State v. Jackson

[Cite as State v. Jackson, 2015-Ohio-5096.]
STATE OF OHIO ) IN THE COURT OF APPEALS
)ss: NINTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT
COUNTY OF SUMMIT )
STATE OF OHIO C.A. No. 27479
Appellee
v. APPEAL FROM JUDGMENT
ENTERED IN THE
JOSHUA JACKSON COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
COUNTY OF SUMMIT, OHIO
Appellant CASE No. CR 2012 09 2548
DECISION AND JOURNAL ENTRY
Dated: December 9, 2015
MOORE, Judge.
{¶1} Defendant-Appellant Joshua Jackson appeals from his convictions in the Summit
Count Court of Common Pleas. We affirm.
I.
{¶2} In September 2012, Mr. Jackson was indicted on four counts of sexual battery. It
was alleged that Mr. Jackson engaged in sexual conduct with his eldest daughter, C.J., and that
the conduct occurred on four separate occasions, beginning in 2006 and ending on June 10, 2011.
{¶3} The matter proceeded to a jury trial. The jury found him guilty on counts two and
four, not guilty on count three, and was unable to reach a verdict on the remaining count. The
State dismissed the latter charge. The trial court sentenced Mr. Jackson to an aggregate term of
ten years in prison.
{¶4} Mr. Jackson has appealed, raising five assignments of error, which will be
addressed out of sequence to facilitate our analysis.
2
II.
ASSIGNMENT OF ERROR V
[MR. JACKSON’S] CONVICTION IN THIS CASE IS AGAINST THE
MANIFEST WEIGHT OF THE EVIDENCE AND IN VIOLATION OF [MR.
JACKSON’S] RIGHTS AS GUARANTEED TO HIM BY THE FOURTEENTH
AMENDMENT TO THE U.S. CONSTITUTION AND OHIO CONSTITUTION.
{¶5} Mr. Jackson asserts in his fifth assignment of error that his convictions are against
the manifest weight of the evidence. Specifically, Mr. Jackson points out that there was no DNA
evidence linking him to the crimes, there were no other eyewitnesses to the crimes, he did not
confess to the crimes, and in fact denied doing so. Additionally, Mr. Jackson argues that C.J.
was not a credible witness.
{¶6} When a defendant asserts that his conviction is against the manifest weight of the
evidence:
an appellate court 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.
State v. Otten, 33 Ohio App.3d 339, 340 (9th Dist.1986).
{¶7} Mr. Jackson was found guilty of two counts of sexual battery, in violation of R.C.
2907.03(A)(5). R.C. 2907.03(A)(5) states that “[n]o person shall engage in sexual conduct with
another, not the spouse of the offender, when * * * [t]he offender is the other person’s natural or
adoptive parent, or a stepparent, or guardian, custodian, or person in loco parentis of the other
person.”
“Sexual conduct” means vaginal intercourse between a male and female; anal
intercourse, fellatio, and cunnilingus between persons regardless of sex; and,
without privilege to do so, the insertion, however slight, of any part of the body or
any instrument, apparatus, or other object into the vaginal or anal opening of
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another. Penetration, however slight, is sufficient to complete vaginal or anal
intercourse.
R.C. 2907.01(A).
{¶8} C.J. was born in October 1991. Her parents, Mr. Jackson and Hope Brown,
married in 1993, and had two additional children, S.J., C.J.’s younger sister, and N.J., C.J.’s
younger brother. About the time C.J. entered eighth grade, due to shared interests in movies,
video games and music, C.J. became closer to Mr. Jackson than Ms. Brown. C.J. considered Mr.
Jackson to be like a best friend. Around the age of 14, Mr. Jackson began to make sexual
remarks to her and also began supplying her with alcohol; C.J. testified that they would drink
together, sometimes to the point of intoxication. Mr. Jackson also began to touch C.J. Initially,
he would only touch or rub her back and leg; however, the touching gradually progressed to Mr.
Jackson touching her genital area over clothing. At some point during her teenage years, Mr.
Jackson began questioning C.J. about her interest in pornography. He provided her with a couple
of pornographic DVDs to watch and also showed her a video of himself and Ms. Brown having
sex. Ms. Brown verified that such a video existed.
{¶9} During C.J.’s teenage years, the family moved around fairly frequently. In 2005
through 2006, when C.J. was in the eighth grade, the family was living in Cuyahoga Falls on
Keenan Avenue. At the time, Mr. Jackson and Ms. Brown were having difficulties with C.J.,
who was acting out, sneaking out of the house, and lying. During a heated argument with Ms.
Brown, C.J. blurted out allegations that Mr. Jackson had engaged in inappropriate sexual conduct
with her. C.J. also reported those allegations to a middle school counselor or teacher, who
reported them to the Children’s Services Board (“CSB”).
{¶10} Ms. Brown confronted Mr. Jackson about the allegations and Mr. Jackson
adamantly denied them. Thereafter, Mr. Jackson moved out of the home into a hotel, and
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eventually into an apartment. Because of C.J.’s recent history of lying, Ms. Brown did not
believe C.J. When Ms. Brown heard that CSB was coming to the house, she became distraught.
She was afraid that she would not be able to make it without her husband and his income, since
she did not work much.
{¶11} She told C.J. that if she told CSB the same thing she told Ms. Brown, that CSB
would put her and her brother and sister in foster care. Ms. Brown told C.J. that she needed to
tell the truth, but she did so in a way that could have been perceived as, “this is your fault and
you need to make it right.” Thus, while Ms. Brown denied that she told C.J. to recant, she did
believe that C.J. could have perceived Ms. Brown’s behavior as instructing her to recant. C.J.
testified that Ms. Brown told her she needed to recant and that she would buy C.J. something if
she did. Ms. Brown denied promising to buy her anything. Ultimately, when C.J. did go and
talk to CSB, she recanted the allegations and the case was closed. Because C.J. recanted, Ms.
Brown continued to believe that C.J. was lying when she originally accused Mr. Jackson of
sexually inappropriate behavior.
