Dwight Nelson v. State of Mississippi

IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI
NO. 2015-KA-00818-COA
DWIGHT NELSON A/K/A PETER APPELLANT
v.
STATE OF MISSISSIPPI APPELLEE
DATE OF JUDGMENT: 05/01/2015
TRIAL JUDGE: HON. EDDIE H. BOWEN
COURT FROM WHICH APPEALED: SIMPSON COUNTY CIRCUIT COURT
ATTORNEY FOR APPELLANT: WARREN LOUIS MARTIN JR.
ATTORNEYS FOR APPELLEE: OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL
BY: ALICIA MARIE AINSWORTH
JASON L. DAVIS
DISTRICT ATTORNEY: DANIEL CHRISTOPHER JONES
NATURE OF THE CASE: CRIMINAL - FELONY
TRIAL COURT DISPOSITION: CONVICTED OF COUNT I, SEXUAL
BATTERY, AND SENTENCED TO LIFE; AND
COUNT II, TOUCHING A CHILD FOR
LUSTFUL PURPOSES, AND SENTENCED TO
TEN YEARS, WITH THE SENTENCES TO
RUN CONSECUTIVELY IN THE CUSTODY
OF THE MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF
CORRECTIONS WITHOUT ELIGIBILITY
FOR PAROLE, PROBATION, OR EARLY
RELEASE
DISPOSITION: AFFIRMED - 04/04/2017
MOTION FOR REHEARING FILED:
MANDATE ISSUED:
BEFORE LEE, C.J., GREENLEE AND WESTBROOKS, JJ.
WESTBROOKS, J., FOR THE COURT:
¶1. Dwight Nelson was convicted in the Circuit Court of Simpson County of sexual
battery and touching a child for lustful purposes. Nelson was sentenced to serve life in
prison for sexual battery and ten years for gratification of lust. His sentences were ordered
to run consecutively. After the denial of his post-trial motion, Nelson timely filed his notice
of appeal. On appeal, he raises several issues. Finding no error, we affirm the circuit court’s
judgment.
FACTS AND PROCEDURAL HISTORY
¶2. On April 7, 2014, J.S.1 informed her mother, Courtney Sumrell, that she had been
raped by her “Uncle Peter.” At the time, J.S. was ten years old. Nelson is sometimes called
“Peter” by his family. Nelson is Sumrell’s uncle, who had been staying with Sumrell’s aunt,
Hazel Nelson, during the time of the abuse. J.S. and Sumrell lived with Teresa Arrington,
Sumrell’s mother. Arrington lived next door during the time of the abuse. Sumrell took J.S.
to the police station the same night J.S. reported the abuse. The police informed Sumrell to
take her daughter to Simpson General Hospital for further examination. No scars, tearing,
or torn hymen was found during J.S.’s examination. Upon further investigation, Nelson was
arrested and charged with sexual battery and touching a child for lustful purposes.
¶3. At trial, J.S. testified Nelson started sexually abusing her when she was six or seven
years old, until she was ten years old. During her forensic interview, J.S. described the
sexual acts performed on her by Nelson. She described how his affection turned from
tickling to something more. J.S. gave details about Nelson rubbing his “private” on her
“private.” J.S. stated Nelson would put “grease” on his penis before penetrating her. J.S.
stated the last time the sexual abuse occurred was a little before Thanksgiving break, in 2013,
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To protect the child’s identity, we have used her initials in place of her name.
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although the record shows the abuse could have also occurred between the Thanksgiving and
Christmas breaks in 2013 at her grandmother’s house. During their last encounter, J.S. said
Nelson put a piece of wood behind his door so that no one could enter his room. She stated
Nelson pulled her pants down and lay on top of her. She said it hurt her stomach, because
he put his weight on her. J.S. stated Nelson’s “private” went inside her “private,” and
something “wet and clear-white” came out of Nelson’s “private.” Additionally, she stated
when he finished, Nelson took a rag and wiped himself.
