State v. Winston

[Cite as State v. Winston, 2018-Ohio-2525.]
IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF OHIO
TENTH APPELLATE DISTRICT
State of Ohio, :
Plaintiff-Appellee, :
No. 16AP-664
v. : (C.P.C. No. 14CR-2163)
Levone Winston, : (REGULAR CALENDAR)
Defendant-Appellant. :
D E C I S I O N
Rendered on June 28, 2018
On brief: Ron O'Brien, Prosecuting Attorney, and Valerie B.
Swanson, for appellee.
On brief: Brian J. Rigg, for appellant.
APPEAL from the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas
HORTON, J.
{¶ 1} Defendant-appellant, Levone Winston, appeals from a judgment of the
Franklin County Court of Common Pleas finding him guilty of three counts of rape with
firearm specifications, two counts of attempted rape with firearm specifications, and
kidnapping with a firearm specification. For the following reasons, we affirm.
I. FACTS AND PROCEDURAL HISTORY
{¶ 2} The Franklin County Grand Jury indicted appellant on 11 criminal charges in
April 2014. Counts 1 and 2 of the indictment charged appellant with kidnapping. Counts 3
and 8 of the indictment charged appellant with aggravated robbery. Counts 4, 5, 6, 7, and
11 of the indictment charged appellant with five separate counts of rape. In Counts 9 and 10
of the indictment, appellant was charged with two separate counts of attempted rape. A
No. 16AP-664 2
three-year firearm specification accompanied each of the 11 counts. A jury trial was held
from July 25, through 29, 2016.
{¶ 3} During the trial, the victims, A.B. and her boyfriend T.F., testified that on
October 22, 2012, at approximately 11:00 p.m., they were walking to their car when two
men ran up to them and ordered them to "give me what you have." (Tr. at 78.) One man
ran up to A.B., who was near the passenger door, and the other ran up to T.F., who was on
the driver's side. Both offenders had firearms. The man near A.B. pushed her to the ground
and searched her to see if she had anything of value. The man who approached T.F. hit him
in the face with a gun and asked him if he had any money. T.F. said that the offenders
threatened to kill him. They told him not to look at them, and they took his shoes off. He
then saw that one of the offenders "was taking off [A.B.'s] shirt or grabbing her, you know,
kind of grabbing by her shirt and I just kind of heard her like resisting." (Tr. at 191.) Shortly
thereafter, the man left T.F. and came over to A.B., where he and the other offender
proceeded to take off her clothes. T.F. used that opportunity to run away. A.B. heard one
offender yell at the other to shoot T.F. as he ran away, but no shots were fired. T.F. ran to
an apartment complex and started banging on doors trying to get someone to help.
Eventually, a resident let him in, and the police were called.
{¶ 4} After T.F. fled, A.B. was drug by her hair to a grassy area, and the rest of her
clothes were removed. The first offender made A.B. get on her knees and perform fellatio.
The second offender also had her perform fellatio on him. She was then switched back to
performing fellatio on the first offender. Next, the offenders took A.B. over to a stairwell at
the apartment building across the street. A.B. was completely naked when she was taken by
the hair with a gun on top of her head over to that stairwell. When A.B. got over there, the
two offenders made her perform fellatio on each of them again.
{¶ 5} After performing fellatio, the offenders made A.B. stand against the wall.
They had her spit on their penises and they took turns trying to put their penises inside of
her vagina, but were unsuccessful. One of the offenders then took their gun and was rubbing
it around A.B.'s vaginal and rectal area. When the offenders were unable to penetrate A.B.'s
vagina, they switched back to making her perform fellatio where, again, each offender took
a turn. After A.B. performed the fellatio this final time, one of the offenders urinated on
her leg.
No. 16AP-664 3
{¶ 6} After A.B. was urinated on, one of the offenders became nervous and urged
the other offender to leave, then fled himself. At this time, the remaining offender grabbed
A.B. by her hair and took her out to the grassy area in the middle of the apartment complex.
He ordered her to turn around. A.B. then heard two gunshots. She thought she was going
to die, however, the shots went somewhere else. While waiting for the police to arrive, T.F.
also heard the gunshots.
