State v. Snider

[Cite as State v. Snider, 2022-Ohio-4566.]
IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF OHIO
ELEVENTH APPELLATE DISTRICT
PORTAGE COUNTY
STATE OF OHIO, CASE NO. 2021-P-0086
Plaintiff-Appellee,
Criminal Appeal from the
- vs - Court of Common Pleas
JASON J. SNIDER,
Trial Court No. 2018 CR 01259
Defendant-Appellant.
OPINION
Decided: December 12, 2022
Judgment: Reversed and remanded
Victor V. Vigluicci, Portage County Prosecutor, and Theresa M. Scahill, Assistant
Prosecutor, 241 South Chestnut Street, Ravenna, OH 44266 (For Plaintiff-Appellee).
Adam Parker, The Goldberg Law Firm, 323 West Lakeside Avenue, Suite 450,
Cleveland, OH 44113 (For Defendant-Appellant).
MATT LYNCH, J.
{¶1} Defendant-appellant, Jason J. Snider, appeals from his convictions for
multiple counts of Attempted Rape, Gross Sexual Imposition, Unlawful Sexual Conduct
with a Minor, and Sexual Battery, following a jury trial in the Portage County Court of
Common Pleas. For the following reasons, we reverse and remand for further
proceedings consistent with this opinion.
{¶2} On December 13, 2018, the Portage County Grand Jury issued an
Indictment, charging Snider with seven counts of Rape, felonies of the first degree, in
violation of R.C. 2907.02(A)(1)(b); seven counts of Gross Sexual Imposition, felonies of
the third degree, in violation of R.C. 2907.05(A)(4); six counts of Sexual Battery, felonies
of the third degree, in violation of R.C. 2907.03(A)(5); and six counts of Unlawful Sexual
Conduct with a Minor, a felony of the third degree, in violation of R.C. 2907.04(A).
{¶3} A jury trial was held on June 29-July 1, 2021. The following pertinent
testimony was presented:
{¶4} Johnna Cozza became a foster mother to H.S., born in July 2003, in
January 2018 after H.S. was removed from her home where she lived with her biological
father, Snider, as well as his girlfriend and H.S.’s siblings. In May or June 2018, Cozza
noticed concerning behaviors, asked H.S. if anything was wrong, and H.S. disclosed
sexual abuse. Melinda Andel, a pediatric sexual assault nurse examiner employed with
the Children’s Advocacy Center of Portage County, interviewed H.S. on August 10, 2018.
During this interview, H.S. disclosed sexual abuse by Snider, which occurred over a
period of several years. It had been a number of months since the last sexual abuse had
occurred.
{¶5} Greg Francis, a detective for the Ravenna City Police Department,
attempted to discuss these allegations with Snider, who declined to speak with him. He
did not attempt to speak to H.S.’s other family members including her brothers.
{¶6} According to Cozza, in December 2018, H.S. was visiting her brothers and
was taken to the public defender’s office to give a statement, wherein she denied the
sexual abuse occurred. This was without Cozza’s knowledge. H.S. later indicated to
social workers that her recantation was not true and she wanted the matter to “go away.”
{¶7} H.S. testified that she had lived in her home with Snider, his girlfriend, her
two brothers, and her father’s friend prior to her removal in 2017. When she was aged
2
Case No. 2021-P-0086
five to seven, Snider touched her vaginal area with his fingers. She could not recall how
many times this occurred but it was less than five. During that age, Snider also attempted
to have sexual intercourse with her but stopped due to the pain she experienced. During
the ages of eight to nine, she testified that he again touched her vaginal area more than
five but less than ten times. He continued these acts when she was between the ages of
ten and twelve. Between the ages of thirteen and fourteen, he had intercourse with her
two times. She described these incidents occurring in the basement in an area she
described as his “apartment.” Before she was removed in 2017, her “stepmother,”
Snider’s girlfriend, asked her if “stuff happened” and H.S. denied it. H.S. stated that she
eventually told Cozza about the abuse because she “suspected something” and it was
hard to keep silent.
