State v. Stevens

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C. Johnson, J.

This case involves the issue of whether a voluntary intoxication instruction is appropriate where a defendant is charged with second degree child molestation. We are also asked whether fourth degree assault can be a lesser included offense of second degree child molestation. The trial court denied Randall Jerome Stevens’ request for an instruction on voluntary intoxication and fourth degree assault. The Court of Appeals reversed Stevens’ conviction, concluding that although intent is not a necessary element of second degree child molestation, intent is included in the definition of one of the necessary elements and must be proved by the State. Because intoxication evidence was presented at trial to negate the intent requirement, the Court of Appeals concluded the trial court erred in failing to give both instructions. We affirm the Court of Appeals.

FACTUAL AND PROCEDURAL HISTORY

¶2 While some inconsistencies exist, the relevant testimony establishes the following events occurred in early July 2003. Stevens testified he consumed two 40-ounce bottles of beer and two shots of whiskey before encountering two girls, 13-year-old M.G. and 12-year-old H.G., outside of a shopping area in Port Townsend. It is unclear who initiated conversation, but the three discussed whether Stevens was in the band Metallica. Stevens testified the girls told him he looked like a guy from Metallica; the girls testified that Stevens told them he was in Metallica. The girls testified Stevens offered to get them something to smoke and that he appeared to be drunk. This first encounter was brief, and eventually Stevens left to catch a bus, and the girls left to wait for H.G.’s father near the ferry terminal.

*307 ¶3 About an hour later, Stevens encountered the same girls near the ferry terminal. At some point during this encounter, the girls asked if they could take pictures with Stevens. Several pictures were taken and admitted into evidence. The first picture showed Stevens sitting next to a smiling H.G. with his hand on her breast. H.G. testified that she was smiling for the camera and that Stevens grabbed her breast at the exact moment the picture was taken and that is why she appears to be smiling while Stevens is grabbing her breast. H.G. testified the touch made her feel “very violated” and that at some point after the picture was taken, Stevens said, “Hey remember when I grabbed your boob?” Report of Proceedings (RP) at 72. M.G., who took the picture, did not notice Stevens touching H.G. The girls then took a picture of Stevens by himself, and then H.G. took a picture of Stevens and M.G. together. Stevens testified the first picture was “a sick joke” and that he wanted it to appear like he was grabbing H.G.’s breast but he did not intend to actually grab it. RP at 127. The grabbing of the breast was the basis for the conviction of second degree child molestation against Stevens.

¶4 Before starting trial, the State moved to exclude evidence of Stevens’ intoxication, relying on the argument that evidence of intoxication was irrelevant because no intent requirement exists for the crime of child molestation. Stevens argued that because the State had to prove “sexual contact” as an element of child molestation, and “sexual contact” is defined by RCW 9A.44.010(2) as “any touching of the sexual or other intimate parts of a person done for the purpose of gratifying the sexual desire of either party or a third party,” the State had to prove Stevens touched H.G. for the purpose of sexual gratification. The trial court declined to rule on the motion until after the trial had begun, and Stevens was allowed to present evidence of his intoxication. The trial court ultimately declined to give a voluntary intoxication instruction. The trial court likewise declined to instruct the jury on fourth degree assault as a lesser included offense.

*308 ¶5 The jury found Stevens guilty of one count of second degree child molestation for the touch involving H.G. Stevens timely filed an appeal to the Court of Appeals, arguing the trial court erred by refusing to instruct the jury on the defense of voluntary intoxication and by refusing to instruct the jury on the lesser included offense of assault in the fourth degree. The Court of Appeals, noting our analysis in State v. Lorenz, 152 Wn.2d 22, 34-35, 93 P.3d 133 (2004) (holding that sexual gratification is a defining phrase of the element of sexual contact, not an element itself that must be included in to-convict instructions), held the State had to prove Stevens acted with intent. State v. Stevens, 127 Wn. App. 269, 274, 110 P.3d 1179 (2005). The Court of Appeals reasoned that because the State had to prove intent, it was error for the trial court to exclude the intoxication instruction and to exclude fourth degree assault as a lesser included offense. The Court of Appeals reversed and remanded. We granted the State’s petition for review. State v. Stevens, noted at 155 Wn.2d 1024 (2005).

