Court Opinion

ID: 987693
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2013-07-02 22:19:04.145186+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T12:40:36.584128
License: Public Domain

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                                                                                        COURT OF APPEAILS)
                                                                                             MVISIMI 1i

                                                                                       2013 APR -9 AM 9: 01

     IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF THE STATE OF WASHIN

                                          DIVISION II

IN THE MATTER OF THE                                                No. 42292 1 1I
                                                                              - -
DETENTION OF:

PAUL ANDREW GEIER,

                                                              UNPUBLISHED OPINION

                                Petitioner.

          WORSWICK, C. . —
                     J    Paul     Andrew Geier appeals an order of civil commitment following a

jury determination that he is a sexually violent predator. Geier argues that the trial court ( )
                                                                                             1

erroneously denied his motion for a mistrial and (2)violated his right to a public trial. We

affirm.

                                               FACTS

A.        Prior Bad Acts Evidence and Motion for Mistrial

          Before Geier's trial,the State filed a motion in limine, based on ER 403,ER 608, and
                                                                   "

ER 609," prohibit " ny evidence of any alleged bad acts or crimes of any of the State's]
       to         a                                                         [

witnesses....
          unless and until this Court rules such evidence admissible after an offer of proof or

hearing is held outside the presence of the jury." s Papers (CP)at 666. Geier agreed to
                                                 Clerk'

this motion, provided that it applied to both parties' witnesses, except Geier himself. The trial

court entered an order in limine granting the motion as modified..

          During the trial,both parties called expert witnesses to testify about whether Geier had a

mental abnormality or personality disorder. The State called Dr.Harry Hoberman, a forensic
No. 42292 1 II
          - -

and clinical psychologist. Dr.Hoberman testified that he evaluated Geier and diagnosed him

with pedophilia and antisocial personality disorder. Dr. Hoberman also opined that the

diagnosed conditions and a lack of self -
                                        control made Geier more likely than not to commit more

predatory acts of sexual violence, unless he was confined.

       Geier called Dr.Robert Halon, a psychologist and marriage family therapist. Dr.Halon

criticized some of the methods Dr. Hoberman had used to evaluate Geier. Dr.Halon also opined

that Geier did not suffer from any personality disorder that would cause Geier to meet the criteria

of a sexually violent predator.

       On direct examination, Dr. Halon testified that he was "a psychologist [in

California] since 1977."9 Verbatim Report of Proceedings ( RP)June 7, 2011)at 958. On
                                                         V     (

cross -examination, the State asked Dr.Halon whether he had entered into a stipulated order in a

disciplinary action commenced by the California Board of Psychology. Dr.Halon answered

affirmatively. Dr.Halon also testified that the stipulated order said it revoked his license, but

that the order was immediately stayed. The State then asked about the underlying allegations in

the disciplinary action.

       Before Dr.Halon could answer, Geier objected and argued that the questioning violated

the order in limine by referring to Dr. Halon's prior bad acts. Outside the presence of the jury,

the State made an offer of proof that ( ) allegations involved failing to report a client's.
                                      1 the                                                sex

offense as required by law, incorrectly billing the state for services, and misrepresenting the

results of tests; and (2) stipulated order imposed three years of probation, and required Dr.
                         the

Halon to take an ethics course and pay a fine. Contending that the offer of proof came too late to

prevent the damage, Geier moved the trial court to declare a mistrial.

                                                  2
No. 42292 1 I1
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       Even though the State elicited evidence from Dr. Halon regarding his prior disciplinary

record before seeking a ruling by the trial court,the trial court denied the motion for mistrial.

The trial court stated that the order did not prohibit the admission of all prior bad act evidence,

but instead " eant that we would follow a procedure, which we are now following."10 VRP
            m

June 8,2011)at 1204. The trial court determined that the State's questioning would yield

precisely the type of information that is allowed in order to have the jury fully and fairly

evaluate the expert witness."10 VRP ( une 8,2011)at 1204. Accordingly, the trial court
                                    J

overruled Geier's objection and allowed the State to inquire about the allegations for which Dr.

Halon was disciplined.

       After the parties rested, the jury returned a verdict finding that Geier was a sexually

violent predator. The trial court then entered an order of commitment.

