State v. Martin

[Cite as State v. Martin, 2024-Ohio-5332.]

IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF OHIO

SEVENTH APPELLATE DISTRICT

JEFFERSON COUNTY

STATE OF OHIO,

Plaintiff-Appellee,

v.

JOHN EDWARD MARTIN,

Defendant-Appellant.

OPINION AND JUDGMENT ENTRY

Case No. 24 JE 0001

Criminal Appeal from the

Court of Common Pleas of Jefferson County, Ohio

Case No. 23 CR 10

BEFORE:

Carol Ann Robb, Cheryl L. Waite, Katelyn Dickey, Judges.

JUDGMENT:

Affirmed.

Atty. Jane M. Hanlin, Prosecutor, and Jeffrey J. Bruzzese, Assistant Prosecuting

Attorney, for Plaintiff-Appellee and

Atty. Stephen E. Palmer, for Defendant-Appellant.

Dated: November 6, 2024

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Robb, P.J.

{¶1} Defendant-Appellant John Edward Martin appeals his convictions of raping

a child, which were entered after a jury trial in the Jefferson County Common Pleas Court.

He raises arguments on the following topics: hearsay, confrontation clause, the scope of

the testimony by the child advocacy center physician, allowing the jury to watch the

victim’s mother assert the privilege against self-incrimination, restriction on detailed

questioning of a child witness on a romantic relationship with the victim, ineffective

assistance of counsel, whether a witness opined on victim veracity, sufficiency of the

evidence, and weight of the evidence. For the following reasons, Appellant’s convictions

are upheld, and the trial court’s judgment is affirmed.

STATEMENT OF THE CASE

{¶2} On March 1, 2023, Appellant was indicted on two counts of rape in violation

of R.C. 2907.02(A)(1)(b) (sexual conduct with a child under the age of 13). The offenses

were alleged to have occurred between January 1, 2019 and September 12, 2022. By

the end of this date range, the victim was twelve years old, and Appellant was her

stepfather. The case was tried to a jury where testimony was presented by the victim,

her middle school guidance counselor, friend 1, friend 2, a physician from the child

advocacy center where the victim was examined, and the investigating detective. Another

friend (friend 3) did not testify but is discussed in the testimony.

{¶3} At the time of the jury trial, the victim was fourteen years old. In discussing

the background of her initial disclosure, she testified she initially met with her middle

school guidance counselor to discuss concerns about her eating habits. Subsequently,

she told friend 3 something happened with Appellant the prior week. The victim testified

this friend encouraged her to tell someone, and they went to the guidance counselor’s

office to do so. (Tr. 276). According to the victim’s testimony, “I told him that he touched

me where I shouldn’t have been touched.” (Tr. 277). She then met with a social worker,

and the recorded interview was played at trial. This interview contained a similar

statement by the victim, who refrained from much speaking but made various gestures,

while indicating the touching included penetration. (St.Ex. 3). On the stand, the victim

attested she did not tell any lies in the video. (Tr. 283).

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{¶4} After this 2021 disclosure, Appellant moved out of their house; however, the

victim testified her mother did not support her disclosure. (Tr. 293, 297). As explained

by the victim, every time her mother asked if the allegations were true or if she were lying,

it seemed as if her mother wanted her to say they were not true. The victim also spoke

in person to Appellant’s mother, who was upset and told her not to make up allegations if

they were not true because they would put Appellant away for a long time. (Tr. 296-297).

Not long after this, her mother drove her to the police station where she told a police

officer the allegations were not true. According to the victim, she recanted because her

allegations were negatively affecting everyone in her family. (Tr. 298).

{¶5} Appellant moved back into the victim’s house. A few weeks later, the sexual

abuse resumed. (Tr. 299, 301). The victim testified Appellant put his penis in her vagina.

She also testified Appellant put his penis in her mouth. “Sometimes” this occurred when

her mother was away from the house. “Sometimes” this occurred when her mother was

in the shower. (Tr. 305). She testified Appellant forced her to have sex with him over a

period of time and if she went along with his requests, he would sometimes agree to help

her with certain things, such as claiming he would help her get her phone back from her

mother. (Tr. 310-311). However, when he discovered a phone she was using to text and

video call friend 2, he broke it. (Tr. 311-312). While she was on such a video call hiding

under her bed, he came in her room and asked her to have sex with him. (Tr. 308-309).

{¶6} The victim identified screenshots of text messages she sent to friend 2. (Tr.

313); (St.Ex. 2). In one text, friend 2 asked, “Who did you lose your v card to?” The victim

replied, “John I guess. But I don’t really count that . . . Because it wasn’t someone I

wanted. And it just feels weird to say, ‘oh heyyy my stepdad took my v card’.” When friend

2 asked the age of this person who was having sex with a child, the victim said, “He’s 30

something.” When the friend asked, “How many times did you suck John’s dick to get

what you want,” the victim replied, “Maybe like 6 or something. Maybe 7, idk.” When the

friend asked if Appellant “raped” her, the victim replied, “Pretty much.” In another text,

the victim mentioned an experience occurring minutes earlier by texting, “He just put it in

me once and then quit cause I said no.”

{¶7} The guidance counselor testified to his involvement in twice reporting his

concern for the victim to children services. On October 14, 2021, when the victim was

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eleven years old, he met with her after friend 1 wrote a note to a teacher expressing

concern about the victim’s sparse eating habits. (Tr. 208, 227); (St.Ex. 1). A month later,

on November 12, 2021, the victim entered his office with friend 3 and made a sexual

abuse disclosure that triggered his duty as a mandatory reporter. (Tr. 213-214, 228). On

cross-examination, the guidance counselor said the victim indicated the last time she was

abused was the prior week. (Tr. 228). He also said that not long after his report, the

victim explained to him that she decided to tell the authorities “nothing happened” after

conversations with her family made her feel anxious. (Tr. 230).

{¶8} On September 12, 2022, the guidance counselor learned information

requiring him to make second report to children services. Friend 2 showed him the

victim’s text messages indicating she was being sexually abused by her stepfather. (Tr.

219-220). When the guidance counselor then met with the victim, she merely stated if

she said something, “it would only complicate things at home.” (Tr. 222).

{¶9} After the 2022 allegations, the victim was placed with the family of friend 1,

who testified the victim slept with the bedroom light on and seemed scared around men

and to be alone. (Tr. 251-252). Friend 1 also spoke about when she first started having

concerns about the victim. She said the victim seem depressed and distant when school

reopened in the fall of 2020 after the pandemic closure. (Tr. 241-242). The victim dressed

more conservatively in clothes that seemed too hot for the temperature. The friend

noticed the victim biting her knuckles, pulling her hair out, and even more concerning

evidence of self-harm, including cuts on the victim’s wrists, thighs, and ankles. (Tr. 242-

243). During the next school year, friend 1 decided to write a note seeking help for the

victim’s eating habits. (Tr. 241, 245). She also testified that during the victim’s twelfth

birthday party, friend 3 spoke about being sexually abused. (Tr. 249-250).

{¶10} Friend 2, who reported the text messages to the guidance counselor,

confirmed her receipt of the texts from the victim and was asked about the content of the

texts. (Tr. 321-3335). She explained “V card” referred to virginity. (Tr. 334). She

additionally discussed a video call during which the victim was hiding under her bed while

grounded; the victim declared she heard someone coming in the room and immediately

thereafter reported it was John asking for sex. (Tr. 336-338). On cross-examination,

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Friend 2 testified she was in a relationship with the victim at the time the messages were

sent. (Tr. 341).

{¶11} The victim’s mother filed a motion to quash her subpoena on grounds of

spousal privilege and self-incrimination. She had pending child endangering charges

against her, which were filed as a result of the circumstances of this case. When called

as a witness by the state, the victim’s mother refused to testify and pled the Fifth

Amendment right against self-incrimination from the stand.

{¶12} The police detective assigned to the case in 2022 upon the second report

to children services testified to downloading the victim’s text messages from friend 2’s

phone. He said the texts covered the time period from December 20, 2021 (after the first

report and recantation) to July 15, 2022 (two months before the second report). (Tr. 378-

381). The detective was also involved in scheduling the 2022 child advocacy center

interview. He recapped the interview by testifying, “[The victim] didn’t say it didn’t happen,

but she didn’t say it did happen.” (Tr. 402, 407-408).

{¶13} The detective testified the victim’s mother indicated that she believed the

victim was lying. (Tr. 375). After the victim was physically examined by a child advocacy

center, the victim’s mother called and told him a virginity test showed the victim was still

a virgin; he noted he never heard of a virginity test in his training. (Tr. 381). The detective

identified a recorded jail call between Appellant and the victim’s mother, which was played

at trial. (Tr. 391); (St.Ex. 5).

{¶14} The detective’s interview of Appellant was also played. (Tr. 387-388);

(St.Ex. 4, stopping at the 40-minute mark). During the interview, Appellant said he

married the victim’s mother in July 2022 (between the 2021 and the 2022 allegations).

Appellant claimed the victim fabricated the 2021 allegations after her friends made up

similar allegations at a birthday party. According to Appellant, one child said if you report

you will get more gifts every year, and another child said that was how she got her

stepfather out of the house. Appellant said everything was fine between himself and the

victim after she recanted the 2021 allegations. He noted he did not permit the victim to

have a phone or use the internet. He also did not want her speaking to her friends who

were “gay or trans.” When he found her with a phone in the summer of 2022, he said he

disposed of it because he saw a message expressing love to her girlfriend. Appellant

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attributed the 2022 allegations to the victim being exposed to her friends when the school

year started.

{¶15} The supervising physician from a child advocacy center in Pittsburgh

testified the child was interviewed by their social worker and physically examined by their

physician assistant in November 2022. She explained the center’s medical personnel

relied on the interview, information learned during the exam, and the text messages to

determine appropriate testing, which is dependent on the types of sexual acts and the

length of time since the act. For instance, samples from the victim were taken by throat

swab, urine collection, and blood draws for various types of sexually transmitted diseases,

but a rape kit was not performed since the victim had been removed from Appellant’s

presence for a month by the time of the examination. (Tr. 452-454, 481-482).

{¶16} The physician relied on these items for her medical review and viewed the

images of the victim’s body as if conducting the examination “virtually” before signing the

medical report; she pointed out the physician assistant practiced under the physician’s

medical license. (Tr. 446-458, 483-485, 494, 502-503). The physician testified to her

observation that the victim’s hymen was intact, with a slight bump at the 6 o’clock position,

which could be a normal variant. (Tr. 458). She emphasized a normal examination of

the vaginal area does not indicate the lack of sexual assault. She explained there is no

virginity test, pointing out the hymen is a ring or “doughnut” of tissue and not a sheet. (Tr.

458-484). She also discussed the team’s concerns about the victim’s safety because she

was not believed by her mother who was claiming the medical tests showed the victim

was still a virgin. (Tr. 490). A phone call was played at trial, wherein the physician and

the victim’s mother discussed the results of the child’s medical examination and the

concerns for the child. (St. Ex. 6).

{¶17} The defense successfully requested lesser included offense instructions on

gross sexual imposition. However, the jury found Appellant guilty of both counts of rape.

