State of Iowa v. Darius Lejaun Wade ( 2017 )

IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF IOWA
No. 16-0867
Filed May 17, 2017
STATE OF IOWA,
Plaintiff-Appellee,
vs.
DARIUS LEJAUN WADE,
Defendant-Appellant.
________________________________________________________________
Appeal from the Iowa District Court for Black Hawk County, David P.
Odekirk, Judge.
Defendant appeals his conviction for domestic abuse assault, third
offense. CONVICTION AFFIRMED, SENTENCE VACATED IN PART AND
REMANDED.
Mark C. Smith, State Appellate Defender, and Mary K. Conroy, Assistant
Appellate Defender, for appellant.
Thomas J. Miller, Attorney General, and Kelli A. Huser, Assistant Attorney
General, for appellee.
Considered by Danilson, C.J., and Potterfield and Bower, JJ.
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BOWER, Judge.
Darius Wade appeals his conviction for domestic abuse assault, third
offense. We find the district court did not err by admitting hearsay evidence.
Also, Wade has not shown he received ineffective assistance because defense
counsel did not: (1) object to the amended minutes of testimony; (2) request a full
colloquy when Wade admitted to previous convictions for domestic abuse
assault; or (3) object on hearsay grounds to certain evidence. We affirm Wade’s
conviction for domestic abuse assault, third or subsequent offense. We reverse
the assessment of court costs and remand this issue to the district court.
I. Background Facts & Proceedings
On the evening of November 4, 2016, C.B. called Wade, her former
boyfriend, and asked him to have a drink with her. C.B. picked Wade up at his
home and drove with him to the Park Road Inn, where they each had a few
alcoholic beverages. Later, C.B. drove Wade back to his home, where C.B. and
Wade got into an argument. C.B. testified Wade hit her and she did not
remember much after that, except she found herself in the bathtub, got herself
out, and she left Wade’s home.
Officer Kenneth Schaaf testified he was on patrol at about 1:30 a.m. on
November 5, when a car drove up behind him flashing its lights and honking its
horn. Officer Schaaf stopped to speak to the driver, C.B., who was “crying
hysterically.” He observed C.B. had bruising and fresh blood on the side of her
face. C.B. told Officer Schaaf she had been assaulted by Wade. After speaking
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to Officer Schaaf, C.B. went to her cousin’s home.1 Robin Fankhauser testified
C.B. was “[c]rying, screaming, yelling, freaking out.” She stated C.B. had a black
eye, some bleeding, and a piercing had been pulled out.
Much later on November 5, at 11:25 p.m., C.B. went to the hospital with a
severe headache. C.B. told Elizabeth Batterson, a nurse practitioner, she “had a
very spotty memory of what had happened.” She told Batterson she was scared.
Batterson diagnosed C.B. with a concussion. She also observed bruising and a
small laceration. Batterson stated C.B.’s injuries were “consistent with some sort
of traumatic assault or altercation.” Officer Randy Girsch observed C.B.’s injuries
at the hospital and had photographs taken.
Initially, Wade denied seeing C.B. on the night in question. He stated he
spent the night with Kasandra Baldwin. When officers questioned Baldwin,
however, she stated Wade called her at about 1:45 a.m. on November 5 and
asked her to pick him up at his home, which she did. Wade then told officers he
had been at the Park Road Inn with C.B. but did not mention she had been at his
house. He later testified C.B. came to his home after they left the bar and she
assaulted him. Wade stated C.B. did not have any injuries when she left his
home.
Wade was charged with Count I, domestic abuse assault, third or
subsequent offense, and Count II, domestic abuse assault causing bodily injury. 2
After the State presented its case, it moved to amend Count I to domestic abuse
1
C.B. told Officer Schaaf she would go down to the police station to make a statement
after she went to her cousin’s home, but she did not appear. C.B. testified during the
criminal trial she did not remember speaking to Officer Schaaf.
2
C.B. and Wade had lived together within the past year before the incident, therefore
meeting the definition of “domestic abuse” under Iowa Code section 236.2(2)(d) (2016).
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assault causing bodily injury, third or subsequent offense, and to dismiss Count
II. When asked if the defense had any objections, defense counsel stated, “Not
at all, Your Honor.” The court granted the request to amend the trial information.