B.      Voir Dire and Jury Questionnaires

       Before Geier's jury trial began, the trial court directed the potential jurors to complete a

questionnaire, to which the parties agreed. The questionnaire required the potential jurors to

identify themselves by name and " o disclose such sensitive information as whether they had
                                t

been [victims] of sexual abuse or received mental health counseling."CP at 610; see CP at 702-

10 (blank questionnaire).In open court, the trial court and the parties' counsel reviewed the

completed questionnaires and conducted individual voir dire. After the verdict,the trial court

entered an agreed order sealing the jury questionnaires and stating that the trial court conducted

the analysis described in State v. Bone Club, 128 Wn. d 254, 906 P. d 325 (1995), Seattle
                                        -           2             2             and

Times Co. v: Ishikawa, 97 Wn. d 30, 640 P. d 716 (1982).
                            2            2

        Geier   appeals.
No. 42292 1 II
          - -

                                                 ANALYSIS

                                          I. MOTION FOR MISTRIAL

       Geier first argues that the trial court erred in denying his motion for a mistrial. We

disagree.

       A trial court should   grant   a   motion for mistrial only when the harmed party has been so
prejudiced by an irregularity that only a new trial can remedy the error. Kimball v. Otis Elevator

Co., Wn. App. 169, 178, 947 P. d 1275 (1997).We review the denial of a motion for a
   89                        2
mistrial for an abuse of discretion. Adkins v. Aluminum Co. ofAm.,
                                                                 110 Wn. d 128, 136, 750
                                                                       2

P. d 1257 (1988).A trial court abuses its discretion when its decision is manifestly
 2

unreasonable or based on untenable grounds. Dix v. ICT Group, Inc., Wn. d 826, 833, 161
                                                                  160 2

P. d 1016 (2007).
 3

       Geier contends that a new trial is required to remedy the irregularity that occurred when

the State violated the order in limine by asking Dr.Halon about his disciplinary record without

the trial court's prior approval. We disagree.
       A violation of an order in limine is not necessarily grounds for mistrial. State v.

Clemons, 56 Wn. App. 57, 62, 782 P. d 219 (1989).In determining whether an irregularity
                                  2

caused prejudice warranting a mistrial, we examine (1) seriousness of the irregularity, 2)
                                                     the                                (

whether the irregularity involved cumulative evidence, and ( )
                                                           3 whether the trial court gave a

proper curative instruction. State v. Hopson, 113 Wn. d 273, 284, 778 P. d 1014 (1989); re
                                                    2                  2              In

1
  Geier does not argue that the trial court made the wrong decision after the State submitted its
offer of proof. Geier argues only that the questioning violated the motion in limine by
proceeding to cross -examine Dr.Halon without first notifying the trial court about the alleged
prior bad act and allowing the court to rule on the evidence's admissibility.

                                                       0
No. 42292 1 II
          - -

Det. ofSmith, 130 Wn. App. 104, 113, 122 P. d 736 (2005).Here, the parties do not dispute that
                                          3

the questioning did not elicit cumulative evidence and that the trial court gave no curative

instruction. Thus,we examine only the seriousness of the irregularity here.

       Citing State v. Easter, 130 Wn. d 228, 242 n.1, 922 P. d 1285 (1996),
                                     2             1        2              Geier argues that

the State's violation of the order in limine was a serious irregularity warranting mistrial. But

Easter is distinguishable. In Easter, an arresting officer testified that the defendant behaved like
  smart
a "`      drunk "'   after a car accident, thus violating an order in limine prohibiting such

commentary and insinuating the defendant's guilt. 130 Wn. d at 242. Although the Easter court
                                                        2

disapproved of the violation, it expressly declined to hold that every violation of an order in

limine warrants   anew   trial. 130 Wn. d at 242
                                      2            n.l   l .   Instead, the Easter court stated that a

violation " ay be so flagrantly prejudicial as to be incurable by instruction."130 Wn. d at 242
          m                                                                          2

n. l ( mphasis added).
 1 e

       In contrast, the violation here was not nearly so serious. The State violated the order in

limine by beginning to question Dr.Halon about a prior bad act before making the required offer

of proof. When Geier objected, the State made the required offer of proof, and the trial court

allowed the questioning to proceed. Unlike Easter, where the State elicited testimony that the

trial court specifically excluded, here the jury heard evidence that the trial court ultimately

admitted. Moreover, Geier does not argue that admission of the evidence was error.