The court imposed a sentence of 25 years to life on each count, ran the sentences

consecutively, and designated Appellant a Tier III sex offender. Appellant filed a timely

appeal from the January 9, 2024 sentencing entry.

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ASSIGNMENT OF ERROR ONE

{¶18} Appellant sets forth nine assignments of error, some containing multiple

arguments. The first assignment of error provides:

“The Trial Court committed reversible error by admitting improper hearsay in

violation of the Rules of Evidence thereby depriving Appellant of Due Process of Law as

guaranteed by the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments to the United States Constitution

and comparable provisions of the Ohio Constitution.”

{¶19} Appellant raises various inadmissibility claims based on the rule against

hearsay, Evid.R. 802. We begin by pointing out that some of the alleged instances of

error were not preserved for appeal. Error may not be predicated upon a ruling which

admits evidence unless a substantial right of the party is affected and a timely objection

or motion to strike appears of record, stating the specific ground of objection, if the specific

ground was not apparent from the context. Evid.R. 103(A)(1).

{¶20} Appellant therefore reasserts several allegations of hearsay under

assignment of error six, where he claims the failure to object constituted ineffective

assistance of counsel. We relocate those arguments here, incorporating by reference the

ineffective assistance test requiring deficiency and prejudice as set forth under the sixth

assignment of error.

{¶21} Appellant also cites the plain error doctrine. Pursuant to Crim.R. 52(B),

plain errors or defects affecting substantial rights may be noticed although they were not

brought to the attention of the trial court. However, the Supreme Court emphasizes that

plain error is a discretionary doctrine the appellate court may choose to employ only with

the utmost care in exceptional circumstances when required to avoid a manifest

miscarriage of justice. State v. Noling, 2002-Ohio-7044, ¶ 62. To establish plain error,

the defendant must demonstrate the court’s obvious error and must show the error

affected the outcome of trial. State v. Graham, 2020-Ohio-6700, ¶ 93, citing State v.

Barnes, 94 Ohio St.3d 21, 27 (2002). “The accused is therefore required to demonstrate

a reasonable probability that the error resulted in prejudice—the same deferential

standard for reviewing ineffective assistance of counsel claims.” State v. Rogers, 2015-

Ohio-2459, ¶ 22.

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{¶22} Hearsay is defined as “a statement, other than one made by the declarant

while testifying at the trial or hearing, offered in evidence to prove the truth of the matter

asserted in the statement.” Evid.R. 801(C). As emphasized by the state, a statement is

not hearsay if: “The declarant testifies at trial or hearing and is subject to examination

concerning the statement, and the statement is . . . consistent with declarant's testimony

and is offered to rebut an express or implied charge against declarant of recent fabrication

or improper influence or motive . . .” Evid.R. 801(D)(1)(b). A prior statement of a testifying

witness is also not hearsay if it was “one of identification of a person soon after perceiving

the person . . .” Evid.R. 801(D)(1)(c) (if the circumstances demonstrate the reliability of

the prior identification). Prior identification may be established by the person who made

the identification or by a third person in whose presence the identification was made.

State v. Boston, 46 Ohio St.3d 108, 124 (1989).

{¶23} During Appellant’s police interview, he made claims of recent fabrication,

improper influence, and motive to lie by the victim and her friends (in addition to his claim

of prior fabrication). Contrary to a contention in Appellant’s reply brief, the fact that the

state was the party introducing his interview did not bar the state from rebutting his

declarations. In fact, only the state could introduce these statements by Appellant, the

party opponent. Evid.R. 801(D)(2). The declarations Appellant made to defend himself

at the interview were part of his defense or at least were part of “an express or implied

charge against the declarant” victim under Evid.R. 801(D)(1)(b), whether or not he later

wanted them to be considered when ruling on the admissibility of the victim’s prior

consistent statements.

{¶24} In any event, defense counsel asserted to the jury in opening statements

that the victim’s latest allegations of oral and vaginal intercourse were recent fabrications

going beyond her original allegations, which she had previously recanted to children

services. The defense also actively claimed (or at least insinuated) the victim’s girlfriend

or friends influenced her to make up the allegations and the victim was motivated to do

so as a form of “currency” (to receive attention, gifts, and a new place to live).

{¶25} “Courts have repeatedly held that attacking a victim's credibility during

opening statements is grounds for permitting a prior consistent statement into evidence

under Evid.R. 801(D)(1)(b).” State v. Wright, 2022-Ohio-1786, ¶ 100 (2d Dist.), quoting

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State v. Black, 2019-Ohio-4977, ¶ 26 (8th Dist.), citing State v. Abdussatar, 2006-Ohio-

803, ¶ 15 (8th Dist.) (because defense counsel’s opening statement said the victim

fabricated the rape and because the victim testified at trial, the trial court did not err by

admitting a prior consistent statement in a letter); State v. Hunt, 2013-Ohio-5326, ¶ 39

(10th Dist.) (opening statement by the defense implied the victim lied to police, and this

allegation of recent fabrication or improper influence permitted the state to introduce the

victim's prior consistent statements). Likewise, this district concluded that impliedly or

expressly attacking the credibility of a victim or other witness during opening statements

is grounds for permitting a prior consistent statement into evidence pursuant to Evid.R.

801(D)(1)(b). State v. Hayes, 2019-Ohio-2696, ¶ 25-28 (7th Dist.).

{¶26} In addressing the specific items contested by Appellant as hearsay, we

begin with the state’s inquiry as to what the guidance counselor learned from friend 2 on

September 12, 2022 that resulted in his meeting with the victim the same day and

triggered his professional obligation to take action as a mandatory reporter. When

defense counsel objected, the state said the purpose was to show the basis for his

reporting and pointed out friend 2 and the victim would both be testifying at trial. The

guidance counselor then testified friend 2 showed him text messages she received

wherein the victim indicated she was being molested by her stepfather. (Tr. 219-220).

The guidance counselor’s general statement as to why he reported in 2022 after friend 2

showed him texts did not recite the specifics of the texts. He merely mentioned reading

a statement of identification proven to be sent by the testifying declarant, one who

thereafter confirmed her identity as the sender and confirmed the identification of her

abuser. Regardless, this disclosure by the guidance counselor did not prejudice the

defense considering the circumstances surrounding the texts discussed below.

{¶27} Appellant argues it was erroneous to admit the texts as an exhibit or

mention them in testimony. The victim informed the child advocacy center’s social worker

during the 2022 interview that she sent the texts. As the victim would not say more during

that interview, the texts were used for medical diagnosis and treatment in the subsequent

physical examination. At trial, the texts were identified by the testifying victim, who was

available for cross-examination had the defense opted to do so. The texts were also

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identified by friend 2, who received them on her phone and provided them to the detective.

This detective testified to retrieving the texts from the friend’s phone.

{¶28} The defense specifically voiced there was “No objection” to the admission

of the texts as State’s Exhibit 2 and their publication to the jury during the testimony of

friend 2. (Tr. 324). Notably, the victim specifically testified Appellant put his penis in her

mouth and in her vagina. Again, the defense claimed this was a fabrication that went

beyond her prior allegations; he also argued the victim’s claims were improperly induced

by the influence of friends and by the motive to receive attention and other benefits. See

Evid.R. 801(D)(1)(b).

{¶29} In opening statements, defense counsel said the texts were “evidence of a

child that has a problem, that has a need to fit in with her peers, has a need to maybe

play the victim with her girlfriend, and make allegations she never thought would end up

in a court of law.” (Tr. 199). In October 2022, Appellant told the police the victim recently

fabricated the allegations after being exposed to her friends at school upon the start of

the 2022 school year, and he indicated he prohibited the victim from seeing her friends

over the summer or using communication devices. Yet, the texts showed she had been

disclosing Appellant’s sexual abuse in the first half of 2022 (until he confiscated her

phone).

{¶30} As fully discussed in assignment of error six, effort must be made to avoid

the distorting effects of hindsight as there is a wide range of effective assistance by trial

counsel, who is strongly presumed to be competent. Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S.

668, 689 (1984). Counsel’s defense tactic was to discredit the victim and to show her

friends had influenced her to make up allegations. The genesis of this strategy was

Appellant’s assertion that the victim was instructed by her friends on the various reasons

to lie. Appellant made this assertion in his interview with the detective (although his date

of the birthday party varied from the date provided by a witness at trial). As explained

above, the recording of this interview was properly played for the jury as an admission by

a party opponent.

{¶31} Ineffective assistance of counsel has not been demonstrated in the lack of

objection to the texts. See, e.g., State v. Black, 2019-Ohio-4977, ¶ 33-36 (8th Dist.)

(defense counsel was not deficient for failing to object to alleged hearsay statements,

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such as the victim's prior statements to a friend or texts to her stepmother, as these were

prior consistent statements that could be seen as admissible nonhearsay). Moreover,

plain error by the trial court (in failing to sua sponte question the propriety of allowing the

texts into evidence) was not apparent. See, e.g., State v. Bouyer, 2023-Ohio-4793, ¶ 76

(8th Dist.) (no plain error where text messages from the victim to her mother about

feelings toward her mother’s husband was admissible to rebut claim that victim made

accusations based on improper motive).

{¶32} Returning to the guidance counselor, Appellant takes issue with his

testimony that at the 2022 meeting, the victim told him “if she talked it would only

complicate things between the family.” (Tr. 220). There was no objection to this

testimony. It benefited the defense to allow the jury to hear that the victim made no sexual

assault disclosure to the guidance counselor in 2022. Neither plain error nor ineffective

assistance of counsel is apparent.

{¶33} Appellant also says the guidance counselor presented inadmissible

hearsay by testifying that sometime after the victim’s 2021 disclosure, she told him she

was anxious, her family was disbelieving, and she recanted to please them by telling

children services “nothing happened.” (Tr. 230). This was not plain error. The

information was elicited by defense counsel on cross-examination. A defense strategy

was to emphasize the victim’s 2021 recantation and to argue the victim returned to

fabricating allegations to receive attention, including from friend 2 (who was emphasized

by the defense as encouraging the victim to make allegations). The tactic did not evince

ineffective assistance of counsel.

{¶34} Appellant then points to items from the guidance counselor’s file admitted

into evidence over his objection, including: the November 12, 2021 note from friend 1

expressing concern about the victim’s eating habits; the counselor’s brief office note from

November 12, 2021; the counselor’s brief office note from September 12, 2022; and a

September 20, 2022 non-detailed letter he received from children services acknowledging

receipt of his report and the opening of a case regarding this child. (St.Ex.1); (Tr. 221).

The information in these items was presented in the testimony, which in turn is discussed

elsewhere herein if raised. For instance, we discussed the admissibility of prior consistent

statements and statements of identification above.

