State v. Howell

[Cite as State v. Howell, 2020-Ohio-174.]
COURT OF APPEALS
STARK COUNTY, OHIO
FIFTH APPELLATE DISTRICT
JUDGES:
STATE OF OHIO : Hon. William B. Hoffman, P.J.
: Hon. W. Scott Gwin, J.
Plaintiff-Appellee : Hon. John W. Wise, J.
:
-vs- :
: Case No. 2019CA00063
HOWARD HOWELL :
:
Defendant-Appellant : OPINION
CHARACTER OF PROCEEDING: Criminal appeal from the Stark County
Court of Common Pleas, Case No.
2018CR2015
JUDGMENT: Affirmed
DATE OF JUDGMENT ENTRY: January 21, 2020
APPEARANCES:
For Plaintiff-Appellee For Defendant-Appellant
JOHN D. FERRERO AARON KOVALCHIK
Stark County Prosecutor 116 Cleveland Avenue N.W.
By: KRISTINE BEARD 808 Courtyard Centre
110 Central Plaza South, Suite 510 Canton, OH 44702
Canton, OH 44702-1413
Stark County, Case No. 2019CA00063 2
Gwin, P.J.
{¶1} Defendant-appellant Howard Howell [“Howell”] appeals from his conviction
and sentence after a jury trial in the Stark County Court of Common Pleas.
Facts and Procedural History
{¶2} In 2008, K.M.'s mother, Janice Howell, married Howell. K.M. is a child from
Janice's previous marriage to R. M. K.M.’s date of birth is August 28, 1982.
{¶3} Janice testified that, during childbirth, K.M. suffered from hydrocephalitis
that caused loss of oxygen to his brain. As a result, K.M. suffered brain damage, which
caused him to have mental health and physical disabilities. K.M. has limited use of the left
side of his body and was a special education student at school. Janice testified that
although K.M. has independent living, he does not drive, and requires assistance from
his parents with daily needs including, cleaning, laundry and grocery shopping.
{¶4} In August of 2018, K.M. disclosed to Janice that since 2010 he had been
sexually abused by Howell. Janice immediately left the family home and notified law
enforcement. Traditionally, throughout K.M.'s life, K.M. kept track of his daily activities by
journalizing. In preparation for his meeting with the investigating officer, Janice
suggested that K.M. write a journal describing the abuse. After three days, K.M. had
written a 7- page journal about the eight years of sexual abuse. K.M. testified that he had
kept personal journals since 2002 and that he kept them. K.M. admitted he did not
document what happened with him and Howell in these journals and he did not journalize
his sexual allegations against Howell until 2018 when his mother told him to write everything
down.
Stark County, Case No. 2019CA00063 3
{¶5} At trial, K.M. testified about the events he described in his 7-page journal.
K.M. testified that in 2010, he went on a family vacation to Lake Erie with his mom and
Howell. Howell took K.M. to the pool and then the hot tub. While they were in the hot
tub, Howell asked K.M. questions about his sexuality and sexual experiences including
whether K.M. had ever had sex with a guy. K.M. testified, "That’s when it all started"- "it"
meaning sex.
{¶6} K.M. testified that the sexual abuse occurred when he was alone with
Howell. K.M. stated that during the eight years, the abuse occurred in approximately five
different locations including, Howell's jeep, Howell's residences, K.M.'s apartment, the
family cabin and what he called, the “gay place” in Akron, Ohio. The sexual behavior
included, Howell exposing himself, Howell masturbating and ejaculating in front of K.M.,
Howell stroking K.M.'s genitals, Howell performing fellatio on K.M., K.M. performing
fellatio on Howell, Howell causing K.M. to engage in anal intercourse, and Howell
repeatedly exposing K.M. to pornography.
{¶7} K.M. testified that he was silent and did not write about the abuse because
Howell told him that if he disclosed he (K.M.) would never see his mom again. K.M.
testified that he believed this meant two things, first he would not be able to visit his mom,
or that Howell would hurt or possibly kill his mom. (1T. at 157-158)1.
{¶8} K.M. testified that when the abuse occurred at Howell's home, Howell would
first ask him to watch porn on the computer and talk provocatively. K.M. testified that
Howell showed him “twink porn, gay porn, child porn, women porn, and, male porn.” 1T.
at 181. Then Howell would tell K.M. to take his pants down, show K.M. his penis and
1For clarity, references to the transcript from Howell’s jury trial will be cited as “__T.__,” signifying
the volume number and the page number.
