Court Opinion

ID: 2715611
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2014-08-06 17:25:34.698957+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T15:09:45.762806
License: Public Domain

FILED 

                                                                    JULY 22, 2014 

                                                             In the Office of the Clerk of Court 

                                                           W A State Court of Appeals, Division III 

         IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON 

                            DIVISION THREE 

STATE OF WASHINGTON,                           )          No. 30256-3-III
                                               )
                     Respondent,               )
                                               )
              v.                               )          UNPUBLISHED OPINION
                                               )
VANCE LYNN BAKER,                              )
                                               )
                      Appellant.               )

       PRICE, J.*    Vance Baker appeals his convictions for one count of child

molestation in the second degree and two counts of child molestation in the first degree,

contending the State failed to prove a crime charged in the amended information. He also

maintains that the trial court (1) improperly excluded evidence that one of the victims

made a false report to police, (2) incorrectly instructed the jury that it had a duty to

convict if the State proved its case beyond a reasonable doubt, and (3) erred in imposing a

variable term of community custody. In his pro se statement of additional grounds for

review (SAG), Mr. Baker asserts additional errors.

      *Judge Michael Price is serving as judge pro tempore of the Court of Appeals
pursuant to RCW 2.06.150.
No. 30256-3-111
State v. Baker

       We affinn Mr. Baker's convictions, but remand for resentencing.

                                          FACTS

       During October 2008, 13-year-old L.L.B. disclosed to family that her uncle, Vance

Baker, had been sexually molesting her. Detectives subsequently interviewed L.L.B. and

she disclosed mUltiple incidents of sexual abuse by Mr. Baker. After additional

disclosures of sexual abuse from Mr. Baker's daughter, MJ.B., the State filed a third

amended infonnation charging Mr. Baker with one count of first degree rape of a child,

one count of child molestation in the second degree, and two counts of child molestation

in the first degree.

       Before trial, the State moved to exclude references to a 911 telephone call made to

police by a male reporting that L.L.B. was the victim of a rape at her home. The State

asked that the defense make an offer of proof outside the presence of the jury to address

the issue. During a sidebar, defense counsel argued that the court should allow evidence

that L.L.B. had made a false report about being raped. The prosecutor responded that

there was no record of any report or of police taking a rape report from L.L.B.

       When questioned about the alleged incident, L.L.B. could not recall the details of

the telephone call. During cross-examination, she stated that she had told a friend, D.,

about her uncle's sexual abuse, and that D. called the police, mistakenly believing L.L.B.

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No.30256-3-II1
State v. Baker

was in danger of being raped. She explained, "[I]t was completely misunderstood. It was

in terms of like taking [sic] as if 1 was saying if it was happening but it was taken as 1 was

saying this is happening right now and the cops came to my house." Report of

Proceedings (RP) at 177. Defense counsel questioned L.L.B. as follows:

       Q      Police responded [to] the house because you told them on the
              telephone that you were being raped?
       A      1 wasn't on the telephone. It wasn't like 1 was being raped. It was
              speaking like-I can't explain. It was-

       Q      Was [D.] in your house?
       A      No.
       Q      Then how would have [D.] called the police? How would he have
              known to call the police?
       A      1 was talking to him on the computer.
       Q      You informed him that you were being raped and needed help?
       A      1 didn't say 1 was being raped and 1 need help but I don't recall
              saying any of that. Like 1 said, I don't remember hardly any of that
              night.

RP at 178.

       The trial court granted the State's motion to exclude the evidence, ruling it had

"very limited probative value with regard to credibility." RP at 181.

      At trial, L.L.B. and MJ.B. testified that Mr. Baker touched their vaginas mUltiple

times over the course of many years. Mr. Baker's defense was that L.L.B. and MJ.B.

fabricated the allegations of abuse because of a pending divorce from MJ.B.'s mother.

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No. 30256-3-111
State v. Baker

       The jury returned a verdict of guilty of two counts of first degree child molestation

and one count of second degree child molestation. In addition to 120 months'

confinement, the judgment and sentence ordered Mr. Baker to serve "the longer of" the

period of early release or 48 months of community custody. Clerk's Papers (CP) at 299.

