Michael R. Jent v. State of Indiana

Pursuant to Ind. Appellate Rule 65(D), this
Memorandum Decision shall not be Feb 17 2014, 7:07 am
regarded as precedent or cited before any
court except for the purpose of establishing
the defense of res judicata, collateral
estoppel, or the law of the case.
APPELLANT PRO SE: ATTORNEYS FOR APPELLEE:
MICHAEL R. JENT GREGORY F. ZOELLER
Pendleton, Indiana Attorney General of Indiana
RYAN D. JOHANNINGSMEIER
Deputy Attorney General
Indianapolis, Indiana
IN THE
COURT OF APPEALS OF INDIANA
MICHAEL R. JENT, )
)
Appellant-Petitioner, )
)
vs. ) No. 02A05-1304-PC-217
)
STATE OF INDIANA, )
)
Appellee-Respondent. )
APPEAL FROM THE ALLEN SUPERIOR COURT
The Honorable John F. Surbeck, Jr., Judge
Cause No. 02D04-0807-PC-72
February 17, 2014
MEMORANDUM DECISION - NOT FOR PUBLICATION
KIRSCH, Judge
Michael R. Jent (“Jent”) appeals from the denial of his petition for post-conviction
relief from his convictions of six counts of child molesting, each as a Class A felony, one
count of child molesting as a Class C felony, and one count of criminal confinement as a
Class C felony, contending that his trial and appellate counsel were ineffective and that the
post-conviction court erred by not granting him a new trial on the basis of alleged newly
discovered evidence.
We affirm.
FACTS AND PROCEDURAL HISTORY
The facts supporting Jent’s convictions were set forth in our memorandum opinion
affirming his convictions in his direct appeal as follows:
On August 29, 2004, eight-year-old S.H. and her younger brother
were walking home from a friend’s house. As they walked, Jent drove up
and asked S.H. if she wanted to see a picture of Jent’s lost dog. When S.H.
approached the car, Jent pulled her in and drove away. Jent drove S.H. to a
house and once inside, Jent took her to a bedroom and undressed her.
Jent then performed cunnilingus on S.H. After putting lotion on his
penis, Jent put his penis into S.H.’s anus, and then had sexual intercourse
with S.H. Jent also placed his fingers in S.H.’s anus and vagina. Finally,
Jent had S.H. fellate him and when she began crying, Jent threatened to kill
her if she did not remain quiet. Eventually, Jent “squirted [a clear liquid]
onto [S.H.’s] butt and . . . vagina,” tr. at 132, dressed her, and dropped her
off near her home.
A neck swab taken that night from S.H. was determined to contain
DNA that matched Jent’s. S.H. also subsequently identified a house owned
by Jent as the place she was taken. A search of the house yielded further
evidence, including a lotion bottle with Jent’s fingerprint on it, and an enema
bottle exhibiting a mixture of DNA from which Jent and S.H. could not be
excluded as possible donors. In addition, serological testing of a shirt
recovered from the house yielded a presumptive positive test for blood and a
confirmatory test for seminal fluid. Two samples from the shirt underwent
DNA testing. “Sample 8A2” demonstrated the presence of a mixture with a
major and a minor profile. Jent was confirmed to be the source of the major
2
profile and S.H. could not be excluded as a contributor to the minor profile.
“Sample 8A1” demonstrated the presence of a mixture from which Jent and
an unknown individual could not be excluded as possible contributors. S.H.,
however, was excluded as a possible contributor.
The State charged Jent with six counts of Class A felony child
molesting, Class C [felony] child molesting, Class C felony criminal
confinement, and alleged that he was an habitual offender. The jury found
Jent guilty on all six counts of Class A felony child molesting, Class C felony
child molesting, Class C felony criminal confinement and determined he was
an habitual offender. The trial court sentenced him to an aggregate sentence
of 238 years of incarceration.
Jent v. State, No. 02A03-0510-CR-512, slip op. at 2-3 (Ind. Ct. App. July 24, 2006), trans.
denied.
On July 10, 2008, Jent filed his petition for post-conviction relief, which he later
amended on November 10, 2008, and again later on February 25, 2009. On April 4, 2012,
the State filed a motion to require Jent to submit his case by affidavit. On August 8, 2012,
Jent filed his affidavit in support of his petition and moved to file an amended petition for
post-conviction relief. Jent’s grounds for post-conviction relief were alleged newly
discovered evidence and ineffectiveness of trial and appellate counsel. The post-conviction
court denied Jent’s petition for post-conviction relief on April 19, 2013.1 Jent now appeals.
DISCUSSION AND DECISION
Because Jent appeals from the trial court’s denial of his petition for post-conviction
relief, he appeals from a negative judgment. See Fisher v. State, 878 N.E.2d 457, 463 (Ind.
