Court Opinion

ID: 4417189
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2019-07-16 18:55:17.511069+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:52:54.406835
License: Public Domain

Filed
                                                                                       Washington State
                                                                                       Court of Appeals
                                                                                        Division Two

                                                                                          July 16, 2019

       IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON

                                        DIVISION II
    In re the Detention of:                                        No. 51246-7-II

    BRIAN TAYLOR-ROSE.                                       UNPUBLISHED OPINION

          SUTTON, J. — We granted Brian Taylor-Rose’s motion for discretionary review of the

superior court’s denial of his petition for an unconditional release trial. Taylor-Rose argues that

he presented prima facie evidence that he no longer meets the criteria for civil commitment because

he has “so changed” through sex offender-specific treatment and that the court erred by denying

his petition. We agree. We reverse and remand with instructions to schedule Taylor-Rose’s case

for trial.

                                             FACTS

          After a jury trial, Taylor-Rose was committed to the Special Commitment Center (SCC)1

as a sexually violent predator on August 5, 2015. Taylor-Rose’s criminal history included two sex

offenses involving minors. The first offense occurred when Taylor-Rose was 19. He touched a

13-year old boy’s genitals and buttocks over the boy’s clothes while the boy slept. Taylor-Rose

pleaded guilty to second degree child molestation. The second offense occurred when Taylor-

Rose was 30 years old. Taylor-Rose pleaded guilty to third degree child molestation following

allegations that he had touched a seven-year old boy’s penis.

1
    The Department of Social and Health Services operates SCC programs.
No. 51246-7

       As part of Taylor-Rose’s 2016 annual review, Dr. Robert Saari reviewed Taylor-Rose’s

treatment participation and behavior at the SCC. Dr. Saari noted that Taylor-Rose consistently

participated in sex offender treatment, met individually for case management, and addressed

therapeutic issues in case management sessions. Dr. Saari reported that Taylor-Rose’s residential

functioning was good, and that Taylor-Rose typically made good use of case management sessions

by openly addressing issues and therapeutically engaging without defensiveness. According to

Dr. Saari, Taylor-Rose was doing well in sex offender treatment group, was actively engaging in

therapy, and was showing a willingness to bring clinically relevant issues to the group. Dr. Saari

noted that Taylor-Rose was working on his written treatment work and presenting it to the group,

a necessary step toward progressing in the treatment program.

       A plethysmograph evaluation conducted on Taylor-Rose showed no sexual arousal to pre-

pubescent males or females in the preschool to grammar school age ranges, or to sexually violent

stimuli involving either children or adults.

       Dr. Saari diagnosed Taylor-Rose with nonexclusive pedophilia and antisocial personality

disorder with borderline traits. He opined, “Although [Taylor-Rose] is making an effort at making

changes, and apparently has done so in treatment prior to the SCC, his impulse control has not

proven sufficient to keep him free of sexual offending.” Supp. Clerk’s Papers (CP) at 483. Dr.

Saari expressed concerns about Taylor-Rose’s self-awareness:

       Cognitive-behavioral, relapse prevention treatment for sexual deviancy requires
       open acknowledgment of a problem with sexual deviancy and a willingness to
       openly disclose internal experience so that therapists can assist with the
       development of interventions. Given [Taylor-Rose’s] state of denial, helping him
       learn to effectively manage his risk for sexual re-offense will not be possible.

Supp. CP at 484.

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No. 51246-7

          Dr. Saari concluded that Taylor-Rose’s pedophilic disorder “predisposes him to be more

likely than not to commit another sexually violent offense, if unconditionally released to the

community.” Supp. CP at 490.

          In February 2017, Dr. Karen Franklin conducted a psychological evaluation to determine

whether Taylor-Rose had “so changed through treatment that he no longer meets civil commitment

criteria.” CP at 103. Dr. Franklin reviewed Taylor-Rose’s history, conducted collateral interviews

with Taylor-Rose’s mother and a childhood treatment provider, and evaluated Taylor-Rose for a

period of nine hours over two days. Dr. Franklin diagnosed Taylor-Rose with relatively mild

borderline personality disorder. Dr. Franklin reported no evidence that, at the time of the

evaluation, Taylor-Rose had pedophilia. She explained:

                  There is no evidence at the present time of persistent or intense sexual
          interest in children. To the contrary, there is strong evidence of preferential arousal
          to consensual relations with adult men: the behavioral, self-report and physiological
          test data all converge. Furthermore, there is no evidence of an abnormally high sex
          drive: Brian’s libido and testosterone levels are well within the normal range. A
          pedophilia diagnosis should not rest upon a weak foundation of one or two instances
          of inappropriate touching, committed many years apart under conditions of
          intoxication, and strung together with uncorroborated hearsay based on unreliable
          self-report. In my opinion, there is insufficient data to support a diagnosis of
          pedophilia.

CP at 142.