{¶ 7} After the shots were fired, A.B. heard sirens coming from a distance. The
offender that was still with her ran away. A.B. retrieved her shorts, shoes, and bra, put them
on, and then ran to her apartment. She left her underwear and shirt lying on the ground
where the offenders had removed them.
{¶ 8} A.B. testified that neither man wore a condom. She did not know if either of
them ejaculated. A.B. never saw the offenders' faces. Every time she looked up, they pushed
her head down. She believed that they were black males between the age of 20 and 30, they
were wearing dark clothes, and that one was taller than the other. It also was pitch black
outside when this happened. A.B. did see the firearms that the offenders were carrying. One
firearm was all black, and the other firearm was a silver handgun. T.F. was also not able to
get a good look at either one of the offenders. He described them as two African-American
males, one kind of tall, and the other one shorter with a medium build. A.B. and T.F. denied
knowing appellant.
{¶ 9} Columbus Police Detective Ricky Crum responded to the scene on the report
of a rape in progress. While Crum was en route to the scene, it was aired that shots had been
fired. After the police arrived, A.B. was taken to Riverside Methodist Hospital where a
sexual assault exam was performed.
{¶ 10} The state presented seven other witnesses at trial including four detectives,
the sexual assault nurse examiner ("SANE") Lynn Ressler, who examined A.B. and took the
swabs or samples of potential DNA evidence, and the individuals who performed the
forensic testing. Columbus Police Detective David Bobbitt with the sexual-assault unit
investigated this case and developed appellant as a suspect. Detective Lawrence Gauthney
gave Bobbitt the name of Juan Mandujano, and relayed that he was a known associate of
appellant. Bobbitt ultimately charged appellant and Mandujano out of this incident.
Mandujano was deceased at the time of appellant's trial.
No. 16AP-664 4
{¶ 11} The forensic scientist who analyzed the DNA samples in the case, Hallie
Garofalo, from the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation ("BCI") testified that appellant's
DNA was included in the mixture with A.B.'s DNA in the cutting from the crotch of her
shorts. The proportion of the population that could not be excluded as possible contributors
was 1 in every 888,900,000 unrelated individuals. In Garofalo's experience, the quantity of
DNA obtained from this sample was not indicative of "casual transfer or a touch DNA
sample." (Tr. at 530.) The amount of DNA that was detected was "consistent with a
potential body fluid that could have been left behind." (Tr. at 532.) In Garofalo's expert
opinion, the DNA obtained from this sample also was not from urine. The shorts were
tested and "[were] presumptive negative for urine." (Tr. at 544.) Garofalo explained that
pre-ejaculate can test presumptively positive for semen but it does not contain sperm cells.
{¶ 12} The stairwell was also swabbed and appellant was "included as a potential
minor contributor to that mixture." (Tr. at 539.) Garofalo testified that the DNA profile
from a swabbing of the stairwell contained a mixture of DNA. The major profile was from
an unknown male. The minor profile was consistent with contributions from appellant.
A.B.'s vaginal swabs contained DNA consistent with Juan Mandujano.
{¶ 13} Appellant testified on his own behalf. He admitted to selling drugs at the time
of the alleged incident and, contrary to T.F.'s testimony, claimed that he knew T.F. because
T.F. would buy heroin from him. He denied knowing A.B. He also testified that he had been
in the stairwell where the incident is alleged to have taken place because he hung out with
people in that area and that everybody just used the bathroom "right there." (Tr. at 700.)
Appellant repeatedly denied his involvement with the allegations in this case. He claimed
that on the day in question there had been a dispute over drugs between T.F. and
Mandujano, and that he was being framed.
{¶ 14} Appellant also testified at trial that he was close friends with Mandujano.
During a jail call with his fiancée, appellant denied knowing A.B. and T.F. After initially
denying it, appellant also admitted telling his fiancée to write down the names of the
victims, "find them" and "take their asses out." (Tr. at 738-39.)
{¶ 15} On August 1, 2016, the jury returned a verdict finding appellant guilty of
Count 1 (kidnapping), Counts 4 and 5 (rape), Counts 9 and 10 (attempted rape), and Count
11 (rape) of the indictment. Further, the jury found appellant guilty of the firearm
specification for each of the guilty verdicts. The jury found appellant not guilty of Counts 2,
No. 16AP-664 5
3, 6, 7, and 8 of the indictment. On August 24, 2016, the court sentenced appellant to a total
of 40 years in prison.
