State v. Spencer , 2015 Ohio 52 ( 2015 )

[Cite as State v. Spencer, 2015-Ohio-52.]
IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF OHIO
THIRD APPELLATE DISTRICT
MARION COUNTY
STATE OF OHIO,
PLAINTIFF-APPELLEE, CASE NO. 9-13-50
v.
RANDY N. SPENCER, OPINION
DEFENDANT-APPELLANT.
Appeal from Marion County Common Pleas Court
Trial Court No. 13-CR-0247
Judgment Affirmed
Date of Decision: January 12, 2015
APPEARANCES:
Kevin P. Collins for Appellant
Angela Canepa and Jocelyn S. Kelly for Appellee
Case No. 9-13-50
SHAW, J.
{¶1} Defendant-appellant, Randy N. Spencer (“Spencer”), appeals the
September 30, 2013 judgment of the Marion County Court of Common Pleas
journalizing his conviction by a jury for four counts of Rape, in violation of R.C.
2907.02(A)(1)(b)/(A)(2), each a felony of the first degree. In addition, each
conviction included a finding that the victim was less than ten years of age at the
time of the offense. The trial court sentenced Spencer to a prison term of fifteen
years to life on each count to be served concurrently. The trial court also
classified Spencer as a Tier III Sex Offender.
{¶2} Spencer, a former Marion County Sheriff’s Deputy, lived with his
girlfriend Katelyn Currier (“Katie”) and her four children. Spencer is the father of
Katie’s youngest child. Katie operated a daycare out of her home where she
babysat L.N., the victim in this case. Katie began watching L.N. in November
2010 when she and Spencer lived in Caledonia, Ohio. In June of 2012, Katie and
Spencer moved to nearby Marion, Ohio, and Katie continued to watch L.N. during
the week. In October of 2012, Katie obtained a part-time job providing in-home
care for an elderly person one day a week. With the permission of L.N.’s mother,
Kim N. (“Kim”), Katie left Spencer in charge of L.N. and Katie’s two youngest
children while she worked outside the home. Katie also sometimes left the
children with Spencer while she ran errands or visited a tanning salon.
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{¶3} On April 10, 2013, at approximately 6:45 p.m., Kim was in the
bathroom assisting L.N. with her bath when L.N. disclosed to her that Spencer
sometimes puts his “pee-pee” in her mouth. L.N. was five-years-old at the time of
this disclosure. Upon further inquiry by Kim, L.N. indicated that it happened
“every once in a while” when Katie was tanning or at work. L.N. recalled the last
occurrence was after Spencer and Katie took her to lunch at Buffalo Wild Wings
the week before. L.N. explained to Kim that during this incident Spencer inserted
his penis so far down her throat that it made her vomit. When further questioned
by Kim, L.N. described Spencer’s “pee-pee” as having “bloody lines.” After
gathering more details from L.N. about the incident, Kim called Katie, relayed
L.N.’s disclosure regarding Spencer, and informed Katie that she was taking L.N.
to the emergency room to be examined.
{¶4} Kim and L.N. arrived at Marion General Hospital sometime between
7:30 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. where they were met by L.N.’s father. The hospital staff
informed Kim that their services were limited because more than 72 hours had
passed since the last incident of abuse. Kim was instructed to return with L.N. in
the morning when a SANE nurse was available to examine her. The hospital staff
also advised Kim to contact the Sheriff.
{¶5} Kim immediately called the Marion County Sheriff’s Office and was
directed to bring L.N. to the department. There, Deputy Stacy Johnston conducted
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an interview with L.N. in the presence of Kim and a caseworker from Children’s
Services. The interview was video recorded. L.N. was visibility shaken and
reluctant to speak at the outset of the interview. To ease her fears, Deputy
Johnston asked L.N. a series of yes or no questions about the incident. L.N.
initially responded either by shaking her head indicating “no” or nodding her head
indicating “yes.” Deputy Johnston then asked L.N. if she had ever seen Spencer’s
“pee-pee?” L.N. nodded her head. Deputy Johnston followed up by asking “Did
he touch you with his ‘pee-pee’ anywhere?” L.N. verbally responded, “In my
throat.” (Ex. F at 20:51). L.N. further stated that the last incident occurred in the
hallway of the house while Katie was tanning on the day they went to Buffalo
Wild Wings. L.N. also indicated that she vomited. The Children’s Services
caseworker recommended that Kim cancel the appointment with the SANE nurse
at the local hospital and suggested that she take L.N. to the Child Assessment
Center at Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus. Kim scheduled an
appointment for the next day.
{¶6} On April 11, 2013, at 1:00 p.m., L.N. arrived at the Child Assessment
Center and was interviewed a second time by a medical forensic examiner, Emily
Combes. This time L.N. was alone with the interviewer. This interview was also
video recorded and was observed by a nurse practitioner and a mental health
advocate from the Child Assessment Center as well as the lead investigator from
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the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation (“BCI”) assigned to the case. During
this interview, L.N. stated that Spencer wanted “to touch his pee-pee on my
throat.” (Ex. H at 15:11). L.N. explained that Spencer referred to his “pee-pee” as
a “hotdog” or a “toothbrush” and told her to put it in her mouth and suck on it.
(Id. at 15:25, 15:50). She recalled that it happened “every once in a while” and
“more than one time.” (Id. at 16:15, 16:28). L.N. then stated, “One time when we
went to Buffalo Wild Wings when we came back and Katie was tanning,
and…when he put it too far down in my throat…I puked in the toilet.” (Id. at
16:30).
{¶7} L.N. relayed that these interactions with Spencer occurred in the
hallway, the bathroom, and the bedroom, and happened more than one time in
each place in the house. She recalled a specific time in the bathroom where
Spencer told her to “suck on the toothbrush” and then put his “pee-pee” in her
mouth. (Ex. H at 18:27). L.N. also described an incident in the bedroom where
Spencer again told her to “suck on the toothbrush” and then put his penis in her
mouth. (Id. at 21:22). L.N. stated that when they were in the hallway Spencer
told her to “suck on the hotdog” which also means “suck on the pee-pee.” (Id. at
21:56). She explained that Spencer never directly told her to “suck on the pee-
pee,” but that he “lies” to her when he tells her that he is going to put the
“toothbrush” or the “hotdog” in her mouth. (Id. at 22:45).
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{¶8} L.N. recalled that Spencer would pull his pants part of the way down
and instruct her to close her eyes before he puts his “pee-pee” in her mouth, but
that sometimes she opened her eyes even “when he says not to open [her] eyes.”
(Ex. H at 31:29, 31:45). L.N. described the “pee-pee” as “long” and with “cracks
of blood.” (Id. at 32:00). She then drew a picture of the “pee-pee” and when
asked by the forensic interviewer where the blood cracks were from, L.N.
responded “probably from where he was growing.” (Id. at 32:54). She explained
that she knows the “pee-pee” is not a hotdog or a toothbrush because she can feel
it on her tongue and “it feels like [she is] going to puke” when Spencer puts his
“pee-pee” in her mouth. (Id. at 21:38, 19:25).
{¶9} L.N. recalled that the two other children in the house, ages 2 and 4,
were usually in another room or outside on the trampoline, and that Katie was
either tanning or at work when these encounters with Spencer occurred. She also
confirmed that the last time she had to suck on Spencer’s “pee-pee” was when
they went to Buffalo Wild Wings. (Ex. H at 34:25). After the forensic interview,
L.N. was examined by a nurse practitioner at the Child Assessment Center. The
results of L.N.’s physical examination were “normal.”