          Dr. Franklin recapped Taylor-Rose’s treatment at the SCC, noting that his treatment

records reflected he was “diligent in participating in treatment, and has made good progress.” CP

at 148.

          Dr. Franklin assessed whether Taylor-Rose had changed through treatment by using the

Sex Offender Treatment Intervention and Progress Scale (SOTIPS), which measures progress in

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No. 51246-7

16 areas, using a four-point rating system. Dr. Franklin concluded that Taylor-Rose scored a 10

out of a prorated maximum total of 42 points, where lower scores indicate greater progress and

less risk of re-offense. Dr. Franklin identified eight prominent areas of treatment progress,

including (1) recognizing the need for change and working to modify his behavior; (2) cooperating

and engaging in treatment sessions; (3) working to understand the issues that contributed to his

offending; (4) recognizing and self-correcting attitudes and thoughts that support offending as they

occur; (5) improved motivation to obey rules and avoid infractions; (6) demonstrating better

behavioral stability and less impulsivity; (7) being drug and alcohol free for more than two years;

and (8) having appropriate sexual interests and behaviors with age-appropriate partners.

       Dr. Franklin also noted that Taylor-Rose still struggled with self-management and was

reactive to negative emotional states such as loneliness, anxiety, or anger. Ultimately Dr. Franklin

concluded, “Based on all of the foregoing, it is my opinion—offered with a reasonable degree of

psychological certainty—that Mr. Taylor-Rose has so changed through sex offender-specific

treatment that he no longer meets the definition of a sexually violent predator.” CP at 150.

       On May 5, 2017, based on Dr. Franklin’s evaluation, Taylor-Rose petitioned the superior

court for an unconditional release trial pursuant to RCW 71.09.090. The State opposed Taylor-

Rose’s petition, arguing that Dr. Franklin’s evaluation constituted an impermissible collateral

attack on Taylor-Rose’s initial commitment.

       In September 2017, the State completed its second annual review of Taylor-Rose and

concluded that he continued to meet the sexually violent predator criteria. As part of the 2017

annual review, Dr. Megan Carter evaluated Taylor-Rose. She reported that although Taylor-Rose

had attained a higher privilege level earlier in the review period, at the time of her evaluation,

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No. 51246-7

Taylor-Rose had regressed in the treatment program due to some behavioral problems. Dr. Carter

noted that Taylor-Rose “presents in the contemplation stage of change, vacillating between

motivations to address issues and engaging in behaviors that are directly in violation of positive

change.” CP at 48. Dr. Carter noted a positive urinalysis result in April 2017.

       Dr. Carter diagnosed Taylor-Rose with pedophilic disorder, antisocial personality disorder

with borderline personality disorder traits, and substance use disorder. Taylor-Rose scored 5 or 6

on a Static-99R, which is an actuarial measure of risk for sexual offense recidivism, placing him

in the above average to well above average risk category for being charged or convicted of another

sexual offense. In her professional opinion, Dr. Carter concluded that Taylor-Rose continued “to

suffer from a mental abnormality and/or personality disorder that makes him likely (more probably

than not) to engage in predatory acts of sexual violence if not confined in a secure facility.” CP at

70.

       The superior court concluded that Taylor-Rose did not demonstrate probable cause for a

new trial to be ordered under RCW 71.09.090(2)(c) and denied Taylor-Rose’s petition.

                                            ANALYSIS

       Taylor-Rose argues that he supported his petition for an unconditional release trial with

prima facie evidence that he has so changed through treatment that he is no longer a sexually

violent predator, and therefore the superior court erred by denying his petition. We agree.

                                       I. LEGAL PRINCIPLES

       Where a court or jury finds beyond a reasonable doubt that an individual is a sexually

violent predator, he must be confined to a secure facility until such time as: (1) the person’s

condition has so changed that he no longer meets the definition of a sexually violent predator, or

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No. 51246-7

(2) conditional release to a less restrictive alternative is appropriate. RCW 71.09.060(1); State v.

McCuistion, 174 Wash. 2d 369, 379, 275 P.3d 1092 (2012). Once a sexually violent predator has

been committed to a secure facility, “he is entitled to a written annual review by a qualified

professional to ensure that he continues to meet the criteria for confinement.” McCuistion, 174

Wn.2d at 379; RCW 71.09.070. The committed individual may also petition the superior court for

conditional release to a less restrictive alternative or unconditional discharge.               RCW

71.09.090(2)(a).

       If the person does not waive his right to petition the superior court, the court must set a

show cause hearing to determine whether probable cause exists to warrant a trial.               RCW

71.09.090(2)(a). At the show cause hearing, the State must present prima facie evidence that the

committed individual continues to meet the definition of a sexually violent predator and that

release to a less restrictive alternative would not be appropriate.          RCW 71.09.090(2)(b);

McCuistion, 174 Wn.2d at 380.

