Court Opinion

ID: 4275330
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2018-05-15 17:53:08.10824+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:33:51.940026
License: Public Domain

Filed
                                                                                         Washington State
                                                                                         Court of Appeals
                                                                                          Division Two

                                                                                           May 15, 2018

    IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON

                                         DIVISION II
 STATE OF WASHINGTON,                                                No. 49791-3-II

                                Respondent,

        v.

 TIMAR AKEEN DEGRAFFE,                                        UNPUBLISHED OPINION

                                Appellant.

       JOHANSON, J. — Timar Degraffe appeals his exceptional sentence and discretionary legal

financial obligations (LFOs). Degraffe asserts that (1) the sentencing court violated his federal

Sixth Amendment right to a trial by jury and Fourteenth Amendment right to due process, (2) the

rapid recidivism aggravating factor statute is unconstitutionally vague, and (3) the sentencing court

improperly imposed discretionary LFOs. We affirm Degraffe’s exceptional sentence, but we

remand for the sentencing court to strike the discretionary LFOs.

                                              FACTS

                                      I. BACKGROUND FACTS

       On May 26, 2015, 10 or 11 days after his release from prison, Degraffe robbed a bank and

during his escape, stabbed William Uptmor, a person at the bank who tried to intervene in the

course of Degraffe’s escape. Soon after, police arrested Degraffe. In September 2016, the State

charged Degraffe with attempted second degree murder and first degree assault of Uptmor and

first degree robbery.
No. 49791-3-II

                   II. JURY INSTRUCTIONS, VERDICT, AND SPECIAL INTERROGATORY

       In September 2016, Degraffe received a jury trial. The prosecution sought a jury finding

that Degraffe committed the first degree assault and attempted murder against a victim who was

acting as a good Samaritan.1 The jury instructions provided that the good Samaritan aggravator

only applied if the jury found Degraffe guilty of the attempted second degree murder or first degree

assault charges.

       The jury convicted Degraffe of first degree robbery and the lesser charge of second degree

assault, with deadly weapon enhancements on each count. Accordingly, the jury did not enter a

finding that the good Samaritan aggravator applied.

       After the verdict, the State presented evidence to the jury on a special interrogatory

regarding the rapid recidivism aggravating factor. This special interrogatory required the jury to

decide whether Degraffe had been recently released from prison at the time of the first degree

robbery. Degraffe’s community corrections officer Joshua Gonzales testified that Degraffe had

been released from prison on May 15, 2015. Detective Carol Boswell testified that she interviewed

Degraffe on May 27 about the May 26 robbery and asked him how he obtained the large amount

of cash in his pockets. He stated that he received the cash from “wealthy friends on May 15, the

day that he was released from prison.” 4 Report of Proceedings (RP) at 469. Detective Boswell

also recounted a conversation that Degraffe had with another detective in which Degraffe stated

he had been released from prison within two weeks before the date of the bank robbery. Degraffe

1
  “Under RCW 9.94A.535(3)(w), a finding that a defendant committed an ‘offense against a victim
who was acting as a good [S]amaritan’ is an aggravating factor that can support a sentence above
the standard range.” State v. Siers, 174 Wash. 2d 269, 272 n.1, 274 P.3d 358 (2012).

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No. 49791-3-II

did not present any evidence, did not cross-examine the State’s witnesses, and did not present any

argument on the special interrogatory.

       The jury found that Degraffe had been recently released from prison at the time of his first

degree robbery.

                                         III. SENTENCING

       The sentencing court stated in its oral ruling that Degraffe put the community at risk with

his behavior and, in so doing, harmed Uptmor, who sacrificed his own safety for the safety and

property of complete strangers. The sentencing court said,

               So on the one hand I have this example of behavior in the community, and
       on the other hand I have an example of somebody who put his own life at risk, not
       for his own safety, not for his own property, but for the safety and property of
       complete strangers.
               It’s because of that reason that this crime so specifically shocks the
       conscience of this community that somebody who would rise to intervene to be if
       not a statutory Good Samaritan would be the functional equivalent of a Good
       Samaritan and would be harmed in this way is -- it’s one of the more bothersome
       and troubling factual cases that’s ever been presented during my four years on the
       bench here.
               ....
               . . . [W]hat’s really jumping out at me is one of community safety. We have
       demonstrated track record; we have a very violent crime committed recently after
       being released from incarceration.

3 RP at 438-39.

       The sentencing court entered the following findings of fact and conclusions of law:

                                    I. FINDINGS OF FACT:
       ....
       1.1 The defendant was convicted of Robbery in the First Degree.
       1.2 The robbery occurred 10 to 11 days after the defendant’s release from prison.
       1.3 The defendant was released from prison following an approximately 18-month
       sentence for Felony Harassment-Death Threats.
       1.4 The robbery in this case involved the defendant robbing a bank with a large
       knife, menacing a bank teller, stabbing a bank customer who tried to intervene, and
       nearly killing that individual in the process.

