State v. Singleton

[Cite as State v. Singleton, 2016-Ohio-4696.]
Court of Appeals of Ohio
EIGHTH APPELLATE DISTRICT
COUNTY OF CUYAHOGA
JOURNAL ENTRY AND OPINION
No. 103478
STATE OF OHIO
PLAINTIFF-APPELLEE
vs.
ALAN SINGLETON
DEFENDANT-APPELLANT
JUDGMENT:
AFFIRMED
Criminal Appeal from the
Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas
Case No. CR-15-593884-A
BEFORE: S. Gallagher, J., E.A. Gallagher, P.J., and E.T. Gallagher, J.
RELEASED AND JOURNALIZED: June 30, 2016
ATTORNEY FOR APPELLANT
Susan J. Moran
55 Public Square
Suite 1616
Cleveland, Ohio 44113
ATTORNEYS FOR APPELLEE
Timothy J. McGinty
Cuyahoga County Prosecutor
By: Jeffrey Schnatter
Assistant Prosecuting Attorney
Justice Center - 9th Floor
1200 Ontario Street
Cleveland, Ohio 44113
SEAN C. GALLAGHER, J.:
{¶1} Appellant Alan Singleton appeals his conviction and sentence. Upon
review, we affirm.
{¶2} Appellant was charged under a three-count indictment with rape, gross sexual
imposition and, as amended, kidnapping with a sexual motivation specification.
Appellant waived his right to a jury trial, and the case proceeded to a bench trial.
{¶3} Prior to the start of trial, the court conducted a competency hearing of the
victim, who was four years old. The court found the victim to be incompetent. The
court then conducted a hearing on the state’s notice of introduction of child victim’s
statements and determined that the victim’s previous statements were admissible under
Evid.R. 807.
{¶4} At trial, the victim’s mother, L.B., testified that appellant came to her home
unannounced on December 30, 2014, to visit with the victim, who is his child. L.B.
testified that at some point during the visit, appellant told L.B. he was hungry. L.B. went
to prepare food and left appellant and the victim in the third-floor bedroom where they
were watching television. By the time L.B. returned to the bedroom, appellant was the
only one in the room and had fallen asleep for the night.
{¶5} Appellant left the next morning, which was New Year’s Eve. He told L.B.
that he would be back and that she should go to the liquor store. L.B. bought a bottle of
Zinfandel. Appellant did not return. L.B. stated that it was “up in the air,” “he don’t tell
the truth,” and that she was contemplating what she was going to do for the night.
{¶6} According to L.B., that evening the victim went to her and said, “my dad do
me like this” and described what appellant had done to her the previous evening. She
took her fingers, put them down her panties, and made movements to demonstrate
appellant’s actions. The victim asked L.B., “is that bad?” L.B. testified that she was
shocked. She testified she did not have a drink before the victim confided in her, but
opened the bottle of Zinfandel after the disclosure. The next day, the victim repeated to
L.B. what happened.
{¶7} L.B. testified that she called appellant and he said, “maybe someone went too
far this time * * * told her to say it was me.” L.B. told appellant she was taking the
victim to the emergency room.
{¶8} L.B. eventually took the victim to the hospital. The sexual assault nurse
examiner who examined the victim testified to her examination of the victim and to her
findings, which included swelling, redness, and damaged tissue. She testified that the
injuries observed were consistent with digital touching. She also testified that
“[c]hildren typically don’t cause injuries like that themselves, because it is painful.”
{¶9} An interview of the victim took place at the Cuyahoga County Division of
Children and Family Services (“CCDCFS”). Present for the interview were the victim,
L.B., a social worker from the Sex Abuse Intake Department of CCDCFS, and a detective
with the East Cleveland Division of Police.
{¶10} The social worker testified that the detective took the lead in questioning the
victim during the interview. He further testified that only one person was asking the
questions in order to limit the trauma to the child and to eliminate any confusion during
the interview. The social worker stated that the detective was able to elicit the same
information he would be looking for to aid his referral in the case.
{¶11} The social worker testified that a drawing was utilized during the interview
and the victim pointed to the vaginal area and stated appellant had touched her there with
his finger. The social worker testified that his purpose in the interview was to determine
the safety of the child and whether the child required any follow-up psychological, mental
health counseling, or medical services. He further testified that in order to make this
assessment, it was important to know where, and with what, the victim was touched.
The social worker recommended that the victim be seen by rape crisis.
