Vincent Ray Giancola v. Commonwealth of Kentucky ( 2007 )

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RENDERED : APRIL 19, 2007
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2005-SC-000869-MR
VINCENT RAY GIANCOLA APPELLANT
APPEAL FROM JEFFERSON CIRCUIT COURT
V HONORABLE BARRY WILLETT, JUDGE
NOS. 02-CR-01992 AND 04-CR-03214
COMMONWEALTH OF KENTUCKY APPELLEE
MEMORANDUM OPINION OF THE COURT
VACATING AND REMANDING
Vincent Ray Giancola (hereinafter appellant) appeals his conviction in the
Jefferson Circuit Court for five counts of sodomy in the second degree, two counts of
rape in the second degree and one count of sexual abuse in the second degree .
Giancola alleges that he did not get a fair trial because he had relevant evidence to
introduce which was excluded incorrectly by KRE 412, the "rape shield" rule . He
additionally argues that improper hearsay evidence was admitted at trial by way of
physicians' testimony and reports. He further contends that this case should have been
severed into separate trials because the offenses as to the two victims were unrelated .
Having reviewed the arguments and the record, we conclude the "rape shield"
evidence was properly excluded, but we agree with appellant that separate trials were
required and that hearsay was improperly admitted . As a result, we vacate the
convictions and remand for further proceedings consistent with this opinion .
The factual allegations which emerged at trial were as follows : K.P . and A.W .
were former best friends who used to spend a lot of time together, and spent the night
at each other's homes . On the night of August 2, 2002, the two thirteen year olds were
staying overnight at the house of A.W.'s uncle and aunt . Also living in the home and
present that night was appellant, A .W .'s cousin, who was then nineteen years of age .
The girls were to sleep in the basement, and they stayed up late watching TV.
Appellant's bedroom was also in the basement . A.W. went into appellant's room for a
while and talked to him . After A.W. fell asleep on a mattress on the floor, appellant
came out of his bedroom and into the room where K.P . was watching TV. According to
K.P ., appellant tried- to kiss her and she told him no . Appellant went back to his
bedroom.
K.P. testified that about 45 minutes later appellant came back out and turned off
the television . He got on top of K.P. and put his knees on top of her legs . He held her
arms down while he kissed her on the neck. K .P. told him to stop, and that she was
only thirteen . K.P. reported that appellant responded, "Age don't matter." She stated
that appellant put his hand down her pajama pants and his fingers in her vagina while
she continued to tell him to stop. He got on his knees on top of her and took out his
penis and told K.P. to suck it. When she said no, he put it in her mouth . After that, he
pulled down her pants and began to lick her vagina, but according to K.P . she moved
around in an effort to get appellant to quit. He then pulled her pants down further and
inserted his penis into her vagina . K.P. stated she moved even more and made noise
in an attempt to make appellant stop . He did, and got up and returned to his bedroom .
A.W. did not wake up or see anything occur between K.P. and appellant . K.P.
testified that she went to the bathroom and wiped her genital area, and there was a
small amount of blood on the tissue . After K.P. revealed to a friend and her mother
what appellant did to her that night, her mother took her to the emergency room and
K.P . was examined and interviewed by a child services agency.
After K.P. made her allegations, an investigation ensued in which it emerged that
A.W. had had a sexual relationship with appellant . At trial, A.W . testified that the sexual
relationship with appellant took place in the weeks or months before the occurrence
between appellant and K.P. A .W . testified that appellant knew her age at the time.
She stated that appellant would wake her up and touch her in her private areas. She
stated that they had, intercourse, oral sex and anal sex. She stated that these acts
occurred on the couch in the basement of appellant's house.
The allegations against appellant regarding K.P . and A.W . were tried together
from April 12 through April 19, 2005 . As to K.P., appellant was found not guilty of rape
in the first degree, but guilty of rape in the second degree ; not guilty of two counts of
sodomy in the first degree, but guilty of two counts of sodomy in the second degree ;
and not guilty of sexual abuse in the first degree . With regard to A.W ., the jury found
appellant guilty of three counts of sodomy in the second degree, one count of rape in
the second degree and one count of sexual abuse in the second degree .
