State v. Ocasio , 2016 Ohio 4686 ( 2016 )

[Cite as State v. Ocasio, 2016-Ohio-4686.]
STATE OF OHIO ) IN THE COURT OF APPEALS
)ss: NINTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT
COUNTY OF LORAIN )
STATE OF OHIO C.A. No. 15CA010773
Appellee
v. APPEAL FROM JUDGMENT
ENTERED IN THE
NELSON OCASIO COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
COUNTY OF LORAIN, OHIO
Appellant CASE No. 14CR089138
DECISION AND JOURNAL ENTRY
Dated: June 30, 2016
HENSAL, Judge.
{¶1} Nelson Ocasio appeals his convictions for rape and gross sexual imposition in the
Lorain County Court of Common Pleas. For the following reasons, this Court affirms.
I.
{¶2} The victim, J.B., was born on October 16, 2007. In the spring of 2013, J.B. lived
with her mother (“Mother”) and uncle in the same apartment complex as Nelson Ocasio
(“Ocasio”). At trial, Mother testified that she and Ocasio were “friendly neighbors” and that J.B.
played ball with Ocasio on occasion.
{¶3} On May 26, 2013, J.B., her uncle, and Mother went to church. After returning
from church, Mother allowed J.B. to play outside while she cleaned the apartment. According to
J.B., she visited another neighbor first, and then went to Ocasio’s apartment. J.B. testified that
Ocasio “put [her]” on the couch in his living room and touched the “[i]nside” of her vagina with
his hand, which “hurt” and made her feel “[s]ad.” J.B. asked Ocasio to stop twice, and he
2
stopped after her second request. J.B. then left Ocasio’s apartment and headed home. Ocasio
apparently followed her back to her apartment.
{¶4} According to Mother, she was cleaning the bathroom when Ocasio entered her
apartment; J.B. entered a few moments later. Mother testified that Ocasio had a beer in his hand
and looked “drunk or high[.]” Ocasio told Mother that Mother needed to speak with J.B.
because J.B. told him that someone had touched her. Mother immediately questioned J.B. as to
who touched her, but J.B. indicated that she was told “not to tell anyone.” When Mother asked
J.B. who told her that, J.B. pointed to Ocasio. Mother yelled for her brother, who was in the
living room, and asked J.B. to “explain once again what happened” to her brother. After J.B.
explained what happened, Mother’s brother punched Ocasio in the face, and Ocasio left the
apartment.
{¶5} Mother called 911 and took J.B. to The Nord Center for a physical examination.
A sexual assault nurse examiner (“SANE”) examined J.B., but did not find any signs of a
physical injury. The SANE nurse testified, however, that 90 to 95 percent of sexual-abuse
examinations result in normal physical findings.
{¶6} A grand jury indicted Ocasio on one count of rape in violation of Revised Code
Section 2907.02(A)(1)(b) with a repeat-violent-offender specification and one count of gross
sexual imposition in violation of Section 2907.05(A)(4). Ocasio entered a plea of not guilty.
Given the victim’s age (seven at the time of trial), the trial court conducted a hearing to
determine J.B.’s competency to testify. The trial court found that J.B. could perceive factual
experiences to recollect, could communicate her observations, and could differentiate the truth
from a lie. Despite defense counsel’s objection, the trial court found that J.B. was competent to
testify. The case proceeded to a jury trial.
3
{¶7} Ocasio did not testify at trial, nor did he present any witnesses on his behalf.
After hearing testimony from J.B., Mother, and the SANE nurse, the jury found Ocasio guilty of
both charges. The trial court merged the conviction for gross sexual imposition with the
conviction for rape for purposes of sentencing, and sentenced Ocasio to fifteen years to life. The
trial court did not impose an additional sentence for the repeat-violent-offender specification.
Ocasio now appeals his convictions, raising five assignments of error for our review.
II.
ASSIGNMENT OF ERROR I
THE TRIAL COURT COMMITTED PLAIN ERROR BY FAILING TO
INSTRUCT THE JURY ON THE APPLICABLE MENS REA FOR THE
OFFENSES OF RAPE (R.C. 2907.02) AND GROSS SEXUAL IMPOSITION
(R.C. 2907.05) AND THEREBY DENIED THE APPELLANT DUE PROCESS
OF LAW AND A FAIR TRIAL AS GUARANTEED BY THE SIXTH AND
FOURTEENTH AMENDMENTS TO THE UNITED STATES
CONSTITUTION.