{¶12} The detective testified she told the victim the purpose of the interview was
“just to find out what had happened, why she had to go to the hospital.” L.B., who is the
victim’s mother, was also interviewed. Both the social worker and the detective testified
that L.B. was interviewed after the victim had been interviewed.
The detective also met with appellant and obtained a sample of appellant’s DNA to
compare it against the sexual assault kit.
{¶13} Appellant testified in his defense. He acknowledged visiting with the
victim on December 30, 2014. He testified he wanted to spend time with his child. He
stated that when he got to the house, he “sat on the couch, watched TV for a minute” and
then said he was tired and went upstairs to bed. He claimed the victim went upstairs and
played for a couple of minutes, but he told her he was tired and she left. He testified the
victim returned a little later with a plate of food. He testified that a song came on the
television, he was thinking of dance steps, and he “tap[ped] her on the knee, 1-2-3, 4-5-6,
7-8” for three minutes. He claimed he gave the victim a kiss on the cheek, she left, and
he went to bed. He stated he left for work in the morning. Appellant claimed that the
victim was trying to convey the dance beat to L.B., but that L.B. misconstrued this and
the victim probably just agreed with L.B.’s accusations. He claimed L.B. was “drunk”
and was “mad” at him.
{¶14} The trial court found appellant not guilty of rape, guilty of gross sexual
imposition, and guilty of kidnapping with a sexual motivation specification. The court
determined the latter two offenses were allied offenses, and the state elected to proceed
with sentencing on the kidnapping count. The court imposed a sentence of life with the
possibility of parole after 15 years of time served.
{¶15} Appellant timely filed this appeal. He raises five assignments of error for
our review.
{¶16} Under his first assignment of error, appellant claims the trial court erred in
determining the victim was incompetent to testify and in allowing the introduction of
child witness statements under Evid.R. 807.
{¶17} Evid.R. 601(A) provides in relevant part: “Every person is competent to be
a witness except: * * * children under ten years of age, who appear incapable of receiving
just impressions of the facts and transactions respecting which they are examined, or of
relating them truly.” A trial court is required to conduct a voir dire examination of a
child under ten years of age to determine the child’s competence to testify. State v.
Maxwell, 139 Ohio St.3d 12, 2014-Ohio-1019, 9 N.E.3d 930, ¶ 100. In making this
determination, the court must consider the following:
“(1) the child’s ability to receive accurate impressions of fact or to observe
acts about which he or she will testify, (2) the child’s ability to recollect
those impressions or observations, (3) the child’s ability to communicate
what was observed, (4) the child’s understanding of truth and falsity and (5)
the child’s appreciation of his or her responsibility to be truthful.”
Id., quoting State v. Frazier, 61 Ohio St.3d 247, 251, 574 N.E.2d 483 (1991). The
determination of a child’s competence to testify is within the sound discretion of the trial
court and will not be reversed absent a clear abuse of discretion. Maxwell at ¶ 100.
{¶18} In this case, the victim was four years old at the time of trial. During the
competency hearing, the victim stated that she did not know the difference between what
is real and what is make believe. Although she was able to relay certain impressions and
recollect some information, she also provided responses demonstrating an inability to
recollect other information. She provided inconsistent answers when asked if she
understood what it meant to tell a lie. When asked if she could promise to tell the truth,
she stated, “I don’t know about that.” The victim responded “huh” a number of times,
and at one point asked for her “mommy.”
{¶19} In assessing the victim’s responses to the questioning, the trial court found
that the victim had only a “marginal understanding” of the difference between the truth
and a lie, and the court did not believe the victim would “have the ability to testify during
the course of a trial” and questioned the victim’s ability “to understand” and to “relay
competently” in the case. The court stated it was not confident it could rely on the
answers or the testimony elicited from the victim. Upon considering the factors for a
competency determination of a child, the court found the victim was incompetent to
testify in the case.
{¶20} Although appellant argues that the trial court conducted a flawed
competency hearing because the court failed to inquire if the victim recalled the incident
or telling anyone about it, this was not a prerequisite to the court’s determination. “[T]he
responsibility of the trial judge is to determine through questioning whether the child of
tender years is capable of receiving just impressions of facts and events and to accurately
relate them.” Frazier, 61 Ohio St.3d at 251, 574 N.E.2d 483. Upon our review, we find
no abuse of discretion by the trial court.
