Rahim Brumfield v. State of Indiana (mem. dec.)

MEMORANDUM DECISION
Pursuant to Ind. Appellate Rule 65(D),
this Memorandum Decision shall not be FILED
regarded as precedent or cited before any Apr 01 2020, 10:31 am
court except for the purpose of establishing CLERK
the defense of res judicata, collateral Indiana Supreme Court
Court of Appeals
estoppel, or the law of the case. and Tax Court
ATTORNEY FOR APPELLANT ATTORNEYS FOR APPELLEE
Mark S. Lenyo Curtis T. Hill, Jr.
South Bend, Indiana Attorney General of Indiana
Tyler G. Banks
Deputy Attorney General
Indianapolis, Indiana
IN THE
COURT OF APPEALS OF INDIANA
Rahim Brumfield, April 1, 2020
Appellant-Defendant, Court of Appeals Case No.
19A-CR-1581
v. Appeal from the St. Joseph
Superior Court
State of Indiana, The Honorable Jeffrey L.
Appellee-Plaintiff. Sandford, Judge
Trial Court Cause No.
71D03-1802-MR-2
Riley, Judge.
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STATEMENT OF THE CASE
[1] Appellant-Defendant, Rahim Brumfield (Brumfield), appeals his conviction for
murder, a felony, Ind. Code § 35-42-1-1, and the jury’s determination that he
was eligible for a firearm sentencing enhancement, I.C. § 35-50-2-11.
[2] We affirm.
ISSUES
[3] Brumfield presents this court with three issues on appeal, which we consolidate
and restate as the following two issues:
(1) Whether the trial court abused its discretion by admitting certain
evidence; and
(2) Whether the trial court improperly instructed the jury.
FACTS AND PROCEDURAL HISTORY
[4] In January 2018, Brumfield and seventeen-year-old T.C. had been in a romantic
relationship for about four years. On the night of January 17, 2018, leading
into the early morning of January 18, 2018, Brumfield and T.C. exchanged text
messages via Facebook Messenger. Brumfield accused T.C. of being unfaithful,
and T.C. wanted to terminate the relationship. At some point, T.C. asked
Brumfield to stop contacting her and to leave her alone.
[5] Later that day, T.C. was at her best friend’s, D.K., house. At approximately
5:30 p.m., T.C. left D.K.’s house; however, they both intended to get together
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again later that evening to go to Walmart. At approximately 8:00 p.m., T.C.
called D.K., and T.C. seemed upset about something. At around the same
time, Michael Onax (Onax) was driving home from work. Onax observed a red
vehicle parked in the middle of Clover Street in South Bend, and he “only saw
one person in[side] the vehicle. It was a woman.” (Transcript Vol. II, p. 99).
As he drove closer, he saw a man who was wearing a red hooded sweatshirt
trying to open the front passenger door. Onax then saw the man with the red
hooded sweatshirt grab onto the “passenger’s side mirror” and hold on as the
red car sped off. (Tr. Vol. II, p. 99). Since there was snow on the ground, the
man was “just slipping and sliding . . . down the street.” (Tr. Vol. II, p. 99).
Onax then saw the man with the red hooded sweatshirt “lift up his hand” and
heard “gunshots fire rapidly.” (Tr. Vol. II, p. 100).
[6] Aaron Maurer (Maurer), who lived on Clover Street, was rocking his baby by
the window. Maurer first heard somebody yelling, and then he saw a man with
a “red hoodie [with his] arm inside the car being pulled along the street. The
car was accelerating and taking him with it.” (Tr. Vol. II, p. 108). Once the red
vehicle was out of his view, Maurer heard “about nine or ten shots.” (Tr. Vol.
II, p. 108). Also, around the same time, Maria Santos (Santos), who also
resided on Clover Street, was in her bedroom sleeping. Santos was awakened
by the sound of gunshots. When she looked out of the window, Santos saw
that a red vehicle had crashed into a house and flipped on its side. Santos saw a
man with a hooded sweatshirt attempt to pull the vehicle down. When that
failed, the man stated, “[s]hit, I need to find a fucking car,” and the man ran
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toward an alley. (Tr. Vol. II, p. 140). Another neighbor who heard the
gunshots called 911.
