State of West Virginia v. Terry Ryan Grantham ( 2022 )


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  •                                                                                     FILED
    August 31, 2022
    EDYTHE NASH GAISER, CLERK
    STATE OF WEST VIRGINIA                             SUPREME COURT OF APPEALS
    OF WEST VIRGINIA
    SUPREME COURT OF APPEALS
    State of West Virginia,
    Plaintiff Below, Respondent
    vs.) No. 21-0388 (Berkeley County CC-02-2019-F-177)
    Terry G.,
    Defendant Below, Petitioner
    MEMORANDUM DECISION
    Petitioner Terry G., by counsel Patrick Kratovil, appeals the April 14, 2021, order of the
    Circuit Court of Berkeley County sentencing petitioner to an aggregate indeterminate
    twenty-one-to-fifty-year term of incarceration for his convictions of second-degree sexual assault;
    third-degree sexual assault; and sexual abuse by a parent, guardian, custodian or person in position
    of trust. The State of West Virginia, by counsel Patrick Morrisey and Lara K. Bissett, filed a
    response in support of the circuit court’s order. 1
    This Court has considered the parties’ briefs and the record on appeal. The facts and legal
    arguments are adequately presented, and the decisional process would not be significantly aided
    by oral argument. Upon consideration of the standard of review, the briefs, and the record
    presented, the Court finds no substantial question of law and no prejudicial error. For these
    reasons, a memorandum decision affirming the circuit court’s order is appropriate under Rule 21
    of the Rules of Appellate Procedure.
    In May of 2019, petitioner was indicted on one count of second-degree sexual assault; one
    count of third-degree sexual assault; and one count of sexual abuse by a parent, guardian,
    1
    Consistent with our long-standing practice in cases with sensitive facts, we use initials
    where necessary to protect the identities of those involved in this case. See In re K.H., 
    235 W. Va. 254
    , 
    773 S.E.2d 20
     (2015); Melinda H. v. William R. II, 
    230 W. Va. 731
    , 
    742 S.E.2d 419
     (2013);
    State v. Brandon B., 
    218 W. Va. 324
    , 
    624 S.E.2d 761
     (2005); State v. Edward Charles L., 
    183 W. Va. 641
    , 
    398 S.E.2d 123
     (1990).
    1
    custodian, or person in position of trust, all related to alleged acts he performed on
    then-twelve-year-old K.C. Prior to trial, the parties agreed, and the circuit court so ordered, to call
    fifty potential jurors for voir dire due to petitioner’s concerns that the subject matter of the charges
    would cause an extraordinary number of juror disqualifications.
    Jury selection began on January 20, 2021, and all fifty potential jurors appeared. At the
    conclusion of voir dire, petitioner noted the homogeneity of the jury:
    [Defense counsel]: The only thing I would want to vouch for the record is the racial
    issue, given that [petitioner] is an African American. We have only had one
    [African American] that appeared on the entire panel, and she was the last
    candidate.
    The Court: That’s the luck of the draw, I’m afraid. Well, I mean, how would I fix
    that then? . . . I guess the question I’m looking for here today, what would you have
    me do?
    [Defense counsel]: Your Honor, I don’t have a remedy at this time. I just wanted to
    make sure that we secured the objection.
    The circuit court noted petitioner’s objection to the jury’s racial makeup.
    The State presented testimony from five witnesses. The victim, K.C., testified that she was
    in bed asleep when petitioner, her mother’s live-in boyfriend, entered her room around 2:00 a.m.
    and began rubbing her thighs. She explained that petitioner left and then returned after a few
    minutes and began rubbing her inner thighs. K.C. testified that petitioner then pulled her
    underwear to the side and licked her vagina. K.C. stated that she heard her mother move in another
    room, and petitioner shushed the child. Petitioner then made a vulgar statement to K.C. and left the
    room. K.C. explained that she got out of bed and washed her vagina with a washcloth because “it
    felt weird and stuff.” She left the washcloth “balled up” on the bathroom sink counter. In the
    morning, K.C.’s mother, S.C., woke the child for school, and she immediately told S.C. what had
    occurred. S.C. drove K.C. to the hospital for a medical examination. After the examination, K.C.
    returned to her home with law enforcement to identify the washcloth. K.C. found the washcloth
    “folded,” rather than balled up as she left it. Law enforcement collected the washcloth for DNA
    testing.
