v.
Bobby A. Norman
IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON o too —-i (_-'• STATE OF WASHINGTON, DIVISION ONE c:. o -m„,. -jz Respondent, i
No. 75031-3-1 v. Si UNPUBLISHED OPINION vO C"' •J>
BOBBY ARLEND NORMAN, Appellant. FILED: June 6, 2016
Dwyer, J. — Following a jury trial, Bobby Norman was convicted of second degree identity theft and forgery. He now appeals, contending that (1) the court violated his right to counsel, (2) his multiple convictions violate double
jeopardy prohibitions, (3) his identity theft conviction was obtained in violation of his right to a unanimous jury verdict, and (4) the identity theft statute is unconstitutionally overbroad, in violation of the First Amendment. We affirm both convictions.
On November 4, 2014, Norman entered a Timberland Bank branch and approached a teller. He presented her with a check for $150. The check was drawn on the account of Linda Loeck and showed Norman as the payee. However, the payee line appeared to have been changed and written over with Norman's name. No. 75031-3-1/2 The check was stolen. Loeck had originally written and mailed it to Capitol One. She did not know who had written Norman's name on the check. Loeck had never met Norman, much less given him permission to use her personal information. Norman was charged with one count of identity theft in the second degree, pursuant to RCW 9.35.020(3), and one count of forgery, pursuant to RCW 9A.60.020(1)(a)(b). The case proceeded to trial. Because Norman was indigent, he was assigned a court appointed lawyer. Trial began on May 21, 2015, on a Thursday afternoon. The court held a CrR 3.5 hearing and ruled on numerous pretrial motions, then held jury selection. Once a jury was selected, the court recessed. Court reconvened on Tuesday morning, following the Memorial Day holiday. When the court inquired whether the parties were ready for the jury to be brought into the courtroom, Norman responded, "Your Honor, Iwould like to fire my attorney. ... Idon't believe he has my best interest." Norman then elaborated: The other day he told me, "Have you ever heard the saying, 'death by gun'? Well, you're doing death by trial." There have been many times that I've tried to contact him and he told me that if I wasn't going to take the deal, don't call him because I'm wasting his time. I'm just fed up with him. I asked him to bring this to the Court's attention and he said that's not my job to do that, it's his job. So I would rather have a different attorney, please. The court then commenced a colloquy with Norman, during which it addressed this allegation and others of Norman's concerns, including whether: (1) he could have a continuance if he were to represent himself, (2) whether his No. 75031-3-1/3 prior criminal convictions would be admissible, and (3) whether he would have to take the stand. The court asked Norman if there was anything he specifically wanted to discuss. During the ensuing conversation, the court learned that Norman's dissatisfaction with his attorney stemmed from Norman's confusion about the admissibility of his prior convictions. MR. JORDAN: Your Honor, he wants to talk about ER 609 and what's admissible, and I told him that that was my call and that I knew what was admissible and what wasn't. So I don't know. He thinks he can keep out his entire criminal history and I explained to him that you will decide what part of his criminal history will come in if he testifies, and that's when he said he wanted a new attorney. Does that pretty much summarize it? THE DEFENDANT: Yeah. That was the last straw. The court then explained to Norman which of his prior convictions could be admitted into evidence, and under what circumstances. At the conclusion of this discussion, Norman indicated that he had no further questions or concerns and was ready for the jury. During the rest ofthe proceedings, Norman made no further attempt to discharge his attorney. At the conclusion of the trial, a jury found Norman guilty of both second degree identity theft and forgery. II Norman contends that the trial court violated both his right to counsel and his right to self-representation by forcing him to accept representation from a court appointed lawyer against his will. This is so, he asserts, because the court No. 75031-3-1/4 improperly denied his request to fire his attorney and have new counsel appointed, as well as his request to proceed pro se. We disagree. The federal and state constitutions guarantee a criminal defendant both the right to counsel and the right to self-representation. U.S. Const, amends. VI and XIV; Wash. Const, art. 1, § 22; Faretta v. California. 422 U.S. 806, 819, 95 S. Ct. 2525, 45 L. Ed. 2d 562 (1975); State v. Luvene, 127 Wn.2d 690, 698, 903 P.2d 960 (1995). A trial court has discretion to grant or deny both an indigent criminal defendant's request for reappointment of counsel and a request to proceed pro se. See State v. Stenson, 132 Wn.2d 668, 733-34, 940 P.2d 1239 (1997); State v. Modica, 136 Wn. App. 434, 443, 149 P.3d 446 (2006), affd, 164 Wn.2d 83, 186 P.3d 1062 (2008). This discretion "lies along a continuum that corresponds with the timeliness of the requests]," as "[t]he burdens imposed upon the trial court, the jurors, the witnesses, and the integrity of the criminal justice system increase as trial approaches or when trial has already commenced." Modica, 136 Wn. App. at 443. The court possesses the most discretion when a defendant makes these requests after a trial has begun. Modica, 136 Wn. App. at 443-44. A court abuses its discretion if its decision is manifestly unreasonable, relies on unsupported facts, or applies an incorrect legal standard. State v. Colev, 180Wn.2d 543, 559, 326 P.3d 702 (2014). A Norman first challenges the trial court's refusal to appoint him new counsel. A defendant's loss of trust or confidence in his attorney is not alone sufficient to warrant a substitution of counsel. Stenson, 132 Wn.2d at 734. No. 75031-3-1/5 Rather, "[a] criminal defendant who is dissatisfied with appointed counsel must show good cause to warrant substitution of counsel, such as a conflict of interest, an irreconcilable conflict, or a complete breakdown in communication between the attorney and the defendant." Stenson, 132 Wn.2d at 734. When a defendant requests new counsel at such a time that a continuance is necessary, courts cannot apply mechanical tests, but must decide to deny or grant such requests based on the circumstances present. State v. Hampton, 184 Wn.2d 656, 669, 361 P.3d 734 (2015). Herein, Norman did not establish the existence of either an irreconcilable conflict or a complete breakdown in communication between him and his attorney.[1] Following Norman's request that a new attorney be appointed, the court inquired as to his concerns regarding his current attorney. The court learned that Norman's dissatisfaction stemmed from his confusion about the admissibility of his prior convictions. Thereafter, the court explained to Norman which of his convictions were admissible, and under what circumstances they could be admitted. Following this colloquy, Norman made no further requests to discharge the attorney but, instead, indicated that he was ready to proceed to trial. Such an indication suggests that, to the extent that there had previously existed any conflict between Norman and his attorney, it was then resolved.2 Because Norman did not show good cause to warrant substitution of counsel, the No. 75031-3-1/9 No. 75031-3-1/12 No. 75031-3-1/13 No. 75031-3-1/14
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