State v. Pawlak

[Cite as State v. Pawlak, 2014-Ohio-2175.]
Court of Appeals of Ohio
EIGHTH APPELLATE DISTRICT
COUNTY OF CUYAHOGA
JOURNAL ENTRY AND OPINION
No. 99555
STATE OF OHIO
PLAINTIFF-APPELLEE
vs.
JAMES L. PAWLAK
DEFENDANT-APPELLANT
JUDGMENT:
REVERSED AND REMANDED
Criminal Appeal from the
Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas
Case No. CR-11-557638-A
BEFORE: Keough, J., Celebrezze, P.J., and Kilbane, J.
RELEASED AND JOURNALIZED: May 22, 2014
ATTORNEY FOR APPELLANT
Russell S. Bensing
1350 Standard Building
1370 Ontario Street
Cleveland, Ohio 44113
ATTORNEYS FOR APPELLEE
Timothy J. McGinty
Cuyahoga County Prosecutor
By: Andrew Rogalski
Assistant Prosecuting Attorney
The Justice Center, 9th Floor
1200 Ontario Street
Cleveland, Ohio 44113
KATHLEEN ANN KEOUGH, J.:
{¶1} Defendant-appellant, James L. Pawlak, appeals his judgment of conviction
entered after a jury trial. After a thorough and careful review of the record, we reverse
and remand for a new trial.
{¶2} In 2011, the Cuyahoga County Grand Jury returned a 26-count indictment
against Pawlak for sexual offenses committed against five children, including 16 counts
of gross sexual imposition and 10 counts of kidnapping. The kidnapping counts
contained either a sexually-violent-predator specification or a sexual-motivation
specification. The matter proceeded to trial where the jury heard the following evidence.
I. Trial
{¶3} Pawlak and P.B. were involved in a relationship for over five years, although
they knew each other since each was ten years old. P.B. has two daughters, victim 2 and
victim 3, who lived with her and Pawlak. Victim 2 has a half-sister, victim 1, whose
mother is S.G. P.B.’s close friend, C.H., has two daughters, victim 4 and victim 5. All
the girls would often play with each other at P.B. and Pawlak’s home — first when they
lived on Carlyle Avenue and then when they moved to Spokane Avenue in the fall of
2010.
{¶4} On December 13, 2011, Deena Davis, a social worker in the sex abuse
department of Cuyahoga County Children and Family Services (“CCDCFS”), received a
referral regarding victim 2 alleging that Pawlak was the perpetrator. The allegation was
that children were being sexually abused by Pawlak, who resided in the children’s home.
Davis contacted P.B. requesting that she bring all three of her children, including victims
2 and 3, to the agency. P.B. arrived at the agency with her children and her friend, C.H.
Davis testified that she interviewed each child separately and each denied the allegation.
Based on the information given, she determined that the children were safe, but that a
home visit was necessary to complete the investigation. She scheduled a home visit with
P.B.
{¶5} The following day, December 14, 2011, Cleveland police officer Theresa
Cavett was working second shift at the Second District when she received an assignment
to interview a victim of sexual assault who was waiting in the lobby. The victim was
victim 1, accompanied by her mother and father. Cavett testified that she interviewed
victim 1 with her mother present. During the interview, victim 1 told Cavett about an
incident in 2010 involving Pawlak, and reported that other juveniles were also involved.
Cavett testified that based on this information, she called P.B. and C.H., the mothers of
the girls who were identified as the other victims.
{¶6} Cavett testified that she interviewed each of the victims, except victim 3, in
the presence of their mothers. During the course of each interview, Cavett learned that
each victim had been inappropriately touched by Pawlak and that all of the incidents
occurred in P.B.’s house on Spokane Avenue. None of the victims mentioned any
inappropriate activity at the Carlyle address. She further learned that the incidents
occurred between 2010 and the two weeks prior to these interviews. Cavett stated that
Pawlak turned himself in later that evening, although she did not speak with him.
{¶7} Davis testified that on December 15, 2011, CCDCFS sex abuse department
received another call alleging additional claims of sexual abuse by Pawlak, not only
regarding victims 2 and 3, but also victims 1, 4, and 5. Davis contacted the mothers of
the victims and requested they bring their children to the agency for interviewing.
{¶8} During these interviews, both Davis and Cleveland police detective James
Butler were present. They first interviewed victim 2, who disclosed that Pawlak touched
her breasts and vaginal area, with the first incident being on Carlyle. Davis testified that
when victim 2 was questioned about previously denying the allegations, victim 2 stated
she was scared and did not want to upset her mom.
{¶9} Victim 3 was interviewed next. During this interview, victim 3 disclosed
that Pawlak carried her downstairs and touched her vaginal area.
{¶10} Victim 4, victim 5, and victim 1 were interviewed together. Victim 4
disclosed to Davis that once at P.B.’s house, she fell off the railing of the bed, and Pawlak
“grabbed her and simulated a humping action.”
{¶11} Victim 5 told Davis about a time when the kids were playing hide-and-seek
and she was hidden in the bunk bed. When Pawlak found her, he grabbed her face and
put it in front of his private parts. Victim 5 told Davis that she pushed Pawlak away.
{¶12} Victim 1 told Davis about an incident that occurred at P.B.’s house where
Pawlak got into bed with her and was “rubbing on top of her clothing and underneath her
clothing and trying to hump her.”
{¶13} During the course of her investigation, Davis learned that victim 2 had
recanted her story after victim 2’s aunt told her that Pawlak had passed a lie detector test.
She also learned from Pawlak that he knew why the girls were making the allegations.
When Davis interviewed S.G., she learned that P.B. and C.H. believed victim 2’s father
put the idea of sexual abuse into the children’s minds. According to Davis, S.G. believed
the girls because she thought the girls never talked about the incidents among themselves,
but Davis learned that the girls talked about their experiences with each other at some
point — each girl telling Davis a different version of who was present when they were
talking about it. For instance, victim 4 told Davis that everyone except victim 2 was
sharing their stories. Yet victim 1 stated that they all were telling their stories except
victim 4.
{¶14} Each victim also testified at trial.
Victim 1
{¶15} Regarding victim 1, the indictment charged Pawlak with five counts of gross
sexual imposition (Counts 1 through 5), one count of kidnapping with a
sexual-motivation specification (Count 6), and one count of kidnapping with an allegation
of serious physical harm (Count 7).
{¶16} Victim 1, age 14 at trial, testified that Pawlak did “something wrong” to her
about a year or two ago at the Carlyle house. She testified that Pawlak made her
“uncomfortable” because he was “rubbing” on her, in her “private area”— her “vagina.”
She stated that on one occasion she, Pawlak, P.B., and victim 2 were in victim 2’s room,
lying on the bed, when Pawlak “kind of put his arm around me and was touching.” She
stated that it felt like she could not leave, and that Pawlak called her “P.B.” According
to victim 1, she woke victim 2, and they both went into the bathroom where victim 1 told
victim 2 what had happened. Victim 2, however, testified that she did not find out that
victim 1 was touched by Pawlak until she went to the police station. Victim 2 further
testified that victim 1 subsequently reminded her that she woke her up, but victim 2 could
not remember if she did.
{¶17} Victim 1 further testified that sometimes Pawlak would pull her close to his
body — his “private area,” which made her feel uncomfortable. She stated he also
tickled her on the thigh near her private area; “a few times maybe once or twice, three
times, I’m not sure.”