        Instead, Geier argues that the violation of the order in limine prejudiced him because (1)

the jury heard the State's questioning before Geier could dispute the evidence's admissibility; 2)
                                                                                                (

if Geier had known that Dr.Halon's disciplinary record would be an issue, Geier could have

mitigated its impact by inquiring about it on direct examination; 3) violation precluded the
                                                                  ( the

                                                    5
No. 42292 1 II
          - -

trial court from conducting an ER 403 analysis.;and ( ) prior bad act evidence was
                                                    4 the

prejudicial to Geier's case. We hold that the violation did not cause any prejudice, let alone

prejudice for which a new trial is the only available remedy.

       First, Geier argues he suffered prejudice because he could not dispute the admissibility of

prior bad act evidence before the State began questioning Dr.Halon about it. We disagree.

After Geier objected, he still had a full opportunity to argue that the trial court should not admit

the evidence. Because the trial court ultimately admitted the evidence, the State's premature

questioning did not prejudice Geier.

       Second, Geier argues that he was prejudiced by losing an opportunity to mitigate the

prior bad act evidence by addressing it on direct examination. This argument fails because the

order in limine required the offer of proof to come before the questioning; it did not require the

offer of proof to come before Geier had finished direct examination. Thus the order did not

secure Geier's opportunity to address the issue on direct examination.

       Third, Geier contends that the violation " eprived Geier of the opportunity to argue that
                                                d

even if relevant,the probative value of the evidence was substantially outweighed by the danger

of unfair prejudice."Reply Br.of Appellant at 6. This contention lacks merit. Again, Geier had

an opportunity to make this argument to the trial court while contesting the admissibility of the

prior bad act evidence. Even though the trial court reiterated that ER 403 was a basis of the

order in limine, Geier did not argue that the danger of unfair prejudice substantially outweighed

the probative value of the evidence.

        Finally, Geier argues that he was prejudiced by the prior bad act evidence involving Dr.

Halon,who was a key witness. But the State elicited admissible evidence of Dr. Halon's prior

                                                  0
No. 42292 1 II
          - -

bad acts. This is not an irregularity. Only prejudice resulting from an irregularity can be

grounds for a mistrial. See Kimball, 89 Wn.App. at 178. Because the State's violation did not

cause prejudice warranting a new trial,the trial court did not abuse its discretion in denying

Geier's motion. See Dix, 160 Wn. d at 833;Adkins, 110 Wn. d at 136. Geier's argument fails.
                               2                        2
                                           II. RIGHT TO A PUBLIC TRIAL

          Geier next argues that he is entitled to a new trial because the trial court violated the

Washington Constitution when it sealed the jury questionnaires without conducting a sufficient

Bone Club analysis. We disagree.
     -

          The Washington Constitution protects the public's right to the open administration of

justice   and   a   criminal defendant's   right   to   a   public                                10, 22. But
                                                                     trial. WASH. CONST. art. I, § §

2
 For the first time in his reply brief, Geier argues that he was deprived the effective assistance of
counsel because his trial attorney called Dr.Halon as an expert despite knowing of his prior
disciplinary record. But this court does not consider arguments even constitutional
                                                                  —
arguments that are made for the first time in a reply brief. Cowiche Canyon Conservancy v.
           —
Bosley, 118 Wn. d 801, 809, 828 P. d 549 (1992);
                 2                    2                Oostra v. Holstine, 86 Wn. App. 536, 543,
937 P. d 195 (1997).
     2

3 In their briefs, both parties consented to postpone consideration of this appeal while our
Supreme Court reviewed the decision in State v. Beskurt, 159 Wn. App. 819, 246 P. d 580,
                                                                                       3
review granted, 172 Wn. d 1013 (2011).In addition, the State requested that the stay remain in
                       2
effect pending review of State v. Paumier, 155 Wn. App. 673, 230 P. d 212,review granted, 169
                                                                  3
Wn. d 1017 (2010).Because our Supreme Court has decided both cases, there is no longer any
    2
basis for   a   stay. State
                      Beskurt, _
                              v.               Wn. d ,
                                                 2                   293 P. d 1159 (2013);
                                                                          3              State v. Paumier, 176
Wn. d 29, 288 P. d 1126 (2012).
  2            3
4
 The State does not challenge Geier's assumption that article I,section 22 applies in this civil
commitment trial. We recognize that article I,section 22 refers only to " criminal prosecutions,"
and Division One of this court has held that it does not apply in civil commitment trials. In re
Det. of Ticeson, 159 Wn. App. 374, 381, 246 P. d 550 (2011),
                                             3             abrogated on other grounds by
State v. Sublett, 176 Wn. d 58, 72, 292 P. d 715( 012).In addition, our Supreme Court has not
                        2                3        2
resolved whether a defendant has standing to assert the public's right to the open administration
ofjustice under article I,section 10. State v. Wise, 176 Wn. d 1, 16 n. ,288 P. d 1113 (2012).
                                                           2          9       3

