Court Opinion

ID: 6330463
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2022-04-13 01:14:58.905211+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T09:22:53.692004
License: Public Domain

IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON

STATE OF WASHINGTON,                     )      No. 80996-2-I
                                         )
                    Respondent,          )
                                         )      DIVISION ONE
                    v.                   )
                                         )      ORDER GRANTING MOTION
JOSEPH HENRY HALL,                       )      FOR RECONSIDERATION,
                                         )      WITHDRAWING OPINION, AND
                    Appellant.           )      SUBSTITUTING OPINION
                                         )

      Appellant Joseph Hall moved to reconsider the court’s opinion filed on January

10, 2022. Respondent State of Washington has filed a response. The panel has

determined that the motion for reconsideration should be granted. The opinion shall be

withdrawn and a substitute published opinion shall be filed. Now, therefore, it is hereby

      ORDERED that the motion for reconsideration is granted; and it is further

      ORDERED that the opinion filed on January 10, 2022 shall be withdrawn and

substituted with a new published opinion.

                                  FOR THE COURT:
          IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON

STATE OF WASHINGTON,                       )      No. 80996-2-I
                                           )
                     Respondent,           )
                                           )      DIVISION ONE
                     v.                    )
                                           )
JOSEPH HENRY HALL,                         )
                                           )      PUBLISHED OPINION
                     Appellant.            )
                                           )

       MANN, J. — RCW 4.44.300 forbids a bailiff from communicating with the jury

during its deliberations, except to inquire if they have reached a verdict. The bailiff is in

a sense the “alter ego” of the judge, and improper communication between the court

and the jury is an error of constitutional dimensions impacting the right to a fair and

impartial jury. When a bailiff communicates with a jury, the trial court must examine the

remarks for “possible prejudicial impact.” If the court determines the communication

had a possible prejudicial impact, a mistrial is required.

       Joseph Hall was convicted of two counts of first degree rape of a child. The trial

court declared a mistrial on two counts of first degree child molestation due to a

deadlocked jury. On appeal, Hall advances multiple arguments, including: (1) that the

trial court erred in denying his motion for a mistrial based on comments made by the
No. 80996-2-I/2

bailiff to the jury and (2) double jeopardy precludes retrial of the two counts of first

degree child molestation. Because we cannot conclude that the bailiff’s comments did

not have a possible prejudicial impact on the verdict, we agree that the trial court erred

in denying Hall’s motion for a mistrial. Because the trial court properly exercised its

discretion in discharging the jury, however, double jeopardy does not preclude retrial of

the two counts of first degree child molestation. We reverse and remand for a new trial.

                                           FACTS

       The State charged Hall with two counts of first degree child rape and two counts

of first degree child molestation. 1 A jury trial in Snohomish County Superior Court

began on October 15, 2019. The case was submitted to the jury on October 23, 2019.

On the eighth day of deliberations, November 1, the bailiff received a question from the

jury. The bailiff described the event as follows:

       So I received the juror question asking me if Juror 4 could be dismissed.
       The juror stated that she was not ill but just wanted to leave, and they
       asked if they could call in the alternate. I told them that if they did that,
       they’d have to start over and that generally that’s not what the alternate is
       for, but they told me to ask it anyway.

       After the exchange, the bailiff requested the jury write its question on one of the

jury forms. The jury question stated, “Juror # 4 would like to be dismissed and an

alternate to take her place.” Then, according to the bailiff:

       The jury rang again about 20 minutes later and asked what would happen
       if they reached a verdict of guilty on two counts and did not answer the
       other ones. I said that that is not a question I can answer, but if you want
       to write it down, we can call the attorneys in. And they said that they
       would wait until they heard back on the first question.

       1 The issues on appeal focus on the jury deliberations. Thus, this opinion summarizes those
events only, and not the facts related to the crimes charged.

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No. 80996-2-I/3

       After receiving the jury’s initial question, the trial court began a colloquy with

counsel. Defense counsel was en route to court and participated at first by telephone.

Shortly after, the trial court received a second inquiry from the jury about a verdict. The

colloquy was halted until defense counsel arrived in court. When defense counsel

arrived, the court informed the parties that it had received a second inquiry from the

jury. The notice stated, “We have a verdict on 1 and 2. Can we leave 3 and 4 blank or

hung?”

       Before the court could address this question, defense counsel moved for a

mistrial based on juror misconduct over the exchange with the bailiff, as well as the

potential discussion of the case outside of deliberations. Rather than decide on the

motion, the court proposed polling the jury. Defense counsel did not object.

