89 Wash. App. 530 | Wash. Ct. App. | 1997
Lead Opinion
Elve Robinson appeals his conviction for unlawful imprisonment and second degree rape, arguing that the trial court should have granted his motion for a new trial because his attorney improperly prevented him from exercising his right to testify at trial. While we agree that his attorney acted improperly,
On August 8, 1995, Robinson was charged with one count of rape in the second degree and one count of unlawful imprisonment. The State alleged that on August 2, 1995, Robinson drove D.M. to the Northwoods Motel in Blaine where he raped her. At the end of the second day of trial, the court held Robinson’s trial counsel in contempt for his disrespectful comments to the court outside the presence of the jury and ordered him to pay a $500 fine. The court then recessed for the day.
The next morning, the defense presented its final witness and rested. The court excused the jury while it heard the parties’ exceptions to the proposed instructions. During these discussions, the court again held Robinson’s trial counsel in contempt because of his disrespectful attitude to the court, and then recessed. Neither of the contempt citations was related to defense counsel’s presentation of Robinson’s defense. Both involved remarks he made in response to the court’s rulings.
A month later, Robinson appeared pro se before Judge Mura to ask that he be allowed to discharge his counsel, and an attorney from defense counsel’s office appeared and asked that he be allowed to withdraw. Robinson also moved for a new trial, contending that he had received ineffective assistance of counsel and that his attorney had interfered with his right to testify on his own behalf. The court noted that Robinson had not filed a motion for a new trial within 10 days after the jury returned its verdict as required by CrR 7.6(b), but extended the deadline by an additional 10 days, as permitted under the rule, to allow Robinson to file the motion. The court observed that defense counsel was capable and competent to file a motion for a new trial and that the contempt orders were based not on his presentation of the case but on his behavior outside the jury’s presence. In light of Robinson’s concerns, however, the court allowed defense counsel to withdraw and appointed the public defender as substitute counsel.
Substitute counsel for Robinson, Jon Ostlund, filed a
The trial court denied the motion for a new trial. It noted that no one had said anything to the court or its staff about Robinson’s desire to change his earlier position and testify until after the jury returned its verdict. At a minimum, the court would have expected Robinson to say something when defense counsel proposed an instruction, after Robinson said he changed his mind, telling the jury it could not use his decision to remain silent against him. The court also noted that former counsel had delivered a good closing argument on Robinson’s behalf and observed:
Mr. Robinson has had no problems expressing his own opinion contrary to statements of attorneys in the courtroom after the verdict is rendered and I think he would have been just as capable before the verdict was rendered.
The defense then filed a motion for reconsideration to
[H] e sat all the way through argument, sat here after argument, he was here before argument and when I was going over with [former counsel] the matters he and I were addressing, there was never, ever an indication [that he wanted to testify].
DISCUSSION
A court may grant a new trial where it appears that one of the defendant’s substantial rights was materially affected. CrR 7.6(a)(8). A trial court’s ruling on a motion for a new trial will not be reversed on appeal absent an abuse of discretion.
A defendant has a constitutional right to testify on his or her own behalf,
Robinson not only failed to take the stand while the defense was presenting its case, but he also admits that he
The real question then is what was required to revoke that waiver after the defense had rested. We hold that if a defendant who has waived his right to testify does not bring his desire to change that decision to the court’s attention until after trial, he must submit, in addition to his own testimony and that of his attorney, a description of what his testimony would have been had he testified. This is necessary to give the court a basis to determine whether the testimony would have made a difference to the outcome of the trial. If it would not, there is no prejudice and no need for a new trial.
Here, it is undisputed that the court received no indication from Robinson that he wanted to change his
The question remains whether Robinson received ineffective assistance of counsel when his attorney failed to inform the court that Robinson wanted to revoke his waiver and to testify A defendant receives ineffective assistance of counsel if the attorney conduct at issue (1) falls below a minimum objective standard of reasonable attorney conduct, and (2) there is a reasonable probability that the outcome would have been different but for the attorney’s
Defense counsel’s failure to pass on Robinson’s request to the court fell below the standard. It cannot be characterized as legitimate trial strategy in light of his own admission that he did do so because he wanted to finish the trial as quickly as possible.
Affirmed.
Counsel on appeal was not trial counsel.
State v. Copeland, 130 Wn.2d 244, 294, 922 P.2d 1304 (1996); State v. Dawkins, 71 Wn. App. 902, 907, 863 P.2d 124 (1993).
State v. Thomas, 128 Wn.2d 553, 556, 910 P.2d 475 (1996).
Thomas, 128 Wn.2d at 557, 560; In re Personal Restraint of Lord, 123 Wn.2d 296, 317, 868 P.2d 835 (1994).
Thomas, 128 Wn.2d at 560; Lord, 123 Wn.2d at 317.
Thomas, 128 Wn.2d at 559-60.
Thomas, 128 Wn.2d at 560 (citing United States v. Martinez, 883 F.2d 750, 760 (9th Cir. 1989), vacated on other grounds by 928 F.2d 1470, cert. denied, 501 U.S. 1249 (1991)).