I . Motion for Separate Trials
Because we reverse on this question, we first discuss the request for separate
trials . Appellant argued that the allegations should have been heard in separate trials
as to K.P. and A.W . because of the inherent prejudice in the jury's consideration of all
of the allegations together.
RCr 9.12 provides that the court may order two (2) or more indictments,
informations, complaints or uniform citations to be tried together if the offenses, and the
defendants, if more than one (1), could have been joined in a single indictment,
information, complaint or uniform citation . Offenses may be charged in the same
indictment "if the offenses are of the same or similar character or are based on the
same acts or transactions connected together or constituting parts of a common
scheme or plan." RCr 6 .18 . RCr 9.16 provides that if it appears that a defendant or the
Commonwealth is or will be prejudiced by joinder for trial, the court shall order separate
trials of counts, or provide whatever other relief justice requires .
To constitute reversible error on the issue of improper joinder, there must be a
showing of a clear abuse of discretion and a showing of prejudice . Rearick v.
Commonwealth , 858 S.W .2d 185, 187 (Ky. 1993). A significant factor in identifying
whether joinder for trial is prejudicial is the extent to which evidence of one offense
would be admissible in a trial of the other offense . Spencer v. Commonwealth , 554
S .W.2d 355, 357 (Ky. 1977). That is, if the evidence of one of the offenses would be
admissible in a separate trial of the other offense, the joinder in most instances will not
be prejudicial . Id .
As to whether combined trials were error, appellant asserts that the offenses
involved separate victims and occurred on separate dates . He notes the victims'
allegations were made at different times and the allegations did not coincide . As to
A .W ., the charge was statutory rape because A .W. participated in the described acts
without force or threat of force. However, as to K .P., the charge was that appellant
committed rape by forcible compulsion . Appellant additionally noted in his motion to
sever that many of the lay witnesses did not overlap, that disclosure was made to
different individuals, different doctors examined the girls, and the medical evidence
varied for each of the girls. Appellant concludes the evidence in these offenses would
not be admissible in separate trials .
We scrutinized the issue of joinder of sexual crimes in Rearick, and therein
observed that "multiple acts involving sexual crimes are not necessarily similar." 858
S .W .2d at 187 . In that case, we looked to see whether the evidence would have been
admissible as evidence of a common scheme or plan. Id . at 187-188 . We established
that evidence of other acts of sexual deviance offered to prove a common scheme or
plan must be so similar to the crime on trial that it constitutes a "signature crime ." Id . a t
187 . This standard would square with our previously established rule that evidence of
sexual misconduct is not admissible if it tends only to prove a "lustful inclination."
Pendleton v . Commonwealth, 685 S .W.2d 549, 552 (Ky. 1985); see also Dickerson v.
Commonwealth, 174 S .W.3d 451, 469 (Ky. 2005). The details of the charged acts
should be so similar as to constitute a modus operandi . Dickerson , 174 S .W .3d at 469 .
The facts of the charged offenses in the case at bar do not display a common
scheme that establishes a modus operandi . The only similarities are the ages of the
girls and the site of the crime . In all other respects, these offenses were very different .
We have said that evidence constituting a pattern of behavior to be admissible as such
should be "strikingly similar ." Violett v. Commonwealth, 907 S .W.2d 773 (Ky. 1995).
Considering the forcible nature of the offense described by K.P., the offenses in this
case were not strikingly similar.
Furthermore, the evidence against appellant as to one of the girls would not have
been admissible in a separate trial of the charges against appellant as to the other girl .
Although all charges were of sexual offenses, the acts were not of similar character and
the offenses were not connected . The evidence did not constitute common scheme or
plan evidence, and identity was not at issue in the case. KRE 404(b)(1) . Additionally,
there was no evidence relating to the charges against appellant as to A.W. that was
intertwined with or necessary to prove any of the charges against appellant as to K.P.
KRE 404(b)(2) .
