State v. Hill , 2016 Ohio 8087 ( 2016 )

[Cite as State v. Hill, 2016-Ohio-8087.]
IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF OHIO
SIXTH APPELLATE DISTRICT
SANDUSKY COUNTY
State of Ohio Court of Appeals No. S-15-011
Appellee Trial Court No. 14 CR 159
v.
Stephen Hill DECISION AND JUDGMENT
Appellant Decided: December 9, 2016
*****
Thomas L. Stierwalt, Sandusky County Prosecuting Attorney,
and Norman P. Solze, Assistant Prosecuting Attorney, for appellee.
Amanda A. Krzystan, for appellant.
*****
OSOWIK, J.
{¶ 1} This is an appeal from a February 5, 2015 judgment of the Sandusky County
Court of Common Pleas, which found appellant guilty of two counts of rape, in violation
of R.C. 2907.02(A)(1), felonies of the first degree, two counts of rape, in violation of
R.C. 2907.02(A)(2), felonies of the first degree, and one count of sexual battery, in
violation of R.C. 2907.03(A)(5), a felony of the third degree. All offenses stem from
various acts of sexual conduct between appellant and his minor daughter.
{¶ 2} On February 17, 2015, appellant was sentenced to life in prison without the
possibility of parole, merged for sentencing purposes, encompassing the rape convictions,
along with an eight-year term of incarceration for the sexual battery conviction, ordered
to be served concurrently. For the reasons set forth below, this court affirms the
judgment of the trial court.
{¶ 3} Appellant, Stephen Hill, sets forth the following five (5) assignments of
error:
I. THE COURT ERRED BY ALLOWING THE MINOR
CHILD/ALLEGED VICTIM TO TESTIFY WITHOUT DECLARING
THAT SHE WOULD TESTIFY TRUTHFULLY IN VIOLATION OF
EVID.R. 603, THE FOURTEENTH AMENDMENT OF THE U.S.
CONSTITUTION AND ARTICLE I, SECTION 7 OF THE OHIO
CONSTITUTION.
II. THE REPEATED INSTANCES OF IMPROPER
BOLSTERING OF THE ALLEGED VICTIM’S TESTIMONY
THROUGH HEARSAY STATEMENTS DEPRIVED APPELLANT OF
HIS STATE AND CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS TO DUE PROCESS
AND A FAIR TRIAL UNDER THE FIFTH AND FOURTENTH
2.
AMENDMENTS TO THE UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION AND
ARTICLE I, SECTION 16 OF THE OHIO CONSTITUTION.
III. APPELLANT’S CONVICTIONS ARE NOT SUPPORTED BY
PROOF BEYOND A REASONABLE DOUBT.
IV. APPELLANT’S CONVICTIONS ARE AGAINST THE
MANIFEST WEIGHT OF THE EVIDENCE.
V. THE TRIAL COURT ERRED IN DENYING APPELLANT’S
MOTION FOR ACQUITTAL WHEN THE STATE FAILED TO
PRESENT SUFFICIENT EVIDENCE TO SUSTAIN A CONVICTION.
{¶ 4} The following undisputed facts are relevant to this appeal. The origins of
this case arise from inappropriate sexual conduct exhibited by appellant’s minor son at
his school in May of 2013 which raised a red flag with school staff. The young boy
inappropriately touched a classmate in a sexual manner and also exposed his private
parts. Given the troubling nature of this incident, the boy was referred to the principal’s
office. In turn, the school principal reported the incident to children services to conduct
an investigation.
{¶ 5} On May 2, 2013, children services commenced an investigation into the
matter. Appellant’s minor son disclosed that appellant sometimes plays “naked parties”
with the boy’s younger sister, who was four years of age at the time of these events.
Specifically, the boy conveyed that appellant sometimes put his “man parts” into his
younger sister’s mouth. The Sandusky County Children Services personnel and a
3.
detective from the Sandusky Police Department extensively interviewed the children in
connection to this disclosure.
