Court Opinion

ID: 3183284
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2016-03-07 23:33:50.401126+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:35:47.661315
License: Public Domain

S—    w8
                                                                                          ^c.
                                                                                    or.   ^••^I

                                                                                    •so   o-»,
                                                                                     '    "V-

      IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON                            a»    Xn\ ••-:..

STATE OF WASHINGTON,
                                                                                    CO    C*£
                                                  DIVISION ONE                      CO
                                                                                              a
                     Respondent,
                                                  No. 72607-2-1

                                                  UNPUBLISHED OPINION
SIRAJ HASSAN HAJI-SOMO,

                     Appellant.                   FILED: March 7, 2016

       Dwyer, J. — A jury convicted Siraj Haji-Somo of one count of residential

burglary with a special allegation finding hat the victim was present in the

residence at the time of the offense. On appeal, Haji-Somo contends both that

he was denied his constitutional right to self-representation and that the trial

court's denial of his motion for a continuance violated his right to present a

defense. Finding no error, we affirm.

                                          I

       On May 21, 2014, approximately two and one-half months before trial,

Catherine Elliott, Haji-Somo's first appointed counsel, notified the court that Haji-

Somo wished to request the court to discharge her as his attorney. When the

trial court inquired as to the nature of Haji-Somo's motion, he indicated that it

"would be me representing myself." The following exchange occurred:
No. 72607-2-1/2

              THE COURT: And what are your reasons for wanting to do
      that?
              THE DEFENDANT: I just feel the need to speak for myself.
      Just going through a lot and just kind of really need to get this - get
      this taken care of because I can't afford for something like this to
      ruin my life because I'm at a good point in life where I need to be
      (inaudible, soft-spoken.) And so I just - I just need somebody to
      talk to, somebody I could trust, get comfortable with, somebody I
      can - you know, somebody I can - that's not understanding me, so
      I would prefer someone else, not that Elliott person (phonetic).
      Elliot is a great attorney, don't get me wrong, but I feel I need to
      have somebody that understands (inaudible, soft-spoken).
               THE COURT: Okay. So you're actually asking for a
      different attorney. You're not asking to represent yourself; is that
      correct?
             THE DEFENDANT: Actually, I want to represent myself, but
      I'm - because I might be short on cash and so I'm not thinking
      about getting an attorney. I'm just not sure. I haven't decided.
      That's the thing.
             THE COURT: Okay. So-
              THE DEFENDANT: Nothing decided all the way, but I need
       an attorney, but I'm - I'm more comfortable representing myself.
              THE COURT: All right. So those are two very different
      things. Right?
              THE DEFENDANT: Yeah.
              THE COURT: Really different. Either you have an attorney
       or you don't have an attorney.
              THE DEFENDANT: Okay.
              THE COURT: And so-
                THE DEFENDANT: Well, I'll just - I'll just represent myself.
       I'll go with representing myself.

       Seeking further clarification, the trial court asked Elliott her understanding

of Haji-Somo's position. Elliott stated,

              My understanding from Mr. Haji-Somo is that he specifically
       does not want me representing him, and then there remains the
       question of whether he wants to represent himself or whether he
       wants another attorney.
              And if I'm wrong on that, I would ask for some clarification.
              And from my view of things, I don't feel that I have been able
       to adequately represent him in my role with him, specifically my
       obligations to him as his attorney due to the fact that we - he does
       not trust me, and he does not listen to my advice, and we think
       more often than not end up in unproductive conversations.
No. 72607-2-1/3

               So I don't know what to make of it, Your Honor, but I guess
         from my perspective, the first question is whether I should be on the
         case and then maybe the second question is whether it should be
         another attorney or himself. And maybe that should be the subject
         of another motion. I don't - I don't know.

         Haji-Somo made no objection to this characterization of the circumstance.

The trial court, noting that the request before the court was to discharge counsel,

expressed concern about Haji-Somo's uncertainty as to whether he was

requesting appointment of another attorney or whether he was requesting to

proceed pro se. Haji-Somo reiterated his objection to Elliott's representation,

specifically referencing the continuing communication issues he was

experiencing with her.1

         After hearing from both Haji-Somo and Elliott, the trial court granted Haji-

Somo's motion to discharge defense counsel but did not rule on whether Haji-

Somo would proceed pro se at that point. On the matter of proceeding pro se,

the trial court informed Haji-Somo, "I think you need to be able to speak with

someone, and we're going to need to confirm new counsel and give you the

opportunity to do that."