{¶12} Shortly thereafter, Ms. Brown began to have a difficult time controlling C.J.’s
behavior; C.J. became very verbally and physically aggressive. Thus, Ms. Brown sent C.J. to
stay with Mr. Jackson in his apartment located in the Bridgewater complex in Stow. During the
summer of 2006, C.J. alleged that after C.J. and Mr. Jackson had been drinking, Mr. Jackson
began to ask her if he could perform oral sex on her. C.J. said no. C.J. became intoxicated and
the two ended up in her bedroom. C.J. alleged that she remembered Mr. Jackson performing
cunnilingus on her. These allegations formed the basis of count one; the State dismissed this
count following trial after the jury could not reach a verdict.
5
{¶13} C.J. spent the 2006 to 2007 school year, her freshman year, studying online. Mr.
Jackson and C.J. moved back to the house on Keenan Avenue in Cuyahoga Falls, and C.J. had a
bedroom in the basement, where Mr. Jackson’s office also was located. One morning, C.J.
noticed a red light coming from the back right corner of her closet in her bedroom. When she
looked closer, she discovered it was a camera. C.J. told Ms. Brown about the camera. Ms.
Brown discovered that the camera wires led from C.J.’s room into Mr. Jackson’s office. Ms.
Brown confronted Mr. Jackson about it; he maintained that he put the camera there to keep track
of C.J. because she was prone to sneaking out. Ms. Brown testified that Mr. Jackson never
discussed with her putting a camera in prior to doing so, and she did not know anything about it
until C.J. brought it to her attention.
{¶14} C.J. spent her sophomore year, from 2007 through 2008, living with her maternal
grandparents in Minerva, Ohio. About half-way through the school year, her parents moved to
Clinton, Ohio and she would go there and visit them on the weekends. During one of those
weekends over spring or early summer of 2008, she was at her parents’ house in Clinton and was
drinking Irish Car Bombs with Mr. Jackson in his office. C.J. testified that Mr. Jackson then
proceeded to have vaginal intercourse with her. These allegations form the basis for count two,
of which the jury found Mr. Jackson guilty.
{¶15} From 2008 until 2009, C.J. attended Green High School and lived with her
parents in Clinton. Sometime during her sophomore or junior year, C.J. told her sister, S.J.,
about what Mr. Jackson had been doing to her. S.J. did not initially believe the allegations. C.J.
also testified that she told her mom a couple of times about Mr. Jackson’s inappropriate behavior
and also her grandmother; however, she asked them not to say anything. Ms. Brown testified
that after the CSB investigation, C.J. did not report any other allegations until 2011.
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{¶16} In 2009, C.J.’s parents separated. The children lived with Ms. Brown at the
house on Keenan Avenue in Cuyahoga Falls and Mr. Jackson moved to Stow. C.J. graduated
high school in 2010, but continued to live with Ms. Brown.
{¶17} Late in the evening on June 9, 2011,1 C.J. contacted Mr. Jackson and asked him to
pick her up. They went to Mr. Jackson’s Stow apartment and began drinking. Mr. Jackson
began telling C.J. that they had had sexual intercourse on St. Patrick’s Day 2011, which would
have been the last time C.J. remembered visiting her father. C.J. testified that she did not
remember that happening, but they had been drinking.2 Mr. Jackson also began asking C.J. to
have sexual intercourse with him and began touching her inappropriately. Ultimately, the two
went into Mr. Jackson’s bedroom to watch a movie. C.J. fell asleep and when she awoke, she
was on her stomach and Mr. Jackson’s finger was in her vagina and he was rubbing her clitoris.
C.J. began crying. She jumped up and attempted to run to the bathroom. Mr. Jackson tried to
hold her back but she was able to get away. She then noticed her bra was unclasped. Mr.
Jackson followed her into the bathroom and told her not to cry. C.J. testified that she grabbed
her cigarettes and went out on the deck to smoke. Mr. Jackson told her that they should go back
to bed and they could talk about it when they woke up. After Mr. Jackson went to bed, C.J.
called her sister, S.J., and told her to come pick her up. The June 10, 2011 assault formed the
basis for count four; the jury found Mr. Jackson guilty of this charge.
{¶18} S.J. testified that when C.J. called her to have S.J. come pick her up from Mr.
Jackson’s, C.J. sounded frightened and distressed, like she was about to cry. S.J. testified that
she knew why C.J. was calling; a few weeks prior, in April 2011, S.J. had confronted Mr.
1
Mr. Jackson picked C.J. up on June 9; however, the assault occurred on June 10, 2011.
2
The St. Patrick’s Day incident formed the basis for count three, for which Mr. Jackson
was found not guilty.
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Jackson about C.J.’s prior allegations against him. The two had been drinking and S.J. asked Mr.
Jackson if he ever had sex with C.J. According to S.J., Mr. Jackson told S.J. that, while they
were living in Clinton, after he and C.J. had been drinking Irish Car Bombs in his basement
office, C.J. asked Mr. Jackson to have sex with her and he complied with her request.
{¶19} When S.J. picked up C.J., she was “very visibly upset.” She was shaking and her
voice was trembling. S.J. told C.J. that “this ha[d] gone on long enough[,]” and encouraged her
to report what happened to the police. C.J. initially called the Cuyahoga Falls Police
Department; however, they told her that she needed to go to the Stow Police Department because
the assault happened in Stow. After a couple of days, C.J. went to the Stow Police Department
with Ms. Brown to report what happened.
{¶20} Detective Jeffrey Swanson from the Stow Police Department investigated C.J.’s
allegations against Mr. Jackson. Detective Swanson agreed that neither the Cuyahoga Falls nor
the Stow Police Department reports reflected that C.J. had previously recanted allegations
concerning Mr. Jackson or that anyone offered to buy her anything if she recanted. He
acknowledged that it would have been helpful to know that type of information. Additionally,
despite C.J.’s testimony at trial indicating that Mr. Jackson performed oral sex on her at the
Bridgewater apartment, in the police report C.J. maintained that he did not touch her during that
time frame; however according to the report, he did ask to perform oral sex on her.
