State v. Williams

[Cite as State v. Williams, 2015-Ohio-3968.]
IN THE COURT OF APPEALS
FIRST APPELLATE DISTRICT OF OHIO
HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO

STATE OF OHIO, : APPEAL NO. C-140199
TRIAL NO. B-1201790
Plaintiff-Appellee, :

vs. : O P I N I O N.

ALPHONSO WILLIAMS, :

Defendant-Appellant. :

Criminal Appeal From: Hamilton County Court of Common Pleas Court

Judgment Appealed From Is: Affirmed and Cause Remanded

Date of Judgment Entry on Appeal: September 30, 2015

Joseph T. Deters, Hamilton County Prosecuting Attorney, and Melynda J. Machol,
Assistant Prosecuting Attorney, for Plaintiff-Appellee,

Michaela M. Stagnaro, for Defendant-Appellant.

Please note: this case has been removed from the accelerated calendar.
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C UNNINGHAM , Judge.

{¶1} Defendant-appellant Alphonso Williams appeals from his convictions,

following a jury trial, for aggravated burglary and the rape of P.H., a then-77-year-old

woman. In 1998, Williams forcibly entered P.H.’s apartment, threatened to kill her if

she did not give him money, and then, after she had complied with his demand,

raped her vaginally and anally. This prosecution began in 2011, when a DNA sample

obtained from Williams was found to match the DNA in semen found on P.H.’s

nightgown after the attack.

{¶2} Raising five assignments of error, Williams contends that the trial

court erred in denying his motion to suppress statements made to police, in

admitting an out-of-court declaration from P.H. describing the attack to a sexual-

assault nurse, in entering judgment on convictions not supported by sufficient

evidence and that were against the manifest weight of the evidence, in adjudicating

Williams a sexual predator, and in imposing sentences contrary to law. We affirm.

But we must remand the case to the trial court so that it can incorporate

its consecutive-sentencing findings into the sentencing entry.

I. The 1998 Rape of P.H.

{¶3} Between 6:00 and 7:00 a.m., on the morning of May 3, 1998, Adam

Jennings noticed an African-American male standing outside the window of P.H.’s

apartment. Williams is African-American. Jennings noticed that P.H.’s air

conditioning unit was missing from its aperture in the window. Several minutes later

he heard P.H. screaming. Responding to her calls, Jennings found the frail P.H.

disheveled and bleeding. She was hysterical. The African-American male had fled.

{¶4} Cincinnati police officers responded and found P.H. still agitated but

able to explain what had happened. She could not identify her attacker. Police found

broken pieces of the air conditioner on the floor of her apartment. The mattress had

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been shifted from the box spring. The bed coverings were disheveled. Fecal matter

was found on the bed. Officers collected P.H.’s nightgown and other clothing as

evidence, and transported P.H. and the clothing to University Hospital.

{¶5} At the hospital, P.H. was examined by nurse Mary Jo Lattarulo, a

trained sexual-abuse nurse examiner, or SANE nurse. As Lattarulo later explained to

the jury, the primary purpose of the SANE program is to diagnose and treat victims

of sexual assault. She described how she took a medical history from P.H. and

conducted a sexual-assault physical examination.

{¶6} Lattarulo found that P.H. “was just very, very fragile, weak and she

was very upset.” P.H. was in great pain, and visibly shaking. She cried throughout

the examination. She told Lattarulo of a pre-existing heart condition. Although P.H.

was not able to tolerate the pain of a complete internal examination, Lattarulo

documented the serious injuries that she was able to observe. Lattarulo found a one-

inch laceration to P.H.’s fourchette, a fold of skin at the back of the vulva. From the

condition of her wounds, Lattarulo concluded that P.H.’s injuries were about 12

hours old, and were consistent with forcible trauma and forced sexual activity. No

police officers were present during the examination.

{¶7} As part of the medical record, Lattarulo recorded P.H.’s description of

her ordeal:

[Patient] states that she was breathing funny and noticed that her air

conditioner was not on, and at that time she heard a voice. ‘Wham

bam, like the mountains falling.

I saw a head in the glass and he said shut up and be quiet or I will kill

you. Cooperate with me and give me what I want, I won’t hurt you, I

want your money and something else. If I give you money, will you

please go so I won’t say a word. I have a heart condition and can’t

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take much. I reached into my handbag and gave him the money and

when I looked up at him, I saw him start to unbuckle his belt undo his

clothes. I told him please you promised. He came down on top of me

and said, wait a minute. I am going to take you to the bed. He put me

on the bed. If you cooperate, it won’t be bad, and you might even

enjoy it. He said you let me go into your rectum like he was mad, like

it was my fault because he got shit on him. He said, I’m going to have

to go clean up, I knew better than to leave. He came back & started

again. He stretched me back on the bed & he started, and if you

cooperate, it won’t be so long. I need a quickie. He was covering my

mouth & smothering me. He got started & it hurt and he said if you

make another noise I’ll kill you.’ I kept thinking I am going to die.

