State v. Michael James Dinkins ( 2021 )

THE STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA
In The Court of Appeals
The State, Respondent,
v.
Michael James Dinkins, Appellant.
Appellate Case No. 2017-002360
Appeal From Clarendon County
Michael G. Nettles, Circuit Court Judge
Opinion No. 5883
Heard September 23, 2020 – Filed December 22, 2021
AFFIRMED
Steven Smith McKenzie, of Coffey & McKenzie, PA, of
Manning, for Appellant.
Attorney General Alan McCrory Wilson and Senior
Assistant Attorney General David A. Spencer, both of
Columbia, and Solicitor Ernest Adolphus Finney, III, of
Sumter; all for Respondent.
MCDONALD, J.: Michael James Dinkins appeals his convictions for second-
degree assault and battery and criminal sexual conduct (CSC) with a minor in the
third degree, arguing the circuit court erred in: (1) failing to direct a verdict on one
count of third-degree CSC with a minor when the State failed to produce evidence
of intent; (2) charging the jury that assault and battery is a lesser included offense
of third-degree CSC with a minor due to the circuit court's lack of subject matter
jurisdiction; and (3) admitting evidence of prior bad acts. We affirm.
Facts and Procedural History
In 2012, the family court awarded custody of Child, who was then eight years old,
to her maternal aunt (Aunt) and Aunt's husband, Dinkins.1 Initially, Child lived
with her maternal grandmother (Grandmother) during the week because Aunt
worked long hours at a hospital; Child visited Aunt's home on the weekends and on
Aunt's days off from work.
In 2013, Child, Aunt, Dinkins, and Grandmother took a trip to Topsail Island,
North Carolina. According to Child, when she and Dinkins were alone in the
living room, Dinkins rubbed her leg and touched her "very close to [her] private
area." Child did not immediately disclose this incident to anyone, but eventually
told Grandmother. Grandmother responded that they "needed to just watch things
all more, very carefully" to see if anything else happened before telling Aunt.
Dinkins had been drinking heavily that day, and Grandmother believed alcohol
might have contributed to his behavior.
Approximately a year and a half after her mother's death—from December 2013
through February 2014—Child saw counselor Sarah McClam for grief treatment.
In August 2014, Child began living full time with Aunt and Dinkins. Child's
counseling with McClam resumed in May 2015, after Child wrote a concerning
letter to her deceased mother. This treatment period continued until August 2015,
when Child improved. Child did not report concerns about Dinkins during the
2013–14 treatment period or when she resumed treatment in 2015.
On December 31, 2015, Child (then eleven years old) and Dinkins stayed up late
one night to watch movies, and Child fell asleep on the living room couch. At
trial, Child testified Dinkins kissed her on the lips and put his tongue in her mouth.
Child pretended to be sleeping because she was scared and went to find
Grandmother after Dinkins left the living room. When Aunt came back inside the
house later that night, Child told her Dinkins had kissed her on the couch. Child
explained she disclosed this incident because "she knew that it was really wrong
and [she] didn't need to let it go on anymore."
Aunt and Grandmother did not report the couch incident to law enforcement but
contacted McClam to schedule an emergency appointment for Child to talk with
her about what happened. When Child and Aunt met with McClam in January
1
Child's mother died in July 2012. Although her father is active in her life, he
suffers from a health condition that renders him unable to drive and care for Child.
2016, Child disclosed the December 31 incident and reported that Dinkins had
been previously inappropriate toward her on October 27, 2015, (Child's eleventh
birthday) and December 26, 2015.
Child clarified that on October 27, 2015, Dinkins climbed into bed with her, and
"pushed up his pelvic area up and down on top" of her. She further alleged that
later that day, she was on the couch when Dinkins grabbed her hand and made her
feel something "wet" and "spongy" in the middle of his body "where his private
area was." Child claimed she did not immediately report the incident to anyone
because she knew her aunt was happy, and she did not want her aunt "to have to
get a divorce from my uncle." Child also disclosed that on December 26, 2015,
Dinkins made her sit in his lap, and then put his hands under her shirt and touched
her breasts over her bra for several minutes. Again, she did not immediately tell
anyone because she was afraid Aunt and Dinkins would divorce and she wanted
Aunt to be happy. Aunt stated this was the first time she learned of these prior
incidents.
