Opinion
No. 52362-1-II
08-19-2021
STATE of Washington, Respondent, v. Michael Leon PALMER, Appellant.
Richard Wayne Lechich, Washington Appellate Project, 1511 3rd Ave. Ste. 610 Seattle, WA, 98101-1683, for Appellant. Jason Fielding Walker, Grays Harbor Prosecuting Attorney, 102 W Broadway Ave. Rm. 102, Montesano, WA, 98563-3621, for Respondent.
Richard Wayne Lechich, Washington Appellate Project, 1511 3rd Ave. Ste. 610 Seattle, WA, 98101-1683, for Appellant.
Jason Fielding Walker, Grays Harbor Prosecuting Attorney, 102 W Broadway Ave. Rm. 102, Montesano, WA, 98563-3621, for Respondent.
PUBLISHED OPINION
Veljacic, J.
¶1 Michael Palmer appeals his convictions and sentence for child molestation in the first degree, assault in the fourth degree, and assault of a child in the second degree. He argues that the trial court violated his constitutional rights to counsel, confrontation, self-representation, due process, and against self-incrimination. Because the trial court violated Palmer's constitutional right to counsel, we reverse and remand for a new trial.
FACTS
¶2 Palmer and his girlfriend, DD, moved in together in 2013. They lived together with DD's two biological children from a prior marriage, her son AD, and her daughter PD. PD has a diagnosis of autism. Palmer and DD also had a baby together, LP. Sometime in 2014, the family moved to Washington. Palmer served as caregiver to the children and in that role disciplined both PD and AD. Child Protective Services (CPS) had been involved with the family, taking custody of the children in 2015, but releasing LP to Palmer's custody and PD and AD to DD's custody. Palmer subsequently moved from the family residence with LP, but would visit DD's house on weekends with LP.
¶3 During a family car trip in 2016, Palmer grabbed AD by the neck, leaving a scratch. At some point after the car trip incident, Palmer told DD that PD had touched his penis. Thereafter, PD disclosed to DD that Palmer had touched her vagina. Approximately four months after PD's disclosure, DD contacted law enforcement. Law enforcement authorities interviewed the children on two separate occasions.
¶4 Detective Richard Ramirez participated in PD's interview during which he learned of the accusations against Palmer. Eventually, Ramirez took Palmer into custody, read him Miranda rights, and questioned him. Ramirez ended the questioning after Palmer repeatedly refused to admit to any wrongdoing. Ramirez returned the next morning for additional questioning, but Palmer refused to talk. The State charged Palmer with one count of child molestation in the first degree and two counts of assault of a child in the second degree.
Miranda v. Arizona , 384 U.S. 436, 86 S. Ct. 1602, 16 L. Ed. 2d 694 (1966).
¶5 While the case was pending, Palmer had several disputes with his appointed attorneys. Palmer's first appointed attorney requested to withdraw due to the absence of a working relationship. When the trial court asked Palmer whether he wanted to dismiss counsel, Palmer responded that he was already preparing a "motion to dismiss" his attorney due to ineffective assistance of counsel. Report of Proceedings (RP) (Oct. 27, 2017) at 3. Palmer said the basis of the motion was that counsel failed to show up to appointments, and he felt counsel had lied to him. The court granted the first attorney's request to withdraw.
¶6 The trial court appointed a second attorney. A few months later, Palmer's second attorney told the court that he was close to requesting to withdraw because communications between he and Palmer had become strained. Approximately a month after that, Palmer informed the court that he was claiming ineffective assistance of counsel against his second attorney. He told the court that he did not want his attorney to withdraw, but instead wanted him to conduct further investigation to acquire additional evidence. The attorney believed the investigations Palmer wanted would be inappropriate. Based on Palmer's statements that he did not want counsel to withdraw, the court kept the second attorney on the case.
