Keith Hoglund v. State of Indiana (mem. dec.) ( 2016 )

MEMORANDUM DECISION Feb 05 2016, 8:53 am
Pursuant to Ind. Appellate Rule 65(D), this
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.
ATTORNEY FOR APPELLANT ATTORNEYS FOR APPELLEE
Joel C. Wieneke Gregory F. Zoeller
Plainfield, Indiana Attorney General of Indiana
Karl M Scharnberg
Deputy Attorney General
Indianapolis, Indiana
IN THE
COURT OF APPEALS OF INDIANA
Keith Hoglund, February 5, 2016
Appellant-Petitioner, Court of Appeals Case No.
90A02-1503-PC-182
v. Appeal from the Wells Circuit Court
The Honorable Jeffrey Todd, Special
State of Indiana, Judge
Cause No. 90C01-1209-PC-6
Appellee-Respondent.
Riley, Judge.
Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 90A02-1503-PC-182 | February 5, 2016 Page 1 of 13
STATEMENT OF THE CASE
[1] Appellant-Petitioner, Keith Hoglund (Hoglund) appeals the post-conviction
court’s denial of his petition for post-conviction relief.
[2] We affirm.
ISSUE
[3] Hoglund raises one issue on appeal, which we restate as: Whether Hoglund’s
trial counsel provided effective assistance.
FACTS AND PROCEDURAL HISTORY
[4] The facts, as set forth in Hoglund’s direct appeal, are as follows:
Hoglund and Teresa Mallot (Mallot) were married in June 1998.
At that time, Mallot was the mother of a four-year-old son from a
prior relationship. Two daughters were born to the marriage,
A.H. in 1998 and a sister in 2001. In June 2002[,] the family
moved from Fort Wayne to a home in Wells County. A.H. was
four years old at the time. When A.H. was about five years old,
she told Mallot about an incident in which Hoglund had taken a
shower with her. An upset Mallot confronted Hoglund; he
denied the allegation and Mallot at first believed him. In
February 2006[,] a tearful eight-year-old A.H. again told Mallot
about possible sexual abuse. This time Mallot reported the
incident to a detective with the Wells County Sheriff’s
department. The detective questioned A.H. who told him,
among other things, that Hoglund “put stuff on his penis and
ha[d] her lick it off.” Hoglund was arrested an on May 4, 2006,
he was charged with two [C]ounts of child molesting as Class A
felonies. At trial, then twelve-year-old A.H. testified that
Hoglund first began molesting her when she was four years old.
Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 90A02-1503-PC-182 | February 5, 2016 Page 2 of 13
Hoglund would cause her to fellate him approximately two or
three times per week. And this lasted until after A.H.’s seventh
birthday. Hoglund would rub flavored substances onto his penis
and occasionally ejaculate into A.H.’s mouth. Hoglund also
showed A.H. a pornographic movie depicting oral sex, told her
that her mother viewed her with disgust and cared more for her
siblings than her, promised to give her money and toys, and told
her that she would be “covered in black and blue” and that he
would go to jail if she told anyone. After A.H. told Hoglund that
she no longer wanted to fellate him, she asked him if he would
ever force her younger sister to fellate him, and Hoglund
responded, “I don’t know, maybe.”
The State called as expert witnesses pediatrician Carol Butler,
clinical psychologist Amanda Mayle, and mental health
counselor Christine Shestak. Each witness had treated or
counseled A.H. in varying degrees of specificity, each witness
essentially testified that A.H. was “not prone to exaggerate or
fantasize” concerning sexual matters.
They jury found Hoglund guilty on both [C]ounts of child
molesting as Class A felonies. Apparently due to double
jeopardy concerns the trial court sentenced Hoglund to a term of
fifty years on Count I only. Hoglund appealed contending the
testimony of the expert witnesses constituted impermissible
vouching evidence. He also argued that based on his character
and the nature of the offense a fifty-year sentence was
inappropriate. In a divided opinion, the Court of Appeals
rejected both claims and affirmed the trial court’s judgment.