When he got finished the second time he said wasn’t it good. I was

trying to save my life. He went into the bathroom to wash his hands.

{¶8} The investigation was unable to find P.H.’s attacker. She died one

year later.

II. The 2011 CODIS Hit

{¶9} The case remained dormant until 2011, when William Harry, a

Hamilton County serologist and DNA-analyst, reviewed a DNA sample taken from

Williams, who was incarcerated in the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and

Correction. When Harry entered the sample into the Combined DNA Index System

("CODIS"), a national DNA database system, Williams’ sample was found to match

the DNA of the semen retrieved from P.H.’s nightgown. Harry obtained a new

sample from Williams, conducted a more detailed test, and again determined that

the sample matched the DNA recovered from the victim.

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{¶10} Police resumed the investigation. Cincinnati Police Specialist Jane

Noel interviewed Williams in prison and showed him a picture of the victim.

Williams denied knowing her. Williams maintained that “I didn’t do it,” and that his

DNA “shouldn’t [have been] there.”

III. The 2012 Jury Trial

{¶11} The Hamilton County Grand Jury returned a four-count indictment

in 2012. Williams was charged with one count of aggravated burglary, in violation of

R.C. 2911.11(A)(1), one count of vaginal rape, one count of anal rape, both in violation

of R.C. 2907.02(A)(2), and a single count of kidnapping.

{¶12} Williams moved to suppress his statements to Specialist Noel.

Following a hearing, the motion was denied. Williams also filed a motion in limine

to prevent Lattarulo from recounting P.H.’s description of the attack to the jury. The

trial court reserved ruling on the motion until Lattarulo was ready to testify at trial.

The court conducted a voir dire examination of the witness outside of the hearing of

the jury. After reviewing her testimony, and over the well-argued objection of

Williams’ counsel, the court permitted Lattarulo to testify.

{¶13} Williams testified in his own defense. Contrary to his earlier

assertions, Williams testified that he had had a consensual, sexual relationship with

P.H. for a six-month period beginning in 1997, when he was 38 years old and she was

77. He claimed to have given P.H. the nightgown that she had been wearing when

she was raped. Williams denied breaking into her apartment, robbing her, and

sexually assaulting her. Instead he claimed that she had been wearing the nightgown

containing his semen the last time that they had had sexual relations.

{¶14} At the conclusion of five days of testimony, the jury found Williams

guilty of each count. After a sentencing hearing, the trial court imposed ten-year

prison terms for the aggravated-burglary offense and for each of the rape offenses.

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The court afforded Williams the protection of R.C. 2941.25, Ohio’s multiple-count

statute, by merging, or not imposing a sentence for, the kidnapping offense. The trial

court made findings to support its determination that consecutive sentences were

appropriate, and imposed an aggregate sentence of 30 years’ imprisonment. The

trial court also conducted a sexual-predator-classification hearing, and found

Williams to be a sexual predator. This appeal ensued.

IV. Motion to Suppress

{¶15} In his first assignment of error, Williams contends that the trial court

erred in denying his motion to suppress statements made by him, in a recorded interview,

to police Specialist Noel and another officer. In the interview, after being shown a

photograph of P.H. taken shortly after the attack, Williams denied knowing her. When

confronted with the newly developed DNA evidence, Williams stated that “I didn’t do it,”

and that his DNA “shouldn’t [have been] there.” The recorded interview was ultimately

played for the jury at trial.

{¶16} Williams now argues that, despite his signature on a waiver-of-rights

form, he did not voluntarily and knowingly waive his right to remain silent

under Miranda v. Arizona, 384 U.S. 436, 86 S.Ct. 1602, 16 L.Ed.2d 694 (1966). He

asserts that because he was heavily medicated for bipolar mental disorder and depression

at the time of the interview, and because Specialist Noel had employed coercive interview

techniques, he could not have properly waived that right.

{¶17} We review a trial court’s ruling on a motion to suppress in a two-step

process. See In re A.J.S., 120 Ohio St.3d 185, 2008-Ohio-5307, 897 N.E.2d 629, ¶ 49 et

seq. First, we must accept the trial court’s findings of historical fact if they are supported

by competent, credible evidence. See State v. Burnside, 100 Ohio St.3d 152, 2003-Ohio-

5372, 797 N.E.2d 71, ¶ 8. Then this court must make an independent determination, as a

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matter of law, without deference to the trial court’s legal conclusions, whether those facts

meet the applicable constitutional standards. See id.