A jury found Wade guilty of domestic abuse assault causing bodily injury.
Wade stated he wanted a jury trial on the issue of whether he had
previous convictions for domestic abuse assault. He then changed his mind and
admitted to the prior offenses. The court questioned Wade as to whether he was
making the admission voluntarily. Wade admitted he had been convicted of
domestic abuse assault in 2008 and 2011. The court determined Wade was
guilty of domestic abuse assault, third or subsequent offense, in violation of Iowa
Code section 708.2A(4) (2016), a class “D” felony.
The court denied Wade’s motions in arrest of judgment and for new trial.
Wade was sentenced to a term of imprisonment not to exceed five years. He
now appeals.
II. Hearsay
In general, hearsay is not admissible. Iowa R. Evid. 5.802. “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.”
Iowa R. Evid. 5.801(c). Hearsay may be admissible if it comes within one of the
exceptions to the hearsay rule. Iowa R. Evid. 5.803. The proponent of the
evidence has the burden to show the statement fits within an exception. State v.
Long, 628 N.W.2d 440, 443 (Iowa 2001). “We review hearsay rulings for
correction of errors at law and will reverse the admission of hearsay evidence as
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prejudicial unless the contrary is shown.” State v. Dudley, 856 N.W.2d 668, 675
(Iowa 2014).
A. Wade claims the district court erred by overruling his objections to
testimony by Batterson, the nurse practitioner, concerning statements C.B. made
to her. During the trial, Batterson testified, “She had a very spotty memory of
what had happened. I remember her being—telling me that she was scared.”
Wade objected and the court overruled his objection.
While Batterson’s testimony that C.B. told Batterson she was scared is
hearsay, we find it comes within the exception for an “existing mental, emotional,
or physical condition,” found in rule 5.803(3). “The admission of such evidence
under this exception is dependent upon the relevancy of the declarant’s then
existing state of mind, emotion, sensation, or physical condition.” State v.
Newell, 710 N.W.2d 6, 19 (Iowa 2006). The evidence C.B. was scared was
relevant to show she had been assaulted.
B. During Batterson’s testimony, the State offered C.B.’s medical chart
into evidence. The chart included the statement, “She was assaulted by her ex-
boyfriend last night.” Wade objected on the grounds of hearsay. The court
overruled the objection and admitted the exhibit.
We by-pass the issue concerning whether the evidence was admissible
under the exception for “[s]tatements for purposes of medical diagnosis or
treatment,” under rule 5.803(4) because if the statement was improperly
admitted, it was not prejudicial. “In the hearsay context, ‘where substantially the
same evidence is in the record, erroneously admitted evidence will not be
considered prejudicial.’” State v. Brown, 656 N.W.2d 355, 361 (Iowa 2003)
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(quoting State v. Sowder, 394 N.W.2d 368, 372 (Iowa 1986)). Additionally, “no
prejudice will be found where the evidence in support of defendant’s guilt is
overwhelming.” Newell, 710 N.W.2d at 19.
There was substantially the same evidence in the record from other
sources to show Wade assaulted C.B. C.B. testified during the trial Wade hit her.
Officer Schaaf testified he came into contact with C.B. soon after the incident and
she told him she had been assaulted by Wade. Additionally, C.B.’s statements to
Officer Schaaf were recorded on video. Fankhauser testified C.B. told her she
had been assaulted by Wade. Officer Girsch testified he had contact with C.B. at
the hospital and, as a result of their discussion, Wade was a suspect in the
assault. We conclude the record affirmatively establishes a lack of prejudice due
to the admission of the medical chart.
C. On appeal, Wade claims Batterson should not have been permitted
to testify that C.B. told Batterson she was assaulted by Wade. During
Batterson’s testimony, Wade objected to only the two pieces of evidence
discussed above. We conclude Wade failed to preserve error on any other
statements made by Batterson. In order to be considered on appeal, an issue
must be presented to and passed upon by the district court. State v. Jefferson,
574 N.W.2d 268, 278 (Iowa 1997).
III. Ineffective Assistance of Counsel
Wade claims he received ineffective assistance from defense counsel.
