Court Opinion

ID: 5122634
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2021-11-02 15:18:38.701699+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T08:22:29.241341
License: Public Domain

FILED
                                                                   NOVEMBER 2, 2021
                                                                In the Office of the Clerk of Court
                                                               WA State Court of Appeals, Division III

            IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON
                               DIVISION THREE

STATE OF WASHINGTON,                          )
                                              )        No. 37121-2-III
                     Respondent,              )        (Consolidated with
                                              )        No. 37424-6-III)
       v.                                     )
                                              )
JEREMIAH JAMES GILBERT,                       )        UNPUBLISHED OPINION
                                              )
                     Appellant.               )

       STAAB, J. — The detailed facts underlying Mr. Gilbert’s convictions are outlined

in State v. Gilbert, 193 Wn.2d 169, 438 P.3d 133 (2019) (Gilbert I).

                                          FACTS

       In 1992, shortly before his sixteenth birthday, Jeremiah Gilbert and his friend ran

away from home in King County and headed toward Oregon. In Klickitat County, Mr.

Gilbert murdered two people execution-style and attempted to murder a third person

while attempting to steal a vehicle. Mr. Gilbert was convicted of six serious offenses,

including first degree murder, aggravated first degree murder, second degree assault, first

degree burglary, first degree theft, and first degree robbery. He was sentenced to life

without the possibility of parole for the aggravated first degree murder conviction
No. 37121-2-III (Consol. with No. 37424-6-III)
State v. Gilbert

consecutive to a sentence of 280 months on the first degree murder and concurrent with

the sentences for the other convictions.

       Following the United States Supreme Court’s decision in Miller v. Alabama, 567

U.S. 460, 132 S. Ct. 2455, 183 L. Ed. 2d 407 (2012), Washington eliminated mandatory

life sentences without parole for juvenile offenders and enacted the Miller-fix statute,

RCW 10.95.035. Under this statute, juveniles previously sentenced to life without parole

are to be returned for resentencing in accordance with RCW 10.95.030.

       In 2015, Mr. Gilbert was resentenced by a second judge under the Miller-fix

statute. The sentencing court concluded that it could only amend the life sentence

without parole and did not have the authority to restructure the entire sentence.

Accordingly, the court adjusted the life without parole sentence to life with a 25-year

minimum term. Mr. Gilbert appealed this sentence, and our State Supreme Court

reversed and remanded for resentencing. The court held that its holding in Houston-

Sconiers, 188 Wn.2d 1, 21, 391 P.3d 409 (2017), applied to a resentencing under the

Miller-fix statute. Gilbert I, 193 Wn.2d at 175. Consequently, the sentencing judge must

consider Mr. Gilbert’s youth as a mitigating factor and had the authority to impose an

exceptional sentence below any mandatory or standard range sentencing requirements.

Id.

       While Mr. Gilbert’s second sentence was pending before the Supreme Court, the

Indeterminate Sentence Review Board (ISRB) determined that Mr. Gilbert was eligible

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State v. Gilbert

for release on the aggravated murder sentence and that he had finished serving the

concurrent sentences. In April 2018, Mr. Gilbert was released on parole on the

aggravated murder charge and began serving his consecutive sentence for first degree

murder.

       Before his second resentencing, Mr. Gilbert again retained the expert services of

Dr. Ronald Roesch, a psychologist who had reviewed Mr. Gilbert’s case and prepared a

report for Mr. Gilbert’s first resentencing in 2015. Defense counsel’s motion to authorize

$5000 in public funds to retain Dr. Roesch was denied, but the trial court authorized

$2500 in fees.

       A second resentencing occurred in May 2019 before a third sentencing judge. The

State presented testimony from eight survivors of the victims along with the surviving

victim, Farrell Harris. The court also considered written impact statements from

survivors and family members. These witnesses and survivors recounted how the

murders had dramatically affected their lives and continued to cause trauma each time

Mr. Gilbert was resentenced. Consistently, these witnesses asked the court to impose the

longest sentence possible.

       Defense counsel called four members of Mr. Gilbert’s family as witnesses. They

testified that they maintained good relations with Mr. Gilbert and could provide him with

a place to live, a job, and family support if he were to be released. Mr. Gilbert testified

himself, apologized for his crimes and asked for a concurrent sentence.