         Anna Brusanowski was appointed as Haji-Somo's new counsel. She first

appeared with Haji-Somo at a June 2 hearing. At that time, Brusanowski

         1At the May 21 hearing, Haji-Somo referenced miscommunication with Elliott regarding
which date he was required to appear in court. Specifically, Haji-Somo stated that Elliott told him
to report to the courthouse for the omnibus hearing on the wrong day. As a result, Haji-Somo
missed the omnibus hearing and the trial court issued a warrant. Haji-Somo expressed his
frustration, stating,
         Like, that's a misunderstanding, and I'm not - I'm not trying to work with
         someone that's like that. I want somebody who's going to keep me updated
         because everything that goes on with how the whole case is going, because if
         we're not keeping in touch, there's no - what case - what case do we have with
         each other.
No. 72607-2-1/4

informed the court that Haji-Somo did not want a court appointed attorney and

was in the process of hiring a private attorney. Haji-Somo did not renew his

request to proceed pro se at this hearing.

       With Brusanowski still representing Haji-Somo, trial began on August 7,

2014. Various pretrial motions, a discussion about ongoing negotiations, and

voir dire with an initial jury panel all took place.2 Proceedings continued on

August 11 with the State indicating that it had presented Haji-Somo with a new

plea offer, which included a recommendation for the imposition of a deferred

sentence. After consulting with Brusanowski, Haji-Somo rejected the offer.

Brusanowski then informed the court of her client's rejection of the offer, and

asked the court for a continuance of "at most a week" to gather additional

evidence. Brusanowski indicated:

        [M]y client just now informed me that he does have witnesses that
        he would like to call in furtherance of his defense. Unfortunately he
        did not discuss possible witnesses with me previously. Several
        times I approached him about whether or not he had witnesses,
        and he did not, and at this point he declares that he does.
               For that reason, we're asking the Court to grant us a brief
        continuance so that I can gather the names and contact
        information, quickly interview them, and so that I can forward that
        information to the prosecutor.131

        The State objected to the continuance request. The trial court denied the

motion as untimely because pretrial rulings had been completed and trial of the

         2 Brusanowski indicated that the defense would likely present no witnesses, other than
the defendant, but might call defense investigator John Hayes to testify.
         3 Brusanowski continued, "I just wanted to emphasize the fact that from my overview of
the state and what I perceive now as being my client's defense - or line of defense, I wanted to
declare that I do believe that these witnesses would be necessary to further that defense, and so
they would not be simply frivolous witnesses with information that would not have a significant
impact on my client's defense."
No. 72607-2-1/5

matter had begun. Moreover, the trial court noted that Haji-Somo had been

given ample time to speak with his attorney about possible witnesses before trial,

and emphasized that there was no indication that these were newly discovered

witnesses or that the substance of the trial had changed in any manner as a

result of any rulings made.

       After a recess, a substitute prosecutor appeared on behalf of the State

and informed the trial court that the assigned prosecutor had fallen sick over

lunch, and that the substitute prosecutor would stand in for the hardship portion

of voir dire only. Defense counsel did not object to the substitution of counsel for

this limited purpose.

       Later that day, defense counsel indicated that Haji-Somo wished to make

a motion to proceed pro se. When the trial court asked why Haji-Somo was

bringing his request to proceed pro se after trial ofthe matter had begun, Haji-
Somo's response was largely inaudible.4 However, the context of his reply

indicates dissatisfaction with defense counsel's decision not to object to the

substitute prosecutor's appearance for the hardship portion of voir dire.5 The
trial court denied Haji-Somo's motion as "very untimely," stating,

       I'm not hearing that there is a breakdown in communication, that
       there are any conflicts regarding that communication, that Ifeel it's
       unfounded. Ifeel it's untimely, and, quite frankly, given some of the
       questions posed to the Court in the course of proceedings today,
       I'm concerned that it's made without the general understanding of
       what the consequences will be.

