Ellica Ann Houser v. State of Indiana (mem. dec.) ( 2016 )

MEMORANDUM DECISION
Pursuant to Ind. Appellate Rule 65(D), this FILED
Memorandum Decision shall not be regarded as Dec 27 2016, 8:33 am
precedent or cited before any court except for the
purpose of establishing the defense of res judicata, CLERK
Indiana Supreme Court
Court of Appeals
collateral estoppel, or the law of the case. and Tax Court
ATTORNEY FOR APPELLANT ATTORNEYS FOR APPELLEE
Timothy P. Broden Gregory F. Zoeller
Lafayette, Indiana Attorney General of Indiana
Katherine Modesitt Cooper
Deputy Attorney General
Indianapolis, Indiana
IN THE
COURT OF APPEALS OF INDIANA
Ellica Ann Houser, December 27, 2016
Appellant-Defendant, Court of Appeals Cause No.
79A02-1603-CR-556
v. Appeal from the Tippecanoe Circuit
Court
State of Indiana, The Honorable Thomas H. Busch,
Judge
Appellee-Plaintiff.
Cause No. 79C01-1502-FD-1
Riley, Judge.
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STATEMENT OF THE CASE
[1] Appellant-Defendant, Ellica Houser (Houser), appeals her conviction for
neglect of a dependent, a Class D felony, Ind. Code § 35-46-1-4(a)(3) (2012).
[2] We affirm.
ISSUE
[3] Houser raises two issues on appeal, which we consolidate and restate as the
following single issue: Whether the trial court abused its discretion in admitting
certain evidence.
FACTS AND PROCEDURAL HISTORY
[4] Between December 2010 and December 2012, K.N. 1 lived with her mother,
Houser, and her step-father, Michael Houser (Michael), at 4015 Jackson
Highway, West Lafayette, Indiana. Between 2011 and 2012, K.N. was in the
sixth and seventh grades. K.N.’s best friend was A.E., whom she had met in
the sixth grade. The two girls were closely bonded and they spent most of their
1
The charging Information and Affidavit of Probable Cause refers to K.N. as K.C. The record shows that
K.N. was subsequently adopted and she changed her last name.
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free time together. Often times, A.E. stayed at K.N.’s house overnight on the
weekends.
[5] While living at Jackson Highway, every now and then, Michael would walk
into the bathroom while K.N. was taking a shower “and he would ask if he
could watch.” (Tr. p. 260). After a while, Michael progressed from observing
K.N.’s showers, and he would fondle K.N.’s breasts and vagina while he
masturbated. Michael would stop touching K.N.’s breast and vagina after he
ejaculated. According to K.N., Michael’s abuse in the bathroom happened
“every other day.” (Tr. p. 266).
[6] On one occasion, Michael went into K.N.’s bedroom and touched K.N.’s breast
and vagina with his hands. Thereafter, Michael inserted his penis into K.N.’s
vagina but he did not “insert it all the way.” (Tr. p. 268). Sometime between
January or February 2012, K.N. was at home sleeping on the couch. Michael
badgered K.N. to allow him to touch her and after several requests, K.N.
agreed. At first, Michael touched K.N.’s breast and vagina with his hands.
Next, Michael pulled K.N.’s shorts down, got on top of her, and inserted his
penis into her vagina. According to K.N., Houser was always at home when
Michael molested her; however, she specified that Houser was never in the
same room during the abuse. When K.N. reported to Houser about Michael’s
abuse, Houser advised her “not to think a lot about it.” (Tr. p. 281).
[7] Sometime in February 2012, Houser and K.N. got into an argument over a
“tootsie roll that [Michael] had given” K.N. (Tr. p. 280). Houser ordered
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K.N.to go to her bedroom but K.N. refused. Houser verbally abused K.N.
stating that the only reason K.N. left her bedroom was “to fuck” Michael. (Tr.
p. 280). Soon thereafter, the argument between Houser and K.N. escalated into
a physical altercation. In the days that followed, K.N. reported Michael’s
yearlong abuse to her boyfriend, and a school counselor. The school counselor
instructed K.N. to write down the allegations, and she thereafter alerted the
Tippecanoe County Sheriff’s Department and the Department of Child
Services. Shortly after K.N.’s claims of sexual molestation surfaced, A.E.
disclosed to her mother that Michael had raped her in 2011 when she had been
left alone with him at K.N.’s house in West Lafayette. Subsequently, K.N. and
A.E. were interviewed on several occasions at the Hartford House by Dawn
Gross (Gross), a child forensic interviewer. In addition, Detective Jacob
Amberger (Detective Amberger) interviewed Houser regarding K.N.’s
allegations.