{¶ 6} In addition to disclosing to the interviewers that he had sometimes observed
appellant insert his “man part” in his younger sister’s mouth, the boy further revealed that
these activities were referred to as “naked parties” and that it must be kept a secret. The
boy also disclosed inappropriate sexual conduct occurring between his parents in front of
both the boy and his younger sister. The boy further disclosed observing appellant
placing his “man part” into his sister’s rear end, in addition to placing it into her mouth.
Lastly, the boy revealed that their mother is aware of the activities, and would sometimes
“peek in” and watch appellant engaged in these activities with their daughter.
{¶ 7} During the interview of appellant’s four-year-old daughter, the girl disclosed
that she did not want to engage in the “naked parties” but that her father wanted her to do
it. She likewise conveyed that her father wants it to be kept a secret. The girl disclosed
that her father inserts his private part in her mouth and in her rear end. In conjunction
with this disclosure, she circled the penis portion of a male anatomical diagram to verify
exactly what was being placed in her mouth and her rear end by appellant.
{¶ 8} Consistent with her brother’s revelations, the girl similarly disclosed that
their mother was aware of the “naked parties.” She exhibited substantial anxiety and fear
regarding having revealed the secret to the interviewers contrary to the wishes of
appellant. When questioned further regarding why she was fearful of the secret being
revealed, the girl indicated that if the secret is revealed police with handcuffs would come
and get involved.
4.
{¶ 9} The social worker from children services who interviewed the children
testified at trial regarding the details revealed by the children of the conduct engaged in
by appellant at the “naked parties,” and that they both conveyed awareness by the mother
of the activities. The investigating detective who participated in the interviews of the
children with children services testified that appellant denied the events disclosed by his
children.
{¶ 10} On May 13, 2013, approximately two weeks after the initial interviews,
appellant’s minor daughter underwent a comprehensive medical evaluation by expert
staff personnel at the Lucas County child abuse center. The girl consistently disclosed
that her father would sometimes play “naked parties” with her during which he would put
his man part in her mouth, rear end, and her “front.”
{¶ 11} During the subsequent medical examination, it was observed that the girl’s
“[H]ymen was thinned with an angulated turn at the 7-8 o’clock position.” In addition,
there was also scarring observed in this vicinity. Such findings on a four-year-old child
are consistent with having been raped.
{¶ 12} This medical examination of the victim was conducted by Dr. Randall
Schievert, the medical director of the Lucas County child abuse program. Based upon his
examination of the victim, Dr. Schlievert concluded, “[H]er exam reveals a finding that is
consistent with sexual abuse. Based upon her medical history, behaviors and physical
exam, I have diagnosed her as sexually abused.” Dr. Schlievert consistently testified at
trial that based upon his interview and physical examination of the girl, including internal
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examination of the vagina, her hymen had been subjected to penetrating injury and had
been torn and the location consistent with having been raped.
{¶ 13} Lastly, on May 5, 2013, appellant’s daughter was briefly seen in the
emergency room at the Firelands Regional Medical Center. The physician who met with
her stated in a perfunctory report that when asking the victim about the events, “She
really would not answer those questions. She just kind of looked at me when I talk to her
and asked her * * * I did not push it at her age.” The report further noted, “She had a
bit of uncleanly area in the vaginal folds, and that needed to be cleansed out of some
debris.” The ultimate diagnosis listed in the emergency room report was, “Possible
sexual assault.”
{¶ 14} On March 17, 2014, appellant was indicted on two counts of rape, in
violation of R.C. 2907.02 (A)(1), felonies of the first degree, two counts of rape, in
violation of R.C. 2907.02 (A)(2), felonies of the first degree, and one count of sexual
battery, in violation of R.C. 2907.03 (A)(5).
{¶ 15} On February 2, 2015, the matter proceeded to jury trial. On February 5,
2015, the jury found appellant guilty on all counts. On February 17, 2015, appellant was
sentenced to a term of life in prison without the possibility of parole. This appeal ensued.
{¶ 16} In the first assignment of error, appellant maintains that the trial court
committed reversible error by hearing the testimony of the minor victim without
requiring the child, “[T]o declare that she would testify truthfully before the jury.” We
do not concur.
6.