{¶18} The state bears the burden of demonstrating by a preponderance of the

evidence that Williams’ statement was voluntary. See State v. Cedeno, 192 Ohio App.3d

738, 2011-Ohio-674, 950 N.E.2d 582, ¶ 17 (1st Dist.). “In deciding whether a defendant’s

confession is involuntarily induced, the court should consider the totality of the

circumstances, including the age, mentality, and prior criminal experience of the accused;

the length, intensity, and frequency of interrogation; the existence of physical deprivation

or mistreatment; and the existence of threat or inducement.” State v. Edwards, 49 Ohio

St.2d 31, 358 N.E.2d 1051 (1976), paragraph two of the syllabus; see State v. Leonard, 104

Ohio St.3d 54, 2004-Ohio-6235, 818 N.E.2d 229, ¶ 32. The same considerations apply to

whether a defendant voluntarily, knowingly, and intelligently waived his rights. See

Leonard at ¶ 32. Evidence of police coercion or overreaching is a necessary predicate for a

finding of involuntariness. See State v. Hill, 64 Ohio St.3d 313, 318, 595 N.E.2d 884

(1992), citing Colorado v. Connelly, 479 U.S. 157, 164, 107 S.Ct. 515, 93 L.Ed.2d 473

(1986).

{¶19} At the hearing on Williams’ motion to suppress, Specialist Noel testified

that she had interrogated Williams at a corrections facility for about 25 minutes on

November 2, 2011. Specialist Noel stated that she had advised Williams of his rights

against self-incrimination, verbally and in written form, prior to questioning. While

Williams explained that he was receiving medication for his mental conditions, Specialist

Noel stated that Williams voluntarily spoke to her and the other officer present and

appropriately answered questions when asked. The officers did not deny Williams food,

drink, or the opportunity to use a bathroom during the brief questioning. Williams

himself terminated the interview.

{¶20} There was ample competent, credible evidence adduced at the hearing to

support the trial court’s legal decision that Williams had been properly advised of his

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Miranda rights and that he understood those rights when he signed the waiver form. A

signed waiver form is strong proof of the validity of the waiver. See State v. Nields, 93

Ohio St.3d 6, 19, 752 N.E.2d 859 (2001).

{¶21} There was little evidence of police coercion or overreaching during the

brief interrogation. Specialist Noel did lead Williams to believe that P.H. was still alive in

hopes that he would assist police in solving the 1998 crime. In light of all the other

indications of voluntariness, this interrogation technique standing alone did not vitiate the

interview. The trial court opted to believe Specialist Noel’s testimony. At a suppression

hearing, the evaluation of evidence and the credibility of witnesses are issues for the trial

court to determine. See State v. Hill, 73 Ohio St.3d 433, 446, 653 N.E.2d 271 (1995).

{¶22} Williams was 38 years old when interviewed. He had some mental

disorders, but was receiving treatment for them. He had had extensive experience with

the criminal justice system. And the interview was a brief, one-time event. Under the

totality of the circumstances, we hold that the trial court was justified in finding that

Williams had been properly advised of his rights prior to making his statements and that

he had knowingly and voluntarily waived those rights. The first assignment of error is

overruled.

V. P.H.’s Nontestimonial Statements Describing the Attack

{¶23} In his second assignment of error, Williams contends that the trial

court erred in admitting statements made by P.H. to Lattarulo describing her rape.

Lattarulo testified after Williams’ carefully argued motion in limine had been

overruled, and over his renewed objection.

{¶24} Without an opportunity to confront his victim, an out-of-court

declarant, Williams claims he was deprived of his Sixth Amendment rights when

Lattarulo testified at trial and related P.H.’s narrative of the attack. See Crawford v.

Washington, 541 U.S. 36, 53-54, 124 S.Ct. 1354, 158 L.Ed.2d 177 (2004). Williams

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also argues that P.H.’s statements were excludable as hearsay not falling within the

medical-records exception of Evid.R. 803(4).

{¶25} The Sixth Amendment to the United States Constitution states, “In all

criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right * * * to be confronted with

the witnesses against him[.]” Thus the Confrontation Clause bars the “testimonial

statements of a witness who did not appear at trial unless he was unavailable to

testify, and the defendant had a prior opportunity for cross-examination.” Crawford

at 53-54.

{¶26} The threshold inquiry is whether the challenged out-of-court

statements were testimonial in nature and thus needed to be tested by confrontation.