[7] When South Bend Police Department officers arrived at the scene, they found
T.C. inside the red vehicle. She was unconscious and had no pulse. T.C.’s
cause of death was later determined to be from a “gunshot wound to the back of
her head.” (Tr. Vol. III, p. 19). The police recovered seventeen casings at the
scene of the shooting.
[8] On January 19, 2018, Brumfield’s mother contacted Detective Timothy Wiley
(Detective Wiley), and stated that she was bringing Brumfield to the police
station. After Brumfield was given his Miranda warnings, Brumfield stated that
he had been with T.C. earlier that day, but he denied arguing with T.C. and
having any involvement in her killing. During questioning, Brumfield gave
Detective Wiley his phone number. Shortly thereafter, Brumfield stated that he
did not want to talk, but the questioning continued. 1 After the interview,
Brumfield was released.
[9] Using Brumfield’s cellphone number, Detective Wiley discovered Brumfield’s
Facebook account under an alias, Gunna Hardaway, and he obtained a warrant
to search that account. The Facebook messages between Brumfield and T.C.,
which were exchanged a day before she was murdered, indicated that the two
1
The trial court ultimately excluded all of Brumfield’s statements after he stated that he no longer wished to
continue with Detective Wiley’s questioning.
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were having relationship problems. The messages further showed that when
T.C. ended her four-year romantic relationship with Brumfield, Brumfield was
upset and he threatened to kill T.C. Some of Brumfield’s messages to T.C.
stated: “When I pop yo ass don’t say nun . . . I’ll kill yo [] anybody [] think we
over . . . When I say ima kill [] yu I mean that . . . I’m not letting go unless its
from putting inna dirt.” (State’s Exh. Vol. 5, pp.118, 125, 137) (mistakes
throughout).
[10] Based on Brumfield’s death threats to T.C., Detective Wiley obtained a warrant
for Brumfield’s cellphone location which revealed that on January 18, 2019, at
approximately 8:12 p.m., Brumfield was at the murder scene and he had moved
away from the area by 8:16 p.m.
[11] On February 7, 2018, the State filed an Information, charging Brumfield with
murder. The State further claimed that Brumfield was eligible for a sentencing
enhancement because he had used a firearm in the course of committing the
murder. A warrant was issued for Brumfield’s arrest. On February 24, 2018,
Brumfield turned himself in and spoke with Detective Wiley. At the start of the
interview, Brumfield was given his Miranda warnings. Brumfield denied being
involved in T.C.’s murder, indicated that he knew who killed T.C., but stated
he did not want to be a “snitch.” (State’s Exh. Vol. VI, p. 184). When
Detective Wiley pressed Brumfield to identify T.C.’s killer, Brumfield began
floating an idea that T.C. was killed by a gang. When asked to identify the
gang, Brumfield declined to answer the question, instead, he stated that he
would “just rather have a lawyer.” (State’s Exh. Vol. VI, p. 184). No
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additional questions were asked; instead, Detective Wiley sought to clarify
Brumfield’s request for an attorney. Rather than persisting with his request for
an attorney, Brumfield stated that he wished to continue with the interview.
Brumfield then resumed explaining his theory that T.C.’s killing was gang
related, and he identified the gang as “Four Corner Hustlers.” (State’s Exh.
Vol. II, p. 185). Detective Wiley proceeded to ask Brumfield whether he and
T.C. had a verbal altercation on the day before she was murdered. Brumfield
admitted arguing with T.C., and he also admitted that he regularly messaged
T.C. on Facebook. When Detective Wiley indicated that he had not “even
got[ten] to the hard questions yet,” Brumfield stated that he wanted to stop the
interview. (State’s Exh. Vol. VI, p. 192). Based on the request, Detective
Wiley concluded the interview, and Brumfield was remanded into custody.
[12] On January 27, 2019, pursuant to Indiana Rule of Evidence 404(b), Brumfield
filed a motion in limine, requesting the exclusion of any evidence of him making
any threats to kill T.C. and past physical abuse toward T.C.
