State v. Ludwick , 2022 Ohio 2609 ( 2022 )

[Cite as State v. Ludwick, 2022-Ohio-2609.]
IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF OHIO
FOURTH APPELLATE DISTRICT
HIGHLAND COUNTY
State of Ohio, : Case No. 21CA17
Plaintiff-Appellee, :
v. : DECISION AND
JUDGMENT ENTRY
Aaron Ludwick, :
Defendant-Appellant. : RELEASED 7/26/2022
APPEARANCES:
Max Hersch, Assistant State Public Defender, Office of the Ohio Public Defender,
Columbus, Ohio for appellant.
Anneka P. Collins, Highland County Prosecutor, Hillsboro, Ohio, for appellee.
Hess, J.
{¶1} Aaron Ludwick appeals his four convictions for rape of a minor less than ten
years of age and one conviction of rape by force or threat of force. He contends that: (1)
the trial court erred when it allowed the prosecution to ask him questions about his sexual
history; (2) he had ineffective assistance of counsel for (a) failing to object to other-acts
testimony about Ludwick’s behavior at certain social events, (b) failing to request a
redaction of a portion of a forensic interview that contained hearsay alleging other crimes,
and (c) failing to request a waiver of court costs; and (3) multiple errors cumulatively
deprived him of his constitutional right to a fair trial.
{¶2} We find that the trial court erred when it allowed prior-acts evidence of
Ludwick’s sexual history to be admitted. It was not relevant to show plan, motive, or intent
and was inadmissible propensity evidence under Evid.R. 404(B). However, we find the
Highland App. No. 21CA17 2
error harmless – the prior acts were unlikely to affect the jury’s verdict and the remaining
evidence against Ludwick established his guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. As to the
prior-acts evidence of Ludwick’s behavior at certain social events, we find that his trial
counsel was not ineffective for failing to object because that evidence was admissible
under Evid.R. 404(B) to explain the victim’s delayed disclosure of the sexual abuse and
to prove the force element for one of the rape charges. We find that his trial counsel was
not ineffective for failing to seek redaction of certain statements made by the victim in a
forensic interview. Those statements were not hearsay – they were not offered to prove
the truth of the matter asserted – but to provide context and show state of mind. Because
we find only one error occurred during the trial and it was harmless, we reject his
argument that the cumulative error doctrine requires a new trial. The cumulative error
doctrine does not apply here. Finally, we reject his contention that his trial counsel was
ineffective for failing to request a waiver of court costs. He has failed to establish that a
reasonable probability exists that his request would have been granted.
{¶3} We overrule Ludwick’s assignments of error and affirm the judgment.
I. PROCEDURAL HISTORY
{¶4} In March 2021, the Highland County Grand Jury indicted Ludwick on four
counts of rape of his daughter, N.L., a minor being less than ten years of age, in violation
of R.C. 2907.02(A)(1)(b), and one count of rape of N.L. by force or threat of force, in
violation of R.C. 2907.02(A)(2), all first-degree felonies. Ludwick pleaded not guilty and
the case proceeded to trial.
{¶5} N.L. testified that when she was six years old, in first grade, and living in an
apartment with her father, Aaron Ludwick, her mother, M.G., and a younger sister,
Highland App. No. 21CA17 3
Ludwick would make N.L. sit on a blue recliner chair and he would digitally penetrate her
vagina and have her rub his penis. The sexual abuse continued several times a week,
escalating in nature until she turned 14 years old. When N.L. was seven, Ludwick put his
penis inside her vagina. She testified that she cried and asked him to stop. She would
stare at a gray console television in the room while the abuse occurred. When she was
eight years old and in third grade, Ludwick put his penis inside her anus. She testified
that she hated anal sex but that Ludwick would ejaculate more quickly so the ordeal would
be over more quickly. In fourth grade, when she was nine, the family moved from the
apartment into a house. When they moved to that house, Ludwick forced N.L. to perform
oral sex on him and also masturbate him with her hand.
{¶6} N.L. testified that when she was in the fourth grade, she went to a sleepover
at a friend’s house with several other girls. She said she and another girl were touching
each other under their pants and humping. The other girls asked about their actions and
N.L. told them, “that’s what my dad made me do and that I would lay with him until white
stuff came out and then we’d be done.” She said the discussion came up again at the
school lunch table a few days later and she again told them that her dad “would make me
lay with him until white stuff came out.” Two of the girls present at the sleepover and the
lunch table discussion testified that they recalled the incident and lunch discussion and
N.L. told them, “She has to lay naked with him [her dad] until white stuff comes out and
then she’s done.” And, “[N.L.] mentioned that her dad made her lay in bed with her naked.
* * * she didn’t know if that was something we all had to do with our dads or um if that was
unnormal.” One of the girls testified that she went home after school that afternoon and
told her mother about N.L.’s comments. That mother testified that after her daughter told
Highland App. No. 21CA17 4
her about the lunch conversation, she called a school administrator and reported the
information. She did not know what the school did after she reported it, but learned prior
to trial that the school never followed up on it.
{¶7} N.L. testified that the sexual abuse continued when she was 10 and 11
years old and in the fifth and sixth grades and that most often her father forced vaginal
sex on her. She testified that her father had a bag that contained a corset and skirt and
she was required to wear that during sex. She also testified that her father took her to
purchase thong underwear for her 14th birthday, which he forced her to wear during sex.
N.L. testified that her father had a video camera that he used to record their anal sex
when she was approximately 12 years old.
{¶8} N.L. testified that the sexual assaults stopped in 2018 when she was 14 and
started menstruating. However, there was one additional final time when she was 14,
during which Ludwick wore a condom and forced anal sex on her.
{¶9} N.L. testified that in January 2021, several years after the abuse stopped,
she told her boyfriend about it, he told his mother, and his mother talked to N.L. and
convinced her to tell her mother, M.G. N.L. testified that when she told her mother about
the abuse, her mother took her to the sheriff’s office and then they went to Children’s
Hospital for an interview.