{¶18} Victim 1 admitted that she did not tell anyone about this incident for over a
year because she did not want to believe what had happened to her. In fact, she stated
that when she was first asked by her mother about any inappropriate activity involving
Pawlak, victim 1 denied that anything had happened. Only after she found out that the
other girls had said something did she decide to tell her mother what had happened.
{¶19} Pawlak would ultimately be found guilty of Count 4 relative to victim 1,
which alleged that Pawlak rubbed her vagina in the bedroom at the Carlyle address. All
other counts pertaining to victim 1 were either dismissed or Pawlak was found not guilty.
Victim 2
{¶20} Regarding victim 2, the indictment charged Pawlak with four counts of
gross sexual imposition (Counts 8 through 11), one count of kidnapping with a
sexual-motivation specification (Count 12), and one count of kidnapping with an
allegation of serious physical harm (Count 13).
{¶21} Victim 2, age 12 at trial, testified that when she was in the fourth grade and
living on Carlyle, Pawlak touched her inappropriately while they were watching a movie.
She stated that Pawlak got under the covers of her bed and touched her on top of her
clothing “in her private area” — her “vagina.” She stated that he “went in circles.” She
stated that she told him to “stop” and to “leave.” According to victim 2, Pawlak said
“fine” and left. Victim 2 did not tell anyone that this happened.
{¶22} Victim 2 stated that Pawlak touched her again while she was still living on
Carlyle and in the fourth grade. She stated that she asked Pawlak to lie at the bottom of
her bed because she heard noises in the attic and was afraid. She testified that she
pretended to be asleep to see if Pawlak would touch her again. According to victim 2,
Pawlak again got under the covers, touched her “private part,” on top of her underwear,
and again “going in circles.” She stated she punched Pawlak and told him to “get out.”
Again, according to victim 2, Pawlak said “fine” and left.
{¶23} She stated that when she first talked with the social worker while her mom
was present, she denied the allegations because she did not want to hurt her mom. She
said the first person she told about Pawlak touching her was her step-mom (S.G.) who
then took her to the police station. However, after her Aunt Peggy told her that Pawlak
was maintaining his innocence, she told her mom she was lying about the allegations.
She admitted that when she told her mom she was lying, her mom was “happy.” At trial,
victim 2 stated she was testifying truthfully.
{¶24} Pawlak would ultimately be found guilty of Count 8 relative to victim 2,
which alleged that Pawlak had touched victim 2’s vagina in her bedroom on Carlyle.
The remaining counts pertaining to victim 2 were either dismissed or Pawlak was
acquitted of the charges.
Victim 3
{¶25} Regarding victim 3, the indictment charged Pawlak with three counts of
gross sexual imposition (Counts 14 through 16), one count of kidnapping with a
sexual-motivation specification (Count 17), and one count of kidnapping with an
allegation of serious physical harm (Count 18).
{¶26} Victim 3, almost age 11 at trial, stated that she was in court because Pawlak
“touched us.” She initially testified that Pawlak touched her, but that she did not
remember when or where she was in the house. She stated that Pawlak touched her in
the “wrong spot” with “his fingers in her vagina on top of her clothes.” After some
prompting by the prosecutor, victim 3 remembered that she, her brother, victim 2, victim
4, victim 5, and Pawlak were playing hide-and-seek. She was hiding with victim 5 and
Pawlak in her brother’s bedroom closet. She recalled it was nighttime and the lights
were off in the closet, although she could somewhat see because the closet door was
“kind of open.” She stated the girls were sitting on a bar, and Pawlak was standing up
and touched her for a couple of seconds, which made her feel uncomfortable. She told
him to “stop.” She stated that this was the only time Pawlak ever touched her. She
testified, without objection, that victim 5 told her that Pawlak had also touched her, but
victim 3 admitted that she did not see Pawlak touch victim 5. She admitted she did not
tell anyone what happened, except her grandma, whom she told a couple days later.
However, she later admitted that some time later, she, victim 2, victim 4, and victim 5 all
talked about what happened. She denied that Pawlak carried her on his shoulders and
touched her, and again stated the only time Pawlak touched her was in the closet on
Spokane.
{¶27} Victim 3 then testified about talking with the social worker, police, and
prosecutor. She admitted to lying to the prosecutor, social worker, and police that the
allegations did not happen because she was “scared,” but was “being truthful today.”
After being prompted, she stated that Pawlak used to carry her around like a baby,
cradling her in his arms. When he did this, he would touch her vagina with his fingers.
According to victim 3, she told him to “stop” and he apologized. She stated that this
incident occurred prior to the closet incident when they were living on Carlyle.
{¶28} On cross-examination, victim 3 testified that she went over her testimony
with the prosecutor previously. She stated that victim 5 was the first person she told
about Pawlak touching her, then she stated that her friend was the first person she told.
She admitted that when she spoke with the social worker, she denied that anyone touched
her “butterfly,” which she stated was her vagina. She further testified that she told the
social worker that if someone had touched her “butterfly,” she would tell someone. At
trial, she admitted that statement was not truthful. She further admitted that she and the
other girls all talked about what happened, and a few days before going to the police, she
and three of the other victims discussed it again.
{¶29} On redirect, victim 3 stated that Pawlak touched her on two separate
occasions — once while living on Carlyle and once while living on Spokane. She stated
that these incidents occurred three months apart. She again admitted she had been
dishonest with the police when she spoke with them twice. However, she said she was
being honest with the police when she told them about the “carrying” incident with
Pawlak. She also admitted she was honest and dishonest with the social worker because
she only told her part of the story.
{¶30} Pawlak was found guilty of Count 14 relative to victim 3, which alleged that
he had touched victim 3’s vagina. The remaining counts involving victim 3 were either
dismissed or Pawlak was acquitted of the charges.
Victim 4
{¶31} Regarding victim 4, the indictment charged Pawlak with two counts of gross
sexual imposition (Counts 19 and 20), and one count of kidnapping with a
sexual-motivation specification (Count 21), and one count of kidnapping with an
allegation of serious physical harm (Count 22).
{¶32} Victim 4, age 10 at trial, testified that she was in court “[b]ecause of some
things happening like people touching on other people, and it’s not appropriate.” When
prompted, she stated that Pawlak did “something bad” to her two or three times when she
was ten-years-old while at Aunt P.B.’s house on Spokane in August 2011.
{¶33} Victim 4 said the first incident happened when Pawlak was wrestling with
her. She stated she did not like how he would wrestle with her because he would touch
areas that should not be touched. She stated that while she, victim 2, victim 3, victim 5,
and her brother were wrestling in her brother’s room, Pawlak came in and was “lifting
us up by the inappropriate areas,” i.e. her vagina. She stated that he also touched her
butt. She felt like Pawlak’s touching was something more than accidental, “like he
purposely put his hand there.” She stated this happened one time.
{¶34} The following day, but during the same visit, she and victim 5 were playing.
As the two of them were wrestling, victim 5 pushed victim 4 down and she fell on top of
Pawlak, who then “pushed her up and down on his wiener” for a couple of seconds.
Afterwards, she and victim 5 went into another room and talked about what had
happened. They told victim 2 and victim 3 what happened, and weeks later told victim
4’s grandmother, who told P.B., who then told victim 4’s mother. Victim 4 testified that
when her mother questioned her, she denied that Pawlak had touched her because she was
scared.