[13] On May 9, 2019, at the start of his bifurcated jury trial, Brumfield requested,
but was denied, the suppression of the transcript and recording of his February
24, 2018, interview conducted by Detective Wiley. Also, the parties litigated
Brumfield’s motion in limine. The State argued that Brumfield’s prior bad acts,
i.e., his Facebook messages to T.C. in which he threatened to kill T.C., were
admissible to prove motive and intent pursuant to Indiana Evidence Rule
404(b). Brumfield argued that the State had not provided him with pretrial
notice of its intent to use those Facebook messages for that purpose. Excusing
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the lack of pretrial notice, the State argued that Brumfield had notice, “a long
time ago” since Brumfield’s death threats to T.C. had been referenced in the
probable cause affidavit. (Tr. Vol. II, p. 4). At the close of the parties’
arguments, the trial court granted Brumfield’s motion, in part, by stating that it
was “going to let all threats [] come in under the basis of motive but not to show
intent.” (Tr. Vol. II, p. 10). The trial court indicated that it would issue a
limiting instruction pursuant to that ruling.
[14] During the first phase of Brumfield’s trial, Jermon Gavin (Gavin), an inmate
who was confined about the same time with Brumfield at the St. Joseph County
Jail, testified that Brumfield had disclosed to him that on the day of the
shooting, Brumfield had seen T.C. in the car with “J-Dot,” a man that T.C.
“was messing with.” (Tr. Vol. III, p. 161). Brumfield further divulged to Gavin
that he “got mad and began shooting.” (Tr. Vol. III, p. 161). Gavin added that
Brumfield told him that “he wasn’t trying to hit [T.C.], . . . he was just trying to
scare [T.C.]. But it is what it is.” (Tr. Vol. III, p. 161). Brumfield indicated to
Gavin that he had “shot over twelve times.” (Tr. Vol. III, p. 161).
[15] After the parties’ arguments, a jury instruction conference was held. Based on
Gavin’s testimony that Brumfield fired many shots toward a vehicle occupied
by J-Dot and T.C. and that the shots were not intended for T.C., the State
offered an instruction on transferred intent. Over Brumfield’s objection, the
trial court issued that instruction to the jury. The jury consequently found
Brumfield guilty of murder. During the second phase of Brumfield’s trial, the
jury found Brumfield guilty of using a firearm during the commission of the
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murder. On June 14, 2019, the trial court sentenced Brumfield to fifty-five
years for his murder conviction, and it enhanced that sentence by five years
based on the use of a firearm, resulting in an aggregate term of sixty years.
[16] Brumfield now appeals. Additional information will be provided as necessary.
DISCUSSION AND DECISION
I. Admission of the Evidence
A. Standard of Review
[17] Trial courts are vested with broad discretion in determining whether to admit or
exclude evidence. Satterfield v. State, 33 N.E.3d 344, 352 (Ind. 2015). A trial
court’s decision to admit or exclude certain evidence is subject to review only
for an abuse of discretion. Id. On appeal, “[w]e consider all the facts and
circumstances surrounding the trial court’s decision to determine whether it is
‘clearly against the logic and effect’ of what those facts and circumstances
dictate.” Id. (quoting Blount v. State, 22 N.E.3d 559, 564 (Ind. 2014)). We
“‘may affirm a trial court’s judgment on any theory supported by the
evidence.’” Id. (quoting Clark v. State, 808 N.E.2d 1183, 1188 (Ind. 2004)).
Even if we find that the trial court abused its discretion by excluding evidence,
such error will be “disregarded as harmless error” unless it “affect[s] the
substantial rights of a party.” Hubbell v. State, 754 N.E.2d 884, 890 (Ind. 2001).
[18] Brumfield first asserts that during his second recorded interview with Detective
Wiley, he invoked his right to counsel and that request was ignored. As such,
Brumfield contends that the trial court abused its discretion by admitting into
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evidence the statements he made at that interview following his request.
Furthermore, Brumfield claims that the trial court abused its discretion by
admitting into evidence his Facebook messages to T.C. pursuant to Indiana
Evidence Rule 404(b). We will address each contention in turn.
B. Request for an Attorney
[19] “The right to have counsel present during [custodial] interrogation ‘is
indispensable’ to the protection of the Fifth Amendment privilege against self-
incrimination.” Jolley v. State, 684 N.E.2d 491, 492 (Ind. 1997) (quoting
Miranda v. Arizona, 384 U.S. 436, 469, 86 S. Ct. 1602, 16 L. Ed. 2d 694 (1966)).
