State v. Wainscott , 2016 Ohio 1153 ( 2016 )

[Cite as State v. Wainscott, 2016-Ohio-1153.]
IN THE COURT OF APPEALS
TWELFTH APPELLATE DISTRICT OF OHIO
CLERMONT COUNTY
STATE OF OHIO, :
CASE NO. CA2015-07-056
Plaintiff-Appellee, :
OPINION
: 3/21/2016
- vs -
:
ANTHONY M. WAINSCOTT, SR., :
Defendant-Appellant. :
CRIMINAL APPEAL FROM CLERMONT COUNTY COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
Case No. 2014-CR-0142
D. Vincent Faris, Clermont County Prosecuting Attorney, Nicholas Horton, 76 South
Riverside Drive, 2nd Floor, Batavia, Ohio 45103, for plaintiff-appellee
Joshua R. Crousey, One East Main Street, Amelia, Ohio 45102, for defendant-appellant
S. POWELL, J.
{¶ 1} Defendant-appellant, Anthony M. Wainscott, Sr., appeals from his conviction in
the Clermont County Court of Common Pleas for three counts of child endangering. For the
reasons outlined below, we affirm.
{¶ 2} This case involves allegations against Wainscott in regards to unwarranted
discipline utilized on three minor boys, four-year-old B.F., eight-year-old A.B., and 15-year-old
A.W., who Wainscott and his then live-in girlfriend, A.R., resided with between January 2013
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and October 25, 2013. It is undisputed that A.R. is the custodial parent of B.F. and is A.B.'s
biological mother. It is likewise undisputed that Wainscott is A.W.'s biological father.
Besides residing together, A.R. is not related to A.W., nor is Wainscott related to B.F. or A.B.
A.R.'s other children, ten-year-old H.B., seven-year-old B.B., and two-year-old P.W., also
resided in the home during this time. Wainscott is the biological father of P.W.
{¶ 3} On March 6, 2014, the Clermont County Grand Jury returned an indictment
charging Wainscott with three counts of child endangering in violation of R.C. 2919.22(B)(2),
all third-degree felonies.1 Pursuant to that statute, no person shall "torture or cruelly abuse"
a child under 18 years of age. In regards to each of these three charges, the indictment
stated the following:
* * * ANTHONY MICHAEL WAINSCOTT, SR., on or about
January, 2013, through the 25th day of October, 2013, in
Clermont County, Ohio, did to a child under eighteen years of
age or a mentally or physically handicapped child under twenty-
one years of age, torture or cruelly abuse the child, contrary to
and in violation of section 2919.22(B)(2) of the Revised Code of
Ohio, a felony of the third degree, and against the peace and
dignity of the State of Ohio.
{¶ 4} On March 25, 2014, Wainscott filed a demand for discovery and request for a
bill of particulars, to which the state responded on April 3, 2014. According to the bill of
particulars, the three charges stemmed from the following alleged conduct:
COUNT #[1] ENDANGERING CHILDREN:
Now comes Scott C. O'Reilly, Assistant Prosecuting Attorney,
and states that in the above-captioned case, the State of Ohio
intends to present evidence to show, in addition to the facts
alleged in the indictment that the defendant, on or about January
2013, through the 25th day of October, 2013; at 2780 Lindale Mt.
Holly #12; Clermont County, Ohio; did to a child under eighteen
years of age, torture or cruelly abuse the child. Specifically, the
defendant utilized unwarranted discipline on B.F. [D.O.B.
12/1/2008], by forcing B.F. to stand in a corner for seven to
fifteen hours a day. If B.F. left the corner, he was beaten. This
1. Wainscott was also charged with three counts of child endangering in violation of R.C. 2919.22(B)(4).
However, those charges were later dismissed.
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was observed by several of the other children in the house. In
addition, the defendant forced B.F. to sleep on the kitchen floor.
COUNT #[2] ENDANGERING CHILDREN:
Now comes Scott C. O'Reilly, Assistant Prosecuting Attorney,
and states that in the above-captioned case, the State of Ohio
intends to present evidence to show, in addition to the facts
alleged in the indictment that the defendant, on or about January
2013, through the 25th day of October, 2013; at 2780 Lindale Mt.
