State v. Marcus Terrell Lawson ( 2023 )

COURT OF APPEALS
DECISION NOTICE
DATED AND FILED This opinion is subject to further editing. If
published, the official version will appear in
the bound volume of the Official Reports.
November 8, 2023
A party may file with the Supreme Court a
Samuel A. Christensen petition to review an adverse decision by the
Clerk of Court of Appeals Court of Appeals. See WIS. STAT. § 808.10 and
RULE 809.62.
Appeal No. 2022AP1692-CR Cir. Ct. No. 2018CF697
STATE OF WISCONSIN IN COURT OF APPEALS
DISTRICT II
STATE OF WISCONSIN,
PLAINTIFF-RESPONDENT,
V.
MARCUS TERRELL LAWSON,
DEFENDANT-APPELLANT.
APPEAL from a judgment of the circuit court for Sheboygan County:
KENT R. HOFFMANN, Judge. Affirmed.
Before Gundrum, P.J., Grogan and Lazar, JJ.
Per curiam opinions may not be cited in any court of this state as precedent
or authority, except for the limited purposes specified in WIS. STAT. RULE 809.23(3).
No. 2022AP1692-CR
¶1 PER CURIAM. Marcus Terrell Lawson appeals a judgment of
conviction, following a jury trial, for victim intimidation, strangulation and
suffocation, and taking and driving a vehicle without consent, all charges as a
habitual criminal. On appeal, Lawson argues: the circuit court erroneously
exercised its discretion when it admitted other-acts evidence; the evidence was
insufficient to support the taking-and-driving-a-vehicle-without-consent
conviction; and, we should reverse in the interest of justice. We affirm.
¶2 According to the criminal complaint, on August 25, 2018, Samantha1
contacted police to report that Lawson, who had been staying with her, stole her
vehicle. On September 17, Lawson returned to Samantha’s apartment and assaulted
her for reporting that he stole her vehicle. Lawson grabbed Samantha’s neck and
applied pressure, a struggle ensued, Samantha fell to the ground and tried to roll
away, and then Lawson put his entire arm around Samantha’s neck and choked her.
Samantha had difficulty breathing. Lawson stopped, but then he “came over and
started to choke her with [his] right hand for a second time and all she can remember
next is waking up face down on her kitchen floor.” Officers observed several
bruises on both of Samantha’s arms and an injury on her forehead.
¶3 As relevant to this appeal, the State charged Lawson with victim
intimidation, strangulation and suffocation, and taking and driving a vehicle without
consent, all charges as a habitual criminal. On the victim-intimidation and
1
Pursuant to the policy underlying WIS. STAT. RULE 809.86(4) (2021-22), we use a
pseudonym when referring to the victim in this case.
All references to the Wisconsin Statutes are to the 2021-22 version unless otherwise noted.
2
No. 2022AP1692-CR
strangulation-and-suffocation charges, the State also invoked the domestic abuse
repeater enhancer and the domestic abuse surcharge.
¶4 Prior to trial, the State moved to introduce other-acts evidence. The
State planned to introduce testimony from Lawson’s former girlfriend, Amy,2 who
reported incidents that were similar to Samantha’s. The State offered that Amy
would testify that, on one occasion, Lawson:
broke into [Amy’s] residence without her permission by
kicking open a door and breaking a chain lock. Once inside,
[Lawson] pushed [Amy] to the ground, placed his hands
around [Amy’s] neck and applied pressure. Eventually,
[Lawson] stopped applying pressure to [Amy’s] neck and
[Amy] attempted to call 911. However, she was
unsuccessful because [Lawson] grabbed her phone to
prevent [Amy] from seeking assistance.
Amy would also testify that, on another occasion, she and Lawson:
were in their bedroom when [Lawson] randomly and without
being provoked became upset and proceeded to choke
[Amy]. [Amy] lost consciousness the first time [Lawson]
choked her and when she regained consciousness, [Amy]
told the Defendant to stop. [Lawson] responded to [Amy] “I
want you to lose consciousness” and proceeded to place his
hands around [Amy’s] neck and squeeze a second time.