{¶10} N.L.’s mother, M.G., testified that she had been in a relationship and lived
with Ludwick for 18 years, and they had two children together, including N.L. During the
relevant time period, M.G. worked the night shift from 10:30 p.m. to 6:30 a.m. M.G.
testified that they used to own a blue recliner and a gray console television set. M.G.
testified that Ludwick told her to take N.L. and get her on birth control when she started
Highland App. No. 21CA17 5
menstruating at 14. M.G. refused and told him that N.L. did not need to be on birth control
because she was only 14 and was driven everywhere by her parents. M.G. identified the
corset and skirt and testified that Ludwick made her wear it sometimes during sex. M.G.
testified that Ludwick took two recent trips to Brazil, one in October 2020 and one in
December 2020. He returned from the second trip on January 10, 2021. Ten days later
on January 20, 2021 Ludwick told her that he was leaving her for a woman he met in
Brazil. M.G. said she was very upset, but did not tell her children because Ludwick said
he would tell them when he was ready. The next morning, January 21, 2021, N.L. told her
about the sexual abuse and they went to the sheriff’s office.
{¶11} N.L.’s boyfriend and his mother testified about their discussions with N.L.
concerning the sexual abuse. The social worker/forensic interviewer at Children’s
Hospital testified about her interview with N.L. and played the recorded interview session
she had with N.L. in which N.L. discussed the sexual abuse in a manner consistent with
her trial testimony. Last, the detective at the Highland County Sheriff’s Office testified
about the interviews he conducted with M.G. and N.L. and his subsequent search of
Ludwick’s house and cellphone contents.
{¶12} The defense theory was that N.L. had learned that Ludwick was leaving her
mother, so N.L. decided to make up rape allegations to get back at him for hurting her
mother. The defense had a secondary theory that N.L. wanted to free herself of Ludwick’s
strict, yet responsible parenting by falsely accusing him of rape. Ludwick testified that he
never raped N.L. in any manner.
Highland App. No. 21CA17 6
{¶13} A jury convicted him on all counts and the trial court sentenced him to an
11-year prison term plus four consecutive terms of life imprisonment without eligibility for
parole and he was ordered a Tier III registered sex offender.
II. ASSIGNMENTS OF ERROR
{¶14} Ludwick assigns the following errors for our review:
1. The trial court erred by permitting the prosecution to ask Mr. Ludwick
about his sexual history. Evid.R. 404(B); State v. Hartman, 161 Ohio
St.3d 214, 2020-Ohio-4440, 161 N.E.3d 651; State v. Smith, 162 Ohio
St.3d 353, 2020-Ohio-4441, 165 N.E.3d 1123; State v. Graham, 164
Ohio St.3d 187, 2020-Ohio-6700, 1782 N.E.3d 841. (Aug. 13, 2021 Tr.
at 54-55)
2. Trial counsel for Mr. Ludwick rendered ineffective assistance by failing
to object to testimony concerning Mr. Ludwick’s other acts. Evid.R.
404(B); Evid.R. 402; Evid.R. 403(A); Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S.
668, 688, 104 S.Ct. 2052, 2064, 780 L.Ed.2d 674 (1984). (August 12,
2021 Tr. at 315-18, 326, 328, 337-338).
3. Counsel for Mr. Ludwick rendered ineffective assistance by failing to
object or to move to redact a portion of the forensic interview that
contained hearsay alleging other crimes. Evid.R 801(C); Evid.R.
404(B); Strickland v Washington, 466 U.S. 668, 688, 104 S.Ct. 2052,
2064, 80 L.Ed.2d 674 (1984). (August 12, 2021 Tr. at 265.)
4. The multiple errors cumulatively deprived Mr. Ludwick of his
constitutional right to a fair trial. State v. Froman, 162 Ohio St.3d 435,
2020-Ohio-4523, 165 N.E.3d 1198. (Aug. 12, 2021 and Aug. 13, 2021
Trs., passim.)
5. Trial counsel for Mr. Ludwick rendered ineffective assistance by failing
to request a waiver of court costs. R.C. 2947.23(C); State v. Davis, 159
Ohio St.3d 31, 2020-Ohio-309, 146 N.E.3d 560; Strickland v.
Washington, 466 U.S. 668, 104 S.Ct. 2052, 80 L.Ed.2d 674 (1984).
III. LAW AND ANALYSIS
A. Testimony Regarding “Other Acts” under Evid. R. 404(B)
Highland App. No. 21CA17 7
{¶15} In his first and second assignments of error, Ludwick contends that the trial
court erred by allowing, over his counsel’s objections, questions about his sexual
behavior, specifically anal sex, and that his counsel was ineffective for failing to object to
testimony portraying him as an “overbearing, unsavory parent.” He argues that the trial
court should have sustained his counsel’s objection and prevented the prosecutor from
asking him whether he enjoyed anal sex. He contends that his enjoyment of anal sex had
no relevancy to any disputed issue and established an impermissible propensity
inference: Because he enjoys anal sex, he must have engaged in anal sex with N.L.
{¶16} He also contends that his trial counsel should have objected to “other acts”
testimony on at least four occasions including his behavior at a school dance, during a
sleepover hosted at his house, during a birthday party, and at a pool party hosted at his
house. He argues that this testimony also allowed other-acts evidence to be placed before
the jury in violation of Evid. R. 404(B).
1. Standard of Review
{¶17} Courts use a three-step analysis to determine whether evidence of other
crimes, wrongs, or acts of an accused may be admissible. State v. Williams, 134 Ohio
St.3d 521, 2012-Ohio-5695, 983 N.E.2d 1278, ¶ 19.
The first step is to consider whether the other acts evidence is relevant to
making any fact that is of consequence to the determination of the action
more or less probable than it would be without the evidence. Evid.R. 401.
The next step is to consider whether evidence of the other crimes, wrongs,
or acts is presented to prove the character of the accused in order to show
activity in conformity therewith or whether the other acts evidence is
presented for a legitimate purpose, such as those stated in Evid.R. 404(B).
The third step is to consider whether the probative value of the other
acts evidence is substantially outweighed by the danger of unfair
prejudice. See Evid.R 403.
Id. at ¶ 20.
