State of Minnesota v. Doan Meshell Engel

This opinion will be unpublished and
may not be cited except as provided by
Minn. Stat. § 480A.08, subd. 3 (2014).
STATE OF MINNESOTA
IN COURT OF APPEALS
A15-0870
State of Minnesota,
Respondent,
vs.
Doan Meshell Engel,
Appellant
Filed May 23, 2016
Affirmed in part, reversed in part, and remanded
Worke, Judge
Ramsey County District Court
File Nos. 62-CR-14-3766, 62-CR-14-9333
Lori Swanson, Attorney General, St. Paul, Minnesota; and
John J. Choi, Ramsey County Attorney, Peter R. Marker, Assistant County Attorney, St.
Paul, Minnesota (for respondent)
Cathryn Middlebrook, Chief Appellate Public Defender, Steven P. Russett, Assistant
Public Defender, St. Paul, Minnesota (for appellant)
Considered and decided by Schellhas, Presiding Judge; Worke, Judge; and
Johnson, Judge.
UNPUBLISHED OPINION
WORKE, Judge
Appellant challenges her assault convictions, arguing that the district court:
(1) erred by instructing the jury on the duty to retreat, (2) plainly erred by inadequately
responding to a question from the jury, (3) abused its discretion by prohibiting certain
testimony, (4) abused its discretion by declining a downward sentencing departure,
(5) erred by entering convictions for both assault counts; and (6) abused its discretion by
awarding restitution. We affirm in part, reverse in part, and remand with instructions to
vacate judgment of conviction on second-degree assault.
FACTS
Appellant Doan Meshell Engel and R.G. started dating approximately 15 years
ago and resided together in a home in St. Paul. In April 2014, Engel moved to California
with her daughter. After Engel moved, R.G.’s son (R.G.J.), R.G.J.’s girlfriend, and the
couple’s infant daughter moved into the St. Paul residence with R.G.
On May 3, Engel returned to Minnesota, and she stayed in a hotel with R.G. the
next night. On May 5, Engel and R.G. began arguing at the St. Paul residence after Engel
told R.G. to clean the house. Engel subsequently called 911 and stated that R.G.
“accidentally . . . got stabbed.” Engel denied stabbing R.G., repeated that it was an
accident, and stated that she was helping R.G. clean.
Officer Peter Baldwin arrived at R.G.’s residence after receiving a call that a male
had been stabbed by his girlfriend. Engel told Officer Baldwin that she did not stab R.G
and that she lives in California. Engel told Officer Nicole Obrestad that R.G. was
bleeding as he entered the house from the backyard and that somebody stabbed him.
Engel did not appear injured or request medical attention.
R.G. arrived at the hospital for emergency surgery. Medical staff concluded that
R.G. had been stabbed in the chest by an object that penetrated his heart. On May 9,
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Officer Nichole Sipes met with R.G. at the hospital. R.G. appeared groggy and slightly
confused. R.G. told Officer Sipes that Engel resided in California. R.G. said that he was
arguing with Engel on May 5 because he did not want to pay two mortgages. R.G. said
that he previously pushed Engel but denied getting physical on May 5. On May 11,
Officer Sipes spoke with R.G. again at the hospital, and R.G.’s condition appeared
improved. R.G. said that he may have been physical with Engel, but he did not
remember.
Engel was charged with first- and second-degree assault. A jury trial commenced,
and R.G. testified that Engel moved to California and visited him in May 2014. When
asked whether an argument occurred on May 5, R.G. stated: “There probably was
because [R.G.J.] was living there and [Engel] wasn’t in control of the house no more.
She was living in California. . . . [T]hat was her little domain, and then now it wasn’t hers
no more . . . .”
Engel testified about prior incidents when R.G. physically abused her, but the
testimony was admitted solely for demonstrating the nature and extent of the relationship.
Engel testified that in 2012 R.G. choked her and knocked her out. Again in 2012, Engel
testified, R.G. choked her, pulled her hair, and pushed her face to the ground. Engel also
testified about another incident in 2013, wherein R.G. repeatedly struck her on the head.
Engel testified that the abuse continued on numerous occasions in 2014.
