William Hess v. C.A.D., C.N.D., John Doe, Jane Doe

Pursuant to Ind.Appellate Rule 65(D),
this Memorandum Decision shall not be
regarded as precedent or cited before
any court except for the purpose of Aug 18 2014, 9:23 am
establishing the defense of res judicata,
collateral estoppel, or the law of the case.
ATTORNEY FOR APPELLANT: ATTORNEYS FOR APPELLEES:
SCOTT H. DUERRING JOHN D. ULMER
South Bend, Indiana STEVEN J. OLSEN
Yoder, Ainlay, Ulmer & Buckingham, LLP
Goshen, Indiana
IN THE
COURT OF APPEALS OF INDIANA
WILLIAM HESS, )
)
Appellant, )
)
vs. ) No. 20A03-1401-CT-35
)
C.A.D., C.N.D., JOHN DOE, JANE DOE, )
)
Appellees. )
APPEAL FROM THE ELKHART SUPERIOR COURT
The Honorable George W. Biddlecome, Judge
Cause No. 20D03-1102-CT-5
August 18, 2014
MEMORANDUM DECISION - NOT FOR PUBLICATION
BAILEY, Judge
Case Summary
After a bench trial, William Hess (“Hess”) was found to be liable to C.A.D., C.N.D.,
and their parents, John and Jane Doe (collectively, “the Does”), for damages resulting from
emotional distress, counseling expenses, and lost wages, after Hess molested C.A.D. and
C.N.D., who were juveniles. Hess now appeals.
We affirm.
Issues
Hess raises numerous issues for our review. We restate them as:
I. Whether the trial court abused its discretion when it did not stay the
instant civil proceedings against Hess, pending the resolution of related
criminal charges;
II. Whether the trial court abused its discretion on certain evidentiary
rulings because:
a. The trial court admitted into evidence testimony of other bad
acts committed by Hess, which testimony was not otherwise
admissible and was precluded from admission under Evidence
Rule 404(b);
b. The trial court admitted into evidence testimony and other
materials offered by the Does, which evidence was disclosed
later than the deadline designated in the pre-trial orders;
c. The trial court erroneously admitted into evidence, on the basis
of the doctrine of completeness, an affidavit for a search warrant
of Hess’s residence;
III. Whether the trial court’s supplemental findings and conclusions were
adequate to establish the basis for its ultimate finding that Hess had
molested C.A.D. and C.N.D.;
IV. Whether there was sufficient evidence to establish that Hess molested
C.N.D.;
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V. Whether the compensatory damages the trial court ordered Hess to pay
to C.N.D. and C.A.D. were excessive; and
VI. Whether the judicial temperance presumption should apply in civil
cases and, if so, whether that presumption was overcome in this case
and any errors were not harmless.
Facts and Procedural History
Prior to 2005, Hess lived in a house on County Road 13 in Goshen. Children and
teenagers who lived in the neighborhood would frequently come to his home, which he often
kept open for visitors. Hess was interested in bow-hunting, archery, and target-shooting with
rifles, and many of the visiting children participated in these activities with him. Among
these children were C.N.D., a daughter born in 1993 to Jane and John Doe, and C.A.D., a son
born in 1995 to Jane and John Doe.
While Hess lived on County Road 13, C.N.D. and C.A.D. would visit Hess and
participate in hunting and shooting activities. They would also watch hunting videos and old
television shows with Hess. In 2003, Hess married Carol Hess (“Carol”). In 2005, Hess
moved with Carol to a home on County Road 142 in Goshen; the new house was not far from
the prior residence, and C.N.D. and C.A.D. continued to visit.
On some occasions when Hess would walk by C.N.D. while she was standing, he
would smack C.N.D. on her buttocks; C.N.D. would move to avoid this at times. These
incidents sometimes occurred while Carol was in the room, though Carol was unaware of this
conduct.
Around the time C.A.D. turned eleven years old, Hess began to expose his genitals to
C.A.D. Over time, this progressed to Hess and C.A.D. masturbating themselves and one
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another. On one occasion, Hess persuaded C.A.D. to walk nude with him in a cornfield near
Hess’s home. On the walk, Hess climbed into a tree stand used for hunting and danced a
“happy dance.” (Tr. at 369.) Hess came down from the tree stand and induced C.A.D. to
dance as well.
C.A.D. and C.H.D. stayed overnight with Hess and Carol on one occasion after the
couple moved to County Road 142. C.N.D. slept on a sofa in the couple’s living room, and
in the morning Hess walked into the living room with his penis exposed outside of his
underwear, moving within an arm’s length of C.N.D. When other people became audible
nearby, Hess put his penis back into his underwear.
Sometime in 2009, Hess acquired a personal computer that he would use to show nude
images of women to C.A.D., sometimes with other individuals in the home. Hess would
watch as C.A.D. masturbated while looking at the images. On at least one occasion, Hess
and C.A.D. masturbated together. This conduct with C.A.D. continued through early 2010.