Highland App. No. 21CA17 8
{¶18} The admissibility of other-acts evidence under Evid.R. 404(B) is a question
of law that we review de novo. State v. Hartman, 161 Ohio St.3d 214, 2020-Ohio-4440,
161 N.E.3d 651, ¶ 22 (“because ‘[d]etermining whether the evidence is offered for an
impermissible purpose does not involve the exercise of discretion * * *, an appellate court
should scrutinize the [trial court's] finding under a de novo standard’ of review” (brackets
and emphasis sic.)). “Weighing the probative value of the evidence against its prejudicial
effect is a highly fact-specific and context-driven analysis. Balancing the risks and benefits
of the evidence necessarily involves an exercise of judgment; thus, the trial court's
determination should be reviewed for an abuse of discretion.” Id. at ¶ 30. Thus, we
conduct a de novo review of the first two steps of the analysis (i.e., is the evidence
relevant and is it presented for a legitimate purpose) and we conduct an abuse of
discretion review of whether the probative value of it outweighs the danger of unfair
prejudice. State v. Lotzer, 3d Dist. Allen No. 1-20-30, 2021-Ohio-3701, ¶ 8 (“the first two
steps (i.e., relevancy under Evid.R. 401 and Evid.R. 402 and the particular purpose the
evidence is offered under Evid.R. 404(B)) are intertwined and pose legal questions, and
thus, are reviewed under a de novo standard of review. * * * However, the third step (i.e.,
Evid.R. 403’s balancing tests) ‘constitutes a judgment call,’ which we review under an
abuse-of-discretion standard.”).
2. Other Acts Evidence - Anal Sex
{¶19} Evid.R. 404(B) prohibits evidence of a defendant’s “other crimes, wrongs,
or acts” when “its only value is to show that the defendant has the character or propensity
to commit a crime.” State v. Smith, 162 Ohio St.3d 353, 2020-Ohio-4441, 165 N.E.3d
1123, ¶ 36. Defendant’s other acts are admissible for another purpose, such as “motive,
Highland App. No. 21CA17 9
opportunity, intent, preparation, plan, knowledge, identity, or absence of mistake or
accident.” In other words, “ ‘the evidence must prove something other than the
defendant’s disposition to commit certain acts.’ ” Id., quoting State v. Hartman, 161 Ohio
St.3d 214, 2020-Ohio-4440, 161 N.E.3d 651, ¶ 22.
The threshold question is whether the evidence is relevant. * * * [T]he
problem with other-acts evidence is rarely that it is irrelevant; often, it is too
relevant. In the Evid.R. 404(B) context, the relevance examination asks
whether the proffered evidence is relevant to the particular purpose for
which it is offered, as well as whether it is relevant to an issue that is actually
in dispute.
State v. Smith, 162 Ohio St.3d 353, 2020-Ohio-4441, 165 N.E.3d 1123, ¶ 37.
{¶20} The court should evaluate whether the evidence is relevant to a non-
character based issue material to the case. “If the evidence is not premised on improper
character inferences and is probative of an issue in the case, the court must then consider
whether the evidence’s value ‘is substantially outweighed by the danger of unfair
prejudice, of confusion of the issues, or of misleading the jury.’ ” Id. at ¶ 37.
{¶21} The state argues that the question about whether Ludwick enjoys anal sex
is not a question about prior acts but was intrinsic to the offense. “Evid.R. 404(B) only
applies to ‘[e]vidence of other crimes, wrongs, or acts’ extrinsic to the charged offense
and not those acts that are intrinsic to the offense.” State v. Lotzer, 2021-Ohio-3701, ¶
10. The state argues that the question of whether Ludwick enjoyed anal sex was “not a
question about a prior act at all. * * * The question and answer regarding anal sex is not
an act at all.”
{¶22} We disagree. The question about anal sex inquired into other prior acts of
anal sex. During Ludwick’s cross-examination, the state asked Ludwick about his
daughter’s testimony:
Highland App. No. 21CA17 10
Q. Okay and she, [N.L.] testified she was seven when you put her [sic] penis in her
vagina in that bedroom, correct?
A. That’s what she testified.
Q. And you liked having anal sex, isn’t that correct?
Defense Counsel: Objection.
At this point, the trial court held a sidebar with defense counsel and the prosecutor, the
substance of which was not transcribed for the trial transcript and no statement of it was
prepared pursuant to App.R. 9(C) or 9(E). Where a trial court fails to record sidebar
conferences as required by Crim.R. 22 (“In serious offense cases all proceedings shall
be recorded.”), defendant bears the burden of reconstructing what had been said off the
record under App.R. 9. State v. Brewer, 48 Ohio St.3d 50, 61, 549 N.E.2d 491 (1990).
Ludwick did not raise the Crim.R. 22 error on appeal and he failed to comply with App.R.
9(C) or (E). However, Ludwick’s failures do not prevent us from effectively reviewing the
issue; the record is sufficient for us to conduct a de novo review of the legal aspects of
this evidentiary ruling. The requirement of Crim.R. 22 “does not mean that the trial record
must be perfect for purposes of appellate review.” State v. Ketterer, 111 Ohio St.3d 70,
2006-Ohio-5283, 855 N.E.2d 48, ¶ 158-159 (although there were seven unrecorded
sidebars, the record was adequate for appellate review); State v. Davis, 1st Dist. Hamilton
No. C-130198, 2014-Ohio-794, ¶ 11-15 (where record was sufficient for appellate review
of an issue, appellant’s failure to comply with App.R. 9(C) did not result in a waiver of the
issue on appeal or prevent effective review).
{¶23} The court overruled the objection and the state’s cross-examination
continued. The state asked Ludwick again whether he enjoys anal sex:
Q. Do you need me to repeat it?
Highland App. No. 21CA17 11
A. Yes, please.
Q. And you like anal sex, isn’t that correct?
A. From time to time, yes.
Q. You complained to [M.G.] because she wouldn’t do that kind of thing with you,
didn’t you?
A. I wouldn’t say I complained. I asked her to a few times.
Q. [N.L.] testified that you put your penis in her anus, didn’t she?
A. She did testify to that.
{¶24} The question, “And you like anal sex, isn’t that correct?” presupposes prior
acts of anal sex. The question is compound in the sense that it implicitly assumes that
Ludwick has engaged in anal sex before and therefore has a prior experience upon which
to assess whether he enjoys it. In full the question asks: You have engaged in prior acts
of anal sex and you like anal sex, isn’t that correct? Therefore, we find that the question
implicitly asks about prior acts of anal sex.
{¶25} The state also argues that, even if the question raises prior acts, it was
proper under Evid.R. 404(B) as evidence of Ludwick’s plan, motive, and intent. The state
argues that: (1) N.L. testified that the sexual abuse escalated from vaginal to anal sex,
(2) Ludwick’s long-term partner, M.G., testified that their sexual relationship involved him
complaining about her weight and her doing things she did not want to do, and (3) Ludwick
testified that he asked M.G. to engage in anal sex a few times. Therefore, the state
argues, “[M.G.] was no longer what [Ludwick] wanted and she complained about that
which he liked, this goes directly to [Ludwick’s] motive, plan, and intent to perform anal
sex on N.L.”