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No. 37121-2-III (Consol. with No. 37424-6-III)
State v. Gilbert

       Defense counsel filed extensive documentation supporting an exceptional

sentence, including letters of support, certificates of achievement while in custody, and

Department of Corrections (DOC) records. The court also considered a previously

written report for the ISRB by Dr. Debra Wentworth1 and the ISRB’s decision to release

Mr. Gilbert on his sentence for aggravated first degree murder.

       Defense counsel also presented the report and testimony of its expert psychologist,

Dr. Roesch. Dr. Roesch generally testified about adolescent development and cognitive

functioning, echoing the generalized findings made in Miller and subsequent cases. He

testified that as a class, fifteen-year-olds lack maturity and have an underdeveloped sense

of responsibility. While they generally understand the difference between right and

wrong, they have an issue with impulse control and considering the long and short-term

consequences of decisions.

       More specifically, Dr. Roesch testified that his evaluation of the circumstances

surrounding the original crimes suggest that the 15-year-old Jeremiah Gilbert met most of

the Kent2 factors for declining juvenile jurisdiction but lacked maturity and

sophistication. Dr. Roesch characterized the murders as unplanned while acknowledging

       1
         Dr. Wentworth is a psychologist employed by the Department of Corrections and
had prepared and submitted a report for the ISRB to consider in deciding whether to
parole Mr. Gilbert on his sentence for aggravated first degree murder. She did not update
her report for this sentencing hearing nor did she testify.
       2
         Kent v. United States, 383 U.S. 541, 566-67, 86 S. Ct. 1045, 16 L. Ed. 2d 84
(1966).

                                             4
No. 37121-2-III (Consol. with No. 37424-6-III)
State v. Gilbert

a definite plan to commit crimes on the trip to Oregon. As to remorse, Mr. Gilbert

initially denied involvement but quickly admitted his culpability and had not changed his

story. Dr. Roesch acknowledged that Mr. Gilbert was primarily responsible for the

crimes he committed, and Mr. Gilbert did not appear to be influenced by peer pressure in

committing the crimes.

       Dr. Roesch also testified about Mr. Gilbert’s circumstances at the time of the

crime. Mr. Gilbert’s home life was generally positive, although the family moved

frequently, and Mr. Gilbert’s relationship with his parents began to deteriorate when he

began abusing alcohol at a young age. On the Adverse Childhood Experiences scale, Mr.

Gilbert scored a zero, indicating that he did not have exposure to emotional, physical, or

sexual abuse or household dysfunction during childhood. Mr. Gilbert’s use of alcohol as

a teenager most likely impacted his brain development. But there was no evidence that

he was under the influence of drugs or alcohol when he committed these crimes.

       Finally, Dr. Roesch testified about Mr. Gilbert’s activities while incarcerated.

While Mr. Gilbert did well in juvenile detention, he struggled when transferred to adult

corrections, accumulating at least 36 serious infractions over the first dozen years. The

last two infractions were committed in 2006 when Mr. Gilbert was 30 and in 2017 when

he was 40 years of age. Mr. Gilbert has participated in several programs while

incarcerated and continues to maintain close contact with his family. Dr. Roesch

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State v. Gilbert

indicated that the correctional officers he had interviewed consistently stated that Mr.

Gilbert was responsible, helpful, and contributed positively.

       The sentencing court also considered evidence of psychological testing. Both Dr.

Roesch and Dr. Wentworth conducted personality tests on Mr. Gilbert, and neither found

evidence of mental health or personality disorders, or psychopathology. Dr. Wentworth

did find some evidence of antisocial behavior and characteristics “that may continue to

influence his future behavior choices.” Clerk’s Papers (CP) at 254.

