James K. Chenoweth v. State of Indiana (mem. dec.) ( 2015 )

MEMORANDUM DECISION
Pursuant to Ind. Appellate Rule 65(D), this Jun 09 2015, 6:31 am
Memorandum Decision shall not be regarded as
precedent or cited before any court except for the
purpose of establishing the defense of res judicata,
collateral estoppel, or the law of the case.
ATTORNEYS FOR APPELLANT ATTORNEYS FOR APPELLEE
Stanley F. Wruble III Gregory F. Zoeller
Matthew J. Anderson Attorney General of Indiana
Wruble & Associates
Henry A. Flores, Jr.
South Bend, Indiana
Deputy Attorney General
Indianapolis, Indiana
IN THE
COURT OF APPEALS OF INDIANA
James K. Chenoweth, June 9, 2015
Appellant-Petitioner, Court of Appeals Case No.
20A04-1410-PC-465
v. Appeal from the Elkhart Circuit
Court
State of Indiana, The Honorable Terry C. Shewmaker,
Judge
Appellee-Respondent
Trial Court Cause No.
20C01-1308-PC-51
Mathias, Judge.
[1] James K. Chenoweth (“Chenoweth”) appeals the Elkhart Circuit Court’s denial
of his petition for post-conviction relief.
[2] We affirm.
Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 20A04-1410-PC-465 | June 9, 2015 Page 1 of 18
Facts and Procedural History
[3] In 2009, Chenoweth was convicted of two counts of Class A felony child
molesting and ordered to serve an aggregate forty-year sentence in the
Department of Correction. Chenoweth appealed his convictions, and facts
relevant to the post-conviction proceedings were discussed in his direct appeal:
In 2006, A.S., the victim’s mother, dated Chenoweth for
approximately three months. During this time, A.S., who
suffered from a multitude of mental disorders, routinely allowed
Chenoweth to care for the four-year-old victim. J.S., A.S.’s
mother, also routinely cared for the victim. Because of her mental
disorders, A.S. was considered by J.S. to be developmentally
between twelve and fourteen years old.
After A.S. and Chenoweth broke up, they remained friends, and
Chenoweth often cared for the victim. A.S. married E.S., and the
couple allowed the forty-year-old Chenoweth to move in with
them and care for the victim. Indeed, while A.S. was hospitalized
for approximately three weeks of mental treatment, Chenoweth
spent a considerable amount of time with the victim.
During this time, J.S. observed the victim simulating oral sex
with her dolls. When A.S. was released from the hospital, J.S.
informed her of the victim’s behavior. A.S. was indifferent and
told J.S. to mind her own business.
In January or February of 2007, J.S. again observed the victim
simulating sexual behavior with the dolls by placing an unclothed
male doll on its back and straddling him with an unclothed
female doll. J.S. informed A.S. and E.S. of the behavior, but no
action was taken.
From March 9-11, 2007, Chenoweth was permitted to watch the
victim for three consecutive days at his own residence. On March
13, 2007, Chenoweth again watched the victim, and after
Chenoweth had left for the evening, the victim told E.S. that she
had pain in her “hoo-hoo,” the term she used for her vagina. E.S.
Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 20A04-1410-PC-465 | June 9, 2015 Page 2 of 18
and A.S. inspected the victim and noticed that both the exterior
and interior of the victim’s vagina were red and cracking “like
dried dirt.”
On March 17, 2007, Chenoweth watched the victim while E.S.
and A.S. went out for St. Patrick’s Day. While at a bar, they
discussed the victim’s condition with friends, who urged them to
take further action. Consequently, E.S. and A.S. left the bar and
called the police.
On March 23, 2007, Gayla Konanz, a forensic interviewer with
the Child and Advocacy Center (“CAC”) conducted a forensic
interview of the victim. During the interview, the victim
indicated that Chenoweth had touched her vagina with his
finger, had placed his finger inside her vagina, had inserted his
penis in her vagina, and had ejaculated after placing his penis in
the victim’s mouth. The victim also said that Chenoweth had
touched her “butt” and that it had hurt. The victim said that
Chenoweth had told her not to tell anyone and to keep a secret
about his penis or he would go “bye-bye .”