                                       ANALYSIS

       Crime Charged Versus Crime Proved. Mr. Baker first contends that the State

failed to prove the crime it charged. He points out that count II (child molestation in the

second degree) of the third amended information charged Mr. Baker with engaging in

sexual contact with L.L.B. between May 25, 2004, and May 24, 2007, yet the jury was

instructed that the State had to prove the sexual contact occurred between May 25,2007,

and November 1,2008.

       Whether the State proved something other than what it charged is a question of law

that we will review de novo. State v. Porter, 150 Wn.2d 732, 735, 82 P.3d 234 (2004).

       RCW 9A.44.086(1) defines child molestation in the second degree:

      A person is guilty of child molestation in the second degree when the
      person has, or knowingly causes another person under the age of eighteen to
      have, sexual contact with another who is at least twelve years old but less
      than fourteen years old and not married to the perpetrator and the
      perpetrator is at least thirty-six months older than the victim.

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No. 30256-3-111
State v. Baker

       The third amended information charged in part:

       That the said VANCE LYNN BAKER in the County of Benton, State of
       Washington, during the time intervening between the 25th day of May,
       2004, and the 24th day of May, 2007, in violation ofRCW 9A.44.073, did
       engage in sexual intercourse with and was at least twenty four months older
       than L.L.B. (D.O.B.: DOB 5-25-1995), a person who was less than twelve
       years of age and not married to the defendant.

CP at 147.

       The State concedes that the date provided in the third amended information is in

error because L.L.B. turned 12 on May 25, 2007, and the charge of second degree child

molestation requires that the victim be older than 12 at the time of the crime. However, it

contends that time is not a material element of the crime and that Mr. Baker was apprised

of all the elements of the crime.

       A review of the charging documents related to the second degree child molestation

charge confirms that the date given in the third amended information was an error. The

previous informations provided date ranges of May 25,2007, to May 25, 2008. In view

of the correct dates in the previous charging documents, the incorrect date in the third

amended information appears to be a clerical error.

       The issue before us is whether this mistaken date in the charging document is fatal

to the conviction predicated upon that document. Relying on State v. Goldsmith, 147 Wn.

App. 317, 195 PJd 98 (2008), Mr. Baker maintains that because the dates in the "to

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No.30256-3-III
State v. Baker

convict" jury instruction differ from those in the information by as much as four years, the

jury did not find Mr. Baker guilty of the crime charged in the information.

       In Goldsmith, we held that double jeopardy prohibited further prosecution for child

molestation based on the same events where the trial court vacated a conviction after the

State charged one means of committing child molestation but proved another means of

committing the crime. Id. at 326. We held the State must prove the crime it charged even

when through inadvertence it charges one crime but proves another. Id. at 322.

       This case is distinguishable from Goldsmith. The State here did not charge one

means and prove another. In Goldsmith, the State first charged Mr. Goldsmith only with

committing child molestation by one of two alternative means. Id. Contrary to Mr.

Baker's assertion, the incorrect time frame in the third amended information does not

render the crime a legally distinct one from that which was provided.

       The information provided all the essential elements of the crime. Time is not an

essential element of child molestation, so long as there is no defense of alibi. State v.

Hayes, 81 Wn. App. 425, 432-33, 914 P.2d 788 (1996). RCW 10.37.050(5) and (7)

provide that an information is sufficient if it indicates that the crime was committed

before the information was filed and within the statute of limitations, and the crime is

stated with enough certainty for the court to pronounce judgment upon conviction.

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No. 30256-3-111
State v. Baker

       Here, the State was only required to prove that the defendant knowingly had sexual

contact with the victim, who was not his wife, when the victim was at least 12 years old

but less than 14 years old. RCW 9A.44.086(1). The State proved these elements.

Finally, Mr. Baker did not rely on an alibi defense. Rather, he attacked L.L.B.'s

credibility and defended against the charge by presenting evidence that L.L.B. fabricated

the allegations.

       The State proved the crime charged in the information.

       Exclusion ofL.L.B. 's Alleged False Report to Police. Mr. Baker next contends

that the trial court erroneously excluded evidence ofL.L.B.'s alleged false report ofa

rape. He contends the evidence should have been admitted because it was relevant to his

defense that L.L.B. fabricated the allegations of child molestation.

       Citing ER 608, the trial court excluded the evidence as irrelevant for impeachment

purposes. We review a trial court's decision on the admissibility of evidence for an abuse

of discretion. State v. Powell, 126 Wn.2d 244,258,893 P.2d 615 (1995). A trial court's

determination to exclude evidence may be sustained on any proper basis in the record.

