Court Opinion

ID: 1034817
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2013-07-23 19:40:13.527159+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T09:18:37.819946
License: Public Domain

FILED
                                                                                             BOUT    0    APP+ 4-

                                                                                                  O;ISIO;' I
                                                                                                   V

                                                                                           2013 JUL 23 AM 9: c
      IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF THE STATE OF WASHIN

                                             DIVISION II

STATE OF WASHINGTON,                                                   No. 42892 0-
                                                                                 - II

                                Respondent,

          V.

RAYMOND CLAIR CONNOLLY,                                           UNPUBLISHED OPINION

           JOHANSON, J. —Raymond Clair Connolly appeals numerous convictions stemming from

his   inappropriate   contact with   a   minor.   He claims (1)the trial court abused its discretion in

excusing a juror after learning of the juror's potential bias, 2)
                                                               ( insufficient evidence supports his

three voyeurism and four indecent exposure convictions, and (3)ineffective assistance of
counsel.       We affirm all but one voyeurism conviction that lacked sufficient evidence.

Accordingly, we remand for resentencing.

                                                    FACTS

           In June 2011, the State charged Connolly with a number of crimes, including multiple

counts of voyeurism (counts 3 5)and indecent exposure to a victim under 14 (counts 6 9)—
                              -                                                      -

crimes dating back to June 2010 and involving his then -girlfriend's minor daughter, SMW. At

trial, SMW testified that in the summer of 2010, while she lived with her mother and Connolly,

she and her best friend, KAMG, were changing into their swimsuits in SMW's bedroom when

KAMG saw Connolly watching them through a vent near the floor connecting SMW's bedroom

and   a   bathroom.
No. 42892 0 II
          - -

       SMW explained that nothing covered her bedroom vent during this time. After KAMG

saw Connolly watching the girls change their clothes, SMW piled things in front of the vent to

block anyone from    peering   into her bedroom from the bathroom.                But Connolly and SMW's

mother, MF, told her to clear the vent. Thereafter, on three occasions SMW caught Connolly

watching her through the vent while she changed clothes.

       SMW described another          episode   when she   was   showering   at   home.   She got out of the

shower and went to ask someone where to find the shampoo. She opened the bathroom door to

find Connolly crouched down outside, then quickly walking away. SMW believed that Connolly

was trying to watch her shower.

          SMW also described a morning when she was asleep on the couch. She suddenly awoke

when she felt someone lift her shirt. She turned her head and saw that the shirt had dropped and

that Connolly was sitting next to her.

       And according to SMW, between December 2010 and June 2011, two to three mornings

a week Connolly entered her bedroom to wake her. " very morning"when Connolly entered the
                                                 E

bedroom, his penis was exposed through the open fly of his pajamas. 1 Report of Proceedings

RP)at 172. SMW explained that Connolly never said anything about his penis or touched it,
and he never made sexual comments. On one occasion, however, SMW noticed that Connolly

tucked his penis back into his pants when he left her bedroom. SMW estimated that Connolly

exposed his penis roughly 70 times, but she never told anyone except KAMG and her stepsister.

          KAMG corroborated SMW's testimony, describing the 2010 incident in which she

noticed   Connolly peering   at the   girls through   the vent.   She also regularly stayed overnight at

SMW's house and after the vent incident, she saw Connolly's penis on 10 to 15 occasions. She

                                                      2
No. 42892 0 II
          - -

explained that Connolly did not say anything about his penis or sex, nor did he do anything with

his penis or have an erection. But once she saw him pull his penis out through the fly of his

pajamas upon entering SMW's bedroom. These episodes "creeped out"both KAMG and SMW,

and as a result, SMW was afraid to live at MF's house anymore. 1 RP at 144.

       Camas Police Officer Katie Brock testified that the vent cover in the bathroom had been

pried open."2 RP at 223. Connolly told her that the vent cover appeared pried open when he
moved into the house.      Officer Brock also testified that Connolly denied spying on SMW

through the vent, or spying on her as she showered. He initially told Officer Brock that he never

noticed his exposed penis during his morning wakeup calls, but he then acknowledged that he

had occasionally noticed his exposed penis in the morning after waking the girls.

       Connolly and MF testified on Connolly's behalf. Connolly denied any wrongdoing, and

he claimed that any penis exposure was accidental and a result of his small penis and open fly
                                                                                           -

pajamas. MF acknowledged that she had once reminded Connolly in the past to tuck his penis

into his pajamas after it had fallen out.

