State of Minnesota v. Ger Lee ( 2016 )

This opinion will be unpublished and
may not be cited except as provided by
Minn. Stat. § 480A.08, subd. 3 (2014).
STATE OF MINNESOTA
IN COURT OF APPEALS
A15-0920
State of Minnesota,
Respondent,
vs.
Ger Lee,
Appellant.
Filed April 11, 2016
Affirmed
Rodenberg, Judge
Ramsey County District Court
File No. 62-CR-14-7975
Lori Swanson, Attorney General, St. Paul, Minnesota; and
John J. Choi, Ramsey County Attorney, Kaarin Long, Assistant County Attorney,
St. Paul, Minnesota (for respondent)
Cathryn Middlebrook, Chief Appellate Public Defender, St. Paul, Minnesota (for
appellant)
Considered and decided by Rodenberg, Presiding Judge; Hooten, Judge; and
Randall, Judge.

Retired judge of the Minnesota Court of Appeals, serving by appointment pursuant to
Minn. Const. art. VI, § 10.
UNPUBLISHED OPINION
RODENBERG, Judge
On appeal from his conviction of second-degree assault, appellant Ger Lee argues
that the district court’s erroneous admission of relationship evidence under Minn. Stat.
§ 634.20 (2014) requires a new trial. In his pro se supplemental brief, appellant
additionally argues that the district court erred in finding the state’s witnesses credible,
and he raises claims of ineffective assistance of counsel, prosecutorial misconduct, and a
Brady violation. We affirm.
FACTS
Appellant and B.V. were married in April 2011 in a traditional Hmong ceremony.
B.V.’s family provided child care for the son of appellant and B.V. during the day. B.V.
testified at trial that appellant had physically abused her and threatened to harm her with
a knife several times beginning in February 2014, but appellant had promised not to hit or
threaten her again.
Appellant and B.V. argued during the evening hours of October 16, 2014. During
the argument, B.V. locked herself in a bathroom after appellant threatened her with a
screwdriver. Appellant tried to break into the bathroom by kicking the door.
Because of appellant’s actions on October 16, B.V. decided to leave appellant.
She fled to her parents’ residence the following day. There, B.V. told her sister, I.V., and
her parents that she was leaving appellant because of his threats and abuse. B.V.’s
parents did not support her leaving appellant because of their cultural beliefs. B.V.’s
father called appellant to come to the residence because B.V. refused to return to the
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home she shared with appellant. Fearful that appellant would come to her parents’
residence, B.V. asked I.V. to record any conversation B.V. had with appellant from
another room and to call the police if B.V. yelled out I.V.’s name. B.V. also hid all of the
kitchen knives at her parents’ home because of appellant’s history of threatening to use
knives to harm her.
Appellant drove to B.V.’s parents’ residence after work. He appeared very angry
and did not remove his shoes as he usually did. Appellant sat in the living room and
called out to B.V. After talking briefly with her sister, B.V. went into the living room
and sat on a couch next to her mother, with her son on her lap, while appellant sat in a
chair on the other side of the room. B.V.’s father stood in the hallway. I.V. remained in
the bedroom, using her cellular phone to record the conversation between appellant and
B.V. Appellant began to yell obscenities at B.V., repeatedly stating that B.V. ruined his
life, had “backstab[bed]” and lied to him. B.V. can be heard on the recording made by
I.V. quietly stating that she does not feel safe and repeatedly asking appellant to leave.
During this outburst, appellant went into the kitchen and returned to the living
room with a claw-head hammer. B.V. testified that she yelled out I.V.’s name after
appellant began rummaging through drawers in the kitchen. I.V. ended the recording,
called 911, and told the dispatcher that she believed B.V. was being stabbed because she
could hear B.V. being struck.
Appellant struck B.V. twice with the hammer, hitting her right ankle and knee.