¶7 A couple of days later, the second attorney requested to withdraw because Palmer no longer trusted him and had accused him of lying. Counsel also stated that there had been a complete breakdown in the attorney-client relationship. The court denied the attorney's motion and requested that counsel finish an ongoing CrR 3.5 child hearsay and child competency hearing. After the hearing, counsel again requested to withdraw, this time citing his safety and professional standing. The court made no findings or inquiry regarding why counsel felt his safety was at risk but nonetheless granted the second attorney's request and allowed him to withdraw.
¶8 The trial court appointed a third attorney to represent Palmer. When Palmer asked whether he could receive a standby attorney in case the third attorney withdrew, the court told Palmer, "You have all the attorneys you are going to get right there." RP (Mar. 12, 2018) at 35. The court did not inform Palmer of the risks he would face if he dismissed the third attorney and proceeded pro se.
¶9 Three months later, Palmer wrote an extensive memorandum detailing ineffective assistance of counsel claims against his third attorney. He also named this third attorney in a federal civil rights lawsuit. Counsel requested to withdraw, and the trial court granted his request. The court made no findings regarding counsel's request to withdraw.
¶10 After Palmer's third assigned attorney withdrew, the trial court determined that Palmer had waived his right to counsel via his conduct. The court explained that Palmer had intentionally delayed trial by creating "artificial, unfounded, and unwarranted conflicts" with his previously appointed attorneys. RP (June 15, 208) at 202. The court refused to provide Palmer with another attorney, forcing him to proceed pro se. The court appointed a fourth attorney as Palmer's standby counsel because the law library was inaccessible to Palmer. After his attorneys had withdrawn, Palmer sought to acquire additional discovery from the State.
¶11 Prior to trial, the State moved to have AD and PD face away from Palmer while they testified and asked the court to have standby counsel conduct the questioning on Palmer's behalf. The State conceded that while "the RCWs" allow complaining witnesses to testify via one-way teleconferencing, the statute does not apply to pro se defendants. RP (June 29, 2018) at 50. The trial court determined that "children are entitled to be treated carefully in court," and granted the State's request. RP (June 29, 2018) at 58. The court made no findings that AD or PD would suffer emotional detriment if required to testify while facing Palmer or if Palmer questioned them.
While "the RCWs" are voluminous, the State may have been referring to RCW 9A.44.150.
¶12 During the trial, DD testified about an incident she witnessed where Palmer grabbed AD by the neck, leaving a mark that was later seen by a social service organization. She also testified about an incident that Palmer had told her about, saying, "Mr. Palmer had said that ... he had been in bed naked while I was shopping, and he was watching the kids, and [PD] had gotten into the bed to play with his penis." RP (July 3, 2018) at 292. DD further testified that when she asked PD whether Palmer had touched her vagina, PD told her yes. The State questioned Ramirez at trial and asked if he had spoken to Palmer after his initial interview. In the presence of the jury, Ramirez testified that he "went back the next morning, thinking that, you know, a day sitting in the county jail, you know, there's some time to think, and maybe Mr. Palmer would want to do the right thing here." RP (July 5, 2018) at 75. Ramirez further testified that he told Palmer, "You've had some time to think. Do you want to talk?" and that Palmer responded that he did not want to talk. RP (July 5, 2018) at 75.
¶13 Also at trial, the court required standby counsel to read Palmer's questions to AD and PD in lieu of Palmer conducting the cross-examination, as he had with the other witnesses. Before standby counsel read Palmer's questions to PD, the court clarified standby counsel's role, telling the jury that counsel was not acting as an attorney cross-examining the witness, but rather as a conduit for Palmer. The court repeated this explanation before AD's testimony. The court also told the jury that standby counsel was asking questions prepared by Palmer, which is in fact what occurred.
¶14 Palmer testified at trial. He admitted to touching PD's vagina, but asserted that the touching was inadvertent and occurred as a defensive reaction when he attempted to push PD away. He also admitted to physically disciplining AD and PD.
