Court Opinion

ID: 4262648
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2018-04-10 17:29:45.968254+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:30:05.683957
License: Public Domain

Filed
                                                                                        Washington State
                                                                                        Court of Appeals
                                                                                         Division Two

                                                                                         April 10, 2018
    IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON

                                         DIVISION II
 STATE OF WASHINGTON,                                               No. 49996-7-II

                               Respondent,

        v.

 CHARLES DONALD MOORE,                                        UNPUBLISHED OPINION

                               Appellant.

       WORSWICK, J. — Charles Donald Moore appeals his convictions for second degree

robbery and third degree assault, arguing that these two convictions violate the prohibition

against double jeopardy. The State concedes error on this issue. Moore also raises several issues

in his statement of additional grounds (SAG) for review, but he identifies no reversible error.

We accept the State’s concession, vacate Moore’s third degree assault conviction, and remand

for resentencing.

                                             FACTS

       On April 19, 2016, Moore entered a home improvement store and picked up a large tool

kit. Scott Patronaggio, a loss prevention manager at the store, followed Moore throughout the

store. Moore exited the store without paying for the tool kit. Once outside, Patronaggio

contacted Moore and grabbed the tool kit. Moore punched Patronaggio in the chest.

Patronaggio let go of the tool kit, and Moore fled on foot.
No. 49996-7-II

         The State charged Moore with second degree robbery,1 third degree assault,2 and third

degree theft.3 At trial, witnesses testified to the above facts. The jury found Moore guilty of

both second degree robbery and third degree assault.4 Moore appeals.

                                             ANALYSIS

         Moore argues that his second degree robbery and third degree assault convictions violate

double jeopardy under the merger doctrine because the third degree assault was necessary to

elevate his theft of the tool kit to second degree robbery. The State concedes error. We accept

the State’s concession.

         We review double jeopardy claims de novo. State v. Freeman, 153 Wash. 2d 765, 770, 108
P.3d 753 (2005). Double jeopardy prohibits multiple convictions for the same offense. 153
Wash. 2d at 770. A determination of whether a defendant’s double jeopardy rights were violated

turns on whether the legislature intended for the charged crimes to constitute the same offense.
153 Wash. 2d at 771. “If the legislature authorized cumulative punishments for both crimes, then

double jeopardy is not offended.” 153 Wash. 2d at 771.

         The merger doctrine is a rule of statutory construction that provides a basis for discerning

legislative intent. See State v. Knight, 176 Wash. App. 936, 952, 309 P.3d 776 (2013). The merger

doctrine applies

1
    RCW 9A.56.190, .210(1).
2
    RCW 9A.36.031(1)(a).
3
    RCW 9A.56.050(1).
4
 The jury also found Moore guilty of third degree theft. This conviction is not at issue in this
appeal.

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No. 49996-7-II

        “where the Legislature has clearly indicated that in order to prove a particular
       degree of crime (e.g., first degree rape) the State must prove not only that a
       defendant committed that crime (e.g., rape) but that the crime was accompanied by
       an act which is defined as a crime elsewhere in the criminal statutes (e.g., assault
       or kidnapping).”

Freeman, 153 Wash. 2d at 777-78 (quoting State v. Vladovic, 99 Wash. 2d 413, 420-21, 662 P.2d 853

(1983)). The proper remedy for a double jeopardy violation is to vacate the lesser offense. See
153 Wash. 2d at 772-73.

       In Freeman, the Supreme Court considered whether, in the consolidated case of State v.

Zumwalt, 153 Wash. 2d 765, 108 P.3d 753 (2005), a first degree robbery conviction and a second

degree assault conviction merge. 153 Wash. 2d at 771. The defendant punched the victim in the

face and robbed her. 153 Wash. 2d at 770. The court concluded that there is “no evidence that the

legislature intended to punish second degree assault separately from first degree robbery when

the assault facilitates the robbery.” 153 Wash. 2d at 776. The merger doctrine applied because the

defendant’s assault charge was based on the defendant’s infliction of bodily harm, and in order to

prove first degree robbery, the State had to prove the same harm was committed in furtherance of

the robbery. 153 Wash. 2d at 778. Additionally, the court noted there was no evidence to suggest

that the infliction of bodily harm had an independent purpose other than to facilitate the robbery.
153 Wash. 2d at 779.