    S.C. testified that petitioner was her live-in boyfriend. She remembered that petitioner was
    drinking alcohol the night before K.C. disclosed the sexual abuse. S.C. further testified that when
    she woke K.C. the next morning, K.C. informed S.C. what had occurred. When S.C. was asked
    about K.C.’s truthfulness, she stated, “I know when she’s not lying and when she’s lying.” S.C.
    recalled seeing the washcloth balled up on the bathroom sink the morning that K.C. disclosed what
    had occurred and K.C. informing her that she used it to clean herself. S.C. further testified that she
    briefly confronted petitioner regarding the allegations, which he denied. Then, S.C. took K.C. to
    the hospital for an examination. Finally, S.C. testified that she had not told any friends that she was
    “looking to end the relationship” with petitioner prior to the allegations of abuse.
    2
    The State called Officer Brittany Conner of the Martinsburg City Police Department, who
    testified that she met with K.C., and the child disclosed the same complaint to her. Officer Conner
    went with K.C. to her home to collect the washcloth and heard K.C.’s comment that the washcloth
    was not how she left it the night before. Officer Conner collected the washcloth for DNA testing. A
    Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (“SANE nurse”) testified that she performed a “head-to-toe
    assessment” of K.C. but found no indication of trauma. She explained that the lack of trauma was
    expected based on K.C.’s statement. The SANE nurse testified that K.C.’s actions and disclosures
    were “consistent, especially the way she presented and was acting. She was very anxious and
    nervous.” The SANE nurse also collected swabs from K.C.’s pubic area and vaginal area and
    collected the child’s underwear, as K.C. stated that they were the same undergarments worn
    following the assault. Notably, both witnesses (Officer Conner and the SANE nurse) reported
    K.C.’s initial disclosures to them, which matched the child’s testimony.
    Finally, the State called a West Virginia State Police lab forensic scientist, who performed
    the DNA analysis on the washcloth, swabs collected by the SANE nurse, and K.C.’s
    undergarments. The forensic scientist explained that due to high amount of female DNA in the
    samples compared to the low amount of male DNA, he used “Y-STR” testing. According to the
    forensic scientist, this type of testing “only focuses on the result from the ‘Y’ chromosome,” which
    is specific to human males. Twenty-three specific points, or “loci”, on petitioner’s “Y”
    chromosome were identified and then compared to the male DNA found in the samples. The
    forensic scientist testified that K.C.’s undergarments and vaginal swabs indicated a “single male
    contributor” of DNA and the DNA found was “consistent with the [DNA] profile” of petitioner.
    The forensic scientist further explained that the test results “could not exclude” petitioner or any of
    petitioner’s male relatives, but that the results could exclude other unrelated males. The forensic
    scientist further testified that K.C.’s pubic swab and the washcloth did not contain sufficient male
    DNA for testing purposes.
    Petitioner called three witnesses and testified on his own behalf. First, petitioner called
    T.K., who was petitioner’s first cousin and S.C.’s co-worker. T.K. testified that S.C. intended to
    end her relationship with petitioner but “didn’t know how to break up” with him. Petitioner’s sister
    testified that she observed an interaction between petitioner and K.C. following the report of
    sexual abuse. She explained that petitioner went to the family home to collect some belongings,
    and K.C. waved at and greeted petitioner. Petitioner’s former girlfriend testified that she was also
    present when petitioner went to the family home to retrieve belongings, and she observed K.C.
    acting “normal” with no apparent attempt to evade petitioner.
    Finally, petitioner denied the allegations against him. He testified that he and K.C. had
    “issues” and that she would not listen to his directions. Petitioner testified that he did the laundry in
    the home and would wash his face nightly with the washcloth that K.C. identified as the washcloth
    she used the night of the assault. Petitioner also asserted that law enforcement never questioned
    him about the assault. On cross-examination, the State confronted petitioner with a body cam
    video of his arrest to refresh his recollection on whether the officer questioned him regarding the
    allegations. Petitioner then testified that the law enforcement officer informed petitioner of the
    charges and asked, “[Is there] [a]nything you want to talk to me about?” Petitioner then asked for
    an attorney, and the questioning ceased. Following petitioner’s testimony, the defense rested. The
    3
    State presented no additional evidence in rebuttal. After deliberating, the jury found petitioner
    guilty of all three counts in the indictment January 21, 2021.
    Petitioner filed a motion for a new trial, which the circuit court heard in March of 2021.
    Petitioner argued that the evidence presented at trial was insufficient to sustain a conviction and
    that the racial homogeneity of the jury was prejudicial. The circuit court denied petitioner’s motion
    and then proceeded to sentencing. Petitioner called witnesses in support of a lenient sentence and
    exercised his right to allocution. The State argued in support of consecutive sentences of
    incarceration. Ultimately, by order entered on April 14, 2021, the circuit court sentenced petitioner
    to the statutory sentences for the crimes for which he was convicted and ordered that those
    sentences run consecutively. Petitioner’s aggregate sentence is twenty-one-to-fifty-years of
    incarceration. Further, the court ordered petitioner to register as a sex offender for life and submit
    to thirty years of extended supervised release following his incarceration. Petitioner now appeals
    that order.