“When a suspect asserts his right to counsel during custodial questioning, the
police must stop until counsel is present or the suspect reinitiates
communication with the police and waives his right to counsel.” Id. at 492
(citing Edwards v. Arizona, 451 U.S. 477, 484-85, 101 S. Ct. 1880, 68 L. Ed. 2d 378
(1981)). Importantly, “the prosecution may not use statements stemming from
that interrogation unless it demonstrates the use of procedural safeguards
effective to secure [the suspect’s] privilege [.]” Davies v. State, 730 N.E.2d 726,
733 (Ind. Ct. App. 2000) (citing Miranda, 384 U.S. at 444, 86 S.Ct. at 1602),
trans. denied.
[20] “Invocation of the Miranda right to counsel requires, at a minimum, some
statement that can reasonably be construed to be an expression of a desire for
the assistance of an attorney.” Davis v. United States, 512 U.S. 452, 459, 114
S. Ct. 2350, 129 L. Ed. 2d 362 (1994). While the suspect need not invoke any
magic words, “[t]he cessation of police questioning is not required ‘if a suspect
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makes a reference to an attorney that is ambiguous or equivocal[.]’” Carr v.
State, 934 N.E.2d 1096, 1102 (Ind. 2010) (quoting Davis, 512 U.S. at 459). A
statement is considered ambiguous or equivocal when “‘a reasonable officer in
light of the circumstances would have understood only that the suspect might
be invoking the right to counsel.’” Id. (quoting Davis, 512 U.S. at 459).
[21] After Brumfield was charged with the instant offenses, a warrant for his arrest
was issued, and he turned himself in. On February 24, 2018, Detective Wiley
conducted a recorded interview, and after Brumfield was given his Miranda
warnings, he denied any involvement in T.C.’s murder but stated that he had
heard that a gang was responsible. When Detective Wiley pressed Brumfield to
identify the gang, the following exchange occurred:
[Detective Wiley]: So . . . you know the group[?]
[Brumfield]: I don’t know the group, . . . I heard . . . what the
streets told me. If you go . . . to the streets, the streets tell you the
same thing[.] I’m just not gonna tell you what everybody tell me
because it’s like that’s gonna make me a snitch at the end of the
day. They’re gonna classify me as a snitch []. I’m not no snitch.
****
[Detective Wiley]: So you’re not gonna tell us what group you
think killed your girlfriend?
[Brumfield]: I don’t think, I know.
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[Detective Wiley]: You’re not gonna tell us what group you
know did it?
[Brumfield]: No, I don’t, I’d just rather have a lawyer.
[Detective Wiley]: You don’t . . .
[Brumfield]: You know, for my lawyer can do ‘cuz at the end of
the day y’all just keep on. And . . . I just came in here. . .
[Detective Wiley]: Okay.
[Brumfield]: . . .to let y’all know . . .
[Detective Wiley]: [Brumfield]
[Brumfield]: . . . that I did not do this.
[Detective Wiley]: . . . you just said you wanted a lawyer. Do
you want a lawyer and you wanna stop? Is that what I’m
hearin[g]?
[Brumfield]: I mean if . . . at the end of the day I’m gonna have
to get a lawyer anyway ‘cuz y’all are not gonna . . . .
[Detective Wiley]: That, that’s not what I asked.
[Brumfield]: . . . go by my. . .
[Detective Wiley]: What I, what I asked was do you want us to
stop now so you can have a lawyer. Is that what I’m hearing?
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[Brumfield]: No.
[Detective Wiley]: Is that what you’re saying . . . .
[Brumfield]: No, I’m, I’m. . . .
[Detective Wiley]: Okay.
[Brumfield]: . . . .that’s not what I came here for.
[Detective Wiley]: So we can continue?
[Brumfield]: Yeah, I came here to cut . . . [T]o talk. . . . so y’all
can . . . get the right understandin[g,] so y’all can go do y’all job.
(State’s Exh. Vol. II, pp. 184-85). Brumfield argues that his statement, “I’d just
rather have a lawyer” was a “plain, simple, and straight forward” request and
that Detective Wiley did not honor his request for a lawyer, and he improperly
engaged in “further discussion to change [his] mind about it.” (State’s Exh.
Vol. II, p. 184; Appellant’s Br. p. 20). We disagree.
[22] When Brumfield was asked whether he was going to identify the gang that
actually killed T.C., he responded that he was not going to identify the gang
and “[he]’d just rather have a lawyer.” (State’s Exh. Vol. II, p. 184).
Brumfield’s comment, “I’d just rather have a lawyer” only hinted at a potential
desire for an attorney, not a clear and unequivocal request for one. See Powell v.