ANALYSIS

Jury Instructions

¶6 Instructions are adequate if they allow a party to argue its theory of the case and do not mislead the jury or misstate the law. State v. Barnes, 153 Wn.2d 378, 382, 103 P.3d 1219 (2005). Whether the jury instructions state the applicable law is a question of law which we review de novo. State v. Linehan, 147 Wn.2d 638, 643, 56 P.3d 542 (2002). The instruction proposed by Stevens read, “no act committed by a person while in a state of voluntary intoxication is less criminal by reason of that condition. However, evidence of intoxication may be considered in determining whether the defendant acted with intent and/or knowledge.” Clerk’s Papers at 5. The proposed instruction does not misstate the law under RCW 9A.16.090.1

*309 ¶7 Child molestation in the second degree requires a person to have, or to knowingly cause another person under the age of 18 to have, sexual contact with a person who is between the ages of 12 and 14. RCW 9A.44.086. “Sexual contact” is statutorily defined as “any touching of the sexual or other intimate parts of a person done for the purpose of gratifying sexual desire of either party or a third party.” RCW 9A.44.010(2). Stevens argues that the legislature, through its definition of sexual contact, incorporated the “purpose of sexual gratification” as an element of child molestation.

¶8 The State relies on Lorenz to argue that the purpose of sexual gratification is not an essential element to first degree child molestation2 but is merely a definitional term used to clarify the element of “sexual contact.” There, we reasoned that because the legislature could have included sexual gratification as an element if it so intended, the definitional term did not act to incorporate a mental state as an element, but instead operated to exclude inadvertent touching or contact from being a chargeable offense. Lorenz, 152 Wn.2d at 36.

¶9 We find the State reads Lorenz too broadly. Lorenz held only that the purpose of sexual gratification was not an essential element of first degree child molestation that must be included in the to-convict instruction. This conclusion does not, however, relieve the State of its burden to show sexual gratification as part of its burden to prove sexual contact. In order to prove “sexual contact,” the State must establish the defendant acted with a purpose of sexual gratification. Thus, while sexual gratification is not an explicit element of second degree child molestation, the *310 State must prove a defendant acted for the purpose of sexual gratification. Intent is relevant to the crime of second degree child molestation because it is necessary to prove the element of sexual contact.

¶10 Without the proposed jury instruction on voluntary intoxication, Stevens was precluded from arguing his theory of the case to the jury. Although Stevens was allowed to present evidence of intoxication, the jury was not instructed on how or whether they could consider this evidence in determining if Stevens acted with the purpose of sexual gratification. Because we find intent is a component of “sexual contact,” Stevens was entitled to present evidence of his intoxication and to have the trial court instruct the jury on voluntary intoxication.3 Had the jury believed Stevens’ evidence and had they been properly instructed, the jury could reasonably have found Stevens’ intoxication prevented him from acting for the purpose of sexual gratification. Failure to give the proposed instruction constitutes reversible error.

Fourth Degree Assault

¶11 Both a defendant and the State have a statutory right to have lesser included offenses presented to the jury. RCW 10.61.006. To prove an offense is a lesser included offense, the party requesting the instruction must meet a two prong inquiry. First, under the legal prong, all of the elements of the lesser offense must be a necessary element of the charged offense. Second, under the factual prong, the evidence must support an inference that the lesser crime was committed. State v. Gamble, 154 Wn.2d 457, 462-63, 114 P.3d 646 (2005).