{¶21} On June 15, 2011, at the behest of the police, C.J. placed a controlled phone call
to Mr. Jackson in an attempt to get him to admit to some of the allegations. Detective Swanson
and Ms. Brown were present for the phone call. The phone call was recorded and played for the
jury and a transcript of the phone call was also admitted into evidence. During the call, C.J.
informed Mr. Jackson that he told her that they had sex on St. Patrick’s Day 2011. Mr. Jackson
8
indicated that he did not remember saying that and that if she wanted to talk about those types of
things they should have the conversation in person. Mr. Jackson noted that after C.J. was at Mr.
Jackson’s place “the other day” and “got pretty upset and left[,]” Mr. Jackson decided that he
needed to stop drinking. Mr. Jackson stated that “any stupid bull sh** that’s gone on has always
been, it, it’s always been tied to one or both of us being completely hammered out of our gourd
and it just, it’s, yeah, like I said, in order for us to move on to any sort of normal, normal
relationship and get along with each other in the future, we, we just need to not put ourselves in
situations where one or the other of us is gonna do something that we’re going to regret.” Later
in the call, Mr. Jackson apologized for prior unspecified behavior saying, “the only thing I can
really offer at this point is just simply * * * an apology for * * * anything that I said or did that
you know really upset you over the last however many years * * *.” He reiterated that they
needed to refrain from drinking to the point of intoxication around each other. When C.J.
pointed out that inappropriate things tended to happen when they drink, Mr. Jackson replied that,
“there’s a simple solution to that. I mean, there, there’s no reason that if we’re hanging out
together that we have to sit around and do shots.” He then states that “quite honestly I wouldn’t
consider doing anything like that unless I was crocked out of my gourd in the first place, so * * *
it’s got an easy solution.” Mr. Jackson then denied having sex with C.J. on St. Patrick’s Day.
He stated that, “I’m sure I would have remembered something like that so, I, I don’t know why I
said that.”
{¶22} At the request of the Stow Police Department, C.J. also went to the hospital to
have a sexual assault examination on June 12, 2011. At this point in time, C.J. had showered,
changed clothes, and gone to the bathroom. A sexual assault nurse examiner, Lily Holderbaum,
examined C.J. and collected samples based on the history she provided. C.J.’s underwear was
9
also collected. C.J. indicated that there had been digital penetration of her vagina by Mr.
Jackson. C.J. also reported that she was assaulted by Mr. Jackson in the eighth grade and that he
told her that they had sex on St. Patrick’s Day but she did not remember it; C.J. thought he may
have given her a sleeping pill. Ms. Holderbaum documented some redness and an abrasion at the
top of C.J.’s labia minora, some skin separation and some redness. Ms. Holderbaum indicated
that the injuries were consistent with digital penetration of the vagina. C.J. informed Ms.
Holderbaum that she last had consensual sex on June 9, 2011, with Steven B.
{¶23} DNA testing of the evidence collected revealed profiles consistent with C.J.,
Steven B., and another male. Mr. Jackson was excluded as a possible contributor of the samples
collected. C.J. later disclosed that she had also had consensual sex with Corey D.; she failed to
initially disclose him as a contributor of DNA because she asserted that she had not had sexual
intercourse with him in several weeks prior to June 10, 2011. When the results were compared
with Corey D.’s profile, some of the DNA recovered was consistent with Corey D.’s DNA
profile. During the investigation, C.J. disclosed that she was pregnant with Corey D.’s child;
C.J.’s daughter was born in February 2012.
{¶24} Lynda Eveleth, a forensic scientist with the Ohio Bureau of Criminal
Identification (“BCI”) whose duties included comparing DNA profiles from evidence samples to
DNA profiles from known standards, testified that it was not surprising that Mr. Jackson was
excluded as a contributor given C.J.’s allegations that he penetrated her vagina with his finger.
Ms. Eveleth explained that “[i]f there is digital penetration of [the] vaginal area, * * * we may
not be able to detect the individual who is digitally penetrating because there’s a lesser amount of
DNA that’s from that area compared to the vaginal area. We would expect to have more DNA
from the vaginal cells than from the digital penetration.”
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{¶25} Mr. Jackson testified in his own defense denying all of C.J.’s allegations
concerning the sexual assaults. With respect to the June 10, 2011 assault, Mr. Jackson denied
that anything inappropriate happened. He said the only unusual thing that happened was that,
when he woke up, C.J. was sitting on his bed. They went outside and had a cigarette and he told
her to go back to sleep. When he woke up again, she was gone. He also denied telling S.J. that
he had sex with C.J. However, he acknowledged that he had a conversation with S.J. about the
allegations. Mr. Jackson hoped that S.J. just misinterpreted the conversation, as her testimony
that he had admitted to having sex with C.J. was false. Mr. Jackson further denied sharing any
pornography with C.J. He testified that it was a mistake to allow C.J. and S.J. to consume
alcohol. However, he denied specifically providing them with alcohol; instead, he maintained
that the alcohol was there and he did not stop them from having it. Mr. Jackson admitted to
putting a camera in the basement of the house, but denied that he put it in C.J.’s bedroom. He
stated that, at the time the camera was installed, the whole basement was an office and he
installed it in that area, an area that later became C.J.’s bedroom.
{¶26} After a thorough and independent review of the record we cannot say that the jury
committed a manifest miscarriage of justice in finding Mr. Jackson guilty of the two counts of
sexual battery. Specifically, the jury found Mr. Jackson guilty of counts two and four. Those
counts related to the allegations that Mr. Jackson had sexual intercourse with C.J. at the house in
Clinton in 2008 and that Mr. Jackson digitally penetrated C.J.’s vagina on June 10, 2011. We
cannot say that the jury lost its way in finding Mr. Jackson guilty.
{¶27} C.J. testified that Mr. Jackson had vaginal intercourse with her in 2008 at the
house in Clinton. She indicated that, prior to doing so, they had been drinking Irish Car Bombs.
S.J.’s testimony partially corroborated C.J.’s testimony. S.J. testified that Mr. Jackson told her
11
that he and C.J. had sex in the basement office of the house in Clinton after drinking Irish Car
Bombs. While S.J. testified that Mr. Jackson claimed that C.J. asked him to have sex with her,
such is immaterial to the charge at issue. See R.C. 2907.03(A)(5) (prohibiting the victim’s
natural parent from engaging in sexual conduct with the victim); see also State v. Lowe, 112
Ohio St.3d 507, 2007-Ohio-606, ¶ 14 (“Courts examining R.C. 2907.03(A)(5) have found the
statute clear and unambiguous in its criminalization of all sexual conduct falling within its
purview, regardless of a victim’s age or consent.”). Moreover, the jury could have disbelieved
that C.J. made the request. Based upon the record before us, the jury’s conclusion that Mr.
