People of Michigan v. Leopold Withmore-Vans Allen Jr ( 2018 )

STATE OF MICHIGAN
COURT OF APPEALS
PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF MICHIGAN, UNPUBLISHED
March 13, 2018
Plaintiff-Appellee,
v No. 335885
Kent Circuit Court
LEOPOLD WITHMORE-VANS ALLEN, JR., LC No. 16-000965-FH
Defendant-Appellant.
Before: O’CONNELL, P.J., and HOEKSTRA and SWARTZLE, JJ.
PER CURIAM.
Defendant, Leopold Withmore-Vans Allen, Jr., appeals by right his jury trial convictions
of larceny from the person, MCL 750.357, and two counts of first-degree criminal sexual
conduct (CSC-I), MCL 750.520b(1)(e) (weapon used) and MCL 750.520b(1)(f) (personal
injury). The trial court sentenced Allen as a fourth-offense habitual offender, MCL 769.12, to 2
to 10 years’ imprisonment for larceny from the person and 20 to 40 years’ imprisonment for each
of the CSC-I convictions. We affirm Allen’s convictions and prison sentences and remand for
the trial court to establish a factual basis for the imposition of $400 in court costs.
I. BACKGROUND
Allen’s convictions arose out of the sexual assault of his former girlfriend, JH. At the
time of the assault, JH was approximately 26 weeks pregnant with Allen’s child. At trial, JH
testified that Allen entered her home late in the evening on January 3, 2016, when she was
asleep. JH awoke to Allen standing in her bedroom and rummaging through her belongings.
Allen took a can of mace from JH’s keychain. He pinned JH to the bed. He shook the can of
mace, pointed it at her face, and threatened to spray her with the mace if she did not tell him
what she had been doing, suggesting that she was cheating on him even though JH ended the
relationship. Allen tried to force JH to perform fellatio on him, but JH refused. Allen forcibly
removed JH’s clothing, performed cunnilingus on her, and penetrated her vagina with his penis.
JH’s roommate called the police after the assault, and the police took JH to the YWCA for an
examination by a sexual assault nurse examiner. JH was then transferred to Spectrum
Butterworth Hospital, where she was admitted and stayed for two days.
II. ANALYSIS
A. HEARSAY EVIDENCE
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Allen argues that the trial court erred when it admitted statements that JH made to
YWCA Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner Cheryl Klinkner, to triage personnel at the hospital, and
to Dr. Robert Bowes, a treating physician. “This Court reviews a trial court’s evidentiary ruling
for an abuse of discretion.” People v Benton, 294 Mich. App. 191, 195; 817 NW2d 599 (2011).
“A trial court abuses its discretion when it chooses an outcome that falls outside the range of
principled outcomes.” People v Musser, 494 Mich. 337, 348; 835 NW2d 319 (2013). Allen did
not preserve this evidentiary challenge, so we review it for plain error affecting his substantial
rights. See People v Ackerman, 257 Mich. App. 434, 446; 669 NW2d 818 (2003).
Allen argues that the excerpts of the medical records contained statements that were not
necessary for medical treatment or medical diagnosis and were, therefore, inadmissible hearsay.
Hearsay is generally inadmissible. MRE 802. MRE 803(4) provides an exception to this rule:
Statements made for purposes of medical treatment or medical diagnosis in
connection with 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 necessary to such diagnosis and
treatment.
MRE 803(4) applies
irrespective of whether the declarant sustained any immediately apparent physical
injury. Particularly in cases of sexual assault, in which the injuries might be
latent, such as contracting sexually transmitted diseases or psychological in
nature, and thus not necessarily physically manifested at all, a victim’s complete
history and a recitation of the totality of the circumstances of the assault are
properly considered to be statements made for medical treatment. [People v
Mahone, 294 Mich. App. 208, 215; 816 NW2d 436 (2011) (emphasis added).]
In this case, the statements JH made to Klinkner and Dr. Bowes were admissible under
MRE 803(4). The statements JH made to Klinkner were necessary because they guided the
treatment and follow-up that Klinkner provided. Klinkner testified that part of the sexual assault
examination included an interview during which JH described her medical history and described
the sexual assault in detail. Klinkner explained that JH’s statements helped “guide” her
examination. JH’s identification of Allen and her explanation of how the assault occurred were
relevant to the source of JH’s potential injuries, including potential psychological issues.
Klinkner needed this information to treat and diagnose JH.