¶4. Following trial, Nelson was convicted in the Circuit Court of Simpson County of
sexual battery and touching a child for lustful purposes. Nelson was sentenced to serve life
in prison for sexual battery and ten years for gratification of lust, with the sentences to run
consecutively and without eligibility for parole, probation, or early release. After the denial
of his post-trial motions, Nelson timely filed his notice of appeal.2
DISCUSSION
I. Ineffective Assistance of Counsel
¶5. “To prove ineffective assistance of counsel, [one] must show that: (1) his counsel’s
performance was deficient, and (2) this deficiency prejudiced his defense.” Jackson v. State,
73 So. 3d 1176, 1181 (¶19) (Miss. Ct. App. 2011) (citing Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S.
668, 687 (1984)). “We only consider an ineffective-assistance-of-counsel claim on direct
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After his trial, Nelson filed a motion for a judgment notwithstanding the verdict
(JNOV) or, in the alternative, a new trial. Though the record does not reflect a ruling on this
motion, both parties concede Nelson’s motion was denied verbally. This appeal followed.
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appeal when: ‘(1) the record affirmatively shows ineffectiveness of constitutional
dimensions, or (2) the parties stipulate that the record is adequate to allow the appellate court
to make the finding without consideration of the findings of fact of the trial judge.’” Webb
v. State, 113 So. 3d 592, 602 (¶41) (Miss. Ct. App. 2012) (citation omitted). However, “[i]f
this Court does not reverse on other grounds and is unable to conclude that the defendant
received ineffective assistance of counsel, it should affirm without prejudice to the
defendant’s right to raise the ineffective assistance of counsel issue via appropriate
post-conviction proceedings.” Collins v. State, 70 So. 3d 1144, 1148 (¶17) (Miss. Ct. App.
2011) (citation and quotation marks omitted). “Review on direct appeal of an
ineffective-assistance-of-counsel claim is confined strictly to the record.” Id.
¶6. In Webb, this court did not address the merits of Webb’s claims—particularly Webb’s
claim that “his counsel did not adequately object to the hearsay witnesses.” Webb, 113 So.
3d at 602 (¶41). While Webb stipulated the record was adequate, the State did not. Id.“With no stipulation by both parties and no apparent ‘ineffectiveness of constitutional
dimensions’ in the trial record,” the court did “not address the merits of Webb’s claims.”
Id.
¶7. In this case, with no stipulation by the parties, we address the adequacy of the record.
Nelson contends his trial counsel was ineffective, because counsel did not make any
contemporaneous objections at trial. However, Nelson’s counsel presented four witnesses
and provided the jury with a possible defense. Also, Nelson contends that his trial counsel
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failed to conduct a proper investigation into his case. Nelson’s counsel did not present any
testimony from a treating physician to aid in Nelson’s assertion that he was incapacitated due
to back surgery. Counsel did not submit medical records. And counsel mentioned Nelson
was a truck driver, but did not submit any date to provide Nelson with a possible alibi during
the time J.S. said the abuse occurred. “Counsel’s choice[s] of whether or not to file certain
motions, call witnesses, ask certain questions, or make certain objections fall within the
ambit of trial strategy” and will not stand as support for an ineffective-assistance-of-counsel
claim. Hancock v. State, 964 So. 2d 1167, 1175 (¶18) (Miss. Ct. App. 2007) (citation
omitted).
¶8. Despite Nelson’s arguments, we find nothing in the record to affirmatively show
Nelson received ineffective assistance of counsel. See Webb, 113 So. 3d at 602 (¶41).
Accordingly, the issue of ineffective assistance of counsel would be more appropriate via
postconviction proceedings.
II. Motion for New Trial
¶9. “As distinguished from a JNOV [motion], a motion for a new trial asks to vacate the
judgment on grounds related to the weight, not sufficiency, of the evidence.” Singleton v.