After the January 2016 session with Aunt and Child, McClam notified the South
Carolina Department of Social Services and the Clarendon County Sheriff's Office
(CCSO) of Child's disclosures. CCSO Investigator Kimberly Marlow then spoke
with Grandmother, Aunt, and Child's father about the allegations. During
Investigator Marlow's interview with Dinkins, Dinkins claimed he kissed Child on
the forehead and then kissed his fingers and touched them to Child's mouth.
Investigator Marlow testified Dinkins's story changed several times during the
interview.
In August 2017, a Clarendon County grand jury indicted Dinkins on four counts of
third-degree CSC with a minor: two counts from October 27, 2015, one count from
December 26, 2015, and one count from December 31, 2015.
Pretrial, the State filed a written motion seeking to admit the following as evidence
of other crimes, wrongs, or acts under Rule 404(b), SCRE:
1. During spring break of 2013, the defendant reached
under the victim's nightgown and touched the victim on
her vaginal area. The victim did not tell anyone until . . .
several months later when she told her grandmother.
Grandmother spoke with the victim's aunt who in turn
told the defendant that this behavior was inappropriate
and made victim uncomfortable.
2. Between 2013 and 2015 the defendant kissed victim
on the back of her neck. This incident was witnessed by
the victim's aunt who confronted the defendant [and]
informed him that his behavior was inappropriate and
made victim uncomfortable. She asked the defendant to
refrain from such behavior.
3. Between 2013 and 2015 the defendant touched
victim's legs and thighs making victim uncomfortable.
4. Between 2013 and 2015 the Defendant showed the
victim pictures of models from Victoria Secret catalog.
He told the victim that this was how he wanted the victim
to look when she grew up.
5. Between 2013 and 2015 the defendant offered to buy
victim [a] revealing bathing suit.
6. Around 2014 the defendant touched victim's leg under
the table. This incident was witnessed by victim's
grandmother who notified victim's aunt. Aunt told the
defendant that this type of behavior made victim
uncomfortable.
7. On or about December 26, 2015 the Defendant sen[t]
the victim the text message "LUKUAMU," which stands
for "Love You, Kiss You, Already Miss You." He also
sent the victim a message "You're the bomb.com."
The State argued evidence of these incidents was admissible to show a common
scheme or plan under Rule 404(b) because the incidents all involved Child and
occurred within a two-year period. The State further explained it sought to
introduce "those prior bad acts to show that there was nothing innocent. He was
told on prior occasions do not touch the victim in that manner, it makes her
uncomfortable, it's inappropriate, and yet he continued to do it." The State noted
the incidents were evidence of Dinkins's intent, an element necessary to establish
third-degree CSC with a minor.
After taking testimony from Aunt and Child, the circuit court found two of the
seven prior incidents—the 2013 spring break incident and the neck kissing
incident—were admissible under Rule 404(b), stating, "For purposes of—of the
prior bad acts, I've taken into consideration the Wallace factors." 2 "[T]he location
of the abuse all took place in the home, with the exception of the Topsail incident
in the mountains at spring break, and that was obviously within the family
confines."
At trial, Child testified that the first time Dinkins inappropriately touched her was
on a spring break trip to Topsail Island in 2013. She and Dinkins were alone in the
living room and sitting on the couch watching television when he put his hand on
her upper thigh. Child reported the incident to Grandmother later that night. Child
also recalled Dinkins kissing her on the neck at their home in Manning but could
not remember exactly when this happened. Aunt testified she witnessed Dinkins
kiss Child on the neck in 2014 in the hallway at their house. Dinkins did not know
she could see him, and he walked up behind Child, pulled her hair back, and
"tenderly laid his lips on her." Aunt explained, "It wasn't like a quick smack. It
was like a, like a tender, not a kiss between parent and child."
The jury convicted Dinkins of second-degree assault and battery on count one of
the indictment (Child's allegation that Dinkins got into bed with her and climbed
on top of her) and count four (Child's allegation that Dinkins reached his hand
under her shirt and touched her breasts). The jury acquitted Dinkins on count two
(Child's allegation that Dinkins took her hand and forced her to touch his genitals).