{¶8} In December 2018, H.S. had a visit with her brothers, who inquired whether
the abuse she disclosed happened and who did not believe her. She testified that they
wanted her to end the case and she wanted to make them happy. On Christmas Eve,
H.S. and her two brothers drove to their dad’s lawyer’s office and she made a statement
to his lawyer and a court reporter wherein she said she lied and the sexual assaults did
not happen. In that statement she said that she thought he needed help for his drinking
and she did not want to go home, which was the reason for her allegations. Her case
worker subsequently reached out and H.S. told her the recantation was a lie.
{¶9} Dr. Paul McPherson, a physician at Akron Children’s Hospital, testified
regarding the reasons for delayed disclosure in child sexual abuse cases and indicated
that about ninety-five percent of such cases have involved delayed disclosure to some
extent. He also testified about the reasons why a child who makes a disclosure of abuse
3
Case No. 2021-P-0086
may recant, observing that it may be due to feelings of guilt, encouragement from other
family members, threats from others, and lack of maturity.
{¶10} Tara Wiseman, Snider’s fiancé, testified that she never saw anything
inappropriate and never asked H.S. if she had been abused.
{¶11} Sebastian Snider, Snider’s son, lived with his father and sister and did not
witness any sexual abuse. He testified that he did not tell H.S. to recant. When H.S.
mentioned calling her dad’s attorney, he told her to “do the right thing” but that no matter
what happened, they would still be family.
{¶12} At the conclusion of the trial, the State moved to dismiss five counts of Rape,
one count of Gross Sexual Imposition, four counts of Unlawful Sexual Conduct with a
Minor, and four counts of Sexual Battery. The jury found Snider guilty of two counts of
the lesser-included offense of Attempted Rape, six counts of Gross Sexual Imposition,
two counts of Unlawful Sexual Conduct with a Minor, and two counts of Sexual Battery.
{¶13} A sentencing hearing was held on August 9, 2021. The court sentenced
Snider to serve consecutive terms of 11 years for each count of Attempted Rape,
concurrent terms of sixty months for four counts of Gross Sexual Imposition, and sixty
months for each of the two counts of Sexual Battery, to be served concurrent to each
other and consecutive to the remaining sentence. The other offenses merged for
sentencing.
{¶14} Snider timely appeals and raises the following assignments of error:1
1. Snider’s original appellate counsel filed a brief on March 21, 2022. Thereafter, he moved to withdraw
and this court appointed counsel, allowing time to supplement Snider’s original brief. Snider’s present
counsel subsequently filed “Appellant’s Amended Brief” which does not supplement the original brief by
adding assignments of error but instead replaces the brief, raising some of the same errors as well as
changing others. As it appears Snider intended to replace his original brief rather than add to it, we will
address the errors as raised in the June 22, 2022 Amended Brief.
4
Case No. 2021-P-0086
{¶15} “[1.] Appellant’s Convictions are Against the Sufficiency of The Evidence.
{¶16} “[2.] Appellant’s Convictions are Against the Manifest Weight of the
Evidence.
{¶17} “[3.] The Trial Court Plainly Erred by Allowing a State’s Witness to Offer
Opinion Testimony Beyond the Scope of his Expert Report.
{¶18} “[4.] Appellant Received Ineffective Assistance of Counsel Where Trial
Counsel Failed to Object to Opinion Testimony Beyond the Scope of the Expert’s Report.”
{¶19} We will first address Snider’s third and fourth assignments of error jointly,
which are dispositive of the appeal. In his third assignment of error, Snider argues that
the court committed plain error by allowing Dr. McPherson to testify as an expert
regarding recantation in child sexual abuse cases when his expert report provided to
defense counsel did not discuss recantation. In his fourth assignment of error, Snider
contends that counsel was ineffective for failing to object to the admission of Dr.
McPherson’s testimony.