       Following MF's testimony,juror 11 alerted the trial court that he recognized MF because

MF worked at a restaurant he frequented. The State questioned juror 11 to determine whether he

could be impartial; but, Connolly had no questions for him. Juror 11 explained that he did not

know MF personally; he stated, " like her but I I don't have a preconceived opinions [sic]
                               I                —
about her."2 RP at 283. When asked whether he would find her more credible because of his

prior experience around her,juror 11 opined, I don't think so. I don't know her that well."2
                                             "
RP at 283.       The State moved to dismiss juror 11 in favor of an alternate, and Connolly

                                                3
No. 42892 0 II
          - -

responded, No,I think he's fine Your Honor."2 RP at 284. The trial court denied the State's
           "

motion.

       Later, the trial court reconsidered the State's motion to dismiss juror 11 stating it had

researched relevant case law and statutes. The trial court explained,

       I would consider the statements of the Juror Number Eleven to be one of bias in a
       favorable   sense ...   in favor of the witness that I like her, that would tend from a
       personal opinion outside the courtroom and the evidence presented in court to be
       a factor in evaluating her testimony.

2 RP at 291 92. The trial court continued, I would also note for the record that I observed a
            -                              "

hesitation on [juror I l' ] part when asked if he thought he could be fair. He said he thought so
                        s

but he said I like her. So I think that expressed a hesitation on his part under the circumstances."

2 RP at 292.     Before summoning juror 11 back into the courtroom to dismiss him, Connolly

stated, And just for the record I amam opposed to that but I'e already said that."2 RP at
        "                           —                       v

293. The trial court then dismissed juror 11 in favor of the alternate. The jury then convicted

Connolly on each of these voyeurism and indecent exposure counts. Connolly appeals.
                                             ANALYSIS

                                     I.JUROR DISQUALIFICATION

        Connolly argues that the trial court abused its discretion in disqualifying juror 11 without

a showing of misconduct or an inability to serve as a juror. Assuming, without deciding, that

Connolly preserved this issue for appeal, he does not demonstrate that the trial court abused its
discretion.

        We review a trial court's decision to dismiss a juror for an abuse of discretion. State v.

Elmore, 155 Wn. d 758, 768, 123 P. d 72 (2005). A trial court abuses its discretion when it
              2                  3

                                                   0
No. 42892 0 II
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bases its decision on untenable grounds or reasons. State v. Powell, 126 Wn. d 244, 258, 893
                                                                           2

P. d 615 (1995).
 2

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

Washington Constitution guarantee the right to trial by an impartial jury. State v. Gonzales, 111

Wn. App. 276, 277, 45 P. d 205 (2002),
                       3             review denied, 148 Wn. d 1012 (2003).RCW 2.6.
                                                          2                   110
                                                                                3

states that a judge has a duty " o excuse from further jury service any juror,who in the opinion of
                               t

the   judge, has manifested     unfitness    as a   juror by    reason   of bias, prejudice   ...   or by reason of

conductor practices incompatible with proper and efficient jury service." RCW 2.6.does
                                                                              110
                                                                                3

not require the trial court to find that a juror committed " isconduct"in order to dismiss a juror.
                                                           m

See State v. Depaz, 165 Wn. d 842, 856, 204 P. d 217 (2009).But because the trial court is able
                          2                  3

to observe a juror,the trial court is in the best position to evaluate a juror's candor and his ability

to deliberate. Elmore, 155 Wn. d at 769 n. . Accordingly, so long as the trial court has applied
                             2           3                "

the proper legal standard of proof to the evidence, the trial court's decision deserves deference."