The right to confrontation does not extend to nontestimonial hearsay. Thus if the

challenged statements were not testimonial, Crawford does not govern their

admissibility. See State v. Lewis, 1st Dist. Hamilton Nos. C-050989 and C-060010,

2007-Ohio-1485, ¶ 30; see also Crawford at 68. Their admissibility is the concern

of the Ohio evidence rules. See Ohio v. Clark, ___U.S.___, 135 S.Ct. 2173, 2180, 192

L.Ed.2d 306 (2015).

{¶27} While the Crawford court declined to “spell out a comprehensive

definition of ‘testimonial,’ ” it stated that the term “applies at a minimum to prior

testimony at a preliminary hearing, before a grand jury, or at a former trial; and to

police interrogations.” Crawford, 541 U.S. at 68, 124 S.Ct. 1354, 158 L.Ed.2d 177.

The court noted that these were statements “made under circumstances which would

lead an objective witness reasonably to believe that the statement would be available

for use at a later trial.” Id. at 52.

{¶28} In State v. Stahl, 111 Ohio St.3d 186, 2006-Ohio-5482, 855 N.E.2d

834, the Ohio Supreme Court considered whether out-of-court statements by an

adult rape victim to a nurse working in a specialized medical facility for sexual-

assault victims were admissible when the victim was not available to testify at trial.

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The court adopted the Crawford objective-witness test for out-of-court statements

made to medical personnel. It concluded that in determining whether a statement is

testimonial for confrontation purposes, courts should focus on the expectation of the

declarant when making the statement. See id. at paragraph two of the syllabus.

{¶29} The statements at issue in Stahl, describing the attack and identifying

the perpetrator, were made to a medical professional at a medical facility for the

primary purpose of receiving medical treatment. They were not made to

“investigat[e] past events related to criminal prosecution,” because they were the

kind of statements that would cause a medical professional to be concerned about

the possibility of physical injury, psychological trauma, or disease. Id. at ¶ 17 and 46.

Thus the rape victim’s statements were nontestimonial, because the “victim could

reasonably have believed that * * * [her] statement would be used primarily for

health-care purposes.” Id. at ¶ 39-40; see State v. Ruff, 2013-Ohio-3234, 996 N.E.2d

513, ¶ 17 (1st Dist.) (“Ruff I”), overruled on other grounds, State v. Ruff, 143 Ohio

St.3d 114, 2015-Ohio-995, 34 N.E.3d 892 (2015).

{¶30} We now review P.H.’s statements to determine whether she could

reasonably have believed that they would have been used primarily for health-care

purposes, see Stahl, 111 Ohio St.3d 186, 2006-Ohio-5482, 855 N.E.2d 834, at ¶ 39-

40, or whether statements not necessary for diagnosis and treatment were related

primarily to the state’s investigation. See Ruff I at ¶ 19-20; see also State v. Durdin,

10th Dist. Franklin No. 14AP-249, 2014-Ohio-5759, ¶ 26 et seq.

{¶31} As Lattarulo explained to the jury, her primary role as a SANE nurse

was to provide medical care to her patient. While Lattarulo had informed P.H. that

she would be collecting evidence, she also explained that primary purpose to P.H. To

fulfill her role as a health-care provider, Lattarulo was required to obtain a detailed

medical history from P.H. While taking a history, medical professionals routinely

record the victim’s description of how an injury has occurred in addition to the

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physical findings of an examination. Obtaining a thorough history regarding the

causation and nature of the injury is an important component of medical diagnosis

and treatment. See Stahl, 111 Ohio St.3d 186, 2006-Ohio-5482, 855 N.E.2d 834, at ¶

27. The victim’s statements concerning how the rape occurred can guide medical

personnel in diagnosis and treatment. “[T]he description of how the [sexual] assault

took place, over how long of a period, how many times a person was hit, choked or

penetrated, and what types of objects were inserted are all specifically relevant to

medical treatment. They are part of the medical history. They are the reason for the

symptoms. They let the examiner know where to examine and what types of injuries

could be latent.” State v. Menton, 7th Dist. Mahoning No. 07 MA 70, 2009-Ohio-

4640, ¶ 51.

{¶32} Here, most of P.H.’s statements relayed to the jury dealt with the

physical aspects of Williams’ attack, including descriptions of the anal and vaginal

rapes, and his attempts to smother her. These statements were clearly made for the

primary purpose of medical diagnosis and treatment and would have been

understood to be so by an objective witness. These statements were nontestimonial.

See Stahl, 111 Ohio St.3d 186, 2006-Ohio-5482, 855 N.E.2d 834, at ¶ 39-40; see also

State v. Arnold, 126 Ohio St.3d 290, 2010-Ohio-2742, 933 N.E.2d 775, ¶ 38.