Stark County, Case No. 2019CA00063 4
would start, "stroking" his (K.M.’s) "dick".1T.at 164-169. Howell told K.M. do not be
scared, "all guys do this.” 1T. at 167. Howell also told him not to wear underwear, would
come into his room at night, and K.M. would wake to Howell fondling his penis. 1T.at 194.
{¶9} When Howell took K.M. to the cabin and the "gay place," Howell would touch
K.M.'s penis with his hands and his mouth, putting his tongue on K.M.'s penis causing
him to ejaculate. 1T.at 170-172. Howell made K.M. put his mouth on his (Howell's) penis
saying at first, "try it [K.M.] you'll like it.” KM. testified, "I did not like it.” 1T. at 171-172;
182-183. K.M. testified that Howell told him to ejaculate on a paper towel and Howell did
the same. 1T.at 172. At the "gay place" Howell encouraged K.M. to watch other adult
men engaging in sexual acts. On two occasions, at the gay place and the cabin, Howell,
asked K.M. to lay on his stomach. Howell then rubbed his penis on, and partially inserted,
his penis, into K.M.’s butt. K.M. testified that Howell used a lubricant on his own penis.
1T. at 173-176. K.M. testified that Howell would make excuses to come to his apartment
and frequently asked him to engage in oral sex. 1T. at178-179.
{¶10} K.M. also testified that he had a girlfriend with three children. He stated that
during the relationship the four of them would stay overnight at his home. As a result, he
had children's clothing in his home. K.M. identified a pair of children's denim shorts and
testified that when Howell came over they would both masturbate and ejaculate into the
shorts. K.M. gave the shorts to the investigating officer. K.M. further testified that he had
broken up with is girlfriend in 2014, but he kept the jeans/shorts for kids for over four
years.
{¶11} K.M. described Howell physical appearance. He said Howell's penis was
uncircumcised and that Howell had shaved his groin area. K.M. said that Howell also
Stark County, Case No. 2019CA00063 5
shaved K.M.'s genitals. 1T.187-189. He also said Howell had scares on both sides of his
hips.
{¶12} The last incident occurred at Shady Rest. Howell and K.M. were alone in a
shed. K.M. was about to leave the shed when Howell said "come back here.” K.M.
testified that Howell proceeded to stroke his penis. K.M. said that's when he told his mom,
he was concerned that Howell was willing to abuse him in a public place. He testified that
he told his mom everything.
{¶13} On August 27, 2018, Janice and K.M. made an initial abuse report at the
Sheriff’s Department and turned over Howell's lap top computer and generic Viagra.
Deputies also collected sheets and bedding from the cabin and took photos of a tube of
KY Jelly on the nightstand.
{¶14} Deputy John Vonspiegel was assigned to investigate the case. On August
31, 2018, Vonspiegel interviewed KM. K.M. gave Vonspiegel his 7-page journal and a
pair of children's denim shorts which were placed in evidence. Deputy Vonspiegel
learned that there was a place in Akron called “The Steam and Sauna Club,” which is a
gay men's club. Deputy Vonspiegel found K.M.'s journal and verbal statements to be
consistent and found K.M. to be open and cooperative in the investigation.
{¶15} On August 30, 2018, Deputy Vonspiegel arranged a one-person consent
call between Janice and Howell. During the call, Janice asked Howell why he had raped
her son to which Howell replied that K.M. had initiated everything.
{¶16} On September 6, 2018, Deputy Vonspiegel interviewed Howell. Howell
admitted that he spent time alone with K.M. at home and at the cabin and that they would
hang out a lot together. Howell told Vonspiegel that he caught K.M. watching child porn
Stark County, Case No. 2019CA00063 6
and set KM. straight. Howell admitted he was not circumcised and thought KM. might
have seen his penis at the gym in the shower.
{¶17} Deputy Vonspiegel sent Howell's computer to the FBI for analysis. The FBI
did not find child porn on the computer but did find adult pornography. Deputy Vonspiegel
collected mouth swabs from both K.M. and Howell and forwarded all the evidence to the
Bureau of Criminal Investigation for further forensic analysis.