Elmore, 155 Wn. d at 768 69.
              2          -

         The trial court did not abuse its discretion because it properly applied the legal standard
of    proof   and   reasonably articulated   how it decided to dismiss           juror   11. The trial court cited

RCW 2.6.which allows a trial court to excuse a juror when it believes a juror is unfit due to
    110,
     3

bias or prejudice, and the trial court opined that MF was an "important"defense witness. 2 RP at

291. And because juror 11 viewed MF favorably based on interactions with her at the restaurant,

the trial court expressed concerns whether juror 11 may factor his favorable impression in

evaluating MF's testimony. The trial                court   also noted   juror     s demeanor: " I
                                                                                 Il'                    observed a

hesitation on [juror I l' ] part when asked if he thought he could be fair. He said he thought so
                        s

                                                            5
No. 42892 0 II
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but he said I like her." RP at 292. Juror 11's hesitation in answering these questions gave the
                        2

trial court cause for concern, and because the trial court observed juror 11, it was in the best

position to evaluate his candor and ability to deliberate. See Elmore, 155 Wn. d at 769 n. .
                                                                             2           3

       A trial court may excuse a juror who is unfit for jury service due to personal bias. Juror

11 expressed a favorable opinion of an important witness and hesitated when answering

questions relating to whether he could fairly sit on the jury. Accordingly, the trial court did not

abuse its discretion or violate Connolly's right to an impartial trial.'
                                    II. Sufficiency of Evidence

       Next, Connolly claims that the State presented insufficient evidence to support his

convictions for three counts of voyeurism and four counts of indecent exposure. We conclude

sufficient evidence supports all of the indecent exposure convictions and all of the voyeurism

convictions except the conviction based on allegedly watching SMW shower.

                             A. Standard of Review and Rules of Law

        We review insufficient evidence claims for whether, when viewing the evidence in the

light most favorable to the jury's verdict, any rational trier of fact could have found the essential

elements of the charged crime beyond a reasonable doubt. State v. Salinas, 119 Wn. d 192, 201,
                                                                                 2

829 P. d 1068 (1992). Sufficiency
     2                                 challenges admit the truth of the State's evidence and all

reasonable inferences drawn from it. Salinas, 119 Wn. d at 201.
                                                    2

  In his reply brief, for the first time Connolly cites RCW 4.4. and a series of cases to
                                                                   170 4
support his assertion that the trial court abused its discretion in excusing juror 11. We decline to
consider arguments made for the first time in a reply brief. See Cowiche Canyon Conservancy V.
Bosley, 118 Wn. d 801, 809, 828 P. d 549 (1992).
              2                  2

                                                  G
No. 42892 0 II
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       The trier of fact makes credibility determinations, and we will not review those

determinations. State v. Thomas, 150 Wn. d 821, 874, 83 P. d 970 (2004).We also defer to the
                                       2                 3

trier of fact on issues of conflicting testimony, witness credibility, and the persuasiveness of

evidence. State v. Walton, 64 Wn. App. 410, 415 16, 824 P. d 533, review denied, 119 Wn. d
                                                -        2                             2

1011 (1992).

                                        B. Voyeurism

       To prove voyeurism, the State had to show that Connolly (1)knowingly viewed SMW

Without her knowledge or consent while (2)she was in a place where she had a reasonable

expectation of privacy, or that Connolly viewed SMW's intimate areas without her knowledge

or consent where she had a reasonable expectation of privacy, whether in a public or private

place. See RCW 9A. 4.And, the State had to prove that Connolly (3)
               115(
                  2
                  4 ).                                            viewed SMW to
arouse or gratify his sexual desires. See RCW 9A. 4. The State need not prove that a
                                              115(
                                                 2
                                                 4 ).
defendant was actually aroused, but that the purpose of the Voyeurism was for sexual arousal or

gratification. State v. Diaz -
                             Flores, 148 Wn. App. 911, 919, 201 P. d 1073, review denied, 166
                                                                 3

Wn. d 1017 (2009).
  2

                                       1. Vent Watching

       First, the jury convicted Connolly of voyeurism for watching through a vent as SMW

changed her clothes in her bedroom. SMW testified to seeing Connolly peering at her through a

2 A place where one has a reasonable expectation of privacy includes places where a reasonable
person would believe she could disrobe in privacy without surveillance. RCW 9A. 4.
                                                                            c).
                                                                            115(
                                                                               1)(
                                                                               4

3 " Intimate areas" includes portions of a person's body or undergarments covered by clothing
and intended to be protected from public view. RCW 9A. 4.
                                                   a).
                                                   115(
                                                      1)(
                                                      4

                                               7
No. 42892 0 II
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vent just above the floor between her bedroom and the bathroom on multiple occasions. KAMG

testified that she had also seen Connolly staring through the vent when she and SMW were

changing into their swimsuits. SMW testified that her bedroom vent lacked a cover; she also
provided that she tried blocking her vent, but MF and Connolly ordered her to remove anything

covering the vent. Officer Brock added that the bathroom vent cover was pried open, allowing

greater visibility. Accordingly, a rational trier of fact could find that Connolly knowingly

viewed SMW without her consent or knowledge while she was in her bedroom, a place where

she had a reasonable expectation of privacy.