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{¶35} Likewise, Appellant presents a hearsay argument as to friend 1 testifying

over objection that the victim told her she “had some sort of sex with an older guy, and it

wasn’t willing.” (Tr. 247). This 2021 disclosure also constituted a rebuttal to the defense

accusations of the victim fabricating new allegations in texts to friend 2 in 2022. We

additionally note friend 1 then said she believed the victim was talking about a teenager

when she mentioned an “older guy” which could be viewed as lessening any prejudice

from hearing this disclosure. (Tr. 248). Furthermore, the victim’s more specific 2021

disclosure made to authorities when she was eleven years old was in evidence through

other means, including through her own testimony. She initially testified he touched her

where she should not have been touched by using the body part that only men have

below the waist to touch the body part that only women have below the waist. (Tr. 277,

284). Although Appellant complains this was vague, the victim’s testimony subsequently

confirmed these parts were his penis and her vagina (when discussing how the abuse

“started up again” after her initial recantation). (Tr. 301-304).

{¶36} Then, Appellant argues friend 2 should not have been permitted to testify

over objection to the following items: she spoke to the guidance counselor in 2022 in

order to show him the victim’s texts (from months earlier) indicating Appellant was

sexually abusing her; Appellant would do favors for the victim when she complied with

requests for sex; and the victim hid the phone under the bed while they were on a video

call and soon returned to report Appellant asked her to have sex with him. (Tr. 322, 336-

337). As the state urges, the testimony contained prior consistent statements to rebut the

accusations of both past and recent fabrication, improper influence, or motive to lie and/or

contained statements identifying the testifying victim’s abuser, concepts addressed in our

general analysis of this assignment of error above. Additionally, the victim had already

testified to the underlying facts, and the texts were in evidence after it was specifically

stated the defense had “No objection” to the admission of the exhibit containing the texts.

(Tr. 324).

{¶37} Next, Appellant argues the trial court erred in admitting the recorded

interview of the victim by a child advocacy center social worker after the victim’s 2021

disclosure of Appellant’s sexual abuse. (St.Ex. 3). Because the victim testified, no

confrontation clause issue is raised here. State v. Minor, 2024-Ohio-1465, ¶ 52 (7th Dist.)

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(even testimonial portions of the interview serving primarily an investigative purpose are

not violative of the Sixth Amendment when the declarant is available for cross-

examination at trial). Rather, Appellant argues the recorded November 12, 2021 interview

was inadmissible hearsay.

{¶38} “Statements made for purposes of medical diagnosis or treatment and

describing medical history, or past or present symptoms, pain, or sensations, or the

inception or general character of the cause or external source thereof insofar as

reasonably pertinent to diagnosis or treatment.” Evid.R. 803(4) (the declarant need not

be unavailable). The dual capacity of the social worker at the child advocacy center

interviews does not transform the nature of a child’s entire interview from being for the

purpose of medical diagnosis and treatment to being merely investigatory. State v.

Arnold, 2010-Ohio-2742, ¶ 44 (applying primary purpose test for confrontation clause

test). Different statements in the interview can have different natures under the law. Id.

Even so, when the entire recording is played, any statements it may contain with a non-

medical purpose can be considered harmless. Id.

{¶39} During the victim’s testimony, defense counsel objected to playing the

November 12, 2021 video. (Tr. 278, 287-292). In specifying a portion that seemed purely

investigatory rather than for medical purposes, defense counsel pointed to the end of the

interview when the social worker returned to the interview room to ask the victim who was

with her when she first disclosed the abuse and the child answered by saying friend 3

went with her to the guidance counselor’s office. Defense counsel also argued the

medical diagnosis or treatment exception to the hearsay rule was not satisfied because

the social worker coordinated the interview with a police officer who possibly proposed

the last question. Additionally, after acknowledging a child’s discussion during a child

advocacy center interview of what body parts were touched could be for medical

treatment, the defense proclaimed an interview should lose its ability to qualify under the

medical diagnosis or treatment exception if a medical examination does not end up

occurring after the interview.

{¶40} First, as to the statement at the end of the video where the victim named

the friend who went with her when she first disclosed the abuse to her guidance

counselor, the victim had testified to this before the recording was played. (Tr. 276). In

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any event, defense counsel had already asked the guidance counselor on cross-

examination for the name of the friend who was with the victim during the first disclosure.

(Tr. 229). Moreover, this information did not bolster the state’s case but seemed favorable

to the defense theory that this particular friend encouraged the victim to make up sexual

abuse allegations in order to get what she wanted (as first proposed during Appellant’s

police interview).

{¶41} Regarding defense counsel’s general argument about police coordination

with medical personnel, the trial court agreed with the state’s argument that a child

advocacy center’s interview of a child does not transform into a purely investigatory one

if the police schedule it, consult with the social worker, and watch it from behind a mirror.

This is standard procedure in such cases at such places. (Tr. 393-394). The procedure

was developed in order to avoid subjecting a child-victim to multiple stressful interviews

by multiple agencies. Arnold at ¶ 29-30, 33. The investigating officer’s involvement

behind the scenes in these types of interviews is not a transformative feature of an

interview by a trained social worker conducting the dual-purpose interview (which will also

be used by the medical professionals who listen live or later to prepare for a pending or

a later-scheduled examination).

{¶42} On this point, the physical examination is a stage in the child’s medical

diagnosis and treatment plan occurring after the interview. However, there is no legal

support for defense counsel’s suggestion that it must occur immediately after or the same

day as the interview conducted with a purpose to gather information for the medical team.

Child advocacy center interviews are often scheduled by police officers several days or

weeks after a report due to the unavailability of immediate personnel (especially medical

professionals). However, this victim’s diagnostic interview by the social worker took place

on the same day the report was made. That is, the guidance counselor’s testimony

indicated the first disclosure by the victim to him occurred on November 12, 2021, the

victim testified she was driven to the interview on the same day as her disclosure to the

guidance counselor, and the video showed the date of November 12, 2021 on the corner

of the screen. (Tr. 228, 277).

{¶43} In any event, it is not improper to schedule the physical examination for a

different day (before which the recorded interview would be viewed by the attending

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medical personnel). And an interview does not retroactively become purely investigatory

with no medical purpose if the anticipated physical examination never takes place, such

as occurred here after the November 12, 2021 interview. Notably, four days after this

interview, the mother gave a written statement to police saying the child had recanted.

(Tr. 376-377). A month later, the mother transported the child to the police station to

formally recant to the investigating officer.

{¶44} Before the 2021 video was played, the victim identified herself as the person

in the recording (and testified she was interviewed on the same day as her disclosure to

the guidance counselor). (Tr. 277-278). After viewing the interview, it is clear the contents

would be relevant to medical diagnosis (with the exception of the name of friend 3, which

was already in evidence). This is especially true after considering the physician’s later

testimony about a 2022 interview and examination on the importance of certain

information in order to determine testing and treatment protocol.

{¶45} In any case, in making the various objections to the video disposed of

above, defense counsel did not specify the current argument on a lacking foundation to

show the purpose of the interview was for medical diagnosis. In other words, there was

no argument that the coordinating detective or interviewing social worker should have

been called before playing the video in order to lay a foundation, rather than assuming

the victim could lay the foundation for the video.

{¶46} We note the victim’s disclosure in the 2021 interview could be viewed as

rebutting the claim of recent fabrication, the claim about the motive to lie to gain attention

and other benefits, and the claim of the improper influence of the friends who allegedly

encouraged her to make up the allegations. Again, the defense theory was that the victim

fabricated the allegations in the text messages as a form of “currency” to receive attention,

gifts, and a new place to live. (Tr. 195); (St.Ex. 4). The evidence showed the text

messages did not start until after the victim’s recantation. (Tr. 378-381); (St.Ex. 2). In

opening statements, the defense described the victim’s verbal statements as being limited

to being “touched” (sexual contact) in order to support the theory that text messages about

sexual conduct were fabrications made after the 2021 disclosure (which was first made

to a guidance counselor while with a friend who had also disclosed sexual abuse to the

friend group). (Tr. 195-196).

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{¶47} However, the 2021 interview contained an indication by the victim that the

touching by Appellant included penetration. As explained above, a statement is not

hearsay if: “The declarant testifies at trial or hearing and is subject to examination

concerning the statement, and the statement is . . . (b) consistent with declarant's

testimony and is offered to rebut an express or implied charge against declarant of recent

fabrication or improper influence or motive, or (c) one of identification of a person soon

after perceiving the person, if the circumstances demonstrate the reliability of the prior

identification.” Evid.R. 801(D)(1).

{¶48} Under all of these circumstances, an obvious error on the specific

foundation argument presented on appeal does not exist, deficient performance by

counsel is not indicated, and prejudice is not apparent. It would be a reasonable tactic

for defense counsel to seek to exclude the video of the first interview on certain limited

grounds while also seeking to avoid instigating the prosecution to call additional state

witnesses, such as the prior detective and social worker, who may have possessed

further negative information to relay to the jury.

{¶49} Finally, in the last sentence of the first assignment of error, Appellant’s brief

says “each instance” of alleged hearsay was sufficiently damaging to warrant reversal

“separately and combined.” The doctrine of cumulative error is not specifically mentioned,

and the relevant law is not cited. Under the cumulative error doctrine, a conviction may

be reversible when a reviewing court is convinced the cumulative effect of errors in a trial

deprived the defendant of a fair trial, even though each instance of error was individually

found harmless. State v. McKelton, 2016-Ohio-5735, ¶ 321-322. A cumulative error

analysis cannot even be commenced if there were not multiple instances of error that

were individually found to be harmless. State v. Hunter, 2011-Ohio-6524, ¶ 132. Even

when a court finds multiple instances of harmless error, such harmless errors do not

become prejudicial by sheer weight of numbers. McKelton at ¶ 322. To the extent a

cumulative error argument is suggested, multiple errors have not been established, and

even if certain arguments could be considered harmless error, it has not been

convincingly established such instances combined to cause reversible prejudice.

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{¶50} We overrule Appellant’s first assignment of error. In doing so, we also

overrule the portion of his sixth assignment of error where he reiterated the arguments

from the first assignment of error under an ineffective assistance of counsel framework.

ASSIGNMENT OF ERROR TWO

{¶51} Appellant’s second assignment of error alleges:

“The Trial Court committed reversible error by admitting improper hearsay

evidence in violation of Appellant’s rights of confrontation and to due process of law

guaranteed by the Sixth and Fourteenth Amendments to the United States Constitution

and comparable provisions of the Ohio Constitution.”

{¶52} The federal confrontation clause provides, “In all criminal prosecutions, the

accused shall enjoy the right . . . to be confronted with the witnesses against him.” U.S.

Const. Amend. VI. Ohio’s Constitution provides no greater confrontation rights than the

Sixth Amendment. McKelton at fn. 8. Unlike the deference we give to the trial court's

hearsay decisions, “we review de novo evidentiary rulings that implicate the Confrontation

Clause.” Id. at ¶ 97. Even when out-of-court statements are admissible under state

hearsay rules of evidence, the statements may nevertheless violate a defendant's Sixth

Amendment right to confront witnesses if the statements “are testimonial and the

defendant has had no opportunity to cross-examine the declarant.” State v. Arnold, 2010-

Ohio-2742, ¶ 13, citing Crawford v. Washington, 541 U.S. 36, 68 (2004).