{¶33} But P.H. made other statements to Lattarulo describing Williams’

demand for money, his promise that he would not hurt her if she cooperated, and her

reaction when he repeatedly raped her after she had given him the money he sought.

In Ruff I, we posited that “[a]rguably * * * some of the peripheral details provided by

[the victim]—that Mr. Ruff demanded money before raping her and had a cigarette

and Diet Pepsi afterwards—were testimonial.” Ruff I, 2013-Ohio-3234, 996 N.E.2d

513, at ¶ 20. But here, unlike in Ruff I, P.H.’s statement surrounding Williams’

demand for money served a medically relevant purpose. See Stahl, 111 Ohio St.3d

186, 2006-Ohio-5482, 855 N.E.2d 834, at ¶ 46. As Lattarulo explained to the jury,

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P.H. “was a small woman. And I remember at the time she was – she was very fragile

and had a history of some health problems. And I could, you know, tell when I

looked at her that she had some chronic problems. And she was just very, very

fragile, weak and she was very upset.”

{¶34} P.H. suffered from a heart condition. She was extremely agitated

some 12 hours after the attack. Lattarulo stated that she needed to inquire about the

cause of her anxiety and stress. P.H.’s statements, including recounting Williams’

broken promise to leave her unharmed if she cooperated, were medically relevant to

explain and assess her agitated state. They are the kind of statements that would

cause a medical professional to be concerned about the possibility of physical injury,

psychological trauma, or the exacerbation of a chronic disease. See Stahl, 111 Ohio

St.3d 186, 2006-Ohio-5482, 855 N.E.2d 834, at ¶ 46. These statements were also

made for the primary purpose of medical diagnosis and treatment and would have

been understood to be so by an objective witness. See id. at ¶ 39-40; see also Arnold,

126 Ohio St.3d 290, 2010-Ohio-2742, 933 N.E.2d 775, at ¶ 38. Although these

statements were later used against Williams at trial, the primary purpose behind

their making was to obtain a medical diagnosis and treatment. Thus they too were

nontestimonial statements.

{¶35} Because P.H.’s statements were not testimonial, we continue our

inquiry to determine their admissibility under Evid.R. 803(4), which provides a

hearsay exception for “[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.” The initial

determination of whether a declarant’s statements were given for the purpose of

medical diagnosis or treatment falls within the sound discretion of the trial court.

See State v. Daniels, 1st Dist. Hamilton No. C-090566, 2010-Ohio-5258, ¶ 11, citing

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State v. Lukacs, 188 Ohio App.3d 597, 2010-Ohio-2364, 936 N.E.2d 506, ¶ 7 (1st

Dist.).

{¶36} Because we have already determined that P.H.’s statements were

offered for purposes of medical diagnosis and treatment, the trial court’s exercise of

its discretion exhibited a sound reasoning process that supported its decision. We

will not disturb its rulings. See AAAA Ents., Inc. v. River Place Community Urban

Redev. Corp., 50 Ohio St.3d 157, 161, 553 N.E.2d 597 (1990). The second assignment

of error is overruled.

VI. Sufficiency and Weight-of-the-Evidence Claims

{¶37} In his third assignment of error, Williams challenges the weight and

sufficiency of the evidence adduced at trial to support his convictions. He was

convicted of a single count of aggravated burglary under R.C. 2911.11(A)(1), which

provides: “No person, by force, stealth or deception shall trespass into an occupied

structure * * * when another person other than an accomplice of the offender is

present, with purpose to commit in the structure * * * any criminal offense, if any of

the following apply: The offender inflicts, or attempts or threatens to inflict physical

harm on another.”

{¶38} Williams was also found guilty of two counts of rape under R.C.

2907.02(A)(2). Under this statute the state was required to prove that Williams had

engaged in sexual conduct with another when he purposely compelled the other

person to submit by force or threat of force. One rape count alleged the sexual

conduct consisted of vaginal intercourse, the other of anal intercourse.

{¶39} Our review of the entire record fails to persuade us that the jury,

acting as the trier of fact, clearly lost its way and created such a manifest miscarriage

of justice that the convictions must be reversed and a new trial ordered. See State v.

Thompkins, 78 Ohio St.3d 380, 387, 678 N.E.2d 541 (1997). We can find no basis in

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this record to conclude that this is that “exceptional case” in which the jury lost its

way. See State v. Martin, 20 Ohio App.3d 172, 175, 485 N.E.2d 717 (1st Dist.1983).