    On appeal, petitioner first argues that the circuit court violated his right to an impartial jury
    under the United States and West Virginia Constitutions. According to petitioner, the circuit court
    should have sua sponte declared a mistrial and empaneled a new jury upon realizing that at most
    two of the fifty potential jurors were African American and that only one of those jurors was
    empaneled to serve on the jury. 2 Notably, petitioner cites to no case law that would sustain such an
    assertion.
    As we have previously stated, “[w]e review jury selection under Batson v. Kentucky, 
    476 U.S. 79
     ... (1986), de novo, but we review underlying factual findings for clear error. We review
    the trial court’s ultimate disposition for abuse of discretion.” Syl. Pt. 7, in part, State v. Boyd, 
    238 W. Va. 420
    , 
    796 S.E.2d 207
     (2007). However, we have also held that, “[u]pon review, this Court
    will afford great weight to a trial court’s findings as to whether a peremptory strike was used to
    advance racial or sexual discrimination.” Syl. Pt. 4, Parham v. Horace Mann Ins. Co., 
    200 W. Va. 609
    , 611, 
    490 S.E.2d 696
    , 698 (1997). In addressing petitioner’s contentions, we must also
    consider our holdings in Syllabus Points 1 and 2 of State v. Marrs, 
    180 W. Va. 693
    , 
    379 S.E.2d 497
    (1989). 3
    2
    The prosecutor stated on the record that there may have been one other individual “of
    minority descent” in the jury venire, other than the individual who was selected for the jury.
    3
    Syllabus Points 1 and 2 of State v. Marrs provide
    1. “It is a violation of the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment to
    the U.S. Constitution for a member of a cognizable racial group to be tried on
    criminal charges by a jury from which members of his race have been purposely
    excluded.” Syllabus point 1, State v. Marrs, 
    180 W.Va. 693
    , 
    379 S.E.2d 497
    (1989).
    (continued . . .)
    4
    Petitioner’s argument on appeal relies on Batson. However, by petitioner’s own admission
    “there [were] no apparent intentional actions by the prosecut[ion] to strike African American
    jurors” during jury selection. Indeed, in Marrs, we held that a violation of the Equal Protection
    Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution occurs when members of a
    cognizable racial group are “purposefully excluded” from the jury. Syllabus point 1, State v.
    Marrs, 
    180 W.Va. 693
    , 
    379 S.E.2d 497
     (1989). Here, petitioner identifies no evidence that the
    State purposefully excluded members of petitioner’s race, and we find he is entitled to no relief on
    these grounds.
    Petitioner next argues that the circuit court erred by denying his motion for a new trial
    based on the sufficiency of the evidence. He argues the State’s witnesses were not credible and
    were directly contradicted by his witnesses. Petitioner also argues that K.C. did not express any
    fear or intimidation by petitioner and that there was no evidence presented to satisfy the “forcible
    compulsion” element of second-degree sexual assault. Upon our review of the evidence, we find
    petitioner is entitled to no relief.
    “‘[A]lthough the ruling of a trial court in granting or denying a motion for a
    new trial is entitled to great respect and weight, the trial court’s ruling will be
    reversed on appeal when it is clear that the trial court has acted under some
    misapprehension of the law or the evidence.’ Syl. pt. 4, Sanders v. Georgia–Pacific
    Corp., 
    159 W.Va. 621
    , 
    225 S.E.2d 218
     (1976).” Syllabus point 1, Andrews v.
    Reynolds Memorial Hospital, Inc., 
    201 W.Va. 624
    , 
    499 S.E.2d 846
     (1997).