II. ASSIGNMENTS OF ERROR
{¶ 16} Appellant appeals, assigning the following errors:
[I.] THE TRIAL COURT ERRED WHEN IT DENIED
DEFENDANT-APPELLANT'S CRIMINAL RULE 29 MOTION
FOR ACQUITTAL.
[II.] THE VERDICTS OF GUILTY TO KIDNAPPING, THREE
COUNTS OF RAPE, AND TWO COUNTS OF ATTEMPTED
RAPE ARE AGAINST THE MANIFEST WEIGHT OF THE
EVIDENCE.
[III.] THE TRIAL COURT ERRED WHEN IT ALLOWED THE
ALLEGED VICTIM TO TESTIFY AS TO HER FEELINGS
SURROUNDING THE INCIDENT.
[IV.] THE TRIAL COURT ERRED WHEN IT ALLOWED
LYNN RESSLER, THE SANE NURSE, TO TESTIFY AS AN
EXPERT OVER THE OBJECTION OF DEFENSE COUNSEL.
[V.] THE TRIAL COURT ERRED WHEN IT ALLOWED
DETECTIVE GAUTHENY [sic] TO TESTIFY AND WHEN IT
ADMITTED THE FIREARM INTO EVIDENCE OVER THE
OBJECTION OF DEFENSE COUNSEL.
III. ASSIGNMENTS OF ERROR ONE AND TWO–CRIM.R. 29 AND MANIFEST
WEIGHT
{¶ 17} Appellant's assignments of error one and two are related. In addition, our
finding on assignment of error two, the manifest weight issue, is also dispositive of
assignment of error one. As such we will address them together. Appellant's main
arguments are that there was insufficient evidence that he was the perpetrator of these
crimes and, as such, the trial court erred by denying his Crim.R. 29 motion for acquittal and
the jury's verdict was against the manifest weight of the evidence. Specifically, he contends
that the presence of his DNA in the crotch of A.B.'s shorts after this sexual assault was
insufficient evidence to prove that appellant committed the kidnapping, rapes, and
attempted rapes, all with firearm specifications.
{¶ 18} This court in State v. Baatin, 10th Dist. No. 11AP-286, 2011-Ohio-6294, ¶ 8-
11, stated the applicable law:
No. 16AP-664 6
Although sufficiency and manifest weight are different legal
concepts, manifest weight may subsume sufficiency in
conducting the analysis; that is, a finding that a conviction is
supported by the manifest weight of the evidence necessarily
includes a finding of sufficiency. State v. McCrary, 10th Dist.
No. 10AP–881, 2011–Ohio–3161, ¶ 11 * * * Thus, a
determination that a conviction is supported by the weight of
the evidence will also be dispositive of the issue of sufficiency.
Id. * * *.
The weight of the evidence concerns the inclination of the
greater amount of credible evidence offered to support one side
of the issue rather than the other. State v. Thompkins, 78 Ohio
St.3d 380, 387, 1997–Ohio–52. * * *
When presented with a challenge to the manifest weight of the
evidence, an appellate court may not merely substitute its view
for that of the trier of fact, but must review the entire record,
weigh the evidence and all reasonable inferences, consider the
credibility of witnesses and determine whether in resolving
conflicts in the evidence, the trier of fact clearly lost its way and
created such a manifest miscarriage of justice that the
conviction must be reversed and a new trial ordered. Id. at 387.
An appellate court should reserve reversal of a conviction as
being against the manifest weight of the evidence for only the
most "'exceptional case in which the evidence weighs heavily
against the conviction.'" Id.; State v. Strider–Williams, 10th
Dist. No. 10AP–334, 2010–Ohio–6179, ¶ 12.
In addressing a manifest weight of the evidence argument, we
are able to consider the credibility of the witnesses. State v.
Cattledge, 10th Dist. No. 10AP–105, 2010–Ohio–4953, ¶ 6.