{¶18} Upon cross examination Deputy Vonspiegel testified that Howell never
admitted to having sexual contact with K.M. Deputy Vonspiegel further testified that he
did not know what Howell meant when he said, "[“K.M.”]’s fault, he initiated it.” Deputy
Vonspiegel recalled that Howell told him he caught K.M. masturbating. Deputy
Vonspiegel also testified that K.M. told him that Howell had brought the jeans/shorts to
him and left out his other story that the jeans/shorts belonged to his girlfriend's child and
that K.M. had kept them for four years. 1T. at 333-334.
{¶19} Andrew Sawin, a forensic scientist at BCI analyzed the DNA evidence. He
testified that initial tests established that the denim shorts were positive for semen.
Several stains were swabbed for further DNA analysis. The analysis for several stains
showed two fractions, non-sperm fractions (such as saliva) and sperm fractions (semen).
Sawin testified that finding two these two fractions involves a technique called the
differential extraction. This technique is designed to separate any sperm that might be
present on a specific sample from any other source of DNA that might be present on the
sample. For the first sample (1.1), stain #1 on the shorts, a mixture of DNA profiles was
recovered. Howell’s DNA profile was the major contributor in the non-sperm fraction. The
possibility of finding the same profile twice is rarer than one in one trillion of a random
Stark County, Case No. 2019CA00063 7
group of unrelated people. In the second sample (1.12), stain #12, a mixture of DNA
profile was recovered. K.M. was included. Howell was also included. The possibility for
Howell's same profile occurring twice is rarer that one in one trillion. In the third sample
(1.17), stain #17, a mixture of DNA profile was recovered. Howell was included as a
major component of the sperm fraction. The chance of duplicating the Howell's DNA in
the sperm fraction is rarer than one in one trillion. Sawin testified that the DNA that shows
up in the sperm fraction would not be from saliva.
{¶20} Upon cross-examination, Sawin testified that the non-sperm samples
concerning Howell could potentially be saliva or mucus. Sawin also testified that K.M.
was expected to be a contributor on the jeans/shorts that were tested because he
believed K.M. had worn the jeans/shorts and was not aware that K.M. could not have
worn the jeans/shorts because they were children's' clothing.
{¶21} Sawin also testified that the BCI evidence submission form listed a white
and blue comforter and a green bed sheet as having been brought into the lab. However,
the items were not accepted at the time of the evidence submission and were not
forensically tested for the presence of DNA. The only item submitted for DNA testing was
the pair of denim shorts.
{¶22} At trial, Howell took the stand on his own behalf. Howell testified that Janice
suffers from a bipolar disorder and that their marriage was fine until she went off her
medications. Howell testified that he could not have abused K.M. in their home in Beach
City because in 2010 they lived in Navarre. He testified that he had concerns that K.M.
liked younger children and caught K.M. watching child porn on K.M.’s phone. Howell said
he was never alone with K.M. at the cabin and that the KY jelly was used with Janice. He
Stark County, Case No. 2019CA00063 8
testified, over an objection by the state, that he believed Janice had orchestrated the
whole disclosure because she had threatened to make him pay when she found out she
didn't get half the home in the divorce. He believed K.M. went along with the plan because
he craved attention and acceptance from his mother and would do anything for her. He
admitted that he purchased and possessed erectile dysfunction pills.
{¶23} On cross-examination, Howell, admitted that he had been alone with K.M.
at the cabin. He admitted that he never told Janice that he saw K.M. watching child porn,
or that he had concerns about K.M. with children. In fact, when he was asked on the one-
person consent call why he had raped K.M. he said that K.M. had initiated those things.
Howell explained that his statement was in reference to how K.M. was always showing
Howell pornography on his cell phone. Howell explained that the DNA of his found on the
children's jeans/shorts was because he had thrown them away in a garbage bag that
contained his “snot rags” and that K.M. got the jean/shorts out of that bag. 2T. at 390-93.
{¶24} Howell was indicted on one count of Rape, RC 2907.02(A) (1) and/or (A)(2)
and Sexual Battery, RC 2907.03(02) and or (A)(5). After the presentation of evidence,
Howell was acquitted on the Rape charge and convicted for Sexual Battery. Howell was
sentenced to a 60-month prison sentence and found to be a Tier III sexual offender.
Assignment of Error
{¶25} Howell has raised one Assignment of Error,
{¶26} “I. APPELLANT’S CONVICTION WAS AGAINST THE MANIFEST
WEIGHT AND SUFFICIENCY OF THE EVIDENCE.”
Stark County, Case No. 2019CA00063 9
Law and Analysis
STANDARD OF APPELLATE REVIEW.