¶15 A jury convicted Palmer of child molestation in the first degree, assault in the fourth degree, and assault of a child in the second degree. The trial court sentenced Palmer to an indeterminate sentence of 82 months to life imprisonment and ordered 18 months of community custody for his assault of a child in the second degree conviction and 12 months of community custody for his assault in the fourth degree charge. The court also imposed several community custody conditions.
¶16 Palmer appeals his convictions and sentence.
ANALYSIS
I. RIGHT TO COUNSEL
¶17 Palmer argues that he was wrongly deprived of his right to counsel when the trial court determined he had forfeited his right due to misconduct. We agree.
A. Standard of Review
¶18 Palmer challenges the constitutionality of the trial court's holding that he waived his right to counsel. Constitutional challenges are issues of law, and we review such challenges de novo. State v. Price , 169 Wash. App. 652, 655-56, 281 P.3d 331 (2012).
B. Legal Principles
¶19 A criminal defendant has a constitutional right to the assistance of counsel. U.S. CONST. amend. VI ; WASH. CONST. art. I, § 22. However, such right does not entitle a defendant to deliberately or inadvertently delay trial by his dilatory conduct. State v. Stutzke , 2 Wash. App. 2d 927, 937, 413 P.3d 1037 (2018). A defendant can lose the right to counsel through forfeiture, waiver, or waiver by conduct. Id .
¶20 Violation of the right to counsel is a "structural error" not subject to the harmless error analysis. Arizona v. Fulminante , 499 U.S. 279, 309-10, 111 S. Ct. 1246, 113 L. Ed. 2d 302 (1991). "[D]eprivation of the right to counsel at trial ... [is a] structural defect[ ] in the constitution of the trial mechanism, which def[ies] analysis by ‘harmless-error’ standards. The entire conduct of the trial from beginning to end is obviously affected by the absence of counsel for a criminal defendant." Id .
C. Palmer Was Deprived of His Right to Counsel
¶21 The trial court failed to adequately inform Palmer that his conduct would result in the loss of counsel, and Palmer's behavior did not rise to the level of extremely dilatory conduct. Therefore, we conclude that the trial court deprived Palmer of his right to counsel when it refused to appoint him an additional attorney.
1. Palmer Did Not Forfeit His Right to Counsel
¶22 Forfeiture of the right to counsel requires a defendant to have engaged in "extremely dilatory" conduct. City of Tacoma v. Bishop , 82 Wash. App. 850, 859, 920 P.2d 214 (1996). Forfeiture results in the loss of the right to counsel regardless of whether the court has warned the defendant of the consequences of their misconduct or the risks of proceeding without counsel. Id . Conduct that prevents an attorney from preparing a defense may constitute " ‘extremely dilatory conduct.’ " In re Dependency of E.P. , 136 Wash. App. 401, 405-406, 149 P.3d 440 (2006) (internal quotation marks omitted) (quoting In re Welfare of G.E. , 116 Wash. App. 326, 334, 65 P.3d 1219 (2003) ). While E.P. discussed the right to counsel in a dependency context, the legal principles apply here.
A study of the authorities discussed herein shows that "extremely dilatory conduct" under the forfeiture theory is distinct from both voluntary waiver , and separately, "dilatory tactics and misconduct" under the waiver by conduct theory.
¶23 In E.P. , a mother was appointed two different attorneys to represent her in her child's dependency hearing. 136 Wash. App. at 403-04, 149 P.3d 440. The first attorney withdrew after the mother failed to communicate. Id . The second attorney withdrew for the same reason and argued that he had no information on how the mother wished to proceed so he could not represent her. Id . at 404, 149 P.3d 440. After the mother failed to show up for the hearing, the family court terminated her parental rights. Id . On appeal, the mother argued that she was denied the right to counsel. Id . The court determined that the mother's complete failure to communicate with her attorneys constituted extremely dilatory conduct. Id . at 406, 149 P.3d 440. Further, the court ruled that she had forfeited her right to counsel because of her extremely dilatory conduct. Id .