{¶10} On May 2, 2013, a search warrant was executed at Spencer’s home
by BCI. Five biological samples were collected—four from the wall in the
hallway and one from a metal folding chair located in the master bedroom. Only
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the sample from the master bedroom tested positive for semen. The semen was
consistent with Spencer’s DNA.
{¶11} On May 23, 2013, the Marion County Grand Jury indicted Spencer
on seven counts of Rape, in violation of R.C. 2907.02(A)(1)(b)/(A)(2), each a
felony of the first degree. Each count included a specification that the victim was
under ten years of age at the time the offense occurred.
{¶12} On July 20, 2013, the trial court held a hearing regarding several pre-
trial matters, including L.N.’s competency to testify at trial. At this hearing, the
trial court conducted a voir dire of L.N. and found her competent to testify at trial.
{¶13} On September 10, 2013, the trial court held a six-day jury trial.
Count One of the indictment was dismissed on the State’s motion. Counts Two
and Seven were dismissed by the trial court following the defense’s Crim. R. 29
motion for acquittal. Accordingly, four counts of Rape remained for the jury to
decide. The following testimony was presented to the jury at trial.
{¶14} L.N. was the first witness to testify for the prosecution. L.N. stated
she was scared and demonstrated her reluctance to testify about the sexual abuse.
When asked to identify Spencer, L.N. stated that she was too afraid to say
Spencer’s name but nevertheless identified Spencer as “Mia’s Daddy,1” and stated
that his first name began with an “R.” L.N. also described Spencer as a
1
Mia is the name of Spencer and Katie’s child.
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“policeman.” L.N. stated that something “bad” occurred with “Mia’s Daddy.”
(Tr. at 393-94).
{¶15} L.N. testified that the incidents with Spencer occurred in the hallway,
Spencer’s bedroom, and the bathroom. She identified two bathrooms in the house,
one in Spencer’s bedroom and one in the hallway, and stated that her interactions
with Spencer occurred in “the bathroom in the hallway.” (Tr. 397). L.N.
indicated that the sexual abuse only happened in the Marion house and not in the
house in Caledonia. The prosecutor showed L.N. photos of Spencer and Katie’s
house in Marion. When shown a picture of the bathroom in the hallway, L.N.
stated “that’s the bathroom where he would do things to me.” (Tr. 402). For each
location where the sexual abuse occurred, L.N. marked an “R” and an “L” on the
photos to indicate the positions where she and Spencer were located when the
sexual abuse occurred. L.N. described the incidents and stated that they both were
standing at the time and that Spencer pulled his pants part of the way down before
putting his “pee-pee” in her mouth. L.N. testified that Katie was not home when
this happened.
{¶16} L.N. testified that the last time the abuse occurred was in the
hallway. She recounted the incident after she ate lunch at Buffalo Wild Wings
with Spencer and Katie and the two younger children. She recalled that she had
French fries and mini corndogs and that Katie went tanning after lunch. L.N.
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testified that she was in the hallway of the home with Spencer when Spencer told
her to “let go” just prior to her vomiting. (Tr. 405). When the prosecutor asked
her what Spencer told her to “let go” of L.N. stated that she was too afraid to say.
L.N. eventually drew a capital letter “P” on a piece of paper. The following
exchange took place:
Trial Judge: Let the record reflect that she drew what appears
to be a Capital P.
Prosecutor: And is that correct, [L.N.]? Is the judge right that
is the letter P?
L.N.: (Witness nods head).
Prosecutor: Where was that?
L.N.: (Witness indicating.)
Prosecutor: Okay, you’re pointing. You need to say out loud
where it was, remember?
L.N.: Mouth.
Prosecutor: Mouth. Okay. P and—pardon me, what did you
say, honey? I didn’t hear that.
L.N.: I got to write that again.
Prosecutor: You can scribble it out if you need to. We don’t
have eraser on pens.
L.N.: I know. Pens don’t have erasers.
(Indicating.)
Prosecutor: Okay. So let me ask you this: What is this here?
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L.N.: An M for mouth.
Prosecutor: Okay and what is this?
L.N.: Mouth.
Prosecutor: Okay. So you’re labeling that as—is that your
mouth or his mouth or someone else?
L.N.: My mouth.
Prosecutor: Okay. And you said it starts with the letter P. Can
you tell me your name for that?
L.N.: (Witness indicating.)
Prosecutor: So now there’s two P’s for that, so pee-pee, is that
right?
L.N.: Yes.
Prosecutor: That’s what you call it?
L.N.: (Witness nodding.)
Prosecutor: And where was the pee-pee right before he told you
to let go?
L.N.: (Indicating.) This mouth. This and then this.
Prosecutor: So the pee-pee was in your mouth?
L.N.: (Witness nodding).
Prosecutor: Okay. And you said that that—that he told you to
let go?
L.N.: (Witness nods head.)
Prosecutor: And then what happened?
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L.N.: Then I ran to the toilet.
(Tr. 409-11). The prosecutor continued direct examination with the following
series of questions:
Prosecutor: And is that the same thing that he would do in the
bathroom and in his bedroom or did he do other things to you in
the bathroom or in the bedroom?”
L.N.: That’s the only thing he would do to me in the bathroom,
the bedroom and the hallway.
Prosecutor: And did it happen one time or more than one time
in the hallway?
L.N.: (Witness indicating.)
Prosecutor: So what did you draw there?
L.N.: More than one.
Prosecutor: Is that how many times you think it happened in
the hallway?
L.N.: Um-hum.
Prosecutor: And would Mia and Ethan always be in the
playroom or would they sometimes be other places?
L.N.: They would sometimes be in other places.
Prosecutor: And what other places would they be?
L.N.: They would be in the living room playing the Wii.
Prosecutor: And did he ever—okay. How many times would
you say that it happened in the bathroom?
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L.N.: (Witness indicating.) Ten.
Prosecutor: Okay. So definitely more than one?
L.N: (Witness nodding.)
Prosecutor: And what about his bedroom?
L.N: (Witness indicating.)
Prosecutor: Okay.
L.N.: More than one.
(Tr. 413-14). The prosecutor then asked L.N. to recall specific details of the
incidents:
Prosecutor: Did he tell you it was his pee-pee?
L.N.: Huh-huh.
Prosecutor: What did he tell you it was?
L.N.: A hotdog and a tooth brush.
Prosecutor: And what did he tell you to do with the hotdog?
L.N.: He told me to suck on it.
Prosecutor: Okay. Is that hard for you to talk about?
L.N.: (Witness nodding).
Prosecutor: And did he tell you to do anything with your eyes?
L.N.: Um-hum.
Prosecutor: What did he tell you to do with your eyes?
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L.N.: Close them.
Prosecutor: Did you close them?
L.N.: Yes.
(Tr. 418-19).
{¶17} On the stand, L.N. also discussed two pictures that she had
previously drawn. One L.N. drew during the forensic interview at the Child
Assessment Center and the other she drew for the prosecutor the day before trial.
Both of these drawings depicted an oblong shape with lines. L.N. stated these
were drawings of Spencer’s “pee-pee” and explained that the lines were “blood
cracks” or “blood marks.” (Tr. 420, 425).
{¶18} Kim N., L.N.’s mother, also testified for the prosecution and recalled
L.N.’s initial disclosure to her on April 10, 2013. Specifically, Kim testified that
while giving L.N. a bath, L.N. stated that Spencer sometimes puts his “pee-pee” in
her mouth. Kim explained that she had L.N. repeat the statement two to three
times to make sure she heard L.N. correctly. L.N. told her that it happened every
once in a while when Katie was at work or tanning and that it only happened in the
new house in Marion. L.N. further divulged that the last time it happened was
after she had lunch with Katie and Spencer at Buffalo Wild Wings. L.N. told Kim
that Spencer put his penis so far down her throat that it made her “pukey.” (Tr.