B.V. testified that appellant stated that he was going to “finish” her and kill her. B.V.
screamed for him to stop, called out for help, and tried to shield her son from the
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hammer. B.V.’s mother attempted to cover B.V. and her son while her father tried to pull
appellant away from them. B.V.’s parents were eventually able to pull the hammer away
from appellant.
St. Paul Police Officer Eric Kammerer arrived at the home and, from outside the
apartment, heard yelling from within it. Based on the report of a possibly violent
domestic disturbance, he and other officers proceeded through the unlocked door and
announced their presence. Officer Kammerer observed B.V. lying on the couch with a
bleeding wound on her right foot. When Officer Kammerer asked what had happened,
B.V.’s father, who does not speak English, raised his hand and made a swinging motion
with the hammer, pointed at B.V., and then pointed at appellant. B.V. told Officer Len
Manning that appellant had struck her with the hammer. B.V. was taken to the hospital
and treated for her injuries. Appellant was arrested.
Appellant was charged with second-degree assault. Appellant waived his jury-
trial rights, and the case was tried to the district court sitting without a jury.
Over defense counsel’s objection, the district court admitted relationship evidence
and evidence of similar domestic abuse by appellant against B.V. At trial, B.V. testified
as set forth above. Appellant testified at trial and claimed that he and B.V. had recently
been getting along well, but that they had argued about B.V.’s parents providing child
care. Appellant testified that he went to B.V.’s parents’ residence to speak with B.V.’s
father, but that the father acted strangely and it soon became apparent that he did not
intend to speak with appellant. Appellant claimed that he became angry when B.V. told
him that she wanted a divorce and asked him if he “wanted the easy way or the hard
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way.” He then testified that he stood up to leave and ran to the apartment door when he
heard B.V. scream her sister’s name. Appellant claimed that he could not open the door,
so he went to the kitchen to arm himself with the hammer because B.V. owned a gun
located in her parents’ bedroom.
Appellant testified that B.V. and her mother “ambushed” him by grabbing onto his
shirt while B.V.’s father stood in his bedroom doorway holding a large knife in his hand.
Appellant testified that he was scared, told B.V. and her mother to let him go, and
stepped to the side, causing B.V.’s mother to let go of him and fall onto his son.
Appellant testified that he hit B.V. twice with the hammer because she refused to let go
of his shirt.
The district court found appellant guilty of the charge and sentenced him to 21
months in prison. This appeal followed.
DECISION
The district court properly admitted the relationship evidence.
Appellant claims that the district court erred in admitting evidence concerning his
repeated threats to use knives against B.V., his history of physically abusing her, and the
incident on October 16, 2014 under Minn. Stat. § 634.20.
We review the district court’s evidentiary ruling for an abuse of discretion. State
v. Matthews, 779 N.W.2d 543, 553 (Minn. 2010).
Minn. Stat. § 634.20 provides that
[e]vidence of domestic conduct by the accused against the
victim of domestic conduct, or against other family or
household members, is admissible unless the probative value
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is substantially outweighed by the danger of unfair prejudice,
confusion of the issue, or misleading the jury, or by
considerations of undue delay, waste of time, or needless
presentation of cumulative evidence. “Domestic conduct”
includes, but is not limited to, evidence of domestic
abuse. . . . “Domestic abuse” and “family or household
members” have the meanings given under section 518B.01,
subdivision 2.
Evidence of prior domestic abuse by the accused against the alleged victim “may
be offered to illuminate the history of the relationship, that is, to put the crime charged in
the context of the relationship between the two.” State v. McCoy, 682 N.W.2d 153, 159
(Minn. 2004). Relationship evidence is treated differently than other “collateral” Spreigl
evidence partly because “[d]omestic abuse is unique in that it typically occurs in the
privacy of the home, it frequently involves a pattern of activity that may escalate over
time, and it is often underreported.” Id. at 161. Therefore, the procedural requirements
of Minn. R. Evid. 404(b) do not apply to relationship evidence admitted under section
