Court Opinion

ID: 987653
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2013-07-02 22:18:45.62062+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T13:07:03.230446
License: Public Domain

IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON

STATE OF WASHINGTON,                                  No. 69865-6-1

                     Respondent,                      DIVISION ONE
                                                                                   •&        '^    ...
             v.

CHRISTOPHER EUGENE PAYTON,                            UNPUBLISHED                                 to

                     Appellant.                       FILED: April 22. 2013             CP

       Cox, J. —Christopher Payton appeals the judgment and sentence,

following his convictions of first and second degree assault. He claims that the

trial court committed reversible error when it gave a 'first aggressofjury

instruction. Payton also requests that we strike the forfeiture of property

provision from his judgment and sentence, and that we reverse the trial courts

order dismissing, without prejudice, the charge of attempted murder and remand

for correction. In his Statement of Additional Grounds for Review, Payton makes

additional claims.

       We hold that the trial court did not abuse its discretion in determining that

there was sufficient evidence to support an aggressor instruction in this case.

We decline to address the assignment of error regarding the forfeiture of property

provision because it is entirely speculative and not properly before this court.

       The parties agree that the trial courts Order for Dismissal as to Count I

OnlyWithout Prejudice contained an error. Thus, we vacate that order and

remand for correction of the error.
No. 69865-6-1/2

        Payton's Statement of Additional Grounds for Review has no merit.

        We affirm Payton's first and second degree assault convictions.

        In 2010, Christopher Payton and G.M. were in a romantic relationship and

lived together with G.M.'s adult son, K.Y. The three lived in G.M.'s house in

Tacoma, but K.Y. slept in the attached garage.

        Early one morning in October 2010, K.Y. testified that he heard his mother

screaming while he was in the garage. He grabbed his stun gun and went

toward the screaming. When K.Y. entered the bedroom, he testified that he saw

his mother on a lower bunk bed and Payton standing over her with a hatchet

raised at shoulder level. He testified that he discharged the stun gun into

Payton's torso. Then, K.Y. felt Payton swinging a hatchet at his neck, back, and

head.

        G.M. testified that before K.Y. entered the bedroom she and Payton were

arguing, and eventually Payton punched her.

        Payton testified that he was verbally aggressive toward G.M., but he
claimed that he did not push or punch her, or threaten her with a hatchet. He

testified that G.M. screamed when he reached toward the bed and tried to pull off

a blanket to see if G.M. had anything in her hand. Then, he felt a pinching in his

side. As he fell to the ground, he testified that he grabbed a hatchet and started
defending himself. He claims that he did not know who was attacking him. He
testified that he swung the hatchet until the person fell down.

        By amended information, the State charged Payton with three criminal
acts (in three separate counts): attempted first degree murder of K.Y. (count I),
No. 69865-6-1/3

first degree assault of K.Y. (count II), and second degree assault of G.M. (count

III). The State also alleged that Payton used a deadly weapon for all three

counts for purposes of deadly weapon enhancements. It also alleged that the

crimes were domestic violence incidents.

      A jury acquitted Payton of attempted first degree murder and failed to

reach a verdict on the lesser included offense of attempted second degree

murder. But it found Payton guilty of counts II and III and the corresponding

enhancements.

       For counts II and III, the court sentenced Payton to 183 months of

confinement. Upon the State's motion, the court ordered that count I be

dismissed without prejudice.

       Payton appeals.

                          AGGRESSOR INSTRUCTION

       Payton argues that the trial court committed reversible error when it gave

the State's proposed first aggressor jury instruction over defense counsel's

objection. We disagree.

       At Payton's jury trial, the court gave the following aggressor instruction,

which was based on WPIC 16.04:

             No person may, by any intentional act reasonably likely to
       provoke a belligerent response, create a necessity for acting in self-
       defense and thereupon use, offer or attempt to use force upon or
       toward another person. Therefore, ifyou find beyond a reasonable
       doubt that the defendant was the aggressor, and that defendant's
       acts and conduct provoked or commenced the fight, then self-
       defense is not available as a defense.111

       1Clerk's Papers at 137; Report of Proceedings (Aug. 30, 2011) at 606-09.
No. 69865-6-1/4

       A trial court's decision regarding a jury instruction is reviewed for

abuse ofdiscretion if it is based on a factual dispute.2 Atrial court's
decision based on a ruling oflaw is reviewed de novo.3 To determine
whether there is sufficient evidence to support giving an instruction, a

court views the evidence in the light most favorable to the party requesting

the instruction4

       Payton argues that the aggressor instruction was improper in this case

because the evidence did not support the State's theory that he was the first

aggressor toward K.Y. Since this is a factual dispute, we review the facts to

determine whether the trial court abused its discretion in allowing the instruction.