Ct. App. 2007), trans. denied (appeal from denial of post-conviction relief is appeal from
a negative judgment). A petition must establish that the evidence as a whole unmistakably
1
We commend the trial court for the thoroughness and clarity of the findings of fact and conclusions
of law in this matter which greatly facilitated our appellate review.
3
and unerringly leads to a conclusion contrary to that of the post-conviction court. Id. Upon
review, we will disturb a post-conviction court’s decision as being contrary to law only
where we find that the evidence is without conflict and leads to but one conclusion, and
the post-conviction court has reached the opposite conclusion. Wright v. State, 881 N.E.2d
1018, 1022 (Ind. Ct. App. 2008), trans. denied. The post-conviction court is the sole judge
of the weight of the evidence and the credibility of witnesses. Lindsey v. State, 888 N.E.2d
319, 322 (Ind. Ct. App. 2008), trans. denied. On review, we accept the post-conviction
court’s findings of fact unless they are clearly erroneous, and no deference is given to its
conclusions of law. Fisher, 878 N.E.2d at 463.
Post-conviction proceedings do not afford a petitioner for post-conviction relief the
opportunity for a super appeal, but instead, provide the opportunity to raise issues that were
unknown or unavailable at the time of the original trial or the direct appeal. Ben-Yisrayl v.
State, 738 N.E.2d 253, 258 (Ind. 2000), cert. denied, 534 U.S. 1164 (2002); Wieland v.
State, 848 N.E.2d 679, 681 (Ind. Ct. App. 2007), trans. denied, cert. denied, 549 U.S. 1038(2006). Post-conviction proceedings do not substitute for a direct appeal and provide only
a narrow remedy for subsequent collateral challenges to convictions. Ben-Yisrayl, 738
N.E.2d at 258. The petitioner for post-conviction relief bears the burden of proving the
grounds raised by a preponderance of the evidence. Ind. Post-Conviction Rule 1(5).
Jent argues that the post-conviction court erred by denying his request for a new
trial on the basis of alleged newly discovered evidence. Jent contends that he discovered
after trial that he had genital herpes at the time that he molested S.H. He asserts that if he
was the perpetrator, S.H. would have contracted genital herpes from him. In support of his
4
argument Jent designated a report from the Indiana Department of Child Services, which
he claims shows that S.H. had not contracted any sexually transmitted disease.
The Indiana Supreme Court has enunciated nine criteria for admission of
newly discovered evidence.
[N]ew evidence will mandate a new trial only when the
defendant demonstrates that: (1) the evidence has been
discovered since the trial; (2) it is material and relevant; (3) it
is not cumulative; (4) it is not merely impeaching; (5) it is not
privileged or incompetent; (6) due diligence was used to
discover it in time for trial; (7) the evidence is worthy of credit;
(8) it can be produced upon a retrial of the case; and (9) it will
probably produce a different result at retrial.
Taylor v. State, 840 N.E.2d 324, 329-30 (Ind. 2006) (citing Carter v. State,
738 N.E.2d 665, 671 (Ind. 2000)) (brackets in original). On appeal, the
denial of a petition predicated on newly discovered evidence is considered a
discretionary ruling and is reviewed deferentially. Fox v. State, 568 N.E.2d
1006, 1007 (Ind. 1991) (citing Hammers v. State, 502 N.E.2d 1339 (Ind.
1987)). Accordingly, we analyze the nine factors “‘with care, as the basis
for newly discovered evidence should be received with great caution and the
alleged new evidence carefully scrutinized.’” Taylor, 840 N.E.2d at 330
(quoting Carter, 738 N.E.2d at 671). “The burden of showing that all nine
requirements are met rests with the petitioner for post-conviction relief.” Id.
(citing Webster v. State, 699 N.E.2d 266, 269 (Ind. 1998)).
Dickens v. State, 997 N.E.2d 56, 60-61 (Ind. Ct. App. 2013).
The post-conviction court found that Jent had submitted no conclusive medical
evidence to show that S.H. had not contracted a sexually transmitted disease. We agree.
The evidence submitted does not establish that Jent had tested positive for genital herpes
at the time of the molestation, but shows a positive test result on August 8, 2005, almost a
year after the molestation. Jent has no supporting evidence that a doctor told him that the
levels reflected on that test indicated that he had contracted genital herpes for a period
extending prior to the molestation. Jent’s Exhibit C to his amended petition provides
5
inconclusive evidence of whether he tested positive for genital herpes from 2000 to 2010.
“[T]he newly discovered evidence must be material and decisive in character and
be such as to raise a strong presumption that it will, in all probability, result in an opposite
conclusion on another trial.” Augustine v. State, 461 N.E.2d 101, 105 (Ind. 1984) (quoting
Marshall v. State, 254 Ind. 156, 162, 258 N.E.2d 628, 631 (1970)). Additionally, a post-
conviction court considers “the weight which a reasonable trier of fact would give the
proffered evidence and the probable impact of it in light of all the facts and circumstances
shown at the original trial of the case.” Adams v. State, 430 N.E.2d 771, 774 (Ind. 1982).