{¶53} Because the confrontation clause does not apply to non-testimonial

statements, a statement will not be evaluated under the confrontation clause unless its

primary purpose was testimonial. Ohio v. Clark, 576 U.S. 237, 245-247 (2015). In

determining whether a statement was testimonial, the court considers whether the

primary purpose of the conversation was to create an out-of-court substitute for trial

testimony. Id. at 245 (extending the primary purpose test to statements made to

individuals who are not law enforcement agents). Where a non-testimonial statement is

admitted, the confrontation clause does not apply, and the matter is left to the application

of state rules of evidence such as those on hearsay. Michigan v. Bryant, 562 U.S. 344,

358-359 (2011).

{¶54} A trial court does not violate the confrontation clause by admitting a prior

testimonial statement, including one made to police, where the witness testified subject

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to cross-examination at trial, even if the statement was offered during the testimony of a

different witness. State v. Lang, 2011-Ohio-4215, ¶ 113; State v. Perez, 2009-Ohio-6179,

¶ 127, quoting Crawford, 541 U.S. at fn. 9. Likewise, the failure to raise a Sixth

Amendment violation in such a situation does not constitute ineffective assistance of

counsel. State v. Jones, 2024-Ohio-2562, ¶ 33 (7th Dist.) (where defense claimed some

portions of the child advocacy center’s interview video were primarily investigative rather

than for medical diagnosis, there was no confrontation clause issue because the child-

victim testified at trial), citing State v. Palmer, 2022-Ohio-2643, ¶ 8-9 (7th Dist.).

{¶55} In accordance with this law, Appellant only raises confrontation clause

arguments as to statements by declarants who did not testify at trial. Appellant’s prior

assignment of error initially challenged these items as hearsay, and this assignment adds

a confrontation clause argument. Regarding the items that Appellant contests under both

principles, we have moved the hearsay arguments to this section in order to avoid having

to repeat the content of each declaration and the procedure surrounding its admission.

Appellant acknowledges a lack of objections on these items but asserts plain error and/or

ineffective assistance of counsel.

{¶56} Appellant challenges the admissibility of two phone calls involving the

victim’s mother, who did not testify after pleading the Fifth Amendment. First, a recorded

jail call between Appellant and the victim’s mother was played during the detective’s

testimony. (St.Ex. 5). The defense had no objection to the playing of the jail call. (Tr.

391, 553).

{¶57} On appeal, Appellant makes conclusory hearsay and confrontation clause

arguments as to this call. On the jail call, Appellant listened and responded to statements

the victim’s mother made. She discussed dealing with children services on the victim’s

current and future custody arrangements. She reported to Appellant on her plan to get

the child removed from friend 1’s house and to get Appellant released. Appellant asked

if she found out what changed between the closing of the prior investigation and the filing

of the complaint against him in the case at bar. Appellant criticized the agency for not

revealing every fact they were relying upon. There was mention of the need to discover

more information about what prompted this new investigation of Appellant. This

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suggested an inquiry with the agency or even questioning the child, depending on who

obtained custody.

{¶58} As discussed above (regarding Appellant’s police interview), a defendant’s

own statement can be introduced by the state as non-hearsay. Evid.R. 801(D)(2)(a)

(admission by a party-opponent). The state can also introduce as non-hearsay “a

statement of which the [defendant] has manifested an adoption or belief in its truth . . .”

Evid.R. 801(D)(2)(b).

{¶59} As the state points out, statements of a person on a call with a defendant

can be presented in order to place the defendant’s responses in context and give his

statements meaning. State v. Spires, 2005-Ohio-4471, ¶ 39 (7th Dist.). Most of the

mother’s statements gave context to Appellant’s own answers and declarations on the

day the complaint was filed against him, especially those near the end of the call when

he lamented the lack of information on the accusations against him and presumed he

would not be able to make bail because it would be high. Additionally, some statements

on the jail call tended to show the declarant’s plan involving custody of the child-victim

and contained statements of intent (to get off the phone to arrive in time for the imminent

meeting with children services at friend 1’s house where the child was staying). See

Evid.R. 803(B)(3). The trial court did not commit an obvious error by failing to sua sponte

preclude the playing of the jail call, and counsel did not commit a serious error in allowing

it to be played without objecting.

{¶60} Likewise, the statements of the victim’s mother on the jail call did not violate

the confrontation clause merely because she was not available to be cross-examined at

trial due to her pleading the Fifth Amendment. To be labeled as testimonial, the primary

purpose of her statements must have been to provide an out-of-court substitute for

testimony. Clark, 576 U.S. at 245-247 (also noting “the primary purpose test is a

necessary, but not always sufficient, condition for the exclusion of out-of-court statements

under the Confrontation Clause”). However, there was no indication this was the

declarant’s primary purpose when speaking to her husband, whom she supported and

believed, on the day of his arrest. See State v. Stewart, 2009-Ohio-3411, ¶ 90, 96 (3d

Dist.) (pointing out the comments of others to the defendant on a transactional recording

provided context for his own statements and concluding there was no indication the

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primary purpose of those speaking in a recorded jail call was to prove past events

potentially relevant to later criminal prosecution); State v. Hampton, 2019-Ohio-2555, ¶

35 (5th Dist.) (in addressing jail calls, the court observed, “When statements are made

for the primary purpose of communicating with friends or family, they are not made to aid

in the prosecution or as the result of an interrogation”).

{¶61} In sum, a non-testifying witness’s statements to his friends or relatives are

non-testimonial where the primary purpose of the statements was not to create an out-of-

court substitute for trial testimony. State v. Malvasi, 2022-Ohio-4556, ¶ 57 (7th Dist.),

citing State v. Ash, 2018-Ohio-1139, ¶ 72-75 (7th Dist.), citing Giles v. California, 554 U.S.

353, 376 (2008) (statements to friends are not subject to the confrontation clause);

McKelton, 2016-Ohio-5735, at ¶ 185 (where the Ohio Supreme Court held the statement

of defendant's daughter to the victim's niece was non-testimonial). In the absence of a

testimonial statement, there was no confrontation violation.

{¶62} We also point out the lack of prejudice, which is required for plain error and

ineffective assistance of counsel. Appellant argues the statements by the victim’s mother

in the jail call prejudiced his case because of a statement by the prosecutor in closing

arguments. In countering the suggestion by the defense that the victim made up the

allegation so she could go live with friend 1, the prosecutor suggested the jail call

indicated the mother still could have recommended where the child would live (if she could

find a willing relative). (Tr. 590). However, this does not support a claim of prejudice.

{¶63} The recording indicated the child was living at friend 1’s house prior to the

day Appellant was arrested, and the testimony showed she remained at that home

through the time of trial. This actually supported the defense’s theory that the victim

fabricated the allegations in order to escape from her home and/or to live with her friend

(as well as to get attention or gifts). (Tr. 195-199, 268-270); (St.Ex. 4). Additional

statements during the call indicated the victim’s mother and Appellant’s parents supported

and believed him over the child. Defense counsel’s lack of objection to the jail call was

not deficient or prejudicial. Likewise, there was no obvious and prejudicial error

committed by the trial court in failing to sua sponte preclude the jail call to be played in its

entirety.

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{¶64} Next, Appellant challenges the admissibility of the recorded phone call

during which the victim’s mother spoke to the testifying physician in a conference call

(while the detective was on the line). (St.Ex.6). In the call, the mother claimed the child

advocacy center informed her the child was still a virgin because her hymen was intact.

She also claimed a gynecologist at a different well-known clinic told her a virginity test

was available. In response and due to concern for a child’s safety where a mother

expresses such beliefs, the physician made some of the same explanations that she

presented in her trial testimony about the ability of the vagina to stretch and heal, the non-

existence of a virginity test, and the concept that it is normal to see normal test results for

sexual assault victims.

{¶65} The state’s brief argues the mother’s declarations were admissible under

the statement against interest hearsay exception as she was unavailable as a witness,

citing State v. Baker, 137 Ohio App.3d 628, 654 (12th Dist. 2000) (holding the statement

of the defendant’s girlfriend was admissible after she pled the Fifth Amendment because

it showed she was helping appellant avoid detection for a crime). The victim’s mother

was viewed as having pressured the victim’s recantation after the first round of

disclosures and was accused of child endangering due to the second round of disclosures

during which she insisted her child’s examination showed she was a virgin and accused

her child of fabricating claims of sexual assault.

{¶66} Under the statement against interest exception, where the declarant is

unavailable as a witness, the court may admit a “statement that was at the time of its

making so far contrary to the declarant's pecuniary or proprietary interest, or so far tended

to subject the declarant to civil or criminal liability, or to render invalid a claim by the

declarant against another, that a reasonable person in the declarant's position would not

have made the statement unless the declarant believed it to be true.” Evid.R. 804(B)(3)

(if “corroborating circumstances clearly indicate the truth worthiness of the statement”).

{¶67} The trial court noted the victim’s mother raised spousal privilege and the

right against self-incrimination, and the court relieved her from testifying when she took

the stand and pled the Fifth Amendment. A declarant is unavailable if the court exempts

her on the ground of privilege from testifying on the subject matter of her statement.

Evid.R. 804(A)(1).

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{¶68} No objection was made to the physician’s introductory discussion and

identification of the recording during her trial testimony. (Tr. 473-474,489-491). There

was then a break for the state to arrange the playing of the recording at the proper place.

After the break, the physician explained the reason for the phone call, and the prosecution

asked to admit the phone call and publish it to the jury. The defense specifically

conceded, “No objection as to the relevant portions of this phone call.” (Tr. 491-492).

{¶69} Regarding the aforementioned relevant portions, the record shows they

began playing the recording at the point where the victim’s mother got on the conference

call and stopped it before the detective started speaking about a future meeting. (Tr. 490-

493). During the subsequent admission of exhibits, defense counsel again voiced the

defense had no objection to this exhibit. (Tr. 553-554).

{¶70} This was a strategic decision, as the defense needed to demonstrate the

victim was not credible, and allowing the jury to hear the victim’s mother disparage her

credibility bolstered the defense. The court’s failure to sua sponte raise a hearsay or

confrontation clause argument as to the recorded phone call was not an obvious error.

The physician testified to the items she discussed in the call in any event, and the

mother’s statements were not offered for the truth of the matter asserted. See Evid.R.

801(C). In addition, outcome determinative prejudice is not evident, even assuming the

call was objectionable. In addition to the fact that the physician testified to the information

she relayed in the call, the mother’s statements did not incriminate Appellant and were

reasonably utilized as part of his defense.

{¶71} Lastly, Appellant takes issue with the testifying physician referring to

information she learned from other child advocacy center employees at the time of the

victim’s 2022 visit to the center. The physician testified about how the child was

interviewed by a social worker and examined by the physician assistant without a parent’s

presence and then the parent was provided with information. When the physician noted

her physician assistant “was very concerned about the mother’s interaction,” defense

counsel objected on hearsay grounds. (Tr. 448). After the state established a foundation

through testimony that the physician assistant practices on the physician’s license and

the supervising physician relies on her physician assistant’s observations, defense

counsel withdrew his objection. (Tr. 451).

