State Of Washington, Respondent V. Thomas M. Quackenbush, Appellant (file contains Dissent)

Case Date: 05/10/2012

 
DO NOT CITE. SEE GR 14.1(a).


Court of Appeals Division II
State of Washington

Opinion Information Sheet

Docket Number: 41364-7
Title of Case: State Of Washington, Respondent V. Thomas M. Quackenbush, Appellant
File Date: 05/10/2012

SOURCE OF APPEAL
----------------
Appeal from Pierce County Superior Court
Docket No: 10-1-02467-2
Judgment or order under review
Date filed: 10/22/2010
Judge signing: Honorable Stephanie a Arend

JUDGES
------
Authored byJill M Johanson
Concurring:Joel Penoyar
Dissenting:J. Robin Hunt

COUNSEL OF RECORD
-----------------

Counsel for Appellant(s)
 Valerie Marushige  
 Attorney at Law
 23619 55th Pl S
 Kent, WA, 98032-3307

Counsel for Respondent(s)
 Melody M Crick  
 Pierce County Prosecuting Attorney
 930 Tacoma Ave S Rm 946
 Tacoma, WA, 98402-2171
			

    IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON

                                       DIVISION  II

STATE OF WASHINGTON,                                             No.  41364-7-II

                             Respondent,

       v.

THOMAS MICHAEL QUACKENBUSH,                                UNPUBLISHED OPINION

                             Appellant.

       Johanson, J.  --  A jury convicted Thomas Michael Quackenbush of attempting to elude a 

pursuing police vehicle.  He appeals his conviction arguing that the trial court erroneously 

admitted character evidence regarding his prior drug use.  We reverse because a reasonable 

probability exists that the trial court's improper admission of drug use to assess Quackenbush's 

credibility materially affected his trial's outcome.

                                            FACTS

       On May 29, 2010, the Washington State Patrol conducted a seat belt emphasis operation 

in Pierce County.  Trooper Albert Havenner testified that he noticed the driver of a blue 1983 

Chevrolet Monte Carlo -- a white male in his mid-20s, with dark, short hair and a goatee -- was 

not wearing his seat belt.  Trooper Havenner briefly made eye contact with the driver before 

performing a U-turn to follow and attempt to stop the vehicle.  Trooper Havenner recorded the 

Monte Carlo's license plate number.  As the trooper followed, the Monte Carlo sped up, cut in 

front of cars waiting to turn, and forced oncoming traffic to stop to avoid colliding with it.   

No. 41364-7-II

Trooper Havenner activated his overhead emergency lights to try to stop the Monte Carlo.

       The Monte Carlo's driver did not stop; instead, he turned onto State Route 512.  Trooper 

Havenner activated his emergency siren.  And again, rather than stopping for Trooper Havenner, 

the driver of the Monte Carlo accelerated to 80 mph and weaved "in and out of traffic" before 

abruptly cutting across two lanes of traffic to exit State Route 512.  VRP (Oct. 7, 2010 PM) at 

31.  Eventually, three state troopers pursued the Monte Carlo.  But, given their public safety 

concerns arising from the Monte Carlo's erratic driving and high speed, the troopers terminated 

their pursuit after the Monte Carlo sped through yet another red light.  

       The following day, while patrolling an area five minutes away from where troopers had 

chased the Monte Carlo the day before, Pierce County Sheriff's Deputy Chad Dickerson noticed 

the same blue 1983 Monte Carlo.  Deputy Dickerson observed that the car's description and 

license plate matched those Trooper Havenner recorded the day before.  Deputy Dickerson pulled 

in behind the Monte Carlo; activated his overhead lights; and contacted the driver, the vehicle's 

lone occupant, who provided Deputy Dickerson his Washington identification card.  Deputy 

Dickerson learned that the driver was Thomas Michael Quackenbush.  Deputy Dickerson asked 

Quackenbush if he had any outstanding warrants, and Quackenbush responded, "No." VRP (Oct.

7, 2010 PM) at 51.  While Deputy Dickerson checked Quackenbush's warrant status in his patrol 

car, Quackenbush exited the Monte Carlo and fled.  Deputy Dickerson pursued on foot and 

eventually caught Quackenbush and arrested him on the outstanding warrant.  Deputy Dickerson 

advised Quackenbush of his rights and asked him, "Did you run because you had warrants?" VRP 

(Oct. 7, 2010 PM) at 57.  Quackenbush responded, "Yes."         VRP (Oct. 7, 2010 PM) at 57.  

