State v. Burden

[Cite as State v. Burden, 2013-Ohio-1628.]
COURT OF APPEALS
STARK COUNTY, OHIO
FIFTH APPELLATE DISTRICT
JUDGES:
STATE OF OHIO : Hon. W. Scott Gwin, P.J.
: Hon. Sheila G. Farmer, J.
Plaintiff-Appellee : Hon. Patricia A. Delaney, J.
:
-vs- :
: Case No. 2012-CA-00074
BERT S. BURDEN :
:
Defendant-Appellant : OPINION
CHARACTER OF PROCEEDING: Criminal appeal from the Stark County
Court of Common Pleas, Case No.2011-
CR-1447
JUDGMENT: Affirmed
DATE OF JUDGMENT ENTRY: April 22, 2013
APPEARANCES:
For Plaintiff-Appellee For Defendant-Appellant
JOHN FERRERO JACOB WILL
BY: RENEE WATSON 116 Cleveland Avenue N.W.
110 Central Plaza South, Ste. 510 808 Courtyard Centre
Canton, OH 44702-1413 Canton, OH 44702
[Cite as State v. Burden, 2013-Ohio-1628.]
Gwin, P.J.
{¶1} Appellant, Burt Burden [“Burden”], appeals from the June 26, 2012
judgment entry of the Stark County Court of Common Pleas convicting him of five
counts of gross sexual imposition, three of which were felonies of the third degree and
two of which were felonies of the fourth degree. Plaintiff-appellee is the State of Ohio.
Facts and Procedural History
{¶2} On October 12, 2011, Burden was indicted on four counts of rape in
violation of R.C. 2907.02, felonies of the first degree. Burden was also indicted on six
counts of gross sexual imposition in violation of R.C. 2907.05 The following evidence
was adduced at trial.
{¶3} J.A. was born in 1980. Her aunt Connie is married to Burden. During the
relevant time frame, Connie's son Dustin, his wife Melanie and their two children also
lived with Connie and Burden. J.A. often visited her aunt as a child, and when she
became a teen, would go visit as well as to babysit Dustin's children.
{¶4} J.A. testifed Burden began inappropriately touching her when she was
about 8 years old. Connie and Burden had a large bed and early on, J.A. and her sister
S.C. slept in their bed with them. Burden would touch her when they were in his bed. He
would also touch her inappropriately when they were on the sofa. On the sofa, he would
put a blanket over them, then fondle, and digitally penetrate her vagina. While he
assaulted her, he would tell J.A. she was pretty and that she was his favorite.
{¶5} Burden would also enter the bathroom while J.A. was showering to watch
her. When no one was around, Burden would expose himself and masturbate in front of
J.A.
Stark County, Case No. 2012-CA-00074 3
{¶6} On cross-examination, J.A. stated that no one contacted her in 1999
regarding an investigation about the abuse. J.A. admitted that she told her aunt that she
thought the abuse was just a bad dream.
{¶7} S.C. the 29-year-old niece of Burden testified Burden’s inappropriate
behavior began with him exposing himself to her and masturbating in front of her. She
recalls one early incident when Burden, fresh from the shower, came into the living
room naked and asked her to dry his back. Later, he began touching her when both
were seated on the sofa. He would start by rubbing her back, but then would put his
hands in her pants to fondle her and put his fingers in her vagina. She would often wake
up to Burden in her bed, touching both the outside and inside of her vagina. Sometimes
he was clothed and sometimes not. Each time Burden victimized S.C. he would say the
same thing: "You know I love you and I would never do anything to hurt you, right?"
{¶8} S.C. never told her sister, J.A. that Burden was touching her
inappropriately.
{¶9} When S.C. was 16, she was questioned by school employees regarding
the alleged incidents. After talking with the school officials, S.C. stated that Burden
called her and asked why she would not lie for him.
{¶10} On cross-examination, S.C. stated that she was interviewed in 1999 by a
social worker regarding the alleged abuse. She admitted that she never claimed
penetration when she was interviewed in 1999. She admitted telling Detective Coleman
"If I don't win, I will still look like a liar."
{¶11} B. C., the mother of J. A. and S. C. testified that in 1999 S.C. asked to be
picked up at school, and that she was told about the alleged abuse at that time. B.C.
Stark County, Case No. 2012-CA-00074 4
stated that she listened in on a phone call between her daughter S.C. and Burden in
1999, and that Burden said to S.C. she could have lied for him.
{¶12} On cross-examination, B.C. stated that she told Detective Coleman that
her first knowledge of the incidents came in 1999.
{¶13} J.N. the 36-year old niece of Burden, testified that she would visit Burden
at his home when she was a child. At approximately age 15, she was placed at Next
Step, which is a group home. Eventually the staff at the group home permitted J.N. to
visit with Burden and Connie over holidays and weekends.
{¶14} J.N. spent the night on numerous occasions and had her own bedroom.
Eventually Burden began coming into her bedroom at night, naked. He would get in bed
with her and touch her breasts and outer vaginal area.
{¶15} In 2010, J.N. disclosed the abuse to Perry Township Police Detective
Mindy Coleman when Coleman contacted J.N. during an investigation of Burden.