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502). Kim called Katie, who began to cry when Kim told her what L.N. had
revealed. Katie then advised her to get more information from L.N.
{¶19} Kim testified that she then went back upstairs and began brushing
L.N.’s hair as she nonchalantly asked L.N. if she knew where a “pee-pee” was
located on the body. L.N. pointed and replied “yes.” Kim then asked L.N. if she
knew what “pee-pee” looked like and L.N. replied, “yes, mom, it’s got bloody
lines on it.” (Tr. 487). Kim called Katie again to tell her that she was taking L.N.
to the emergency room at the local hospital. At the hospital, L.N. was examined
and an appointment with a SANE was scheduled for the following morning.
{¶20} Kim testified that she drove L.N. directly to the Marion County
Sheriff’s Office from the hospital, where both she and L.N. gave statements to a
Deputy and a caseworker from Children’s Services. L.N. was not present when
Kim gave her statement. However, Kim was in the room seated next to L.N. and
holding her hand while she was interviewed by the Deputy. Upon the advice from
the Children’s Services caseworker, Kim canceled the appointment with the
SANE nurse and arranged for L.N. to be examined at the Child Assessment Center
the next day. Kim explained that she was not permitted to observe the forensic
interview of L.N. at the Child Assessment Center. Kim recalled that after the
forensic interview, L.N. was examined by a nurse practitioner.
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{¶21} Kim observed that L.N.’s demeanor noticeably changed when L.N.
talked about the incident. Kim stated that L.N. exhibited signs of stress upon
having to appear in court to face Spencer. Specifically, Kim recalled that after
L.N. completed the competency hearing she began wetting the bed at night and
continued to have issues for about two weeks after the hearing.
{¶22} The next witness to testify was Deputy Stacy Johnston of the Marion
County Sheriff’s Office. Deputy Johnston testified that on the night of L.N.’s
disclosure she was called in from road patrol to take statements from Kim and
L.N. because she was the only female on duty. She recalled taking Kim’s
statement first without L.N. present, during which Kim related L.N.’s disclosure
regarding Spencer. Deputy Johnston then spoke with L.N. while Kim was still in
the room. Both Kim’s and L.N.’s interviews were video recorded. The video
recording of Deputy Johnston’s conversation with L.N. and Kim was played for
the jury. (Tr. 562, Ex. F). Deputy Johnston explained that after she completed the
report she had nothing further to do with the case due to the fact that she used to
work with Spencer before he was laid off as a Deputy in 2012, which created a
conflict of interest.
{¶23} On cross-examination, Deputy Johnston admitted that she is only
trained in general interviewing techniques and has not received specialized
training in interviewing children who are victims of sexual abuse. However,
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Deputy Johnston explained that the purpose of her interviews with L.N. and Kim
was to ascertain the basic facts and pass the case along to the forensic interviewer
at the Child Assessment Center.
{¶24} Major Jeff Cline of the Marion County Sheriff’s Office was the next
witness to testify. Major Cline related Spencer’s prior employment history with
the Marion County Sheriff’s Office. Specifically, that Spencer was hired as a
dispatcher in 2007 or 2008 and then laid off due to budget constraints in 2009.
Spencer was later called back and offered a position as a road patrol Deputy and
then was again laid off in January 2012 for fiscal reasons. Major Cline recalled
that Spencer’s most recent positions were with the Delaware County Sheriff’s
Office as a corrections officer and with the Marion County Sheriff’s Office’s
auxiliary unit.
{¶25} Major Cline testified that Spencer called him at home at 9:00 p.m. on
April 10, 2013, the night of L.N.’s disclosure. Major Cline recalled that Spencer
was very upset and asked to speak to him immediately. They met shortly
thereafter and Spencer relayed to him that the five year old girl his girlfriend
watches accused him of a sex act—specifically of putting his penis in her mouth
on more than one occasion. Spencer denied the accusations. Major Cline also
spoke to Katie that night regarding the allegations. Major Cline placed Spencer on
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administrative leave and asked for his badge and gun. He explained that BCI then
took over the case due to the conflict of interest with the Sheriff’s Office.
{¶26} The prosecution also presented the testimony of Emily Combes, a
licensed social worker employed at the Center for Family Safety and Healing at
Nationwide Children’s Hospital, who conducted the forensic interview of L.N.
Ms. Combes testified that she has extensive training in dealing with children. She
estimated that she conducts 10 to 15 interviews a week and that in a three year
period she has conducted over 800 interviews of sexually abused children. Ms.
Combes was recognized as an expert in the area of forensic interviewing of
children at trial.
{¶27} Ms. Combes testified that on April 11, 2013, she conducted an
interview of L.N. at the Child Assessment Center, which was video recorded. She
recalled that a BCI agent, a nurse practitioner, and a mental health advocate
observed L.N.’s interview from another location. She stated that during the initial
phase of the case law enforcement or Children’s Services will typically conduct a
“minimal facts interview” prior to her conducting the forensic interview. Ms.
Combes stated that her role as a forensic interviewer is to record what the child
says, and not to investigate or discern if the statements are true. She described the
forensic interview as an “interview of a child that is done in a neutral, non-leading
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way.” (Tr. 698). The video recording of Ms. Combes’ forensic interview of L.N.
was played for the jury. (Tr. 687, Ex. H).
{¶28} Ms. Combes opined that based on the type of questions she asked
L.N. and the responses elicited, she did not believe L.N. was suggestible during
the interview. She pointed to the fact that L.N. was able to recall specific details
of the incident after Buffalo Wild Wings and was also able to provide a free
narrative regarding Spencer touching her throat with his “pee pee.” Ms. Combes
acknowledged that children can be coached to make certain statements, but
maintained that it is very difficult to do with young children. She stated that when
children recall idiosyncratic details, as L.N. did during the interview, being
coached by someone seems less likely because it is difficult for a young child to
discuss something they have not experienced personally. Ms. Combes explained
that in her experience it is challenging for a young child to remember all the things
that need to be provided in a forensic interview and it is also difficult for a person
to be able to anticipate all the questions asked by a forensic interviewer in order to
seamlessly coach a child.
{¶29} The prosecution also presented the testimony of Judy Mount, the
victim advocate assigned to L.N.’s case. She stated that part of her role was to
explain the courtroom procedure to L.N. and to help her prepare for what would be
expected from her at trial. Ms. Mount recalled a meeting that she had in the
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courtroom with L.N. and the two prosecutors trying the case just prior to the
commencement of the trial. L.N.’s parents were waiting in the lobby and not
present during this meeting. At this time, L.N. spoke about her encounters with
Spencer. Ms. Mount remembered L.N. drawing a picture of the “pee-pee” and a
picture of a hotdog. L.N. described the difference between the “pee-pee” and the
hotdog was that the “pee-pee” had “blood lines” on it and the hotdog did not. L.N.
also stated she had to open her mouth really, really wide during an incident with
Spencer and that is how she knew the “pee-pee” was not a hot dog.
{¶30} Gail Horner, a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner at the Child Assessment
Center, also testified for the prosecution and was declared an expert in child sexual
assault examinations at trial. She recalled examining L.N. on April 11, 2013, after
the forensic interview with Ms. Combes, which she observed. Nurse Horner
completed a report regarding her examination of L.N. and found that there were no
signs of trauma to L.N.’s anus or vagina. However, she explained that in sexual
abuse cases, “trauma in the mouth is very, very unusual * * * there’s usually just
no trauma from a penis going in the mouth.” (Tr. 1369). Nurse Horner further
stated that when there is a lack of physical finding during the exam, the diagnosis
of sexual abuse is determined by the history that the child gives. She testified that
“based on the very consistent history of sexual abuse that [L.N.] gave during her
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forensic interview” she diagnosed L.N. to have indeed suffered from sexual abuse.