¶24 A defendant also engages in extremely dilatory conduct when they are abusive or threatening towards their attorney. United States v. Thomas , 357 F.3d 357, 362-63 (3rd Cir. 2004). In Thomas , the court found that the defendant had threatened to harm his attorney, tore up his correspondence, refused to provide the names of potential witnesses, hung up on him over the phone, and demanded that he file frivolous claims. Id . at 363. On appeal, the Third Circuit Court of Appeals determined that the defendant's threatening and abusive behavior constituted extremely dilatory conduct, resulting in his forfeiture of the right to counsel. Id .
¶25 Here, Palmer's behavior did not constitute extremely dilatory conduct. Palmer was clearly dissatisfied with all three of his appointed attorneys. Palmer's dissatisfaction resulted in several substitutions of counsel, which delayed his trial, as each substitution necessitated a continuance. However, while Palmer's conduct resulted in delays, the only support in the record that his conduct was extremely dilatory comes from his third attorney's comment that he feared for his personal safety. The State claims Palmer threatened his attorney, but the record does not support this assertion. The State references judicial findings but there are no such findings in the record before us. Because the record does not show that Palmer's behavior was threatening or abusive like the defendant's behavior in Thomas , or that he refused to communicate with his attorneys, like the mother in E.P ., we cannot conclude that Palmer engaged in extremely dilatory conduct. Consequently, we hold that Palmer did not forfeit his right to counsel. We next turn to voluntary waiver.
2. Palmer Did Not Voluntarily Waive his Right to Counsel
¶26 Voluntary waiver occurs when a defendant voluntarily decides to proceed without the assistance of counsel. Faretta v. California , 422 U.S. 806, 819-21, 95 S. Ct. 2525, 45 L. Ed. 2d 562 (1975) ; State v. Madsen , 168 Wash.2d 496, 503-04, 229 P.3d 714 (2010). To validly and effectively waive the right to counsel, the record must unequivocally demonstrate that the accused knowingly, intelligently, and voluntarily waived assistance of counsel. Faretta , 422 U.S. at 819-21, 95 S.Ct. 2525. Nothing in the record before us demonstrates that Palmer expressly waived his right to counsel. We next turn to waiver by conduct.
3. Palmer Did Not Waive His Right to Counsel by Conduct
¶27 A defendant may also waive their right to counsel by conduct. Stutzke , 2 Wash. App. 2d at 937-38, 413 P.3d 1037. Waiver by conduct occurs when the court advises a defendant of (1) the dangers of proceeding pro se as required for voluntary waiver, and (2) that the defendant will lose the right to counsel if they engage in dilatory tactics or misconduct . Id . This is notably distinct from "extremely dilatory conduct" under forfeiture.
¶28 The trial court failed to inform Palmer of the risks of proceeding pro se. The State asserts that the trial court informed Palmer that the third attorney would be his last assigned attorney. But, even assuming the trial court unambiguously told Palmer that it would not assign him another attorney (which we do not conclude here), the court did not warn Palmer of the risks of proceeding pro se. Without such warning, Palmer could not have waived his right to counsel by conduct. See Id . We conclude accordingly.
4. Conclusion
¶29 The trial court erred in determining Palmer had waived his right to counsel and thereby violated this right by requiring Palmer to proceed pro se. The violation of Palmer's right to counsel is a structural error, and therefore, we reverse and remand for a new trial.
¶30 Although our holding regarding Palmer's right to counsel is dispositive, we address some additional issues which are likely to arise on remand.
II. RIGHTS OF CONFRONTATION, SELF-REPRESENTATION, AND PRESUMPTION OF INNOCENCE
¶31 Palmer argues that the trial court violated his confrontation right, his right to self-representation, and his right to the presumption of innocence by forcing him to question AD and PD through standby counsel, and by allowing AD and PD to face away from him while testifying. We agree that the trial court failed to conduct the analysis that was essential to ensure Palmer's rights were not violated.