¶12 Fourth degree assault is defined as an assault not amounting to assault in the first, second, or third degree, nor a custodial assault. RCW 9A.36.041(1). The term “assault” itself is not statutorily defined, so Washington *311 courts apply the common law definition. Washington recognizes three common law definitions of assault: (1) an attempt, with unlawful force, to inflict bodily injury upon another; (2) an unlawful touching with criminal intent; and (3) putting another in apprehension of harm whether or not the actor intends to inflict or is incapable of inflicting that harm. Clark v. Baines, 150 Wn.2d 905, 909 n.3, 84 P.3d 245 (2004).4 For purposes of this case, the definition of assault that applies is an unlawful touching with criminal intent.5 Second degree child molestation requires a showing of sexual contact between the defendant and a victim who is at least 12 years old but less than 14 years old.6 “Sexual contact” is a touching of the sexual parts of a person for the purpose of sexual gratification. RCW 9A.44.010(2). Second degree child molestation, therefore, is a touching of the sexual parts of a 12- or 13-year-old child for the purpose of sexual gratification. Second degree child molestation necessarily includes the elements of fourth degree assault. Thus, the legal prong of our inquiry is satisfied.

¶13 Under the factual prong, the evidence must support an inference that the defendant committed fourth degree assault. It is not disputed that Stevens touched H.G. on her breast. According to Stevens, the touch was accidental. Stevens testified he only wanted it to appear as though he was grabbing H.G.’s breast but that he did not actually intend to do it. Based on this evidence alone, the trial court could properly decline to give the fourth degree assault instruction. However, the court must consider all of the presented evidence when deciding whether or not to give a lesser included instruction. State v. Fernandez-Medina, 141 Wn.2d 448, 456, 6 P.3d 1150 (2000).

*312 ¶14 H.G. testified Stevens grabbed her breast and later made a joke about it. A reasonable juror could infer the touch was intentional. H.G. also testified the touch made her feel violated. As the Court of Appeals concluded, a reasonable juror could infer from her testimony that H.G. did not consent to the touching. The evidence supports an inference that Stevens touched H.G. without privilege or consent, the touch was offensive, and therefore the touch was arguably unlawful. The factual prong of the inquiry is satisfied. We find the trial court erred by not instructing the jury on fourth degree assault as a lesser included offense.

CONCLUSION

¶15 We find that by defining “sexual contact” as “any touching of the sexual or other intimate parts of a person done for the purpose of gratifying sexual desire of either party or a third party,” the State must prove a defendant acted with the purpose of sexual gratification. Therefore, under RCW 9A. 16.090, a defendant is entitled to an instruction on voluntary intoxication where evidence exists to support the defendant’s theory. We also find the trial court erred by not instructing the jury that fourth degree assault is a lesser included offense to second degree child molestation. We affirm the Court of Appeals.

Sanders, Chambers, Owens, and J.M. Johnson, JJ., concur.

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RCW 9A.16.090 reads, “[n]o act committed by a person while in a state of voluntary intoxication shall be deemed less criminal by reason of his condition, *309 but whenever the actual existence of any particular mental state is a necessary element to constitute a particular species or degree of crime, the fact of his intoxication may be taken into consideration in determining such mental state.”

Lorenz is a case involving a charge of first degree child molestation. Because first degree child molestation and second degree child molestation share the same elements except with regard to the age of the victim, the holding of Lorenz is applicable here.

The State does not argue Stevens presented insufficient evidence to support a voluntary intoxication instruction.

Justice Madsen, in her dissent, also cites to Barnes for her definition of assault but focuses on only one of three possible common law definitions. However, Justice Madsen chooses the wrong definition for purposes of this case.

We note the defendant has argued intoxication as a defense to the charge of second degree child molestation only. He has not argued intoxication as a defense to his proposed fourth degree assault as a lesser included offense instruction.

Second degree child molestation also requires the victim not be married to the defendant, and the defendant must be at least 36 months older than the victim. RCW 9A.44.086.