Jent has failed to meet his burden of raising this presumption. Further, a case Jent cites in
support of his contention, Shaffer v. State, 453 N.E.2d 1182 (Ind. Ct. App. 1983), which is
stronger than Jent’s case, affirmed that post-conviction court’s denial of a new trial based
on newly discovered evidence.
In Shaffer, the petitioner argued that because it was discovered after trial that the
victim of the sexual assault had gonorrhea, that the petitioner did not contract gonorrhea,
and that the petitioner’s wife, who had sexual relations with the petitioner after the sexual
assault, did not contract gonorrhea, it followed that the petitioner could not have been the
perpetrator. The petitioner, when asked by a medical officer if he had any symptoms of
venereal disease, replied that he did not. Here, Jent has likewise failed to submit evidence
of the supposed certainty that the victim would have contracted genital herpes from sexual
contact with him. Given the strength of the evidence adduced at trial, including
fingerprints, DNA, and the victim’s testimony, we cannot conclude that in all probability
an opposite conclusion would result at a new trial. The post-conviction court did not err
6
by finding and concluding that Jent had failed to meet his burden.
The remainder of Jent’s claims involve allegations of ineffective assistance of trial
and appellate counsel. There is a strong presumption that counsel rendered effective
assistance and made all significant decisions in the exercise of reasonable professional
judgment. Walker v. State, 779 N.E.2d 1158, 1161 (Ind. Ct. App. 2002). As for counsel’s
performance, we give considerable deference to counsel’s discretion in choosing strategy
and tactics. Id. Accordingly, a defendant must show more than isolated poor strategy, bad
tactics, a mistake, carelessness, or inexperience; the defense as a whole must be inadequate.
Law v. State, 797 N.E.2d 1157, 1162 (Ind. Ct. App. 2003).
To prevail on a claim of ineffective assistance of counsel, Jent must show (1) that
counsel’s performance fell below an objective standard of reasonableness as determined
by prevailing professional norms, and (2) that the lack of reasonable representation
prejudiced him. See Shane v. State, 769 N.E.2d 1195, 1200 (Ind. Ct. App. 2000).
Essentially, Jent must show that but for counsel’s deficient performance, the result of the
proceedings would have been different. See Law, 797 N.E.2d at 1161. We will find
prejudice when the conviction or sentence has resulted from a breakdown of the adversarial
process that rendered the result unjust or unreliable. Id. at 1161-62. If we can easily
dismiss an ineffectiveness claim based upon the prejudice analysis, we may do so without
addressing whether counsel’s performance was deficient. Id. at 1162. We apply the same
standard of review to claims of ineffective assistance of appellate counsel as we apply to
claims of ineffective assistance of trial counsel. Williams v. State, 724 N.E.2d 1070, 1078
(Ind. 2000), cert. denied, 531 U.S. 1128 (2001).
7
At trial during re-direct examination of Detective Kenneth Clement, there was no
objection made to Detective Clement’s response to a question about whether he had
reached a determination if Jent was living at the address he had supplied to police. Jent
claims that the failure to object to Detective Clement’s response constitutes ineffective
assistance of trial counsel. Detective Clement testified that Jent “had been evicted or been
put out of that trailer, was my understanding.” Appellant’s Br. at 16 (citing Trial Tr. at
464).
To prove ineffective assistance of counsel due to failure to object, a defendant must
prove that the objection would have been sustained if made and that he was prejudiced by
the failure to object. Kubsch v. State, 934 N.E.2d 1138, 1150 (Ind. 2010). Jent contends
that his trial counsel should have objected citing Indiana Evidence Rules 403 (evidence
excluded where probative value outweighed by prejudice) and 404 (exclusion of evidence
of other crimes or wrongs to prove character or trait of defendant).
Our Supreme Court has set forth the following analysis:
This Court will not speculate about what may have been the most
advantageous strategy in particular cases. A deliberate choice made by
counsel for some tactical or strategic reason does not establish ineffective
assistance of counsel. Moreover, the decision to forego perfunctory
objections having little chance of success or no direct or substantial
relationship to the main thrust of the defense is within the realm of reasonable
trial strategy. The appellant must show that counsel’s alleged failure to act
or his choice of strategy harmed the cause. When an ineffective assistance
claim is predicated on counsel’s failure to interpose an objection, appellant
has the burden to show that a proper objection would have been sustained by
the trial court.
Pennycuff v. State, 745 N.E.2d 804, 812 (Ind. 2001) (quoting Hudson v. State, 496 N.E.2d
1286, 812 (Ind. 2001) (internal citations omitted).