Chenoweth v. State, No. 20A03-0912-CR-566, 930 N.E.2d 1244 (Ind. Ct. App.
Aug. 3, 2010), trans. denied (record citation omitted).
[4] Chenoweth appealed his convictions and raised three issues: 1) whether the trial
court abused its discretion when it admitted the victim’s videotaped forensic
interview because “there [was] no sufficient indication of the time frame
between the alleged acts of molestation and the date the videotape was made;”
2) whether Chenoweth’s trial counsel was ineffective for failing to enter into
evidence the transcript of the Protected Person’s Statute hearing because the
transcript would have shown that the “victim testified that all [Chenoweth] did
was touch the outside of her vagina with his finger;” and 3) whether the trial
court abused its discretion when it sentenced Chenoweth and whether his forty-
Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 20A04-1410-PC-465 | June 9, 2015 Page 3 of 18
year aggregate sentence was inappropriate in light of the nature of the offense
and the character of the offender. Id. Our court rejected Chenoweth’s
arguments and affirmed his convictions and sentence.
[5] On October 5, 2013, Chenoweth filed a petition for post-conviction relief and
alleged, in part, that his appellate counsel was ineffective. Specifically,
Chenoweth alleged that appellate counsel should have 1) argued that admission
of the victim’s videotaped statement violated his Sixth Amendment right to
confrontation; and 2) argued that his trial counsel was ineffective for failing to
argue that the victim was not unavailable to testify at trial.
[6] A hearing was held on Chenoweth’s petition for post-conviction relief on
March 13, 2014. Only Chenoweth and his mother testified at the hearing.
[7] On August 1, 2014, the post-conviction court issued findings of fact and
conclusions of law denying Chenoweth’s requested relief. In pertinent part, the
court found:
19. In the instant case, Petitioner’s first claim is that the trial
court committed fundamental error in admitting the child
victim’s recorded forensic interview over Petitioner’s
Confrontation Clause objection after finding that the victim was
unavailable for medical reasons when the court determined that
she would suffer emotional trauma if forced to testify in front of
Petitioner at trial despite her ability to do so at the protected
persons hearing without losing her ability to reasonably
communicate. The Indiana Court of Appeals specifically
discussed the foundational requirement provisions of the
Protected Persons Statute, and held that the trial court ‘found
that the time, content and circumstances of the videotaped
Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 20A04-1410-PC-465 | June 9, 2015 Page 4 of 18
interview provided sufficient indications of reliability,” and that
there was no error with its admission. To the extent that
Petitioner invites the court to reconsider this matter as a
freestanding claim of fundamental error, said claim is res judicata
and not available as grounds for Post Conviction Relief.
20. Petitioner, however, attempts to raise the aforementioned
issue under the umbrella of an ineffective assistance of trial
counsel claim. As noted in paragraph 4 herein above, Petitioner
already raised the issue of whether his trial counsel was
ineffective for not introducing a transcript of the subject video
recording at trial and on direct appeal. In the current post
conviction proceedings, Petitioner now alleges his counsel was
ineffective for failing to object to the trial court’s determination
that the child victim was not available to testify at trial, and
challenging the admission of the video on that basis.
21. Petitioner can not raise a new theory of ineffective assistance
of counsel in post conviction proceedings. . . .
22. In the instant case, because Petitioner argued ineffective
assistance of counsel on appeal, and the Indiana Court of
Appeals decided against him on the merits, res judicata prohibits
Petitioner from arguing new grounds for ineffective assistance in
post conviction relief.