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No. 49791-3-II

       1.5 The victim of the stabbing suffered two episodes of cardiac arrest following
       the stabbing, spent three weeks in a coma, has long-term debilitating injuries as a
       result, has been implanted with a pacemaker as a result of the stabbing, and stands
       a continued risk of death from the injuries he sustained in the course of trying to
       prevent the robbery.
       1.6 A jury unanimously found that the defendant committed the robbery shortly
       following his release from incarceration.
                                 II. CONCLUSIONS OF LAW:
       ....
       2.1 Ten to eleven days from the date of release from an approximately 18-month
       prison sentence is a very short period of time for the purposes of applying the
       aggravating factor justifying an exceptional sentence in this case.
       2.2 The defendant committed a serious violent offense within days of being
       released from prison.
       2.3 The facts of this case, as found by the jury, present a compelling circumstance
       to justify an exceptional sentence above the standard range.

Clerk’s Papers (CP) at 114-15.

       The sentencing court imposed a standard range sentence for the second degree assault and

an exceptional consecutive sentence for the first degree robbery. The sentencing court ordered an

exceptional consecutive sentence rather than standard range concurrent sentence because the jury’s

rapid recidivism finding provided a substantial and compelling reason that justified an exceptional

sentence.

                                             IV. LFOs

       The sentencing court, under finding 2.5 of the judgment and sentence regarding Degraffe’s

ability to pay LFOs, stated that “the defendant is presently indigent but is anticipated to be able to

pay financial obligations in the future.” CP at 55. The court imposed discretionary LFOs,

including attorney fees and expert costs.

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No. 49791-3-II

         Degraffe appeals his exceptional sentence and LFOs.

                                            ANALYSIS

                                I. IMPROPER JUDICIAL FACT FINDING

         Degraffe argues that the sentencing court engaged in improper judicial fact finding under

Blakely2 because it relied on the good Samaritan aggravating factor to support the exceptional

sentence when the jury did not find this factor beyond a reasonable doubt. We disagree.

                                       A. PRINCIPLES OF LAW

         We review constitutional challenges to a superior court’s sentencing decisions de novo.

State v. Cubias, 155 Wash. 2d 549, 552, 120 P.3d 929 (2005). In addition, we review de novo whether

the sentencing court’s reasons for an exceptional sentence justify a sentence outside the standard

sentence range for that offense. RCW 9.94A.585(4); State v. Law, 154 Wash. 2d 85, 93-94, 110 P.3d
717 (2005).

         Generally, sentences for two or more current offenses shall be served concurrently and

“[c]onsecutive sentences may only be imposed under the exceptional sentence provisions of RCW

9.94A.535.” RCW 9.94A.589(1)(a); In re Pers. Restraint of Finstad, 177 Wash. 2d 501, 508, 301
P.3d 450 (2013). Under RCW 9.94A.535, a trial court may impose an exceptional sentence if

“there are substantial and compelling reasons justifying an exceptional sentence.”

         With a few exceptions not applicable here, the jury must determine the factual basis for the

aggravating circumstances beyond a reasonable doubt before a trial court imposes an exceptional

2
    Blakely v. Washington, 542 U.S. 296, 124 S. Ct. 2531, 159 L. Ed. 2d 403 (2004).

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No. 49791-3-II

sentence. State v. Suleiman, 158 Wash. 2d 280, 288-89, 143 P.3d 795 (2006). Upon the jury’s proper

findings regarding aggravating factors, the trial court then has discretion to determine as a matter

of law whether the jury’s findings provide “substantial and compelling” reasons justifying an

exceptional sentence. RCW 9.94A.535; Suleiman, 158 Wash. 2d at 290-91.

          One aggravating factor that may justify an exceptional sentence if found by the jury beyond

a reasonable doubt is that “[t]he defendant committed the current offense shortly after being

released from incarceration.” RCW 9.94A.535(3)(t); State v. Williams, 159 Wash. App. 298, 309,

244 P.3d 1018 (2011). This is commonly referred to as the rapid recidivism aggravating factor.

State v. Griffin, 173 Wash. 2d 467, 474 n.2, 268 P.3d 924 (2012). Rapid recidivism constitutes a

sufficiently substantial and compelling reason to justify the imposition of an exceptional sentence

because it demonstrates a defendant’s heightened threat or culpability and demonstrates a greater

than usual disregard for the law. Williams, 159 Wash. App. at 314; State v. Butler, 75 Wash. App. 47,

54, 876 P.2d 481 (1994).