Holly #12; Clermont County, Ohio; did to a child under eighteen
years of age, torture or cruelly abuse the child. Specifically, the
defendant utilized unwarranted discipline on A.B. [age 8], by
forcing A.B. to stand in a corner for seven to fifteen hours a day.
A.B. would attend school tired and hungry from lack of sleep
from standing for such lengthy periods. Additionally, A.B. would
sustain beatings if he were ever to leave the kitchen corner as
well.
COUNT #[3] ENDANGERING CHILDREN:
Now comes Scott C. O'Reilly, Assistant Prosecuting Attorney,
and states that in the above-captioned case, the State of Ohio
intends to present evidence to show, in addition to the facts
alleged in the indictment that the defendant, on or about January
2013, through the 25th day of October, 2013; at 2780 Lindale Mt.
Holly #12; Clermont County, Ohio; did to a child under eighteen
years of age, torture or cruelly abuse the child. Specifically, the
defendant utilized unwarranted discipline on A.W. [age 15], by
forcing A.W. to stand in a corner for seven to fifteen hours a day.
(Emphasis added.)
At the state's request, the matter was then twice continued and Wainscott agreed to waive
his speedy trial rights.
{¶ 5} On March 30, 2015, the state filed a notice of its intent to use so-called "other
acts" evidence at trial in accordance with Evid.R. 404(B). This proposed evidence included
testimony that Wainscott had admittedly (1) punched holes in the walls of the house, (2)
threatened to burn down the house after pouring gasoline down the hallway, (3) called A.R.
derogatory names and otherwise degraded her, and (4) broke a car windshield, all within the
presence and general vicinity of the children. According to the state, this evidence was
admissible at trial because it illustrated Wainscott's intent and proved that his conduct was
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not merely an accident.
{¶ 6} On April 10, 2015, after holding a hearing on the matter, the trial court issued a
decision precluding the state from introducing any of the purported "other acts" evidence at
trial. In so holding, the trial court found "the proposed other acts evidence [is] not relevant to
the charges" and is "markedly different" than the underlying conduct set forth in the bill of
particulars. The trial court also found that, pursuant to Evid.R. 403(A), "even if the other acts
evidence could be relevant to these counts, any probative value is substantially outweighed
by the danger of confusion of the issues and of misleading the jury." Nevertheless, because
the trial court construed the state's notice as a motion in limine, the trial court noted that it
was "at liberty to change its ruling on [the] disputed evidence in the actual context at trial."
{¶ 7} On April 14, 2015, a mere four days after the trial court issued its decision, the
state filed a motion to amend the bill of particulars pursuant to Crim.R. 7(E) to include
allegations regarding the same previously characterized "other acts" evidence. Specifically,
the state requested to amend the bill of particulars as follows:
COUNT #[1] ENDANGERING CHILDREN:
Now comes Scott C. O'Reilly, Assistant Prosecuting Attorney,
and states that in the above-captioned case, the State of Ohio
intends to present evidence to show, in addition to the facts
alleged in the indictment that the defendant, on or about January
2013, through the 25th day of October, 2013; at 2780 Lindale Mt.
Holly #12; Clermont County, Ohio; did to a child under eighteen
years of age, torture or cruelly abuse the child. Specifically, the
defendant utilized unwarranted discipline on B.F. [D.O.B.
12/1/2008], by forcing B.F. to stand in a corner for seven to
fifteen hours a day. If B.F. left the corner, he was beaten. This
was observed by several of the other children in the house. In
addition, the defendant forced B.F. to sleep on the kitchen floor.
B.F. was also witness to the defendant punching holes in the
walls, threatening his mother, breaking a car window, and
dousing the interior of the residence with gasoline and
threatening to light it on fire.
COUNT #[2] ENDANGERING CHILDREN:
Now comes Scott C. O'Reilly, Assistant Prosecuting Attorney,
and states that in the above-captioned case, the State of Ohio
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intends to present evidence to show, in addition to the facts
alleged in the indictment that the defendant, on or about January
2013, through the 25th day of October, 2013; at 2780 Lindale Mt.
Holly #12; Clermont County, Ohio; did to a child under eighteen
years of age, torture or cruelly abuse the child. Specifically, the
defendant utilized unwarranted discipline on A.B. [age 8], by
forcing A.B. to stand in a corner for seven to fifteen hours a day.
