Sean Martin v. Commonwealth of Kentucky

RENDERED: AUGUST 12, 2022; 10:00 A.M.
NOT TO BE PUBLISHED
Commonwealth of Kentucky
Court of Appeals
NO. 2020-CA-1474-MR
AND
NO. 2020-CA-1584-MR
SEAN MARTIN APPELLANT
APPEALS FROM JEFFERSON CIRCUIT COURT
v. HONORABLE OLU A. STEVENS, JUDGE
ACTION NO. 18-CR-003689
COMMONWEALTH OF KENTUCKY APPELLEE
OPINION
AFFIRMING APPEAL NO. 2020-CA-1474-MR
VACATING AND REMANDING
APPEAL NO. 2020-CA-1584-MR
** ** ** ** **
BEFORE: CALDWELL, TAYLOR, AND L. THOMPSON, JUDGES.
TAYLOR, JUDGE: Sean Martin brings Appeal No. 2020-CA-1474-MR from an
October 12, 2020, Judgment of Conviction and Sentence of Probation and brings
Appeal No. 2020-CA-1584-MR from a November 10, 2020, Order, and a
November 16, 2020, Restitution Order rendered by the Jefferson Circuit Court.
We affirm Appeal No. 2020-CA-1474-MR. We vacate and remand Appeal No.
2020-CA-1584-MR.
On August 14, 2018, Officer Aimee Mills, of the Louisville Metro
Police Department, initiated a traffic stop of a tan Toyota Corolla driven by Martin.
During the traffic stop, Officer Mills ran the license plate number which revealed
the plate had been issued for a blue Toyota Corolla rather than a tan one. Officer
Mills then ran a check of the vehicle identification number (VIN). The VIN
revealed that the vehicle belonged to a Brittany Williams and had been reported
stolen the previous day. Upon being informed that the vehicle had been reported
stolen, Martin told Officer Mills he had borrowed the vehicle from a friend, Jessica
Hardesty. Martin was placed under arrest.
On December 13, 2018, Martin was indicted by a Jefferson County
Grand Jury upon receiving stolen property over $500 but less than $10,000,
criminal mischief in the first degree, obscuring the identity of a machine over $500
but less than $10,000, operating a motor vehicle on a suspended license, failure to
have motor vehicle insurance, operating a vehicle without a license, disregarding a
traffic-control device, and operating a vehicle with expired registration.
A jury trial was conducted on November 22, 2019. After close of the
evidence, Martin made a motion for a direct verdict of acquittal. The trial court
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granted the motion for directed verdict as to the charge of failure to have motor
vehicle insurance and dismissed same. The trial court denied the motion for
directed verdict as to the remaining charges. Following the jury trial, Martin was
found guilty of receiving stolen property over $500 but less than $10,000, criminal
mischief in the third degree, and operating a vehicle on a suspended license.
Martin was acquitted upon the remaining charges. By Judgment of Conviction and
Sentence of Probation (Judgment) entered October 12, 2020, the trial court
sentenced Martin to two-years’ imprisonment probated for a period of five years.
Martin thereupon filed a notice of appeal (No. 2020-CA-1474-MR) in
the Court of Appeals from the October 12, 2020, Judgment.
The trial court held a hearing upon restitution and ordered Martin to
pay restitution to Williams. By Order entered November 10, 2020, and by
Restitution Order entered November 16, 2020, Martin was ordered to pay
restitution in the amount of $1,704.82. Martin then filed a notice of appeal (No.
2020-CA-1584-MR) therefrom.1
We shall initially address Appeal No. 2020-CA-1474-MR and
subsequently Appeal No. 2020-CR-1584-MR.
1
Because these appeals are related and arise from the same conviction, for judicial economy, this
Court has considered the appeals together.
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Appeal No. 2020-CA-1474-MR
Martin’s first argument on appeal is that the trial court erred by
denying his motion for a directed verdict upon the charge of criminal mischief.
Martin asserts there was insufficient evidence that he caused any damage to
Williams’ vehicle. In support thereof, Martin contends that there was no direct
evidence that he was the individual that caused damage to Williams’ vehicle.
More particularly, Martin argues that “[w]ithout proof of how the damages were
caused and who caused them, the jury could not reasonably infer that Mr. Martin
was guilty of any degree of criminal mischief.” Martin’s Brief at 6.
A directed verdict of acquittal is proper when a reasonable juror could
not find a defendant guilty of the essential elements of the offense beyond a
reasonable doubt. Commonwealth v. Benham, 816 S.W.2d 186, 187 (Ky. 1991).