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{¶72} The physician then testified the victim had a hard time in the interview and

the only sexual history the social worker could elicit from the victim was that the cited text

messages were sent by the victim, and they were true. (Tr. 454, 456). There was no

objection by defense counsel. Appellant says this lack of objection and the earlier

withdrawal of an objection constituted ineffective assistance of counsel and plain error,

as there was a violation of the hearsay rules and the confrontation clause because the

physician assistant and social worker did not testify.

{¶73} As to the victim’s statement about her texts, a hearsay exception allows

“[s]tatements made for purposes of medical diagnosis or treatment and describing

medical history, or past or present symptoms, pain, or sensations, or the inception or

general character of the cause or external source thereof insofar as reasonably pertinent

to diagnosis or treatment.” Evid.R. 803(4). As we recited earlier, the physician explained

why the victim’s sexual history was relevant to the examination, testing, and treatment.

The physician relied on the information learned during the interview and examination to

fulfill her role as the supervising physician conducting a post-visit virtual examination and

making her report. The trial court could reasonably assume counsel refrained from

objecting because the statement attributed to the victim (regarding her text messages on

sexual acts she experienced) satisfied the exception in Evid.R. 803(4). See State v.

Runnion, 2022-Ohio-3785, ¶ 21 (7th Dist.).

{¶74} Likewise, the portions of a child advocacy center interview containing a

child's statements relevant to medical diagnosis and treatment are nontestimonial and

thus admissible without violating confrontation rights. State v. Arnold, 2010-Ohio-2742,

¶ 44 (but portions of the interview containing statements serving “primarily a forensic or

investigative purpose are testimonial and are inadmissible pursuant to the Confrontation

Clause when the declarant is unavailable for cross-examination at trial”).

{¶75} In any event, the child, as the ultimate declarant, testified at trial and was

available for cross-examination by the defense. Accordingly, even testimonial portions

would not violate the confrontation clause. See id.; State v. Minor, 2024-Ohio-1465, ¶ 52

(7th Dist.) (where the child testified at trial, the defendant could not make a confrontation

clause argument about non-medical portions of the child advocacy center video of the

interview played during the medical director’s testimony).

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{¶76} Regardless, as to both issues, the defense wished to highlight, not hide, the

fact that the victim’s mother believed Appellant rather than her daughter. Defense

counsel tactically decided to cross-examine the physician on her understanding of the

victim’s claim rather than object on hearsay or confrontation grounds. That is, his cross-

examination of the physician pointed out the original notes did not say the victim said her

texts were true, only that the victim said she wrote the texts. This was an important

distinction that counsel was tactically permitted to emphasize. He wished to cast doubt

on the victim’s disclosures and on the rationality of the center’s concern about the

mother’s disbelief of the child’s texted claims. Counsel’s performance was not deficient,

and the trial court did not commit an obvious error or an error causing outcome

determinative prejudice. This assignment of error is overruled.

ASSIGNMENT OF ERROR THREE

{¶77} Appellant’s third assignment of error argues:

“The Trial Court committed error by permitting testimony from a state expert in

violation of Ohio Criminal Rule 16(K), thereby depriving Appellant of due process of law

as guaranteed by the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments to the United States Constitution

and Article 1, section 10 of the Ohio Constitution.”

{¶78} “An expert witness for either side 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.” Crim.R. 16(K). The purpose of this rule

is to strengthen the due process right to a fair trial and to prevent unfair surprise by giving

notice to the defendant, so he has an opportunity to challenge the expert's findings or

qualifications. State v. Boaston, 2020-Ohio-1061, ¶ 44, 48 (coroner’s report should have

additionally disclosed that he would testify on time of death and on his comparison of a

wound to an item collected as evidence by police). “Failure to disclose the written report

to opposing counsel shall preclude the expert's testimony at trial.” Crim.R. 16(K).

However, only the opinion exceeding the scope of a supplied report is subject to exclusion

under the rule. See Boaston at ¶ 58.

{¶79} Notably, a fact witness is not necessarily being called to testify as an expert

witness because he has expertise in a certain field. State v. Rydarowicz, 2023-Ohio-916,

¶ 53 (7th Dist.). The rules allow “treating physicians to render opinions based upon their

Case No. 24 JE 0001

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personal observations and perceptions.” Id. at ¶ 54. “It is well established that a treating

medical professional may be called at trial to testify as an observer of a patients’ physical

condition and not as an expert retained in anticipation of litigation.” Id., quoting State v.

Reed, 2021-Ohio-858, ¶ 30 (5th Dist.).

{¶80} “The Ohio Supreme Court has accepted the trend toward allowing lay

witnesses to express their opinions in areas in which it would ordinarily be expected that

an expert must be qualified under Evid.R. 702.” State v. Baker, 2020-Ohio-7023, ¶ 35

(7th Dist.), citing State v. McKee, 91 Ohio St.3d 292, 296 (2001). Lay opinion based on

personal knowledge and experience can fall within Evid.R. 701, even on a subject outside

the realm of common knowledge. McKee at 296-297, citing Evid.R. 701 (“If the witness

is not testifying as an expert, the witness’ testimony in the form of opinions or inferences

is limited to those opinions or inferences which are (1) rationally based on the perception

of the witness and (2) helpful to a clear understanding of the witness’ testimony or the

determination of a fact in issue.”).

{¶81} Furthermore, the expert report requirement is satisfied where other

discovery evidence indicating the content of the testimony was provided to the defense

in a timely manner. See Rydarowicz at ¶ 58, citing State v. Heller, 2019-Ohio-4722, ¶ 8

(9th Dist.) (the treating physician from a children's hospital, who was testifying about the

injuries she observed as a fact witness, was permitted to testify the injuries appeared non-

accidental without having provided an expert report to the defense where the physician's

conclusion was consistent with the medical records); State v. Blue, 2021-Ohio-1703, ¶ 56

(5th Dist.), citing State v. Allenbaugh, 2020-Ohio-68, ¶ 36 (11th Dist.), citing State v. Fetty,

2012-Ohio-6127 (11th Dist.) (the medical records, in lieu of an expert report, adequately

provided the requesting party with necessary information).

{¶82} Even if a treating physician's conclusion is considered to have ventured into

the realm of expert opinion that should have been specifically added to the disclosed

medical report, the alleged error is considered harmless where the defense was not taken

by surprise and the ability to cross-examine the witness was not obstructed. See

Rydarowicz at ¶ 58, 62; Heller, 2019-Ohio-4722, ¶ 10. In other words, Crim.R. 16 does

not prohibit the reviewing court from conducting a harmless error analysis. Boaston,

2020-Ohio-1061, at ¶ 59-71 (finding the coroner’s lacking disclosures harmless).

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{¶83} Appellant argues certain portions of the physician’s testimony violated the

discovery rule in Crim.R. 16(K). The state points out the physician was disclosed as a

state witness and the medical records and report she signed as the supervising physician

were provided in discovery as well. As part of her function at the center, she considered

the medical history learned and gleaned during the interview, reviewed the test propriety

and results, viewed the vaginal images during a virtual examination, and signed a medical

report, which was disclosed in discovery along with the underlying medical documentation

and records. The physician was an expert in her field and was a fact witness as the

supervising and examining physician at the child advocacy center.

{¶84} The state also emphasizes how the defense opened the door to the

prosecution eliciting rebuttal evidence from the physician on the question of whether the

lack of physical evidence or the existence of a child’s hymen shows a lack of sexual

conduct, particularly vaginal penetration. In opening statements, defense counsel

presented the theory that the victim made false accusations in text messages as a form

of “currency” to receive attention, including from friend 2 whose texts were viewed as

pressuring the victim to answer questions about her situation. (Tr. 195). Concluding the

text disclosures were the product of a troubled child with a need to “play the victim with

her girlfriend,” the defense declared the victim’s initial vague report on inappropriate

“touching” would be the only evidence, emphasizing the victim once recanted the initial

report. (Tr. 195-196, 199). Defense counsel also stated:

By the way, you will not hear any doctor say that there’s any physical

evidence of anything. You will probably hear a doctor say, “Well, that

doesn’t matter. It doesn’t prove anything.” But this is a matter of common

sense. She was sent to a physical evaluation in Pittsburgh, a clinic that

specializes in this, where she was examined head-to-toe under a

microscope, and there were no findings, no physical findings except for

things that were natural variations, not evidence of injury at all . . . The

bottom line is the state is promising you they’re going to prove this occurred

beyond a reasonable doubt, and the physical evidence will show that it

did not happen.

(Emphasis added.) (Tr. 197-199).

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{¶85} When the state called the physician to the stand, defense counsel had no

objection to her qualifications as an expert in the field of child sexual abuse. While

acknowledging the defense knew she would be testifying as a fact witness as the

supervising or treating physician, counsel objected to her “rendering any expert opinion

that is an opinion outside of the evidence in this case” because the defense did not receive

a specific expert report separate from the medical report and underlying medical

documentation. (Tr. 438-440). We must point out the precise documents disclosed in

discovery and their myriad contents are not part of the trial record before this court.

{¶86} The state argued the witness, the medical report, and the related medical

items were timely disclosed. Additionally, the state argued the defense’s opening

statement opened the door to rebuttal testimony on the concept that “it’s normal to be

normal and the lack of physical evidence doesn’t indicate a lack of abuse.” (Tr. 440, 442-

443).

{¶87} Defense counsel stated, “if the testimony is limited to rebutting the idea that

since there’s no physical evidence, it means that no abuse happened, I don’t even object

to that because I knew she was going to say that . . . I think she could testify that the lack

of physical evidence doesn’t necessarily mean this did not happen.” At the same time,

he insisted the physician should be prohibited from mentioning other cases or everything

she knows as an expert, arguing this would exceed the scope of the medical records and

report provided in discovery. (Tr. 441). He gave examples of what he may have retained

a defense expert to say about an expert’s “general statements about what some

childhood rape victims say, or why they disclose or why they delay disclosure, or why

they sometimes don’t have physical injuries.”

{¶88} As to the last example in the quote, which is the topic at issue here, defense

counsel then recognized the state’s disclosure claim or rebuttal right by stating, “And I’m

not even objecting to her saying what I just said, the last statement, that some physical

injuries are not always present.” (Tr. 444). The court instructed defense counsel to

specify objections during the questioning if he believed the physician’s testimony was

crossing over the line counsel was alleging.

{¶89} On appeal, Appellant takes issue with the physician’s answer to the

question, “What would your reply be if someone stood in the courtroom and said that the

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physical evidence would prove that no sexual assault happened?” After stating this would

be a false statement, the physician gave the following explanation: “a normal exam does

not exclude any type of sexual abuse, and that is based on both years of experience and,

more importantly, medical literature that supports that is what we term, it is normal to be

normal. There are numerous reasons that ninety-five percent of the exams that we do

are normal.” Notably, there was no objection here on the basis of the scope of the report;

and, the ground for the objection prior to the state’s question was, “Just the form of the

question.” (Tr. 464-465).

{¶90} Appellant also cites to the following statements in the physician’s testimony:

a person’s “hymen can still be intact” after vaginal sexual penetration; there is no virginity

test; the concept of “popping the cherry” is a myth; and a twelve-year-old girl’s vagina

stretches and heals. (Tr. 469-473, 482-486).1 Appellant ignores the fact that at trial,

defense counsel acknowledged the state could elicit testimony that the lack of physical

findings regarding the child’s hymen did not indicate a lack of sexual conduct and said

the witness could be asked about her personal experience when explaining the presence

of a hymen in someone who claims to be sexually assaulted. (Tr. 444, 471).