A. The Trial Court Violated Palmer's Right of Confrontation, Right of Self-Representation, and Right to the Presumption of Innocence
¶32 Constitutional challenges are issues of law we review de novo. Price , 169 Wash. App. at 655-56, 281 P.3d 331. The confrontation clause states that "in all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right ... to be confronted with the witnesses against him." U.S. CONST. amend. VI. In general, the confrontation clause reflects a preference for face-to-face confrontation that must occasionally give way to public policy and the necessities of a case. State v. Foster , 135 Wash.2d 441, 456-57, 957 P.2d 712 (1998). Washington's constitution provides a similar preference for face-to-face confrontation. WASH. CONST. art. I, § 22 ; State v. Martin , 171 Wash.2d 521, 531, 252 P.3d 872 (2011).
¶33 Under the Sixth Amendment to the United States Constitution, generally, a court may dispense with the usually preferred face-to-face confrontation for child witnesses in abuse cases: "[I]f the State makes an adequate showing of necessity, the state interest in protecting child witnesses from the trauma of testifying in a child abuse case is sufficiently important to justify the use of a special procedure that permits a child witness in such cases to testify at trial against a defendant in the absence of face-to-face confrontation with the defendant." Maryland v. Craig , 497 U.S. 836, 855, 110 S. Ct. 3157, 111 L. Ed. 2d 666 (1990). Violations of a pro se defendant's confrontation right may also violate such defendant's right to self-representation because how to confront a witness is an important strategic decision for a self-represented litigant. See State v. Coristine , 177 Wash.2d 370, 376, 300 P.3d 400 (2013) (recognizing that the Sixth Amendment guarantees a defendant's right to control important strategic decisions of their case).
Craig addressed a Maryland statute similar to RCW 9A.44.150, which allowed child witnesses to testify away from the courtroom via a one-way closed-circuit television.
¶34 It is well established that criminal defendants have a right to self-representation under the United States and Washington Constitutions. State v. Curry , 191 Wash.2d 475, 482, 423 P.3d 179 (2018). Courts must allow pro se defendants to control strategic decisions regarding their defense. Id . Even so, a court's order requiring standby counsel to question the complaining witnesses instead of the pro se defendant does not automatically violate their right of self-representation. State v. Estabrook , 68 Wash. App. 309, 317-18, 842 P.2d 1001 (1993) ; McKaskle v. Wiggins , 465 U.S. 168, 174, 104 S. Ct. 944, 79 L. Ed. 2d 122 (1984). The court must ensure both that the defendant retains control over their defense and that the jury is not confused by standby counsel's participation. McKaskle , 465 U.S. at 178, 104 S.Ct. 944.
¶35 Moreover, changes to courtroom procedures, like procedures for questioning witnesses, must comport with the protections of due process, thereby ensuring a fair trial. The presumption of innocence is an elementary component of a fair trial. State v. Chacon , 192 Wash.2d 545, 549, 431 P.3d 477 (2018). Courts must be "wary of a setting that impermissibly influences a jury's decision-making process and jeopardizes the presumption of innocence." State v. Jaime , 168 Wash.2d 857, 862, 233 P.3d 554 (2010). Modifications that jeopardize the presumption of innocence are prejudicial. Id . at 863-64, 233 P.3d 554. When a defendant challenges a court process by arguing that it violates their right to the presumption of innocence, we must determine whether the process presented an unacceptable risk that the jury's deliberation was based on impermissible factors. Id .
¶36 Here, Palmer argues that the trial court violated his confrontation right, his right to self-representation, and his right to the presumption of innocence by forcing him to question AD and PD through standby counsel, and by allowing AD and PD to face away from him while testifying.