A.B. would attend school tired and hungry from lack of sleep
from standing for such lengthy periods. Additionally, A.B. would
sustain beatings if he were ever to leave the kitchen corner as
well. A.B. was also witness to the defendant punching holes in
the walls, threatening his mother, breaking a car window, and
dousing the interior of the residence with gasoline and
threatening to light it on fire.
COUNT #[3] ENDANGERING CHILDREN:
Now comes Scott C. O'Reilly, Assistant Prosecuting Attorney,
and states that in the above-captioned case, the State of Ohio
intends to present evidence to show, in addition to the facts
alleged in the indictment that the defendant, on or about January
2013, through the 25th day of October, 2013; at 2780 Lindale Mt.
Holly #12; Clermont County, Ohio; did to a child under eighteen
years of age, torture or cruelly abuse the child. Specifically, the
defendant utilized unwarranted discipline on A.W. [age 15], by
forcing A.W. to stand in a corner for seven to fifteen hours a day.
A.W. was also witness to the defendant punching holes in the
walls, threatening [A.R.], and dousing the interior of the
residence with gasoline and threatening to light it on fire.
(Emphasis added.)
{¶ 8} On April 17, 2015, the trial court held a hearing on the matter, issuing a
decision from the bench denying the state's motion to amend the bill of particulars. In
reaching this decision, the trial court stated, in pertinent part, the following:
I will say candidly it's somewhat disconcerting that this is filed on
April 14th about two weeks before trial when allegedly it's been
known for more than a year, and it – it's disconcerting. It's also
disconcerting the manner in which it was filed and that it was –
we had a hearing on this and I assumed the State was
proceeding in good faith with indicating that this was other acts[.]
The trial court's decision to deny the state's motion was then incorporated into an entry filed
on April 21, 2015.
{¶ 9} On May 1, 2015, three days before the jury trial was scheduled to begin, the
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parties reconvened for purposes of conducting a videotaped deposition of the state's expert
witness, Dr. Brooks Keeshin, who had since moved out of state. As part of this deposition,
the state requested permission to illicit testimony from Dr. Keeshin regarding the impact that
the previously characterized "other acts" evidence had on B.F., A.B., and A.W., if any. In
support of this claim, the state argued that it had "established a foundation that connects
these other acts to the indictment as charged. And at this point, we would like to ask the
doctor about some of those issues related to the holes in the wall, the pouring of the
gasoline, and busting of the windows." (Emphasis added.) Wainscott objected, noting that
these issues were not included in bill of particulars, and had since been denied inclusion
when the state attempted to amend the bill of particulars. Wainscott also noted the following:
You know, the defense is being asked to defend against these
allegations that were in the original Bill of Particulars. Some of
these items that are now being asked to be admitted are items
that it could take a matter of months trying to come up with
witnesses trying to come up with documentation. I don't know
whatever evidence we might seek out to try to defend against
those issues. So, I think here again at this late hour it's unfair to
ask the defense to have to defend that.
{¶ 10} After considering both parties' arguments, the trial court granted the state's
request and permitted the state to introduce evidence regarding the previously characterized
"other acts" evidence. The trial court then stated that it would also not give a limiting
instruction to the jury since "I don't believe these are other acts now." Specifically, the trial
court stated:
I believe these are part and parcel of the total underlying course
of maltreatment of the child that would clearly fall under cruelly
abuse, torture or cruelly abuse. So, I don't believe these are
other acts. I believe these are part and parcel now of what
would be appropriate and relevant for the State to prove that Mr.
Wainscott cruelly abused the child. So, I don't believe there's
any need for an other acts. This is just an other act on his part. I
mean it's – yeah. I don't believe I need another other acts
instruction on that piece because now based on Dr. Keeshin's
testimony and the exhibits that's been presented this is evidence,
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I think, that is relevant to establishing whether Mr. Wainscott
terrorized the child and that's part of the doctor's expert
testimony of maltreatment, psychological maltreatment and truly
cruelly abuse, as I indicated in my decision, can be not only
physical but, can be mental and emotional. So, we can start with
Dr. Keeshin's testimony that had been proffered, it can now be
presented to the jury.
(Emphasis added.)
