Court Opinion

ID: 2715403
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2014-08-06 17:23:30.449396+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T15:47:44.888022
License: Public Domain

IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON

STATE OF WASHINGTON,
                                               No. 69912-1-1
                         Respondent,
                                               ORDER WITHDRAWING
       v.                                      OPINION

CRUZ BLACKSHEAR,

                         Appellant.

        IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that the opinion of this court in the above-entitled case

filed April 28, 2014 is withdrawn to correct a typographical error on page 7 and a new

opinion will be filed.

        DATED this j^^dav of May 2014.
                                                                             e=>        — i

                                                                                -~i:;

                                                                                   O

                                                                                   03
      IN THE COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE STATE OF WASHINGTON

STATE OF WASHINGTON,                      ]
                                                  No. 69912-1-1
                     Respondent,          ]
                                                  DIVISION ONE
      v.

CRUZ BLACKSHEAR,                          ;       UNPUBLISHED OPINION               c5
                                                                                      C»3
                                                                                      vO
                     Appellant.            )      FILED: Mav 19. 2014

       Spearman, C.J. — Cruz Blackshear appeals his conviction on one count

of robbery in the second degree, arguing that the trial court committed reversible

error in denying his motion to suppress evidence of the victim's showup

identification and subsequent in-court identification. Blackshear contends that

defense counsel's failure to adequately raise the suppression issue amounted to

ineffective assistance of counsel. In a statement of additional grounds for review,

Blackshear further asserts that (1) the dog tracking evidence was contaminated,

(2) witness testimony was not credible, (3) police officers ignored his request for

an attorney during questioning, and (4) the prosecutor improperly argued that

Blackshear is left handed. We conclude that Blackshear is unable to demonstrate

that he suffered prejudice as a result of the alleged errors, and that his additional

grounds for review lack merit. We therefore affirm.
No. 69912-1-1/2

                                      FACTS

      On the afternoon of October 15, 2012, John Couldry visited his wife at

Providence Hospital in Everett. As Couldry left the hospital and walked towards

his car, he was confronted by a man who demanded his money. Couldry, who

was 59 years old and recovering from surgery, denied having any money and

kept his hands in his sweatshirt pockets to protect his abdomen. The man asked

Couldry if he had a knife. When Couldry said he did not, the man struck Couldry

on the side of the head. Couldry, who felt that he was not in any condition to fight

back, offered the man his cell phone. The man took the phone, and Couldry saw

him walk across the street towards a park. Couldry immediately returned to the

hospital and asked security to call the police.

       Sonya Rundle was sitting at the bus stop next to the park at the time ofthe
incident. Rundle saw a young man leave the park and approach an older man.

Rundle said the young man was wearing jeans but no shirt. She said the older
man took out his cell phone, and the young man took it and ran back to the park

where a woman was waiting. Rundle saw the man put on a black jacket, and the
pair took off down an alley. Rundle later positively identified Blackshear at trial as
the young man who took the cell phone.

       When police arrived, Couldry and Rundle provided a description of the
man who took the phone and his female companion. Couldry told police he is
colorblind, but that he thought the robber was wearing a light brown or tan t-shirt

and Levi's jeans. Adescription was broadcast, and police then began to search
the area. A K-9 unit from the Lynnwood Police Departmentwas also called.
No. 69912-1-1/3

       Officer Christopher Reid saw a couple that resembled the description of

the suspects. The man was later identified as Blackshear, and the woman as his

friend Heather Ray. Officer Reid asked Blackshear and Ray if they had seen

anyone matching the description of the suspects. They denied seeing anyone.

Officer Reid notified other officers that he had located the suspects. He then

recontacted Blackshear and Ray, informed them that they matched the

description of the suspects, and asked them to remain so police could bring a

witness to their location. When Couldry arrived, he positively identified

Blackshear as the man who took his cell phone. Couldry later identified

Blackshear in court as well.

