State of Iowa v. David John Lehmann ( 2024 )

IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF IOWA
No. 23-0408
Filed October 16, 2024
STATE OF IOWA,
Plaintiff-Appellee,
vs.
DAVID JOHN LEHMANN,
Defendant-Appellant.
________________________________________________________________
Appeal from the Iowa District Court for Dubuque County, Monica Ackley,
Judge.
A defendant appeals his conviction and sentence for lascivious acts with a
child. REVERSED AND REMANDED.
Raphael M. Scheetz, Cedar Rapids, for appellant.
Brenna Bird, Attorney General, and Linda J. Hines, Assistant Attorney
General, for appellee.
Heard by Tabor, P.J., and Chicchelly and Sandy, JJ.
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CHICCHELLY, Judge.
David John Lehmann appeals both his conviction and sentence for
lascivious acts with a child. He contends that (1) the trial court abused its
discretion in its evidentiary rulings, (2) the trial court should have granted a new
trial based on alleged prosecutorial misconduct, (3) his constitutional right to be
present during the proceedings was violated, (4) the trial court should have granted
his motion for judgment of acquittal based on an inconsistent jury verdict, and
(5) the trial court abused its discretion when sentencing him. Because the court
abused its discretion in admitting prior-bad-acts evidence and Lehmann’s right to
be present during proceedings was violated, we reverse and remand.
I. Background Facts and Proceedings.
Elisha has five children: Isaac and I.G., twins born in 2001; A.G., born
in 2003; O.G., born in 2005; and E.G., born in 2008. After her divorce, Elisha and
her children lived together in a rental house in Dyersville, Iowa. She started dating
David Lehmann, who was also going through his own divorce, and he spent “a lot
of the time” with them at the rental.
After approximately two years renting, Elisha purchased a house and
moved there with her children. Lehmann moved in sometime after. He offered to
buy Elisha’s house from her and have her pay him rent because she “was
struggling with making the bills and stuff happen.” Elisha accepted this offer, and
the transaction went through in August 2017.
On Memorial Day 2020, O.G. approached Elisha when she returned home
from work. O.G. told Elisha “that [Lehmann] had been touching her
inappropriately.” During their conversation, A.G. walked into the room and “could
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tell something was going on.” After some coaxing, Elisha and O.G. explained to
A.G. what they were talking about and “that’s when [A.G.] disclosed that it had
been happening to her, too.” Elisha called for E.G. and asked her about her
experience with Lehmann, “and [E.G.] disclosed as well that he had been touching
her inappropriately.” When Elisha asked I.G. the same question, I.G. confirmed
that “he’d been doing it to her,” too.
Elisha directed her children to go to their maternal grandmother’s house
while she confronted Lehmann. She reported that he became upset and told her
that “he had big hands, and he was very concerned about what other people were
going to think and say.” Elisha left to join her children at her mother’s house shortly
after.
In August 2020, Elisha reported the abuse to local law enforcement, who
investigated and eventually arrested Lehmann. The State charged Lehmann with
eight separate counts: Count I, second-degree sexual abuse; Count II,
third-degree sexual abuse; Counts III, V, and VII, lascivious acts with a child; and
Counts IV, VI, and VIII, indecent contact with a child. Counts I through IV related
to O.G, counts V and VI related to A.G., and counts VII and VIII related to E.G.
The case originally proceeded to trial in August 2022 but ended in a mistrial.
The parties jointly moved for the mistrial after a potential juror contaminated the
jury pool by making disparaging comments about Lehmann to other jurors. The
juror claimed he has known Lehmann for “[thirty] years” and stated it was “no
wonder this happened” because Lehmann worked as a custodian at a school. The
court granted the joint motion.
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Trial was then held in December 2021. All four daughters testified to similar
acts by Lehmann, ranging from him walking around the home displaying an
erection to audibly masturbating to molestation. A.G., in particular, testified that
Lehmann began touching her in the Dyersville rental home, before he moved in
with the family. On some mornings, the family would “pile in [Elisha’s] bed” and
after everyone had left, Lehmann would touch her. A.G. recalled that on one
occasion, Lehmann slid his hand inside of her shorts and touched her vagina.
During the trial, Lehmann called a number of character witnesses to testify
in his defense. He also attempted to offer an exhibit, a Facebook post purporting
to show Elisha’s bias. Though most witnesses were allowed to testify, the court
excluded both the exhibit and the testimony of Lehmann’s ex-wife. Using his
ex-wife’s testimony, Lehmann sought to prove his “lack of sexual interest in young
girls.” He also wanted to use her testimony to rebut I.G.’s claim that Lehmann
would “finger and then play with [her] dirty underwear” by asking his ex-wife
whether he had exhibited similar behaviors during their marriage. The State
objected for relevance, and the court sustained the objection, finding her testimony
“doesn’t necessarily meet the definition” of permissible character evidence.