However, in conducting our review, we are guided by the
presumption that the jury * * * "'is best able to view the
witnesses and observe their demeanor, gestures and voice
inflections, and use these observations in weighing the
credibility of the proffered testimony.' "Id. * * * Accordingly, we
afford great deference to the jury's determination of witness
credibility.
{¶ 19} Our review of the entire record shows that the weight of the evidence
supported appellant's convictions. There was significant evidence that he was one of the
perpetrators. First, appellant denied knowing A.B. Yet, appellant's DNA was found in the
crotch of the shorts A.B. put on, without underwear, right after she was sexually assaulted.
The victim testified that she did not know whether the offenders ejaculated. Pre-ejaculate
No. 16AP-664 7
contains the fluid component of semen without the sperm cells. The stain could well have
been pre-ejaculate.
{¶ 20} In addition, DNA that is consistent with appellant's DNA was found in the
stairwell where A.B. was raped. The theory that appellant's DNA was in A.B.'s shorts
because it was transferred there from the stairwell where appellant had urinated in the past
fails. The stains in the victim's shorts were tested for the presence of urine, and urine was
not found. The DNA expert also testified that due to the amount of male DNA found in the
victim's shorts it likely came from a bodily fluid that was a rich source of DNA. Urine is not
a fluid rich in DNA.
{¶ 21} Furthermore, Mandujano's DNA was found on A.B.'s vaginal swab. After
being arrested on these charges, appellant asked his fiancée about Juan's whereabouts
during a jail call. He also admitted telling his fiancée to write down A.B.'s and T.F's names,
to "find them" and to "take their asses out." This too lends support to finding appellant was
one of the offenders who committed these crimes. In addition, the jury believed A.B.'s
version of events. The testimony of one witness, if believed by the jury, is enough to support
a conviction. State v. Strong, 10th Dist. No. 09AP-874, 2011-Ohio-1024, ¶ 42.
{¶ 22} The weight of the evidence was sufficient to find appellant guilty of Count 1
of the indictment (kidnapping), under R.C. 2905.01. A.B. clearly testified that the offenders
restrained her liberty, by threat of violence and with a gun, and by being dragged to the
stairwell, for the purpose of engaging in sexual activity against her will. Appellant's
convictions in Counts 4, 5 and 11 of the indictment (rape), under R.C. 2907.02, were
supported by the manifest weight of the evidence. There was more than sufficient evidence
that each offender forced A.B. to perform fellatio at least three times to support these
convictions. A.B. testified to three separate incidents where she was forced to perform
fellatio on both offenders: (1) when A.B. was still out on the grass near T.F.'s car, (2) when
the offenders took her over to the stairwell, and (3) in the stairwell after the offenders failed
to penetrate her vagina.
{¶ 23} In addition, appellant's convictions in Counts 9 and 10 of the indictment
(attempted rape), under R.C. 2923.02 as it relates to R.C. 2907.02, were supported by the
manifest weight of the evidence. The indicted offenses charged appellant in terms of the
principal offense, and under R.C. 2923.03(F), this language was sufficient to charge
appellant as a complicitor. The evidence showed that both offenders took turns trying to
No. 16AP-664 8
penetrate A.B.'s vagina with their penises. They each had A.B. spit on their penises to try
and facilitate the penetration. The evidence showed that appellant was complicit in the acts
committed by Mandujano. Appellant and Mandujano each had a firearm and they acted
and planned together. Finally, appellant's convictions for the firearm specifications were
not against the manifest weight of the evidence. A.B. and T.F. testified that the offenders
had firearms. A.B. provided a description of these firearms. A.B. testified that she heard two
gunshots. T.F. also heard shots fired. The evidence showed that the offenders had and used
guns throughout to facilitate the crimes.
{¶ 24} A.B.'s account of that evening was corroborated by T.F. and also by the
physical evidence and the forensic evidence. Our review shows that the jury did not clearly
lose its way when it found the state's evidence persuasive, and did not create a manifest
miscarriage of justice. The jury was in the best position to evaluate the witnesses'
credibility and the evidence does not weigh heavily against conviction. Appellant presents
no persuasive reason for this court to reject the jury's determination. Accordingly,
appellant's convictions are not against the manifest weight of the evidence. Appellant's
second assignment of error challenging the manifest weight of the evidence lacks merit and
is overruled.