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No. 41364-7-II

Deputy Dickerson then asked Quackenbush why he ran from the state patrol the day before; and, 

Quackenbush responded, "I didn't run from [the] state patrol." VRP (Oct. 7, 2010 PM) at 58.

       By the time Deputy Dickerson returned to his patrol vehicle, Deputy Patrick Dosremedios 

had arrived at the scene.  Deputies Dickerson and Dosremedios placed Quackenbush in Deputy 

Dosremedios's patrol car for transport to the Fife jail.  At trial Deputy Dosremedios testified that, 

on their way to the Fife jail, Quackenbush complained that he was not feeling well.  He stated that 

he might need to go to the hospital, that he was thirsty, and that he was having difficulty 

breathing.  To try to diagnose potential medical conditions, Deputy Dosremedios asked 

Quackenbush if he was on any drugs.  Quackenbush responded, "[N]o." VRP (Oct. 7, 2010 PM) 

at 66.  Shortly thereafter, Quackenbush began vomiting in the back of the patrol car.  Deputy 

Dosremedios testified that, "I asked him again if anything was going on, how he was feeling?  He 

complained of the same things.  He advised me that he had used drugs prior to my contact with 

him." VRP (Oct. 7, 2010 PM) at 67.  Deputy Dosremedios then added:

              We got to the jail, took the subject out of the vehicle, brought him into the 
       sally port.  He was continuous -- or continuing to throw up.  I gave him a garbage 
       can.
              Tacoma fire came.  They did their assessment of him.  They determined 
       that he needed to go to the hospital and transported him to St. Francis in Federal 
       Way.

VRP (Oct. 7, 2010 PM) at 67.

       On June 1, Trooper Havenner learned that sheriff's deputies had arrested Quackenbush 

and that he had been driving the same Monte Carlo he had chased just days earlier.  Trooper 

Havenner viewed an identifying photograph and Department of Licensing photograph of 

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No. 41364-7-II

Quackenbush and recognized him as the man he observed driving the Monte Carlo on May 29.  In 

an amended information, the State charged Quackenbush with one count of attempting to elude a 

pursuing police vehicle1 for the May 29 chase involving the state patrol.  

       Before trial, Quackenbush moved to exclude from trial, as irrelevant, his statements 

regarding his drug use.  After a hearing at which Deputies Dickerson and Dosremedios testified, 

the court determined that Quackenbush's statements to Deputy Dosremedios were not part of a 

custodial interrogation designed to elicit incriminating responses.  The court stated that 

Quackenbush's statement regarding his drug use would be admissible solely for the purpose of 

assessing Quackenbush's credibility.    The State stipulated that it would instruct Deputy 

Dosremedios to limit his testimony so as not to specify which drug Quackenbush admitted to 

consuming or the timeframe in which Quackenbush consumed it.  The court suggested 

Quackenbush may want to submit limiting instructions that the jury may only use his statements to 

assess his credibility.2 Quackenbush declined to submit limiting instructions.  

       Trooper Havenner testified that, following Quackenbush's arrest, he viewed photographs 

of Quackenbush and "[a]bsolutely" determined "there was no doubt in my mind that Thomas 

Quackenbush was driving the Chevy that I was chasing [on May 29]." VRP (Oct. 7, 2010 PM) at 

38.  On cross-examination, Trooper Havenner admitted that, in his written report, he did not 

describe the driver as having a goatee, nor did he note the tattoo on his neck.  Quackenbush did 

1 Former RCW 46.61.024(1) (2003).

2 The trial court also found that Quackenbush's statements may be relevant as indicia of guilt.  
But, the trial court admitted the evidence "solely" for purposes of assessing Quackenbush's 
credibility. VRP (Oct. 6, 2010) at 40.  Therefore, we confine our analysis to assuming that the 
trial court admitted the evidence strictly for assessing Quackenbush's credibility.

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No. 41364-7-II

not call any witnesses or testify on his own behalf.  

       During closing argument, the State drew attention to Quackenbush's statements regarding 

his drug use:

              They transported the defendant to the Fife Jail when he says that he is 
       starting to feel ill.  In order to assess his medical condition, the deputy asked him, 
       "Well, do you have drugs in your system?"   What does the defendant say?  "No."  
       He starts to throw up.  It is clear that something is going on.  The defendant then 
       says, "Well, yeah, I did.  I had drugs in my system."
              So when you look at, no warrant, yeah, I have a warrant; no drugs, yes, I 
       did.  I used -- I have drugs in my system, then you get to determine is the defendant 
       credible when he says, I'm not the guy that ran from WSP the day before.