       Meanwhile, the police dog tracked a scent from the park in the direction

Rundle and Couldry said the man had fled. The dog tracked directly to the patrol

car where Blackshear was seated.

       Blackshear was arrested, and Ray gave a written statement. Ray said she

saw Blackshear leave the park and go across the street to talk to "some old guy."

Verbatim Report of Proceedings VRP (12/16/12) at 46. Ray saw Blackshear take

something from the man and walk away. When Blackshear returned, he told Ray

that he had stolen the man's phone and said they needed to walk away. Ray and

Blackshear walked away together, but split up after a short time. Five minutes

later, Ray received a call on her cell phone from an unidentified number. The

caller was Blackshear. He directed Ray to walk toward him. They walked

together towards a motel located about a block from the hospital, where they

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No. 69912-1-1/4

were stopped by police. The route Ray described was the same route the police

dog tracked from the park to Blackshear.

        Blackshear was charged with one count of second degree robbery,

alleged to have been committed while he was on community custody. A jury

found Blackshear guilty. The trial court imposed a standard range sentence. He

now appeals.

                                          DISCUSSION

                              Ineffective Assistance of Counsel

        Blackshear argues that the trial court violated his right to due process by

admitting Couldry's identification of him as the robber because itwas the product

of an impermissibly suggestive single person showup identification procedure.

He also contends that Couldry's in-court identification was tainted by the

impermissibly suggestive out-of-court identification.1 Accordingly, Blackshear
contends that defense counsel was ineffective for failing to file a CrR 3.6 motion

to suppress the identification evidence.

        At trial, defense counsel indicated in an oral motion in limine that he was

making a "request to suppress the identification by Mr. Couldry as essentially an
impermissible one-person show-up." VRP (12/26/12) at 24. Defense counsel
conceded that he had not addressed this issue in his trial brief, but explained that

he had not been able to interview Couldry until after the trial brief was due. The

trial court denied the motion, but expressly stated that defense counsel could

         1. State v. Williams. 27 Wash. App. 430, 443, 618 P.2d 110 (1980) (where pretrial
identification creates a substantial likelihood of misidentification, in-court eyewitness identification
may also be suppressible).
No. 69912-1-1/5

renew the argument upon offering authority to the court and the State. Defense

counsel, however, did not renew the motion or object to admission of the in-court

identification during trial.

       To demonstrate ineffective assistance of counsel, appellant must show

that: "(1) defense counsel's representation was deficient, i.e., it fell below an

objective standard of reasonableness based on consideration of all the

circumstances; and (2) defense counsel's deficient representation prejudiced the

defendant, i.e., there is a reasonable probability that, except for counsel's

unprofessional errors, the result of the proceeding would have been different."

State v. MacFarland. 127 Wash. 2d 322, 334-35, 899 P.2d 1251 (1995). We

presume that counsel's representation was effective. State v. Hendrickson. 129
Wash. 2d 61, 77, 917 P.2d 563 (1996). This presumption can be overcome by a

showing that "his attorney's representation was unreasonable under prevailing

professional norms and that the challenged action was not sound strategy."

Davis. 152 Wash. 2d at 673. "A failure to establish either element of the test defeats

the ineffective assistance of counsel claim." In re Pers. Restraint of Davis. 152
Wash. 2d 647, 673, 101 P.3d 1 (2004).

       On this record, we cannot determine whether defense counsel's decision

not to follow up his oral motion in limine with a written CrR 3.6 motion to

suppress was unreasonable. Defense counsel stated that he decided to raise the

suppression issue after interviewing Couldry and looking at the photographs.

However, he had not yet thoroughly researched the issue at the time he orally

raised it. It is possible that upon researching the issue, defense counsel

                                         -5-
No. 69912-1-1/6

reasonably believed that the motion to suppress Couldry's identification would

not be successful, particularly where the remaining evidence implicated

Blackshear in the crime. It is also possible that counsel simply neglected to follow

up on the issue.