634.20. State v. Meyer, 749 N.W.2d 844, 849 (Minn. App. 2008).
Probative value
Appellant argues that the evidence concerning his threats, physical abuse, and the
incident on October 16, 2014 had little probative value. He first contends that the
evidence was unnecessary because B.V. “provided the [district] court with a clear picture
of her marriage to appellant and that she wanted to leave him.” But we agree with the
state that B.V. could only do so by testifying about appellant’s repeated threats to use
knives against her, his history of physically abusing her, and testimony concerning the
incident on October 16. The relationship evidence provided a context for B.V.’s decision
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to leave appellant despite appellant’s testimony that they had been getting along well, her
parents’ disapproval of her actions, and her father’s inviting appellant to the residence to
talk notwithstanding B.V.’s claim that she did not feel safe with appellant. The
October 16 incident was also probative because appellant testified that their argument on
October 17 was a continuation of the argument on October 16. The evidence also
explains why B.V. believed it was necessary to develop a safety plan involving her sister
and to hide the knives at her parents’ home before appellant arrived. The evidence was
therefore probative for several reasons. See State v. Bell, 719 N.W.2d 635, 641 (Minn.
2006) (holding that the district court did not abuse its discretion by admitting evidence of
two separate order-for-protection violations).
Appellant contends that, because B.V. and other witnesses testified about the
assault, the evidence did not assist the court “by providing a context with[in] which it
could better judge the credibility of the principals in the relationship,” McCoy, 682
N.W.2d at 161, because the witnesses’ testimony was consistent with the police report.
But appellant cites no legal authority to support the notion that a factfinder may not
consider relationship evidence if an alleged victim has testified consistent with her prior
statements. B.V.’s credibility was critical because she was the only person, besides
appellant, who could testify to both the conversation between the parties and to the
assault. Although there were three other witnesses, B.V.’s parents observed the assault
but did not understand the argument between appellant and B.V. because they do not
speak English, while I.V. heard the conversation but did not observe the assault. Because
appellant’s testimony concerning the origin of their argument and the assault contradicted
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B.V.’s testimony, the evidence provided a context that assisted the district court with
determining “the credibility of the principals in the relationship.” Id.
Appellant cites Bell for his argument that the evidence was not probative because
the state’s other evidence was sufficient to support the allegations. 719 N.W.2d at 639.
But appellant misconstrues Bell, which expressly “decline[d] to require that [district]
courts engage in a separate analysis” of the state’s need for relationship evidence because
the need for such evidence is “naturally considered as part of the assessment of the
probative value versus prejudicial effect of the evidence.” Id. at 639. The supreme court
also concluded that “[t]here is no question . . . [that the relationship evidence is] probative
of a material fact, namely, the history of [a] relationship.” Id. at 641; see also Meyer, 749
N.W.2d at 849 (rejecting that appellant’s challenge to the admissibility of relationship
evidence “on the ground that it was not needed to strengthen the state’s case”).
Additionally, the supreme court has “on numerous occasions recognized the inherent
[probative] value of evidence of past acts of violence committed by the same defendant
against the same victim.” State v. Waino, 611 N.W.2d 575, 579 (Minn. App. 2000)
(alteration in original) (quoting State v. Williams, 593 N.W.2d 227, 236 (Minn. 1999)).
The relationship evidence admitted by the district court was relevant and admissible.
Unfair prejudice
Appellant argues that any probative value of the relationship evidence was
substantially outweighed by the danger of unfair prejudice because “it reflected primarily
on appellant’s bad character” and “allowed the [district] court to infer that if he had
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engaged in such conduct in the past, he also must have committed the charged crime and
was not acting in self-defense. . . .”
Minn. Stat. § 634.20 “specifically provides for the admission of evidence of
[domestic conduct] by the accused unless it fails to meet a balancing test that considers
whether the probative value of the evidence is substantially outweighed by the danger of
unfair prejudice.” McCoy, 682 N.W.2d at 159. “[U]nfair prejudice ‘is not merely
damaging evidence, even severely damaging evidence; rather, unfair prejudice is
evidence that persuades by illegitimate means, giving one party an unfair advantage.’”