{¶20} “Plain error exists when it can be said that but for the error, the outcome of
the trial would clearly have been otherwise.” State v. Issa, 93 Ohio St.3d 49, 56, 752
N.E.2d 904 (2001). Notice of plain error “is to be taken with the utmost caution, under
exceptional circumstances and only to prevent a manifest miscarriage of justice.” State
v. Long, 53 Ohio St.2d 91, 97, 372 N.E.2d 804 (1978), paragraph three of the syllabus.
{¶21} To demonstrate ineffective assistance of counsel, a defendant must prove
“(1) that counsel’s performance fell below an objective standard of reasonableness, and
(2) that counsel’s deficient performance prejudiced the defendant resulting in an
unreliable or fundamentally unfair outcome of the proceeding.” State v. Madrigal, 87 Ohio
5
Case No. 2021-P-0086
St.3d 378, 388-389, 721 N.E.2d 52 (2000), citing Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. 668,
687-688, 104 S.Ct. 2052, 80 L.Ed.2d 674 (1984). “To show that a defendant has been
prejudiced by counsel’s deficient performance, the defendant must prove that there exists
a reasonable probability that, were it not for counsel’s errors, the result of the trial would
have been different.” State v. Bradley, 42 Ohio St.3d 136, 538 N.E.2d 373 (1989),
paragraph three of the syllabus. “There is a strong presumption that the attorney’s
performance was reasonable.” State v. Gotel, 11th Dist. Lake No. 2006-L-015, 2007-
Ohio-888, ¶ 10.
{¶22} At issue here is whether allowing Dr. McPherson to testify about certain
topics not included in his expert report constituted reversible error. Crim.R. 16(K)
provides that an expert witness “shall prepare a written report summarizing the expert
witness’s testimony, findings, analysis, conclusions, or opinion, and shall include a
summary of the expert’s qualifications.” This report “shall be subject to disclosure * * * no
later than twenty-one days prior to trial” and failure to disclose the report “shall preclude
the expert’s testimony at trial.” Id. The Ohio Supreme Court has addressed conflicting
opinions by the appellate courts as to whether trial courts must exclude expert testimony
in “all cases of noncompliance” with Crim.R. 16(K). State v. Boaston, 160 Ohio St.3d 46,
2020-Ohio-1061, 153 N.E.3d 44, ¶ 51. It rejected the analysis that the court can exercise
its discretion to utilize other remedies for failure to disclose and observed that “[t]he plain
language of Crim.R. 16(K) expressly provides the consequence for failing to disclose an
expert’s report as required,” which is exclusion. Id. at ¶ 54-55.
{¶23} As an initial matter, we observe that Dr. McPherson’s expert report was not
made part of the record before the trial court and is not present for review before this
6
Case No. 2021-P-0086
court. As to its contents, Snider observes that it mentions the topic of delayed disclosure
but not recantation. It has been held that where an expert’s report was not part of the
appellate record, the appellate court could not review the trial court’s determination
regarding compliance with Crim.R. 16(K). State v. Chapman, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No.
107375, 2019-Ohio-1452, ¶ 10; State v. Johnson, 1st Dist. Hamilton No. C-170354, 2019-
Ohio-3877, ¶ 41-42 (appellate court could not determine whether the evidence
examination worksheet provided by the State constituted an expert report where it was
not included in the record).
{¶24} We note that both Snider and the State argue that this issue was addressed
to some degree at trial, with the State observing in its brief that “[a]lthough his report is
not part of the record, questioning revealed that the report addressed the concept of
delayed disclosure but not the concept of recantation.” During cross-examination of Dr.
McPherson, Snider’s counsel observed that in his expert report, Dr. McPherson cited
studies relating to delayed disclosure and inquired whether he had the names of studies
relating to recantation. Dr. McPherson responded that he could look at his files to find
them. Counsel then inquired whether Dr. McPherson had been asked to update his
expert report, to which he responded negatively. Defense counsel stated: “so no one
ever told you to update it to include information on recantation, correct?” Dr. McPherson
responded: “No, no one ever told me that.” Given this testimony which demonstrates
recantation was not included in the report and that the State does not dispute the contents
of the report, we will consider whether the failure to disclose the testimony regarding
recantation constitutes reversible error.