Jackson engaged in sexual conduct with C.J. during this time frame is not against the manifest
weight of the evidence.
{¶28} With respect to count four, C.J. testified that on June 10, 2011, she stayed at her
father’s place and that the two had been drinking. She awoke to find Mr. Jackson’s finger inside
her vagina and her bra unclasped. She testified that she started crying and ultimately called S.J.
to come pick her up. S.J.’s testimony confirmed C.J.’s emotional state. She testified that C.J.
sounded frightened and was on the verge of crying. When S.J. picked C.J. up, C.J. was shaking
and her voice was trembling. Additionally, there was testimony that C.J.’s vaginal injuries were
consistent with digital penetration and that it was not surprising that DNA consistent with Mr.
Jackson’s DNA was not found under the circumstances. Thus, we cannot say that the jury’s
finding that Mr. Jackson engaged in sexual conduct with C.J. on June 10, 2011, was against the
manifest weight of the evidence.
{¶29} While it is true that Mr. Jackson denied both sets of allegations, the jury could
have reasonably disbelieved his testimony. The jury was able to hear and observe Mr. Jackson’s
testimony and also heard Mr. Jackson’s controlled phone call. While Mr. Jackson did not admit
12
to any sexual conduct during the call, in the face of allegations by C.J. of sexual improprieties,
he did not clearly deny the allegations. When prompted with C.J.’s questions and statements,
Mr. Jackson offered apologies and acknowledged that there were problems in their relationship.
Mr. Jackson believed that the solution to the issues C.J. was raising was that the two just should
not drink around each other, because he “wouldn’t consider doing anything like that unless [he]
was crocked out of [his] gourd in the first place * * *.” From the totality of the evidence, the
jury could have reasonably inferred guilt by the manner in which Mr. Jackson responded to
C.J.’s accusations during the phone call. Mr. Jackson did not raise his voice or sound overly
shocked or surprised by C.J.’s accusations. Overall, he seemed to maintain a calm tone;
something that the jury could have found inconsistent with his trial testimony that he did not
engage in sexual conduct with his daughter. See State v. Blackburn, 2d Dist. Montgomery No.
22679, 2009-Ohio-889, ¶ 119 (“Finally, we note, [the defendant] was asked if he had bloody
towels, would he put them in the corner until they accumulated, and the jury could have
concluded that his response, ‘what else am I going to do with them, you know,’ is indicative of
guilt. The defendant did not deny the presence of bloody towels in his home.”).
{¶30} Further, while C.J. did previously make allegations against Mr. Jackson that she
shortly thereafter recanted, the jury could have found credible her explanation for why she did
so. The jury could have believed that C.J. only recanted because that is what she believed her
mother wanted to her do and because she was afraid of ending up in foster care, or the jury could
have disbelieved C.J.’s explanation, but nonetheless, believed that C.J. was telling the truth about
the 2008 and June 10, 2011 incidents. We remain mindful that “[e]valuating evidence and
assessing credibility are primarily for the trier of fact.” (Citations omitted.) State v. Bulls, 9th
Dist. Summit No. 27029, 2015-Ohio-276, ¶ 17. In reviewing the record, we cannot say that the
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jury lost its way in resolving conflicts in the evidence or in making credibility determinations.
Accordingly, Mr. Jackson’s argument is without merit.
{¶31} Mr. Jackson’s fifth assignment of error is overruled.
ASSIGNMENT OF ERROR I
THE TRIAL COURT COMMITTED PREJUDICIAL ERROR BY DENYING
[MR. JACKSON’S] MOTION FOR MISTRIAL WHICH WAS MADE AFTER
IMPROPER REMARKS BY THE PROSECUTING ATTORNEY DURING
QUESTIONING OF A STATE’S WITNESS, IN VIOLATION OF [MR.
JACKSON’S] RIGHT TO DUE PROCESS AS GUARANTEED BY THE
FOURTEENTH AMENDMENT TO THE U.S. CONSTITUTION AND [OHIO
CONSTITUTION, ARTICLE I, SECTION 16].
{¶32} Mr. Jackson asserts in his first assignment of error that the trial court erred in
denying his motion for a mistrial. We do not agree.
{¶33} “Mistrials need be declared only when the ends of justice so require and a fair
trial is no longer possible.” State v. Witcher, 9th Dist. Summit No. 26111, 2012-Ohio-4141, ¶
32, quoting State v. Franklin, 62 Ohio St.3d 118, 127 (1991). “The essential inquiry on a motion
for a mistrial is whether the substantial rights of the accused are adversely affected.” Witcher at
¶ 32, quoting State v. Wooden, 9th Dist. Summit No. 21138, 2003-Ohio-1917, ¶ 33, quoting
Wadsworth v. Damberger, 9th Dist. Medina No. 3024-M, 2000 WL 1226620, *2 (Aug. 30,
2000). “Due to the variety of circumstances in which mistrial may emerge, great deference must
be given by a reviewing court to the trial court’s discretion as the trial court judge is in the best
position to assess the situation and determine whether a mistrial is appropriate.” Witcher at ¶ 32,
quoting Wooden at ¶ 33, citing State v. Glover, 35 Ohio St.3d 18, 19 (1988). Thus, “[a] trial
court’s ruling on a motion for mistrial will be reversed only for an abuse of discretion.” Witcher
at ¶ 32, quoting Wooden at ¶ 33. “The term ‘abuse of discretion’ connotes * * * that the court’s
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attitude is unreasonable, arbitrary or unconscionable.” Blakemore v. Blakemore, 5 Ohio St.3d
217, 219 (1983).