When considering the motion, all reasonable inferences from the record must be
viewed in a light most favorable to the Commonwealth. Id. Any questions
regarding weight and credibility of testimony must be reserved for the jury. Id.Our review proceeds accordingly.
Martin was indicted upon criminal mischief in the first degree. The
jury was instructed upon criminal mischief in the first degree, as well as the lesser
included offenses of criminal mischief in the second degree and criminal mischief
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in the third degree.2 Martin was convicted upon criminal mischief in the third
degree.
Criminal mischief in the third degree is codified at Kentucky Revised
Statutes (KRS) 512.040 and provides, in relevant part:
(1) A person is guilty of criminal mischief in the third
degree when:
(a) Having no right to do so or any reasonable ground
to believe that he or she has such right, he or she
intentionally or wantonly defaces, destroys, or
damages any property causing pecuniary loss of
less than five hundred dollars ($500)[.]
KRS 512.040(1)(a).
It is well-established “that the Commonwealth can prove all the
elements of a crime by circumstantial evidence.” Commonwealth v. Goss, 428
S.W.3d 619, 625 (Ky. 2014) (citing Commonwealth v. O’Conner, 372 S.W.3d 855,
857 (Ky. 2012)). Therefore, “[d]irect proof . . . is not necessary.” Id. at 625. And,
when a trial court refuses to grant a motion for directed verdict, “an appellate court
should not reverse unless ‘it would be clearly unreasonable for a jury to find
guilt.’” Goss, 428 S.W.3d at 625-26 (quoting Benham, 816 S.W.2d at 187).
2
Criminal mischief in the first degree, second degree, and third degree are codified at Kentucky
Revised Statutes (KRS) 512.020, KRS 512.030, and KRS 512.040, respectively. These offenses
are essentially identical except for the amount of monetary damage to the property causing
pecuniary loss. First-degree criminal mischief involves damage that results in a loss of $1,000 or
more. Second-degree criminal mischief involves damage that results in a loss of $500 or more
but less than $1,000. Third-degree criminal mischief involves damage that results in a loss of
less than $500.
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At trial, the Commonwealth introduced uncontroverted evidence that
Martin was driving the vehicle that Williams had reported stolen the previous day
and there was substantial damage to the vehicle. There was also evidence
presented that a screwdriver had been forced into the ignition to start the vehicle,
and Martin did not have keys to the vehicle. A false license plate had been affixed
to the vehicle, the windshield was cracked, and the passenger door lock was
damaged. Several of Martin’s personal belongings were also found inside the
vehicle. Although the Commonwealth did not introduce any direct evidence that
Martin caused damage to the vehicle, it certainly could be inferred from these facts
that Martin caused at least some damage to the vehicle. His operation of the
vehicle was dependent upon a screwdriver inserted in the ignition.3 As direct
evidence is not necessary for a conviction, and circumstantial evidence was
certainly presented upon which a reasonable jury could infer that Martin caused
damage to the stolen vehicle, it was not clearly unreasonable for the jury to find
Martin guilty of criminal mischief in the third degree. See Goss, 428 S.W.3d at
625. Therefore, we believe Martin’s assertion that the trial court erred by denying
his motion for a directed verdict of acquittal upon criminal mischief in the third
degree is without merit.
3
The damage for repair of the vehicle’s ignition totaled $318.
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Martin next contends that the trial court erred in its jury instructions
upon criminal mischief in the third degree and that such error violated his
constitutional right to a unanimous verdict as protected by the Sixth Amendment to
the United States Constitution and Section 7 of the Kentucky Constitution. In
support thereof, Martin asserts that the jury instructions upon criminal mischief
were too vague. As a result, Martin believes it was impossible to determine the
exact damage to the vehicle upon which the jury based its conviction for criminal
mischief in the third degree. In other words, it cannot be determined if the jury
based its verdict on the damage to the ignition, the windshield, or the passenger
door lock.
Section 7 of the Kentucky Constitution mandates that a unanimous
verdict be reached by a jury of twelve persons in a criminal trial. Wells v.
Commonwealth, 561 S.W.2d 85, 87 (Ky. 1978) (citations omitted). And, the
United States Supreme Court has held that the Sixth Amendment’s unanimity
requirement applies to state criminal trials. Ramos v. Louisiana, 140 S. Ct. 1390,
1397 (2020). A flawed jury instruction only implicates the constitutional mandate
of unanimity where “it is reasonably likely that some members of the jury actually
followed the erroneously inserted theory in reaching their verdict.” Travis v.