{¶25} We first must address an issue raised by the State at oral argument. There,
7
Case No. 2021-P-0086
the State contended that it had conversations with the defense attorney prior to trial,
outside of court, in which defense counsel conceded that Dr. McPherson’s testimony
should be admitted, thereby precluding the defense from arguing error relating to its
admission. This issue was raised by the State for the first time at oral argument and was
not set forth in its appellate brief. A party may not advance new arguments for the first
time at oral argument. Hughes v. Hughes, 2020-Ohio-4653, 159 N.E.3d 893, ¶ 19 (10th
Dist.).
{¶26} Nonetheless, even considering the merits of such argument, we do not find
that it alters the result of this appeal. The alleged discussions were held outside of the
presence of the trial court and were not made part of the record. We observe that there
are procedures for adding or correcting statements excluded from the record. App.R.
9(D)(1) allows for parties to submit an “agreed statement * * * in lieu of the record on
appeal” to the trial court for approval prior to transmission of the record. App.R. 9(E)
allows: “If any difference arises as to whether the record truly discloses what occurred in
the trial court, the difference shall be submitted to and settled by the trial court and the
record made to conform to the truth.” However, neither of these circumstances is
applicable here. This is not a case where a statement is needed “in lieu of the record”
because the transcript is missing or where a mistake in the record must be corrected.
The trial court could not approve any submission made by the parties, if one had been
made, to demonstrate they discussed admitting Dr. McPherson’s testimony since the
discussions were not held before the judge. See McGeorge v. McGeorge, 10th Dist.
Franklin No. 00AP-1151, 2001 WL 537037, *2 (May 22, 2001) (“pursuant to App.R. 9(E),
the reviewing court may only add material that was not made a part of the original record
8
Case No. 2021-P-0086
by accident but was in fact considered by the trial court in rendering its “decision”);
Sultaana v. Keefe Supply Co., 11th Dist. Ashtabula No. 2021-A-0009, 2021-Ohio-3881,
¶ 16 (seeking to supplement the record on appeal not “to make it conform with what
occurred in the trial court, but to alter what actually occurred (or did not occur) in the trial
court” is “an impermissible use of Appellate Rule 9(E)”). Since the alleged out-of-court
discussion is not part of the record and would not properly be added to the record, we
cannot decide the appeal on this basis. An appellate court “cannot add matter to the
record before it, which was not a part of the trial court’s proceedings, and then decide the
appeal on the basis of the new” information. State v. Ishmail, 54 Ohio St.2d 402, 377
N.E.2d 500 (1978), paragraph one of the syllabus. Had the State intended to rely on its
alleged agreement with defense counsel, it had the duty to make such agreement part of
the record.
{¶27} It has been consistently held that failure to provide an expert report shall
result in exclusion of that expert’s testimony. In State v. McGhee, 11th Dist. Trumbull No.
2014-T-0106, 2017-Ohio-5773, an expert’s name was provided to the defense three
months prior to trial but a report was not provided until a few days before trial. This court
found that the expert’s testimony should have been excluded for failure to comply with
Crim.R. 16(K). Id. at ¶ 21.
{¶28} Further, where a report is provided, failure to disclose the specific topics to
be addressed in the testimony also requires exclusion of such testimony. In State v.
Walls, 2018-Ohio-329, 104 N.E.3d 280 (6th Dist.), the court found that although an expert
report was disclosed, where the expert’s testimony “far exceeded the scope of his report,”
and did not include that he intended to testify about grooming, delayed disclosure, or
9
Case No. 2021-P-0086
recantation, such testimony must be excluded. Id. at ¶ 23, 37. See State v. White, 8th
Dist. Cuyahoga No. 110452, 2022-Ohio-2130, ¶ 39, 42 (“the state violated Crim.R. 16(K)
by providing an expert report that did not include conclusions it intended to use at trial”
and testimony given outside of the scope of the report should have resulted in exclusion
of the testimony at trial); State v. Carpenter, 7th Dist. Monroe No. 21 MO 0002, 2022-
Ohio-898, ¶ 35 (where the written materials provided did not give insight into trial
testimony regarding delayed disclosure and physical factors of sexual assault, allowing
testimony on these issues violated Crim.R. 16(K)); State v. Kamer, 6th Dist. Wood No.