{¶8} In his first assignment of error, Ocasio argues that the trial court erred by failing
to instruct the jury on the applicable mens rea for rape and gross sexual imposition. As a result,
he argues that he was denied due process of law and a fair trial as guaranteed by the United
States Constitution.
{¶9} As both parties concede, Ocasio’s trial counsel did not object to the jury
instructions at trial. We, therefore, apply a plain error standard of review. State v. Reed, 9th
Dist. Wayne No. 12CA0051, 2013-Ohio-3970, ¶ 65. The doctrine of plain error requires that
there must be: (1) a deviation from a legal rule; (2) that is obvious, and; (3) that affects the
appellant’s substantial rights. State v. Hardges, 9th Dist. Summit No. 24175, 2008–Ohio–5567,
¶ 9. An error affects the appellant’s substantial rights if it affected the outcome of the trial. State
v. Barnes, 94 Ohio St.3d 21, 27 (2002). “Notice of plain error under Crim.R. 52(B) is to be
4
taken with the utmost caution, under exceptional circumstances and only to prevent a manifest
miscarriage of justice.” State v. Long, 53 Ohio St.2d 91 (1978), paragraph three of the syllabus.
{¶10} Ocasio’s argument that the trial court erred by failing to instruct the jury on the
applicable mens rea for statutory rape lacks merit. As the State points out, rape under Section
2907.02(A)(1)(b) is a strict-liability offense, rendering Ocasio’s mental state irrelevant. See In re
D.B., 129 Ohio St.3d 104, 2011-Ohio-2671, ¶ 13 (“R.C. 2907.02(A)(1)(b) criminalizes what is
commonly known as ‘statutory rape[]’ [and] * * * holds offenders strictly liable * * *.”); In re
K.A., 8th Dist. Cuyahoga Nos. 98924 and 99144, 2013-Ohio-2997, ¶ 11 (“Statutory rape is a
strict-liability offense because it does not require a mens rea.”); In re T.A., 2d Dist. Champaign
Nos. 2011-CA-28 and 2011-CA-35, 2012-Ohio-3174, ¶ 25 (stating same). We, therefore, find
no error in the trial court’s instruction for rape under Section 2907.02(A)(1)(b).
{¶11} With respect to gross sexual imposition, the State concedes that it was required to
establish that Ocasio touched J.B. “for the purpose of sexually arousing or gratifying either
person.” (Emphasis added.) R.C. 2907.01(B); R.C. 2907.05(A)(4); State v. Dunlap, 129 Ohio
St.3d 461, 2011-Ohio-4111, ¶ 26. While the trial court did not specifically instruct the jury on
the mens rea of “purpose,” it did define “sexual contact” as: “any touching of an erogenous zone
of another * * * for the purpose of sexually arousing or gratifying either person.” (Emphasis
added.)
{¶12} This Court’s prior holding in State v. Edwards, 9th Dist. Lorain No.
12CA010274, 2013-Ohio-3068, ¶ 21-26, is instructive on this issue. There, the trial court did not
instruct the jury on the mens rea of “purpose,” but, like this case, did define “sexual contact”
under Section 2907.01(B). Id. at ¶ 24. Although we held that the trial court erred by failing to
define “purpose,” we further held that such error did not rise to the level of plain error “because a
5
specific instruction on the definition of purpose would not have produced a different result at
trial.” Id. at ¶ 26. In doing so, we noted that “[p]urpose is a commonly used word and is readily
understood.” Id. at ¶ 25.
{¶13} Because the trial court instructed the jury on the definition of “sexual contact”
under Section 2907.01(B), we hold that any error in its failure to specifically define the mens rea
of “purpose” did not rise to the level of plain error. Edwards at ¶ 24-26. Ocasio’s first
assignment of error is overruled.