State, 898 N.E.2d 328, 336-37 (Ind. Ct. App. 2008). Nonetheless, Detective
Wiley asked Brumfield no other questions about the case, and he immediately
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asked some follow-up questions geared toward clarifying Brumfield’s request
for an attorney. See Jackson v. State, 597 N.E.2d 950, 959 (Ind. 1992) (holding
that “[I]f a suspect’s request for counsel is perceived to be inherently
ambiguous, or equivocal in light of the preceding events, any further
questioning should be narrowly limited to clarifying whether the suspect
actually wished to have counsel present.” (quoting Sleek, 499 N.E.2d at 754)).
When Brumfield stated that he did not wish to have an attorney, Detective
Wiley continued with the questioning. Thus, we conclude that any statements
derived after Brumfield’s equivocal request for an attorney were properly
admitted at his jury trial and were not in violation of his Fifth Amendment
right.
[23] The State further argues that even if it had been error, the admission of any
subsequent statements made after Brumfield invoked his right to counsel as
harmless. We agree. Statements obtained in violation of the federal
constitution and erroneously admitted are subject to harmless error analysis.
Storey v. State, 830 N.E.2d 1011, 1021 (Ind. Ct. App. 2005). We review a claim
of federal constitutional error de novo, and the error must be harmless beyond a
reasonable doubt. Id. The State has the burden to demonstrate that the
improper admission of a defendant’s statement did not contribute to the
conviction. Alford v. State, 699 N.E.2d 247, 251 (Ind. 1998) (citation and
quotation marks omitted). “‘To say that an error did not contribute to the
verdict is . . . to find that error unimportant in relation to everything else the
jury considered on the issue in question, as revealed in the record.’” Id.
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(quoting Yates v. Evatt, 500 U.S. 391, 403, 111 S. Ct. 1884, 114 L. Ed. 2d 432
(1991), disapproved on other grounds by Estelle v. McGuire, 502 U.S. 62, 112 S. Ct.
475, 116 L. Ed. 2d 385 (1991)). In other words, if the State has presented other
overwhelming evidence of the defendant’s guilt, then an erroneously admitted
statement may be deemed harmless. Storey, 830 N.E.2d at 1021.
[24] At no point during the interview did Brumfield admit to killing T.C., rather,
Brumfield maintained his theory that a gang was responsible for T.C.’s murder.
Brumfield’s other statements related to the dynamics of his relationship with
T.C. The only possible incriminating statement that Brumfield made at the
interview was him confirming his Facebook username as Gunna Hardaway and
that he regularly messaged T.C. from that Facebook account. Moreover, we
find that Brumfield’s confirmation of his Facebook username and use of that
account was of no consequence because the record reveals that, two days prior
to the interview, Detective Wiley had applied and received a warrant for
Brumfield’s Facebook account.
[25] Further, the record reveals that Brumfield’s statements at the interview were
unnecessary for his murder conviction. The State presented evidence that
Brumfield argued and threatened to kill T.C. via Facebook Messenger a day
before she was murdered; Brumfield’s cellphone was traced to the location of
the crime scene; and Gavin, an inmate who was confined at around the same
time with Brumfield at the county jail, testified that Brumfield professed to him
that he fired about twelve shots toward a vehicle occupied by T.C. At the crime
scene, the police recovered seventeen bullet casings. Thus, Brumfield’s
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statements at the interview following his request for an attorney were
unnecessary for his murder conviction, and the admission of his statements was
harmless at best.
C. Indiana Evidence Rule 404(b)
[26] Brumfield challenges the admission of his Facebook messages to T.C., arguing
that he was given insufficient notice that they would be admitted at his jury
trial. Indiana Evidence Rule 404(b) provides:
(1) Prohibited Uses. Evidence of a crime, wrong, or other act is
not admissible to prove a person’s character in order to show that
on a particular occasion the person acted in accordance with the
character.
(2) Permitted Uses; Notice in a Criminal Case. This evidence may be
admissible for another purpose, such as proving motive,
opportunity, intent, preparation, plan, knowledge, identity,
absence of mistake, or lack of accident. On request by a
defendant in a criminal case, the prosecutor must:
(A) provide reasonable notice of the general nature of any
such evidence that the prosecutor intends to offer at trial;
and
(B) do so before trial—or during trial if the court, for good
cause, excuses lack of pretrial notice.