{¶ 17} The record reflects that appellant’s minor daughter did not testify at trial in
any way adverse to appellant. On the contrary, the girl’s testimony to the trial court was
that she could no longer remember the events that she was being questioned about. In
addition, the record reflects that counsel for appellant made no objection or challenge
regarding the oath prior to the testimony of appellant’s daughter.
{¶ 18} Crim.R. 52(A) establishes that any claimed error, “[W]hich does not affect
substantial rights shall be disregarded.” We find that the record reflects that the claimed
error in connection to the oath prior to the appellant’s minor daughter testifying at trial
constituted harmless error as the testimony which followed the allegedly improper
witness oath encompassed no testimony adverse to appellant. We find appellant’s first
assignment of error not well-taken.
{¶ 19} In the second assignment of error, appellant asserts that there was
“improper bolstering” of appellant’s minor daughter’s testimony in contravention of
appellant’s constitutional rights. We do not concur.
{¶ 20} In support of the second assignment of error, appellant disputes the
legitimacy of the hearsay exception testimony furnished by expert witnesses for appellee
related to the revelations of appellant’s minor daughter regarding the “naked parties”
engaged in by appellant with his daughter. These revelations by the victim occurred
during investigatory interviews and examinations prior to trial.
{¶ 21} The record reflects that the disputed testimony did not constitute some sort
of improper “bolstering.” On the contrary, the record reflects that the disputed testimony
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adverse to appellant was properly furnished pursuant to applicable exceptions to the
hearsay rule.
{¶ 22} Evid.R. 807 establishes a permissible exception to the hearsay rule for
statements of a minor under the age of 12 whose testimony is not otherwise,
“[R]easonably obtainable by the proponent of the statement.” In conjunction with this,
Evid.R. 807(B)(1) defines “not reasonably obtainable” as, “The child refuses to testify
concerning the subject matter of the statement or claims a lack of memory of the subject
matter of the statement after a person trusted by the child, in the presence of the court,
urges the child to both describe the acts described by the statement and to testify.”
{¶ 23} The record reflects that the onset of claimed memory loss at trial by
appellant’s daughter, who was approximately four years of age at the time of the
underlying events and six years of age at the time of trial, enabled the disputed testimony
regarding the girl’s prior revelations during professional interviews and expert
examinations to be submitted to the court pursuant to Evid.R. 807. We find appellant’s
second assignment of error not well-taken.
{¶ 24} In the third assignment of error, appellant maintains that the convictions
were not supported by proof beyond a reasonable doubt. We do not concur.
{¶ 25} In support of the third assignment, appellant presumes a favorable outcome
in response to appellant’s second assignment of error. Appellant states, “The testimony
of the alleged victim was not sufficient to meet the definition of either sexual conduct or
sexual contact.”
8.
{¶ 26} In reviewing an appellate challenge to the sufficiency of the evidence, the
function of this court is to examine all of the evidence furnished at trial and submitted
into evidence in order to determine whether the evidence, if believed, would convince a
reasonable juror of guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. The relevant inquiry is whether,
after viewing the evidence in the light most favorable to the prosecution, a rational trier
of fact could find the essential elements of the crime proven beyond a reasonable doubt.
State v. Jenks, 61 Ohio St.3d 259, 574 N.E.2d 492 (1991).
{¶ 27} Although appellant’s minor daughter conveyed at trial, several years after
the underlying incidents, that she could not recall the events she was being questioned
about, the record reflects ample separate testimony from other witnesses on behalf of
appellee including Dr. Schlievert, the agency caseworker, and the investigating detective.
All of these witnesses furnished testimony clearly supportive of a finding of guilty
against appellant. Similarly, a multitude of expert documents and medical records
pertaining to the victim admitted into evidence are also supportive of a finding of guilty
against appellant.
{¶ 28} The record reflects testimonial evidence and medical documentation by Dr.
Schlievert finding discernible and significant damage to the hymen and damage to the
interior of the vagina of the four-year old victim consistent with rape and which supports
the conclusion that appellant raped his daughter. This conclusion is consistent with the
testimony of the investigating caseworker for children services to whom the girl revealed
that her father had inserted his “knee”, the child’s term for penis, into her mouth, rear
end, and “front.” The record further encompasses testimony establishing that the girl’s
9.
older brother had likewise made consistent disclosures to investigating professionals
regarding appellant’s unlawful sexual conduct with his daughter.