Sufficiency of the Evidence.
{¶27} The Sixth Amendment provides: “In all criminal prosecutions, the accused
shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury....” This right, in
conjunction with the Due Process Clause, requires that each of the material elements of
a crime be proved to a jury beyond a reasonable doubt. Alleyne v. United States, 570
U.S. __, 133 S. Ct. 2151, 2156, 186 L. Ed. 2d 314 (2013); Hurst v. Florida, 136 S. Ct. 616,
621, 193 L. Ed. 2d 504 (2016). The test for the sufficiency of the evidence involves a
question of law for resolution by the appellate court. State v. Walker, 150 Ohio St. 3d 409,
2016-Ohio-8295, 82 N.E.3d 1124, ¶30. “This naturally entails a review of the elements
of the charged offense and a review of the state's evidence.” State v. Richardson, 150
Ohio St. 3d 554, 2016-Ohio-8448, 84 N.E.3d 993, ¶13.
{¶28} When reviewing the sufficiency of the evidence, an appellate court does not
ask whether the evidence should be believed. State v. Jenks, 61 Ohio St. 3d 259, 574
N.E.2d 492 (1991), paragraph two of the syllabus: Walker, at ¶30. “The relevant inquiry
is whether, after viewing the evidence in the 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.” Jenks at paragraph two of the syllabus. State v. Poutney, 153 Ohio
St.3d 474, 2018-Ohio-22, 97 N.E.3d 478, ¶19. Thus, “on review for evidentiary sufficiency
we do not second-guess the jury's credibility determinations; rather, we ask whether, ‘if
believed, [the evidence] would convince the average mind of the defendant's guilt beyond
a reasonable doubt.’” State v. Murphy, 91 Ohio St. 3d 516, 543, 747 N.E.2d 765 (2001),
Stark County, Case No. 2019CA00063 10
quoting Jenks at paragraph two of the syllabus (emphasis added); Walker at ¶31. We
will not “disturb a verdict on appeal on sufficiency grounds unless ‘reasonable minds could
not reach the conclusion reached by the trier-of-fact.’” State v. Ketterer, 111 Ohio St. 3d
70, 2006-Ohio-5283, 855 N.E.2d 48, ¶ 94, quoting State v. Dennis, 79 Ohio St. 3d 421,
430, 683 N.E.2d 1096 (1997); State v. Montgomery, 148 Ohio St. 3d 347, 2016-Ohio-
5487, 71 N.E.3d 180, ¶74.
ISSUE FOR APPEAL
A. Whether, after viewing the evidence in the light most favorable to the
prosecution, the evidence, if believed, would convince the average mind of Howell's guilt
on each element of the crime of Sexual Battery beyond a reasonable doubt.
{¶29} Howell was convicted of Sexual Battery. R.C. 2907.03 provides, in relevant
part,
(A) No person shall engage in sexual conduct with another, not the
spouse of the offender, when any of the following apply:
***
(2) The offender knows that the other person’s ability to appraise the
nature of or control the other person’s own conduct is substantially impaired.
***
(5) The offender is the other person’s natural or adoptive parent, or
a stepparent, or guardian, custodian, or person in loco parentis of the other
person.
{¶30} R.C. 2907.01 provides in relevant part,
Stark County, Case No. 2019CA00063 11
(A) “Sexual conduct” means vaginal intercourse between a male and
female; anal intercourse, fellatio, and cunnilingus between persons
regardless of sex; and, without privilege to do so, the insertion, however
slight, of any part of the body or any instrument, apparatus, or other object
into the vaginal or anal opening of another. Penetration, however slight, is
sufficient to complete vaginal or anal intercourse.
{¶31} In his appeal, Howell’s argument focuses exclusively upon his contention
that “the State of Ohio did not prove beyond a reasonable doubt that sexual conduct
occurred between him and [K.M.].” [Appellant’s Brief at 7-8]. He bases this contention of
his premise that “[K.M.] was not a credible witness.” [Appellant’s Brief at 9]. He further
contends that because the crime laboratory tested the jeans/shorts under the assumption
that K.M. had worn them, which was not true, “this testimony shows that the DNA testing
was done in a biased reckless manner.” [Appellant’s Brief at 10-11].