Hoglund v. State, 962 N.E.2d 1230, 1232 (Ind. 2012) (internal references and
footnote omitted).
[5] Our supreme court granted transfer. In its opinion, the court reaffirmed its
adherence to the Indiana Rules of Evidence with respect to the testimony of
child victims of abuse and held that “testimony concerning whether an alleged
Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 90A02-1503-PC-182 | February 5, 2016 Page 3 of 13
child victim ‘is not prone to exaggerate or fantasize about sexual matters,’ is an
indirect but nonetheless functional equivalent of saying the child is ‘telling the
truth.’ It is this aspect of Lawrence that we today expressly overrule as being
inconsistent with the mandate of Rule 704(b) which specifically prohibits
witnesses from testifying as to whether another witness ‘testified truthfully.’”
Id. at 1236 (citing Lawrence v. State, 464 N.E.2d 923, 925 (Ind. 1984)). In light
of this holding, our supreme court found that the vouching testimony of the
three expert witnesses had been erroneously admitted, but the mistake remained
harmless as there existed substantial evidence of Hoglund’s guilt. Id. at 1238.
[6] On September 17, 2012, Hoglund filed his petition for post-conviction relief,
which was amended on March 18, 2014, and argued ineffective assistance of
trial and appellate counsel. A bifurcated evidentiary hearing was conducted on
November 25 and December 19, 2014. On March 5, 2015, the post-conviction
court denied Hoglund’s petition for relief.
[7] Hoglund now appeals. Additional facts will be provided as necessary.
DISCUSSION AND DECISION
[8] On appeal, Hoglund contends that only his trial counsel rendered ineffective
assistance. It is generally accepted that the petitioner in a post-conviction
proceeding bears the burden of establishing grounds for relief by a
preponderance of the evidence. Fisher v. State, 810 N.E.2d 674, 679 (Ind. 2004).
When appealing from the denial of post-conviction relief, the petitioner stands
in the position of one appealing from a negative judgment. Id. On review, we
Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 90A02-1503-PC-182 | February 5, 2016 Page 4 of 13
will not reverse the judgment unless the evidence as a whole unerringly and
unmistakably leads to a conclusion opposite that reached by the post-conviction
court. Id. Further, the post-conviction court in this case entered findings of fact
and conclusions thereon in accordance with Indiana Post-Conviction Rule 1(6).
Id. “A post-conviction court’s findings and judgment will be reversed only
upon a showing of clear error—that which leaves us with a definite and firm
conviction that a mistake has been made.” Id. In this review, we accept
findings of fact unless clearly erroneous, but we accord no deference to
conclusions of law. Id. The post-conviction court is the sole judge of the
weight of the evidence and the credibility of witnesses. Id.
[9] To prevail on a claim of ineffective assistance of counsel, a petitioner must
demonstrate both that his counsel’s performance was deficient and that the
petitioner was prejudiced by the deficient performance. Ben-Yisrayl v. State, 729
N.E.2d 102, 106 (Ind. 2000) (citing Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. 668, 687,
104 S. Ct. 2052, 2064, 80 L. Ed. 2d 674 (1984), reh’g denied), reh’g denied, cert.
denied, 534 U.S. 830 (2001). A counsel’s performance is deficient if it falls
below an objective standard of reasonableness based on prevailing professional
norms. French v. State, 778 N.E.2d 816, 824 (Ind. 2002). To meet the
appropriate test for prejudice, the petitioner must show that there is a
reasonable probability that, but for counsel’s unprofessional errors, the result of
the proceeding would have been different. Id. Failure to satisfy either prong
will cause the claim to fail. Id.
Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 90A02-1503-PC-182 | February 5, 2016 Page 5 of 13
[10] Hoglund’s argument focuses on his trial counsel’s performance during the trial
testimony of the State’s three expert witnesses. Specifically, Hoglund claims
that trial counsel’s preparation was lacking as he failed to properly cross-
examine one expert on research and clinical experiences. He also maintains
that his counsel not only failed to object to the vouching testimony of the
State’s expert witnesses but also failed to request a mistrial because of it.