23. Even if Petitioner’s argument was considered on the merits,
the record does not support Petitioner’s claim that counsel was
ineffective for failing to object to the trial court’s determination
that the child victim was no available to testify at trial. Mari
Duerring (“Duerring”) represented Petitioner through the
pendency of this Cause, including during the deposition of the
child victim, the pre-trial Protected Person’s Hearing, and the
jury trial. During the Protected Person’s hearing, the State
presented evidence that the victim, a minor child, was suffering
from a medical condition. Specifically, Dr. Allen J. Stuckey,
M.D., a board certified physician in both pediatrics and
psychiatry, testified that he believed the victim would suffer a
severe trauma if forced to testify at trial. Dr. Stuckey further
Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 20A04-1410-PC-465 | June 9, 2015 Page 5 of 18
testified that he believed that the victim was suffering from Post-
Traumatic Stress Disorder caused by severe trauma and further
psychological damage would likely result if she was required to
testify at trial. The victim was present at the Protected Persons
Hearing, testified, and was cross-examined by counsel for
Petitioner. Moreover, at the Protected Persons Hearing, counsel
for Petitioner objected to the admissibility of the video recorded
forensic interview of the victim on the ground that the same
would violate Petitioner’s right to confrontation secured by the
Sixth Amendment.
24. The trial court took admissibility of the video taped recording
under advisement, and on September 29, 2008, issued its
confidential Order. That Order provided, in relevant part, as
follows:
In this case, the court found that Dr. Stuckey’s conclusions
concerning the harm which the victim will suffer should
she be required to testify at trial are supported by the
evidence. Accordingly, the victim is deemed unavailable to
testify. Defendant had the opportunity to depose the
victim and to cross examine her at the admissibility
hearing; therefore, Defendant’s constitutional right to
confront and cross-examine his accuser has been
preserved.
25. During the jury trial in the underlying matter, the State
offered the video recording of the victim’s forensic interview as
evidence. The record establishes that Duerring again objected
and argued that admission of the video recorded statement would
run afoul of Petitioner’s rights under the Confrontation Clause of
the Sixth Amendment. The Court, however, ruled that the child
victim was unavailable as a witness and the video recording of
his forensic interview would be admitted as evidence at trial.
26. It is well established that the Protected Person’s Statute, if
followed precisely, satisfies the constitutional guarantees of
confrontation. . . . In addition, it is clear that counsel for
Petitioner not only had the opportunity, but availed herself
Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 20A04-1410-PC-465 | June 9, 2015 Page 6 of 18
thoroughly of that right, in cross-examination of the victim
during the Protected Person’s Hearing. Petitioner has not
established that any error occurred regarding the admissibility of
the video recorded interview. Accordingly, failure to challenge or
object to the same cannot be the basis for ineffective assistance of
trial counsel. Counsel did object, however, the court allowed the
admission of the video recorded statement. Petitioner’s
dissatisfaction with this result does not give him the right to re-
litigate the matter and does not amount to ineffective assistance
of counsel simply because the issue was decided adversely to
him.
Petitioner also contends that his appellate counsel was ineffective
for not raising the issue of ineffective assistance of trial counsel
on direct appeal with respect to the admission of the videotaped
interview.
***
29. The record establishes that Attorney Hilgendorf raised both
the issue of whether the admission of the video recording was
error, and whether trial counsel was ineffective for not
introducing a transcript of the subject video recording, on direct
appeal. Essentially, Petitioner is simply combining these issues
in an attempt to again raise them framed as an ineffective
assistance of counsel claim, which is inappropriate as noted in
paragraph 21 herein above. Clearly, appellate counsel was aware
of, and did raise, the issue of error regarding the admission of the
video recorded forensic interview of the victim. This claim is res
judicata regardless of how it is framed and not available for post
conviction review.
30. Even if the court considered the claim on the merits, it fails.
During the evidentiary hearing on Petitioner’s request for Post
Conviction Relief, the only evidence presented regarding whether
his appellate counsel was aware of the potential issue of counsel
ineffectiveness for failing to challenge the admission of the
videotape came from Petitioner’s mother, Linda Richmond.
Petitioner’s appellate counsel was not called to testify. Ms.
Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 20A04-1410-PC-465 | June 9, 2015 Page 7 of 18
Richmond testified that she and appellate counsel discussed
various theories of ineffective assistance of counsel, the
implications of challenging the admissibility of the video
recorded interview, as well as strategic reasons as to why
appellate counsel might choose to raise some issue and not
others. Petitioner presented no evidence from any witness
possessing the knowledge, experience, education, skill, and/or
credibility as a legal professional in the State of Indiana who
challenged appellate counsel’s strategy in this case. Petitioner
failed in his burden of showing that any potential unraised issues
were more significant and/or clearly stronger than the issues
raised. Thus, neither deficient performance nor likelihood of a
different outcome had different issues been raised was
established. This court is convinced that even if appellate counsel
had presented the issue of admissibility of the video recorded
interview in any different manner, that such claim would not
have been treated differently by the Indiana Court of Appeals.
Appellant’s App. pp. 9-15. Chenoweth now appeals the denial of his petition for
post-conviction relief.
I. Untimely Notice of Appeal
[8] The State argues that Chenoweth’s appeal should be dismissed because he did
not file his Notice of Appeal within thirty days after the trial court issued its
order denying the petition for post-conviction relief. See Ind. Appellate Rule 9.
If a Notice of Appeal is not timely filed, the right to appeal is forfeited.1 Here,
1
Post-Conviction Rule 2(1) allows an eligible defendant to request permission to file a belated
appeal where the failure to file a timely notice of appeal was not the petitioner's fault and the
petitioner has been diligent in seeking permission to file a belated notice. Ind. Post-Conviction
Rule 2(1)(a); Cooper v. State, 917 N.E.2d 667, 673 (Ind. 2009). The defendant may seek
permission to file a belated notice of appeal of his conviction or sentence but not from an entry
of judgment in a post-conviction relief proceeding. See Taylor v. State, 939 N.E.2d 1132, 1135
(Ind. Ct. App. 2011).
Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 20A04-1410-PC-465 | June 9, 2015 Page 8 of 18
judgment was entered on August 1, 2014, and the Notice of Appeal should
have been filed no later than September 2, 2014.2 However, Chenoweth filed his
Notice of Appeal on September 4, 2014, two days late.
[9] Failure to timely file a Notice of Appeal is not jurisdictional, but the appellant
forfeits his right to an appeal absent “extraordinarily compelling reasons.” In re
Adoption of O.R., 16 N.E.3d 965, 971 (Ind. 2014). Moreover, our Supreme Court
has observed:
our appellate rules exist to facilitate the orderly presentation and
disposition of appeals . . . and [as] our Court of Appeals has
noted we are mindful that our procedural rules are merely means
for achieving the ultimate end of orderly and speedy justice. This
policy has been incorporated into our Rules of Appellate
Procedure. See App. R. 1 (providing in part: “The Court may,
upon the motion of a party or the Court’s own motion, permit
deviation from these Rules”). Thus, despite the “shall be
forfeited” language of Rule 9(A), the Rules themselves provide a
mechanism allowing this Court to resurrect an otherwise
forfeited appeal.
Id. at 971-72 (internal quotations and citations omitted).
[10] Chenoweth is serving a forty-year sentence in the Department of Correction.
While the Notice of Appeal in these proceedings was filed two days late, in
general, Chenoweth has timely and diligently pursued the relief available to
him. Under these facts and given our preference for deciding cases on their
merits, we deny the State’s request to dismiss Chenoweth’s appeal.
2
On September 1, 2014, the Clerk’s Office was closed for observance of the Labor Day
holiday.
Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 20A04-1410-PC-465 | June 9, 2015 Page 9 of 18
II. Post-Conviction Relief
[11] Post-conviction proceedings are not “super appeals” through which convicted
persons can raise issues they failed to raise at trial or on direct appeal. McCary v.
State, 761 N.E.2d 389, 391 (Ind. 2002). Rather, post-conviction proceedings
afford petitioners a limited opportunity to raise issues that were unavailable or
unknown at trial and on direct appeal. Davidson v. State, 763 N.E.2d 441, 443
(Ind. 2002). A post-conviction petitioner bears the burden of establishing
grounds for relief by a preponderance of the evidence. Henley v. State, 881
N.E.2d 639, 643 (Ind. 2008). On appeal from the denial of post-conviction
relief, the petitioner stands in the position of one appealing from a negative
judgment. Id. To prevail on appeal from the denial of post-conviction relief,
the petitioner must show that the evidence as a whole leads unerringly and
unmistakably to a conclusion opposite that reached by the post-conviction
court. Id. at 643-44.