Engel also testified that on May 5 the couple argued after she told R.G. to clean
the house. Engel testified that R.G. choked her and dragged her into the kitchen. Engel
told R.G. that he was going to jail and that she was going to call the police. Engel
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testified that R.G. pushed her “really hard” up against the sink, pulled her hair, and said,
“I should knock you out.” Engel responded by cutting R.G. with a knife. Engel testified
that she thought R.G. was going to kill her and that they had never fought like that before.
Numerous family members also testified about prior acts of violence between R.G.
and Engel for the sole purpose of considering whether Engel was reasonably put in fear
of serious bodily harm. Engel’s sister testified that she previously observed R.G. choke
Engel. Engel’s mother testified that she previously observed R.G. knock Engel to the
floor. Engel’s daughter testified that she previously heard a “big boom,” and saw that
R.G. had slammed Engel against a wall and started to choke her.
Prior to instructing the jury, the district court concluded that the duty to retreat
applied. Engel’s attorney argued that the duty to retreat did not apply. The district court
provided the following instructions on self-defense:
Self-Defense—Death Not the Result
The defendant is not guilty of a crime if the defendant
used reasonable force against [R.G.] to resist an offense
against the person, and such an offense was being committed
or the defendant reasonably believed that it was.
It is lawful for a person, who is being assaulted and
who has reasonable grounds to believe that bodily injury is
about to be inflicted upon the person, to defend from an
attack. In doing so, the person may use all force and means
that the person reasonably believes to be necessary and that
would appear to a reasonable person, in similar
circumstances, to be necessary to prevent an injury that
appears to be imminent.
The kind and degree of force a person may lawfully
use in self-defense is limited by what a reasonable person in
the same situation would believe to be necessary. Any use of
force beyond that is regarded by the law as excessive.
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The state has the burden of proving beyond a
reasonable doubt that the defendant did not act in self-
defense.
The rule of self-defense does not authorize one to seek
revenge or to take into his or her own hands the punishment
of an offender.
Self-Defense—Retreat
The legal excuse of self-defense is available only to
those who act honestly and in good faith. This includes the
duty to retreat or avoid the danger if reasonably possible.
The jury found Engel guilty of both counts. The district court sentenced Engel on
count one to a presumptive sentence of 86 months in prison. The district court stated that
count two “would remain with a conviction from the jury but unadjudicated.” The
district court left restitution open for 30 days, stating that it was considering a restitution
hearing. The district court then ordered Engel to pay $31,890.45 in restitution. This
appeal follows.
DECISION
Jury instruction
Engel argues that the district court erred by including a jury instruction on the duty
to retreat because whether the St. Paul residence was her home was a question of fact for
the jury. District courts have “significant discretion to craft jury instructions.” State v.
Devens, 852 N.W.2d 255, 257 (Minn. 2014). A jury instruction is erroneous “if it
materially misstates the law.” Id.
“[A] person may act in self-defense if he or she reasonably believes that force is
necessary and uses only the level of force reasonably necessary to prevent the bodily
harm feared.” Id. at 258; see Minn. Stat. § 609.06, subd. 1(3) (2014). A defendant bears
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the burden of producing evidence to support a self-defense claim. State v. Basting, 572
N.W.2d 281, 286 (Minn. 1997). A self-defense claim contains four elements:
(1) the absence of aggression or provocation on the part of the
defendant; (2) the defendant’s actual and honest belief that he
or she was in imminent danger of death or great bodily harm;
(3) the existence of reasonable grounds for that belief; and
(4) the absence of a reasonable possibility of retreat to avoid
the danger.
Id. at 285. But, when acting in self-defense, a person does not have a duty to retreat from
her or his home. State v. Glowacki, 630 N.W.2d 392, 399 (Minn. 2001). If the defense is
raised, the state bears the burden of disproving one or more of the elements beyond a
reasonable doubt. Basting, 572 N.W.2d at 286.
The record shows that Engel did not reside in the St. Paul home. Engel agreed that
she permanently moved to California before May 5, she enrolled her daughter in school
in California, and she agreed on a separate occasion that she moved to California
“months” before May 5. Engel also told Officer Baldwin that she lived in California.