{¶ 11} The state then proceeded to ask Dr. Keeshin about the prior incidents and the
impact the incidents may have had on the three boys. According to Dr. Keeshin, these prior
incidents evidenced the "chronic exposure to really terrorizing acts" that established severe
and significant "psychological maltreatment" to B.F., A.B., and A.W. Dr. Keeshin further
testified that being exposed to these "terrorizing" incidents contributed to the three boys
exhibiting symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder.
{¶ 12} A four-day jury trial was then held between May 4 and May 7, 2015, during
which time the jury heard extensive testimony from, among others, A.R., A.B., A.W., H.B.,
and Wainscott himself. As part of this testimony, Wainscott admitted to ordering B.F., A.B.,
and A.W. to stand in the corner with their hands behind their back for periods of up to seven
hours a day. Wainscott also admitted that he would "spank" the boys with his hand or with a
belt if they moved from that position, and that he had forced B.F. to sleep on the kitchen floor
after he urinated in his bedroom. Wainscott further admitted to punching a hole in the wall,
breaking a glass table, and pouring gasoline in the house while A.R. and the other children
were inside. Wainscott similarly admitted to calling A.R. derogatory names such as a "cum
guzzling gutter slut," slapping A.R. in the back of the head, and cracking a car windshield, all
within the presence and general vicinity of the children. The state also introduced evidence
that the three boys, particularly B.F. and A.B., were fearful of Wainscott and that being
subject to his repeated punishments, which were referred to as "corners" and "whoopings,"
made them upset and sad.
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{¶ 13} After both parties rested, the jury issued a decision finding Wainscott guilty as
charged. The trial court then sentenced Wainscott to a total period of eight years in prison.
Wainscott now appeals from his conviction, raising three assignments of error for review.
{¶ 14} Assignment of Error No. 1:
{¶ 15} THE TRIAL COURT ERRED AS A MATTER OF LAW BY PERMITTING
EVIDENCE OF "OTHER ACTS" AS SUBSTANTIVE EVIDENCE.
{¶ 16} In his first assignment of error, Wainscott argues the trial court erred by
permitting the state to introduce the previously characterized "other acts" evidence that the
trial court later considered "part and parcel of the total underlying course of maltreatment"
when these prior incidents were not referenced in the indictment or bill of particulars and had
previously been found inadmissible under both Evid.R. 404(B) and 403(A).
{¶ 17} A trial court has broad discretion in the admission and exclusion of evidence.
State v. Martin, 12th Dist. Butler No. CA2007-01-022, 2007-Ohio-7073, ¶ 9. In turn, a
reviewing court should not disturb evidentiary decisions in the absence of an abuse of
discretion that has created material prejudice. State v. Smith, 12th Dist. Fayette No.
CA2007-10-035, 2008-Ohio-5931, ¶ 33. An abuse of discretion implies that the court's
decision was unreasonable, arbitrary, or unconscionable, and not merely an error of law or
judgment. State v. Hancock, 108 Ohio St.3d 57, 2006-Ohio-160, ¶ 129-130. "A review under
the abuse-of-discretion standard is a deferential review." State v. Morris, 132 Ohio St.3d
337, 2012-Ohio-2407, ¶ 14.
{¶ 18} Evidence that an accused committed a crime other than the one for which he is
on trial is not admissible when its sole purpose is to show the accused's propensity or
inclination to commit crime or that he acted in conformity with bad character. State v.
Morgan, 12th Dist. Butler Nos. CA2013-08-146 and CA2013-08-147, 2014-Ohio-2472, ¶ 40.
In turn, pursuant to Evid.R. 404(B), evidence of other crimes, wrongs, or acts is not
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admissible to prove the character of a person in order to show that a person acted in
conformity therewith on a particular occasion. State v. Hart, 12th Dist. Warren No. CA2008-
06-079, 2009-Ohio-997, ¶ 11. Such evidence, however, is permitted for other purposes,
including proof of motive, opportunity, intent, preparation, plan, knowledge, identity, or the
absence of mistake or accident. State v. Thomas, 12th Dist. Butler No. CA2012-11-223,
2013-Ohio-4327, ¶ 22.
{¶ 19} That being said, Evid.R. 404(B) only applies to limit the admission of so-called
"other acts" evidence that is "extrinsic" to the crime charged. State v. Stallworth, 11th Dist.