[Lawson] stopped cho[king] [Amy] the second time to slap
[Amy] across her face with an open hand. Lastly, [Lawson]
grab[bed] [Amy’s] purse, and dr[ove] off in a minivan
belong[ing] to the mother of [Amy], without getting
permission to do so.
The State argued that Amy’s testimony would help establish Lawson’s intent and
absence of mistake or accident. The State also reminded the court that, given the
domestic abuse repeater and domestic abuse surcharge enhancements, the greater
2
Pursuant to the policy underlying WIS. STAT. RULE 809.86(4), we use a pseudonym for
“Amy.”
3
No. 2022AP1692-CR
latitude rule applied to this case. See WIS. STAT. § 904.04(2)(b).3 The greater
latitude rule “permit[s] the admission of other, similar acts of domestic abuse with
greater latitude.” State v. Dorsey, 2018 WI 10, ¶31, 379 Wis. 2d 386, 906 N.W.2d
158.
¶5 Under the three-part Sullivan4 framework, the circuit court admitted
this other-acts evidence.5 The court first found the State intended to offer this
evidence for an acceptable purpose, namely to show intent and absence of mistake
or accident. See WIS. STAT. § 904.04(2). The court then found that the other-acts
evidence was relevant and probative in nearness in time, place, circumstances, and
similarity of acts. See WIS. STAT. § 904.01. The court recognized that there were
some differences between the conduct reported by Samantha and the conduct
described by Amy, but the court found “there are sufficient similarities here which
go to show the intent of the defendant, particularly during the
strangulation/suffocation, as well as the intimidation aspects.” The court also found
that although the incidents with Amy occurred four and five-and-one-half years ago,
respectively, they were not too remote in time to be relevant. Finally, the court
concluded the probative value of the evidence substantially outweighed the danger
3
WISCONSIN STAT. § 904.04(2)(b)1. provides, in relevant part:
In a criminal proceeding alleging a violation … of domestic abuse,
as defined in s. 968.075 (1) (a), or alleging an offense that,
following a conviction, is subject to the surcharge in s. 973.055,
evidence of any similar acts by the accused is admissible, and is
admissible without regard to whether the victim of the crime that
is the subject of the proceeding is the same as the victim of the
similar act.
4
State v. Sullivan, 216 Wis. 2d 768, 576 N.W.2d 30 (1998).
5
The circuit court excluded a third incident between Amy and Lawson, concluding the
incident was not similar enough to the situation involving Samantha.
4
No. 2022AP1692-CR
of unfair prejudice. See WIS. STAT. § 904.03. The court reasoned that any potential
prejudice could be limited through cautionary jury instructions.
¶6 A few days later, the State filed an amended information that removed
the domestic abuse enhancements from the charges. Because the greater latitude
rule no longer applied, the State moved the circuit court to reaffirm its admission of
the other-acts evidence. At a subsequent motion hearing, the circuit court stated
that although it had mentioned the greater latitude rule during the previous hearing,
its decision was not based on the greater latitude rule. The court concluded the
other-acts evidence continued to be admissible based on the court’s previous
Sullivan analysis.
¶7 On appeal, Lawson first argues the circuit court erred by admitting the
other-acts evidence at trial. “The admission of evidence is subject to the circuit
court’s discretion,” and “[w]e will not disturb the circuit court’s decision to admit
evidence unless the court erroneously exercised its discretion.” State v. Ringer,
2010 WI 69, ¶24, 326 Wis. 2d 351, 785 N.W.2d 448.
¶8 Wisconsin courts use a three-step framework when determining the
admissibility of other-acts evidence. See State v. Sullivan, 216 Wis. 2d 768,
771-72, 576 N.W.2d 30 (1998). First, the evidence must be offered for a permissible
purpose under WIS. STAT. § 904.04(2). Sullivan, 216 Wis. 2d at 772. Second, the
evidence must be relevant under WIS. STAT. § 904.01. Sullivan, 216 Wis. 2d at 772.