{¶32} K.M. appeared as the State's first witness and testified that for approximately
8 years in 6 different locations Howell caused him to engage in fellatio on multiple
occasions. K.M. described Howell physical appearance. He said Howell's penis was
uncircumcised and that Howell had shaved his groin area. K.M. said that Howell also
shaved K.M.'s genitals. 1T.187-189. He also said Howell had scares on both sides of his
hips. 1T. at 188.
{¶33} On August 30, 2018, Deputy Vonspiegel arranged a one-person consent call
between K.M.’s mother and Howell. During the call, the mother asked Howell why he had
raped her son to which Howell replied that K.M. had initiated everything. 1T. at 303.
Stark County, Case No. 2019CA00063 12
{¶34} Andrew Sawin, a forensic scientist at BCI analyzed the DNA evidence. He
testified that initial tests established that the denim shorts were positive for semen. For
the first sample (1.1), stain #1 on the shorts, a mixture of DNA profiles was recovered.
Howell’s DNA profile was the major contributor in the non-sperm fraction. In the second
sample (1.12), stain #12, a mixture of DNA profile was recovered. K.M. was included.
Howell was also included. The possibility for Howell's same profile occurring twice is rarer
that one in one trillion. T.1.248. In the third sample (1.17), stain #17, a mixture of DNA
profile was recovered. Howell was included as a major component of the sperm fraction.
{¶35} Viewing the evidence in the case at bar in a light most favorable to the
prosecution, we conclude that a reasonable person could have found beyond a
reasonable doubt that sexual conduct between Howell and K.M. had occurred. We hold,
therefore, that the state met its burden of production regarding each element of the crime
of Sexual Battery and, accordingly, there was sufficient evidence to submit the charge to
the jury and to support Howell’s conviction.
{¶36} The jury as the trier of fact was free to accept or reject any and all of the
evidence offered by the parties and assess the witness’s credibility. “While the trier of
fact may take note of the inconsistencies and resolve or discount them accordingly * * *
such inconsistencies do not render defendant’s conviction against the manifest weight or
sufficiency of the evidence.” State v. Craig, 10th Dist. Franklin No. 99AP–739, 1999 WL
29752 (Mar 23, 2000) citing State v. Nivens, 10th Dist. Franklin No. 95APA09–1236, 1996
WL 284714 (May 28, 1996). Indeed, the trier of fact need not believe all of a witness’
testimony, but may accept only portions of it as true. State v. Raver, 10th Dist. Franklin
No. 02AP–604, 2003–Ohio–958, ¶ 21, citing State v. Antill, 176 Ohio St. 61, 67, 197
Stark County, Case No. 2019CA00063 13
N.E.2d 548 (1964); State v. Burke, 10th Dist. Franklin No. 02AP–1238, 2003–Ohio–2889,
citing State v. Caldwell, 79 Ohio App. 3d 667, 607 N.E.2d 1096 (4th Dist. 1992). Although
the evidence may have been circumstantial, we note that circumstantial evidence has the
JenksN.E.2d 492 (1991), paragraph one of the syllabus, superseded by State
constitutional amendment on other grounds as stated in State v. Smith, 80 Ohio St. 3d 89,
102 at n. 4, 684 N.E.2d 668 (1997).
{¶37} In the case at bar, the jury heard the witnesses, viewed the evidence, and
heard both K.M. and Howell subject to cross-examination. The jury found Howell not
guilty of Rape. Thus, a rational basis exists in the record for the jury’s decision.
{¶38} We find that this is not an “‘exceptional case in which the evidence weighs
heavily against the conviction.’” State v. Thompkins, 78 Ohio St. 3d 380, 386–387, 678
N.E.2d 541 (1997), quoting Martin, 20 Ohio App. 3d at 175, 485 N.E.2d 717. Based upon
the foregoing and the entire record in this matter we find Howell’s conviction is not against
the sufficiency or the manifest weight of the evidence. To the contrary, the jury appears
to have fairly and impartially decided the matters before them. The jury heard the
witnesses, evaluated the evidence, and was convinced of Howell’s guilt. The jury neither
lost their way nor created a miscarriage of justice in convicting Howell of Sexual Battery.
{¶39} Finally, upon careful consideration of the record in its entirety, we find that
there is substantial evidence presented which if believed, proves all the elements of the
crime for which Howell was convicted.
{¶40} The sole assignment of error is overruled.
Stark County, Case No. 2019CA00063 14
{¶41} The judgment of the Stark County Court of Common Pleas is affirmed.
By Gwin, J.,
Hoffman, P.J., and
Wise, John, concur