Lake No. 2013-L-122, 2014-Ohio-4297, ¶ 37. In other words, "Evid.R. 404(B) does not apply
when the acts are intrinsic as opposed to extrinsic, i.e., the acts are part of the events in
question or form part of the immediate background of the alleged act which forms the basis
for the crime charged." State v. Crew, 2d Dist. Clark No. 2009 CA 45, 2010-Ohio-3110, ¶ 99.
Thus, "evidence of other crimes or wrongs may be admitted when such acts are so
inextricably intertwined with the crime as charged that proof of one involves the other,
explains the circumstances thereof, or tends logically to prove any element of the crime
charged." State v. Davis, 64 Ohio App.3d 334, 341 (12th Dist.1989), citing State v.
Wilkinson, 64 Ohio St.2d 308, 317 (1980); State v. Long, 64 Ohio App.3d 615, 617 (9th
Dist.1989).
{¶ 20} In this case, although the previously characterized "other acts" evidence was
not referenced in the indictment or bill of particulars, was denied inclusion in the state's
attempt to amend the bill of particulars, and had been found inadmissible under both Evid.R.
404(B) and 403(A), the trial court nevertheless determined, a mere three days before trial
was set to begin, that such evidence was actually "part and parcel of the total underlying
course of maltreatment." Although we may agree that such evidence was relevant to prove
whether Wainscott tortured or cruelly abused B.F., A.B., and A.W. as alleged in the
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indictment, the trial court's decision to permit the state to introduce this evidence at trial
ignores the general principles and purposes behind a bill of particulars, which is "'to clarify
the allegations in the indictment so that the accused may know with what he is charged in
order to prepare his defense.'" State v. Shirley, 12th Dist. Butler No. CA2012-07-127, 2013-
Ohio-1948, ¶ 20, quoting Foutty v. Maxwell, 174 Ohio St. 35, 38 (1962); see also State v.
Sellards, 17 Ohio St.3d 169, 171 (1985) (purpose of a bill of particulars is to "elucidate or
particularize the conduct of the accused alleged to constitute the charged offense").
{¶ 21} Pursuant to Crim.R. 7(E), upon written request from the defendant, the state
shall furnish a bill of particulars to the defendant that sets forth "specifically the nature of the
offense charged and the conduct of the defendant alleged to constitute the offense." A bill of
particulars, however, is not designed to provide the accused with specifications of evidence
or to serve as a substitute for discovery. State v. Ray, 12th Dist. Brown No. CA2009-06-022,
2010-Ohio-2434, ¶ 13. Nevertheless, as this court has stated previously, upon supplying the
defendant with such a bill, the state "should be restricted in its proof to the indictment and the
particulars as set forth in the bill." State v. Fairbanks, 172 Ohio App.3d 766, 2007-Ohio-
4117, ¶ 22 (12th Dist.), citing State v. Miller, 63 Ohio App.3d 479, 485-486 (12th Dist.1989).
Yet, even then, a bill of particulars "may be amended at any time subject to such conditions
as justice requires." Crim.R. 7(E).
{¶ 22} Here, while the state attempted to amend the bill of particulars to include
reference to such evidence at trial, the trial court denied the state's motion finding it was
"disconcerting" that the motion was filed "two weeks before trial when allegedly it's been
known for more than a year," as well as the "manner in which it was filed" since "we had a
hearing on this and I assumed the State was proceeding in good faith with indicating that this
was other acts[.]" Therefore, after a thorough review of the record, and because the trial
court denied the state's motion to amend the bill of particulars, we find the state should have
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been restricted in its proof to the nature of the offenses charged as set forth in the indictment
and bill of particulars; namely, that between January 1, 2013 and October 25, 2013, while at
2780 Lindale Mt. Holly #12, Clermont County, Ohio, Wainscott tortured or cruelly abused
four-year-old B.F., eight-year-old A.B., and 15-year-old A.W., utilizing unwarranted discipline
by forcing the three boys to "stand in a corner for seven to fifteen hours a day," subjecting
them to beatings if they ever left the corner, and by forcing B.F. "to sleep on the kitchen
floor."