The jury convicted Dinkins of third-degree CSC with a minor on count three of the
indictment (Child's allegation that Dinkins kissed her and put his tongue in her
mouth). The circuit court sentenced Dinkins concurrently to six years'
imprisonment suspended upon the service of three years' imprisonment and three
years' probation for third-degree CSC with a minor, and three years' imprisonment
for assault and battery.
During post-trial motions, Dinkins argued "French kissing" did not fall within the
third-degree CSC with a minor statute, the circuit court lacked subject matter
jurisdiction to charge second-degree assault and battery as a lesser included offense
of third-degree CSC with a minor, and the circuit court erred in admitting evidence
of prior bad acts. The circuit court denied the post-trial motions.
2
See State v. Wallace, 384 S.C. 428, 683 S.E.2d 275 (2009), overruled by State v.
Perry, 430 S.C. 24, 30, 842 S.E.2d 654, 657 (2020). At the time of Dinkins's trial,
our supreme court had not yet decided Perry.
Standard of Review
"On appeal from the denial of a directed verdict, this Court views the evidence and
all reasonable inferences in the light most favorable to the State." State v. Bennett,
415 S.C. 232, 235, 781 S.E.2d 352, 353 (2016) (quoting State v. Butler, 407 S.C.
376, 381, 755 S.E.2d 457, 460 (2014)). "If there is any direct evidence or any
substantial circumstantial evidence reasonably tending to prove the guilt of the
accused, the Court must find the case was properly submitted to the jury." State v.
Harris, 413 S.C. 454, 457, 776 S.E.2d 365, 366 (2015) (quoting State v. Brandt,
393 S.C. 526, 542, 713 S.E.2d 591, 599 (2011)).
"The trial judge has considerable latitude in ruling on the admissibility of evidence
and his decision should not be disturbed absent prejudicial abuse of discretion."
State v. Clasby, 385 S.C. 148, 154, 682 S.E.2d 892, 895 (2009). "An abuse of
discretion arises from an error of law or a factual conclusion that is without
evidentiary support." State v. Kirton, 381 S.C. 7, 23, 671 S.E.2d 107, 115 (Ct.
App. 2008) (quoting State v. Irick, 344 S.C. 460, 463, 545 S.E.2d 282, 284 (2001)).
Law and Analysis
I. Directed Verdict
Dinkins argues the circuit court erred in failing to direct a verdict on the third count
of the indictment, which alleged Dinkins "French kissed" Child. Specifically,
Dinkins contends the State failed to present evidence of his intent to arouse, appeal
to, or gratify the lust, passions, or desires of either himself or Child as required
under section 16-3-655 of the South Carolina Code (2015). We disagree.
"When ruling on a motion for a directed verdict, the trial court is concerned with
the existence or nonexistence of evidence, not its weight." State v. Prather, 429
S.C. 583, 608, 840 S.E.2d 551, 564 (2020) (quoting State v. Hernandez, 382 S.C.
620, 624, 677 S.E.2d 603, 605 (2009)). "We must affirm the trial court's decision
to submit the case to the jury if there is any direct or substantial circumstantial
evidence reasonably tending to prove the defendant's guilt." Id.Section 16-3-655(C) provides:
A person is guilty of criminal sexual conduct with a
minor in the third degree if the actor is over fourteen
years of age and the actor wilfully and lewdly commits or
attempts to commit a lewd or lascivious act upon or with
the body, or its parts, of a child under sixteen years of
age, with the intent of arousing, appealing to, or
gratifying the lust, passions, or sexual desires of the actor
or the child.
At trial, Child testified she and Dinkins stayed up late to watch movies on
December 31, 2015, and Dinkins kissed her on the lips and put his tongue in her
mouth while she was asleep on the couch. When Dinkins left the room, Child went
to Grandmother's room and started pacing. Child then reported the incident to
Aunt.