       The court brought in the jury and instructed them that the questions asked would

require yes or no answers only. The court first asked the presiding juror, “There is an

indication that a verdict has been reached on one or more of the counts; is that

correct?” The juror answered yes. The court then asked, “Yes or no, is there a

reasonable probability of the jury reaching a verdict as to all of the counts within a

reasonable length of time,” to which the presiding juror also answered yes. The court

then asked the remaining jurors the same questions—all jurors answered yes to first; all

but two answered no to the second.

       Following the polling, the jury returned to the jury room and the trial court brought

out each juror individually to ask if the bailiff’s comments about the substitution of juror 4

influenced their responses to the previous questions. All jurors answered no.

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No. 80996-2-I/4

       After concluding the polling, the trial court denied Hall’s motion for mistrial. The

trial court explained that while it violated the jury’s instruction not to write questions

suggesting its verdict, the jury could still change its mind in accordance with the

instruction on the law. The court then proposed that it ask the jury if its initial request for

juror 4 to withdraw was still outstanding and, if not, that it instruct the jury to return to

deliberations.

       The trial court again called in the jury and asked if the request that juror 4 be

dismissed was withdrawn. The presiding juror answered that the request was

withdrawn. The court then instructed the jury that if it had questions about how to

respond on their verdict forms, or if there is an inability to reach a verdict, they already

have instructions in their packet.

       Within 10 minutes of the jury returning to deliberations, the trial court received

notice that juror 4 wanted to be excused. The court then brought in juror 4 to inquire

into the reason they wanted to be excused. The following exchange occurred:

               THE COURT: . . . I am going to try and ask some questions to
       understand why you would like to be excused. So I am going to try to ask
       this in a series of yes/no questions, and if I don’t get to the right question, I
       will ask you to identify that I still have not gotten to the right place. Okay?
               So are you asking to be excused because you are unable to
       continue as a juror in this case because of other obligations or something
       else that’s a responsibility of yours outside [of] this courthouse?

                 JUROR 4: No.

              THE COURT: Okay. Are you asking to be excused because of the
       deliberations themselves, either the questions you are being called to
       answer as a juror in this case or just the process of deliberations?

                 JUROR 4: If I understand your question then, yes.

                 THE COURT: So what do you think my question is asking?

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No. 80996-2-I/5

             JUROR 4: I am asking to be excused because the charges that we
      are deliberating are difficult for me.

             THE COURT: Is that the nature or is that the basis for your request
      or—

             JUROR 4: Deep down it is. Am I allowed to talk right now?

             THE COURT: I guess I am—I want to be very careful in part
      because it is essential that your remarks not reveal to any of us the
      deliberations that the jury has been engaged in now. Today is day eight of
      jury deliberations, so it is evident that the jury has been committed to this
      process for an extended period of time. Does the length of the
      deliberations have anything to do with your request to be excused?

            JUROR 4: No. I think I could answer about it. I am just terrified of
      making the wrong call. Like—

             THE COURT: All right.

             JUROR 4: —it’s a lot of responsibility and a lot of weight.

             THE COURT: Anything else you think we should know?

             JUROR 4: It’s really hard to be in a room with 11 other people all
      day long.

             THE COURT: Anything else?

             JUROR 4: (Juror 4 nodded.)

             THE COURT: Do you feel that at this point in time your—you have
      been able to fulfill your role as a juror in accordance with the Court’s
      instructions in the law?

             JUROR 4: Have I done it so far?

             THE COURT: Yes.

             JUROR 4: Yeah.

The parties had no questions and juror 4 returned to the jury room.

      Defense counsel again expressed her concerns that juror 4 may be hastened or

coerced. The court declined to dismiss juror 4 and, instead, concluded that under CrR

                                           -5-
No. 80996-2-I/6

6.10 it would direct the jury to return the decisions that they had made at that point and

to declare mistrial as to any counts that they had not yet agreed on “whatever that

agreement [was].” The court expressed that it did not know whether the jury could do it

that day or when the courthouse opened the following Monday. The court delivered

final instructions to the jury:

               THE COURT: Please be seated. Members of the jury, I asked you
       all to be brought in because I am going to give you an instruction at this
       point in the case. The information that I have received by—from the
       questions I have asked you indicates that the jury should be directed to
       return whatever verdict you have reached on the counts that you have
       addressed and that a mistrial should be declared as to any counts you
       have not been able to unanimously address. I know you don’t have the
       materials with you in this department’s jury room, so those will be brought
       to you. I am not telling you that you need to do that at this moment in
       time, but the courthouse will be open for a while longer this evening, and
       then it will be open again on Monday. Does that make sense? It does not
       make sense? Okay. So the presiding juror is shaking her head.