{¶34} Here, during the re-cross-examination of Detective Swanson, defense counsel
asked questions about C.J.’s initial failure to disclose her involvement with Corey D. and how
that affected the investigation. During redirect, the following exchange took place:
[Prosecutor:] Is it relevant to [Mr. Jackson’s] innocence or whether or not he’s
guilty who a 19-year-old woman[, C.J.,] had voluntarily engaged in sexual
intercourse with?
[Detective Swanson:] It is not.
[Prosecutor:] Is it an attempt to smear her, smear her character, bring –
[Defense counsel:] Objection.
[The trial court:] Overruled.
[Defense Counsel:] Judge, permission to approach?
Following a sidebar conference, the trial court instructed the jury “to disregard the last
question[]” and ordered it “stricken form the transcript.”
{¶35} After Detective Swanson finished testifying and the State moved for admission of
its exhibits, Mr. Jackson’s counsel moved for a mistrial. Defense counsel stated:
The jurors have now heard from the prosecutor that questions were being asked
merely to, quote, smear the victim’s character.
I believe that that puts counsel in a situation where I cannot expect the jury,
having that been stated by the prosecutor and heard by the jury, to give any
credibility to me or anything I say or do; and therefore, prejudices my client.
And I do not believe that having heard it, the Court telling him to withdraw the
question or the Court * * * later giving a curative instruction would cure that. * *
*
{¶36} The trial court denied the motion stating, “it’s my understanding that [a mistrial]
is only necessary when a fair trial is no longer possible. And I think the fact that that was
stricken and I advised the jury to ignore it and I can give a further curative instruction, I don’t
15
think the Prosecutor’s statement that this was an attempt to smear the victim is enough to affect
the substantial rights of [Mr. Jackson.]”
{¶37} During the jury instructions, the trial court informed the jury that,
[s]tatements or answers that the Court struck or instructed you to disregard are not
evidence and must be treated as though you have not heard them. Objections.
You must not speculate as to why the Court sustained an objection to any question
or what the answer to the question might have been. You must not draw any
inference or speculate on the truth of any suggestion included in a question that
was not answered.
{¶38} Clearly, the prosecutor’s attempted question was improper. The State does not
challenge the trial court’s finding on that point on appeal. Instead, the issue is whether that
attempted improper question warranted a mistrial.
{¶39} We cannot say that the record discloses that Mr. Jackson’s substantial rights were
adversely affected the by question in light of the trial court’s response. While the trial court
initially overruled the objection, following a sidebar, the trial court instructed the jury to
disregard the question and ordered it stricken from the record. The trial court issued a similar,
although more general, reminder during the jury instructions. “A jury is presumed to follow the
trial court’s instructions, and Mr. [Jackson] has not pointed to anything in the record that
indicates that the jury failed to do so.” State v. Boden, 9th Dist. Summit No. 26623, 2013-Ohio-
4260, ¶ 38; see also State v. Drummond, 111 Ohio St.3d 14, 2006-Ohio-5084, ¶ 122-131
(concluding a mistrial was not warranted when an isolated, improper question by the prosecutor
was cured by a corrective instruction).
{¶40} Given the foregoing, we cannot say that Mr. Jackson has demonstrated that the
trial court abused its discretion in denying his motion for a mistrial. Mr. Jackson’s first
assignment of error is overruled.
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ASSIGNMENT OF ERROR III
[MR. JACKSON] WAS PREJUDICED BY IMPROPER REMARKS BY THE
PROSECUTOR BEFORE THE JURY DURING THE TRIAL OF THIS CASE,
WHICH REMARKS CAUSED PREJUDICE TO [MR. JACKSON] AND
DEPRIVED [MR. JACKSON] OF THE RIGHT TO A FAIR TRIAL, IN
VIOLATION OF [MR. JACKSON’S] RIGHT TO DUE PROCESS AS
GUARANTEED TO HIM BY THE FOURTEENTH AMENDMENT TO THE
U.S. CONSTITUTION AND [OHIO CONSTITUTION, ARTICLE I, SECTION
16].
{¶41} Mr. Jackson asserts in his third assignment of error that certain remarks by the
prosecutor were improper and deprived him of a fair trial. Specifically, Mr. Jackson points to
two instances of alleged misconduct on the part of the prosecutor: (1) the improper question
directed at Detective Swanson, discussed in the analysis of Mr. Jackson’s first assignment of
error; and (2) statements by the prosecutor during the rebuttal portion of closing argument in
response to incorrect statements of law made by defense counsel during closing argument.
{¶42} “With regard to each allegation of misconduct, we must determine whether the
conduct was ‘improper, and, if so, whether [it] prejudicially affected substantial rights of the
defendant.’” State v. Mammone, 139 Ohio St.3d 467, 2014-Ohio-1942, ¶ 110, quoting State v.
Smith, 14 Ohio St.3d 13, 14 (1984). “The touchstone of the analysis ‘is the fairness of the trial,
not the culpability of the prosecutor.’” State v. Pickens, 141 Ohio St.3d 462, 2014-Ohio-5445, ¶
110, quoting Smith v. Phillips, 455 U.S. 209, 219 (1982). “A reviewing court ‘will not deem a
trial unfair if, in the context of the entire trial, it appears clear beyond a reasonable doubt that the
jury would have found the defendant guilty even without the improper comments.’” State v.
Easley, 9th Dist. Summit No. 27008, 2014-Ohio-575, ¶ 33, quoting State v. Jackson, 107 Ohio
St.3d 300, 2006-Ohio-1, ¶ 142.
{¶43} With respect to the State’s improper question posed to Detective Swanson, we
previously concluded that the question was improper. Nonetheless, we also determined that, in
17
light of the trial court’s response, the prosecutor’s question did not adversely affect Mr.
Jackson’s substantial rights. See Pickens at ¶ 120.
{¶44} Because it is clear beyond a reasonable doubt that a jury would have convicted
Mr. Jackson of the two counts even without the improper question, Mr. Jackson has not
established his entitlement to a new trial. See Easley at ¶ 33.
{¶45} Mr. Jackson also argues that a portion of the prosecutor’s rebuttal during closing
argument was improper. We note that Mr. Jackson did not object to the prosecutor’s statements
and so Mr. Jackson’s argument is reviewable only for plain error. See Pickens at ¶ 109.