{¶16} B.D. testified as an "other acts" witness. B.D. is Burden's biological
daughter. She lived with Burden and his first wife (also named Connie), who is her
stepmother until she was 11 years old. While she lived there, she shared a room with
her half-sister, A.G.
{¶17} Burden regularly came to the girls’ room during the night. He would lie in
between them, touch their breasts and genitals and ask if it felt good. He also asked
them to touch his penis. On occasions when Burden was supposed to be disciplining
B.D., he would tell her to pretend to cry while he rubbed her between her legs. He would
do the same thing when he was supposed to be bathing B.D. BD told teachers and
counselors about the abuse, but no one ever believed her reports.
Stark County, Case No. 2012-CA-00074 5
{¶18} On cross, B.D. stated that she did not recall a trip to the emergency room
in 1979 or a meeting with a counselor in 1981. She also admitted to borrowing money
from Burden as an adult.
{¶19} Detective Mindy Coleman, of the Perry Township Police Department,
testified that she investigated allegations of abuse by Burden against some individuals,
including J.A. and S.C. This investigation revealed allegations of sexual abuse by
Burden against J.A. and S.C.
{¶20} On cross-examination, Detective Coleman admitted that she used leading
questions in her interviews with the alleged victims. She also admitted that she informed
the victims that the case would be stronger if more people came forward. Coleman
admitted she never attempted to contact Connie Porter, the investigator from 1999.
{¶21} Burden called as a witness Connie Porter formerly of the Stark County
Child Protective Services. Porter testified that in 1999 she was involved in an
investigation regarding S.C. Porter stated that during her investigation, S.C. denied any
symptoms of child abuse. Porter stated that her investigation ended, yet no formal
report or document was produced. On cross-examination, Porter stated that her notes
indicated the victim's mother did not want to pursue prosecution in 1999.
{¶22} Connie Burden, Burden’s wife, testified that she was the aunt of J.A. and
S.C. Connie Burden stated that she never noticed any apprehension by the girls
towards the Burden during their visits.
{¶23} After the evidence was concluded, the trial court dismissed one count of
rape (Count 3) and one count of gross sexual imposition (Count 7).
Stark County, Case No. 2012-CA-00074 6
{¶24} After deliberation, the jury returned verdicts of not guilty to the three
counts of rape. However, the jury returned verdicts of guilty to five of the six counts of
gross sexual imposition. Burden was then sentenced to nine (9) years in prison.
Assignments of Error
{¶25} Burden raises three assignment of error,
{¶26} “I. THE DEFENDANT'S DUE PROCESS RIGHTS WERE VIOLATED
WHEN THE TRIAL COURT DENIED DEFENDANT'S MOTION TO DISMISS BASED
ON PRE-INDICTMENT DELAY.
{¶27} “II. THE TRIAL COURT ERRED IN PERMITTING THE STATE TO
PRESENT IMPERMISSIBLE "OTHER ACTS" EVIDENCE.
{¶28} “III. THE DEFENDANT'S CONVICTION FOR FIVE COUNTS OF GROSS
SEXUAL IMPOSITION IN VIOLATION OF R.C. 2907.05 WERE AGAINST THE
MANIFEST WEIGHT AND SUFFICIENCY OF THE EVIDENCE.”
I.
{¶29} In his first assignment of error, Burden complains his case should have
been dismissed based on pre-indictment delay. He argues he has suffered a due
process violation because two witnesses — Phil Heagerty and Connie Porter — either
had expressed doubt as to the allegations in the past or presently had no independent
recollection of their involvement in the matter.
{¶30} The Sixth Amendment to the United States Constitution provides “[i]n all
criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial * *
*.” This provision is applicable to state courts through the Fourteenth Amendment.
Stark County, Case No. 2012-CA-00074 7
Klopfer v. North Carolina, 386 U.S. 213, 87 S.Ct. 988, 18 L.Ed.2d 1(1967). The Ohio
Constitution provides similar protection.
{¶31} As the second syllabus in State v. Luck, 15 Ohio St.3d 150, 153, 472
N.E.2d 1097(1984) states, “[a]n unjustified delay between the commission of an offense
and a defendant's indictment therefore, which results in actual prejudice to the
defendant, is a violation of the right to due process of law under Section 16, Article I of
the Ohio Constitution and the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendment to the United States
Constitution.” Luck, 15 Ohio St.3d at 154, 472 N.E.2d at 1102. See also, United States
v. Lovasco, 431 U.S. 783, 789-790, 97 S.Ct. 2044, 52 L.Ed.2d 752(1977).
{¶32} Furthermore, any claim of prejudice, such as the death of a key witness,
lost evidence, or faded memories, must be balanced against the other evidence in the
case in order to determine whether the defendant will suffer actual prejudice at trial.
Luck, supra.