       Regardless of whether defense counsel's representation was deficient, we

conclude that the representation did not prejudice Blackshear. To establish a due

process violation in an identification procedure, a defendant bears the burden of

showing the procedure was impermissibly suggestive. State v. Linares. 98 Wn.

App. 397, 401, 989 P.2d 591 (1999). If the court determines the showup was

impermissibly suggestive, it then considers "whether the procedure created a

substantial likelihood of irreparable misidentification" under the totality of the

circumstances. State v. Vickers, 148 Wash. 2d 91,118, 59 P.3d 58 (2002). In

determining the reliability of an identification, courts consider the following

factors: (1) the opportunity of the witness to view the criminal at the time of the

crime, (2) the witness's degree of attention, (3) the accuracy of the witness's prior

description of the criminal, (4) the level of certainty demonstrated at the

confrontation, and (5) the time between the crime and the confrontation. Neil v.

Biqqers. 409 U.S. 188, 199-200, 93 S. Ct. 375, 34 L. Ed. 2d 401 (1972); Linares,
98 Wash. App. at 401.

       It is well-established that showup identifications are not per se

impermissively suggestive. Neil v. Biqqers. 409 U.S. at 198; State v. Rogers, 44
Wash. App. 510, 515-516, 722 P.2d 1349 (1986). "Showups held shortly after a
crime is committed and in the course of a prompt search for the suspect have

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No. 69912-1-1/7

been found to be permissible." State v. Booth. 36 Wash. App. 66, 71, 671 P.2d 1218

(1983) (citing State v. Kraus. 21 Wash. App. 388, 392, 584 P.2d 946 (1978)).

Showups are not necessarily suggestive even if the suspect is handcuffed and

standing near a patrol car or surrounded by police officers. State v. Guzman-

Cuellar. 47 Wash. App. 326, 335, 734 P.2d 966 (1987); State v. Shea. 85 Wash. App.
56, 60, 930 P.2d 1232 (1997), abrogated on other grounds by Vickers. 107 Wn.

App. 960, 29 P.3d 752 (2001); United States v. Hines. 455 F.2d 1317, 1329 (D.C.

Cir. 1971).

       Blackshear acknowledges that showups are not necessarily suggestive,

but asserts that this rule has resulted in scores of wrongful convictions. He asks

this court to reexamine its case law and conclude that Couldry's showup

identification was impermissibly suggestive. We decline Blackshear's invitation to

abandon a well-established principle, particularly under the facts of this case. At

the time of the showup identification, Blackshear was standing near police

officers and a police car, but had not been handcuffed. Couldry testified that he

did not necessarily expect that the person who police had detained was the

person who robbed him. The police dog tracked the scent from the park to

Blackshear after Couldry had already identified him. Blackshear has not met his

burden of showing that the showup was unnecessarily suggestive. If the

defendant fails to make this showing, the inquiry ends. Vickers. 148 Wash. 2d 91.

       We conclude that Blackshear has failed to show that defense counsel's

failure to file a CrR 3.6 motion to suppress the showup identification or object to

                                         7-
No. 69912-1-1/8

Couldry's in-court identification, resulted in prejudice. Accordingly, Blackshear's

ineffective assistance of counsel claim fails.2

                       Statement of Additional Grounds for Review

        First, Blackshear argues that the dog tracking evidence was unreliable

because it was contaminated. Blackshear notes that the search occurred

approximately 45 minutes after the robbery, in a public area that was not

cordoned off, and that a track may be impacted if the area has been traveled by

more than one person. Defense counsel did not move to exclude the dog

tracking evidence. Even if he had, the evidence would have been admissible. "As

a condition precedent to admission of tracking dog evidence it must be shown

that: (1) the handler was qualified by training and experience to use the dog, (2)

the dog was adequately trained in tracking humans, (3) the dog has, in actual

cases, been found by experience to be reliable in pursuing human track, (4) the

dog was placed on track where circumstances indicated the guilty party to have

been, and (5) the trail had not become so stale or contaminated as to be beyond

the dog's competency to follow." State v. Welker. 37 Wash. App. 628, 636, 683
P.2d 1110 (1984) (citing State v. Loucks. 98 Wash. 2d 563, 566, 656 P.2d 480