In June 2010, the Elkhart Sheriff’s Department received a report from another
juvenile, J.C., whose claims caused detectives to request that C.A.D. be interviewed by a
social worker on June 24, 2010 and again on June 30, 2010. After C.A.D.’s initial interview,
C.N.D. informed her parents of Hess’s conduct with her.
On June 30, 2010, November 1, 2010, and March 4, 2011, criminal charges were filed
against Hess in the Elkhart Circuit Court.1 The criminal proceedings would ultimately be
delayed due to court congestion, until Hess pleaded guilty to some charges in May 2014.
1
This Court hereby takes judicial notice of the trial court Chronological Case Summaries in Elkhart Circuit
4
On February 21, 2011, in the Elkhart Superior Court, the Does filed suit against Hess.
In their complaint, the Does alleged that Hess had molested C.N.D. and C.A.D. and engaged
in dissemination of matter or conducted a performance harmful to minors, and sought
compensatory damages for emotional distress that resulted from Hess’s conduct, as well as
for costs associated with counseling for C.A.D. and lost wages for Jane Doe.
On November 2, 2011, the trial court entered its pre-trial order, which set forth a list
of witnesses and anticipated exhibits. A bench trial was scheduled for September 4, 2012.
On July 27, 2012, Hess filed a motion seeking to stay the Does’ civil proceedings
against him pending the resolution of the related criminal charges. Hess argued that the
absence of a stay put him in danger of having to waive his Fifth Amendment privilege
against self-incrimination. The trial court denied the motion on August 14, 2012.
On August 28, 2012, Hess moved to continue the trial, directing the trial court’s
attention to late-disclosed evidence from the Does. The trial court denied the motion on
August 31, 2012.
On September 4, 2012, Hess filed a written request for findings and conclusions upon
entry of judgment. A bench trial commenced that same day, and continued on September 5,
2012. The need for additional testimony and discovery resulted in the trial being continued
to November 4, 2012; presentation of evidence concluded that day. On several occasions
during the trial, witness testimony or other evidence was introduced by the Does, which
Court cause numbers 20C01-1006-FC-00015, 20C01-1011-FC-00016, and 20C01-1103-FD-00019. See Ind.
Evidence Rule 201(b) (permitting our courts to take judicial notice of “records of a court of this state”) &
201(c) (affording discretion to “take judicial notice” of facts, “whether requested or not”).
5
evidence had not been designated in the pre-trial order. Hess objected to the admission of
that evidence, and the trial court overruled several such objections. Hess also objected to the
admission of certain evidence as serving no purpose other than to demonstrate propensity to
commit the alleged acts; many of these objections were also overruled.
On May 30, 2013, after the parties had submitted proposed findings and conclusions,
the trial court entered judgment against Hess, finding that he had molested C.A.D. and
C.N.D. The court awarded $100,000 in damages each to C.N.D. and C.A.D. The court also
awarded the Does $2,568.00 to compensate for the costs of counseling sessions for C.A.D.,
and another $9,892.72 to compensate Jane Doe for lost wages.
On June 19, 2013, Hess appealed. During the appellate proceedings, Hess moved this
Court to remand the case for more specific findings and conclusions. This Court granted
Hess’s motion and remanded the case to the trial court on November 6, 2013, for the entry of
supplemental findings and conclusions.
On December 23, 2013, the trial court entered supplemental findings and conclusions,
and reaffirmed its judgment. The instant appeal ensued.
Discussion and Decision
Stay of Proceedings
Hess contends that the trial court abused its discretion when it denied his motion
seeking a stay in proceedings in this case, pending the resolution of criminal charges against
him involving related facts.
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Whether to grant a stay in proceedings is a matter left to the sound discretion of our
trial courts. Hardiman v. Cozmanoff, 4 N.E.3d 1148, 1151 (Ind. 2014). An abuse of
discretion occurs when the trial court’s decision is contrary to the logic and effects of the
facts and circumstances before it. Id. at 1151-52. We will not reverse a judgment for
harmless error, which is error that does not prejudice the substantial rights of a party. Ind.
Trial Rule 61.
Here Hess contends that the trial court abused its discretion in denying a stay and
proceeding to a bench trial because that decision compromised his ability to exercise his Fifth
Amendment right not to incriminate himself. The Fifth Amendment to the United States
Constitution provides, in relevant part, “No person … shall be compelled in any criminal case
to be a witness against himself.” The U.S. Supreme Court has interpreted this protection to
apply as well in civil cases:
The Fifth Amendment ‘not only protects the individual against being
involuntarily called as a witness against himself in a criminal prosecution but
also privileges him not to answer official questions put to him in any other
proceeding, civil or criminal, formal or informal, where the answers might
incriminate him in future proceedings.’
Baxter v. Palmigiano, 425 U.S. 308, 316 (1976) (quoting Lefkowitz v. Turley, 414 U.S. 70,
77 (1973)). The decision to exercise that privilege, however, “does not forbid adverse
inferences against parties to civil actions when they refuse to testify in response to probative
evidence offered against them.” Id. at 318.
