State v. Slaughter

[Cite as State v. Slaughter, 2013-Ohio-1824.]
IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF OHIO
SECOND APPELLATE DISTRICT
MONTGOMERY COUNTY
STATE OF OHIO :
: Appellate Case No. 25270
Plaintiff-Appellee :
: Trial Court Case No. 2011-CR-4059
v. :
:
LAVATA SLAUGHTER : (Criminal Appeal from
: (Common Pleas Court)
Defendant-Appellant :
:
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OPINION
Rendered on the 3rd day of May, 2013.
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MATHIAS H. HECK, JR., by JOSEPH R. HABBYSHAW, Atty. Reg. #0089530,
Montgomery County Prosecutor’s Office, Appellate Division, Montgomery County Courts
Building, P.O. Box 972, 301 West Third Street, Dayton, Ohio 45422
Attorney for Plaintiff-Appellee
J. DAVID TURNER, Atty. Reg. #0017456, Post Office Box 291771, Kettering, Ohio
45429-1771
Attorney for Defendant-Appellant
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HALL, J.
{¶ 1} Lavata Slaughter appeals from his conviction and sentence following a bench
trial on one count of sexual battery in violation of R.C. 2907.03(A)(2).
{¶ 2} Slaughter advances three assignments of error on appeal. The first two
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challenge the legal sufficiency and manifest weight of the evidence to support his conviction.
The third alleges ineffective assistance of trial counsel.
{¶ 3} The record reflects that Slaughter was convicted of sexual battery for
performing oral sex on twenty-one-year-old W.Y., who has a mental impairment and an I.Q. of
sixty-two. The incident occurred in Slaughter’s apartment, where W.Y. had gone to get help
completing a rental application. At trial, Slaughter admitted the sexual activity. The only
issues were (1) whether W.Y. qualified as “substantially impaired” within the meaning of R.C.
2907.03(A)(2) and, if so, (2) whether Slaughter knew of the impairment. Based on the
evidence presented, the trial court found that Slaugher had performed oral sex on W.Y. with
knowledge that W.Y’s ability either to appraise the nature of his conduct or to control his
conduct was substantially impaired. As a result, the trial court found Slaughter guilty, imposed
a two-year prison sentence, and designated him a Tier III sex offender. This appeal followed.
{¶ 4} Slaughter’s first two assignments of error challenge the legal sufficiency and
manifest weight of the evidence to support his conviction. Specifically, he contends
prosecution witness Robert Hankey, a school psychologist, failed to establish that W.Y. was
substantially impaired in his ability either to appraise the nature of his conduct or to control his
conduct. Although Hankey gave W.Y. an I.Q. test and an achievement test, Slaughter argues
that these tests measured mental and social abilities in the context of a special-education
curriculum, not W.Y.’s ability to consent to sexual conduct, appraise the nature of sexual
conduct, or control his sexual conduct. Slaughter also notes that Hankey did not administer a
third test known as adaptive-behavior test.
{¶ 5} When a defendant challenges the sufficiency of the evidence, he is arguing that
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the State presented inadequate evidence on an element of the offense to sustain the verdict as a
matter of law. State v. Hawn, 138 Ohio App.3d 449, 471, 741 N.E.2d 594 (2d Dist.2000). “An
appellate court’s function when reviewing the sufficiency of the evidence to support a criminal
conviction is to examine the evidence admitted at trial to determine whether such evidence, if
believed, would convince the average mind of the defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
The relevant inquiry is whether, after viewing the evidence in a light most favorable to the
prosecution, any rational trier of fact could have found the essential elements of the crime proven
beyond a reasonable doubt.” State v. Jenks, 61 Ohio St.3d 259, 574 N.E.2d 492 (1991), paragraph
two of the syllabus.
{¶ 6} Our analysis is different when reviewing a manifest-weight argument. When a
conviction is challenged on appeal as being against the weight of the evidence, an appellate court
must review the entire record, weigh the evidence and all reasonable inferences, consider witness
credibility, 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. Thompkins, 78 Ohio St.3d 380, 387, 1997-Ohio-52,
678 N.E.2d 541. A judgment should be reversed as being against the manifest weight of the
evidence “only in the exceptional case in which the evidence weighs heavily against the
conviction.” State v. Martin, 20 Ohio App.3d 172, 175, 485 N.E.2d 717 (1st Dist.1983).
