State v. Wilson, Unpublished Decision (2-18-2000)
State v. Wilson, Unpublished Decision (2-18-2000)
Opinion of the Court
DECISION AND JUDGMENT ENTRY
Charles A. Wilson, II, appeals his convictions for one count of felonious sexual penetration, a violation of R.C.
FIRST ASSIGNMENT OF ERROR
SECOND ASSIGNMENT OF ERRORTHE TRIAL COURT ERRED IN DETERMINING THAT THE ALLEGED VICTIM, A MINOR CHILD UNDER TEN YEARS OF AGE, WAS COMPETENT TO TESTIFY AS A WITNESS AGAINST DEFENDANT-APPELLANT.
THIRD ASSIGNMENT OF ERRORTHE TRIAL COURT ERRED IN ADMITTING STATE'S EXHIBITS 3 AND 5 INTO EVIDENCE OVER THE OBJECTIONS OF DEFENDANT-APPELLANT.
FOURTH ASSIGNMENT OF ERRORTHE TRIAL COURT ERRED IN OVERRULING DEFENDANT-APPELLANT'S MOTION FOR A DIRECTED VERDICT.
IT WAS ERROR FOR THE TRIAL COURT TO CONVICT AND/OR SENTENCE DEFENDANT-APPELLANT TO TWO SEPARATE CONSECUTIVE SENTENCES.
Finding no reversible error, we affirm the judgment of the Adams County Court of Common Pleas.
At trial, Alexandria testified that appellant digitally penetrated and inserted his tongue into her vagina on more than one occasion. Alexandria stated that she was on the couch in the living room, wearing her nightgown, when appellant removed her underwear and molested her. Alexandria's two brothers were asleep on the living room floor at the time.
Delores Wilson, Alexandria's mother, testified that she first learned of the molestation when Alexandria's behavior changed and she took Alexandria to a psychotherapist, Elaine Harffman. Mrs. Wilson also testified that Alexandria had been sexually expressive since she was one-and-a-half-years-old. In particular, Alexandria wrote on herself with markers "down there," placed Barbie dolls in sexual positions and was caught with a nine-year-old friend with their pants down.
Ms. Harffman testified that Alexandria revealed during a counseling session that she had been sexually abused. Dr. Ann Saluke, a physician at the Social and Medical Clinic ("SAM Clinic") of Children's Hospital in Cincinnati, Ohio, testified that following a physical examination she concluded that Alexandria was likely the victim of sexual abuse.
Defense witnesses testified to incidents of sexual activity involving Alexandria that they had observed. These included an incident where Alexandria inserted crayons into her vagina in her mother's presence and an instance when Alexandria was squatting over a stack toy and appeared as though she would sit directly on top of it. Defense witnesses also testified that Mrs. Wilson previously stated that a sixteen-year-old boy molested Alexandria. When called in the defense case, Mrs. Wilson denied ever seeing Alexandria insert crayons into her vagina or stating that a sixteen-year-old boy had inappropriately touched her daughter.
Appellant testified that he had not sexually abused his stepdaughter.
Following several hours of deliberation, the jury returned a verdict of guilty as to both charges. After appellant was sentenced and classified a sexual predator, he filed this appeal.
Whether appellant's first assignment of error has been preserved hinges on whether appellant's motion was a motion inlimine or a motion to suppress. Outside of the OMVI context, a motion to suppress is usually defined as a "[d]evice used to eliminate from the trial of a criminal case evidence which has been secured illegally, generally in violation of the
A motion in limine is defined as "[a] pretrial motion requesting [the] court to prohibit opposing counsel from referring to or offering evidence on matters so highly prejudicial to [the] moving party that curative instructions cannot prevent [a] predispositional effect on [the] jury."French, supra, citing Black's Law Dictionary, supra, at 1013. The purpose of a motion in limine "is to avoid injection into [the] trial of matters which are irrelevant, inadmissible and prejudicial[,] and granting of [the] motion is not a ruling on evidence and, where properly drawn, granting of [the] motion cannot be error." Id. at 449-450, citing Black's Law Dictionary at 1013-1014. A ruling on a motion in limine reflects the trial court's anticipated treatment of the issue at trial and, therefore, is a tentative, interlocutory, precautionary ruling.Id. at 450. Accordingly, "the trial court is at liberty to change its ruling on the disputed evidence in its actual context at trial. Finality does not attach when the motion is granted." Id.,
citing Defiance v. Kretz (1991),
Here, appellant's motion was styled as a motion to conduct a competency hearing and not a motion to suppress. However, this factor alone does not preclude us from interpreting the motion as a request for suppression. Rather, we examine the substance of appellant's request. In the motion, appellant asked the trial court to conduct a hearing and determine Alexandria's competency to testify at trial pursuant to Evidence Rule 601 (A) and R.C.