Moreover, we agree that there was prejudice . "[E]ach additional unrelated
charge took on a weight by virtue of being joined with the others whereby the whole
exceeded the sum of its parts ." Rearick, 858 S .W .2d at 188 . Accordingly, we believe
that with joinder, once the jury found guilt as to one incident, it greatly enhanced the
likelihood that they would find guilt as to the second victim because of the collective
proof and the prejudice of being charged with multiple sexual offenses .
We conclude that it was error to deny the motion to sever the charges for trial.
Thus, we vacate the convictions and remand for separate trials .
II. Rape Shield Evidence
Next, appellant argues that the trial court erred in excluding from trial, pursuant
to KRE 412, evidence regarding the victims that was necessary for his defense. KRE
412 provides that evidence that the victim engaged in other sexual behavior is not
admissible in a criminal or civil proceeding involving alleged sexual misconduct except
as allowed in that Rule . The exceptions under this "rape shield" rule in a criminal case
are listed in KRE 412(b)(1) :
(1) In a criminal case, the following evidence is admissible, if
otherwise admissible under these rules:
(A) evidence of specific instances of sexual behavior by the alleged
victim offered to prove that a person other than the accused was
the source of semen, injury, or other physical evidence ;
(B) evidence of specific instances of sexual behavior by the alleged
victim with respect to the person accused of the sexual misconduct
offered by the accused to prove consent or by the prosecution ; and
(C) any other evidence directly pertaining to the offense charged .
The exceptions in the Rule pertain to "legitimate, if not compelling, needs for defense
evidence." Robert Lawson, The Kentucky Evidence Law Handbook, § 2 .30[4][a], p. 162
(4th ed. 2003). The stated purpose for the existence of the rape shield rule is "to
protect alleged victims of sex crimes against unfair and unwarranted assaults on
character." Id ., § 2 .30[3], p. 161, quoting Evidence Rules Study Committee, Kentucky
Rules of Evidence - Final Draft, p. 36 (Nov. 1989). "[T]he KRE 412 balancing test
contains ``an obvious tilt toward exclusion over admission."' Commonwealth v . Dunn ,
899 S.W.2d 492, 494 (Ky. 1995)(citing Lawson, The Kentucky Evidence Law
Handbook, § 2 .30 (3d ed. 1993)).
A . Statement by K. P.
The first item of evidence appellant argues was improperly excluded was a
statement allegedly made by K.P. on the day of the alleged offenses . When the court
excluded the evidence, appellant presented an avowal of the disputed testimony. The
avowal consisted of testimony from A.W. that before they went to the Giancola house
K.P. had told her that she thought she was pregnant. A.W. testified that the statement
did not shock her because K.P. lied a lot. When K.P. was questioned about the
statement on avowal, she testified that she did not remember saying that.
Appellant argues that this evidence was admissible under KRE 412(b)(1)(A) as
evidence of a specific instance of sexual behavior for the purpose of proving that some
person other than him was the source of physical injury to K.P . There was evidence of
physical injury to K.P . introduced at trial by the testimony of Dr. Betty Spivack, a
forensic pediatrician who had conducted a physical examination of K.P. on August 23,
2002 . At trial, Dr. Spivack presented a photograph she took of the inner surface of
KR's genital tract. She showed the jury that the hymen had a "v-shaped notch" with an
irregular surface, as compared to the smooth surface otherwise found on it. Dr.
Spivack testified that this was a healing, not fresh, interruption in the continuity of the
hymen, which indicated that the outer surface had been breached, and now was in a
healing phase. The Commonwealth asked Dr. Spivack if it was consistent with the
history K.P . provided . She responded that it was consistent with the history of very brief
bleeding after a sexual event. She also testified that she would describe the existence
of the lesion as "suspicious but not diagnostic" and nonetheless consistent with the
history and consistent with very brief bleeding .
At the time of the examination, K.P . told Dr. Spivack that she had never had
intercourse with anyone prior to the incident with appellant . K.P. also stated to Valleri
Mason, her forensic interviewer at Children First2 that she had never had sex prior to
the incident with appellant . Appellant alleges the statement that she thought she was
pregnant demonstrated that K.P. had sex previously and that some other person could
have been the source of the physical injury to K.P.