{¶33} When a defendant asserts a pre-indictment delay violating his due
process rights, prejudice may not be presumed. United States v. Crouch, 84 F.3d 1497,
1514-1515(5th Cir. 1996). The notion that prejudice may be presumed from a lengthy
delay arises in the context of the four-part balancing test used in determining whether a
post-indictment or post-accusation delay has deprived a defendant of his Sixth
Amendment right to a speedy trial. Barker v. Wingo, 407 U.S. 514, 92 S.Ct. 2182, 33
L.Ed.2d 101(1972). The Barker four-part test, and the concept of presumptive prejudice,
applies only to post-indictment or post-accusation delays that implicate the Sixth
Amendment right to a speedy trial, and has no application to pre-indictment delays.
See, State v. Metz, 4th Dist. No. 96 CA 48, 1998 WL 199944(Apr. 21, 1998) (Citation
Stark County, Case No. 2012-CA-00074 8
omitted); State v. Schraishuhn, 5th Dist. No. 2010-CA-00635, 2011-Ohio-3805, ¶31;
State v. Harrell, 5th Dist. No. 98CAA06029, 1999 WL 3887(Dec. 29, 1998).
{¶34} The Ohio Supreme Court held that a delay in the commencement of
prosecution by the state would be found unjustified when it is done in an attempt to gain
a tactical advantage over the defendant, or when the state “through negligence or error
in judgment, effectively ceases the active investigation of a case, but later decides to
commence prosecution upon the same evidence that was available to it at the time that
its active investigation was ceased.” Luck, 15 Ohio St.3d at 158, 472 N.E.2d 1097. The
Court also held that the length of delay would normally be a key factor in this
determination. Id.{¶35} The defendant has the burden of demonstrating prejudice. United States
v. Lawson 780 F.2d 535, 541-542(6th Cir. 1985). A lengthy delay in prosecuting the
defendant, by itself, does not constitute actual prejudice. The defendant must
demonstrate how the length of the delay has prejudiced his ability to have a fair trial.
United States v. Norris, 501 F.Supp.2d 1092, 1096(S.D.Oh.2007). In United States v.
Wright, 343 F.3d 849, 860(6th Cir. 2003), the Court held that loss of memory is
insufficient to establish prejudice as a matter of law.
{¶36} In the case at bar, Burden claims that the following prejudice has resulted
from the delay in the commencement of the prosecution: (1) memories of witnesses
have undoubtedly faded; (2) unidentified witnesses are not available for trial. Burden
argues that the foregoing factors, when viewed in light of the state's reason for the delay
in prosecution of this case, warrants dismissal of the indictment on due process
grounds.
Stark County, Case No. 2012-CA-00074 9
{¶37} One potential witness, Phil Heagerty, interviewed some of the kids at the
time of the allegations, and had written a letter expressing his doubt about the
allegations. (T. Feb. 21, 2012 at 16-18). However, after being contacted by Burden's
trial counsel, Heagerty stated that he had no personal recollection of the matter and that
he had no admissible records from the time frame of the allegations. (Id. at 17).
{¶38} Additionally, Connie Porter testified at the hearing and stated that she had
no independent recollection of the investigation in 1999 and could not explain why the
case had not been prosecuted in 1999. (Id. at 24; 61).
{¶39} As the court stated in State v. Glasper, 2nd Dist. No. 15740, 1997 WL
71818 (Feb. 2, 1997), “The defendant will not satisfy his or her burden of proof by
merely generally alleging the possible prejudice inherent in any delay, for example, that
memories have faded, witnesses may be inaccessible, and evidence may be lost. The
defendant must identify the specific prejudice suffered, and that prejudice must be
substantial, for instance, that important taped witness inter-views were destroyed or that
key witnesses have died.”
{¶40} In State v. Flickinger, 4th Dist. No. 98CA09, 1999 WL 34854(Jan. 19,
1999) the court noted,
A defendant must provide concrete proof that he will suffer actual
prejudice at trial as a result of the government's delay in indicting the
defendant. See, e.g., Crouch, 84 F.3d at 1515 (stating that vague
assertions of faded memories are insufficient to establish actual prejudice;
the defendant must state which witness is unable to fully recount the
details of the crime and how the witness' lapsed memory will prejudice the
Stark County, Case No. 2012-CA-00074 10
defense); United States v. Beszborn (C.A.5, 1994) 21 F.3d 62, 67,
certiorari denied sub nom, Westmoreland v. United States, 513 U.S. 934,
115 S.Ct. 330, 130 L.Ed.2d 288 (stating that vague assertions of faded
memories are insufficient to establish actual prejudice); United States v.
Stierwalt (C.A.8, 1994), 16 F.3d 282, 285 (stating that assertions of faded
memories are insufficient to establish actual prejudice when the defendant
fails to specify how witness' lapsed memory will harm his defense); United
States v. Harrison (S.D.N.Y.1991), 764 F.Supp. 29, 32 (stating that
assertion of faded memories is insufficient to establish actual prejudice);
United States v. Greer (D.Vt.1997), 956 F.Supp. 525, 528 (stating that a
defendant must present concrete proof of actual prejudice and not mere
speculation of actual prejudice).
Flickinger, ¶19; Accord, State v. Jenkins, 2009-CA-00150, 2010-Ohio-2719, ¶43.
{¶41} In the case sub judice, we believe that Burden's assertion that witnesses'
memories have faded are much too speculative and fail to rise to the level of concrete
proof.