          2The State also argues that Blackshear failed to preserve the suppression issue by
failing to timely raise it below. Generally, an appellant cannot raise an issue for the first time on
appeal unless there is a manifest error affecting a constitutional right. RAP 2.5(a); McFarland,
127 Wash. 2d at 333. The defendant has the burden of showing prejudice by identifying the
constitutional error and explaining how the error affected his rights. Jd. It is the showing of actual
prejudice that makes the error "manifest" and allows for appellate review. Jd (citing State v. Scott,
110 Wash. 2d 682, 688, 757 P.2d 492 (1988)). Even ifwe assume without deciding that Blackshear
waived the suppression issue, the result again turns on a showing of prejudice. As discussed
above, Blackshear is unable to make this required showing.

                                                   8
No. 69912-1-1/9

(1983)). The record contains ample proof that all of these requirements were

met.

       Second, Blackshear challenges Ray's credibility as a witness for the State.

Blackshear notes that Officer Reid told Ray that the victim had identified

Blackshear as the robber, and that Blackshear was not carrying two phones at

the time of arrest.3 According to Blackshear, Officer Reid tore up Ray's original

statement because it did not corroborate his story, and coerced Ray to write a

new statement that matched his version of events by threatening to put her in jail.

        In contrast, Officer Reid testified that he told Ray her "noncooperation

could implicate her as a suspect in the crime as an after-the-fact accomplice," but

he denied manipulating Ray into saying what he wanted to hear. VRP (12/27/12)

at 132-35. Officer Reid had "a general recollection" that Ray may have begun a

statement that was thrown away, but could not specifically remember what if

anything had been written down. VRP (12/27/12) at 134. And Ray testified that

"[ijt's not the fact about not wanting to go to jail, it's what I saw and Itold them."

VRP (12/26/12) at 72.

        "An essential function of the fact finder is to discount theories which it

determines unreasonable because the finder of fact is the sole and exclusive

judge ofthe evidence, the weight to be given thereto, and the credibility of
witnesses." State v. Bencivenqa. 137 Wash. 2d 703, 709, 974 P.2d 832 (1999)

        3 Blackshear also asserts that Officer Reid "admitted to using impermissible
suggestiveness." Appellant's Statement ofAdditional Grounds for Review at 2. This is incorrect.
Officer Reid testified that Couldry identified Blackshear at a showup identification, but he never
admitted that the process was impermissibly suggestive.

                                                -9-
No. 69912-1-1/10

(quoting State v. Snider. 70 Wash. 2d 326, 327, 422 P.2d 816 (1967)). "Credibility

determinations are within the sole province of the jury and are not subject to

review." State v. Myers. 133 Wash. 2d 26, 38, 941 P.2d 1102 (1997) (citing State v.

Camarillo. 115 Wash. 2d 60, 71, 794 P.2d 850 (1990)). We cannot review the jury's

determination of Ray's credibility as a witness.

      Third, Blackshear contends that the police improperly ignored his request

to speak with an attorney and continued to question him without giving full

Miranda4 warnings. Because Blackshear objected to the admission of statements

he made at the time of arrest, the trial court held a CrR 3.5 hearing. "[Findings of

fact entered following a CrR 3.5 hearing will be verities on appeal if

unchallenged, and, if challenged, they are verities if supported by substantial

evidence in the record." State v. Broadawav. 133 Wash. 2d 118, 131, 942 P.2d 363

(1997). "Miranda claims are issues of law requiring de novo review." State v.