Commonwealth, 327 S.W.3d 456, 463 (Ky. 2010). And, there must exist a
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“reasonable possibility” the jury was misled before the constitutional unanimity is
violated. Id.In the case sub judice, the instruction given to the jury upon criminal
mischief in the third degree4 provides:
[Y]ou will find the Defendant, Sean Martin, guilty of
Criminal Mischief in the Third Degree under this
Instruction if, and only if, you believe from the evidence
beyond a reasonable doubt all of the following:
A. That in this county on or about 14th day of August
2018 and before the finding of the Indictment
herein, the Defendant intentionally or wantonly
damaged a vehicle which belonged to Brittany
Williams, AND
B. That he had neither a right to do so nor any
reasonable ground to believe that he had such a
right;
If you find the Defendant guilty under this Instruction,
you will say so by your verdict and no more. There will
be a further proceeding at which you will determine the
punishment.
In support of Martin’s theory, he relies upon Harp v. Commonwealth,
266 S.W.3d 813, 821 (Ky. 2008) for the proposition that “failing to include basic
evidentiary identification or distinguishing characteristics [in a jury instruction]
4
The jury instructions upon criminal mischief in the first degree and second degree were
identical to the instruction given upon criminal mischief in the third degree except for the
monetary values involved as previously discussed and as set forth in each of the relevant statutes,
KRS 512.020, KRS 512.030, and KRS 512.040.
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can be misleading and can also cause a unanimity problem.” Martin’s Brief at 10.
In Harp, the defendant was charged with seven separate counts of sexual abuse.
Each of the seven jury instructions was identical and did not contain any
“identifying characteristics” to differentiate one act of sexual abuse from another.
Harp, 266 S.W.3d at 818. The Harp Court found this to be error. Id. However,
the court went on to explain:
Our precedent does not support a conclusion that a trial
court is required to include any identifying evidentiary
detail in instructions in which a defendant is charged with
only one count of an offense. See Bell [v.
Commonwealth, 245 S.W.3d 738, 744 (Ky. 2008)]
(‘When the evidence is sufficient to support multiple
counts of the same offense, the jury instructions must be
tailored to the testimony in order to differentiate each
count from the others.’)[.]
Harp, 266 S.W.3d at 821 n.25 (emphasis omitted).
The facts in Harp are clearly distinguishable from the facts in the case
sub judice. In Harp, there were multiple counts of the same offense, whereas, in
this case, Martin was charged with only one count of criminal mischief even
though the jury was instructed upon criminal mischief in the first degree, and the
lesser included offenses of criminal mischief in the second degree and criminal
mischief in the third degree. As Martin was only indicted upon one count of the
offense, the trial court was not required to include any “identifying characteristic”
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of the evidentiary details in the jury instructions. See Harp, 266 S.W.3d at 821.
Thus, we perceive no error in this regard.
Martin also asserts that the trial court erred in its instruction to the
jury upon criminal mischief in the third degree by including language that Martin
could have acted either “intentionally” or “wantonly” in causing damage to the
vehicle. Martin specifically asserts that there was no evidence to support the
inclusion of the alternative theory that Martin acted “wantonly” in damaging
Williams’ vehicle.
This precise issue was addressed by this Court in Buchanan v.
Commonwealth, 399 S.W.3d 436 (Ky. App. 2012). In Buchanan, the jury
instruction upon first-degree assault was a “combination” instruction that included
both “wanton” and “intentional” language. Id. at 442. The Buchanan Court noted
that a defendant must be convicted of an offense by a unanimous verdict. Id.However, the Court went on to hold “that a ‘combination’ instruction permitting a
conviction of the same offense under either of two alternative theories does not
deprive a defendant of his right to a unanimous verdict if there is evidence to
support conviction under either theory.” Id. at 442 (quoting Miller v.
Commonwealth, 77 S.W.3d 566, 573-74 (Ky. 2002) (emphasis added)).
In the case sub judice, there was certainly evidence presented to
support a conviction under either theory – wanton or intentional. Martin was the
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only person identified as occupying the vehicle after it was stolen, and there was
damage to the ignition, the windshield, and the passenger door. It was obvious that
Martin had inserted a screwdriver in the ignition to start the vehicle. That evidence
alone could support an act that was either intentional or wanton. Furthermore,
Martin’s act of driving through the red traffic light in a stolen vehicle demonstrates
a disregard for the vehicle and could also be viewed as both wanton and
intentional. Therefore, we do not believe it was unreasonable for the jury to
believe that Martin acted either intentionally or wantonly in damaging the vehicle.
Thus, we reject Martin’s contention that the trial court erred by including both
wanton and intentional conduct in the jury instruction upon criminal mischief in
the third degree.