[8] On February 28, 2015, the State filed an Information, charging Houser with
neglect of a dependent, a Class D felony, I.C. § 35-46-1-4(a)(3) (2012). On
August 25, 2015, Houser, by counsel, filed a motion in limine requesting the
exclusion of specific prior bad acts including, but not limited to “any
photographs taken on a boat in White County.” (Appellant’s App. Vol. II, p.
103). On September 15, 2015, the trial court held an evidentiary hearing to
hear all pending motions, including Houser’s motion in limine. At the close of
the evidence, the trial court took the matter under advisement. On December
16, 2015, the trial court denied Houser’s motion, stating, in part, that “with
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respect to the swim suit incident, the motion in limine is denied . . . . the
evidence is relevant to show knowledge.” (Appellant’s App. Vol. II, p. 83).
[9] Houser and Michael were tried jointly during a three-day jury trial beginning on
January 11, 2016. During trial, the State questioned K.N. regarding an incident
in White County where Michael had untied her bikini top as well as A.E.’s.
Prior to K.N.’s response, Houser’s counsel requested a side bar outside the
jury’s presence, and after the conference, the trial court issued the following
limiting instructions to the jury:
Okay the defendants are charged with crimes committed in
Tippecanoe County and you are now hearing some evidence about an
incident that . . . allegedly occurred in White County. The . . . only
purpose for which you may consider this evidence is to show the
knowledge of [] Houser as to the charges against her, . . . and the
intent or lack of mistake as to Michael[’s] . . . charges against him.
You’re not to consider . . . the evidence of the White County incident
for any other purpose.
(Tr. p. 275). K.N. proceeded to testify that in the summer of 2011, Houser,
Michael, A.E., and herself all went to a lake in White County. K.N. stated that
while on the boat, Michael unlaced her bikini top as well as A.E.’s and then she
and A.E. jumped into the water. K.N. indicated that Houser observed
Michael’s acts since she was in the water floating “on the tube.” (Tr. p. 278).
K.N. stated that Michael ejaculated when she and A.E. jumped into the water.
K.N. further stated that at a different time that same summer, while on the
same boat, Michael took naked photographs of her and Houser both with their
legs up in the air. Also, over Houser’s objection, Gross, the child forensic
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interviewer, testified on the dynamics of child sexual abuse including the
disclosure process, reasons for delayed disclosures, and recantation of
allegations. 2 Specifically, Gross specified that every child is unique and reacts
differently to sexual abuse. Gross added that recantation did not mean that the
abuse did not occur, and she further explained that most children that were
sexually abused repudiated their assertions so as to avoid offending or upsetting
their caregiver or parent. At the close of the evidence, the jury found Houser
guilty as charged. On March 4, 2016, the trial court held Houser’s sentencing
hearing and subsequently sentenced her to an executed one and one-half years
in the Indiana Department of Correction.
[10] Houser now appeals. Additional facts will be provided as necessary.
DISCUSSION AND DECISION
I. Standard of Review
[11] A trial court has broad discretion in ruling on the admissibility of evidence, and,
on review, we will disturb its ruling only on a showing of abuse of discretion.
Sparkman v. State, 722 N.E.2d 1259, 1262 (Ind. Ct. App. 2000). When
2
The record shows that in June 2008, while living in Kentucky, K.N. alleged that her uncle had sexually
molested her. However, during a forensic interview at the child advocacy center in Hopkinsville, Kentucky,
K.N. recanted that allegation.
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reviewing a decision under an abuse of discretion standard, we will affirm if
there is any evidence supporting the decision. Id. A claim of error in the
admission or exclusion of evidence will not prevail on appeal unless a
substantial right of the party is affected. Ind. Evidence Rule 103(a). In
determining whether error in the introduction of evidence affected a defendant’s
substantial rights, we assess the probable impact of the evidence on the jury.
Sparkman, 722 N.E.2d at 1262.
[12] In her appellate brief, Houser argues that (1) the evidence in relation to the
incidents that arose in White County were inadmissible pursuant to Indiana
Evidence Rule 404(b); and (2) the trial court abused its discretion in admitting
Gross’ testimony since it amounted to indirect vouching for K.N.’s and A.E.’s
testimonies.