Recognizing the difficulties confronting a party to a civil case, whose testimony in the
civil proceeding may require a decision to assert or waive the Fifth Amendment privilege
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against self-incrimination, “‘courts in civil proceedings have taken steps to ensure that the
litigation proceeds in a manner consistent with the interests of justice.’” Hardiman, 4 N.E.3d
at 1152. One such measure is using the court’s inherent power to stay proceedings. Id.
There is no constitutional requirement that a court stay such proceedings. Id. Rather,
discretion rests with the trial court to impose a stay when the interests of justice require as
much. Id. In deciding whether to impose a stay, courts may consider numerous factors,
including, but not limited to:
(1) the interest of the plaintiff in proceeding expeditiously with the litigation or
any particular aspect of it, and the potential prejudice to the plaintiff of a delay;
(2) the burden which any particular aspect of the proceedings may impose on
the defendant; (3) the convenience of the court in the management of its cases,
and the efficient use of judicial resources; (4) the interests of persons not
parties to the civil litigation; and (5) the interest of the public in pending civil
and criminal litigation.
Id. at 1152-53 (citing Jones v. City of Indianapolis, 216 F.R.D. 440, 450 (S.D. Ind. 2003)).
As our supreme court observed in Hardiman, courts consider numerous other factors
when presented with a motion to stay civil proceedings in a case like the one now before us.
Id. at 1153. “[C]ourts in other jurisdictions have noted the degree of similarity between the
issues in both cases is frequently the most important factor.” Id. Moreover, “courts
frequently consider the status of the parallel criminal proceeding in determining whether a
stay is warranted,” so that stays may be denied before charges are filed because of the risk of
delay. Id.Here, we are presented with no transcript from the hearing on Hess’s motion for a
stay, and only a brief order summarily denying that motion. The parties agree that the
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substantive issues in the case at bar are closely related to those in the parallel criminal
proceedings. See id. at 1153. Thus, the cases are similar; but that is not the end of our
inquiry.
The first set of criminal charges were filed against Hess on June 30, 2010. The civil
complaint in this case was filed on February 21, 2011. During 2011 and 2012, all three
pending criminal proceedings against Hess—including the case in which factual allegations
related to those in this case—were delayed due to court congestion. In the meantime, the trial
in this case was conducted in September and November 2012, and judgment was entered in
May 2013. In November 2013, this Court entered its order to the trial court to enter
additional findings and conclusions, and the trial court’s expanded findings and conclusions
were entered on December 23, 2013. Both parties’ briefs in the instant appeal were
submitted by May 5, 2014.
In the meantime, due to continued court congestion and a change of venue from the
judge in 2013, the related criminal proceedings against Hess continued until he entered a plea
agreement on May 27, 2014 in the Elkhart Circuit Court.2 Given the slow process of the
criminal proceedings—as well as the challenges associated with making available as
witnesses for trial two minor children, C.A.D. and another boy, J.C.—we cannot conclude
that the trial court abused its discretion in declining Hess’s motion for a stay.
2
The extremely slow process of the criminal matters here in comparison to the instant civil proceeding give us
pause. Whether the numerous findings of court congestion in the parallel criminal proceedings were warranted
are more properly addressed in any criminal appeal Hess might bring, assuming he is properly situated to do so.
9
Moreover, in light of Hess’s testimony at trial and the court’s evidentiary rulings, we
find no prejudice arising from the denial of the stay. Hess was deposed prior to trial and
asserted his Fifth Amendment privilege against self-incrimination. Hess subsequently
testified during the trial. At trial, Hess waived his Fifth Amendment privilege and expressly
denied that he engaged in any form of inappropriate sexual conduct with C.A.D., C.N.D., or
any other individual. During the trial, the Does attempted to introduce into evidence in the
form of impeachment Hess’s deposition testimony invoking his Fifth Amendment privilege
against self-incrimination. The Does cited Gash v. Kohm, 476 N.E.2d 910 (Ind. Ct. App.
1985), for the proposition that the deposition testimony could also be used by the trial court
to draw an adverse inference against Hess. See id. at 913 (citing, inter alia, Baxter, supra, for
the proposition that an adverse inference may be drawn from the refusal of a witness to
testify at trial in a civil case). The trial court permitted the Does to introduce the deposition
testimony into evidence. But the court concluded that Gash was not on-point because it dealt
with refusal on Fifth Amendment grounds to testify at trial, rather than refusal to testify in a
deposition. The court accordingly declined to draw any adverse inference against Hess as a
result of his exercise during the deposition of his privilege against self-incrimination. (Tr. at
571.)
Thus, during the course of the trial, Hess waived his Fifth Amendment privilege
against self-incrimination. The substance of his testimony was non-incriminating, consisting
of denials of any form of sexual contact with C.A.D. and C.N.D. Hess was not forced as a
result of the denial of the stay to assert his privilege against self-incrimination at trial—thus
10
avoiding any risk of an adverse inference—and the court expressly declined to draw adverse
inferences from the invocation of the Fifth Amendment privilege against self-incrimination
during his deposition testimony.