The purpose of this notice provision is to reduce surprise to the defendant and
promote the early resolution of questions of admissibility. Abdul-Musawwir v.
State, 674 N.E.2d 972, 975 (Ind. Ct. App. 1996), trans. denied. The notice
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provision is a prerequisite to the admissibility of evidence of a crime, wrong, or
other act. Id. Failure to comply with the requirements of the rule generally
results in the evidence being inadmissible. Id.
[27] Brumfield contends that the State failed to provide him with proper pretrial
notice of its intent to offer into evidence the death threats he made to T.C. via
Facebook Messenger as prior bad acts pursuant to Indiana Evidence Rule
404(b).
[28] The record reveals that the State did not offer its notice of intent to use
Brumfield’s Facebook messages as evidence of prior bad acts pursuant to
Evidence Rule 404(b), nor is there any evidence in the record that Brumfield
made a specific discovery request for such information. However, the record
reveals that following discovery, Brumfield filed a motion in limine seeking to
thwart the State from producing his Facebook messages as evidence of his prior
bad acts. Ahead of his jury trial, the parties litigated Brumfield’s motion in
limine. The State argued that its lack of pretrial notice should be excused
because Brumfield had notice, “a long time ago” since Brumfield’s Facebook
threats to kill T.C. had been referenced in the probable cause affidavit. (Tr.
Vol. II, p. 4). Brumfield’s counsel subsequently admitted that inasmuch as
there was no formal notice by the State, Brumfield was aware of the State’s
intention to use Brumfield’s Facebook messages as evidence, and that fact
prompted him to file the motion in limine. Consequently, the trial court denied
Brumfield’s motion.
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[29] Notably, at his trial, Brumfield did not object to the State’s presentation of his
Facebook messages pursuant to Evidence Rule 404(b), neither did he argue that
the State did not provide him with reasonable notice, or argue that he was
prejudiced by the State’s lack of pretrial notice. Failure to object to the
admission of evidence at trial normally results in waiver and precludes appellate
review unless its admission constitutes fundamental error. Whatley v. State, 908
N.E.2d 276, 280 (Ind. Ct. App. 2009), trans. denied. The fundamental error
doctrine is extremely narrow. To qualify as fundamental error, the error must
be so prejudicial to the rights of the defendant as to make a fair trial impossible.
Willey v. State, 712 N.E.2d 434, 444-45 (Ind. 1999). To be fundamental error,
the error must constitute a blatant violation of basic principles, the harm or
potential for harm must be substantial, and the resulting error must deny the
defendant fundamental due process. Wilson v. State, 514 N.E.2d 282, 284 (Ind.
1987). In the present case, the State did not offer Brumfield’s Facebook death
threats to T.C. to show that Brumfield had a propensity to commit murder or
that his behavior was in conformity with this character trait. Instead, the State
offered the evidence to establish that he had a motive to commit T.C.’s murder,
an acceptable use under Rule 404(b)(2). Consequently, we conclude that
Brumfield has failed to demonstrate the admission of his Facebook threats to
T.C. constituted fundamental error.
II. Jury Instruction on Transferred Intent
[30] The manner of instructing the jury lies within the sound discretion of the trial
court and will be reviewed only for an abuse of discretion. Snell v. State, 866
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N.E.2d 392, 395 (Ind. Ct. App. 2007). In reviewing a trial court’s decision to
give or refuse tendered jury instructions, the appellate court considers: (1)
whether the instruction correctly states the law; (2) whether there is evidence in
the record to support the giving of the instruction; and (3) whether the
substance of the tendered instruction is covered by other instructions that are
given. Corbett v. State, 764 N.E.2d 622, 629 (Ind. 2002).
[31] Over Brumfield’s objection, the trial court gave the State’s tendered instruction
on the doctrine of transferred intent, stating:
The crime of murder is defined by law as follows: a person who
knowingly kills another human being.
When a person intends to kill another person and instead kills a
different person, his intent is transferred from the person to
whom it was directed to the person actually killed, and he may be
found guilty of murder of the person who was killed.
(Appellant’s App. Vol. II, p. 44). Brumfield concedes that the transferred-intent
instruction is a correct statement of law and he does not argue that its substance
was covered by other instructions. His sole argument is that there was no
evidence to support the giving of the instruction.