The Commonwealth insists that the claim that K.P. said she thought she was
pregnant was properly excluded under KRE 412 and KRE 403 . Moreover, the
Commonwealth argues the statement was hearsay which did not fit within any
exceptions to the hearsay rule . Because there was no evidence at trial from K.P.
regarding her prior sexual history, the Commonwealth argues it did not qualify as a prior
' Dr. Spivack did not testify to this at trial .
2 At trial, it was explained that Children First is a third party agency that performs interviews and medical
examinations ofalleged sexual abuse victims for the Louisville Metro Police Department.
inconsistent statement. Furthermore, the Commonwealth notes that the avowal only
consisted of the introduction of the statement, but did not go into whether K.P. had
sexual intercourse prior to the offense . The Commonwealth also suggests the
statement allegedly made by K.P . was not necessarily made in earnest .
We concur with the Commonwealth's assertion in the trial court that this
evidence simply was not sufficiently probative to be admitted into evidence under KRE
412(b)(1)(A) . KRE 412(b)(1)(A) permits an exception for specific instances of sexual
behavior that would tend to establish that another person could be the source of injury .
The statement provides no direct evidence that K.P. had had sexual intercourse prior to
August 2, 2006. The defense was responsible for developing the avowal testimony, but
did not elicit from K.P . on avowal any information as to the truth behind the statement
she purportedly made . However, when specifically asked by a doctor and child services
worker, K.P. stated that she had not had sex before .
Moreover, the doctor's testimony was relatively specific as to the time frame in
which the injury must have been incurred . The Commonwealth Attorney asked about
the time frame provided in the history. Dr. Spivack responded that she saw K.P . about
3 1/2 to 4 weeks after the described event . She was able to say that it certainly was not
an event that had happened a day or two before since there was no active bruising or
bleeding . She testified that, since it was a virtually completely healed lesion, in her
experience it was consistent with an injury of that age.
There is no specific information, on the other hand, as to time in the avowal . For
a KRE 412(b)(1)(A) exception, the evidence refuting the source of injury must
correspond to an identified time period . With the lack of time specificity, this statement
does not tend to prove that anyone else was the source of injury . Thus, the evidence
did not suffice to establish any factual issue and was properly excluded under the
standard in KRE 412.
B. Impeachment of A.W . with evidence of other sexual relationships .
The remaining instances of "rape shield" testimony related to the charges
involving A.W . The first concerns the question of whether A.W. had prior consensual
sexual relationships. During a forensic interview conducted by Valleri Mason at
Children First, A .W . stated that she had previously had consensual sex with two other
males, ages fourteen and sixteen, when she was twelve years old. However, in her
history given to Dr. Sally Perlman, which was read into the record at the trial, A .W .
reported that her first sexual activity was in the previous two or three months, and that
she had only had a single sexual partner, aged nineteen (the age of appellant at the
time of the alleged offenses) . Appellant argues that he should have been able to show
the conflict in AW's statements as impeachment evidence .
Since the evidence did not fit within either exception KRE 412 (b)(1)(A) or KRE
412 (b)(2)(B), it would have to be admissible under KRE 412 (b)(1)(C), as evidence
directly pertaining to the offense charged . Yet this is not evidence which directly
pertains to the charges involving appellant and A.W ., and so KRE 412 does not permit
it. The evidence related to other persons, not appellant, and did not tend to prove
whether A.W .'s claims against appellant were true. Thus, we consider this to be just
the type of evidence the rape shield is intended to exclude .
Appellant maintains that evidence of A.W .'s other possible sexual relationships
was relevant and admissible, nonetheless, because without it the jury was left to believe
that all her sexual knowledge must have come from her experience with appellant . He
cites cases in which courts held the Confrontation Clause and/or the Fourteenth
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Amendment right to a fair trial may require permitting the defendant to inquire into
whether a child of tender years had obtained her knowledge of sexual matters from
some source other than the defendant. State v. Budis , 125 N .J . 519, 593 A .2d 784
(N .J . 1991) (nine year old); Commonwealth v. Ruffen , 399 Mass. 811, 507 N .E.2d 684
(Mass. 1987) (ten year old victim); State v. Baker, 508 A.2d 1059 (N .H. 1986) (thirteen
year old).