8
On re-direct examination, the State asked Detective Clement about the address
provided by Jent to law enforcement. Detective Clement responded as follows:
No. He had moved out of that trailer prior to us going there on the 14th. He
had been evicted or been put out of that trailer, was my understanding. Or
moved out somewhere.
Appellee’s Br. at 13 (citing Trial Tr. at 464).
The post-conviction court correctly concluded that this evidence was not prejudicial
to Jent. Detective Clement’s testimony provided three possible reasons why Jent no longer
lived at the address provided; namely, that he had been evicted, put out, or moved. The
use of the word evicted, and trial counsel’s failure to object to that testimony, did not harm
Jent’s cause. Jent’s DNA and fingerprints were found at the scene of the molestation on
objects used by the perpetrator of the crimes. The use of the word evicted was minimal
and isolated in light of the totality of the circumstances, and would not have had much
impact on the jury’s evaluation of Jent’s defense. “We look to the totality of the evidence
in reviewing the prejudicial impact of counsel’s errors; in reviewing the performance, we
assess each allegation of substandard assistance independently.” Kutscheid v. State, 592
N.E.2d 1235, 1238 (Ind. 1992). Furthermore, even if the failure to object was not a
strategic decision, isolated mistakes, poor strategy, and instances of bad judgment do not
necessarily render representation ineffective. Smith v. State, 765 N.E.2d 578, 585 (Ind.
2002).
Jent also asserts that his trial counsel was ineffective for failing to object to
testimony from the treating nurse, claiming that the testimony about what the victim said
during treatment after the sexual assault was inadmissible hearsay, as it was not made for
9
the purpose of medical diagnosis or treatment. Treating nurse Stephanie Short testified
that S.H. told her, during treatment after the assault, that Jent said he “wanted to make
babies with me.” Appellee’s Br. at 15 (citing Trial Tr. at 211). Our evidence rules provide
in pertinent part as follows:
Rule 803. Exceptions to the Rule Against Hearsay—Regardless of Whether
the Declarant is Available as a Witness
The following are not excluded by the rule against hearsay, regardless of
whether the declarant is available as a witness:
....
(4) Statement Made for Medical Diagnosis or Treatment. A statement that:
(A) is made by a person seeking medical diagnosis or treatment;
(B) is made for—and is reasonably pertinent to—medical diagnosis or
treatment; and
(C) describes medical history; past or present symptoms, pain or sensations;
their inception; or their general cause.
Ind. Evidence Rule 803(4).
Had trial counsel objected to the statement, it is unlikely that it would have been
sustained. S.H.’s statement to the treating nurse was relevant to the victim’s medical
diagnosis and indicated the type of sexual attack she had endured. The content of the
statement also alerted the nurse to examine the victim for sexually transmitted diseases.
Assuming, arguendo, that a properly made objection would have been sustained,
Jent has failed to establish how the failure to object to this statement prejudiced his defense.
The nurse testified about the amount and degree of injuries she observed on the victim. In
light of the testimony about the trauma S.H. suffered during the sexual attack, evidence of
this statement Jent made during the attack would not have affected the jury’s decision. Jent
10
has failed to show that his cause was prejudiced by trial counsel’s failure to object to this
statement.
Jent alleges next that his trial counsel was ineffective by failing to object to what
Jent claims were instances of prosecutorial misconduct. It is well established that in order
to prevail on a claim of ineffective assistance due to the failure to object to alleged
prosecutorial misconduct, a petitioner for post-conviction relief must show an objection
would have been sustained if made. Pruitt v. State, 903 N.E.2d 899, 928 (Ind. 2009).
Further, to prevail on a claim of ineffective assistance due to prosecutorial misconduct, a
post-conviction petitioner must show that prosecutorial misconduct in fact occurred. Id.A court applies a two-part test in deciding claims of prosecutorial misconduct. Gasaway
v. State, 547 N.E.2d 898, 901 (Ind. Ct. App. 1989). First, the court must determine whether
the prosecutor in fact engaged in misconduct. Id. This determination is made by
referencing case law and the Rules of Professional Conduct. Id. Second, the court must
consider whether the misconduct, under the totality of the circumstances, placed the
defendant in a position of grave peril to which he should not have been subjected. Id. The
gravity of peril is measured by the probable persuasive effect of the misconduct on the
jury’s decision rather than the degree of impropriety of the conduct. Baer v. State, 866
N.E.2d 752, 756 (Ind. 2007), cert. denied, 552 U.S. 1313 (2008).
Jent maintains that the deputy prosecutor committed prosecutorial misconduct by
allegedly falsely commenting on the evidence twice during closing argument. “A
prosecutor, in final arguments, can ‘state and discuss the evidence and reasonable
inferences derivable therefrom so long as there is no implication of personal knowledge
11
that is independent of the evidence.’” Hobson v. State, 675 N.E.2d 1090, 1096 (Ind. 1996)
(quoting Kappos v. State, 577 N.E.2d 974, 977 (Ind. Ct. App. 1991)).