See Martinez, 883 F.2d at 756 (right to remain silent is more zealously guarded than the right to testify); Ortega v. O’Leary, 843 F.2d 258, 261 (7th Cir.) (although a defendant’s right to testify is fundamental, there are limitations on its exercise such as the accommodation of legitimate interests in the trial process), cert. denied, 488 U.S. 841 (1988); Thomas, 128 Wn.2d at 558-59.
See State v. Peyton, 29 Wn. App. 701, 718, 630 P.2d 1362 (no ineffective assistance of counsel claim based on attorney’s alleged refusal to allow defendants to testify absent an offer of proof or other indication of what the substance of their testimony would have been), review denied, 96 Wn.2d 1024 (1981). See also Ortega, 843 F.2d at 262 (applying harmless error test where court refused to allow defendant to testify even though he asserted his wish to do so during trial).
In re Detention of Haga, 87 Wn. App. 937, 943 P.2d 395 (1997), is distinguishable. In Haga, the defendant made an unequivocal demand to testify during presentation of the defense case. Here, in contrast, Robinson did not assert his right to testify until after the defense had rested. We note that the court in People v. Alcala, 4 Cal. 4th 742, 805-06, 842 P.2d 1192 (1992), cert. denied, 510 U.S. 877 (1993), a case cited in Haga, agreed with the position we are taking here. It held that, where the record fails to disclose a timely demand to testify, reversal may not be predicated on a claim that the defendant was deprived of his right to testify. See Haga, 87 Wn. App. at 940.
State v. Benn, 120 Wn.2d 631, 663, 845 P.2d 289 (citing Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. 668, 687-88, 104 S. Ct. 2052, 80 L. Ed. 2d 674 (1984)), cert. denied, 510 U.S. 944 (1993).
State v. Ray, 116 Wn.2d 531, 548, 806 P.2d 1220 (1991).
It is worth noting that although Robinson’s attorney apparently failed to consider them, there may also have been valid strategic reasons for not reopening the defense case, especially since the entire defense strategy—developed when neither counsel nor his client was upset—was premised on Robinson’s remaining silent.
State v. Hendrickson, 129 Wn.2d 61, 78, 917 P.2d 563 (1996).
Peyton, 29 Wn. App. at 718.
Neither of the issues raised in Robinson’s pro se brief has merit. Robinson first argues that the fact that he apologized after the first assault made any evidence of that assault inadmissible. There is no legal doctrine or statute that gives an apology the significance Robinson would assign it. Uncharged criminal activity, moreover, is admissible under exceptions to ER 404(b) (evidence of other wrongs is admissible to show preparation or plan). Robinson’s contention that there is insufficient evidence to establish that the victim was placed in fear of physical injury is also without merit. The victim testified that Robinson struck her multiple times and punched her in the face when she attempted to leave the motel room, forced her to take off her clothes, threatened her verbally, and forced her to consume alcohol and to perform sex acts. She also testified that she thought he had a weapon and did not try to escape because she feared he was nearby at all times.
Concurrence Opinion
(concurring in part, dissenting in part) — I write separately to indicate my belief that the majority correctly invokes the prevailing rule: Where a defendant is prevented from testifying by his attorney’s deficient performance, he or she should make an offer of proof outlining what the testimony would have been, so the trial court and then the reviewing court can assess its effect on the outcome. I would, however, remand for a hearing on that issue.
The right to testify is indeed fundamental, and is explicitly protected by the federal and state constitutions. See, e.g., Rock v. Arkansas, 483 U.S. 44, 51-53, 107 S. Ct. 2704, 97 L. Ed. 2d 37 (1987); State v. Thomas, 128 Wn.2d 553, 561-62, 910 P.2d 475 (1996); Wash. Const, art. I, § 22. Robinson has established that his attorney prevented him from testifying. Robinson has thus established deficient performance. He argues that because the right to testify is fundamental, the attorney’s conduct in preventing him from testifying is ineffective assistance per se, and that the usual showing of prejudice under Strickland
The per se rule adopted hy Butts has, however, been criticized in a host of cases. See People v. Solomon, 560 N.W2d 651, 656 (Mich. Ct. App. 1996) (collecting cases and concluding Butts is an anomaly); State v. Arguelles, 921 P.2d 439, 442 (Utah 1996) (same); United States v. Tavares, 100 F.3d 995, 998 (D.C. Cir. 1996), cert. denied, 520 U.S. 1160, 117 S. Ct. 1344, 137 L. Ed. 2d 502 (1997); LaVigne v. State, 812 P.2d 217, 220 (Alaska 1991); State v. Flynn, 190 Wis. 2d 31, 527 N.W.2d 343, 351-52 (1994), review denied, 531 N.W.2d 326 (Wis. 1995), cert. denied, 514 U.S. 1030, 115 S. Ct. 1389, 131 L. Ed. 2d 241 (1995). In all of these cases, and many
In fact, we know of only one other jurisdiction that systematically requires a new trial whenever a defendant has been denied the right to testify. See State v. Walen, 563 N.W.2d 742, 751 n.4 (Minn. 1997) (citing State v. Rosillo, 281 N.W.2d 877, 879 (Minn. 1979), which relied on Seth Dawson, Note, Due Process v. Defense Counsel’s Unilateral Waiver of the Defendant’s Right to Testify, 3 Hastings Const. L.Q. 517 (1976)).