We agree with the Commonwealth, however, that at the time of the offenses,
A.W. was not so young that a jury would assume she could not have had any
knowledge of sexual matters unless the allegations against appellant were true. In this
case, the victims were teenagers and, in our society, likely to have had some exposure
to sexual information from parents, school, peers, or the media. In general, courts
have allowed evidence of other sexual experiences of the victim when the child is
younger than thirteen years of age . Christopher B. Reid, Note, The Sexual Innocence
Inference Theory as a Basis for the Admissibility of a Child Molestation Victim's Prior
Sexual Conduct, 91 Mich.L .Rev. 827, 852 (1993). See also, Consent, Credibility, and
the Constitution : Evidence Relating to a Sex Offense Complainant's Past Sexual
Behavior, 44 Cath. U . L. Rev. 709, 807-808 (1995). We incidentally note the
Commonwealth never argued at trial that appellant was the only possible source of the
victims' sexual knowledge . We are not persuaded that appellant showed a need to use
this evidence despite the rape shield prohibition because we think the jury was unlikely
to draw the inference in this case.
3 The Commonwealth notes on appeal that the state Board ofEducation has established courses of study for schools,
including, for the victims' grade level, reproductive health. However, there is nothing in the record to show that
either of the victims was enrolled in such courses, so we decline to infer that these girls were educated in such
classes .
Appellant makes an additional argument that the evidence was relevant and
necessary to impeach A .W.'s credibility, and any limitation on his right to cross-examine
her about such matters violated his right to a fair trial . However, the right to. cross
examination is not absolute and the trial court retains the discretion to set limitations on
the scope and subject of it. Davenport v. Commonwealth , 177 S.W .3d 763, 767-768
(Ky. 2005). In Davis v. Alaska, 415 U .S. 308, 316, 94 S . Ct. 1105, 1110, 39 L . Ed. 2d
347 (1974), the Supreme Court noted that the exercise of the right of confrontation is
not unlimited, but rather, the right to cross-examine an adverse witness is "[s]ubject
always to the broad discretion of a trial judge to preclude repetitive and unduly
harassing interrogation ." Trial judges retain wide latitude to impose reasonable limits
on cross-examination, such as to avoid harassment and prejudice, confusion of the
issues, repetition and marginal relevance . Delaware v. Van Arsdall , 475 U .S. 673, 679,
106 S . Ct.1431, 89 L. Ed . 2d 674, 683 (1986) .
We conclude that this evidence was not relevant under KRE 401, and was not
necessary to impeach . It was properly excluded as evidence with the potential to
embarrass the witness, invade her privacy, confuse the jury and prejudice the
Commonwealth's case . We further agree with the Commonwealth that whether A.W.
had sex with others is also properly excluded by the court as impeachment on a
collateral matter. Bratcher v. Commonwealth, 151 S .W.3d 332, 354 (Ky . 2004). As
stated above, the victim's past sexual behavior does not directly pertain to the question
of guilt or innocence . Appellant was not prevented from cross-examining A.W., but was
prevented from introducing matters which would be potentially confusing to the jury and
without probative value .
C. Prior Abuse Charges by A.W .
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The final piece of evidence excluded by the rape shield rule was the information
that A.W . had previously made an allegation of sexual abuse against her mother's
boyfriend . A Child Protective Services social worker found the allegations to be
unsubstantiated . The Crimes Against Children Unit recommended the case be closed
as unsubstantiated . The boyfriend, Jeff Kountz, was indicted after the charges in the
case at bar came out, but the Commonwealth eventually dismissed the charges.
Appellant argues that this evidence was admissible because his defense was that the
charges were fabricated and the information had much more probative value than
prejudice .