[12] Where, as here, the post-conviction court makes findings of fact and
conclusions of law in accordance with Indiana Post–Conviction Rule 1(6), we
cannot affirm the judgment on any legal basis but rather must determine if the
court’s findings are sufficient to support its judgment. Graham v. State, 941
N.E.2d 1091, 1096 (Ind. Ct. App. 2011), aff’d on reh’g, 947 N.E.2d 962.
Although we do not defer to the post-conviction court’s legal conclusions, we
review the post-conviction court’s factual findings under a clearly erroneous
standard. Id. Accordingly, we will not reweigh the evidence or judge the
credibility of witnesses, and we will consider only the probative evidence and
Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 20A04-1410-PC-465 | June 9, 2015 Page 10 of 18
reasonable inferences flowing therefrom that support the post-conviction court’s
decision. Id.
A. Ineffective Assistance of Trial Counsel
[13] First, Chenoweth contends that the post-conviction court clearly erred when it
concluded that he waived his claim of ineffective assistance of trial counsel.
Chenoweth raised a claim of ineffective assistance of trial counsel on direct
appeal, and therefore, the trial court correctly determined that the issue is
barred by the doctrine of res judicata.3 See Woods v. State, 701 N.E.2d 1208, 1220
(Ind. 1998) (holding that if a defendant chooses to raise a claim of ineffective
assistance of counsel on direct appeal, “the issue will be foreclosed from
collateral review”); see also Brewington v. State, 7N.E.3d 946, 977 (Ind. 2014)
(stating that “[r]aising ineffectiveness on direct appeal without the benefit of an
additional post-conviction record is permissible, but the issue becomes res
judicata and therefore unavailable for collateral review”). Because Chenoweth’s
freestanding claims and ineffective assistance of trial counsel claims are waived
and/or barred by res judicata, only claims framed as ineffective assistance of
appellate counsel are available in these post-conviction proceedings.
3
Although a criminal defendant claiming ineffective assistance of trial counsel is at liberty to
elect whether to present this claim on direct appeal or in post-conviction proceedings, it is
well-settled that a post-conviction proceeding is generally the preferred forum for adjudicating
claims of ineffective assistance of trial counsel because the presentation of such claims often
requires the development of new evidence not present in the trial record. See Jewell v. State, 887
N.E.2d 939 (Ind. 2008)
Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 20A04-1410-PC-465 | June 9, 2015 Page 11 of 18
B. Ineffective Assistance of Appellate Counsel
[14] Chenoweth argues that his appellate counsel was ineffective for failing to argue
that admission of the victim’s videotaped forensic interview violated his Sixth
Amendment right to “meaningful confrontation.” Appellant’s Br. at 33. When
we review claims of ineffective assistance of appellate counsel, we use the same
standard applied to claims of ineffective assistance of trial counsel: the post-
conviction petitioner must show that appellate counsel’s performance fell below
an objective standard of reasonableness and that there is a reasonable
probability that, but for the deficient performance of counsel, the result of the
proceeding would have been different. Manzano v. State, 12 N.E.3d 321, 329
(Ind. Ct. App. 2014) (citing Harris v. State, 861 N.E.2d 1182, 1186 (Ind. 2007)),
trans. denied.
[15] To show that counsel was ineffective for failing to raise an issue on appeal, the
defendant must overcome the strongest presumption of adequate assistance,
and judicial scrutiny is highly deferential. Id. To evaluate the performance
prong when counsel failed to raise issues upon appeal, we apply the following
test: (1) whether the unraised issues are significant and obvious from the face of
the record, and (2) whether the unraised issues are clearly stronger than the
raised issues. Id. If the analysis under this test demonstrates deficient
performance, then we examine whether the issues which appellate counsel
failed to raise would have been clearly more likely to result in reversal or an
order for a new trial. Id. at 329-30. Ineffective assistance is very rarely found in
cases where a defendant asserts that appellate counsel failed to raise an issue on
Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 20A04-1410-PC-465 | June 9, 2015 Page 12 of 18
direct appeal because the decision of what issues to raise is one of the most
important strategic decisions to be made by appellate counsel. Id. at 330.