State v. Markle, 118 Wn.2d 424,438,823 P.2d 1101 (1992).

                                             7

No.30256-3-III
State v. Baker

       Evidence tending to establish a party's theory is always relevant. State v. Harris,

97 Wn. App. 865,872, 989 P.2d 553 (1999). Under ER 402, all relevant evidence is

admissible unless a constitutional requirement, statute, rule, or regulation limits its

admission. ER 608(b) provides:

       Specific instances of the conduct of a witness, for the purpose of attacking
       or supporting the witness' credibility ... may not be proved by extrinsic
       evidence. They may, however, in the discretion ofthe court, if probative of
       truthfulness or untruthfulness, be inquired into on cross examination of the
       witness (1) concerning the witness' character for truthfulness or
       untruthfulness.

       Mr. Baker's argument fails because the record does not support his claim that

LLB. made a false report of rape. During the questioning detailed above, LLB. utterly

denied making a telephone call to police, but otherwise could not recall much detail

regarding the alleged false report. At most, it appears that LLB.'s friend called the

police, mistakenly believing that LLB. was being raped. Accordingly, the court did not

abuse its discretion in concluding that this evidence was of marginal relevance to impeach

LLB.'s credibility.

       The trial court did not abuse its discretion in excluding evidence ofLLB.'s

alleged false report of rape.

       Instructional Error. Mr. Baker next contends that the court erred by instructing

the jury as follows: "If you find from the evidence that each of these elements has been

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No. 30256-3-111
State v. Baker

proved beyond a reasonable doubt, then it will be your duty to return a verdict of guilty."

CP at 253, 255, 256. The language of this instruction is from the Washington pattern jury

instructions (criminal). Mr. Baker contends that under Washington law, juries never have

a duty to return a verdict of guilty and that the instruction violates article I, sections 21

and 22 of the Washington Constitution. According to Mr. Baker, the court should have

instructed the jury that it "may" convict because there is no "duty to convict" under

Washington law. Citing Leonard v. Territory, 2 Wash. Terr. 381, 7 P. 872 (1885), he

argues the instruction affirmatively misled the jury about its historical power to acquit

against the evidence.

       The rationale that underlies Mr. Baker's challenge has been rejected by all three

Divisions of this court. In State v. Meggyesy, Division One of this court upheld an

identical instruction, holding that it did not violate the federal or state constitutions. State

v. Meggyesy, 90 Wn. App. 693, 701-04, 958 P.2d 319 (1998), overruled on other grounds

in State v. Recuenco, 154 Wn.2d 156, 110 P.3d 188 (2005); State v. Bonisisio, 92 Wn.

App. 783, 793-94,964 P.2d 1222 (1998).

       Division Two of this court followed suit in Bonisisio, and more recently in State v.

Brown, 130 Wn. App. 767, 124 P.3d 663 (2005). In Brown, the defendant asserted that

the same "duty to convict" instruction violated his right to a jury trial because the jury

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No. 30256-3-111
State v. Baker

instruction misled the jury into believing that it lacked the power to nullifY. In rejecting

the defendant's argument, the Brown court held that the "duty" instruction does not

misstate the law, and thus no constitutional violation occurred. Id. at 770-71.

       This court agreed with the reasoning of Meggyesy and Brown in State v. Wilson,

176 Wn. App. 147,307 P.3d 823 (2013), review denied, 179 Wn.2d 1012 (2014), and

held that the "duty to convict" instruction at issue in that case did not violate the

defendant's constitutional right to a jury trial. Id. at 151.

       Mr. Baker provides no persuasive argument to reverse these cases. The purpose of

a jury instruction is to provide the jury with the applicable law. State v. Kennard, 101

Wn. App. 533, 536-37,6 PJd 38 (2000) (quoting State v. Tilt, 139 Wn.2d 107, 126,985

P .2d 365 (1999)). The power of what amounts to jury nullification is not applicable law

here. Accordingly, we find the jury was properly instructed.

       Community Custody, Finally, Mr. Baker contends that the court did not have the

statutory authority to impose a 48-month variable term of community custody contingent

upon the amount of early release time. The State concedes that 48 months is an incorrect

term of community custody, but asserts that the court should apply the sentencing laws in

effect when the crimes were committed.