{¶91} The physician’s testimony on a hymen is part of her expected function as

the supervising physician at a child advocacy center who is testifying as to her

examination of the child’s vagina and the resulting findings, which were said to be

provided in the medical report she signed. It was conceded the defense was aware the

physician would testify a non-torn hymen did not demonstrate a lack of penetration.

{¶92} Appellant also points to the physician’s answer when the state asked, “Can

you back up your last statement that it’s normal to be normal, through . . . your personal

experience as a practicing physician in this field, your education or study, or any other

data?” The physician answered that she could share her experience “[b]ut medicine

needs to be evidence driven and so” at which point defense counsel objected. Counsel

opined the answer would go too far into the territory of a general expert opinion, the state

replied it was part of the rebuttal to the opening statement, and the court overruled the

objection. (Tr. 465).

1 The victim’s mother had been asserting that the child advocacy center’s examination showed the child

was still a virgin and claimed she consulted with a gynecologist who could administer a virginity test.

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{¶93} The physician then testified about studies in medical literature that support

her experience that 95% of their clinic’s exams are “normal” as to the physical findings.

(Tr. 466-468). A factual witness, who happens to be an expert, can explain that their

experience (on lacking physical evidence in a child sex abuse case) is confirmed by

studies they read, at least where the defense suggested the lack of physical evidence

was a “common sense” factor favorable to Appellant and broadly declared this

demonstrated the lack of sexual abuse. Counsel knew the opinions held by the physician

due to the disclosure of the medical report she signed and the recorded phone

conversation between the physician and the victim’s mother, which the defense reviewed

(and then specifically informed the court that there would be no objection to the relevant

portions delineated by the parties prior to the playing of the call for the jury). And again,

the opening statement by the defense started down this path by declaring, “the physical

evidence will show that it did not happen.” (Tr. 199).

{¶94} Even assuming arguendo, the review of the results of specific studies

leaned toward expert opinion to be disclosed separately from or distinctly within the

treating physician’s medical report, the studies mentioned did not constitute the main

portion of her testimony or of the state’s case against Appellant, and their review by the

physician would be considered harmless under Crim.R. 52(A). An error is harmless and

not reversible unless all of the following items are established: (1) prejudice; (2) the court

finds the error is not harmless beyond a reasonable doubt; and (3) the remaining

evidence, after excising the prejudicial error, does not establish guilt beyond a reasonable

doubt. State v. Harris, 2015-Ohio-166, ¶ 37

{¶95} Lastly, Appellant points to the physician’s testimony that she would not

expect to recover DNA evidence due to the passing of time since that last exposure to

the accused, which is why a rape kit was not performed. (Tr. 476-482). A rape kit would

have required the insertion of objects into the child’s various orifices for swabbing, as

opposed to their decision to use the colposcope for magnifying, which simply required the

spreading of legs. As the trial court ruled, the explanation on the passing of time was part

of the factual reasons for performing or not performing DNA swabs during the examination

of the victim at issue. (Tr. 476). This is expected testimony from an

examining/supervising physician testifying about the treatment of the victim during the

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examination, especially where the defense’s opening statement emphasized the lack of

physical evidence and its ramifications. This assignment of error is overruled.

ASSIGNMENT OF ERROR FOUR

{¶96} Appellant’s fourth assignment of error contends:

“The Trial Court committed prejudicial error by allowing the State to call [the

victim’s mother] as a prosecuting witness to elicit a claim of privilege against self-

incrimination and thereby deprived Appellant of his right to due process of law as

guaranteed by the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments to the United States Constitution

and comparable provisions of the Ohio Constitution.”

{¶97} Appellant points out the parties knew the victim’s mother would not be

testifying. Before trial, she filed a motion to quash the subpoena based on spousal

privilege and the privilege against self-incrimination. She was represented by counsel,

and the court was in agreement that she would not be testifying. When the state

announced this witness’ attorney had arrived and the state would be calling her next,

defense counsel agreed the jury could be instructed the witness would not be testifying

because she invoked the Fifth Amendment; however, the defense objected to calling her

to the stand in front of the jury to assert her right. (Tr. 359-360).

{¶98} It was claimed the “optics” of this procedure would be unfairly prejudicial to

the defense. (Tr. 360, 363). The court pointed out the parties agreed there was no case

prohibiting this procedure as long as the state did not continue to examine the witness

after her successful invocation of privilege. (Tr. 364-366). The defense acknowledged

the issue was a matter for the court’s discretion and alternatively sought a limiting

instruction ordering the jury to refrain from inferring anything from the witness’s refusal to

testify. (Tr. 363, 366). The court overruled the objection and granted the limiting

instruction.

{¶99} When the victim’s mother was called to the stand, the prosecutor asked her

name and then asked if she intended to plead the Fifth Amendment right against self-

incrimination in response to any additional questions he may ask her. The witness

responded in the affirmative, and the court immediately made the following

announcement: “The witness, having invoked her right under the Fifth Amendment, is

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hereby excused. Okay. The Jury will not consider her invocation of that Constitutional

right for any purpose.” (Tr. 369).

{¶100} Appellant claims the state followed this procedure in order to generate an

adverse inference against Appellant. He notes how the state placed the victim’s mother

in a negative light by the evidence indicating she did not believe her child’s allegations.

The state points out any negative inference would have resulted from the victim’s

testimony about feeling unsupported by her mother, as opposed to being the result of the

jury watching the mother exercise her Fifth Amendment right from the stand. As the

defense agreed there would be no issue if the court informed the jury the mother would

not be testifying because she exercised her right against self-incrimination, it is difficult to

discern the prejudice of having the jury watch the seconds-long placing of the assertion

on the record.

{¶101} In any event, as the state points out, the case cited by Appellant does not

support his argument on appeal. In the cited case, the Supreme Court held:

In a criminal case, where a claim of a witness that he cannot be compelled

to testify as a witness because of the privilege of immunity from self-

incrimination is properly established, it is error prejudicial to the defendant

for the court to permit counsel for the state, by continued questioning of the

witness, which questions go unanswered, to get before the jury innuendoes

and inferences of facts, conditions and circumstances which the state could

not get before the jury by direct testimony of the witness.

(Emphasis added.) State v. Dinsio, 176 Ohio St. 460 (1964), syllabus.

{¶102} The Court discussed various positions in different courts, but then adopted

the following position: “A witness, even though he has previously indicated that he will

refuse to testify on the ground that to do so would incriminate him, may be called as a

witness . . . The possibility that a witness may claim the privilege does not prohibit the

prosecutor from asking questions.” Id. at 466. The Court thus found, “There is no error

in this case in the prosecutor's calling of the witness or in the first series of questions

which the prosecutor asked and which elicited from the witness the claim of privilege and

a refusal to testify.” Id. The only error was the prosecution’s repeated questioning while

using proposed evidence that it could not otherwise interject into the record. Id. at 468.

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{¶103} Here, the state merely asked the witness her name and whether she was

pleading the Fifth Amendment. This was specifically described as acceptable in Dinsio.

Id. at 466. Accordingly, no error occurred by leaving the jury in the courtroom while the

witness was called to the stand. This was made clear in a more recent case as well,

where the Supreme Court observed, “Appellant argues that Dinsio stands for the

proposition that a witness may not be questioned merely to elicit an assertion of his Fifth

Amendment privilege. However, that is not the holding of Dinsio.” City of Columbus v.

Cooper, 49 Ohio St.3d 42, 45 (1990). “Dinsio does not preclude questioning which may

elicit the assertion of the Fifth Amendment privilege, but merely repeated questioning

where reassertion of the privilege is assured.” Id. The Supreme Court also specifically

rejected the defendant’s argument that the calling of a witness at trial merely to have the

privilege asserted on the stand was erroneous if the privilege was already established in

an earlier proceeding, as “the mere questioning of a witness which elicits the assertion of

the Fifth Amendment privilege is not error.” Id. Accordingly, this assignment of error is

without merit.

ASSIGNMENT OF ERROR FIVE

{¶104} Appellant’s fifth assignment of error contends:

“The Trial Court committed reversible error by prohibiting the defense from cross-

examining a key witness about her relationship with the alleged victim in violation of

Appellant’s rights of confrontation, to present a defense, and to due process of law as

guaranteed by the Sixth and Fourteenth Amendments to the United States Constitution

and comparable provisions of the Ohio Constitution.”

{¶105} When the defense was cross-examining friend 2 about the texts recovered

from her phone, the state objected to in-depth questioning on the nature of their

relationship at a side bar. When the state mentioned the rape shield law, defense counsel

said he would not ask about sexual relations, and the court agreed the law dealt with a

victim’s prior sexual activities. See R.C. 2907.02(D); (Tr. 342-344, 350). The state then

argued the topic of whether they were girlfriends was irrelevant and slanderous for the

preteens. The prosecutor also said if defense counsel delved into the victim’s same sex

romantic relationship when she was twelve years old (or less), then the state would

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counter with evidence on the ways that sexually abused children act out and present

testimony the victim subsequently had a boyfriend.

{¶106} Defense counsel said the existence of a romantic relationship between the

middle-schoolers was relevant to the friend’s possible jealousy, to the question of why

she kept “digging for answers,” and to Appellant’s theory that the victim saw her

victimhood as a form of “currency” (for which she received attention or gifts). (Tr. 342).

The court asked why the friend’s motive for asking important questions or how the

specifics of the relationship would relate to credibility. (Tr. 345). The court then instructed

defense counsel to refrain from delving into whether the victim was gay. Counsel asked

if he could inquire whether the friend cared about the victim, and the court agreed. (Tr.

347).

{¶107} After this side bar, defense counsel asked friend 2, “So you and [the victim]

were close friends at the time you had this conversation, correct?” The child answered

in the affirmative and said they talked every day (sometimes at school); she also noted

the only time she was at the victim’s house was for a birthday party. (Tr. 351-354).

Counsel further inquired, “the nature of your relationship was, you were talking every day,

you were close friends. She couldn’t just not answer you, right?” When friend 2 replied,

“She could if she wanted to,” counsel asked, “But you would have pushed her the way

you did in these questions?” The friend testified, “I guess, yeah.” (Tr. 351).

{¶108} On appeal, Appellant claims the trial court’s ruling unconstitutionally

constrained his right to present a defense and confront witnesses, citing Crane v.

Kentucky, 476 U.S. 683, 690 (1986) (the criminal defendant has the constitutional right to

be given a meaningful opportunity to present a complete defense under the due process,

compulsory process, and/or confrontation clauses). “Cross-examination shall be

permitted on all relevant matters and matters affecting credibility.” Evid.R. 611(B). “The

court shall exercise reasonable control over the mode and order of interrogating

witnesses and presenting evidence so as to (1) make the interrogation and presentation

effective for the ascertainment of the truth, (2) avoid needless consumption of time, and

(3) protect witnesses from harassment or undue embarrassment.” Evid.R. 611(A). We

review de novo the denial of a defendant’s opportunity to establish a witness’ motive to

lie so as to infringe on the Sixth Amendment right to confrontation; however, if cross-

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examination on a claimed motive to lie is permitted, the question of “how much

opportunity” defense counsel is granted is a question within the trial court’s sound

discretion. McKelton, 2016-Ohio-5735, at ¶ 172.