{¶35} She admitted that she and the other girls discussed these incidents among
each other before going to the police station. She further testified that she saw Pawlak
grab victim 5 by the hips and “move her up and down on his weener while standing up.”
She also testified that she saw him put victim 5’s head by his “weener.”
{¶36} Pawlak was found guilty of Count 20, relative to victim 4, which alleged
that Pawlak had “humped” her vagina. The remaining counts involving victim 4 were
either dismissed or Pawlak was acquitted of the charges.
Victim 5
{¶37} Regarding victim 5, the indictment charged Pawlak with two counts of gross
sexual imposition (Counts 23 and 24), and one count of kidnapping with a
sexual-motivation specification (Count 25) and one count of kidnapping with an
allegation of serious physical harm (Count 26).
{¶38} Victim 5, age 13 at trial, testified that one time when she and the other kids
were playing, Pawlak made her face “go into his private parts” by grabbing her by the
back of the head. She stated this happened a couple of times. She also testified that on
one occasion, Pawlak was lying on the back of the bed and grabbed her by the hips and
made her go “up and down on him.” She stated that she fell over the railing of the bed,
falling next to Pawlak. He then grabbed her, and placed her on top of him, so she was
sitting on her knees. According to victim 5, Pawlak moved her up and down on top of
him, and she could feel his “private parts.” She testified that this “humping” action
occurred three or four times at the Spokane address.
{¶39} After prompting by the prosecutor, victim 5 then described an incident
where she was playing hide-and-seek and while she and Pawlak were hiding in the closet,
Pawlak touched her vagina on top of her clothing. She stated she pushed his hand away
saying “no.”
{¶40} She stated she told victim 2, victim 3, and victim 4 about what had
happened. According to victim 5, they all told each other what Pawlak had done to them.
{¶41} Pawlak was found guilty of both counts of gross sexual imposition and
Count 25, kidnapping with a sexual-motivation specification. He was acquitted of the
other kidnapping charge.
P.B.
{¶42} P.B., mother of victims 2 and 3 and girlfriend of Pawlak, testified that when
she first took her children to CCDCFS, her daughters denied any allegations of sex abuse.
She stated that after the first interview with CCDCFS, victim 2 had telephone contact
with her father. The following day, S.G. took victim 2 to the police station regarding the
allegations against Pawlak.
{¶43} P.B. stated that victim 2’s father called her and told her to bring victim 3 to
the police station. However, she testified that victim 3 never told her that the allegations
were true, until “yesterday.” She stated that she never noticed any changes in behavior
or attitude between Pawlak and her daughters, and that none of the girls or their mothers
ever approached her about any inappropriate behavior by Pawlak.
{¶44} On direct examination, she admitted that she did not break up with Pawlak
after the allegations surfaced because “she did not know what to believe.” On
cross-examination, she further admitted that she really did not know what happened.
S.G.
{¶45} S.G., the mother of victim 1 and step-mother of victim 2, testified that in
late 2009 or early 2010, she “heard” that Pawlak had touched victim 3. S.G. said she
started questioning people, and when P.B. found out S.G. was asking questions, P.B.
called her and told her it was a “lie.” When she asked victim 1 about it, her daughter
started crying and denied that anything had happened. Although both P.B. and victim 1
denied the allegations, victim 1 was not allowed to go over to P.B.’s house anymore.
{¶46} In 2011, S.G. again heard rumors about Pawlak. When she heard the
rumors again, S.G.’s sister was there, who asked victim 1 about the allegations. After
speaking with victim 1, S.G.’s sister told S.G. that victim 1 was crying and that something
had happened. This time when S.G. asked victim 1, she told her mom that Pawlak
always liked to play with them and one night when P.B. and Pawlak were living on
Carlyle, he came into victim 2’s room and put his hand under her shorts touching her.
S.G. immediately took her to the police station.
{¶47} S.G. called C.H. to tell her that she was at the police station with victim 1.
C.H. responded that she was on her way because her “kids told me that [Pawlak] touched
them.” S.G. testified that she lied to P.B. in order to pick up victim 2 to bring her with
them to the police station. When victim 2 got in the car, S.G. told her that victim 1 had
disclosed that Pawlak touched her and if victim 2 wanted to, she could talk to the police
officer.
{¶48} S.G. testified that in the days that followed, different stories started
emerging, and some of the girls and mothers were saying that the allegations were a lie.
{¶49} Following the close of the state’s case, the state dismissed Counts 2, 9, and
11. The trial court granted Pawlak’s Crim.R. 29 motion for judgment of acquittal on
Counts 1, 3, 5, and 16.
{¶50} In his defense, Pawlak called two witness — C.H. and Detective Butler.
C.H., the mother of victims 4 and 5, testified that she had a conversation with Pawlak’s
father, who questioned her about her knowledge of the allegations. C.H. testified that the
information she shared with Pawlak’s father was not the same she shared with the police
or social worker. Detective Butler testified that there was no physical evidence in this
case.
{¶51} After the defense presented its case, the trial court denied Pawlak’s renewed
Crim.R. 29 motion, and the matter was submitted to the jury on the remaining 19 counts.
{¶52} While the jury deliberated, Pawlak moved for a mistrial based on the state’s
alleged non-disclosure of exculpatory evidence that victim 5 had made similar allegations
regarding inappropriate activity against others, including a family member. The trial
court denied Pawlak’s motion. The new information regarding victim 5’s subsequent
alleged accusations also formed the basis for Pawlak’s motion for a new trial, which the
trial court also denied.
{¶53} The jury returned guilty verdicts on six counts of gross sexual imposition —
one count for each victim, except victim 5, where Pawlak was found guilty of two counts
of gross sexual imposition. The jury also returned a guilty verdict for one count of
kidnapping with a sexual-motivation specification also involving victim 5. The jury
found Pawlak not guilty of the remaining 12 counts. Subsequently, the court found
Pawlak not guilty of the sexually-violent-predator specifications.
{¶54} Pawlak was sentenced to prison for three years on each of the gross sexual
imposition charges and to life in prison with a possibility of parole after ten years on the
kidnapping charge; all sentences were ordered to run concurrently.
{¶55} Pawlak appeals his convictions, raising four assignments of error.
I. Sufficiency of the Evidence
{¶56} In his first assignment of error, Pawlak contends that his conviction for
kidnapping was not supported by sufficient evidence.
{¶57} The test for sufficiency requires a determination of whether the prosecution
met its burden of production at trial. State v. Bowden, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 92266,
2009-Ohio-3598, ¶ 12. 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. Thompkins, 78 Ohio St.3d 380, 386, 678 N.E.2d 541 (1997).
{¶58} In Count 25, Pawlak was charged with kidnapping in violation of R.C.
2905.01(A)(4), which provides that
[n]o person, by force, threat, or deception, or in the case of a victim under
the age of thirteen or mentally incompetent, by any means, shall remove
another from the place where the other person is found or restrain the
liberty of the other person, for any of the following purposes: * * * to
engage in sexual activity * * *.
{¶59} Pawlak argues that there was no allegation that he removed victim 5 from
the place were she was found; thus the only basis for the kidnapping conviction would be
if he restrained her of her liberty, which, according to Pawlak, the evidence was
insufficient to prove. We disagree.