       Both psychologists administered risk management tests to assess the risk of future

violence and recidivism. Dr. Roesch determined that Mr. Gilbert had a low risk to

reoffend. Dr. Wentworth used a more recent and comprehensive version of the violence

risk assessment guide (VRAG) and found that Mr. Gilbert’s scores placed him “in the

high risk to reoffend.” CP at 254. However, when balanced against Mr. Gilbert’s

protective and risk-reducing factors, his overall risk of reoffending was considered

moderate. Attorneys for both sides dedicated significant time addressing each of the

factors the court was to consider in determining an appropriate sentence. Defense

counsel argued that juvenile offenders as a class should receive significantly reduced

sentences for their crimes, even when convicted as adults. The State asked the court to

reimpose the original sentence of 280 months. Defense counsel argued for a concurrent

sentence of 25 years.

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State v. Gilbert

       Although the court did not create written findings, its oral decision made several

specific findings addressing the Miller factors and other factors affecting sentencing as

directed by the Court in Gilbert I. As to Mr. Gilbert’s “immaturity and inability to

appreciate risk,” the court found that at the time of the crime, Mr. Gilbert was an

unsophisticated 15-year-old, unable to fully appreciate the risks of running away. His

inability to appreciate risk was balanced by his prior involvement in the criminal justice

system just months before the murders.

       Mr. Gilbert was the product of a good family, but his surrounding environment

became dysfunctional due to alcohol use at a young age. Mr. Gilbert’s family tried to get

him treatment for his alcoholism.

       Considering Mr. Gilbert’s participation in the crime, the court found that Mr.

Gilbert held an active leadership role in crimes committed callously. Mr. Gilbert took his

time to execute two individuals, one of whom he shot point-blank in the head to “shut

him up.” RP at 183. Mr. Gilbert’s youth did not affect any legal defenses or arguments.

(Id.) Nor were the crimes influenced by family dynamics or peer pressure.

       Next, the court addressed factors suggesting that the juvenile might be

successfully rehabilitated. The court noted that Mr. Gilbert’s program participation

demonstrated potential for rehabilitation while incarcerated. He has, however, received

two serious infractions that indicate a lack of impulse control as an adult. The court

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State v. Gilbert

suggested that Mr. Gilbert’s good behavior may be influenced by a hope for

resentencing.3

       The court discussed Dr. Wentworth’s 2017 psychological examination, noting that

Mr. Gilbert exhibited antisocial personality characteristics that may influence future

behavior choices. His score on the violence risk assessment, placing him at high risk to

reoffend, was balanced by other risk-reducing factors for a finding of moderate risk to

reoffend. Finally, the court considered the convictions at issue, finding that the murder

convictions are at the apex of the culpability scale, and Mr. Gilbert was convicted of

three other violent offenses from the same incident. The standard sentencing range called

for a minimum 20-year sentence for Count 1, first degree murder, to run consecutive to

the 25-year sentence for count 2, aggravated first degree murder and concurrent to the

other charges, which had already been served.

       In the end, the court expressly recognized that it had the authority to grant an

exceptional sentence but found that the crimes were not the result of transient immaturity

that would support an exceptional sentence. Instead, the court found that the mitigating

factors of youth justified a reduction in Mr. Gilbert’s sentence for murder in the first

       3
        In the October 24, 2013 Department of Corrections Offender Management
Network Information notes that were provided to the sentencing court, Amber Bates
noted increased program participation and that Mr. Gilbert “is also looking forward to a
court decision in Nov[ember] 2013 that may change his sentence structure. He is already
planning for re-entry into the community an[d] working on not thinking about prison as
‘home.’” CP at 404.

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State v. Gilbert

degree by 40 months to 240 months, the bottom of the standard range. The court

reimposed the already-served 25-year sentence for aggravated murder concurrent with the

sentences for other charges that had already been served. Finally, the court ran the 240-

month sentence for first degree murder consecutive to the sentence for aggravated first

degree murder.

                                        ANALYSIS

 A.    DE FACTO LIFE SENTENCE

       Mr. Gilbert raises several issues on appeal that are premised upon his assertion

that the sentence imposed in this case was a de facto life sentence. We address this

argument first because it is dispositive. To be clear, on remand, Mr. Gilbert was

sentenced to 240 months for first degree murder, to run consecutive to his already-served

25-year sentence for aggravated first degree murder and concurrent with the sentences for

his other serious offenses. The cumulative sentence is 45 years. Mr. Gilbert will be

eligible for release when he is 60 years old.