{¶ 7} With the foregoing standards in mind, we conclude that Slaughter’s
sexual-battery conviction is supported by legally sufficient evidence and is not against the weight
of the evidence. In relevant part, the sexual-battery statute provides: “No person shall engage in
sexual conduct with another, not the spouse of the offender, when any of the following apply: * *
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* The offender knows that the other person’s ability to appraise the nature of or control the other
person’s own conduct is substantially impaired.” R.C. 2907.03(A)(2). “The phrase ‘substantially
impaired,’ in that it is not defined in the Ohio Criminal Code, must be given the meaning
generally understood in common usage. * * * [S]ubstantial impairment must be established by
demonstrating a present reduction, diminution or decrease in the victim’s ability, either to
appraise the nature of his conduct or to control his conduct. This is distinguishable from a general
deficit in ability to cope, which condition might be inferred from or evidenced by a general
intelligence or I.Q. report.” State v. Zeh, 31 Ohio St.3d 99, 103-104, 509 N.E.2d 414 (1987).
Although substantial impairment may be established through expert testimony, such testimony is
not required. Substantial impairment also may be established through lay testimony. State v. Hall,
11th Dist. Portage No. 2002-P-0048, 2003-Ohio-1979, ¶19; State v. Hatten, 186 Ohio App.3d
286, 2010-Ohio-499, 927 N.E.2d 632, ¶21 (2d Dist.) (discussing substantial impairment in a rape
case and noting that it can be shown through non-expert witnesses who have interacted with the
victim).
{¶ 8} Here Hankey’s expert testimony primarily concerned W.Y.’s general intelligence
and abilities in an educational setting. Hankey worked as a psychologist for Huber Heights City
Schools, where W.Y. had attended classes prior to graduating in October 2011 at age twenty-one.
Hankey testified that he had given W.Y. an I.Q. test and an achievement test in December 2010.
(Trial Tr. at 91). W.Y. scored sixty-two on the I.Q. test, placing him above just one-percent of the
population. (Id. at 93). The score indicated “mild mental retardation.” (Id. at 92-93). The
achievement test indicated that W.Y.’s academic skills ranged from the kindergarten to
second-grade level, depending on the subject. (Id. at 94-95). Based on his evaluation of W.Y.,
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Hankey opined that W.Y. might “experience great difficulty in keeping up with his peers in a
wide variety of situations that require thinking and reasoning abilities.” (Id. at 97). He added that
a person with an I.Q. of sixty-two is “typically slow at processing” information. (Id. at 105).
{¶ 9} Hankey was not the only witness who provided relevant testimony. W.Y.’s
mother testified that he has cerebral palsy, for which he receives S.S.I., and that he has the mind
of “a child.” (Id. at 54, 57, 60). She explained that he rides a bike for transportation and enjoys
roller skating and outings to Chuck E. Cheese. (Id. at 57-59). In his mother’s opinion, W.Y. never
could live on his own. (Id. at 61).
{¶ 10} Wayne High School intervention specialist Christine Fansler also testified about
W.Y.’s mental condition. Fansler explained that she had interacted with W.Y. in the context of
preparing an individual education plan. The plan addressed reading, math, and “some adaptive
behavior issues.” (Id. at 112). Fansler described “adaptive behavior” as “a measure of [a
student’s] coping skills, a measure of their sociability, how social they are, how they interact with
people.” (Id.). According to Fansler, W.Y. has trouble understanding things that are “not
concrete.” (Id. at 113). He misses “subtle, social nuances from others” and sees things in
black-and-white terms. (Id. at 113-114).
{¶ 11} W.Y.’s own trial testimony provided additional insight into his mental capacity.
W.Y. recalled meeting Slaughter at an RTA hub downtown and exchanging phone numbers. (Id.
at 20). W.Y. wanted to get his own apartment, and Slaughter offered to help him complete an
application. (Id. at 21). W.Y. rode his bicycle to Slaughter’s apartment for that purpose. Slaughter
answered W.Y.’s knock on the door wearing only a bikini bottom. (Id. at 22). Slaughter led W.Y.
to a bedroom, where a pornographic video was playing. (Id. at 23). As W.Y. tried to complete the
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application, Slaughter began rubbing W.Y’s neck. (Id. at 25). Slaughter then sat beside W.Y. and
asked if he was “all hard.” (Id. at 26). W.Y. testified that he responded, “No, why would you say
that?” (Id.). Shortly thereafter, Slaughter was interrupted by a knock on the front door. (Id. at 27).
