People v. Shryack CA4/1

I. INTRODUCTION

A jury convicted Aaron Leen Shryack of carjacking and evading a police officer with reckless driving. On appeal, Shryack argues the trial court improperly denied his motion for mental health diversion. Shryack further contends insufficient evidence supported the jury’s true finding on the deadly weapon use enhancement attached to the carjacking count. Finally, Shryack challenges his sentence, claiming the trial court erred by imposing a consecutive term for the evading count and by refusing to dismiss his prior strike conviction. Finding no error, we affirm.

II. BACKGROUND

In February 2024, construction superintendent Tucker Hansen was working at a jobsite. He sat inside his truck due to heavy rain outside. Shryack opened the passenger door of Hansen’s vehicle and said “ ‘[l]et’s go for a ride’ ” in a serious tone. Shryack smelled like alcohol, but he acted neither belligerent nor incoherent. Hansen declined, Shryack asserted he needed to pick his son up from school, and Hansen asked Shryack to leave. While looking at Hansen with a serious expression, Shryack lifted his shirt and grasped the handle of what Hansen believed was a gun holstered at Shryack’s waist.…