       While a sentence of life without parole for juvenile offenders is not barred by the

federal constitution, our State Supreme Court has held that such a sentence is

categorically prohibited under our State Constitution. Jones v. Mississippi, 593 U.S. __,

141 S. Ct. 1307, 1311, 209 L. Ed. 2d 390 (2021) (imposing a sentence of life without

parole on a juvenile defendant does not require a finding of incorrigibility); State v.

Bassett, 192 Wn.2d 67, 91, 428 P.3d 343 (2018). Our Supreme Court has recently held

                                                9
No. 37121-2-III (Consol. with No. 37424-6-III)
State v. Gilbert

that a “46-year minimum sentence amounts to an unconstitutional de facto life sentence.”

State v. Haag, No. 97766-6, slip op. at 20 (Wash. Sept. 23, 2021), http://www.courts

.wa.gov/opinions/pdf/977666.pdf. While the defendant in Haag was convicted of only

one murder, the court’s decision was not influenced by the quantity or quality of

convictions for which the defendant was sentenced. Instead, in reaching this decision, the

court focused on the impact the sentence would have on the defendant. Id. at 23-24.4

       Mr. Gilbert’s consecutive sentences amount to a 45-year sentence. Given the

Supreme Court’s focus in Haag, there is no meaningful difference between a 46-year

sentence and a 45-year sentence. Under Haag, Mr. Gilbert received a de facto life

sentence. Under Bassett, life sentences for juvenile offenders are categorically

prohibited. In light of Haag, we vacate Mr. Gilbert’s sentence and remand for

resentencing.

       Since we are remanding under Haag, we decline to address Mr. Gilbert’s claim

that the trial court abused its discretion. We note, however, that Haag’s analysis on a

sentencing court’s focus will control on resentencing in this case. It will be necessary for

       4
         In Haag, the court found that the 46-year sentence violated both the 8th
Amendment and the state constitution because the sentencing court made a specific
finding that Haag was “not irretrievably depraved.” Haag, at 24. In this case, the
sentencing court found that the crimes were not the result of transient immaturity, but did
not make a finding that the defendant was permanently incorrigible. Nevertheless, under
our state constitution, a sentence that amounts to life without parole for a juvenile
offender is categorically prohibited.

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State v. Gilbert

the State and Mr. Gilbert to present evidence at resentencing and for the court to make

specific findings of fact and conclusions of law to support the sentence imposed.

 B.    JUDICIAL BIAS

       Mr. Gilbert asserts that the sentencing judge demonstrated actual bias because his

oral decision did not seem “off the cuff” and the court partially denied his motion for

expert witness fees. The only relief he seeks is reassignment at resentence.

       Pursuant to the appearance of fairness doctrine, a judicial proceeding is valid if a

reasonably prudent, disinterested observer would conclude that the parties received a fair,

impartial, and neutral hearing. State v. Solis-Diaz, 187 Wn.2d 535, 540, 387 P.3d 703

(2017). The party asserting a violation of the appearance of fairness must show a judge’s

actual or potential bias. Id. The test for determining whether the judge’s impartiality

might reasonably be questioned is an objective test that assumes a reasonable observer

knows and understands all the relevant facts. Id. The remedy of reassignment is

available only in limited circumstances; even when a trial judge has expressed a strong

opinion, reassignment is generally not available as a remedy if an appellate opinion offers

sufficient guidance to limit the trial court’s discretion on remand. Id. In Solis-Diaz, the

judge expressed frustration and unhappiness with the Court of Appeals and suggested that

he was committed to the original sentence and would not modify it on remand. Id. at

541.

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No. 37121-2-III (Consol. with No. 37424-6-III)
State v. Gilbert

        Nothing like Solis-Diaz happened here. This particular judge had not previously

sentenced Mr. Gilbert and made no remarks indicating he was committed to any

particular sentence. Instead, the judge accepted and considered all of Mr. Gilbert’s

evidence and closely followed the Supreme Court’s mandate. His comments on the

murders and their effect on the community reflect the seriousness of the crime and do not

demonstrate bias. Accordingly, Mr. Gilbert has not met his burden of showing actual

bias.