{¶21} Next, the trial court determined whether to allow statements of the victim to
be introduced under Evid.R. 807, which recognizes a hearsay exception for child
statements in abuse cases. The rule applies when a child, who is under the age of 12 at
the time of trial or hearing, makes an out-of-court statement describing any sexual act that
is performed on, with, or by the child, provided the following safeguards are met:
(1) The court finds that the totality of the circumstances surrounding the
making of the statement provides particularized guarantees of
trustworthiness that make the statement at least as reliable as statements
admitted pursuant to Evid.R. 803 and 804. The circumstances must
establish that the child was particularly likely to be telling the truth when
the statement was made and that the test of cross-examination would add
little to the reliability of the statement. In making its determination of the
reliability of the statement, the court shall consider all of the circumstances
surrounding the making of the statement, including but not limited to
spontaneity, the internal consistency of the statement, the mental state of the
child, the child’s motive or lack of motive to fabricate, the child’s use of
terminology unexpected of a child of similar age, the means by which the
statement was elicited, and the lapse of time between the act and the
statement. In making this determination, the court shall not consider
whether there is independent proof of the sexual act or act of physical
violence.
(2) The child’s testimony is not reasonably obtainable by the proponent of
the statement.
(3) There is independent proof of the sexual act or act of physical
violence.
(4) At least ten days before the trial or hearing, a proponent of the
statement has notified all other parties in writing of the content of the
statement, the time and place at which the statement was made, the identity
of the witness who is to testify about the statement, and the circumstances
surrounding the statement that are claimed to indicate its trustworthiness.
Evid.R. 807(A). A trial court’s decision to admit statements under Evid.R. 807 is
reviewed for an abuse of discretion. In re A.K., 2d Dist. Montgomery No. 26199,
2015-Ohio-30, ¶ 16.
{¶22} Evid.R. 807 does not contain any requirement that the declarant be shown to
have possessed testimonial competency at the time of the out-of-court statement, and the
Ohio Supreme Court has held that “a hearsay statement of a child declarant can be
admitted under Evid.R. 807 without a determination of the child’s competence to testify.”
State v. Silverman, 121 Ohio St.3d 581, 2009-Ohio-1576, 906 N.E.2d 427, ¶ 22, 34.
{¶23} The record in this case reflects that the trial court reviewed the totality of the
circumstances surrounding the victim’s statement as required under Evid.R. 807(A)(1)
and found the statement satisfied the trustworthiness element of Evid.R. 807. Appellant
argues that the victim’s mother, L.B., was angry at him and provided inconsistent
testimony as to when and how the allegation was made. However, this was a matter to
be weighed by the trier of fact. The trial court recognized the challenges to L.B.’s
credibility, but found that the statement given by the victim was spontaneous, internally
consistent, and age appropriate; that there was no evidence that the victim was incapable
of relating information accurately at the time of the statement; that there was no evidence
the victim had any motive to fabricate her display and statement, and there was no
questioning or coercion in obtaining the statement; and that the lapse of time between the
act and the statement was approximately 24 hours.
{¶24} Furthermore, the remaining criteria of Evid.R. 807 were satisfied. When a
child has been found not competent to be a witness, her testimony is “not reasonably
obtainable” pursuant to Evid.R. 807(B)(2). State v. Cardosi, 122 Ohio App.3d 70, 75,
701 N.E.2d 44 (2d Dist.1997). There was independent corroboration of the sexual act
contained in the nurse examiner’s medical report. Finally, appellant does not challenge
that the state provided proper notification of its intent to use the statement. The
statement, therefore, was properly admitted under Evid.R 807.
{¶25} Appellant’s first assignment of error is overruled.
{¶26} Under his second assignment of error, appellant claims the trial court
violated his right to confrontation and due process when it allowed the CCDCFS social
worker to testify regarding statements made by the victim during the interview.
Appellant argues that the questioning was done by the police detective and that the
primary purpose of the interview, which occurred after the victim had undergone medical
evaluation, was to gather information for the prosecution of appellant.
{¶27} “[A] statement cannot fall within the Confrontation Clause unless its
primary purpose was testimonial.” Ohio v. Clark, 576 U.S.___, 135 S.Ct. 2173, 2180,
192 L.Ed.2d 306 (2015). In determining whether a statement is testimonial, “the
question is whether, in light of all the circumstances, viewed objectively, the ‘primary
purpose’ of the conversation was to ‘creat[e] an out-of-court substitute for trial
testimony.’” Id., citing Michigan v. Bryant, 562 U.S. 344, 358, 131 S.Ct. 1143, 179
L.Ed.2d 93 (2011).