In the State’s closing argument, the deputy prosecutor stated that it was Jent’s sperm
that was found on a shirt that was tested for DNA and that the victim said that Jent used a
key to enter the back door of the house where the offenses occurred. The serologist testified
that the shirt contained seminal fluid and that analysis of the DNA collected from the shirt
matched Jent. The serologist had testified about the distinction between a primary transfer
of DNA and a secondary transfer of DNA, and the inference from her testimony was that
the DNA collected was not the result of a secondary transfer, and thus, was Jent’s. The
victim testified that the perpetrator parked behind a house and entered a door using a key.
Detective Clement testified that one of the keys seized from Jent opened the back door to
the house where the offenses occurred. The gist of the testimony and comment by the
prosecutor was that a key was used by the perpetrator to obtain entry to the house, as
opposed to a forced entry of the house. Both statements are reasonable inferences drawn
from the evidence adduced at trial and do not suggest personal knowledge independent of
the evidence. Jent has failed to establish that his trial counsel was ineffective by failing to
object, or that the objections would have been sustained if made, as there has been no
showing of prosecutorial misconduct here.
Jent claims that his trial counsel’s performance was deficient because he failed to
object to a stipulation admitting results of DNA testing. He argues that the stipulation
presented to the trial court contained a forgery of his signature and that trial counsel should
have known it was forged. Jent contends the prejudice he suffered was the waiver of his
12
right to confront witness Rebecca Tobey (“Tobey”), the DNA analyst who obtained the
DNA profile from Jent’s known standard. However, as noted by the post-conviction court,
Jent did not raise the issue of the alleged forgery at trial, thus failing to alert trial counsel
that he should object, did not show that the outcome of his trial would have been affected
if Tobey had been subjected to cross-examination about the accuracy of the DNA profile
she obtained for Jent, and did not show that the stipulated results were somehow erroneous.
Because Jent has failed to meet his burden of establishing his entitlement to relief, the post-
conviction court did not abuse its discretion by denying Jent’s claim for relief.
Jent further challenges his trial counsel’s performance, alleging ineffectiveness for
failure to impeach State’s witness, Dawn Bowley (“Bowley”) about the color of the car
from which she saw the victim exit, and about her ability to view the person who exited.
Jent claims that Bowley’s testimony at trial about the color of the car should have been
explored and her testimony impeached by the discrepancies. Bowley’s testimony,
however, was that although she could not identify with precision the exact color of the car,
she was confident that the car was “light colored.” Appellee’s Br. at 18 (citing Trial Tr. at
165). The alleged discrepancies in her statements about the exact color of the car were
explained in her testimony at trial, viz., “maybe white or tannish, maybe silver. I[t] was
dark out so it was hard to say.” Id. Regarding her testimony about her ability to see the
victim, Bowley stated that the little girl was standing at a street corner with her head down,
and then “took off real fast across the street and kind of hurried away.” Id. at 19 (quoting
Tr. at 164). No evidence was introduced to suggest that Bowley’s view of the victim’s face
was obstructed at all times. Bowley further testified that she spontaneously recognized the
13
victim as both proceeded to the courtroom for the beginning of Jent’s trial. The post-
conviction court correctly concluded that Jent had failed to identify discrepancies in
Bowley’s testimony such that his trial counsel should have impeached her testimony.
Jent also argues that his trial counsel was ineffective for failing to object on the
ground that Bowley had violated an order for the separation of witnesses. Jent argued that
“witness Dawn Bowley violated the order ‘by her presence in the courtroom during
victim’s testimony and contact with the victim outside the courtroom.’” Appellant’s App.
at 52 (quoting Appellant’s petition for post-conviction relief). Jent failed, however, to
present any evidence that Bowley was present in the courtroom during S.H.’s testimony.
Further, Bowley testified that she merely saw and recognized the victim in the hallway
when they were proceeding to the courtroom.
“The primary purpose for separation of witnesses is to prevent them from gaining
knowledge from the testimony of other witnesses and adjusting their testimony
accordingly.” Harrington v. State, 584 N.E.2d 558, 562 (Ind. 1992). The post-conviction
court correctly found that there was no evidence that a violation of an order of separation
had occurred such that Jent was entitled to post-conviction relief. The evidence showed
that Bowley saw the victim in the hallway prior to the start of trial. Assuming, arguendo,
that Bowley’s sighting of the victim occurred after the entry of the separation order, there
was no evidence that a violation of that order was committed, as no knowledge was gained
from testimony such that Bowley’s testimony was adjusted. Jent’s trial counsel did not
perform deficiently.
14
Jent argued to the post-conviction court that his trial counsel rendered ineffective
assistance by failing to challenge Juror 53 for cause because she knew one of the witnesses.