As a result, the core concern against which a stay would have served as protection—
forcing Hess to choose between offering incriminating testimony or the risk of an adverse
inference for exercising a constitutional privilege, as addressed in Gash and Baxter—was
obviated. Hess was thus not prejudiced by the denial of the motion to stay, and we
accordingly decline to reverse the judgment of the trial court on this issue.
Admissibility of Evidence
We turn next to Hess’s various challenges to the trial court’s rulings on the
admissibility of evidence. We review decisions on the admission of evidence for an abuse of
discretion. Baker v. State, 997 N.E.2d 67, 70 (Ind. Ct. App. 2013).
Evidence of Prior Acts
Hess argues that the testimony of J.C. and S.K. concerning his conduct toward them
was inadmissible under Evidence Rule 404(b).
Generally, evidence is admissible when it is relevant to proving a fact of consequence
to determining the final outcome of a legal proceeding. Ind. Evidence Rules 401 & 402.
There are limits upon the admissibility of otherwise relevant evidence. Evid. R. 402. Among
these limits is the prohibition upon the admission into evidence of “a person’s character or
character trait … to prove that on a particular occasion the person acted in accordance with
the character or trait”—that is, propensity evidence. Evid. R. 404(a)(1). Such inadmissible
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propensity evidence includes “[e]vidence of a crime, wrong, or other act … to prove a
person’s character in order to show that on a particular occasion the person acted in
accordance with the character.” Evid. R. 404(b)(1). Evidence of a crime, wrong, or other act
may, however, “be admissible for another purpose, such as proving motive, opportunity,
intent, preparation, plan, knowledge, identity, absence of mistake, or lack of accident.” Evid.
R. 404(b)(2). Even when evidence a party seeks to admit satisfies the requirements of Rule
404, that evidence must also satisfy Rule 403, which provides that relevant evidence may be
excluded if its probative value is substantially outweighed by its prejudicial effect.
Here, Hess objected to testimony from J.C. and S.K. J.C. and S.K. each testified that
Hess had previously molested them, and had engaged in some form of “grooming” activity in
advance of the molestation. Hess contended at trial, and contends again now, that the two
individuals’ testimonies did not meet any of the exceptions associated with Rule 404(b). As
a result, Hess argues, the statements were inadmissible because their sole function was as
propensity evidence that would give rise to an inference that Hess had committed the torts
alleged by the Does. Hess further contends that any such errors were not harmless because,
without the testimony of J.C. and S.K., the only probative evidence that might establish
Hess’s liability is that of C.A.D. and C.N.D., rendering the entire trial nothing more than a
credibility contest.
Upon review of the record, we do not agree with Hess that all of J.C.’s and S.K.’s
testimony failed to meet the requirements of Rule 404(b) and 403. Notably, J.C. testified that
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Hess had molested him. Following that testimony, the following exchange occurred between
the Does’ counsel and J.C.:
Q. Did he [Hess] ever mention to you [J.C.] that other young boys were
doing these things?
A. Yes.
Q. And what would he say? (COUGHING IN COURTROOM.)
A. He would just tell me that they were doing basically the same stuff.
Q. Did he mention anybody’s names?
A. Yes.
Q. And whose names did he mention?
A. Initially, C.A.D.
[THE COURT]: Again, please.
A. C.A.D.
[THE COURT]: I’m sorry?
A. C.A.D.
[THE COURT]: C.A.D.?
Q. C.A.D.?
A. Yes.
(Tr. at 139-140.)
Thus, J.C. testified not only that Hess had masturbated J.C., but that Hess had
admitted to engaging in that conduct with C.A.D.—one of the plaintiffs in this case—as a
means to convince J.C. to engage in similar conduct.
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We cannot, then, conclude that all of the evidence to which Hess objected under Rule
404(b) was irrelevant or served only to prove Hess’s conduct in conformance with other prior
alleged acts.
To the extent other evidence was admitted in contravention to Rule 404(b), we
conclude any such error was harmless. While Hess insists that the presence of erroneously-
admitted testimony from J.C. and S.K. was prejudicial because it served only to undermine
his credibility in a contest between himself and the Does, other evidence implicating Hess
came in the form of Detective Osterday’s testimony that a third party—J.C.—had provided
information that caused him to inquire into Hess’s interactions with C.A.D. Moreover, we
conclude below that there is sufficient independent evidence to sustain the trial court’s
judgment as to Hess molesting both C.A.D. and C.N.D.
We accordingly find no reversible error associated with the trial court’s rulings on the
admissibility of J.C.’s and S.K.’s testimonies.
Late Disclosure
Hess contends that the trial court abused its discretion when it admitted into evidence
S.K.’s testimony, a book used by C.A.D., and testimony and evidence from Jane concerning
loss of earnings.