We review claims of ineffective assistance of counsel de novo. Ennenga v.
State, 812 N.W.2d 696, 701 (Iowa 2012). To establish a claim of ineffective
assistance of counsel, a defendant must show (1) the attorney failed to perform
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an essential duty, and (2) prejudice resulted to the extent it denied the defendant
a fair trial. State v. Carroll, 767 N.W.2d 638, 641 (Iowa 2009). A defendant has
the burden to show by a preponderance of the evidence counsel was ineffective.
See State v. McKettrick, 480 N.W.2d 52, 55 (Iowa 1992).
A. Wade claims he received ineffective assistance because defense
counsel did not move to dismiss the enhancement to Count I as the State did not
file any minutes of testimony to support the enhancement until after the jury
reached a verdict finding him guilty. He states the filing of the minutes of
testimony relating to the enhancement was untimely under Iowa Rule of Criminal
Procedure 2.4(8).
On December 10, 2015, the State filed the trial information, which charged
Wade in Count I with domestic abuse assault, third or subsequent offense, and
listed his previous convictions for domestic abuse assault. The attached minutes
of testimony did not include any witnesses who would testify about Wade’s prior
criminal records to support the enhancement of Count I as a third or subsequent
offense. Additional minutes were filed on February 18, 2016, again not referring
to the enhancement. The jury trial was held on March 1-3, 2016. On March 4,
2016, the State filed additional minutes of testimony, listing witnesses who would
testify to Wade’s prior criminal records. Wade appeared and admitted to the
previous convictions on March 7, 2016.
Iowa Rule of Criminal Procedure 2.19(9) provides:
After conviction of the primary or current offense, but prior to
pronouncement of sentence, if the indictment or information alleges
one or more prior convictions which by the Code subjects the
offender to an increased sentence, the offender shall have the
opportunity in open court to affirm or deny that the offender is the
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person previously convicted, or that the offender was not
represented by counsel and did not waive counsel. If the offender
denies being the person previously convicted, sentence shall be
postponed for such time as to permit a trial before a jury on the
issue of the offender's identity with the person previously convicted.
Other objections shall be heard and determined by the court, and
these other objections shall be asserted prior to trial of the
substantive offense in the manner presented in rule 2.11. On the
issue of identity, the court may in its discretion reconvene the jury
which heard the current offense or dismiss that jury and submit the
issue to another jury to be later impaneled. If the offender is found
by the jury to be the person previously convicted, or if the offender
acknowledged being such person, the offender shall be sentenced
as prescribed in the Code.
(Emphasis added.)
Wade’s objections to the minutes of testimony should have been raised
prior to trial. See Iowa R. Crim. P. 2.19(9); State v. Long, 814 N.W.2d 572, 580
(Iowa 2012) (“[A] defendant who asserts the habitual offender statute is not
applicable must interpose his objections prior to the trial of the underlying charge.
If he does not do so, the objections are waived.” (citation omitted)). Even now,
Wade does not claim the issue should have been raised prior to trial but that
defense counsel should have objected to the amended minutes of testimony
when they were filed on March 4, 2016, which would be untimely under rule
2.19(9). “Counsel, of course, does not provide ineffective assistance if the
underlying claim is meritless.” State v. Halverson, 857 N.W.2d 632, 635 (Iowa
2015).
Furthermore, Wade was aware at the time the trial information was filed
on December 10, 2015; the State intended to show this was a third or
subsequent offense. He was additionally aware of the prior convictions the State
intended to rely upon to show the enhancement for a third or subsequent offense
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was applicable. When the State amended the minutes on March 4, 2016, Wade
could have sought a continuance in order to depose the witnesses about their
anticipated testimony. Instead, he decided to admit to the prior convictions. We
conclude he has not shown he was prejudiced by the actions of defense counsel.
B. Wade claims he received ineffective assistance because defense
counsel permitted him to admit to his previous convictions for domestic abuse
assault without an adequate colloquy with the district court. He states the district
court should have engaged in a colloquy similar to that required for a guilty plea
prior to accepting his admission to the previous convictions. Wade states he was
not sufficiently apprised of the rights he was giving up by admitting to the
previous convictions.