State, 948 So. 2d 465, 473 (¶20) (Miss. Ct. App. 2007) (citation omitted). The appropriate
standard of review for a denial of a new trial requires the appellate court to “accept as true
the evidence which supports the verdict and [to] reverse only when convinced that the circuit
court has abused its discretion in failing to grant a new trial.” Id. “A new trial will not be
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ordered unless the verdict is so contrary to the overwhelming weight of the evidence that to
allow it to stand would sanction an ‘unconscionable injustice.’” Id.
¶10. At Nelson’s trial, the State presented testimony from J.S, her mother, a nurse
practitioner, and a forensic interviewer. The testimony from these witnesses supported J.S.’s
assertion that she had been sexually abused by Nelson. Nelson had the opportunity to cross-
examine each witness. To aid in his defense, Nelson submitted testimony from his two
sisters, his brother, and his mother. Those witnesses testified they did not see any signs of
inappropriate behavior and could not believe Nelson was capable of such inappropriate
behavior. After a careful review of the evidence and record, we find the trial court did not
err in denying Nelson’s motion for a new trial. The verdict is not so contrary to the
overwhelming weight of the evidence that allowing the verdict to stand would sanction an
unconscionable injustice.
III. Sufficiency of Indictment
¶11. Uniform Circuit and County Court Rule 7.06 requires that an indictment “fully notify
the defendant of the nature and cause of the accusation.” This rule also requires that an
indictment include, among other things, “[t]he date, and if applicable, the time at which the
offense was alleged to have been committed. Failure to state the correct date shall not render
the indictment insufficient . . . . ” URCCC 7.06(5). Brown v. State, 983 So. 2d 1059, 1062
(¶10) (Miss. Ct. App. 2008) (citation omitted). Moreover, “the [Mississippi] Supreme Court
has held, ‘a specific date in a child sexual abuse case is not required so long as the defendant
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is fully and fairly advised of the charge against him.’” Brown, 983 So. 2d at 1063 (¶14)
(quoting Eakes v. State, 665 So. 2d 852, 860 (Miss. 1995)).
¶12. Nelson contends his indictment was defective, because it did not set forth specific
dates of the alleged incidents as required by law. We disagree. Nelson offered testimony in
direct contradiction to the victim’s assertion that Nelson was able to commit sexual battery
during that time. Witnesses testified Nelson was incapacitated during the time of the abuse
because of his back surgery.
¶13. We find the indictment’s lack of specificity did not prejudice Nelson’s ability to
establish his defense.
IV. Testimony Under Tender-Years Exception
¶14. “We review for abuse of discretion a party’s claim that the circuit court erred by
admitting hearsay.” Mason v. State, 203 So. 3d 732, 738 (¶26) (Miss. Ct. App. 2016)
(citation omitted).
¶15. Under Mississippi Rule of Evidence 803(25), the “tender-years exception” to the
hearsay rule, a witness may testify about statements made “by a child of tender years
describing any act of sexual contact with or by another.” “Before admitting this testimony,
the trial judge must conduct a hearing outside the jury’s presence and make two
findings—(1) the child was of tender years when she made the statement, and (2) the
statement has substantial indicia of reliability.” Webb, 113 So. 3d at 595 (¶1).
¶16. There are twelve factors the trial court should consider on the record when
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determining whether substantial indicia of reliability exist. These factors are as follows:
(1) whether there is an apparent motive on declarant’s part to lie; (2) the
general character of the declarant; (3) whether more than one person heard the
statements; (4) whether the statements were made spontaneously; (5) the
timing of the declarations; (6) the relationship between the declarant and the
witness; (7) the possibility of the declarant’s faulty recollection is remote; (8)
certainty that the statements were made; (9) the credibility of the person
testifying about the statements; (10) the age or maturity of the declarant; (11)
whether suggestive techniques were used in eliciting the statement; and (12)
whether the declarant’s age, knowledge, and experience make it unlikely that
the declarant fabricated.