Daniels. 160 Wash. 2d 256, 261, 156 P.3d 905 (2007) (citing State v. Jackman. 156
Wash. 2d 736, 746, 132 P.3d 136 (2006)).

       "Miranda warnings must be given when a suspect endures (1) custodial

(2) interrogation (3) by an agent of the State." State v. Heritage. 152 Wash. 2d 210,

214, 95 P.3d 345 (2004) (citing Miranda. 384 U.S. at 444)). Ifa suspect requests

counsel at any time during a custodial interview, questioning must cease until a

lawyer has been made available or the suspect reinitiates conversation. Edwards

v. Arizona. 451 U.S. 477, 484-85, 101 S. Ct. 1880, 68 L. Ed. 2d 378 (1980). The

suspect's request for counsel must be unambiguous. Davis v. U.S.. 512 U.S.
4 Miranda v. Arizona. 384 U.S. 436, 86 S. Ct. 1602, 16 L. Ed. 2d 694 (1966).

                                            -10-
No. 69912-1-1/11

452, 459, 114 S. Ct. 2350, 129 L. Ed. 2d 362 (1994) (holding that defendant's

remark "Maybe I should talk to a lawyer" was not a request for counsel).

        Here, the trial court issued the following written conclusions pursuant to

CrR 3.5, based solely on undisputed facts:

                The Court finds that the defendant's early comment to
        Officer Reid "Well if I am under arrest then you should talk to my
        lawyer" is an ambiguous statement and not an invocation of the
        right to counsel. It is not a request for an attorney. The defendant
        was then later fully and properly advised of his Miranda rights by
        Officer Reid, and understood those rights and agreed to waive
        them. He then answered Officer Reid's questions for a time until
        he invoked his right to silence. His statements to Officer Reid prior
        to invoking his right to silence are admissible at trial as the result
        of a proper advice and waiver of Miranda rights.

              The defendant's pre-Miranda statements to Officer Marrs
        were volunteered by the defendant and were not the product of
        any custodial interrogation by Officer Marrs. Accordingly, they will
        be admissible at trial as volunteered statements by the defendant.

CP at 76.

        There is sufficient evidence in the record to support the findings of fact,

and the trial court's conclusions regarding the admissibility of Blackshear's

statements are legally correct.5

         Fourth, Blackshear challenges an argument made by the prosecutor

during closing argument. The prosecutor stated that Blackshear is left-handed

and noted that Couldry was struck on the right side of the head, consistent with a

          5 In his opening brief, Blackshear argued that remand is required because the trial court
erred in failing to enter written findings of fact and conclusions of law following the CrR 3.5
hearing. The State has since supplemented the record to include the CrR 3.5 certificate. The
State requested that Blackshear be given an opportunity to file supplemental briefing limited to
the trial court's findings and conclusions in that certificate. Blackshear, however, did not submit a
reply brief or otherwise request an opportunity to file supplemental briefing. We note that the
conclusions of law in the certificate track the trial court's oral ruling.

                                                  -11 -
No. 69912-1-1/12

strike delivered by a left-handed person. Blackshear asserts that he is

ambidextrous rather than left-handed, and argues that the prosecutor improperly

introduced evidence unrelated to the charged crime after promising not to.

       Blackshear is mistaken. A defendant claiming prosecutorial misconduct

must show both improper comments and resulting prejudice. State v. Evans. 163
Wash. App. 635, 643, 260 P.3d 934 (2011). In response to Blackshear's pretrial

motion to exclude prior misconduct under ER 404(b) and ER 403, the prosecutor

said "I have no intention of questioning or bringing up topics unrelated to the

actual robbery incident in this case." VRP (12/26/2012) at 13. Regardless of

whether Blackshear is ambidextrous or left-handed, the prosecutor's argument

was relevant to the charged crime and did not implicate prior misconduct. The

argument was not improper or prejudicial.

      Affirmed.

                                                  £jw^ ex
WE CONCUR:

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                                        12