Similarly, the statements JH made to triage personnel and to Dr. Bowes were for the
purposes of medical diagnosis and treatment. Before deciding the proper course of treatment,
Dr. Bowes explained that he reviewed the medical notes prepared by triage personnel. In the
notes, JH informed medical personnel, including Dr. Bowes, that the father of her baby sexually
assaulted her. Dr. Bowes then talked to JH before providing treatment. JH’s description of the
circumstances surrounding the assault was important because it helped the medical professionals
decide the most appropriate course of treatment for JH.
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Moreover, JH’s statements concerning how Allen appeared at her bedside in the night,
took her personal belongings, and sexually assaulted her were relevant to her medical treatment
and diagnosis. The identity of the perpetrator and the manner in which the assault was
perpetrated were necessary to determine if JH required mental health treatment and were
properly admitted under MRE 803(4) as part of the complete history of the assault.
In sum, the trial court did not err by admitting testimony from Klinkner and Dr. Bowes
concerning the statements that JH made to them during the course of the sexual assault
examination and her subsequent hospital treatment. JH made the statements for the purposes of
medical diagnosis or treatment, and the statements described medical history, past or present
symptoms, and related to the “general character of the cause or external source” of JH’s injuries.
See MRE 803(4). Accordingly, the statements were admissible under MRE 803(4).
B. INEFFECTIVE ASSISTANCE OF COUNSEL
Allen argues that defense counsel rendered ineffective assistance at trial. Whether a
defendant was denied the effective assistance of counsel presents a mixed question of fact and
constitutional law. People v LeBlanc, 465 Mich. 575, 579; 640 NW2d 246 (2002). We review a
trial court’s findings of fact for clear error and constitutional issues de novo. Id. In the absence
of an evidentiary hearing, as in this case, this Court’s review is limited to mistakes apparent on
the record. See People v Horn, 279 Mich. App. 31, 38; 755 NW2d 212 (2008). To establish
ineffective assistance of counsel, a defendant must show (1) that counsel rendered assistance that
“fell below an objective standard of reasonableness[,]” and (2) a “reasonable probability that, but
for counsel’s unprofessional errors, the result of the proceeding would have been different . . . .”
People v Toma, 462 Mich. 281, 302-303; 613 NW2d 694 (2000) (quotation marks and citation
omitted).
Allen argues that defense counsel was ineffective for failing to object to the admission of
the statements JH made to medical personnel. “Failing to advance a meritless argument or raise
a futile objection does not constitute ineffective assistance of counsel.” People v Ericksen, 288
Mich. App. 192, 201; 793 NW2d 120 (2010). As previously discussed, these statements were
admissible under MRE 803(4). Therefore, counsel was not deficient by failing to raise an
objection to their admission.
Allen further argues that defense counsel was ineffective during voir dire by failing to
challenge for cause a juror who stated that his daughter was previously the victim of a similar
crime. “Jurors are presumptively competent and impartial, and the party alleging the
disqualification bears the burden of proving its existence.” People v Johnson, 245 Mich. App.
243, 256; 631 NW2d 1 (2001). “It is sufficient if the juror can lay aside his impression or
opinion and render a verdict based on the evidence presented in court.” Irvin v Dowd, 366 U.S.
717, 723; 81 S. Ct. 1639; 6 L. Ed. 2d 751 (1961). Moreover, “an attorney’s decisions relating to
the selection of jurors generally involve matters of trial strategy, which we normally decline to
evaluate with the benefit of hindsight.” Johnson, 245 Mich. App. at 259 (citations omitted).
Allen has failed to overcome the presumption that defense counsel’s decision was a
product of effective trial strategy. The record does not show that the juror was biased or unable
to follow the trial court’s instructions regarding the presumption of innocence and the
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prosecution’s burden of proof. Although the juror agreed that his daughter was the victim of a
similar type of crime, he indicated that the incident would not impact his ability to be a fair and
impartial juror. He also indicated that he did not have strong feelings about sexual assault that
would impact his ability to be fair and impartial. On this record, Allen has failed to show that
counsel’s performance during voir dire fell below an objective standard of reasonableness.
C. SUFFICIENCY OF THE EVIDENCE
Allen challenges the sufficiency of the evidence to support his conviction of larceny from
the person. We review de novo a defendant’s challenge to the sufficiency of the evidence.