Lastly, Hoglund claims that trial counsel failed to properly object to A.H.’s
hearsay statements admitted through the testimony of two State expert
witnesses.
I. Inadequate Trial Preparation.
[11] Turning to Hoglund’s claim of inadequate trial preparation, we note that it is
well established that “[c]ounsel is afforded considerable discretion in choosing
strategy and tactics and we will accord that decision deference.” Randolph v.
State, 802 N.E.2d 1008, 1013 (Ind. Ct. App. 2004), trans. denied. “Reasonable
strategy is not subject to judicial second guesses.” Burr v. State, 492 N.E.2d 306,
309 (Ind. 1986). We “will not lightly speculate as to what may or may not have
been an advantageous trial strategy as counsel should be given deference in
choosing a trial strategy which, at the time and under the circumstances, seems
best. Whitener v. State, 696 N.E.2d 40, 42 (Ind. 1998).
[12] Hoglund’s counsel was the third attorney to represent him before the trial court
and also brought the case to trial. Trial counsel testified at the post-conviction
hearing that his primary practice area is criminal defense and he had litigated
Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 90A02-1503-PC-182 | February 5, 2016 Page 6 of 13
approximately nineteen or twenty jury trials. He stated that he had reviewed
the depositions and discovery compiled by his two predecessors. By the time
trial commenced, he felt comfortable that he knew what the expert witnesses
would testify to. Hoglund argues that counsel’s lack of independent research
and research into medical treatises and publications to rebut the expert
witnesses’ opinions prejudiced him. While “[e]ven the finest, most experienced
criminal defense attorneys may not agree on the ideal strategy or the most
effective way to represent a client,” based on our review of the record, we
cannot conclude that trial court’s preparation fell “below an objective standard
of reasonableness based on prevailing professional norms.” Wentz v. State, 766
N.E.2d 351, 361 (Ind. 2002), habeas corpus denied, 2009 WL 136182 (S.D. Ind.
Jan. 20, 2009); French, 778 N.E.2d at 824.
[13] In similar vein, Hoglund asserts that his trial counsel “provided deficient
performance by failing to use the transcripts of A.H.’s deposition to impeach
her during trial.” (Appellant’s Br. p. 13). The post-conviction court
characterized trial counsel’s cross-examination of A.H. as follows: “[w]hile
[trial counsel] may not have artfully impeached A.H.’s testimony at trial by
using a prior inconsistent statement made during her pre-trial discovery
deposition about the flavor of the substance Hoglund placed on his penis before
violating her, or utilized the perfect trial strategy, these tactical and strategic
shortcomings did not individually or cumulatively render his representation
ineffective.” (Appellant’s App. p. 42).
Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 90A02-1503-PC-182 | February 5, 2016 Page 7 of 13
[14] As noted by Hoglund, during closing arguments, trial counsel focused on
A.H.’s differing accounts of what type of container the substance came in, how
it was applied, and whether it was a liquid, a lotion, or an oil. During direct
appeal, our supreme court termed trial counsel’s cross-examination of A.H. as
“aggressive.” Hoglund, 962 N.E.2d at 1238. Accordingly, even though trial
counsel’s cross-examination regarding the flavors of the substance was inartful,
in light of the other discrepancies that trial counsel managed to elicit from A.H.
and place in front of the jury, we cannot conclude that his performance was
defective.
II. Vouching Testimony.
[15] With respect to Hoglund’s argument that trial counsel “provided deficient
performance by failing to object consistently to vouching testimony” uttered by
the State’s expert witnesses, we reach a similar result. (Appellant’s Br. p. 14).