         Further, a reasonable juror could infer that because Connolly watched SMW when she

changed her clothes, he desired to see her in various stages of undress, when her intimate areas

may be visible. Moreover, when one considers the vent -spying along with Connolly's exposed -

penis wakeups, the inferences that Connolly viewed SMW changing her clothes for the purpose

of sexual arousal or gratification become even stronger. Reviewing this evidence in the light

most favorable to the jury's verdict, any rational trier of fact could have found that Connolly

committed voyeurism with the purpose of sexual arousal or gratification when he watched
through a floor level vent as SMW changed her clothes in her bedroom. Therefore, sufficient
                 -

evidence supports this conviction.

                                          2. Shower Watching

         Second, the jury convicted Connolly of voyeurism for watching SMW while she

showered. SMW testified that while showering, she climbed from the shower, wrapped herself

4
    Count 2, not challenged for sufficiency on appeal, involved Connolly's voyeurism for viewing
SMW and KAMG         as   they changed.
No. 42892 0 II
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in a towel, and went to ask someone about finding shampoo. She opened the bathroom door and

saw a   crouching Connolly outside, quickly walking   away.   Even considering this evidence in

the light most favorable to the jury's verdict, the evidence is insufficient to allow any rational

trier of fact to find the essential elements of   voyeurism. There is no evidence that Connolly

actually watched SMW while she showered. SMW testified that she had to open the door when

she got out of the shower. No testimony refutes Connolly's testimony that one could not see

through the door because it was solid wood. Also, no testimony suggests a keyhole, crack, or

gap in the door jamb or below the door that would allow one to look inside; and, no evidence

suggests that Connolly opened the door at any point.

         Taken in the light most favorable to the jury's verdict, the evidence merely demonstrates

that Connolly was outside a solid wooden bathroom door, crouching, when SMW opened it.

Accordingly, insufficient evidence supports Connolly's conviction for voyeurism for watching

SMW shower.

                                          3. Shirt Lifting

         Third,the jury convicted Connolly of voyeurism for lifting SMW's shirt while she slept

on the couch to view her breasts, an intimate area. SMW testified that while asleep on the couch,

she suddenly awoke because she felt someone lifting her shirt. She turned her head and saw that

her shirt had dropped and that Connolly was sitting next to her. Accordingly, a rational trier of

fact could find that Connolly knowingly viewed the sleeping SMW without her consent or

knowledge by lifting her shirt to see her breasts, an intimate area.

         And again, when one considers that Connolly lifted SMW's shirt to see an intimate area,

especially in light of his exposed penis wakeups, a rational trier of fact could reasonably infer
                                   -

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No. 42892 0 II
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that   Connolly   lifted SMW's shirt for the purpose of sexual arousal   or   gratification.   Sufficient

evidence supports Connolly's conviction.

                                       C. Indecent Exposure

         Next, Connolly claims that the State presented insufficient evidence to convict him of

four' ounts of indecent exposure as alleged in counts 6 9 because the State did not prove that
    c                                                   -

Connolly intended to expose himself or that he knew his exposure would cause reasonable

affront or alarm to SMW. We disagree.

         Under RCW 9A. 8.a person is guilty of indecent exposure if he (1)intentionally
                   010,
                     8

makes any open and obscene exposure of his person, and that conduct is (2)likely to cause

reasonable affront or alarm. An open or obscene exposure is a lascivious exhibition of those

private parts of the person which instinctive modesty, human decency, or common propriety

require shall be customarily kept covered in others' presence. State v. Vars, 157 Wn. App. 482,

490, 237 P. d 378 (2010).To prove reasonable affront or alarm, the State need not show that the
          3

victim experienced shame or,distress resulting from the defendant's conduct, or that the victim

expressed such emotions to the defendant; it is enough that the defendant's act was " uch that the
                                                                                    s

common sense of society would regard the specific act performed as indecent and improper."