Additionally, multiple witnesses testified that Engel lived in California. R.G.
stated that Engel moved to California and was visiting in May. A friend of R.G. testified
that Engel lived in California in 2014. R.G.J. testified that he moved into the St. Paul
residence in April 2014 and, at the time, only R.G. lived there. R.G.J. also stated that
Engel did not live in the house and that she lived in California. The district court did not
abuse its discretion because the undisputed evidence would lead the jury to reach the only
conclusion that the St. Paul residence was not Engel’s home. See State v. Soukup, 656
N.W.2d 424, 431 (Minn. App. 2003) (stating that a factual dispute becomes a question of
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law “when the evidence in the record is undisputed and leads . . . to a single conclusion”),
review denied (Minn. Apr. 29, 2003).
Jury question
Engel argues that the district court committed “prejudicial plain error” by failing
to adequately clarify the jury’s question relating to the self-defense instructions. During
deliberation, the jury asked: “Is ‘self-defense-[d]eath not the result’ [and] ‘[s]elf-defense-
retreat’ the same category or are they two different things? How do they relate to each
other?” The district court proposed instructing the jury to direct their attention to the
instructions previously given and to give the words used in the instructions their common
and ordinary meaning. The parties did not object to the proposed instruction, and the
district court instructed the jury accordingly.
Engel did not object to the district court’s response, so we review for plain error.
See State v. Griller, 583 N.W.2d 736, 740 (Minn. 1998) (reviewing for plain error when
appellant did not object to jury instructions). Engel must demonstrate: “(1) error; (2) that
was plain; and (3) that affected [her] substantial rights.” State v. Smith, 825 N.W.2d 131,
138 (Minn. App. 2012), review denied (Minn. Mar. 19, 2013). If all three prongs are met,
this court considers “whether it should address the error to ensure fairness and the
integrity of the judicial proceedings.” Griller, 583 N.W.2d at 740.
District courts have discretion to decide whether to reread previous instructions or
give no response at all. State v. Murphy, 380 N.W.2d 766, 772 (Minn. 1986); see Minn.
R. Crim. P. 26.03, subd. 20(3)(a) (“The [district] court may give additional instructions.”
(emphasis added)). “[I]f a jury is confused, additional instructions clarifying those
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previously given may be appropriate since the interests of justice require that the jury
have a full understanding of the case and the [applicable] rules of law.” Murphy, 380
N.W.2d at 772 (quotation omitted).
Engel relies on State v. Shannon, in which the prosecutor made a statement in
closing argument that was inconsistent with supreme court precedent, and urged the
jurors to apply an improper standard. 514 N.W.2d 790, 792 (Minn. 1994). The supreme
court described the statement as “improper, misleading, and confusing.” Id. at 793. The
jury asked for clarification, and the district court directed the jury to consider the
instructions previously provided. Id. at 792. The supreme court granted the defendant a
new trial because the prosecutor created the confusion, and the district court declined to
correct it. Id. at 793.
Engel’s reliance on Shannon is unpersuasive. Here, the district court’s
instructions are consistent with prior caselaw and the jury instruction guide. See Basting,
572 N.W.2d at 285 (listing elements for self-defense claim); see also Glowacki, 630
N.W.2d at 399 (stating that a person need not retreat from their home); 10 Minnesota
Practice, CRIMJIGS 7.05, .06 (Supp. 2010). The jury also did not rely upon an
“improper, misleading, and confusing” argument offered by the state.
Moreover, the jury already possessed an instruction that provided guidance to the
question: “You must consider these instructions as a whole and regard each instruction in
the light of all the others. The order in which the instructions are given is of no
significance.” See State v. Crims, 540 N.W.2d 860, 864–65 (Minn. App. 1995)
(concluding that no plain error existed when referring the jury to the instructions and
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stating that “[n]othing . . . indicates the jury was incapable of resolving its confusion by
reference to the written instructions it already possessed”), review denied (Minn. Jan. 23,
1996).
Therefore, the district court did not commit plain error when it instructed the jury
to direct its attention to the instructions previously given.
Prohibited testimony
Engel argues that the district court committed “reversible error” by prohibiting her
from testifying about R.G.’s alleged drug dealing, claiming that she was denied her right
to testify and her right to present a complete defense. “A district court has broad
discretion in evidentiary matters.” State v. Scruggs, 822 N.W.2d 631, 643 (Minn. 2012).
A district court’s evidentiary ruling will stand absent a clear abuse of its discretion. State
v. Kelly, 435 N.W.2d 807, 813 (Minn. 1989).