{¶ 23} Although we find the trial court erred by allowing the state to introduce the once
characterized "other acts" evidence at trial, due to the overwhelming evidence of Wainscott's
guilt, as well as the lack of any resulting prejudice, we find such error to be harmless. As this
court has noted previously, an accused has "'a constitutional guarantee to a trial free from
prejudicial error, not necessarily one free of all error.'" State v. Swartsell, 12th Dist. Butler
No. CA2002-06-151, 2003-Ohio-4450, ¶ 31, quoting State v. Brown, 65 Ohio St.3d 483, 485
(1992). Thus, pursuant to Crim.R. 52(A), any error, defect, irregularity or variance that does
not affect the accused's substantial rights shall be disregarded as harmless error. State v.
MaCausland, 12th Dist. Butler No. CA2007-10-254, 2008-Ohio-5660, ¶ 25. "A finding of
harmless error is appropriate where there is 'overwhelming evidence of guilt' or 'some other
indicia that the error did not contribute to the conviction.'" State v. Morgan, 12th Dist. Butler
Nos. CA2013-08-146 and CA2013-08-147, 2014-Ohio-2472, ¶ 46, quoting State v. Ferguson,
5 Ohio St.3d 160, 166 (1983), fn. 5.
{¶ 24} As noted above, Wainscott was convicted of three counts of child endangering
in violation of R.C. 2919.22(B)(2), which provides that no person shall "torture or cruelly
abuse" a child under 18 years of age. "The statute under review does not define the terms
'torture' or 'cruelly abuse.'" State v. Nivert, 9th Dist. Summit No. C.A. Nos. 16806, 1995 WL
608415, *2 (Oct. 18, 1995). However, the word "torture" as used in that section has been
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defined as "the infliction of severe pain or suffering (of body or mind)," with the word "abuse"
being defined as "ill-use, maltreat; to injure, wrong or hurt." State v. Surles, 9th Dist. Summit
No. 23345, 2007-Ohio-6050, ¶ 5. Moreover, to treat someone "cruelly" means to
"demonstrate indifference to or delight in another's suffering," as well as to treat that person
"severely, rigorously, or sharply." State v. Brown, 9th Dist. Summit No. 23737, 2008-Ohio-
2956, ¶ 12.
{¶ 25} Recklessness is the culpable mental state required for child endangering under
R.C. 2919.22(B)(2). State v. Ossege, 12th Dist. Clermont Nos. CA2013-11-086 and
CA2013-11-087, 2014-Ohio-3186, ¶ 55; State v. Adams, 62 Ohio St.2d 151 (1980),
paragraph one of the syllabus. Pursuant to R.C. 2901.22(C), "[a] person acts recklessly
when, with heedless indifference to the consequences, the person disregards a substantial
and unjustifiable risk that the person's conduct is likely to cause a certain result or is likely to
be of a certain nature." In addition, under that same section, "a person is reckless with
respect to circumstances when, with heedless indifference to the consequences, the person
disregards a substantial and unjustifiable risk that such circumstances are likely to exist."
R.C. 2901.22(C).
{¶ 26} At trial, A.B., who had since turned ten years old, testified Wainscott often
forced him to stand in the corner with his hands behind his back for "a long time" as
punishment when he misbehaved or if he accidentally wet himself. A.B. also testified that he
would then "get whooped" with a belt and ordered "get back in the corner longer" if he ever
turned around, talked to any of his brothers or sisters, wet himself again, or fell asleep.
When asked how long he had to stand in the corner, A.B. testified that he had been forced to
stand in the corner "from the time I get up, and then after school," which made him tired and
impacted his ability to do his schoolwork. A.B. further testified that "a lot" of the time
Wainscott forced him to stand in the corner all weekend, and that a typical Saturday
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consisted of him standing in the corner from the time he got up until the time he went to bed.
A.B. testified the same was true for B.F. and A.W., but that B.F. was actually forced to stand
in the corner the most.