VRP (Oct. 7, 2010 PM) at 81-82.

       The jury convicted Quackenbush for attempting to elude a pursuing police vehicle.  

Quackenbush appeals.

                                          ANALYSIS

              I.  Admission of Quackenbush's Statements for Credibility Purposes

       Quackenbush claims that the trial court applied the wrong standard of law and abused its 

discretion in admitting his statements about his drug use at trial. 3  He claims that the State 

improperly argued to the jury that because he lied about using drugs, he must have lied about 

eluding police, a violation of ER 404(a).  The State responds that Quackenbush's statements were 

relevant to assess Quackenbush's credibility under ER 404(b).  Quackenbush correctly argues that 

evidence bearing on his credibility should be analyzed under ER 404(a); and, such character 

3 The State first argues that Quackenbush's statements were not subject to exclusion under 
Miranda v. Arizona, 384 U.S. 436, 86 S. Ct. 1602, 16 L. Ed. 2d 694 (1966).  Quackenbush, 
however, did not brief this issue and appears to have abandoned that claim.  Therefore, we will 
not address the issue.  See State v. Wheaton, 121 Wn.2d 347, 365, 850 P.2d 507 (1993).

                                               5 

No. 41364-7-II

evidence may not be admitted for purposes of proving he lied about eluding the state patrol.  See

ER 404(a) (stating that a court may not admit character evidence for the purpose of proving 

action in conformity therewith on a particular occasion).

       We review a trial court's decision to admit evidence of other crimes or misconduct for 

abuse of discretion.  State v. Pirtle, 127 Wn.2d 628, 648, 904 P.2d 245 (1995), cert. denied, 518 

U.S. 1026 (1996).  A trial court abuses its discretion when its ruling was based on untenable 

grounds or made for untenable reasons.  State v. Cronin, 142 Wn.2d 568, 585, 14 P.3d 752

(2000).  A trial court bases a discretionary decision on untenable grounds or makes it for 

untenable reasons if it rests on facts unsupported in the record or applies the wrong legal 

standard.  State v. Quismundo, 164 Wn.2d 499, 504, 192 P.3d 342 (2008).

       Evidence of drug use can be prejudicial.  State v. Crane, 116 Wn.2d 315, 333, 804 P.2d 

10, cert. denied, 501 U.S. 1237 (1991).  And, drug use is not probative of truthfulness as it has 

little to do with a witness's credibility.  State v. Stockton, 91 Wn. App. 35, 42, 955 P.2d 805 

(1998).  Evidence of drug use is admissible to impeach a witness if there is a reasonable inference 

that the witness was under the influence of drugs either at the time of the incident or at the time 

she or he testified at trial.  State v. Tigano, 63 Wn. App. 336, 344, 818 P.2d 1369 (1991), review 

denied, 118 Wn.2d 1021 (1992).  But, evidence of drug use on other occasions is generally 

inadmissible because it is impermissibly prejudicial.  Tigano, 63 Wn. App. at 344-45.

       Under ER 404(a), generally, evidence of a person's character or a trait of character is not 

admissible for the purpose of proving action in conformity therewith on a particular occasion.  ER 

404(a).  Under ER 404(b), evidence of other crimes, wrongs, or acts is not admissible to prove 

                                               6 

No. 41364-7-II

character or conformity therewith, but may be admissible for other purposes, such as proof of 

motive, opportunity, intent, preparation, plan, knowledge, identity, or absence of mistake or 

accident.  ER 404(b).  But, a trial court must perform a four-part analysis before admitting ER 

404(b) evidence.  It must (1) find by a preponderance of the evidence that the misconduct 

occurred, (2) identify the purpose for which the evidence is sought to be introduced, (3) 

determine whether the evidence is relevant to prove an element of the crime charged, and (4) 

weigh the probative value against the prejudicial effect.  State v. Gresham, 173 Wn.2d 405, 421 

269 P.3d 207 (2012).  Should the trial court fail to balance on the record, we need not reverse, 

provided the trial court carefully set forth its reasons for admission.  State v. Hepton, 113 Wn. 

App. 673, 688, 54 P.3d 233 (2002), review denied, 149 Wn.2d 1018 (2003).  The list of other 

admissible purposes for which a defendant's prior misconduct may be introduced, under ER 

404(b), is not exclusive.  State v. Grant, 83 Wn. App. 98, 105, 920 P.2d 609 (1996) (allowing 

evidence of defendant's prior assaults to assess credibility of domestic violence victim).