A defendant has the right to testify and the right to a meaningful opportunity to
present a complete defense. State v. Richardson, 670 N.W.2d 267, 277, 282 (Minn.
2003). But these rights are not unrestricted. See id. at 277, 282. In exercising the right
to present a defense, the defendant must comply with evidentiary rules “designed to
ensure both fairness and reliability in the ascertainment of guilt and innocence.” Id. at
277 (quotation omitted). When exercising the right to testify, the defendant must comply
with evidentiary rules, but restrictions imposed on the right must not be “arbitrary or
disproportionate to the purposes they are designed to serve.” Id. at 282 (quotation
omitted). A district court may exclude relevant evidence “if its probative value is
substantially outweighed by the danger of unfair prejudice, confusion of the issues, or
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misleading the jury, or by considerations of undue delay, waste of time, or needless
presentation of cumulative evidence.” Minn. R. Evid. 403.
Here, the state moved to exclude any evidence referencing alleged drug dealing or
drug use by R.G. Engel opposed the motion, arguing that on May 5, R.G. became violent
after she threatened to tell the police about his alleged drug dealing. The district court
granted the state’s motion, stating that “the probative value of such evidence is
substantially outweighed by the danger of unfair prejudice, as well as the danger or risk
of misleading . . . and confusing the jury.” The district court wanted to avoid having a
“mini trial” over the extent of R.G.’s drug activities.
The district court did not abuse its discretion by limiting Engel’s testimony. In
State v. Bland, the appellant argued that the district court improperly restricted his
attorney’s cross-examination of the victim with regard to the victim’s prior acts of
violence. 337 N.W.2d 378, 382 (Minn. 1983). But the supreme court affirmed, stating
that “given the wealth of evidence that was admitted relating to the victim’s violent past,
it would be hard to find any prejudice even if there was error. Stated differently, the
evidence excluded was cumulative evidence.” Id. at 384.
Similarly here, Engel testified about why the argument started, the argument’s
intensity, and that she threatened to call the police. The district court allowed testimony
about prior acts of violence between R.G. and Engel. Engel’s family members testified
that they witnessed prior acts of physical violence. Moreover, the district court
recognized the cumulative nature of the proposed drug-trafficking testimony, stating that
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it was “one of multiple reasons for the altercation.” Therefore, the district court did not
abuse its discretion by prohibiting the proposed testimony.
Presumptive sentence
Engel argues that this court should reduce the district court’s imposition of the
presumptive sentence because she suffered years of physical and mental abuse by R.G.
This court “afford[s] the [district] court great discretion in the imposition of sentences
and reverse[s] sentencing decisions only for an abuse of that discretion.” State v. Soto,
855 N.W.2d 303, 307–08 (Minn. 2014) (quotation omitted).
Minnesota’s sentencing guidelines were created “to establish rational and
consistent sentencing standards that reduce sentencing disparity.” Minn. Sent. Guidelines
1.A (2012). District courts may depart from a presumptive sentence if “identifiable,
substantial, and compelling circumstances” exist. Id. 2.D.1 (2012). Only a “rare case”
warrants reversal of a district court’s refusal to depart. State v. Kindem, 313 N.W.2d 6, 7
(Minn. 1981). This court will not “interfere with the sentencing court’s exercise of
discretion, as long as the record shows [it] carefully evaluated all the testimony and
information presented.” State v. Pegel, 795 N.W.2d 251, 255 (Minn. App. 2011)
(quotation omitted).
Engel relies on State v. Hennum, in which, the defendant similarly argued that she
was subjected to years of severe physical and mental abuse by her husband, the victim.
441 N.W.2d 793, 795, 801 (Minn. 1989). The defendant’s injuries included a punctured
lung, a ruptured spleen, and a broken nose. Id. at 795. After another beating, the
defendant shot her husband, killing him. Id. at 795–96. The defendant was convicted of
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second-degree felony murder and did not receive a downward departure. Id. at 797, 800.
The supreme court reversed, stating that the case was a rare case in which an appellate
court is “justified in interfering with the [district] court’s decision not to downwardly
depart.” Id. at 801.
Engel’s reliance on Hennum is unpersuasive. First, despite reversing the district
court, the supreme court reaffirmed that it remains a “rare case” that merits reversal. Id.