          The sentencing court must enter written findings of fact and conclusions of law to justify

its imposition of any sentence outside the standard range. RCW 9.94A.535; Suleiman, 158 Wash. 2d

at 288.

                                    B. NO JUDICIAL FACT FINDING

          Degraffe asserts that the sentencing court engaged in impermissible judicial fact finding

during its oral ruling to support the exceptional sentence. According to Degraffe, the sentencing

court’s oral ruling shows that the court relied on the good Samaritan aggravating factor to justify

the exceptional sentence, despite the absence of a jury finding on that factor, and that the rapid

recidivism factor was merely “pretext.” Opening Br. of Appellant at 10. We hold that Degraffe’s

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No. 49791-3-II

argument fails because the oral ruling is irrelevant and because the sentencing court properly

considered the facts of the case to exercise its discretion.

        A trial court’s oral ruling “‘is no more than an expression of its informal opinion at the

time it is rendered. It has no final or binding effect unless formally incorporated into the findings,

conclusions, and judgment.’” State v. Friedlund, 182 Wash. 2d 388, 394-95, 341 P.3d 280 (2015)

(quoting State v. Mallory, 69 Wash. 2d 532, 533-34, 419 P.2d 324 (1966)). In contrast, the trial

court’s written judgment “is a final order subject to appeal.” Friedlund, 182 Wash. 2d at 395. As

such, we do not consider an oral ruling if it is inconsistent with the superior court’s written findings

and conclusions. State v. Kull, 155 Wash. 2d 80, 88, 118 P.3d 307 (2005). Erroneous findings of

fact that do not materially affect the conclusions of law are harmless error. State v. Caldera, 66
Wash. App. 548, 551, 832 P.2d 139 (1992).

        Here, any oral statements indicating that the sentencing court imposed Degraffe’s

exceptional sentence based on the court’s own finding that Degraffe stabbed the “functional

equivalent of a Good Samaritan” are inconsistent with the written ruling. 3 RP at 438; see Kull,
155 Wash. 2d at 88. The written ruling states that the “defendant committed a serious violent offense

within days of being released from prison” and that “[t]he facts of this case, as found by the jury,

present a compelling circumstance to justify an exceptional sentence above the standard range.”

CP at 115 (emphasis added). The jury did not find that Degraffe stabbed the “functional equivalent

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No. 49791-3-II

of a Good Samaritan.” 3 RP at 438. Thus, to the extent that the oral ruling is inconsistent with the

written conclusions that the exceptional sentence is based on the facts “found by the jury,” the oral

ruling must be disregarded. CP at 115 (emphasis added); Kull, 155 Wash. 2d at 88.

          Furthermore, any finding rendered by the trial court beyond its acknowledgment that the

jury made the necessary finding of an aggravating factor is harmless because such findings did not

materially affect the court’s conclusion that the exceptional sentence was based on facts “found by

the jury.” See Caldera, 66 Wash. App. at 551. Specifically, any error in rendering a superfluous

finding that Uptmor was the “functional equivalent of a Good Samaritan” is harmless because the

trial court imposed the exceptional sentence based solely on the rapid recidivism aggravating factor

that the jury found beyond a reasonable doubt. 3 RP at 438; see Caldera, 66 Wash. App. at 551.

          The sentencing court’s reliance on the jury’s finding is reflected in the judgment and

sentence. The judgment and sentence provides that “[a]ggravating factors were . . . found by jury,

by special interrogatory.” CP at 55. The court’s written conclusion of law and the judgment and

sentence demonstrate that the sentencing court properly analyzed and articulated that the basis for

the exceptional sentence was the rapid recidivism aggravator. See Suleiman, 158 Wash. 2d at 288-

91.

          Because the sentencing court properly imposed Degraffe’s exceptional consecutive

sentence based on the jury’s finding regarding the rapid recidivism aggravating factor and not

based on improper judicial fact finding, Degraffe’s argument fails. See Williams, 159 Wash. App.

at 309.

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No. 49791-3-II

                                          II. VAGUENESS

       Degraffe next argues that even if we hold that the sentencing court properly relied on the

rapid recidivism aggravating factor, that aggravating factor is unconstitutionally vague on its face

in violation of the Fourteenth Amendment of the United States Constitution. Specifically,

Degraffe argues that the term “‘shortly after’” in the rapid recidivism statute is too vague to guide

the jury’s consideration. Appellant’s Suppl. Br. at 5-6. Degraffe’s arguments fail.

                                      A. PRINCIPLES OF LAW

       We review de novo the constitutionality of a statute. State v. Watson, 160 Wash. 2d 1, 5, 154
P.3d 909 (2007). The party challenging the statute for vagueness bears the burden of proving

beyond a reasonable doubt that it is unconstitutionally vague. Watson, 160 Wash. 2d at 11. The

presumption in favor of a law’s constitutionality should be overcome only in an exceptional case.