       State v. Chase, 59 Wn. App. 501, 799 P.2d 272 (1990), offers us some guidance.  Chase 

involved a burglary in which Chase argued that the trial court erred by admitting the false name he 

provided to police when police first contacted him.  Chase, 59 Wn. App. at 507.  We stated that 

the evidence of Chase's false name was relevant, under ER 401, for three reasons.  First, the 

evidence connected Chase to the crime scene because his false name was linked to him in other 

ways.  Chase, 59 Wn. App. at 507.  Second, evidence of the false name tended to show 

consciousness of guilt and furthered inferences of identity and criminal intent.  Chase, 59 Wn. 

App. at 507.  Third, the evidence showed that Chase, being one who would lie, was of bad 

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No. 41364-7-II

character and thus more likely to have committed the burglary.  Chase, 59 Wn. App. at 507.  We

held that the third reason violated ER 404(a), and we reasoned that the trial court, when faced 

with evidence that may be used both properly and improperly, must weigh its probative value 

versus potential for prejudice.  Chase, 59 Wn. App. at 507.  We deferred to the trial court's 

judgment and held that it did not abuse its discretion in admitting the evidence.  Chase, 59 Wn.

App. at 507-08.

       Unlike  Chase, the State here did not admit Quackenbush's statements to show his 

consciousness of guilt for eluding police, or for placing him at the crime scene.  Instead, the trial 

court admitted the evidence solely for assessing Quackenbush's credibility. Like Chase, here the 

trial court admitted Quackenbush's drug-related statements for credibility purposes to show 

nothing more than he, as one who lies, was of bad character and was lying when he said he did 

not elude the day before.  Like Chase, here the trial court erred in admitting the evidence for 

assessing credibility.  But unlike Chase, the trial court did not have other, valid reasons for 

admitting the evidence, and the trial court erred in admitting Quackenbush's statements solely for 

assessing  his credibility.  Therefore, the trial court abused its discretion in admitting 

Quackenbush's drug-related statements.

       The State also argues that the trial court properly balanced, under ER 404(b), whether to 

admit Quackenbush's statements regarding his drug use.  Indeed, after hearing witness testimony 

and arguments, the court performed what appeared to be an ER 404(b) analysis and admitted the 

statements.  

       Even assuming ER 404(b) is the proper rule under which to determine whether to admit 

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No. 41364-7-II

Quackenbush's statements, the trial court needed to make four findings.  First, the trial court must 

find by a preponderance of the evidence that the misconduct occurred.  Gresham, 173 Wn.2d at 

421.  Here, neither party disputed -- and the trial court found -- that Quackenbush made statements 

to Deputy Dosremedios regarding his drug use.

       Second, the trial court must identify the purpose for which the evidence is sought to be 

introduced.  Gresham, 173 Wn.2d at 421.  The trial court stated on the record that the court was 

admitting Quackenbush's statements "solely for the purpose of assessing the credibility of the 

defendant and not for purposes of whether or not he had consumed . . . any meth or any other 

drugs for that matter."  VRP (Oct. 6, 2010) at 40.  But, credibility is not one of the listed 

purposes for admission of ER 404(b) evidence.  See ER 404(b) (listing "other purposes, such as 

proof of motive, opportunity, intent, preparation, plan, knowledge, identity, or absence of mistake 

or accident.").  Consequently, the trial court's purpose for admitting the Quackenbush's 

statements will not satisfy the second prong of the ER 404(b) test.

       Third, the court must determine whether Quackenbush's statements were relevant to 

prove an element of his eluding charge.  Gresham, 173 Wn.2d at 421.  The trial court stated that 

the statements were relevant because they were offered to assess Quackenbush's credibility.4  As 

Quackenbush's defense centered on a theory of misidentification and general denial, the court 

apparently reasoned his credibility was, therefore, relevant in proving Quackenbush attempted to 

elude a pursuing police vehicle, contrary to state law.  But, while credibility is always relevant in 

evaluating evidence, Quackenbush's statements still do not appear relevant to prove any element 

4 Relevant evidence tends to make the existence of any fact more probative than not.  ER 401.

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No. 41364-7-II

of the eluding charge; therefore, the State's argument -- and trial court's justification -- for 

admitting Quackenbush's statements does not appear to satisfy the third prong of the ER 404(b) 

analysis.