Indiana Trial Rule 16 permits trial courts to enter pre-trial orders that reflect
“agreements made by the parties during the pre-trial hearing” concerning the conduct of the
subsequent proceedings. Woodward v. Heritage Const. Co., 887 N.E.2d 994, 1000 (Ind. Ct.
App. 2008). Once entered, the pre-trial order governs subsequent proceedings, unless
14
subsequent modification occurs “to prevent manifest injustice.” Id. (citing Ind. Trial Rule
16(J)). In modifying the terms of the order, courts look to “both the danger of surprise or
prejudice to the opponent and the goal of doing justice to the merits of the claim.” Id. The
trial court may also look to whether modifying the pre-trial order will “disrupt an orderly and
efficient trial,” and may inquire as to whether there has been bad faith or willfulness in
failing to comply with the existing pre-trial order. Id.Even though the pre-trial order is binding, “this does not mean that it must be rigidly
and pointlessly adhered to at trial.” Id. (citations and quotations omitted). When particular
witnesses or exhibits have been omitted from the pre-trial order, whether those should be
omitted from evidence during trial is a matter left to the discretion of the trial court. Id.With respect to late-disclosed evidence, Hess first challenges the admission of
testimony from S.K., contending that the trial court abused its discretion in permitting her
testimony because S.K. was not named in the pre-trial order’s witness list and S.K. was not
made available for deposition before the trial commenced on September 4, 2012. Because
we have concluded above that errors associated with S.K.’s testimony were harmless, we do
not address the question of S.K.’s exclusion from the witness list. Nor can we agree with
Hess’s contention that the Does’ attorney acted in bad faith in failing to disclose S.K. as a
witness: the Does’ counsel informed the trial court of its efforts to depose S.K. before trial,
and the trial court expressly found no basis to question that account. Accordingly, we will
not revisit the trial court’s determination of that issue.
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Hess also challenges the admission into evidence of two sets of exhibits. One of these
was a book entitled, “Back on Track,” a book C.A.D. had received as part of counseling with
a social worker. C.A.D. had written on some pages in the book, and those pages were
admitted into evidence; Hess contends that the trial court abused its discretion when it
admitted for “demonstrative purposes” the rest of the book, which had not been disclosed
prior to trial. (Tr. at 289-90, 293-94.) Yet Hess fails to state in his appellant’s brief how he
was prejudiced by the trial court’s admission of the book solely for its demonstrative value,
and neither the trial record nor the appendices of the parties provide us with a copy of the
book to facilitate our review. Hess has thus waived this issue for our review.
Finally, Hess contends that the trial court abused its discretion in allowing evidence of
Jane’s lost wages to be admitted at trial because the Does did not update their discovery
disclosures in advance of trial, thereby catching Hess “off-guard” at trial. (Appellant’s Br. at
25.) Yet Hess acknowledges: “Luckily … it was at this time that the Trial Court had to
continue the trial for several months due to scheduling conflicts, allowing Hess to review the
information which the Plaintiff intended to introduce regarding Jane Doe’s lost wages.”
(Appellant’s Br. at 25.) Simply put, Hess complains of prejudice, and in the very next breath
acknowledges not having been prejudiced by the trial court’s decision. We accordingly
conclude that any complained-of error in this regard was harmless.
Affidavits for Search Warrants
Hess designates as erroneous the trial court’s decision to admit into evidence the
entirety of the affidavits for search warrants, which documents Detective Osterday submitted
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in order to obtain warrants to search Hess’s home and vehicle. Hess contends that by
admitting these documents into evidence, the trial court erred in its application of the doctrine
of completeness, and further that the warrants were law enforcement records subject to
exclusion from evidence under Evidence Rule 803(8). The doctrine of completeness is
formalized in Evidence Rule 106, which provides, “If a party introduces all or part of a
writing or recorded statement, an adverse party may require the introduction, at that time, of
any other part—or any other writing or recorded statement—that in fairness ought to be
considered at the same time.” Evidence Rule 803(8) establishes an exception to the hearsay
rule that permits admission into evidence under certain circumstances of “a record or
statement of a public office.” Evid. R. 803(8)(A). The rule is limited in scope, however, so
that investigative reports by police or other law enforcement agencies may not be admitted
“except when offered by an accused in a criminal case.” Evid. R. 803(8)(B)(i).
Here, Hess cross-examined Detective Osterday about his search of Hess’s residence,
during which Detective Osterday looked for items like address and phone lists, and other
items that Detective Osterday had averred were often found in the homes of pedophiles. In
support of the cross-examination, Hess introduced into evidence portions of the affidavits
supporting Detective Osterday’s request for a search warrant. Supported by portions of the
affidavits, Hess elicited testimony that very little of the types of physical evidence designated
for seizure by the warrant were ultimately found in Hess’s home. Upon re-direct examination
of Detective Osterday, the Does sought admission of the rest of the probable cause affidavit,
which included the names of witnesses, including J.C. and S.K., and allegations concerning
17
Hess’s conduct. Hess objected that the doctrine of completeness did not permit the
admission of the rest of the affidavits’ contents.