Highland App. No. 21CA17 12
{¶26} First, M.G. did not testify about whether she and Ludwick engaged in anal
sex. The entirety of her testimony was:
Q. I’m going to ask you a few personal questions, how was your sexual
relationship with the Defendant when you were together?
A. Well, he always complained that I’m too big, I need to lose weight. Um
and he always have me do stuff that sometimes I don’t do. I don’t want to
do.
Q. Why would you do things you didn’t want to do?
A. Because um, I’m his partner and I should do it.
Q. Is that your culture, is that how you were raised?
A. Yeah.
M.G. did not testify specifically about anal sex. Ludwick did not testify that M.G. refused
to have anal sex with him. He testified that he asked her to have anal sex a few times but
he was not asked and did not testify about her response, “I asked her to a few times.”
{¶27} The threshold question of whether Ludwick’s history of anal sex is relevant
under Evid.R. 401 requires us to consider whether it makes any fact that is of
consequence to the determination of the action more or less probable than it would be
without the evidence. The fact that Ludwick has had anal sex in the past and has enjoyed
it makes it more likely that he would engage in anal sex in the future. Thus, it may make
it more likely that, if he is sexually abusing his minor daughter, that abuse would include
anal sex. In other words, it shows he has a propensity towards it – the type of evidence
Evid.R. 404(B) is designed to exclude. “It is almost always true that propensity evidence
will have some relevance. Indeed, such evidence is excluded ‘not because it has no
appreciable probative value but because it has too much.’ ” State v. Hartman, 161 Ohio
St.3d 214, 2020-Ohio-4440, 161 N.E.3d 651, ¶ 25.
Highland App. No. 21CA17 13
{¶28} However, as Hartman cautions, “in Evid.R. 404(B) cases, the inquiry is not
whether the other-acts evidence is relevant to the ultimate determination of guilt.” Id. at ¶
26. Instead, the focus is on “whether the evidence is relevant to the particular purpose for
which it is offered.” (Emphasis sic.) Id. at ¶ 26. But, “it is not enough to say that the
evidence is relevant to a nonpropensity purpose. The nonpropensity purpose for which
the evidence is offered must go to a ‘material’ issue that is actually in dispute between
the parties.” Id. at ¶ 27. The state argues that Ludwick’s “preference for anal sex shows
[Ludwick’s] plan, motive, and intent.” Ludwick argues that his motive, intent, or plan were
not disputed issues at trial. We address each of the three nonpropensity purposes
separately.
a. Plan
{¶29} “[P]lan evidence need not share any common characteristics with the
current crime; rather, the other acts are linked to the present crime because they are
carried out in furtherance of the same overall plan. Evidence of a plan or common design
‘refers to a larger criminal scheme of which the crime charged is only a portion.’ ” Hartman
at ¶ 40.
Common-plan evidence generally concerns events that are “inextricably
related” to the crime charged. The other acts form the “immediate
background” of the present crime: they are typically either part of the “same
transaction” as the crime for which the defendant is on trial or they are part
of “a sequence of events” leading up to the commission of the crime in
question. As one authority has explained, this type of other-acts evidence
is admitted
[t]o prove the existence of a larger, continuing plan, scheme,
or conspiracy, of which the present crime on trial is a part. This
will be relevant as showing motive, and hence the doing of the
criminal act, the identity of the actor, and his intention, where
any of these is in dispute.
Highland App. No. 21CA17 14
Thus, plan evidence generally supports one of the following possible
conclusions: “(1) the occurrence of the act in issue; (2) the identity of the
person who committed the act; or (3) the existence of the required mental
state in the actor.” (Citations omitted.)
Hartman at ¶ 41.
{¶30} The state’s argument is that “[M.G.] was no longer what [Ludwick] wanted
and she complained about that which he liked, this goes directly to [Ludwick’s] motive,
plan, and intent to perform anal sex on N.L.” However, the evidence that Ludwick
engaged in anal sex in the past and enjoyed it does not fit into the common understanding
of “plan” evidence. Ludwick’s prior acts of anal sex with other consensual partners was
not part of a larger scheme involving the anal rape of his daughter. As the Court explained
in Hartman, there could be instances where seemingly unrelated but highly similar prior
acts could be evidence of a common scheme to commit the crime charged, nevertheless
those prior acts must be part of the same grand design:
We stress, however, that plan evidence should show that the crime being
charged and the other acts are part of the same grand design by the
defendant. Otherwise, proof that the accused has committed similar crimes
is no different than proof that the accused has a propensity for committing
that type of crime. The takeaway for the jury becomes, “The accused did it
once recently; therefore, the accused did it again.”
Hartman at ¶ 46; State v. O'Connell, 2020-Ohio-1369, 153 N.E.3d 771, ¶ 19 (1st Dist.)
(to show furtherance of a “plan,” other acts must typically form part of the “immediate
background of the crime charged,” where the evidence plays an integral part in explaining
“the sequence of events and is necessary to give a complete picture of the alleged
crime”). There is no connection between Ludwick’s prior acts of anal sex and the rape
charges involving his daughter because they are not part of the same grand design. They
were not properly admitted for the purpose of showing a plan.
Highland App. No. 21CA17 15
b. Motive
{¶31} “Motive evidence establishes that the accused had a specific reason to
commit a crime.” Hartman at ¶ 48. Here Ludwick’s prior anal sex acts do not establish a
motive for the anal rape of his daughter. His motive was sexual gratification and was not
a material issue in dispute at trial. Ludwick’s prior anal sex “does not provide evidence
of any motive to commit rape beyond that which can be inferred from the commission of
any rape.” Id. at ¶ 49. A person commits rape for “ ‘the obvious motive of sexual
gratification.’ ” Id., quoting State v. Curry, 43 Ohio St.2d 66, 71, 330 N.E.2d 720 (1975);
State v. Fannin, 12th Dist. Warren No. CA2020-03-022, 2021-Ohio-2462, ¶ 25
(defendant’s “motive in this case was not a material issue in dispute; he was undoubtedly
pursuing sexual gratification” where defendant raped his step-daughter over a period of
years when she was between the ages of five and seven). “[I]n most cases of this type
[rape], there is no motive beyond that implicit in the commission of the offense itself.”