       Fourth, the trial court must find that the probative value of the evidence outweighs the risk 

of undue prejudice after weighing the probative value against risk of undue prejudice on the 

record.  Gresham, 173 Wn.2d at 421.  But, the court did not actually weigh the probative value 

against the potential for undue prejudice.  It stated that Quackenbush's statements were "not 

relevant to this trial whether or not he had consumed any  meth or any other drugs for that 

matter." VRP (Oct. 6, 2010) at 40.  And the court reasoned they were relevant "solely for the 

purpose of assessing the credibility of the defendant and not for purposes of whether or not he 

had consumed [drugs]."    VRP (Oct. 6, 2010) at 40.  Even though the trial court suggested a 

limiting instruction and placed limits on the drug-related testimony, the trial court never balanced 

the probative value of these statements against the danger of unfair prejudice resulting from the 

jury learning that Quackenbush was so sick from drugs he had to be hospitalized.  Therefore, the 

trial court did not satisfy the fourth prong of the ER 404(b) analysis test.  See Gresham, 173 

Wn.2d at 421.

       Ultimately, the trial court (1) found that Quackenbush made statements about drug use; 

(2) stated the purpose of admitting his statements was to assess Quackenbush's credibility, a 

purpose not listed among the proper purposes in ER 404(b); (3) determined the statements had 

relevance in assessing Quackenbush's credibility, but not any specific element of his eluding 

charge; and, (4) found probative value in the statements, without balancing on the record the 

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No. 41364-7-II

probative value against the risk of unfair prejudice.

       Ultimately, the trial court should have applied ER 404(a), rather than ER 404(b), but even 

under ER 404(b) it should have precluded the State from admitting evidence of Quackenbush's 

statements regarding his drug use.  

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No. 41364-7-II

                                         II.  Res Gestae

       The State also argues that the evidence of drug use was admissible under res gestae. 

Under res gestae, evidence of collateral crimes or other bad acts is admissible "[t]o complete the 

story of the crime on trial by proving its immediate context of happenings near in time and place."  

State v. Tharp, 27 Wn. App. 198, 204, 616 P.2d 693 (1980), aff'd, 96 Wn.2d 591, 637 P.2d 961

(1981).

       For res gestae to apply, though, Quackenbush's statements that he did not and then that 

he did consume drugs would have to "complete the story of the crime on trial" -- here the crime of 

felony eluding.  Tharp, 27 Wn. App. at 204.  Quackenbush's denial and then immediate admission 

that he used drugs has no connection to and therefore does not "complete the story" of the crime 

of eluding.  For that reason, res gestae does not apply.

                                    III.  Not Harmless Error

       The erroneous admission of evidence is harmless, and does not require reversal, absent a 

reasonable probability that the error materially affected the outcome of the trial.  State v. Halstien, 

122 Wn.2d 109, 127, 857 P.2d 270 (1993).  Specifically, when a trial court improperly admits 

evidence of prior bad acts, and that evidence alters the outcome of the trial, the error is not 

harmless.  See State v. Wade, 98 Wn. App. 328, 338, 989 P.2d 576 (1999) (holding not harmless 

error when trial court admitted evidence of past drug convictions in a prosecution for possession 

of cocaine with intent to deliver).

       The erroneous admission of Quackenbush's post-crime drug use to assess Quackenbush's 

credibility was not harmless error.  The State's evidence of guilt was not overwhelming.  On May 

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No. 41364-7-II

29, Trooper Havenner observed for two to three seconds and made eye contact with the Monte 

Carlo's driver and described the driver as "a white male probably in his mid-20s, dark hair, short 

hair, kind of a goatee," similar to Quackenbush's description.  VRP (Oct. 7, 2010) at 25.  On 

cross-examination, however, Trooper Havenner admitted that he failed to include the driver's 

goatee or tattoo in his report.  Trooper Havenner testified that he had "no doubt in [his] mind"

that Quackenbush was the man he chased on May 29, 2010.  VRP (Oct. 7, 2010) at 38.  

However, Quackenbush denied eluding the troopers the previous day.  While consideration of the 

potential biases might favor the State's version of events here, this credibility contest does not 

overwhelming favor the State.

       The remaining evidence is also not conclusive.  The next day, Deputy Dickerson identified 

Quackenbush driving the blue 1983 Monte Carlo with the same license plate number that had 

eluded troopers the day before; and, he stopped the Monte Carlo just five minutes away from 

where troopers had chased it the day before.  But, the Monte Carlo was not registered to 

Quackenbush and was instead registered to his girlfriend.  Thus, we must consider the effect of 

the improper evidence in a case where the jury's credibility determinations are critical.