M.R.E. 803(25) advisory committee’s note. The trial court conducted a brief analysis of
J.S.’s testimony using each factor during the tender-years hearing. The trial court determined
that J.S. was a child of tender years, and that her statements to the nurse practitioner and
forensic interviewer had substantial indicia of reliability.
¶17. Nelson claims that J.S.’s testimony is unreliable, because of the inconsistencies
regarding the time of the sexual abuse. We disagree. J.S. stated the last sexual encounter
occurred either before Thanksgiving break 2013 or between the Thanksgiving and Christmas
breaks in 2013. However, her story of the abuse did not change. J.S. described, in detail,
their sexual contact. We find her testimony and statements made to the nurse practitioner and
forensic interviewer both credible and reliable.
¶18. Accordingly, we find the trial court did not abuse its discretion by allowing the
testimony of the nurse practitioner, forensic interviewer, or J.S.
V. Expert Witnesses and Daubert Challenge
¶19. “The [United States Supreme] Court in Daubert adopted a non-exhaustive, illustrative
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list of reliability factors for determining the admissibility of expert witness testimony.”
Carter v. State, 996 So. 2d 112, 116 (¶14) (Miss. Ct. App. 2008) (quoting Miss. Trans.
Comm’n v. McLemore, 863 So. 2d 31, 36-37 (¶13) (Miss. 2003) (citing Daubert v. Merrell
Dow Pharm. Inc., 509 U.S. at 579, 592-94 (1993))). “The focus of this analysis must be
solely on principles and methodology, not on the conclusions they generate.” Id. (quotation
marks omitted).
These factors include whether the theory or technique can be and has been
tested; whether it has been subjected to peer review and publication; whether,
in respect to a particular technique, there is a high known or potential rate of
error; whether there are standards controlling the technique’s operation; and
whether the theory or technique enjoys general acceptance within a relevant
scientific community.
Id. “The applicability of these factors depends on the nature of the issue, the expert’s
particular expertise, and the subject of the testimony.” Id. “Before a qualified expert’s
opinion may be received, it must rise above mere speculation.” Williams v. State, 35 So. 3d
480, 486 (¶19) (Miss. 2010) (citation omitted).
¶20. Nelson contends the trial court erred in allowing the testimony of the State’s expert
witnesses, because neither of them met the qualifications outlined in Daubert.
Notwithstanding the procedural bar, we find no error in the trial court admitting expert
testimony provided by the nurse practitioner and the forensic interviewer. Moreover, Nelson
did not offer a single objection to the trial court when both the nurse practitioner and the
forensic interviewer were proffered as expert witnesses.
¶21. “Where a party fails to object to the admission of expert testimony during trial, the
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appellate court reviews the decision to admit that evidence for plain error.” Univ. of Miss.
Med. Ctr. v. Peacock, 972 So. 2d 619, 625 (¶14) (Miss. Ct. App. 2006) (citing United States
v. Mornan, 413 F.3d 372, 379 (3rd Cir. 2005); Rushing v. Kansas City S. Ry., 185 F.3d 496,
506 (5th Cir. 1999) (superseded on other grounds) (“failure to object to expert testimony
forfeits the objection, precluding full review on appeal”)). “Deference to the trial judge’s
determination of the reliability of expert testimony is particularly warranted where the
defendant does not object to the admissibility of the expert’s testimony.” Id.
¶22. Regan Doleac is a certified pediatric sexual assault nurse examiner. She has
performed a little over one thousand examinations on children. She also has the background
and education to be qualified as an expert in her field. Nelson had no objection to Doleac
being qualified as an expert. Doleac explained physical exams do not always elicit evidence,
and absence of a torn hymen does not negate the fact that sexual abuse or intercourse has
occurred.
¶23. Rachel Daniels, the forensic interviewer and social worker, is trained to interview
children to learn how they communicate. During the interview she conducted with J.S.,
Daniels stated J.S. indicated there were several instances of sexual contact between her and
Nelson. Daniels stated J.S. had trouble remembering dates of the incidents, but that was
common for a child of J.S.’s age.