W.Y. remained in the bedroom. He testified that he “didn’t know what was going to go down.”
(Id. at 28). When Slaughter returned, he took W.Y.’s penis out of W.Y.’s pants, placed it in his
mouth, and sucked on it. (Id. at 29). W.Y. responded by trying to get up and telling Slaughter he
had to leave. (Id. at 29-30). W.Y. testified that he did not want to engage in oral sex with
Slaughter and did not give Slaughter permission to do so. (Id. at 29).
{¶ 12} Finally, the State played a videotape of Slaughter being interviewed by a
detective after his arrest. During the interview, Slaughter described W.Y. as “childlike.” He also
responded affirmatively when the detective suggested that he “took advantage” of W.Y. and
thought W.Y. was “slow” and “easy.” At trial, Slaughter testified and admitted that W.Y. “does
seem like he has a little bit of handicap, some kind of disability as far as understanding some
things.” (Id. at 150).
{¶ 13} In our view, the State’s evidence was legally sufficient to support Slaughter’s
sexual-battery conviction, and the conviction was not against the weight of the evidence. On
appeal, Slaughter complains that psychologist Hankey’s testimony focused on W.Y.’s I.Q. and
scholastic achievement. Pursuant to Zeh, such testimony alone arguably might not be enough to
prove a reduction, diminution or decrease in W.Y.’s ability either to appraise the nature of his
conduct or to control his conduct.1 On the other hand, Hankey’s testimony was not irrelevant. A
1
As noted above, the Ohio Supreme Court in Zeh opined that “substantial impairment must be established by demonstrating a
present reduction, diminution or decrease in the victim’s ability, either to appraise the nature of his conduct or to control his conduct. This is
distinguishable from a general deficit in ability to cope, which condition might be inferred from or evidenced by a general intelligence or I.Q.
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trier of fact may consider a victim’s I.Q., mental age, and academic ability when determining
whether a substantial impairment exists under R.C. 2907.03(A)(2). See, e.g., State v. Wade, 9th
Dist. Medina No. 02CA0076-M, 2003-Ohio-2351, ¶9-10; In re Sechler, 11th Dist. Trumbull No.
96-T-5575, 1997 WL 585928 (Aug. 29, 1997). Here the trial court was entitled to consider the
fact that W.Y.’s I.Q. places him above just one percent of the population, that he performs
academically between a kindergarten and second-grade level, and that he is slow at processing
information.
{¶ 14} Notably, the State did not rely solely on Hankey’s testimony. As set forth above,
W.Y.’s mother testified that he has cerebral palsy, has the mind of “a child,” and enjoys roller
skating and trips to Chuck-E-Cheese. In addition, intervention specialist Fansler testified that
W.Y. misses subtle, social nuances. But W.Y.’s own testimony provided perhaps the most
compelling evidence of a substantial impairment in his ability either to appraise the nature of his
conduct or to control his conduct with regard to the sexual activity at issue. By his own
admission, W.Y. accepted an invitation into the apartment of Slaughter—a relatively casual
acquaintance who was wearing only a bikini bottom—and followed him to a bedroom where a
pornographic video was playing. Slaughter proceeded to rub W.Y.’s neck and inquire whether
W.Y. was “all hard.” Despite these not-so-subtle cues, W.Y. appeared perplexed and asked why
Slaughter would say such a thing. At that point, W.Y. still “didn’t know what was going to go
report.” Zeh, 31 Ohio St.3d at 103-04. We note that the Seventh District Court of Appeals has observed that this language from Zeh may be
dicta. See State v. Hillock, 7th Dist. Harrison No. 02-538-CA, 2002-Ohio-6897, ¶24 (“However, although Zeh touched on the issue of what
constituted ‘substantial impairment,’ its holding was limited to instructing when the defense could ask the court to bar the state from utilizing
evidence of the contested mental condition of a victim-potential witness.”). We agree with the result in Hillock that a long-standing mental
condition may be sufficient to qualify as a substantial impairment. In any event, here the evidence of W.Y.’s substantial impairment consisted
of more than his poor scholastic achievement and low I.Q. score.