Much of the purportedly prejudicial material in the affidavits, however, largely
overlaps with allegations made by J.C. and S.K. in their testimonies concerning Hess. We
have already concluded that admission of these portions of their testimonies were at most
harmless error. The material included in the search warrant affidavits is, at most, cumulative
of those testimonies, and we do not reverse for the admission or denial of cumulative
evidence. See Cole v. State, 970 N.E.2d 779, 784 (Ind. Ct. App. 2012). And to the extent
Hess complains that the affidavits were law enforcement records subject to exclusion from
evidence under Rule 803(8), the admission of the affidavits is invited error, as Hess sought
admission of portions of the same affidavits in a civil, rather than criminal context. See Evid.
R. 803(8)(B)(i); Wright v. State, 828 N.E.2d 904, 907 (Ind. 2005) (observing that under the
doctrine of invited error, “‘a party may not take advantage of an error that she commits,
invites, or which is the natural consequence of her own neglect or misconduct’”) (quoting
Witte v. Mundy, 820 N.E.2d 128, 133-34 (Ind. 2005)).
We accordingly find no reversible error in the trial court’s admission of the affidavits.
Adequacy of the Findings and Conclusions
Hess contends on appeal that the trial court’s supplemental findings and conclusions,
issued on December 23, 2013 to supplement the original order entering judgment in favor of
the Does, were insufficient under Trial Rule 52. The entry of findings and conclusions under
Trial Rule 52(A) “is a method for formalizing the ruling of the trial court, providing more
18
specific information for the parties, and establishing a particularized statement for
examination on appeal.” Bowman v. Kitchel, 644 N.E.2d 878, 879 (Ind. 1995). The purpose
of specific findings and conclusions—whether written or oral—is to make “apparent” the
basis upon which the trial court reached its judgment. Nunn Law Office v. Rosenthal, 905
N.E.2d 513, 518 (Ind. Ct. App. 2009).
The trial court’s initial entry of judgment, on May 30, 2013, did not provide sufficient
detail, merely stating that the trial court found “by a preponderance of the evidence
introduced, the Defendant William L. Hess, committed tortious acts of child molesting
against C.A.D. and C.N.D.” (Appellant’s Br. at 44.) Upon filing his appeal, Hess moved
this Court to order the case remanded for entry of more specific findings and conclusions.
That motion was granted, and upon remand the trial court entered supplemental findings and
conclusions. It is the adequacy of the supplemental findings and conclusions which Hess
now challenges, contending that these do no more than restate the substance of the May 30,
2013 findings, and “fail[] to state … which facts [the court] found existed in order to justify
such a conclusion.” (Appellant’s Br. at 36.)
We do not agree with Hess’s contentions. The supplemental findings and conclusions
state, in relevant part:
The court makes the following supplemental findings of fact.
1. Defendant engaged in grooming activities with C.N.D. and C.A.D.
That grooming activity included touching C.A.D.’s genital region and
displaying pornographic materials to C.A.D. using Defendant’s computer.
Defendant encouraged C.A.D. to masturbate while viewing sexually explicit
materials and would watch as C.A.D. did so.
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2. On at least one occasion Defendant engaged in mutual masturbation
with C.A.D.
3. Defendant touched C.N.D. on her buttocks and exposed his naked penis
to C.N.D.
(Appellant’s App’x at 5.)
These findings make clear the basis for the trial court’s ultimate finding that C.A.D.
and C.N.D. were molested by Hess. We accordingly find no basis for error in the adequacy
of the trial court’s findings and conclusions.
Sufficiency of the Evidence as to C.N.D.
We turn next to Hess’s contention that there was insufficient evidence adduced at trial
to support the court’s finding that Hess molested C.N.D. as alleged in the Does’ complaint.
Hess appeals from a civil judgment entered after a bench trial. Our standard of review
in such cases is well settled. Upon a challenge to the sufficiency of the evidence, we neither
reweigh evidence nor judge the credibility of witnesses. Estate of Kappel v. Kappel, 979
N.E.2d 642, 651 (Ind. Ct. App. 2012). We consider only the evidence that most favors the
judgment together with all reasonable inferences that may be drawn therefrom. Id.Here, upon written motion submitted by Hess, the trial court entered judgment in the
form of written findings and conclusions under Trial Rule 52. Upon appeal:
First, we determine whether the evidence supports the findings and second,
whether the findings support the judgment. In deference to the trial court’s
proximity to the issues, we disturb the judgment only where there is no
evidence supporting the findings or the findings fail to support the judgment.
We do not reweigh the evidence, but consider only the evidence favorable to
the trial court’s judgment. Challengers must establish that the trial court’s
findings are clearly erroneous. Findings are clearly erroneous when a review
of the record leaves us firmly convinced a mistake has been made. However,
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while we defer substantially to findings of fact, we do not do so to conclusions
of law. Additionally, a judgment is clearly erroneous under Indiana Trial Rule
52 if it relies on an incorrect legal standard. We evaluate questions of law de
novo and owe no deference to a trial court’s determination of such questions.