Hartman at ¶ 50.
{¶32} The state’s argument that it showed Ludwick’s motive because he wanted
to have anal sex with his partner M.G. and complained that M.G. would not do it with him
is not factually supported by the record. M.G. testified she did things she did not want to
do with Ludwick and when asked why, she testified that she believed she should do those
things as his partner, that it was her culture, and it was how she was raised. There was
no testimony to support the state’s argument that a lack of anal sex in Ludwick’s adult
relationships motivated him to anally rape his daughter.
{¶33} Additionally, the state cites no case law to support its argument that a lack
of consensual anal sex provides “motive evidence” for the crime of anal rape and our
Highland App. No. 21CA17 16
research did not locate any Ohio case law on point. Ohio law holds that rape provides its
own motive – sexual gratification. See e.g, Hartman, Curry, Fannin, supra. Our research
of other states’ case law has located some courts which, if they have not held it to be
irrelevant and inadmissible, have allowed past refusals of anal sex to show motive for
anal rape. However, because we have no evidence that M.G. denied Ludwick anal sex
and because motive is not a material issue in dispute here, we find those cases
unpersuasive. See Warner v. State, 144 P.3d 838 (Okla. 2006) (in defendant’s trial for
anal rape and murder of 11-month-old infant, defendant’s girlfriend’s testimony that
defendant asked her for anal sex three to five times in the two weeks prior to the murder
and was refused, was relevant under Evid.R. 404(B) to show motive and intent as well as
identity); see also People v. Conyac, 361 P.3d 1005 (Colo. 2014) (in defendant’s trial for
sexual assault of minor, wife’s testimony that defendant requested but was denied anal
sex with her was relevant to show motive under Evid.R. 404(B) “it tended to prove that
defendant had a desire for anal sex that was unsatisfied * * * that motive made it more
likely than not that defendant committed an anal sexual assault upon [minor]”); see also
State v. Pullman, 306 P.3d 827 (Utah 2013) (in defendant’s trial for sodomy and
aggravated sexual abuse of a child, ex-wife’s testimony that defendant had desire for anal
sex that was unsatiated due to her refusal to engage in it was relevant to show motive
under Evid. R. 404(B)); People v. Elkins, Cal. 1st Dist. No. D075724, 2021 WL 193189(Cal.App. Jan. 20, 2021) (in defendant’s trial for rape, applying an “abuse of discretion”
standard of review, the trial court did not abuse its discretion in allowing ex-wife’s
testimony that defendant enjoyed anal sex, “although the admissibility of this evidence
Highland App. No. 21CA17 17
may be a ‘close call’ subject to disagreement” and finding that trial court could have found
that it was relevant to motive, intent, or common design).
c. Intent
{¶34} The Court in Hartman explained that other-acts evidence can be used to
show intent where the defendant claims the act was accidental or otherwise committed
with a lack of guilty knowledge, but intent is not an issue where the defense theory is –
as it is here – that the criminal act never occurred:
Other-acts evidence is admissible to negate a defendant's claim of mistake
or accident with respect to the commission of the alleged crime; such
evidence tends “[t]o show, by similar acts or incidents, that the act in
question was not performed inadvertently, accidentally, involuntarily, or
without guilty knowledge.” In the criminal context, there are generally two
ways in which the accused may raise a claim of accident. The first involves
whether a criminal act occurred at all. * * *
The second scenario implicates the intent of the accused. The question
here is not whether the act occurred but whether the defendant acted with
a criminal intent. * * *
* * *
Intent is an element of most crimes, but it typically is not a material issue for
other-acts purposes unless it is genuinely disputed—in most cases, “the act
speaks for itself.” Thus, intent evidence is not admissible when “the requisite
intent is presumed or inferred from proof of the criminal act itself,” or when
intent is not in issue at all, such as when the defense theory is that the act
never occurred. (Citations omitted.) (Emphasis added.)
State v. Hartman, 161 Ohio St.3d 214, 2020-Ohio-4440, 161 N.E.3d 651, ¶ 52-53, 55.
{¶35} Here Ludwick never raised intent as a material issue in his defense. He did
not claim that N.L. was an adult and the acts were consensual, nor did he contend he
accidentally engaged in the acts or was asleep at the time they occurred. See Hartman,
supra (defendant claimed adult victim consensually engaged in oral sex); State v. Smith,
Highland App. No. 21CA17 18
162 Ohio St.3d 353, 2020-Ohio-4441, 165 N.E.3d 1123 (defendant claimed any contact
with his granddaughter’s vagina was accidental and, if his penis pressed into her
backside, it was a nocturnal erection that occurred while he was sleeping). Instead,
Ludwick’s defense was that the alleged criminal acts never occurred; his daughter was a
liar. Therefore, his prior anal sex acts were not admissible to show intent.
{¶36} The evidence of Ludwick’s prior anal sex was improper propensity evidence
and the trial court erred in admitting it. Because it was inadmissible, we need not reach
the third question in the analysis: whether the probative value of the other acts evidence
is substantially outweighed by the danger of unfair prejudice under Evid. R. 403. Hartman
at ¶ 64 (“Because we have determined that the other-acts evidence was inadmissible, we
need not reach the question whether the trial court abused its discretion in otherwise
permitting the evidence pursuant to Evid.R. 403”).
3. Evidence of Prior Acts/Anal Sex was Harmless Error
{¶37} Although we find that the trial court erred in allowing the other-acts evidence
of Ludwick’s prior anal sex to be admitted, Crim.R. 52(A) requires us to determine whether
this error was harmless. Crim.R. 52(A) (“Any error, defect, irregularity, or variance which
does not affect substantial rights shall be disregarded.”). “If a court determines that the
error did not affect the defendant's substantial rights, then the error is harmless and shall
be discarded.” State v. Morris, 141 Ohio St.3d 399, 2014-Ohio-5052, 24 N.E.3d 1153, ¶
23.
{¶38} We use a three-part test to determine when a defendant’s substantial rights
are affected (i.e., whether the error was harmless).
First, it must be determined whether the defendant was prejudiced by the
error, i.e., whether the error had an impact on the verdict. Second, it must
Highland App. No. 21CA17 19
be determined whether the error was not harmless beyond a reasonable
doubt. Lastly, once the prejudicial evidence is excised, the remaining
evidence is weighed to determine whether it establishes the defendant's
guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. (Citations omitted.)