Appellant did not object to the trial court allowing Alexandria to testify at any point following the interview.1 It is well-settled that an appellate court need not consider an error to which the complaining party, at a time when such error could have been corrected or avoided, did not direct the trial court's attention. State v. Williams (1977),
In this non-OMVI context, appellant's motion cannot be interpreted as a motion to suppress as it does not address any constitutional issues and deals strictly with an evidentiary issue, i.e. competency. See State v. Morgan (1986),
Appellant relies on State v. Ulis (1992),
We note that several differences exist between the trial court's determination in appellant's case and that in Ulis. Most obviously, in Ulis, the motion was characterized as a motion to suppress and denied, whereas, in this case, the motion was characterized as a motion to conduct a competency hearing and granted by the trial judge. Furthermore, the result was not a full-blown hearing with cross-examination. Rather, the trial judge conducted an in camera interview without counsel's presence. Finally, the trial court never indicated to appellant that the issue was preserved for appeal; defense counsel had ample opportunity to object to the trial court's competency finding if he felt it was erroneous. For these reasons, we find that Ulis does not support appellant's contention that the issue of Alexandria's competency is preserved for appeal.
As appellant failed to object to the trial court's competency determination, we must determine whether the trial court committed plain error in finding Alexandria competent and allowing her to testify at trial. Plain error is reversible error to which no objection was lodged at trial; it is obvious and prejudicial, and if permitted it would have a material adverse effect on the character and public confidence in judicial proceedings. State v. Craft (1977),
Evid.R. 601 provides that "[e]very person is competent to be a witness except: (A) * * * children under ten (10) years of age, who appear incapable of receiving just impressions of the facts and transactions respecting which they are examined, or of relating them truly." It is the trial judge's duty to voir dire a child under the age of ten to determine the child's competency to testify. The determination of competency is within the sound discretion of the trial judge as the judge has the opportunity to observe the child's appearance, manner of responding to the questions, general demeanor and other indicia of ability to relate the facts accurately and truthfully. Accordingly, the court must determine whether the child is capable of receiving just impressions of facts and events and accurately relating them. See State v. Frazier (1991),
In Frazier, the Supreme Court of Ohio established a test for determining the competency of a child under the age of ten to testify. The Court stated that:
In determining whether a child under ten is competent to testify, the trial court must take into consideration (1) the child's ability to receive accurate impressions of fact or to observe acts about which he or she will testify, (2) the child's ability to recollect those impressions or observations, (3) the child's ability to communicate what was observed, (4) the child's understanding of truth and falsity and (5) the child's appreciation of his or her responsibility to be truthful.
During the competency interview, Alexandria knew her age, her birthday, that she was in first grade and that she had two brothers, a stepbrother and a stepsister. She knew the ages of her siblings, except for her stepbrother, and where each of her siblings resided. Alexandria indicated that she lived with her mother and her brothers, Zachary and Andrew. When the trial judge asked whether Alexandria remembered the doctor's name, Alexandria corrected the trial judge and stated that it was a female doctor but she did not recall her name. Alexandria further stated that the doctor gave her tests by herself and then her mother came in and they talked together with the doctor. When asked if her mom helped her remember things, Alexandria stated that "[s]he forgot and I remembered." She did not know how long ago the events had happened and stated that she was "only like six when he done it." Alexandria indicated that no one else ever touched her "there" and that appellant had also put his tongue "there."
Appellant contends that none of the criteria of the Frazier test were satisfied by the judge's voir dire. While Alexandria could not answer all the trial judge's questions, we believe that Alexandria demonstrated an ability to receive accurate impressions of fact, could recollect those impressions and observations, and communicate what she observed. However, the trial judge erred in failing to question Alexandria regarding her understanding of truth and falsity or her appreciation of her responsibility to be truthful. Therefore, we must determine whether this oversight resulted in a manifest miscarriage of justice.