To prevail on a claim of ineffective assistance of counsel due to the failure to
object, the defendant must show an objection would have been sustained if
made. Overstreet v. State, 877 N.E.2d 144, 155 (Ind. 2007), reh’g denied, cert.
denied, 555 U.S. 972 (2008). As recognized by our supreme court on direct
appeal, trial counsel did object to some vouching testimony but not consistently
with every disputed statement. At the time of Hoglund’s trial, the law in
Indiana permitted “some accrediting of the child witness in the form of
opinions from parents, teachers, and others having adequate experience with
the child, and that the child is not prone to exaggerate or fantasize about sexual
matters.” Lawrence v. State, 464 N.E.2d 923, 925 (Ind. 1984) overruled by
Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 90A02-1503-PC-182 | February 5, 2016 Page 8 of 13
Hoglund v. State, 962 N.E.2d 1230 (Ind. 2012). Accordingly, until the supreme
court’s direct appeal decision in this case, the trial court would not have
sustained an objection, should one have been timely made. “‘An attorney is
not required to anticipate changes in the law and object accordingly’ in order to
be considered effective.” Smylie v. State, 823 N.E.2d 679, 690 (Ind. 2005), cert
denied 546 U.S. 976 (2005) (citing Fulmer v. State, 523, N.E.2d 754, 757-58 (Ind.
1988)).
III. Mistrial.
[16] In addition, Hoglund complains that his trial counsel’s performance was
ineffective because he failed “to request a mistrial in response to direct and
overt vouching testimony.” (Appellant’s Br. p. 15). Although pre-Hoglund
precedents permitted the admission of vouching testimony, this admissibility
was not limitless. Opinions by parents, teachers, and others that the child is not
prone to exaggerate or fantasize about sexual matters “facilitate an original
credibility assessment of the child by the trier of fact, so long as they do not take
the direct form of “I believe the child’s story,” or “[i]n my opinion the child is
telling the truth.” Lawrence, 464 N.E.2d at 925. Relying on this exception to
the admissibility of vouching testimony, Hoglund disputes Dr. Butler’s
admitted testimony that she “believe[d] that what [A.H.] told me was the truth
because of her age[.]” (Trial Transcript p. 82). Even though trial counsel
objected to the statement, he did not request a mistrial.
Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 90A02-1503-PC-182 | February 5, 2016 Page 9 of 13
[17] We agree that the statement falls within the vouching testimony exception as it
improperly took the “direct form” and improperly invaded the province of the
jury. See id. Nevertheless, immediately following the objection to the improper
statement, the trial court admonished the jury, instructing them that the
statement would be “stricken from the record and [they] should treat that as if it
had never been said.” (Trial Tr. p. 83). A mistrial is “an extreme remedy
granted only when no other method can rectify the situation.” Underwood v.
State, 644 N.E.2d 108, 111 (Ind. 1994). But “[a] timely and accurate
admonition is presumed to cure any error in the admission of evidence.”
Heavrin v. State, 675 N.E.2d 1075, 1084 (Ind. 1996), reh’g denied. As the trial
court properly admonished the jury to disregard the improper vouching
statement, trial counsel’s request for a mistrial would have been denied.
Accordingly, trial counsel’s performance was effective.
IV. Hearsay Statements.
[18] Lastly, Hoglund contends that his trial counsel failed to appropriately object to
A.H.’s hearsay statements as testified to by the State’s expert witnesses, Dr.
Mayle and Counselor Shestak. Hoglund objected on hearsay grounds, but the
trial court admitted the hearsay statements based on the State’s assertion that
they had been offered pursuant to Ind. Evidence Rule 803(4), i.e., statements
made for the purpose of medical diagnosis or treatment.
[19] For statements to be admitted under this exception to the hearsay rules, the
statements must be “made by persons who are seeking medical diagnosis or
Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 90A02-1503-PC-182 | February 5, 2016 Page 10 of 13
treatment and describing the 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 or treatment.” Evid.
R. 803(4). This exception is grounded in a belief that the declarant’s self-
interest in obtaining proper medical treatment makes such a statement reliable
enough for admission at trial. VanPatten v. State, 986 N.E.2d 255, 260 (Ind.