{¶40} The jury was entitled to reject Williams’ explanation, made to the jury

at trial, that he had engaged in a consensual sexual relationship with P.H., especially

in light of his initial claim that he did not know her when questioned by Specialist

Noel. Williams’ defense otherwise rested largely on highlighting inconsistencies in

the state’s case, and noting the lack of identification testimony by eyewitnesses. For

example, Williams notes the discrepancy between Lattarulo’s assertion that P.H.’s

injuries had occurred 12 hours before her mid-day examination and the witnesses’

hearing P.H. scream at 6:00 or 7:00 in the morning.

{¶41} The state presented ample evidence to support the convictions,

including Lattarulo’s testimony relating P.H.’s narrative of the attack, Lattarulo’s

description of P.H.’s injuries and her agitated state, Jennings’ testimony that an

African-American male had stood outside P.H.’s window shortly before he heard

P.H. screaming on the morning of the attack, and the testimony of the investigating

officers. The state also introduced compelling physical evidence that DNA from

semen found on P.H.’s nightgown recovered in the 1998 investigation matched

Williams’ DNA.

{¶42} As the weight to be given the evidence and the credibility of the

witnesses were for the jury, sitting as the trier of fact, to determine in resolving

conflicts and limitations in the testimony, the jury could reasonably have found that

Williams had committed both aggravated burglary and rape after forcibly entering

P.H.’s apartment. See State v. DeHass, 10 Ohio St.2d 230, 227 N.E.2d 212 (1967),

paragraph one of the syllabus.

{¶43} When reviewing the legal sufficiency of the evidence to support a

criminal conviction, we must examine the evidence admitted at trial in the light most

favorable to the prosecution and determine whether the evidence could have

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convinced any rational trier of fact that the essential elements of the crime were

proven beyond a reasonable doubt. See State v. Conway, 108 Ohio St.3d 214, 2006-

Ohio-791, 842 N.E.2d 996, ¶ 36; see also Jackson v. Virginia, 443 U.S. 307, 99 S.Ct.

2781, 61 L.Ed.2d 560 (1979). In deciding if the evidence was sufficient, we neither

resolve evidentiary conflicts nor assess the credibility of the witnesses, as both are

functions reserved for the trier of fact. See State v. Campbell, 195 Ohio App.3d 9,

2011-Ohio-3458, 958 N.E.2d 622 (1st Dist.).

{¶44} Here, the record reflects substantial, credible evidence from which

the trier of fact could have reasonably concluded that all elements of the charged

crimes had been proved beyond a reasonable doubt, including that Williams had

trespassed into P.H.’s apartment by force with purpose to commit a criminal offense

and that while doing so he had inflicted physical harm on P.H. All the elements of

the rape offenses—that Williams had purposely compelled P.H. to engage in vaginal

and anal intercourse by force—had also been proved to the requisite standard. The

third assignment of error is overruled.

VII. Sexual-Predator Classification

{¶45} Williams’ fourth assignment of error, in which he argues that his

sexual-predator classification was contrary to the weight of the evidence, is not well

taken. Since Williams committed these sexually oriented offenses prior to January 1,

2008, the classification hearing was held pursuant to the civil and remedial

provisions of former R.C. Chapter 2950, also known as “Megan’s Law.” See State v.

Williams, 129 Ohio St.3d 344, 2011-Ohio-3374, 952 N.E.2d 1108, ¶ 22.

{¶46} We note that in the past we have applied the some-competent-

credible-evidence standard of review, articulated in C.E. Morris Co. v. Foley Constr.

Co., 54 Ohio St.2d 279, 376 N.E.2d 578 (1978), when reviewing the weight of

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evidence adduced to support a sexual-predator classification. E.g., State v. Hunter,

144 Ohio App.3d 116, 121, 759 N.E.2d 809 (1st Dist.2001).

{¶47} In light of the Ohio Supreme Court’s decision in Eastley v. Volkman,

132 Ohio St.3d 328, 2012-Ohio-2179, 972 N.E.2d 517, ¶ 16, that the C.E. Morris

standard improperly blurs distinctions between weight and sufficiency of the

evidence in civil proceedings, we now clarify our standard of review.

{¶48} When reviewing a challenge to the manifest weight of the evidence in

civil proceedings such as a sexual-predator-classification hearing under Megan’s

Law, we apply the standard of review articulated in Thompkins, 78 Ohio St.3d at 387,

678 N.E.2d 541. See Eastley at ¶ 14-23; see also In re A.B., 1st Dist. Hamilton Nos.

C-150307 and C-150310, 2015-Ohio-3247, ¶ 14-15. Our review asks whether the

evidence satisfies the burden of persuasion, which in this case was a clear-and-

convincing standard. Eastley at ¶ 12 and 19; see State v. Eppinger, 91 Ohio St.3d

158, 163, 743 N.E.2d 881 (2001), citing Cross v. Ledford, 161 Ohio St. 469, 477, 120

N.E.2d 118 (1954).