WD-20-084, 2022-Ohio-2070, ¶ 119 (where a medical report filed to accompany expert
testimony did not address the likelihood of finding injuries from a sexual assault, the court
found that “[b]ecause these opinions were not disclosed to the defense, Crim.R. 16(K)
required the trial court to preclude [expert] testimony about them at trial”).
{¶29} As the Ohio Supreme Court emphasized, “[t]he purpose of the rule [Crim.
R. 16(K)] is to avoid unfair surprise by providing notice to the defense and allowing the
defense an opportunity to challenge the expert's findings, analysis, or qualifications,
possibly with the support of an adverse expert who could discredit the opinion after
carefully reviewing the written report.” (Citations omitted.) Boaston, 160 Ohio St.3d 46,
2020-Ohio-1061, 153 N.E.3d 44, at ¶ 48; State v. Fetty, 11th Dist. Portage No. 2011-P-
0091, 2012-Ohio-6127, ¶ 37. Such surprise occurred here where the defense was not
made aware expert testimony about recantation and its causes would be presented.
{¶30} Courts have addressed the foregoing issue under a plain error standard
where defense counsel failed to object, as was the case here. State v. Carpenter, 7th
Dist. Monroe No. 19 MO 0010, 2020-Ohio-5295, ¶ 26 (applying plain error standard to
10
Case No. 2021-P-0086
admission of expert testimony); State v. Slade, 7th Dist. Mahoning No. 16 MA 0177, 2018-
Ohio-2767, ¶ 16-17. One court has observed, however, that a plain error review in these
circumstances is “effectively unnecessary because a trial court cannot address a Crim.R.
16(K) discovery violation that was never brought to its attention. In such situations, any
error would be that of trial counsel, not the trial court.” Walls at ¶ 34, fn. 1.
{¶31} Here, we similarly observe that the court would not have been aware of the
concern that the testimony did not match the expert report where this issue was not
raised. While questions were asked regarding the report at the end of cross-examination,
the testimony had already been provided and no clear objection was made to the court.
Nonetheless, regardless of whether it was the court’s duty to exclude the testimony, we
find counsel was ineffective for failing to object, warranting reversal.
{¶32} As noted above, because expert testimony was presented outside of the
scope of what was disclosed in the expert report, had defense counsel moved for
exclusion of such testimony, such motion would necessarily have been granted consistent
with the law. Defense counsel made no such motion or objection to the admission of the
testimony. The State argues that it was a matter of trial strategy not to object to Dr.
McPherson’s testimony because counsel did not disagree with the reasons for recanting
but sought to disprove them. In this instance, we cannot discern a benefit from or strategy
for allowing this testimony. Dr. McPherson’s testimony indicated that there are various
reasons to recant one’s statement, all of which were not related to the untruthful nature
of the accusations. This testimony could have easily demonstrated to the jury that H.S.’s
recantation did not discredit her testimony or render her lacking in credibility. Further, to
the extent that the State emphasizes that Snider’s counsel questioned H.S. about the
11
Case No. 2021-P-0086
events surrounding her recantation, counsel could have done this regardless of whether
McPherson had testified on this topic. This would allow the defense to discredit H.S.
without allowing the jury to hear expert testimony justifying the reasons her recantation
was false. The State essentially emphasizes the actions counsel took to disprove the
reasons for recantation given by McPherson, but McPherson’s testimony would not have
required refutation if it was not admitted in the first place. We recognize that there is a
strong presumption that a challenged action by counsel “might be considered sound trial
strategy,” State v. Carter, 72 Ohio St.3d 545, 558, 651 N.E.2d 965 (1995), but we do not
find that presumption applies here. It has been held that “the failure to object to the
admission of the expert testimony [given in violation of Crim.R.16 (K)] cannot be excused
as trial strategy.” State v. Davis, 1st Dist. Hamilton No. C-190302, 2021-Ohio-1693, ¶ 69.