       The jury heard Deputy Dosremedios testify that Quackenbush admitted to consuming 

drugs at some point prior to his contact with authorities and that his resulting sickness was so 

severe he was "continuing to throw up."   VRP (Oct. 7, 2010 PM) at 67.  Deputy Dosremedios 

also testified that Quackenbush's drug-induced sickness required the fire department's assistance 

and ultimately also required his transport to the hospital.  During closing argument, the State 

drew attention to Quackenbush's statements regarding his drug use:

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No. 41364-7-II

              They transported the defendant to the Fife Jail when he says that he is 
       starting to feel ill.  In order to assess his medical condition, the deputy asked him, 
       "Well, do you have drugs in your system?"   What does the defendant say?  "No."  
       He starts to throw up.  It is clear that something is going on.  The defendant then 
       says, "Well, yeah, I did.  I had drugs in my system."
              So when you look at, no warrant, yeah, I have a warrant; no drugs, yes, I 
       did.  I used -- I have drugs in my system, then you get to determine is the defendant 
       credible when he says, I'm not the guy that ran from WSP the day before.

VRP (Oct. 7, 2010 PM) at 81-82.

       Considering all of the evidence and argument in this credibility-driven case, we conclude 

that there is a reasonable probability that the trial court's improper admission of drug use to 

assess Quackenbush's credibility materially affected the outcome of Quackenbush's trial.

       We reverse.

       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.

                                                                   Johanson, J.
We concur:

          Penoyar, C.J.

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No. 41364-7-II

       Hunt, J. (dissenting)  --  I respectfully dissent from the majority's holding that the trial 

court's admission of Quackenbush's statements about his prior drug use was reversible error.  I 

would hold that the error was harmless.  I would affirm.

       When inadmissible evidence is received at trial, the question becomes whether the 

erroneous admission was harmless.  State v. Jackson, 102 Wn.2d 689, 695, 689 P.2d 76 (1984).  

The error is harmless unless, within reasonable probabilities, the admission materially affected the 

outcome of the trial.  State v. Sublett, 156 Wn. App. 160, 196, 231 P.3d 231, review granted, 170 

Wn.2d 1016 (2010).  Here, the majority does not show how the drug evidence was reasonably 

likely to have affected the jury's verdict in a material way, especially in light of the other 

overwhelming evidence of Quackenbush's guilt.

       For example, Trooper Havenner, who had been specifically looking at drivers to check for 

seatbelt compliance that day, testified that he had a good view of the eluding driver, whom he 

described as "a white male probably in his mid-20s, dark hair, short hair, kind of a goatee."  

Verbatim Report of Proceedings (VRP) (Oct. 7, 2010 PM) at 22, 25.  The two even made eye 

contact.  And there was absolutely "no doubt in [Trooper Havenner's] mind that Thomas 

Quackenbush was driving the Chevy that [he] was chasing."5 VRP (Oct. 7, 2010 PM) at 38.

       Based on this strong independent evidence of Quackenbush's guilt, I respectfully submit 

the majority (1) ignores the rules that post-conviction appellate courts view the evidence in the 

5 Havenner also identified Quackenbush as the driver from photographs.  Havenner further 
testified about the erratic driving, saying the driver was "driving so erratically and having run that 
red light at such a high speed, we went ahead and decided to terminate the pursuit to try to avoid 
any kind of further accidents." VRP (Oct. 7, 2010 PM) at 35.

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No. 41364-7-II

light most favorable to the State and defer to the jury in matters of witness credibility;6 and (2) 

speculates that the relatively insignificant mention of Quackenbush's drug use casts doubt on the 

jury's verdict.  The majority disregards these well-settled rules by minimizing Trooper Havenner's 

solid, unrefuted eyewitness identification of Quackenbush as the driver and, instead, second-

guessing the jury's implicit finding this experienced trooper's testimony credible.

       I would hold that admission of Quackenbush's acknowledged drug use did not prejudice 

him and, therefore, any error was harmless.  See e.g., State v. Bourgeois, 133 Wn.2d 389, 403, 

945 P.2d 1120 (1997).  I would affirm.

Hunt, J.

6 State v. O'Neal, 126 Wn. App. 395, 412, 109 P.3d 429 (2005), aff'd, 159 Wn.2d 500 (2007); 
State v. Thomas, 150 Wn.2d 821, 874-75, 83 P.3d 970 (2004) (citing State v. Cord, 103 Wn.2d 
361, 367, 693 P.2d 81 (1985)).

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