{¶49} Here, the trial court conducted the classification hearing in

accordance with the dictates of Eppinger. It carefully considered the statutory

factors found in former R.C. 2950.09. The state presented evidence that Williams

had been hospitalized for psychiatric illness in the 1970s, that he was already serving

a 14-year prison sentence for manslaughter and felonious assault, that he was

receiving treatment for a bipolar mental disorder, and that Williams had measured

in the high-risk category for sexual recidivism on a Static 99 assessment. The trial

court noted the horrific nature of Williams’ sexual conduct in repeatedly raping a

frail, older woman.

{¶50} Based upon our review of the record, we conclude that the trial court

had ample evidence before it to produce a firm belief that Williams was “likely to

engage in one or more sexually oriented offenses sometime in the future.” See former

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R.C. 2950.01(E); see also Eppinger at 162. The trial court could have properly found

by clear and convincing evidence that Williams is a sexual predator. See Eppinger at

163. Thus, we hold that the trial court did not lose its way and create such a manifest

miscarriage of justice that we must reverse its decision and order a new classification

hearing. See Thompkins, 78 Ohio St.3d at 387, 678 N.E.2d 541. Williams’ fourth

assignment of error is overruled.

VIII. Sentencing Issues

{¶51} In his final assignment of error, Williams challenges his sentences for

aggravated burglary and rape. The trial court imposed a ten-year prison term for

each offense. It informed Williams at the sentencing hearing that the terms would be

served consecutively and stated the findings that supported the determination. The

trial court also journalized a separate consecutive-sentence-findings worksheet

reflecting that the court imposed consecutive terms. But the sentencing entry does

not include those consecutive-sentencing findings.

a. A Separate Animus for Each Offense

{¶52} Williams first argues, as he did at the sentencing hearing, that his

convictions for vaginal rape, anal rape, and aggravated burglary were allied offenses

of similar import subject to merger. Since, he contends, these offenses were

committed neither separately nor with a separate animus, the trial court violated the

requirements of R.C. 2941.25 by sentencing him for all three offenses. We review the

trial court’s merger ruling de novo. See State v. Williams, 134 Ohio St.3d 482, 2012-

Ohio-5699, 983 N.E.2d 1245, ¶ 28.

{¶53} In the appeal of our decision in Ruff I, the Ohio Supreme Court held

that R.C. 2941.25 contemplates an evaluation of “three separate factors—the conduct,

the animus, and the import.” Ruff, 143 Ohio St.3d 114, 2015-Ohio-995, 34 N.E.3d

892, at paragraph one of the syllabus. Separate convictions are permitted under R.C.

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2941.25 for allied offenses if we answer affirmatively to one of the following three

questions: (1) Were the offenses dissimilar in import or significance? (2) Were they

committed separately? and (3) Were they committed with a separate animus or

motivation? Id. at paragraph three of the syllabus; see State v. Bailey, 1st Dist.

Hamilton No. C-140129, 2015-Ohio-2997, ¶ 76. Neither the Ruff decision nor “the

language of R.C. 2941.25 mandates the order of our inquiry. Thus, we may begin our

analysis with any of the three questions. And we may end our analysis upon an

affirmative response to any of the three questions.” Bailey at ¶ 83.

{¶54} We note that the Supreme Court’s Ruff decision also remanded the

case for this court to answer the first inquiry. Thus in State v. Ruff, 1st Dist.

Hamilton Nos. C-120533 and C-120534, 2015-Ohio-3367, ¶ 23 (“Ruff II”), we

resolved the issue of whether a trial court violates R.C. 2941.25 by failing to merge

each of a defendant’s convictions for aggravated burglary, under R.C. 2911.11(A)(1),

with the corresponding rape offenses, under R.C. 2907.02(A)(2), where the state

relied solely on the rape offenses to establish the physical-harm element of the

aggravated burglaries. We answered in the affirmative, because the harm that

resulted from the rape of each victim was the same harm that escalated each burglary

to aggravated burglary.

{¶55} But in Ruff II, the issue remanded to us from the Supreme Court was

limited to an inquiry into the import of those offenses. See id. at fn. 1. Thus we did

not consider the state’s contention that the offenses had been committed with a

separate animus. Here, that issue is squarely before us. It is raised by the facts of

the case. It is a focus of the state’s argument in support of the trial court’s decision

not to afford Williams the protections of the multiple-count statute. And Williams

maintains that the two rape offenses and the aggravated-burglary offense were

committed with the same animus.