        4"Your Honor, Iobject had when she said she wants (inaudible, speaking softly and not
into microphone) prosecutor. I understood (inaudible, speaking softly and not into a
microphone)."
       5The trial court further indicated that had such an objection been interposed, it would
have been denied.
No. 72607-2-1/6

      Near the end of the day's proceedings, Haji-Somo made an additional

request to discharge counsel and have new counsel appointed because he felt

that his questions were not being answered and that he was not being well-

represented. The court disagreed and denied Haji-Somo's motion to discharge

counsel. Brusanowski continued to represent Haji-Somo throughout the trial with

no additional objections.

       Haji-Somo was convicted as charged and the jury found the special

allegation proved. The trial court imposed a low-end standard range sentence of
three months on work release or electronic home detention, with 30 days

converted to community service. Haji-Somo now appeals.

                                          II

       Haji-Somo first contends that his constitutional right to self-representation
was violated. This is so, he asserts, because the trial court failed to make a

meaningful inquiry into his initial request to proceed pro se. We disagree.
       A defendant in a criminal prosecution has a right to the assistance of

counsel. U.S. Const, amend. VI; Wash. Const, art. 1, § 22 (amend. 10). This

right to counsel may be waived, but such a waiver must be "knowing, voluntary
and intelligent." City of Bellevue v. Acrev, 103 Wn.2d 203, 208-09, 691 P.2d 957
(1984) (citing Araersinaer v. Hamlin, 407 U.S. 25, 92 S. Ct. 2006, 32 L.Ed.2d 530
(1972)). "If counsel is properly waived, a criminal defendant has a right to self-
representation." Acrev, 103 Wn.2d at 209 (citing Wash. Const, art. 1, § 22
(amend. 10); U.S. Const, amend. VI; Faretta v. California, 422 U.S. 806, 95 S.
Ct. 2525, 45 L. Ed. 2d 562 (1975)).
No. 72607-2-1/7

      The right to proceed pro se, however, is not absolute. State v. Madsen,

168 Wn.2d 496, 504, 229 P.3d 714 (2010) (citing State v. Woods, 143 Wn.2d

561, 586, 23 P.3d 1046 (2001)). "When a defendant requests pro se status, the

trial court must determine whether the request is unequivocal and timely."

Madsen, 168 Wn.2d at 504 (citing State v. Stenson, 132 Wn.2d 668, 737, 940

P.2d 1239 (1997)). If the request is unequivocal and timely, the court must then

determine if the request is voluntary, knowing, and intelligent. Madsen, 168

Wn.2d at 504 (citing Faretta, 422 U.S. at 835; State v. Stegall. 124 Wn.2d 719,

881 P.2d 979 (1994)). When making these determinations, the court may defer

ruling on the motion if it is "reasonably unprepared to immediately respond to the

request." Madsen, 168 Wn.2d at 504. Moreover, courts are required to "'indulge

in every reasonable presumption' against a defendant's waiver of his or her right

to counsel." In re Pet, of Turay. 139 Wn.2d 379, 396, 986 P.2d 790 (1999)

(quoting Brewer v. Williams, 430 U.S. 387, 404, 97 S. Ct. 1232, 51 L. Ed. 2d 424

(1977)).

       We review the denial of a request for pro se status under an abuse of

discretion standard. Madsen, 168 Wn.2d at 504 (citing State v. Hemenwav. 122

Wn. App. 787, 792, 95 P.3d 408 (2004)). "Discretion is abused if a decision is

manifestly unreasonable or 'rests on facts unsupported in the record or was

reached by applying the wrong legal standard.'" Madsen. 168 Wn.2d at 504

(quoting State v. Rohrich, 149 Wn.2d 647, 654, 71 P.3d 638 (2003)).

       It is axiomatic that, in order "[t]o protect defendants from making

capricious waivers of counsel and to protect trial courts from manipulative
No. 72607-2-1/8

vacillations by defendants regarding representation, the defendant's request to

proceed pro se must be unequivocal." Stenson, 132 Wn.2d at 740. This means

that the request must be unequivocal "in the context of the record as a whole."

Stenson, 132 Wn.2d at 741-42 (citing State v. Luvene, 127 Wn.2d 690, 698-99,

903 P.2d 960 (1995)). "While a request to proceed pro se as an alternative to

substitution of new counsel does not necessarily make the request equivocal,

such a request may be an indication to the trial court, in light of the whole record,

that the request is not unequivocal." Stenson, 132 Wn.2d at 740-41 (citation

omitted).