Third, the evidence’s probative value must not be substantially outweighed by the
danger of unfair prejudice. Id. at 772-73; see WIS. STAT. § 904.03. The proponent
of the other-acts evidence must show the evidence is being offered for a permissible
purpose and is relevant; the opponent then must prove the probative value of the
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No. 2022AP1692-CR
evidence is not substantially outweighed by the danger of unfair prejudice. State v.
Marinez, 2011 WI 12, ¶18, 331 Wis. 2d 568, 797 N.W.2d 399.
¶9 Lawson faults the circuit court for not conducting an additional three-
step Sullivan analysis once the greater latitude rule no longer applied. He also
contends the evidence fails each prong of the Sullivan analysis.
¶10 We disagree and conclude the circuit court did not erroneously
exercise its discretion by admitting the other-acts evidence into trial. First, the
circuit court stated that it did not rely on the greater latitude rule when initially
admitting the other-acts evidence. There was no need for the court to conduct an
additional Sullivan analysis once the greater latitude rule no longer applied.
¶11 Further, Amy’s proposed testimony satisfied all three prongs of the
Sullivan analysis. The State offered this evidence for a permissible purpose because
it provided evidence of Lawson’s intent and lack of accident or mistake. See WIS.
STAT. § 904.04(2)(a); see also Sullivan, 216 Wis. 2d at 772. This evidence was also
relevant to show Lawson’s intent and lack of accident or mistake because the
incidents involving Amy were sufficiently similar to Samantha’s reported
experience. See WIS. STAT. § 904.01; see also Sullivan, 216 Wis. 2d at 772.
Although Lawson argues the evidence was not relevant because the State did not
specifically establish Lawson would be disputing intent or alleging accident or
mistake at trial, Lawson overlooks that the State must prove each element of a crime
whether or not the defendant disputes it. See State v. Plymesser, 172 Wis. 2d 583,
594-95, 493 N.W.2d 367 (1992). We also disagree with Lawson that the incidents
were too dissimilar to be relevant or probative.
¶12 Finally, the probative value of the evidence was not substantially
outweighed by the danger of unfair prejudice. See Sullivan, 216 Wis. 2d at 772-73.
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No. 2022AP1692-CR
The circuit court provided a cautionary jury instruction regarding the proper use of
the other-acts evidence. See Marinez, 331 Wis. 2d 568, ¶41 (“We presume that
juries comply with properly given limiting and cautionary instructions, and thus
consider this an effective means to reduce the risk of unfair prejudice to the party
opposing admission of other acts evidence.”).
¶13 Lawson argues the incidents were unduly prejudicial at trial because:
the State improperly referenced Lawson’s theft of Amy’s mother’s van in opening
statements and no curative instruction was given for this error;6 Amy began to
reference a third incident that the circuit court had previously excluded;7 and the
cautionary jury instructions as a whole were confusing. Lawson, however, never
objected to the State’s opening statement, requested different jury instructions, or
moved for a mistrial. See State v. Huebner, 2000 WI 59, ¶10, 235 Wis. 2d 486, 611
N.W.2d 727. In any event, the issue before this court is whether the circuit court
erroneously exercised its discretion when deciding whether to admit the other-acts
evidence based upon the offer of proof at the other-acts motion hearing. The court
did not err in admitting Amy’s testimony under WIS. STAT. § 904.04(2)(a) according
to the Sullivan analysis.
6
During opening statements, the prosecutor stated, in part:
You will hear from [Amy] that in 2014 the defendant choked
her to the point where she was unconscious and he told her that he
wanted her to pass out and then choked her a second time. You
will hear from [Amy] how the defendant then took her vehicle and
fled the residence in her car without her consent.
The vehicle, however, belonged to Amy’s mother.
7
Lawson interrupted and requested a side bar; the court instructed the jury to disregard
her testimony on this incident; and Lawson advised the court he was satisfied with the instruction.