{¶33} To reverse based on ineffective assistance, it is also necessary to find the
error was prejudicial. In the present matter, the convictions were based on the testimony
of H.S. There was no physical evidence to corroborate her testimony or witnesses to the
abuse. After disclosing the sexual abuse to authorities, H.S. recanted the allegations to
Snider’s attorney and before a court reporter. She subsequently stated she had been
lying when recanting. Given her inconsistent statements regarding whether the abuse
occurred, testimony from Dr. McPherson regarding reasons a child victim may recant was
of significant importance in this case. It likely had an impact on the jury’s determination
of guilt.
{¶34} In McGhee, this court found that expert testimony which explained delayed
disclosure was important to the State’s case and may have “significantly buttressed” the
victim’s credibility to the prejudice of the defendant, since the jury might otherwise
12
Case No. 2021-P-0086
“question” the victim’s testimony that the defendant had been molesting her for four years.
2017-Ohio-5773, at ¶ 20. Similarly, in Walls, the court determined that failure to properly
disclose an expert report was prejudicial because the expert’s testimony was intended to
“carry great weight” and there was no physical evidence in the case. 2018-Ohio-329, ¶
45-46. As the court noted, “[t]he state’s case hinged largely upon whether the jury
believed” the victim and the expert’s “testimony was important to overcome credibility
issues arising from” the victim’s “repeated denials of abuse, * * * initial statements of
support for her father, * * * her delayed disclosure of abuse followed by recantation, and
* * * additional instances of dishonesty.” Id. at ¶ 46. See also State v. Bellamy, 5th Dist.
Delaware No. 19 CAA 08 0048, 2021-Ohio-40, ¶ 43-44, rev’d on other grounds, __ Ohio
St.3d __, 2022-Ohio-3698, __ N.E.3d __ (the defendant was prejudiced when testimony
regarding delayed reporting was given where the case “hinged entirely on the credibility
of” the victim and there was no forensic evidence, witnesses, or incriminating statements
by the defendant); State v. Hall, 1st Dist. Hamilton Nos. C-170699 and C-170700, 2019-
Ohio-2985, ¶ 22, 25 (without testimony regarding delayed disclosure, the jury may have
viewed the victim’s testimony in a different light; “the state’s case depending on which
witness was more credible,” the victim or the defendant, and the “expert’s testimony likely
colored the jury’s ability to properly weigh the credibility of the witness”). Consistent with
the foregoing, and given that this case hinged on the credibility of H.S., there exists a
reasonable probability that, were it not for counsel’s errors, the result of the trial would
have been different. We recognize the serious nature of these charges and, given the
facts of this case, remanding for a trial held in accordance with proper procedure is
necessary to achieve a just result.
13
Case No. 2021-P-0086
{¶35} The third and fourth assignments are with merit.
{¶36} In his first assignment of error, Snider argues that his convictions were not
supported by sufficient evidence. Although reversing the convictions on the grounds
stated above, we will address this issue since a finding that a conviction is supported by
insufficient evidence “is functionally an acquittal” and bars retrial. State v. Ramirez, 159
Ohio St.3d 426, 2020-Ohio-602, 151 N.E.3d 598, ¶ 12.
{¶37} “‘[S]ufficiency’ is a term of art meaning that legal standard which is applied
to determine whether the case may go to the jury or whether the evidence is legally
sufficient to support the jury verdict as a matter of law.” State v. Thompkins, 78 Ohio St.
3d 380, 386, 678 N.E.2d 541 (1997), quoting Black’s Law Dictionary (6 Ed.1990), 1433.
In reviewing the sufficiency of the evidence, “[t]he 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.