Martin next asserts that the trial court abused its discretion by failing
to answer a question presented to the trial court by the jury during deliberations.
The jury sent a question to the court after deliberations began regarding Instruction
No. 1, Receiving Stolen Property Over $500 But Less than $10,000.
Instruction No. 1 provided, as follows:
You will find the Defendant, Sean Martin, guilty of
Receiving Stolen Property Over $500 But Less than
$10,000 under this Instruction if, and only if, you believe
from the evidence beyond a reasonable doubt all of the
following:
A. That in the county on or about the 14th day of
August 2018 and before the finding of the
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Indictment herein, the Defendant had
possession of a vehicle that belonged to
Brittany Williams;
B. That said vehicle had been stolen from Brittany
Williams and the Defendant knew or had
reason to believe that it had been stolen when
he had possession of it;
C. That he did not have possession of the vehicle
with the intention of restoring it to its rightful
owner;
AND
D. That when the Defendant had possession of the
vehicle, it had a value of $500 or more.
If you find the Defendant guilty under this Instruction,
you say so by your verdict and no more. There will be a
further proceeding at which you will determine his
punishment.
After the jury began its deliberations, it sent the trial court the
following question:
When deciding upon instruction one, do we assess the
value at the time of receipt of the stolen property, or the
value at which the property was taken from the victim?
The trial court responded, “You have received all the instructions in the case.” The
jury ultimately found Martin guilty of receiving stolen property over $500.00.
It is well-settled that a trial court’s decision to answer a question
presented by the jury is reviewed for an abuse of discretion. Beard v.
Commonwealth, 581 S.W.3d 537, 544 (Ky. 2019) (citing Muncy v.
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Commonwealth, 132 S.W.3d 845, 848 (Ky. 2004)). An abuse of discretion occurs
where the court’s decision on an issue is arbitrary, unreasonable, or in a manner
that is not supported by sound legal principles. Beard, 581 S.W.3d at 544 (citing
Commonwealth v. English, 993 S.W.2d 941, 945 (Ky. 1999)).
In this case, the jury specifically asked the court whether to assess the
value of the property when it was taken from the victim or when the stolen
property was received. The court declined to answer the question and merely
referred the jury to the instructions given in the case. Thus, the trial court provided
no information beyond what was provided in the jury instructions. We cannot find
this to be an abuse of discretion. If an error occurs in regard to a question posed by
the jury, such an error occurs “from the court advising the jury as to such matters”
and not in refusing to answer the question. See Collett v. Commonwealth, 686
S.W.2d 822, 824 (Ky. App. 1984). Therefore, we do not believe the trial court
abused its discretion by refusing to answer the question posed by the jury, and we
find no merit in Martin’s contention regarding same.
Martin finally contends that the trial court erred by allowing the
Commonwealth to play Officer Mills’ body camera video from the traffic stop and
subsequent arrest. Martin specifically alleges the video should have been excluded
as inadmissible pursuant to Kentucky Rules of Evidence (KRE) 404(b). In support
of his claim, Martin asserts that his reference in the video to a possible “traffic
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warrant out of Hardin County” and recently getting “all his stuff resolved in
Jefferson County” resulted in prejudice and, thus, was inadmissible.
When reviewing a trial court’s ruling upon admission or exclusion of
evidence, the proper standard is abuse of discretion. Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co.
v. Thompson, 11 S.W.3d 575, 577 (Ky. 2000) (citations omitted). An abuse of
discretion occurs if the trial court’s decision to admit or exclude evidence is
“arbitrary, unreasonable, unfair, or unsupported by sound legal principles.”
English, 993 S.W.2d at 945. And, the admissibility of the type of evidence at issue
here is governed by KRE 404(b), “Other Crimes, Wrongs, or Acts.”
KRE 404(b) provides that evidence of “other crimes, wrongs, or acts
is not admissible to prove the character of a person in order to show action in
conformity therewith.” Such evidence may be admissible, however, if it is
“offered for some other purpose such as proof of motive, opportunity, intent,
preparation, plan, knowledge, identity, or absence of mistake or accident” or if “so
extricably intertwined with the other evidence essential to the case that separation
of the two (2) could not be accomplished without serious adverse effect on the
offering party.” KRE 404(b). And, the Kentucky Supreme Court has fashioned a
three-prong inquiry to assess “the admissibility of prior bad acts evidence under
KRE 404(b), which includes examining the relevance, probativeness, and prejudice
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associated with the prior crime.” Benjamin v. Commonwealth, 266 S.W.3d 775,
791 (Ky. 2008) (citing Bell v. Commonwealth, 875 S.W.2d 882, 889 (Ky. 1994)).