{¶28} In this case, the primary concern was the safety of the victim and the need
for any follow-up services. The social worker testified that in order to make his
assessment, it was important to know where, and with what, the victim was touched.
Although the questions were asked by the detective, the social worker testified he sought
the same information that was elicited. The interview was conducted at a CCDCFS
office and was a joint effort to limit trauma to the child. The detective testified that she
informed the victim that the purpose of the interview was “just to find out what had
happened, why she had to go to the hospital.” There was no indication that the primary
purpose of the conversation was to gather evidence for a criminal prosecution. Further,
the victim was only four years old. “Statements by very young children will rarely, if
ever, implicate the Confrontation Clause.” Clark at 2182.
{¶29} Our review reflects that the primary purpose of the statement was not
testimonial. Accordingly, appellant’s Sixth Amendment rights were not violated. The
second assignment of error is overruled.
{¶30} Under his third assignment of error, appellant claims he was denied
effective assistance of counsel. In order to substantiate a claim of ineffective assistance
of counsel, the appellant must show “(1) deficient performance by counsel, i.e.,
performance falling below an objective standard of reasonable representation, and (2)
prejudice, i.e., a reasonable probability that but for counsel’s errors, the proceeding’s
result would have been different.” State v. Perez, 124 Ohio St.3d 122, 2009-Ohio-6179,
920 N.E.2d 104, ¶ 200, citing Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. 668, 687-688, 694, 104
S.Ct. 2052, 80 L.Ed.2d 674 (1984); State v. Bradley, 42 Ohio St.3d 136, 538 N.E.2d 373(1989), paragraphs two and three of the syllabus. The defendant has the burden of
proving his counsel rendered ineffective assistance. Perez at ¶ 223.
{¶31} Our review of the record reflects that defense counsel conducted a thorough
cross-examination of the witness and adequately challenged the evidence against
appellant. Defense counsel questioned the witness on her medical examination of the
victim and the potential for injury caused during the medical examination. He also had
the witness identify areas that did not demonstrate injury. Insofar as appellant claims
defense counsel should have questioned the nurse examiner about the possibility of
self-inflicted injury or an alternative explanation such as a yeast infection, we find
defense counsel’s actions fell within the scope of reasonable trial strategy, which does not
constitute a denial of effective assistance of counsel. See State v. Howard, 8th Dist.
Cuyahoga No. 97695, 2012-Ohio-3459, ¶ 30. Further, upon the record before us, we are
unable to find a reasonable probability that the result of the proceeding would have been
any different. A review of the record reflects that testimony had been elicited from the
witness that a strep infection can be mistaken for abuse. The trier of fact was free to
weigh this testimony and the other evidence presented at trial. Appellant’s third
assignment of error is overruled.
{¶32} Under the fourth assignment of error, appellant claims he was denied due
process because the state asserted incorrect sentencing alternatives resulting in the
imposition of a longer sentence without consideration of a shorter sentence. Specifically,
appellant argues that the state incorrectly asserted that the two sentencing options for the
court were either a life sentence with parole eligibility after 15 years or life without the
possibility of parole. Appellant further argues that the court was not made aware of a
lesser sentence that he claims he was eligible for upon his assertion that the victim was
released unharmed.
{¶33} Appellant was found guilty of gross sexual imposition, a felony of the third
degree, and guilty of kidnapping, a felony of the first degree, with a sexual motivation
specification. After the trial court found the offenses were allied offenses of similar
import, the state elected to proceed to sentencing on the kidnapping count. The court
imposed a sentence of life with the possibility of parole after 15 years of time served.
{¶34} R.C. 2905.01(C)(3) provides as follows:
If the victim of the [kidnapping] offense is less than thirteen years of age
and if the offender also is convicted of * * * a sexual motivation
specification * * * the offender shall be sentenced pursuant to [R.C.
2971.03] as follows:
(a) Except as otherwise provided in division (C)(3)(b) of this section, the
offender shall be sentenced pursuant to that section to an indefinite prison
term consisting of a minimum term of fifteen years and a maximum term of
life imprisonment.
(b) If the offender releases the victim in a safe place unharmed, the
offender shall be sentenced pursuant to that section to an indefinite term
consisting of a minimum term of ten years and a maximum term of life
imprisonment.