Bell, 719 N.W.2d at 641 (quoting State v. Schulz, 691 N.W.2d 474, 478 (Minn. 2005)).
A similar argument was addressed and rejected by the supreme court in State v.
Bauer, 598 N.W.2d 352, 365 (Minn. 1999) (concluding “that the disputed evidence was
otherwise admissible as tending to show a strained relationship between appellant and
[the victim]”).
We recognize that some of the relationship evidence
introduced by the state did concern prior acts by appellant
that, if true, would tend to show that appellant committed past
crimes. This included evidence that appellant had previously
threatened and abused [the victim]. . . . Where relevant to
show a strained relationship, however, evidence of past abuse
of or threats against the victim or her family by the defendant
has generally been deemed admissible against . . . challenges
[based on Minn. R. Evid. 404(b) (prohibiting the admission of
evidence of “another crime, wrong, or act” to prove the
character of a defendant “in order to show action in
conformity therewith”)].
Id. What the supreme court stated in Bauer is true here. See id. at 364-66 (analyzing the
admission of relationship evidence under Minn. R. Evid. 404(b) and not under Minn.
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Stat. § 634.20) The evidence was properly admitted under the statute. Additionally, the
existence of other evidence supporting appellant’s conviction, including the testimony of
other witnesses, appellant’s admission that he hit B.V. with the claw-hammer, and the
audio recording of a part of the incident, decreased the risk of unfair prejudice. See
Meyer, 749 N.W.2d at 850 (noting that the risk of unfair prejudice due to relationship
evidence was “significantly lessened” by other evidence concerning the crime). The
district court properly reasoned that the evidence was relevant. See McCoy, 682 N.W.2d
at 159 (“The statute is unambiguous—evidence of [domestic conduct] in domestic abuse
trials is relevant and admissible unless it should be excluded for the reasons listed.”).
Appellant argues that the district court’s order is indicative that its “view was
clouded by the evidence of appellant’s prior conduct against [B.V.]” because the order
begins with reference to the relationship evidence. A district judge acting as a fact-finder
is presumed to disregard extraneous material and “make decisions based solely on the
merits.” State v. Dorsey, 701 N.W.2d 238, 247 (Minn. 2005); see State v. Caulfield, 722
N.W.2d 304, 315 n.8 (Minn. 2006) (“We acknowledge that evidentiary errors may be less
prejudicial in a bench trial than in a jury trial.”); Irwin v. State, 400 N.W.2d 783, 786
(Minn. App. 1987) (affirming postconviction court’s determination that the prejudicial
effect of Spreigl evidence was reduced due to the nature of a bench trial), review denied
(Minn. Mar. 25, 1987). The district court did not abuse its discretion in admitting the
relationship evidence.
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Reversal is not required.
Even if the district court had erred concerning the admission of relationship
evidence, which we do not find, we would nonetheless affirm appellant’s conviction
because he has not established that he was prejudiced by the admission of that evidence.
See State v. Clark, 738 N.W.2d 316, 347-48 (Minn. 2007). We examine the record to
determine whether there is a reasonable possibility that the erroneously admitted
evidence significantly affected the verdict. Id.Here, even if we were to assume that the relationship evidence was admitted in
error, any error was harmless because the record amply supports the district court’s
finding of guilt. Minnesota Statutes criminalize assault against another person with a
dangerous weapon. Minn. Stat. § 609.222, subd. 1 (2014). A person commits the offense
of assault through “the intentional infliction of . . . bodily harm upon another.” Minn.
Stat. § 609.02, subd. 10(2) (2014). “‘Dangerous weapon’ means any . . . device or
instrumentality that, in the manner it is used or intended to be used, is calculated or likely
to produce death or great bodily harm . . . .” Id., subd. 6 (2014). “Great bodily harm” is
defined as “bodily injury . . . which causes a . . . protracted loss or impairment of the
function of any bodily member . . . or other serious bodily harm.” Id., subd. 8.