{¶38} To convict Snider of Gross Sexual Imposition, the State was required to
prove, beyond a reasonable doubt, that he had “sexual contact with another” when “[t]he
other person * * * is less than thirteen years of age.” R.C. 2907.05(A)(4). For Sexual
Battery, it was required to prove that he “engage[d] in sexual conduct with another” when
he was “the other person’s natural or adoptive parent * * *.” R.C. 2907.03(A)(5). To
convict him of Unlawful Sexual Conduct with a Minor, the State was required to prove
Snider did “engage in sexual conduct with another, who is not the spouse of the offender,
when the offender knows the other person is thirteen years of age or older but less than
14
Case No. 2021-P-0086
sixteen years of age, or the offender is reckless in that regard.” R.C. 2907.04(A). Finally,
as to Attempted Rape, R.C. 2923.02(A) provides: “No person, purposely or knowingly,
when purpose or knowledge is sufficient culpability for the commission of an offense, shall
engage in conduct that, if successful, would constitute or result in the offense.” The Rape
statute provides: “No person shall engage in sexual conduct with another who is not the
spouse of the offender * * * when any of the following applies: * * * (b) The other person
is less than thirteen years of age * * *.” R.C. 2907.02(A)(1)(b).
{¶39} First, Snider argues that the “only evidence of Appellant’s guilt was the
testimony of H.S.” and that, “[g]iven her contradictory statements, H.S.’s testimony was
not sufficient for a reasonable jury to find Appellant guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.”
“In deciding if the evidence was sufficient, we neither resolve evidentiary conflicts nor
assess the credibility of witnesses, as both are functions reserved for the trier of
fact.” State v. Williams, 197 Ohio App.3d 505, 2011-Ohio-6267, 968 N.E.2d 27, ¶ 25 (1st
Dist.). The issue of whether H.S.’s testimony was believable is not a relevant
consideration in a sufficiency analysis.
{¶40} H.S. testified as to multiple acts of sexual conduct and sexual contact
committed by her father when she was between five and fourteen years old. These
included repeated acts of touching her vaginal area and multiple acts of penetration or
attempted penetration. This testimony established each of the elements of the offenses,
including sexual conduct and sexual contact, her age at the time of the sexual acts, and,
for Sexual Battery, that Snider was the victim’s parent.
{¶41} Snider also argues that “the evidence for the second of Appellant’s
convictions for attempted rape is particularly lacking” since she testified that the
15
Case No. 2021-P-0086
Attempted Rape occurred “once or twice” which could not support two convictions. The
Attempted Rape convictions were for conduct that occurred when H.S. was less than ten
years old. H.S. testified that when she was between five and seven, Snider began to
penetrate her with his penis but stopped because it hurt her, saying this happened “once
or twice.” However, she also later said that there were “attempts” at penetration during
that time period. The prosecutor followed up, stating, “I think you said that happened on
approximately a couple of occasions in that time frame [between the ages of five and
seven], to which H.S. responded affirmatively. While her statement about “one or two”
attempts and later statements referencing “attempts” in the plural may be conflicting and
raise questions about how much weight to give such testimony, we find that there is
sufficient evidence to demonstrate multiple attempted rapes occurred.
{¶42} The first assignment of error is without merit.
{¶43} In his second assignment of error, Snider argues that his convictions were
not supported by the weight of the evidence. Since we are reversing the convictions for
the reasons addressed above, this assignment of error is moot.
{¶44} For the foregoing reasons, Snider’s convictions for Attempted Rape, Gross
Sexual Imposition, Unlawful Sexual Conduct with a Minor, and Sexual Battery are
reversed and this matter is remanded for further proceedings consistent with this opinion.
Costs to be taxed against appellee.
THOMAS R. WRIGHT, J., concurs,
CYNTHIA WESTCOTT RICE, J., dissents, with a Dissenting Opinion.
16
Case No. 2021-P-0086
______________________________________
CYNTHIA WESTCOTT RICE, J., dissents, with a Dissenting Opinion.
{¶45} I respectfully dissent.