{¶60} This court has previously defined the element of “restrain the liberty of the
other person” to mean “to limit one’s freedom of movement in any fashion for any period
of time.” State v. Wright, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 92344, 2009-Ohio-5229, ¶ 23-24,
quoting State v. Wingfield, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 69229, 1996 Ohio App. LEXIS 867(Mar. 7, 1996). See also State v. Walker, 9th Dist. Medina No. 2750-M, 1998 Ohio App.
LEXIS 4067 (Sept. 2, 1998) (restraint of liberty does not require prolonged detainment);
State v. Messineo, 5th Dist. Athens Nos. 1488 and 1493, 1993 Ohio App. LEXIS 38 (Jan.
6, 1993) (grabbing victim’s arm and shaking her constituted restraint).
{¶61} Ohio law is clear that
[a]n offense under R.C. 2905.01 does not depend on the manner in which
an individual is restrained. * * * Rather, it depends on whether the restraint
“is such as to place the victim in the offender’s power and beyond
immediate help, even though temporarily.” * * * The restraint “need not be
actual confinement, but may be merely compelling the victim to stay where
[s]he is.”
State v. Mosley, 178 Ohio App.3d 631, 2008-Ohio-5483, 899 N.E.2d 1021 (8th Dist.),
quoting State v. Wilson, 10th Dist. Franklin No. 99AP-1259, 2000 Ohio App. LEXIS
5057 (Nov. 2, 2000).
{¶62} In this case, victim 5 testified that Pawlak on different days engaged in two
separate acts with her. On one occasion, she fell over the bed railing and was lying next
to Pawlak. He then “grabbed her, put her on top of him” so she was sitting on her knees,
and he “moved [her] up and down” on top of him. According to victim 5, when this
happened, she could feel his “private part” through his boxer shorts, which was “hard.”
Victim 5 testified that this activity happened “three or four times.”
{¶63} The other incident occurred when Pawlak grabbed her by the back of her
head and “made her face go into his private parts.” She testified that “this” happened a
couple of times. Victim 5 also testified that when these two incidents occurred, they only
lasted for a “couple of minutes.”
{¶64} While it is true that victim 5 testified that Pawlak did not prevent her from
leaving the room and she felt that she could leave, viewing the evidence in the light most
favorable to the prosecution, sufficient evidence was presented to support Pawlak’s
conviction of kidnapping. Pawlak grabbed victim 5 on multiple occasions by her hips,
placed him on top of him, and engaged in sexual activity, which lasted a couple of
minutes. Accordingly, the first assignment of error is overruled.
II. Testimony of P.B.
{¶65} The testimony of P.B. was crucial to the state. P.B. was the mother of two
of the victims and the girlfriend of the defendant, and the testimony of P.B. proved to be
problematic from the start. She stated that she did not want to testify and that her “kids
testified, so why should she have to?”
A. Effective Assistance of Counsel
{¶66} During the direct examination of P.B., the prosecutor elicited that P.B. had
ended her relationship with Pawlak because she found out that Pawlak “had been
cheating” on her. The following exchange then took place:
Q: You found out, you mean with these girls, or with other girls?
A: Other girls.
Q: And do you know who these girls are?
A: Yes.
Q: And do you know their ages?
A: Yes.
Q: And who were the other girls?
A: Friends of ours.
Q: What were their names and ages, please?
A: Sarah, she’s 22, Brandi, 17, 18, um, Crystal was 17, 18.
Q: And?
A: Amber.
Q: How old was Amber?
A: Fifteen.
Q: Fifteen?
A: Yes.
Q: So it took him — did he admit that he cheated on you with these
women, or these girls?
A: Yes.
Q: I’m sorry?
A: Yes.
Q: So it took him admitting that he had been with 15 to 17-year
[-]olds before you broke up with him?
A: No.
{¶67} Defense counsel did not make any objection during this exchange; thus,
Pawlak assigns as his second assignment of error that his counsel was ineffective for
failing to object to this prejudicial testimony, request a curative instruction, or move for a
mistrial. The state contends that the evidence was relevant and admissible under Evid.R.
404(B) and R.C. 2945.59, which allow for the admission of other acts evidence for the
purpose of showing intent, motive, or lack of mistake or accident.
{¶68} To establish ineffective assistance of counsel, a defendant must show (1)
that counsel’s representation was deficient in that it “fell below an objective standard of
reasonableness” and (2) “there is a reasonable probability that, but for counsel’s
unprofessional errors, the result of the proceeding would have been different.” State v.
Sanders, 94 Ohio St.3d 150, 151, 2002-Ohio-350, 761 N.E.2d 18, citing Strickland v.
Washington, 466 U.S. 668, 687-688, 104 S.Ct. 2052, 80 L.Ed.2d 674 (1984). “‘A
reasonable probability is a probability sufficient to undermine confidence in the
outcome.’” State v. Bradley, 42 Ohio St.3d 136, 142, 538 N.E.2d 373 (1989), quoting
Strickland at 694.
{¶69} In evaluating a claim of ineffective assistance of counsel, a court must give
great deference to counsel’s performance. Strickland at 689. A reviewing court will
strongly presume that counsel rendered adequate assistance and made all significant
decisions in the exercise of reasonable professional judgment. Bradley at 141.
{¶70} Accordingly, the first step in analyzing this assignment of error is to
determine whether the testimony was inadmissible to warrant an objection.
{¶71} “‘Evidence that an accused committed a crime other than the one for which
he is on trial is not admissible when its sole purpose is to show the accused’s propensity
or inclination to commit crime or that he acted in conformity with bad character.’” State
v. Ceron, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 99388, 2013-Ohio-5241, ¶ 67, quoting State v.
Williams, 134 Ohio St.3d 521, 2012-Ohio-5695, 983 N.E.2d 1278, ¶ 15, citing State v.
Curry, 43 Ohio St.2d 66, 68, 330 N.E.2d 720 (1975). However, certain exceptions exist
to this common law rule. See R.C. 2945.59, Evid.R. 404(B).
{¶72} Evid.R. 404(B) provides that
Evidence of other crimes, wrong, or acts is not admissible to prove the
character of a person in order to show action in conformity therewith. It
may, however, be admissible for other purposes, such as proof of motive,
opportunity, intent, preparation, plan, knowledge, identity, or absence of
mistake or accident. In criminal cases, the proponent of evidence to be
offered under this rule shall provide reasonable notice in advance of trial, or
during trial if the court excuses pretrial notice on good cause shown, of the
general nature of any such evidence it intends to introduce at trial.
{¶73} In determining whether to permit other-acts evidence to be admitted, trial
courts should conduct a three-step analysis:
(1) determine if 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” under Evid.R. 401; (2) determine if
the other acts “is presented to prove the character of the accused in order to
show activity in conformity therewith or whether the other acts evidence is
presented for a legitimate purpose, such as those stated in Evid.R. 404(B)”;
and (3) consider “whether the probative value of the other acts evidence is
substantially outweighed by the danger of unfair prejudice.”
Ceron at ¶ 70, citing Williams at ¶ 20.
{¶74} Notwithstanding the fact that the state did not afford Pawlak any notice of
using “other acts” evidence, we find that the Williams test is not satisfied to render P.B.’s
testimony admissible under Evid.R. 404(B).
{¶75} The first step of the Williams test is to determine if 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” under Evid.R. 401.
Williams, 134 Ohio St.3d 521, 2012-Ohio-5695, 983 N.E.2d 1278, at ¶ 20. As stated by
Evid.R. 402, “[a]ll relevant evidence is admissible” and “[e]vidence which is not relevant
is not admissible.”