                                                                7
No. 42292 1 II
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these rights are not absolute; a trial court may close a courtroom if closure is warranted under the

five part test set forth in State v. Bone Club, 128 Wn.2d 254, 906 P. d 325 (1995), Seattle
     -                                    -                         2             and
Times Co. v. Ishikawa, 97 Wn. d 30, 640 P. d 716 (1982).Whether the closure of a proceeding
                            2            2

violates article I,section 10 or section 22 of the Washington Constitution is a question of law

reviewed de novo. State v. Momah, 167 Wn. d 140, 147, 217 P. d 321 (2009).
                                        2                  3

        Geier is not entitled to a new trial, given our Supreme Court's decision in State v.

Beskurt,      Wn. d ,
                2            293 P. d 1159 (2013).In Beskurt, the trial court sealed jury ,-
                                  3

questionnaires without applying the Bone Club test. 293 P. d at 1160. A fourjustice plurality
                                         -               3

and a separate concurrence by Justice Stephens each concluded, for two different reasons, that
the defendants were not entitled to a new trial. Beskurt, 293 P. d at 1162 (plurality opinion),
                                                               3

1168 (Stephens, J.,
                  concurring).Both reasons defeat Geier's argument.

5 The five criteria are:

        1. The proponent of closure or sealing must make some showing [of a compelling
        interest], where that need is based on a right other than an accused's right to a
                   and
        fair trial,the proponent must show a "serious and imminent threat"to that right.
        2. Anyone present when the closure motion is made must be given an opportunity
        to object to the closure.
        3. The proposed method for curtailing open access must be the least restrictive
        means available for protecting the threatened interests.
        4. The court,must weigh the competing interests of the proponent of closure and
        the public.
        5. The order must be no broader in its application or duration than necessary to
        serve its purpose.

Bone Club, 128 Wn. d at 258 59 ( uoting Allied Daily Newspapers of Wash. v. Eikenberry, 121
     -           2          - q
Wn. d 205, 210 11,848 P. d 1258 (1993)) (
   2           -         2               alteration in original).

6 Chief Justice Madsen, in another concurrence signed by two other justices, would have found
that the defendants waived their public trial argument. Beskurt, 293 P. d at 1166. Thus Chief
                                                                      3
Justice Madsen's   opinion   did not address the   public   trial argument.
No. 42292 1 II
          - -

       First, under the reasoning of the Beskurt plurality, the Bone Club test does not apply here
                                                                     -

because sealing jury questionnaires is not a courtroom closure. Although a trial court must apply

the Bone Club test before closing voir dire to the public,State v. Paumier, 176 Wn. d 29, 35,
         -                                                                        2

288 P. d 1 2012), plurality concluded that a trial court need not apply the Bone Club test
     3      ( the                                                                -

when sealing jury questionnaires that were completed before voir dire began. Beskurt, 293 P. d
                                                                                           3

at 1162. Here, the jury questionnaires were completed before voir dire began, and all voir dire

questioning occurred in open court. Therefore, on the plurality's reasoning, sealing the jury

questionnaires cannot have violated either the public's right to the open administration ofjustice

or Geier's right to a public trial. Beskurt, 293 P. d at 1162.
                                                  3

       Second, under Justice Stephens's reasoning, sealing jury questionnaires is a courtroom

closure but a new trial is unwarranted here even if the trial court failed to apply the Bone Club
                                                                                             -

test. Beskurt, 293 P. d at 1166 67. Justice Stephens concluded that,when a trial court seals jury
                    3           -

questionnaires after the trial has ended, a failure to apply the Bone Club test is not grounds for a
                                                                      -

new trial. Beskurt, 293 P. d at 1168. Here,the trial court sealed the jury questionnaires after the
                         3

trial ended. Therefore anew trial is unwarranted here. Beskurt, 293 P. d at 1168. Geier's
                                                                     3      -

argument fails.

                                                  9
No. 42292 1 II
          - -

       We affirm.

       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

040,
2.6.it is so ordered.
 0

                                                                  Worswick,
We concur:

Van De J.

             d

Penoya` /             r

                                                10