Watson, 160 Wash. 2d at 11.

       We evaluate vagueness challenges in light of the particular facts of each case, unless the

First Amendment is implicated. Watson, 160 Wash. 2d at 6. “‘[A] plaintiff who engages in some

conduct that is clearly proscribed cannot complain of the vagueness of the law as applied to the

conduct of others.’” State v. Duncalf, 177 Wash. 2d 289, 297, 300 P.3d 352 (2013) (quoting Holder

v. Humanitarian Law Project, 561 U.S. 1, 18-19, 130 S. Ct. 2705, 177 L. Ed. 2d 355 (2010)).

       A statute is unconstitutionally vague under the Fourteenth Amendment of the United States

Constitution if it fails to define the offense with sufficient precision that an ordinary person can

understand what conduct is proscribed or if it does not provide standards sufficiently specific to

prevent arbitrary enforcement. Watson, 160 Wash. 2d at 6.

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No. 49791-3-II

       If a person of reasonable understanding would not have to guess that the defendant’s

conduct subjects him to an exceptional sentence under a particular aggravating sentencing factor,

the factor is not unconstitutionally vague. Duncalf, 177 Wash. 2d at 296-97.

                                     B. NOT VAGUE AS APPLIED

       We need not decide whether the rapid recidivism factor is subject to an unconstitutional

vagueness challenge, because even if it is subject to a vagueness challenge, Degraffe has failed to

even argue that the statute is unconstitutionally vague as applied. Degraffe’s challenge to the rapid

recidivism aggravator does not implicate First Amendment speech, which means we evaluate his

challenge as applied. Watson, 160 Wash. 2d at 6.

       Because Degraffe does not explain how the statute is vague as applied to his situation in

which he committed a bank robbery and assault 11 days after his release from prison, he has failed

to rebut the presumption that the statute is constitutional. See Watson, 160 Wash. 2d at 11. Thus,

Degraffe’s vagueness claim fails.3

       And even if we reached the merits of his argument, the rapid recidivism factor is not vague

as applied to Degraffe. We have upheld the application of the rapid recidivism aggravating factor

when defendants reoffended between one and two months after being released from incarceration.

State v. Zigan, 166 Wash. App. 597, 604-05, 270 P.3d 625 (2012); State v. Saltz, 137 Wash. App. 576,

585, 154 P.3d 282 (2007). Similarly, Degraffe committed first degree robbery and second degree

3
  In State v. Murray, noted at 188 Wash. 2d 1020 (2017), granting review and heard by our Supreme
Court in November 2017, the court granted discretionary review of whether, in light of cases
decided after State v. Baldwin, 150 Wash. 2d 448, 78 P.3d 1005 (2003), aggravating sentencing
factors are subject to void for vagueness challenges.
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No. 49791-3-II

assault with deadly weapon enhancements merely 11 days after he was released from prison. A

person of ordinary intelligence would not have to guess as to whether committing new crimes

within 11 days of being released from prison would qualify as an aggravating circumstance under

RCW 9.94A.535(3)(t). See Zigan, 166 Wash. App. at 604-05; Saltz, 137 Wash. App. at 585.

        Degraffe has failed to carry his burden to show that the rapid recidivism sentencing factor is

vague as applied, and the factor is not vague in relation to Degraffe’s circumstances. See Zigan, 166
Wash. App. at 604-05; Saltz, 137 Wash. App. at 585. As such, Degraffe’s unconstitutional vagueness

claim fails. See Watson, 160 Wash. 2d at 11.

                                 III. LFOS AND APPELLATE COSTS

        Degraffe argues that the sentencing court erred when it imposed discretionary LFOs. The

State concedes that the sentencing court erred and that Degraffe does not have the ability to pay.

The State now withdraws the request for costs. We accept the State’s concession.

        An order for payment of discretionary LFOs is proper only if the record reflects that the

sentencing court conducted an individualized inquiry into the defendant’s present and future ability

to pay the obligations. State v. Marks, 185 Wash. 2d 143, 145-46, 368 P.3d 485 (2016). Here, the

sentencing court imposed discretionary LFOs without considering facts pertaining to Degraffe’s

financial situation. Accordingly, we remand for the sentencing court to strike the discretionary

LFOs.

        Finally, Degraffe requests that we decline to impose appellate costs. Accepting the State’s

representation that it will not seek appellate costs, we decline to order them.

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No. 49791-3-II

        We affirm Degraffe’s exceptional sentence but remand for the sentencing court to strike

the discretionary LFOs from the judgment and 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.

                                                    JOHANSON, J.
 We concur:

 MAXA, C.J.

 MELNICK, J.

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