{¶76} Reviewing the challenged testimony, the names and ages of the girls Pawlak
had an affair with was entirely irrelevant to the case. No testimony was given that
Pawlak’s interaction with any of these girls garnered any criminal charges. The
testimony that Pawlak had a relationship with a 15-year-old girl was equally irrelevant to
making it more or less probable that he inappropriately touched the victims in this case,
who ranged from age 8 to 12 at the time of the incidents. Furthermore, the existence of
the minor girlfriends was never verified by the state. Accordingly, the first step in
Williams is not satisfied.
{¶77} Moreover, we find that the second step of Williams is not met. In the
second step of the Williams test, courts must determine if the other-acts evidence “is
presented to prove the character of the accused in order to show activity in conformity
therewith or whether the other acts evidence is presented for a legitimate purpose, such as
those stated in Evid.R. 404(B),” including proof of motive, opportunity, intent,
preparation, plan, knowledge, identity, or absence of mistake or accident. Williams, at ¶
20.
{¶78} The state contends that P.B.’s testimony that Pawlak cheated on her with a
15-year-old girl showed that Pawlak’s sexual contact with the victims of this case was
intentional, rather than accidental. The state contends this testimony was proper because
it rebutted Pawlak’s trial theory that any supposed sexual contact between him and the
victims was accidental. Contrary to the state’s assertion, the trial transcript reveals that
Pawlak’s defense at trial was that he did not engage in any inappropriate contact with the
victims.
{¶79} The only plausible use of P.B.’s testimony was to draw an impermissible
character inference that is forbidden by Evid.R. 404(B) — to show that Pawlak has an
attraction to much younger women; thus, using this character trait to show that he acted in
conformity therewith by engaging in sexual contact with these five minor girls.
Accordingly, the second part of the Williams test fails.
{¶80} Because this testimony has no probative value, we need not address the final
step under Williams. See Ceron, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 99388, 2013-Ohio-5241, ¶
93-95.
{¶81} Finding that this testimony was improper Evid.R. 404(B) evidence and
irrelevant, an objection to P.B.’s testimony would not have been futile and would likely
have been sustained if made, because there would be no justification for its admission.
Accordingly, we must next consider whether failing to object constituted ineffective
assistance of counsel.
{¶82} Failing to object to irrelevant and prejudicial testimony may sometimes be
viewed as tactical. “Failure to object to error, alone, is not enough to sustain a claim of
ineffective assistance of counsel.” State v. Holloway, 38 Ohio St.3d 239, 244, 527
N.E.2d 831 (1988).
{¶83} The Ohio Supreme Court explained,
“experienced trial counsel learn that objections to each potentially
objectionable event could actually act to their party’s detriment. * * * In
light of this, any single failure to object usually cannot be said to have been
error unless the evidence sought is so prejudicial * * * that failure to object
essentially defaults the case to the state. Otherwise, defense counsel must
so consistently fail to use objections, despite numerous and clear reasons for
doing so, that counsel’s failure cannot reasonably have been said to have
been part of a trial strategy or tactical choice.”
(Emphasis added.) State v. Johnson, 112 Ohio St.3d 210, 2006-Ohio-6404, 858 N.E.2d
1144, ¶ 140, quoting Lundgren v. Mitchell, 440 F.3d 754, 774 (6th Cir.2006).
{¶84} In this case, counsel’s failure to object cannot reasonably be viewed as trial
strategy or tactical choice. This was not a situation where a highly prejudicial, but single
off-hand statement was made. Objecting in that instance would just bring a heightened
awareness to the testimony; thus, failing to object would be deemed tactical.
{¶85} However, in this case, once the series of questions began, defense counsel
could have made an objection to the line of questioning before any unfair prejudicial
testimony was presented. Moreover, we are further troubled that defense counsel did not
object to the state’s use of leading questions in eliciting this testimony. After P.B. did
not identify all of the women Pawlak allegedly had indiscretions with to the satisfaction
of the state, the prosecutor prompted P.B. by asking, “And?”. P.B. then gave the name
of another girl, who was later identified as being age 15. Defense counsel had multiple
opportunities to curtail the introduction of this damaging and unfair prejudicial testimony.
Defense counsel allowed the jury to hear that Pawlak admitted to engaging in activity
with minors. There was absolutely no tactical reason to continue allowing the leading
questions that evoked the irrelevant and prejudicial testimony.
{¶86} Pawlak contends that, in addition to not objecting to this testimony, trial
counsel was also ineffective for failing to subsequently remedy counsel’s error by
requesting a curative instruction or mistrial.
{¶87} Counsel’s decision not to request an instruction falls within the ambit of trial
strategy, and debatable trial tactics do not constitute ineffective assistance of trial counsel.
See, e.g., State v. Lawson, 64 Ohio St.3d 336, 341, 595 N.E.2d 902 (1992); State v.
Leonard, 104 Ohio St. 3d 54, 2004-Ohio-6235, 818 N.E.2d 229, ¶ 146. Pawlak does not
mention what language the curative instructions should have contained or how such
instructions would have cured any errors. As Pawlak has failed to show that counsel’s
decision not to request curative instructions was unreasonable trial strategy, we reject his
claim.
{¶88} Although failing to request a curative instruction may have been tactical,
counsel could have remedied the admission of improper testimony by requesting a
mistrial. See State v. Brewer, 2d Dist. Montgomery No. 24126, 2012-Ohio-2097, ¶ 15
(failure to request a mistrial or curative instruction may be deficient performance of trial
counsel).
{¶89} An appellant alleging ineffective assistance of counsel because his attorney
failed to move for a mistrial must establish that the trial court probably would have or
should have declared a mistrial. State v. Seiber, 56 Ohio St.3d 4, 564 N.E.2d 408(1990), citing State v. Scott, 26 Ohio St.3d 92, 95-96, 497 N.E.2d 55 (1986). A mistrial
should not be ordered in a criminal case merely because some error or irregularity has
occurred. State v. Jones, 10th Dist. Franklin No. 12AP-1091, 2014-Ohio-674, ¶ 19,
citing State v. Reynolds, 49 Ohio App.3d 27, 550 N.E.2d 490 (2d Dist.1988). It is only
appropriate when the substantial rights of the accused or prosecution are adversely
affected, and a fair trial is no longer possible. Illinois v. Somerville, 410 U.S. 458,
462-463, 93 S.Ct. 1066, 35 L.Ed.2d 425 (1973); State v. Franklin, 62 Ohio St.3d 118,
127, 580 N.E.2d 1 (1991).
{¶90} In this case, Pawlak contends that his substantial rights were adversely
affected and a fair trial was no longer possible because the testimony was highly
prejudicial — “The allegation that a defendant charged with sexually molesting 11 to
12-year-old girls had sexual relations with other minor females, as young as 15, was
simply devastating.”
As a legal term, “prejudice” is simply “damage or detriment to one’s legal
rights or claims.” Black’s Law Dictionary 1218 (8th Ed.1999). Thus, it
is fair to say that all relevant evidence is prejudicial. That is, evidence that
tends to disprove a party’s rendition of the facts necessarily harms that
party’s case. Accordingly, the rules of evidence do not attempt to bar all
prejudicial evidence — to do so would make reaching any result extremely
difficult. Rather, only evidence that is unfairly prejudicial is excludable.
State v. Crotts, 104 Ohio St.3d 432, 2004-Ohio-6550, 820 N.E.2d 302, ¶ 23.