This evidence differs from the other impeachment evidence appellant seeks,
because a complainant's false allegation of sexual abuse or assault is arguably relevant
to indicating the veracity of the charges leveled in a later case. A number of
jurisdictions hold that evidence of false prior accusations is not barred by the rape
shield prohibitions because such evidence does not pertain to "sexual behavior" under
the rule designed to protect victims from disclosure of their sexual conduct. State v.
Baker, 679 N.W .2d 7, 10 (Iowa 2004); State v. Walton , 715 N.E .2d 824, 826 n .6 (Ind .
1999); State v. Barber, 766 P.2d 1288 (Kan .App. 1989) ; People v. Mandel , 403
N .Y.S .2d 63, 61 A.D.2d 563 (1978); Redmond v. Kingston,
ton , 240 F .3d 590, 592 (7th Cir.
2001) ; State v. Smith , 743 So. 2d 199, 202 (La . 1999).
In Hall v. Commonwealth , 956 S.W .2d 224, 227 (Ky. App. 1997), our Court of
Appeals set forth a test for assessing when prior allegations of sexual abuse might be
admissible notwithstanding the rape shield rule. In Hall, the Court of Appeals reported
4 The Commonwealth notes the charges A.W. made against JeffKountz involved touching only, not intercourse or
sodomy. Furthermore, the incidents differed in that A.W. testified that she never wanted the claims against her cousin
to come out, that she did not want to testify against him, and that she loved him.
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that it had surveyed case law in other jurisdictions considering the issue of prior
allegations, and found the general rule to be that "the admissibility of evidence of similar
accusations made by the victim depends on whether they have been proven to be
demonstrably false ." Id. at 227. The Court of Appeals then enunciated the following
test:
If the unrelated accusations are true, or reasonably true, then evidence of
such is clearly inadmissible primarily because of its irrelevance to the
instant proceeding . Additionally, unrelated allegations which have neither
been proven nor admitted to be false are properly excluded. If
demonstrably false, the evidence still must survive a balancing test, i.e.,
the probative value must outweigh the prejudicial effect.
We also take into consideration KRE 608, which provides that specific instances of
conduct, for the purpose of attacking a witness' credibility, may not be proved by
extrinsic evidence, but in the court's discretion may be inquired into on cross-
examination if probative of the witness' character for truthfulness or untruthfulness . A
factual basis for the prior false charge must exist under KRE 608(b) before the party
seeking to impeach the witness may ask about it.
The trial court below simply excluded this evidence on the basis of the rape
shield rule. The court did not decide whether A .W .'s ,previous charge against Jeff
Kountz had a factual basis or was demonstrably false. The parties predictably conflict
over whether the allegations against Jeff Kountz were "demonstrably false."
We agree with the Commonwealth that appellant did not establish that the prior
accusations were false . The fact that they were deemed unsubstantiated by the child
services agencies does not mean they were demonstrated to be false. In addition, the
fact that the prosecution dismissed charges does not equate to those charges being
demonstrably false . A.W. never repudiated the claims against her mother's boyfriend
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nor conceded any fabrication. They were not independently proved false. We think the
failure to substantiate the claim and the failure to prosecute is insufficient to render the
previous claim admissible as a demonstrably false claim. Therefore, the trial court
properly excluded it.
III . Hearsay Testimony from the Medical Experts
A. Dr. Perlman's Report
Next, appellant argues that the trial court erred in allowing the introduction of Dr.
Perlman's report at trial, which was read into the record because she was unable to
attend the trial due to illness. Appellant argues that the reading of the report violated
his right to confront witnesses because the report contained hearsay statements from
A.W . regarding prior sexual behavior. He complains he was prejudiced by his inability
to confront A.W . about statements which could not be explored on cross-examination
because of the rape shield prohibition. Appellant argues that the hearsay statements
were not admissible under KRE 703(b) or KRE 803(4).