State v. Harris, 142 Ohio St.3d 211, 2015-Ohio-166, 28 N.E.3d 1256, ¶ 37, citing Morris,
supra. “[O]ur role upon review of this case is not to sit as the supreme trier of fact, but
rather to assess the impact of this erroneously admitted testimony on the jury.” Morris at
¶ 29. “[A]n improper evidentiary admission under Evid.R. 404(B) may be deemed
harmless error on review when, after the tainted evidence is removed, the remaining
evidence is overwhelming.” Id. at ¶ 32. The state has the burden of proving that the error
was harmless. State v. Elkins, 4th Dist. Lawrence No. 17CA14, 2019-Ohio-2427, ¶ 26
citing Morris, supra.
{¶39} Here the prior-acts evidence was not “other crimes” or “wrongs,” such as
prior criminal convictions or prior allegations of sexual molestation. Rather, it was simply
evidence that Ludwick had previously engaged in anal sex and enjoyed it.1 It is likely that
a jury surmised from the act itself that, if the defendant had repeated anal sex with his
daughter, it was done for sexual gratification (i.e., he enjoyed anal sex). Moreover, even
if Ludwick had not been asked about these prior acts and his enjoyment of them, there
was other evidence in the record from which the jury could conclude that Ludwick enjoyed
anal sex. N.L. testified that Ludwick raped her anally numerous times and that he
1 In arguing that prior-acts evidence of anal sex is not unfairly prejudicial, Utah argued that anal sex no
longer has a negative connotation:
[The state] asserts that “while consensual anal sex may have carried a negative or even
deviant connotation in the past, sexual mores have changed.” In support of this assertion,
the State cites a national survey concluding that among adults aged twenty-five to forty-
four, 36% of women and 44% of men report having had anal sex with an opposite-sex
partner. See Anjani Chandra et al., Sexual Behavior, Sexual Attraction, and Sexual Identity
in the United States: Data From the 2006–2008 National Survey of Family Growth at
*9, available at http://www. cdc.gov/nchs/data/nhsr/nhsr036.pdf (last visited June 4, 2013).
State v. Pullman, 306 P.3d 827, ¶ 41, fn. 10 (Utah 2013).
Highland App. No. 21CA17 20
ejaculated more quickly when he penetrated her anally than when he penetrated her
vaginally. From this testimony alone, setting aside the prior-acts evidence, the jury could
reasonably infer that Ludwick enjoyed anal sex. Thus, we do not find that the prior-acts
evidence here impacted the jury verdict.
{¶40} Additionally, under the second and third prongs of the test, we are
persuaded beyond a reasonable doubt that the error was harmless because the
remaining evidence established Ludwick’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. State v.
Williams, 874 P.2d 12 (N.M. 1994) (in defendant’s trial for anal rape and murder,
defendant’s girlfriend’s testimony that he enjoyed anal sex was not relevant and did not
fit any Evid.R. 404(B) exceptions, but its admission was harmless error because of the
“abundant evidence” that he committed the crimes charged); Cooper v. State, 901
S.W.2d 757 (Tex. 1995) (in defendant’s trial for sexual assault of two minors, ex-wife’s
testimony that defendant had “unnatural” sexual preference for anal sex was irrelevant
propensity evidence prohibited by Evid.R. 404(B) and, under the circumstances of the
case, was harmful error warranting a new trial); State v. Dunston, 588 S.E.2d 540 (N.C.
2003) (in defendant’s trial for sexual abuse of a child, wife’s testimony that defendant liked
to engage in anal sex was not relevant under Evid.R. 404(B), was improper propensity
evidence, and was prejudicial “especially in light of the inconsistent and unclear nature of
the remaining evidence in the case” and warranted a new trial).
{¶41} First, N.L. provided credible testimony about numerous instances of rape
over an eight-year period, including digital penetration, oral, anal, and vaginal. N.L.’s
mother corroborated N.L.’s testimony by confirming that a grey television console and a
blue recliner were part of furniture they owned when N.L. was six years old. Both N.L.
Highland App. No. 21CA17 21
and her mother testified about the corset and skirt that Ludwick kept in his closet and
made them wear during sex. The police recovered those items from his closet during the
execution of a search warrant. And perhaps the most credibility-enhancing, corroborating
evidence came from the testimony of two of N.L’s friends. Her friends testified that when
she was in fourth grade and age nine, N.L. told them she had to lay with her dad naked
until white stuff came out. A mother of one of the two friends also testified that her
daughter told her about N.L.’s statements and she notified the school. Unfortunately, the
school administrator failed to act on the information. The fact that N.L. had reported the
sexual abuse in fourth grade, about five years before she came forward with the
allegations in this case, wholly discredited the defense’s theory that N.L. had recently
developed an incentive to lie about the rapes because she learned her father was leaving
her mother for another woman.
{¶42} The admission of the other acts evidence was harmless because the
remaining evidence established Ludwick’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. We overrule
Ludwick’s first assignment of error.
4. Other Acts Evidence - Ludwick’s Behavior at Social Events
{¶43} In his second assignment of error, Ludwick contends that his trial counsel
was ineffective for failing to object to a second type of other acts evidence – testimony of
his behavior at social events. He argues that the testimony “painted an unflattering
picture” of him as “an overbearing, unsavory parent who often made his child – and others
– uncomfortable.” Specifically, he points to testimony about his behavior during a school
dance that he attended as a chaperone, his behavior at a sleepover hosted at his house
at which he became upset that the girls were not sleeping and he grabbed N.L. by the
Highland App. No. 21CA17 22
arm and made her sleep downstairs the rest of the night, his behavior at a pool party he
hosted at which he would “always be right there next to us, peering over us,” and a
birthday party after which Ludwick insisted N.L. ride home with him, though she did not
end up doing so.
{¶44} The testimony shows Ludwick’s threatening, controlling, and intimidating
treatment of and behavior towards N.L. One of the rape counts required the state to prove
force as an element of the crime. Ludwick’s behavior is admissible to show this element
of force. The Twelfth District Court of Appeals recently explained that other acts evidence
of a parent’s behavior towards family members is a legitimate way to prove force in
parent-child relationships:
In a parent-child relationship, there exists a “filial obligation of obedience to
a parent,” such that “the same degree of force and violence may not be
required upon a person of tender years, as would be required were the
parties more nearly equal in age, size and strength.” There is a coercive
component inherent in parental authority and the demonstration of
psychological, albeit subtle, force is sufficient to prove the force element.