       Haji-Somo characterizes his request to proceed pro se as two separate

requests. He assigns error only to what he terms the trial court's failure to further

inquire into his original request to proceed pro se until after the trial had

commenced.

       Haji-Somo's original request to proceed pro se, although timely, was

equivocal. When asked his reasons for his motion to proceed pro se, Haji-Somo

stated that he needed somebody to talk to, somebody that he could trust and feel

comfortable with. Although Haji-Somo indicated that he wanted to represent

himself, he acknowledged, "I'm just not sure. I haven't decided. That's the

thing. . . . Nothing decided all the way, but I need an attorney, but I'm - I'm more

comfortable representing myself." Haji-Somo's uncertainty is reinforced by his

subsequent utterances and Elliott's statements that Haji-Somo's objection was to

her representation, specifically, based on a perceived continuing

miscommunication.

                                           8
No. 72607-2-1/9

       We review each motion to proceed pro se independently to determine

whether the requirements for pro se status were met. Madsen, 168 Wn.2d at

505. Upon making his May 21 motion to proceed pro se, Haji-Somo expressed

uncertainty as to whether he desired a different attorney or no attorney at all.

Haji-Somo's alternate request for counsel is an indication that his request was

not unequivocal. Stenson, 132 Wn.2d at 740-41. Haji-Somo's uncertainty,

coupled with Elliott's understanding that Haji-Somo did not want her as his

attorney, provide a sufficient basis for the trial court to rule that the original

request was equivocal. Thus, the trial court would have been correct in denying

Haji-Somo's motion to proceed pro se at the May 21 proceeding.

       Furthermore, Haji-Somo's reliance on Madsen is misplaced. Defendant

Madsen was charged with three counts of felony violation of a court order.

Madsen, 168 Wn.2d at 501. On January 24, 2006, after his privately retained

counsel withdrew, Madsen personally moved to proceed pro se stating that "he

believed he 'could resolve the whole issue.'" Madsen, 168 Wn.2d at 501. The

trial court, however, deferred ruling on the request, stating that it would be

"'happy to hear the motion'" after Madsen had a chance to talk with new counsel.
Madsen, 168 Wn.2d at 501. Madsen renewed his request on March 7, almost

two months before trial, indicating that he wished to proceed pro se and stating

that, "'Under Article l[, Section] 22 I have a right to represent myself.'" Madsen,

168 Wn.2d at 501 (alteration in original). After Madsen's counsel questioned his

competency to represent himself, Madsen reiterated, '"I am gonna revert to my

constitutional rights, Washington State constitutional rights, Article 1, Subsection
No. 72607-2-1/10

22, I have a right to represent myself and that's what I'm going to move forward

with doing.'" Madsen. 168 Wn.2d at 501. The trial court, however, again

deferred ruling on the motion to proceed pro se, which was then renewed on May

2, the day before jury selection. Madsen. 168 Wn.2d at 502, 508. It was only at

this point that the court denied the motion as untimely. Madsen. 168 Wn.2d at

502, 508.

       On appeal, the Washington Supreme Court held that the denial of

Madsen's March 7 motion was an abuse of discretion. Madsen. 168 Wn.2d at

509. The court first noted that the deferral of a ruling on the January 24 motion

was not an abuse of discretion, as the trial court may have reasonably been

unprepared to immediately consider Madsen's motion to proceed pro se.

Madsen, 168 Wn.2d at 506. However, the court held that the trial court abused

its discretion by failing to grant Madsen pro se status after his second request,

which was "unequivocal, timely, voluntary, knowing, and intelligent." Madsen.

168 Wn.2d at 506. The court stated that even if the trial court had concerns

regarding Madsen's competency when the March 7 motion was made, it should
have ordered a competency hearing, rather than simply deferring the ruling for a

second time. Madsen. 168 Wn.2d at 510. Because the court held that Madsen's

March 7 motion to proceed pro se was independently valid, improperly deferred

until May 2, and ultimately denied without just cause, reversal was required.

Madsen, 168 Wn.2d at 510.