The Commonwealth argues that appellant should be estopped from complaining
about the admission of the report under Parson v. Commonwealth, 144 S.W .3d 775
(Ky. 2004), because when faced with the news on the first day of trial that Dr. Perlman
could not appear, the defense agreed to the reading of the report . However, we do not
agree that the agreement of the defense reflected the situation in Parson . First, it is not
as clear-cut that the defense acquiesced to the report in its entirety, since in the same
hearing in which it agreed to have the report read the defense expressed concerns
about the hearsay contained therein . Second, in Parson , this court found a clear waiver
of the right of confrontation at trial and a detrimental reliance in that a deposition was
conducted and the deposed witnesses would not be available for trial. Id . at 783-785.
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The case at bar does not involve that sort of detrimental reliance. Finally, appellant was
trying to preserve his right of confrontation, which was not at issue in Parson because
the defendant therein had participated in a deposition . We decline to impose estoppel
principles in this situation.
At issue were A.W .'s statements in the report that she had only had a single
sexual partner who was nineteen years of age, that her first sexual activity was two to
three months prior, and that she had no previous history of sexual abuse allegations .
Appellant argues the statements in the medical report were patently false since it was a
matter of record that she had made sexual abuse accusations against Jeff Kountz .
Additionally, her statements regarding her sexual history were contradicted by her
statements to the interviewer at Children First, to whom she stated that she had other
sexual partners beginning at a younger age . The jury never heard about the
discrepancies in her statements .
We agree with the defense that the testimony did not fit under KRE 703(b),
which was relied on by the trial court. This evidence was not otherwise admissible and
was not shown to be trustworthy or necessary to illuminate the doctor's testimony.
Rabovsky v. Commonwealth , 973 S .W.2d 6,11 (1998). The evidence regarding her
sexual activity was arguably for the purpose of diagnosis or treatment and so was
properly admitted under KRE 803(4) . However, even though the evidence may be
admissible by way of the KRE 803(4) hearsay exception, it is still subject to exclusion
under KRE 403 "if its probative value is substantially outweighed by. the danger of
undue prejudice, confusion of the issues, or misleading the jury, or by considerations of
undue delay, or needless presentation of cumulative evidence." Garrett v.
Commonwealth, 48 S.W.3d 6, 14 (Ky. 2001) . Furthermore evidence relating to a
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victim's sexual behavior is also subject to exclusion under KRE 412 even though the
Commonwealth rather than the defense seeks to use it.
We have mentioned with approval the use of "sanitized" versions of medical
reports to be presented to the jury to avoid prejudice . Garrett, 48 S .W .3d at 14. In the
case at bar, we believe that the appellant makes a persuasive argument that the
inclusion of these statements were prejudicial to him in that he was not able to refute
them, and that they resulted in misleading the jury. On retrial, if it is necessary to read
Dr. Perlman's report a second time due to absence, the report should be read without
hearsay statements that violate KRE 403 or information pertaining to sexual history that
is excludable pursuant to KRE 412 .
B. Dr. Spivack's Testimony
Next, appellant argues that it was error to allow Dr. Spivack to testify to hearsay
from K.P . He argues that much of K.P.'s statements to the doctor were not made for
the purpose of medical treatment or reasonably pertinent thereto . K.P.'s description of
the offense, which mirrored her testimony at trial, was repeated by Dr. Spivack . Dr.
Spivack also repeated K.P.'s statement that the acts were perpetrated by A.W.'s
cousin. The jury had already learned that appellant was A.W.'s cousin . Appellant
argues this repetition of prior consistent statements was highly prejudicial because it
bolstered K.P.'s testimony and served to enhance her credibility. Appellant points out
that the details of the sexual assault allegations in the case at bar were not "sanitized"
as in Garrett to avoid prejudice .
Dr. Spivack also testified to statements from K.P.'s mother that K.P . was pre-
diabetic and had had difficulty controlling her diet since the incident and that she was
reluctant to talk to her best friend, A.W . following the incident. Appellant argues this
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information was not reasonably pertinent to medical treatment .