{¶46} “Not every comment by counsel can be a basis for reversal.” State v. Frazier, 73
Ohio St.3d 323, 341 (1995). “Parties are granted latitude in closing arguments, and the question
as to the propriety of these arguments is generally considered one falling within the sound
discretion of the trial court.” State v. Bowerman, 9th Dist. Medina No. 13CA0059-M, 2014-
Ohio-4264, ¶ 17, quoting Frazier at 341, quoting State v. Loza, 71 Ohio St.3d 61, 78 (1994).
{¶47} During Mr. Jackson’s counsel’s closing argument, his counsel incorrectly stated
that, “[c]ircumstantial evidence is not as reliable as direct evidence. Make no mistake about it.”
The prosecutor objected, and the trial court sustained the objection. The trial court then
informed the jury that, defense counsel’s comment was “an incorrect statement of the law, so
disregard that statement.” During rebuttal, the prosecutor stated that, “the Court is going to
instruct you during the instruction portion of this trial that direct and circumstantial evidence are
of equal value. So what the defense attorney, what he told about the law, is completely incorrect
and not accurate and will be inconsistent with the law that [the Court] gives you.” While Mr.
Jackson’s trial counsel did not object to the foregoing statement by the prosecutor, Mr. Jackson
asserts on appeal that it was improper.
18
{¶48} In light of Mr. Jackson’s argument, we cannot say the prosecutor’s comments
were improper; thus, we are unable to conclude that plain error exists. The Supreme Court of
Ohio has held that “[c]ircumstantial evidence and direct evidence inherently possess the same
probative value[.]” State v. Jenks, 61 Ohio St.3d 259 (1991), paragraph one of the syllabus.
Therefore, defense counsel’s statement was incorrect and inaccurate. Moreover, the trial court,
during the jury instructions, did tell the jury that, “[d]irect and circumstantial evidence are of
equal weight or probative value.” Mr. Jackson has not asserted that the prosecutor’s statement,
or the trial court’s instruction, concerning the value of circumstantial and direct evidence was
incorrect; instead, he argues that the prosecutor’s comment was unnecessary given that the trial
court sustained the State’s objection about the error in defense counsel’s statement. Mr. Jackson
has not pointed to any law requiring the prosecutor to limit himself or herself during closing
argument to only those statements which the defense believes are necessary. See App.R.
16(A)(7). While “[i]t is improper [for the prosecution] to denigrate defense counsel in the jury’s
presence[,]” we cannot say that the statements made by the State, taken in context, did so on this
occasion. State v. Davis, 116 Ohio St.3d 404, 2008-Ohio-2, ¶ 304. Instead, the prosecutor
provided the jury with a generally correct statement of the law and reminded it that defense
counsel’s statement was incorrect. We remain mindful that, “[a] prosecutor is at liberty to
prosecute with earnestness and vigor, striking hard blows, but may not strike foul ones.”
Frazier, 73 Ohio St.3d at 341, quoting Smith,14 Ohio St.3d at 14.
{¶49} In light of the foregoing, we cannot say that Mr. Jackson has demonstrated the
existence of misconduct that prejudiced his substantial rights. Mr. Jackson’s third assignment of
error is overruled.
19
ASSIGNMENT OF ERROR II
THE TRIAL COURT COMMITTED PREJUDICIAL ERROR BY MAKING
REMARKS IN FRONT OF THE JURY DURING THE TESTIMONY OF A
STATE’S WITNESS, IN VIOLATION OF [MR. JACKSON’S] RIGHT TO DUE
PROCESS AS GUARANTEED BY THE FOURTEENTH AMENDMENT TO
THE U.S. CONSTITUTION AND [OHIO CONSTITUTION, ARTICLE I,
SECTION 16]. ALTHOUGH [MR. JACKSON] DID NOT OBJECT TO THESE
REMARKS, IT WAS PLAIN ERROR FOR THE COURT TO HAVE MADE
THOSE REMARKS IN THE PRESENCE OF THE JURY.
{¶50} Mr. Jackson asserts in his second assignment of error that the trial court
committed prejudicial error by making statements in front of the jury that could be perceived as
vouching for the witness. While we agree that the trial court’s comments were improper, we do
not agree that reversible error exists.
{¶51} We note that Mr. Jackson’s trial counsel did not object to the trial court’s
comments, and thus this issue is only reviewable for plain error. See Crim.R. 52(B); State v.
Brown, 9th Dist. Wayne No. 11CA0054, 2013-Ohio-2945, ¶ 49. “[T]he accused bears the
burden of proof to demonstrate plain error on the record * * * and must show an error, i.e., a
deviation from a legal rule that constitutes an obvious defect in the trial proceedings[.]” (Internal
quotations and citations omitted.) State v. Rogers, 143 Ohio St.3d 385, 2015-Ohio-2459, ¶ 22.
“However, even if the error is obvious, it must have affected substantial rights, and [w]e have
interpreted this aspect of the rule to mean that the trial court’s error must have affected the
outcome of the trial.” (Internal quotations and citations omitted.) Id. “The accused is therefore
required to demonstrate a reasonable probability that the error resulted in prejudice * * *.”
(Emphasis omitted.) Id.{¶52} “In exercising his [or her] duty to control a criminal trial pursuant to R.C.
2945.03, the trial judge is to remain impartial and refrain from making comments which may
influence a jury.” State v. McCarley, 9th Dist. Summit No. 22562, 2006-Ohio-1176, ¶ 9. “[T]he
20
judge must be cognizant of the effect of his [or her] comments upon the jury[.]” Id., quoting
State v. Wade, 53 Ohio St.2d 182, 187 (1978), vacated and remanded on other grounds, 438 U.S.
911 (1978). A judge’s “participation by * * * comment must be scrupulously limited, lest the
court, consciously or unconsciously, indicate to the jury its opinion on * * * the credibility of a
witness.” State ex rel. Wise v. Chand, 21 Ohio St.2d 113 (1970), paragraph three of the syllabus.
“Furthermore, ‘juries are highly sensitive to every utterance by the trial judge’ and any
comments by the trial judge must be appropriate under the circumstances.” McCarley at ¶ 9,
quoting Wade at 188.