Division II of this court, however, recently appeared to align itself with that position. In re Detention of Haga, 87 Wn. App. 937, 943 P.2d 395 (1997) involved a civil commitment proceeding. Haga wished to testify about his honesty and the validity of some expert testimony. His attorney was opposed to this strategy, and expressed concerns about the proposed testimony’s relevance as well as Haga’s competence and ability to testify truthfully. The court refused to permit Haga to “override” his counsel’s decision, and did not allow Haga to testify. Quoting People v. Robles, 2 Cal. 3d 205, 215, 466 P.2d 710 (1970), Division II stated that when “ ‘a defendant insists that he wants to testify, he cannot be deprived of that opportunity.’ ” Haga, 87 Wn. App. at 940.
The Haga court concluded that denial of such an opportunity is not subject to harmless error analysis, citing United States v. Martinez, 883 F.2d 750, 770 (9th Cir. 1989) and Luce v. United States, 469 U.S. 38, 42, 105 S. Ct. 460, 83 L. Ed. 2d 443 (1984), for the proposition that it is difficult for an appellate court to analyze the impact of an error that causes a defendant not to testify. See Martinez, 883 F.2d at 770 (Reinhardt, J., dissenting);
As previously discussed, most courts hold that where a court prevents a defendant from testifying, reversal is required unless this constitutional error is harmless beyond a reasonable doubt. See, e.g., Solomon, 560 N.W.2d at 655-56, and cases there cited; Ortega v. O’Leary, 843 F.2d 258, 262 (7th Cir. 1988); Wright v. Estelle, 549 F.2d 971, 974 (5th Cir. 1977), opinion adhered to on rehearing, 572 F.2d 1071 (5th Cir. 1978); see also State v. Jones, 101 Wn.2d 113, 124-25, 677 P.2d 131 (1984) (erroneous admission of ER 609 impeachment evidence subject to constitutional harmless error analysis because of nexus with the right to testify). The court in Solomon relied particularly on the discussion in Arizona v. Fulminante, 499 U.S. 279, 308, 111 S. Ct. 1246, 113 L. Ed. 2d 302 (1991), wherein the United States Supreme Court reiterated that the harmless error doctrine is essential in focusing on the underlying fairness of the trial and the factual question of guilt or innocence. The Solomon court concluded, “We agree with the great weight of authority that has concluded that denial of the right to testify is a ‘trial error’ [as opposed to a structural defect in the trial mechanism] and is thus subject to a harmless-error analysis.” Solomon, 560 N.W.2d at 655.
I likewise agree. And it is not apparent why no inquiry should be made into the issue of prejudice where the defendant is prevented from testifying by his counsel, instead of by the court.
But a question does arise: What degree of prejudice need
Other courts have examined this issue and concluded that the Strickland analysis requiring the defendant to demonstrate prejudice should be retained. See, e.g., Arguelles, 921 P.2d at 441-42 (collecting cases). The D.C. Circuit has announced a hybrid test for this precise circumstance, which seems to me an appropriate starting point. In determining whether counsel’s deficient performance prejudiced the defendant, the court both recognizes the special significance of the defendant’s precluded right to testify, and at the same time inquires whether it is reasonably probable that defendant’s testimony would have changed the outcome. Tavares, 100 F.3d at 998.
In my view, however, the special significance of the defendant’s right to testify should lessen the required showing of prejudice. That is, in the unusual case where the defendant can prove he was in fact prevented from testifying by his attorney, there need be only a reasonable possibility—as opposed to a reasonable probability—that the defendant’s testimony would have changed the outcome. In close cases then, the right to testify should prevail.
But we cannot tell here what might have been the effect of Robinson’s testimony, since defendant made no showing regarding his precluded testimony. We therefore cannot resolve the issue on this record.
Robinson points out, however, that the proceedings below gave him no clear opportunity to make such an offer of proof. Although Robinson’s theories included ineffective assistance of counsel, the trial court denied his motion without determining whether his attorney was ineffective,
I thus concur with the majority in its rejection of a per se rule, but would reach a different disposition, and so dissent to the extent the majority declines to remand.
After modification, further reconsideration denied March 9, 1998.
Review granted at 136 Wn.2d 1013 (1998).
Strickland, v. Washington, 466 U.S. 668, 104 S. Ct. 2052, 80 L. Ed. 2d 674 (1984).
Although not identified as such in the opinion, the Haga court relied on the dissent in Martinez, which, along with the majority opinion, has been vacated. Haga, 87 Wn. App. at 940 (citing United States v. Martinez, 883 F.2d 750, 770 (9th Cir. 1989) (Reinhardt, J., dissenting), vacated by 928 F.2d 1470 (9th Cir. 1991)).