       A jury instruction is appropriate ifthere is sufficient evidence to support the

theory on which the instruction is based.5 Generally, "the right ofself-defense
cannot be successfully invoked by an aggressor or one who provokes an

altercation."6

       Although not favored, an aggressor instruction is proper if there is credible

evidence, even if disputed, "from which a jury can reasonably determine that the

       2 State v. Walker, 136 Wn.2d 767, 771-72, 966 P.2d 883 (1998).

       3id at 772.
       4 State v. Fernandez-Medina. 141 Wn.2d 448, 455-56, 6 P.3d 1150
(2000).

       5 State v. Davis. 119 Wn.2d 657, 665, 835 P.2d 1039(1992).

       6 State v. Rilev. 137 Wn.2d 904, 909, 976 P.2d 624 (1999).
No. 69865-6-1/5

defendant provoked the need to act in self-defense."7 The provoking act must be
intentional and related to the assault for which self-defense is claimed, but it

cannot be the actual assault.8

       A defendant's intentional acts directed at a third party can justify an

aggressor instruction ifthe acts were reasonably "likely to provoke a belligerent

response from the actual victim."9
       Here, the evidence showed that Payton's actions directed at G.M. were

reasonably likely to provoke a belligerent response from K.Y.

       The State presented evidence that K.Y., who lived in the house with

Payton and G.M., heard G.M. screaming. He grabbed his stun gun and went to

the bedroom where he heard the screaming.

       When he entered the bedroom, K.Y. testified that he saw his "mother

pretty much pinned on that mattress, the lower mattress, and [Payton] standing .

. . with the hatchet in his right hand, and [his mother] screaming and reaching for

her phone and purse."10
       Viewing the evidence in the light most favorable to the State, Payton's

actions against G.M. were reasonably likely to provoke a belligerent response

       7kL

       8 State v. Kidd, 57 Wn. App. 95, 100, 786 P.2d 847 (1990).

       9ig\at98, 100 (citing State v. Wasson, 54 Wn. App. 156, 159-61,772
P.2d 1039 (1989)); see also Davis, 119 Wn.2d at 666 (explaining that there was
evidence that Davis pushed a woman and this was an intentional act that was
"likely to provoke a belligerent response" from the woman's friend who
intervened).
       10
            Report of Proceedings (Aug. 24, 2011) at 128.
No. 69865-6-1/6

from K.Y. who wanted to protect his mother. Payton knew that K.Y. lived in the

house and could be there to hear G.M. screaming. It is reasonably likely that a

son who heard his mother screaming and saw a hatchet drawn on her would

come to her aid.

      The State also argues that the aggressor instruction was "proper because

there was evidence that [Payton] drew a weapon first."11 But we need not
address this argument because we hold that the aggressor instruction was

warranted on the basis we explained.

       Payton argues that "the act alleged to be the 'first aggression' must be

directed at the same person against whom the self-defense claim is made."

Payton cites State v. Kidd to support his argument.13 But as discussed above,
this court in Kidd explained that a defendant's intentional acts toward a third party

can be a provoking act if it was reasonably "likely to provoke a belligerent

response from the actual victim."14 Thus, it does not matter that Payton's actions
were initially directed only at G.M., or that K.Y. was not in the room when Payton

first started assaulting G.M. The aggressor instruction was warranted because

       11 Response Brief at 13 (citing State v. Winqate. 155 Wn.2d 817, 822, 122
P.3d 908 (2005)): see also Riley, 137 Wn.2d at 910 ("If there is credible evidence
that the defendant made the first move by drawing a weapon, the evidence
supports the giving of an aggressor instruction.").

       12 Appellant's Opening Brief at 20.
       13 Jd (citing Kidd, 57 Wn. App. at 100).
       14
            Kidd, 57 Wn. App. at 100.
No. 69865-6-1/7

there was other evidence that Payton's actions were reasonably likely to cause a

belligerent response in K.Y.

      Payton also contends that there was absolutely no evidence here that his

assault was "intended to provoke a belligerent response from [K.Y.] so that [he]

could then assault [K.Y.] with impunity under a claim ofself defense."15 But the
issue is not whether Payton intended to provoke a belligerent response from

K.Y. The issue is whether Payton's intentional acts were "reasonably likely to

provoke a belligerent response."16
       Finally, Payton cites State v. Wasson17 and State v. Brower18 to support
his argument that the aggression instruction was improper. In both of these

cases, the courts determined that an aggressor instruction was not warranted.19
But these cases are distinguishable.