{¶ 29} Accordingly, we find that the record contains ample evidence from which a
rational trier of fact could find the offenses proven beyond a reasonable doubt when
reviewed in the light most favorable to appellee.
{¶ 30} Accordingly, we find appellant’s third assignment of error not well-taken.
{¶ 31} In the fourth assignment of error, appellant similarly alleges that the
convictions are against the manifest weight of the evidence. We do not concur.
{¶ 32} In ascertaining whether disputed convictions are against the manifest
weight of the evidence, this court must review the entire record, weigh the evidence and
all reasonable inferences, consider witness credibility, and determine whether, in
resolving conflicts in the evidence, the jury clearly lost its way such that it created a
manifest miscarriage of justice necessitating the extreme remedy of a reversal and new
trial. State v. Thompkins, 78 Ohio St.3d 380, 678 N.E.2d 541 (1997).
{¶ 33} In support of the fourth assignment of error, appellant again places great
reliance upon both the trial testimony of appellant’s daughter no longer recalling the
events, as well as the claimed impropriety of the separate professional and expert
testimony in connection to disclosures and revelations by the victim prior to trial
regarding the “naked parties” engaged in by appellant with his minor daughter.
Appellant further places importance upon the testimony of the emergency room physician
from Firelands Medical Center (“Firelands”) and purports that it undermines the adverse
conclusions and testimony of Dr. Schlievert. We are not convinced.
10.
{¶ 34} We find that the testimony of the emergency room physician from
Firelands does not effectively negate or rebut the testimony, conclusions, and reports
submitted by Dr. Schlievert. Dr. Schlievert’s reports and testimony clearly reflected a far
more comprehensive examination of the victim, including an internal examination, and a
far more thorough analysis of the matter in comparison to the Firelands report. The
report from the Firelands emergency room physician conveyed, “[S]he really would not
answer those questions. She just kind of looked at me when I talk to her and asked her * *
* I did not push it at her age.” On the contrary, Dr. Schlievert did “push it” and
conducted far more comprehensive questioning and physical examination of the victim.
Based upon the same, Dr. Schlievert concluded that the victim was subjected to sexual
abuse by her father and that the physical manifestation of her injuries were consistent
with being raped by appellant.
{¶ 35} In conjunction with the above, the testimony from various expert witnesses
for appellee connected to revelations by the victim regarding ongoing “naked parties”
during which appellant would insert his penis into his daughter’s mouth, rear end, and
“front” and then instruct her to keep the events a secret, was consistent with revelations
by the victim’s older brother, and were all properly before the court pursuant to the
hearsay exception for minors established by Evid.R. 807.
{¶ 36} Based upon the foregoing, we find that appellant has failed to establish that
the jury clearly lost its way and that leaving the convictions intact would result in a
manifest miscarriage of justice. We find appellant’s fourth assignment of error not well-
taken.
11.
{¶ 37} In the fifth assignment of error, appellant alleges that the trial court erred in
denying appellant’s Crim.R. 29 motion for acquittal.
{¶ 38} Crim.R. 29 (A) establishes that when the evidence is closed, a defendant
may move for acquittal if, “[T]he evidence is insufficient to sustain a conviction of such
offense or offenses.” Given our determinations above that the convictions were
supported by sufficient evidence, were not against the manifest weight of the evidence,
and do not constitute a manifest miscarriage of justice based upon the record of evidence
in this matter, we likewise find appellant’s fifth assignment of error, premised upon
analogous assertions, not well-taken.
{¶ 39} On consideration whereof, we find that substantial justice has been done in
this matter. The judgment of the Sandusky Court of Common Pleas is hereby affirmed.
Appellant is ordered to pay the cost of this appeal pursuant to App.R. 24.
Judgment affirmed.
A certified copy of this entry shall constitute the mandate pursuant to App.R. 27.
See also 6th Dist.Loc.App.R. 4.
Mark L. Pietrykowski, J. _______________________________
JUDGE
Thomas J. Osowik, J.
_______________________________
James D. Jensen, P.J. JUDGE
CONCUR.
_______________________________
JUDGE
12.