State v. Eisenshank, 10 Wn. App. 921, 924, 521 P. d 239, review denied, 84 Wn. d 1003 (1974).
                                                2                            2

         Based on the evidence here, a rational jury could find that Connolly intentionally exposed

his penis to SMW on numerous occasions, and that the penis exposure was not only likely to

cause reasonable affront or harm to SMW, but actually did. SMW testified that from December

5
  The jury convicted Connolly of indecent exposure to a victim under 14 years of age, a gross
misdemeanor. See RCW 9A. 8.Connolly does not dispute that SMW was younger
                           b).
                           010(    2)(
                                   8
than 14 during the alleged events.

                                                 10
No. 42892 0 II
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2010 until June 2011, Connolly woke her two to three mornings a week, and every one of these

roughly seventy mornings, Connolly exposed          his   penis.   KAMG also testified to seeing

Connolly's exposed penis 10 to 15 times when she stayed overnight with SMW. While one may

reasonably believe that Connolly's penis accidentally fell from his open fly on rare occasion

when he wore a poorly designed pair of pajamas, it is not reasonable that it would accidentally

fall from his open fly every morning, unnoticed, roughly 70 times over a six month period,
                                                                             -

regardless of the pajamas he wore.

       Moreover, KAMG testified that she once saw Connolly pull his penis out through his

open fly when he entered SMW's bedroom to wake the girls. And SMW testified that she once

noticed Connolly tuck his penis back into his pants when he left her room. This testimony rebuts

any contention that Connolly's penis exposure was purely accidental and unknown to him.

Accordingly, a rational trier of fact could find that Connolly intentionally made an open and

obscene exposure of his penis.

       Next, the evidence must prove that his exposed penis was likely to cause SMW

reasonable affront or alarm. A reasonable person would understand that exposing a penis to a

minor girl would likely cause reasonable affront or alarm. And in SMW's case it actually caused

affront and alarm. KAMG testified that Connolly's behavior "
                                                           creeped out"both she and SMW,

and that SMW feared staying at MF's house after these events and tried to avoid thinking about

Connolly and his penis.    1 RP at 144.    Accordingly, a rational trier of fact could find that

Connolly's open and obscene conduct was likely to cause SMW's reasonable affront and alarm.

Therefore, sufficient evidence supports Connolly's convictions in counts 6 9.
                                                                           -

                                               11
No. 42892 0 II
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                                III. Ineffective Assistance of Counsel

        In his statement of additional grounds, Connolly asserts that defense counsel provided

ineffective assistance by failing to investigate and only calling two witnesses. Connolly's claims

lack merit.

        To succeed on an ineffective assistance of counsel claim, the defendant must show that

1)counsel's conduct     was   deficient; and (2) defendant
                                               the            was   prejudiced   as a   result. Strickland

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

presumed to have acted reasonably unless shown otherwise. State v. Thomas, 109 Wn. d 222,
                                                                                 2

226, 743 P. d 816 (1987).In order to show prejudice, the defendant must demonstrate that it is
          2

reasonably probable that "but for counsel's unprofessional errors, the result of the proceeding

would have been different."
                          Strickland, 466 U. . at 694. If the ineffective assistance claim fails
                                           S

on one prong, the court need not address the other prong."State v. Staten, 60 Wn. App. 163,
              "

171, 802 P. d 1384, review denied, 117 Wn. d 1011 (1991).
          2                              2

         Generally, an attorney's decision to call a witness to testify is a matter of legitimate trial

tactics, which will not support an ineffective assistance claim. State v. Byrd, 30 Wn. App. 794,

799, 638 P. d 601 ( 1981). But one can overcome this presumption by demonstrating that
          2

counsel failed to adequately investigate or prepare for trial. Byrd, 30 Wn. App. at 799.

         Here Connolly must rebut the presumption that defense counsel acted competently and

demonstrate that counsel deficiently performed. He does not do that. He cites nothing in the

record to demonstrate how defense counsel failed to investigate or who defense counsel should

have called to    testify. Therefore, he does not overcome the presumption that defense counsel

          1   1

                                                   12
No. 42892 0 II
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used legitimate trial tactics and he cannot demonstrate deficient performance or ineffective

assistance. See Byrd, 30 Wn. App. at 799.

       We affirm in part, reverse in part, and remand for resentencing.

       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

040,
2.6.it is so ordered.
  0

                                                k
                                                O- /
                                                 e
                                                                   Johanson, J.
We concur:                                      J

                 Worswicic"i J.     .

                 Tollefson, J. .
                            T.
                             P

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