(Tr. 1355).
{¶31} Nurse Horner also provided testimony regarding her opinion on the
visibility of veins or blood vessels on a penis. She explained that the blood vessels
would be more visible when they became engorged as the penis grew erect and
that they would be less visible on a flaccid penis. On cross-examination, she was
asked to give an opinion of the pictures that L.N. drew of the “pee-pee.” She
acknowledged that L.N. never used the words blood vessels or veins, but she
stated that she would not expect a five-year-old to know that terminology. Rather,
she believed L.N.’s statements regarding “cracks of blood” to be describing blood
vessels or veins. (Tr. 1384).
{¶32} Julie Kenniston, Director of Training and Education at Butler County
Job and Family Services, testified as an expert for the prosecution. Ms. Kenniston
testified that she has conducted 3,000 forensic interviews of children who have
been sexually abused and was qualified as an expert in the area of forensic
interviews of children. Ms. Kenniston reviewed and analyzed the video
recordings of the Deputy Sheriff’s interview of L.N. and of L.N.’s forensic
interview conducted by Ms. Combes.
{¶33} With regard to L.N’s first interview with Deputy Johnston, Ms.
Kenniston observed that the interview was short and consisted of mostly closed-
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ended questions requiring a one to two word response. However, Ms. Kenniston
noted that L.N. answered “no” to 13 of these questions, “yes” to 10, and even
provided a more elaborate answer to the question, “Did he touch you anywhere
with his pee-pee?” by responding “In my throat.” (Tr. 1133). Ms. Kenniston
explained that the pattern of L.N.’s responses is “hugely significant” when
assessing her suggestibility. (Id.). Specifically, she stated that “the fact that in 13
questions, she responds ‘no’ shows that [L.N.], even at five years old, was not just
saying ‘yes’ because she was trying to please the interviewer or give information.”
(Id.).
{¶34} Ms. Kenniston acknowledged that Kim’s presence while seated next
to L.N. during the interview was not the best practice for forensic interviews, but
she noted that Deputy Johnston’s interview was not a forensic interview. Based
on her review of the video recorded interview, Ms. Kenniston did not think that
Kim’s presence influenced L.N.’s answers. She observed Kim as simply
providing L.N. with support to be able to answer the Deputy’s questions rather
than telling L.N. how she should respond. Ms. Kenniston opined that despite the
flaws of the Deputy’s interviewing technique, L.N. appeared committed to making
sure that the information she had was accurately being shared. In her opinion,
there did not appear to be suggestibility or confusion on L.N.’s part during the
interview.
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{¶35} Regarding L.N.’s second interview with Ms. Combes at the Child
Assessment Center, Ms. Kenniston described the protocol used by the forensic
interviewer as a nationally recognized standard for forensic interviewing of
children. Again, she was struck by L.N.’s responses to the yes/no questions—in
particular by the fact that she answered “no” to the first nine and then “yes” to the
last one and was also able to provide additional information to support her answer.
Ms. Kenniston discussed instances during the interview in which L.N. provided
narrative responses and spontaneous details, which indicate coaching by someone
else was unlikely. She was impressed by the fact that L.N. told the same story to
the adults in two totally different interview processes and relayed it in such a
manner that the adults in both scenarios could ascertain that something needed to
be further explored.
{¶36} Special Agent Eva Hall testified that she was contacted by the
Marion County Sheriff’s Office to handle the case due to a conflict of interest.
She observed L.N.’s forensic interview at the Child Assessment Center. She then
proceeded with the investigation of Spencer, which included executing a search
warrant on May 2, 2013, at the home Spencer and Katie shared. Agent Hall
explained that BCI collected evidence from the home and also took DNA samples
from Spencer and L.N.
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{¶37} The prosecution also presented the testimony of three BCI employees
who were involved in the collection, testing, and identification of the five
biological samples taken from Spencer’s home. Four of the samples were taken
from stains found on the wall in the hallway and one was taken from a metal
folding chair found in the bedroom that Spencer shared with Katie. The testimony
revealed that only the sample from the metal folding chair contained DNA content
which was determined to be consistent with semen belonging to Spencer. There
was no DNA identified as belonging to L.N. in the samples taken from the scene.
{¶38} In his defense, Spencer presented the expert testimony of Dr. Jeffrey
Smalldon, a forensic psychologist. Dr. Smalldon reviewed the video recordings of
the interviews with L.N. at the Sheriff’s Office and at the Child Assessment
Center. He provided testimony criticizing Deputy Johnston’s interview of L.N. by
noting that Deputy Johnston did not follow the appropriate protocols for eliciting
information from young children—in particular that she asked L.N. a series of
yes/no questions, which in his opinion produce inaccurate responses. Dr.
Smalldon also determined that Deputy Johnston’s interview of L.N. was flawed
because Kim was present. Dr. Smalldon further discussed how a flawed interview
could shape a child’s thoughts or perception making any subsequent statement by
the child unreliable or suspect. Dr. Smalldon also critiqued the questioning
protocol used during the forensic interview at the Child Assessment Center and
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stated that in his opinion Ms. Combes failed to explore “alternative hypotheses,”
other than sexual abuse, to explain L.N.’s statements.
{¶39} On cross examination, Dr. Smalldon admitted that he is not an expert
in forensic interviewing of children nor does he conduct these types of interviews.
He stated that his experience is derived primarily from custody cases concerning
the allocation of parental rights and responsibilities and that if an allegation of
sexual abuse did arise the matter would be taken completely out of his hands and
passed on to the appropriate authorities.
{¶40} The defense also presented the testimony of Janine Bright. Janine
testified that beginning in the fall of 2012 Katie watched her kids during the week
by helping them get to and from school and would watch them during the day if
there was no school. She recalled that besides Katie’s youngest two children, L.N.
was the only other child regularly at the home during the day. She testified that
when she dropped off her children in the mornings she would see L.N. at the
house and never noticed her acting shy or fearful of Spencer.
{¶41} Katie also testified for the defense. Katie stated that she watched
L.N. Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Katie recalled that in
October of 2012 she began providing in-home care to an elderly person in Findlay
one day a week. Katie explained that prior to taking this job Kim gave her
permission to leave L.N. in Spencer’s care while she was out of the home. Katie
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estimated that it took approximately 45 to 50 minutes for her to get to her client’s
home. She generally left the house at 9:00 a.m. and returned by noon. Katie’s
work records were presented at trial and she testified that she worked a total of
23.5 hours from October 2012 to April 2013.
{¶42} Katie recalled the day that she and Spencer took the children to
Buffalo Wild Wings. She stated it was on April 4, 2013, which was a Thursday
and that she worked outside of the home that morning. On her way home, she met
Spencer, L.N., Ethan, and Mia at Buffalo Wild Wings. She remembered the
children eating French fries and mini corn dogs and acting normal. She decided to
go tanning after lunch. She stated that she tried to go tanning every day. The
records from the tanning salon were presented as an exhibit at trial. The tanning
salon records indicated that she entered the tanning salon on that day at 1:27 p.m.
and tanned for 12 minutes. Katie testified that she lived two to three minutes from
the tanning salon and estimated that she returned to the house around 1:50 p.m.
She recalled that when she arrived home Spencer told her that L.N. had vomited.