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down.” These facts strongly suggest that W.Y. was substantially impaired in his ability either to
appraise the nature of his conduct or to control his conduct in the bedroom with Slaughter.
{¶ 15} The State’s evidence also supports a finding that Slaughter knew of W.Y.’s
substantial impairment. Slaughter was in the room with W.Y. and was capable of observing
W.Y.’s difficulty comprehending what was happening and what Slaughter had in mind. We note
too that Slaughter described W.Y. as “childlike” after the incident, agreed that he ”took
advantage” of W.Y., and thought W.Y. was “slow” and “easy.” Even at trial, Slaughter
acknowledged that W.Y. “does seem like he has a little bit of handicap, some kind of disability as
far as understanding some things.”
{¶ 16} Having reviewed the record, we believe a rational trier of fact could have found
Slaughter guilty of sexual battery for engaging in sexual conduct with W.Y. while knowing that
W.Y.’s ability either to appraise the nature of his conduct or to control his conduct was
substantially impaired. The evidence does not weigh heavily against the conviction. Accordingly,
the first two assignments of error are overruled.
{¶ 17} In his third assignment of error, Slaughter alleges ineffective assistance of
counsel based on his attorney’s failure (1) to seek suppression of his oral and written statements
to police, (2) to challenge Hankey’s qualifications as an expert, and (3) to request a
court-appointed expert to examine W.Y.
{¶ 18} To prevail on his claim, Slaughter must show that his attorney’s performance was
deficient and that the deficient performance prejudiced him. Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S.
668, 687, 104 S.Ct. 2052, 80 L.Ed.2d 674 (1984). Prejudice exists where “there is a reasonable
probability that, but for counsel’s deficient performance, the outcome would have been
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different.” Id. at 694. Having reviewed the record, we see no ineffective assistance of counsel.
{¶ 19} Although Slaughter complains about the lack of a suppression motion below, he
does not identify any grounds for suppression or even attempt to show that suppression was
warranted. (Appellant’s Brief at 15). His bare assertion that counsel failed to seek suppression is
insufficient because the failure to file a suppression motion is not per se ineffective assistance.
State v. Madrigal, 87 Ohio St.3d 378, 389, 721 N.E.2d 52 (2000).
{¶ 20} With regard to Hankey’s qualifications as an expert, we see no ineffective
assistance in the lack of an objection. Defense counsel reasonably could have concluded that the
State had established Hankey’s qualifications as an expert. At the outset of his testimony, Hankey
explained that he had approximately twenty-seven years of experience as a school psychologist
and held a bachelor’s degree in education and a master’s degree in school psychology. Although
Slaughter also complains that Hankey’s testimony concerned only W.Y.’s capabilities in an
educational setting (as opposed to his capacity to understand and consent to sexual behavior), we
concluded in our analysis above that Hankey’s testimony was relevant.
{¶ 21} Finally, we see no ineffective assistance based on defense counsel’s failure to
seek a court-appointed expert to examine W.Y. On the record before us, we have no basis to
conclude that a court-appointed expert would have found W.Y. not substantially impaired within
the meaning of R.C. 2907.03(A)(2). Therefore, Slaughter cannot establish prejudice. Compare In
re C.C., M.C., 9th Dist. Summit No. 25835, 2011-Ohio-3357, ¶29-30 (finding no ineffective
assistance in counsel’s failure to move for an independent psychological expert absent evidence
that the expert’s conclusions would have been favorable to the movant). Moreover, the failure to
seek a court-appointed expert typically falls within the realm of legitimate trial strategy. State v.
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Paynter, 5th Dist. Muskingum No. CT2003-0014, 2003-Ohio-5367, ¶26-27. Such a decision
cannot form the basis of an ineffective-assistance claim. Id. Accordingly, the third assignment of
error is overruled.
{¶ 22} The judgment of the Montgomery County Common Pleas Court is affirmed.
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FAIN and WELBAUM, JJ., concur.
Copies mailed to:
Mathias H. Heck
Joseph R. Habbyshaw
J. David Turner
Hon. Gregory F. Singer