{¶46} While I agree it was erroneous to allow Dr. Pherson to testify as an expert
regarding recantation in child sexual abuse cases when his expert report provided to
defense counsel did not discuss recantation, I do not believe defense counsel was
ineffective for failing to object to its admission. Instead, I view defense counsel’s decision
not to object as a trial strategy. Objecting to the testimony may have drawn undue
attention to the matter; it was reasonable for defense counsel to decide that not objecting
to the testimony was less damaging than objecting to the testimony. Alternatively,
defense counsel may not have objected because, knowing that the issue of recantation
was going to be raised, counsel wanted the opportunity to challenge the expert testimony
on the issue of recantation.
{¶47} Moreover, even if the failure to object was not trial strategy, I would find that
such error was not prejudicial and constituted only harmless error. “After finding that the
trial court[ ] erred in admitting the expert testimony, * * * courts of appeals next consider[
] Crim.R. 52 and applied the harmless-error analysis established in State v. Morris, 141
Ohio St.3d 399, 2014-Ohio-5052, 24 N.E.3d 1153, ¶ 23, in order to determine whether
the error was reversible.” State v. Boaston, 160 Ohio St.3d 46, 2020-Ohio-1061, ¶60,
citing State v. Walls, 6th Dist. Erie Nos. E-16-027 and E-16-028, 2018-Ohio-329, at ¶40-
17
Case No. 2021-P-0086
41, and State v. Hall, 1st Dist. Hamilton Nos. C-170699 and C-170700, 2019-Ohio-2985,
¶20.
{¶48} Crim.R. 52(A) provides: “Any error, defect, irregularity, or variance which
does not affect substantial rights shall be disregarded.” Id. “Under Crim.R. 52, in order
to prejudice a defendant’s substantial rights, the error ‘“must have affected the outcome
of the [trial] court proceedings.”’” (Brackets sic.) Boaston, supra, at ¶62, quoting State v.
Fisher, 99 Ohio St.3d 127, 2003-Ohio-2761, ¶7, quoting United States v. Olano, 507 U.S.
725, 734 (1993).
{¶49} The Supreme Court of Ohio has set forth a three-part analysis to guide
appellate courts in determining whether the erroneous admission of certain evidence
affected the defendant’s substantial rights so as to require a new trial or whether the
admission of that evidence was harmless error under Crim.R. 52(A):
First, it must be determined whether the defendant was prejudiced
by the error, i.e., whether the error had an impact on the verdict.
Second, it must be determined whether the error was not harmless
beyond a reasonable doubt. Lastly, once the prejudicial evidence is
excised, the remaining evidence is weighed to determine whether it
establishes the defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
(Citations omitted.) State v. Harris, 142 Ohio St.3d 211, 2015-Ohio-
166, ¶37.
{¶50} As the majority stated, the purpose of Crim.R. 16(K) is to avoid unfair
surprise and allow the defense an opportunity to challenge the expert’s findings, analysis,
or qualifications. Boaston, supra. I would find that Dr. McPherson’s testimony did not
constitute unfair surprise. First, the issue of recantation was raised long before Dr.
McPherson testified. In fact, H.S. provided her recantation to defense counsel directly.
There can be no argument that defense counsel was not aware that recantation was at
issue in this case. Furthermore, defense counsel thoroughly cross-examined Dr.
18
Case No. 2021-P-0086
McPherson on the issue of recantation. Second, the testimony provided by Dr.
McPherson regarding recantation was brief and common knowledge. In fact, during voir
dire, in response to counsel’s question, one juror suggested a child may recant because
they are afraid or may not want to “terrify her family.” Finally, Dr. McPherson’s testimony
was not the only testimony on the matter of recantation. H.S. herself testified that she
agreed to recant her initial testimony because she wanted to make her brothers happy.
Accordingly, I would find that the failure to exclude the recantation testimony was not
prejudicial to the defendant but was harmless error. Even excluding Dr. McPherson’s
recantation testimony and viewing only the remaining evidence, I would find that the state
presented evidence beyond a reasonable doubt of defendant’s guilt.
{¶51} Because I would find that counsel was not ineffective for failing to object to
Dr. McPherson’s testimony regarding recantation and because the inclusion of his
testimony was harmless error, I would affirm the decision of the lower court. I respectfully
dissent.
19
Case No. 2021-P-0086