       Under RCW 71.09.090(2)(c), the superior court must order a full evidentiary hearing if the

State fails to present prima facie evidence that continued confinement is warranted or if the

committed individual establishes probable cause that his condition has “so changed” since his last

commitment trial that he no longer meets the definition of a sexually violent predator or that release

to a less restrictive alternative would be appropriate. McCuistion, 174 Wn.2d at 380. Probable

cause exists to believe that a person’s condition has “so changed” if evidence exists, since the

person’s last commitment trial, of a substantial change in the person’s physical or mental

condition. As relevant here, a new trial proceeding may only be initiated if a licensed professional

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No. 51246-7

provides current evidence that a person’s mental condition has changed through a “positive

response to continuing participation in treatment.” RCW 71.09.090(4)(ii).

        “While the probable cause standard is not a stringent one, it allows the court to perform a

critical gate-keeping function.” McCuistion, 174 Wn.2d at 382. Under this standard, the superior

court may not weigh evidence. In re Det. of Petersen, 145 Wash. 2d 789, 798, 42 P.3d 952 (2002).

Instead, the court must decide whether the facts, if believed, are sufficient to establish that the

person has “so changed” and is no longer a sexually violent predator. Petersen, 145 Wn.2d at 796-

98. An expert’s opinion that a sexually violent predator no longer meets the definition of a sexually

violent predator due to treatment will satisfy the prima facie showing. See In re Det. of Ambers,

160 Wash. 2d 543, 559, 158 P.3d 1144 (2007). Mere conclusory statements, however, are insufficient

to establish probable cause. In re Det. of Jacobson, 120 Wash. App. 770, 780, 86 P.3d 1202 (2004).

        We review de novo a superior court’s conclusion about whether the evidence meets the

probable cause standard. Petersen, 145 Wn.2d at 799.

                                    II. PRIMA FACIE EVIDENCE

        Given the relatively low bar that a petitioner must meet to make a prima facie showing, we

hold that Taylor-Rose produced sufficient evidence to support his petition for an unconditional

release trial.

        Dr. Franklin’s opinion satisfies the probable cause standard. First, she identified that

Taylor-Rose had been highly engaged in treatment for the two years prior to the evaluation,

including being “cooperative, diligent, and non-defensive in group and individual treatment

sessions,” and “working to understand the issues that contributed to his offending” in individual

and group therapy and in written assignments. CP at 149. Second, Dr. Franklin concluded that

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No. 51246-7

Taylor-Rose had benefited from treatment in that he “recognizes the need for change,” and “is

actively in the process of working to positively modify his behavior.” CP at 149. Dr. Franklin

also noted that Taylor-Rose’s ability to obey rules was substantially improved, and he was

“demonstrating far greater behavior stability and less impulsivity than in the past.” CP at 150.

       Third, Dr. Franklin concluded that Taylor-Rose presented a lowered risk of sexual

recidivism after administering a SOTIPS evaluation which showed his risk of re-offense is in the

average range for convicted sex offenders and is not more likely than not to commit predatory acts

of sexual violence if not confined. Dr. Franklin noted that Taylor-Rose was capable of recognizing

and self-correcting attitudes or thoughts that might support sex offending as they occur. Dr.

Franklin also concluded that Taylor-Rose’s commitment to continued sobriety was a significant

area of reduced risk.

       In her opinion, Dr. Franklin concluded that, at the time of her evaluation, there was no

current evidence of sexual deviance and that Taylor-Rose’s sexual interests and behaviors were

entirely appropriate. Satisfying the probable cause standard, Dr. Franklin concluded that Taylor-

Rose had so changed through his sex offender-specific treatment that he no longer met the

definition of a sexually violent predator.

       The State disputes many of Dr. Franklin’s conclusions, pointing to its own experts’

opinions as evidence that Taylor-Rose has not so changed as to be entitled to an unconditional

release trial. However, in determining whether probable cause exists to warrant a trial, we “must

assume the truth of the evidence presented; [we] may not ‘weigh and measure asserted facts against

potentially competing ones.’” McCuistion, 174 Wn.2d at 382 (quoting Petersen, 145 Wn.2d at

797. Indeed, this limited review of the evidence is consistent with the sexually violent predator

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No. 51246-7

statutory scheme, wherein a petitioner may be entitled to a trial because he produced prima facie

evidence that he was so changed, despite the fact that the State also carried its burden of producing

prima facie evidence that he continued to meet the definition of a sexually violent predator.

        While Dr. Franklin’s opinion may be subject to impeachment upon cross-examination at

trial, such a weighing of the evidence is not appropriate in a probable cause determination. “[A]

full presentation of all the evidence where that evidence can be weighed and disputes can be

resolved by the fact finder” remains an exercise for trial. Petersen, 145 Wn.2d at 797-98. At this

stage, we need only determine whether Dr. Franklin’s opinion, if believed, establishes probable

cause. We hold that it does. We reverse and remand with instructions to schedule Taylor-Rose’s

case for trial.

        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.

                                                     SUTTON, J.
 We concur:

 MAXA, C.J.

 MELNICK, J.

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