{¶42} We find, therefore, that Burden has failed to establish that the delay in
bringing the indictment caused Burden actual prejudice.
{¶43} Assuming, arguendo, that Burden had established the existence of actual
prejudice, we believe that the state presented justifiable reasons for the delay that
outweigh any prejudice Burden may have suffered. In the case at bar, nothing in the
record suggests-and Burden does not argue-that the delay that occurred in the
prosecution of this case was motivated by bad faith, harassment, or a governmental
Stark County, Case No. 2012-CA-00074 11
desire to seek a tactical advantage. United States v. Marion, 404 U.S. 307, 324, 92
S.Ct. 455, 30 L.Ed.2d 468. The lapse between the alleged incidents and the actual
indictment was the result of investigative delay and the fact that the victims were minors
whose parents did not wish to pursue the allegations.
{¶44} For the foregoing reasons, Burden’s first assignment of error is overruled.
II
{¶45} In his second assignment of error, Burden argues that the trial court erred
in permitting B.D.to testify as an “other acts” witness.
{¶46} In the case at bar, B.D. testified as an "other acts" witness. B.D. is
Burden's biological daughter. She lived with Burden and his first wife until she was 11
years old. While she lived there, she shared a room with her half-sister.
{¶47} Burden regularly came to the girls’ room during the night. He would lie in
between them, touch their breasts and genitals and ask if it felt good. He also asked
them to touch his penis. On occasions when Burden was supposed to be disciplining
B.D., he would tell her to pretend to cry while he rubbed her between her legs. He would
do the same thing when he was supposed to be bathing B.D. BD told teachers and
counselors about the abuse, but no one ever believed her reports.
{¶48} On cross, B.D. stated that she did not recall a trip to the emergency room
in 1979 or a meeting with a counselor in 1981. She also admitted to borrowing money
from Burden as an adult.
{¶49} Initially, we note that the decision to admit or exclude relevant evidence is
within the sound discretion of the trial court. State v. Bey, 85 Ohio St.3d 487, 490, 709
N.E.2d 484, 490(1999). The trial court's decision to admit or exclude relevant evidence
Stark County, Case No. 2012-CA-00074 12
cannot be reversed absent an abuse of that discretion. See, e.g., State v. Combs, 62
Ohio St.3d 278, 581 N.E.2d 1071(1991); State v. Sage, 31 Ohio St.3d 173, 510 N.E.2d
343(1987). The term “abuse of discretion” implies more than an error of law or
judgment. Rather, the term suggests that the trial court acted in an unreasonable,
arbitrary, or unconscionable manner. State v. Xie, 62 Ohio St.3d 521, 584 N.E.2d
715(1992); State v. Montgomery, 61 Ohio St.3d 410, 575 N.E.2d 167(1991).
Furthermore, when applying the abuse of discretion standard, a reviewing court is not
free to merely substitute its judgment for that of the trial court. In re Jane Doe 1, 57 Ohio
St.3d 135, 566 N.E.2d 1181(1991) (citing Berk v. Matthews, 53 Ohio St.3d 161, 359 N.E
.2d 1301(1990)).
{¶50} In the case at bar, Burden was convicted of gross sexual imposition under
R.C. 2907.05. The gross sexual imposition statute also contains so-called “rape shield”
provisions,
(E) Evidence of specific instances of the victim's sexual activity,
opinion evidence of the victim's sexual activity, and reputation evidence of
the victim's sexual activity shall not be admitted under this section unless it
involves evidence of the origin of semen, pregnancy, or disease, or the
victim's past sexual activity with the offender, and only to the extent that
the court finds that the evidence is material to a fact at issue in the case
and that its inflammatory or prejudicial nature does not outweigh its
probative value.
Evidence of specific instances of the defendant's sexual activity,
opinion evidence of the defendant's sexual activity, and reputation
Stark County, Case No. 2012-CA-00074 13
evidence of the defendant's sexual activity shall not be admitted under this
section unless it involves evidence of the origin of semen, pregnancy, or
disease, the defendant's past sexual activity with the victim, or is
admissible against the defendant under section 2945.59 of the Revised
Code, and only to the extent that the court finds that the evidence is
material to a fact at issue in the case and that its inflammatory or
prejudicial nature does not outweigh its probative value.
(F) Prior to taking testimony or receiving evidence of any sexual
activity of the victim or the defendant in a proceeding under this section,
the court shall resolve the admissibility of the proposed evidence in a
hearing in chambers, which shall be held at or before preliminary hearing
and not less than three days before trial, or for good cause shown during
the trial.
{¶51} R.C. 2945.59 provides:
In any criminal case which the defendant's motive or intent, the
absence of mistake or accident on his part, or the defendant's scheme,
plan or system in doing an act is material, any acts of the defendant which
tend to show his motive or intent, the absence of mistake or accident on
his part, or the defendant's scheme, plan, or system in doing the act in
question may be proved, whether they are contemporaneous with prior or
subsequent thereto, notwithstanding such proof may show or tend to show
the commission of another crime by the defendant.