Id. at 651-52 (quoting Balicki v. Balicki, 837 N.E.2d 532, 535-36 (Ind. Ct. App. 2005)),
trans. denied.
In their complaint, the Does alleged in relevant part that Hess, “at the time said minor
children were under fourteen (14) years of age knowingly performed, touched, or exposed
himself to said minors in violation of I.C. § 35-42-4-3(b) and I.C. § 35-42-4-9(b)(1),” the
statutory definitions for the offenses of Child Molesting and Sexual Misconduct with a
Minor. (Appellant’s App’x at 84.) Indiana Code subsection 35-42-4-3(b), as in effect at the
time of trial,3 provided:
A person who, with a child under fourteen (14) years of age, performs or
submits to any fondling or touching, of either the child or the older person,
with intent to arouse or to satisfy the sexual desires of either the child or the
older person, commits child molesting.
I.C. § 35-42-4-3(b) (West 2013) (emphasis added). Indiana Code subsection 35-42-4-
9(b)(1), as enacted at the time of trial, provided:
A person at least eighteen (18) years of age who, with a child of at least
fourteen (14) years of age but less than sixteen (16) years of age, performs or
submits to any fondling or touching, of either the child or the older person,
with intent to arouse or to satisfy the sexual desires of either the child or the
older person, commits sexual misconduct with a minor….
3
The legislature has, since the time of trial, amended the applicable statutes to reclassify specific offenses and
modify the sentencing ranges for offenses committed on or after July 1, 2014. The substantive elements of the
offenses have not been changed.
21
I.C. § 35-42-4-9(b) (West 2013) (emphasis added).4
Touching alone is insufficient to establish the elements of the alleged torts. See Bass
v. State, 947 N.E.2d 456, 460 (Ind. Ct. App. 2011) (discussing Child Molesting in the context
of a criminal case). Rather, there must be sufficient evidence of specific intent to arouse or
satisfy sexual desires. Id. Intent may be established by circumstantial evidence and may be
inferred from the defendant’s conduct and the natural and usual sequence to which such
conduct ordinarily points. Id.In his brief, Hess draws our attention to this Court’s decision in Clark v. State, 695
N.E.2d 999 (Ind. Ct. App. 1998), trans. denied. In Clark, we held that there was insufficient
evidence to sustain the conviction for Child Molesting of a man who had removed his six-
year-old daughter’s pants, hanged her upside down from her shirt, and tickled her sides. Id.
at 1002. We noted in particular that there was insufficient evidence that Clark did any of this
“accompanied by the specific intent to arouse or satisfy” either his or his daughter’s sexual
desires. We acknowledged that the facts of the case “clearly raise[d] questions concerning
the propriety of Clark’s behavior,” but observed that “standing alone, they do not constitute
substantive evidence of probative value on the element of intent” in a criminal case requiring
proof beyond a reasonable doubt. Id. (emphasis added).
Here, by contrast, Hess smacked C.N.D.’s buttock several times and exposed his penis
to her on one occasion, coming within arm’s reach of her. When Hess exposed himself to
C.N.D., he only ceased to do so when he became aware of other individuals nearby. Taken
4
Subsection 35-42-4-9(b)(1), as cited by the Does in their complaint, aggravated the offense from a Class D
felony to a Class C felony.
22
together, this is sufficient evidence from which the trial court could conclude by a
preponderance of the evidence—the less-stringent burden of proof required in a civil
proceeding like the one at bar—that Hess touched C.N.D. with the intent to arouse or satisfy
either his or C.N.D.’s sexual desires. To the extent Hess contends that his conduct was
merely inappropriate, his argument requests that we reweigh evidence; this we cannot do.
See Kappel, 979 N.E.2d at 651. We accordingly leave undisturbed the trial court’s entry of
judgment in favor of C.N.D.
Damages
We turn next to Hess’s contention that the compensatory damages awarded were
excessive. A trial court’s determination of compensatory damages is entitled to “great
deference” upon appeal. Clark v. Simbeck, 895 N.E.2d 315, 319 (Ind. Ct. App. 2008). Upon
appellate review, we will set aside an award of compensatory damages as impermissibly
excessive “only where it is apparent from a review of the evidence that the amount of
damages is so great that it cannot be explained upon any basis other than passion, partiality,
prejudice, corruption, or some other improper motive.” Id. We will reverse the award “only
when the award appears to be so outrageous as to impress the reviewing court at first blush
with its enormity.” Id.Here, the trial court awarded $100,000 in compensatory damages each to C.A.D. and
C.N.D. as a result of each one having “suffered emotional distress.” (Appellant’s App’x at
4.) With respect to each, Hess argues that the award was excessive. Turning first to C.N.D.,
Hess claims that “there was no evidence presented that C.N.D. suffered any kind of
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permanent emotional damage,” and “no evidence showing causation between the emotional
injuries she claimed and Hess’ alleged misconduct.” (Appellant’s Br. at 32.)