After a four-day trial, the case was delivered to the jury at 11:50 a.m. on
Friday morning.1 Because it was so close to the noon hour, the jurors were
provided lunch and allowed to take a recess to eat. While they waited for the lunch
1 Once the case was submitted, Lehmann did move for a mistrial based on the
State’s rebuttal closing statement. In it, the State summarized the film Good Will
Hunting, in which Matt Damon works as a janitor at a college campus. The State
contrasted this with Lehmann, who “could be a janitor anywhere” but “chose to be
a janitor at a high school,” presumably to groom young girls. The court denied
Lehmann’s motion for being untimely.
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order to arrive, the jury began deliberations. But by 1:52 p.m., the jury sent a
written question to the court, asking if they should continue deliberation because
there were “two jurors that are in disagreement” and “are not going to change [their]
minds.” The court responded, “Please continue to discuss the facts and laws.” At
3:15 p.m., the jury sent another communication: “We are at a definite impasse [sic].
We have exhausted the facts” and “nothing is changing.” The court responded
again, offering “two options: keep deliberating or take a recess and return Monday
when you are more fresh.” The jury chose to continue deliberations. On Monday,
at 9:46 a.m., the jury asked a third, substantive question which is not at issue on
appeal. The court then notified the parties about all three of the jurors’ written
communications. After a discussion on the record, the parties stipulated to a
response to the third question and urged the jury to keep deliberating on all counts.
As for the previous two questions, Lehmann’s counsel raised concerns about the
court’s interactions with the jury outside of Lehmann’s presence but did not make
a definitive motion at that time.
Twenty minutes after the court delivered the instruction, the jury came back
with its verdict. In it, the jury acquitted Lehmann of all charges except count V,
lascivious acts with a child, which involved A.G. as the victim. Lehmann moved in
arrest of judgment and for a new trial, but the court denied both. He also completed
a presentence investigation report, which recommended a suspended sentence.
Instead, the court followed the State’s recommendation and sentenced Lehmann
to an indeterminate term of incarceration not to exceed ten years, the maximum
allowed by statute. See Iowa Code §§ 709.8(2)(a) (2016) (designating lascivious
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acts with a child as a class “C” felony); 902.9(1)(d) (permitting incarceration “for no
more than ten years” for a class “C” felony).
Lehmann appeals, challenging the court’s evidentiary and posttrial rulings.
He further contends the trial court abused its discretion when sentencing and that
his constitutional right to be present was violated.2
II. Admission of Prior Bad Acts Evidence.
Lehmann moved in limine to exclude I.G.’s testimony. In response, the
State argued her testimony would be used “to corroborate details of the statements
of other witnesses” and because I.G. is “the most sexually mature child,” she is
therefore in the best position “to demonstrate intent, motive, and lack of mistake
by [Lehmann].” The court allowed I.G. “to testify regarding the same or similar
actions perpetrated on her as to” the alleged victims. On appeal, Lehmann
contends the court abused its discretion by admitting I.G.’s testimony, claiming its
only purpose was to show propensity because she was not one of the alleged
victims. Iowa courts are generally not permitted to admit evidence “to prove that
on a particular occasion the person acted in accordance with” a specified character
trait. Iowa R. Evid. 5.404(b)(1). But prior bad acts are admissible if offered for a
non-propensity purpose, such as motive, intent, or lack of mistake or accident.
State v. Cox, 781 N.W.2d 757, 760–61 (Iowa 2010) (finding that prior-bad-acts
evidence is admissible if “relevant and material to a legitimate issue in the case
other than a general propensity”); Iowa R. Evid. 5.404(b)(2).
2 Because we find reason to reverse on other grounds, we do not reach the merits
of his multiple evidentiary, prosecutorial-misconduct, inconsistent-verdict, or
sentencing challenges.
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To prevail, the State was required to demonstrate sexual intent. See Iowa
Code § 709.8(1)(a), 709.12(1)(a) (requiring a defendant to act “for the purpose of
arousing or satisfying the sexual desires of either [the defender or victim]”). The
court found I.G.’s testimony admissible because Lehmann’s “pattern of conduct”
indicated such intent. See Cox, 781 N.W.2d at 771 (noting that evidence “may be
relevant to demonstrate motive or intent when a defendant claims touching was
accidental” and “admitted evidence of the defendant’s previous sexual activities
with adolescents to support a charge of assault with intent to commit sexual
abuse”). But upon our own review, we disagree. “[T]he elements of a charged
offense do not automatically become legitimate, disputed factual issues in a case.”
State v. Thoren, 970 N.W.2d 611, 629 (Iowa 2022). Intent here was not actually
at issue because Lehmann’s defense at trial was not accident or lack of intent.
Instead, Lehmann “flat-out denied ever [inappropriately touching]” the girls. Id.
at 631. Therefore, I.G.’s testimony could not be used to refute Lehmann’s defense.