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{¶56} We determine the defendant’s animus—his immediate motive or

purpose—by dissecting the facts and circumstances in evidence, including the means

used to commit the offense. See State v. Logan, 60 Ohio St.2d 126, 131, 397 N.E.2d

1345 (1979); see also Bailey, 1st Dist. Hamilton No. C-140129, 2015-Ohio-2997, at ¶

86.

{¶57} It is clear that Williams’ immediate motive for breaking into P.H.’s

apartment was to commit aggravated burglary by committing a theft offense. P.H.

told Lattarulo that upon entering her home, Williams had first taken her money by

threatening violence. The jury had been instructed that it could find Williams guilty

of aggravated burglary if it determined that he had knowingly trespassed in P.H.’s

apartment with purpose to commit “rape and/or theft,” and had then inflicted

physical harm on his victim by raping her.

{¶58} Only after she had complied with his demands for money did he take

P.H. to the bed and rape her. The manner in which Williams viciously and

repeatedly raped P.H. demonstrated that he had acted with an animus separate from

that of his initial motive in obtaining her money. Therefore, we hold that the rape

offenses and the aggravated-burglary offense were committed with a separate

animus and, thus, they were separately punishable under R.C. 2941.25. See Ruff, 143

Ohio St.3d 114, 2015-Ohio-995, 34 N.E.3d 892, at paragraph three of the syllabus.

The trial court did not err in failing to merge each rape offense with the aggravated-

burglary offense.

{¶59} Finally we review Williams’ contention that the two rape offenses

should be merged. But in State v. Strong, 1st Dist. Hamilton Nos. C-100484 and C-

100486, 2011-Ohio-4947, ¶ 71, this court held that two counts of rape involving

different types of sexual activity—vaginal intercourse and digital penetration—were

committed separately for purposes of R.C. 2941.25, even though they were

committed in the course of the same sexual encounter. Because the offenses

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involved different, distinct types of sexual activity, they each constituted a separate

crime, and their merger was not required by statute. Id.

{¶60} Here, the unrebutted testimony of the victim shows that the rape

counts involved vaginal intercourse and anal intercourse. These are two distinct

types of sexual activity, each constituting a separate crime, for which Williams may

be separately punished. The trial court did not err in failing to merge the two rape

counts.

b. Consideration of the Relevant Sentencing Factors

{¶61} Williams next asserts that the trial court failed to consider the

purposes and principles of sentencing. The trial court must consider the purposes

and principles of sentencing before imposing sentence, in accordance with the

sentencing statutes, including R.C. 2929.11 and 2929.12. But we will presume that

the court considered these statutes, even from a silent record, unless the appellant

can demonstrate affirmatively that the court failed to do so. See State v. Alexander,

1st Dist. Hamilton Nos. C-110828 and C-110829, 2012-Ohio-3349, ¶ 24, overruled

sub silentio in part on other grounds, State v. Bonnell, 140 Ohio St.3d 209, 2014-

Ohio-3177, 16 N.E.3d 659.

{¶62} Here, it is clear from the trial court’s remarks at the sentencing

hearing, and its sentencing-findings worksheet, that it considered the relevant

provisions of R.C. 2929.11 and 2929.12 in fashioning Williams’ sentences. The court

noted Williams’ extensive record of prior felony offenses and juvenile delinquencies.

It noted that the victim’s advanced age exacerbated the harm inflicted on her. And

the court observed that Williams had showed no remorse for his deeds.

c. Consecutive-Sentencing Findings Not in the Sentencing Entry

{¶63} We do find merit, however, in Williams’ final argument, regarding the

trial court’s failure to include consecutive-sentencing findings in the sentencing

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entry. The record reflects that the trial court stated the required findings for

consecutive sentences during the sentencing hearing and that it journalized a

sentencing-findings worksheet that included these findings. The record of Williams’

misdeeds amply supports the trial court’s R.C. 2929.14(C)(4) findings. See R.C.

2953.08(G)

{¶64} But, as the state concedes, the trial court did not incorporate

its consecutive-sentencing findings into the sentencing entry as required by Bonnell,

140 Ohio St.3d 209, 2014-Ohio-3177, 16 N.E.3d 659, at syllabus. On the authority of

Bonnell, we sustain the fifth assignment of error in part. See State v. Davis, 1st Dist.

Hamilton No. C-140351, 2015-Ohio-775, ¶ 7-10. The remainder of the assignment is

overruled.

IX. Conclusion

{¶65} Having sustained the fifth assignment of error in part, we remand the

matter, so that the trial court can correct its failure to incorporate its consecutive-

sentencing findings into the sentencing entry by nunc pro tunc entry. We affirm the

trial court’s judgment in all other respects.

Judgment accordingly.

HENDON, P.J., and MOCK, J., concur.

Please note:

The court has recorded its own entry on the date of the release of this opinion.

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