¶24. Accordingly, we find no error in trial court’s decision to admit the testimony of the
forensic interviewer.
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VI. Jury Instruction S-5
¶25. “It is well settled that jury instructions generally are within the discretion of the trial
court, so the standard of review for the denial of jury instructions is abuse of discretion.”
Sanders v. State, 77 So. 3d 497, 502 (¶19) (Miss. Ct. App. 2011), aff'd but criticized on other
grounds, 77 So. 3d 484 (Miss. 2012) (citation omitted). “Furthermore, the instructions
actually given must be read as a whole.” Id. (quotation marks omitted). “When so read, if
the instructions fairly announce the law of the case and create no injustice, no reversible error
will be found.” Id.
¶26. Nelson asserts the trial court erred in granting an instruction given by the State,
because the instruction contained a dictionary definition of the term “licentious.” We find
this assignment of error is without merit. The trial court properly granted the instruction to
give a clear definition of the word “licentious,” to be read in conjunction with the jury
instruction regarding “touching of a child for lustful purposes.”
VII. Motion for Directed Verdict or JNOV
¶27. The standards of review for denials of motions for judgments notwithstanding the
verdict and directed verdicts are the same. Singleton, 948 So. 2d at 472 (¶16) (citation
omitted). Both motions “challenge the legal sufficiency of the evidence presented at trial.”
Id. On review, this Court “accept[s] as true all the evidence favorable to the [S]tate, together
with reasonable inferences arising therefrom, [and] disregard[s] the evidence favorable to the
defendant, and if such evidence would support a verdict of guilty beyond a reasonable doubt,
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the trial court’s denial of the motion must be affirmed.” Id. “This Court may only discharge
the defendant when we conclude, based on the evidence viewed in [the] light most favorable
to the [State], that no reasonable, hypothetical juror could find beyond a reasonable doubt
that the defendant was guilty.” Id. (quotation marks omitted). “However, this Court is not
required to inquire whether it is satisfied that the evidence presented at trial established that
the defendant was guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.” Id.
¶28. This Court finds the evidence presented legally sufficient to obtain a guilty verdict
against Nelson. The testimony of J.S., her mother, and two experts was such that a
reasonable, hypothetical juror could find beyond a reasonable doubt that Nelson was guilty.
Therefore, we find no error in the trial court’s denial of the Nelson’s motions for a directed
verdict and a JNOV.
VIII. Excessive Sentence
¶29. “In order for an error related to improper sentencing to be preserved for appeal, there
must be an objection made at trial.” Hobgood v. State, 926 So. 2d 847, 857 (¶34) (Miss.
2006) (citations omitted). In Hobgood, the appellant was procedurally barred from raising
the issue of improper sentencing on appeal. Id.
¶30. Nelson asserts the sentence imposed upon him is excessive and violates his rights.
We disagree. Also, no objection regarding an improper sentence was made at his sentencing
hearing. Therefore, this Court finds Nelson is procedurally barred from raising this issue on
appeal for the first time. Accordingly, we find no error with the judgment of the trial court
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and affirm.
¶31. THE JUDGMENT OF THE SIMPSON COUNTY CIRCUIT COURT OF
CONVICTION OF COUNT I, SEXUAL BATTERY, AND SENTENCE OF LIFE;
AND COUNT II, TOUCHING A CHILD FOR LUSTFUL PURPOSES, AND
SENTENCE OF TEN YEARS, WITH THE SENTENCES TO RUN
CONSECUTIVELY IN THE CUSTODY OF THE MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF
CORRECTIONS WITHOUT ELIGIBILITY FOR PAROLE, PROBATION, OR
EARLY RELEASE, IS AFFIRMED. ALL COSTS OF THIS APPEAL ARE
ASSESSED TO THE APPELLANT.
LEE, C.J., IRVING AND GRIFFIS, P.JJ., BARNES, ISHEE, CARLTON, FAIR,
WILSON AND GREENLEE, JJ., CONCUR.
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