       The facts herein are much different. While the trial court conceivably had

notice of the fact that Haji-Somo was considering proceeding pro se on May 21,

                                         10
No. 72607-2-1/11

his equivocal request and subsequent actions indicated that he had abandoned

any intent to do so. After discharging the first appointed counsel, the trial court

appointed new counsel in order to allow Haji-Somo the opportunity to consider

whether he actually wished to proceed pro se.6 However, Haji-Somo did not

renew his motion to proceed pro se after speaking with Brusanowski but, rather,

indicated that he was considering hiring a private defense attorney known to his

family. At no point before trial began did Haji-Somo retain private counsel or

move to discharge Brusanowski. Unlike the defendant in Madsen, who

unequivocally and timely asserted his right to self-representation on two

occasions (three and one-half and two months before trial began), Haji-Somo

renewed his motion to proceed pro se for the first time on the second day of

trial.7

          Because it was reasonable for the trial court to defer ruling on Haji-Somo's

equivocal May 21 motion to proceed pro se in order to give him the opportunity to

consult with newly appointed counsel, the trial court did not abuse its discretion

          6 Moreover, the trial court's statement that it was "not going to make a decision" on Haji-
Somo's original, equivocal, motion to proceed pro se was effectively an invitation to renew the
motion after consultation with newly appointed counsel. Haji-Somo did not do so. This deferral
was proper and served as the equivalent of a denial of his first motion to proceed pro se.
Madsen. 168 Wn.2d at 506.
          7Indeed, even at this point, it is unclear whether Haji-Somo's objection was to being
represented by his appointed counsel or being represented at all. Haji-Somo's response is
undecipherable due to deficiencies in the verbatim reportof proceedings. However, itappears to
amount to an objection to counsel's failure to object to a limited substitution of prosecutors:
                  THE COURT: And can you give me some understanding of why you
          would like to do that [proceed pro se] and why you are bringing your request to
          the Court at this tight [sic]?
                 THE DEFENDANT: Your Honor, I object had when she said she wants
          (inaudible), speaking softly and not into a microphone) prosecutor. I understood
          (inaudible, speaking softly and not into a microphone.)
                  THE COURT: Okay. Anything else, Mr. Haji-Somo?
                  THE DEFENDANT: No, Your Honor.

                                                   11
No. 72607-2-1/12

by denying Haji-Somo's request as untimely when he did not renew it until the

second day of trial.

                                           Ill

       Haji-Somo next contends that his right to present a defense was violated.

This is so, he asserts, because the trial court abused its discretion when it denied

Haji-Somo's request for a week-long continuance in order to secure the
testimony of necessary defense witnesses. This contention is unavailing.

       In criminal cases, "the decision to grant or deny a motion for a

continuance rests within the sound discretion of the trial court." State v.

Downing, 151 Wn.2d 265, 272, 87 P.3d 1169 (2004) (citing State v. Miles, 77

Wn.2d 593, 597, 464 P.2d 723 (1970)). Thus, we review a trial court's decision

to deny a motion for a continuance under an abuse of discretion standard.
Downing, 151 Wn.2d at 272 (citing State v. Hurd, 127Wn.2d 592, 594, 902 P.2d
651 (1995); Skaait Rv. &Lumber Co. v. Cole, 2 Wash. 57, 62, 65, 25 P. 1077
(1891)). We will not disturb the trial court's decision unless the appellant "makes
'a clear showing . . . [that the trial court's] discretion [is] manifestly unreasonable,
or exercised on untenable grounds, or for untenable reasons."' Downing. 151
Wn.2d at 272-73 (alterations in original) (quoting State ex rel. Carroll v. Junker.

79 Wn.2d 12, 26, 482 P.2d 775 (1971)).

        Moreover, "even where the denial of a motion for continuance is alleged to
have deprived a criminal defendant of his or her constitutional right to compulsory
 process, the decision to deny a continuance will be reversed only on a showing
that the accused was prejudiced by the denial and/or that the result ofthe trial

                                            12
No. 72607-2-1/13

would likely have been different had the continuance not been denied." State v.

Tatum. 74 Wn. App. 81, 86, 871 P.2d 1123 (1994) (citing State v. Eller. 84 Wn.2d

90, 95-96, 524 P.2d 242 (1974)).