{¶ 25} As stated above, a finding that a conviction is supported by the manifest
weight of the evidence necessarily includes a finding of sufficiency. McCrary at ¶ 11.
"Because analysis of the evidence for purposes of a Crim.R. 29(A) motion looks at the
sufficiency of the evidence, a Crim.R. 29(A) motion and a review of the sufficiency of the
evidence are subject to the same analysis." State v. Clellan, 10th Dist. No. 09AP-1043, 2010-
Ohio-3841, ¶ 7. Such motions are directed to the issue of whether "the evidence is
insufficient to sustain a conviction." Crim.R. 29(A). As such, there was sufficient evidence
to support the convictions, and to overrule appellant's Crim.R. 29 motion for acquittal.
Therefore, appellant's first assignment of error is overruled
IV. ASSIGNMENT OF ERROR THREE–VICTIM IMPACT TESTIMONY
{¶ 26} Appellant contends that the trial court erred by allowing the admission at trial
of victim impact evidence. Over the Evid.R. 402 objection of appellant's counsel, the trial
court allowed the victim to testify to how the event had affected her life. Appellant argues
that the trial court abused its discretion when it allowed this testimony, as it was irrelevant
No. 16AP-664 9
to the question of appellant's guilt, and was an attempt to invoke sympathy from the jury.
We note that appellant cites no case law in support of his arguments.
{¶ 27} The facts show that on direct examination, the prosecutor asked A.B. how this
incident has affected her life. Appellant's counsel objected, and the court overruled the
objection. A.B. then testified:
I mean, I've had to go like to counselors and like - - like try to
- - I mean, I try not to talk about it or pretend like it didn't
happen, but like I'll go to counselors and like try to - - it doesn't
help like - - I don't know. But it's definitely like made me
different and like scared of like different things and situations
like a lot.
(Tr. at 130-31.)
{¶ 28} The prosecutor asked what she meant by that, and A.B. said:
Just like I don't like - - well, for like a year after that I wouldn't
walk to the car by myself. Like people had to walk me
everywhere. Like I wouldn't go outside at night. Like I still don't
want - - won't walk places at night like alone. I don't know. I
just try not to talk about it because I just try so hard to pretend
it didn't happen, but like you can't do that. Like I remember,
you know. But I've tried like counseling and like - - I don't know
- - things like that.
(Tr. at 131.)
{¶ 29} After this testimony was admitted, appellant's counsel argued that the
prosecutor asked these questions "to solicit information concerning the element of
sympathy," which he felt was inappropriate, because it "doesn't make it more or less likely
that my client committed the offense." (Tr. at 135.) The prosecutor responded:
In asking those questions, the State is essentially just to the
witness' credibility talking about how something that has
happened to them has affected them and their emotional state
at the time that it happened, after it happened all goes to their
credibility as to whether someone was to say, nope, I'm just fine
or something like that, then they would potentially be more
believable or less believable.
This is an incident that happened to the victim. She was
testifying about that entire incident, what she was doing prior,
what she was doing - - how things have been afterward and it's
simply to kind of give a full picture to the jury of how this has
affected her and also to show that in the elements of the offense,
No. 16AP-664 10
there are some compelling by threat or force of threat, and if
she is still sustaining some sort of psychological harm from it,
then it clearly was something that she did not agree to or was
okay with when it was happening.
So this is I think it just adds to the totality - - to the credibility
of the witness and further to the totality of the presentation of
her relating the incident and how it's affected her. I - - think it's
just bringing in all the information all together for the jury then
to decide.
(Tr. at 136-37.)
{¶ 30} The trial court found that the testimony was admissible under Evid.R 403,
because it "will be helpful for the jury to consider whether or not they believe or disbelieve
all or part of her testimony regarding whether these alleged incidents actually happened to
her." (Tr. at 139.) It also noted that "the jury has been admonished at least twice and they
will be admonished at - - again in jury instructions to not allow sympathy to influence their
verdict." Id.{¶ 31} A trial court has broad discretion in admitting or excluding evidence, and
unless the trial court has clearly abused its discretion and the defendant has been materially
prejudiced thereby, an appellate court will not disturb the trial court's decision. State v.