       In the first case, Wasson and his cousin, Billy Bartlett, were fighting

outside Bartlett's apartment.20 A visitor to the neighborhood, Thomas Reed,

       15
            Appellant's Opening Brief at 20-21.

       16 See Davis, 119 Wn.2d at 666 (concluding that Davis pushing a man's
friend was "reasonably likely to provoke a belligerent response" from that man);
see also Kidd, 57 Wn. App. at 100 ("[The provoking act cannot] be an act
directed toward one other than the actual victim, unless the act was likely to
provoke a belligerent response from the actual victim.").

       17 54 Wn. App. 156, 772 P.2d 1039(1989).

       18 43 Wn. App. 893, 721 P.2d 12 (1986).

       19 Wasson, 54 Wn. App. at 161: Brower, 43 Wn. App. at 902.

       20 Wasson, 54 Wn. App. at 157.
No. 69865-6-1/8

came out to tell the men to quiet down.21 Bartlett and Reed began fighting, and,
after hitting Bartlett several times, Reed approached Wasson.22 Wasson then
shot Reed.23 Division Three of this court concluded that Wasson was not an

aggressor because the fight between Wasson and Bartlett was not related to

Reed's assault of Bartlett.24

       But Division Three also noted that a defendant's intentional act directed to

a third party could justify an aggressor instruction if the act was "reasonably likely

to provoke a belligerent response" from the victim.25 This describes the situation
here, and it warranted an aggressor instruction.

       In Brower, Division Three concluded that an aggressor instruction was not

warranted because there was no evidence that Brower engaged in any

provoking act toward Martin.26 But, here, there was evidence that Payton
engaged in a provoking act. Thus, this case is distinguishable from Brower.

       In sum, the trial court did not abuse its discretion in determining that there

was sufficient evidence to support an aggressor instruction in this case.

       21 JdL
       22 id

       23 Id

       24 ]d at 159.

       25 ]d at 159-61 (citing State v. Thomas. 63 Wn.2d 59, 385 P.2d 532
(1963)).

       26 43 Wn. App. at 902.

                                           8
No. 69865-6-1/9

                           FORFEITURE OF PROPERTY

       Payton argues that the trial court erred when it required him to "[f]orfeit

any items in property" in his judgment and sentence.27 He did not object to this
condition below, but he contends that an illegal sentence may be reviewed for

the first time on appeal.28 He requests that we order the trial court to strike this
provision from his judgment and sentence.29 We decline to address this
assignment of error.

       "'[A] court may refuse to return seized property no longer needed for

evidence only if (1) the defendant is not the rightful owner; (2) the property is

contraband; or (3) the property is subject to forfeiture pursuant to statute.'"30
       "In Washington, CrR 2.3(e) governs motions for the return of illegally

seized property and also motions for the return of lawfully seized property no

longer needed for evidence."31
       Here, Payton's judgment and sentence for counts II and III contained the

following provision:

       27 Appellant's Opening Brief at 24.

       28 Id at 25 (citing State v. Bahl. 164 Wn.2d 739, 745, 193 P.3d 678
(2008)).

       29 ]d at 24.

       30 City of Walla Walla v. $401.333.44, 164 Wn. App. 236, 244, 262 P.3d
1239 (2011) (alteration in original) (internal quotation marks omitted) (quoting
City of Walla Walla v. $401.333.44. 150 Wn. App. 360, 367, 208 P.3d 574
(2009)).
       31
            State v. Alawav. 64 Wn. App. 796, 798, 828 P.2d 591 (1992).
No. 69865-6-1/10

      4.4       OTHER. Property may have been taken into custody in
       conjunction with this case. Property may be returned to the rightful
       owner. Any claim for return of such property must be made within
       90 days. After 90 days, if you do not make a claim, property may
       be disposed ofaccording to law.1321
The judgment and sentence also listed other conditions, which included, "[f]orfeit

any items in property."33
       Payton does not provide a description of any property that was actually

seized or forfeited. He also does not demonstrate that he has made a motion to

the trial court regarding the return of any property. Thus, any issue arising from

this condition is entirely speculative and not properly before this court on appeal.

We decline to address this assignment of error.

                             DISMISSAL OF COUNT I

       Payton argues that we should reverse the trial court's order dismissing

count I and remand with instructions to correct the order. We agree.

       The State concedes that the order contained an error. The parties agree

that the order should have reflected that count I (attempted first degree murder)

was dismissed with prejudice because the jury acquitted Payton of this charge.

They also agree that count l-A (attempted second degree murder) should have

been dismissed without prejudice because the jury was unable to agree as to

this charge. The State asserts that itwill seek a clarified order in the trial court.

Based on this representation that the error will be corrected based on the

       32 Clerk's Paper at 181.

       33 Id.

                                          10
No. 69865-6-1/11

agreement of the parties, we vacate the Order for Dismissal as to Count I Only

Without Prejudice and remand for the order to be corrected.