II. Admission of Evidence
[13] Houser argues that the trial court abused its discretion in admitting two prior
bad acts: (1) Houser was present when Michael untied K.N.’s and A.E.’s bikini
tops while they were on a boat in White County; and (2) the naked photographs
that Michael took of her and K.N. Houser claims that the admission of these
prior bad acts was in violation of Evidence Rule 404(b), as they could only have
been admitted to show her propensity to commit the crime of neglect of a
dependent. The State counters Houser’s argument and states that the prior bad
acts committed in White County were properly admitted as the evidence was
relevant to show Houser’s knowledge with respect to Michael’s abuse of K.N.
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[14] Indiana Evidence Rule 404(b) provides that evidence of other crimes, wrongs,
or acts of a defendant is not admissible to prove the character of the defendant
in order to show action in conformity therewith. “It may, however, be
admissible for other purposes, such as proof of motive, intent, preparation,
plan, knowledge, identity, or absence of mistake or accident.” Evid. R. 404(b).
(emphasis added). In assessing the admissibility of Evidence Rule 404(b)
evidence, the trial court must (1) determine whether the evidence of other
crimes, wrongs, or acts is relevant to a matter at issue other than the defendant’s
propensity to commit the charged act; and (2) balance the probative value of the
evidence against its prejudicial effect. Goldsberry v. State, 821 N.E.2d 447, 455
(Ind. Ct. App. 2005). The well-established rationale behind Evidence Rule
404(b) is that the jury is precluded from making the forbidden inference that the
defendant had a criminal propensity and therefore engaged in the charged
conduct. Id. The list of “other purposes” in the Rule is not exhaustive;
extrinsic act evidence may be admitted for any purpose not specified in Rule
404(b) unless precluded by the first sentence of Rule 404(b) or any other Rule.
Id.
[15] The second step of a 404(b) analysis is to balance the probative value of the
evidence against its prejudicial effect. Id. “Although relevant, evidence may be
excluded if its probative value is substantially outweighed by the danger of
unfair prejudice, confusion of the issues, or misleading the jury, or by
considerations of undue delay, or needless presentation of cumulative
evidence.” Evid. R. 403. “The trial court has wide latitude, however, in
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weighing the probative value of the evidence against the possible prejudice of its
admission.” Evans v. State, 727 N.E.2d 1072, 1079 (Ind. 2000).
[16] We note that Evidence Rule 404(b)(2) specifies knowledge as one of the
purposes for which evidence of other crimes, wrongs, or acts may be admitted.
Such evidence is most commonly used to rebut the possibility that the
defendant was unaware that a criminal act was being committed. 12 Robert L.
Miller, Jr., Indiana Practice: Indiana Evidence, § 404.203 (3d ed. 2007). Further,
in Whitehair v. State, 654 N.E.2d 296, 302 (Ind. Ct. App. 1995), we concluded
that, with respect to a defendant’s knowledge of the wrongfulness of his actions,
evidence of a defendant’s prior bad acts is only admissible when the defendant
puts his knowledge at issue. Turning to the present case, in her opening
statement, Houser, through counsel, explained that she was unaware of the
ongoing abuse happening in her home. During trial, Houser cross-examined
K.N. to show that K.N. did not explicitly report Michael’s abuse to her, and she
further presented evidence that she was not in the same room when Michael
abused K.N. In short, Houser fostered the impression that she knew nothing
about K.N.’s abuse in her home.
[17] Despite Houser’s claim that the acts committed in White County were solely
introduced to prove the forbidden inference of her propensity to commit the
charged crime, we find that the evidence was introduced to challenge Houser’s
impression that she was unaware that K.N. had been subjected to sexual abuse
by Michael in her West Lafayette home. Houser turned a blind eye to
Michael’s abuse and failed to take any necessary action to prevent or limit
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Michael from having any contact with K.N. In addition, as noted, the trial
court issued a limiting instruction to the jury to only consider the White County
events as evidence of Houser’s knowledge with respect to the charges proffered
against her. When a limiting instruction is given that certain evidence may be
considered for only a particular purpose, the law will presume that the jury will
follow the trial court’s admonitions. Ware v. State, 816 N.E.2d 1167, 1176
(citing Hernandez v. State, 785 N.E.2d 294, 303 (Ind. Ct. App. 2003), trans.
denied)).