Issa, 93 Ohio St.3d 49, 64 (2001). Evidence will be inadmissible under Evid.R. 403(A) only
if the danger of unfair prejudice substantially outweighs the probative value. State v.
Morales, 32 Ohio St.3d 252, 257 (1987). "[T]he probative value must be minimal and the
prejudice great before the evidence may be excluded." Id. at 258.
{¶ 32} Evidence regarding the effect of the crime on the victim or her family is
admissible. See State v. Lee, 10th Dist. No. 03AP-436, 2004-Ohio-5540, ¶ 37-38. "In
particular, testimony about the nature and extent of the victim's injuries and his or her
trauma is admissible because it is relevant in proving the facts attendant to the offense.
State v. Smith, 8th Dist. No. 103483, 2016-Ohio-5512, ¶ 29, citing State v. Powell, 132 Ohio
St.3d 233, 2012-Ohio-2577, ¶ 135. "Just as the victim of a felonious assault may testify to
the treatment needed as a result of the assault in order to prove that the assault actually did
occur, so may the victim of a sexual assault testify to the lingering trauma suffered as a
result of that abuse." Smith at ¶ 29, citing State v. Eads, 8th Dist. No. 87636, 2007-Ohio-
539, ¶ 56.
No. 16AP-664 11
{¶ 33} In this case, during cross-examination, appellant's counsel asked A.B. if she
ever talked with T.F. about what happened, and A.B. relayed that they have talked about it,
but said:
I try not to. * * * I'm not comfortable sharing with certain things
with someone that I wouldn't tell my mom. I wouldn't tell them.
I don't want - - It's just like something that - - I don't know how
to describe it, but it's like something I don't want to talk about.
(Tr. at 159.)
{¶ 34} Appellant's counsel also elicited similar information from T.F. when he asked
if T.F. ever learned the details of what happened to A.B., T.F. said "[n]ot really, no" because
"she gets very upset and she does not like to talk about it." (Tr. at 231.) Therefore, even
without the evidence at issue, the jury still heard evidence as to the impact these crimes
have had on A.B. in response to appellant's questioning.
{¶ 35} In this case, the victim impact evidence had a tendency to make the existence
of a fact of consequence, i.e., that the offenses occurred, more probable than it would be
without the evidence. See State v. Wade, 8th Dist. No. 90145, 2008-Ohio-4870, ¶ 17. Here,
the only physical evidence on the victim were the scrapes to her knees. Accordingly, the
effect the crime had on A.B. was relevant to prove that the rape and attempted rape offenses
occurred and to corroborate A.B.'s testimony. The challenged testimony also was very brief,
and it likely came as no surprise to the jury to learn that a victim alleging a brutal rape by
two strangers would need counseling and would still have some lingering fear.
{¶ 36} Finally, the jury members were instructed multiple times not to let sympathy
influence their decision. The jury is presumed to have followed these instructions. State v.
Trewartha, 10th Dist. No. 05AP-513, 2006-Ohio-5040, ¶ 21, citing State v. Raglin, 83 Ohio
St.3d 253, 264 (1998).
{¶ 37} We find that under these circumstances, the trial court did not abuse its
discretion by allowing the victim to testify that after this sexual assault she underwent
counseling, and that since this incident she is afraid in different situations. The testimony
did not make it more likely that appellant committed the offenses. It just tended to prove
that the sexual assault actually occurred.
{¶ 38} The state argues that even if the trial court erred by admitting victim impact
evidence, such error was harmless. We agree. The disputed evidence was not prejudicial, as
No. 16AP-664 12
there is no probability that appellant would not have been convicted had this testimony
been excluded. In light of the DNA evidence, and A.B.'s testimony regarding the incident,
the victim impact testimony did not contribute to appellant's conviction and was harmless
beyond a reasonable doubt. Appellant's third assignment of error is overruled.