A juror may be challenged for good cause if that person is biased or prejudiced for or
against the defendant. Ind. Code §35-37-1-5(a)(11). In response to initial questions during
voir dire, Juror 53 responded that “One of the officers lives in my neighborhood.”
Appellant’s Br. at 27 (quoting Tr. at 91). The deputy prosecutor determined that the officer
was Officer Timothy Stein, who was listed as a witness for trial. The deputy prosecutor
then asked Juror 53 “if Officer Stein were to testify, would you give his testimony greater
or lesser weight because of the fact that you know him or that he lives in your
neighborhood?” Appellee’s Br. at 20 (quoting Tr. at 92). Juror 53 testified that she would
not. Officer Stein did not testify at Jent’s trial.
Jent has failed to meet his burden of showing his entitlement to relief as a challenge
for cause would not have been sustained. Juror 53 testified that the fact that she knew
Officer Stein and the fact that he lived in her neighborhood would not influence the weight
she would assign to his testimony. Jent has failed to establish that Juror 53 was biased or
prejudiced against him. Additionally, because Officer Stein did not testify at trial, Jent has
failed to establish that his cause was harmed by his trial counsel’s failure to challenge Juror
53’s service at trial.
Jent also contends that his trial counsel was ineffective for failing to file a notice of
alibi and by failing to investigate potential alibi witnesses. Jent claims that he was present
at a garage sale at his mother’s house at the time of the sexual assault on S.H. Jent contends
that his trial counsel should have produced Jent’s mother as a witness at trial.
15
At Jent’s trial, however, the State asked Detective Clement if Jent had explained his
whereabouts at the time of the sexual assault. Detective Clement testified that Jent said he
was at a garage sale at his mother’s house on Rotham Road all day until approximately
8:00 or 8:30 p.m. Thus, Jent has failed to establish how his cause was prejudiced by trial
counsel’s alleged deficient performance since evidence of his alibi was introduced through
the testimony of Detective Clement.
Further, Jent has failed to produce evidence that potential alibi witnesses he has
identified would have testified as he now suggests. Jent failed to produce affidavits from
those witnesses attesting that they would have testified in such a manner. Our Supreme
Court has stated the following about this topic:
As appellant notes, the decision on which witnesses to call generally is a
matter of strategy on counsel’s part, and we will not second-guess counsel’s
decision unless the choice fell below objective professional standards. In
addition, appellant failed to submit any affidavits showing what the witnesses
would have said. Thus we have no idea what the witnesses would have
testified about and have no basis to judge counsel’s performance. Under the
circumstances, we cannot say counsel’s performance was ineffective.
Hunter v. State, 578 N.E.2d 353, 355 (Ind. 1991) (internal citations omitted). Likewise,
we cannot say Jent’s trial counsel’s performance was ineffective.
Next, Jent advances the argument that his trial counsel was ineffective by failing to
obtain expert witnesses. However, issues not raised in the petition for post-conviction
relief may not be raised for the first time on post-conviction appeal. Ind. Post-Conviction
Rule 1(8); Allen v. State, 749 N.E.2d 1158, 1171 (Ind. 2001). Waiver notwithstanding,
Jent’s claims fail.
16
Jent’s assertions about the testimony of these expert witnesses are premised on the
assumption that they would have testified more favorably to him. As was the case with
Jent’s previous argument, we have no idea what those witnesses might have testified about;
therefore, we have no basis upon which to judge his trial counsel’s performance. Jent
claims that an expert would have testified that the back door was composed of stainless
steel, not reinforced steel, as the State’s witnesses testified. This would have created a
question of fact for the jury to decide, but would not likely have led to a different result.
Jent also claims that an expert would have testified that the amylase found on S.H.’s neck,
which linked Jent to the attack, was present because of a secondary transfer. This argument
would have undermined the defense strategy that there was no reason for Jent’s DNA to
have been present on S.H.’s neck. Jent contends that counsel should have hired a defense
expert to test the State’s biological and physical evidence. Yet again, Jent has failed to
submit affidavits or other evidence supporting his theory of their testimony. Jent is not
entitled to relief on these grounds.
State’s Exhibits 61-65 are the subject of Jent’s next allegation of ineffective
assistance of trial counsel. Jent contends that his trial counsel should have challenged the
chain of custody of those exhibits, which he contends was defective. As we stated in
Whaley v. State, 843 N.E.2d 1, 7 (Ind. Ct. App. 2006), “Merely raising the possibility of
tampering with the evidence is an insufficient method of challenging the chain of custody.”