People v Meissner, 294 Mich. App. 438, 452; 812 NW2d 37 (2011). We review “the evidence in
a light most favorable to the prosecutor to determine whether any trier of fact could find the
essential elements of the crime were proven beyond a reasonable doubt.” People v Robinson,
475 Mich. 1, 5; 715 NW2d 44 (2006).
Larceny from the person is defined as “stealing from the person of another . . . .” MCL
750.357. The stolen property must have been “in immediate proximity to the victim at the time
of the taking.” People v Smith-Anthony, 494 Mich. 669, 688; 837 NW2d 415 (2013). However,
“courts treat victims as constructively present with the property, presuming that a victim would
have retained possession of their property if no[t] overcome by violence or prevented by fear,
[from] retain[ing] his possession of it.” Id. at 684 (quotation marks and citation omitted;
alterations in original).
Allen argues that the prosecution failed to prove that he took JH’s cell phone from her
immediate presence. This argument lacks merit because the evidence shows that Allen
physically forced JH to relinquish control of the phone so that he could take it. After the assault,
Allen took JH’s cell phone, forced JH to unlock the phone, and started reading her text messages.
JH then grabbed the phone from Allen’s hand and ran to the stairway. Allen grabbed JH by the
hair and “yanked” her head back in an attempt to get the phone back. JH threw the phone
downstairs and went down to the basement to alert her roommate. Allen later retrieved JH’s cell
phone and left with it. JH’s testimony shows that Allen used violence or fear to force JH to
relinquish control of the phone and to gain access to the phone. Therefore, Allen took the phone
from JH’s immediate presence, and there was sufficient evidence to support the conviction of
larceny from the person.
D. SCORING OF OV4
Allen argues that the trial court erred by assigning 10 points for Offense Variable (OV) 4.
We review the trial court’s fact findings, which “must be supported by a preponderance of the
evidence[,]” for clear error and the application of those facts to the statutory scoring guideline de
novo. People v Hardy, 494 Mich. 430, 438; 835 NW2d 340 (2013).
A trial court should assign 10 points for OV 4 when the record shows that a “[s]erious
psychological injury requiring professional treatment occurred to a victim.” MCL 777.34(1)(a).
The “fact that treatment has not been sought is not conclusive.” MCL 777.34(2). The trial court
should not assume that the victim suffered serious psychological injury because of the type of
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crime or the circumstances of the crime. People v White, 501 Mich. 160, 163-165; 905 NW2d
228 (2017).
In this case, a preponderance of the evidence showed that JH suffered a “[s]erious
psychological injury requiring professional treatment . . . .” See MCL 777.34(1)(a). JH testified
that she was afraid and felt “[t]errible, scared[,]” and “worried about the baby.” She stated that
she was “still distraught” at the time of trial, that she had frequent nightmares, and that she still
needed depression medication, which she admittedly took before the assault. JH’s testimony
about the continuing psychological ramifications of the assault supported the assignment of 10
points for OV 4. Therefore, the trial court did not err by assessing 10 points for OV 4.
E. COURT COSTS
Allen contends that the trial court failed to set forth a factual basis in support of the $400
in court costs imposed at sentencing. Whether court costs were authorized by statute involves a
question of statutory interpretation that this Court reviews de novo. People v Konopka (On
Remand), 309 Mich. App. 345, 356; 869 NW2d 651 (2015). We review this unpreserved issue for
plain error affecting substantial rights. People v Carines, 460 Mich. 750, 763; 597 NW2d 130
(1999).
In this case, at the time of Allen’s sentencing, the trial court had authority to impose $400
in court costs pursuant to MCL 769.1k, as amended by 2014 PA 352. MCL 769.1k(1)(b)(iii)
“provides for an award of certain costs that are not independently authorized by the statute for
the sentencing offense[.]” Konopka, 309 Mich. App. at 357. However, the trial court was
required to articulate a factual basis for the $400 in costs imposed. See id. at 359-360. Absent a
factual basis, this Court is unable to determine whether the costs were “reasonably related to the
actual costs incurred by the trial court, as required by MCL 769.1k(1)(b)(iii).” Id. Accordingly,
a remand to the trial court to establish a factual basis for the $400 costs imposed is appropriate.