At trial, appellee questioned Alexandria regarding her understanding of truthfulness. Appellee asked Alexandria what a promise is and Alexandria replied that, "[a] promise is to not tell people * * * like if there's a stranger * * * who tells you not to do something, and you tell anyways, that's a promise * * *." Clearly, Alexandria was confusing a promise and a secret. Appellee then asked Alexandria whether, if she promised not to tell and then went out and told, she would be keeping a promise or breaking a promise. Alexandria stated that she would be breaking her promise. Appellee asked Alexandria if she was going to tell the truth and Alexandria responded affirmatively. When asked, "If you didn't tell the truth, what would that be about your promise?", Alexandria responded that she would be lying.
In State v. Lewis (1982),
Appellant argues that inconsistencies in Alexandria's testimony demonstrate her incompetence. Inconsistency relates to Alexandria's credibility and not her competency as a witness. The jury had the opportunity to observe Alexandria and determine how much credence and weight should be given to her testimony.
Therefore, we overrule appellant's first assignment of error.
Questions regarding the admissibility of evidence are left to the sound discretion of the trial court and will not be disturbed on appeal absent a showing of an abuse of discretion. State v.Sage (1987),
The trial court found that both exhibits were admissible pursuant to Evid.R. 803 (4), which states that a hearsay statement is admissible if it is "made for the purposes of medical diagnosis or treatment and describing medical history, or past or present symptoms, pain, or sensations, or the inception or general character of the cause or external source thereof insofar as reasonably pertinent to diagnosis." Statements which are admissible under Evid.R. 803 (4) are assumed to be reliable since (1) the effectiveness of treatment often depends upon the accuracy of the information related to the physician (self-interest motivation), and (2) the expertise of doctors in evaluating the accuracy of those statements is a safeguard against falsehoods (reliance rationale). See State v. Dever
(1992),
However, when the patient is a young child, it is not certain that the child understands the need to be truthful to medical personnel. Id. Consequently, the Ohio Supreme Court held that in the case of young children, courts must consider the circumstances surrounding the making of statements to a medical professional before admitting those statements under Evid.R. 803 (4). Id. The Supreme Court went on to state that
a court should not presume * * * that the statements are unreliable merely because there is no indisputable evidence of the child's motivation. Rather, in a case such as this, when an examination of the surrounding circumstances casts little doubt on the motivation of the child, it is permissible to assume that the factors underlying Evid.R. 803 (4) are present.
Id. at 410-12. In sum, the court may admit a child's statements if they are made for purposes of medical diagnosis or treatment and there is no evidence to cast doubt upon the child's motivation for making the statements.
Appellant objects to the admissibility of these two exhibits on several grounds. First, appellant argues that it was error to admit State's Exhibit 5 because the trial court limited defense counsel in his cross-examination of Elaine Harffman and expressly stated that Exhibit 5 would not be admitted. We agree with appellant that the trial court was, at best, unclear regarding the admissibility of State's Exhibit 5 during cross-examination of Ms. Harffman. However, if appellant was concerned that he was unfairly limited in his cross-examination, he could have requested permission to recall the witness and continued his cross or recalled Ms. Harffman as an adverse witness in his case-in-chief. As appellant did neither, he was not denied his right to confront the witness regarding the exhibit.
Appellant further contends that neither exhibit should have been admitted because Ms. Harffman is not a medical expert or a doctor and there was no testimony regarding the qualifications of Amy Herbert, who prepared State's Exhibit 3.
Evid.R. 803 (4) does not require that the statements be made to a specific type of health care provider as long as made for purposes of diagnosis or treatment. Thus, a statement may still be within the scope of the exception if it is directed to other physical and mental health professionals, including nurses, psychiatrists, psychologists, and therapists. State v. Chappell
(1994),
Ms. Harffman testified that she is a licensed social worker who was employed as a psychotherapist and was diagnosing and treating Alexandria for her psychological condition. As to State's Exhibit 3, there was testimony from Ms. Herbert that she was employed as a graduate intern at the SAM Clinic and that her duties were to interview Alexandria and then discuss Alexandria's statements with the doctor for purposes of her examination. Furthermore, State's Exhibit 3 includes Ms. Herbert's signature followed by the letters LSW, which indicates that Ms. Herbert is a licensed social worker. See State v. Dumas (Feb. 19, 1999), Franklin App. No. 98AP-581, unreported (holding that statements made to a social worker whose duty was to interview children and provide the information to the medical staff were admissible pursuant to Evid.R. 803 (4)). Ms. Herbert was acting as part of the medical team for purposes of treating Alexandria. Both Ms. Harffman and Ms. Herbert are licensed social workers who were diagnosing and treating Alexandria. The fact that they are not medical doctors does not per se require exclusion of the reports.