       Here, Moore was convicted of second degree robbery because he took personal property

from Patronaggio by using immediate force in punching Patronaggio in the chest. The

applicable second degree robbery statute required the State to prove that Moore engaged in the

conduct constituting an assault in order to prove second degree robbery. RCW 9A.56.190

(defining robbery); RCW 9A.56.210 (defining second degree robbery); RCW 9A.36.031

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No. 49996-7-II

(defining third degree assault). Analogous to the Zumwalt defendant in Freeman, Moore’s

assault charge was based on the use of force, and the State had to prove the same force was

committed in furtherance of the robbery in order to prove second degree robbery. As a result,

proof of the assault fulfilled an element necessary to prove Moore committed second degree

robbery instead of theft. Moreover, the evidence at trial established that the assault on

Patronaggio had no purpose other than to further the theft of the tool kit. Accordingly, Moore’s

third degree assault conviction merges with his second degree robbery conviction, and his

convictions violate the double jeopardy prohibition. Thus, we accept the State’s concession,

vacate Moore’s third degree assault conviction, and remand for resentencing.5

                           STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL GROUNDS

         In his SAG, Moore contends that (1) the trial court erred in failing to provide a lesser

included jury instruction for second degree robbery, (2) the trial court erred in admitting video

evidence under ER 404(b), and (3) the prosecutor committed misconduct. Moore’s claims lack

merit.

                              I. LESSER INCLUDED JURY INSTRUCTION

         Moore contends that the trial court erred by failing to provide a lesser included jury

instruction for second degree robbery. We do not review Moore’s claim.

         Generally, we will not review an issue raised for the first time on appeal. RAP 2.5(a).

However, a defendant may raise an objection not properly preserved at trial if it is a manifest

5
  Moore also argues that the trial court miscalculated his offender score because his second
degree robbery and third degree assault convictions were the same criminal conduct. Because
we vacate Moore’s third degree assault conviction and remand for resentencing, we do not reach
this issue.

                                                   4
No. 49996-7-II

constitutional error. RAP 2.5(a)(3); State v. O’Hara, 167 Wash. 2d 91, 98, 217 P.3d 756 (2009).

The failure to instruct on a lesser included offense is not a manifest constitutional error. O’Hara,
167 Wash. 2d at 101.

       At trial, Moore did not request a lesser included jury instruction for second degree

robbery, and he did not object to the trial court’s jury instructions on this basis. Because failing

to provide a lesser included jury instruction does not constitute a manifest constitutional error,

we do not review Moore’s claim.

                                    II. ADMISSION OF VIDEO EVIDENCE

       Moore also contends that the trial court erred by admitting video evidence of him leaving

the store with the tool kit because the video was improper character evidence under ER 404(b).

We do not review Moore’s claim.

       We do not review issues that are not raised in the trial court. RAP 2.5(a). A party

objecting to the admission of evidence must make a timely and specific objection at trial unless

the error constitutes manifest constitutional error. RAP 2.5(a)(3); State v. Powell, 166 Wash. 2d 73,

82, 206 P.3d 321 (2009). “An evidentiary error, such as erroneous admission of ER 404(b)

evidence, is not of constitutional magnitude.” Powell, 166 Wash. 2d at 84.

       At trial, the court admitted a video that showed Moore leaving the store without paying

for the tool kit. Moore did not object. Because Moore did not object to the admission of the

video at trial, and the erroneous admission of ER 404(b) evidence is not of constitutional

magnitude, we do not review this claim.

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No. 49996-7-II

                                 III. PROSECUTORIAL MISCONDUCT

       Moore contends that the prosecutor committed misconduct by (1) misstating the law

regarding the State’s burden of proof, (2) arguing facts not in evidence, and (3) stating a personal

opinion regarding Moore’s guilt. Moore’s claims lack merit.

       To establish prosecutorial misconduct, a defendant bears the burden of proving the

prosecutor’s conduct was both improper and prejudicial. State v. Thorgerson, 172 Wash. 2d 438,

442, 258 P.3d 43 (2011). If a defendant fails to meet either burden, his claim fails. State v.

Emery, 174 Wash. 2d 741, 759-61, 278 P.3d 653 (2012).

A.      Misstating the Law

       Moore contends that the prosecutor committed misconduct by misstating the burden of

proof in closing argument when the prosecutor said that the State’s burden was to prove the case

beyond a reasonable doubt. Specifically, Moore claims that the proper burden of proof is

beyond any reasonable doubt. Moore’s claim lacks merit.