V. ASSIGNMENT OF ERROR FOUR–SANE NURSE EXPERT TESTIMONY
{¶ 39} The facts show that the prosecutor moved to have Lynn Ressler, the SANE
nurse, declared an expert in forensic sexual assault exams, and appellant's counsel
objected. The trial court was satisfied pursuant to Evid.R. 702 that "this witness does have
the scientific, technical and other specialized knowledge; that her testimony is based on
sufficient facts, based on the exam she conducted, her testimony is a product of reliable
principles and methods and she has reliably applied those principles and methods. So she
will be declared an expert." (Tr. at 260.)
{¶ 40} Appellant argues that the trial court erred when it allowed Ressler to testify
as an expert. Appellant states that the certification can be completed in a couple of months
and that the examination of sexual assault victims is only a small percentage of her job.
Appellant claims that the qualifications and responsibilities of a SANE nurse do not qualify
them as experts under Evid.R. 702. As stated by the SANE nurse in this case, the purpose
of their job is to collect evidence for law enforcement. Special training to collect evidence
for law enforcement does not render one an expert.
{¶ 41} Evid.R. 702 states in pertinent part:
A witness may testify as an expert if all of the following apply:
(A) The witness' testimony either relates to matters beyond the
knowledge or experience possessed by lay persons or dispels a
misconception common among lay persons; (B) The witness is
qualified as an expert by specialized knowledge, skill,
experience, training, or education regarding the subject matter
of the testimony; (C) The witness' testimony is based on reliable
scientific, technical, or other specialized information.
{¶ 42} "Qualification as an expert witness does not require any special education,
certification, or complete knowledge of the field in question. It is only necessary that the
witness's specialized knowledge, skill, experience, training, or education will aid the trier of
fact in performing its fact-finding function." State v. Quinones, 8th Dist. No. 94082, 2010-
Ohio-5240, ¶ 21, citing State v. Drummond, 111 Ohio St.3d 14, 2006-Ohio-5084, ¶ 113. "A
trial court's decision to allow a witness to testify as an expert will not be reversed absent an
No. 16AP-664 13
abuse of discretion." Quinones at ¶ 21. Other courts have allowed SANE nurses to testify as
an expert. See Quinones; State v. Goss, 2d Dist. No. 24830, 2012-Ohio-3869, ¶ 4.
{¶ 43} In Quinones at ¶ 22, the Eighth District Court of Appeals found that the trial
court did not abuse its discretion by allowing the SANE nurse to testify as an expert. It noted
that the nurse had been a sexual-assault nurse for 7 years and a registered nurse for 14
years. Based on the nurse's experience, the court held that the trial court properly permitted
her to testify as an expert. In Goss, the Second District Court of Appeals noted that the nurse
had more than one decade of experience in conducting sexual-assault exams at the time of
the exam in question. Id. at ¶ 5. It also found that the defendant had the opportunity to
cross-examine the nurse on the basis of her knowledge and question her conclusions. Based
on all the foregoing, it overruled the defendant's assignment of error.
{¶ 44} Here, Ressler is employed at Riverside Methodist Hospital in the emergency
department. She has worked there for 9 years and has been with Ohio Health for 29 years.
Prior to Riverside Methodist Hospital, she worked at Grant Medical Center in the trauma
critical care unit. She has been a SANE certified nurse since 2009 and a regular nurse for
29 years. She took a class to become a SANE nurse, which consisted of 40 hours of
classroom education and completing approximately 20 physician-supervised pelvic exams.
She has performed 40 to 50 SANE examinations. Ressler testified that a SANE nurse trains
in the collection of forensic evidence for a sexual-assault victim. A SANE nurse can do a
pelvic exam, which is not something a regular registered nurse would do normally. Her
testimony was based on her experience and training, and appellant had an opportunity to
cross-examine her.
{¶ 45} The trial court was satisfied pursuant to Evid.R. 702. Appellant cited no case
law in support of his arguments. Based on our review, the trial court did not abuse its
discretion by qualifying Ressler as an expert. Appellant's fourth assignment of error is
overruled.
VI. ASSIGNMENT OF ERROR FIVE–GUN EVIDENCE–HARMLESS ERROR
{¶ 46} Appellant claims the trial court erred and abused its discretion when it
allowed the state to call Detective Gauthney as a witness, and when it admitted the firearm
into evidence over appellant's counsel's objection. Appellant argues that the testimony
about the recovered firearm, and its admission, was irrelevant and prejudicial.
