, then the hearing authority must evaluate a request for
appointment of counsel on a case-by-case basis. Grisby v. Herzog, 190 Wn. App. 786, 805, 362
P.3d 763 (2015). This is required “because there are occasions when, by virtue of the offender’s
individual circumstances, he would be deprived of procedural due process if counsel were not
appointed to present his case.” Id. However, no Washington case has expressly held that the same
test for ineffective assistance of counsel in criminal cases applies in parole violation hearings.

        Frazier assumes that the Strickland standard applies here. Strickland v. Washington, 466
U.S. 668, 104 S. Ct. 2052, 80 L. Ed. 2d 674 (1984). Because Frazier cannot establish ineffective
assistance of counsel even under the Strickland test, we assume without deciding that the

                                                 11
No. 51106-1-II

U.S. 668, 104 S. Ct. 2052, 80 L. Ed. 2d 674 (1984); State v. Grier, 171 Wn.2d 17, 32, 246 P.3d

1260 (2011), cert. denied, 135 S. Ct. 153 (2014). This entails a two-pronged inquiry in which the

defendant must show (1) counsel’s performance was deficient and (2) “ ‘the deficient performance

prejudiced the defense.’ ” Grier, 171 Wn.2d at 32-33 (quoting State v. Thomas, 109 Wn.2d 222,

225, 743 P.2d 816 (1987)). An ineffective assistance claim fails if the defendant fails to satisfy

either prong. Strickland, 466 U.S. at 697.

       2.      Frazier is Unable to Show Prejudice

       Frazier fails to show resulting prejudice.     Frazier argues that there is a reasonable

probability that the outcome of the proceedings would have differed because the cross examination

of the officers’ testifying at the hearing “would have been remarkably different” had counsel read

the documents. PRP at 34. He argues that if he could have cross examined the officers based on

the information contained in these reports, then there is a reasonable possibility that the ISRB

would have found Frazier not guilty of the parole violation.

       Frazier’s argument fails to acknowledge that the ISRB only found Frazier guilty of the

parole violation that he pleaded guilty to—assaulting one of the arresting officers. In fact, the

ISRB found Frazier not guilty of the four alleged violations that were supported by the officers’

testimony. Thus, even if Frazier could have more effectively cross examined the officers with the

contents of these documents, the result of the proceeding would have been the same—a not guilty

Strickland standard of review applies for ineffective assistance of counsel claims in parole
violation hearings.

                                               12
No. 51106-1-II

finding on the four alleged violations. Therefore, Frazier fails to show resulting prejudice.

Accordingly, we deny Frazier’s PRP on this basis.6

E.     IMPARTIALITY OF THE PRESIDING BOARD MEMBER

       Frazier asserts that the presiding ISRB member at his parole violation hearing was

potentially biased because she had served on the ISRB with the wife of one of the lead officers in

his case. He claims that this violated his due process right to a hearing before a fair and impartial

independent officer.

       A petitioner must support his petition with facts and evidence. In re Pers. Restraint of

Monschke, 160 Wn. App. 479, 488, 251 P.3d 884 (2010). He may not rely solely upon conclusory

allegations. Id.; RAP 16.7(a)(2)(i). When the “petitioner’s allegations are based on matters

outside the existing record, the petitioner must demonstrate that he has competent, admissible

evidence to establish the facts that entitle him to relief.” In re Pers. Restraint of Rice, 118 Wn.2d

876, 886, 828 P.2d 1086, cert. denied, 506 U.S. 958 (1992). “If the petitioner’s evidence is based

on knowledge in the possession of others, he may not simply state what he thinks those others

would say, but must present their affidavits or other corroborative evidence. The affidavits . . .

must contain matters to which the affiants may competently testify.” Id. And the petitioner must

show that his “factual allegations are based on more than speculation, conjecture, or inadmissible

hearsay.” Id.

6
 Frazier raises for the first time in his reply brief that he is really moving to withdraw his guilty
plea. We do not consider issues raised for the first time in a reply brief. Cowiche Canyon
Conservancy v. Bosley, 118 Wn.2d 801, 809, 828 P.2d 549 (1992).

                                                 13
No. 51106-1-II

        Frazier asserts that the presiding ISRB member at his parole violation hearing could not be

fair and impartial because she had served on the Board with the lead officer’s wife for a year and

a half. However, he fails to support this allegation with facts or evidence showing that the

presiding ISRB member could not be fair and impartial. Instead, he speculates that the conflicted

Chair of the Board “had plenty of opportunity” to discuss this case with other Board members,

including the one who presided over his hearing. Reply Br. of Pet’r at 11. But, again, he fails to

provide any evidence of these opportunities and fails to show that the conflicted Board member

actually discussed his case with any of the other ISRB members. Because Frazier fails to identify

any material evidence showing that the presiding ISRB member could not be fair and impartial,

his challenge to the impartiality of the presiding ISRB member fails.

        We deny Frazier’s petition.

        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.

                                                     Lee, J.
 We concur:

 Bjorgen, J.

Max, C.J.

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