Evidence of other acts is admissible if it is used to prove a specific element
of the offense. Here, the offenses were alleged to have been committed
when the victim was in her tender years. Appellant's disparaging comments,
threatening statements, and violence against the family pets demonstrated
the coercive parental authority appellant had over the victim and the
psychological forces he exerted on her to compel the sexual conduct. There
was a high probative value to this evidence and it was not outweighed by
the danger of unfair prejudice. Therefore, this evidence did not violate
Evid.R. 404(B). (Citations omitted.)
State v. Ruggles, 2020-Ohio-2886, 154 N.E.3d 151, ¶ 64 (12th Dist.).
{¶45} A parent’s prior threatening or controlling behavior is also admissible to
show the basis of the victim’s fear and to explain why there was a delayed disclosure of
the sexual abuse. State v. Barnett, 2d Dist. Montgomery No. 27660, 2018-Ohio-4133, ¶
40. This is particularly true here where Ludwick made N.L.’s credibility a central issue of
Highland App. No. 21CA17 23
the case by trying to connect the timing of N.L.’s sexual abuse disclosure to his decision
to leave M.G. Id. at ¶ 42.
{¶46} Because Ludwick’s behavior at social events was admissible under Evid.R.
404(B), Ludwick’s counsel’s objections to it would have been futile. “The law does not
require counsel to take a futile act.” State v. Conant, 4th Dist. Adams No. 20CA1108,
2020-Ohio-4319, ¶ 30. Ludwick’s counsel’s performance was not deficient for failing to
object to other-acts evidence of Ludwick’s behavior at certain social events.
{¶47} We overrule his second assignment of error.
B. Counsel’s Failure to Move for Redaction of Statements from Forensic Interview
{¶48} In his third assignment of error, Ludwick contends that his trial counsel
rendered ineffective assistance by failing to object to or move to redact a statement N.L.
made during the forensic interview at Children’s Hospital. He argues that the statement
constituted inadmissible hearsay and should have been redacted from the recording of
the interview that was played for the jury.
{¶49} To prevail on an ineffective assistance claim, a defendant must show: “(1)
deficient performance by counsel, i.e., performance falling below an objective standard
of reasonable representation, and (2) prejudice, i.e., a reasonable probability that, but for
counsel's errors, the proceeding's result would have been different.” State v. Short, 129
Ohio St.3d 360, 2011-Ohio-3641, 952 N.E.2d 1121, ¶ 113, citing Strickland v.
Washington, 466 U.S. 668, 687-688, 694, 104 S.Ct. 2052, 80 L.Ed.2d 674 (1984). Failure
to satisfy either part of the test is fatal to the claim. See Strickland at 697. The defendant
“has the burden of proof because in Ohio, a properly licensed attorney is presumed
competent.” State v. Gondor, 112 Ohio St.3d 377, 2006-Ohio-6679, 860 N.E.2d 77, ¶ 62.
Highland App. No. 21CA17 24
We “must indulge a strong presumption that counsel's conduct falls within the wide range
of reasonable professional assistance; that is, the defendant must overcome the
presumption that, under the circumstances, the challenged action ‘might be considered
sound trial strategy.’ ” Strickland at 689, quoting Michel v. Louisiana, 350 U.S. 91, 101,
76 S.Ct. 158, 100 L.E. 83 (1955); State v. Conant, 4th Dist. Adams No. 20CA1108, 2020-
Ohio-4319, ¶ 28.
{¶50} During the interview, the following question and answer was exchanged
between N.L. and her interviewer:
Q. And it’s a long time to have not said anything. How do you feel now that
you’ve told your mom?
A. I feel like better now that he’s away from us. And I hope he gets put away
in prison because he shouldn’t be allowed to be out. Because like people
are saying that there’s, might be more kids but I don’t think he did anything
to my sister but even if, because he travels to other countries by himself.
So, they are saying that he might have done stuff there but I don’t know.
{¶51} The state argues that N.L.’s comments were admissible because they were
not hearsay, i.e., they were not offered to prove the truth of the matter asserted. We
agree. Under Evid.R. 801(C), “ ‘Hearsay’ is a statement, other than one made by the
declarant while testifying at the trial or hearing, offered in evidence to prove the truth of
the matter asserted.” N.L.’s statements that other people were saying that Ludwick may
have abused other children were not offered to prove that Ludwick sexually molested
other children. Instead, the comments provided the context and state of mind for why N.L.
felt better to have Ludwick away from her, her mother, and her sister and why she hoped
he would go to prison. See State v. McKelton, 148 Ohio St.3d 261, 2016-Ohio-5735, 70
N.E.3d 508, ¶ 212-217 (where three witnesses testified that they had heard “rumors”
“from the streets” that “everybody was saying in the street” that defendant was
Highland App. No. 21CA17 25
responsible for the murders, in each of the three instances the “evidence was offered for
a nonhearsay purpose [to provide context or to show state of mind] and not for the truth
of the matter asserted. Accordingly, there was no violation of hearsay rules or the
Confrontation Clause.”)
{¶52} Because the statements N.L. made in the forensic interview were not
hearsay, Ludwick’s counsel’s objections to them would have been futile. “The law does
not require counsel to take a futile act.” Conant at ¶ 30. Ludwick’s counsel’s performance
was not deficient for failing to ask for a redaction. We overrule Ludwick’s third assignment
of error.
C. Cumulative Errors
{¶53} For his fourth assignment of error, Ludwick contends that his conviction
should be reversed under the cumulative error doctrine.
{¶54} Under the cumulative-error doctrine, “a conviction will be reversed where
the cumulative effect of errors in a trial deprives a defendant of the constitutional right to
a fair trial even though each of numerous instances of trial court error does not individually
constitute cause for reversal.” State v. Garner, 74 Ohio St.3d 49, 64, 656 N.E.2d 623(1995), citing State v. DeMarco, 31 Ohio St.3d 191, 509 N.E.2d 1256 (1987), paragraph
two of the syllabus; State v. Ruble, 2017-Ohio-7259, 96 N.E.3d 792, ¶ 75 (4th Dist.).