ASSIGNMENT OF ERROR II
THE LOWER COURT ERRED AND ABUSED ITS DISCRETION IN
FINDING THE SEVEN (7) YEAR OLD WITNESS COMPETENT TO
TESTIFY IN VIOLATION OF APPELLANT’S RIGHT TO
CONFRONTATION AND A FAIR TRIAL AS GUARANTEED BY THE
SIXTH AND FOURTEENTH AMENDMENTS TO THE UNITED STATES
CONSTITUTION.
{¶14} In his second assignment of error, Ocasio argues that the trial court abused its
discretion by finding J.B. competent to testify. Specifically, Ocasio argues that the trial court
erred because it neglected to make a finding regarding J.B.’s appreciation for her responsibility
to tell the truth. He also argues that J.B.’s demeanor “evidenced a true lack of perception and
appreciation for the seriousness of the proceedings as well as the responsibility to be truthful[.]”
{¶15} “Decisions on witness competency are within the sound discretion of the trial
court and will not be overturned absent an abuse of discretion.” State v. Middlesworth, 9th Dist.
Wayne No. 05CA0016, 2006-Ohio-12, ¶ 7. An abuse of discretion implies that a trial court was
unreasonable, arbitrary, or unconscionable in its judgment. Blakemore v. Blakemore, 5 Ohio
St.3d 217, 219 (1983).
6
{¶16} In State v. Frazier, the Ohio Supreme Court set forth five factors a court must
consider when making a determination as to whether a child under ten years old is competent to
testify. 61 Ohio St.3d 247, 251 (1991). Those factors include:
(1) the child’s ability to receive accurate impressions of fact or to observe acts
about which he or she will testify, (2) the child’s ability to recollect those
impressions or observations, (3) the child’s ability to communicate what was
observed, (4) the child’s understanding of truth and falsity[;] and (5) the child’s
appreciation of his or her responsibility to be truthful.
Id. Notably, “[t]he trial court errs in finding a child witness competent without sufficient
evidence before it to consider each of the five Frazier factors.” State v. Wells, 9th Dist. Summit
No. 21149, 2003-Ohio-3162, ¶ 8. A deficiency at the competency hearing, however, “can be
cured if the child’s subsequent testimony at trial demonstrates that the trial court was justified in
finding the child competent to testify.” Id. at ¶ 9.
{¶17} Ocasio challenges the trial court’s competency decision with respect to the fifth
Frazier factor only, that is, J.B.’s appreciation of her responsibility to be truthful. During the
competency hearing, the trial court specifically asked J.B. whether she was going to tell the truth,
to which she answered: “Yes.” At trial, prior to giving any substantive testimony, the State
asked J.B. what the “[n]umber one” most important thing was for her to do that day, to which she
responded: “[t]ell the truth.” We, therefore, find that the trial court could have reasonably
concluded that J.B. appreciated her responsibility to be truthful.
{¶18} Based upon our review of the testimony presented at the competency hearing and
at trial, we cannot conclude that the trial court’s decision to allow J.B. to testify was
unreasonable, arbitrary, or unconscionable. See Middlesworth, 2006-Ohio-12, at ¶ 9. Ocasio’s
second assignment of error is overruled.
7
ASSIGNMENT OF ERROR III
THE APPELLANT WAS DENIED DUE PROCESS OF LAW AND A FAIR
TRIAL DUE TO REPEATED INSTANCES OF PROSECUTORIAL
MISCONDUCT.
{¶19} In his third assignment of error, Ocasio argues that he was denied due process and
a fair trial because the prosecutor engaged in the following acts of prosecutorial misconduct
during closing argument: (1) he improperly vouched for J.B.’s credibility; and (2) he argued the
wrong mens rea for rape and gross sexual imposition. Because Ocasio’s counsel did not object
at the trial court, we apply a plain error standard of review. See State v. Baston, 85 Ohio St.3d
418, 427 (1999).
{¶20} “The test regarding prosecutorial misconduct in closing arguments is whether the
remarks were improper and, if so, whether they prejudicially affected substantial rights of the
defendant.” State v. Geiger, 9th Dist. Medina No. 12CA0006-M, 2012-Ohio-4002, ¶ 8, quoting
State v. Smith, 14 Ohio St.3d 13, 14 (1984). “To establish prejudice, an accused must show that
there is a reasonable probability that, but for the prosecutor’s improper remarks, the result of the
proceeding would have been different.” State v. Hodge, 9th Dist. Lorain No. 98CA007056, 2000
WL 1533917, *7 (Oct. 18, 2000). We must “view the [prosecutor’s] closing argument in its
entirety to determine whether the allegedly improper remarks were prejudicial.” State v. Treesh,
90 Ohio St.3d 460, 466 (2001).
{¶21} We begin our analysis with Ocasio’s argument that the prosecutor improperly
vouched for J.B.’s credibility. “In order to vouch for the witness, the prosecutor must imply
knowledge of facts outside the record or place the prosecutor’s personal credibility in issue.”