               There is a process that the Court follows when it appears that the
       jury will not be able to reach a unanimous decision as to any or all counts
       in a case. There are many factors that a judge in my position weighs
       when considering that question, and here I have concluded that the
       deliberations, which have been ongoing for eight days. You have been a
       responsible and conscientious jury in terms of arriving promptly every
       morning, starting your deliberations by about 9:30, deliberating through
       the lunch period and well into the afternoon, usually leaving about 3:00 or
       3:30 each afternoon. It demonstrates to the Court that collectively you
       have extended considerable effort to address all of the issues that have
       been put before you.

               At this time I am—based on your earlier declaration that you have
       reached a verdict as to one or more counts, I am indicating that it is a
       time—this is the time to reflect that on the verdict form or verdict forms
       and that as to the other matters that you have not been able to address
       unanimously, the Court is prepared to discharge you from further service
       in this case. Does that make sense now? Juror No. 9, the presiding juror
       is shaking her head. Does that make sense to the rest of you?

               I am going to excuse you to our closest jury room, which is the one
       in the courtroom at this time. If you feel more comfortable back in the jury

                                            -6-
No. 80996-2-I/7

       room where you have been deliberating today, you may certainly go there.
       That is entirely up to you. Please rise for the jury.

       Fourteen minutes after this instruction, the jury returned a verdict finding Hall

guilty of two counts of first degree child rape and returned blank verdict forms for two

counts of first degree child molestation. The court declared a mistrial on the two counts

of first degree child molestation. Following the verdict, Hall moved for a new trial,

relying in part on declarations of jurors 4 and 12. The trial court denied the motion for a

new trial.

       The trial court imposed an indeterminate cumulative sentence for both first

degree child rape convictions of 160 months to life, imposed several conditions of

community custody, and required Hall to pay community custody supervision fees.

       Hall appeals.

                                        ANALYSIS

       A. Bailiff’s Communications

       Hall argues that the bailiff’s communication to the jury had a possible prejudicial

impact requiring reversal and a new trial. We agree.

       RCW 4.44.300 forbids a bailiff from communicating with the jury during its

deliberations, except to inquire if they have reached a verdict. The statute was

“designed to insulate the jury from out-of-court communications that may prejudice their

verdict.” State v. Crowell, 92 Wn.2d 143, 147, 594 P.2d 905 (1979). The bailiff is in a

sense the “alter ego” of the judge, and improper communication between the court and

the jury is an error of constitutional dimensions impacting the right to a fair and impartial

jury. State v. Bourgeois, 133 Wn.2d 389, 407, 945 P.2d 1120 (1997).

                                             -7-
No. 80996-2-I/8

        We review a trial court’s order granting or denying a new trial motion for an

abuse of discretion. Crowell, 92 Wn.2d at 145. A stronger showing of an abuse of

discretion is needed to set aside an order granting a new trial than, as here, one

denying a new trial. Crowell, 92 Wn.2d at 146.

        In ruling on a motion for mistrial based on communications between the bailiff

and jury, “the trial court simply should have ‘attempt[ed] to discover what was said [by

the bailiff] and examine the remarks for their possible prejudicial impact.’” Crowell, 92

Wn.2d at 147 (emphasis omitted) (alterations in original) (quoting State v. Christensen,

17 Wn. App. 922, 926, 567 P.2d 654 (1977)). 2 The jurors should not be “questioned as

to whether they were influenced by the conversation with the bailiff, and their opinions

on that subject cannot be considered by the court in determining whether the alleged

conduct was prejudicial.” Crowell, 92 Wn.2d at 146-47. “[N]either the trial court nor we

can consider a juror’s statements as to whether the conversation with the bailiff

influenced the jury; such effects inhere in the verdict and cannot be used to impeach it.”

Christensen, 17 Wn. App. at 925-26 (emphasis omitted).

        Christensen is informative. There, Division Two considered several interactions

between the bailiff and jury. On the first, the jury foreperson requested a transcript of

the trial proceeding or, alternatively, a reading of the record. The bailiff properly

informed the jury that the request could not be met. Next, the foreperson requested

“clarification on the legal points of [the jury’s] instructions to see if [it] could get them a

little bit clearer.” Rather than relaying the request to the judge, the bailiff advised the

        2   Contrary to the State’s assertion, the truthfulness of the bailiff’s statements do not foreclose
them from having a possible prejudicial impact. See Christensen, 17 Wn. App. at 924-25 (holding that the
bailiff’s comments about the impracticability of reconvening court to consider its questions hastened the
jury’s verdict).