Spencer showed her the location where L.N. vomited in the hallway between the
master bedroom and the hallway bathroom.
{¶43} Katie testified that she received a phone call from Kim on April 10,
2013, at 7:08 p.m., during which Kim told her about L.N.’s disclosure—
specifically that L.N. said that Spencer put his “pee-pee” in her mouth. L.N told
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Kim it happened “every once in a while.” L.N. had told Kim that it happened
while Katie was tanning. Kim also told her that L.N. described the “pee-pee” as
having bloody cracks, which represented veins. (Tr. 1598).
{¶44} Katie also provided testimony regarding their typical schedule during
the week. She explained that either she or Spencer would take L.N., Ethan, and
Mia to preschool at the YMCA, where they would be from 9:15 a.m. until noon,
Monday through Friday. Katie also testified that Spencer worked second shift,
3:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m., as a corrections officer in Delaware County and would
typically leave the house around 2:00 p.m. Spencer worked five days a week and
had Mondays and Tuesdays off in 2013, and Tuesdays and Wednesdays off in
2012. Katie also testified that she and Spencer have had sex in the metal chair in
the master bedroom where Spencer’s semen was found.
{¶45} Spencer was the last witness to testify for the defense. He recalled
April 4, 2013, the day he and Katie took L.N. and the other children to Buffalo
Wild Wings. He remembered taking L.N., Ethan, and Mia to the YMCA in the
morning and then meeting Katie for lunch. After lunch, Katie decided to go
tanning. Spencer recalled being perturbed by Katie’s decision because he had to
get ready to leave for work at 2:00 p.m. Spencer stated he arrived home with
children and situated them in the living room while he went into the bedroom to
change for work. He stated that L.N. came to the bedroom door and informed him
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that she did not feel well. She then vomited in the hallway. Spencer stated he
walked L.N. to the hallway bathroom where she finished vomiting. He recalled
asking L.N. if she was alright and she responded with a smile and stated that she
must have eaten too many French fries. He then wiped her mouth and walked her
back to the living room. He testified that he cleaned up the vomit in the hallway
and asked L.N. again if she was alright, at which time Katie had arrived home and
he explained to her what had happened. He stated that he finished getting dressed
and left for work around 2:00 p.m.
{¶46} Spencer maintained he was shocked to learn from Katie that L.N. had
accused him of sexually abusing her. On the stand, he denied ever touching L.N.
with his penis, including putting his penis in her mouth.
{¶47} After hearing the evidence presented, the jury found Spencer guilty
on all four of the Rape charges, including the additional finding that the victim
was under the age of ten at the time of the offense. The trial court subsequently
sentenced Spencer to a prison term of fifteen years to life on each count of Rape to
be served concurrently and classified him as a Tier III Sex Offender.
{¶48} Spencer now appeals, asserting the following assignments of error.
ASSIGNMENT OF ERROR NO. I
THE TRIAL COURT ERRED TO THE PREJUDICE OF
DEFENDANT-APPELLANT AND DENIED HIM DUE
PROCESS OF LAW AS GUARENTEED [SIC] BY THE
UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION AND THE OHIO
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CONSTITUTION BY FINDING L.N. COMPETENT TO
TESTIFY.
ASSIGNMENT OF ERROR NO. II
THE TRIAL COURT ERRED TO THE PREJUDICE OF
DEFENDANT-APPELLANT AND DENIED HIM DUE
PROCESS OF LAW AS GUARENTEED [SIC] BY THE
UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION AND THE OHIO
CONSTITUTION BY COMPROMISING ITS ROLE AS AN
IMPARTIAL TRIBUNAL.
ASSIGNMENT OF ERROR NO. III
DEFENDANT-APPELLANT’S CONVICTIONS FOR RAPE
ARE CONTRARY TO THE MANIFEST WEIGHT OF THE
EVIDENCE IN VIOLATION OF THE CONSTITUTIONS OF
OHIO AND THE UNITED STATES.
ASSIGNMENT OF ERROR NO. IV
THE COMBINATION OF THE AFOREMENTIONED
ERRORS ARE SUFFICIENT TO CALL INTO QUESTION
THE VALIDITY OF THE VERDICT, PREVENTING THE
APPELLANT FROM OBTAINING THE FAIR TRIAL
GUARANTEED BY THE FIFTH AND SIXTH
AMENDMENTS TO THE U.S. CONSTITUTION AS MADE
APPLICABLE TO THE STATES BY THE FOURTEENTH
AMENDMENT, AND ARTICLE ONE, SECTIONS TEN AND
SIXTEEN OF THE OHIO CONSTITUTION.
{¶49} For ease of discussion, we elect to address the assignments of error
out of order.
First Assignment of Error
{¶50} In his first assignment of error, Spencer argues that the trial court
erred in finding that L.N. was competent to testify at trial. Specifically, he
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maintains that the record fails to establish that L.N. was able to discern the
difference between the truth and a lie and understand the concept of truthfully
relating events.
{¶51} Evid.R. 601 provides: “Every person is competent to be a witness
except: (A) * * * children under ten years of age, who appear incapable of
receiving just impressions of the facts and transactions respecting which they are
examined, or of relating them truly.”
{¶52} A trial court must conduct a voir dire examination of a child under
ten years of age to determine the child’s competence to testify. In making this
determination, the court must consider:
(1) the child’s ability to receive accurate impressions of fact or
to observe acts about which he or she will testify, (2) the child’s
ability to recollect those impressions or observations, (3) the
child’s ability to communicate what was observed, (4) the child’s
understanding of truth and falsity and (5) the child’s
appreciation of his or her responsibility to be truthful.
State v. Maxwell, 139 Ohio St.3d 12, 33, 2014-Ohio-1019, ¶ 100, quoting State v.
Frazier, 61 Ohio St.3d 247, 251 (1991). It is well-settled that, as the trier of fact,
trial judges are required to make a preliminary determination as to the competency
of all witnesses, including children, and that absent an abuse of discretion,
competency determinations of the trial judge will not be disturbed on appeal. See
State v. Clark, 71 Ohio St.3d 466, 469 (1994), citing Frazier, 61 Ohio St.3d at
251. A trial court is given wide latitude in determining whether a prospective
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witness is competent to testify. Clark at 469-70. The trial judge has the
opportunity to observe the child’s appearance, manner of responding to questions,
general demeanor, and ability to relate facts accurately and truthfully. Frazier at
251.
{¶53} On July 20, 2013, the trial court held a hearing to determine L.N.’s
competency to testify. L.N. was five years old when she testified and she was
three years old when Katie began babysitting her in November of 2010. During
the voir dire examination to determine her competency, L.N. stated her mother’s
name and that she lived with her. She was also able to recall the different
addresses where she had lived in Caledonia. She mentioned that she attended
preschool at the YMCA in the morning on “certain days”—Monday, Wednesday
and Friday and stated the names of her four preschool teachers. (Tr. 20). She
expressed excitement about starting Kindergarten and her upcoming birthday. She
stated that some of her favorite toys were Barbies “because we can dress them
up.” (Tr. 23). She also recalled the costume she wore for Halloween and specific
gifts that she received at Christmas the year before.
{¶54} On appeal, Spencer cites a number of L.N.’s answers from the
competency hearing in support of his claim that L.N. was incompetent to testify.
In these initial responses, L.N. appears not to understand the difference between
the truth and a lie or the concept of truthfully relating events. However, after
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further inquiry from the trial court, L.N. provided the following responses
demonstrating that she understood the concept of truthfulness and knew that there
were consequences for not telling the truth:
Trial Court: If I said I want you to be honest with me or tell the
truth, would that be a good thing or a bad thing?