In the case sub judice, we believe the trial court did not abuse its
discretion and that the evidence at issue satisfies the three-prong analysis set forth
in Benjamin, 266 S.W.3d at 791. One of the charges Martin was indicted upon was
operating on a suspended license. Martin’s statements on Officer Mills’ body
camera video regarding his “traffic warrant” and court history were relevant to
demonstrate Martin had knowledge that his driver’s license was suspended and to
demonstrate the absence of any mistake regarding same. The body camera video
evidence in this instance was both relative and probative to the indicted charge of
operating on a suspended license.
We also do not believe the evidence was unfairly prejudicial. The
jury ultimately recommended that Martin receive only a fine and not any jail time
for the offense of driving on a suspended license. This tends to indicate the jury
was not unfairly prejudiced. Martin’s comments on the body camera video were
also very brief, lasting only a few seconds. We do not believe that the admission
of the brief comments Martin made on the body camera video were improper and
reject Martin’s assertion to the contrary.
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Appeal No. 2020-CA-1584-MR
Martin asserts that the trial court erred by ordering $1,704.82 in
restitution. Martin argues that the Commonwealth failed to prove that the
$1,704.82 in damages to Williams’ vehicle were caused by his criminal conduct.
Rather, Martin maintains that the purchase and replacement of a ball joint, struts,
and brake pads were not the result of any criminal activity on his part. Martin
contends that these items were improperly included as restitution. Additionally,
Martin points out that the Commonwealth only presented evidence of $1,686.13 in
damages to Williams’ vehicle. Martin believes that the trial court further erred by
failing to render specific findings of fact to support $1,704.82 in restitution.
It is well-established that due process mandates that the trial court
conduct an adversarial hearing and that it must make findings of fact as to
restitution based upon reliable evidence. Jones v. Commonwealth, 382 S.W.3d 22,
31 (Ky. 2011). Such an adversarial hearing upon restitution falls within the ambit
of Kentucky Rules Civil Procedure (CR) 52.01; however, the trial court’s duty to
make findings of fact is also constitutionally mandated. Brinson v.
Commonwealth, 571 S.W.3d 593, 600 (Ky. App 2018). So, “when calculating
restitution a record of written or recorded findings as to the evidence relied upon
and reason for establishing the amount of restitution is both warranted and
necessary[.]” Brinson, 571 S.W.3d at 600. Consequently, it is incumbent upon the
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trial court to “expressly” set forth its findings of fact in an order regarding
restitution. Id.In this case, these are two orders regarding restitution in the record – a
November 10, 2020, Order and a November 16, 2020, Order. Neither order sets
forth any findings of fact as to the evidence relied upon or the reasoning to support
the ordered $1,704.82 in restitution. This constitutes reversible error. Brinson,
571 S.W.3d at 600.
We, therefore, vacate the November 10, 2020, Order and the
November 16, 2020, Restitution Order and remand for the trial court to hold a
hearing upon restitution. Following the hearing, the trial court shall set forth
findings of fact delineating the evidence relied upon and conclusions of law for
establishing damages for which Martin is ordered to pay as restitution.5
We view any remaining contentions of error as moot or without merit.
For the forgoing reasons, Appeal No. 2020-CA-1474-MR is affirmed,
and Appeal No. 2020-CA-1584-MR is vacated and remanded for proceedings
consistent with this Opinion.
5
Upon remand, the trial court should also be cognizant that generally restitution is limited to
damages caused by crimes for which a defendant was convicted by a jury. Commonwealth v.
Morseman, 379 S.W.3d 144, 152 (Ky. 2012). If, upon remand, the trial court orders restitution,
the trial court should also include findings of fact and conclusions of law as to the causal
connection between Martin’s crimes and the damages underlying the ordered restitution.
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ALL CONCUR.
BRIEFS FOR APPELLANT: BRIEF FOR APPELLEE:
Jazmin P. Smith Daniel Cameron
Assistant Appellate Defender Attorney General of Kentucky
Louisville Metro Public Defender’s Frankfort, Kentucky
Office
Louisville, Kentucky Joseph A. Beckett
Assistant Attorney General
Frankfort, Kentucky
ORAL ARGUMENT FOR ORAL ARGUMENT FOR
APPELLANT: APPELLEE:
Christopher B. Thurman Joseph A. Beckett
Louisville Metro Public Defender’s Assistant Attorney General
Office Frankfort, Kentucky
Louisville, Kentucky
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