[32] First, he directs us to Onax’s testimony that on the day of the shooting, Onax
observed only a woman inside the vehicle and a man with a red hooded
sweatshirt holding on to the passenger’s side mirror as the vehicle sped off.
Brumfield then directs us to other neighbors who testified about the shooting,
and he argues that there was conflicting evidence about T.C. being the only
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person inside the vehicle. He additionally claims that “none of the other
witnesses from the neighborhood said they saw or heard anything other than
two (2) people being involved.” (Appellant’s Br. p. 26). Dismissing the State’s
claim that there was another person on the scene of the crime, Brumfield
contends
Although [Gavin,] the jail house informant, indicated that
Brumfield told him about J-Dot being there, the [S]tate quickly
dispelled that argument through Jeramiah Moore’s (J-Dot)
testimony by showing that J-Dot had been in California from
January 14, 2018 through February l, 2018 and therefore could
not have been present at the scene as testified by [] Gavin.
(Appellant’s Br. p. 26). He further directs us to the fact that the State
impeached J-Dot on the stand through his testimony that he was in California
visiting his father from January 14, 2018, through February 1, 2018, therefore
implying that J-Dot was not present when T.C. was murdered. As such,
Brumfield contends that there was no evidence to support an inference that his
intent to kill J-Dot was transferred to T.C. The State posits, “[I]f the jury had
accepted Gavin’s testimony about Brumfield’s statements regarding J-Dot”
being present, “it needed to be instructed that Brumfield could still be guilty of
T.C.’s murder even if he were trying to kill J-Dot instead.” (Appellee’s Br. p.
23).
[33] Each party to an action is entitled to have the jury instructed on his particular
theory of complaint or defense. Collins v. Rambo, 831 N.E.2d 241, 245 (Ind. Ct.
App. 2005). Notwithstanding the fact that the State impeached Gavin by
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having J-Dot testify that he was in California when T.C.’s murder occurred,
Gavin unequivocally testified that Brumfield had informed him that J-Dot was
inside the vehicle with T.C. on the day of the shooting; Brumfield was upset
with T.C. because she was with J-Dot; Brumfield fired about twelve shots in a
vehicle occupied by J-Dot and T.C.; and Brumfield stated that his shots were
not intended for T.C.
[34] While there was conflicting evidence as to whether T.C. was the only occupant
inside the red vehicle, Gavin’s testimony, although weak and inconsistent as
compared to J-Dot’s testimony, supported the jury instruction on transferred
intent. See Snell, 866 N.E.2d at 396 (stating that evidence that has some
probative value is sufficient to support the giving of an instruction, even if the
evidence is weak or inconsistent).
[35] Further, we find that even if it had been error to issue the instruction, it was
harmless. “Generally, errors in the giving or refusing of instructions are
harmless where a conviction is clearly sustained by the evidence and the jury
could not properly have found otherwise.” Matheny v. State, 983 N.E.2d 672,
681 (Ind. Ct. App. 2013) (quotation omitted), trans. denied. We find that any
error from giving the instruction was harmless since the State presented strong
evidence of Brumfield’s guilt: Brumfield’s Facebook death threats were strong
evidence to prove Brumfield’s motive to commit T.C.’s murder; Brumfield’s
cellphone location placed him at the scene of the crime; Gavin testified that
Brumfield informed him that he fired about twelve shots toward a vehicle
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occupied by T.C.; and the police recovered seventeen shell casings at the scene
of the crime.
[36] Furthermore, we find that the instruction unlikely impacted the jury’s verdict.
Final Instruction 6B advised the jury that they were the exclusive judges of the
evidence, that they were the judges of the credibility of the witnesses and the
weight to be given to their testimony, and that they should not disregard the
testimony of any witness without due consideration and without just cause, but
that they were to decide who to believe and who to disbelieve. Thus, even if it
was error to give the transferred intent instruction, the instruction did not assist
the jury in its factfinding role. We assume a jury follows the instructions it is
given. See Weisheit v. State, 26 N.E.3d 3, 20 (Ind. 2015). Therefore, we
conclude that the giving of the transferred intent instruction was harmless.
CONCLUSION
[37] Based on the foregoing, we conclude that the trial court did not abuse its
discretion by admitting the statements Brumfield made at the interview, or the
Facebook threats he made to T.C. Further, we hold the trial court did not err in
giving the transferred intent instruction.
[38] Affirmed.
[39] Baker, J. and Brown, J. concur
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