L.N.: Good thing.
Trial Court: Okay. And have you ever gotten in trouble for not
telling the truth?
L.N.: Yes.
Trial Court: Okay what happens if you don’t tell the truth?
L.N.: You get in trouble.
Trial Court: Okay. What—how did you get in trouble? Who do
you get in trouble with?
L.N.: Mommy.
Trial Court: With mom. So mom wants you to tell the truth?
L.N.: Yes.
***
Trial Court: If—let’s say at preschool if you told the teacher
that somebody did something they didn’t do, could they maybe
get in trouble for that?
L.N.: Yes.
Trial Court: And would that—if they got in trouble for
something because you didn’t tell the truth, would that be good
or bad?
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L.N.: Bad.
***
Trial Court: Do you think I’d be unhappy if you didn’t tell the
truth?
L.N.: Yes.
Trial Court: Okay. So if you testify, you get to answer questions
here, can you promise us that you’ll tell the truth?
L.N.: Yes.
Trial Court: Okay. And you think that would be a good thing to
tell the truth?
L.N.: Yes.
Trial Court: And do you understand that it’s real, real
important that you tell the truth when you’re here in court?
L.N.: Yes.
Trial Court: Okay. It’s important all the time to tell the truth,
but it’s really, really important here, okay? Do you understand
that?
L.N.: Yes.
(Tr. 25-30).
{¶55} The Supreme Court of Ohio has stated that “a child may be
competent to testify even though the child is unable to recollect some facts or
initially does not recognize the concept of truth, so long as other answers
demonstrate that the child can perceive and recall generally and understands the
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concept of truthfulness.” State v. Fry, 125 Ohio St.3d 163, 175, 2010-Ohio-1017,
¶ 76, citing State v. Anderson, 154 Ohio App.3d 789, 2003-Ohio-5439, ¶ 62
(finding six-year-old witness competent even though she answered some questions
wrong); See also, Prado v. Elsayed, 2d Dist. Montgomery No. 24528, 2012-
Ohio-290, ¶ 42 (stating a child can be found competent even when the child is
initially “unable to recollect some facts or initially does not recognize the concept
of truth, so long as the voir dire continues on to demonstrate that the child can
perceive and recall generally and understands the concept of truthfulness”).
{¶56} Here, the record reflects that L.N. seemed confused and had initial
difficulty answering some of the specific questions posed by the trial court.
However, as evidenced from the transcript excerpts above, her follow-up
responses to other questions clearly demonstrated that she knew the difference
between truth and falsity and understood that she should tell the truth. Therefore,
we conclude that L.N. exhibited sufficient ability to receive, recall and
communicate accurate impressions of fact, understand truth and falsity, and
appreciate the responsibility to tell the truth as required under Evid. R. 601(A).
Accordingly, we do not find the trial court abused its discretion in finding L.N.
competent to testify. Spencer’s first assignment of error is overruled.
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Third Assignment of Error
{¶57} In his third assignment of error, Spencer contends that his
convictions for Rape were against the manifest weight of the evidence. In
reviewing whether a verdict was against the weight of the evidence, the appellate
court sits as a “thirteenth juror” and examines the conflicting testimony. State v.
Thompkins, 78 Ohio St.3d 380, 387 (1997). In doing so, this Court must review
the entire record, weigh the evidence and all of the reasonable inferences, consider
the credibility of witnesses, and determine whether in resolving conflicts in the
evidence, the factfinder “ ‘clearly lost its way and created such a manifest
miscarriage of justice that the conviction must be reversed and a new trial
ordered.’ ” Thompkins at 387, quoting State v. Martin, 20 Ohio App.3d 172, 175
(1st Dist.1983). “To ‘reverse a judgment of a trial court on the weight of the
evidence, when the judgment results from a trial by jury, a unanimous concurrence
of all three judges on the court of appeals panel reviewing the case is required.’ ”
State v. Miller, 96 Ohio St.3d 384, 2002–Ohio–4931, ¶ 38, quoting Thompkins,
paragraph four of the syllabus.
{¶58} In this case, Spencer was charged with four counts of Rape, in
violation of R.C. 2907.02(A)(1)(b)/(A)(2), which reads as follows:
(A)(1) No person shall engage in sexual conduct with another
who is not the spouse of the offender or who is the spouse of the
offender but is living separate and apart from the offender,
when any of the following applies:
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(b) The other person is less than thirteen years of age,
whether or not the offender knows the age of the other
person.
(2) No person shall engage in sexual conduct with another when
the offender purposely compels the other person to submit by
force or threat of force.
{¶59} Spencer makes several arguments in support of his contention that
his convictions were against the manifest weight of the evidence. At the outset,
we note that Spencer claims L.N.’s competency was minimal. However, given our
resolution of the first assignment of error, we do not find this argument persuasive.
Spencer also asserts that L.N.’s testimony at trial was internally inconsistent and
inconsistent with her prior interviews. Spencer cites the following specific
examples on appeal.
{¶60} At trial, L.N. testified that she first told Kim about the sexual abuse
while they were on the way to the zoo and not in the bathroom as stated by Kim.
Kim testified that since her initial disclosure, L.N. talked to her several times
about the case, including while they were riding in the car. Kim could not recall
specifically if they were going to the zoo at the time these conversations occurred,
but stated that they had been to the zoo twice since the case begun.
{¶61} Spencer also points to the fact that L.N. testified that she never went
to the hospital after telling Kim about the sexual abuse. However, Kim testified
that when she took L.N. to the emergency room on the night L.N. disclosed the
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sexual abuse, she made a concerted effort not to alarm L.N. and did not tell her
that they were going to the hospital. Rather, she simply told L.N. that they were
going for a “ride.” (Tr. 491). Kim testified that once they were at the hospital, she
“mouthed” L.N.’s disclosure to the medical staff while in L.N.’s presence and she
was careful not to mention her concerns about sexual abuse in front of L.N. (Tr.
493). The record also reflects that L.N. was in the process of being treated for a
urinary tract infection at the time she made her initial disclosure and continued to
experience discomfort from that condition.2 When L.N. was taken to the Child
Assessment Center, which is an outpatient clinic at the hospital, she told Ms.
Combes during the forensic interview that she believed that she was there because
her “pee-pee” hurt.
{¶62} In addition, Spencer claims that L.N. made inconsistent statements
about the reason why she vomited after lunch at Buffalo Wild Wings. On direct
examination, L.N.’s testimony revealed that she vomited as a result of Spencer
putting his penis too far down her throat. On cross-examination, the follow
exchange occurred:
Defense Counsel: Didn’t that day really what happened is you
got sick on French fries, truthfully?
L.N.: Um-hum.
2
The record demonstrates that L.N.’s urinary tract infection was coincidental and not thought to be related
to L.N.’s interactions with Spencer.
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Case No. 9-13-50
Defense Counsel: You got sick on French fries, really, didn’t
you?
L.N.: (Witness nods head.)
Defense Counsel: It didn’t have anything to do with the pee-pee,
did it?
L.N.: No.
Defense Counsel: It was the French fries?
L.N.: (Witness nodding.)
Defense Counsel: And you then threw up in the toilet?
L.N.: (Witness nods head.)
Defense Counsel: And you threw up because of the French fries,
not because of any pee-pee, did you?
L.N.: (Witness shakes head.)
Defense Counsel: That’s the truth isn’t it?
L.N.: (Witness nodding.)
(Tr. 452). On re-direct examination, the prosecutor attempted to clarify L.N.’s
testimony:
Prosecutor: Okay. You said that Randy had told you to let go
right before you threw up?