7
No. 2022AP1692-CR
¶14 Lawson next argues the evidence was insufficient to support his
taking-and-driving-a-vehicle-without-consent conviction. When reviewing the
sufficiency of the evidence to support a conviction, we “may not substitute [our]
judgment for that of the trier of fact unless the evidence, viewed most favorably to
the state and the conviction, is so lacking in probative value and force that no trier
of fact, acting reasonably, could have found guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.” State
v. Poellinger, 153 Wis. 2d 493, 507, 451 N.W.2d 752 (1990). The trier of fact is
the sole arbiter of the credibility of witnesses and alone is charged with the duty of
weighing the evidence. Id. at 506. “When more than one inference can reasonably
be drawn from the evidence, the inference which supports the trier of fact’s verdict
must be the one followed on review unless the evidence is incredible as a matter of
law.” See State v. Below, 2011 WI App 64, ¶4, 333 Wis. 2d 690, 799 N.W.2d 95.
“It is exclusively within the trier of fact’s province to decide which evidence is
worthy of belief, which is not, and to resolve any conflicts in the evidence.” Id.¶15 To prove the offense of taking and driving a vehicle without an
owner’s consent, the State needed to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that:
First, the defendant intentionally took a vehicle without the
consent of [Samantha]. Second, the defendant intentionally
drove the vehicle without the consent of [Samantha]. Drive
means to exercise physical control over the speed and
direction of a vehicle while it is in motion. Third, the
defendant knew that [Samantha] did not consent to taking
and driving the vehicle.
See WIS JI—CRIMINAL 1464 (2019); see also WIS. STAT. § 943.23(2).
¶16 Here, Samantha testified at trial that Lawson, whom she dated for
three months, was at her apartment on August 25, 2018. When she awoke from a
nap, her car keys were missing and Lawson was gone. When she went outside,
Samantha saw that her car was gone. Samantha reported the theft to Sheboygan
8
No. 2022AP1692-CR
police. Suspecting that Lawson stole her car, Samantha confronted him, and
Lawson admitted that he stole her vehicle and drove it to Milwaukee. He apologized
to her. He even helped her try to find it. Both Samantha and Sheboygan police soon
learned that the vehicle was found abandoned in Milwaukee after a hit-and-run
crash. Samantha’s testimony was not inherently incredible. See Below, 333 Wis. 2d
690, ¶4. Further, her testimony, if believed by the jury, satisfied all of the elements
of the taking-and-driving-a-vehicle-without-consent crime. See id.¶17 Finally, Lawson argues that his convictions should be reversed in the
interest of justice because the real controversy was not fully tried. Lawson asserts
that some not-objected-to errors combined with the erroneously admitted other-acts
evidence and the insufficient taking-and-driving-a-vehicle-without-consent
evidence caused a miscarriage of justice.
¶18 Under WIS. STAT. § 752.35, this court may order a new trial “if it
appears from the record that the real controversy has not been fully tried, or that it
is probable that justice has for any reason miscarried[.]” We have already rejected
Lawson’s arguments regarding the other-acts evidence and sufficiency of the
evidence on the taking-and-driving-a-vehicle-without-consent conviction. See
State v. Ferguson, 2014 WI App 48, ¶33, 354 Wis. 2d 253, 847 N.W.2d 900(denying interest-of-justice claims that rehash arguments that failed on other
grounds). As for the other, not-objected-to purported errors, Lawson has failed to
establish that this is an “exceptional case[]” warranting discretionary reversal. See
State v. Schutte, 2006 WI App 135, ¶62, 295 Wis. 2d 256, 720 N.W.2d 469 (“We
exercise our authority to reverse in the interest of justice under § 752.35 sparingly
and only in the most exceptional cases.”).
9
No. 2022AP1692-CR
By the Court.––Judgment affirmed.
This opinion will not be published. See WIS. STAT.
RULE 809.23(1)(b)5.
10