“Before we consider whether ‘cumulative errors’ are present, we must first find that the
trial court committed multiple errors.” State v. Smith, 2016-Ohio-5062, 70 N.E.3d 150, ¶
106 (4th Dist.), citing State v. Harrington, 4th Dist. Scioto No. 05CA3038, 2006-Ohio-
4388, ¶ 57.
Highland App. No. 21CA17 26
{¶55} The cumulative error doctrine does not apply where the defendant “cannot
point to ‘multiple instances of harmless error.’ ” See State v. Mammone, 139 Ohio St.3d
467, 2014-Ohio-1942, 13 N.E.3d 1051, ¶ 148 (“And to the extent that Mammone more
broadly invokes the doctrine of cumulative error, that doctrine does not apply because he
cannot point to ‘multiple instances of harmless error.’ ”); State v. Fannon, 2018-Ohio-
5242, 117 N.E.3d 10, ¶ 124-125 (4th Dist.); State v. Thacker, 4th Dist. Lawrence No.
19CA18, 2021-Ohio-2726, ¶ 69-71.
{¶56} Ludwick argues that cumulative errors violated his constitutional right to a
fair trial. However, because we found only one error, which was harmless, the cumulative
error doctrine does not apply. State v. Mammone, 139 Ohio St.3d 467, 2014-Ohio-1942,
13 N.E.3d 1051, ¶ 173; State v. Maxwell, 139 Ohio St.3d 12, 2014-Ohio-1019, 9 N.E.3d
930, ¶ 253 (doctrine of cumulative error is not applicable where there are not numerous
instances of trial-court error and defendant was not prejudiced by any error at the trial or
penalty phase of the proceedings); State v. Spring, 2017-Ohio-768, 85 N.E.3d 1080, ¶ 59
(7th Dist.) (cumulative error doctrine does not apply to one or two minor errors).
{¶57} We overrule Ludwick’s fourth assignment of error.
D. Court Costs
{¶58} In his final assignment of error, Ludwick contends that his counsel rendered
ineffective assistance because he failed to request a waiver of court costs. Ludwick
argues that although he retained private counsel for his trial, “he is now indigent.” Ludwick
references an affidavit of indigency that was executed on September 9, 2021 and filed
with the court on September 17, 2021. He argues, “So at the time of his sentencing, if his
Highland App. No. 21CA17 27
counsel had requested a waiver of court costs, the request would have likely been
granted.”
{¶59} Even though a defendant may move for a waiver of costs “at any time” after
the sentencing hearing under R.C. 2947.23(C), the Supreme Court of Ohio has instructed
that an appellate court’s reliance on this fact in its prejudice analysis is improper. Instead,
the Court set forth the required analysis:
[W]hen trial counsel fails to request that the trial court waive court costs on
behalf of a defendant who has previously been found to be indigent, a
determination of prejudice for purposes of an ineffective-assistance-of-
counsel analysis depends upon whether the facts and circumstances
presented by the defendant establish that there is a reasonable probability
that the trial court would have granted the request to waive costs had one
been made.
State v. Davis, 159 Ohio St.3d 31, 2020-Ohio-309, 146 N.E.3d 560, ¶ 16.
{¶60} The record does not support Ludwick’s factual assertion that he was
indigent at the time of the sentencing hearing. He had the financial ability to retain private
counsel for his trial, which occurred on August 12 and 13, 2021, and for his sentencing
hearing, which began at 1:30 p.m. on August 13, 2021, the same afternoon that his trial
ended. Ludwick’s indigency affidavit was not obtained until September 9, 2021 and was
not filed with the court until a month after the sentencing hearing. Therefore, the evidence
of indigency Ludwick references in his brief was not in the record at the time of the
sentencing hearing – to the contrary, he was financing his own private defense counsel
at the sentencing hearing.
{¶61} The facts and circumstances in the record do not establish that a
reasonable probability exists that the trial court would have granted Ludwick’s request to
waive costs had one been made. As the state points out, Ludwick was gainfully employed
Highland App. No. 21CA17 28
as a full-time licensed aircraft mechanic, served on Highland Village Council and the
North Highland Joint Fire District Board, regularly travelled for leisure internationally
(Brazil in October 2020 and December 2020, the Philippines in 2019, Thailand in 2018),
retained private counsel to represent him, and owns his own house.
{¶62} Because there was not a reasonable probability that a motion to waive court
costs would have been granted, trial counsel did not provide ineffective assistance when
he did not seek a waiver of costs at the sentencing hearing. See State v. Hawkins, 4th
Dist. Gallia No. 13CA3, 2014-Ohio-1224, ¶ 20. We overrule Ludwick’s fifth assignment of
error.
IV. CONCLUSION
{¶63} We overrule Ludwick’s assignments of error and affirm the judgment.
JUDGMENT AFFIRMED.
Highland App. No. 21CA17 29
JUDGMENT ENTRY
It is ordered that the JUDGMENT IS AFFIRMED. Appellant shall pay the costs.
The Court finds there were reasonable grounds for this appeal.
It is ordered that a special mandate issue out of this Court directing the HIGHLAND
COUNTY COURT OF COMMON PLEAS, to carry this judgment into execution.
IF A STAY OF EXECUTION OF SENTENCE AND RELEASE UPON BAIL HAS
BEEN PREVIOUSLY GRANTED BY THE TRIAL COURT OR THIS COURT, it is
temporarily continued for a period not to exceed 60 days upon the bail previously posted.
The purpose of a continued stay is to allow appellant to file with the Supreme Court of
Ohio an application for a stay during the pendency of proceedings in that court. If a stay
is continued by this entry, it will terminate at the earlier of the expiration of the 60-day
period, or the failure of the appellant to file a notice of appeal with the Supreme Court of
Ohio in the 45-day appeal period pursuant to Rule II, Sec. 2 of the Rules of Practice of
the Supreme Court of Ohio. Additionally, if the Supreme Court of Ohio dismisses the
appeal prior to expiration of 60 days, the stay will terminate as of the date of such
dismissal.
A certified copy of this entry shall constitute the mandate pursuant to Rule 27 of
the Rules of Appellate Procedure.
Smith, P.J. & Wilkin, J.: Concur in Judgment and Opinion.
For the Court
BY: ________________________
Michael D. Hess, Judge
NOTICE TO COUNSEL
Pursuant to Local Rule No. 14, this document constitutes a final judgment
entry and the time period for further appeal commences from the date of filing with
the clerk.