       A prosecutor misstates the law when his or her arguments “shift or misstate the State’s

burden to prove the defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.” State v. Lindsay, 180 Wash. 2d
423, 434, 326 P.3d 125 (2014).

       During closing argument, the prosecutor stated:

              In order for you to return a verdict of guilty as to those counts, you must
       unanimously agree that the State has proved each and every element of each crime
       charged beyond a reasonable doubt. You know from the instructions and what the
       court has told you that it is the State’s burden in this case . . . to prove the case
       beyond a reasonable doubt.

3 Verbatim Report of Proceedings (VRP) at 182. Moore did not object.

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No. 49996-7-II

          The prosecutor’s argument did not shift or misstate the State’s burden of proof. Any

distinction between “beyond a reasonable doubt” and “beyond any reasonable doubt” lacks

practical effect because the phrases are used interchangeably. See, e.g., State v. Warren, 165
Wash. 2d 17, 26-27, 195 P.3d 940 (2008). As a result, Moore fails to show that the prosecutor’s

argument was improper by misstating the law. Thus, Moore’s claim lacks merit.

B.        Arguing Facts Not in Evidence

          Moore also contends that the prosecutor committed misconduct by arguing facts not in

evidence when the prosecutor described the degree of force Moore used against Patronaggio.

We disagree.

          A prosecutor is permitted wide latitude in making arguments to the jury and may draw

reasonable inferences from the evidence. State v. Fisher, 165 Wash. 2d 727, 747, 202 P.3d 937

(2009).

          At trial, Patronaggio testified that Moore punched him with enough force to back him up

and cause him to let go of the tool kit. Patronaggio noted that “[Moore] did make contact, but it

was more of a shock at that point.” 2 VRP at 127. Patronaggio also testified that he was 6’4”.

During closing argument, the prosecutor said, “[Moore] intentionally struck Scott

Patronaggio. . . . It was done with enough of a level of force that it stunned Mr. Patronaggio, who

is a big buy. He said that he is six-four. It was a definite level of force.” 3 VRP at 192.

          Patronaggio testified that he was shocked when Moore punched him in the chest and that

the punch caused him to let go of the tool kit. It is a reasonable inference to draw from this

testimony that Moore struck Patronaggio with enough force to stun him. Accordingly, Moore

fails to show that the prosecutor’s statement was improper. Thus, Moore’s claim lacks merit.

                                                  7
No. 49996-7-II

C.     Stating a Personal Opinion Regarding Moore’s Guilt

       Moore contends that the prosecutor committed misconduct by impermissibly expressing

her personal opinion about his guilt during closing argument. We disagree.

       A prosecutor may not express a personal opinion regarding the defendant’s guilt. State v.

McKenzie, 157 Wash. 2d 44, 53, 134 P.3d 221 (2006). However, a prosecutor may argue from the

facts presented at trial that the defendant is guilty. 157 Wash. 2d at 53. “‘In other words, there is a

distinction between the individual opinion of the prosecuting attorney, as an independent fact,

and an opinion based upon or deduced from the testimony in the case.’” 157 Wash. 2d at 53

(alteration in original) (quoting State v. Armstrong, 37 Wash. 51, 54-55, 79 P. 490 (1905)).

       The prosecutor stated in closing argument:

               What is clear, as I have gone through the evidence, and I will summarize,
       again . . . is that when you consider all of the evidence that the State has been
       presented and you go through your evaluation of the exhibits, of the testimony, of
       the video, you will, in fact, find that the State has met its burden to each crime and
       should return a verdict of guilty as to each crime.

3 VRP at 200.

       The prosecutor’s statement does not amount to a personal opinion on Moore’s guilt

because the prosecutor did not state her individual opinion. Instead, the prosecutor argued that

Moore was guilty based on the evidence and deductions that could be made from that evidence.

As a result, Moore fails to show that the prosecutor’s statement was improper. Thus, his claim

lacks merit.

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No. 49996-7-II

                                          CONCLUSION

        We accept the State’s concession, vacate Moore’s third degree assault conviction, 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

2.06.040, it is so ordered.

                                                                       Worswick, J.
 We concur:

 Maxa, C.J.

 Melnick, J.

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