Generally, in determining whether a trial judge’s remarks were prejudicial, the
courts will adhere to the following rules: (1) The burden of proof is placed upon
the defendant to demonstrate prejudice, (2) it is presumed that the trial judge is in
the best position to decide when a breach is committed and what corrective
measures are called for, (3) the remarks are to be considered in light of the
circumstances under which they are made, (4) consideration is to be given to their
possible effect upon the jury, and (5) to their possible impairment of the
effectiveness of counsel.
Wade at 188; see also McCarley at ¶ 9; Brown at ¶ 49.
{¶53} The comments by the trial court at issue occurred during trial while Ms. Eveleth
was testifying. During redirect examination, the prosecution elicited testimony from Ms. Eveleth
that she agreed that “the vaginal cells can overwhelm any touch DNA left by fingers[.]” On re-
cross-examination, the following exchange occurred between Ms. Eveleth, the attorneys, and the
trial court:
[Defense counsel:] Ma’am, I assume that overwhelming by the vagina would also
come into play on the semen itself, not just touch DNA, correct?
[Ms. Eveleth:] For semen cases, we’re able to separate out sperm cells from the
majority of the remaining cells, which allows us to be able to obtain a DNA
profile from sperm.
[Defense counsel:] My question was it can eventually be overwhelmed by the
vaginal cells, correct?
21
[Ms. Eveleth:] If there is enough male sperm cells on rape cases, then we are able
to obtain a DNA profile from that sample.
[Defense counsel:] I’d appreciate it if you would answer my question. It was,
eventually –
[Prosecutor:] Objection.
[Defense counsel:] – it can be overwhelmed by the vaginal cells?
[The trial court:] Sustained. Sustained.
[Defense counsel:] Ma’am, it’s true that eventually the sperm cells can be
overwhelmed by the vaginal cells, correct?
[Ms. Eveleth:] If there isn’t enough –
[Defense counsel:] Judge, I would ask you to instruct – it’s a yes or no question.
[Prosecutor:] Objection. She’s been answering the question, Judge.
[The trial court:] Hold on. If you don’t know – if you can’t say with certainty
based on your training and experience, then simply say I don’t know. Or if you
can say yes or no, then answer the question that way. But I understand you’re
trying to be – present a scientific answer. I understand that. But if you could
answer yes or no or I’m not sure, as unsatisfying as that might be to you.
[Prosecutor:] Judge, if I may, I think maybe the form of the question is what is
causing – eventually –
[Defense counsel:] Judge, it’s the same form that [the prosecutor] used, and
answered “correct” five times in a row for him.
[The trial court:] It was a different question.
[Defense counsel:] It’s the same form, though.
[The trial court:] It’s the same form. I’m not objecting to your form.
[Defense counsel:] I understand.
[The trial court:] But what I’m saying is I think this witness is trying to answer
honestly and completely and she can’t give you a yes or no answer. Is that fair?
[Ms. Eveleth:] Correct.
22
{¶54} Following that exchange, defense counsel concluded his re-cross-examination.
Mr. Jackson argues on appeal that the trial court’s comment that Ms. Eveleth was “trying to
answer honestly and completely” constituted vouching. While from the context of the exchange,
such was not likely the intent of the trial court, we agree that the trial court’s reference to the
witness “trying to answer honestly” was improper and could be perceived by the jury as a
comment on the court’s belief as to the credibility of the witness. Nonetheless, in light of the
fact that it is Mr. Jackson’s burden to demonstrate not only error, but plain error, we cannot say
he has met his burden. Mr. Jackson has failed to adequately detail how, under the circumstances
of this case, that the trial court’s isolated comment prejudiced him. Even assuming that the
remark by the trial court caused the jury to find Ms. Eveleth more credible, Ms. Eveleth’s
testimony could be viewed as aiding the defense. She did testify that it was not surprising that
Mr. Jackson was excluded as a contributor given C.J.’s allegations that he penetrated her vagina
with his finger because “[i]f there is digital penetration of [the] vaginal area, * * * we may not be
able to detect the individual who is digitally penetrating because there’s a lesser amount of DNA
that’s from that area compared to the vaginal area. We would expect to have more DNA from
the vaginal cells than from the digital penetration.” However, she also testified that none of the
samples contained a DNA profile consistent with Mr. Jackson’s DNA profile; testimony that
would also potentially benefit Mr. Jackson.
{¶55} As to the potential impact of the trial court’s statement on the jury, during the jury
instructions, the trial court told the jury that, “[i]f, during the course of the trial, the Court said or
did anything that you consider an indication of the Court’s view, you are instructed to disregard
it.” As noted above, “[a] jury is presumed to follow the trial court’s instructions, and Mr.
[Jackson] has not pointed to anything in the record that indicates that the jury failed to do so.”
23
Boden, 2013-Ohio-4260, at ¶ 38; but see State v. Luciano, 9th Dist. Lorain No. 09CA009632,
2011-Ohio-2607, ¶ 16-19 (noting that when the judge limited the instruction to views that might
be indicated by his facial expressions, the instruction could not cure the problems created by the
judge interjecting his conclusions about what could or must be drawn from the evidence).
{¶56} Mr. Jackson’s second assignment of error is overruled.
ASSIGNMENT OF ERROR IV
[MR. JACKSON’S] COUNSEL RENDERED INEFFECTIVE ASSISTANCE OF
COUNSEL TO [MR. JACKSON] IN THIS CASE BY VARIOUS ERRORS OF
COUNSEL MADE DURING THE COURSE OF TRIAL HEREIN, WHICH
ERRORS WERE PREJUDICIAL TO [MR. JACKSON] AND VIOLATED [MR.
JACKSON’S] RIGHT TO DUE PROCESS AS GUARANTEED TO HIM BY
THE SIXTH AND FOURTEENTH AMENDMENTS TO THE U.S.
CONSTITUTION AND [OHIO CONSTITUTION, ARTICLE I, SECTION 16].
{¶57} Mr. Jackson argues in his fourth assignment of error that his trial counsel was
ineffective. Specifically, he asserts that trial counsel (1) failed to object to the prosecutor’s
allegedly improper remarks about direct and circumstantial evidence; (2) failed to object to the
trial court’s remarks about Ms. Eveleth’s testimony; and (3) made improper statements during
closing argument. We do not agree.