                                                    -8-
No. 80996-2-I/9

jury that such a clarification would involve reconvening all of the courtroom principals—a

procedure that could take hours—and that the court “‘didn’t like to do it because of the

time factor involved.’” Christensen, 17 Wn. App. at 925. The foreperson later asked

what would happen if the jury could not return verdicts on all counts, to which the bailiff

responded the defendant “‘would have to be retried on anything [that the jury] couldn’t

reach a verdict on.’” Christensen, 17 Wn. App. at 925.

       After hearing argument, the Christensen trial court determined that the bailiff’s

comments had been made after the jury had reached the verdict on the substantive

crimes thereby rendering a mistrial unnecessary. Christensen, 17 Wn. App. at 925.

Division Two reversed, holding that “[a]fter review of the entire record, we cannot say

that we do not have any reasonable doubt that the bailiff’s remarks had no prejudicial

effect on the jury.” Christensen, 17 Wn. App. at 926.

       The State argues that Christensen is inapposite because juror 4 asked to be

excused despite the bailiff’s comment and, thus, the jury’s actions would have been the

same regardless of the interaction with the bailiff. The State further points out that the

trial court polled the jurors after they returned their verdict and all, including juror 4,

confirmed that they agreed with the verdict.

       The State’s argument, however, ignores the trial time line. After 8 days of

deliberations, a mere 20 minutes elapsed between the jury being informed that if juror 4

were excused they would have to start all over and the jury reaching a verdict. The

jury’s actions imply potential prejudice that is perhaps more severe than that in

Christensen, where the jury continued deliberations for an extended time despite the

bailiff’s remarks. It is at least possible that the bailiff’s comments resulted in juror 4

                                               -9-
No. 80996-2-I/10

being pressured to reach a verdict. Consistent with Christensen, examining the record

as a whole “we cannot say that we do not have any reasonable doubt that the bailiff’s

remarks had no prejudicial effect on the jury.” 3 Christensen, 17 Wn. App. at 926.

        B. Double Jeopardy

        Hall argues that double jeopardy precludes retrial of the two counts of first

degree child molestation. We disagree.

        If a trial court “precipitously discharges the jury without disclosing an adequate

basis for such discharge, a retrial will be denied on the basis of double jeopardy.” State

v. McCullum, 28 Wn. App. 145, 150-51, 622 P.2d 873 (1981), rev’d on other grounds,

98 Wn.2d 484, 656 P.2d 1064 (1983). We accord great deference to a trial court’s

decision to declare a jury deadlocked and thus a mistrial. State v. Jones, 97 Wn.2d

159, 163-64, 641 P.2d 708 (1982) (quoting Arizona v. Washington, 434 U.S. 497, 510,

98 S. Ct. 824, 54 L. Ed. 2d 717 (1978)). In making its decision, the trial court principally

considers “the length of time the jury had been deliberating in light of the length of the

trial and the volume and complexity of the evidence.” State v. Taylor, 109 Wn.2d 438,

443, 745 P.2d 510 (1987). The court may also consider any progress in the

deliberations. Taylor, 109 W.2d at 443.

        To explain its decision to declare a mistrial, the trial court stated:

        Let me express more fully on the record than I have that my decision to
        declare a mistrial as to whatever count or counts that have not yet
        reached a unanimous verdict on is founded on several factors. First, they
        have been deliberating for many days and conscientiously by all
        appearances. The fact that two of the jurors when polled indicated that
        they didn’t believe that the jury could reach a verdict on all counts within a
        reasonable length of time indicates at least some concern that that is true.
         3 While the trial court polled the jury to determine whether the bailiff’s remarks influenced their

verdict, that inquiry was improper and inheres in the verdict. We will not consider the inquiry on appeal.
Christensen, 17 Wn. App. at 925-26.

                                                    -10-
No. 80996-2-I/11

       But persuasively the fact that Juror No. 4 would simply like to be excused,
       and I think her words were she is terrified of making the wrong decision
       indicates to the Court that, indeed, to direct the jury to go back and
       continue deliberations could produce a verdict that is not a reflection of a
       freely given decision by all jurors. And, accordingly, it is appropriate to
       declare a mistrial as to any counts that has not been decided unanimously
       by the jury. So I will be in recess until we hear further from the jury or
       some other matter comes up.

       Here, the trial court provided an adequate explanation regarding its decision to

discharge the jury on the two counts of first degree child molestation. The jury had

deliberated for eight days, had reported that it was hung on the two molestation counts

and, when it was questioned whether it could reach a verdict on all counts, two jurors

replied that they could not. Further, juror 4 renewed her request for excusal, citing the

difficulty that she was having in making a decision and being in the jury room with

eleven people for such an extended period of time. Thus, the declaration of a mistrial

was proper and double jeopardy does not preclude retrial of the two counts of first

degree child molestation.

       Reversed and remanded for a new trial.

WE CONCUR:

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