Stark County, Case No. 2012-CA-00074 14
{¶52} Pursuant to the rape-shield statute, evidence of specific instances of a
defendant's sexual activity is inadmissible “unless it involves evidence of the origin of
semen, pregnancy, or disease, or the victim's past sexual activity with the offender, and
only to the extent that the court finds that the evidence is material to a fact at issue in
the case and that its inflammatory or prejudicial nature does not outweigh its probative
value.” R.C. 2907.02(D).
{¶53} The rape-shield statutes were designed to prohibit evidence that is
extremely inflammatory and prejudicial and only marginally probative. State v. Gardner,
59 Ohio St.2d 14, 17, 391 N.E.2d 337(1979).
{¶54} The admissibility of other acts evidence is carefully limited because of the
substantial danger that the jury will convict the defendant solely because it assumes
that the defendant has a propensity to commit criminal acts, or deserves punishment
regardless of whether he or she committed the crime charged in the indictment. See
State v. Curry, 43 Ohio St.2d 66, 68,330 N.E.2d 720, 723(1975). This danger is
particularly high when the other acts are very similar to the charged offense, or of an
inflammatory nature, as is certainly true in this case. State v. Schaim, 65 Ohio St.3d 51,
60, 1992-Ohio-31, 600 N.E.2d 661,669.
{¶55} The legislature has recognized the problems raised by the admission of
other acts evidence in prosecutions for sexual offenses, and has carefully limited the
circumstances in which evidence of the defendant's other sexual activity is admissible.
The rape statute and the gross sexual imposition statute both contain subsections that
address the admissibility of evidence of other sexual activity by either the victim or the
defendant. Schaim, 60 Ohio St.3d at 60, 600 N.E.2d 661. (Footnotes omitted). Because
Stark County, Case No. 2012-CA-00074 15
of the severe social stigma attached to crimes of sexual assault and child molestation,
evidence of these past acts poses a higher risk, overall, of influencing the jury to punish
the defendant for the similar act rather than the charged act. Accordingly, the state may
not “parade past the jury a litany of potentially prejudicial similar acts that have been
established or connected to the defendant only by unsubstantiated innuendo.”
Huddleston v. United States, 485 U.S. 681, 689, 108 S.Ct. 1496, 99 L.Ed.2d 771(1988).
{¶56} The Ohio Supreme Court has recently directed courts to conduct a three-
step test to consider whether other-act evidence is admissible. State v. Williams, 2012-
Ohio-5695, ––– N.E. 2d ––––(Dec. 6, 2012), ¶ 19. “The first step is to consider whether
the other acts evidence is relevant to making any fact that is of consequence to the
determination of the action more or less probable than it would be without the
evidence.” Id. at ¶ 20 (citing Evid. R. 401). The second step is to “consider whether
evidence of the other crimes, wrongs, or acts is presented to prove the character of the
accused in order to show activity in conformity therewith or whether [it] is presented for
a legitimate purpose, such as those stated in Evid.R. 404(B). Id. “The third step is to
consider whether the probative value of the other acts evidence is substantially
outweighed by the danger of unfair prejudice.” Id. (citing Evid. R. 403).
{¶57} In Williams, the defendant was accused of engaging in sexual relations
with a fourteen-year-old boy he had mentored through his church. The Supreme Court
held that evidence that the defendant had had a similar relationship with a different
teenage boy he had coached on a swimming team twelve years earlier was admissible
under Evidence Rule 404(B) “to show the plan of the accused and the intent for sexual
gratification.” Id. at ¶ 25. In Williams, the evidence indicated that the defendant had
Stark County, Case No. 2012-CA-00074 16
targeted young, fatherless males “to gain their trust and confidence and groom them for
sexual activity with the intent of sexual gratification.” Id. Mr. Williams befriended the
victim, often bought him gifts, and paid him to do odd jobs at Mr. Williams’ house. The
other-act evidence showed that Mr. Williams had “exhibited a pattern of isolating certain
types of victims and then abused a position of authority to engage in grooming
behaviors for the purpose of sexual gratification....” Id. at ¶ 11. Furthermore, part of Mr.
Williams’ defense was to claim that he was only sexually attracted to women. The
Supreme Court overruled the Eighth District's en banc decision and held that the other-
act evidence was admissible. Id. at ¶ 25. The Court held the other-act evidence tended
to prove that Mr. Williams derived sexual gratification from engaging in sexual relations
with teenage boys and that he had a certain plan or method of targeting a certain group
of victims by gaining their trust through the role of an authority figure before abusing
them. Id.1
{¶58} Evidence of other acts is admissible if (1) there is substantial proof that the
alleged other acts were committed by the defendant, and (2) the evidence tends to
prove motive, opportunity, intent, preparation, plan, knowledge, identity, or absence of
mistake or accident. State v. Carter, 26 Ohio St.2d 79, 83, 269 N.E.2d 115, 117(1971);
State v. Lowe, 69 Ohio St.3d 527, 530, 1994-Ohio-345, 634 N.E.2d 616, 619. (Citing
State v. Broom, 40 Ohio St.3d 277, 282-283, 533 N.E.2d 682, 690-691(1988); Evid.R.