[16] Chenoweth argues that his appellate counsel was ineffective for failing to argue
that admission of the child’s videotaped statement violated the Confrontation
Clause and denied him a fair trial. Chenoweth also argues that his appellate
counsel was deficient for failing to argue that trial counsel was ineffective
because she did not challenge the trial court’s finding that the victim was
unavailable to testify at trial.
[17] To address these issues, we initially observe that in this case, the only direct
evidence of molestation admitted at trial was the victim’s videotaped forensic
interview. Indiana Code section 35-37-4-6, known as the “protected person
statute” or the “child hearsay statute,” lists certain conditions under which
evidence that is otherwise inadmissible may be admitted in cases involving
certain crimes, including child molesting, committed against “protected
persons.” J.A. v. State, 904 N.E.2d 250, 255 (Ind. Ct. App. 2009).
[18] Because the victim was four-years old when she was molested, Chenoweth’s
victim qualified as a protected person, and therefore, the videotape of her
forensic interview was admissible at trial if:
after notice to the defendant of a hearing and of the defendant’s
right to be present, all of the following conditions are met:
(1) The court finds, in a hearing:
(A) conducted outside the presence of the jury; and
Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 20A04-1410-PC-465 | June 9, 2015 Page 13 of 18
(B) attended by the protected person in person or by
using closed circuit television testimony as
described in section 8(f) and 8(g) of this chapter;
that the time, content, and circumstances of the statement or
videotape provide sufficient indications of reliability.
(2) The protected person:
(A) testifies at the trial; or
(B) is found by the court to be unavailable as a
witness for one (1) of the following reasons:
(i) From the testimony of a psychiatrist,
physician, or psychologist, and other
evidence, if any, the court finds that the
protected person’s testifying in the physical
presence of the defendant will cause the
protected person to suffer serious emotional
distress such that the protected person cannot
reasonably communicate.
(ii) The protected person cannot participate in
the trial for medical reasons.
(iii) The court has determined that the
protected person is incapable of
understanding the nature and obligation of an
oath.
I.C. § 35-37-4-6(d) & (e). The trial court found that Chenoweth’s victim was
unable to testify under subsection (e)(2)(B), making her videotaped statement
admissible only if she was available for cross-examination “at the hearing
described in subsection (e)(1)” or “when the statement or videotape was made.”
See I.C. § 35-37-4-6(f).
[19] Chenoweth does not claim that the trial court failed to follow the procedures
listed in section 35-37-4-6, and he had the opportunity to depose the victim and
Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 20A04-1410-PC-465 | June 9, 2015 Page 14 of 18
to cross-examine her at the Protected Persons hearing. Therefore, we conclude
that his appellate counsel was not ineffective for failing to argue on direct
appeal that his Sixth Amendment right of confrontation was violated. See Tyler
v. State, 903 N.E.2d 463 (Ind. 2009) (discussing how the protected persons
statute addresses and protects the defendant’s Sixth Amendment right of
confrontation); Howard v. State, 853 N.E.2d 461, 470 (Ind. 2006) (stating that
“prior testimony from a subsequently unavailable witness is admissible at a
subsequent trial, provided the defendant had the opportunity to confront the
witness when the testimony was originally given”).
[20] Chenoweth also claims that his appellate counsel was deficient for failing to
argue that his trial counsel was ineffective when she failed to challenge the trial
court’s finding that the victim was unavailable to testify for medical reasons.4 In
support of this argument, Chenoweth relies on Maryland v. Craig, 497 U.S. 836
(1990) and Coy v. Iowa, 487 U.S. 1012 (1988). However, those cases address
violations of a defendant’s Sixth Amendment right of confrontation where the
witness was available at trial but shielded from the defendant’s view while
testifying.