F. PROSECUTORIAL MISCONDUCT
Finally, Allen argues that the prosecutor engaged in misconduct that denied him a fair
trial. We review unpreserved allegations of prosecutorial misconduct for plain error affecting
defendant’s substantial rights. People v Unger (On Remand), 278 Mich. App. 210, 235; 749
NW2d 272 (2008). This Court “examines the record and evaluates the alleged improper remarks
in context.” People v Paquette, 214 Mich. App. 336, 342; 543 NW2d 342 (1995). We must
determine “whether defendant was denied a fair and impartial trial.” Id.
Allen argues that the prosecution elicited improper testimony from JH to show that he
used women for money, forced JH to secure an auto loan for him, failed to assist her with the
bills, and forced her to pay to have his car removed from an impound lot. Allen also contends
that the prosecutor elicited testimony that Allen left guns at the house after he moved out.
“A prosecutor may not inject unfounded and prejudicial innuendo into a trial.” People v
Dobek, 274 Mich. App. 58, 79; 732 NW2d 546 (2007). In addition, a prosecutor “may not
knowingly offer inadmissible evidence” or seek to elicit improper testimony. See People v Dyer,
425 Mich. 572, 576; 390 NW2d 645 (1986) (quotation marks and citation omitted). However,
“prosecutorial misconduct cannot be predicated on good-faith efforts to admit evidence.” People
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v Noble, 238 Mich. App. 647, 660; 608 NW2d 123 (1999). In general, relevant evidence is
admissible at trial. MRE 402. Evidence is relevant if it has “any tendency to make the existence
of any fact that is of consequence to the determination of the action more probable or less
probable than it would be without the evidence.” MRE 401.
We conclude that the prosecutor did not engage in misconduct when it elicited the
testimony of which Allen complains. All of this testimony was relevant and admissible at trial.
JH’s testimony about the loans and the text messages shed light on the nature of the relationship
she had with Allen. This testimony was relevant to show the context in which the sexual assault
occurred and the control Allen attempted to exert over JH, including through financial means.
This evidence was relevant to show that Allen used methods of control to force JH to have sex
with him on the night of the assault and gave further context to the nature of the relationship.
In addition, the evidence showed that there was a breakdown in the relationship, which
supported JH’s testimony that the relationship was over and that she did not consent to having
sex with Allen on the night of the assault. Evidence that Allen called JH about the car being
impounded in Chicago was relevant to show that JH did not believe that Allen was in Grand
Rapids on the night of the assault. This evidence was relevant to show that JH was credible
when she testified that Allen did not live in the home with her and did not have permission to
enter. Moreover, evidence that Allen stored guns at JH’s home was relevant to show, in part,
why JH may have been afraid on the night of the assault. In sum, the evidence was probative
and admissible, and it did not constitute unfounded, prejudicial innuendo.
Allen also argues that the prosecutor committed misconduct during closing argument.
Allen challenges the prosecutor’s statements that all of the elements of the case were met, that
the evidence was consistent with the victim’s testimony, that Allen used the victim, and that
other evidence corroborated JH’s testimony. Allen argues that the prosecutor bolstered JH’s
testimony, inserted her own belief into the proceeding, and unfairly attacked Allen’s credibility.
A “prosecutor may not vouch for the credibility of his witnesses by implying that he has
some special knowledge of their truthfulness.” People v Thomas, 260 Mich. App. 450, 455; 678
NW2d 631 (2004). However, “a prosecutor may comment on his own witnesses’ credibility
during closing argument, especially when there is conflicting evidence and the question of the
defendant’s guilt depends on which witnesses the jury believes.” Id. Moreover, “a prosecutor is
given great latitude to argue the evidence and all inferences relating to his theory of the case.”
Id. at 456.
We conclude that the prosecutor did not commit misconduct. Rather, the prosecutor’s
comments arguing that JH was credible and highlighting other evidence that corroborated JH’s
testimony flowed from the evidence. These arguments were proper and did not amount to
improper vouching, nor did they raise an inference of personal knowledge of the case.
Moreover, the trial court instructed the jury that the arguments of the attorneys were not
evidence and that the jury was to determine the facts of the case. “Curative instructions are
sufficient to cure the prejudicial effect of most inappropriate prosecutorial statements, and jurors
are presumed to follow their instructions.” Unger, 278 Mich. App. at 235 (citations omitted).
Consequently, the trial court’s instructions alleviated any potential prejudice.
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We affirm in part and remand in part for proceedings consistent with this opinion. We do
not retain jurisdiction.
/s/ Peter D. O’Connell
/s/ Joel P. Hoekstra
/s/ Brock A. Swartzle
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