      As our Supreme Court has noted, "there are no mechanical tests for

deciding when the denial of a continuance violates due process, inhibits a

defense, or conceivably projects a different result; and, that the answer must be

found in the circumstances present in the particular case." Eller. 84 Wn.2d at 96

(citing State v. Cadena. 74 Wn.2d 185, 443 P.2d 826 (1968)). "In exercising
discretion to grant or deny a continuance, trial courts may consider many factors,
including surprise, diligence, redundancy, due process, materiality, and
maintenance of orderly procedure." Downing. 151 Wn.2d at 273 (citing Eller, 84
Wn.2d at 95; RCW 10.46.080; CrR 3.3(f)). Additionally, good faith is an essential
component of an application for a continuance. State v. Edwards. 68 Wn.2d 246,
258, 412 P.2d 747 (1966). "If it is manifest that the request for recess or
continuance is designed to delay, harry, or obstruct the orderly process ofthe
trial, or to take the prosecution by surprise, then the court can justifiably in the
exercise of its discretion deny it." Edwards, 68 Wn.2d at 258.

       Prior to jury selection, defense counsel informed the State and the trial
court that the defense did not plan to call any witnesses beyond the defendant.

Nevertheless, Haji-Somo requested a continuance on the second day oftrial,
after all of the pretrial rulings were completed and jury selection had begun. The
trial court denied Haji-Somo's motion on the ground that a substantial period of
time had elapsed, giving the defense ample time to prepare its case.

                                           13
No. 72607-2-1/14

Additionally, the trial court noted that there was no indication that these

witnesses were newly discovered or that the facts and substance of the trial had

changed as a result of the rulings on the various pretrial motions. Accordingly,

the trial court denied Haji-Somo's motion for a continuance as untimely.

        Haji-Somo has not clearly demonstrated that the trial court's ruling was

"'manifestly unreasonable, or exercised on untenable grounds, or for untenable

reasons.'" Downing, 151 Wn.2d at 272-73 (quoting Carroll, 79 Wn.2d at 26). His

attorney, Brusanowski, commenced her representation on June 2. Trial ofthe
matter began over two months later on August 7. During this period,
Brusanowski stated, despite her repeated requests, Haji-Somo disclosed no

witnesses that he wished to call in his defense. Notwithstanding that Haji-Somo

was arrested in the presence of other people,8 he negatively responded to
defense counsel's repeated questioning and never disclosed the identity ofthese
individuals to his attorney until the second day oftrial. Thus, defense counsel's
inability to investigate or interview these witnesses was due to Haji-Somo's own
dilatory conduct. Because the trial court properly accounted for (1) Haji-Somo's
lack ofdiligence, (2) the fact that these were not newly discovered witnesses,
and (3) that the facts of the matter had not changed as a result of pretrial rulings,
it did not abuse its discretion by denying the request for a continuance.

         Even had the trial court's denial of Haji-Somo's motion for a continuance

 rested on improper grounds, Haji-Somo has not demonstrated that he was

         8Arresting officer James Sturgill testified that there were several people in the apartment
 when the arrest was made. One individual answered the door, another was sleeping or passed
 out on the living room floor, and a third person was sleeping in the bedroom. Haji-Somo was
 initially contacted by officers in a locked bathroom in the apartment.
                                                  14
No. 72607-2-1/15

prejudiced by the denial or that the result of the trial would likely have been

different had the continuance been granted. Although defense counsel stated

that she believed that the newly disclosed witnesses would be necessary to

further Haji-Somo's defense,9 she did not indicate the identity of these witnesses

or the substance of their testimony. Nor did defense counsel explain how these

witnesses purportedly supported the defense's theory of the case.10 Because the
trial court record is silent as to how these witnesses would have testified at trial,

prejudice has not been established.

       The trial court did not abuse its discretion in denying defense counsel's

belated motion for a week-long continuance on the second day of trial.

       Affirmed.

We concur

        9The defense theory of the case was that Haji-Somo's excessive drinking the prior
evening negated his intent to commit the burglary. On appeal, Haji-Somo argues that these
witnesses would have, allegedly, verified Haji-Somo's mental state the prior evening.
        10 Indeed, in requesting the continuance, Brusanowski merely indicated that "I wanted to
declare that I do believe that these witnesses would be necessary to further that defense, and so
they would not be simply frivolous witnesses with information that would not have a significant
impact on my client's defense."

                                                15