Grandmother testified that when Child woke her up, she was visibly upset and
looking for Aunt. Aunt testified Child was crying and scared when she told her
Dinkins kissed her and put his tongue in her mouth. Aunt confronted Dinkins, who
denied this, claiming he kissed his fingers and then touched them to Child's
forehead and mouth. Aunt did not believe Dinkins's explanation, so she told
Grandmother and Child they were leaving. Aunt testified Dinkins did not deny
kissing Child but claimed "he was just trying to show her affection."
Psychologist Elizabeth Ralston was qualified without objection as an expert in
child abuse dynamics and disclosure. Ralston did not meet with or treat Child; as a
blind expert, her only knowledge of the case was provided by the State. Ralston
discussed delayed disclosure, the reasons a child might delay disclosing abuse,
partial disclosure, and the characteristics and symptoms a sexually abused child
might exhibit. Ralston acknowledged the symptoms of a sexually abused child
could overlap with those of a child who suffered the loss of a parent.
At the close of the State's case, Dinkins moved for a directed verdict on all counts,
arguing the State did not present the necessary evidence "about the intent of
arousing, appealing to, or gratifying the lust or passion of the sexual desires of the
actor in any of the indictment[s]." The circuit court denied the motion, noting the
question of intent would be a question of fact for the jury.
We find the circuit court properly denied Dinkins's directed verdict motion
because, viewing the evidence in the light most favorable to the State, the State
presented evidence necessary to satisfy the elements of third-degree CSC with a
minor. Specifically, Child's testimony that Dinkins put his tongue in her mouth
while she pretended to be asleep was evidence of conduct from which a jury could
reasonably determine Dinkins's intent to arouse, appeal to, or gratify his own lust,
passions, or sexual desires. See § 16-3-655(C); State v. Meggett, 398 S.C. 516,
527, 728 S.E.2d 492, 498 (Ct. App. 2012) ("[W]hether a defendant possessed the
requisite intent at the time the crime was committed is typically a question for jury
determination because, without a statement of intent by the defendant, proof of
intent must be determined by inferences from conduct.").
II. Subject Matter Jurisdiction of Lesser Included Offense
Dinkins next argues the circuit court lacked subject matter jurisdiction to charge
second-degree assault and battery as a lesser included offense of third-degree CSC
with a minor. We disagree.
"Subject matter jurisdiction is 'the power to hear and determine cases of the general
class to which the proceedings in question belong.'" Gantt v. Selph, 423 S.C. 333,
337, 814 S.E.2d 523, 525 (2018) (quoting Dove v. Gold Kist, Inc., 314 S.C. 235,
237–38, 442 S.E.2d 598, 600 (1994)). "[A] defendant may for the first time on
appeal raise the issue of the trial court's jurisdiction to try the class of case of
which the defendant was convicted." State v. Gentry, 363 S.C. 93, 101–02, 610
S.E.2d 494, 499 (2005). "The lack of subject matter jurisdiction may not be
waived, even by consent of the parties, and should be taken notice of by this
Court." Id. at 100, 610 S.E.2d at 498.
As an initial matter, we find the circuit court had subject matter jurisdiction over
the criminal offenses of which Dinkins was convicted. See id. at 101, 610 S.E.2d
at 499 ("Circuit courts obviously have subject matter jurisdiction to try criminal
matters."). Whether the circuit court erred in charging the jury with second-degree
assault and battery as a lesser included (or lesser-related) offense of criminal
sexual conduct does not constitute a question of subject matter jurisdiction.3 See
3
In State v. Hernandez, our supreme court found assault and battery of a high and
aggravated nature was no longer considered a lesser included offense of CSC after
the 2010 codification of the assault and battery crimes because the statute specifies
the crimes of which the varying degrees of assault and battery are lesser included
offenses, and CSC is not included. 428 S.C. 257, 260–61, 834 S.E.2d 462, 463–64
(2019) (per curiam). Section 16-3-600(D)(3) of the South Carolina Code (2015)
provides, "Assault and battery in the second degree is a lesser-included offense of
assault and battery in the first degree, as defined in subsection (C)(1), assault and
battery of a high and aggravated nature [ABHAN], as defined in subsection (B)(1),
and attempted murder, as defined in Section 16-3-29."
id. (clarifying the subject matter jurisdiction of the court and the sufficiency of an
indictment "are two distinct concepts").