{¶109} Appellant’s argument is without merit, as the court’s limitation did not deny

him a meaningful opportunity to present a complete defense by attacking the credibility

of the disclosures. Initially, we point out the defense opted for a strategy of declining to

cross-examine the victim after she testified on direct examination. We also note the jury

heard Appellant’s interview during which he said the victim and her friends were “gay”

while noting he took her phone away after seeing the victim told her girlfriend she loved

her. In addition, we emphasize the jury viewed the texts wherein friend 2 called the victim

“Baby” and they spoke of missing each other with heart emojis. The texts additionally

showed friend 2 labeled the victim in her contacts as “My Love” under a heart (profile

picture). Most notably, prior to the questioning recited above, friend 2 had already

answered in the affirmative when asked the following question, “Now, at the time that

these messages were sent and received, you were in a relationship with [the victim],

right?” (Tr. 341).

{¶110} The question at issue was therefore asked and answered. In accordance,

Appellant’s rights to present a defense and to cross-examine witnesses were not

unconstitutionally restricted by the court’s decision that counsel should not further delve

into the romantic aspects of the relationship between the victim (when she was eleven or

twelve years old) and her schoolmate. This assignment of error is overruled.

ASSIGNMENT OF ERROR SIX

{¶111} Appellant’s sixth assignment of error alleges:

“The Appellant was denied the effective assistance of counsel, contrary to his

rights guaranteed by the Sixth and Fourteenth Amendments of the United States

Constitution and Section 10, Article I, of the Ohio Constitution.”

{¶112} A claim of ineffective assistance of counsel requires a showing of both

deficient performance and resulting prejudice. Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. 668,

687 (1984). If the performance was not deficient, then there is no need to review for

prejudice and vice versa. State v. Madrigal, 87 Ohio St.3d 378, 389 (2000).

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{¶113} In evaluating an alleged deficiency in performance, the reviewing court

asks whether there was “a substantial violation of any of defense counsel's essential

duties to his client” so that “counsel's representation fell below an objective standard of

reasonableness.” State v. Bradley, 42 Ohio St.3d 136, 141-142 (1989), citing Strickland

at 687-688. Our review is highly deferential to counsel's decisions as there are “countless

ways to provide effective assistance in any given case” and there is a strong presumption

counsel's conduct was within the wide range of reasonable professional assistance. Id.

at 142, citing Strickland at 689. A reviewing court should refrain from second-guessing

the strategic decisions of counsel. State v. Carter, 72 Ohio St.3d 545, 558 (1995).

{¶114} On the prejudice prong, the defendant must demonstrate there is a

reasonable probability the result of the proceedings would have been different but for the

serious error committed by counsel. Id. at 557-558. Prejudice from defective

representation justifies reversal only where the results were unreliable, or the proceeding

was fundamentally unfair due to the performance of trial counsel. Id., citing Lockhart v.

Fretwell, 506 U.S. 364, 369 (1993). Lesser tests of prejudice have been rejected: “It is

not enough for the defendant to show that the errors had some conceivable effect on the

outcome of the proceeding.” Bradley at 142, fn. 1, quoting Strickland at 693.

{¶115} First, Appellant says trial counsel was ineffective by failing to object to

certain items addressed in assignments of error one or two. He summarily lists these

items here and invokes the arguments already set forth in the prior assignments of error.

Accordingly, these ineffective assistance of counsel arguments were relocated and

addressed within the first or second assignments of error.

{¶116} Second, Appellant argues defense counsel should have retained a

medical expert to refute the testimony of the child advocacy center physician. In support,

he utilizes the following quote: “Criminal cases will arise where the only reasonable and

available defense strategy requires consultation with experts or introduction of expert

evidence, whether pretrial, at trial, or both.” Harrington v. Richter, 562 U.S. 86, 106

(2011). However, the Court then applied Strickland’s presumption of reasonable

assistance by counsel and additionally found no prejudice for failing to call a defense

expert in that case. Id. at 106-113. “In many instances cross-examination will be

sufficient to expose defects in an expert's presentation.” Id.

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{¶117} The state says counsel was well prepared and put on a vigorous defense,

including by precluding the state from introducing other acts evidence regarding claims

that Appellant sexually abused the sister of the victim’s mother when she was a similar

age and living with them. As the state points out, it is well settled in the medical

community that a normal physical examination does not rule out sexual assault, including

vaginal penetration. See, e.g., State v. B.J.T., 2019-Ohio-1049, ¶ 18 (12th Dist.) (“It is

well-established that medical testimony is not necessary to prove a sexual assault and,

oftentimes, victims will have no symptoms of physical injury . . . the fact that a victim's

medical exam was ‘normal’ is not determinative of whether she was sexually abused”).

{¶118} The physician’s testimony contained the following explanations: a hymen

is a band of tissue with a natural hole in the center; a hymen is not the mythical sheet

covering the vaginal opening that is necessarily “popped” on penetration; vaginal tissue

stretches and heals quickly; and a normal examination does not show penetration did not

occur and is a common finding in sexual assault cases. There is no indication the defense

could have obtained an expert willing to rebut this testimony. Defense counsel

reasonably dispensed with such a task and focused on cross-examining the supervising

physician, who was board certified in pediatrics and experienced in her field. For

instance, the defense elicited from this physician that there was no physical evidence

showing a sexual assault (even if the lack of physical evidence does not prove the lack

of sexual assault).

{¶119} Neither deficient performance nor prejudice is indicated by the failure to

call a medical expert to claim, for instance, that the hymen would necessarily be damaged

if penetration occurred. “Strickland does not enact Newton's third law for the presentation

of evidence, requiring for every prosecution expert an equal and opposite expert from the

defense.” Harrington, 562 U.S. at 111. This assignment of error is without merit.

ASSIGNMENT OF ERROR SEVEN

{¶120} Appellant’s seventh assignment of error argues:

“The Trial Court committed plain error by admitting improper expert testimony

about the veracity of the alleged victim in violation of the rules of evidence and Appellant’s

right to due process of law as guaranteed by the Fourteenth Amendment to the United

States Constitution and comparable provisions of the Ohio Constitution.”

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{¶121} “Witnesses, whether experts or laymen, may not testify regarding their

opinions on the credibility of other witnesses, because that infringes on the domain of the

trier of fact.” State v. Knuff, 2024-Ohio-902, ¶ 157. “An expert may not testify as to the

expert's opinion of the veracity of the statements of a child declarant.” State v. Boston,

46 Ohio St.3d 108 (1989), syllabus (finding the objected to error was not harmless where

a physician opined the non-testifying two-year-old child had not fantasized her abuse or

been programmed to make accusations and another physician opined the child was

telling the truth when identifying her father). This does not preclude an expert's opinion

testimony on whether there was sexual abuse. Id. at 128.

{¶122} The Supreme Court thereafter explained, “Boston's syllabus excludes

expert testimony offering an opinion as to the truth of a child's statements (e.g., the child

does or does not appear to be fantasizing or to have been programmed or is or is not

truthful in accusing a particular person).” State v. Stowers, 81 Ohio St.3d 260, 262-263

(1998). However, the holding “does not proscribe testimony which is additional support

for the truth of the facts testified to by the child, or which assists the fact finder in assessing

the child's veracity.” (Emphasis original.) Id. at 263. The Stowers Court therefore found

a doctor’s testimony did not violate Boston where she explained recantation or delayed

disclosure is not uncommon in sexually abused children, concluding this information

helped the jury make an educated determination rather than usurping the jury’s role. Id.

{¶123} Appellant makes two arguments here while acknowledging a lack of

objection to the trial court. First, Appellant takes issue with the physician’s testimony that

the victim appeared “too upset to talk” at the November 2022 child advocacy center

interview2 and “was anxious about the exam, but cooperative.” (Tr. 454, 458-459). He

notes the physician was asked if it appeared the child was enjoying the attention, and she

responded in the negative. (Tr. 461). He says these answers represented a “backhand

way” of implying the victim’s demeanor was consistent with abuse.

{¶124} As the state points out, these were ordinary opinions of observation that

even a lay witness could provide. See Evid.R. 701 (non-expert can provide opinion that

2 The defense had previously elicited from the detective that although the child did not make a specific

disclosure when interviewed in 2022, there were “red flags” during his interview and during the child

advocacy center’s interview. (Tr. 408).

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is rationally based on the perception of the witness and helpful to a clear understanding

of the witness' testimony or the determination of a fact in issue); State v. Davis, 2008-

Ohio-2, ¶ 118-120 (where the Supreme Court held a lay witness' testimony that another

witness was “very non-committal, very wishy washy” was not an improper description of

demeanor just because it was relevant to evasiveness), citing State v. Stojetz, 84 Ohio

St.3d 462, 463 (1999). In the latter case, the Court ruled it was proper to admit an opinion

that the witness appeared “scared” and “not able to think.” Stojetz at 463.

{¶125} A physician’s testimony expressing general observations of a child’s

demeanor is not akin to a comment on veracity. See, e.g., Stowers at 263 (Boston does

not proscribe testimony which assists the fact finder in assessing the child's veracity);

State v. Branch, No. 00AP-1219 (10th Dist. May 24, 2001) (testimony that child was

“pretty upset” and “stressed” did not violate the principle in Boston). The cited comments

in the physician’s testimony did not vouch for the child’s credibility.

{¶126} Moreover, there was no objection, and defense counsel had a strategy of

reinforcing the testimony that the victim did not make disclosures during her interview. As

set forth above, plain error is a discretionary doctrine to be employed only with the utmost

care in exceptional circumstances when required to avoid a manifest miscarriage of

justice. Noling, 2002-Ohio-7044, at ¶ 62. To establish plain error, the defendant must

demonstrate an error, the error must have been obvious, and the outcome of trial must

have been affected. Graham, 2020-Ohio-6700, at ¶ 93; Rogers, 2015-Ohio-2459, ¶ 22

(only the last element, he must “demonstrate a reasonable probability that the error

resulted in prejudice—the same deferential standard for reviewing ineffective assistance

of counsel claims.”). There is no obvious error or reasonable probability that the trial

outcome was affected by the cited comments, which were not instances of veracity

vouching in any event.

{¶127} Second, Appellant contends the admission of the phone call between the

physician and the victim’s mother allowed the jury to hear the physician “put her expert

seal of approval on [the victim’s] accusation and thus on her credibility.” As discussed

above, the physician informed the mother over the phone that contrary to the mother’s

declarations, the medical examination did not show the child was a virgin, there was no

virginity test in existence, and the normal exam result did not disprove sexual activity.