404(B); R.C. 2945.59). The Ohio Revised Code does not define “substantial proof.”
{¶59} In State v. Wright, 4th Dist. No. 00 CA 39, 2001-Ohio-2473, the defendant
asserted that substantial proof did not exist that he committed the other act because the
1
Interestingly, the Court in Williams made no mention of the rape shield provisions of R.C.
2907.05(E).
Stark County, Case No. 2012-CA-00074 17
uncorroborated testimony of sexual abuse by the other acts witness was the only
evidence that the defendant committed the other act. The court determined that that the
substantial proof requirement does not necessitate that independent evidence
corroborate other acts testimony. Instead, the court found that the substantial proof
requirement is satisfied if at least one witness who has direct knowledge of the other act
can testify to the other act. The jury may then fulfill its duty and evaluate the witness's
testimony and credibility.
{¶60} In State v. Henderson, 76 Ohio App.3d 290, 601 N.E.2d 596(1991), the
court reached a contrary conclusion. In Henderson, the court determined that a victim's
unsubstantiated and uncorroborated allegations of sexual abuse did not fulfill the
substantial proof requirement. In Henderson, the defendant was convicted of gross
sexual imposition with a specification that he purposely compelled the victim to submit
by force or threat of force. To establish the element of force, the victim testified about a
past episode of the defendant's sexual misconduct, which occurred seven or eight years
prior to the trial.
{¶61} On appeal, the court held that the trial court should have excluded the
other acts evidence. In addition to finding that the other acts occurred too remote in
time, the court noted that uncorroborated and unsubstantiated evidence of this nature is
fraught with danger and falls far short of substantial proof that appellant committed the
prior act. Henderson, 76 Ohio App.3d at 295, 601 N.E.2d at 599-600.
{¶62} The Ohio Supreme Court initially agreed to resolve this conflict. State v.
Wright, 94 Ohio St.3d 1504, 764 N.E.2d 1035(2002); however the Court later dismissed
Stark County, Case No. 2012-CA-00074 18
the conflict without a decision as having been improvidently allowed. State v. Wright, 98
Ohio St.3d 1212, 785 N.E.2d 775(2003).
{¶63} In the case at bar, B.D. was unable to give any specific date that claimed
her father abused her. The only time period B.D. was able to relate was generally
between the time she was seven and eleven years old. That would be eight to twelve
years prior to the earliest of the dates alleged in Burden’s indictment.2 She claimed that
she reported the abuse to “teachers and counselors” B.D. did not remember denying
the allegations in 1979; did not remember going to the hospital in 1979 and did not
remember speaking to a counselor at the Crisis Center.
{¶64} The other acts evidence in the case at bar does not form part of the
immediate background of the crime charged. The other acts admitted during Burden's
case occurred at least eight years before the acts alleged in the indictment. Thus, the
other acts are not inextricably related to the crime charged, and are chronologically and
factually separate occurrences. We note the Ohio Supreme Court has limited its holding
in Curry and has explained that, under Evidence Rule 404(B), “evidence of other
crimes, wrongs, or acts of an accused may be admissible to prove intent or plan, even if
the identity of an accused or the immediate background of a crime is not at issue.” State
v. Williams, 2012-Ohio-5695, ––– N.E.2d ––––, ¶ 2. However, we believe that
temporarily proximity has a direct bearing on the relevancy and the potentially
prejudicial nature of the evidence in a defendant’s case.
{¶65} We would additionally note that the quality of the evidence concerning the
allegations made by B.D. is lacking. As we have previously noted, in order for evidence
2
Count 4 of the indictment puts the dates at July 25, 1988 to July 25, 1995; Count 8 of the
indictment set the dates at July 25, 1988 to July 24, 1993. The other counts place the beginning date in
1990 or 1993.
Stark County, Case No. 2012-CA-00074 19
of a prior act to be admissible, there must be substantial evidence that the accused
committed the act. State v. Carter, 26 Ohio St.2d 79, 269 N.E.2d 115(1971). In the case
sub judice, B.D. recanted the allegations at the time. Moreover, no other witness
testified at the trial about the prior incident or that B.D. had reported the allegations at
the time. Further, no specific dates of the alleged incidents were provided by B.D.
Uncorroborated and unsubstantiated evidence of this nature is fraught with danger and
falls far short of substantial proof that Burden committed the prior act. As a result, the
use of questionable evidence about Burden's past sexual misconduct to prove an
element of an unrelated charge was not permissible. Burden was left with absolutely no
means of answering these allegations. State v. Henderson, 76 Ohio App.3d 290, 601
N.E.2d 596(1991); State v. Strober, 51 Ohio App.3d 31, 554 N.E.2d 916(1988); State v.
Miley, 5th Dist. Nos. 2005 CA 67, 2006 CA 14, 2006-Ohio-4670, ¶75. Thus, the
question we must address now is whether the admission of the other acts testimony
was harmless.