{¶35} A defendant must plead and prove the mitigating circumstance that the
victim was released in a safe place unharmed as an affirmative defense. State v.
McKnight, 107 Ohio St.3d 101, 2005-Ohio-6046, 837 N.E.2d 315, ¶ 233. Here,
appellant never argued that the victim was released unharmed as a mitigating
circumstance. Further, the record reflects otherwise. Appellant was found guilty of
committing gross sexual imposition against the victim. The nurse examiner testified to
injuries consistent with digital touching, including swelling, redness, and damaged tissue
observed on the victim. Accordingly, the trial court imposed the correct sentence upon
the appellant. The fourth assignment of error is overruled.
{¶36} Under his fifth assignment of error, appellant claims his conviction is
against the manifest weight of the evidence. When reviewing a claim challenging the
manifest weight of the evidence, this court, reviewing the entire record, must 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. Thompkins, 78 Ohio St.3d 380, 387,
1997-Ohio-52, 678 N.E.2d 541. Reversing a conviction as being against the manifest
weight of the evidence should be reserved for only the exceptional case in which the
evidence weighs heavily against the conviction. Id.{¶37} Initially, we recognize that appellant raises a challenge to both the gross
sexual imposition count and the kidnapping count. Appellant was found guilty on each
count. However, the offenses were found subject to merger. For purposes of R.C.
2941.25, a “‘conviction’ consists of a guilty verdict and the imposition of a sentence or
penalty.” (Emphasis sic.) State v. Whitfield, 124 Ohio St.3d 319, 2010-Ohio-2, 922
N.E.2d 182, ¶ 12. Because of the merger, appellant was not sentenced for gross sexual
imposition or convicted of that offense.1 Nevertheless, we find neither the verdict nor
the conviction was against the manifest weight of the evidence.
{¶38} Appellant was found guilty of gross sexual imposition in violation of R.C.
2907.05(A)(4), which prohibits sexual contact with a child under the age of 13.
Appellant was convicted of kidnapping in violation of R.C. 2905.01(A)(4), which, in
relevant part, prohibits restraining the liberty of a child under the age of 13 for the
purpose of engaging in sexual activity with the victim against the victim’s will.
1
See, e.g., State v. Worley, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 103105, 2016-Ohio-2722, ¶ 23; State v.
Payne, 11th Dist. Ashtabula No. 2014-A-0001, 2014-Ohio-4304, ¶ 17.
{¶39} Appellant incorporates his prior arguments, which have been addressed and
rejected under review of his other assignments of error. He further claims that L.B.’s
testimony was not credible and contained inconsistencies, that the physical evidence was
misleading and improperly vetted to support the conclusion that he caused the victim’s
injury, and that conflicting evidence was presented.
{¶40} The trier of fact heard the evidence presented and was able to take into
account inconsistencies in the testimony and to assess the credibility of the witnesses.
The evidence established that the victim was four years old at the time of the alleged
incident. Testimony was provided by L.B. concerning the statements and display by the
victim reporting that appellant had rubbed her vaginal area with his fingers. The nurse
examiner testified that she observed injuries consistent with digital touching, and which
would have been painful to the victim. The social worker testified to the victim’s report
of the touching that was made during the victim’s interview with the aid of a drawing.
Upon the evidence presented, the trial court found that “there certainly was sexual contact
of the vaginal area of the victim” and that “by virtue of the rubbing of the child’s vaginal
area, and the statement that this hurt” the court could find the elements of the offenses
had been proven beyond a reasonable doubt. The court further found the evidence
established the state’s burden of proof that the offense was committed with a sexual
motivation.
{¶41} Upon our review, we find appellant’s conviction is not against the manifest
weight of the evidence.
{¶42} Judgment affirmed.
It is ordered that appellee recover from appellant costs herein taxed. The
court finds there were reasonable grounds for this appeal.
It is ordered that a special mandate issue out of this court directing the common
pleas court to carry this judgment into execution. The defendant’s conviction having
been affirmed, any bail pending appeal is terminated. Case remanded to the trial court
for execution of sentence.
A certified copy of this entry shall constitute the mandate pursuant to Rule 27 of
the Rules of Appellate Procedure.
SEAN C. GALLAGHER, JUDGE
EILEEN A. GALLAGHER, P.J., and
EILEEN T. GALLAGHER, J., CONCUR