In the past, we stated a rule 2.8(2)(b) colloquy was not required for a
defendant to stipulate to the fact of his prior convictions. State v. McBride, 625
N.W.2d 372, 374 (Iowa Ct. App. 2001). The district court held a colloquy with
Wade on March 7, 2016, concerning his admission to the previous convictions for
purposes of the enhancement of his offense to domestic abuse assault, third
offense. More than a year later, on April 7, 2017, our supreme court decided
State v. Harrington, ___ N.W.2d ___, ___, 2017 WL 1291343, at *5 (Iowa 2017),
which “now identif[ied] the specific areas that must be a part of a habitual
offender colloquy to support an admission [to prior convictions].” Harrington does
not state the new rules should be applied retroactively.3 The rules, which specify
how a court should conduct a habitual offender colloquy, appear to be procedural
3
We note the dissent states the majority opinion “offers a reasonable way to approach
the habitual offender enhancement colloquy in the future.” Harrington, ___ N.W.2d at
___, 2017 WL 1291343, at *8 (Mansfield, J., dissenting).
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in nature, and we determine they should not be applied retroactively in this case.
See Schriro v. Summerlin, 542 U.S. 348, 352 (2004) (“New rules of procedure,
on the other hand, generally do not apply retroactively.”).
Furthermore, we determine even if Harrington applied to a review of this
case, the district court substantially complied with the case’s requirements.
Before a defendant admits to prior convictions, a court must inform the defendant
concerning (1) the nature of the habitual offender charge; (2) the maximum
possible punishment, including the mandatory minimum punishment; (3) the trial
rights the defendant is waiving; (4) no trial will take place if defendant admits to
the convictions; and (5) a challenge to an admission must be raised in a motion
in arrest of judgment. Harrington, ___ N.W.2d at ___, 2017 WL 1291343, at *5-
6. Here, the court’s colloquy included all of the requirements, except a
discussion of the mandatory minimum sentence. We have already noted the
court did not have the benefit of Harrington at the time of the colloquy.
The district court engaged in a colloquy to determine whether Wade’s
admission to the previous convictions for domestic abuse assault was knowing
and voluntary. Wade has not shown he received ineffective assistance because
defense counsel did not object on the ground there should have been a fuller
colloquy, as now required by Harrington, ___ N.W.2d at ___, 2017 WL 1291343,
at *5-6.
C. In his claims regarding hearsay statements by Batterson, Wade
raised an alternative argument, claiming if error had not been preserved, this
was due to the ineffective assistance of counsel. We determined Wade did not
preserve error on his claim Batterson should not have been permitted to testify
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C.B. told Batterson she was assaulted by Wade, and we now address this issue
as a claim of ineffective assistance of counsel.
During the trial, Batterson testified C.B. indicated she had been hanging
out with her ex-boyfriend, they had an argument, and after that her memories
were spotty. When specifically asked if C.B. reported she had been assaulted
by her ex-boyfriend, Batterson replied, “She didn't remember being hit at that
time. She remembered feeling fearful that she was scared of him, but she—she
couldn't recall the events. She had no memory other than kind of those spotty
places that she could report to me.” Batterson testified C.B.’s injuries were
consistent with an assault.
We first note Batterson did not directly testify C.B. told Batterson she had
been assaulted by Wade. Even if Batterson had testified to this, however, the
testimony would have been cumulative to other evidence in the record showing
Wade assaulted C.B. Where substantially the same evidence is in the record,
the improper admission of hearsay evidence will not be considered prejudicial.
See Brown, 656 N.W.2d at 361. Wade has not shown he received ineffective
assistance due to defense counsel’s failure to object to Batterson’s testimony
on hearsay grounds.
IV. Court Costs
Wade claims the district court improperly assessed him court costs for
Count II, which was dismissed. The State agrees the assessment of costs was
improper under sections 815.13 and 910.2. We determine the assessment of
court costs should be vacated and the matter remanded to the district court.
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We affirm Wade’s conviction for domestic abuse assault, third or
subsequent offense. We vacate the assessment of court costs and remand on
this issue to the district court.
CONVICTION AFFIRMED, SENTENCE VACATED IN PART AND
REMANDED.