{¶ 27} H.B., the then 12-year-old sister of A.B., testified that living in the house with
Wainscott was "crazy" due to "[a] lot of punishment and stuff." Continuing, H.B. testified she
saw Wainscott force B.F., A.B., and A.W. to stand in the corner with their hands behind their
backs staring at the wall. Specifically, as it relates to B.F., H.B. testified Wainscott had
forced B.F. to sleep on the kitchen floor and stand in the corner, sometimes for the entire day
and into the night. H.B. also testified Wainscott hit B.F. with a belt, which made her scared
"[b]ecause [B.F.] was young, and I know it would have hurt [him]." H.B. further testified
Wainscott forced A.B. to stand in the corner and that A.B. would spend most of his weekends
standing in the corner, with A.W. at one time having to stand in the corner "for three days
because he got a detention or something." When asked if she ever saw the three boys have
difficulties standing in the corner for such long periods of time, H.B. testified "[y]eah, if they
were tired they would fall over."
{¶ 28} A.W., who was then 16 years old, also testified that Wainscott had forced him
to stand in the corner when he got in trouble for "not doing my work, or getting bad grades
and not listening," with evidence indicating A.W. at one time had stood in the corner for a
period of 13 hours. A.W. then testified Wainscott "whooped" him and forced him to get back
in the corner when he tried to sit down, and that he was "spanked" when he tried to sneak out
of the house. A.W. further testified Wainscott "sometimes" forced B.F. to sleep on the
kitchen floor, and that both B.F. and A.B. had wet themselves after being forced to stand in
the corner for such long periods of time. According to A.W., when this happened "[t]hey
sometimes get whooped or stand in the corner longer."
{¶ 29} A.R., the custodial parent of B.F., A.B.'s biological mother, and Wainscott's
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former live-in girlfriend, also testified that Wainscott would punish B.F., A.B., and A.W. by
forcing them to stand in the corner with their hands behind their backs for multiple hours a
day, sometimes from "the time they got up to the time they went to bed." A.R. then testified
that if any of the boys moved from that position that they would be "more in trouble" and
"would have to stand even longer," which was oftentimes accompanied by being "hit,"
"swatted" or "whipped" with a belt. A.R. further testified B.F. was once forced to sleep on the
kitchen floor after he urinated in his bedroom. According to A.R., the punishments levied
against B.F., A.B., and A.W., were not reasonable and lasted "way too long." However, when
asked why she did nothing to stop Wainscott from issuing these punishments, A.R. testified
"[b]ecause I was – I was scared too."
{¶ 30} Wainscott also testified and confirmed that he punished B.F., A.B., and A.W. by
forcing them to stand in the corner for upwards of seven hours a day. However, when asked
about the longest time any of the three boys stood in the corner, Wainscott testified "I can't
really – I don't really remember exactly. I know it was some lengthy, like seven hours. I
think, is pretty long." Wainscott then testified that he did not think this form of punishment
was excessive because he "would rather have the time out and have them stand in the
corner than have to, you know, spank them." Yet, even then, Wainscott acknowledged that
he would "spank" and "sometimes" even "whoop" the boys with his hand or with a belt, but
that he "didn't beat them or anything." Wainscott further admitted to making B.F. sleep on
the kitchen floor for "a couple of nights" after B.F. urinated in his bedroom.
{¶ 31} Dr. Keeshin's videotaped deposition was also played for the jury. As part of his
deposition, Dr. Keeshin testified that forcing a child to stand in the corner for upwards of
seven hours a day would never be an appropriate form of punishment, and that he would
question any child being placed in a "time out" for "more than 15, 20 minutes in length
because that's really outside of the normal (sic) of what we normally think about." Dr.
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Keeshin further testified that placing a child in a corner for multiple hours a day would "meet
criteria for a clear component of psychological maltreatment," with chronic exposure to such
confinement falling into "truly cruel punishment techniques" due to the time of the punishment
and significant pain that would result, thereby increasing "the risk of emotional,
developmental and behavior impacts on that child."
{¶ 32} After a thorough review of the record, we find this evidence, standing alone,
constitutes overwhelming evidence of Wainscott's guilt for three counts of child endangering
in violation of R.C. 2919.22(B)(2). Therefore, the trial court's decision permitting the state to
introduce the previously characterized "other acts" evidence that the trial court later
considered "part and parcel of the total underlying course of maltreatment" when these prior
incidents were not referenced in the indictment or bill of particulars and had been found
inadmissible under both Evid.R. 404(B) and 403(A), constitutes, at worst, harmless error. In
so holding, we note that Wainscott generally admitted to all of the previously characterized
"other acts" evidence at trial, and was otherwise permitted to cross-examine each witness at
length regarding these prior incidents, thereby eliminating any prejudice that may have
otherwise occurred. Accordingly, Wainscott's first assignment of error is overruled.