Appellant also argues that the trial court erred in failing to make a determination as to Alexandria's competency at the time she made the statements to Ms. Harffman and Ms. Herbert. There is, however, no requirement that the court make such a determination. State v. Ulis (1993),
We do note, however, that the trial court must determine whether there are facts which impugn the child's motivations such that her statements should not be admitted pursuant to Evid.R. 803 (4). Dever, supra, at 412. Here, Ms. Herbert testified that part of her duties were to explain to the child what would happen that day and then interview the child to collect information for the medical examination. Therefore, there is sufficient evidence to support the trial court's finding that Alexandria understood that the statements she made were for the purpose of medical treatment. Further, there was no evidence that Alexandria was unduly influenced when she made the statements to Ms. Herbert.
As to State's Exhibit 5, Ms. Harffman testified that Mrs. Wilson brought Alexandria in to speak to her due to several behavioral changes. Neither party questioned Ms. Harffman as to whether she explained to Alexandria the purpose of her visit. Appellant cross-examined Mrs. Wilson regarding her divorce from appellant and introduced testimony regarding Mrs. Wilson's mental condition. However, we believe that the lack of evidence indicating undue influence on Alexandria is adequate to support the trial court's determination that the exhibits were sufficiently trustworthy pursuant to Dever.
Lastly, we address appellant's argument that portions of State's Exhibit 5 should have been excluded as they were not made for purposes of diagnosis or treatment or were unduly prejudicial. Specifically, appellant refers to statements indicating that appellant sexually molested Alexandria, that appellant had previously been charged with domestic assault, an anecdotal overview of Alexandria's condition and statements indicating that Alexandria is a sexual abuse victim, implying that she was speaking truthfully in accusing appellant of sexually assaulting her.
While statements of fault generally fail to meet the criteria for admission under Evid.R. 803 (4), statements by a child abuse victim that the abuser is a member of the victim's household are reasonably pertinent to diagnosis and treatment. State v. Miller
(1988),
Appellant also argues that a portion of State's Exhibit 5 stating that "there have been domestic violence charges against the step-father during the summer of 1996 due to an episode when he grabbed Alex by the neck and shoved her mother and bruised her mother and choked her" should have been excluded. We agree that the trial court should not have allowed this section of the report to go to the jury. We conclude, however, that this error was harmless beyond a reasonable doubt in light of the admissible evidence presented to the jury.
While we are also troubled by the admission of references to Alexandria as a sexual abuse victim and an overview of Alexandria's condition, we do not believe they require reversal. Appellant contends that the tone of the report and Ms. Harffman's classification of Alexandria as a sexual abuse victim indicate that Ms. Harffman believed Alexandria was telling the truth. InState v. Boston (1989),
Therefore, we overrule appellant's second assignment of error.
The "sufficiency" of evidence refers to the legal standard applied to determine whether the case may go to the jury, i.e. whether the evidence is legally sufficient to support the jury verdict as a matter of law. State v. Thompkins (1997),
Appellant questions Alexandria's credibility and urges us to find the evidence insufficient to support a conviction. We note, however, that a sufficiency of the evidence analysis is a question of law that does not allow courts to independently weigh the evidence. State v. Martin (1983),
Appellant also argues that his conviction is not supported by the manifest weight of the evidence. While a "sufficiency" challenge tests whether a state's case is legally adequate to go to the jury, a "weight" of the evidence argument concerns the "rational persuasiveness" of the evidence and tests whether the evidence was enough to sustain the state's burden of proof. SeeState v. Thompkins, supra, at 386-87; see, also, State v. Martin,supra, at 175.