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These explanations were already presented in the physician’s testimony before the call

was played. Appellant does not specifically quote statements of alleged vouching from

the call. Nevertheless, we note the physician told the mother the child’s disclosures were

important and she was gravely concerned for the child’s safety due to the mother’s

suggestions that a lack of physical evidence indicates the child was lying. (St.Ex. 6). Still,

the physician’s comments did not rise to the level of an opinion on the child’s truthfulness.

{¶128} Notably, defense counsel not only failed to object but also specifically

declared he had no objection to the phone call being published to the jury. (Tr. 491). He

was in agreement with the “relevant portion” of the call being played, which they limited

by fast-forwarding through the conversation occurring before the mother was connected

to the conference call and by stopping the recording prior to the mother’s conversation

with the detective about coming in for a meeting. (Tr. 491-493).

{¶129} During the subsequent admission of exhibits, defense counsel reiterated

he had no objection to this phone call being admitted into evidence. (Tr. 554). This was

a tactical decision. See State v. Herns, 2023-Ohio-4714, ¶ 62, 63, 72-73 (7th Dist.)

(where we concluded improper vouching for a victim’s veracity was an error flowing from

the defense strategy, while also noting a court may find vouching harmless if the person

who was vouched for testified at trial). Notably, the victim’s mother (who did not testify

upon pleading the Fifth Amendment) expressed statements in the phone call favorable to

the defense. For instance, she told the physician she saw Appellant and her child

together daily and never saw signs of abuse. She also referred to the positive way the

victim acted around Appellant, suggested the victim was not telling the truth, and said the

victim had been consistently asking to come home.

{¶130} The admission of the phone call with the victim’s mother into evidence

does not evince an obvious trial court error on the topic of credibility vouching, and

reversible prejudice is not apparent in any event. This assignment of error is overruled.

ASSIGNMENT OF ERROR EIGHT

{¶131} Appellant’s eighth assignment of error contends:

“The Trial Court erred and thereby deprived Appellant of due process of law as

guaranteed by the Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution and

comparable provisions of the Ohio Constitution by overruling Appellant’s Crim.R. 29

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motion for judgment of acquittal, as the State failed to offer sufficient evidence to prove

each and every element of the charges beyond a reasonable doubt.”

{¶132} The standard for reviewing the sufficiency of the evidence to support a

criminal conviction on appeal is the same as the standard used to review the denial of a

motion for acquittal. See State v. Williams, 74 Ohio St.3d 569, 576 (1996); Crim.R. 29(A)

(motion for judgment of acquittal based on insufficient evidence). Whether the evidence

is legally sufficient to sustain a conviction is a question of law dealing with adequacy.

State v. Thompkins, 78 Ohio St.3d 380, 386 (1997).

{¶133} If a conviction is not supported by sufficient evidence, the defendant

cannot be retried as jeopardy attached. Id. at 387, citing Tibbs v. Florida, 457 U.S. 31,

41, 47 (1982). Because the remedy for reversible evidentiary error is a new trial, all

evidence introduced by the state, including that erroneously admitted by the trial court,

can be used in determining whether the evidence was sufficient to sustain the guilty

verdict. State v. Brewer, 2009-Ohio-593, ¶ 16-20; State v. Yarbrough, 2002-Ohio-2126,

¶ 80, citing Lockhart v. Nelson, 488 U.S. 33, 35, 38, 40-42 (1988). In other words, the

question is not whether the admissible evidence was sufficient but is whether the admitted

evidence was sufficient. Id.

{¶134} In reviewing the sufficiency of the evidence, the court views the evidence,

including reasonable inferences, in the light most favorable to the prosecution to ascertain

whether “any” rational trier of fact could have found the elements of the offense proven

beyond a reasonable doubt. State v. Getsy, 84 Ohio St.3d 180, 193 (1998), quoting

Jackson v. Virginia, 443 U.S. 307, 319 (1979) (consider all evidence in the light most

favorable to the prosecution, including reasonable inferences); State v. Filiaggi, 86 Ohio

St.3d 230, 247 (1999) (viewing reasonable inferences in favor of the state); State v. Goff,

82 Ohio St.3d 123, 138 (1998). Sufficiency involves the state's burden of production

rather than its burden of persuasion. Thompkins at 390 (Cook, J., concurring).

{¶135} Appellant contends the law and the “factual discrepancies” show the state

failed to prove his guilt beyond a reasonable doubt on all of the essential elements.

Appellant was convicted of two counts of rape under R.C. 2907.02(A)(1)(b). This statute

provides in pertinent part: “No person shall engage in sexual conduct with another who

is not the spouse of the offender . . . when . . . The other person is less than thirteen years

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of age, whether or not the offender knows the age of the other person.” R.C.

2907.02(A)(1)(b). Sexual conduct is defined as “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.”

R.C. 2907.01(A). “Penetration, however slight, is sufficient to complete vaginal or anal

intercourse.” Id.

{¶136} The testimony established Appellant was not the spouse of the victim, who

was 12 years old when the second investigation began in September 2022. She

explained why she recanted her first allegations of inappropriate touching, which she

disclosed in a recorded interview played at trial. She confirmed she sent the texts

received by friend 2 in the months after her December 2021 recantation. (Tr. 313).

Regardless, the victim testified that a few weeks after Appellant moved back into her

house (after her recantation), the sexual abuse by her stepdad resumed. (Tr. 299, 301).

She testified he “forced” her to have sex more than once. (Tr. 310-311). Specifically, she

testified to sexual conduct committed by Appellant against her when he put his penis into

her vagina. She additionally testified to sexual conduct committed when Appellant put

his penis in her mouth. (Tr. 304-305). “Sometimes” the sexual conduct occurred when

her mother was away from the house, and “[s]ometimes” it occurred when her mother

was in the shower. (Tr. 305).

{¶137} Even without considering various other pieces of evidence addressed in

our Statement of the Case or under other assignments of error, some rational trier of fact

could find the elements of sexual conduct with a child under the age of thirteen were

proven beyond a reasonable doubt. As the evidence was sufficient to support the verdict

of guilty on two counts of rape, this assignment of error is without merit. An evaluation of

witness credibility is not involved in a sufficiency review, as the question is whether the

evidence is sufficient if it is believed. Yarbrough, 2002-Ohio-2126, ¶, 82; State v. Murphy,

91 Ohio St.3d 516, 543 (2001). Arguments about the victim’s credibility are therefore

addressed in the next assignment of error.

ASSIGNMENT OF ERROR NINE

{¶138} Appellant’s ninth and final assignment of error states:

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“The Trial Court erred by finding Appellant guilty and thereby deprived Appellant

of due process of law as guaranteed by provisions of the Ohio Constitution because the

verdict of guilty was against the manifest weight of the evidence.”

{¶139} Weight of the evidence concerns the effect of the evidence in inducing

belief, and our review would evaluate “the inclination of the greater amount of credible

evidence, offered in a trial, to support one side of the issue rather than the other.”

Thompkins, 78 Ohio St.3d 380, 387. The appellate court considers whether the state met

its burden of persuasion. Id. at 390 (Cook, J., concurring) (as opposed to the state's

burden of production involved in a sufficiency review). When a defendant claims the

conviction is contrary to the manifest weight of the evidence, the appellate court reviews

the entire record, weighs the evidence and all reasonable inferences, considers the

credibility of witnesses, and determines whether, in resolving conflicts in the evidence,

the trier of fact clearly lost its way and created such a manifest miscarriage of justice that

the conviction must be reversed and a new trial ordered. State v. Lang, 2011-Ohio-4215,

¶ 220, citing Thompkins at 387.

{¶140} The power of the court of appeals to sit as the “thirteenth juror” is limited

in order to preserve the jury's role with respect to issues surrounding the credibility of

witnesses and the weight of the evidence. Thompkins at 387, 389. “[T]he weight to be

given the evidence and the credibility of the witnesses are primarily for the trier of the

facts.” State v. Hunter, 2011-Ohio-6524, ¶ 118, quoting State v. DeHass, 10 Ohio St.2d

230 (1967), paragraph one of the syllabus.

{¶141} “We therefore generally proceed under the premise that when there are

two fairly reasonable views of the evidence or two conflicting versions of events, neither

of which is unbelievable, we do not choose which one we believe is more credible.” State

v. Carter, 2017-Ohio-7501, ¶ 105 (7th Dist.), citing State v. Gore, 131 Ohio App.3d 197,

201 (7th Dist. 1999). Notably, where a criminal case has been tried by a jury, only a

unanimous appellate court can use its discretion to reverse on the ground that the verdict

was against the manifest weight of the evidence. Thompkins at 389, citing Section

3(B)(3), Article IV of the Ohio Constitution.

{¶142} We incorporate our recitation of the evidence from our Statement of the

Case and the other assignments of error, including our sufficiency review. The defense

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theory that the victim made up a life of sexual abuse in order to gain attention, gifts, or

relocation was not convincing and was not accepted by the jury. Contrary to Appellant’s

contention, there was no compelling evidence suggesting her friends persuaded her to

lie; attempting to convince a friend to seek help for their unbearable situation, is not

coaching.

{¶143} Moreover, the victim’s initial recantation did not render her trial testimony

unbelievable. The jury heard her explanation: every time her mother asked if her

allegations were true or if she were lying, it seemed as if she wanted her to say they were

not true. Additionally, Appellant’s mother met with her and expressed she was upset

because the allegations would put Appellant away for a long time. The victim explained

she recanted because her allegations were negatively affecting everyone in her family.

{¶144} According to her testimony, Appellant resumed his sexual abuse not long

after he was permitted to move back to their house. The lack of physical evidence during

a medical examination conducted a month after Appellant was once again removed from

the house is not a convincing argument for disbelieving the victim. She testified he put

his penis in her mouth. She also testified he put his penis in her vagina and said he forced

her to have sex more than once. The jury occupied the best position from which to weigh

the evidence and judge witness credibility by observing gestures, voice inflection, and

demeanor. See Seasons Coal Co. v. Cleveland, 10 Ohio St.3d 77, 80 (1984). The record

contains some indicia of the stress the victim was experiencing on the stand. The jury

was able to watch her testify about her experience and see her tears and emotions. The

jury was also able to evaluate the video of Appellant when he was interviewed by the

detective. Upon reviewing the entire record, we conclude this is not the “exceptional

case” where the jury “clearly lost” its path as it weighed the evidence and created a

“manifest miscarriage of justice” so as to require a new trial. See Lang, 129 Ohio St.3d

512 at ¶ 220. This assignment of error is overruled.

{¶145} For the foregoing reasons, Appellant’s convictions are upheld, and the trial

court’s judgment is affirmed.

Waite, J., concurs.

Dickey, J., concurs.

Case No. 24 JE 0001

[Cite as State v. Martin, 2024-Ohio-5332.]

For the reasons stated in the Opinion rendered herein, the assignments of error

are overruled and it is the final judgment and order of this Court that the judgment of the

Court of Common Pleas of Jefferson County, Ohio, is affirmed. Costs to be taxed against

the Appellant.

A certified copy of this opinion and judgment entry shall constitute the mandate in

this case pursuant to Rule 27 of the Rules of Appellate Procedure. It is ordered that a

certified copy be sent by the clerk to the trial court to carry this judgment into execution.

NOTICE TO COUNSEL

This document constitutes a final judgment entry.