Similarly, her testimony does little to establish motive or identity, neither of
which were in dispute. While the State loosely claimed I.G.’s testimony would
demonstrate “motive,” it provided no additional basis. “The motive for [sexual
crimes] is obviously and inherently sexual,” so evidence of prior inappropriate
behavior cannot be used as a “generalized motive.” Id. at 628 (cleaned up)
(citation omitted). Further, while the court admitted the testimony based on a
“pattern of conduct,” evidence of modus operandi is generally only used to
establish identity. See Cox, 781 N.W.2d at 770; Thoren, 970 N.W.2d at 631.
Lehmann did not argue mistaken identity or that the crime was committed by
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another. Again, he denied the allegations. We therefore cannot find that the
testimony was admissible for any purpose other than propensity.
Even if all or a portion of I.G.’s testimony was improperly admitted, we must
also consider the potential prejudice to Lehmann by its admission. See Cox,
781 N.W.2d at 771 (considering “whether the error was harmless” as part of
prior-bad-acts-evidence analysis). In considering the impact to the defendant,
“[w]e presume prejudice and reverse unless the record affirmatively establishes
otherwise.” Thoren, 970 N.W.2d at 637 (cleaned up) (citation omitted). Upon our
review, we find no such affirmative showing of nonprejudice. In fact, the record
supports the opposite: Lehmann was likely prejudiced by the admission of the
prior-bad-acts evidence. At trial, I.G. testified that on a weekly basis, Lehmann
would make her feel “uncomfortable” and “disgusted.” He would “brush past [her]”
“with an erection on [her] back side.” She also described the way he would “finger
and then play with [her] dirty underwear” or “make comments about seeing [her]
naked.” Her testimony referred to multiple instances and types of prior bad acts in
stark detail. See Cox, 971 N.W.2d at 771 (considering the “large number and
variety” of prior bad acts as finding in favor of prejudice). Further, while the State
argues that evidence of Lehmann’s guilt was overwhelming enough to justify any
alleged error, see State v. Sullivan, 679 N.W.2d 19, 31 (Iowa 2004) (considering
whether the evidence was “so overwhelming that the State would have prevailed”
despite the evidence’s exclusion), we disagree. Lehmann was acquitted on seven
out of eight charges with a nearly-stalled jury. Accordingly, we must reverse
Lehmann’s conviction and remand for a new trial.
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III. Alleged Violation of Right to Be Present.
Lehmann then contends that his constitutional right to be present was
violated. See State v. Wise, 472 N.W.2d 278, 279 (Iowa 1991) (recognizing “a
constitutional . . . right to be personally present at every stage of trial”).3 “Barring
exceptional circumstances, a criminal defendant should be personally present at
every stage of trial, including any conversation held by the judge and the attorneys
with one or more of the jurors.” Id. (emphasis added); see also State v. Shorter,
893 N.W.2d 65, 83 (Iowa 2017) (“Under our caselaw, there is no discretion
regarding the presence of defendant and counsel.”), but see State v. Blackwell,
238 N.W.2d 131, 137 (Iowa 1976) (allowing prejudice presumption to be rebutted).
While the court’s instructions to the jury “to continue” deliberations may seem
innocent, we have previously found error for “the most innocuous” of responses.
State v. Lockheart, 410 N.W.2d 688, 697 (Iowa 1987); see also State v. Griffin,
323 N.W.2d 198, 201 (Iowa 1982) (granting a defendant’s motion for new trial after
court directed jury to reread its instructions). Violation of this right requires reversal
“unless the error is harmless.” State v. McKee, 312 N.W.2d 907, 915 (Iowa 1981).
The State did not meet its burden in establishing that Lehmann was not prejudiced
by the communications; in fact, it made no argument at all. See State v. Peterson,
3 Lehmann also argues that the court applied an incorrect legal standard when
ruling on his motion for a new trial. In its ruling, the court relied on Atwood in
denying his motion because Lehmann failed to establish he was prejudiced by the
judge-jury communications. See State v. Atwood, 602 N.W.2d 775, 778
(Iowa 1999) (“[T]he party seeking to overturn the verdict must show that the
misconduct was calculated to, and with reasonable probability did, influence the
verdict.” (cleaned up) (citation omitted)). But the ruling in Atwood is in the context
of the jury having access to “extraneous material” “outside of the record,” not
judge-jury communications outside the presence of the defendant. Id.10
663 N.W.2d 417, 431 (Iowa 2003) (placing the burden of establishing prejudice on
the State); State v. Snyder, 223 N.W.2d 217, 222 (Iowa 1974) (requiring “the State
to show defendant had not been prejudiced”). We therefore reverse Lehmann’s
conviction and remand. Snyder, 223 N.W.2d at 222 (finding “failure of trial court
to afford defendant the opportunity to be present . . . was error and necessitates
reversal”).
IV. Disposition.
Because the court abused its discretion by admitting prior-bad-acts
evidence and Lehmann’s constitutional right to be present was violated, we
reverse and remand consistent with this opinion.
REVERSED AND REMANDED.