Our role in a manifest weight of the evidence inquiry is to determine whether the evidence produced at trial "attains the high degree of probative force and certainty required of a criminal conviction." State v. Getsy (1998),
Appellant's argument primarily focuses on Alexandria's credibility, Alexandria's uncertainty as to certain details such as where she was residing when the abuse occurred and Mrs. Wilson's alleged motivation to convince Alexandria to lie. Appellant also relies on the testimony of several witnesses who indicated that Alexandria had a prior history of "sexual activity." Even though a manifest weight of the evidence challenge requires us to review the record and weigh the evidence, our review is tempered by the principle that questions of weight and credibility are primarily for the trier of fact.State v. DeHass (1967),
The Double Jeopardy Clauses of the
R.C.
(A) Where the same conduct by defendant can be construed to constitute two or more allied offenses of similar import, the indictment or information may contain counts for all such offenses, but the defendant may be convicted of only one.
(B) Where the defendant's conduct constitutes two or more offenses of dissimilar import, or where his conduct results in two or more offenses of the same or similar kind committed separately or with a separate animus as to each, the indictment or information may contain counts for all such offenses, and the defendant may be convicted of all of them.
Appellant contends that the trial court impermissibly sentenced him to consecutive terms for felonious sexual penetration and rape because those two crimes are allied offenses of similar import within the meaning of R.C.
In a recent decision, the Ohio Supreme Court clarified the test used to determine whether two crimes are allied offenses of similar import. State v. Rance (1999),
Here, appellant was convicted of felonious sexual penetration in violation of R.C.
No person, without privilege to do so, shall insert any part of the body or any instrument, apparatus, or other object into the vaginal or anal cavity of another who is not the spouse of the offender or who is the spouse of the offender but is living separate and apart from the offender, when any of the following applies:
* * *
The other person is less than thirteen years of age, whether or not the offender knows the age of the other person.
Appellant was also convicted of rape in violation of R.C.
No person shall engage in sexual conduct with another who is not the spouse of the offender or who is the spouse of the offender but is living separate and apart from the offender, when any of the following applies:
* * *
The other person is less than thirteen years of age, whether or not the offender knows the age of the other person.
R.C.
Applying the Supreme Court standard outlined in Rance, we find that felonious sexual penetration and rape are not allied offenses of similar import. While many of the elements are identical, the commission of one of the crimes will not necessarily result in the commission of the other when the offenses are examined in the abstract. For example, insertion of a non-anatomical object could be a violation of R.C.
We also note that Alexandria testified that appellant performed these acts on more than one occasion. Therefore, there was sufficient evidence for the jury to determine that appellant committed rape on one occasion and felonious sexual penetration on another date. Even absent the Rance analysis above, sufficient evidence exists to uphold both convictions based on Alexandria's testimony.
Having found that appellant's double jeopardy rights have not been violated, appellant's fourth assignment of error is overruled.
Having found no reversible error, we affirm the judgment of the trial court.
JUDGMENT AFFIRMED.
The Court finds there were reasonable grounds for this appeal.
It is ordered that a special mandate issue out of this Court directing the Adams County Common Pleas Court to carry this judgment into execution.
IF A STAY OF EXECUTION OF SENTENCE AND RELEASE UPON BAIL HAS BEEN PREVIOUSLY GRANTED BY THE TRIAL COURT OR THIS COURT, it is temporarily continued for a period not to exceed sixty days upon the bail previously posted. The purpose of a continued stay is to allow Appellant to file with the Ohio Supreme Court an application for a stay during the pendency of proceedings in that court. If a stay is continued by this entry, it will terminate at the earlier of the expiration of the sixty day period, or the failure of the Appellant to file a notice of appeal with the Ohio Supreme Court in the forty-five day appeal period pursuant to Rule II, Sec. 2 of the Rules of Practice of the Ohio Supreme Court. Additionally, if the Ohio Supreme Court dismisses the appeal prior to expiration of sixty days, the stay will terminate as of the date of such dismissal.
A certified copy of this entry shall constitute the mandate pursuant to Rule 27 of the Rules of Appellate Procedure.
Exceptions.
Kline, P.J.: Concurs in Judgment and Opinion as to Assignment of Error IV; concurs in Judgment only as to Assignments of Error I, II and III.
Evans, J.: Concurs in Judgment and Opinion.
For the Court
BY: ________________________ William H. Harsha, Judge
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