All of the witnesses, including appellant, testified that appellant struck B.V. twice
with a large claw foot hammer. Appellant does not dispute the district court’s finding
that the hammer could cause great bodily harm or death, nor does he dispute that B.V.
suffered significant injuries to her ankle as a result of being struck. Regardless of its
consideration of the relationship evidence, the record amply supports the district court’s
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determination that appellant’s testimony concerning his claim of self-defense was not
credible, based on the audio recording made by I.V. and appellant’s admission that B.V.
was unarmed when he struck her.
Appellant’s pro se arguments lack support and merit.
Appellant appears to raise four separate claims in his pro se supplemental brief.
First, he reiterates the same argument concerning the relationship evidence addressed
above. Second, appellant argues that his trial counsel was ineffective because his lawyer
did not believe him, did not request appellant’s cellular phone as evidence before trial,
ignored “hints that [appellant] needed more time to prepare,” and that a conflict arose
between them. To prevail on a claim of ineffective assistance of counsel, appellant must
demonstrate that “(1) . . . his counsel’s representation ‘fell below an objective standard of
reasonableness’; and (2) ‘there is a reasonable probability that, but for counsel’s
unprofessional errors, the result of the proceeding would have been different.’” Nissalke
v. State, 861 N.W.2d 88, 94 (Minn. 2015) (quoting Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S.
668, 688, 694, 104 S. Ct. 2052, 2064, 2068 (1984)). There is no record evidence
supporting appellant’s claims. Despite his claim on appeal that his lawyer should have
known that appellant “needed more time to prepare,” appellant demanded a speedy trial.
That demand required that the trial be held within 60 days of the demand. Minn. R.
Crim. P. 11.09. If appellant had needed more time to prepare, he could have waived his
right to a speedy trial. Appellant’s other complaints concerning his trial counsel are
similarly unsupported by the record.
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Appellant also argues that the prosecutor committed misconduct because she
asked leading questions of B.V. and did not investigate B.V.’s claim of hidden knives.
But appellant objected twice to the prosecutor’s questions of B.V.; the district court
sustained both objections. Moreover, a review of the record shows that the questions to
which appellant now objects, even if they were leading, were only a few short lines on
one page of B.V.’s 20 pages of testimony. See Black’s Law Dictionary 1023 (10th ed.
2014) (defining “leading question” as “[a] question that suggests the answer to the person
being interrogated; esp., a question that may be answered by a mere ‘yes’ or ‘no’”).
Appellant has failed to identify any record support for his claims of prosecutorial
misconduct in not adequately investigating, and we therefore do not consider that argument.
Finally, appellant alleges a Brady violation because the prosecutor did not turn
over the hidden knives to the defense. Brady v. Maryland, 373 U.S. 220, 83 S. Ct. 1194(1963) (providing that a state is obligated to disclose exculpatory or impeaching evidence
to defendants before trial). To warrant relief under Brady, a petitioner must establish that
(1) the evidence not disclosed was favorable to him as exculpatory or impeaching; (2) the
evidence was suppressed by the prosecution; and (3) the evidence was material, resulting
in prejudice to the petitioner. Walen v. State, 777 N.W.2d 213, 216 (Minn. 2010). The
state’s suppression of evidence results in prejudice if “there is a reasonable probability
that, had the evidence been disclosed to the defense, the result of the proceeding would
have been different.” Id. (quotation omitted). Here, Brady does not apply because
appellant concedes that no knives were ever recovered by the state. Moreover, appellant
fails to make any argument under the Walen factors that would warrant relief.
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In sum, the district court acted within its discretion in admitting relationship
evidence and evidence of similar domestic abuse by appellant against B.V., and
appellant’s pro se arguments are meritless. We therefore affirm.
Affirmed.
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