¶37 In order to modify courtroom procedures to prevent a face-to-face confrontation between a witness and the defendant, a trial court is required to analyze why such changes are necessary and what impact they will have on the defendant's rights. See Craig , 497 U.S. at 855, 110 S.Ct. 3157 ; McKaskle , 465 U.S. at 178, 104 S.Ct. 944 ; Jaime , 168 Wash.2d at 862, 233 P.3d 554. But such an analysis does not appear in the record. Absent an analysis, the trial court was constitutionally prohibited from modifying its courtroom procedures in the manner it did.
III. RIGHT AGAINST SELF-INCRIMINATION
¶38 Palmer argues that the State violated his right against self-incrimination when it solicited comments from Ramirez at trial about Palmer's decision to remain silent. We agree. A. Standard of Review
¶39 Palmer challenges the constitutionality of the State's eliciting witness comments on Palmer's post-arrest silence. We review such challenges de novo. Price , 169 Wash. App. at 655-56, 281 P.3d 331.
B. Legal Principles
¶40 The Fifth Amendment to the United States Constitution states that no person "shall ... be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself." U.S. CONST ., amend V. The Washington Constitution contains a similar provision: "[n]o person shall be compelled in any criminal case to give evidence against himself." WASH. CONST. , art. I, § 9. Washington courts have interpreted both provisions to provide the same protection. State v. Easter , 130 Wash.2d 228, 235, 922 P.2d 1285 (1996).
¶41 The right against self-incrimination prohibits the State from eliciting comments from witnesses about the defendant's pre- or post-arrest silence. Id . at 236, 922 P.2d 1285. The State may also not suggest the defendant is guilty because they chose to remain silent, because the assurance of Miranda is that remaining silent will not be penalized. Id .
C. Analysis
¶42 Here, the State unequivocally elicited a comment from Ramirez about Palmer's decision to remain silent. The State asked Ramirez if he had spoken to Palmer after Palmer's arrest and overnight confinement. Ramirez testified, "I went back the next morning, thinking that, you know, a day sitting in the county jail, you know, there's some time to think, and maybe Mr. Palmer would want to do the right thing here." RP (July 5, 2018) at 75. Ramirez further testified that he told Palmer, "You've had some time to think. Do you want to talk?" and that Palmer responded that he did not want to talk. RP (July 5, 2018) at 75.
¶43 Ramirez's testimony was a comment on Palmer's right to remain silent. See Easter , 130 Wash.2d at 236, 922 P.2d 1285. More pointedly, contrary to Easter , the State suggested that Palmer was guilty due to his silence. See Id . Indeed, Ramirez testified that Palmer remained silent after being given a chance to "do the right thing" by admitting criminal conduct. RP (July 5, 2018) at 75. This statement presupposed Palmer's guilt and created an impossible choice: Palmer could either do right by confessing to molesting a child or do wrong by remaining silent. Implicit in the "silence equals wrongfulness" notion is that silence withholds the "truth"—that "truth" being one's criminal conduct, even if there was no criminal conduct . In this context, a defendant cannot maintain their presumption of innocence by remaining silent. A detective's belief on this front may assist with their investigative duty, but established authority prohibits using a defendant's right to remain silent to suggest guilt to the jury. Easter , 130 Wash.2d at 236, 922 P.2d 1285. Alone, this violation may warrant reversal and a new trial. However, because we reverse on other grounds, we remind the State that it is forbidden from eliciting comments about Palmer's silence during his new trial.
¶44 Palmer makes additional arguments regarding the State's mismanagement of his case and his sentence. Because the constitutional errors discussed above require remand for a new trial, we do not reach his other arguments.
CONCLUSION
¶45 We conclude that the trial court committed reversible error by denying Palmer his right to counsel. We do not reach the other issues raised in the assignments of error or in the statement of additional grounds. We reverse the convictions and remand to the trial court for a new trial.
On the eve of oral argument, Palmer filed a supplemental designation of clerk's papers with our court. We will treat this designation of clerk's papers as a motion to supplemental the record. We deny the motion and place the clerk's papers in the court file without action.
We concur:
Worswick, J.
Lee, C.J.