[21] In Coy, the use of a screen to shield the child witnesses from the defendant was
held to be unconstitutional in part because there were “no individualized
findings that these particular witnesses needed special protection[.]” 487 U.S. at
4
As we noted above, Chenoweth’s trial counsel repeatedly objected to admission of the
victim’s videotaped interview on the grounds that its admission violated the Confrontation
Clause.
Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 20A04-1410-PC-465 | June 9, 2015 Page 15 of 18
1021. In Craig, the Court concluded that “a State’s interest in the physical and
psychological well-being of child abuse victims may be sufficiently important to
outweigh, at least in some cases, a defendant’s right to face his or her accusers
in court.” 497 U.S. at 853. Therefore, the Craig court held that “if the State
makes [a case-specific] showing of necessity, the state interest in protecting
child witnesses from the trauma of testifying in a child abuse case is sufficiently
important to justify the use of a special procedure that permits a child witness in
such cases to testify at trial against a defendant in the absence of face-to-face
confrontation with the defendant.” Id. at 855. The statute at issue in Craig
allowed the child victim to testify via a one-way closed circuit television.5
[22] These cases do not support Chenoweth’s argument that the trial court
unconstitutionally expanded the terms of Indiana Code section 35-37-4-6(e)
when it concluded that the victim was unavailable to testify for medical
reasons. Therefore, we reject Chenoweth’s claim that appellate counsel’s
performance was deficient because he failed to argue that trial counsel was
ineffective due to her “demonstrated ignorance of the law,” i.e., her failure to
utilize Coy and Craig to challenge the unavailability of the child victim.
Appellant’s Br. at 35.
[23] Moreover, in its findings of fact and conclusions of law, the post-conviction
court noted:
5
Indiana has a similar statute authorizing use of closed circuit television for victims who
qualify as “protected persons” under Indiana Code section 35-37-4-6. I.C. 35-37-4-8.
Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 20A04-1410-PC-465 | June 9, 2015 Page 16 of 18
During the Protected Person’s hearing, the State presented
evidence that the victim, a minor child, was suffering from a
medical condition. Specifically, Dr. Allen J. Stuckey, M.D., a
board certified physician in both pediatrics and psychiatry,
testified that he believed the victim would suffer a severe trauma
if forced to testify at trial. Dr. Stuckey further testified that he
believed that the victim was suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress
Disorder caused by severe trauma and further psychological damage
would likely result if she was required to testify at trial.
Appellant’s App. p. 12 (emphasis added). The victim’s unavailability for
medical reasons was established by Dr. Stuckey’s testimony.6 Therefore,
appellate counsel’s performance was not deficient when he failed to argue that
trial counsel was ineffective because she did not challenge the trial court’s
determination that the victim was unavailable as that term is defined in Indiana
Code section 35-37-4-6(e). Consequently, Chenoweth has not established that
the outcome of his direct appeal would have been different had this argument
been raised.
[24] For all of these reasons, we conclude that Chenoweth has not established that
appellate counsel’s performance fell below an objective standard of
reasonableness because the unraised issues are not clearly stronger than the
issues appellate counsel raised on direct appeal.
6
Contrary to Chenoweth’s claim, the trial court did not determine that the victim was
unavailable for the sole reason that testifying would be difficult for her and cause her
additional trauma.
Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 20A04-1410-PC-465 | June 9, 2015 Page 17 of 18
Conclusion
[25] We deny the State’s request to dismiss Chenoweth’s appeal of the denial of his
petition for post-conviction relief for untimeliness. Chenoweth’s claim of
ineffective assistance of trial counsel is barred by the doctrine of res judicata.
Also, Chenoweth has not established that his appellate counsel was ineffective.
Therefore, we affirm the trial court’s order denying Chenoweth’s petition for
post-conviction relief.
[26] Affirmed.
May, J., and Robb, J., concur.
Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 20A04-1410-PC-465 | June 9, 2015 Page 18 of 18