[18] Regarding the balancing required under Evidence Rule 403, we find that the
trial court was well within its discretion in concluding that the probative value
of K.N.’s testimony regarding the White County events was not substantially
outweighed by the danger of unfair prejudice. In the instant case, the State
presented substantial independent evidence of Houser’s guilt such that we are
satisfied that there is no substantial likelihood that K.N.’s testimony regarding
the uncharged incidents that occurred in White County involving Houser
contributed to her conviction. At trial, K.N. offered her compelling testimony
recounting Michael’s abuse on her in the bathroom, bedroom, and living room.
According to K.N., Houser was never in the same room when the abuse
occurred; however, K.N. indicated that Houser was aware of Michael’s abuse.
Specifically, K.N. testified that when she reported Michael’s abuse, Houser
“would say that it’s okay or not to think a lot about it.” (Tr. p. 281). K.N. also
testified of an incident occurring sometime in February 2012 when she got into
an argument with Houser over a tootsie roll that Michael had offered her. K.N.
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indicated that when she failed to obey Houser’s orders to return to her
bedroom, Houser implied that the only reason she left her bedroom was “to
fuck” Michael. (Tr. p. 280). In addition, the record shows that when Houser
was initially interviewed by Detective Amberger of the Tippecanoe County
Sheriff’s Department concerning K.N.’s sexual abuse claims, Detective
Amberger noted that Houser’s “demeanor was kind of . . . victim blaming” and
she accused K.N. of “flirting” with Michael. (Tr. pp. 406, 407). In light of the
substantial independent evidence establishing Houser’s guilt, we conclude that
that the trial court was within its discretion in concluding that the probative
value of K.N.’s testimony was not substantially outweighed by the danger of
unfair prejudice.
III. Vouching Testimony
[19] Finally, Houser challenges the trial court’s admission of Gross’ testimony
arguing that it improperly vouched for K.N.’s and A.E.’s testimonies. Indiana
Evidence Rule 704(b) provides that “[w]itnesses may not testify to opinions
concerning intent, guilt, or innocence in a criminal case; the truth or falsity of
allegations; whether a witness has testified truthfully; or legal conclusions.”
And, “[n]o witness, whether lay or expert, is competent to testify that another
witness is or is not telling the truth.” Angleton v. State, 686 N.E.2d 803, 812
(Ind. 1997). “Such testimony is an invasion of the province of the jurors in
determining what weight they should place upon a witness’s testimony.” Rose
v. State, 846 N.E.2d 363, 367 (Ind. Ct. App. 2006).
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[20] During its case-in-chief, and after K.N. and A.E. had testified, the State
presented the testimony of Gross, over Houser’s objection. Gross, a forensic
interviewer, provided expert testimony concerning the dynamics of child abuse,
the disclosure process, and why a child may recant his or her disclosure of the
abuse. Gross testified to a number of factors that contribute to a child’s delay in
disclosing abuse, including fear of shame, fear of being threatened, and worry of
how they would be perceived. Gross added that negation of sexual abuse
claims did not essentially mean that the abuse did not happen.
[21] We disagree with Houser that Gross’ testimony ran afoul of Indiana Evidence
Rule 704(b). In Otte v. State, 967 N.E.2d 540, 548 (Ind. Ct. App. 2012), trans.
denied, our court permitted expert testimony explaining the behaviors and
dynamics associated with domestic violence, including that associated with
why a victim may recant. The Otte court noted that “the reactions and
behaviors of domestic violence victims are not commonly understood by
laypersons,” and “testimony regarding a victim’s propensity to recant . . .
simply provides the jury with information outside its experience, permitting it
to assess credibility based upon a more complete understanding of all potential
factors at issue.” Id. Although Gross interviewed K.N. and A.E., she never
repeated K.N.’s and A.E.’s statements at trial. Also, Gross did not offer any
opinion regarding the truth or falsity of K.N.’s and A.E.’s claims of
molestation. It is evident from the record that Gross’ testimony was based on
her specialized training in interviewing child abuse victims and her experience
investigating such cases. By eliciting only general, non-specific statements from
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Gross, the State properly left the determination of K.N.’s and A.E.’s credibility
to the province of the jury. For all of the above reasons, we conclude that
Gross’ testimony was not vouching testimony prohibited by Indiana Evidence
Rule 704(b) and conclude that the trial court did not abuse its discretion by
admitting the testimony into evidence.
CONCLUSION
[22] Based on the foregoing, we conclude that the trial court did not abuse its
discretion by admitting evidence in relation to the events that arose in White
County; nor did it abuse its discretion by admitting Gross’ testimony regarding
the general nature of child abuse reports and recantations.
[23] Affirmed.
[24] Crone, J. and Altice, J. concur
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