No. 16AP-664 14
{¶ 47} At the start of trial, the prosecutor informed the court that it wanted to
introduce testimony about a firearm that was discovered about a month after this sexual
assault. The prosecutor told the court that:
A detective with the Columbus Police encountered the
defendant at North Meadows * * *. Mr. Winston fled and
discarded a firearm. There were no charges filed from that, but
having known about the sexual assault that occurred in the
area, the detective then submitted that for test - - the gun for
testing and that gun is substantially similar to the firearm that
was described in the sexual assault, and so the State would be
asking for us to be able to use it with the detective.
(Emphasis added.) (Tr. at 43-44.)
{¶ 48} Later, during the trial, the parties again discussed the admission of this
evidence. Appellant objected based on Evid.R. 404(B) grounds at this time. The prosecutor
responded:
[W]e have an eyewitness account of a detective who saw the
Defendant with a gun that is similarly - - the victim similar - -
gave a similar description as to this gun, and the State is solely
bringing it in - - bringing it in for the purposes of saying that
the Defendant had a gun that was similar to the one that was
described by the victim.
(Emphasis added.) (Tr. at 304-05.)
{¶ 49} The trial court overruled the objection and said it would allow the detective
to testify to his eyewitness account of what occurred. Detective Gauthney testified that
about one month after the incident in this case, he was working in the "North Meadows/161
area" when he saw appellant, who he knew from having encounters with the community in
that area. (Tr. at 646.) The detective "retrieved [a firearm] from the area where Mr.
Winston was" and sent it to the lab for DNA analysis, which revealed inconclusive results.
(Emphasis added.) (Tr. at 646-48.) He did not actually see appellant with the gun or take it
off his person. (Tr. at 649.)
{¶ 50} As such, the detective did not testify that he saw the defendant with a gun or
that he saw him discard the same. He testified that he saw the defendant in "the area where"
a firearm was found. As such, the detective's testimony was not consistent with what had
been represented to the court. However, appellant never objected after the admission of
this evidence, nor moved to strike, on the basis that the prosecutor misrepresented the
No. 16AP-664 15
evidence to the court. Appellant's counsel did object to the admission of the gun as evidence,
but only based on his previous arguments, i.e., other acts evidence and that the prejudicial
value of this evidence outweighed its probative value. The trial court allowed the firearm to
be admitted into evidence.
{¶ 51} The Ohio Rules of Evidence mandate exclusion of evidence if its probative
value is substantially outweighed by the danger of unfair prejudice, of confusion of the
issues, or of misleading the jury. Evid.R. 403(A). A trial court "has broad discretion in the
admission and exclusion of evidence and unless it has clearly abused its discretion and the
defendant has been materially prejudiced thereby," an appellate court should be slow to
interfere. State v. Hymore, 9 Ohio St.2d 122, 128 (1967).
{¶ 52} Based on our review, we find that even if the trial court did not abuse its
discretion by relying on the representations of the state in its initial evidentiary ruling, once
the detective provided no evidence that he saw appellant possess or discard the gun, and
there was no DNA evidence linking him to the gun, the prejudicial value of this evidence
substantially outweighed its probative value. There was nothing to link this firearm to
appellant. The detective admitted that he did not know if the gun had "something to do with
the case or not." (Tr. at 650.) As such, the evidence should have been excluded.
{¶ 53} However, even if this evidence should have been excluded, its admission was
harmless. Appellant fails to demonstrate any prejudice that resulted from the admission of
this testimony. The jury also heard that DNA evidence did not link appellant to that firearm
and that DNA evidence did not link that firearm to this case. Furthermore, appellant's
counsel elicited testimony that the detective did not remove this firearm from appellant's
person or actually see him with this firearm. In light of the DNA evidence and A.B.'s
testimony regarding the incident, the gun testimony and admittance did not contribute to
appellant's conviction and was harmless beyond a reasonable doubt. Appellant's fifth
assignment of error is overruled.
VII. DISPOSITION
{¶ 54} Having overruled appellant's five assignments of error, we affirm the
judgment of the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas.
Judgment affirmed.
TYACK and KLATT, JJ., concur.
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