State v. Jackson, 107 Ohio St.3d 53, 2005-Ohio-5981, ¶ 117. During the rebuttal portion of his
closing argument, the prosecutor stated: “[t]his brave seven-year-old got up on the witness stand
8
and told you about a horrible event that happened to her.” Ocasio argues that this statement
impermissibly bolstered J.B.’s credibility because it injected the prosecutor’s own belief that J.B.
was brave and that a horrible event happened.
{¶22} Even assuming that the prosecutor’s statement was improper, we cannot say that
it prejudicially affected Ocasio’s substantial rights. Geiger at ¶ 8. The prosecutor made the
statement during the rebuttal portion of his closing argument after defense counsel repeatedly
attacked J.B.’s credibility. Viewing the prosecutor’s closing argument in its entirety, we cannot
say that, but for this isolated comment, the outcome of the trial would have been different.
Hodge at *7; State v. Messer, 9th Dist. Wayne No. 95CA0029, 1995 WL 760387, *3 (Dec. 27,
1995) (holding that the prosecutor’s comment during the rebuttal portion of closing argument
that the witnesses were “very truthful” did not deprive the defendant of a fair trial.); see also
State v. Logan, 9th Dist. Summit No. 19726, 2000 WL 1289413, *6-7 (Sept. 13, 2000) (holding
that a prosecutor’s remark indicating that a witness was credible did not rise to the level of plain
error).
{¶23} We now turn to whether the prosecutor’s statements implying that both charges
were strict-liability offenses amounted to prosecutorial misconduct. As an initial matter, we find
nothing improper with the prosecutor’s statements as they relate to the charge of rape under
Section 2907.02(A)(1)(b) because it is a strict-liability offense. See In re D.B., 129 Ohio St.3d
104, 2011-Ohio-2671, ¶ 13. The prosecutor did, however, improperly argue that gross sexual
imposition is a strict-liability offense. But as discussed above, the trial court instructed the jury
as to the definition of “sexual contact,” which includes the mens rea of “purpose.” Importantly,
“[j]uries are presumed to follow trial court instructions.” State v. Jones, 91 Ohio St.3d 335, 353
(2001). Because the trial court did instruct the jury on the mens rea of “purpose” by way of its
9
instruction on the definition of “sexual contact,” and because the jury is presumed to have
followed the trial court’s instructions, we cannot say that the prosecutor’s statements relating to
strict liability affected the outcome of the trial. Ocasio’s third assignment of error is overruled.
ASSIGNMENT OF ERROR IV
THE VERDICT AND JUDGMENT WAS AGAINST THE MANIFEST
WEIGHT OF THE EVIDENCE.
{¶24} In his fourth assignment of error, Ocasio argues that the verdict was against the
manifest weight of the evidence. If a defendant asserts that a conviction is against the manifest
weight of the evidence,
an appellate court must review the entire record, weigh the evidence and all
reasonable inferences, consider the credibility of witnesses and determine
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. Otten, 33 Ohio App.3d 339, 340 (9th Dist.1986).
{¶25} Weight of the evidence pertains to the greater amount of credible evidence
produced in a trial to support one side over the other side. State v. Thompkins, 78 Ohio St.3d
380, 387. An appellate court should only exercise its power to reverse a judgment as against the
manifest weight of the evidence in exceptional cases. State v. Carson, 9th Dist. Summit No.
26900, 2013-Ohio-5785, ¶ 32, citing Otten at 340.