{¶58} This Court must analyze claims of ineffective assistance of counsel under a
standard of objective reasonableness. See Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. 668, 688 (1984);
State v. Bradley, 42 Ohio St.3d 136, 142 (1989). Under this standard, a defendant must show (1)
deficiency in the performance of counsel “so serious that counsel was not functioning as the
‘counsel’ guaranteed the defendant by the Sixth Amendment[,]” and (2) that the errors made by
counsel were “so serious as to deprive the defendant of a fair trial[.]” Strickland at 687. A
defendant must demonstrate prejudice by showing that, but for counsel’s errors, there is a
reasonable probability that the outcome of the trial would have been different. Id. at 694; see
24
also Rogers, 143 Ohio St.3d 385, 2015-Ohio-2459, at ¶ 22. In applying this test, “a court must
indulge a strong presumption that counsel’s conduct falls within the wide range of reasonable
professional assistance[.]” Strickland at 689. This Court need not address both prongs of
Strickland where an appellant fails to prove either prong. See State v. Ray, 9th Dist. Summit No.
22459, 2005-Ohio-4941, ¶ 10
{¶59} With respect to Mr. Jackson’s first argument, that trial court counsel was
ineffective in failing to object to the prosecutor’s comments during closing argument regarding
defense counsel’s mistake concerning circumstantial and direct evidence, we already noted
above that the prosecutor’s comments were not improper. Moreover, Mr. Jackson has not
pointed this Court to any rule or case law that would suggest that the trial court should have
sustained such an objection had it been made. See App.R. 16(A)(7). Further, “[t]his Court has
consistently held that trial counsel’s failure to make objections is within the realm of trial tactics
and does not establish ineffective assistance of counsel.” State v. Velez, 9th Dist. Lorain No.
13CA010518, 2015-Ohio-642, ¶ 20, quoting State v. Smith, 9th Dist. Wayne No. 12CA0060,
2013-Ohio-3868, ¶ 24, quoting State v. Guenther, 9th Dist. Lorain No. 05CA008663, 2006-
Ohio-767, ¶ 74.
{¶60} With respect to Mr. Jackson’s argument concerning the trial court’s comments
during Ms. Eveleth’s testimony, we concluded above, that, while the trial court’s comments were
objectionable, under the circumstances, Mr. Jackson failed to demonstrate that the comments
prejudiced him. We can conclude no differently here as Mr. Jackson has not further explained
how he was prejudiced.
{¶61} Finally, Mr. Jackson asserts that trial counsel’s misstatements during closing
argument prejudiced him. Specifically, Mr. Jackson points to trial counsel’s misstatement of the
25
law concerning direct and circumstantial evidence, and trial counsel’s statement that, “[b]efore
you convict Mr. Jackson, go back to that room and consider all the evidence and review it. Put
yourself or your son or your brother, your best friend, somebody you care about, in this chair.”
The latter statement was also objected to by the State, and the trial court sustained the objection.
Mr. Jackson argues that trial counsel’s “serial misstatements of the law to the jury at the tail end
of defense counsel’s closing argument could not have done anything other than cause the jury to
lose confidence in the credibility and reliability of statements made by defense counsel to them,
and thereby preclude[d] [Mr. Jackson] from receiving a fair trial.”
{¶62} “Counsel for both sides are afforded wide latitude during closing arguments.
Debatable trial tactics generally do not constitute a deprivation of effective counsel.” (Citations
omitted.) State v. Lang, 129 Ohio St.3d 512, 2011-Ohio-4215, ¶ 192. Mr. Jackson’s argument
that trial counsel’s improper statements during closing argument caused the jury to lose
confidence in the credibility and reliability of trial counsel’s statements is speculative. See id.This is particularly so in light of the fact that the jury acquitted Mr. Jackson of one charge and
was unable to reach a verdict on another. Moreover, we remain mindful that, to be successful in
his argument, Mr. Jackson must demonstrate, not only that trial counsel was deficient, but also
that the deficiency in the performance of counsel was “so serious that counsel was not
functioning as the ‘counsel’ guaranteed the defendant by the Sixth Amendment.” Strickland at
687. Additionally, Mr. Jackson has not argued that the trial court’s instructions on the law were
incorrect; thus, any misstatements of the law by trial counsel were later remedied by the trial
court’s instructions. See State v. Ahmed, 103 Ohio St.3d 27, 2004-Ohio-4190, ¶ 147 (“While
counsel’s comments during voir dire did incorrectly describe the defendant’s burden in the
penalty phase, the errors were harmless. The trial court’s correct instruction of the law with
26
regard to the weighing process cured counsel’s much earlier misstatements.”). Further, in light
of the evidence discussed above, Mr. Jackson has not demonstrated on appeal that, absent trial
counsel’s misstatements, the result of the trial would have been different.
{¶63} Mr. Jackson’s fourth assignment of error is overruled.
III.
{¶64} The judgment of the Summit County Court of Common Pleas is affirmed.
Judgment affirmed.
There were reasonable grounds for this appeal.
We order that a special mandate issue out of this Court, directing the Court of Common
Pleas, County of Summit, State of Ohio, to carry this judgment into execution. A certified copy
of this journal entry shall constitute the mandate, pursuant to App.R. 27.
Immediately upon the filing hereof, this document shall constitute the journal entry of
judgment, and it shall be file stamped by the Clerk of the Court of Appeals at which time the
period for review shall begin to run. App.R. 22(C). The Clerk of the Court of Appeals is
instructed to mail a notice of entry of this judgment to the parties and to make a notation of the
mailing in the docket, pursuant to App.R. 30.
Costs taxed to Appellant.
CARLA MOORE
FOR THE COURT
27
CARR, P. J.
WHITMORE, J.
CONCUR.
APPEARANCES:
PETER T. CAHOON and JOSHUA D. NOLAN, Attorneys at Law, for Appellant.
SHERRI BEVAN WALSH, Prosecuting Attorney, and RICHARD S. KASAY, Assistant
Prosecuting Attorney, for Appellee.