Second, a doctor examined the defendant in Hennum after the shooting, and she had
“multiple abrasions, bruises, and a contusion.” Id. at 797. Here, law enforcement
indicated that Engel did not appear injured, and she did not request medical attention.
Third, the evidence in Hennum indicated that the defendant suffered from battered-
women’s syndrome, psychoneurotic depression, and an antisocial personality disorder.
Id. at 797. Here, the record does not establish that Engel suffered from the above-
mentioned disorders.
Moreover, the supreme court has refused to reverse a presumptive sentence when
there are “valid reasons for adhering to the presumptive sentence.” See Kindem, 313
N.W.2d at 7–8 (“[W]hile there may have been arguments for departing downward, there
were also reasons for not doing so. . . . [T]he determination whether . . . to depart was
clearly a discretionary decision for the [district] court to make.”). Here, the district court
recognized that the record did not support Engel’s claim that R.G. was the aggressor, and
the district court also recognized the nature of R.G.’s injury. Therefore, the district court
did not abuse its discretion by refusing to grant a downward departure.
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Warrant of commitment
Engel argues that the district court erred by entering a “conviction” for both
counts. “Upon prosecution for a crime, the actor may be convicted of either the crime
charged or an included offense, but not both.” Minn. Stat. § 609.04, subd. 1 (2012). An
included offense includes “[a] lesser degree of the same crime.” Id., subd. 1(1). A guilty
verdict alone does not constitute a conviction. Spann v. State, 740 N.W.2d 570, 573
(Minn. 2007). Rather, a “conviction” occurs when a jury’s guilty verdict is accepted and
recorded by the court. Minn. Stat. § 609.02, subd. 5(2) (2012). The district court
correctly stated that count two “would remain with a conviction from the jury but
unadjudicated.” But we are directed to examine the warrant of commitment to determine
whether a conviction was entered. See Span, 740 N.W.2d at 573.
Here, the jury found Engel guilty of first- and second-degree assault. The warrant
of commitment states that Engel is “convicted” for both counts. Under section 609.04,
second-degree assault is an “included offense” of first-degree assault. See State v.
Hackler, 532 N.W.2d 559, 559 (Minn. 1995) (vacating second-degree assault conviction
because the defendant was also convicted of first-degree assault). Therefore, Engel’s
second-degree assault conviction must be vacated.
Restitution
Engel argues that the restitution orders must be vacated because they were issued
without a hearing and without any indication that the district court considered her ability
to pay. A district court has broad discretion to award restitution. State v. Tenerelli, 598
N.W.2d 668, 671 (Minn. 1999). This court reviews a district court’s decision for abuse
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of discretion. State v. Miller, 842 N.W.2d 474, 477 (Minn. App. 2014), review denied
(Minn. Apr. 15, 2014).
When determining restitution, district courts shall consider “the income, resources,
and obligations of the defendant.” Minn. Stat. § 611A.045, subd. 1(a)(2) (2012). District
courts are not required to issue specific findings on the defendant’s ability to pay. State
v. Jola, 409 N.W.2d 17, 20 (Minn. App. 1987). A defendant may challenge restitution,
“but must do so by requesting a hearing within 30 days of receiving written notification
of the amount of restitution requested, or within 30 days of sentencing, whichever is
later.” Minn. Stat. § 611A.045, subd. 3(b) (2012). The hearing request must be in
writing and filed with the court administrator. Id. Restitution may not be challenged
after the 30-day time period. Id.
Here, the district court left restitution open for 30 days, stating that it was
contemplating having a restitution hearing to determine Engel’s ability to pay. Engel did
not address restitution at sentencing. On March 16, 2015, R.G. filed a request for
restitution. The district court entered a restitution order on April 1 but amended its order
on April 17. Engel neither filed an affidavit nor requested a hearing to dispute restitution.
Appellate courts typically do not consider matters that were not argued to and considered
by the district court. Roby v. State, 547 N.W.2d 354, 357 (Minn. 1996); see State v.
Bauer, 776 N.W.2d 462, 480 (Minn. App. 2009) (“Because Bauer failed to challenge
restitution before the district court, his claim is procedurally barred.”), aff’d, 792 N.W.2d
825 (Minn. 2011). Therefore, we will not consider Engel’s restitution claim.
Affirmed in part, reversed in part, and remanded.
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