{¶ 33} Assignment of Error No. 2:
{¶ 34} THE TRIAL COURT ERRED BY DENYING ACCESS TO EVIDENCE
FAVORABLE TO APPELLANT.
{¶ 35} In his second assignment of error, Wainscott argues the trial court erred by
denying him access to material evidence that was allegedly withheld by the state contrary to
the United States Supreme Court's holding in Brady v. Maryland, 373 U.S. 83, 83 S.Ct. 1194(1963). We disagree.
{¶ 36} In Brady, the United States Supreme Court held "the suppression by the
prosecution of evidence favorable to an accused upon request violates due process where
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the evidence is material either to guilt or to punishment, irrespective of the good faith or bad
faith of the prosecution."2 Id. at 87. However, as a rule, "undisclosed evidence is not
material simply because it may have helped the defendant to prepare for trial." State v.
Brown, 115 Ohio St.3d 55, 2007-Ohio-4837, ¶ 49. Rather, undisclosed evidence withheld by
the state is "material" only if "there exists a 'reasonable probability' that the result of the trial
would have been different had the evidence been disclosed to the defense." State v. LaMar,
95 Ohio St.3d 181, 2002-Ohio-2128, ¶ 27, citing Kyles v. Whitley, 514 U.S. 419, 433-434,
115 S.Ct. 1555 (1995). A "reasonable probability" is a probability sufficient to undermine
confidence in the outcome. State v. McKelton, 12th Dist. Butler No. CA2015-02-028, 2015-
Ohio-4228, ¶ 16. "If, however, the evidence that was allegedly withheld is merely cumulative
to evidence presented at trial, no violation occurs." State v. Aldridge, 120 Ohio App.3d 122,
145 (2d Dist.1997).
{¶ 37} Wainscott argues the trial court erred by denying him access to a videotape
allegedly withheld by the state showing his positive interaction with B.F., A.B., and A.W.
when he was accidentally provided visitation time with the three boys by Clermont County
Children's Protective Services. According to Wainscott, such evidence was material because
it showed the "congenial nature" of the visit and demonstrated the three boys were not afraid
of him and "enjoyed their interactions with him." However, based on the overwhelming
evidence of Wainscott's guilt, we find this evidence falls well short of that needed to be
considered "material" as there is simply no reasonable probability that the result of the trial
would have been different had the videotape been disclosed to him.
{¶ 38} We also find this evidence would merely be cumulative to the evidence
presented at trial considering both Wainscott's mother and neighbor testified B.F., A.B., and
2. The holding in Brady has since been extended to include evidence affecting a state witness's credibility. See
Giglio v. United States, 405 U.S. 150, 154, 92 S.Ct. 763 (1972).
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A.W. got along "fine" with Wainscott, that Wainscott interacted with the three boys "real well,"
that the boys never acted afraid of Wainscott, and that they had a good relationship with
Wainscott and loved him. Wainscott himself even testified that he had a "pretty good"
relationship with B.F., A.B., and A.W., that they were always happy to see him, and that they
never acted afraid of him. Therefore, because the videotape was not "material" evidence,
and was otherwise merely cumulative to the evidence presented at trial, Wainscott's second
assignment of error is overruled.
{¶ 39} Assignment of Error No. 3:
{¶ 40} THE TRIAL COURT ERRED AS A MATTER OF LAW BY NOT DISMISSING
PURSUANT TO RULE 29.
{¶ 41} In his third assignment of error, Wainscott argues the trial court erred by
denying his Crim.R. 29(A) motion for acquittal because there was insufficient evidence to
support his conviction for three counts of child endangering. However, as discussed more
fully above, we find there was overwhelming evidence of Wainscott's guilt. Moreover,
Wainscott's claim that the indictment was defective because it failed to charge a mens rea
element of the crime lacks merit in light of the Ohio Supreme Court's decision in State v.
Horner, 126 Ohio St.3d 466, 2010-Ohio-3830. Therefore, Wainscott's third assignment of
error is overruled.
{¶ 42} Judgment affirmed.
PIPER, P.J., and HENDRICKSON, J., concur.
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