We disagree. C.N.D. testified that she felt “scarred” by Hess’s exposure of his penis
to her because she had “never been exposed to that” before, and that she “just hurt[s]” from
the experiences. (Tr. 206, 237.) Hess notes that C.N.D. has not pursued counseling, and she
did not report any of the incidents close to when they occurred. However, C.N.D. testified
that she was “really little” when the first incidents with Hess occurred. (Tr. at 224.) C.N.D.
also testified that she initially found it too difficult to talk to her parents about her
experiences. (Tr. at 209.) John Doe, C.N.D.’s father, also testified that C.N.D.’s experiences
with Hess continue to affect her, including at least one episode of spontaneous crying. (Tr. at
248.) To the extent that Hess points to an isolated instance of therapy related to a dispute
between C.N.D. and her mother when C.N.D. was in high school and a relative lack of
disruption in C.N.D.’s schooling and extracurricular activities, these arguments do not
establish that the damages were awarded out of “passion, partiality, prejudice, corruption, or
some other improper motive.” Clark, 895 N.E.2d at 319.
We conclude likewise about the damages awarded to C.A.D. C.A.D. testified that the
experiences with Hess caused him to “grow up faster” than he should have. (Tr. at 375.)
C.A.D. had received counseling from a social worker, Jennifer Miller (“Miller”). That
counseling was ongoing throughout the trial. Miller testified that C.A.D. experienced trust
problems, difficulty with peer relationships, lowered self-esteem, and ongoing emotional
issues, and that some of the effects of Hess’s molestation would likely recur at various points
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in C.A.D.’s life and require additional therapy. Both John and Jane Doe testified that C.A.D.
had continuing emotional difficulties at home, with John testifying that during high school,
C.A.D. would sometimes come home in the afternoon having wet his underclothes. Hess,
again, argues that C.A.D.’s performance in school and extracurricular activities remained
strong; again, we find no basis from which to conclude that the award of damages was “so
outrageous” on first blush as to require that we reverse the trial court’s award. Clark, 895
N.E.2d at 319.
Accordingly, we leave undisturbed the trial court’s award of compensatory damages to
C.A.D. and C.N.D.
Judicial Temperance
We turn now to Hess’s final contention: that the doctrine of the judicial temperance
presumption applies in civil bench trials, that in this case the presumption was overcome, that
any error was not harmless, and thus he is entitled to a reversal of the trial court’s judgment.
The judicial temperance presumption is “‘a curious ratiocinative process which
presumes that the trial court will disregard that which it holds admissible over specific
objection.’” Konopasek v. State, 946 N.E.2d 23, 28 (Ind. 2011) (quoting Fletcher v. State,
264 Ind. 132, 134, 340 N.E.2d 771, 773 (1976)). If a defendant lodged an objection during a
bench trial to the admissibility of evidence, which objection was overruled, and the evidence
was in fact inadmissible, “the presumption comes into play.” Id. at 30. The presumption
may be overcome “where a defendant makes a specific objection to the admission of
evidence” that the trial court overrules. Id. If the presumption is overcome, the appellate
25
court engages in a full harmless-error analysis, under which the error is harmless “if the
‘reviewing court is satisfied that the conviction is supported by substantial independent
evidence of guilt so that there is no substantial likelihood that the challenged evidence
contributed to the conviction.’” Id. (quoting Meadows v. State, 785 N.E.2d 1112, 1122 (Ind.
Ct. App. 2003)). If the presumption is not overcome, then the appellate court presumes the
trial court disregarded improperly-admitted evidence and any error is found harmless. Id.“In short, an analysis of the presumption may either trigger or circumvent full harmless-error
analysis.” Id. (emphasis added).
Hess acknowledges that there is no civil case in which the doctrine concerning the
judicial temperance presumption has been held to be applicable, and in effect conflates the
entirety of the doctrine of the judicial temperance presumption with the requirements of
harmless error analysis. In reviewing the evidentiary matters presented, we have concluded
that some presented no error, and that others were harmless. And Hess presents no basis
upon which to extend the judicial temperance presumption to civil bench trials in any event.
We accordingly find no basis upon which to reverse the judgment of the trial court.
Conclusion
The trial court did not abuse its discretion when it denied Hess’s motion to stay the
trial pending resolution of parallel criminal proceedings. Much of the evidence to which
Hess objected was admissible, and any error associated with the trial court’s admission of
evidence was harmless. The trial court’s supplemental findings and conclusions were
adequate. There was sufficient evidence introduced at trial for the trial court to conclude that
26
Hess molested C.N.D. The award of damages was not excessive. We decline to extend the
doctrine of presumed judicial temperance to civil cases, and the applicability of that analysis
is in any event obviated by our review in this case. We accordingly affirm the judgment in
all respects.
Affirmed.
KIRSCH, J., and MAY, J., concur.
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