(quoting Johnson v. State, 594 N.E.2d 817, 818 (Ind. Ct. App. 1992)). “[T]he State need
not establish a ‘perfect’ chain of custody, and any gaps impact solely on the weight, not
the admissibility, of the evidence.” Id.17
State’s Exibit 61 was a plastic bag containing a bottle of lotion. Appellee’s Br. at
24 (citing Tr. at 259). State’s Exhibit 62 was an enema box. Id. (citing Tr. at 261). State’s
Exhibit 63 was a plastic enema bottle. Id. (citing Tr. at 263). State’s Exhibit 64 was a
glass vial containing a clear liquid that was found in the enema bottle. Id. State’s Exhibit
65 was a collection of rags and a green-and-white striped shirt. Id. (citing Tr. at 265).
Witnesses for the State testified that the back door appeared as if someone had tried
to forcibly enter it. None of the witnesses testified, however, that anyone other than Jent
and S.H. entered the house. Thus, Jent’s argument amounts to a showing of the mere
possibility for tampering existed. Had Jent’s trial counsel objected to the admission of
those exhibits on those grounds, the objections would have been overruled. The evidence
recovered from the crime scene contained Jent’s DNA. The possible entry of another
unidentified person does not affect that fact. Jent has failed to demonstrate that if those
objections had been made, the trial court would have had no choice but to sustain it.
Sanchez v. State, 675 N.E.2d 306, 310 (Ind. 1996).
Jent also challenges his trial counsel’s performance during Jent’s sentencing
hearing. “Where an issue, although differently designated, has been previously considered
and determined upon direct appeal, the State may defend against a post-conviction petition
on grounds of res judicata.” Harding v. State, 545 N.E.2d 14, 17 (Ind. Ct. App. 1989). The
State does so here, correctly noting that Jent’s sentence was considered on direct appeal
under both an abuse of discretion and inappropriateness standard of review. See Jent v.
State, No. 02A03-0510-CR-512, slip op. at 6-9 (Ind. Ct. App. July 24, 2006), trans. denied.
18
Nonetheless, Jent’s claims fail on the merits under an ineffective assistance of
counsel designation. Jent asserts that his counsel’s performance was deficient because he
failed to advance mental illness as a mitigating factor. These factors are considered when
determining the weight, if any, that should be given to mental illness in sentencing: 1) the
extent of the defendant’s inability to control his or her behavior due to the disorder or
impairment; 2) overall limitations on functioning; 3) the duration of the mental illness; and
4) the extent of any connection between the disorder or impairment and the commission of
the crime. Weeks v. State, 697 N.E.2d 28, 30 (Ind. 1998).
Jent presented no evidence to support his claim that his mental illness was a
significant mitigating factor. Jent’s pre-sentence investigation report reflects a prior
hospitalization for mental illness, but contains no detailed account of the severity of Jent’s
mental illness, the limitations on his functioning, if any, the duration of his mental illness,
or a connection between that prior mental illness and the crimes that are the subject of this
appeal. Appellee’s Br. at 26 (citing Direct Appeal App. at 170). No additional evidence
was advanced by Jent to the post-conviction court.
Jent also claims that he is entitled to post-conviction relief on this ground because
trial counsel failed to present the testimony of any of Jent’s family members or that of any
character witnesses at Jent’s sentencing hearing. Again, Jent failed to tender evidence
outlining what the testimony of those witnesses would have been, save for that of his
mother, who wrote a letter in which she stated she did not think that Jent was guilty. This,
however, is irrelevant to the issue of Jent’s mental illness as a mitigating factor.
19
Jent further claims that his trial counsel should have objected to the State’s comment
during the sentencing hearing that, because he had a tarp in the trunk of his car, Jent had
contemplated killing S.H. Id. at 27 (citing Sent. Tr. at 4). The State introduced photographs
at sentencing depicting the presence of the tarp in the trunk of Jent’s car. During the trial,
S.H. testified that Jent had warned her to remain silent or he would kill her. Because the
State’s comment was supported by evidence in the record, an objection to the comment
would have been overruled. The post-conviction court properly denied Jent post-
conviction relief.
Jent advances several arguments in support of his claim that appellate counsel
rendered ineffective assistance. We apply the same standard of review to claims of
ineffective assistance of appellate counsel as we apply to claims of ineffective assistance
of trial counsel. Williams, 724 N.E.2d at 1078.
First, Jent argues that appellate counsel inadequately argued the issue of the
sufficiency of the evidence supporting his convictions. A category of appellate
ineffectiveness claims allege that although particular issued were raised by counsel, the
presentation of those issues was somehow inadequate. Bieghler v. State, 690 N.E.2d 188,
195 (Ind. 1997). Where the issues claimed to have been presented inadequately are not
deemed waived in the direct appeal, the petitioner faces a much more difficult task in
convincing a court on appeal to support his or her claim. Id.Jent claims that his appellate counsel should have more distinctly argued that the
evidence supporting his conviction of child molesting as a Class A felony as opposed to a
Class B felony was insufficient to show that sexual intercourse occurred. In cases
20
involving allegations of child molesting, a detailed anatomical description by the victim of
what occurred is not necessary. Spurlock v. State, 675 N.E.2d 312, 315 (Ind. 1996).