{¶26} We decline to address Ocasio’s challenge to his conviction for gross sexual
imposition because the trial court merged that offense with his rape conviction, and sentenced
Ocasio on the rape conviction only. See State v. Romo, 9th Dist. Lorain No. 09CA009647, 2010-
Ohio-4067, ¶ 21. With respect to the rape conviction, Ocasio argues that the evidence presented
regarding penetration, an essential element to the crime of rape, was so equivocal that a
reasonable jury could not have concluded that it constituted proof beyond a reasonable doubt. In
10
this regard, he argues that J.B.’s testimony was “extremely contradictory” and that the State,
through the use of leading questions, coaxed her into testifying that Ocasio touched her vagina.
{¶27} “Credibility determinations are primarily within the province of the trier of fact.”
State v. Just, 9th Dist. No. 12CA0002, 2012-Ohio-4094, ¶ 42, citing State v. Violett, 9th Dist.
Medina No. 11CA0106–M, 2012–Ohio–2685, ¶ 11. “The fact-finder ‘is free to believe all, part,
or none of the testimony of each witness.’” Id., quoting State v. Cross, 9th Dist. Summit No.
25487, 2011–Ohio–3250, ¶ 35. This is because “the [jury] is best able to view witnesses and
observe their demeanor, gestures and voice inflections, and use these observations in weighing
the credibility of the proffered testimony.” State v. Cook, 9th Dist. Summit No. 21185, 2003-
Ohio-727, ¶ 30, quoting Giurbino v. Giurbino 89 Ohio App.3d 646, 659 (8th Dist.1993).
{¶28} At trial, J.B. testified that she went to Ocasio’s apartment, that he “put [her]” on
the couch, that he touched the “inside” of her vagina with his hand, and that it “hurt[.]” Further,
Mother testified that, after questioning J.B., J.B. indicated that Ocasio had touched her.
{¶29} Ocasio argues, however, that the State improperly elicited responses from J.B.
using “clearly leading questions[.]” “Ohio courts[, however,] have consistently held leading
questions asked of a child on direct examination * * * are not prohibited.” State v. Lortz, 9th
Dist. Summit No. 23762, 2008-Ohio-3108, ¶ 30. Although J.B.’s testimony was seemingly
inconsistent at times, it was “the jury’s province to take note of [the] inconsistencies * * * and
resolve or discount them accordingly.” State v. Davis, 9th Dist. Summit No. 26994, 2014-Ohio-
687, ¶ 14.
{¶30} Having reviewed the record, we cannot say that the jury clearly lost its way when
it accepted J.B. and Mother’s version of events. Thompkins, 78 Ohio St.3d at 387. We,
11
therefore, hold that Ocasio’s rape conviction was not against the manifest weight of the evidence.
Ocasio’s fourth assignment of error is overruled.
ASSIGNMENT OF ERROR V
THE APPELLANT[’S] RIGHTS PURSUANT TO THE SIXTH AND
FOURTEENTH AMENDMENTS TO THE UNITED STATES
CONSTITUTION WERE VIOLATED DUE TO INEFFECTIVE ASSISTANCE
OF COUNSEL.
{¶31} In his fifth assignment of error, Ocasio argues that his trial counsel was
ineffective because: (1) they failed to object to the jury instructions, which did not include the
proper mens rea for the offenses; (2) they failed to object to the State’s witness vouching during
closing argument, as well as the State’s improper statement regarding the applicable mens rea;
and (3) they failed to object to leading questions by the prosecutor that assumed facts not in
evidence. We decline to address Ocasio’s first two arguments given our disposition of his first
and third assignments of error. Our analysis, therefore, will focus on Ocasio’s argument that his
trial counsel was ineffective because they failed to object to the State’s leading questions that
assumed facts not in evidence.
{¶32} To prevail on a claim of ineffective assistance of counsel, Ocasio must show: (1)
that counsel’s performance was deficient to the extent that “counsel was not functioning as the
‘counsel’ guaranteed the defendant by the Sixth Amendment” and (2) that there is a reasonable
probability that, but for counsel’s deficient performance, the result of the trial would have been
different. Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. 668, 687, 694 (1984).
{¶33} A deficient performance is one that falls below an objective standard of
reasonable representation. State v. Bradley, 42 Ohio St.3d 136 (1989), paragraph two of the
syllabus. A court, however, “must indulge a strong presumption that counsel’s conduct falls
within the wide range of reasonable professional assistance; that is, the defendant must overcome
12
the presumption that, under the circumstances, the challenged action ‘might be considered sound
trial strategy.’” Strickland at 689, quoting Michel v. Louisiana, 350 U.S. 91, 101 (1955).