2013).
[20] This belief of reliability necessitates a two-step analysis for admission under
Rule 803(4): First, “is the declarant motivated to provide truthful information
in order to promote diagnosis and treatment,” and second, “is the content of
statement such that an expert in the field would reasonably rely on it in
rendering diagnosis or treatment.” McClain v. State, 675 N.E.2d 329, 331 (Ind.
1996). “Statements made by victims of sexual assault or molestation about the
nature of the assault or abuse—even those identifying the perpetrator—
generally satisfy the second prong of the analysis because they assist medical
providers in recommending potential treatment for sexually transmitted disease,
pregnancy testing, psychological counseling, and discharge instructions.”
VanPatten, 986 N.E.2d at 260.
[21] The first prong of the test, the declarant’s motive to promote treatment or
diagnosis is equally crucial to a determination of reliability. McClain, 675
N.E.2d at 331. “[T]he declarant must subjectively believe that he was making
the statement for the purpose of receiving medical diagnosis or treatment.” Id.
With most declarants, this is generally a simple matter: “[o]ften, for example
Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 90A02-1503-PC-182 | February 5, 2016 Page 11 of 13
where a patient consults with a physician, the declarant’s desire to seek and
receive treatment may be inferred from the circumstances.” Id.
[22] But in cases like the one here, where the declarant is a young child brought to
the medical provider by a parent, we have acknowledged that such an inference
may be less than obvious. See id. Such young children may not understand the
nature of the examination, the function of the examiner, and may not
necessarily make the necessary link between truthful responses and accurate
medical treatment. See VanPatten, 986 N.E.2d at 261. In that circumstance,
“there must be evidence that the declarant understood the professional’s role in
order to trigger the motivation to provide truthful information.” McClain, 675
N.E.2d at 331. This evidence does not necessarily require testimony from the
child-declarant; it may be received in the form of foundational testimony from
the medical professional detailing the interaction between him or her and the
declarant, how he or she explained his role to the declarant, and an affirmation
that the declarant understood that role. Id. But whatever its source, this
foundation must be present and sufficient. VanPatten, 986 N.E.2d at 261.
[23] Our review of the record indicates that Dr. Mayle testified, without objection
from Hoglund’s trial counsel, about A.H.’s statements describing the abuse she
had suffered. Because of the total absence of any foundational testimony by
Dr. Mayle that A.H. understood the psychologist’s role, trial counsel’s
performance was defective by failing to object. Likewise, while counselor
Shestak testified to her standard procedure and standard questionnaire, there
was no detailed questioning specifically tailored to A.H.’s understanding of her
Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 90A02-1503-PC-182 | February 5, 2016 Page 12 of 13
role. Even though trial counsel objected to A.H.’s hearsay statements about the
molestation, the trial court admitted counselor Shestak’s statements based on
Evid. R. 803(4). Trial counsel did not object based on the lack of foundation to
admit A.H.’s hearsay statements.
[24] Nevertheless, “errors in the admission of evidence are to be disregarded as
harmless error unless they affect the substantial rights of a party. VanPatten, 989
N.E.2d at 267. “Admission of hearsay evidence is not grounds for reversal
where it is merely cumulative of other evidence admitted.” Id. In the present
case, A.H. was present at trial, testified, and was aggressively cross-examined.
A.H.’s testimony on the stand mirrored the hearsay testimony provided by both
Dr. Mayle and counselor Shestak, making the expert witnesses’ testimony
merely cumulative and, at most, harmless error. Therefore, we cannot
conclude that trial counsel provided ineffective assistance.
CONCLUSION
[25] Based on the foregoing, we hold that trial counsel’s performance was not
ineffective and the post-conviction court properly denied Hoglund’s petition for
post-conviction relief.
[26] Affirmed.
[27] Najam, J. and May, J. concur
Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 90A02-1503-PC-182 | February 5, 2016 Page 13 of 13