Prior to charging the jury, the circuit court asked, "There's been some discussion
about the lesser included charge of assault and battery first degree or some other
lesser included offense. What is the Defendant's position on that?" Dinkins
responded that assault and battery second degree would be "akin to ABHAN,"
which was formerly recognized as a lesser included offense of CSC prior to the
Legislature's codification of the assault and battery offenses.
At the close of the State's case, the circuit court advised,
[T]here's been some discussion yesterday and today
about the lesser included offenses. And you know, and I
asked y'all to take a look at it and we would discuss it
this morning. We discussed it briefly in chambers this
morning, and I think there was a consensus that perhaps
lesser included offenses should be charged on count one
and count four. Upon my review of the law, I have some
questions and I'd ask for your input . . . because the law is
sort of unclear in this area and I really want to hear what
both of you have to say in this regard.
The circuit court discussed whether first-degree or second-degree assault and
battery would be the appropriate charge, and both the State and Dinkins's counsel
agreed second-degree would be appropriate because it includes an attempt to
injure.
THE COURT: All right. And my question to you is, do
you want me to charge that?
[COUNSEL]: I need to discuss that with my client. I'd
love to discuss it over the break.
THE COURT: There's no time like the present. We're
gonna sit right here and let you do it.
[COUNSEL]: Okay.
(Pause)
[COUNSEL]: Your Honor, after conferring with my
client, he would ask the Court to charge A&B second.
Dinkins requested that the circuit court charge the jury with second-degree assault
and battery. Thus, he waived his challenge to the propriety of the charge on
appeal. See State v. Parris, 387 S.C. 460, 465, 692 S.E.2d 207, 209 (Ct. App.
2010) ("When the defendant receives the relief requested from the trial court, there
is no issue for the appellate court to decide."); cf. State v. Dickerson, 395 S.C. 101,
120 n.6, 716 S.E.2d 895, 906 n.6 (2011) (finding "a defendant's ability to waive
notice of a particular charge does not also grant him an unqualified, non-reciprocal
right to request any charge supported by the evidence, for to do so would grant him
an unfair tactical advantage that interferes with the State's prerogative of deciding
on which charges to try a defendant").
III. Prior Bad Acts
Finally, Dinkins argues the circuit court erred in admitting evidence of prior bad
acts committed against Child. We disagree.
Rule 404(b), of the South Carolina Rules of Evidence, provides:
Evidence of other crimes, wrongs, or acts is not
admissible to prove the character of a person in order to
show action in conformity therewith. It may, however, be
admissible to show motive, identity, the existence of a
common scheme or plan, the absence of mistake or
accident, or intent.
"Rule 404(b) prevents the State from introducing evidence of a defendant's other
crimes for the purpose of proving his propensity to commit the crime for which he
is currently on trial." Perry, 430 S.C. at 30, 842 S.E.2d at 657.
When evidence of other crimes is admitted based solely
on the similarity of a previous crime, the evidence serves
only the purpose prohibited by Rule 404(b), and allows
the jury to convict the defendant on the improper
inference of propensity that because he did it before, he
must have done it again.
Id. at 41, 842 S.E.2d at 663 (emphasis added).
Our supreme court addressed other crimes evidence admitted to show a common
scheme or plan under Rule 404(b), SCRE, in Perry, 430 S.C. at 34, 842 S.E.2d at
659. There, the court analyzed the chronology of South Carolina's case law
regarding the admission of other crimes, noting that for eighty years South
Carolina courts required "a logical relevancy or connection between the other
crime and some disputed fact or element of the crime charged" in order to admit
prior bad acts evidence under State v. Lyle. 4 Id. at 31, 842 S.E.2d at 658. Then, in
2009, Wallace5 appeared to abandon the logical connection test and "effectively
created a new rule of evidence, and rendered meaningless the restrictive
application of the common scheme or plan exception that is so deeply embedded in
our precedent." Id. at 34–37, 842 S.E.2d at 659–61 (footnote omitted). Thus, the
Perry court overruled Wallace, reiterating that the test for determining whether
evidence of other crimes is admissible is the Lyle logical connection test. Id. at 44,