{¶34} Ocasio cites the following exchanges between the State and J.B. in support of his
argument that his defense counsel was ineffective because they failed to object to the State’s
leading questions that assumed facts not in the record:
Q: Okay; all right. Has anybody ever done a bad touch to you?
A: (Nodding Head.)
Q: You have to answer out loud.
A: Yes.
Q: Okay. And when they did a bad touch, where did they touch you?
A: (Indicating.)
Q: Tell me the name.
A: Ladybug [J.B.’s name for her vagina].
Q: Ladybug, okay. Who touched you in your ladybug?
A: Now I forget the name.
Q: Okay. Well, did you have a nickname?
A: No, I don’t. I don’t know that. I don’t know what his nickname is.
***
Q: [J.B.], when that man in the red touched you in your ladybug, where did it happen?
A: In - -
Q: Did it happen in your apartment or your house or somebody else’s?
{¶35} Although his merit brief is unclear, we presume Ocasio takes issue with the
prosecutor’s questions presuming J.B. was touched “in” her vagina, and his leading question
relating to where the incident occurred. As it relates to the latter, we note that Ocasio’s trial
counsel did object, but that the trial court overruled her objection:
[Defense Counsel]: Objection.
***
[Defense Counsel]: Leading, your Honor. He started naming places.
The Court: Well, I’m going to overrule it just because of the age of the witness.
13
{¶36} While Ocasio’s trial counsel did not object to the prosecutor’s questions
presuming J.B. was touched “in” her vagina, we cannot conclude that their failure to do so
constituted ineffective assistance of counsel. As noted above, the prosecutor asked J.B. the
following leading questions:
Q: Ladybug, okay. Who touched you in your ladybug?
A: Now I forget the name.
***
Q: [J.B.], when that man in the red touched you in your ladybug, where did it happen?
A: In - -
Q: Did it happen in your apartment or your house or somebody else’s?
[Defense Counsel]: Objection.
{¶37} This Court has stated that “leading questions asked of a child on direct
examination * * * are not prohibited” and “are often permitted in order to pinpoint specific
details and times.” State v. Lortz, 9th Dist. Summit No. 23762, 2008-Ohio-3108, ¶ 30; State v.
Liddle, 9th Dist. Summit No. 23287, 2007-Ohio-1820, ¶ 30. Further, the Ohio Supreme Court
has held that “it is within the trial court’s discretion to allow leading questions on direct
examination” and that trial counsel’s failure to object does not constitute ineffective assistance of
counsel. State v. Jackson, 92 Ohio St.3d 436, 449 (2001); State v. Kiley, 9th Dist. Lorain No.
10CA009757, 2011-Ohio-1156, ¶ 4. Accordingly, Ocasio’s trial counsel “was not ineffective for
not objecting to the prosecutor’s leading questions.” Kiley at ¶ 4. Ocasio’s fifth assignment of
error is overruled.
III.
{¶38} Ocasio’s assignments of error are overruled. The judgment of the Lorain County
Court of Common Pleas is affirmed.
Judgment affirmed.
14
There were reasonable grounds for this appeal.
We order that a special mandate issue out of this Court, directing the Court of Common
Pleas, County of Lorain, State of Ohio, to carry this judgment into execution. A certified copy of
this journal entry shall constitute the mandate, pursuant to App.R. 27.
Immediately upon the filing hereof, this document shall constitute the journal entry of
judgment, and it shall be file stamped by the Clerk of the Court of Appeals at which time the
period for review shall begin to run. App.R. 22(C). The Clerk of the Court of Appeals is
instructed to mail a notice of entry of this judgment to the parties and to make a notation of the
mailing in the docket, pursuant to App.R. 30.
Costs taxed to Appellant.
JENNIFER HENSAL
FOR THE COURT
MOORE, J.
WHITMORE, J.
CONCUR.
APPEARANCES:
ROBERT A. DIXON, Attorney at Law, for Appellant.
DENNIS P. WILL, Prosecuting Attorney, and ELIZABETH LINBERG, Assistant Prosecuting
Attorney, for Appellee.