Furthermore, given our standard of review, we “must consider only the probative evidence
and reasonable inferences supporting the verdict.” Drane v. State, 867 N.E.2d 144, 146
(Ind. 2007).
S.H. testified in such a manner exhibiting that she knew the difference between her
vagina and her anus, and testified that “He shoved his penis up my butt.” Appellee’s Br. at
30 (quoting Tr. at 129). That evidence was clearly sufficient to support Jent’s conviction
for child molesting as a Class A felony. “Relief is only appropriate when the appellate
court is confident it would have ruled differently.” Bieghler, 690 N.E.2d at 196. Such is
not the case here.
Jent also challenges appellate counsel’s failure to raise the issue of double jeopardy
based upon his convictions for Counts I and VII. Count I alleged that Jent had committed
child molesting as a Class A felony by placing his mouth on the victim’s vagina. Appellee’s
Br. at 31 (citing Direct Appeal App. at 24). Count VII alleged that Jent had committed
child molesting as a Class C felony by performing or submitting to fondling with the
victim. Id. (citing Direct Appeal App. at 30).
The Indiana Double Jeopardy Clause provides, “No person shall be put in jeopardy
twice for the same offense.” Ind. Const. art. I, § 14. We analyze alleged violations of this
clause pursuant to our Supreme Court’s opinion in Richardson v. State, 717 N.E.2d 32 (Ind.
1999). In Richardson, our Supreme Court held that “two or more offenses are the ‘same
offense’ in violation of Article I, Section 14 of the Indiana Constitution, if, with respect to
21
either the statutory elements of the challenged crimes or the actual evidence used to
convict, the essential elements of one challenged offense also establish the essential
elements of another challenged offense.” 717 N.E.2d at 49 (emphasis in original). Under
the federal constitution, double jeopardy protects against, inter alia, multiple punishments
for the same offense. Whalen v. United States, 445 U.S. 684, 688 (1980). The initial
inquiry for determining whether multiple punishments have been imposed for the same
offense is whether the offenses are the same, not whether they spring from the same act.
Elmore v. State, 269 Ind. 532, 539, 382 N.E.2d 893, 897 (1978). The issue is whether the
legislature intended to authorize separate punishment for the two crimes. Bigler v. State,
602 N.E.2d 509, 520 (Ind. Ct. App. 1992).
In its closing argument, the State argued that sexual intercourse was necessary to
convict Jent of Count I and that in order to convict Jent of Count VII, the jury was to
consider evidence of kissing. Thus, it appears from the charging language, the evidence
presented at trial, the trial court’s instructions, and the State’s argument, that the jury did
not base the convictions for those two counts on the same facts. Therefore, the post-
conviction court correctly denied Jent relief on his claim that appellate counsel was
deficient.
Jent maintains that had appellate counsel made a specific argument that his sentence
was inappropriate by citing to authority, that this court would have reached a different
conclusion upon review. Jent’s argument fails because he has failed to show that appellate
counsel’s poor performance prejudiced him. In our memorandum opinion, we noted that
although no specific argument under Indiana Appellate Rule 7(B) had been advanced, we
22
would review Jent’s 238-year sentence under that standard nonetheless.
Appellate courts may revise a sentence after careful review of the trial court’s
decision if they conclude that the sentence is inappropriate based on the nature of the
offense and the character of the offender. Ind. Appellate Rule 7(B). Jent’s appellate
counsel presented the issue of sentencing by arguing that the trial court had abused its
discretion and we, sua sponte, addressed the issue of the sentence’s appropriateness. We
conclude that the post-conviction court correctly denied Jent relief on this basis.
Jent further challenges the effectiveness of his appellate counsel by contending that
counsel should have challenged on direct appeal the trial court’s imposition of consecutive
sentences. Waiver of the sentencing issue notwithstanding, the post-conviction court
properly denied Jent relief.
A single aggravating factor may support the imposition of both an enhanced and
consecutive sentence. Field v. State, 843 N.E.2d 1008, 1010-11 (Ind. Ct. App. 2006). The
trial court found as aggravating factors, the nature and circumstances of the offense and
Jent’s prior criminal history. Jent’s prior criminal history alone as an aggravating factor
would support the imposition of his consecutive sentences. See Bennett v. State, 787
N.E.2d 938, 947 (Ind. Ct. App. 2003) (even if improper aggravators considered, criminal
history aggravating circumstance supports enhanced sentence). Thus, had Jent’s appellate
counsel presented this argument on appeal, it would not have succeeded. Jent has failed to
establish his entitlement to post-conviction relief.
Affirmed.
FRIEDLANDER, J., and BAILEY, J., concur.
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