842 S.E.2d at 665.
Based on its clarification of the law, the supreme court held evidence that Perry
sexually assaulted his stepdaughter more than twenty years prior to his trial for
sexual offenses against his biological daughters was inadmissible to show a
common scheme or plan because the evidence demonstrated nothing beyond the
defendant's propensity to commit the subsequent crimes. Id. The supreme court
found the State failed to meet the burden necessary to admit the prior bad acts
under the logical connection test because it "did not identify any fact in the crimes
charged that was made more or less likely to be true" by the stepdaughter's
testimony. Id. at 40, 44, 842 S.E.2d at 663, 665. The Perry court reiterated, "The
State must demonstrate to the trial court that there is in fact a scheme or plan
common to both crimes, and that evidence of the other crime serves some purpose
other than using the defendant's character to show his propensity to commit the
crime charged." Id. at 44, 842 S.E.2d at 665. "The State must show a logical
connection between the other crime and the crime charged such that the evidence
of other crimes 'reasonably tends to prove a material fact in issue.'" Id. (quoting
4
125 S.C. 406, 118 S.E. 803 (1923).
5
384 S.C. at 428, 683 S.E.2d at 275.
Lyle, 125 S.C. at 417, 118 S.E.2d at 807). "Whether the State has met its burden
'should be subjected by the courts to rigid scrutiny,' considering the individual facts
of and circumstances of each case." Id. (quoting Lyle, 125 S.C. at 417, 118 S.E. at
807).
The Rule 404(b) evidence offered here differs from that erroneously admitted in
Perry because Perry addressed evidence of remote conduct against a separate
victim, whereas this case involves Dinkins's repeated inappropriate conduct
towards this child over the course of three years. The circuit court carefully
considered the seven acts offered by the State, admitting evidence of only two of
the seven. We find the prior acts probative as to a pattern of grooming—they are
evidence of Dinkins's motive and intent, and these prior acts counter the argument
that Dinkins's actions toward Child were innocent and properly familial. See Rule
404(b), SCRE ("Evidence of other crimes, wrongs, or acts is not admissible to
prove the character of a person in order to show action in conformity therewith. It
may, however, be admissible to show motive, identity, the existence of a common
scheme or plan, the absence of mistake or accident, or intent."); Perry, 430 S.C. at
72, 842 S.E.2d at 679–80 (Kittredge, J., dissenting) ("[T]he hallmark of the
common scheme or plan exception is that the charged and uncharged crimes are
connected in the mind of the actor by some common purpose or motive. Thus, as
with the modus operandi exception where identity is interwoven with common
scheme or plan, motive can also be inextricably intertwined with a common
scheme or plan."). The charged and uncharged acts here are logically connected
within the pattern of grooming, which included an escalation of the conduct
towards this child. See, e.g., Clasby, 385 S.C. at 157, 682 S.E.2d at 897("[E]vidence that defendant began touching and committing other sexual
misconduct with victim when she was six or seven years old was admissible to
show common scheme or plan during trial for the indicted offense of CSC with a
minor, second degree[,] on the ground that the 'six to seven year pattern of
escalating abuse of Victim by [defendant was] the essence of grooming and
continuous illicit activity.'" (second alteration in original) (quoting Kirton, 381 S.C.
at 36, 671 S.E.2d at 121–22)).
The State is required to prove intent as an element of third-degree CSC with a
minor. See § 16-3-655(C) ("A person is guilty of criminal sexual conduct with a
minor in the third degree if the actor is over fourteen years of age and the actor
wilfully and lewdly commits or attempts to commit a lewd or lascivious act upon
or with the body, or its parts, of a child under sixteen years of age, with the intent
of arousing, appealing to, or gratifying the lust, passions, or sexual desires of the
actor or the child."). As Dinkins's prior acts against Child were probative of his
intent toward and grooming of Child, the circuit court did not abuse its discretion
in admitting evidence of two of the seven instances the State sought to admit under
Rule 404(b), SCRE.
Conclusion
Based on the foregoing, Dinkins's convictions are
AFFIRMED.
LOCKEMY, C.J., and KONDUROS, J., concur.