                                               10 

No.30256-3-II1
State v. Baker

       The State is correct. Courts must correct an erroneous sentence upon discovery.

In re Pers. Restraint olCall, 144 Wn.2d 315, 331-32, 28 P.3d 709 (2001). A trial court

may only impose a sentence authorized by statute. In re Pers. Restraint olCarle, 93

Wn.2d 31, 604 P .2d 1293 (1980). Any sentence imposed under the authority of the

Sentencing Reform Act of 1981, chapter 9.94A RCW, must be in accordance with the law

in effect at the time the offense was committed. RCW 9.94A.345; State v. Harvey, 109

Wn. App. 157, 163,34 P.3d 850 (2001), overruled on other grounds in State     V.   Thomas,

150 Wn.2d 666,80 P.3d 168 (2003)). Whether the challenged aspects ofa sentence were

imposed with the requisite statutory authority is a question of law, reviewed de novo.

State v. Armendariz, 160 Wn.2d 106, 110, 156 P.3d 201 (2007).

      Mr. Baker was convicted of crimes that took place between 1996 and 2008. The

community custody statutes in effect at the dates of the offenses are governed by separate

provisions. First, when a court sentences a person for a sex offense committed between

July 1, 1990, and June 6, 1996, former RCW 9.94A.120(9)(b) (1996) requires that it

impose "community placement for two years or up to the period of earned early release

... whichever is longer." Here, the two first degree child molestation offenses occurred

prior to June 6, 1996, so the sentencing court should have imposed two years of

community placement.

                                            11 

No. 30256-3-111
State v. Baker

       As to crimes committed in 2007, former RCW 9.94A.715 (2006) provided for a

variable term of community custody. Under former RCW 9.94A.715, a sentencing court

was required to sentence an offender "to community custody for the community custody

range established under RCW 9.94A.850 or up to the period of earned release awarded

pursuant to RCW 9.94A.728(1) and (2), whichever is longer." WAC 437-20-010

provided that the appropriate term of community custody for a sex offense was 36 to 48

months. Accordingly, we vacate the community custody portion of Mr. Baker's sentence

and remand for imposition of community placement consistent with the law in effect

between 1996 and 2008.

       Additional Grounds for Review. In his pro se SAG, Mr. Baker claims that we

should consider a letter from Sharon Skinner, in which she stated in part:

       During the trial I heard the Judge tell Attorney Holt that if [L.L.B.] admitted
       she had lied about being raped by someone in her home, which resulted in a
       Swat Team being sent to her house, that he (the Judge) would allow this
       information to be presented to the Jury. I, along with the Judge, the
       Attorney and others in the Courtroom, heard [L.L.B.] admit that she had
       lied about the rape.

Suppl. SAG at 3.

       Mr. Baker also alleges that Jennifer L. Johnson, a former prosecutor in his case,

was allowed to be a juror in his trial in violation of his due process right to a fair trial.

Mr. Baker attaches handwritten copies of the initial information and a motion for arrest

                                               12 

No. 30256-3-111
State v. Baker

signed by a "Jennifer L. Johnson" and a juror questionnaire signed by "Jennifer Johnson,"

claiming they are the same person.

       These claims either involve matters outside the record, State v. McFarland, 127

Wn.2d 322, 335, 338 n.5, 899 P.2d 1251 (1995) (matters outside record must be raised in

a personal restraint petition), or are insufficiently argued. RAP 10.1 O(c). Although

RAP lO.lO(c) states that citation to authorities is not required in statements of additional

grounds for review, the rule also states that the appellate court will not consider the SAG

for review if it does not infonn the court of the nature and occurrence of the alleged

errors. Here, Mr. Baker fails to adequately describe the nature and occurrence of any

alleged errors as required by RAP 1O.1O(c). Accordingly, we are unable to address his

claims.

       Moreover, both claims would require us to consider affidavits and other evidence

outside the record below and on appeal. RAP 9 .2(b). If Mr. Baker wishes to raise issues

of facts and evidence outside the record, he must raise them in a personal restraint

petition. McFarland, 127 Wn.2d at 335.

                                             13 

No. 30256-3-111
State v. Baker

      We vacate the terms of community custody and remand for resentencing. We

otherwise affirm the judgment and sentence.

      A majority of the panel has determined this opinion will not be printed in the

Washington Appellate Reports, but it will be filed for public record pursuant to

RCW 2.06.040.

WE CONCUR: 

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