{¶66} In making a Crim.R. 52(A) harmless error analysis, any error will be
deemed harmless if it did not affect the accused's “substantial rights.” Otherwise stated,
the accused has a constitutional guarantee to a trial free from prejudicial error, not
necessarily one free of all error. Before constitutional error can be considered harmless,
we must be able to “declare a belief that it was harmless beyond a reasonable doubt.”
Chapman v. California, 386 U.S. 18, 24, 87 S.Ct. 824, 17 L.Ed.2d 705(1967). Where
there is no reasonable possibility that unlawful testimony contributed to a conviction, the
error is harmless and therefore will not be grounds for reversal. State v. Lytle (1976), 48
Ohio St.2d 391,495, 358 N.E.2d 623, paragraph three of the syllabus, vacated on other
Stark County, Case No. 2012-CA-00074 20
grounds in (1978), 438 U.S. 910, 98 S.Ct. 3135, 57 L.Ed.2d 1154. There must be other
overwhelming evidence of guilt or some other indicia that the error did not contribute to
the conviction. Harrington v. California, 395 U.S. 250, 254, 89 S.Ct. 1726, 1728, 23
L.Ed.2d 284(1969); State v. Ferguson, 5 Ohio St.3d 160, 166, 450 N.E.2d 265(1983), n.
5.
{¶67} In the case at bar, the jury was given a limiting instruction. “A presumption
always exists that the jury has followed the instructions given to it by the trial court,”
Pang v. Minch, 53 Ohio St.3d 186, 187, 559 N.E.2d 1313(1990), at paragraph four of
the syllabus, rehearing denied, 54 Ohio St.3d 716, 562 N.E.2d 163, approving and
following State v. Fox, 133 Ohio St. 154, 12 N.E.2d 413(1938); Browning v. State, 120
Ohio St. 62, 165 N.E. 566(1929). Further, the jury found Burden not guilty of the three
most serious charges.
{¶68} Even though the admission of the prior acts was erroneous, we would
conclude, from a review of the entire record, that such error would be “harmless beyond
a reasonable doubt.” Chapman v. California; Harrington v. California, 395 U.S. 250, 89
S .Ct. 1726, 23 L.Ed.2d 284(1969); Schneble v. Florida, 405 U.S. 427, 92 S.Ct. 1056,
31 L.Ed.2d 340(1972); State v. Lindsay, 5th Dist. No. 2010-CA-0134, 2011-Ohio-4747,
¶75.
{¶69} Burden’s second assignment of error is overruled.
III.
{¶70} In his third assignment of error, Burden contends that his convictions are
against the manifest weight and sufficiency of the evidence. Specifically, he argues the
Stark County, Case No. 2012-CA-00074 21
witnesses were not credible, too much time had elapsed before prosecution and the
state produced no physical evidence.
{¶71} Burden was convicted of five counts of gross sexual imposition involving
three girls, pursuant to R.C. 2907.05.
{¶72} The indictment in the case at bar charged Burden with a violation of R.C.
2907.05(A)(1) and/or (A)(4), which states,
(A) No person shall have sexual contact with another, not the spouse
of the offender; cause another, not the spouse of the offender, to have
sexual contact with the offender; or cause two or more other persons to
have sexual contact when any of the following applies:
(1) The offender purposely compels the other person, or one of the
other persons, to submit by force or threat of force.
***
(4) The other person, or one of the other persons, is less than
thirteen years of age, whether or not the offender knows the age of that
person.
R.C. 2907.01(B) defines “sexual conduct” as,
(B) “Sexual contact” means any touching of an erogenous zone of
another, including without limitation the thigh, genitals, buttock, pubic
region, or, if the person is a female, a breast, for the purpose of sexually
arousing or gratifying either person.
{¶73} Counts five and six involve S.C. There is no dispute that she was under 13
years of age at the time of the occurrences. S.C. testifed that she recalled Burden sitting
Stark County, Case No. 2012-CA-00074 22
on the couch with her, first rubbing her back and then putting his hand inside her
underwear and fondling her vaginal area. He also masturbated in front of her. She
further recalled waking up numerous times to Burden naked in her bed and rubbing her
genitals. She would stay as quiet as she could until it was over, because she was
scared.
{¶74} Counts eight and nine concerned J.A., Burden was convicted of one count
of having sexual contact with J.A. when she was less than 13 years of age and one
count of having sexual contact with J.A. by purposely compelling her to submit by force
or threat of force. J.A. testified that the touching began when she was seven or eight
and continued until she was about 16. She testified she would wake up at night
screaming "no" because Burden was touching her while she slept in his bed. He also
touched her vaginal area when they were both seated on the sofa. Burden was in
charge when J.A. visited and he made J.A. nervous and afraid.
{¶75} Finally, Burden was convicted of having sexual contact with J.N., between
1990 and 1993, by purposely compelling her to submit by force or threat of force.
{¶76} J.N. testified she was born in 1975 and went to stay in the group home
where Burden found her when she was 15 years old. When she began spending time in
Burden's home, Burden began creeping into her room at night, naked, getting in bed
with her and trying to kiss her while touching her breasts and putting his hands inside
her pajama bottoms and rubbing her vaginal area. J.N. would move her head to prevent
Burden from kissing her. J.N. felt her only two choices were staying in the group home
or putting up with Burden's behavior.