Appellant contends that the statements could not be disclosed under KRE 803(4)
or KRE 703(b). We believe that the statements from K.P.'s mother and K.P.'s
description of the assault and identification of the perpetrator did not fit within the
standard of KRE 703(b) because they were not determined to be trustworthy and
necessary to illuminate the doctor's testimony . Rabovsky, 973 S.W.2d at 11 . Under
KRE 803(4), the evidence must be admissible as information offered for purposes of
medical treatment and reasonably pertinent thereto . We also must determine whether
the probative value of the evidence is substantially outweighed by the danger of undue
prejudice, confusion of the issues, misleading the jury, or by considerations of undue
delay, or needless presentation of cumulative evidence . Garrett, 48 S .W .3d at 14 .
We believe that the statements from K.P .'s mother that the doctor repeated
about her diet and frame of mind were reasonably pertinent to diagnosis or treatment
under KRE 803(4) . We have opined that statements of identification of the perpetrator
of abuse are seldom, if ever, pertinent to treatment or diagnosis . Garrett, 48 S.W .3d at
12. Thus, we agree that Dr. Spivack should not have been permitted to identify A.W .'s
cousin as the perpetrator of the sexual assault .
In addition, we believe other portions of the history she gave to Dr. Spivack
should have been disallowed, such as the manner in which the offense was perpetrated
and statements appellant made . See Souder v. Commonwealth , 719 S.W .2d 730, 735
(Ky. 1986)(Usually information for medical treatment and diagnosis "does not include
information provided as part of a criminal investigation .") Since this case is being
remanded for a new trial, we need not determine if this was harmless given K.P.'s
testimony at trial. On remand, any statements made which did not relate to diagnosis
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or treatment and which the court determines to be unduly prejudicial under the KRE
403 test should be excluded .
For all the foregoing reasons, the convictions of Vincent Giancola in the .
Jefferson Circuit Court are vacated and this case remanded for proceedings consistent
with this opinion .
All sitting .
Lambert, C.J . ; McAnulty, Minton, and Schroder, J .J. concur. Cunningham, J .,
dissents by separate opinion in which Noble, and Scott, J.J ., join .
COUNSEL FOR APPELLANT :
Daniel T. Goyette
Louisville Metro Public Defender
200 Advocacy Plaza
719 West Jefferson Street
Louisville, Ky 40202
Elizabeth B . McMahon
Assistant Public Defender
200 Advocacy Plaza
719 West Jefferson Street
Louisville, Ky 40202
COUNSEL FOR APPELLEE :
Gregory D. Stumbo
Attorney General
Room 118, Capitol Building
Frankfort, Ky 40601
James C. Shackelford
Assistant Attorney General
1024 Capital Center Drive
Frankfort, Ky 40601
RENDERED : APRIL 19, 2007
NOT TO BE PUBLISHED
Auprnur (gaurf of ``e .trk~r
2005-SC-000869-MR
VINCENT RAY GIANCOLA APPELLANT
APPEAL FROM JEFFERSON CIRCUIT COURT
V HONORABLE BARRY WILLETT, JUDGE
NOS . 02-CR-01992 AND 04-CR-03214
COMMONWEALTH OF KENTUCKY APPELLEE
DISSENTING OPINION BY JUSTICE CUNNINGHAM
Because I do not believe the trial court's ruling with respect to joinder rises to the
level of a clear abuse of discretion, I respectfully dissent . As evidenced by the majority
opinion's recitation of the facts, the circumstances of this case created a "close call" for
the trial judge. While appellant's methods of abusing A.W. and K.P. were
distinguishable, both girls were thirteen years old, appellant abused both girls in his
basement on the same couch, and all of the crimes occurred after appellant approached
the girls as they slept . As part of this "common scheme," the consenting victim and
appellant conferred about the prospects of his having sex with the other victim .
A court abuses its discretion when its decision is arbitrary, unreasonable, unfair
or unsupported by sound legal principles. Miller v. Eldridge , 146 S .W.3d 909, 914 (Ky.
2004) . The only real difference between the two cases is that one was victimized by
force, the other by consent. There are sufficient similarities to support the trial court's
ultimate ruling . I, therefore, cannot conclude that that the trial court's decision was
arbitrary or unreasonable .
Noble and Scott, J .J., join this dissenting opinion .