                   STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL GROUNDS

       Payton raises a number of issues in his statement of additional grounds.

None are persuasive.

       First, Payton requests that we exercise our discretion and request

additional briefing from his appointed counsel pursuant to RAP 10.10(f). After

reviewing Payton's additional grounds for review, we see no need to do so.

      Second, Payton argues that the State failed to present sufficient evidence

to prove the elements of first degree assault of K.Y. and second degree assault

of G.M.

       Evidence is sufficient to support a conviction if, viewed in the light most

favorable to the State, any rational trier of fact could have found that each

element of the crime was proved beyond a reasonable doubt.34 We draw all
reasonable inferences from the evidence in the State's favor and interpret the

evidence most strongly against the defendant.35 We assume "the truth ofthe
State's evidence and all inferences that reasonably can be drawn therefrom."36
       Under RCW 9A.36.011(1 )(a), "A person is guilty of assault in the first

degree if he or she, with intent to inflict great bodily harm: (a) Assaults another

       34 State v. Drum. 168 Wn.2d 23, 34-35, 225 P.3d 237 (2010).

       35 State v. Joy, 121 Wn.2d 333, 339, 851 P.2d 654 (1993).

       36 State v. Salinas. 119 Wn.2d 192, 201, 829 P.2d 1068 (1992).

                                          11
No. 69865-6-1/12

with a firearm or any deadly weapon or by any force or means likely to produce

great bodily harm or death

       Payton contends that the State failed to present any evidence that shows

that he acted with intent to inflict great bodily harm. We disagree.

       G.M. testified that K.Y. fell down with the first hit of the hatchet, but Payton

continued to swing the hatchet and repeatedly hit K.Y. "like a machine." Dr.

Michelle Strong testified that K.Y. suffered at least seven blows based on the

lacerations she observed. A rational trier of fact could have found from this

evidence that Payton acted with intent to inflict great bodily harm. Thus, this

argument is not persuasive.

       For the second degree assault conviction, Payton argues that the State

failed to present evidence that Payton inflicted "substantial bodily harm" to G.M.

as defined under RCW 9A.36.021(1)(a). But the State charged and instructed

the jury as to second degree assault under RCW 9A.36.021(1)(c). Under RCW
9A.36.021(1)(c), "A person is guilty of assault in the second degree if he or she,

under circumstances not amounting to assault in the first degree: . . . (c) Assaults

another with a deadly weapon." Thus, the infliction of substantial bodily harm

was not an element of the crime charged, and this argument fails.

       Third, Payton argues that his counsel was ineffective because his counsel

failed to make a motion to arrest the jury's guilty verdict for first and second

degree assault based on insufficient evidence. To prevail on a claim of

ineffective assistance of counsel, a defendant must show that his counsel's

performance fell below an objective standard of reasonableness and that the

                                          12
No. 69865-6-1/13

deficient performance prejudiced his trial.37 Here, Payton fails to show how he
was prejudiced by the absence of this motion, as his sufficiency of the evidence

argument is not persuasive. Failure on the prejudice prong defeats a claim of

ineffective assistance of counsel.38

       Fourth, Payton contends that the trial court erred when it closed the court

without first applying the closure test articulated in State v. Boneclub.39 Payton
cites two pages in the report of proceedings.40 But these two pages do not show
that the court was closed to the public. Thus, this argument is not persuasive.

       Finally, Payton argues that there was no evidence to support the

aggressor instruction. We need not address this argument again as it is

adequately addressed in his appellate counsel's brief41

       37 Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. 668, 687, 104 S. Ct. 2052, 80 L. Ed.
2d 674 (1984); State v. McFarland. 127 Wn.2d 322, 334-35, 899 P.2d 1251
(1995).

       38 Strickland, 466 U.S. at 697; State v. Foster. 140 Wn. App. 266, 273, 166
P.3d 726 (2007).

       39 Appellant's Statement of Additional Grounds for Review at 8 (citing
State v. Boneclub. 76 Wn. App. 872, 888 P.2d 759, reversed by. 128 Wn.2d 254,
906 P.2d 325 (1995)).
       40
            Id (citing Report of Proceedings (Aug. 30, 2011) at 631-32).

       41 See, e.g.. State v. Gomez. 152 Wn. App. 751, 754, 217 P.3d 391 (2009)
(refusing to review a defendant's statement of additional grounds because he
raised no new issues).

                                          13
No. 69865-6-1/14

       We vacate the trial court's order dismissing count I without prejudice and

remand for the order to be corrected. We affirm the judgment and sentence as to

counts II and III.

                                                          ^bxcn
WE CONCUR:

   \

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