Exclusion on the basis of unfair prejudice involves more than a balance of
mere prejudice. If unfair prejudice simply meant prejudice, anything
adverse to a litigant’s case would be excludable under Rule 403.
Emphasis must be placed on the word “unfair.” Unfair prejudice is that
quality of evidence which might result in an improper basis for a jury
decision. Consequently, if the evidence arouses the jury’s emotional
sympathies, evokes a sense of horror, or appeals to an instinct to punish, the
evidence may be unfairly prejudicial. Usually, although not always,
unfairly prejudicial evidence appeals to the jury’s emotions rather than
intellect.
Crotts at ¶ 24, quoting Oberlin v. Akron Gen. Med. Ctr., 91 Ohio St.3d 169, 172,
2001-Ohio-248, 743 N.E.2d 890, quoting Weissenberger’s Ohio Evidence, 85-87, Section
403.3 (2000).
{¶91} In support of his argument, Pawlak directs this court to the Sixth District’s
decision in State v. Davis, 6th Dist. Ottawa No. OT-09-032, 2010-Ohio-4383. In Davis,
the defendant was charged with tampering with evidence where it was alleged that the
defendant, while being searched following a traffic stop, swallowed drugs or attempted to
conceal them in his mouth.
{¶92} During the trial, other acts evidence became an issue with the state’s first
witness. After defense counsel objected, the state represented to the court that it did not
intend to present any Evid.R. 404(B) evidence against Davis. However, during the
testimony of the state’s third witness, Officer Barton, who was the chief investigating
officer and a central witness for the state, testified that he executed the traffic stop where
the defendant and another male were passengers in a vehicle. He stated he approached
the passenger side of the car because he had “dealt with those two in the past. I have
had some problems with those two in the past as far as narcotics complaints and
everything else.” Id. at ¶ 51.
{¶93} Defense counsel objected and during a side-bar discussion, the state
indicated that Officer Barton knew that other acts testimony was off limits on direct
examination. The trial court sustained the objection to the answer and instructed the jury
to disregard the testimony, but the Sixth District ruled that a mistrial should have been
granted.
{¶94} The Sixth District found that the “prejudicial comments directly related to
the offense charged.” Therefore, because the “injection of the inflammatory testimony
of ‘problems’ with appellant ‘in the past as far as narcotics complaints and everything,’
prevented appellant from receiving a fair trial.” Davis, 6th Dist. Ottawa No. OT-09-032,
2010-Ohio-4383, ¶ 79.
{¶95} In making this determination, the court noted the state’s assurance that other
acts testimony would not be presented and that Officer Barton’s testimony was contrary to
what he was instructed. Id. at ¶ 74. The court also noted the significance of Officer
Barton’s testimony because there was a lack of physical evidence. Id. at ¶ 76.
Furthermore, the court opined that because this was “not a case of overwhelming proof of
guilt,” it was “reasonably probable that the testimony of past contacts with the police and
of past complaints concerning narcotics affected the outcome of this case.” Id. at ¶ 79.
{¶96} In this case, the state contends that Davis is distinguishable because Davis’s
conviction was based entirely on the officer’s testimony, whereas in this case, Pawlak was
convicted based on the testimony of the five victims, and not P.B.’s testimony. We are
not as convinced that P.B.’s testimony did not contribute to Pawlak’s convictions, and we
find the rationale in Davis persuasive.
{¶97} Much like in Davis, this case is not a case involving overwhelming evidence
of guilt. There were no independent witnesses or physical evidence to corroborate the
victims’s testimony. Rather, this case was a credibility contest, and Pawlak’s credibility
was improperly questioned by the use of irrelevant and unfairly prejudicial other acts
evidence. Reiterating the Davis court, we cannot consider a more prejudicial
circumstance in which to inject alleged past indiscretions with minor-aged girls into a
case; the prejudicial testimony was directly related to the offense charged. If this
testimony was not in and of itself sufficient to warrant trial counsel to move for a mistrial,
the subsequent testimony of P.B. concerning victim credibility and her opinion of
defendant’s guilt (which will be addressed in Pawlak’s third assignment of error) was
more than sufficient for defense counsel to request a mistrial.
{¶98} Moreover, and unlike in Davis where the officer’s testimony was
non-responsive to the state’s questions, the testimony in this case was purposefully
elicited by the prosecution and through the use of leading questions. However, nothing
was done by defense counsel to eliminate this prejudicial testimony from the jury’s
consideration during deliberation. Accordingly, the error is more egregious. Further, it
is probable that the trial court would have granted a mistrial if the motion were made,
especially considering that the state gave no prior notice of its intent to use Evid.R.
404(B) “other acts” evidence against Pawlak.
{¶99} Accordingly, we find that counsel was deficient in failing to object or, in the
alternative, failing to move for a mistrial. Counsel’s failures fell below an objective
standard of reasonableness; thus, the first prong of Strickland has been satisfied.
{¶100} The second prong of Strickland requires Pawlak to show that there is a
reasonable probability that but for counsel’s errors, the result of the proceeding would
have been different. Strickland, 466 U.S. at 687-688, 104 S.Ct. 2052, 80 L.Ed.2d 674.
Again, a reasonable probability is a probability sufficient to undermine the confidence in
the outcome. Bradley, 42 Ohio St.3d at 142, 538 N.E.2d 373, quoting Strickland at 694.
Often this prong is characterized as whether the defendant can show he was prejudiced by
counsel’s deficient performance.
{¶101} Again, this case is not a case involving overwhelming evidence of guilt.
There were no independent witnesses and no physical evidence to corroborate the
victims’ testimony. Accordingly, it is probable that P.B.’s testimony regarding Pawlak’s
prior indiscretions with girls ranging as young as age 15 affected the outcome of the case.
Moreover, P.B. testified that Pawlak admitted to these interactions. Counsel’s deficient
performance in failing to make any attempt to remove this testimony from the jury’s
consideration was highly prejudicial. It is reasonably probable the jury’s verdict was
based on improper and inadmissable evidence.
{¶102} Pawlak’s second assignment of error is sustained.
B. Inadmissible Evidence
{¶103} P.B. testified during direct examination about her relationship with Pawlak
and why she broke off their relationship. P.B. admitted that she did not break up with
Pawlak over the allegations in this case because “she didn’t know what to believe”
because “victim 3 did not tell her until yesterday that Pawlak touched her,” and victim 2
told her she had lied about the allegations. On cross-examination, P.B. testified that the
girls never exhibited any attitude change towards Pawlak or that they were afraid to be
around him, and none of the girls or their mothers ever approached her about any
inappropriate behaviors. P.B. again reiterated that victim 3 did not tell her that any of the
allegations were true until “yesterday.” However, P.B. stated that victim 3 previously
told her about an uncomfortable incident between her and Pawlak, which victim 3 thought
was accidental.
{¶104} At the end of P.B.’s cross-examination, defense counsel posed the
following questions, without objection by the state:
Q. As you sit here today, can you say you honestly know for sure what
happened, at all, through all of this.
A. No. There’s been so many different stories. I mean, I know what the
girls are saying now.
Q. And when you say there have been so many different stories, that’s all
of the girls and all of the moms since December of last year, correct?
A. Yes.
{¶105} Thereafter, the court permitted jurors to submit written questions to be
asked to the witness. Following a side-bar with counsel to review the questions
submitted, the court asked P.B. the following juror question:
Q. Now, do you believe the allegations of inappropriate activity with your
ex-boyfriend are true?