Stark County, Case No. 2012-CA-00074 23
{¶77} In the case at bar, the trial court dismissed one count of rape (Count 3)
and one count of gross sexual imposition (Count 7). The jury found Burden not guilty of
three counts of rape.
{¶78} Viewing this evidence in a light most favorable to the prosecution, we
conclude that a reasonable person could have found the essential elements of the
crimes of gross sexual imposition We hold, therefore, that the state met its burden of
production regarding each element of the crimes of gross sexual imposition and,
accordingly, there was sufficient evidence to support Burden’s convictions.
{¶79} Ultimately, “the reviewing court must determine whether the appellant or
the appellee provided the more believable evidence, but must not completely substitute
its judgment for that of the original trier of fact ‘unless it is patently apparent that the fact
finder lost its way.’” State v. Pallai, 7th Dist. No. 07 MA 198, 2008–Ohio–6635, ¶ 31,
quoting State v. Woullard, 158 Ohio App.3d 31, 2004–Ohio–3395, 813 N.E.2d 964, ¶
81. In other words, “[w]hen there exist two fairly reasonable views of the evidence or
two conflicting versions of events, neither of which is unbelievable, it is not our province
to choose which one we believe.” State v. Dyke, 7th Dist. No. 99 CA 149, 2002–Ohio–
1152, at ¶ 13, citing State v. Gore (1999), 131 Ohio App.3d 197, 201, 722 N.E.2d 125.
The weight to be given to the evidence and the credibility of the witnesses are issues for
the trier of fact. State v. DeHass, 10 Ohio St.2d 230, 227 N.E.2d 212(1967), paragraph
one of the syllabus; State v. Hunter, 131 Ohio St.3d 67, 2011–Ohio–6524, 960 N.E.2d
955, ¶ 118. Accord, Glasser v. United States, 315 U.S. 60, 80, 62 S.Ct. 457, 86 L.Ed.
680 (1942); Marshall v. Lonberger, 459 U.S. 422, 434, 103 S.Ct. 843, 74 L.Ed.2d 646(1983).
Stark County, Case No. 2012-CA-00074 24
{¶80} The jury was free to accept or reject any and all of the evidence offered by
the parties and assess the witness’s credibility. "While the jury may take note of the
inconsistencies and resolve or discount them accordingly * * * such inconsistencies do
not render defendant's conviction against the manifest weight or sufficiency of the
evidence." State v. Craig, 10th Dist. 99AP-739, 2000 WL 297252(Mar 23, 2000) citing
State v. Nivens, 10th Dist. No. 95APA09-1236, 1996 WL 284714 (May 28, 1996).
Indeed, the jurors need not believe all of a witness' testimony, but may accept only
portions of it as true. State v. Raver, 10th Dist. No. 02AP-604, 2003- Ohio-958, 2003
WL 723225, ¶ 21, citing State v. Antill, 176 Ohio St. 61, 67, 197 N.E.2d 548(1964);
State v. Burke, 10th Dist. No. 02AP-1238, 2003-Ohio-2889, 2003 WL 21291042, citing
State v. Caldwell, 79 Ohio App.3d 667, 607 N.E.2d 1096( 4th Dist. 1992). Although the
evidence may have been circumstantial, we note that circumstantial evidence has the
same probative value as direct evidence. State v. Jenks, 61 Ohio St.3d 259, 574 N.E.2d
492 (1991), superseded by State constitutional amendment on other grounds as stated
in State v. Smith, 80 Ohio St.3d 89, 1997-Ohio-355, 684 N.E.2d 668(1997).
{¶81} After reviewing the evidence, we cannot say that this is one of the
exceptional cases where the evidence weighs heavily against the convictions. The jury
did not create a manifest injustice by concluding that appellant was guilty of the crimes
charged in the indictment. The jury heard the witnesses, evaluated the evidence, and
was convinced of Burden's guilt.
{¶82} Burden’s third assignment of error is overruled.
Stark County, Case No. 2012-CA-00074 25
{¶83} For the foregoing reasons, the judgment of the Stark County Court of
Common Pleas is affirmed.
By Gwin, P.J.
Farmer, J., and
Delaney, J., concur
_________________________________
HON. W. SCOTT GWIN
_________________________________
HON. SHEILA G. FARMER
_________________________________
HON. PATRICIA A. DELANEY
WSG:clw 0322
[Cite as State v. Burden, 2013-Ohio-1628.]
IN THE COURT OF APPEALS FOR STARK COUNTY, OHIO
FIFTH APPELLATE DISTRICT
STATE OF OHIO :
:
Plaintiff-Appellee :
:
:
-vs- : JUDGMENT ENTRY
:
BERT S. BURDEN :
:
:
Defendant-Appellant : CASE NO. 2012-CA-00074
For the reasons stated in our accompanying Memorandum-Opinion, the judgment of
the Stark County Court of Common Pleas is affirmed. Costs to appellant.
_________________________________
HON. W. SCOTT GWIN
_________________________________
HON. SHEILA G. FARMER
_________________________________
HON. PATRICIA A. DELANEY