 C.     EXPERT WITNESS FEES

        Mr. Gilbert asserts that the trial court’s order, limiting public funds for payment of

an expert psychologist to $2500, was manifestly unreasonable. Prior to resentencing, Mr.

Gilbert motioned the court for public funds to rehire a defense expert psychologist, Dr.

Ronald Roesch. Dr. Roesch prepared a report for Mr. Gilbert’s first resentencing in

2015, and his fees were $4500. For the second resentencing, defense counsel filed

supporting documentation, requesting $5000 for 32 hours of services at $225 per hour,

plus travel expenses. The court approved $2500 for Dr. Roesche to update his report.

Dr. Roesch submitted a 13-page addendum report and testified at sentencing.

        After sentencing, Dr. Roesch moved to reduce the authorized funding to a flat fee

of $5000. In a supporting declaration, counsel indicated that Dr. Roesch had spent 27

hours on the case. At a rate of $225 per hour, his fee would normally be $6075, but he

would agree to $5000 and also agree to pay his own travel costs. The declaration in

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No. 37121-2-III (Consol. with No. 37424-6-III)
State v. Gilbert

support of the motion for fees broke down Dr. Roesch’s time as follows: testimony and

travel (8 hours), telephone calls with correctional officers and the attorney (5.75 hours),

new interviews of Mr. Gilbert and his family (5.75 hours), report preparation (4.75

hours), and record review (2.75 hours). The court denied the additional funding request

and authorized payment of $2500.

       Mr. Gilbert moved to reconsider, citing local expert rates of $200 and $360 per

hour and concluding that the time expended was reasonable. The court denied

reconsideration.

       Under CrR 3.1(f)(1), a defendant unable to afford necessary services may move

the court to authorize payment for such services. This rule applies even when a

defendant obtains private counsel. State v. Punsalan, 156 Wn.2d 875, 878, 133 P.3d 934

(2006).

       Reasonable compensation for the services shall be determined and payment
       directed to the organization or person who rendered them upon the filing of
       a claim for compensation supported by affidavit specifying the time
       expended and the services and expenses incurred on behalf of the
       defendant, and the compensation received in the same case or for the same
       services from any other source.

CrR 3.1(f)(3). The court’s determination as to what services are necessary and what

amount is reasonable will not be reversed absent an abuse of discretion. State v. French,

157 Wn.2d 593, 607, 141 P.3d 54 (2006). A court abuses its discretion when its decision

is manifestly unreasonable or based on untenable grounds. State v. Delbosque, 195

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State v. Gilbert

Wn.2d 106, 116, 456 P.3d 806 (2020) (internal quotations omitted) (quoting State v.

Blair, 191 Wn.2d 155, 159, 421 P.3d 937 (2018)).

       While the sentencing court did not give a reason for denying Mr. Gilbert’s motion

for reconsideration, the record supports that the decision was not manifestly

unreasonable. The primary difference between the services provided in 2015 and the

services provided in 2019 was travel and testimony time. Dr. Roesch did not testify at

the first resentencing, but billed five hours for travel and three hours for testimony for the

second resentencing. At the second resentencing, Mr. Roesch largely read from his 2019

report, which mirrored his 2015 report except for the incorporation of legal argument,

and the reports by ISRB and Dr. Wentworth. Most of the rehabilitation programming

information from the most recent four years’ material to the Miller analysis appeared in

the referenced reports and did not seem to derive from the new reinterview of Mr. Gilbert

his family, or the duplicate DOC interviews. Primarily the interviews and support letters

vouched for his character and offered post release support in the same manner as four

years previously. Moreover, defense counsel failed to indicate any attempts to eliminate

or reduce costs in light of the court’s preliminary decision. Instead, it seems that counsel

went forward without regard to the court’s decision.

       We find that the sentencing court’s limit of public funds to $2500 was not an

abuse of discretion. We recognize that our decision to remand for resentencing may

require additional investigation services.

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No. 37121-2-III (Consol. with No. 37424-6-III)
State v. Gilbert

      Vacate sentence and remand for resentencing.

      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.

                                            _________________________________
                                                    Staab, J.

WE CONCUR:

_________________________________
      Pennell, C.J.

_________________________________
      Siddoway, J.

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