A. Do I believe all of them? No.
{¶106} The court then asked the state if it had any redirect questions based on
P.B.’s answer to the juror’s question. After the prosecutor indicated she had a question,
the court conducted another side-bar with counsel. Following side-bar, the state asked
P.B.:
Q. P.B., could you please clarify your last answer?
{¶107} Defense counsel objected, and the trial court sustained the objection. The
prosecutor then continued questioning P.B. about the different stories that she had heard
and when she discussed the allegations with her daughters.
{¶108} After P.B. was excused as a witness, the trial court explained on the record
and outside the presence of the jury, what occurred during the side-bar conversations:
During the questioning of the witness, P.B., juror questions were solicited
and two sheets were passed forward. One of them says, “Was the first
social worker Miss Davis?”
That was not objected to by either side.
The other says, “Do you believe the allegations of inappropriate activity
with your ex-boyfriend are true?”
The State did not object, but the Defense did.
The Court overruled that objection for the reason that the Defense had just
asked, without objection, a question that I would paraphrase as asking
[P.B.], Do you know what is true here?
And if [I] recall correctly, she answered to the effect she really doesn’t
know what to believe.
While I think that question in the first place was objectionable, it was not
objected to, so, as a result, I overruled Mr. Cheselka’s objection to
essentially asking what is basically the same question the second time.
However, so the point is that objection was overruled. There’s no doubt
that objection was made at the appropriate time so as to correct the record.
The only reason a record wasn’t made then and there, it’s my choice not to
disrupt the proceedings by displacing the Court Reporter and so on.
I should mention that Miss Driscoll tried to redirect on that question, and as
I contemplated it, I felt that even though the door was arguably opened by
the Defense, it’s kind of the door that never should have been opened in the
first place, so Miss Driscoll’s objection was sustained.
I’m sorry. Mr. Cheselka’s objection to Miss Driscoll’s redirect was
sustained. In other words, that explains why I sustained that objection.
{¶109} Pawlak contends in this third assignment of error that the trial court abused
its discretion in asking P.B. the juror question “[d]o you believe the allegations of
inappropriate activity with your boyfriend are true[?],” because it garnered opinion
testimony regarding the credibility of other witnesses and the guilt of the defendant.
{¶110} A trial court has broad discretion concerning the admission of evidence; in
the absence of an abuse of discretion that materially prejudices a defendant, a reviewing
court generally will not reverse an evidentiary ruling. State v. Humberto, 196 Ohio
App.3d 230, 2011-Ohio-3080, 963 N.E.2d 162, ¶ 25 (10th Dist.) citing State v. Issa, 93
Ohio St.3d 49, 64, 752 N.E.2d 904 (2001). “[A] trial court is vested with broad
discretion in determining the admissibility of evidence in any particular case, so long as
such discretion is exercised in line with the rules of procedure and evidence.” Rigby v.
Lake Cty., 58 Ohio St.3d 269, 271, 569 N.E.2d 1056 (1991). A trial court abuses its
discretion when its judgment is unreasonable, arbitrary, or unconscionable. Blakemore v.
Blakemore, 5 Ohio St.3d 217, 219, 450 N.E.2d 1140 (1983).
{¶111} We first find that the juror question was improper because P.B.’s response
required her to give an opinion about Pawlak’s guilt and the credibility of the victims as
they pertain to the allegations.
{¶112} Evid.R. 701 limits the testimony of lay witnesses to “those opinions or
inferences which are (1) rationally based on the perception of the witness and (2) helpful
to a clear understanding of his testimony or the determination of a fact in issue.” P.B.’s
answer that she did not believe all of the allegations was not based on her own
perceptions, but rather on information she had received from other people. Additionally,
her response was a subjective opinion that did not explain or help the jurors to understand
her testimony. Accordingly, P.B.’s testimony was inadmissible under Evid.R. 701.
{¶113} Furthermore, lay witnesses are prohibited from testifying as to another
witness’s veracity. State v. Kovac, 150 Ohio App.3d 676, 2002-Ohio-6784, 782 N.E.2d
1185, ¶ 32 (2d Dist.). “‘[I]t is the fact-finder, not the so-called expert or lay witness,
who bears the burden of assessing the credibility and veracity of witnesses.’” State v.
Burchett, 12th Dist. Preble Nos. CA2003-09-17 and CA2003-09-18, 2004-Ohio-4983, ¶
19, quoting State v. Boston, 46 Ohio St. 3d 108, 129, 545 N.E.2d 1220 (1989).
{¶114} In Boston, a jury found a father guilty of gross sexual imposition against
his two-year-old daughter. During trial, the court allowed a pediatrician who had
examined the child to testify that the child had neither fantasized her abuse nor been
programmed to make the accusations of abuse. The court also allowed a counselor who
had examined the child to testify that the child had been telling the truth. The supreme
court concluded that the admission of these testimonies was improper, egregious,
prejudicial, and constituted reversible error. Id. at 128.
{¶115} While Evid.R. 608(A) permits testimony regarding a witness’s general
character or reputation for truthfulness, the rule prohibits testimony regarding a witness’s
truthfulness on a particular occasion. The Boston court explained that the admission of
testimony that, in effect, declared that the child’s statements had been truthful “acted as a
litmus test of the key issue in the case and infringed upon the role of the fact finder, who
is charged with making determinations of veracity and credibility.” Id. at 128-129,
quoting State v. Eastham, 39 Ohio St.3d 307, 312, 530 N.E.2d 409, (1988) (Brown, J.,
concurring). The court emphasized that “in our system of justice it is the fact finder, not
the so-called expert or lay witnesses, who bears the burden of assessing the credibility and
veracity of witnesses.” (Emphasis sic.) Id.{¶116} In this case, P.B.’s testimony was in direct violation of Boston because she
offered her opinion as to the truth of the victims’ accusations. However, a Boston
violation may be harmless error beyond a reasonable doubt when considering certain
factors. Those factors include “(1) if the victim testifies and is subject to
cross-examination, (2) the state introduces substantial medical evidence of sexual abuse,
and (3) the expert or lay person’s opinion testimony is cumulative to other evidence.”
State v. Palmer, 9th Dist. Medina No. 2323-M, 1995 Ohio App. LEXIS 514 (Feb. 8,
1995); State v. Lewis, 9th Dist. Summit No. 14632 (Aug. 14, 1991); State v. Djuric, 8th
Dist. Cuyahoga No. 87745, 2007-Ohio-413, ¶ 44. However, a finding of harmless error
is not justified if the case is a “credibility contest” between the victim and the defendant.
State v. Burrell, 89 Ohio App.3d 737, 746, 627 N.E.2d 605 (9th Dist.1993).
Accordingly, in order to find a Boston violation harmless, some independent evidence
must exist when it is a credibility contest between the defendant and the victim. State v.
West, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 90198, 2008-Ohio-5249; State v. Winterich, 8th Dist.
Cuyahoga No. 89581, 2008-Ohio-1813; State v. Knight, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 87737,
2006-Ohio-6437.