L.N.: Um-hum.
Prosecutor: What were you letting go of?
L.N.: (Witness indicating.)
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Prosecutor: And you’re pointing to the pee-pee on your body.
Was it the pee-pee on your body or the pee-pee on somebody
else’s body?
L.N.: (Witness indicating.)
Prosecutor: And you’re pointing—Your Honor, if the record
could reflect that she’s pointing at Mr. Spencer?
Trial Court: Okay, so reflected.
Prosecutor: And where was it? Where was it when you let go of
it?
L.N.: (Witness indicating.)
Prosecutor: And you’re pointing to—
L.N.: (Witness indicating.)
Prosecutor: Is that your mouth?
L.N.: (Witness nodding.)
Prosecutor: Okay. And, Your Honor, I would request that the
record—
Trial Court: The record will reflect that the witness was
pointing to her mouth, and was pointing to her mouth before
counsel confirmed that.
Prosecutor: Okay. And when you threw up, what came out into
the toilet?
L.N.: Food that was already chewed up.
Prosecutor: Okay. And did you recognize any of the food?
Could you tell what it was?
L.N.: All I seen was French fries.
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Prosecutor: Okay. So you threw up the French fries you had
eaten? [L.N.], you threw up the French fries you had eaten?
L.N.: Um-hum.
(Tr. 453-54).
{¶63} In extracting these specific statements made by L.N. from the entire
transcript, Spencer is attempting to detract attention from the fact that both at trial
and during the two prior interviews, five-year-old L.N. consistently related
specific details of the sexual abuse. In recounting of the episodes of sexual abuse,
L.N. consistently: (1) identified Spencer as the perpetrator; (2) identified each
location in the house where the abuse occurred and stated that the abuse occurred
“more than one time;” (3) recalled that Spencer pulled his pants part of the way
down; (4) stated that Spencer referred to his penis as a “toothbrush” or a “hotdog”
and told her to put it in her mouth and suck on it; and (5) described Spencer’s
“pee-pee” as having “bloody cracks.” Notably, L.N. drew two similar pictures
depicting the “pee-pee” with “bloody cracks,” one on April 11, 2013—the day
after her initial disclosure and the other over five months later on the day before at
trial. L.N. was also able to recall on multiple occasions the specific incident of
sexual abuse that occurred after eating lunch at Buffalo Wild Wings in clear detail.
Moreover, the details L.N. divulged during her initial spontaneous disclosure to
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Kim were consistent with her recollection during the two interviews hours later
and her testimony at trial after several months had passed.
{¶64} As the finder of fact, it was within the province of the jury to assess
L.N.’s credibility and to determine the appropriate weight to be given to these
statements. Thus, when the excerpts of L.N.’s testimony selected by Spencer on
appeal are taken out of isolation and viewed within the context of the entire
transcript, we cannot find that these statements alone are an appropriate basis for
reversing Spencer’s convictions on the manifest weight of the evidence.
{¶65} Spencer also argues under this assignment of error that the “minimal
facts interview” conducted by Deputy Johnston and the forensic interview
conducted by Emily Combes were flawed, rendering the evidence used to convict
him unreliable. Spencer generally asserts that the interviews were deficient due to
Kim’s presence during Deputy Johnston’s interview of L.N., the use of leading
questions during both interviews, and the failure of both interviewers to utilize
certain interviewing techniques. Notably, Spencer fails to articulate any specific
argument to support this contention. Nevertheless, the record demonstrates that
the reliability of the techniques used by Deputy Johnston and Emily Combes in
interviewing L.N. were thoroughly litigated by both sides in this case. The
prosecution and defense each presented an expert who addressed the precise issues
raised by Spencer on appeal and who formulated differing opinions as to the
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soundness of the protocols used during the interviews. The assessment of the
weight to be afforded to each of these expert opinions was left to the sound
discretion of the jury and, therefore, we find no error with the jury’s determination
on this basis.
{¶66} Finally, Spencer argues that his convictions were against the
manifest weight because there was no physical evidence corroborating L.N.’s
allegations of sexual abuse and the timeline of the alleged incidents made it nearly
impossible for the abuse to have happened. The prosecution presented evidence
that Spencer’s semen was found on a metal folding chair near the location where
L.N. identified the abuse to have occurred. In addition, Nurse Horner testified that
a lack of physical findings did not negate the history of sexual abuse given by
L.N., especially when the abuse involves fellatio and the last incident is reported
to have occurred a week earlier. Moreover, “[i]t is well settled that a rape
conviction may rest solely on the victim’s testimony, if believed, and that ‘[t]here
is no requirement that a rape victim’s testimony be corroborated as a condition
precedent to conviction.’ ” State v. Patterson, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 100086,
2014-Ohio-1621, ¶ 40, citing State v. Lewis, 70 Ohio App.3d 624, 638, (4th
Dist.1990).
{¶67} In addition, the evidence at trial established that over the course of
several months Spencer spent a significant period of time with L.N. without Katie
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or another adult present, including the approximately twenty minutes to a half an
hour after the lunch at Buffalo Wild Wings when Katie went tanning.
Accordingly, the record supports that there was ample opportunity for the sexual
abuse to have occurred as L.N. alleged. Based on the foregoing, we do not find
that Spencer’s convictions were against the manifest weight of the evidence and
his third assignment of error is overruled.
Second Assignment of Error
{¶68} In his second assignment of error, Spencer argues that the trial court
made statements in the presence of the jury that denied him a fair trial. R.C.
2945.03 governs a judge’s control of a trial and states that “[t]he judge of the trial
court shall control all proceedings during a criminal trial, and shall limit the
introduction of evidence and the argument of counsel to relevant and material
matters with a view to expeditious and effective ascertainment of the truth
regarding the matters in issue.” In addition, Evid.R. 611(A) provides that “[t]he
court shall exercise reasonable control over the mode and order of interrogating
witnesses and presenting evidence so as to (1) make the interrogation and
presentation effective for the ascertainment of the truth, (2) avoid needless
consumption of time, and (3) protect witnesses from harassment or undue
embarrassment.” Evid.R. 614 further permits the court to “interrogate witnesses,
in an impartial manner, whether called by itself or by a party.”
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{¶69} The Sixth Amendment to the United States Constitution guarantees a
defendant the right to a trial by fair and impartial jurors. State v. Oliver, 11th Dist.
Portage No. 2010-P-0017, 2012-Ohio-122, ¶ 37, citing Irvin v. Dowd, 366 U.S.
717 (1961). In exercising his duty to control a criminal trial, the trial judge is to
remain impartial and refrain from making comments which may influence a jury.
State v. Boyd, 63 Ohio App.3d 790, 794 (1989). “[T]he judge must be cognizant
of the effect of his comments upon the jury[.]” State v. Wade, 53 Ohio St.2d 182,
187 (1978), vacated and remanded on other grounds. “[T]he Court’s participation
by questioning or comment must be scrupulously limited, lest the court,
consciously or unconsciously, indicate to the jury its opinion on the evidence or on
the credibility of a witness.” State ex rel. Wise v. Chand, 21 Ohio St.2d 113(1970), at paragraph three of the syllabus. Furthermore, “juries are highly
sensitive to every utterance by the trial judge.” Wade at 188.
{¶70} In deciding whether a trial judge’s comments were appropriate, we
must determine whether the comments were prejudicial to the defendant’s right to
a fair trial. Wade, 53 Ohio St.2d at 188. “Where a jury might infer the court’s
opinion of a witness through the persistence, tenor, range, or intensity of its
questions, the interrogation is prejudicially erroneous. While the court can ask
neutrally phrased questions, its questions should not suggest disbelief in a
witness’s testimony.” State v. Prokos, 91 Ohio App.3d 39, 44, citing State ex rel.