    Syl. Pt. 1, State v. Vance, 
    207 W.Va. 640
    , 
    535 S.E.2d 484
     (2000). Further,
    [i]n reviewing challenges to findings and rulings made by a circuit court, we
    apply a two-pronged deferential standard of review. We review the rulings of the
    circuit court concerning a new trial and its conclusion as to the existence of
    reversible error under an abuse of discretion standard, and we review the circuit
    2. “To establish a prima facie case for a violation of equal protection due to racial
    discrimination in the use of peremptory jury challenges by the State, ‘the defendant
    first must show that he is a member of a cognizable racial group, and that the
    prosecutor has exercised peremptory challenges to remove from the venire
    members of the defendant’s race. Second, the defendant is entitled to rely on the
    fact, as to which there can be no dispute, that peremptory challenges constitute a
    jury selection practice that permits “those to discriminate who are of a mind to
    discriminate.” Finally, the defendant must show that these facts and any other
    relevant circumstances raise an inference that the prosecutor used that practice to
    exclude the venireman from the petit jury on account of their race.’ [Citations
    omitted.] Batson v. Kentucky, 
    476 U.S. 79
     at 96, 
    106 S.Ct. 1712
     at 1722, 
    90 L.Ed.2d 69
     (1986).” Syllabus point 2, State v. Marrs, 
    180 W.Va. 693
    , 
    379 S.E.2d 497
     (1989).
    5
    court’s underlying factual findings under a clearly erroneous standard. Questions of
    law are subject to a de novo review.
    
    Id.,
     Syl. Pt. 3. This Court examines issues pertaining to the sufficiency of the evidence challenges
    under the following standards of review:
    The function of an appellate court when reviewing the sufficiency of the
    evidence to support a criminal conviction is to examine the evidence admitted at
    trial to determine whether such evidence, if believed, is sufficient to convince a
    reasonable person of the defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. Thus, the
    relevant inquiry is whether, after viewing the evidence in the light most favorable
    to the prosecution, any rational trier of fact could have found the essential elements
    of the crime proved beyond a reasonable doubt.
    ...
    A criminal defendant challenging the sufficiency of the evidence to support
    a conviction takes on a heavy burden. An appellate court must review all the
    evidence, whether direct or circumstantial, in the light most favorable to the
    prosecution and must credit all inferences and credibility assessments that the jury
    might have drawn in favor of the prosecution. The evidence need not be
    inconsistent with every conclusion save that of guilt so long as the jury can find
    guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. Credibility determinations are for a jury and not
    an appellate court. Finally, a jury verdict should be set aside only when the record
    contains no evidence, regardless of how it is weighed, from which the jury could
    find guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
    Syl. Pt. 1 and Syl. Pt. 3, in part, State v. Guthrie, 
    194 W. Va. 657
    , 
    461 S.E.2d 163
     (1995).
    Here, the jury heard testimony from K.C. that petitioner entered her room, alone, at 2 a.m.
    and began to massage her legs. The evidence showed that petitioner left the room for a “short time”
    and then returned, began massaging K.C.’s inner thighs, and then performed oral sex on her.
    According to K.C., petitioner stopped and shushed the child after hearing S.C. move in a nearby
    room. Petitioner then made a vulgar remark to K.C. and left the room. K.C. was consistent in her
    allegations; S.C., the SANE nurse, and Officer Conner all stated that K.C. made a similar
    disclosure to them. Further, the jury heard that DNA consistent with petitioner’s DNA was found
    in K.C.’s undergarments and inside the child’s vagina. It is clear to this Court that there was
    sufficient evidence that petitioner sexually intruded upon K.C. Further, second-degree sexual
    assault, as defined in West Virginia Code § 61-8B-4(a)(1), requires a person to “engage[] in sexual
    intercourse or intrusion with another person without the person’s consent, and the lack of consent
    results from forcible compulsion.” Additionally, forcible compulsion can arise from three separate
    scenarios, one of which West Virginia Code § 61-8B-1(1)(c) defines as “[f]ear by a person under
    sixteen years of age caused by intimidation, expressed or implied, by another person who is at least
    four years older than the victim.” Viewing the evidence in the light most favorable to the
    prosecution, the jury could reasonably infer that young K.C. was afraid of petitioner, who was an
    6
    intruder in her room in the middle of the night, such that forcible compulsion was proven. Finally,
    to the extent that petitioner argues that certain witnesses were more or less credible than others, it
    bears repeating that “[c]redbility determinations are for a jury and not an appellate court.”
    Guthrie, 194 W. Va. at 663, 
    461 S.E.2d at 169
    , Syl. Pt. 3, in part. The jury weighed the testimony
    of the witnesses and rendered their verdict. Upon our review of the evidence in its entirety, we find
    that the jury’s verdict is sufficiently supported and find no error in the circuit court’s denial of
    petitioner’s motion for a new trial.
    For the foregoing reasons, we find no error in the circuit court’s April 14, 2021, order.
    Affirmed.
    ISSUED: August 31, 2022
    CONCURRED IN BY:
    Chief Justice John A. Hutchison
    Justice Elizabeth D. Walker
    Justice Tim Armstead
    Justice William R. Wooton
    Justice C. Haley Bunn
    7