{¶117} This court recently addressed a similar circumstance and the effect of
Boston in In re R.E.A., 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 99652, 2014-Ohio-110. During trial, the
victim testified that she was sexually abused by the defendant. No physical evidence was
presented. However, Dr. Feingold testified that he found the victim was sexually abused
based solely on the victim’s statements. In finding that the failure to challenge the
opinion testimony constituted ineffective assistance of counsel, this court sustained the
assigned error and ordered a new trial. In doing so, this court stated that counsel’s
failure to object to the doctor’s opinion testimony “was prejudicial to [the defendant’s]
defense because the entire case hinged on [the victim’s] credibility.” Id. at ¶ 24.
{¶118} Likewise, in this case, the state’s entire case against Pawlak hinged on the
victims’ credibility because no eyewitness or physical evidence was presented. The
victims did testify in this case and were all subject to cross-examination prior to P.B.’s
testimony. However, due to the length in time between the alleged incidents and
reporting the allegations, the inconsistencies, recantations, and lack of corroborating
testimony or evidence, we find that the Boston violation is not harmless beyond a
reasonable doubt. Accordingly, much like in In re R.E.A., the case against Pawlak was a
credibility contest.
{¶119} The state contends that if P.B.’s testimony was improper, it amounted to
harmless error because the proceedings would not have ended differently but for P.B.’s
testimony. The state contends that P.B.’s response was more likely helpful to Pawlak’s
case because the victims’ credibility was damaged by P.B.’s response. However, the
opposite effect could equally be true — P.B.’s testimony was more likely harmful because
the victims’ credibility was bolstered.
{¶120} P.B. was the mother of two of the victims and the girlfriend of Pawlak.
P.B. had a conflicting interest in protecting and advocating for her daughters, while being
torn with her commitment towards Pawlak — a man she had known since age 10 and
dated for five years. We find that P.B.’s answer to the juror’s question was pivotal in
Pawlak’s conviction. Her answer was clearly a “litmus test” for the jurors in weighing
credibility — if she believed the allegations, then the victims, including her daughters,
were truthful.
{¶121} A review of the record demonstrates that the trial court also believed that
the question was improper. The subsequent explanation at side-bar by the trial court
demonstrates that the court felt that the initial question by the defense was improper;
however, because the state did not object, the trial court allowed the witness to answer.
Even believing it was improper, the court continued to allow the improper questioning
about believability and veracity over defense objection because it felt that the defense had
“opened the door” when counsel asked P.B. whether she “honestly [knew] for sure what
happened, at all, through all of this.” According to the trial court’s explanation, it felt
that the follow-up juror question of whether “you believe the allegations are true” was
“basically the same question” just asked by defense counsel. Accordingly, unless the
defense opened the door, the testimony was improper.
{¶122} “Under the ‘opening the door doctrine,’ where a party has elicited or
introduced prejudicial or inadmissible testimony, his opponent, in the trial court’s
discretion, may introduce evidence on the same issue in order to rebut any false
impression that may have resulted from the earlier admission.” State v. McGuire, 2d
Dist. Montgomery No. 25455, 2013-Ohio-3280, ¶ 21 quoting State v. Deleon, 2d Dist.
Montgomery No. 18114, 2001 Ohio App. LEXIS 2353 *8, (May 25, 2001), citing
United States v. Segines, 17 F.3d 847, 856 (6th Cir.1994). A prerequisite of any view
regarding “opening the door” is that the initial evidence was somehow prejudicial to the
party attempting to present rebuttal evidence. State v. Staats, 9th Dist. Summit No.
15706, 1994 Ohio App. LEXIS 1608 *9, (Apr. 13, 1994).
{¶123} In this case, we find that P.B.’s answer to defense counsel’s questions was
not prejudicial to the state. P.B. stated that based on the different stories by the victims
and their mothers, she did not know what happened. This was a true statement, and a
reading of the entire trial testimony substantiates P.B.’s inability to comprehend what
occurred in this case. The evidence demonstrated that there were inconsistencies,
recantations, and a lack of corroborating testimony or evidence. Therefore, the testimony
was not prejudicial to the state. Moreover, the trial court properly allowed the state to
question P.B. on redirect question the different stories and when they were told. In fact,
a review of the transcript shows that the state on direct examination first elicited
testimony from P.B. about what she believed. In response to the state’s question about
why she did not break up with Pawlak after the allegation surfaced, P.B. responded that
she “didn’t know what to believe.” (Tr. 631.)
{¶124} Notwithstanding that P.B.’s answer to defense counsel’s questions
regarding what she knew were not prejudicial to the state, the prerequisite as stated above
was not satisfied because the state was not the party attempting to present rebuttal
evidence; rather, the jury submitted the question to P.B. Accordingly, the trial court’s
justification for allowing the juror question was in error.
{¶125} As gatekeeper of evidence, the trial court allowed otherwise inadmissible
evidence to be elicited from a witness because it felt the defense opened the door. The
trial court recognized the line of questioning was objectionable. The trial court abused
its discretion in permitting rebuttal testimony when the state had no objection to defense
counsel’s initial questions. As this court recognized, “[c]ontrol of the trial should not be
dissipated on the theory that two wrongs neutralize each other unless the court is
convinced that there is no other practicable way to protect the parties while avoiding the
dreadful waste of a mistrial.” State v. Richardson, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 50424, 1986
Ohio App. LEXIS 6596, *6-7, (May 1, 1986), quoting 1 Weinstein, Evidence, Section
103, at 15 to 16 (1988). Accordingly, we find that the trial court abused its discretion in
asking the juror question to P.B. regarding whether she believed the allegations against
Pawlak were true. The testimony was inadmissible under Boston, and it was not a
harmless violation.
{¶126} Accordingly, Pawlak’s third assignment of error is sustained.
III. Conclusion
{¶127} Sustaining both assignments of error two and three, we find that trial
counsel was ineffective, and the court’s allowance of the jury question violated Pawlak’s
right to a fair trial. Accordingly, we reverse Pawlak’s convictions and remand for a new
trial.
{¶128} Having sustained Pawlak’s second and third assignments of error and
ordering a new trial, Pawlak’s fourth assignment of error contending that the court erred
in denying his motion for a new trial is hereby rendered moot.
{¶129} Reiterating the Ohio Supreme Court, “[w]e are also mindful that our role
upon review of this case is not to sit as the supreme trier of fact, but rather to assess the
impact of this erroneously admitted testimony on the jury.” State v. Rahman, 23 Ohio
St.3d 146, 151, 492 N.E.2d 401 (1986).
“[I]t is not the appellate court’s function to determine guilt or innocence * *
*. Nor is it to speculate upon probable reconviction and decide according
to how the speculation comes out * * *. [T]he question is, not were [the
jury] right in their judgment, regardless of the error or its effect upon the
verdict. It is rather what effect the error had or reasonably may be taken to
have had upon the jury's decision. The crucial thing is the impact of the
thing done wrong on the minds of other men, not on one’s own, in the total
setting.”
Id., quoting United States v. Hasting, 461 U.S. 499, 516, 103 S.Ct. 1974, 76 L.Ed2d 96
(1983) (Stevens, J., concurring), quoting Kotteakos v. United States, 328 U.S. 750,
763-764, 66 S.Ct. 1239, 90 L.Ed. 1557 (1946).
{¶130} Judgment reversed; case remanded for new trial.
It is ordered that appellant recover from appellee 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.
A certified copy of this entry shall constitute the mandate pursuant to Rule 27 of
the Rules of Appellate Procedure.
KATHLEEN ANN KEOUGH, JUDGE
FRANK D. CELEBREZZE, JR., P.J., and
MARY EILEEN KILBANE, J., CONCUR