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Wise v. Chand, 21 Ohio St.2d 113 at paragraph four of the syllabus. The Supreme
Court of Ohio established that the following factors must be considered when
determining whether a trial judge’s remarks were prejudicial:
(1) The burden of proof is placed upon the defendant to
demonstrate prejudice, (2) it is presumed that the trial judge is
in the best position to decide when a breach is committed and
what corrective measures are called for, (3) the remarks are to
be considered in light of the circumstances under which they are
made, (4) consideration is to be given to their possible effect
upon the jury, and (5) to their possible impairment of the
effectiveness of counsel.
Wade at 188.
{¶71} Generally, a court reviewing a trial court’s interrogation of witnesses
and comments must determine whether the trial court abused its discretion. State
v. Davis, 79 Ohio App.3d 450, 454 (4th Dist.1992). However, the failure to object
to the content of the judicial statements as being prejudicial to the appellant’s
rights has been held to constitute a waiver of the error and arguably precludes
consideration of the issue upon appeal, for, absent an objection, the trial judge is
denied an opportunity to give corrective instructions as to the error. Wade, 53
Ohio St.2d at 188, citing State v. Williams, 39 Ohio St.2d 20 (1974). Accordingly,
any errors not brought to the attention of the trial court by objection or otherwise
are waived and may not be raised on appeal unless they rise to the level of plain
error. Hamilton v. Clemans, 121 Ohio App.3d 337, 339 (12th Dist.1997), citing
State v. Williford, 49 Ohio St.3d 247, 251 (1990). To constitute plain error, it must
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appear from the record that an error occurred and that except for that error the
outcome of the trial would have been different. Clemans at 339, citing State v.
Long, 53 Ohio St.2d 91, 97 (1978).
{¶72} In considering whether the trial court conducted the proceedings
before us in such a manner as to deprive Spencer of a fair trial, we note at the
outset that the trial court granted and enforced throughout the trial, a motion in
limine to limit expert witnesses for either side from expressing to the jury their
own determinations as to the credibility of L.N.’s statements. We also note that
the trial court granted a defense Crim.R. 29 motion for acquittal as to two counts
of the original indictment in this case. And we note that at the close of the trial,
the trial court gave a jury instruction specifically directing the jury to disregard
any conduct or comment by the trial judge that might have been construed as
indicating the judge’s view of the facts or favor toward either of the parties.
{¶73} At the same time, we also note some concerns with the manner in
which the trial court conducted the trial, particularly with regard to the trial court’s
active and often spontaneous intervention in defense counsel’s examination of
various witnesses, including at least one instance in which the court itself
interposed an actual “objection” to the statement of a witness and then ruled on its
own objection in front of the jury as to a matter that was not raised or objected to
by counsel for the state. We can readily conclude that the trial court’s interjection
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of its own objection on behalf of the prosecution in this instance was clearly
erroneous and improper.
{¶74} However, in his brief to this court, Spencer specifically cites, either
by excerpt or transcript reference, some forty-five spontaneous interjections,
comments to defense counsel and/or rulings by the trial court during the testimony
of various witnesses at trial, which Spencer describes as inappropriate or
disparaging to defense counsel in front of the jury. Our own review of the trial
transcript reveals some seventy-five or more instances of spontaneous interjection
and/or comment by the trial court during the examination of witnesses by both
counsel, albeit during a six-day jury trial and covering some two thousand pages
of transcript.
{¶75} In order to determine the prejudicial effect, if any, from these
interjections, we have examined the entire context of each of these instances,
including those not specifically raised in Spencer’s brief. In conducting this
review, we have found that the vast majority of these interjections seem directed at
keeping witnesses and counsel on track with the precise statements made by the
witness thus far in the testimony and not letting defense counsel, or the state for
that matter, 1) mischaracterize a witness’ response to a previous question by
counsel rephrasing that response in more favorable terms, as counsel framed the
next question to the witness or 2) failing to let the witness complete an answer
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before asking the next question—both fairly common tactics often employed by
trial counsel for either side in criminal cases—and tactics which the trial court
would have every right to limit in any trial.
{¶76} A second broad category of trial court interjections in this case arise
from the trial court limiting counsel in some way based upon the judge’s own
assessment of 1) what was relevant to the issues and charges in the case, 2) what
the witness was qualified to say or not qualified to say, such as not letting counsel
lead the witness into hearsay testimony that the witness would have no way of
personally knowing, or 3) not letting the testimony stray into whether the witness
personally believed something about the case or personally believed what
someone else or another witness said about a matter relevant to the case—again all
fairly common ground in any criminal trial and within the trial court’s discretion
to control—albeit perhaps more commonly in response to an objection from
opposing counsel as opposed to being raised sua sponte by the trial court without
such objection.
{¶77} The primary issue Spencer raises with regard to these interjections
beyond the mere sua sponte nature of the interjections alone, centers upon the
admonitions, comments and remarks the trial court often made directly to defense
counsel along with the interjections. In conducting our own review of these
interjections in the context of the trial and what was going on with each witness at
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the time, it is our conclusion that while perhaps overly aggressive and pre-
emptive, and certainly annoying to trial counsel, the behavior of the trial court in
this case is more about the chosen style of certain judges in conducting a jury trial,
rather than the substantive deprivation of any legal rights during this trial.
{¶78} In this regard, we note that many of the trial court’s sua sponte
interjections involved the prosecution’s examination of a witness as well as
examinations by defense counsel. And we note that probably the most lengthy and
acrimonious exchange between court and counsel during the trial, albeit largely
not in front of the jury, took place between the trial judge and counsel for the state.
{¶79} In conclusion, we do not necessarily condone the aggressive and sua
sponte style of the trial court with regard to its intervention into the examination of
witnesses by counsel for either side in this case. In addition, we regard this
approach in general, and in many of the instances in this case, as carrying an
unnecessary and problematic risk of cumulatively jeopardizing substantive rights
in a difficult and lengthy criminal trial on a subsequent appeal.
{¶80} At the same time, despite the one instance of clear error noted earlier,
where the court actually interposed its own sua sponte objection and ruling, we
cannot say in this case that these interjections, either individually or cumulatively,
went so far beyond the legitimate scope of the discretion and prerogative of a trial
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court in conducting a jury trial, so as to constitute prejudicial error and thereby
deprive the defendant of a fair trial under the standards of review set forth earlier.
{¶81} Accordingly, the second assignment of error is overruled.
Fourth Assignment of Error
{¶82} In his fourth assignment of error, Spencer argues that cumulative
errors committed during the trial deprived him of a fair trial and require a reversal
of his convictions and sentence.
{¶83} Under doctrine of cumulative error, a conviction will be reversed
when the cumulative effect of errors in a trial deprives a defendant of a fair trial
even though each of the numerous instances of trial court error does not
individually constitute cause for reversal. State v. Powell, 132 Ohio St.3d 233,
2012-Ohio-2577, at ¶ 222–224; State v. Garner, 74 Ohio St.3d 49, 64 (1995).
{¶84} Based upon our review of the record, we conclude that Spencer
received a fair trial. Therefore, the doctrine of cumulative error is not applicable
in the present case. Moreover, none of the errors committed in this case, when
considered either individually or cumulatively, resulted in prejudicial error.
Accordingly, Spencer’s fourth assignment of error is overruled.
{¶85} For all these reasons the judgment of the trial court is affirmed.
Judgment Affirmed
PRESTON and WILLAMOWSKI, J.J., concur.
/jlr
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